The Orc Hits the Fan: Round 1 (DM Cayzle) Monday December 19th, 2005 11:38:44 PM
Renik looks closely at the orc's strange helm. Is the helm the orc's head? No, no, probably not. But maybe it has grown on the orc's head, or engulfed it?
The orc dies swiftly under the combined attacks of Feng, Renik, and Monthor. Was it the first blow that felled the orc? Maybe two blows? The orc certainly fell to pieces in no time.
You might feel a strange sense of anticlimax. The "sage" certainly proved no challenge. But just as you wonder if you got your adrenalin up too fast, you see that there are enemies a-plenty on the way!
Sarigar senses at least two invisible opponents in the air above him -- maybe 20 feet overhead?
The ants and bees that were nuzzling the big slugs to the north head south towards you. They end the round scattered 50 to 20 feet from you to the north. There are 4 medium ants and 3 large ants, as well as six large bees.
From around both sides of the tree to your south come two sets of foes. Each set is led by a treant and includes a few people. There are a few ants and many bees in each force as well. And what? A unicorn in each force as well! Each of the two forces is well spread out in the air as well as on the ground; both are about 50-100 feet away.
Renik: AC 28, HP 85 d20+3=17 d20+14=25 Tuesday December 20th, 2005 4:53:10 AM
Renik looks around frantically as foes pour out on all sides. Trapped in a three way pincer movement! If they are not very careful they will find themselves completely surrounded and at a huge disadvantage. They need to find a way to balance the odds.
"Everyone form up against the tree trunk!" the rogue yells, indicating the giant tree at the centre of the compound to the party's south. "Create a protective perimeter around Arien, we cannot let him fall or we are all lost!"
That formation should also limit the amount of foes that can face them at any one time, he reasons. The best defensive posture, assuming, of course, that the enemy doesn't have offensive spellcasters...
That thought leads him to consider the nature of their foes. Treants? Unicorns? These are not generally evil creatures. How could they be part of this horror?
As he backs up against the tree (in front of Arien if the mage moves there: around AO29 or AO30) the rogue calls out to the advancing enemy;
"Hold! We come at the behest of Eberyon, the Fae King! He told us your master, the Sage, was enslaving elves from Culverwood, planning to bleed them to death in the pursuit of dark experiments! He bade us free them! We came to discover the truth of these accusations. If we have been misled then tell us now, and let us avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
He whispers to Feng "Paladin, see if you can determine whether the warriors and creatures approaching us are evil by nature. We do not want to slay goodly creatures through some mischievous misunderstanding of the Fae King's making."
Renik will very carefully observe the response of the attackers to his words (Sense Motive 17), and try to identify the Sage amongst the attackers (Spot 25).
Finally, he activates his ring of Blinking.
Draxx AC 25, HP 133 Tuesday December 20th, 2005 5:17:58 AM
Draax expected the attention of the ants and the bees and maybe some slugs for good measure, but he had no idea that they would get this type of attention. Seeing intelligence creatures like the treants and unicorns, Draax hopes that Renik's words get through to them. When Renik talks about the reason the group has come, Draax remembers the captured elves.
"We still need to save the elves, if Renik's plea does not reach them. Then maybe we should go inside to see about the elves. There is probably some resistance inside and if we use all of our resources defending ourselves out here, we might not be able to overcome the resistance inside. Does anyone see a way to operate the cage?"
Draax move to AO27.
Feng AC 23, HP 125 Tuesday December 20th, 2005 6:45:33 AM
"Renik I will try though they are too far away right now. By the time they are close enough for me to tell they will be ontop of us. Though as a rule of thumb good creatures don't ususally come to the aid of evil." Feng says as he moves against the tree
Arien (Mage Armor, Greater Invisibility) AC: 21, HP: 56 Tuesday December 20th, 2005 2:29:37 PM
Seeing the groups of monsters Arien decides to slow them down, he casts Wall of Force stretching it from 31AL to 16X. Then he backs up directly to the tree, shouting as he went; "I've blocked off one side against anything that doesn't fly with a wall of force, we should be a little safer now."
