Durahl of Highhaven's page

Chainmail/Tribute: I am going to withdraw from this game. You run too many cool games that get me excited to play...that is until I remember that I don't like PbP gaming. I think it is better to get out now before it really takes off and the groups get formed.

I'm confident this will be a pretty neat campaign and hope everyone has a blast. Good luck all!

Lifting his eyebrows in surprise at the sudden reversal of fortune experienced by the massive humanoid, Durahl slowly lowers his mug of ale to the table while giving said mug a wary and distrustful stare.

Poisoned feathers in the ale?!? What kind of place is this? Better order white wine in the future, my lad.

Upon tearing open the letter addressed to him and reading (slowly and with some difficulty) the short missive contained within, Durahl thinks to himself while a small smile spreads across his face, In-n-nteresting. This place might just be to my liking after all! and moves to the designated assignation while taking in the motely crew who all seem to be filing in the same direction.

Weapon Checkpoint

"Fortune shall not smile favorably upon your should anything happen to Fortune's Favorite whilst in your possession," grumbles Durahl as he hands over his prized battle axe.

Now, where is this Lakeview Inn? My throat is parched and I need a nice, juicy joint of roast mutton to fill my belly!

Lakeview Inn

Fish?!? Blech...place must be run by elves!

(After witnessing the behemoth drop the hapless soldier and the ensuing chaos...)

Well...this is just perfect! Can't a man enjoy a cold drink in peace?!? I'm damned if I'll get involved. Let the locals fight it out over their petty politics, old boy...unless they offer a little coin to subdue the beast, that is.

Durahl of Highhaven presents himself for this glorious journey into the Wildlands of Karameikos.

"May our blades never grow dim and our purses never grow light!"

Durahl glowers as he listens to the halflings "misguided" speech, "Bah! These miserable wretches would turn on their own mothers for a scrap of moldy bread. I've given them no offer of quarter and they'll get none from me..." He pauses momentarily and continues, "However, I have no wish to quarrel with any in this group who feel as the half-man does and I'll not give these vermin the satisfaction of seeing us turn on one another in argument over their pathetic lives. Perhaps, Fate has another path for me...I think I'll seek my Fortune elsewhere. Any who wish to join me are welcome. Good fortune to you all and may the wind be ever at your back!"

With that, Durahl lopes off back in the direction from which the group just came, pauses to give a short salute at the top of a rise in the road and then vanishes into the cold, misty air.

Good luck everyone, enjoy the adventure and may your blades never dim!

Actually, this seems to be precisely the way a Paladin should behave in such a situation. Any being who voluntarily surrenders should be unassailable until such time as they prove themselves to be "false".

Plus, this gives a pretty good reason for my PC to leave the group as he would NOT be willing to offer solace to a bunch of goblins who had just ambushed him. I'll incorporate it in my final game play post.

Good luck everyone and enjoy!

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Round 3, Initiative 27
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Durahl dodges and weaves to avoid the onslaught by the vermin surrounding him.

Enough of this foolishness!

Clashing his sword against his shield and weaving the blade in an intricate dance Durahl screams "Is that the best you can do, you little gutter dogs?!? Durahl the Butcher of Blackbriar swears by all the powers above and below that not one of you will leave this field of battle alive!"

Flavor for Dazzling Display

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 4 = 33

Man, what is up with these dice rolls? I swear I am not cheating, but I have rolled more 20's in this short PbP than I would usually get in about 10 gaming sessions. Weird.

Honestly, I'm feeling the same as Me'mori/Ama. 10 people in a group is just cumbersome IMO. I'm also not really necessary as the group already has two good front-line fighters in Terion and Cole/Gnasher. I'm essentially extra baggage.

This adventure is also unknown to me so it doesn't have the same nostalgia factor that playing in Against the Cult of the Reptile God would have had for me.

