Outpost VIII - 'Gallows of Madness - What Lurks in the Woods' (Inactive)

Game Master Shadow Dragon

Emboldened by his last goblin-sheep slice, Guardian believes he can cut one or two of them down off of their goblin dogs.

We already destroyed your poorly disguised scouts!

He steps forward and slashes at two of them.

[step] South
[standard] attack BLUE
shadow weapon attack, slashing damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 272d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10
confirm?, crit slashing damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 142d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 = 14

IFF BLUE is hit:
[cleave] attack YELLOW
shadow weapon attack (cleave), slashing damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 242d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14

AC -2 for this round

umm...i think those two are dead...like really really dead...

umm...i think those two are dead...like really really dead...

Or are they tougher than you think?

Guardian XI's blade slashes into blue but isn't the vital strike he thought. Although bleeding it is still mounted and ready to fight!

Yellow, on the other hand, is slain by the massive blow.

Cannoli and Vreekka are UP! With one traveling and the other ill I will give them until tomorrow before botting them.

Huh. Yellow died (14 damage), but blue did not (24 damage)? Are these goblins crit immune? Better check this:

Knowledge: Local t: 1d20 ⇒ 2 goblin riders
Knowledge: Local t: 1d20 ⇒ 4 goblin dogs

bonus for arcana and nature +17, planes +13, others +12: Immunities and resistances, please.
Yes, in regards of Knowledge, mindchemists are powergaming cheeseweasels. :-P

Vreekka moves up and throws a vial of acid at the ground near the goblin(s) and their dogs.

Acid flask, range: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 = 15 (vs. AC 5)
6 splash acid damage for red, red's dog and yellow's dog

Daegon Marketti wrote:

umm...i think those two are dead...like really really dead...

Or are they tougher than you think?

Huh. Yellow died (14 damage), but blue did not (24 damage)? Are these goblins crit immune? Better check this:

The confirm roll was really bad. So... they have between 11-14 hp :)

Cannoli waits for her teammates to splatter and melt the foes, then wades in to finish the job.

Delay till after Vreeka, then moves up next to Guardian and attacks any goblins that are still alive. Draw Morningstar while moving.

Heavy MW CI Morningstar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 for CI/P and B: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6) + 2 = 12

GM Shadow Dragon wrote:

Daegon Marketti wrote:

umm...i think those two are dead...like really really dead...

Or are they tougher than you think?

Vreekka The Brainiac wrote:

Huh. Yellow died (14 damage), but blue did not (24 damage)? Are these goblins crit immune? Better check this:

The confirm roll was really bad. So... they have between 11-14 hp :)

You might be onto something... ;)

Vreekka confirms these goblins are infected with demon bile the same as the previous group and with the same resistances.

She also informs the group that the goblin dogs are immune to disease and can cause an allergic reaction if they bite.

Vreekka's acid flask showers two goblin dogs and one goblin rider with acid. They all howl with pain; red's mount falls and its rider tries not to get caught underneath it:

Ride: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

But it loses its balance and falls in a heap!

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Cannoli, ever the one to take a free cheap shot if given the chance, pounces on the opportunity to strike the red goblin and squishes it dead.

The blue goblin takes a swing at Guardian XI since he's the big meanie who hurt it and his dog attempts to do the same:

Bonk Bonk!, Smite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Chomp!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

And both strike true! The exertion of striking the metal android proves too much for the blue goblin and it falls...

The yellow dog, enraged its poor master was killed, attempts to bite Guardian XI:

Chomp!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

But fails miserably.

Round 1 – The Calvary Has Arrived!

Cannoli
Guardian XI [-9 HP]
Eadric
Vreekka
Goblin Calvary [Yellow dog – 6, Blue dog full]
Jakeric
Daegon
Grizzlebin

Jakeric, Daegon, and Grizzlebin are UP! Once they have taken their actions the top of the round can act.

Jakeric limp-runs over to the tree, pulling somehow out of his backpack.

A move action to move and a move action to draw an item. What is he drawing? Find out next week on "The Adventures of Jakeric and Grizzlebin!"

"These idiots don't know when to quit!" growls Grizzlebin. The bipedal wolfish-bearlike creature lopes towards one of the goblin dogs and tries to send it packing.

Move action and claw attack.

Claw vs Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Grizzlebin fells the yellow dawg with a swip of his claws!

Fort (Grizzlebin): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Daegon is UP! Top of the order will be up after him; you can plan or move/pre-roll attacks if you would like.

Daegon flings a ball of acid at the untouched dog, then reloads his crossbow.

touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d3 ⇒ 3

Eadric steps forward a little, carefully studying the remaining target before taking a shot...

longbow vs blue goblin dog + studied target + PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 24
cold iron piercing damage + studied target + PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 7

Daegon's acid ball whizzes by the dog but Eadric's arrow strikes true. The dog yelps and then growls.

