Season 4: Blue Moose Edition (Inactive)

Game Master Blue Moose

I don't do much at range, so Nylthe will focus on helping with the catapult for now.

Since Nylthe is helping with the catapult, could Wilen set up near the hold in the upper-level floor, and could he aim bombs through it?

Eventually, the red marble mantis lands on Ilathor's open palm. The Elf's eyes roll back for a few moments before he gives it a clearing shake. "Their biggest strength is their sheet numbers. We're up against four to five dozen men. Only one of them, which I'd presume to be their leader, is in some sort of heavy armor. We've fifteen minutes at most before they arrive," he shares with the others, before taking up a position next to the catapult. Some well-placed shots should take some of their numbers away, maybe question the resolve of a few more. The choke-point should tip this whole ordeal further in our favor.

@Wilen: While yes, you can toss bombs through the holes in the floor, that would be mainly for when the fight reaches the actual house. You're not going to get much in the way of range for the troops as they march.

Okay, If you going to start to use the catapult, give me 2 'attack' checks, as first the first rock connects, the torches will start to scatter and go out, though there is enough time for a second shot to be useful.

**LOAD!!**

Sounds good, I guess wilen can hang out front and lob bombs until they get within range of the house.

Ilathor nods to his two allies once the catapult has been winched back and loaded. "What a marvelous application of physics, don't you agree? Truly, this little contraption solves what must have been an eon-old problem: I wish to squash someone, but they are way over there! Haha, what fun, let us begin, shall we?" he asks as he pulls the lever, sending the rock hurtling through the air.

With childlike excitement he points at the airborne rock. "Oh! Oh! Parabolic motion in action! See if you can tell the precise moment it can no longer fight against the force of gravity!"
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Catapult (Engineering + BAB): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Catapult (Engineering + BAB): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Reroll (2 Stars): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 2 = 27
I've never used a catapult before as a player, so I'm willing to burn the reroll for the best experience possible ;)

After a few moments of calibration, the first rock is flung at the column of troops. It lands in the middle of the force, with only a brief scream echoing from the now crushed troops. Almost immediately, a cry from the 'officers' of this force goes out, calling to spread out and extinguish the torches in use. However, before the lights go completely out, the party is able to launch another shot at the approaching army. This second rock, however, goes wide, cracking against a basalt pillar near a group of conscripts. However, just as the conscripts continue their trek, the pillar crumbles, trapping several in the resulting rubble.

At this point, the invading force has spread out enough that any further rocks lobbed at them are avoided. As the slightly smaller force reaches the lighted area from the light house, you all can have retreated to within the relative safety of the building.

At this point, place your marker at where you'd want to start your defense from. I'll start combat with the next post.

"Yay!" Ilathor cheers, clapping his hands together multiple times. "Now we can test the application of all of our collective tools on the repulsion of hostile invaders, what a time to be alive!" he says, still running a little high on the "natural" experiment he just got to be a part of.

Heading back inside, he climbs the stairs and watches through the window. Bet of the armored one goes down, the others won't have much of a will to fight!
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Token is in position! Staff of Minor Arcana and Wand of Shield in hand. Mage Armor from a wand used.

Wilen had been standing in front of the door, like some sort of warden, watching the rocks fly over his head and towards the forces swarming towards them. When they scatter he quickly rushes inside to get into position.

Good work everyone. They know we mean business now...

He sprints up the stairs and gets into position by his "bomb hole", and begins carefully laying out sets of bomb reagents for quick assembly and deployment. They line the circle cut in the floor, and Wilen sits behind it, cross-legged.

Juis heads back downstairs to take his previous guard position.

As the party retreats back into the house, a bellow can be heard from the now smaller force. As Ilathor watches on, a squad of lightly armed and armored men hurriedly bolt for the building, axes in hand. Three of them dive straight for the main entrance, while the other two go to climb though a window into the kitchen.

Round 1
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Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops
Lebraerio
Ilathor
Aconite

Nylthe shrouds Aconite in a shield of force to match his earlier armor.

Seeing the first wave burst through the main entrance, Wilen quickly composes the first batch of reagents and hurls it at the leader.

[standard] Bomb attack vs. ORANGE
Ranged touch vs ORANGE, Fire damage, fire splash damage: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 222d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 6) + 5 = 146 = 6
If it hits directly, the other two take splash
If it doesn't hit, it lands...: 1d8 ⇒ 4 => PURPLE's square, all three take splash.