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158, AC24/21) d20+13=32 d20=6 Tuesday December 20th, 2005 2:52:48 PM
Sarigar quickly drops down from the top of the cage when he sees the treants and unicorns. He approaches them as close as the wall of force will allow him and begins pleading with them in Sylvan. "Forest brothers, why are you here? Mother don't want us fighting each other. 'sides, orcs don't like us, so why help em? I won't hurt you and I won't let my pack hurt you either, but if you try to hurt us, we'll fight back." (Wild Empathy 32, Diplomacy 6, not sure which I should use)
Once he's done speaking to the forest brothers, he turns to the party, holding his arms out as if to block their view of the unicorns and treants. He speaks to the pack in common "Don't hurt the trees or one horns. Mother will talk to them and make them stop, I know she will."
Monthor Tuesday December 20th, 2005 8:20:04 PM
:: Monthor moves into position in front of the group. He agrees with Renik, the magic users and healers must be protected at all cost of they are all dead. There are just to many beasts out there and to few of them. ::
" This is not a battle for us unless we have to. These animals must be under something's control! Me say we try to make away from here as soon as we can and head for the elves. Make it a running battle if we must but run we must do. "
Tratain AC 27 HP 130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment] Tuesday December 20th, 2005 11:27:47 PM
Tratain casts Mass Bears Endurence on His friends when the attack begins and he see's the other creatures comming at them. Hopefully they can solve this through diplomacy, if not its best to be prepared.
Confusion, Negotiation, and Bloodshed: Round 2 (DM Cayzle) d20+8=27 (secret DM roll) d20+9=19 d20+9=24 (Two bee atts at Sa and BP) d6+4=6 (dam to BP) d6=5 (poi dam) d100=99 (Blinking fails to save Renik) d20+9=26 (att misses R) d20+9=28 d20+9=16 d6+4=7 d6=3 (dam to tr) d2=2 ant bites at monthor) d20+9=15 (misses mo) d20+9=28 (hits Draax) d6+4=6 d6=6 (att on Dr) d20+9=14 (misses BP) d8=2 d8=3 (invis bee vs bp and fe) d20+32=35 d20+32=41 (both hit) d6+4=5 d8=4 d6+4=8 d8=8 d4=1 d4=4 (IB attacks) Wednesday December 21st, 2005 1:09:59 PM
Slightly put off by the oncoming onslaught, the group puts a back to the big tree and tries to talk it out.
Renik offers freely the explanation that the now-dead orc asked for repeatedly ... but the irony of his call to "avoid unnecessary bloodshed" may be lost on the bloody corpse of the fallen orc.
Speaking of whom, if anyone makes a Spot DC of 27 or better, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: { The "helmet" that the dead orc was wearing has somehow crawled off the corpse's head and is sneaking north away from the fray. It looks kind of like a beetle of some kind, now that it is moving.}
Draax wants to prioritize the rescue of the elves. He looks closely at the cage as he hustles by it -- it seems empty, unremarkable, and slightly rusted. It is 20 ft x 20 ft x 10 ft high.
Feng moves and then detects for evil. In fact, there is some evil in the area he scans to the west and south, but, per the spell, it will take another round or two to pinpoint it. None of the evil is supernaturally strong or overwhelming.
Arien casts his Wall of Force, which will certainly block the attack from the west. Well, the bees will be able to fly over, but even they might be delayed a smidge.
Sarigar approaches the Wall of Force and bumps his nose against it. He tries his best to talk with the natural creatures on the other side, and in his way, his hartfelt earnestness is very moving. Black Paws follows his master, protecting him from the rear.
Monthor forms a battle line with Tratain and Draax. He knows he has to defend the group, and stands with weapon ready.
[OOC: DM Hint for Tactical Success Number 34: If you are waiting for an enemy to approach you, you might want to consider using the Ready action to prepare a swing contingent on the enemy's approach.]
Tratain boosts his friends with a Mass Bears Endurance spell, then stands ready to take the brunt of the attack.
