abstract xp's Rise of the Runelords Campaign

[Cuu]

I mean g8, my bad.

[Aylmora Mvashti]

If we need a new initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"I hope that bonfire doesn't burn Master Kesk's building," Aylmora thinks as she watches the goblins advance. "It looks like we'll have our hands full trying to keep these buggers from attacking Father Zantus and the cathedral before we can do anything about the bonfire!"

Aylmora has three options as to what she will do this round depending on her position in the initiative order versus the goblins:

Option 1:
If Aylmora goes before the goblins move, she will sing a snippet of a Varisian lullaby and cast Sleep (Will DC 15; 10 ft radius burst) centered at the point where square B10 touches square C9 - this should catch the goblins in squares A9, B10, and C9. She will then step back to P11.

Option 2:
If Aylmora goes after the goblin warchanter, and the warchanter makes some sort of sonic or language-dependent magical attack, then she will begin singing a bawdy Varisian drinking song as a Bardic Performance (Countersong), and will move to try to catch as many allies as possible within a 30 ft radius of herself. Peform (sing) check 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Option 3:
If Aylmora goes after the goblins, and the warchanter does not make some sort of sonic or language-dependent magical attack, then she will begin singing a song about two Varisian brothers who were always trying to outdo each other in all endeavors as a Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage) granting all allies +1 to attack and damage rolls and +1 to saves vs. charm and fear effects. She will then step back to P11.

I hope that's not too confusing!

[Old Redeye]

Initiative: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
The dwarf, hearing the music, looks very angry. He brings his staff to bear, and as it glows, the image of a Harrow card (Strength) forms in the crystal ball. The ghostly card flies at the warchanter, and once again, vanishes before touching her. However, she looks like she has indeed been wounded.
Magic Missile, damage:1d4 ⇒ 1

[Sapere Parola]

Sapere curses quietly under his breath. "Bloody filth, polluting the streets."

Assuming the goblin in E9 is still standing, he will advance to stand beside the fighter at F8, swinging his morningstar at the goblin.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d8 ⇒ 1

If that goblin is already dead he will move to G7 to stand right behind the fighter and ready to heal anyone who is within a 5 foot step of him that needs it.

[Cuu]

new init = 1d20 + 2 =18

*sigh, I gotta be more careful with the squares. I really meant f8 instead of g8, but if Sapere really wants that spot, I suppose f9 would do just as well.

[Sapere Parola]

Bah, I fouled up my modifier above, it should have been +0 instead of +8. But I rolled a 20, so this is my roll to confirm. Hopefully I do crit with the damage I did above.

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 191d8 ⇒ 3

Edit: Wow, I can apparently roll d20s, just wish I could do a bit better damage with it.

[Cuu]

something I think everyone would appreciate

d20pfsrd

[Kobold Catgirl]

Actually, Paizo has its own site, which is much better and looks nicer. This.

[abstract xp]

I'll give Jimmy a few more hours and then head into combat.

Sapere, could you roll for Initiative please?

If you're wondering why I don't ask up front for iniative rolls, it's because I don't want to automatically put you into combat. If I put you into combat mode by inferring it - and you find out you've just killed an NPC you wanted to keep alive, you won't thank me for it.

So IF you want combat, roll Initiative before you decide what you plan to do.

Hope that makes sense.

[Sapere Parola]

No problem, I just hadn't rolled my init before, because I wasn't sure if we were keeping the same initiative since the combats followed so close together.

Initiative 1d20 ⇒ 13

[Kobold Catgirl]

It's a good thing I'm using Magic Missile. Otherwise, I'd probably be missing. None of my Initiatives so far have gone above 0. And none of my damage rolls above 2.

[Cuu]

I find a wizard's prowess usually shows at later levels when they get better spells. And even then, it's always handy to have a wand of magic missiles handy.

[Ashbek]

I'm going away for the weekend, but will be back sunday night. There is a combat guide for ashbek in my profile.

[Sapere Parola]

I've always found that my characters combat prowess is completely inverted to how skilled they actually are in combat. When I make a heavy skilled character who can't fight at all I always roll amazing when it comes to attacking and then bomb all my skill checks, while if I make a bruiser its the exact opposite. Luck can be weird sometimes.

[Cuu]

Good idea Ashbek. I added Cuu's combat guide as well.

