OK, I don't get it. What would I have needed to roll in order to clear the bar? 20 isn't good enough? If I had known it was going to be a failure, I would have just adjusted her movement to walk around the bar. (Much less entertaining, I think.) *huffs*
OK, I don't get it. What would I have needed to roll in order to clear the bar? 20 isn't good enough? If I had known it was going to be a failure, I would have just adjusted her movement to walk around the bar. (Much less entertaining, I think.) *huffs*
Short answer: 25 with a standing start, 10 with a 2-square running start. Failing either by 5 or more, you land prone in your starting square, by 4 or less you land prone in your target square. See the "Read Me" spoiler in one of the above posts for comparisons to jumping on the bar.
Won't post again until Monday at the earliest. Have a good weekend everyone.
Ben turns, and seeing Ceelie still threatened by the remaining goblin, dashes towards her. He runs deftly around the table and bodies in his way, noting the spreading flames behind the bar as he goes.
'The building is on fire, and this time it ISN'T MY FAULT!' He thinks to himself as he steps to the side trying to get a clear shot between Ceelie and the dwarf.
"Ceelie, Duck!" He commands as he raises his wand, the tip glowing with focused energy. He narrows one eye as he points it carefully.
"Forzare!" He barks. There is a burst of light and a flash of silver as a a small glowing bolt flies swift as an arrow towards the goblin.
move through the table and bodies to E10. Fire Magic Missile (+4 vs. Reflex).
The goblin spins away from one of Aelwyn's arrows . . . and squarely into Ben's. The small glowing bolt hits the goblin in the chest--his sword clattering in the stone as he falls, dead.
Before Dravos and Kriv post, please note that I have more NPCs and enemies to post for. In other words, we are still in initiative. Though at this rate, not for much longer!
Some bar patrons rush out the front doors, but Hess and Earod remain rooted in their places. Earod is oblivious to the destruction happening in his bar while Hess sits wide-eyed at the violence playing out before him. Hess's jaw drops open as Ben's Magic Missile rips into the goblin.
Hess grabs the mage and yells above the din of battle, "They got him, Ben! They got Adron--"
But he is interrupted by the sound of running jackboots. More Hobgoblins rush the tavern and attack the party!
I'll resolve this in the afternoon. We're winding this up folks!
The fire engulfs the shelves of alcohol across the back of the bar and the flames start to lick the rafters and the assorted items hanging there. The objects that at one time seemed artfully hung now have the appearance of so much kindling.
Round 3
But there is no time to ponder the fire! Three more Hobgoblins storm the building as does another goblin--this last heaves a burning, spitting torch at Ben which which hits him in the chest (for a whole 1 hp of damage) and lands at Ben's feet. Whatever oil is on the torch spreads, however, the flames licking Ben's boots and long leather coat. The goblin then ducks under the table (in D13) and draws its blade.
The Hobgoblins charge, missing Aelwyn spectacularly, but connecting with Ceelie and getting past Dravos' armor to wound you both (for 5 hp of damage).
Uninspired descriptions, but I'm a little busy today. Sorry.
P.S. This is it. As written, these last four foes would be two hobgoblins now, and a hobgoblin and goblin in Round 4. I'm speeding things up a little. Go get'em!
Spitting curses, Dravos darts to the side and swings at one of the hobgoblins.
Dravos
You'd be hard-pressed to explain it, but your tactics seem less effective than you had anticipated. His partner seems positioned in such a way that your target doesn't seem particularly fazed to be between two enemies--your attack bounces harmlessly off of your target's shield.
...His partner seems positioned in such a way that your target doesn't seem particularly fazed to be between two enemies--your attack bounces harmlessly off of your target's shield.
Uh-oh. That can't be good. Does this mean Ceelie is denied combat advantage as well?
Uh-oh. That can't be good. Does this mean Ceelie is denied combat advantage as well?
Not at all. Dravos has combat advantage (as does Ceelie), but the Hobgoblin has an ability called Phalanx Soldier. As long as he's next to another Hobgoblin, he's harder to hit (+2 to AC). The rest is just fanciful writing. Sorry for the confusion.
Kriv's mind perceives the weave of magic surrounding all things, and he pulls a thread from that weave and ties it to his next dart. It flies towards the hobgoblin warrior, trailing blue arcane energy! The magic wire entwines around the two evil brutes, driving barbs into their life-force...
