Age of Ashes (Team Alseta)

Game Master Delta Arena

Ardoinel tromps forward under the tree to join the construct and raises his shield to protect himself.

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Raise a Shield

Ardoinel

You make your way to the shack to stand on the other side of the wall from the bugbear.

???

The hobgoblin focuses on her immediate threat, Netkin’s construct, and launches forward with both her rapier and her dagger. She dents some of the construct’s components with her strikes. The construct takes 12 piercing damage. She shifts her position and brings her weapons higher to protect herself.

AB: Hunt Prey*, Twin Takedown*, Twin Parry*

Purple

The remaining mercenary keeps aiming for Ardoinel, trying to take him out before he can enter the shack. The first arrow hits Ardoinel on the side, but causes him to react and move out of the way of the second one. Ardoinel takes 5 piercing damage

Once again, the mercenary attempts to hide, but even Ardoinel is away of him this time.

AB: Hunted Shot*, Hide*, Sneak*

Damage summary: Construct takes 12 piercing damage, Ardoinel takes 5 piercing damage

You can all take your turns

Resa takes her turn fully moving towards the last archer high in the tree harassing the group, knowing she is better suited for this compared to her companions.

Cerrus sees Resa take off towards one of the archer towers, so Cerrus runs towards the other. Once he arrives, he starts climbing up the rope ladder.

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Climb

Athletics to Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Hearing the pained noises of punctured metal, Netkin quickly wheels his construct out of combat and somewhere safe. Construct: Stride

Netkin carefully moves to the back of the shack, and checks if the door can be opened. Stride, Interact

Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 5

After the mercenary falls to Resa’s blade, Ellaeaanda shifts her attention to the last archer. It takes but a moment for her to sense the wind picking up and see the swaying bough that would block her arrows, so she immediately switches her focus and looses an arrow at the hobgoblin.
Longbow Attack & Damage (P): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d8 ⇒ 4

Then with light, graceful steps, she quickly crosses the meadow while still staying out of range of the half-orc’s shortbow, and hides.

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Purple
◆Strike vs Red
◆Stride 35'
◆Hide

Ardoinel enters the building.

◆ Stride

He strikes at the bandit within.

◆ Strike on Red

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4+ 2 persistent bleed damage from the Esvadir rune

Then he raises his shield to keep himself safe.

◆ Raise a Shield

Resa

You run through the platform, jump onto the roof of the shack, and make your way to the other end of it. That would be Stride*, Leap*, Stride*

Cerrus

You start to climb up the ladder, but only manage to make it half-way through it.

Netkin

Unfortunately, there is only a gap on the wall that allows you to see the hobgoblin inside. The gap is not large enough for you to pass through, and the walls are not weak enough for you to break them apart. You do notice that she is alone inside the shack, there are no more surprises inside.

Ellaeaanda

Your arrow flies in the right direction, but it hits the doorframe that is protecting your target.

Rushing forward, you look for the trunk of the tree holding the middle platform and hunker down, out of sight.

Ardoinel

You come face to face with the hobgoblin and swing at her with your blade. The rune in your weapon flashes a deep crimson as it cuts through her flesh.

???

The hobgoblin shifts focus to the new threat right in front of her. She unleashes a double attack with her rapier and her dagger. Her rapier goes around Ardoinel’s shield and straight into his chest, dealing a deep wound that takes the runesmith down. Ardoinel takes 24 Piercing damage from a Critical, which would take him down to 0 and Dying 2. Fortunately, his shield does protect Ardoinel form the hobgoblin’s dagger.

The hobgoblin pushes herself against the doorframe, taking cover. She presses on the wound from where she is bleeding with her arm, she lost some blood, but it is already stopping.

