Foray into the Foehammer Spires

[Kannonfodder]

"EY! 'ow come the Elf gets a pet!" complains Clareg.

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

But, to answer your question, you could hold on -- but not climb -- with one hand and throw a dagger with the other. Let's say a -4 penalty for being in the water. The bat is only 20' from you at this point (you've reeled in 10' per round of 'climbing') so a range penalty would also apply.

[Rellios]

Thanks for the reassurance - glad it's not for naught. I'm worried about that goblin cutting the rope - so he's my target. So, I'm guessing that it's -4 for the circumstance, plus -2 for the 10' range difference? I'll wait for the next action declaration, but I'm dubious I'll try that tack.

[Klyndak]

Are we on round three or are we waiting for Dareg?

[Hru Gorumgrag]

Hru frees a hand from it's grip on the pommel of his battleblade long enough to toss a mooring line towards to the beleagured elf calling out "Ho! elf! we can't be leaving you behind! There's bATTLE TO BE HAD!"

[Kannonfodder]

Dareg sees the changes in the battle and makes a decision. He takes the boat hook and swings it at the bat, hooking on to its harness. The bat is now being held within melee reach of the barge. The entire battle is floating downstream elf, barge, bat, and batrider.

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Klyndak wrote:

Are we on round three or are we waiting for Dareg?

It is now round 3. Sorry.

[Klyndak]

Tossing my crossbow onto the barge and raising my hammer, I focus on the goblin and with a word I unlease arcane energies.

Telekinetic Fist: (1d20+1+1=3)

Unfortunately, The Barge shifts and my telekinetic fists flies off in the wrong direction.

Not sure what fumble rules (if any you want to use but just in case: Fumble Check (Reflex Save): (1d20+1+1=17)

[Kannonfodder]

Dareg is hit in the back of the head by an unseen force. He turns and glares at his brother and says "Stop 'itting me ya moron and 'elp me keep ahold a this durn bat!"

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Clareg joins his brother in holding down the bat.

Rellios has two ropes at his disposal -- the mooring line and one attached to the bat. He can easily reach the barge and climb up during this round or he can attempt an attack from the water with a penalty of -2 for circumstance but no range penalty.

His action will complete round 3 and bring us to round 4. I'll wait to see what he does.

[Rellios]

Rellios grabs at the rope from the barge, hoping that someone will take a crack at the bat and his goblin rider. He'll start to make his way back to the barge in any case.

Let's hope that goblin harpoon doesn't do anymore damage in the process...

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Initiative Order:
Bat and batrider ACTED
Hru
Rellios
Klyndak
Dareg
Clareg

The goblin slashes wildly at Klyndak with a small scythe but doesn't come anywhere near him. The panicky bat beats its wings but is unable to escape. The bit on the harness prevents him from biting you and he has no interest in grappling any longer. Dareg and Clareg pull on the boathook with which Dareg had hooked the bat's leather harness.

Both the bat and the goblin are within melee reach. -1 for the barge's movement (cumulative per round) +1 for Hru's bless spell.

[Rellios]

Based on what happens with Hru's action...

Assuming I am now able to attack, Rellios will pull his Rapier and Short Sword for a dual attack on the goblin, if feasible.

Otherwise, the bat gets his ire instead.

Rapier (1d20=4)

Short Sword (1d20=19)

Short Sword Damage (1d6+1=7)

Short Sword Critical (1d20=2)

Assume that's a miss, so no further damage. Did I do the critical attack correctly?

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Rellios wrote:

Based on what happens with Hru's action...

Assuming I am now able to attack, Rellios will pull his Rapier and Short Sword for a dual attack on the goblin, if feasible.

Otherwise, the bat gets his ire instead.

Rapier (1d20=4)

Short Sword (1d20=19)

Short Sword Damage (1d6+1=7)

Short Sword Critical (1d20=2)

Assume that's a miss, so no further damage. Did I do the critical attack correctly?

Rivlets of water pour from Rellios' unnaturally beautiful hair down his unnaturally beautifully cheekbones as he strikes with unnaturally beautiful grace and kills the goblin.

[Rellios]

ROLFMAO

"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful"...lol

[Klyndak]

Hope this is not a double post.

Seeing the goblin fall to the blade of the wet elf, I move to attack the big bat beast but the ropes hamper my normally flawless execution.