I think I will also bow out after this combat is over. It works reasonably well since my PC is Chaotic Neutral and often throws his "luck stones" (dice) to make decisions. He could easily just let the Fates decide that he should head elsewhere.

Obviously I agree with the header idea since I'm the one who started doing it :-).

I also agree that it would be nice to have a recap like we had for the first round for each round but I'm also aware that this would require a lot of extra work for Tribute. I would be willing to do the "bookkeeping" like I did for the Round 1 recap if that would lighten the load; hopefully, I can figure out a way to format it for easier readability.

Sorry, I could have jumped the gun.

Not a big deal, I was just pointing out who had posted what actions to Lamriel. I have to say this is my first PbP where I have actually participated in combat and it IS fairly difficult to keeps things straight unless you mandate that people can't post until their initiative turn but that would slow down the game to an absolute crawl.

Guys am I wrong or have we moved on to round 3 without getting round 2 actions from Strang and Ama?

Strang posted an attack on Monday @ 11:37 pm which would be his second attack in this combat but he indicated that it was a "ready" attack against the priest as he tried to cast a spell. Strang, however, has a lower initiative score than the priest (5 vs 12) so he would not get to make a "readied" attack in Round 2. Ama has NOT posted an action for Round 2 yet but Bizz HAS posted his Round 3 action.

@GM Tribute: Are goblins in the "small" size category? I think I am going to use Dazzling Display on my next action in round 3 to demoralize all within 30 feet who can see me and I would get a +4 bonus to my Intimidate check if they are a size category smaller than I am.

Will Save attempt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Remarkably, Durahl, not known for his strength of mind, grits his teeth and shrugs off the cleric's attempt to subdue him with his foul powers.

"Not today, hellpriest! I'll see you writhing on the end of my sword before I give in to your dark enchantments!"

Durahl of Highhaven wrote:

Okay, thanks for the clarification Tribute. That makes using javelins a REALLY bad idea when you can use a bow and just shoot arrows every round as opposed to having to use a move action to draw a javelin for every throw. Probably have to change out my missile weapon at first available opportunity.

Round 2, Initiative count 27

So...on his second round action, Durahl will ready his shield (move action #1) and draw his sword (move action #2).

Bleh...very heroic. ;)

Javelins are an inexpensive way to add your STR to damage when you don't have a comp long bow ;) And in a pinch, they are an acceptable melee weapon. You can walk around with javelin+shield, throw it if needed, then draw your main weapon as part of or as your move action. If you are caught in melee by surprise, you can fight with it, or simply drop it.

I didn't think it would make sense for Durahl to be walking along a normal road with his shield on his arm ready for action but if we are going to get ambushed on an open road by goblins only 40 feet away (how did we NOT see them earlier than that?), I may have to forgo "realism" for practicality

Btw, I really enjoyed your "cinematic recap" of the battle thus far. Pretty cool.

Okay, thanks for the clarification Tribute. That makes using javelins a REALLY bad idea when you can use a bow and just shoot arrows every round as opposed to having to use a move action to draw a javelin for every throw. Probably have to change out my missile weapon at first available opportunity.

Round 2, Initiative count 27

So...on his second round action, Durahl will ready his shield (move action #1) and draw his sword (move action #2).

Bleh...very heroic. ;)

How does an enlarged reach weapon work in terms of what you can attack and what you can't attack? Normally (when not enlarged) a reach weapon allows you to attack enemies 10 feet away but you CANT attack enemies 5 ft away (i.e. in an adjacent square).

That is good but the enlarge was full round that's why the priest managed to stop it with his hold person and end the spell.

Yep, you're correct. I am not very familiar with spells and their casting times and I didn't bother to check up on that (until you posted it...). Good catch.

I updated the rundown to correct my mistake re: Hold Person interrupting Bizzlemont's casting of Enlarge Person.