Round 2 – The Calvary Has Arrived!

Cannoli
Guardian XI
Eadric
Vreekka
Blue dog [-7]
Jakeric
Daegon
Grizzlebin

Cannoli, Guardian XI, and Vrekka are UP!

Okay... it's about time to end this thing's misery.

He winds up his shadow blade like a farmer ready to finally cleave the stump of a felled tree, and carefully watches the thing yipping and running about in place.

[Standard] attack BLUE (power attack)
shadow weapon attack, slashing damage (power attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 1 = 222d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 2 = 12

Guardian XI finishes the goblin dog with a powerful strike of his shadow blade!

Once again, apropos of nothing, PCs have 2 rounds worth of actions to take so please list what you're doing.

Cannoli looks at her weapon that is barely sullied by blood. She sighs, ”Well poop, barely even killed anything. Maybe next time.”

She cleans it off, stows it and starts searching the bodies of the goblins. But avoids touching the goblin dogs.

They are persistent...I'll give them that... Daegon say as he looks around, assessing the injuries the party received.

Daegon assesses that the party is so mighty only one of the august assemblage is wounded - Guardian XI.

Apologies - I didn't list Guardian XI being down 9 HP in the most recent init chart.

Cannoli, sporting a feral grin with another victory in the eternal battle between canids and felids, finds the following loot:

potion of cure light wounds, alchemist’s fire (2), tanglefoot bag, thunderstone, leather armor, mwk heavy mace, shortbow with 20 arrows, a
handful of chipped rings with the gems missing on each of the goblin riders.

Vreekka (or anyone else) can try an Appraise check to determine the value of the rings.

Cannoli hands the potion to Guardian and says, "Drink this, it probably won't hurt."

She would follow that with wand usage but I think that she has already used up her two rounds of actions.

Eadric positions himself in the middle of the group and keeps an eye out for more trouble, planning to call on the divine favor of the Elk Father at the first hint of any more approaching foes if there is an opportunity to do so.

Eadric will take a step, cast guidance on himself and then actively look for threats in his first round. He will continue keeping a look out in his second round and if he gets any hint of any more trouble arriving, and if he can do so before said trouble arrives will cast divine favor on himself.

Jakeric emerges from the trees wearing a fearsome, full mask-and-cowl that looks likes a tiger's head! He takes a scary (?) stance and prepares to roar before realising the battle is already over. With a sigh, he struggles to remove it. When he does, his hair sticks almost straight up.

Jakeric put on his nifty Mask of the Tiger's Eye, but alas, a bit too late.

Grizzlebin shakes his head slowly at Jakeric's display. He heads out in the direction the goblins came from, saying to the others, "Let's see if we can pick up tracks back to where ever they're hiding out."

A couple of rounds of movement for Grizzlebin. (GM, please feel free to adjust his token--I just guessed)

Guardian cleans off his shadow blade by way of letting it dissipate and then re-manifesting it.

Hearing Grizzlebin's suggestion, he shrugs, conceding I guess it's time for a little hike.

Eadric positions himself in the middle of the group and keeps an eye out for more trouble, planning to call on the divine favor of the Elk Father at the first hint of any more approaching foes if there is an opportunity to do so.

Eadric will take a step, cast guidance on himself and then actively look for threats in his first round. He will continue keeping a look out in his second round and if he gets any hint of any more trouble arriving, and if he can do so before said trouble arrives will cast divine favor on himself.

It sounds like Eadric is essentially trying to ready an action. That can only be done once initiative has been rolled.

Cannoli hands the potion to Guardian and says, "Drink this, it probably won't hurt."

She would follow that with wand usage but I think that she has already used up her two rounds of actions.

Yes the pillaging of the goblin riders' corpses took the 2 rounds but someone else could use Cannoli's wand on Guardian XI or he could trust Dr. Cannoli's expert medical opinion and drink a potion - from a goblin...

It sounds like Eadric is essentially trying to ready an action. That can only be done once initiative has been rolled.

The aim was more to cast the spell as his standard action (rather than as a readied action) in the second round if he spotted any hint of further threats during his turn in either of the two rounds. As you say, readied actions can't be done outside of initiative (otherwise they would negate the purpose of surprise rounds), but the 'if' in this case was more due to not knowing if he spotted anything during his normal turn, rather than indicating a readied action. Basically he wants to be acting as a lookout for the party while they are dealing with everything else, and if there is any indication that there may be further threats he'd be looking to get ready for them before they arrive (and thinking about it, if he did spot any other danger approaching, he would also want to shout a warning to everyone else).

GM Shadow Dragon wrote:

It sounds like Eadric is essentially trying to ready an action. That can only be done once initiative has been rolled.