========== ========== ==========
The Attack from the West
As the "ents" get closer, you see that they are probably not really ents after all. Rather than huge woody leafy giants, these creatures look more like animated trees.
But Renik's and Sarigar's diplomacy do not go unanswered. The unicorn looks at Darigar withg sad golden eyes and says, "I am sorry, brother. I was called here from another dimension, and I am compelled to do as my summoner bids. And she commanded me to attack you."
A loud booming voice calls out from the Western Tree: "My mistress awoke me, and I answer only to her! She told me you were our enemies, so I am glad to beat you into pulp!"
The western attack force is stymied by the Wall of Force. But two bees bumble across and try to sting Sarigar and Black paws. One misses Sarigar. The one at AJ24 stings Black Paws, hitting AC24 for 6 hp damage plus a Fort Save DC 15 vs Poison; fail = 5 pts Con damage).
Normally a bee that stings a foe pulls away from the target, leaving its stinger behind, and and then dies. The bee that hits Black Paws DOES leave a stinger in the beast, but does not seem to be in its death throes. Hmmm ...
The Attack from the East
Nothing checks the advance of the enemy on the east. Most of the attackers take a double move to advance, but the lead bee is fast enough to attack Renik. The bee times it right and is not phased (so to speak) by Renik's ring. Its attack, however, falls two short of hitting the slippery rogue.
The Attack from the North
The vermin rush in to attack. Two bees sting at Tratain; one hits AC16, a miss, and one hits AC28, a hit. Tratain takes 7 hp damage and makes a Fort save DC15 or take 3 pts Con damage.
A large worrior ant bits at Monthor, but misses. MONTHOR! I'm assuming your AC is better than 15. PLEASE post AC and HP in your header!
A bee flies at Draax, hitting AC28! Draax takes 6 hp damage and makes a DC15 fort save or take 6 pts Con damage.
Finally, another bee flies at Black Paws, but misses.
Invisible Bees Attack!
Two invisible bees attack from above! One attacks Black Paws and one attacks Feng. The one fighting BP hits AC35; the one on Feng hits AC41. BP takes 5 hp damage and makes a Fort save vs DC18 or takes 4 con damage. Feng takes 8 hp damage and makes a DC18 Fort save or takes 8 pts Con damage. Both are now visible and stingless -- HOWEVER, unlike the other bees, the stinger of these bees continue to pump poison into the victims
========== ========== ==========
NOTES
Party Status All - Bear's Endurance Renik - Blinking Arien - Greater Invis BP, Tratain, Draax - Secondary Poison save needed in R12 Feng(1), BP(4) - Secondary Poison save vs improved poison needed in R12.
Enemy Stats Bees are AC14. Ants are AC17.
Bees have a number to give altitude. Any B05 can be attacked with melee weapons normally. Other bees are likely out of reach.
Bees that are pale blue have lost their stingers. They are unarmed and cannot attack.
Bees labelled I10 were invisible, but attacked and now are visible. They are overhead but IN MELEE RANGE for those directly under them.
NOTE TO CASTERS! Bees labelled IB radiate silence in a ten-foot diameter around them. Be careful casting spells!
Renik AC 28, HP 89, Blessed, Blinking d20+19=35 d20+14=22 d20+9=12 d100=96 d100=11 6d6(6+6+4+6+5+2)+7=36 d100=56 6d6(2+5+1+4+6+5)+7=30 d20+17=30 d100=2 d20+12=25 d100=16 d20+14=25 Wednesday December 21st, 2005 1:47:49 PM
"Excellent work, Arien" the rogue growls, but there is little of his customary levity in his voice. The Unicorn's words have torn at Renik's soul. So noble a beast, reduced to blindly performing the perfidious whims of some crazed spellcaster! Truly her crimes continue to escalate in his eyes.
But they have many foes to face before he can allow himself to dwell on such matters. They must bolster their defense, and the finest way he knows to do that is to eliminate as many enemies as possible. Draax is right, they need to get to the captives as fast as possible, but they have plenty of foes to cut through before they can attain that goal.
