Apologies, posting from my phone. Could someone move Ahraq to a position behind the "statue" where he can attack the goblin. If there is nowhere he can get to to attack the goblin, then to the north side of the statue. And is it Large?
I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Unfortunately, Singapore isn't one of our regular stops currently, though contracts do change. I spend most of my Asia layovers in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul (Incheon), and Tokyo (out near Narita). Occasionally I get down under to Sydney, and have gotten to play there. Gonna try to hit the Honolulu group if the timing lines up with a layover there, and I've played in Anchorage too. Heard there might be some play in Manila, which I plan to hit on days off later this year.
Laughing out loud at how stupid the little goblins are and how easily clearing them out is going at the moment, Ahraq rushes past his teammates and dodges around the table.
But his haste and merriment prove his undoing, and as quickly as he misses his mood turns.
"Stupid goblins! Can't hit the little stinkers," he grumbles.
I'm chasing timezones back and forth across the Pacific, as usual. I'm in Thailand for the next couple days, so I was sleeping while y'all are posting.
Repositioned my token. Actions and thoughts remain the same. I think we just need to get Khana into position, though perhaps GM could move her based on her last post.
Ahraq positions himself inside the Armory, waiting for something or someone to open the opposite doors. He has to focus (a feat in and of itself for him) to stifle a giggle at Raga's performance.
She's so funny. It's too bad Ms Reynard had to stay behind and miss seeing this. I hope she's feeling better when we get back.
Since it's established that we opened the single door to the Armory, and now we're addressing the double doors on the west side of the hallway, I moved Ahraq into the Armory room, leaving that door open to the hallway, and moved Khana into the flanking position opposite Raga based on her request. Is this good with everyone?
Frustrated at how badly he missed with his last attack, Ahraq takes his time lining up his next swing. He looks straight into the little goblins eyes and quips, "Feeling lucky?"
Ahraq helps tie up the little guy, who presumably doesn't protest much when the half-orcs and big flaming guy indicate their intent to do so.
"This tunnel looks awfully tight. I'd hate to get into a fight back here, especially with more of these nasty little buggers."
"No offence intended," he says, turning back to the tied up goblin, completely forgetting that it doesn't understand him either way.
So other than the tunnel, we've got 2 options: double doors West, single door East. I've played this before, so I won't vote, except to say that since GM said the tunnel involves squeezing, Ahraq would prefer not to go that way to avoid the possibility of him getting into a fight while squeezing and trying to wield a greatsword. No meta, that's just how he would view it.
I hope each of you is enjoying the holidays in their own way. I'm in a hotel in Seoul (par for the course in my life), but actually had a nice Christmas day.
Ahraq and Khana have moved to the front of the line in the hallway, basically where the goblin token is. I didn't want to remove the goblin or (not very nice) puppy tokens, in spite of knowing they're dead. Didn't want to overstep my bounds as a player.
As Khāṇa comes to the front of the line, Ahraq pulls out his wand of healing. "Ewww, that doesn't look good. It's all red and, well, red. Here you go. I hope this helps."
Well, wasted a use of Bestow Hope. I thought there were more coming, but turns out I misread part of a post.
Ahraq watches as his friends search, and keeps an ear cocked toward the sound of snoring coming from down the hall. "I'm not sure I'd really feel right about killing them in their sleep. Even if they are nasty little evil goblins. Just doesn't feel fair." Even so, he moves into the hall and waits for Khana to come take the lead.
"Have Hope, my friends! Though the goddess of fate and luck has clearly abandoned us, Svarozic will protect us."
Ahraq calls for the blessing of his god, and the air shimmers around Khāṇa, Raga, and Yroh, while the flames on his own arms intensify slightly. He then steps toward the dog and hews at it with his sword.
The greatsword slams into the dog with a fiery fury.
Again using Bestow Hope (as represented by the non-mechanical flavor text of shimmering air and arm flames) to grant DR 1/- to himself and the three allies mentioned above. This will last until this combat ends.
Again sorry for my absence. Redalia, I have a couple questions about botting from a mentoring / instructional perspective, if you don't mind.
This is not a "how long do I wait before botting a player" question. Instead it's about who does the botting. When do you as GM bot the player yourself versus having a fellow party member execute the botting for you (as you did with Arhaq and the handle animal check)? What are the pros and cons of each method (GM botting versus player botting)?
Okay I'm back. Sorry. This time of year is extremely busy for my industry. Thankfully now things are settling back to normal levels of chaos.
But now I'm confused again about the positioning on the map. Is Khana standing inside of or otherwise blocking the only gap in the debris? The dog did or did not come thru the gap to our side? How did Raga attack the dog? Is there anywhere that Ahraq can stand to get an attack on the dog? I'll check back frequently today before posting an action.
Before I act, I just want to clarify our situation. The dog is on the other side of a pile of rubble / barricade. Some of us can see it. But we can't reach it except thru a space just big enough for a goblin. Correct?
If all the above is correct....
Ahraq grabs the ball of goblin bait food they even he wouldn't eat and tosses it thru the opening. "Here, puppy, come on thru," he says encouragingly.
Remembering to whisper only because Elado addressed him that way, Ahraq is initially excited by the idea.
"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea."
But then remembers a couple things:
"Oh, but you can't see. Cause this hallway goes quite a ways in the wrong direction." He then very sheepishly adds, "And my last party warned me against running off on my own. Verrrry sternly."
