-Bug-'s page

Does the party have someone who can disarm traps?

If you're curious about the Kreen, here's the character I'm planning on converting. Her backstory is there and should fit fine into your game. (the other character does't exist yet)

still here

I am.

I'm good. Glad things are back to normal.

Bug moves in alongside Badr, keeping low and movign around the corner of the doorway to survey the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Checking in.

Today on Candid Camera, we've replaced these adventurer's haunted tomb with the castle from Beauty and the Beast! Lets see if they notice...

As soon as it was clear that there was nothing left to find, Bug dashed out of the room. When the others caught up with her she was moving all four hands and her antennae over the next set of doors.

Perception (listen at door): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Perception (search for traps): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

I've moved myself on the map. If the door is clear I'll open it.

The entirety of the American south becomes the 7th circle of hell every summer. I have no idea why anyone lives there.

I'd honestly rather live on Athas. At least the heat is dry.

Bug didn't slow. Before the rain of splinters settled to the ground she was scuttling forward looking for where the dolls had come from, attempting to track their origin.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Well, alrighty then...

Bug went from disinterested to murderous intent with nothing in between. She stepped forward next to Sienna and tore into a doll with unbridled savagery.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Claw 3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Claw 4: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Pretty sure Badr is Bug's current master, so Bug will delay until Badr's action.

No. The only time she has been off leash was during the fight.

That works for me. Thanks for helping with a fix. Sorry to have created the issue. I didn't see it coming when I came up with the idea.

Conceptually I'm loving it. The practical issue seems to be that it puts responsability for Bug into the hands of other players, which is pretty abnormal. The impression that I'm getting is that because the whole "don't make choices for other players" thing is so ingrained, who has Bug's leash and what they should do with her is largely forgotten about.

Is that an accurate assessment, or am I seeing things wrongly?

Bug is on leash, so she does nothing. Full defense.

Bug made a clicking sound and pointed to the stone chest with one claw, then dutifully stood next to Badr as the leash was passed.

When you're going through hell, keep going.

We'll be here when you're back.

Since Bug isn't off leash, she'll stay alert next to Darzus, looking for hazards.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Bug silently waits, seeming to be watching everything and nothing all at once.

I'm not sure if that's true of Aid checks. I guess we'll see what the GM says.

So by now everyone's figured out that bug's leash is basically an on/off switch.there's places she probably shouldn't be turned loose.

This place is probably fine though. If you want to let her off the chain, I'll have her get started on the scouting thing.

Whatever Darzus said was enough for Bug. She grabbed the rope. |

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Bug answered with short series of clicks, pops and antennae twitches.

Bug stood next to Darzus, feeling equally unsure, but for different reasons. She let out a small whistling chirp and waited to see what Darzus did.

Don't worry about it. Bug is paranoid about being trapped. She's figuring it out. She's a little slow because she can't discuss any of this with anyone else, and she isn't super familiar with human construction methods or thought processes. All of this is alien to her, so I'm playing up her confusion.

She'll get over it pretty quick, I'm just drawing it out a bit because I think she should be a little slower to understand this stuff than the rest of you at this point in her adventuring career.

Bug kept looking at the big slab door they'd come through. Her new packmates were getting spread out now, going down the big hole. They clearly weren't worried like she was. She couldn't assume they didn't realize the danger. They seemed like they understood. Maybe they knew something she did not and she was simply being overly cautious.

With the decision made, she turned around from the doorway and looked at the hole, and the mechanisms it was attached to.

Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Bug knew little of softskin construction. The hives of humans and their ilk were strange to her. She'd learned to appreciate aspects of their design, but frequently she still wondered why any creature would care about things like doors.

Perhaps it was the fact that the very idea of a tomb like the one they stood at the precipice of was so alien to her was why she realized the trap as soon as they'd crossed the threshold.

Bug stopped just inside the doors, refusing to be pulled along any further. She knew she was being willful, but the danger was too great not to take action.

She reached out and touched the inside of the doors, exactly opposite of where the handles were on the other side. She scratched a handle in the age-old dirt to illustrate her point, hoping that would be enough to make her companions see what she saw.

Bug was as placid and sanguin as ever. She went where her leash went, oblivious to the plot she found herself in, or even her destination. She was happy to belong and that was enough.

Who's leading Bug around right now?

As soon as Sienna grabbed Bug's harness she went still, her arms dropping to her sides. She crouched and chittered like nothing had happened.

Bug didn't stop.

She charged into the entangling debris field straight toward the last guard.

How does the entangle field work again? It might just save this guy from being murdered by bug. What do I need to roll?

Bug snatched up the fallen guard's sword as she stepped away. Her other hands pulled darts from their loops on her harness and tossed them in rapid succession.

