GM Hawthwile's Beyond the Halflight Path (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

my bad...thought it was a free to drop an item..didn't realize it was a move to drop it. That's fine with your ruling...all good.

Gathering himself after his brief loss of control, Doran grabs his shield and looks around for the goblins.

Don't split up! They can pick us apart! he says as he straps his shield on again.

Loam is about to pitter-patter after the goblin Makras is chasing as Doran shouts. "So do we let them go? The dinosaur can work quickly, at least. The prophet, less so, so I'd say we should follow him."

Good point...let's go.

Seeing how injured Doran is, Korum pulls a wand out and taps it to the man's shoulder.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Unimpressed with the results, he shrugs an apology toward the slayer. "Sorry, brand new wand. Still working out the kinks."

"I believe it is the pointed side that the magic comes out of, dear friend," chuckles Vulpina.

Not very fast herself, Loam takes off after the goblin. It's probably too far gone at this point, at least.

@Makras - Red was not in sight (around a corner) from your position at 1 move action, so I have moved your token again to maintain line of sight. This unfortunately means no Antagonize this round, but you can decide to keep that roll for the following round if you wish.

Makras and Loam dart after the northern goblin, while Danduun takes off after the southern one. The dinosaur growls, but Sadaf doesn't hear a cry of pain in response and can only conclude his faithful companion missed. The doomsayer ascends the stairs to see piles of rubble encroaching on the middle of the chamber ahead. Glowing gems glitter to the northeast, their light reflecting off a small pool of water and casting rainbow patterns on the ceiling.

The goblin leader makes the same rude gesture at Makras as she darts away again to the northeast. As the dwarf's eyes follow her, he sees massive crystals of rainbow hues filling a large chamber. Each glows like a torch, and all together the effect is like a noonday sun. They grow from the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling. Inside, two giants that remind him vaguely of Nuregore are busy breaking off large chunks of crystals and shoving them in their large toothy maws.

The goblin darts around the crystalline formations, then grins wickedly at Makras through the translucent rocks. "Hey uglies!" she screeches, then makes a very loud raspberry noise. "Me and my buddy there gonna steal all your food!" She points at the dwarf behind her, then jumps in the river flowing along side the cavern. As the water begins to carry her away, her maniacal cackling fills the cavern. The giants look up slowly, first at the goblin and then at Makras.

Even the Pathfinders at the entrance to the vault can hear the sound of goblin laughter, though perhaps when they hear comes from Danduun's prey rather than Makras's nemesis. They hear the sounds of feet scrabbling on the rocky floor, but the goblin herself is nowhere to be seen.

Since Danduun is an animal companion rather than a PC, the map in that area is still hidden.

We Didn't Start The Fire
Round 4! Bold may act!
Red (-25)
Blue (-35)
Yellow (-49)
Lady Vulpina (-21)
Sadaf
Danduun
Makras
Loam
Korum (-9)
Doran (-27)
Yellow
Green

What do you do?

Sadaf shouts, “Danduun come back!!“

Makras cracks his knuckles and gets his mining pick ready, knowing he's got the perfect tool for the job of cutting these giants down to size.

Ready an action to attack (w/ 5' step if necessary) if one gets within reach. Please note I get a +4 dodge bonus to AC vs giants.

Attack w/ +1 heavy pick: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

No worries, Korum...magic can be a fickle thing. Here...take mine and hold on to it. Might need to use it on me a fair bit, by the look of things... he says with a dour look and hands the paladin a wand.use it freely on whoever...

Loam's advance doesn't take her quite far enough to see the newest headache the Pathfinders have fallen into. She can, however, see plenty of bright light. Is this where they were supposed to go all along?

Double move.

Vulpina makes sure that Danduun isn't completely alone.

Since Danduun should be returning this round, I'm not sure where to move Vulpina yet. If Danduun has enough movement to reach Vulpina and then some, she'll start moving toward the rest of the party.

Korum will stay with Vulpina, moving if and when she does. He refuses to leave anyone behind.

While waiting, I will use my wand again.
CLW vs Lady V: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Maybe I am holding it backwards!

Doran and Korum bring up the rear as their more lightly-armored companions hurry up the stairs towards Makras's shouting. Loam is the only one with a vantage point to see the giants inside ignore the dwarf as they lurch slowly to their feet. With massive footsteps that shake the floor, they burst through the crystalline growths to chase after the goblin floating downstream. She gives them both the same rude gesture as she gave Makras earlier and sinks beneath the surface, much to the giants' frustration.

We Didn't Start The Fire
Round 5! Bold may act!
Lady Vulpina (-21)
Sadaf
Danduun
Makras
Loam
Korum (-7)
Doran (-27)
Yellow
Green

What do you do?

