Sorry for the delays again. The thing is, my life has become overwhelming. I’m falling behind on everything these days, and it’s been difficult for me to sit down and focus on any one thing. Because of this, and because it seems I’m down to two players left in this game, I’m going to put this campaign to rest. Glor and Brunhild, thank you for your enthusiasm, and thanks to everyone who has contributed to the campaign. It was fun. A lot of work, but fun.
So, again, my deepest thanks and apologies. RIP Strike the Earth.
Due to the lack of other responses, and due to my own life circumstances, I will check in again after the New Year to get a read on engagement. Until then, the game is paused.
After the New Year, my now wife will be working out of state for a month and a half, and so I expect I will be able to dedicate more time and energy into the game during that time. So, please, if you are able, check in with me. I'd rather see the game move forward than dwindle into dust.
Toulbe tries to help out Adu by stepping up and introducing the ant to his frying pan.
Frying Pan+IC+Bless:1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 22 dmg:1d4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 = 2
The hit is solid, but the follow through is lacking.
Hezekh, likewise tries to help out Brunhild.
Constructed Limb+IC+Bless+Charge:1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 12ooph.
Little help there.
A soldier steps towards Adu and takes a bite!
Goggeck AoO:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 17 dmg:2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 + 1 = 7 Purple Soldier Bite:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Goggeck whacks it as it moves by, and Adu easily ducks beneath its crushing mandibles.
More ants march up the hill. The lines are closing in!
Round 4: Bold May Act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green (1dmg)
Soldier Orange (14dmg)
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired, -2AC)
Soldier Red (Dead)
Soldier Blue (Dead)
Soldier Purple (12dmg)
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired, Justice, Shield of Faith)
Drone Yellow (3dmg)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Glor and Brunhild concentrate their fire on the ants coming up the middle. Glor, too, drops an ant in a single hit, perhaps giving Adu a moment to breathe. But, behind the dead ants she can see more ants fanning out at the base of the hill.
Two soldiers reach the top of the crest, one fills the gap in front of Adu, the other appears, badly injured before Brunhild.
Round 4: Bold May Act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange (14dmg)
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired) Soldier Red (Dead) Soldier Blue (Dead)
Soldier Purple (5dmg)
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired, Justice, Shield of Faith)
Drone Yellow (3dmg)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
I apologize, I thought I had posted on Friday, but I see now the post didn't go through. Maybe I just hit the preview button without actually submitting. Will repost in the morning.
Through the line of work I do, I see more and more people personally effected by the corona virus. Much confusion, uncertainty, fear, and loss. My well wishes for everyone this holy day season. Stay safe, stay healthy.
I will try it on the next round. I am afraid it will make combat even more swingy, and I also fear the work I have to do on my posts, but hopefully you keep whittling their numbers.
I think Goggeck is still out under the weather, so will bot for him.
Being faced now with two ants, Goggeck takes a step back, drops his crossbow, and draws his longhammer. All the while he mutters a prayer and a shimmering field of light surrounds him. Casting Shield of Faith.
Round 3: Bold May Act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange (14dmg)
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow (Dead)
Soldier Purple
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired, Justice, Shield of Faith)
Drone Yellow (3dmg)
Drone Purple (Dead)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Glor and Brunhild continue to lay out the damage. Brunhild takes out an approaching soldier with one shot. Glor annihilates the injured drone just as it lands next to Adu.
The ants come marching one by one. Hurrah! Hurrah!
Round 3: Bold May Act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow (Dead)
Soldier Purple
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow
Drone Purple (Dead)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Adu fires true, into the heart of the giant drone. But, even giant ants don’t have true hearts, but a dorsal aorta that pumps ichor through the open circulatory system. Anyhow, the flying giant ant is badly hurt.
Purple Drone Fly:1d20 ⇒ 2
It loses altitude.
The drone behind it buzzes it’s wings harder and charges in at Goggeck!
Yellow Drone Bite+Charge:1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16
It just barely misses.
The injured drone flutters in and lands next to Adu. Being dazed, it can’t do much else.
In the rearguard, some too the workers begin moving in behind the soldiers.