The aim was more to cast the spell as his standard action (rather than as a readied action) in the second round if he spotted any hint of further threats during his turn in either of the two rounds. As you say, readied actions can't be done outside of initiative (otherwise they would negate the purpose of surprise rounds), but the 'if' in this case was more due to not knowing if he spotted anything during his normal turn, rather than indicating a readied action. Basically he wants to be acting as a lookout for the party while they are dealing with everything else, and if there is any indication that there may be further threats he'd be looking to get ready for them before they arrive (and thinking about it, if he did spot any other danger approaching, he would also want to shout a warning to everyone else).

Understood. :)

I'll give Vreekka until tonight to describe her actions then move us forward.

CLW is on the alchemist's spelllist, so:

Vreekka movesup and uses her wand of CLW on Guardian XI.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Afterwards, she checks out the goblins' stuff:

Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 :-O

Vreekka heals some of Guardian XI's wounds Guardian XI is down 3 HP but the jewelry is just too cheap for someone of her fine tastes to value.

Someone using a CLW wand on Guardian XI: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Suddenly, the sound of a trumpet rings out over the field, becoming louder as its player approaches.

Round 1 – Alarums and Excursions

Goblin Thug
Eadric [-5 HP]
Grizzlebin
Cannoli
Guardian XI
Goblin Boss
Goblin Dog
]Daegon
Jakeric
Vreekka

And the goblins loose their bows at their foes:

Shooty, Smite vs. Jakeric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Shooty, Smite vs. Eadric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Shooty, Smite vs. Daegon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Only Eadric is hit but it's a painful one.

Eadric, Grizzlebin, Cannoli, and Guardian XI are UP! Yes there is a river between you and the horde which would require a Swim check to cross.

If holy beings from Nirvana could curse, Grizzlebin would be spewing profanities upon realising he started off on completely the wrong way! He rushes back towards the new horde of goblin attackers.

Double move.

Cannoli moves up to the creek while pulling out her still heavy weapon and snorts at the rushing water. She points to the red cloaked goblin, ”You there. Come here so’s I can bash ya.”

Move while drawing weapon, Command Spell on Red, Will DC 14 to Negate the Following.

On its turn, the subject moves toward you as quickly and directly as possible for 1 round. The creature may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.

Oh, so they think they're safe over there!

Guardian looks down at a necklace that he's wearing, which holds three fiery-colored beads. One is bigger than the other two.

He detaches one of the smaller ones and lobs it across the river at the goblins.

The spheres are detachable by the wearer (and only by the wearer), who can easily hurl one of them up to 70 feet. When a sphere arrives at the end of its trajectory, it detonates as a fireball spell (Reflex DC 14 half).

[standard] Throw fire bead/cast fireball

Reference

He then moves closer to the river to get a better look at his damage, vaguely smiling.

[move] 20ft

Daegon looks on, completely amazed.

You....you can cast that?

Cannoli is also amazed at the destruction, ”WOAH! I gotta get me one of those spells.”

FYI and I hate to be the big bubble burster, but that necklace only has the one bead. The chronicle that gives it reads: ‘ necklace of fireballs (type I) (one 3d6 bead remaining; 450 gp, limit 1)’.

Oh, so they think they're safe over there!

Guardian looks down at a necklace that he's wearing, which holds three fiery-colored beads. One is bigger than the other two.

He detaches one of the smaller ones and lobs it across the river at the goblins.

Necklace of Fireballs wrote:

The spheres are detachable by the wearer (and only by the wearer), who can easily hurl one of them up to 70 feet. When a sphere arrives at the end of its trajectory, it detonates as a fireball spell (Reflex DC 14 half).

[standard] Throw fire bead/cast fireball

[dice=Fire damage, all five foes (DC14 reflex half)]3d6

Reference

He then moves closer to the river to get a better look at his damage, vaguely smiling.

[move] 20ft

Just as a reminder: Demon-bile infected goblins have fire resistance 5. If you would like to change your action I'll allow it since there's quite a few things to keep track of at the beginning of a PbP convention.

Eadric steps forward and studies one of the goblins on the far bank before taking a shot (If cyan is still up he will go for cyan)...

longbow vs goblin + studied target + guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 9
cold iron piercing damage + studied target: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

If the sound of the approaching trumpet was enough to have enabled Eadric to cast his spell during the two rounds between combats, then he would also get a +2 luck bonus on both of those rolls from the spell.

Eadric steps forward and studies one of the goblins on the far bank before taking a shot (If cyan is still up he will go for cyan)...

[dice=longbow vs goblin + studied target + guidance]1d20+6+1+1
[dice=cold iron piercing damage + studied target]1d8+2+1

If the sound of the approaching trumpet was enough to have enabled Eadric to cast his spell during the two rounds between combats, then he would also get a +2 luck bonus on both of those rolls from the spell.