Renik focuses his assault on the bee that attacked him, his twin blades a whirl of deadly steel. (OOC: If his blows bring that bee down he will engage the bee overhead at AO21).
Attack 1: AC 37, blink hits, 36HP, Attack 2: AC 24, blink misses Attack 3: AC 14, blink hits, 30 HP Attack 4: AC 32, blink misses Attack 5: AC 27, blink misses
Unfortunately the very factor that so often protects him from the blows of his enemies serves to foil his own attacks. Three of his strikes, though precisely aimed, pass harmlessly through his opponents as he flickers in and out of view.
(OOC: Should both his foes fall, either through his own attacks or through the attacks of others, he will take a 5 foot step to AQ29).
Seeing a unicorn approaching him from the east he calls out "Noble creature, I realise you are bound to these actions. But tell me, if I should slay you, will you truly die? Or will you simply be released from this plane, freed of the bondage of one who does not deserve your service?"
The pragmatic rogue, normally so willing to do what needs to be done, finds himself wracked with guilt and indecision at the thought of attacking so magnificent a creature. He is too caught up in his emotions to notice anything untoward (Spot 25).
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-11=199), AC24/21) d20+3=16 d20+3=19 d20+16=21 d20+11=18 d8+4=11 d8+4=10 Wednesday December 21st, 2005 3:00:44 PM
Feeling the stingers plunge into his brother's flanks as if they were his own, Sarigar immediately spins to face those assaulting him. The sound of ripping flesh emits from his fingertips as his claws burst forth and he bares his fangs in a wicked snarl.
He steps to his brother, grabbing the imbedded stingers and pulls them from the wounds, allowing them to skitter to the ground. Though the poison has been set loose inside him, Black Paws animalistic fortitude fights its effects (FS 16 and 19).
Barking and growling like a beast possessed, Black Paws lunges at the second bee that stuck him biting twice into its chitinous hide (AC21, AC 18) and with two rather savage twists of his massive head, rips large chunks out of the beast (Dmg 11 and 10).
Monthor (HP 132, AC 22, 23 vs ant 25ap) d20+25=44 d20+20=31 d20+15=26 d10=9 d6=5 d10=4 d6=1 d10=7 d6=4 d20+25=43 Wednesday December 21st, 2005 10:11:05 PM
ooc> First thing. I'm out from tomorrow evening until the 29th. Sub, can you sub for me? Sorry for the short notice.
2nd thing. I'm still assuming that Maag's temp bless effect is still.... in effect
3rd thing. Don't forget guys the temp hit points from the King.
:: Monthor the dwarf swings two handed at the ant in front of him (ap26). Should he kill it before the end of his attacks, he cleaves at whatever's nearest. ::
- 1st attack - AC 44 (critical hit natural 19, AC 43 for the crit. role), damage 30(x3)=90 - 2nd attack - AC 31, damage 21 -3rd attack - AC 26, damage 25
ooc> 136 hp damage on the first attack round. I love my dwarf. Cayzle, check my math with the damage please. I X3rd the full damage (i.e. weapon, fire, strenght and weapon specilization).
Arien (Mage Armor, Greater Invisibility, Bear's Endurance) HP: 82, AC 21 d20+24=36 d8=6 d8=6 d8=4 d8=4 d8=7 d8=1 d8=7 d8=8 d8=4 d8=3 d8=7 d8=4 d6=5 d6=3 d6=2 d6=4 Thursday December 22nd, 2005 2:43:30 AM
Arien moves away from the tree and the silenced bee that is near him, he squeezes under one the the stingerless bees and stands in front on the nearby Unicorn. (AS29, I can just make it moving diagonally) Grimacing about having to hurt the creature Arien casts a spell defensively despite being invisible (Concentration 36), and lets loose with a Prismatic Spray directed straight out from Arien, trying to catch as many creatures as possible.
