Unnamed Investigation 168

[Zareth Edemont]

soven wrote:

What did you hear, Komana? Shall we stay or move forward?

"Well, we're not going to get anywhere by staying here. Might as well face our foes now, instead of waiting for them to come to us."

[stardust]

Zareth:OOC:

I'm with you. They beg for combat, and then inch towards it as slow as possible. :P

*Ahem, carry on.*

[Komana Tazurin]

'I'm not sure, a rattling noise. Let's move forward, and be ready for excercise!'

[stardust]

Assuming the party is moving around the bend.

As you turn around the wall, your light sources reveal a gruesome sight. The gray stones of the corridor are red with blood and gore, mutilated unrecognizable body parts.

About thirty feet in front of you the corridor opens to a wider chamber, where a sickening red glow is cast by an eldritch flame.

In the shadows of that flame, two humanoid... "things" in chain armor move about, as if dancing around the flame. When one of them turns toward your direction, you can see by the pale red light that it is in fact a skeletal creature, covered with blood and entrails.

The skeletal things seem not to have noticed you... yet.

One skeleton is 45 feet directly in front of you. The other skeleton is 55 feet away, deeper within the open space in the corridor and cannot be targeted easily (half cover)

Graphical Representation

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Key:
[W]=Wall
[_]=5 ft space
[_/=5 ft space with half cover - also end of line of sight.
S=Skeleton
#=Red Flame (shedding light in 30 ft radius)
?=Dark - also out of sight.

[Komana Tazurin]

This is it people! :D Show time!

Initiative, at the ready 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Komana readies an action to cast divine favour on herself if the skeletons approach.

Whispering she says, 'This is the first of our many voilent challenges, let's work together on this, Soven and whoever else wishes to can move to engage the things, while me and Zareth lay down covering fire, yes?'

[Zareth Edemont]

"As good a plan as any."

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

[Dird Bungosen]

Woo! This should be good.

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Spotting the sinister skeletal figures, Dird prepares to hurl the dagger in hand before the skeletons realize we are here. When the skeletons silhouette presents the largest target, he flings it at the dark menace.

As soon as possible, Dird is going to try to catch them flat-footed with a thrown dagger. Attack roll for when he does: (I'm assuming we get a surprise round on them)1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11If that hits, damage is 1d3 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + (1, 6) + 2 = 12

stardust:

Because I know PBP battle can go slow, the turn after doing this, Dird plans on drawing his shortswords and attempting to tumble into a flanking position with the nearest skeleton to make a sneak attack.

[soven]

initiative:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Soven nods to Komana.

On his action, Soven will charge the nearest skeleton and power attack with the longsword, unless someone indicates for him to hold.
bab[+3]str[+4]+magswd[+1]charge[+2]heroism[+2]pwr atk[-1] attack roll 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16if hits 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Soven can move full speed in med armor.

[Iacobus Gildenpalm]

Initiative 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Iacobus quickly steps in and to the side, uncoiling a long, leather lash as he does, moving alongside Soven in his advance, lending words of advice to Soven as he moves to engage. "Mind the claws, he's sweeping for the torso." His whip cracks viciously, but he seems to be harrying the beast, not actually striking at it.

Due to his Traits, Iacobus can Aid Other at range, and gives a +3 bonus. He's giving Soven a +3 bonus to his Armor Class this round. Feel free to change his exact wording to represent whatever the creature is actually doing...

Aid Other roll (to hit AC 10) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

If I lag behind in posting, his next intended movement is to put him in a position to flank, and provide yet another +2 bonus to someone's attack rolls, although he may switch to Fighting Defensively, if he seems to be about to get punished.

[stardust]

Well I'm glad you're all ready to jump in there. A few problems come up though. One, the corridor is narrow. Soven is ahead at the moment. If you want to squeeze past each other, jostling for the fore you certainly can, but given the narrowness of the corridor (and the blood and gore dripping from the walls) it's not going to be pretty...

I could certainly leave your orders as is, but with Iacobus acting before Soven, whom he is currently behind (with fairly tight quarters), somebody is going to get knocked down as you scramble for the battle. (That's why there's a marching order.)