Herra and Khana both have 1 less damage from GM's post above due to their Bestowed DR. The DR ends now, (assuming Ahraq killed the goblin) but he'll bestow it again next combat.
Yes, and yes. Sorry, I should have explained it better the first time he used it. The "flames" and "superheated air" were just me trying to put a visual description to something that's otherwise flavorless.
He'll do this as his swift action at the beginning of each combat (assuming there's no more than 6 combats in a day.)
Bestow Hope:
As a swift action during combat, choose a number of nonevil allies within sight equal to his Charisma modifier (3). He grants himself plus them DR 1/— until the combat ends, at which point the DR immediately ends.
He can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. During a battle, he can change the allies this ability affects as a swift action. Ending it is a free action, but each time it is activated again during a single combat, another use of the ability is expended. He must participate in the combat to use this ability. If he is frightened, panicked, paralyzed, stunned, unconscious, or otherwise prevented from participating in the combat, any DR this ability bestows is temporarily suspended until he can participate in the combat again; this doesn’t count as ending the ability.
"Let the fires of Svarozic burn within us!" Ahraq yells gleefully. The flames along his arms seem to flicker more brightly, and the air around Herra, Khana, and Raga begins to glow as if superheated.
Ahraq, Herra, Khana, and Raga now have DR 1/- until the end of this combat.
Ahraq steps forward beside the kitsune and swings at the goblin with the pink scarf tied around his waist.
"Hey, Khāṇa, the guys behind us said to go left. You check the door, and open it, and I'll lead the way in, if you want," Ahraq says, trying to whisper, but still not really getting the tone down far enough.
Abstaining and accepting the decisions of those smarter and wiser.
Having played and run this module several times each, I'll be abstaining from general decisions like this last one. Just assume that Ahraq would be inclined to go along with those he perceives to be either smarter or wiser than himself - which in this party is actually everyone. Even the Heron!
After she points out the hidden door, Ahraq watches Khāṇa sniff the air at the entrance and waits (impatiently) for her to give the all clear.
"Coool, a secret tunnel! Let me know when it's clear, and I'll lead the way! It's obvious he's excited and eager to get going, and perhaps he can be forgiven for not using his "inside" voice when others are trying to be sneaky.
"I think maybe I should go first. I mean, I just want everyone else to be safe. Not that you guys can't handle yourselves, I'm sure you can, but, well, uh.... Is that okay?"
"Fiery hands! Awesome! Wait, who's Ragathiel? I'm confused, you're his Hand? But you're not fiery like me, but you are red.... Ooohhhh, I get it now."
Sheepishly, Ahraq sets his breakfast down and extends his hand in greeting to Raga. "Sorry Modesta's not well. Welcome aboard, Raga."
He then returns to what's left of his food, and addresses their honorary VC. "So, um, ma'am, are there any reports of what kinds of critters are at this Tower, or anything weird, or special? You know, like, is it haaauuuunted?" he asks while grinning ear-to-ear. "Or are we just clearing out vermin?"
Speaking for myself, I thought we did that already. But alrighty...
Ahraq puts down the drink he'd used to wash the last of his food down.
"I'm Ahraq Fireheat," he announces. Gesturing to the greatsword propped in the corner behind him, he continues "I'm a holy warrior for Svarozic," he says proudly, smiling to his companions because he knows at least they know of Svarozic.
"Ummm, but I don't really have any skills, I mean, not like magic skills, or sneaky stuff, or book learning stuff.... Or really anything, I guess...." he trails off dejectedly.
But, unsurprisingly to those who've traveled with him for a few days, his mood flips about instantly, as he proclaims, "But I am good at hitting things with my sword!"
Arriving at the tavern, Ahraq immediately seeks out the server. "Hey, can me and my friends get some food? We're staaaarving." Then looking at his comrades, he corrects himself, "Well, I'm starving anyway; we've had a long trip. Oh and some ale too?"
He then goes to find a table, but keeps moving from one to another, not liking the size, or the position in the room, or the view. Finally settling on one big enough for everyone plus their host VC, he props his greatsword in the corner behind his seat and sits down to wait for his food and their host, albeit impatiently.
Bored. Still bored. I hate long journeys. Are we evvvvver going to get there?
"Hey, Elado, tell us another story. Pleeeese. Anything to make this trip go faster."
The handsome young man with fire red skin hasn't sat still on the entire journey except to eat. And even then he seemed to consume his meals like a raging forest fire. Pleasant and outgoing, though not too bright and easily distracted, he alternated frequently between bored and excited.
The red flowing hair on his head often seems to sprout wisps of smoke, while tiny flames occasionally flit across the skin of his exposed arms. His chain shirt armor and the hilt of his greatsword are both embossed with the 3-gear symbol of his patron, Svarozic. Asked about him, Ahraq eagerly tells anyone who'll listen about this lesser deity of fire, innovation, and cooperation.
"Svarozic isn't big on the whole smiting evil thing," he tells you one evening while pacing circles around the campfire. "He prefers his paladins to inspire their comrades to greatness and to work together. I'll try to do that for us when we fight. If we evvvvver get to fight anything," he finishes a little peevishly.
The Invigorator archetype gives up Smite Evil for Bestow Hope. He will bestow DR 1/- on himself plus 3 allies at the start of combat and it lasts until combat is ended (with some exceptions.) I typically give it to the front-liners or someone squishy that was caught out of position at the onset of the fight.