"Do we need to fight these guys? All we know is that a little goblin ticked 'em off."

The paladin takes Doran's wand, and taps it to the slayer.
CLW vs Doran: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Well, that was better. I did something right that time.

He compares the two wands to see if he can figure out how to make his more functional.

@GM Hawthwile Lady Vulpina should be at -19. I healed her for a critical 2 hp earlier.

"I see no need for violence here," shrugs Vulpina.

...As she takes both Total Defense for +6 AC and will use Dodging Panache or Gunslinger's Dodge as needed.

I'll have to buy you a few mugs when we get back...go do some carousing. Hopefully my cousin Mykel will be in town...women go nuts over him for some reason... Doran says as he carefully approaches from the rear.

"Here's hoping they see sense, then." Loam stands idle, but still has her gun drawn. "Let's not engage unless they start speaking or smashing?"

"...Although, we might need to be here. That complicates matters."

Delay.

Sadaf will wait for Danduun to come back and hugs the little dinosaur.

"Ahh, good that you are here again! Don't want you to die!" he says and looks at the others expectantly.

"Maybe I start looking for anything useful!" Sadaf says and starts searching.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Makras will maintain his readied action.

Gotcha Korum - thanks for the clarification!

@Everyone - remember to move your tokens on the map to your current position. If you need assistance moving the token, clearly state where you wish to move to and either myself or one of the other players will make the requested modification to the slides.

The giants look over at the Pathfinders, then begin crashing through the crystalline growths towards Makras. They roar and bellow in anticipation, speaking roughly to each other. "Den grønne er borte," one grumbles in a voice like rumbling boulders.

"Den var for tynn," the other replies. "Denne ser ut som et mye bedre måltid."

Both of them double-move - because of their size, they treat any square with crystals in it as difficult terrain rather than impassable terrain.

We Didn't Start The Fire Will Rock You
Round 6! Bold may act!
Lady Vulpina (-19)
Sadaf
Danduun
Makras
Loam
Korum (-9)
Doran (-21)
Yellow
Green

What do you do?

Sadaf moves forward with Danduun.

Double move.

Makras shouts at the giants: "The end is nigh--but nigher for you than for me! Ha!"

Maintaining readied action.

Vulpina uses the interim to get herself toward the front line-- and grins as she sees they are being attacked.

"Ah! Either those goblins have gotten much larger, or we have stumbled into a new challenge," she chuckles, aiming her weapon.

Loam drops a pinch of mica dust into her gun's barrel. If the giants don't even speak their language, they won't see much reason before they stop seeing for a while.

Ready to cast Glitterdust, DC 18, if either giant keeps moving forward.

Doran grabs a flask off his bandolier and downs it quickly

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Blasted potion was diluted...gonna have to talk to that alchemist... can someone hut we woth a healing stick please? don't wanna start combat at too much of a deficit

Vulpina sighs as she sees Doran drink a potion and barely improve his condition.

"One begins to suspect that purchasing all of our healing supplies from 'Honest Moll's Discount Poultice, Poultry, and 'Pholstery Shop' may not have been the best idea."

Korum taps Doran with the slayer's own wand before moving forward.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Well, there we go. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."

The lumbering creatures continue smashing through crystals, and Loam uses her confetti cannon pistol to launch a blast of blinding particles at them...

Yellow Will vs DC 18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Green Will vs DC 18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

...but they both only blink their tiny eyes a few times before continuing to approach. As the first emerges from the crystal field, thunder from Vulpina's pistol crashes through the room...

Collapse?: 1d5 ⇒ 1

...and the ceiling collapses slightly, showering the Pathfinders with rocks that they try to dodge...

Bludgeoning damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 5) = 15
Vulpina Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Sadaf Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Danduun Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Makras Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Loam Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Korum Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Doran Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

...and while the talk folks with their long legs are able to dive for cover and avoid the worst of the debris, the shorter Pathfinders find themselves covered in bruises and welts. Vulpina, ever the professional, doesn't let the sudden rockfall shift her aim and it strikes the giant squarely in the shoulder...

Yellow Will vs DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

...and it reels back in pain before roaring in defiance and continuing on. Makras cannot contain himself any longer and steps forward with his pickaxe. He chips away at the creature's rocky body, and it bellows again. The other moves up behind it, but can't get past as the room narrows.

We Didn't Start The Fire Will Rock You
Round 7! Bold may act!
Lady Vulpina (-26)
Sadaf (-15)
Danduun (-15)
Makras (-15)
Loam (-15)
Korum (-16)
Doran (-22)
Yellow (-16)
Green

Environmental Effects:
- This smaller room does not seem entirely stable and could continue to collapse if subjected to loud noises or digging.

