Eberron Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master mittean

I think Jacynta should get an AoO--oops, nope, no AoO against the wand. Well...

"Jacynta, trip him or knock his wand out of reach!" calls Thuurvi, seeing how the wizard and fighter are steadily wearing the team down. In an eyeblink, the floorboards underneath Ezren take on strange, jagged shapes, shifting the wizard's feet.

She makes her way towards Tuk, then hesitates, opting behind Three instead. Please tell me that's Three.

Jacynta glances back at Thuurvi on hearing her advice, then back up at the old man towering over her.

"Sure," she mutters to herself, "Just knock him down. How hard could that be."

She does, however, take Thuurvi's other suggestion, lunging for the wand in Ezren's hand.

Jacynta lunges forward, smacking the wand out of Ezren's grasp, sending it clattering to the counter behind him. "Don't listen to her!"

Jacynta, yes. And every single roll beat him. Sigh. Luck of the halflings.

I'll go ahead and mark one off, then.

#3 , pretty sure we're flanking the big boy!

Round 8

Will start to use Combat Expertise for +1 to Defence and -1 to hit. Also, when next attacked by Valeros will spend 1 panache to enact Dodging Panache as an immediate action to gain +3 to defence.

Tuk growls in frustration as he keeps getting hit by the enlarged man, ducking in to try to even the score!

Tuk jams his dagger into the right side of Valeros, finding a spot to slip just under the edge of the armor. With a yell of pain, Valeros fruitlessly tries to slash out and defend himself, and almost gets caught up on a cup that's rolled under his feet from the chaos of Ezren's plunge over the counter. "No!"

Natural 20! Great job! Automatic hit! And he rolled a Natural 1 on his Defense! You got a free Dirty Trick of Entangled! (That didn't land. Sigh.)
Actually, IIRC Tuk, to flank with a large creature, you need to be able to draw a line between you and Three and have the arrow pass throw opposite sides of the large creature's space.

Ezren stomps his foot on the ground, and a shockwave bursts out, rumbling the floor!

Jacynta and Thuurvi, please make Reflex saves!

FOR EVERYONE: Any Hero Points spent in this combat are going to be refunded.

Valeros brings his sword around in a powerful hit, as Engineer #3 Mk. II counters him perfectly...but Valeros is able to just move out of the way of Engineer #3 Mk. II's counter, as the powerful blow from his longsword connects with the warforged with a resounding crash!

Okay, this was a super complex interaction, lol. Valeros rolled a Natural 20 attack, auto hitting Engineer #3 Mk. II. 18 to confirm. Engineer #3 Mk. II rolled a Natural 20 Defense! The Reaction for that is always a free Retaliation attack, (which he missed, unfortunately) and it negates a Critical threat. Rather than canceling each other out with the 20's, Valeros gets the auto hit...which due to his Vengeance Trait, drops you below zero hp, into Wound Points. Your Retaliation happens after he hit you, but you still got that attack as it is technically a Defensive Reaction. I wish it would have hit, as you likely would have dropped him, lol. You can spend a Hero Point to force me to re-roll Valeros's Defense against the Retaliation, if you want, or to Re-roll your actual Retaliation. Or both, lol. If you do, go ahead and roll the Retaliation yourself.
Engineer #3 Mk. II takes 17 points of non-lethal damage and 1 Wound point of damage. He is now wounded. You may only take defensive or retreating actions until healed.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Welp, if I'm gonna get them back anyway . . .
Reflex Save with Hero Point: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

DM botting for Thuurvi. Spent a Hero Point to Re-roll save.

The shockwave slams over the ground at Thuurvi and Jacynta's feet but both of them keep their footing.

Ezren slips past Jacynta as the halfling slashes at him, moving through the detritus and the messed up ground to get closer to Valeros.

END OF ROUND 8

Summary of conditions:
EVERYONE is under the effects of Thuurvi's Bless spell for 2 more rounds, and there is a mist in the room that provides Concealment (20%) for anyone in it.

I'll spend the hero point, why not. Reroll all dem bones!