Kriv's mind perceives the weave of magic surrounding all things, and he pulls a thread from that weave and ties it to his next dart. It flies towards the hobgoblin warrior, trailing blue arcane energy! The magic wire entwines around the two evil brutes, driving barbs into their life-force...
But Hess is interrupted by the sound of running jackboots. More Hobgoblins rush the tavern and attack the party!
"Aw, fer the luv of,..." Ben mutters, all thought of what Hess was trying to say forgotten as he uses his staff to steer the youth behind him. "If this turns into a 'Gobbo bar, I'm taking my business elsewhere!" He declares to no one inparticular as the newcomers attack.
SJ@ wrote:
Three more Hobgoblins storm the building as does another goblin--this last heaves a burning, spitting torch at Ben which which hits him in the chest (for a whole 1 hp of damage) and lands at Ben's feet. Whatever oil is on the torch spreads, however, the flames licking Ben's boots and long leather coat. The goblin then ducks under the table (in D13) and draws its blade.
Ben Flinches as the torch strikes him, then frowns as he surveys the damage to his heavy leather coat. He calmly raises a sardonic eyebrow as he watches the goblin torch-thrower dive under a table. A little too calmly, considering the circumstances.
With hobgoblins writhing in pain and falling to the onslaught of Kriv's arcane spell, Ceelie turns and sees another attacker (at D12) rising behind Aelwyn.
"Look out!" she cries, instinctively drawing another throwing dagger and hurrying to help the elven archer. She skirts around Dravos, then between Ben and Hess before finding a clear shot. Then her blade flashes through the air, a twirling blur as she hurls it at the enemy.
Curious as to why just a basic attack. Sly flourish can be used with ranged light blades as well...
Explanation:
Spoiler:
Because for me, it's not just about the mechanics. It's about the story and the flavor...
Personally, I think it's a little ridiculous to invent another explanation for Ceelie's Sly Flourish to somehow distract a guy at range so he won't notice the dagger she throws at him. It's just not believable to keep doing that round-after-round...or fight-after-fight. I'm not even sure it's believable to do it with a ranged weapon in the first place. If you noticed, last time I tried to have her do some kind of physical act (i.e., the twirl and cloak spin) to cover her attack. But I feel compelled to live up to the definition of a Sly Flourish if I'm going to use it. And I just don't want every attack to come off that way. It's just too campy.
Now, mechanically, it's certainly more advantageous if she does use Sly Flourish. But, from a metagame point of view, we're clearly fighting minions here. So, it isn't necessary to look for the highest possible damage output. One hit and they go down. It doesn't buy her anything to keep invoking her at-will abilities just because they're there.
And, on the whole, this is another element of 4e that I find lacking. These abilities and progressions for the various character classes almost feel like building the perfect deck in a game of Magic: the Gathering. And with each new release (or, in RPG terms, level-up) some new set of cards become available for you to purchase and add to your deck in order to increase its effectiveness. The powers and abilities in 3.5e had some of that going on, but I kind of like the slower progression in terms of the power-scale.
Basically, I detest the kind of arms race that results in optimizing character builds. That gets back to my preferred play-style. For me, it's about the story...not the numbers. I can min-max and optimize with the best of them. But I find it far more interesting to take sub-optimal choices and roleplay them well. In that respect, my heroes (or characters) always have flaws...and not just the ones resulting from lower derived attributes (like Will saves) because of their chosen class (such as Fighter).
Rather, I enjoy crafting characters like Zieke...who won't be as optimal as a straight-class Fighter...but who gains far more interesting abilities and skills as a result of multi-classing as a Rogue and Monk. Branching out like that enables me to play Zieke in ways that contribute to many more parts of the story in a given adventure than he'd otherwise be able to do. That's what's more important to me. Not a perfect BAB...not the quickest path to Weapon Specialization...and so on.
So, the same logic applies to how I prefer to play Ceelie. I don't want to feel pressured into using a special ability on every action. What's wrong with just guiding the story and forgetting about the numbers?
Fair enough. Just curious; it makes sense as they are indeed minions. I have a Rogue player who Sly Flourishes all the time, and enjoys dishing out scadloads of damage. He would get a bit het-up if I asked him for explications of his moves each time; as long as he's enjoying himself and I am enjoying DMing, there's no worry. Different strokes... or in this case flourishes :D
The dagger whirls towards the Hobgoblin and makes a soft thunk as it sinks into his shield. The monster grins a toothy grin.
Aelwyn and then Ben. Ben, you've got to move out of your square on your turn or take fire damage from the sputtering torch.
