The Scarlet Knight's page

The Scarlet Knight points menacingly at Grabbles, and sends a blast of tree needles and thorns his way in a ranged elemental blast.

Ranged Blast: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 231d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 bludgeoning

Seeing nothing to lose trying again, he does so.

Ranged Blast: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 91d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 bludgeoning

Are we close to level 3?

At all?

GM: I think the idea of Runic Weapon is a very good one, but Bucky is not currently holding his weapon; he often drops it after using Strategic Advance. So I would recommend Velas gets it instead. I didn't specifically call out "drop weapon" as a free action in my summary last post, and so that's my bad.

Quickly checking in to let you know that there was a death in my family. I won't be available much for the next week or so.

Ohh ... I'm so sorry, Velas.

The Scarlet Knight swings at the Green Mite, intent on killing it and reducing the enemy's number further. He drops his shortsword, as he often does, and opens his Kinetic Aura.

The familiar thin red maple appears growing out of the ground behind him, and wallops the Mite twice with two melee elemental blasts.

Melee Elemental Blast 1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 91d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 bludgeoning
Melee Elemental Blast 2: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 = 211d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 bludgeoning

open kinetic aura (◆),
melee elemental blast (◆),
melee elemental blast (◆)

I'm dealing with a family emergency. Might be unavailable in the short-term.

Sorry to hear that, mister. Hope it is resolved quickly and well.

With Graham and Faen on one flank, Velas joins Scarlet on the other. He moves quickly forward, slashes at the mite, and then casts a layered shield spell. "Got my back, right, Scarlett?"

The man in red and silver armor smiles wanly.

Bucky draws his short sword before he moves out of the narrow hallway, hoping the others in the party heed his instructions to fan out and take up space in the room, so as not to be bottlenecked as they were last combat.

He moves quickly, very quickly, past Velas and down towards the Green Mite, striking out with his sword before he Raises his Shield all in one swift movement, using Defensive Advance.

Short sword attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 holy and slashing dmg

(◆) Draw weapon
(◆◆) Defensive Advance: Stride 30 ft, Raise Shield, melee attack

Bucky forgoes rhyming.

"We can't let them box us inside this narrow entrance. Everyone, move forward and fan out -- with multiple fronts to face us on, they won't be able to coordinate as easily as they did the last time we faced them!"

The Scarlet Knight falls into line right behind Faen, using the light cast on him to guide Faen's way. He says to her:

"If trouble comes, your vanguard, yield;
Fall back behind my champion's shield."

"Be careful, Faen. Don't get too far ahead. I'm ready to come running if needed."

"We'll go together," Bucky says as he looks over at Velas.

Bucky is fine with going first, if everything's been sorted out. He has light from Teela.

Velas: I think we need the ladder to make sure everyone makes it down the next level.

GM: What's the Acrobatics DC check required to not fall and take 30' of falling damage to the next level?

"I shall, worthy cleric Alvis." Bucky makes a small bow.

I vote for moving towards A2 first. Descend from the other direction to avoid the pit.

Sounds like a good idea.

Alvis lets the warriors set-up to lead then says, "I could go next and that would allow me to be ready to provide instant healing for our brave warriors taking the lead. But the drawback would be that I'd slow down any that came after me. I would not descend quickly. I'm fine either way, would does everyone else think?"

"Velas and I will take the lead.

The Scarlet Knight thanks Teela and puts the vials somewhere safe but easily reachable. He nods to Velas and holds up his shield.

"I welcome being away from this tree
and beneath the sky again, clear and free.
In the sun's warm beams I will bask,
once we're done with this ring-fetch task.
My days shall e'er be bright
if no more I hear 'mite'."

He will descend once the rest of the party has determined its order.

I need to get a healing potion assigned in the tracker to SK, but once that is done - and only after that's done - he will be fine to head down first.

I'll forgo the DC 5 Athletics checks because his minimum skill result is 8.

We do any and all things we can do to reduce the DC of the numerous Athletic checks we have to make, and/or to avoid Athletic checks altogether.

"We need better, Um, tactics if we are going to survive to meet our ambitious goals."

"Or just less ambitious goals," The Scarlet Knight points out.