Feeling beleaguered and almost unable to continue, Engineer #3 attempts a final desperate blow to defeat the fighter Valeros.

Thanks for the bot, DM. Thuurvi rides the wild surf!

Oh wait, hold up, GM, when Ezren stomped (not to metagame but that's a spell, yeah?), isn't that going to give Jacynta an AoO? That's why I suggested she knock the wand away (they don't trigger AoO's, darn it) Additionally, does he trigger an AoO when moving out of her threat range? If you've covered this with rolls/defensive casting, then never mind.
And I think Ez should be one square back as he moved through two squares of difficult terrain, yeah?

"I hope there's some blood or juice in you, Three," grunts Thuurvi, as she places a hand on the 'forged's side. She stares daggers at the wizard, unable to do much against him at the moment.

Half healing from Conjuration (healing) spells, im afraid

Thuurvi good question. It is a Woundrous Item that is use-activated. "Although this activation sometimes requires a command word (see above), usually it means mentally willing the activation." "These boots allow the wearer to use [the ability] when the wearer stomps her feet." So the item itself does not trigger an AoO when using it.

Jacynta did get an AoO for the movement, and unfortunately missed. As for the movement squares, she should be in the correct one. My understanding (someone please correct me if I am wrong), is the terrain cost is paid when you move into a square, not when you leave it. So the first square she leaves doesn't cost anything. 10 points for V13, 10 for V14, 5 for V15, and 5 for V16. Does that seem correct to everyone?

"The witch is doing something to the warforged! I think she's repairing it. Artificer!" Ezren crys out.

You're right, I miscounted squares. Ezren is in the right spot. Dang, Jacynta, now you need to knock his boots off! :D

"Are you a wizard or the town crier?" snarls Thuurvi.

Round 8

Tuk sees #3 wavering, and cries out , grinning from ear to ear, "Let's go metal-man, we've him on th' rope!".

Still maintaining Combat Expertise for +1 Defence, and when/if Valeros attacks him, will spend 1 panache to activate Dodging Panache to gain +3 to Defense

Tuk bellows up at the enlarged Valeros, "Come on , big guy, pick on some yer own....er...well...my size!"

He skips in , slashing again at Valeros' legs...

As Thuurvi leans in, moving energy into Engineer #3 Mk. II, her focus shifts momentarily, leaving her open. Valeros swings his longsword, cutting netting over their heads, dropping it onto Thuurvi, but it mostly misses, pooling on the ground next to her.

Tuk takes that moment to dodge in, planting his dagger firmly in Valeros's calf! With a groan, the giant armored man sinks to one knee. He groans, "Ezren!"

A cheer goes up from the corner, as Roderik, Kurst and Omast lean out over the counter, watching the battle rage. "Aim higher!" Kurst yells.

Thuurvi dodged an AoO!
CRITICAL, Tuk! You do 7 points of non-lethal damage to Valeros.

Engineer keeps his hands up near his head and tucks his elbows in close to his chest, maintaining a defensive stance. Aware of the damage he's sustained, he elects not to attack and rather stand and weather Valeros if needed.

Jacynta glowers down at her ineffectual dagger, then darts after Ezren, launching herself at his legs to see if she can drag him down.

Jacynta dodges under Ezren's cane as he swings it back at her, hitting his legs, and knocking him to the ground. "Ahhh!"

Ezren hits the ground, and immediately reaches in his pack and pulls out a potion. "Catch!" he says to Valeros, tossing him the potion. Both Jacynta and Tuk unsuccessfully try to mess up the hand over, and Valeros snags it out of the air. "Thanks!".

Ezren scrambles to his feet, his eyes on Jacynta. "You, my dear...we need to have words."

Engineer #3 Mk. II doesn't provoke here because he took a Total Defensive Action. He is technically at 0 hp right now, but has not sustained any Wound Point damage, as Thuurvi healed him. So he can use normal attacks again (for 1 hp). He is not considered Disabled.

Valeros thumbs the end of the potion off, and quaffs it down. "Yes!" he says, beaming. He swings his longsword back at Tuk who smacks the blade hard out of the way, denting the longsword with his tiny dagger. "Hey!" Valeros deplores.