Also, please keep track of the distances. At this moment, the only one that can reach a skeleton for melee is Soven who can charge forward down the corridor, and engage the one directly in front of him. So I'll give you all an opportunity to rephrase or resubmit your orders and then we'll Let Slip Some Dogs.

Or I may just have to interpret the situation in a different manner when I start to post the tactical information.

[Komana Tazurin]

We can move through each other's spaces without penalty, we just can't share a space during combat. Except for charging, but Soven's up front. Iacobus and Dird can move through my square.

[stardust]

Komana Tazurin wrote:

We can move through each other's spaces without penalty, we just can't share a space during combat. Except for charging, but Soven's up front. Iacobus and Dird can move through my square.

Ah, I see you are correct. I assumed Iacobus was charging, which he would not be able to do in this situation anyway.

[stardust]

Surprise Round
[4]Iacobus: Move toward skeletons.
[3]Komana: Readying divine favor
[1]Soven: Charge Skeleton 1 (Reflex save, please!)
[2]Dird: (You don't have a clear line of sight to the skeleton, Soven is in front of you. Do you wish to change your action?)
[5]Zareth: (Still need an action for the surprise round.)

[soven]

reflex save w/ heroism 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

[stardust]

Soven charges towards the skeleton in the red light, who remains unaware of the danger. The warrior almost slips in the gore covering the floor but slides forward and uses the slick floor to gain momentum instead.

As soon as Soven bursts into the glow of the red light, the skeleton turns towards him with a savage roar and raises its sword just in time to stave off the attack.

Graphical Representation

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[W]=Wall
[I]=Door
[_]=5 ft space
[_/=5 ft space with half cover - also end of line of sight.
S=Skeleton
#=Red Flame (shedding light in 30 ft radius)
?=Dark - also out of sight.

1d20 ⇒ 1

[Komana Tazurin]

Round 1: Komana casts divine favour and then moves her full 8 squares down the hall towards the skeletons.

[Zareth Edemont]

Zareth moves as far down the tunnel as he can.

That's my action for the surprise round and the first round, actually. Move as far as I can without squeezing past anyone, then using Acid Dart when I have a somewhat clear shot. (Should that happen in the first round, including penalty for firing into melee: 1d20 ⇒ 151d6 ⇒ 4

[Dird Bungosen]

"Blasted big people ruining my throw...."

Muttering that and other things in Halfling, Dird moves forward, slipping his dagger into his robes and drawing out his other short sword.

Dird is moving down the hall to get closer to the skeletons, intending to try to move past one (or both) with Acrobatics on his next turn.

[stardust]

At the end of the Surprise Round:

Initiative for Round 1

Komana(26): Cast and Move
Iacobus(25): Move and Aid Soven: +3 AC
Soven (20): Action?
Dird (19): Double Move past skeletons.
Zareth (15): Move and Acid Dart:
Skeleton 1 (3): Attacking Soven
Skeleton 2 (3):

Graphical Representation
(It's easier to see it in Courier font.)

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[W]=Wall
[I]=Door
[_]=5 ft space
[_/=5 ft space with half cover - also end of line of sight.
S=Skeleton
#=Red Flame (shedding light in 30 ft radius)
?=Dark - also out of sight.

1-Soven (in melee with Skeleton 1)
2-Dird
3-Komana
4-Iacobus
5-Zareth

[Komana Tazurin]

I've only been moved 5 ft., I menat that she moves 40, putting her 10 ft. ahead of Dird, and twenty feet from the Skeleton. She's going to shoot it this round.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

[stardust]

Komana Tazurin wrote:

I've only been moved 5 ft., I menat that she moves 40, putting her 10 ft. ahead of Dird, and twenty feet from the Skeleton. She's going to shoot it this round.

1d20+9
1d8+3

Okay, a little confused/ing? here. You readied a spell in the surprise round. Also known as Round 0. Round 1 hasn't started yet. As soon as Soven declares his action for Round 1, things will move again.