What do you do?

"Don't do that again!" Loam yells, nearly tossing her own gun aside at seeing and feeling what another shot could do. But she decides to fire packed ice from it instead of a bullet. No more noise than a typical spell.

Snowball vs. Yellow Touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 5d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 5, 2) + 1 = 21

Watching the crystals fall, "You know, we could draw them back into the more stable cave system. No need to bring the roof down." Korum prepares to hold the creatures at bay whilst the others retreat to safer ground.

Ah, the good old days of Everquest. Let's kite these guys into the stone caves, shall we?

Readied action (+1 Adamantite Glaive/Reach/PA): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

Vulpina, having dipped and twirled past the heaviest of the rocks, begins to chuckle before she realizes that some of her allies got properly stoned.

"Oh, very well," she sighs, letting her grip on her pistol slacken; she shifts into more of a dueling pose, with her blade out front. "Into the tunnels, you say? If you can convince the others, I'll be happy to follow!"

Trying to figure out how coordinated we're going to be before I take my actual turn :P

Yes...drag them back here...I can cover with my bow. Doran says as he sheathes his sword and draws his bow. He takes a step back to give him more room.

A grim smile crosses Makras' face as the cave starts to collapse. "A better end than most!" he shouts, swinging the pick at the rock monster.

Doing an attack, a 5' step back, and also a free action to try to identify this thing--I'm guessing its Knowledge (planes), but please let me know if it's something else.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Sadaf asks Danduun to step back.

He walks forward and casts a burning hands spell on the two trolls.

concentration dc 17: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

burning hands, dc 16 reflex half: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4) = 12

@Makras - it's actually Knowledge (local), oddly enough.

Even with her allies in the way, Loam finds a clear shot at the giant's ugly face and fills its oversized maw with ice. As the other three Pathfinders hang back, Makras swings at one of the oversized legs before stepping back to let Sadaf take his place. The giant roars in delight as its prey approaches and swings a large clawed hand...

Yellow Claw vs Sadaf AC 21: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Slashing, Piercing damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

...and cuts the dwarf across the face before he retorts with a blast of fire!

Yellow Reflex vs DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Green Reflex vs DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Both giants instinctively shield their faces from the heat, but the smell of burnt flesh still fills the room for a moment. Sadaf has an uncomfortably-close view as the blackened skin on the closer giant's arm begins to recede and heal itself. The creature roars in delight at having its food come to it and bites hungrily at Sadaf before swinging both arms...

Yellow Bite, Power Attack vs Sadaf AC 21: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 = 20
Bite damage, PA: 1d8 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 4 = 19

Yellow Claw, PA vs Sadaf AC 21: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 - 2 = 26
Slashing, Piercing damage, PA: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 4 = 12

Yellow Claw, PA vs Sadaf AC 21: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 = 15
Slashing, Piercing damage, PA: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16

The other giant jeers as the first catches only air between its teeth, but one swipe of its clawed hand nearly sends Sadaf to the ground!

We Didn't Start The Fire Will Rock You
Round 8! Bold may act!
Lady Vulpina (-26)
Sadaf (-36)
Danduun (-15)
Makras (-15)
Loam (-15)
Korum (-16)
Doran (-22)
Yellow (-38)
Green (-1)

Environmental Effects:
- This smaller room does not seem entirely stable and could continue to collapse if subjected to loud noises or digging.

What do you do?

"Arghhhh, that hurt! But a dwarf does not allow trolls to win! I am a force of nature! Force of nature! You hear me!" Sadaf says and 5 ft steps back to go to total defense!

Doran steps forward and puts an arrow into the closest giant.

arrow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

if i can see it without moving more than a 5 ft step add my studied target bonus to the roll...if not i'l move up as far as I can to shoot...hard to tell from the map

Makras steps back into the fray. "Rocks fall and then you die!" he shouts, swinging the mining pick again.

Attack w/ +1 heavy pick: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Do I get 2 turns now? Looks like we're not kiting...

Website got taken down midway through my post! Ah well. I had already put down the orange square.

Hoping a giant's crash to the ground won't bring the ceiling down with it, Loam greases the earth under both.

Reflex DC 17.

Looks pretty cramped up there.
The paladin heals the archer once again.

Wand of CLW vs Doran: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Do I get 2 turns now? Looks like we're not kiting...

It certainly doesn't look like the short folks in the front are kiting back. Go ahead and post two turn's worth of actions.

Doran's arrow and Makras's pick are both deflected by the giant's thick skin. Loam's spell coats the floor in a layer of slippery oil...