Everyone keep track of new mid-round positions; I'm not going to be able to update the map today. There's only one Hobgoblin left in D12 and one goblin under the table (so he has cover) in F13.
Question about the whole Sly Flourish thing. It confers no additional attack bonus, just additional damage, correct? Just want to make sure I'm reading this correctly and don't have the PHB in front of me.
I read nimble strike as a ranged weapon power, but I don't have a PHB in front of me either and don't have time to use DDI. You can attack and shift anyway, though.
Aelwyn
Aelwyn quickly strikes-and-moves, and the Hobgoblin blocks with his shield. Aelwyn's longsword chops a gash in the wooden shield and dislodges Ceelie's embedded dagger which skitters across the floor.
Question about the whole Sly Flourish thing. It confers no additional attack bonus, just additional damage, correct? Just want to make sure I'm reading this correctly and don't have the PHB in front of me.
Correct. It just lets you add on your Cha modifier to the damage, presumably as a nod towards the "showmanship" of the flourish. And, although I can certainly enjoy the occasionaly use of that ability as a story enhancer, it's just not something I'd ever imagine as an every round thing. That's why, if you've noticed so far, I've made every attempt to mix it up for Ceelie in this prolonged battle, switching back and forth so nothing gets stale or overused.
Ben sees the hobgoblin block the attacks as he keeps his eye on the little torch-tosser under the table. As Alwyn steps back, He blinks as he realizes that the waitress, in her panic to run, is currently right next to the table the goblin is hiding under!
"Oh no you don't you nasty little knee-biter!" He growls as he steps forward to get away from the torch oil burning at his feet.
"Don't. Move." He says softly but firmly as he slides next to the waitress, holding his staff horizontal before them as if to offer her it's meager protection as well.
"You! Furface!" He barks, trying to get the hobgob's attention on him, and maybe even draw him closer. "You're one of the reasons I'm a cat person! Why don't you take you're little playmates and go home!" "FORZARE!"
His staff suddenly blazes with a blinding blue-white radiance, and pulses as a shimmering wave of energy flies from the staff, knocking aside chairs, tables and hopefully goblins as it passes.
OK, trying to figure out where to move. (Without drawing an AoO!) I can't use my fire burst attack to get both the H & G without including the waitress, but I SHOULD be able to get them both with my thunder wave attack AND bypass the witress, I just have to find the right spot to stand!
If I can find that magic spot, I move there, and 'thunderwave attack blast 3' +4 vs. Fort, I'm trying to get the table and chairs back so the Gobbo has no cover, and knock them both back 1 square if I hit them.
Ben looks at the wreckage of the furniture, and returns the baleful glare of the Hobgoblin.
"That was supposed to be far more impressive." He mutters.
"Ok. You can run now." He tells the terrified waitress as he brings his staff and wand back into a defensive position.
Okay, perhaps I'm a pushover, but I really like Ben's post (with some notable adjustments to the details as you'll see in a moment). The poor guy has waited three rounds to do something besides snipe a guy with Magic Missile and he misses. So, watch what I'm going to do--partially because I like the dramatic tone of the action, partially out of the goodness of my heart, partially because I'm in a giving mood...and partially because I want to get this over with (no need to prolong this battle, eh, NSpicer? *Harumph!*).
Ben steps forward to get out of the flames (to E11), tries to pull the "waitress" out of the way, not noticing that it is Earod he is speaking to, and casts his spell.
Everyone in the room flinches as thunder emanates from Ben's staff, a wave of force knocking tables and chairs towards the back wall and--catching Earod in the spell's wake--nearly toppling the barman as well, much to Ben's (and Earod's) momentary horror!
Again, Ben is standing in E11 (you don't draw another OA until next round and only if you leave that square AND only if the Hobgoblin maintains his position). Thunderwave covers squares D,E,F - 12,13,14. Your die roll above causes you to miss...Earod. Roll twice more, first roll for the Hobgoblin (Fort 15) and second roll for the Goblin (Fort 12). Apply the damage roll from above (5) to whomever you do hit just to keep it snappy.
...(no need to prolong this battle, eh, NSpicer? *Harumph!*).
Hey now! I never implied I dislike battles. They're part of the story. And often they're the best parts! So, I'm perfectly fine with continuing the fight to its natural conclusion.
<sigh> At least the FURNITURE is scared of me now, right?!? ;P
Ben groans as the wave cracks and rolls past the attackers, doing little more than ruffling the Hobgoblin's fur. He rolls his eyes as he glances at the quickly spreading flames behind the bar.