Attacking the Great Big Bat: (1d20+2+1=10)

[Kannonfodder]

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Rivlets of water pour from Rellios' unnaturally beautiful hair down his unnaturally beautifully cheekbones as he strikes with unnaturally beautiful grace and kills the goblin.

"Ey! What are you staring at Clareg? Keep your eyes on the bat!!" shouts Dareg.

"I was just seein' if the elf was ..."

"cough . cough . elflover . cough"

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

The bat continues to thrash wildly but is unable to escape from the hooked harness. The bit in his mouth prevents it from biting you so other than ineffectually slapping you with its wings it is helpless.

New Round
Initiative Order:
Bat ACTED wounded
Hru
Rellios
Klyndak
Dareg (busy holding onto the bat)
Clareg (checking out the elf)

[Rellios]

I'll wait on Hro to act...want to give him his chance to strike for the "Glory of Gorum". If the bat still lives, then I'll give it a shot again.

By the way, since we are testing rules here...any deliberation on whether any of his attacks would be considered sneak attacks? Am I striking from a flanking position, etc? Just wondering if a giant bat would be affected by such rules...

Rapier Attack (1d20=15)

Rapier Damage (1d6+2=3)

Short Sword Attack (1d20=16)

Short Sword Damage (1d6+1=7)

[Hru Gorumgrag]

Hru strikes at the bat! 2 handed greatsword (1d20+2=21, 2d6+3=12) that was satisfying
realizing he's been speaking in orcish, he blurts out in common, "For Gorum!! HOO-HA!" then scans the deck for more foes. if the bat didn't survive

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Rellios wrote:

By the way, since we are testing rules here...any deliberation on whether any of his attacks would be considered sneak attacks? Am I striking from a flanking position, etc? Just wondering if a giant bat would be affected by such rules...

Arrgh .. disappearing post syndrome again. ... Sneak attack would apply if you were flanking, which I hadn't envisioned as the bat is just on the side of the barge and can only be attacked from one side. It would also apply if the bat were flat-footed. Being 'pinned' counts as flat-footed but the Kannonfodders haven't managed to pin him yet. He is currently 'grabbed' (p.42). With the cumulative +5 bonuses to grapple checks, the bat could be pinned next round.

[Klyndak]

My posts keep dissapearing as well this morning.

We are at a –2 penalty to hit now right?

Attacking the bat: (1d20+1+1=15)
Damage: (1d8+2=5)

“Leave some of that bat for me,” I shout as I struggle against the increasing movement of the Barge. I have reached a decision of sorts. Boats are for races other than dwarves. Give me dry land under my feet every time, I think.

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Only Hru has managed to hit the bloody thing. The twins finally pull it in closer. At water level, pressed up against the side of the barge, the bat is no longer its usual dextrous self.

Spoiler:

-3 because of movement / +1 for bless ... the bat is denied its +6 to dexterity now reducing its AC to 14 instead of 18 (grappled) or 20 (normal)! Rogue will also be able to add sneak attack damage.

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Klyndak wrote:

My posts keep dissapearing as well this morning.

They've been showing up on the previous page!

[Klyndak]

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Klyndak wrote:

My posts keep dissapearing as well this morning.

They've been showing up on the previous page!

So they are :/

[Klyndak]

Again with the hammer: (1d20+1+1-3=12)

As I strive to once more hit the bat, the barge lurches below me and I miss.

"By yer blasted beard," I shout as I realize the problem, "Is no one steering this cursed conveyance!"

[Rellios]

Forgot to add the negatives last attack...which I take it missed anyway...

Not to sound antsy, but are we at next round?

[Klyndak]

Rellios wrote:

Forgot to add the negatives last attack...which I take it missed anyway...

Not to sound antsy, but are we at next round?

Ayup

[Rellios]

Initiative order? Same again?

[Klyndak]

Rellios wrote:

Initiative order? Same again?

Ayup. I posted out of order - sorry.

[Rellios]

OK - so based on the penalty for the moving barge, my attacks are now at -2 (+1 bonus to offset)...

Rellios angles around to make a an unexpected strike...

Rapier Attack (1d20-2=7)

Short Sword Attack (1d20-2=18)

Nat. 20!

Critical (1d20=6)

Sword damage (1d6+1=7)

Sneak Attack (1d6=3)

10 total

He slips around a bit on the unsteady barge, but manages to sink deep with his short sword followup.