Wilen quickly leans back to conceal his face from immediate view of the intruders. I doubt it matters :)
DC16 reflex to halve splash damage

Juis prays and blesses his nearby companions for the upcoming battle.

Cast Bless: +1 to hit & vs Fear for 40 rounds.

As the first round of defensive spells goes off, Wilen launches the first of his bombs at the trio that charged toward the front door, hitting the one in the lead solidly, with the overflow flowing over onto the other two. One is able to duck behind the main target and avoid the worst of the burning liquids though. Then the troops charge farther into the house, with one charging upstairs while the rest head farther in. the one in the front heads straight for Aconite, and wildly swings over the eidolon's head. Meanwhile, Juis hears a resounding *THWACK*, as the head of an axe comes through the door to the kitchen that they barricaded earlier.

Round 1
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Party Buffs:Bless
Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops (Orange -14, Purple -6, Red -3)
Lebraerio
Ilathor
Aconite(Mage armor, Shield)

Round 2
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Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops
Lebraerio
Ilathor
Aconite

Wilen looks up at the mercenary that's entered that room, and without breaking his gaze calls to Ilathor.

Do you have that one so that I can keep burning entrants down below?

This bomb will target GREEN if he says yes, and RED (in the room) if he says no.

[standard] Bomb attack
Ranged touch, Fire damage, fire splash damage: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 292d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 4) + 5 = 156 = 6 DC16 reflex to halve splash damage

If it hits GREEN directly, then magenta takes splash damage.
If it doesn't hit, it lands...: 1d8 ⇒ 5 ⇒ West of either target; upstairs RED takes splash, or downstairs GREEN and MAGENTA take splash.

Aconite stands his ground, snarling and tearing into the line of approaching foes!

Bite: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 1 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
Gore: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Nylthe keeps a wary eye on the attackers, but focuses on preparing Aconite for battle, for now. Bull's Strength.

"I suppose it depends on your definition of 'have,' but I suppose I can serve as a barrier in this sort of situation," Ilathor confesses. Warding himself with his wand, he lets it slip from his hand as he casually walks in front of the invader. "If you would do me the courtesy of missing, that'd be marvelous," he asks the invader. "I can mend my clothes, but it is just such a time-consuming process, you see."
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GM, for your buff tracking, Ilathor activated a wand of Mage Armor when they entered the house again. This turn, cast shield, drop wand, move to take up space! Drew the path traveled, don't think it will provoke. Current AC values are in brackets!

Lebraerio sends a small stone flying over the head of the foes

Aiming at he square between Pink and Green, if possible, so they are all caught in the sound blast

Thrown thunderstone vs DC 5: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Thunderstone: each creature within 10 feet radius must make a DC 15 fortitude save or be deafened (-4 to Initiative,20% failure spells with verbal components)

Juis moves up against the wall and readies to smack the axe-wielder if he makes it through the barricade.

Lebraerio's thunderstone explodes in an impressive echo, which catches one of the conscripts off guard. That's quickly followed by another explosion, this one of the fiery variety, as Wilen cleanly smacks the soldier underneath him.

Aconite's savagery tears down the first man that reached him, only for him to be replaced by 2 more conscripts, both swinging at the eidolon, with only a last second deflection from the defensive spells on him preventing the axes from tasting blood. The one upstairs actually looks a little confused by Ilathor's blase response to his existance before shrugging and taking a chop into Ilathor anyway, cleaving though his shielding. Finally, the one trying to chop through the door takes another swing at it, before cursing under his breath and charging out the door to join up with his comrades.

Round 2
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Party Buffs:Bless
Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops (Orange, Pink -12(deafened), Red -3, Green -15 )
Lebraerio
Ilathor(-6)(Mage Armor, Shield)
Aconite(Mage armor, Shield)

Round 3
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Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops
Lebraerio
Ilathor
Aconite

Looking down and seeing that there are no more soldiers coming through the front door, Wilen stands and lobs a bomb over the head of their immediate foe, purposely letting it miss and explode behind him.

[standard] Bomb attack
Square behind RED (AC5), fire splash damage: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 136 = 6 DC16 reflex to halve splash damage

Splash damage to RED

Lebraerio takes his short sword and readies himself for the fight, stabbing the first foe

Blessed Attack on Green: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23
Dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Nylthe meanwhile flicks her whip into the fray, not caring if she does more than draw the attention of her foes, so long as she keeps all of them afraid of her lash!

Dazzling Display: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Aconite follows Lebraerio's lead, trying to keep the attackers penned in!