Who says being an anal-retentive, OCD freak doesn't come in handy? ;p

Okay...here is my attempt to encapsulate what has taken place since we first encountered the goblins/priest:

I will be posting the PC's name, their initiative score and the actions they took and the results of said action in initiative order...

PC Name Initiative Action Taken Result

Durahl 27 Draw and throw javelin attack: 18 dmg: 9 to goblin

Merrie 25 Load crossbow and fire attack: 18 dmg: 8 to goblin

Lamriel 23 Inspire courage +1 to hit/damage for all PC's after this point

(NOTE: I am listing following rolls as posted, I don't know if courage bonus was included)

Fornitado 17 Draw bow and fire attack: 18 dmg: 7 to priest (GM said this missed due to cover)

Bizzlemont 16 Cast Enlarge Person Spell takes 1 round to cast, was interrupted by priest with Hold Person.

Tavar 16 Cast Glitterdust Casts spell on goblins/priest

---There was a tie between Cole/Gnasher and the goblins/priest at count 12, dont know who should go first---

Cole 12 Attack with sword attack: 24 dmg: 4 to goblin
Gnasher 12 Attack with bite attack: 13 dmg: 5 to goblin

Priest 12 Cast Hold Person Casts spell on Bizzlemont

Goblins 12 Run en masse to engage Run like the wind! Face many attacks of opportunity!

---Interrupt normal initiative count to resolve multiple attacks of opportunity against goblins---

Durahl AoO/27 Need a ruling here. I need to know if my first attack (javelin throw) required both a move action and
a standard action. If it DID require both, then I don't have a weapon in hand (nor shield) and can't
make an attack of opportunity (no unarmed attacks allowed for AoO except for Unarmed Strike feat holders).
If it only required a standard action to ready and throw the javelin, then I would have spent my move
action drawing my sword and WOULD get the AoO.

---not sure if Merrie should get an AoO as she was holding a crossbow; GM says she drew a dagger...iffy situation here---

Merrie AoO/25 Attack with dagger attack: 19 dmg: 10 (or 14 if crit confirmed)

Cole AoO/12 Attack with sword attack: 11 dmg: 4 to goblin
Gnasher AoO/12 Attack with bite attack: 17 dmg: 8 to goblin

Terion AoO#1/11 Attack with bardiche attack: 23 dmg: 20 to goblin
Terion AoO#2/11 Attack with bardiche attack: 11 dmg: 16 to goblin
Terion AoO#3/11 Attack with bardiche attack: 19 dmg: 19 to goblin

---Not sure if anyone else was entitled to an AoO but these are all that were posted---

---End of Attacks of Opportunity for round 1/ resume standard initative count at 11---

Terion 11 Attack with bardiche attack: 25 dmg: 32 to goblin

Strang 5 Attack with crossbow attack: 11 dmg: 9 to goblin

Ama 3 Cast Bane spell Cast spell

I think that this is EVERYTHING that should have been able to take place in the first round.

Well, actually, I'm in favor of what ever keeps the gameplay flowing as quickly as possible but it DOES get very difficult to figure out who has taken more actions than they should and who is kind of "stuck in molasses" simply because they aren't posting as many actions.

@GM Tribute: I have taken the time to review the action that has taken place thus far and could write up a post in either this discussion thread or the game play thread to try to encapsulate what has happened thus far. There are a couple of issues that probably need your ruling to resolve as things got a little "messed up."

I kind of thought we were all declaring our actions each round without having to wait for our turn to come up, but the actions would still resolve in proper initiative order.

Same here.

I posted my confusion in the gameplay section and Tribute responded that it was still round 1 and anyone below initiative score of 13 could still act in this round. At least I think that was what his response meant.

@ Terion: Didn't GM Tribute say that the priest was casting Hold Person on Bizzlemont while Bizz was casting the Enlarge Person and that, if he failed his save...which he did, the Enlarge Person wouldn't take place?

I am pretty confused about what is going on right now...which round are we in?