AB: Hunt Prey*, Twin Takedown*, Take Cover*

Purple

With Ardoinel out of his sight and Resa running towards him through the rooftop, the mercenary switches his focus before letting two arrows loose. Resa sees the first arrow incoming and ducks out of the way, but she is left in a bad position to avoid the second one, and she is hit by it. Resa takes 8 piercing damage. Seeing the imminent melee incoming, the mercenary drops his bow and takes out his longsword.

AB: Hunt Prey*, Hunted Shot*, Drop, Interact (Draw)*

Damage Summary: Ardoinel takes 24 piercing damage, Hobgoblin takes 2 persistent bleed damage, and Resa takes 8 piercing damage

Condition Summary: Ardoinel is Dying 2!

You can all take your turns.

I just realized Cerrus would have needed to stow both his weapon and tome before climbing, which I think is two actions. Meaning, last round his turn was Stride, Stride, Interact. And this round is Interact, Climb (rolled last round), Climb.

I'm going to assume we'll retcon the Athletics check from before to this turn. Sorry for not catching that before.

Cerrus scrambles to finish putting away his equipment so he can climb the rope ladder. Then, he starts climbing up to engage the archer.

◆ Interact
◆ Climb Athletics rolled before
◆ Climb

Athletics to Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Ellaeaanda watches stoically when Ardoinel collapses lifelessly to the ground. The dwarf’s wound may be deep, but the seer sees beyond mere scratches to the flesh; his soul remains strong and intact. “Death’s shadow passes, but not for you,” she predicts calmly while watching for the fates of her foes.

The branches continue to sway in front of the archer, so Ellaeaanda focuses her attention upon the hobgoblin. With her target taking cover behind the doorframe, she lowers her bow and edges a bit closer, next to a tree that is close enough for a spell. Her amethyst eyes briefly darken into a shimmering black as she calls upon fate itself to fray the thread that ties the hobgoblin to life.

Void Warp damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) = 9

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Purple
◆Stride
◆◆Cast Void Warp (basic Fort save DC 18) on Red
I’m assuming Ardoinel has a hero point.

He DOES!

Ardoinel lets out a cry as he collapses to the ground. His vision swims and darkens he begins bleeding out...but under the din of battle, he can hear something. It begins softly at first, a distant rumble like thunder, but it begins to rise in volume and clarity as the seconds pass, a growing, angry roar. Ardoinel spasms a bit and his wound begins to smoke as it seems to cauterize by itself. Once it closes, the roar suddenly stops and his body falls limp again. As he finally blacks out, he hears a deep, imperious voice speak.

"I AM NOT DONE WITH YOU. NOT WHEN YOU ARE SO CLOSE."

Ardoinel stabilizes.

Cerrus

That’s okay, I didn’t catch that either.

You do manage to rush all the way up the rope ladder.

Ellaeaanda

You can feel the hobgoblin straining to breath. She needs a moment to refocus and as she feels some of her essence leave her.

Ardoinel

Your body continues to smoke with you on the ground. Your body is hot like ambers, emitting heat like a burning forge; your sword, on the ground besides you, burns red.

Damn, that mini-boss seems immortal

Netkin hesitates to pull his construct back into combat. He eventually opts to move it to a safer place. Spend 1 Action to Command

He walks back to his spot behind the tree, and draws an acid vial. Stride, Interact

Resa will dive down, and with only one target left, will go in. She is not sure what all is going to be there in the inside as she had not looked around for things, so when she enters and sees Ardoinel down she is a bit surprised. If she has the action left, she will strike on the hobgoblin just once.

I think I do not have but one attack action here.
to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
to damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Netkin

She is bulky, but she also hasn't taken that much damage.

You go back to your reliable vials to get the job done. They worked at the citadel, hopefully they'll work again here.

Resa

Since she is right by the door, you are in range to attack.

You swing your starknife against the hobgoblin; unfortunately, she is fast enough to block your blade with her rapier.

???