Round 3 Bold May act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow
Soldier Purple
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Purple (Flying: 20ft, 20dmg)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Thank you all. I wish I could say I got hitched without a hitch, but hurricane Zeta blew in straight over our venue and swamped out our rehearsal dinner. But in the end, we made it happen and things went beautifully from there on out. Came home to the power company having to replace all our panels and breakers, so hadn’t had power for a day. Tryna catch up now before I start work again tomorrow. Hope all is well!
Hezekh fires a bolt straight into its head between the two multifaceted eyes. It plummets from the air into the dirt.
Toulbe, I think purple drone is in range. Drone Purple Fort:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 Drone Purple Fly:1d20 ⇒ 13
The next closest drone is struck dazed by Toulbe’s inaudible scream, but it keeps itself aloft.
Soldier ants begin charging forward, reaching the base of the hill, while the workers continue to congregate near the mine entrance.
Despite Trudd’s guiding arm, Goggeck’s bolt errs through the air.
Round 2: Bold May act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow
Soldier Purple
Drone Red (Dead) Drone Blue (Dead)
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Purple (Flying: 30ft, 9dmg, Dazed)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
A week from yesterday I will be getting married. Today through Wednesday I may be partially available, but Thursday through Wednesday I will be unavailable. I'm truly hoping things will start to settle down for me again after that.
Redoubling their efforts, Glor an Brunhild strike their targets with ease. One drone falls, the other is in bad shape and tries to remain aloft.
Red Fly:1d20 ⇒ 20
Despite the hurt, it’s lacy wings keep it in the air.
More ants go marching toward the entrance. Two of the meaner looking ones begin marching toward the dwarves on the hill.
Round 2: Bold May act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow
Soldier Purple
Drone Red (Flying: 30ft, 18dmg)
Drone Blue (Dead)
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Purple (Flying: 30ft)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Adu’ s bolt glances off the drone’s carapace as it moves in closer.
Goggeck likewise joins in on the opening volley.
Heavy Crossbow+Bless+IC:1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6
He adds to the growing number of bolts lying harmlessly on the canyon floor.
Reacting to the silent alarm, the other flying pair moves in, while more workers congregate near the safety of the mine entrance.
Round 2: Bold May act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow
Soldier Purple
Drone Red (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Blue (Flying: 20ft, 3dmg)
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Purple (Flying: 30ft)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
A mostly ineffective first round! Glor and Brunhild are up!
Drone Blue Fly DC 10:1d20 ⇒ 1
Hezekh fires one off after Glor and Brunhild, and hits with a well timed volley. The closer drone falls 10 feet before steadying itself. The drones move in, exuding the pheromone equivalent of shouting The colony is under attack! Save the Queen! Save the Queen!
Having been so alerted, the southern grouping of workers begins congregating around the entrance.
Round 1: Bold May act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow
Soldier Purple
Drone Red (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Blue (Flying: 20ft, 3dmg)
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow (Flying: 30ft)
Drone Purple (Flying: 30ft)
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Glor and Brunhild try to take out a squad of flying drones, but their missiles go wide. A poor way to start indeed. But, perhaps they have still gone unnoticed?
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Perhaps not. Glor and Brunhild have successfully captured the attention of the northern fliers. Luckily, all the other ants simply mill around, going about their business as usual.
Round 1: Bold May act!
Glor (Blessed, Inspired)
Brunhild (Blessed, Inspired)
Worker Red
Worker Blue
Worker Yellow
Soldier Green
Soldier Orange
Toulbe (Blessed, Inspired)
Hezekh (Blessed, Inspired)
Soldier Red
Soldier Blue
Soldier Yellow
Soldier Purple
Drone Red
Drone Blue
Worker Magenta
Worker Cyan
Worker Maroon
Adu (Blessed, Inspired)
Goggeck (Blessed, Inspired)
Drone Yellow
Drone Purple
Worker Green
Worker Orange
Worker Purple
Hope you feel better! Sorry for the delays on my part. Our wedding is this month and its crunch time, and work continues to be a lot. But, I'll get this combat started this week for sure!
Right, the ledges are 10ft. DC 15 Climb up or down, or you can jump down and make a Reflex Save to not fall on yer ass! Although, for now, just assume you can climb down no problem until initiative starts.