[Jimmy Evans]

Sorry to keep you all waiting. Just catching up, then a combat post will be inbound.

Edit: Jimmy Evans rides into battle on the shoulders of a half orc. As Cuu reaches his destination, the halfing leaps from his shoulders and thrusts at the goblin's middle.

Jumping to F8 from Cuu's shoulders once he reaches G8. On the off chance that I actually go before Cuu, I'm delaying my action until after he has moved.
Initiative: 1d20+4 -> [5,4] = (9)
Acrobatics (to dismount Cuu without interfering with his movement): 1d20+10 -> [7,10] = (17)
To Hit: 1d20+1 -> [15,1] = (16)
Damage: 1d4 -> [4] = (4)

[Cuu]

Evans, Sapere already said he's going to be at f8 during one of hs earlier posts. How about f10?

[Jimmy Evans]

Oh? Make that F10 then. I clearly didn't do as much catching up as I needed to...

[abstract xp]

I think after this encounter, I will try a more generic type of combat - more descriptive and less prescriptive. e.g. "I'll attack the nearest orc with my glaive - but if he's already dead, I'll look to flank one of the other ones" rather than the confusion I'm creating with e10 and g12 etc. Let me know what you think.

Round 1:

1. Aylmora sings a snippet of a sing Varisian lullaby. Immediately, one of the goblins appears to be affected and drops his weapon. She then moves a little closer to the cathedral.

The one at b10

2. Ashbek rushes into the center of the square and hurls his javelin at the group of goblins. As luck would have it, the one that had just dropped its dog-slicer is hit in the chest and drops to the ground, apparently dead.

3. Cuu rushes into the fray and readies for an attack.

4. Sapere moves into combat and swings his morningstar at the nearest goblin. It reels from the blow and crumples to the floor.

The goblin at e9

5. The warchanter sings a warbling goblin song and flicks her whip in a threatening manner, albeit not hitting anyone.

6. The remaining goblins seem unsure as to what to do.

7. Jimmy performs further acrobatics, alighting from Cuu's shoulder and deals the goblin to his right a glancing blow.

8. Old Redeye brings his staff to bear, and a ghostly card flies from it and at the warchanter. It appears to inflict some damage on her face and her attention now appears to be completely on the dwarf.

Your move...

New Map

[Jimmy Evans]

Yet more acrobatics ensue, as little Jimmy Evans dives past another goblin and attempts to stick his short sword into its back.

Using acrobatics to get to D11: 1d20+10=28
Attack: 1d20+3=21
Damage: 1d4=1, 1d6=1

[Old Redeye]

The dwarf glares at the warchanter and speaks words of power. "Powers of writing, I invoke thee! Destroy the vermin! Take their souls as payment!"
A wraith appears, pitch black, formed of floating letters. It stretches out a hand, moving towards the warchanter.
Casting Silent Image. That's pretty much my last useful spell. Save DC to disbelieve (if interacted with)is 15.

[Sapere Parola]

Spitting in disgust towards one of the fallen goblin bodies, Sapere moves up and around towards the goblin warchanter, hoping that Cuu will take the upper goblin so that he doesn't take any attacks of opportunity(though he will accept one if he has to in order to get there).

As he rushes forward he takes a swing with his morningstar at the goblin.

1d20 ⇒ 61d8 ⇒ 1

[Aylmora Mvashti]

Aylmora's eyes narrow as she watches the goblin warchanter. "I really need to learn how to tell what other spellcasters are casting," she thinks to herself.

Aylmora begins singing a Varisian drinking song describing the ineptitude of goblins. Amused, her new allies find their spirits lifted and their attacks more potent. Begin Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage): All allies +1 to attacks and damage; +1 to saves vs. charm and fear effects. Remain in current location, watching for more goblins.

[Cuu]

Abstract, I believe there is a confusion on the deployment of our front line. On the map, Sapere is at f9 and Cuu at f11. Our posts have indicated that Sapere should be at f8 and Cuu at f9. I bring this up because from f9, Cuu can move into d10 to attack the goblin at c9 w/out taking an AoO from the goblin at e11.

Cuu hears a whistling sound in the air and sees a goblin topples over, a javelin through his gut. "That barbarian is good, I have to hurry." Thought the half-orc.

