Kwin Longclaw's page

Dwarves. <Facepalm>

A small step towards normality, but an important one.

Ray, I've been thinking lots about you since Maria rolled through, and hoped every day to see a post from you.

Based on what I'd been watching and reading about the state of Puerto Rico, I didn't realistically expect such for weeks if not a month or two. You posting so (relatively) soon is a pleasant surprise, and I'm relieved to hear you and yours made it through with minimal/nominal damage and no injuries.

How's the family in Florida doing after their hurricane?

Kwin sighed as he stowed his blade and pulled out a longbow. "I'm not fond of this thing, but if he's as dangerous as you say, I think I'll keep my distance at first."

As an afterthought, the kitsune also staged some vials for ready access in his pockets and pouches.

Trust a dwarf to say something like that.

Do we have any sort of... you know... plan?

Kwin facepalmed, then shook his head. "Why is it always like this? Why is it never easy?"

"Um," Kwin declared with great gravity as he stared down into the well. "I'm not much for heights. Depths, I mean." He sighed then, and held one hand vertically at each inside edge of the well before swinging his hands up to his shoulders in an effort to determine if he would indeed fit.

That's definitely a DM question. Though if Pemmican... um... Peanutbutter... erm... what's-his-name got down there, surely Kwin can fit as well?

Welcome back; I'm glad you made it through okay! Right after Irma passed you I read an article about how Puerto Rico didn't catch the full brunt, but was still hit pretty hard. I was going to post a link to it here, but then I thought it'd be better if everyone's hoping for the best, and the article was a bit of a downer. So I just kept my yap shut and my fingers off the keyboard.

Not like Barbuda of course, but from what I read and saw it did seem you guys took quite a beating. Were some parts of the island hit harder than others?

Good thoughts to your Florida folks and friends! Is there anything we can do?

Kwin walked over to stare down the well shaft along with Koshukhep. "Has he moved at all?"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Pfft. Oblivious as always.

I agree; unless it's a finger snap for the room to air, let's come back later to use time efficiently. Reclosing the door's probably a good idea (not suggesting re-boarding it).

Kwin pointed at the boarded-up doorway while cupping an elbow with his other hand. "This looks suspicious," he opined.

Looking over at the others, he quirked an eyebrow. "Keeping people out... or keeping someone in?"

"Thanks, Izra," Kwin said with a nod of appreciation.

I haven't been keeping count of charges, but I'm thinking Kwin needs to buy us another CLW wand pretty soon?

You can mark him down for one CLW potion. He already has a mess of Alchemist Fires and Holy Waters, so somebody else should take the new ones.

Kwin clapped Koshukhep on the shoulder as he passed. "You're supposed to stay on the backside of the pointy end, Kosh."

Then, his sly smile faded to a frown. "And no, we didn't. Not yet, anyway."

"Hey!" Kwin barked. "He was mine!" With a frustrated harrumph, he wiped his blade and slammed it home in its sheath.

"Still, good hit. Solid hit."

I picture Kwin and the Smuggler with locked blades in a classic swashbuckler stalemate type of situation.

Nice!

A thin metallic ting sounded as Kwin batted away the smuggler's clumsy attack. He attempted to quickly reverse the arc of his rapier and slash his attacker...

Rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 I'm guessing that's a miss. :o/

... but the thin blade caught on the awkward shape of the punching dagger and missed its target.

That's adorable. :o)

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 Hah! Double the DC good enough for ya? :o)

Kwin staggered to his feet, then shook his head to clear it. Eyes falling on the smuggler who had shot him, the kitsune glared and leveled his rapier at the man. "That wasn't very nice!" he scolded, then suddenly launched himself at his opponent. Swinging his weapon to the side, he dove towards the nearest crate, planting both palms on the edge, his momentum propelling him up and over in a precise somersault that landed him on the smaller crate directly in front of the enemy.

"And more to the point," he began as he lunged his blade at the crossbowman.

Rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Musta used all my luck on the Acrobatics roll!
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 4 = 6 Yeah, definitely.

Sorry, here late and an early wake-up call, so I'll have to follow through tomorrow. Question, if Kwin wants to close/rush the baddie to the south, can he do some fancy footwork Acrobatics rolls and jump up on/from-to/attack-from the crates and what-not? If so, number of rolls and approximate DC so I-the-player can judge if him-the-swashie would attempt it? Thanks!

May I just say, "Ow."

Also: Thanks, Izra.

Since Kwin was dropped/restored this round, does he still have an action available?