Tuk successfully Sundered as a Reaction, doing some damage to Valeros's longsword.

END OF ROUND 9

Summary of conditions:
EVERYONE is under the effects of Thuurvi's Bless spell for 1 more round, and there is a mist in the room that provides Concealment (20%) for anyone in it.

Thuurvi steps out of Valeros' big big reach and mutters something, moving her dark fingers. A spatula launches itself at Valeros.

Round 9

Tuk is quite happy with his deflection of Valeros' large blade with his dagger; he'd angled his blade just so.

But he's less enthused about Valeros quaffing his potion, "That there's cheatin' " is all he utters as he leaps once more to the attack.

Still maintaining Combat Expertise for +1 Defence, and when/if Valeros attacks him, will spend 1 panache to activate Dodging Panache to gain +3 to Defense

"What in Khyber?!" Valeros swears as a spatula smacks him in the face. Tuk cuts in again, and Valeros smacks aside his arm, hitting him in the elbow.

Thuurvi you do 3 points of non-lethal damage to Valeros.
Tuk is hit with NUMB STRIKE - Attacker loses the ability to make their next attack, as their limb is numb. They keep hold of their weapons and can move normally and defend normally.

"Death the to biggun'!" Jacynta yells, hurling herself at Valeros. "He can't stop us all!"

Tuk grimaces as he rubs his numbed arm, but keep an eye on the big boy Valeros, ready to dodge away from any attack from the warrior, "Yer gonna pay for that one..."

Full Defence , and still maintaining Combat Expertise for +1 Defence, and when/if Valeros attacks him, will spend 1 panache to activate Dodging Panache to gain +3 to Defense

Jacynta's dagger strikes home, cutting into Valeros's arm. "Gah! Ouch!" Valeros yells as he misses deflecting her attack.

Tuk wouldn't be able to do a Total Defense or fighting defensively this round, as he already attacked. He does have the Combat Expertise, of course, and will use Dodging Panache if it triggers. Also, you're on Round 10, not Round 9. :)

DM botting for Engineer #3 Mk. II.

Engineer #3 Mk. II lurches up suddenly, startling Valeros, but the enlarged man is able to get his hand on the warforged's head, pushing him to the ground. The warforged immediately jumps back up, getting a large thumb in his eyes, but stands, ready for more.

Engineer #3 Mk. II has been Tripped and was prone, then stood, taking an AoO that Blinds him until just before the start of their next turn.

Ezren pushes past Jacynta as she tries to hinder him, running into the corner and picking up his disarmed wand.

Valeros quickly draws out a vial from his belt and throws it on the ground in between Thuurvi, Jacynta and Engineer #3 Mk. II. It bursts into a ball of flame, burning all three of them, just as the mist that has been covering the entire room fades away.

With a roar, the three men on the couch all stand, moving to better viewpoints, all laughing and cheering.

Jacynta, Thuurvi and Engineer #3 Mk. II all take 1 point of non-lethal fire damage.

END OF ROUND 10

Summary of conditions:
Thuurvi's Bless spell ends, and the fog fades away.
Tuk is very low on hp (1). His attack is stopped this round, but he can take other actions.
Engineer #3 Mk. II is blind and wounded after being burned and can only act defensively.
Valeros is large and just threw a vial, burning Jacynta, Thuurvi, and Engineer #3 Mk. II.
Ezren moved to retrieve his wand.
Thalmor is super done with this combat. :).
Thuurvi smacked Valeros with a spatula. (Keep it clean, Thuurvi) ;) Also, remember to make any Concentration checks for spells you cast, as you took damage this round.
Jacynta stabbed Valeros.

This round goes until Friday night. I'm trying to be better at keeping each round at about 24 hours for posts. If we want to allow you guys longer to post in a round, I am totally up for discussing that in the Discussion Tab.

ROUND 11!