Green->Pink->Blue
Bite: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 12
Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8
Gore: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8

"Ah!" Ilathor yelps as the axe bites into him. "I even asked so politely! I am wasted on one such as you!" he complains, clearly cross with the man. Striking his staff to the ground, it erupts with arcane energy that collides with the assailant.
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Magic Missile (Staff of Minor Arcana, 2 Charges, CL 8) vs Red: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 2) + 4 = 14
Wilen, if we're in the same situation next turn, Ilathor can 5ft step back so you can get a clear/direct throw on the guy if you're ok with delaying! Unless we're fighting some fancy dudes, using his staff doesn't provoke per using a spell trigger item.

Seeing the assailant gave up, Juis moves to join the front line with the others.

Double Move

Lebraerio strikes true, as well as one of Aconite's Claw and his horns. With the last of his strength, that foe dives toward Lebraerio in an attempt to wound him, but falls short of his goal, collapsing on the ground instead. The other two turn their attention onto the beast that's holding them at bay. And while the snap of the whip does startle them, the newest person entering the fray manages to drive his axe well into Aconite's side.

Meanwhile, upstairs, the lone combatant up here pushes forward a bit, just enough to avoid the worst of Wilen's blast, though taking the magicial force punches does throw him off balance some. In fact it's just enough that his next swing at Ilathor just barely skips off of the magical force surrounding him.

Round 2
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Party Buffs:Bless
Pink, Blue Demoralized 1 round
Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops (Orange, Pink -12(deafened), Red -20, Green)
Lebraerio
Ilathor(-6)(Mage Armor, Shield)
Aconite(-11)(Mage armor, Shield)

Round 3
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Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Enemy troops
Lebraerio
Ilathor
Aconite

Hmm, this is a slippery one...you can't hide from the fires forever!

Wilen lobs another bomb behind their aggressor.

[standard] Bomb attack
Square behind RED (AC5), bless, fire splash damage: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 = 276 = 6 DC16 reflex to halve splash damage

Splash damage to RED

Quick study: swift action to study Pink

Attack on Pink, study: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19
Dmg, study: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10
additional studied strike damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Lebraerio takes a few seconds to assert his foe moves and style of fighting, then strikes at the most opportune moment, targeting the right leg, where the man puts most of his weight

I'm never totaly sure about studied combat/studied strike. Studdied combat gives 1/2 level bonus to hit and damage for the cost of one move action, studied strike is a free action that gives 1d6 additional damage to the target of a studied combat. But does the studied strike needs another, separate to hit roll, or is it automatic?

"See? Was that so hard?" Ilathor says with exasperation as the axe is deflected. "Unfortunately, I've never cared much for slow-learners!" Striking his staff against the ground again, another barrage of energy pummels the man.
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Magic Missile (Staff of Minor Arcana, 2 Charges, CL 8) vs Red: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 3) + 4 = 17
Lebraerio, I think once you've studied a foe (via studied target), you can choose to have your studied strike apply to an attack you make. I don't think it is a separate attack roll, more of an "optional sneak attack," than anything else.

Juis slips through the boxes and strikes out at one of the attackers with his mace.

MW Cold Iron Heavy Mace +Bless vs Pink: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Free: 5' step
Standard: Attack

Nylthe lashes out with her whip once more, this time yanking the uninjured one off his feet!
Trip (Bless): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26

Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 43 Unless we're in bright light

Aconite isn't sentimental about the fight, when one falls he simply tears away at the next, trusting to his partner to keep him on this plane!

Starting with Pink
Bite (PA, BS, Bless): 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 11
Claw (PA, BS, Bless): 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10
Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 20
Extra Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 7
Claw (PA, BS, Bless): 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8
Gore (PA, BS, Bless): 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 9

First of all, I agree with Ilathor's take on studied combat. Studied strike is a kicker to an already decided hit. That makes sense to me, between the loss of the studied combat buff and multiple uses needing the use of inspiration.

Secondly, Normal light. I didn't know it mattered so much with Aconite, until I read the shadow eidolon template.

Between Wilen's explosions and another servo of missiles from Ilathor, the opponent upstairs finally falls. Likewise, Lebraerio's expertly placed strike and Nylthe's expert whip use throws the remaining opponents off guard enough for Aconite to tear them down, and end this round of threats. The sounds of combat briefly fade in the house, though the threat is still outside.

You have a brief pause in fighting here.

Current state
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Party Buffs:Bless(37 rounds)

Nylthe
Wilen
Juis
Lebraerio
Ilathor(-6)(Mage Armor, Shield)
Aconite(-11)(Mage armor, Shield)

Okay, I think it's settled down in here. How are we doing? Ilathor, it looks like he got you a little...