The hobgoblin smirks when she sees a second victim approaching her. She analyses her new target, before unleashing her dual attack with both her rapier and her dagger. Resa is unable to decide fast enough which attack to defend against, and she is caught by both the rapier and the dagger. Resa takes 15 piercing damage, which brings her down to Dying 1. Seeing her next victim fall, the hobgoblin once again takes cover against the wall besides the door.

AB: Hunt Prey*, Twin Takedown*, Take Cover*

Purple

”Let’s dance,” says the half-orc before swinging his blade twice against Cerrus.

The half-orc is fast with his sword, and he delivers two cuts to the thaumaturge. Cerrus takes 9 slashing damage from one attack, and 12 slashing damage from the second attack.

”Ha, is that all you got.”

Confident on his abilities, he tries to shove Cerrus off of the platform. But humans are persistent, and Cerrus is not done yet. He stands his ground and remains on the platform.

AB: Strike*x2, Shove*

Damage Summary: Resa takes 15 piercing damage, and Cerrus takes 21 slashing damage

Conditions Summary: Resa is Dying 1

You can take your turns. Time for an epic comeback!

Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Even though a second comrade falls in as many seconds, Ellaeaanda remains strangely unperturbed by the deadliness of their enemies’ attacks. She calmly scans the battlefield, weighing the unseen fates of both friend and foe, and sees that Resa’s time has not yet come, nor has the half-orc’s; indeed, she foresees disaster if she attempts to intercede upon his fate too soon.

With that revelation she continues whittling away at the hobgoblin’s life force, recasting her spell to thin its thread yet further. Unlike the headstrong tiefling, she is wise enough to recognize her limitations and avoid rushing headlong into an ambush. Her gifts are the speed of her feet and the range of her bow, so instead she retreats further away, behind the cover of a tree where her longbow would put its shortbow cousin to shame.

Void Warp damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 9

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Purple
◆◆Cast Void Warp (basic Fort save DC 18) on Red
◆Stride 35’

After getting to the top of the platform, Cerrus glares at the enemy as he looks for a weakness.

◆ Exploit Vulnerabilty
◆ Interact to draw longsword
◆ Strike

EV: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 Probably a success

Strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Slashing Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Plus its highest weakness or +4

Ellaeaanda

You reach out to the hobgoblin with your magic to snatch her life force away from her. She groans as you take it; as she grows weaker. She is enfeebled 1

Cerrus

You sense the half-orc’s fear. You pull a couple of spider legs out of a pouch and throw them at him. He scream and tries to dodge them, which creates an opening for you to strike with your blade. It is a serious wound, but it is not enough for it to be deadly.

To not die: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Resa is trying her best to not die, but the sounds of battle are fading, and she isn't on the right side of things anymore. Perhaps she just wasn't good enough to make it anymore.

That leaves Resa at Dying 2.

Netkin still has his turn.

Since there's no way to throw his bomb without getting immediately noticed - and perhaps killed on the spot-, Netkin pockets it and retreats near his construct.

Interact; Stride; readying another Stride if the hobgoblin moves away

Netkin

You carefully back away, giving room for the hobgoblin to move. But will she?

???

The hobgoblin drops her rapier and dagger to the ground as she kneels to pick up her bow. With no enemies nearby, she turns her attention back to the Ellaeaanda. She takes aim and lets an arrow loose. Her aim is true and the arrow pierces through Ellaeaanda’s skin. Ellaeaanda takes 7 piercing damage.

AB: Release x2, Interact (Pick up bow)*, Hunt Prey*, Hunter’s Aim*

Purple

”You’ll pay for that,” says the half-orc to Cerrus.

He swings his blade twice, trying to finish what he started. Cerrus dodges the first swing, but the half-orcs brutality catches him by surprise on the second one. The half-orc’s blade cuts through the thaumaturge. Cerrus takes 6 slashing damage, bringing him down to Dying 1

The half-orc spits. ”That’s what you get,” he says as he sheathes his blade once again.