((OOC: Not sure how many I'm actually going to catch with the spray since I don't have a template handy to compare but I rolled for ten creatures just in case. Note that the 8th creature is struck by 2 rays. All DCs are 24. First: Insanity, Will Save; Second: Insanity, Will Save; Third: Poison, Fort save or Die, 5 con damage on succesful save; Fourth: Poison, Fort save or Die, 3 con damage on succesful save; Fifth: Sent to another plane, Will Save; Sixth: 20 fire damage, Ref save for half; Seventh: Sent to another plane, Will Save; Eighth: Poison & 80 points of electrical damage, 2 con damage on succesful save, ref half for electrical damage; Ninth: Sent to another plane, Will save; Tenth: Poison, Fort save or Die, 4 con damage on succesful save.)
Draax AC 25, HP 127/153 (Bear's Endurance) d20+23=42 d20+23=42 d8+12=20 d8+12=15 d8=5 d20+18=31 d8+12=14 d20+13=21 d8+12=15 d20+16=23 Thursday December 22nd, 2005 4:11:50 AM
Shaking off the bee's hit (fort save 23) Draax attacks the bee to return the favor. The half-elven warrior smiles as the familiar thundering roar emits from his sword on a well placed first swing (hit AC 42 crit for 35 dmg and 5 sonic dmg). His return swing is also successful (hit AC 31 for 14 dmg) and with growing confidence he hits the creature one last time (AC 21 for 15 dmg) (69 total dmg).
Feng AC 23, HP 117 d20+15=28 d20+21=36 d20+16=24 d20+11=25 d12+10=11 d12+10=22 d12+10=22 Thursday December 22nd, 2005 10:11:05 AM
Grimmacing in pain Feng holds his axe tightly and hacks at the giant bee that just stung him. He's thinking that the bee will just grow another stinger if left alive to do so.
ooc: poison save 28, 1st attack hit ac 36 for 11, 2nd attack his ac 24 for 22, 3rd attack hit ac 25 for 22. If it matters and if they are evil add another 2d6 per hit.
Monthor ooc> Thursday December 22nd, 2005 3:15:42 PM
ooc> Back in a week guys. Try not to let Monthor get killed while I'm away. Merry Ho ho and happy holidays to you all.
Cayzle OOC Thursday December 22nd, 2005 3:32:55 PM
Okay, who is Monthor's posting buddy? And do you have his character sheet?
Sorry the turn is late ... these fight chew up all my brain's clock cycles.
Carl Thursday December 22nd, 2005 7:29:28 PM
That'd be Stan (Draax)
Tratain AC 27 HP 123/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment] d20+19=39 d20+20=26 Friday December 23rd, 2005 12:07:15 AM
The Bee breaks Tratains defenses but he is able to fend off the poison that it stung him with.
Tratain calls upon one of his newly aquired spells and casts Holy Word. (Cast Defensivly check passed)
OOC: Let me know if I'm in a Silence Zone Cayzle, I looked for the ones on the map you said were generating the silence barrier But I couldn't make out if any were near me.
Enemy Disperses: Round 3 (DM Cayzle) d20+3=18 (Sarigar's Str check to remove a stinger from BP) d6=6 d6=3 d6=2 d6=3 d6=5 d6=5 (secret DM rolls) d8=7 d8=4 d6=2 (more secret DM rolls) d20+4=12 d20+3=16 d20+8=14 d20+2=16 d20+4=10 d20+4=19 d20+3=20 d20+3=14 d20+5=25 d20+3=11 d20+2=7 d20+8=28 (Prism spray saves) d20+11=20 (att on Tratain misses) d100=43 (bee misses Arien) d20+10=11 (misses Sarigar) d6=3 (pulling out stinger and failing hurts BP) d8=7 d8=8 Friday December 23rd, 2005 5:08:26 PM
[OOC: As Yves was saying, "temporary" bonuses from the recent Fae modules, such as Maab's blessing, are still in effect, until the DFR voting is resolved Wold-wide! Enjoy them while you can!]
[OOC: A note on the Silence. Invisibility-capable bees radiate silence in a 10-ft radiaus, but are themselves pretty big. Bottom line -- you are affected by the silence if the bee is next to you or over you. Tratain is not in the silence.]