Wilen hands him one of his infused extracts.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Ilathor dusts both of his shoulders off gently. Simple minded cretin... "Oh! Why thank you, Mr. Proudbrew," he says, graciously accepting Wilen's infusion.

"If this man is representative of the sort we'll be fighting..." he grumbles, giving the corpse a disdainful nudge with his foot. Touching his wrists together, his current outfit turns into a potato sack. "...this should be more appropriate.

"Everyone alright?" he calls into the floor's holes.
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Sleeves of Many Garments to alter clothing!

Nylthe gives Aconite a good scratch behind the ears while she sees to his wounds.

Ideally Juis can use Nylthe's wand to heal up Aconite, but if not...
Hey!

UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

After a couple moments of healing, the house grows briefly still, until a bellow is heard from outside. Ilathor(Seeing as you're the one with a perch to watch outside) will notice a flight of archers move just into sight range. However, just before firing, a second set of troops spring forward with braziers, allowing the archers to light their arrows on fire before the flight sends a volley of arrows at the house. Most impact on the sides of the black basalt building but several of the arrows impact with the barricades you put up, setting them on fire, with the smoke beginning to float through the house.

Survival, DC15: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Oh no! They're going to burn this place down around us!

Know Engineering: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 7 + (4) = 28

The rain has soaked the barricades with water, we have plenty of time before the wood takes fire, Wilen. Sorry to contradict you.

Oh, well, that's relieving!

The halfling admits sheepishly, but gratefully.

"Juis, can you douse the flames before they are able to spread. I believe you can most safely do so from a distance."

Ilathor sighs and pulls out another wand and wards himself yet again, before switching back to his original wand. "They seem prepared enough to demonstrate an annoying level of persistence, but not prepared enough to be overly threatening," he comments to nobody in particular. "Maybe that was a distraction?" Although I couldn't say from what...
________
Ilathor would like to cast Protection from Arrows from a wand (3hrs, dr 10/magic vs "ranged weapons"), then have his wand of shield back in hand. GM, can we take pot shots at these goons? He hass a wand of magic missiles (decidedly less powerful than his staff!) if he can!

"Right."

Juis moves toward the closest flame and begins praying over it. He then moves over to the other flame and repeats the prayer.

Cast Create Water over flames.

Said goons are not really targets. You could take pot shots, but it wouldn't change much.

With a little bit of planning, Juis is able to extinguish the first of the fires. However, as he calls water for a second time....

"Maybe that was a distraction?" Although I couldn't say from what...

BOOM!!!! BOOM!!! Almost on cue, the barricade in one of the bay windows blows in from a pair of explosions. Quickly, a pair of dark robed figures stream into the now open window. As they do, part of the ceiling collapses, as the floor in the master bedroom falls away, revealing a third figure clinging to the wall, avoiding the collapse.

The pair on the first floor each hurl a firebomb at the knot of pathfinders in front of them, connecting with Lebraerio and Aconite as the fire washes over all three of them. After throwing, the speed to the the other end of the great hall with obviously magically augmented speed.

Meanwhile, the one upstairs spider walks along the wall, and opens the door to the stairwell, only pausing a moment when he spots Wilen and Ilathor.

Round 1
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Party Buffs:Bless(7 rounds)

Sabotuers
Nylthe(-8,2 Reflex saves*(DC14))
Aconite(Mage Armor, Shield)(-10, 2 Reflex saves**(DC 14))
Wilen
Juis
Lebraerio(-14,2 Reflex saves**(DC 14))
Ilathor(Mage Armor, Shield)

* Both saves are for splash on the bombs. Each made save will reduce damage by 2
** One save is for splash damage, the other save is to avoid being catch on fire

Ah, the "party" continues. Wilen remarks, grimacing at the next wave (although expected).

He quickly dashes by the stairs down and retreats to the corner of the stairwell before lobbing a bomb at their new foe.

[move] 20' (2W, 1WS, 1S)
[standard] bomb attack BLUE

Ranged touch (bless), Fire damage, fire splash damage: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 142d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 = 136 = 6 DC16 reflex to halve splash damage
If it doesn't hit, it lands...: 1d8 ⇒ 2 ⇒ S of BLUE (due to the impossibility of going through a wall to the W), BLUE takes splash.

Ref save DC 14, splash damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Ref save DC 14, burning?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Lebraerio does his best to avoid the burning flames