AB: Strike* x2, Interact (stow a weapon)*

Damage Summary: Ellaeaanda takes 7 damage, Cerrus takes 6 damage

Condition Summary: Resa is Dying 2, Cerrus is Dying 1

You can take your turns.

DC 11 Recovery check: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Cerrus lands on the platform with a thud, dropping his sword with a metallic clang. As he slumps on the ground, his arm is pinned across his chest, stopping the bleeding somewhat.

Dying 0, Wounded 1, 0 HP, unconscious, prone.

Devise a Stratagem vs Red: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Another companion falls, an arrow punctures her arm, and yet the elf coolly nocks another arrow. The door jamb stands sentry over a hobgoblin whose time has not yet come, so she pivots and looses the arrow at the half-orc on the platform.
Attack & Damage (P) vs Purple: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 121d8 ⇒ 5

Then she hugs close to the tree, staying beyond the deadly range of the shortbows, and hides and hopes.

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Red
◇Known Weaknesses (free Recall Knowledge)
◆Strike vs Purple
◆Take Cover (now has Greater Cover and AC 23)
◆Hide

Resa will stabilize with whatever luck she has left, but that does not mean she is completely out of trouble yet. If her companions can't get to her, she may be a hostage it seems, because nothing more could really be done from her end.

using a hero point, but that is about all to be done here. Can't risk getting a fail on my last roll.

Ellaeaanda

Given her advantageous position, it seems unlikely that she would come out as long as she can attack from within the shack.

Your arrow flies too low and strikes the platform where the mercenary is standing from underneath.

Everyone is stable now.

We’ll wait for Netkin

Since all hope now rest on him and Ellaeaanda, Netkin moves closer to the half-orc despite his fear of getting shot once again. Hiding behind a tree, he draws his sling.

Stride x2, Interact

Netkin

You walk around the back of the shack, hoping not to run head first into the hobgoblin.

???

Having lost track of her target, the hobgoblin takes some time to pick up her weapons from the ground one by one.

AB: Interact*x3. For clarity: 1 pick up sword, 2 stow sword, 3 pick up dagger. She ends her turn holding the bow and a dagger. And this is why you don’t drop your weapons to the ground.

Purple

Seeing Netkin approach his platform, the remaining mercenary picks up his bow from the ground, approaches the edge of the platform and lets an arrow loose against the halfling. The arrow flies directly against Netkin, striking him from above. Netkin takes 5 piercing damage

AB: Interact*(pick bow), Stride*, Strike*

Damage Summary: Netkin takes 5 damage

You can take your turns.

Netkin retaliates with his own bullet, before retreating to safety.

He can't put much strength into his shot, but his aim is as precise as ever. Somehow, the stone ends up striking the half-orc right between the eyes.

Strike, Step, Take Cover

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 That's got to be the lamest crit I've ever seen, bless his soul :')

EDIT: I think he still has to roll a Fort Save against Netkin's Class DC (18), or be Stunned for 1 round

There are rules about minimum damage, so that first d6 roll would end up to be a 1, then doubled. Not sure if the second d6 roll is doubled as well.

Oops, I misunderstood the 2nd édition rule, and thought I had to re roll for double damage

Ignore the 2nd check then - unless I can spend a Hero Point to keep it?

Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Although she would like to help Netkin against the half-orc, Ellaeaanda senses that it is not yet time for her to intervene in that particular struggle, so she leans out away from the tree and looses an arrow at the oblivious hobgoblin instead.
Longbow Attack & Damage (P): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d8 ⇒ 5

Then, following the tried and true tactics of elven snipers, she nestles herself back against the trunk and tries to disappear into the shadows.

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Purple
◆Strike vs Red (cover bonus and off-guard penalty should cancel)
◆Take Cover (now has Greater Cover and AC 23)
◆Hide

Resa continues the time honored tradition of rogues dying in fields alone and cold, at least to her knowledge because the stories always spoke of fearless heros, not dying in the mud to half orcs.