Map is up! Slide 16! Hopefully it still reads for you. I can zoom in pretty well on computer and ipad. I placed your tokens on the eastern edge of the map so you can move them to anywhere on that eastern ridge. Glor, let me know where you want to place the walls for cover.
Sounds like the plan is to pick off a few on the edges and then try to draw the rest in for the slaughter. You can see there are workers and soldiers scattered around the entrance, with two patrolling pairs of drones flying on the north and south ends of the ravine. Let me know when you're ready and we'll roll initiative!
I've been working on the map, its nearly finished. Its bigger in scope than usual so hopefully still works via google slides. Once up I'll let you pick your starting location.
Currently, you stand on a ridge overlooking a ravine. The mine entrance lies on the opposite side of the ravine, down below, at the end of a side ravine. You think you might be able to pick off a few ants from here, perhaps take out the flying patrols, without raising the pheremonal alarm.
After Adu administers to the wounded, the party continues up the ravine toward the mine. Coming to the top of a crest, they can view the mine entrance below. As when they first came to this place, it is crawling with giant ants.
Workers fill the ravine, gathering food and moving it inside, while excavating rubble, waste, and debris from within. The hustle and bustle in and out makes it hard to get and exact count, but you estimate twenty or so at any given moment outside the entrance. You can expect up to twice that amount inside the colony.
Larger and more fiercely armed with sickle-like mandibles, soldiers guard the entrance, constantly checking on the workers as they move in and out, scanning them with sweeps of their antennae, on the lookout for intruders. You count six soldiers near the entrance. You can guess there are more inside.
Patrolling further out are the flying drones, buzzing around in pairs. You’ve just taken out one such patrol. You spot two more pairs of patrolling drones.
DC 15 Kn. Nature:
Being eusocial creatures, giant ants are industrious, strongly organized super organisms, operating as a unified entity, each individual specialized to perform a specific task, yet working communally to support the colony. It’s a wonder dwarves don’t deify these creatures.
At the heart of the colony must be the Queen, the only fertile female. You know that if you can take out the queen, the colony will lose cohesion as the hive mind dysfunctions.
Hammers rise, and hammers fall. With Adu's blessing, Goggeck brings the hammer down on the second ant, freeing Hezekh and eliminating the immediate threat.
As Toulbe describes how dwarven ale can dissolve a rusted minecart track spike if soaked overnight, everyone feels a bit more confident heading towards the abandoned mine.
Struggling against the ant’s mandibles, Glor jabs with a blade made from stone. The ant, having just charged, fails to deflect the blow, and the blade plunges through exoskeleton with a satisfying crunch.
Adu fires off a warning shot and alerts a nearby chipmunk. Goggeck comes charging in and finishes off Glor’s contender, splattering yellow ichor across the dusty trail.
Having evaded the mandibles, Brunhild is free to take a shot. Her arrow neatly pierces carapace. Hezekh redirects his attack to help out, but fails to land a hit.
The remaining drone bites and stings at the nearest target, Hezekh.
Bite:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 dmg:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Grab:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Sting:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Echoes of the elemental beetle and wyvern fight resound in Hezekh's memory as he is bitten and held by the giant ant. Luckily, it’s stinger misses its mark. The ant and Hezekh are both grappled.
Round 2: Bold May Act!
Ant 1 (very dead)
Ant 2 (12dmg, grappled)
Toulbe (Inspiring Courage)
Glor (6dmg)
Adu
Goggeck (AC 15)
Brunhild
Hezekh (10dmg, grappled)
Restocked and readied, the Sharp End emerges again into the arid air of the Flatiron Hills. Having found the mine entrance earlier, they head southwest from Akil Lushon into the heart of the canyon lands.
The first half of the day passes by quietly. In the early afternoon you push closer to where you know the mine to be. It shouldn’t be surprising, as you climb up a ravine leading toward the mine, that you encounter two giant ants. These two look a bit bigger and tougher than you ones you ran into before., and they’re winged.
Not gonna bother with a map on this one. Two giant ants approach, 60ft away.
"Aye why don't we make it five o' each an' call it even." Sankest throws in an extra flask of acid and keeps the change.
Sankest smiles broadly and gives Adu a hearty handshake, "Always a pleasure doin' business with ye lass. Our fortunes rise and fall together."