He pauses, then sighs and says,
"I've not yet seen signs /
That everyone here would heed /
Orders from one soul."

"As I'm a new arrival, I'm a bystander.
But does only Alvis -- and pardon my candor --
Feel there's a great need for a combat commander?"

I would think a battle medicine application is enough to heal me to full.

What does everyone think about sleeping in the Gold Cave we found earlier?

Not trying to be ungracious, but with steel in his voice, the Scarlet Knight says simply,

"Now will everyone agree we need to depart this place and regroup?"

I have no actions available that can assist, nor any items to use. Someone else in the group must act.

"Whose bag has the antidote?" Bucky is ready to assist, but as the new kid on the block, he doesn't know who has what.

DM: The Scarlet Knight was at 24 HP after using Lay on Hands, not 18 HP. Taking 11 dmg would reduce him to 13 HP.

Poison Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Using his champion's reaction, Bucky points at the bug as it attacks Velas, enveloping the creature in a softly throbbing, glowing scarlet light that makes it difficult for the creature to see. Velas takes 4 less damage from his attack.

In addition, the bug is now off-guard for one round (-2 to AC, can be sneak attacked), and it is dazzled (creatures and objects are concealed to it; DC 5 flat check required before targeting anyone with an attack or other effect).

With no healing and limited HP left, The Scarlet Knight withdraws from the combat. He uses Lay on Hands on Velas, healing 6 HP and giving Velas a +2 status bonus to his AC for one round.

He then Steps back, and Steps again.

He is now 15' away from the bug.

[dice=Strike]1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 1
[dice=Slashing Damage]2d8 + 1 + 1

Velas's crit on a nat 20 should be 2x damage, right?

The Scarlet Knight frowns behind the safety of his full helm, but he does as requested.

One of the red-thorned vines reaches up from the cavern wall and lashes out at the giant bug.

Melee Elemental Blast: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 251d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Bucky then Steps back five feet from the edge and finally uses Lay on Hands on himself to heal 6.

◆ Melee Elemental Blast
◆ Step
◆ Lay on Hands

“This creature is far too strong for us. We must get Teela to safety and then consider retreat,” The Scarlet Knight says urgently.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Does this mean we can hit the bug with melee attacks?

2) Yes, still clumsy 1, the roots still protrude from above, and beside on the walls, and the chasm is filled with roots as is the space above. There is a series of looped roots that could be like swinging ropes to navigate if you wish.

OK, then my previous attack roll needs a -1 penalty. I'm pretty sure it still hits.

GM, two questions:

1) How far away is Teela from where The Scarlet Knight is standing?
2) Are we still considered Clumsy 1 in this room with the big chasm?

The Scarlet Knight gestures with one arm, raising it above his head before clenching his leather glove into a fist and thrusting it down, channeling some divine anger.

A couple of short, thorny vines begin to magically emerge from the side of the cavern wall he's standing above, even as red thin leaves circle about him. The vines are too small for anyone to grab onto or interact with, but they grow refulgent with bright red spiky thorns that ebb in color.

"Time enough for talk and toil;
Now's the time for blood to boil
and your martial selves to roil,
to make this foul vermin recoil."

A large number of red spikes shoot out across the chasm at the large bug.

Wood spikes, Attack!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 bludgeoning

◆ Channel Elements (opens kinetic aura)
◆◆ Ranged Elemental Blast

How far down is the drop from a failed Athletics check?

The Scarlet Knight nods and puts his hand on Velas' shoulder, preparing to venture forth at the front, but making sure everyone else is ready to join. He has his shield raised.

"Thank you, Meepo!" I loudly whisper up.

Wait! I wanted to ask Meepo to leave us a rope to climb up to assist us. We will probably fail the check 7 times without it

4 of 7 in the poll, but Faen said here to let Meepo go and give him a weapon, so the majority is clear.

For important matters, Bucky dispenses with rhyming temporarily. "If the party is not comfortable with Meepo's assistance, that is fine. But continued captivity is not acceptable, Velas. He should be allowed to continue on his way back home, then. We can even ask him to help secure a line for us to get up to the next level, on his way out the front entrance."