Netkin

Technically hero points are just for the checks, but I’ll allow you to use one for damage given that it is a critical hit. Would you like to spend a hero point and reroll the damage from the critical?

Ellaeaanda

Your training proves its worth. The arrow flies straight towards the hobgoblin and hits her in her arm, in spite of it being only partly visible.

Resa

Not sure if being down right besides a companion counts as dying alone.

I’ll wait for netkin’s reroll decision before taking my turn.

yes please, I would like to reroll that 1

Here goes nothing: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1 Gods damn it :') Still a 2!

Hopefully he is Stunned

gotta play the drama up ya know? Can't be positive about running straight IN to a blade it seems.

Netkin

You send the pellet flying straight to the target. Unfortunately, the pellet has decelerated significantly by the time it reaches him, dealing less damage than it could have.

You don’t have access to the critical specialization effect of the sling. Critical specializations are extra benefits given by certain feats which are mostly limited to martial characters.

???

The hobgoblin stows her dagger away, notches an arrow in her bow, takes careful aim at Ellaeaanda, and lets the arrow fly. The arrow splits a branch covering part of seer’s arm and pierces through it. Ellaeaanda takes 5 piercing damage.

AB: Interact* (Stow weapon), Hunter’s Aim**

Purple

The remaining mercenary takes note of Netkin and lets two arrows loose in quick succession. One of the two arrows finds its target, and goes through Netkin’s armour. Netkin takes 10 piercing damage. Then, the mercenary leans down to make it more difficult for Netkin to reach him with his attacks.

AB: Hunt Prey*, Hunted Shot*, Take Cover*

Damage Summary: Ellaeaanda takes 5 damage, Netkin takes 10 damage

Come on, you guys can take them out!

Netkin takes cover, puts his sling away, and drinks a healing elixir.

Minor Elixir of Life: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Interact, Interact, Take Cover

Somehow, I highly doubt we're going to make it :D

Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 9

The long, patient game of sniper vs sniper continues. Ellaeaanda pulls out the arrow from her arm, glances at the half-orc, then returns her attention to the hobgoblin. Seeking an opening, she looses another arrow and hides in the cover of the tree.
Longbow Attack & Damage (P): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d8 ⇒ 6

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Purple
◆Strike vs Red
◆Take Cover (now has Greater Cover and AC 23)
◆Hide

I have to agree with Netkin. The odds aren't good for our fragile healers to win the battle. :)

Netkin

Your wounds heal slightly, but the damage from the arrows is more than the elixir can handle.

Ellaeaanda

The arrow flies towards the hobgoblin, but it gets stuck in the doorframe.

???

The hobgoblin finally steps out of the shack, moving the place she saw Ellaeaanda last. The open terrain being too risky to keep advancing, she takes cover and hides behind one of the large trees. She is Hidden from everyone.

AB: Stride*, Take Cover*, Hide*

Purple

The mercenary stands once again to take aim and shoot his arrows at Netkin. The two arrows fly down and, once again, one hits its target. Netkin takes 7 piercing damage With two less arrows, the mercenary steps back into the platform and tries to hide in the treetops that cover it. He is now Hidden fron everyone as well.

Damage Summary: Netkin takes 7 damage

Conditions Summary: the hobgoblin and the mercenary are both Hidden from everyone.

You can take your turns.

With the half-orc suddenly nowhere in sight, Netkin seizes his chance and makes a run for it.

Stride, Stride, Hide

With no foes in sight to target, Ellaeaanda returns the favor. With careful light steps, she stealthily darts from tree to tree, trying to maneuver around the hobgoblin undetected.

Since I need to see an enemy to use Devise a Stratagem, and since I’m not sure how far away I can Seek, I’ll just Sneak around. I’ve marked where Ellaeaanda was at the end of her 1st and 2nd Sneak actions with a triangle.
◆ Sneak
◆ Sneak
◆ Sneak

Netkin

You move away from the line of sight of the mercenary and head into the safety of the trees on the other side of the shack.