[Hru Gorumgrag]

I haven't mentioned it but my whole backstory got 'et, I almost cried! after that anything long I've been writing into word pad and pasting into here just incase....now if there's anything left of teh bat Hru hoots as he attempts to dispatch the bloodied thing for the battle lord. "Ha! I'd attempt to steer this thing but I reckon I don't know how!" then slips into gutteral orcish.

Spoiler:

"By the dented breastplate of Gorum!!"

2-handed w/greatsword (1d20=1, 2d6+3=11) oops! natural 1....this can't be good!

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Hru Gorumgrag wrote:

I haven't mentioned it but my whole backstory got 'et, I almost cried! after that anything long I've been writing into word pad and pasting into here just incase....now if there's anything left of teh bat Hru hoots as he attempts to dispatch the bloodied thing for the battle lord. "Ha! I'd attempt to steer this thing but I reckon I don't know how!" then slips into gutteral orcish. ** spoiler omitted **2-handed w/greatsword (1d20=1, 2d6+3=11) oops! natural 1....this can't be good!

Hru watches as his greatsword slips out of his hands, over the bat and into the river.

Clareg and Dareg continue to hold the bat down. It hardly has the strength to resist any more.

[Hru Gorumgrag]

How's the river this time of year, cold? What kind of combination of checks would I need to dive in and get my sword? Swim-probably multiple checks then what? acrobatics? perception? survival? a cmb grapple check? an undisarm check?...I knew this wasn't going to be good....it's my frackin holy symbol....what's this say about the favor of Goram. I must say this game is already turning into somewhat of a classic!!

[Klyndak]

Once more I focus on the bat. This time I am more mindful of my footing and as it weakens, I plant a solid blow with my beloved hammer.

Attack: (1d20+2+1=18)
With a -4 thats a 14.
Damage: (1d8+2=9)

"Argh! Take that Bat Thing!" I shout.

[Hru Gorumgrag]

The barge lurches violently as Hru strikes causing him to strike the barge side with a ringing blow, chattering his teeth and numbing his arms, causing the blade to to come free of his grip and sending it tumbling over the bat and into the river. Without a moment's hesitation Hru dives after the blade grasping for it and shouting " GORRRUUUUMMMM!" He goes over the side.

[Rellios]

Assuming we are in new round, and Hru is going swimming...
I'm assuming the penalty is now at -4, deduct the +1 for Bless spell...so -3

Rellios will once again try to finish the beastie off...

Rapier Attack (1d20-3=15)
Rapier Damage (1d6+2=7)
Sneak Attack (1d6=2) - damage if Sneak Attack still applies in this case.
Critical (1d20=12) - initial roll was a natural 18; I don't know if that applies with penalty. Even if it did, looks like I missed again on the critical.

Short Sword Attack (1d20-3=8) - assuming that's a miss

Still unable to complete his strikes effectively due to the boat's movement.

[Rellios]

Hru Gorumgrag wrote:

Without a moment's hesitation Hru dives after the blade grasping for it and shouting " GORRRUUUUMMMM!" He goes over the side.

"Bloody blades! I just climbed back in...and this orc's gone and jumped in like a bug on a hot griddle! What's he about...?"

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Rellios' blade, absent from the battle for so long, makes up for lost time. The bat is dead.

The barge is moving downstream.

The half-orc is in the water.

I'll get back to Hru tonight with the results of his search but, be assured, you still have the favour of Gorum. Perhaps more than you know.

[Hru Gorumgrag]

SPLOOOSH!

Spoiler:

I know we're supposed to be taking it to the rules, but if I lost the sword and Gorum's favor some bizarre yet very cool story arcs came to mind while thinking over this predicament. I'll wait till I find out what happens then maybe post them in the discussion thread. (obviously the would have some rule bending so it may not suit this particular app)

[Hru Gorumgrag]

'et another one!! SPLOOOSH!!

Spoiler:

I know we're taking the rules to task in this one but potentially losing my holy symbol and Gorum's favor (I have been thinking about the whole predicament) has killer story driven character arcs exploding in my mind, after I find out what happens maybe I'll post em in the discussion thread as I believe they'd they'd require a little to much warping of the rules for this to be an adequate playtest. savory RP goodness at it's best!

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Spoiler:

"I know we're taking the rules to task in this one but potentially losing my holy symbol and Gorum's favor ...". What have you done to lose Gorum's favour? Feeling guilty about something?