Tuk jumps up and cuts one of the ropes dangling from the ceiling near the wall to his right, low enough for him to reach it. Left over from when Valeros cut them moments ago, the halfling causes a section of netting to fall, as well as what appears to be several bags of potatoes and onions, entangling Valeros in it. Valeros bellows in confusion, flailing to unentangle himself. "What in the blinding hell?!"

I missed AoO's last round against Valeros when he threw the vial. My bad. Only Tuk gets one, and that little halfling rolled a GD Natural 20. MF.

"Oh, come on," Jacynta snarls, flinching back from the sudden flames after Valeros gouges at Three's eye and knocks Tuk's attack away. She drives her dagger at his leg again, desperately.

Jacynta's dagger sinks into Valeros's leg as he falls down on his heels, dropping his longsword to the ground with a loud clatter. Net draped over him, he leans back onto his wrists, breathing heavy, looking up at the ceiling, his eyes closed. "Khyber, I'm sweating like a Thranish hooker," he says, breathing heavily. "Ezren! The halflings got me! They said they're going to feed me to their dinosaur gods."

Chuckling, Valeros lies down on his back, still entangled in the netting. After a moment, a ripping sound draws everyone's eyes up to the ceiling. A sack of onions lodged in the rafters tears and a remarkable amount of red onions pummel Valeros in the face in rapid succession. "I yield!"

Kurst groans, and hands over several coins to Omast, who chortles quitely.

Round 11

Wiggling his fingers around the hilt of his dagger, the feeling in them restored, Tuk calls out, "HA! take that you Big-Assed Ass!".

He then moves in again, intending to end this once and for all!

Still maintaining Combat Expertise for +1 Defence, and when/if Valeros attacks him, will spend 1 panache to activate Dodging Panache to gain +3 to Defense

"Oof!" Valeros groans as Tuk stabs him with his dagger. "I yield! Feed me to your dinosaurs!"

Technically, Tuk still has a numb hand for all of Round 11. But since Valeros is down, I'll just run with it. :)

Note - RAW one may fight defensively and use combat expertise simultaneously, but cannot combine either with a total/full defense action. Also, one typically has to decide to do so prior to attacking. Full defense is a standard action and fighting defensively/combat expertise are performed when someone rolls an attack (full attack, single, etc). They are mutually exclusive.

That is correct, Thalmor! :) I had a build that used both Combat Expertise and fighting defensively almost all the time. Got pretty good at those rules.

I'm gonna post right nowwww!

Thuurvi launches a saucepan at Ezren, then ducks around the corner. "Just tackle the magic user!" she shouts. "Valeros, be sure to rub the onions all over your face--the dinos like that for seasoning!"

Engineer steps over to Valeros and offers a hand, the one not enclosed in a massive ectoplasmic battlefist.

"You fought valiantly and in a tactically sound manner. Despite being outnumbered, you rendered me unable to continue and could have potentially eliminated Tuk. Well done."

Assuming the warrior takes the hand, Engineer hauls his upright and gives him a slow nod.

"You have my respect, and I will fight by your side if the need arises, certainly."

Ezren ducks as the saucepan Thuurvi launches at him crashes against the wall. "Alright!" he calls, holding the wand he just picked up into the air along with his cane, both pointed towards the ceiling. He stands unblemished in the corner of the kitchen. "Alright! Let's call it there I think. Let's put the cabin back to order, and have a good afternoon rest, what do you all say?"

Looking at the wreckage in the cabin is an impressive sight. Valeros lies on his back, bleeding from several cuts and wounds. He is covered with onions, potatoes, pots and pans, and some netting that still isn't fully disconnected from the ceiling. His left boot looks like it is still not fully on his foot, a large hole in it where Jacynta's dagger had found purchase.

Tuk and Jacynta stand over him, a red and angry-looking smashed nose on Tuk's face. Engineer #3 Mk. II is kneeling next to Valeros and Jacynta. Behind Them, Thuurvi is standing at the entrance to the kitchen, Valeros's discarded over-sized short sword next to her on the ground, Tuk's disarmed rapier lying only inches away.

Smoke rises from the two women and the warforged, prominent singe marks surrounding them all on the surfaces and items where the burst of flame happened. Thuurvi's clothes show several small holes where magic pierced them, as do Jacynta's.