Dropping the halfling off his shoulder, Cuu used the momentary distraction caused by the little man to slide behind the first goblin and thrust his weapon into the face of the next goblin in line (c9), trying to clear a path toward the warchanter.

Atk = 1d20 + 5 +1(BARD) = 24
Dmg = 1d8 + 4 +1(BARD) = 8

Since Cuu ended at d10, Jimmy needs to move to f12 to flank.

[Ashbek]

I know i said sunday night, but i got home to a broken internet connection. While it's down i can only post from work, so my future posts will be a bit shorter. I will get fully back to you asap :)
Not seeing any room to maneuveur, Ashbeks moves closer (within a move action to the goblin singer) and hurl another javelin at one of the "normal" goblins.
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

[abstract xp]

I'll post the results hopefully a little later. I too am having access problems, so bear with me for the next day or so

[abstract xp]

Thanks for your patience. I'm still struggling and it may not be until Friday that things are back to normal for me. The game is not in jeopardy, but I'm away with work and internet access is limited.

[abstract xp]

Firstly, I'm back. On a train on my way home. Secondly, I've moved people to where they should be re: Cuu's post - Sapere at f8 and Cuu at f9

Round 2:

1. The Warchanter appears to be considering her options. She continues to sing that awful song and then steps forward before swinging at Sapere with her dogslicer. He takes the blow on the arm.

Take 3 points of damage

2. Aylmora starts to sing a Varisian drinking song that describes how inept goblins are. You are all amused by the rendition. She remains in her current location, watching for more goblins.

3. Ashbek trots forward and hurls his javelin at the goblin at the northernmost point of the square. He hits it squarely in the chest, and it is lifted off its feet before landing a few yards later.

4. Cuu moves gracefully before thrusting his weapon into the face of the next goblin in line, slicing the top of its skull clean off.

5. Sapere swings his morningstar but misses the warchanter by some margin.

6. Once more Jimmy performs flawless acrobatics, finishing with his sword slicing exactly where one of the dead goblins used to be...

7. Old Redeye speak words of power. "Powers of writing, I invoke thee! Destroy the vermin! Take their souls as payment!" As he does, a wraith appears, pitch black, formed of floating letters. It stretches out a hand, moving towards the warchanter.

Your move again...

New Map

[Ashbek]

My connection is back, so i'm able to post normally again.
I'm confused about the new map. It's identical to the one from the round before. In round two Ashbek moved closer to the fight (so he was within one move action to the singing goblin), and the warchanter moved within striking distance of Sapere.

Ashbek look the ugly warchanter straight in the eyes and growl. He sprints into the fight and swing wildly with his glaive at the ugly singing goblin.
1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8
1d10 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13

will move so i stand 10' next to the warchanter (not sure where it is) and attack with power attack. He will not try to avoid AoO.

[Sapere Parola]

Sapere curses angrily in Chelish as the filthy blade nicks him, curling his lip in annoyance. "Damn fool, that is quite enough!"

If things are mostly unchanged by the time my turn comes around again, then I'm going to take a swing at the warchanter. If the warchanter is killed, or if anyone(including myself) takes much damage, then I will use a turn to heal everyone I can. I have selective channeling so I can keep it from effecting up to two of the goblins.

If I attack: 1d20 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 4
Edit, I just realized my damage should have been a d8, not a d6:1d8 ⇒ 3

If I turn: 1d6 ⇒ 5

[Old Redeye]

The dwarf shakes his fist at the warchanter. He shouts something at her in another language.

Goblin speakers:

"I warn you now, goblin! Stop now and be spared! Or we shall see how you fare against my word spirit!"
Initiative 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

[Cuu]

I am assuming the warchanter is at e8, since, from the language of the description, she moves towards Sapere, who is at f8.

Having just even his score against the barbarian, Cuu sighs inwardly as he hears another whistling noise ending with a telltale sound of a body hitting the floor. Who is this guy!?

Seeing the goblin warchanter rushes by to attack the cleric, Cuu quickly uses this opportunity to slide behind her and thrusts his sawtooth sabre at her spine.

Atk = 1d20 + 5 +2(FLANK) +1(BARD) = 20 (19 if Aylmora stops singing)

Dmg = 1d8 + 4 +1(BARD) = 13 (12 if Aylmora stops singing)

"Sorry," the half-orc says in a smooth voice, "but I ain't paying for dinner."