The Scarlet Knight is in favor of bringing Meepo along for valuable assistance. If the party declines, he is against continuing to keep Meepo in captivity and suggests sending Meepo home.

"We saved, rescued him.
Meepo wants the mites' blood more -
And he can help lead."

Bucky grins from behind his cowl, his eyes burning with a dark energy.
"Revenge is not always a dish best served cold.
It can make a wronged man strong, determined, and bold."

The Scarlet Knight clears his throat.

"Forgive me, Lady Orlovsky. It's true that we have invaded their space, but our doing so was not the cause of their torture of Meepo here." He indicates some of the scarring on the poor kobold's body. "Several of these are days old; the mites have been engaging in torture of living creatures for some days and likely far longer than that."

He crosses his arms over his chest. "My primary concern is whether we strategically retreat now and return to complete this bloody task ... or move on despite the casters having limited ability remaining today."

"This sort of behavior -- torture -- is inexcusable. I am honorbound to put a stop to these mites now. If they can be convinced to stop through diplomacy or intimidation, so be it." His voice runs low, and there's a chill in the air as a few maple leaves whirl about him and smack into walls.

"But I will put a stop to it."

Bucky shakes his head at Teela.
"I need but minutes to commune with my god to progress.
But don't those of you who learn spells need sleep to decompress?
I've not lost sight of our goal; I just want our safe success."

The Scarlet Knight looks over at Quintessa.

"The party's healthy now /
With many resources spent.
Dare we continue?"

To Meepo, the champion asks:
"Can you help us climb out, if we go with you?"

How long are we taking on healing up before venturing into another room?

What is the end result with the kobold -- did he get healed? Freed successfully? Does he have any useful information for us? Any response to Quintessa's speech to him?

Quintessa tests her weight, winces once, then smooths what’s left of her torn sleeve and crosses to the chained kobold. She stops a few paces off, palms open, voice low and even. Switching to the creature's native tongue, she starts a dialogue.

** spoiler omitted **

Quintessa has one more LOH. She'll use that then refocus for those that need it. I think between Teela's healing and Quintessa/SK's LOH we can be fully healed in 60 mins time.

Indeed. The Scarlet Knight can also Refocus to gain Focus Points back.

Bucky's heart breaks.
He nods and says quietly, "Friend. I will help you. You can go."

He looks over at the rest of the group, singling out Teela.

"Teela: bard vivante and healer,
please lend your medic skills again
to Meepo. There's nothing realer
Than wounded soul in helpless pain.

To Quintessa, he adds, adopting a more formal stance:

"From House Medvyed to Orlovsky, I do ask
your aid soothing this lost one -- a translation task.
On behalf of this fine group, 'twas my choice to bleed
But not this kobold: in durance, in pain, in need.
With righteous aims and just hearts we're endowed --
Let torture and bondage not be allowed."

With that, he turns and gives his mightiest swing at the chain, trying to break it.

Athletics Roll? Attack roll? Both are +7
Athletics or Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Not invisible to The Scarlet Knight.

He grabs his ever-dropped shortsword and walks over to the kobold, holding the sword far from the creature, before he brings it up slowly and mimics breaking the chains. "Do you understand Common? Can you speak my language? I can let you loose." He's doing his best to make it clear he has no intention of using his weapon UPON the kobold.

I pause, frowning, as I open the front of my helmet so he can see my face. "What did they do to you?"

How bad of a shape is the kobold in?

The Scarlet Knight moves quickly through and gingerly around Quintessa to come standing beside her, plugging up another hole and preventing access to Velas.

He notices the kobold who is restrained and he growls with barely restrained fury at the mite, "What are you doing to this person?" His blood is boiling at this point. It is unlikely he will stay his hand until all the mites are dealt with.

The champion pulls on another sycamore root that appears in his hand and slams it down onto the Purple mite.

Getting to the Root of the problem: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 241d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

If the Purple mite is still alive, he will Shove it backwards and away from Quintessa and himself. If not, he'll take another action with his third action of the turn. (He does not Stride after the creature.)

Shove!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The healing is what he needed to be able to withstand more punishment. He will absolutely use his champion’s reaction to guard against Quintessa’s first hit, which also means the second hit has a flat chance to fail due to concealment from dazzled.