Ellaeaanda

Sorry, I didn’t check the discussion last night, just the game post. I have replied to the question about seek. If you want to change your turn based on the answer, I’m okay with that.

???

[ooc]I’ll wait to see if Ellaeaanda chances her turn before taking the hobgoblin’s turn, as it would change what she does.

Purple

With no target in sight, purple puts away his bow, moves towards the ladder, and slides all the way down the ladder.

AB: Interact* (stow bow), Stride*, Climb*

If its okay with everyone, to save time, Netkin can take his next turn while Ellaeaanda and the Hobgoblin act. Otherwise we can wait to see if Ellaeaanda wants to change her turn or not. Sorry again for missing the question.

No worries, I'll just keep my turn as is for simplicity. If I tried to Seek we'd need to wait another day because my other actions would depend on the result of the Seek.

Netkin hides harder, and drinks one of his potions. 5ft step, hide

Minor Elixir of Life: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

???

The hobgoblin scans the area where she last saw Ellaeaanda. Not seeing her prey there, she continues to scan the nearby forest. There, she sees something within the trees. She notches an arrow on her bow and lets it fly. The arrow flies in the right direction, but it hits the tree that is providing the elf cover.

AB: Seek* x2, Strike*

She has cover from Ellaeaanda but she is Observed.

Netkin

I’ll assume you drank the elixir before attempting to hide.

Your wounds continue to heal as you try to make yourself smaller against the tree.

Purple

Once on the ground, the mercenary takes his bow back out and moves towards the back of the shack where he last saw his prey. He stops behind the corner of the shack upon spotting Netkin pressed against the tree.

AB: Interact* (draw bow), Strike* x2

You can take your turns. Both the hobgoblin the and half-orc mercenary are observed right now.

Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Woo hoo!

Patience is not just a virtue but a way of life for most elves. But for a seer like Ellaeaanda, it is even more; it is the inexorable herald of destiny, of a long awaited fate that cannot be denied. Having bided her time, she finally sees the perfect opening: the leaves still as the wind dies, and the half-orc stands complacently behind the corner of the shack, foolishly trusting that there he is safe. She steps out from behind her tree and, rather than aim directly at her target, she angles her longbow up and looses an arrow in a perfectly high arc, up through an opening in the leaves and down at the unsuspecting mercenary.

With the hobgoblin still lurking nearby, she is in no rush to press her advantage. She steps back behind her tree and hides within its shadow.

Longbow Damage (P) + Strategic Strike: 1d8 ⇒ 21d6 ⇒ 5
Deadly damage from crit: 1d10 ⇒ 7

◇Devise a Stratagem vs Purple
◆ Strike Purple: Attack = natural 20+9 = 29; Total Damage = 21
Thanks to Shared Stratagem, Purple is off-guard to Netkin
◆ Take Cover (now has Greater Cover and AC 23)
◆ Hide

Netkin locks eyes with the half-orc, and nearly sees himself dead, before something wheezes past his ear and the bandit ends up with an arrow through the throat. He stares in horror and shock, almost hypnotized by the thin red trail that slowly starts running down the man's Adam apple.

If the half-orc was struck dead, Netkin says Hidden and waits for the Hobgoblin to move away

Ellaeaanda

The mercenary is so focussed on Netkin that he does not see the arrow coming. It pierces through his skull and he hits the ground seconds later.

Netkin

Are you holding an Action or are you Delaying your turn? Or are you doing something else now that the mercenary has fallen?

Now that the mercenary has fallen, I will reposition...

What Netkin has just witnessed is sure to scar him for life - but now the path to Cerrus is clear. He runs towards the fallen mage.

Stride, Stride, Hide

I'm moving to where the hobgoblin can't see me, and I'll try to toss Cerrus a healing Versatile Vial next round before moving to Ardoinel and Resa