Cuu moves to d8 to flank with Sapere. This map thing with labels is pretty frustrating, but I can't think a better way to pinpoint locations. Props to Abstract for being so patient with it all.

[Old Redeye]

Okay, if she is dead, ignore my previous post.

[Sapere Parola]

Yeah, when I run a game through PbP, I normally will set up a googledocs thing, so I can lay the map out in a spreadsheet. But that has its own issues too, so I can't say its any better. Either the players need an email address that the DM can give them permission on, if they are going to move their own characters around, or there isn't much difference to a image map since they could only look at it and tell you intersections they want to move to.

[Cuu]

I think the problem with the current mapping system is that, the further away from the edges, the harder it is to tell one square from another. It is very easy to confuse k11 with l11 with k12. If only there is some way to mark each square w/out making the entire map messy (or time consuming for the DM)...I wonder if there is some free online program that allows us to move our own pieces around...AND I JUST NOTICED IS THERE A FIRE OMG!

[Aylmora Mvashti]

Aylmora continues singing the Varisian drinking song, and moves warily toward the combatants.

Maintain Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage) as a free action. Move to location K10, watching for more goblins and watching to see if the fire spreads to Master Kesk's building.

[Aylmora Mvashti]

By the way, I know that the map can be confusing, but I think that it is much better than nothing at all. I have played in some PbP's where no map is used, and it makes it very difficult (if not impossible) to set up flanking or to position spell effects and know that you are not hitting allies, much less effectively use feats like Combat Reflexes.

Actually, I was wondering how Abstract sets up these cool maps and includes our avatar pictures to show locations - I would love to use this same set-up if I ever run a PbP!

[abstract xp]

Ashbek wrote:

I'm confused about the new map. It's identical to the one from the round before.

Significantly my bad. That's what happens when you're using three computers simultaneously. If anyone wants to re-post, please do so.

Proper Map

[abstract xp]

Aylmora Mvashti wrote:

[ooc]Actually, I was wondering how Abstract sets up these cool maps and includes our avatar pictures to show locations - I would love to use this same set-up if I ever run a PbP!

I have many cool art programs but the one I use 90% of the time is Paint (the free one with all PCs). The maps themselves I didn't create. The Paizo boards have so many great artists on them, there are more maps than I could ever hope to use. Just follow the thread for the campaign you're running and you'll find so many resources (of course don't follow the ROTR one!). And that's where I got the NPC images from. Your avatars are easy. Right click and save as...then resize them and paste them in Paint.

[Cuu]

From the look of things, it doesn't seem like Cuu can flank the warchanter w/out taking an AoO (his movement is only 20 ft thanks to armor, can't wait to get armor training). So go ahead and take that on him.

[abstract xp]

I'll wait an hour and then start the combat. if I get to Jimmy's turn and it hasn't concluded, I'll pause for his action.

[abstract xp]

Round 3:

1. The warchanter takes another sing at Sapere with her dogslicer, nicking his chest.

Take another point of damage

2. Aylmora continues singing whilst slowly moving toward the combatants.

3. Ashbek closes to within ten feet of the warchanter and growls at her. He swings wildly with his glaive but misses by some distance.

4. Cuu steps forward and with a stabbing motion, thrusts his sawtooth sabre into her back, severing her spine. She flops to the floor.

Sapere, you are the only one injured and can heal yourself if you wish as your turn action from this encounter.

Final Map

Please don’t worry about where you ended up, I hoped to have kept within the spirit of the combat, if not the exact square.

As you assess the scene, you are aware that a goblin is standing on top of the roof of the building adjacent to the burning cart. As you consider your next move, he looses his footing and falls head-first into the flames, squealing as he does.

The good news is that the cart is far enough away from the buildings so as not to cause a fire hazard.

The sounds of goblins has diminished, and although there is a snatch of song here or a cry there, it is all too far away to be pinpointed. Nor does anything sound particularly threatening.

At this point, you become aware that Father Zantus is still on the podium, his eyes fixed on the dead dog.

[Aylmora Mvashti]

Aylmora rushes Father Zantus' side and grips his shoulder gently. "Father Zantus? Are you alright?" she asks worriedly, scanning his body for any signs that he has been wounded.