Hru leaps into the freezing water with little concern for his own health. Once he descends beyond the blood that is darkening the water he sees his greatsword buried halfway to the hilt. As he reaches for it, he glances around for any sign of danger ... anything attracted to the blood ... and he sees an oddly unrock like shape. He's cold. Very cold. But not too far away, covered in silt is something ...

Swim check and fortitude save please.

[Klyndak]

"Drop the anchor!" I cry.

"Lads let's get control of this unbearded barge! That Orc Blood won't like it if we're drifting miles away."

I move to slow down the speed of the Barge and if possible slow it, expecting the two KannonFodder brothers to help.

[Rellios]

Rellios sheaths his weapons and quickly pulls some rope from his pack.

He ties one end around his waist; the other end to something sturdy within the barge. Assuming there is something.

"I'll give that bloodlusty priest a few minutes, but if he doesn't come out soon - I'll try going after him."
"Once we are stable, Master Klyndak...I made need you, Clareg, and Dareg to reel me in if it comes to it...savvie?"

[Hru Gorumgrag]

swim check and fort save:swim;fort (1d20+1=8, 1d20+5=19) swim, not so good, fort, ok but not great. Bubbles burst in a foamy nexus where Hru entered the water.

[Tarren the Dungeon Master]

Hru Gorumgrag wrote:

swim check and fort save:swim;fort (1d20+1=8, 1d20+5=19) swim, not so good, fort, ok but not great. Bubbles burst in a foamy nexus where Hru entered the water.

Those on the barge.

Spoiler:

Reluctant to let go of the bat, the Kannonfodders haul it onto the barge before using the barge pole to slow the boat. This is not the only barge pole though so Klyndak could have already made some effort there. The barge slows about 80 ft. from where the battle took place.

Hru

Spoiler:

Hru is remarkably resisting the effects of the cold but cannot seem to kick his feet hard enough to swim to the surface while pulling up his greatsword. His eyes bulging with the strain and with surprise as he more clearly makes out the shape closer to the shore. Although covered in silt, the silhouette is that of a boat, a small cabined barge like the type halflings ply the rivers with.

Make another swim check and fortitude save.

[Klyndak]

Rellios wrote:

"I'll give that bloodlusty priest a few minutes, but if he doesn't come out soon - I'll try going after him."

"Once we are stable, Master Klyndak...I made need you, Clareg, and Dareg to reel me in if it comes to it...savvie?"

"Yer a brave man good elf," I say as I strive to push the barge back against the tide of the river, "When ya jump, we'll be 'aulin' ya back."

Savvie?, I think to myself, What kind of heathen lingo is this?

Then I yell at the brothers in Dwarven, a proper language for truly communicating...

Spoiler:

"Alright, you bearded children of the rocks, leave off with that carcass of a flying mammilian creature and let us endeavor to get this floating vehicle of wood back towards where the misbegotten offspring of an orc and human ancestor has leaped into the swift moving waters of this river!

[Kannonfodder]

Klyndak wrote:

Then I yell at the brothers in Dwarven, a proper language for truly communicating...

Dareg answers in dwarven

Spoiler:

We will help you brother who is in command of this mission with controlling the flat bottomed barge but the meat of this flying mammilian will sustain us and put less of a strain on our prepared field rations which if I were to speak frankly to you I would say taste too much like dried b*&#%&@.

[Rellios]

I'll wait one more turn/action from Hru to see if he surfaces...if not, then in the drink I go...let me know if there's any chance I can reach him with the rope attached...

If he fails to surface...then:
Rellios takes a deep breath and dives in - heading towards the last sighting of foam and bubbles -
Swim Check (1d20+2-1=16)
Fortitude Check (1d20+1=8)

[Klyndak]

Kannonfodder wrote:

Dareg answers in dwarven

I snort in dry amusement as I listen to Dareg and then I reply in the father tongue,

Spoiler:

I do not doubt that the eating will be better with more meat. I just wish we had some proper vinegar or beer to pickle the tongue and feet. I am truly partial to pickled flying mammilian feet. But let us butcher the carcass later. The beardless elf is going to need all the help we can provide when he leaps into the river.

Meanwhile I continue to strain as I apply my dwarven muscles towards the goal of moving back towards the spot where the orc blood jumped overboard.