Izra, I wanna say that moving diagonal through difficult terrain would be counted as "2-4-2-4".

I actually looked that up just the other day for another game I'm in. Difficult terrain diagonals count as 3 squares each, period. So it works out as the same 2x over the long run, but it's also more consistent than doubling the "1-2-1-2" rule.

Probably about the only advantage to Difficult Terrain rules. :op

Forum discussion: Movement in Difficult Terrain

"I wasn't speaking of you, big guy," Kwin says to Koshukhep while pulling out a cloth to wipe down his rapier. "You're the farthest thing from a dullard. Plus Team Furry has to stick togeth..."

Distracted by the sudden reverent quiet, Kwin's gaze shifts to Ahmed and Suri.

"A Tekenu is technically a swarm..."

So, I note from the opening of Star Trek: Beyond that the Enterprise has the same difficulties dealing with a swarm that we do...

I'll take the hits versus a parry-and-riposte because I'm going to burn the point of panache on damage again instead.

"Hah! Slashing is for dullards who can't hit a precise... target!", he replied, thrusting again in time with the last word.

Rapier, Piranha Strike: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 1 = 18 + 2 = 20 if Combat Advised.
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + 8 = 12

Jos, I'd love to slash here, but Kwin's a buckler of swashes. and the only things he has capable of slashing are his dagger and his bite attack. And fluffy or no, he's not getting that close to the thing. :o)

Also, a mouthful of putrid decaying organs would be... euck, I don't even want to think about it.

Kwin fidgeted with his rapier, tossing it ever so slightly into the air with a twist so the hilt rotated a bit each time it returned to his hand, as he watched for an opening. From the corner of his eye he caught Izra passing a flask to Djehuti, and he briefly considered tossing one of his own. But both Suri and Koshukhep were too close to the thing and might be splashed, so he went with his original plan.

"Kosh! Flank!" he shouted as he rushed the thing.

Burning a point of Panache to double the Precision damage.

Rapier, Piranha Strike: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 + 8 = 17 Man I hope that hits!

I think it was a fly-by, Kwin. Scary-fast mover.

Sigh. Then any effort at flanking will likely be hopeless. But perhaps spreading out so we're not a knot of people in the doorway will help... somehow. Token moved.

"Careful there, big guy," Kwin called to Koshukhep while dashing into the room. "I'll swing around behind to give you flanking!"

Team Furry is GO! (Because "ThunderCat and Fox are go" is just too awkward.)

I'm not clear on the current positioning. The bundle'o'funorgans is supposedly attacking Kosh, but it's 15' away on the map. So, I'm not going to move Kwin's token just yet. But the idea is to circle around clockwise (looks like between the first and second chained-off areas) and come at the thing from behind. Not intending to close until it can be coordinated with Kosh.

Sorry, turned in before Ray posted initiative last night, and it was wall-to-wall work today and late getting home. Have to turn in for 3AM wakeup call. Will post tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for your patience!

Wow... I have to "Me too" Torin's words. Strength to you and your family, and I hope things will improve for all soonest.

Kwin gave Suri an appreciative nod. "Good catch. Keep that up and you could give Short Round a run for his money."

"Give me a minute," the kitsune said as he placed his rapier on the sandy floor, then walked around the perimeter of the trap, rubbing his chin and occasionally brushing sand away with his foot.

"Ah," he said finally, and bent to the task of disarming the trap.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Pfft, Kwin laughs at DC 20s!

Note to DM: Do not take that as a challenge!

Retrieving his rapier, he used it in a low sweeping bow of invitation to Suri. "After you, oh eagle-eyed... uh... whatever-your-kind-is-called-again."

Kwin shrugs as he finishes wiping down his rapier, then resheathes it. "Too much of a head start now, anyway. Where's this priest, you reckon?"

I totally didn't think a 15 would hit. But then, it gave Kwin a rare killing blow which would replenish his panache if he wasn't already full-up which he almost never is so it all makes perfect sense because Murphy.

Yes, thanks Torin.

"Well," Kwin quipped as he lunged, "one good stab deserves another, I always say!"

I dunno which of the two got stabbed, but that's the one he's going after. Flipped a coin for the map move, feel free to correct if I got the wrong one.

Rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Clearly, that wasn't the deserved other good stab.
Damage (just in case): 1d6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 4 = 8

Everyone is up.

Erm... I don't see Kwin on the map?

Kn:Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"What did you..." Kwin started to ask Izra from the side of his mouth. Then he stopped and shook his head. "Never mind. I don't wanna know."