Yellow Reflex vs DC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Green Reflex vs DC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

...and while the closer one stays on its feet, the other crashes to the ground with a surprised roar and a loud thump. The ceiling trembles, but does not dislodge another shower of rocks and debris.

We Didn't Start The Fire Will Rock You
Round 8! Bold may act!
Lady Vulpina (-26)
Sadaf (-36)
Danduun (-15)
Makras (-15)
Loam (-15)
Korum (-16)
Doran (-16)
Yellow (-38)
Green (-1)

Environmental Effects:
- This smaller room does not seem entirely stable and could continue to collapse if subjected to loud noises or digging.

What do you do?

Vulpina steps forward and lashes out! A lot!

Wakizashi Slice - Piranha Strike vs. Yellow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Wakizashi Damage + Piranha Strike + Precise Strike: 1d6 + 4 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 10 = 20

Wakizashi Slice - Piranha Strike vs. Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Wakizashi Damage + Piranha Strike + Precise Strike: 1d6 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 5 = 11

If the giant survives that, she'll follow up! If not, she'll five-foot-step forward (one square to the right) and attack Green.

Wakizashi Slice - Piranha Strike vs. Yellow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Wakizashi Damage + Piranha Strike + Precise Strike: 1d6 + 4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 10 = 17

Wakizashi Slice - Piranha Strike vs. Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Crit?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Wakizashi Damage + Piranha Strike + Precise Strike: 1d6 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 5 = 13

@Vulpina - you're using a point of panache both rounds to double the damage from Precise Strike, correct? It'd be awesome if you could note that in your posts to help me track where all the damage is coming from.

The Lady draws blood once, then twirls her blade and lands another cut on the giant's torso that's not as deep as she would have liked. Enraged, the massive creature bites and swings at the impudent swashbuckler even as the cuts begin to close themselves...

Yellow Bite, PA vs Vulpina AC 20: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 = 19
Bite damage, PA: 1d8 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 4 = 13

Yellow Claw, PA vs Vulpina AC 20: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 2 = 28
Claw damage, PA: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16

...and with one heavy blow, Vulpina drops to one knee. The giant roars in delight and lets its momentum swing its clawed hand over at Makras...

Yellow Claw, PA vs Makras AC 24: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 - 2 = 30
Claw damage, PA: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 2 = 11
Crit damage: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 4 = 14

...and leaves a fresh set of large scratches on the dwarf's already-scarred face - though not as deep as they might have been. The other giant carefully clambers to their feet, then grins with delight at the sight of the bleeding Pathfinders and rubs their hands together eagerly.

I'm flavoring Vulpina's Never Stop Shooting trait as her dropping to a knee - otherwise I have no good rationale for directing the second attack at Makras, and the damage from that second attack would kill her dead. Which is more for my personal sense of "I don't like killing PCs" than anything else. @Vulpina, you are Disabled as normal - no need to worry about having fallen prone or anything like that. Sound good to everyone?

We Didn't Start The Fire Will Rock You
Round 9! Bold may act!
Lady Vulpina (-42 (-1/10), Disabled)
Sadaf (-36)
Danduun (-15)
Makras (-31)
Loam (-15)
Korum (-16)
Doran (-16)
Yellow (-66)
Green

Environmental Effects:
- This smaller room does not seem entirely stable and could continue to collapse if subjected to loud noises or digging.

What do you do?

That is correct! Also, I’m delightedly surprised that you knew Vulpina has Never Stop Shooting... although in this case, there are at least 3 good reasons she shouldn’t use it. ...but she’s never been the wisest, so...

Grab her and get back here! We can't fight them in our condition! Move! Doran yells as he lets fly with another arrow at the wounded giant, hoping to put him down.

do i still get the firing into melee penalty when the target is large? don't know..if so add the -4 in please. adding studied target as well

arrow: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 161d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Seeing the swashbuckler fall to a knee, the paladin shouts out, "VULPINA!" He calls upon the healing power granted to him by his goddess. If there were ever a time your healing was needed more, I cannot recall. Please blessed Shelyn, answer my call. A wave of warm, pink energy briefly bathes the cavern.

Channel to heal (Yeah, yeah, I'm surprised too.): 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12

I believe I positioned myself to get the party and zero bad guys.

Vulpina makes a face, then spits a tooth out; a replacement has grown in its place, thanks to Shelyn's power.

She turns her head just enough to grin at Korum with the side of her face.

"Should I be concerned at just how swift that was?" she asks in a teasing tone.

"Not bad, rock giant, not bad!" Makras jumps high and swings the pick downward to try to cleave the giant's arm from its torso. Winded, he then staggers back.

+1 heavy pick: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8