Engineer #3 Mk. II has several newly acquired dings, scratches, and dents, one particularly prominent scrape right across his glowing green eyes.

Dishes and broken crockery litter the kitchen and eating area where moments ago Thalmor sat quietly, his empty seat now tipped over and on fire. The smell of wine is sickeningly intense, as more slowly spreads into the kitchen from the anteroom, where a pile of barbed-wire rests amidst a broken barrel of red wine.

A small fire burns on one side of the table. Thalmor is illuminated in the corner behind it, standing next to the stair leading up to the top deck. He grips his notebook in hand along with a dripping mug, his beard soaking from spilled beer.

Another onion thwacks Valeros wetly in the face, leaving a welt.

Engineer offers him a hand, the one not enclosed in a massive ectoplasmic battle-fist. Valeros groans, taking the proffered help, and the warforged hauls him upright. "You fought valiantly and in a tactically sound manner." Root vegetables tumble off Valeros, and Engineer #3 Mk. II gives him a slow nod. "Despite being outnumbered, you rendered me unable to continue and could have potentially eliminated Tuk. Well done. You have my respect, and I will fight by your side if the need arises, certainly."

"Likewise, my friend," Valeros winces, clapping him on the shoulder. "And you!" he scolds, looking down at Tuk, pulling the netting off himself and failing. "You took avenging Kurst's smelly old - Ezren, would you please get rid of this?" He interrupts himself, gesturing at the size of his body, and the net.

Ezren puts his wand away, whispers an arcane word, and Valeros and all his gear return to normal size.

Valeros glares in bemusement at Tuk as he finally separates himself from the net. "You took avenging his precious bottom way too literally," he winces, laughing and offering his hand to the halfling. Looking at Jacynta, he laughs. "Both of you," he smiles, then takes Thuurvi and Thalmor into his gaze as well, "all of you. Well done."

Thuurvi shrugs and smiles. "Really, I'm more of a talker than a fighter; with many of the things you meet in the Byeshk Mountains, there wouldn't be a fight to speak of--I'd just wind up a smear on a rock, along with the rest of you." She rolls her eyes. "See, like that. Talking."

"Ezren had the right idea, though--he ran and hid," she continues, laughing.

"You were controlling the battlefield, my dear," Ezren grins, picking up Valeros's short sword and handing it to him. "Your strength was in removing our ability to see. So I eliminated that. The nearest door seemed the most logical choice."

"I ran right into these two. Didn't realize they were there." Valeros smiles, nodding at Tuk and Engineer #3 Mk. II. He raises an eyebrow at Ezren. "What do you think, Ez?"

"Yes, I think so." Ezren takes out the silver watch from before out of his waistcoat, as Valeros removes his bracer, uncovering his dragonmark. Ezren opens the watch and looks at the face, before winding the hands of the clock back. As he does, the wine flows back into the barrel, which rights itself. Onions and potatoes rebag themselves and are deposited in the rafters again, and the haze in the air clears out as the smoke dissipates. Ropes and nets reattach to the walls and each other, and broken crockery mends, stacking neatly on the counter next to the pots. Thuurvi notices the holes made by Ezren's wand are mended, as is everyone else's, and the beer seeps off Thalmor's beard, his mug refilling.

As each item resets itself, it loses color for just a blink, before returning to normal. With each one, the face of the watch flares a soft red light, until it is pulsing with wild, rapid flashes, before slowing and finally stopping.

Valeros speaks in a low, quiet tone, touching his mark, "Deneith Blood runs deepest. All must bleed, and blood will have blood. All have not yet bled."

Everyone's exhaustion fades, and their cuts and bruises heal, as Valeros's face is contorted in a look of anguish. It lasts a few moments before he lets out his breath in a rush.

"There," he grins. Looking up at the room, he nods to Ezren. "That's done." He wipes away sweat beading on his forehead with the back of his hand and profers a cloth from the counter. Using it to wipe the dragonmark off, he tosses it into a refuse bin before placing his bracer back on.