Suddenly, Kwin whipped off his cap, freeing his lupine ears... which twitched and swiveled in response to sounds some could not hear.

"Wouldn't surprise me a bit," Kwin fairly growled in reply to Izra's supposition. "Let's be about it, and quickly. I think I just heard another innocent life ended." He plopped the cap back on his head and drew his rapier decisively.

"Strike at will! Lay them low! We won't stop for any foe, while li'l Qasin goes flying along!"

Kwin looked back and forth between the bird-thing and Ahmed. "Man, this place just keeps getting freakier and freakier."

Looks like Ahmed and Izra have the Diplomacy thing well in hand, so since we're stopped in the street and easy targets, Kwin will survey the area for threats or anything unusual.

Other than, you know, undead and disembodied walking hands and floating jumbles of organs and death-guide birds wearing sacred helmets and stuff.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

And Kwin's all about sharp pointy things. Of which he has plenty now. So he's good to go.

Is the plan to wade out after you get your stuff, or are you going to take a long rest?

I'm not sure we can afford to wait that long, can we? Anyway, for the most part Kwin doesn't do the recharge thing, so he shouldn't vote.

"Well all right," Kwin says with an approving grin. He reaches to give the crocodile a friendly pat on the head, then suddenly yanks his hand back as he gives the idea a second thought.

"What the heck was that thing, Djehuti? And why is it dangerous, why did you say we should retreat?"

Then he looks around to confirm the rest of the team made it back and no one's bleeding too profusely before bounding upstairs to grab his gear.

In earlier times our local group used to wade into battle no matter what. And we frequently got our rears handed to us. Lots of PCs died and had to be re-rolled.

One day the GM said, "You know guys, you don't have to take on everything you come across. It's okay to back away if you're outmatched."

Wise advice, but as I recall it still took us a long time -- and plenty more dead PCs -- to internalize that.

Relative to your comment on being tapped out, Djehuti, one of my wiser PCs has adopted the mantra, "There's no shame in running away, if you plan to come back and kick butt later."

"Only he didn't use 'butt.' "

"But..." Kwin starts to protest, then considers Djehuti's depth of scholarly knowledge. If HE thinks we should run...

As the cloud of thick smoke forms, the kitsune turns in the direction of a merchant's tent he seems to remember.

Mostly fluffy. To avoid a Keystone Cops scene I'll say he remembers the tent to the left and behind. That way he's not dashing into the rest of the group. Intent is to duck through/past the tent to an alley or another street, to get off this one as quickly as possible.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

It'll be like The Walking Dead, but with a weirder gang of misfits. Kwin can wear the sheriff's hat.

Oh great, now you've got him all excited. Kwin's like, "Dude, I'll totally wear the sheriff's hat!"

Cos you know how he is about hats. What with the ears, and all...

Kwin and magic don't get along well, so...

Kwin's eyes narrowed. "Waiting for 'the proper authorities' to handle an urgent situation is waiting for death." He nodded to Torin. "Right behind you, Short Round."

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Are our lodgings (and our gear) anywhere near where we're headed? I need to look back and review, but I think I stated Kwin left much of his stuff back at the inn.

Kwin shook his head. "This sounds big. We can't stop a whole swarm by ourselves. The church makes more sense. Maybe they have ways to deal with it. And help Suri."

Kwin frowned at Koshukhep's words. "This is not good. So very not good."

"I'm fine... ish. That thing was just scary. For a while, anyway," Kwin said as he stared at the collapsed lump of smoldering remains. He nodded when Djehuti responded to Torin.

"Another team -- or someone besides the approved teams -- must've brought either a cursed or protected item here to make a quick gold. We need to find it fast and put it back where it's supposed to be."

"Otherwise, those monstrosities might just keep on coming." He cleared his throat nervously. "Not that... ah... I mind, of course. But some innocent bystanders might get hurt. Djehuti, any idea what's a likely artifact? Or how we figure out what it is?"

CLW on Suri, and prepare to move back if the flaming mummy comes at her at all.

Oops. Yeah, we did kinda turn it into a living... er, undead... mobile fireball, didn't we.

Koshu actually threw 2 of Djehuti's vials, so I guess Kwin threw his own?

Correct: "(Note, it looks like they've all been claimed/thrown, but Kwin has some of his own.)"

Realizing the fire was having an effect, Kwin retrieved another vial. "Ready... aim.. FIRE!"

Alchemist's Fire: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Critical Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Seeing his second vial land perfectly and burst into a ball of flame -- engulfing the thing that had so recently terrified him -- Kwin broke into a happy song and dance.