[Komana Tazurin]

stardust wrote:

Okay, a little confused/ing? here. You readied a spell in the surprise round. Also known as Round 0. Round 1 hasn't started yet. As soon as Soven declares his action for Round 1, things will move again.

Oh! Sorry! I didn't see the at the end of the suprise round header, and just thought it was the round one map. Okay! My bad. *hides head*

[soven]

sorry for getting in your way, dird

Soven's eyes widen as the skeleton glances his sword off with its own.
With a stone face of determination, Soven tries again.

pwr atk & heroism1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 141d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

edit: when the skeleton decides to teach Soven how to properly swing a sword, Soven's AC is 20.

[stardust]

Komana moves swiftly down the corridor, surprisingly agile for someone of her size, her hand glowing with divine energy. When she finally stops the glow spreads to her whole body for a brief instant than fades as divine magic pours over her.

Iacobus also makes his way across the pools of blood on the floor, turning around the corner and brandishing a whip with a loud snap. The skeleton is distracted by the noise.

Soven gathers his strength again, and drives his sword savagely towards the skeleton. The creature parries easily with his sword.

Oh, before I forget. Skeletons have DR 5/bludgeoning. So unless you have a bludgeoning weapon, could you please put in the -5 for your damage rolls.

Dird vaults across the slippery floor. You'll need to make a Reflex save or an Acrobatics check (your choice) to avoid slipping in the gore. He rushes past Soven, slipping easily under his raised sword, and tries to scramble past the skeleton engaged with him. Make an Acrobatics check to move through the skeleton's space (the DC is pretty high). If you're successful, you can either be directly behind it (where you are in the map below) or 1 space 'above' that. If you're not successful, you'll be in the space directly behind Soven.

Zareth moves forward down the corridor, muttering arcane syllables under his breath that call an orb of sick greenish light to just above his shoulder. If Dird makes his acrobatics checks, you can move to the space I have you in the map below and fire your acid bolt at the skeleton on the other side of the fire at no penalty. If he doesn't make it, you'll be in the space behind Komana. :(

The skeleton Soven just attacked raises its sword with an evil grin and swings at him wildly 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 for 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.

Skeleton2 moves forward to attack Iacobus with a sword 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 points of damage.

The Area Around the Red Flame
Anyone not engaged in melee combat can take note of a little bit of the room around you. The floor is inscribed with some sort of arcane circle, what you can make of it beneath the bloody grime. There is a door in the wall to your right with a pair of axes painted on its wood.

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[W]=Wall
[!]=Door
[_]=5 ft space
[_/=5 ft space with half cover - also end of line of sight.
S=Skeleton
#=Red Flame (shedding light in 30 ft radius)
?=Dark - also out of sight.

1-Soven (flanking Skeleton 1)
2-Dird (flanking Skeleton 1)
3-Komana (divine favor)
4-Iacobus (in melee with Skeleton 2 - 8 damage)
5-Zareth
Skeleton 1 (in melee with Soven, flanked)
Skeleton 2 (in melee with Iacobus - 5 damage)

[Komana Tazurin]

Round 2:
Komana shoots at the skelton engagng Soven.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

1d8 ⇒ 6

I have already included the Damage resistance.

[Dird Bungosen]

stardust wrote:

You'll need to make a Reflex save or an Acrobatics check (your choice) to avoid slipping in the gore.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

stardust wrote:

Make an Acrobatics check to move through the skeleton's space (the DC is pretty high). If you're successful, you can either be directly behind it (where you are in the map below) or 1 space 'above' that. If you're not successful, you'll be in the space directly behind Soven.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Dird moves carefully along the hall, sliding a little on the sickeningly wet floor before regaining his balance. Looking for an opening in the skeleton's movements, he dives when he see's it and....

Trailed off for Stardust to complete

[stardust]

Dird Bungosen wrote:

stardust wrote:

You'll need to make a Reflex save or an Acrobatics check (your choice) to avoid slipping in the gore.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13

stardust wrote:

Make an Acrobatics check to move through the skeleton's space (the DC is pretty high). If you're successful, you can either be directly behind it (where you are in the map below) or 1 space 'above' that. If you're not successful, you'll be in the space directly behind Soven.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13

Dird moves carefully along the hall, sliding a little on the sickeningly wet floor before regaining his balance. Looking for an opening in the skeleton's movements, he dives when he see's it and....