"Shoulda' just torched 'em." He grumbles.
"That's rule number one Hess!" He calls over his shoulder. "Always stick with what your best at! Alright furg-ly, Bar-B-Q time!"
Having noticed that the Gobbo is still within striking range of the poor barkeep, can I spend my Action point for an extra attack this round?
In general, yes. And anything you can do to get it out from under that table will help. Remember if you hit with Thunderwave, you push it. Can you try to push it to the right (on the map) away from the Hob? Then Dravos can get to it next round.
Yes, Ben can use an action point to make an extra attack. I do not believe that he can shift and do so (since he's already shifted his turn), but someone please correct me if I'm wrong about that.
Two things, mind your position and Earod's if you make an area attack. And, two, let me know if you plan to use an action point soon (if you read this today), and I'll hold off on posting. Otherwise, I'd like to wrap-up my actions by this afternoon so that others can post over the weekend.
EDIT: From your current position, Thunderwave will push the bugger South, not East. Sorry Dravos.
cool, thx. I think I'll 'go Warlock' on the gobbo who can kill the BArkeep with one hit. Your colorful descriptions mentioned the table and chairs flying, is the gobbo still under the table, or did I move the table far enough (1 square) that he is no longer under it? I'll go ahead and write as if it did, but you go ahead and correct my post if I'm wrong. One Action-point extra attack coming right up!
Ben blinks as he realizes that the table is no longer over the goblin's head. And that Earod is one short, sharp poke away from joining his daughter on the floor.
'No, Not Again!'
"Hey! Short and ugly! Peek a Boo, I see you!" HE shouts. As the goblin turns to glance at the outburst, Ben locks eyes with him.
A wizard has to be careful who he locks gazes with. Because eye-to-eye contact for more than a moment leads to what is known as a soulgaze. For most this is just a flash of sharing, a brief glimpse of insight of the two joined to each other. For others it is a bit more intense, the two joined can actually see portions of the others memories. For Ben, well, he has to be really careful. Whether due to the accursed coin he keeps buried under magical protections, that bargain he had made with his fairy godmother back when he was too young to know better, or just his own irrational temper, his soulgazing partners tend to end up with an all-over hotfoot. Especially when he is upset. Seeing his friends and townspeople lying on the floor made him very upset.
Ben throws himself into the soulgaze with everything he had. In a flash he could see the destruction that the little creature had caused just to make it to the center of town. And he could tell that it had enjoyed it. Ben's fury rose, and Without conscious effort, his will responded, the flames gathering before the words were leaving his mouth.
"Fuego! Venitas Fuego!" He screamed. Fire burst into being on his staff, then leapt from his staff to his wand, where they gathered and shot forward like a living thing. A serpent of flame, hissing as it struck the goblin with all Ben's anger and fury behind it.
Cast Hellish Rebuke, Using both my Action surge Feat for +3 to hit, and Wand of Accuracy for additional +2, combined with +1 (Con based power) for total of +6 to hit vs. Ref,...
I have to be more careful with my color commentary! Let's say that the table and chairs have all shifted one square south. They now occupy squares E,F-13,14 like this (LINK). Gobby still has cover for now.
Looks like we've gone through the initiative order. We're back around to the patrons, hobgoblin(s), and goblin, aren't we? Or are we waiting on Dravos?
Earod, shaken from his inactivity by Ben's magical thunder and fire, moves to shield his daughter's body from harm (to G12). The other patrons freeze, too scared to move--even as the bar, and the roses above it, catch fire. The rafters are next. The Antler and Thistle is on fire.
Round 4
The goblin, still screaming in pain and anger, seems to hesitate a moment (he delays). But the hobgoblin does not. Advancing (to D11), he attacks Ben with his longsword! (1d20+6=26) Swinging, he opens a nasty gash along Ben's chest (5 points of damage).
Suddenly, the goblin darts out from under the table (to F11) and flanks Ben, slashing at the mage with his sword! (1d20+7=15, 1d6+2=4, 1d6=1)That's a total of 5 points, for 10 total hit points of damage this round. Ben is Bloodied.
Ben: regarding your last post. If you take damage before the end of your next turn (as you just were) is how Hellish Rebuke works--not before the end of the encounter.