If Father Zantus has been wounded, Aylmora will cast Cure Light Wounds on him. If he appears to be held or otherwise affected by the warchanter's song, Aylmora will sing a hymn in praise of Desna in an attempt to Countersong (1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18).

[Old Redeye]

Aylmora Mvashti wrote:

Aylmora rushes Father Zantus' side and grips his shoulder gently. "Father Zantus? Are you alright?" she asks worriedly, scanning his body for any signs that he has been wounded.

If Father Zantus has been wounded, Aylmora will cast Cure Light Wounds on him. If he appears to be held or otherwise affected by the warchanter's song, Aylmora will sing a hymn in praise of Desna in an attempt to Countersong (1d20 + 8).

The dwarf glares at Aylmora. "Forget about him, we need to seek shelter. I've no spells left, and that warchanter used magic. Come on!"

[Aylmora Mvashti]

Old Redeye wrote:

The dwarf glares at Aylmora. "Forget about him, we need to seek shelter. I've no spells left, and that warchanter used magic. Come on!"

"Shelter will do us little good if the goblins burn it down around our heads!" Aylmora shouts at Old Redeye. "It is up to us to see to the safety of the town and the townspeople! Now gather those others," she gestures to the two humans, half-orc, and halfling, "and make yourselves useful by seeing to that fire over there before it spreads, or help me here with Father Zantus!"

[Cuu]

"Name's Cuu," says the half-orc to the barbarian as he wipes the blood off his weapons, "guess we're tied for dinner. But that last goblin is the leader, so she technically counts as two. So how about you buy me a beer and we call it even?"

The fighter then looks around for sources to water to put out the fire.

[Sapere Parola]

I think that Cuu took a small nick too. Don't know if anyone else is injured, but if they are I will take care of them as well.

Sapere spits down on the warchanter again before approaching the rest, adopting a meditative stance as he speaks Irori's name, bringing down his blessings.

He then nods towards where Cuu is introducing himself to the other, then looks to the rest of the group. "I am Sapere. And the woman is right, dwarf. Would you hide from roaches and hope they will simply stop infesting your home? You must stamp out each and every one of them or they will be in your food, your bed, and with goblins, at your throat. If we do not hunt them down, they will hunt us and I would rather not be found while I am sleeping."

Channeling Energy:1d6 ⇒ 6

[Jimmy Evans]

"They're /goblins/ for ****'s sake; even a healthy child could take down a goblin. Shelter," he snorts. He then helps to find a potential source of water, though given his size, he may have trouble carrying it...

[abstract xp]

Aylmora Mvashti wrote:

Aylmora rushes Father Zantus' side and grips his shoulder gently. "Father Zantus? Are you alright?" she asks worriedly, scanning his body for any signs that he has been wounded.

Father Zantus pats the hand that's on his shoulder absent-mindedly. "Fret not my dear, I'm fine."

He takes in each of the party in turn. "My word, what must you think of us? Strangers...we welcome you into our town and then subject you to this..."

He makes a sweeping gesture with his other hand before turning his gaze to Aylmora. "You were all so brave. You saved so many lives, that's for sure. How can this town ever repay you?"

"At least from the sound of it, it all appears to be over."

[Old Redeye]

Sapere Parola wrote:

I think that Cuu took a small nick too. Don't know if anyone else is injured, but if they are I will take care of them as well.

Sapere spits down on the warchanter again before approaching the rest, adopting a meditative stance as he speaks Irori's name, bringing down his blessings.

He then nods towards where Cuu is introducing himself to the other, then looks to the rest of the group. "I am Sapere. And the woman is right, dwarf. Would you hide from roaches and hope they will simply stop infesting your home? You must stamp out each and every one of them or they will be in your food, your bed, and with goblins, at your throat. If we do not hunt them down, they will hunt us and I would rather not be found while I am sleeping."

Channeling Energy:1d6

The dwarf seems to ignore Father Zantus. "Believe me, I have no love of goblins, but I'm not suicidal, either. He who underestimates the 'roaches' is the first to die. I should think that seeing your own blood would make you realize that. The most defensible position is one you know to be safe."

He then turns to Zantus, glaring. "I'll believe that when I see it, 'father'. Until then, we're still in a battle, and I would not recommend forgetting that."