Trailed off for Stardust to complete

makes it through easily. Dird, because of your natural 20 roll, I'll allow you an extra move action too.

Zareth's acid bolt hurls towards the skeleton, passing through the red flame and catching on fire, causing 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage to the skeleton when it hits.

Skeleton2 - 5 damage.

[soven]

Soven eyes narrow in intense anger as he sees Iacobus wounded by the evil walking upright before them.
Smacking the return blow away, Soven focuses on the one before him.

Iacobus, are you all right?!

On his turn, Soven swings again. +flank2 & heroism2/-pwr atk1 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 181d8 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 5 = 13

[stardust]

Just some rule clarifications for myself, you gladiators of Pathfinder Lore:

Komana, I can't find the Precise Strike feat. Can you tell me what it does (where it came from, etc)? I know it's a tactical feat, I just can't find it in the book or PSRD.

I think some of your traits are turning out to be a little too powerful, but I am willing to wait until after the Challenge of Legacy to review them.

Is the map thing helping any? It doesn't look the prettiest in the forum font. It looks better in courier.

I have been trying to find rules about lines of sight. This came up before when Dird wanted to throw a dagger but Soven had gone first. I ruled then that Dird didn't have line of sight, but I'm not seeing anything in the book that says another living creature blocks line of sight, just concealment and physical objects. (A creature is a physical object, but they apparently do not block line of sight.) They provide cover. (That's odd for me, I thought they did block sight in 3.5) Because of this, I'm allowing Dird's thrown dagger action from the surprise round in addition to his move. (It didn't hit anyway.)

One last thing: If you are trying to do something that requires a d20 roll, and you roll a natural 20 (even if I say it's a high DC), it will automatically succeed! I will probably also provide some other benefit for the luck of the draw.

[Komana Tazurin]

stardust wrote:

Just some rule clarifications for myself, you gladiators of Pathfinder Lore:

Komana, I can't find the Precise Strike feat. Can you tell me what it does (where it came from, etc)? I know it's a tactical feat, I just can't find it in the book or PSRD.

pg. 48 of the most recent APG Playtest file, at the very top. Basically give 1d6 precision damage when flanking.

stardust wrote:

I think some of your traits are turning out to be a little too powerful, but I am willing to wait until after the Challenge of Legacy to review them.

My traits grant me, +2 initiative = 1/2 feat, +1 will = 1/2 feat, and +2 vs. illusions. Bar Child of the river kingdoms, which does the exact same thing as reactionary but is regional instead of social, all of my traits are from the core book. We did get 27 rather than 20 points to buy stats with though, so that may be why we're more powerful than the standard monsters are able for.

[stardust]

Komana Tazurin wrote:

stardust wrote:

Just some rule clarifications for myself, you gladiators of Pathfinder Lore:

Komana, I can't find the Precise Strike feat. Can you tell me what it does (where it came from, etc)? I know it's a tactical feat, I just can't find it in the book or PSRD.

pg. 48 of the most recent APG Playtest file, at the very top. Basically give 1d6 precision damage when flanking.

stardust wrote:

I think some of your traits are turning out to be a little too powerful, but I am willing to wait until after the Challenge of Legacy to review them.

My traits grant me, +2 initiative = 1/2 feat, +1 will = 1/2 feat, and +2 vs. illusions. Bar Child of the river kingdoms, which does the exact same thing as reactionary but is regional instead of social, all of my traits are from the core book. We did get 27 rather than 20 points to buy stats with though, so that may be why we're more powerful than the standard monsters are able for.

Thanks for the feat info. Your traits seem okay, Komana. I meant overall for the party. We don't have to worry about it right now though. On with the show. :)

[Dird Bungosen]

stardust wrote:

I think some of your traits are turning out to be a little too powerful, but I am willing to wait until after the Challenge of Legacy to review them.