The way the text reads the trumpet sounds and they show up. Since this is the last one of these situations I can pull back the curtains: Due to the 'wave' nature of these 3 encounters the module stipulates 2 rounds between waves so the PCs can heal up. Now the author didn't account for what a group of powergaming cheeseweasels I assembled to run through this module; nothing has been a challenge for you all yet! :) Also with that natural 1 no amount of luck is going to help it out...

ah, darnit. I did forget that. So much for that clever idea :P

Ret-conning:

Guardian wades into the river and takes several powerful strokes to try to cross it and get close to the goblins. He always likes things up-close.

[move] Swim (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

ah, darnit. I did forget that. So much for that clever idea :P

Ret-conning:

Guardian wades into the river and takes several powerful strokes to try to cross it and get close to the goblins. He always likes things up-close.

[move] [dice=Swim (untrained)]1d20+4

Two things: First you forgot Scale Mail has an ACP of -4 so make sure you add that in. Second where did Guardian XI start his movement? Remember a move action with a Swim, if the PC does not have a Swim speed, is 1/4 movement when taking a move action. Since he had to walk to the stream before starting his swim the most he could cover in the water is 5'. If you remember where Guardian XI was on the map please count it out.

The red goblin sneers at Cannoli and responds with, "You stink!"
It emits a feral howl and throws its javelin at Cannoli!

Pointy!, Smite, Rage: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 161d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

But misses. She then says, "I get you!" and wades into the stream:

Swim: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 4 = 2

But doesn't get anywhere...

The blue dog I used the same token but it does not have a rider. follows the red goblin:

Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

And makes it across - unlike the red goblin.

Round 1 – Alarums and Excursions

Goblin Thugs
Eadric [-5 HP]
Grizzlebin
Cannoli
Guardian XI
Goblin Boss
Goblin Dog
Daegon
Jakeric
Vreekka

Daegon, Jakeric, and Vreekka are UP!

More infected goblins and dogs? Boooring...

Vreekka moves towards the dog and draws another vial of acid. She throws it directly at the nearest blue dog.

Good that I bought so many acid vials. That darn demon bile makes creatures resist my bombs!

Acid flask, range penalty: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 2 = 12 (vs touch AC)
Acid: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 and 6 splash acid damage in a 5 foot radius

I hope that hits its touch AC...

Two things: First you forgot Scale Mail has an ACP of -4 so make sure you add that in. Second where did Guardian XI start his movement? Remember a move action with a Swim, if the PC does not have a Swim speed, is 1/4 movement when taking a move action. Since he had to walk to the stream before starting his swim the most he could cover in the water is 5'. If you remember where Guardian XI was on the map please count it out.

Yeah, I can get it from File->Version history.

So, it would be 11 to swim and I've placed him just into the water where he'd make it with 1 square of movement.

Both the dog and the red goblin snarl!

Dog -8, Red -6.

Daegon flings a small blob of acid at the dog.

touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d3 ⇒ 2

Jakeric can almost pinch himself as he realises he'll get to try his new trick after all! He tries to disguise his limp as he strides towards the goblins wearing his tiger-head mask and shouts "Flee before the power of the Blue Rakshasa!"

Intimidate (demoralize) vs River Goblin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Daegon strikes the goblin dawg with acid and it crumples to the ground dead.

Jakeric roars at the red goblin and it does appear shaken. Rabid, but shaken.

The goblin archers decide to fire at Daegon and Jakeric since they're closer - and thus pose more danger to their safety.

Shooty, Smite vs Daegon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Shooty, Smite vs Jakeric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Random; 1 Daegon 2 Jakeric: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Shooty, Smite vs Jakeric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Two archers hit, one misses. How will the heroes respond?

Round 2 – Alarums and Excursions

Goblin Thug
Eadric [-5 HP]
Grizzlebin
Cannoli
Guardian XI
Goblin Boss [Shaken]
Daegon [-5 HP]
Jakeric [-3 HP]
Vreekka

Jakeric takes 3 HP of damage and Daegon takes 5 HP. Eadric, Grizzlebin, Cannoli, and Guardian XI are UP!

Cannoli cheers as the dog collapses, ”Good work! Poor thing was sickly and rabid, it’s better to put them down quickly.”

She doesn’t add that ALL dogs appear to her to be sickly and rabid, regardless of their health.

The catfolk moves up to guard her ranged allies, readying to smack the goblin coming across.

Eadric moves to get closer to the goblins and then takes another shot at his previous target (cyan)...

longbow vs goblin + studied target + PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 27
cold iron piercing damage + studied target + PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11

Wait... for me! Don't all go to the other... side!

Guardian barks out as his awkward, bulky form attempts to dog-paddle to the other side.

[full round] swim 1/2 speed (which gets him to the other side if the check succeeds)

Swim (acp): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 16