Updated the Loot Sheet. Alchemical items went to Adu, foodstuffs went to the wagon. If there's anything on the wagon you want for yourself, best be claimin' it.
At Brunhild's behest, the Sharp End packs up and readies to set out again into the wilderness.
As he sees you loading the wagon, Girtul approaches. "I heard ye found the mine and it was full of giant ants! Our little home here hasn't much wealth, yet, but if you can reclaim that mine for us, I'd certainly find a way ta make it worth your while."
Sankest pulls out his stone abacus and starts with his calculations, "Now, lessee... tangent equals X... divided by 2... carry the 1... 2 Pi Squared... least common denominator... delta over theta... round to the nearest tenth... aha!"
With absolute certainty, they are able to assign the following values:
Tetrahedrite Ore: 40sp
Jade Figurines: 85gp each
Granite Idol: 30gp
Silver Platter: 60gp
With less than absolute certainty, they are able to assign the following values:
Amethyst Crystal: 92gp
Gold Chalice: 372gp
Bronze Flagon: 49gp
Dice: 32gp
Rose Gold Figurine: 94gp
Adu then presents the following items to Sesnack for sale:
Sell to Sesnack:
2x Daggers from Hezekh
Amethyst Crystal
6x Morningstars
18x Javelins
6x Leather Armors
6x Lt. Wooden Shields
Studded Leather Armor
Heavy Flail
MW Composite Longbow (+4str)
8lbs Tetrahedrite Ore
Raw Jackrabbit Hide
Gold Chalice
Jade Figurines
Granite Idol
Silver Platter
Bronze Flagon
Set of Dice
Rose Gold Figurine
Armbands of the Brawler
If this is correct, Sesnack offers 949gp and 5sp for the haul.
Yes on the Craft Alchemy check, Adu. Athough I think someone tried and failed when you first found it.
I don't think Take 10 or 20 applies to Appraise, as under the skill it states any attempts to retry end with the same result. But, I'll take the highest results out of those who try and factor in Aid bonuses from any others. Basically the total outcome reflects your confidence in the value.
So I'm gonna mark all the nonmagical loot from the bugbears and wyvern as for sale. If you want the magical gear, please speak up. I do think Glor and Hezekh stated they'd like the Belt of Tumbling. Should we have a roll off? We can do it Glass Cannon style and have each of you state your case in character, and I can assign bonuses to your roll based on how convincing you are :)
Much apologies for the delay, I've been very busy and stressed.
The night of festivities wears on. The dwarven settlers of Akil Lushon marvel at their first taste of seared wyvern steak, and they find it pairs well with the Taggoret Ale.
Girtul offers up the barracks for the group to rest and recuperate, "Aye, we'll be carvin' out proper livin' quarters soon enough."
In the morning, a loud banging on the rear doors announce the arrival of Sankest Barrelbottom and his Treasure Wagon.
"Good ta see ya lads and lassies, looks like a good time fer a trade, whatcha say? Where's tha lil' gnome lass with tha fine figurin'?"
Please review the Loot Sheet. Highlight anything you wish to sell off to Sankest in green. The group column is on the far right. You may want to make some identification, appraisal rolls on some things first.
Hey y'all. Guess what. I'm all caught up with campaign tracking. Lemme tell you, it was a lot of fun rereading through everything so far. It's one positive aspect of playing through these forums, is we get an accurate record of the game!
So here's what's updated:
NEW! Game Calendar: In the spirit of Dwarf Fortress, you began your journey on the first day of Spring. According to my calculations, you've been adventuring for 35 days! That puts the current game day on the 4th of Pharast according to the Golarion Calendar. You'll notice the calendar date now listed at the top of the campaign page.
Kills List: All those bugbears, giant ants, and the wyvern now accounted for.
Party Inventory: With every kill comes loot! Party inventory is updated. Please give it a lookover, there's scrolls and wands and things left unclaimed. Some things are unidentified and or unappraised.
That's it on my end. I do want to say Thank You all for hanging in there and keeping the game going. Also thank you for the current RP interaction within the group. It fills me cold, dead GM heart with joy to get a peek into the inner world and motivations of the PCs.