Mine were chosen to get my concept across, but I have no problem with reducing the number/changing them out.

stardust wrote:

Is the map thing helping any? It doesn't look the prettiest in the forum font. It looks better in courier.

I've been viewing it in Courier and it helps me out a lot with visualization.

stardust wrote:

I have been trying to find rules about lines of sight. This came up before when Dird wanted to throw a dagger but Soven had gone first. I ruled then that Dird didn't have line of sight, but I'm not seeing anything in the book that says another living creature blocks line of sight, just concealment and physical objects. (A creature is a physical object, but they apparently do not block line of sight.) They provide cover. (That's odd for me, I thought they did block sight in 3.5) Because of this, I'm allowing Dird's thrown dagger action from the surprise round in addition to his move. (It didn't hit anyway.)

The dagger throw was more of a nervous habit/RP thing than anything, but I do think you've got the rules correct now. Ultimately, it's your game and I'll take your judgment. The Pathfinder GM screen has a lot of these kinds of rules put in one place, if you have access to it or are considering it as a purchase.

stardust wrote:

One last thing: If you are trying to do something that requires a d20 roll, and you roll a natural 20 (even if I say it's a high DC), it will automatically succeed! I will probably also provide some other benefit for the luck of the draw.

I need to get into the habit of previewing before I hit submit on the off-chance that this happens. I saw the total for my roll and thought that it was pretty good, but didn't add 2 and 2 together and realize it was a critical success.

With Dird in flanking position, I'm going to make sure he's got both of his +1 short swords in his hands and leave him there until next round

[stardust]

Initiative for Round 2:

Komana(26): Ranged attack Skeleton 1
Iacobus(25): Action?
Soven (20): Melee attack Skeleton 1
Dird (19): Sneak attack Skeleton 1?
Zareth (15): Acid bolt at Skeleton 2
Skeleton 1 (3)
Skeleton 2 (3)

[Zareth Edemont]

Zareth fires another bolt of acid at the skeleton.

Another use of Acid Dart(5/7): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Excuse me for a moment while I laugh manically.

[Dird Bungosen]

You guessed my action already

Dirds twin blades flash in the macabre light as he lifts them, one at a time, and tries to find a weak spot in the skeleton's form.

Main hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 for 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (5, 3) = 15
Offhand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 is a critical threat, 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 for 1d4 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (6, 2) = 12.

If the threat confirmed, add 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 to that offhand attack's damage.

[stardust]

Iacobus said something earlier about potentially lagging behind. Since everyone else has posted an action, I'll go ahead and let him start fighting defensively.

Round Three - Ding
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[W]=Wall
[!]=Door
[_]=5 ft space
[_/=5 ft space with half cover - also end of line of sight.
S=Skeleton
#=Red Flame (shedding light in 30 ft radius)
?=Dark - also out of sight.

1-Soven (flanking Skeleton 1, heroism{35 minutes})
2-Dird (flanking Skeleton 1)
3-Komana (divine favor{9})
4-Iacobus (in melee with Skeleton 2 - 8 damage)
5-Zareth (mage armor{1 hr})
Skeleton 1 (in melee with Soven, flanked)
Skeleton 2 (in melee with Iacobus - 5 damage)

Komana knocks an arrow and lets fly with surprising accuracy. It whips past Zareth's ear, barely avoids Soven's raised sword and pierces the skeleton's eye, shattering through the back of the skull and knocking its helmet off its head. It roars with anger. (Skeleton 1 - 6 damage).

Iacobus draws his rapier and wields it defensively, slipping into a parrying mode that allows him to block the skeleton's attacks more easily. He lunges forward carefully, attempting to pierce the skeleton's skull. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13, damage 1d6 - 5 ⇒ (6) - 5 = 1. The skeleton repels the attack with its longsword.