Yeah, Combat Reflexes. I initially took that for Durahl, then thought "Nah, how many times am I really going to get to use that feat." Derp. I never thought we would be fight 40 goblins. ;p

Whenever his next turn comes up in the initiative round, Durahl will use his round to make two move equivalent actions: ready shield and draw longsword.

"Come on you little b*stards! Come get a taste of Fortune's Favorite!!!"

I do not have a sword in hand (nor my shield, I would think that Durahl doesn't carry his shield on his arm while walking). However, I should be able to make an unarmed attack on a goblin who provoked the AoO, correct?

If I am able to make the unarmed AoO (I will take -4 to attack roll to make it a lethal attack)

"Where do you think you're going, you little guttersnipe?!?

AoO vs. Goblin in AB8: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Unarmed attack damage-lethal: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Wow! Nice way to waste a natural 20. With a punch

Threat confirmation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Crit damage if confirmed: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"Let's see if Fortune favors you today, goblin scum! screams Durahl, draws forth a javelin and hurls it at the goblin in a direct line from him (cell S7).

Javelin throw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

I forgot to ask you, GM Tribute, do you want us to roll damage in the same post as an attack so that if we do hit we don't need to make another post and if we miss you can just ignore the damage roll?

Flavor Post

Durahl tries, unsuccessfully, to talk his way into a serving wench's bed on the night before they set out and is in poor temper the next morning because of said failure.

Blast these northern strumpets! They're colder than the frozen tundra which gave birth to them!

Grumbling all the while, Durahl procures 3 additional days worth of rations for the journey.

End Flavor Post

We now return to our regularly scheduled program already in progress...

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Questions for GM Tribute:

Should I assume that each cell on the spreadsheet/map represents 5 ft?

Did we need to roll for a surprise round or are we skipping that and just starting round 1?

Yikes! That was fast...that's what she said! Pretty jarring jump there. As Terion pointed out we need a marching order, I have the highest AC so it would be reasonable for me to be somewhere in front...however, I also have a lousy Perception score, so maybe not. ;) Also, did Cole Honeybottom...a Paladin just knowingly LIE (re: the bracelet) to someone!?! Tsk, tsk.

Durahl places his hand on the handle of his sword on his left hip, looks briefly over his shoulder back in the direction of the wizards and asks, "Either of you spell-slingers got something to handle 30 goblin wretches?" He adds with a mischievous grin, "Or do we do this the FUN way?"

Durahl looked up from the wench he was groping as the tavern door blew open revealing the mysterious figure. His eyes followed the ensuing flight of said figure into the back-room with little interest until he noticed the trail of blood which followed in his/her wake.

Well, well. Now that's not something you see every day. he mused to himself as his eyebrows climbed his forehead in surprise. This might bear further investigation. After all, an opportunity grasped is an opportunity earned.

Slowly and reluctantly relinquishing his grip on the young lass in his lap, he strolls towards the back room whence the figure fled.

I think we rolled?

Well, that explains it then...

Yeah, I'm definitely "tanking" with a 25 AC although my touch AC still stinks. ;)

I actually looked at Chainmail/GM Tributes active campaigns to find this thread and he is in 3(!) ToEE campaigns. I don't know if they are all truly active but, man, that is hardcore.

I was initially in the Against the Cult campaign but dropped out before it really got going (several reasons...won't enumerate them here) and I have been kicking myself ever since I dropped. I loved playing that module (remember when they were called "modules"?) back in the day. I have been hoping against hope that someone would run The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh as that is one of my personal favs.

I've never played (nor even heard of this module) so it doesn't have the same nostalgia factor for me.

Did those of you who played Against the Cult of the Reptile God roll your hit points for 2nd and 3rd level or use the 1/2 HD +1 for levels above 1st? For most of you, your HP don't seem to jive with the 2nd option (which is what we used as new 3rd level characters).