Ah, thx for the correction. Hmmm,... I'm bloodied, AND I'm flanked! Explain to me how come I manage to keep placing the guy who should be AVOIDING hand to hand combat in the MIDDLE of it?!? ;P
Move to D8, attack the goblinLifetap vs Ref (1d20+3=16)damage (2d10+3=17)If that is a hit, then the gobbo takes 17 damage and Ben receives 10 temp hp. If the attack is a miss, then it only deals 8 damage and Ben receives 5 temp hp.
Kriv strides with great purpose and levels his bow at the goblin; his eyes glow yellow as he draws two darts of light from nowhere. He sees an inner core of light in both the goblin and the dark haired mage. With a though he launches one dart at the goblin and the other at Ben, and a streak of yellow energy surges from the vile villain into the firey tempered wizard.
The bolt of energy hits the goblin in the face, its life force pulled from its mouth with its third--and final--scream of pain. The goblin falls lifeless to the floor.
Ceelie slips along the edge of the bar (to C10), ducking low so the wood structure might shield her from at least some of the blaze roaring up the wall behind it. Once she reaches Aelwyn, calls out, "Get behind me!" She then draws another dagger from yet another hidden sheath upon her leather armor. Sliding just past the slender elf, she spots an opening in the remaining hobgoblin's defenses and thrusts her blade up and under his chin.
Kriv strides with great purpose and levels his bow at the goblin; his eyes glow yellow as he draws two darts of light from nowhere. He sees an inner core of light in both the goblin and the dark haired mage. With a though he launches one dart at the goblin and the other at Ben, and a streak of yellow energy surges from the vile villain into the firey tempered wizard.
Ben jerks in surprise as first the bolt of light from the Dragonborn's spell strikes him painlessly, then arches his back as the goblin's life force is drawn towards him.
"Wooo!" He exclaims as the goblin slumps to the floor. "What a rush!"
"Thanks scales, I owe you one!" He tosses over his shoulder to Kriv as Ceelie silently assaults the remaining Hobgoblin,...
At Ceelie's command, Aelwyn quickly moves to a more advantageous position to F9 and takes careful aim at the hobgoblin Hunter's Quarry. She pulls back another arrow and lets fly with deadly accuracy.
Attack (1d20 6=25) Damage (1d10 4 1d8=10)
Ceelie's dagger slips under the hobgoblin's gorget and pierces his fatty gullet. Aelwyn's arrow catches the dead hobgoblin between the eyes before his body hits the ground.
Initiative order is over.
It takes some doing, but you manage, with Hess's help, to get Earod out of his burning tavern by carrying Ellice's body outdoors. The other patrons--including one of the halfling bargemen--manage to drag out the body of another fallen customer before the rafters and the roof above are engulfed. Fina's remains, on the far end of the tavern, are unreachable--the inferno claims her for its own.
Battered members of Brindol's watch run up and down the street in front of the tavern, instructing citizens to line up and form a bucket brigade, more to keep the buildings adjacent the Antler and Thistle from catching fire than to douse the tavern itself.
It is obvious that--despite the recent surge in goblinoid activity--the town watch was unprepared for such an attack, the misty night sky flickers from the dozens of fires that have been set between here, the market square, and the river's edge beyond. The street is littered with the bodies of watchmen and goblinoids alike--every goblin wearing a dirty tabbard with a crude red hand pained upon it, upside down.
The Red Hand, it appears, is in deed on the march again!
It is at this point that the first encounter ends, and much like the attack on Sandpoint in ROTR, the characters have the opportunity to catch their breaths--a short rest--before being ushered to the next battle in the AP. I won't give it away in case Fabes wants to run that one, nor will I indicate where I was headed with Hess, Andronsius, Jen, or Eoffram Troyas for the same reason. Suffice to say, I had put some thought into how they interacted with the party and the roles I wanted them to play in the future.
As I stated in the discussion thread, this encounter is valued at 580 xp, or 116 xp per character. Seemed a little overvalued at first, but I was surprised that--in the end--I managed to bloody one of you. In conjunction with the second battle, I think the xp total is actually pretty spot-on.
Lastly, I know I rushed some of the descriptions during the battle in favor of advancing through the combat--that was more a function of my RL schedule than a preference of mine. Though I never reckoned that coming up with different ways to say, "you killed that guy," was going to be that difficult! Aside from that, honest feedback on my first foray in a long time as a DM would be appreciated. I know that it's just one encounter, but we've been at it for nearly a month. What worked, and what could've been better? And I'm asking about my DMing, not about whether the 4th Edition worked for you or not. Perhaps over on the discussion thread...