Soven is distracted momentarily by the sudden arrow in the skeleton's skull, but he recovers quickly and raises his blade to see if he can help pry it out. The skeleton knocks the blade aside with its skeletal hand, but then the skull jerks back in silent agony as two blades pierce through its chainmail armor into its back. The blades go in a little too easily, and Dird realizes there's more air than bone in the skeletal body. With a quick turn of his wrists though, he hears the satisfactory crunch of bones chipping and breaking and the skeleton crumbles to the floor, now lifeless and still. (After DR, Skeleton 1 - 21 damage).

Another green orb of light appears over Zareth's shoulder and flies towards the remaining skeleton, but the skeleton can easily focus on this new threat and dodges the acid orb.

The remaining skeleton turns its attention on Iacobus, raising its sword in both hands and striking forward with killing intent. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26,1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Critical hit for additional 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10.

This goes for everybody. A natural attack roll of 20 is an automatic confirmed critical hit.

At Start of Round 4:

1-Soven (heroism{35 minutes})
2-Dird
3-Komana (divine favor{8})
4-Iacobus (in melee with Skeleton 2 - 29 damage)
5-Zareth (mage armor{1 hr})
Skeleton 1 (Newly dead undead)
Skeleton 2 (in melee with Iacobus - 4 damage)

[Komana Tazurin]

stardust wrote:

This goes for This goes for everybody. A natural attack roll of 20 is an automatic confirmed critical hit.

I use that rule in my games too!

Komana grins widely as the first skeleton falls, then knocks another arrow and shoots the remaining undead.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

1d8 ⇒ 2*

*DR included

[Iacobus Gildenpalm]

Shaken that his attempts to remain out of melee combat and flank Soven's opponent have so dramatically failed, Iacobus switches to full defense. "You may wish to finish off the other skeleton soon," he says, voice surprisingly calm, "as this one appears to be a far better fighter than I..."

Crap, sorry for the delay. I was reading the thread, just not aware that a round had passed. Brain-fart on my part. Iacobus knows enough about skeletons that he won't bother attacking again with his rapier. He'd be more effective attempting to disarm with his whip (or using sarcasm, for that matter...), but it's far too late for that, having dropped it and drawn the other weapon.

[stardust]

Iacobus Gildenpalm wrote:

Shaken that his attempts to remain out of melee combat and flank Soven's opponent have so dramatically failed, Iacobus switches to full defense. "You may wish to finish off the other skeleton soon," he says, voice surprisingly calm, "as this one appears to be a far better fighter than I..."

Crap, sorry for the delay. I was reading the thread, just not aware that a round had passed. Brain-fart on my part. Iacobus knows enough about skeletons that he won't bother attacking again with his rapier. He'd be more effective attempting to disarm with his whip (or using sarcasm, for that matter...), but it's far too late for that, having dropped it and drawn the other weapon.

It's never too late to retrofit. Your CMB is +3, right? We can say that's what happened (if you want to use the die roll I made for you. You failed to disarm the skeleton anyway), but you still have your whip out and your rapier sheathed.

[soven]

When Soven is up, he moves over to the remaining skeleton careful not to cut off anyones attack. He will swipe again with the sword.
(pwr atk,heroism,)1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d8 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 5 = 9

Soven looks concerned at the wounds inflicted on the bard. He is used to being the one bleeding.

[Iacobus Gildenpalm]

stardust wrote:

It's never too late to retrofit. Your CMB is +3, right? We can say that's what happened (if you want to use the die roll I made for you. You failed to disarm the skeleton anyway), but you still have your whip out and your rapier sheathed.

Cool, keeping the whip then, thanks.

[Dird Bungosen]

With a smirk on his face Dird maneuvers around the sinister looking flame, still wearing a determined expression both uncommon and unfitting his personality.

High on the adrenaline, he creeps up on the remaining skeleton and slashes with his blade.

Moving to the space 'above' the remaining skeleton, and making an attack

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10, for 1d4 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1 including DR.

Ouch! I know in my game I'd be reaching for the fumble deck right about now. Just for my own curiosity, here's a fumble confirmation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

[stardust]

Dird Bungosen wrote:

With a smirk on his face Dird maneuvers around the sinister looking flame, still wearing a determined expression both uncommon and unfitting his personality.