Terion's HP seem too high, while Bizz and Ama's seem too low if using the 2nd option.

A 9 player party! Wow.

It seems like the old school modules (if I am remembering correctly) were often intended for larger groups [6-8 PC's and sometimes retainers as well (remember retainers from AD&D?)]. I think the Temple of Elemental Evil was supposed to be specifically designed for a really big group.

As the cold blast of air rushes into the tavern, Durahl removes his arm from the waist of the wench he was fondling and scowls at the bedraggled figure who stumbles into the room.

By the Nine Hells and all the infernal beasts who inhabit them! Can't a fellow enjoy a nice mug of warm, mulled wine and an even warmer trollop in peace?!? If Trelayne steered me wrong as to the prospects in this dark corner of the world, I'll have his hide!

I'm going to bow out of this campaign as well.

Good luck everyone.

@Mitrellas: I hope my in-character comment about your flowery speech didn't offend you or contribute to your quitting. That was entirely in-character and not meant as a jab at your playing style. It just seemed like the kind of thing Daniel would feel/say in response to your speech.

Daniel rolls his eyes upon hearing Mitch/Mithrellas's speech and murmurs sotto voce, "Geez Mitch, we didn't end up in Monte Python and the Holy Grail, fer cryin' out loud."

What the h*ll is going on?!?, Daniel thinks to himself as he picks himself up off of the ground. As he takes in his surroundings Daniel thinks, Sweet Jeebus! I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Palms sweating due to the shock, Daniel begins to pat himself frantically looking for his asthma inhaler...until he realizes that, unlike his normal body, this version doesn't respond to anxiety with the same "weakness."

Looking his new body over, Daniel is generally pleased with the view but thinks to himself: Why on earth didn't I make Durahl taller?

Just curious, what does "CoB" mean?

Giggity!

Durahl's "real-life" alter ego is Daniel Winslow, a brainy upper-middle class kid. 14 years old but already a Junior in high school due to skipping two grades in elementary school. Late bloomer who is only just now starting puberty. Daniel's parents are hard-driving overachievers who push their only son as hard as they push themselves.

@Strang: Did you realize that GM Tribute changed the character builds to 20 points from the 15 points initially indicated? It looks like your character is built just using 15 points.

GM Tribute--Do you want us to create our teenager persona or did you plan on assigning those? I thought one of your posts in the recruitment thread indicated that you would be assigning the alternate persona (read: the teenager or "real" background of our PC) for our characters.

If it is up to us, I will have to go with the "nerd" who wants to be powerful concept (I'm playing the Fighter) as I can't recall a single "cool" kid or "jock" who played D&D when I was a teenager.

Just posting with my updated character sheet: bumped up to 20 pt build, added language/skill for increased INT and changed one feat (dropped Combat Reflexes and added Dodge for that extra bit of "tankiness"...now with MOAR tank!).

Additionally, I would add (in the hopes that it might improve my chances of selection) that I am no longer a Pathfinder "virgin" as I completed my first face-to-face gaming session this past Saturday and I am currently involved in a PbP scenario for PFS play.

Submitting Durahl of Highhaven for this campaign.

In the interest of full disclosure I should point out the following:

1) It has been quite some time since I played any non-computer based RPG's (approx. 12 years). I have played plenty of CRPG's: Baldur's Gate series, Temple of Elemental Evil and Neverwinter Night's to name a few in the interim, so I am not completely out of touch with D&D/Pathfinder.

2) I have never played Pathfinder. Having played Neverwinter Night's, I am pretty comfortable with the 3.5/Pathfinder rule set in general, however.

3) I have never played a Play-by-Post campaign. This is where I will probably need the most help, should I be picked to participate in the campaign, as I am not familiar with how die rolls are accomplished, how combat timing works, etc.

Well....now that I have effectively eliminated myself from contention, I will just say that I certainly hope I get the chance to pop my Pathfinder/PbP "cherry" with this campaign.