Then the sword followed, spinning end over end.

5' adjust again, and full attack. One with the sword as an improvised ranged weapon. According to what I looked up, an improvised weapon the size of a Falchion should deal 1d8 damage. If that isn't right, please re-roll for me.

Dart 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Piercing damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Dart 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Piercing damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Dart 3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Piercing damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Thrown sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Ok, that's cool.
Slashing damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 :)
bonus crit damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Bug was relentless. She continued her flurry of brutality with no thought given to offering surrender.

Claw 1, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (6) = 9

Claw 2, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (6) = 9

Claw 3, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (5) = 8

Claw 4, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4

If he falls during an earlier attack, Bug doesn't stop. Every attack goes to this guy even if he drops.

If he does go down, bug 5' adjusts toward the next closest target.

Kinda reversed for Bug. Thri-Kreen get tons of combat boosting abilities, but I'm playing a Rogue and my concept has made it so I've even further crippled myself in terms of the combat oomph that could have (for now at least). I don't even have any weapons or armor Which was clearly a mistake since I've already been one-shotted this fight.

I think that the only thing saving us from TPK is Darzus's Entanglebrain.

All that said, this fight is hella fun. Feels like Dark Sun should.

The important thing to remember is that character level boosts matter most at low levels. By 3rd or 4th level the bonuses we have now will matter a lot less.

Right now we are all playing rocket tag and it's dangerous as hell. Kinda suits the setting I guess.

Bug leaped on the the guard who had just dodged Badr's blade. Her claws were a blur.

Claw 1, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

Claw 2, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

Claw 3, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Claw 4, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5

Badr, thanks for being my flanking buddy in this fight.

Bug's antennae twitched and her head snapped up. It was hard to tell what she was looking at or what she was thinking, but she faced Sienna for a moment and paused. She chirped, though what she meant was anyone's guess.

Then she was moving again. Her habit of going from stillness to frantic blitz with nothing in between was unnerving to watch.

Stand up. Move toward the next target. I'll adjust myself on the map once I'm not on my phone.

Well that was quick.

Thri-Kreen do not fear death the way most softskins do. Their minds just aren't wired for it. They struggle with the concepts of selfishness or individualism. For the same reasons, they struggle with the idea of selflessness as well. Dying protecting a hive isn't an honor. It isn't glorious. It isn't admirable. It is just normal.

So when Bug gave what she expected to be her very last breath in another vicious attack, it wasn't special to her. It was just her nature.

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8 Plus DC 13 Fort save vs Poison (1d2 dex damage on failed save)

And now I'm at -1 and Bleeding.

Stablize DC 10: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 - 1 = 19

Bug is unconscious and stable.

As soon as the leash dropped Bug launched into a shocking display of violence.

5' adjust, full attack the guard in front of me

Claw 1, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (6) = 7

Claw 2, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (4) = 7

Claw 3, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5

Claw 4, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Bonus crit damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

No problem. I was just confused.

The map doesn't seem to match the description of the action. Has it been updated?

Bug knew that word. Well, she knew a word that sounded like that one. It might be that the softskin was just making sounds and sometimes making words on accident like the other larger softskin.

Still, this didn't seem like a coincidence. They were being attacked, and the one with his leash was saying attack.

Why did he say that word? If he wants me to fight why am I still on the lead? Why did he not use the other word.

Not quite sure what to do, Bug moved ahead of Darzus to the extent of her leash.

Full Defense.

That works. I'll play off of however you decide to frame that.

Thanks for engaging with my super weird character concept. Since this game started its occured to me that it really isn't fair to present my character as a puzzle other characters are expected to solve, so I appreciate that the group is willing to indulge me.

Who has Bug's leash?

I thought it was Darzus, but Darzus' last post indicated that he just moved up next to Bug.

Heh. I can see why you didn't want to do anything else for a while. Do you need to talk about it?

Hmm. I thought posting rates would have picked up once combat kicked off and the GM was back in action.

I'm really loving this game and really don't want it to die of attrition. I hope we can build some momentum.

Bug stood up to her full towering height and watched, dwarfing even the tall elf next to her. The leash went taut. Her arms hung loosely at her sides. Aside from standing up she did not seem concerned by the murderous onslaught headed their way.

Full Defense. AC 24.

Glad you're doing better. Don't be afraid to tell us when you're feeling overwhelmed by life and need some time to sort things out. I think we've all already proven that we are in this for the long haul. For being a bunch of sun-baked crazies we're a very supportive group.

The plan as I understood it was to go through our evening routine, and fake going to sleep (with weapons in our bedrolls and blankets covering the fact that we are still in armor, things like that) when it's the enemy's turn for watch rotation.

Then when they come for us, we're ready and we kill them.