High on the adrenaline, he creeps up on the remaining skeleton and slashes with his blade.

Moving to the space 'above' the remaining skeleton, and making an attack

1d20+9, for 1d4+-2 including DR.

Ouch! I know in my game I'd be reaching for the fumble deck right about now. Just for my own curiosity, here's a fumble confirmation: d20+9

There is a 'fumble' penalty on a natural attack roll of 1. The creature you are attacking gets an (extra) attack of opportunity against you. That seems the fairest way to adjudicate the sudden misfortunes of combat. But I am willing to listen to alternatives if you think this is unfair.

Just waiting for Zareth's action, then we can proceed.

[Dird Bungosen]

stardust wrote:

There is a 'fumble' penalty on a natural attack roll of 1. The creature you are attacking gets an (extra) attack of opportunity against you. That seems the fairest way to adjudicate the sudden misfortunes of combat. But I am willing to listen to alternatives if you think this is unfair.

Just waiting for Zareth's action, then we can proceed.

By all means, that sounds good. I use the Critical Fumble Deck in my Council of Thieves game and it can be brutal.

[Zareth Edemont]

Apologies. I don't really have an excuse.

Unwilling to use more effective spells this early in the challenge, Zareth fires another bolt of acid at the skeleton.

4/7 Acid Darts remaining: 1d20 ⇒ 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

[stardust]

Round Four - Ding!
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________

[W][W][W]
[W][_][?]
[W][_][W]
[W][_][W][W][W]
[W][_][_][_][W]
[W][X][#][2][W]
[W][_][1][S][!]
[W][5][4][_][W]
[W][3][W][W][W]
[W][_][W]

X=dead creature
[W]=Wall
[!]=Door
[_]=5 ft space
[_/=5 ft space with half cover - also end of line of sight.
S=Skeleton
#=Red Flame (shedding light in 30 ft radius)
?=Dark - also out of sight.

1-Soven (flanking Skeleton 2, heroism{35 minutes})
2-Dird (flanking Skeleton 2)
3-Komana (shooting at Skeleton 2, divine favor{8})
4-Iacobus (total defense, in melee with Skeleton 2 - 29 damage)
5-Zareth (spitting acid, mage armor{1 hr})
Skeleton 1 (newly dead undead)
Skeleton 2 (in melee with Iacobus, flanked - 4 damage)

Komana lets loose an arrow in the tight quarters of the corridor and chamber, but it catches on the edge of the corner and ricochets out of line, fortunately not striking any of her companions.

Iacobus begins wielding the whip with an increased defensive awareness. Not caring anymore about striking the creature, he just wants to remain safe. (+4 AC)

Soven steps forward and thrusts his blade heavily into the skeleton's side, chipping a few bones and knocking some others loose. (Skeleton 2 - 12 damage)

Dird follows behind Soven, taking up position for a sneak attack against the blood-covered corpse. He slips at the worst possible moment, fumbling the attack and almost falling. The skeleton senses this movement behind it and makes a sudden strike with its sword behind it, almost without looking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27, 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8. Critical: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

A green orb of acid suddenly strikes the side of the distracted skeleton's skull and it turns towards the new thread with a low growl as the acid sizzles on its bone. (Skeleton 2 - 16 damage)

The skeleton turns its attention toward Soven, making a brutal attack as it swings the longword with both claws gripped around the pommel. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15, 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12.

At Start of Round 5:

1-Soven (flanking Skeleton 2 - heroism{35 minutes})
2-Dird (flanking Skeleton 2 - 13 damage)
3-Komana Action? (divine favor{8})
4-Iacobus (in melee with Skeleton 2 - total defense - 29 damage)
5-Zareth Action? (mage armor{1 hr})
Skeleton 1 (Newly dead undead)
Skeleton 2 (in melee with Soven - 15 damage)

[stardust]

Actually that should be,

At Start of Round 5

Komana (divine favor{7})

[Iacobus Gildenpalm]

Iacobus continues to fight defensively, hoping to stall the creature until his allies can come to deal with it in a more violent fashion.