Renik's two dead-on sneak attacks take out the bee before him, which drops to the ground (Dropped bees are noted as "B00" and are colored red)
Renik calls out to the unicorn again, hoping for some answer to his plight of attacking something he would rather befriend.
Sarigar goes to the aid of his friend. Black Paws had been stung twice, once by a "nirmal" bee and once by an invisible bee that turned visible when it attacked. The stinger from the "Normal" bee is easy to extract as a free action. The other stinger is firmly embedded and requires a move action to pull out with a Strength check. An old PC sheet for Sarigar that I have from March gives his Str at 16, so I'll roll the +3 check to beat DC20 ... 18 -- almost but not enough! The stinger is still embedded.
The attempt to pull out the stinger inflicts 3 hp damage on BP.
Black Paws, ignoring the stinger pulsing in him, attacks, hitting twice. That bee -- formerly invisible -- takes 21 damage, in addition to the 11 it had inflicted on itself in stinging Black Paws.
Monthor criticals!
[OOC: Cayzle's D&D lesson on crits: Do NOT multiply crit damage. Roll again instead. For example, if you do 1d6+1 with a rapier on a crit, then if you crit, roll 2d6+2. Do NOT roll 1d6+1 and multiply by 2! Got it?]
Monthor's crit takes out a giant ant! Another two swings takes out a bee that had stung someone last round.
Arien, meanwhile, ducks through Renik's melee and fires off a striking Prismatic Spray! Through careful placement, he affects ten creatures:
A bee at AU27 -- Insanity, Will Save FAILS = Confused A medium ant at AV26 -- Insanity, Will Save FAILS = Confused A medium ant at AV27 -- Poison, Fort save or Die, 5 con damage on succesful save FAILS = Dead A unicorn at AU25 -- Poison, Fort save or Die, 3 con damage on succesful save SUCCEEDS - Immune to poison An "ent" at AV30 -- Sent to another plane, Will Save FAILS and poofed A bee at AX27 -- 20 fire damage, Ref save for half FAILS takes 20 A bee at AX29 -- Sent to another plane, Will Save FAILS and poofed An orc wearing a helmet at AX31 -- Poison & 80 points of electrical damage, 2 con damage on succesful save, ref half for electrical damage FAILS and dead Extra -- Sent to another plane, Will save SAVES A human wearing a helmet at AZ32 -- Sent to another plane, Will save FAILS and poofed Extra -- Poison, Fort save or Die, 2 con damage on succesful save.) Fails and dead A bee at AY34 -- Poison, Fort save or Die, 4 con damage on succesful save.) SAVES takes 4 con damage.
Whew!
Draax swings and takes out a formerly invisible bee. It drops to the ground (I00 in red).
Feng also takes out a formerly invisible bee. It drops to the ground (I00 in red). Black Paws tramples it underfoot.
Then Tratain utters his Holy Word. Every bee is deaf and blind. Every ant is deaf, blind, and paralyzed. A couple orcs die.
Enemy turn ===== ===== =====
Every flying bee uses a withdraw action to fly straight up and into the concealing foliage of the tree (most are now about 85 feet above you and out of sight).
The unicorns say, "Defeat us and send us home! But we must try our best to kill you!"
The creatures on the far side of the Wall of Force run away.
The paralyzed ants do nothing (they have green outlines on the map).
The downed bees do nothing (red on the map).
What's left? A unicorn attacks Tratain and misses. A bee, flying toward Tratain, bumps into Arien and attacks, but the invisible mage's miss chance saves him. And a lone ant warrior attacks Sarigar but his natural one misses.
Feng and Black Paws still have pulsing stingers embedded in them. Both must make a DC18 Fort save or takes Con damage -- 7 pts for Feng and 8 for BP. The stinger falls out of Feng, but Black Paws's is still pulsing.
"NOTES
Party Status All - Bear's Endurance Renik - Blinking Arien - Greater Invis BP, Tratain, Draax - Secondary Poison save needed in R12 Feng(0), BP(3) - Secondary Poison save vs improved poison needed in Rs 12 & 13.
Enemy Stats Bees are AC14. Ants are AC17. Unicorn is AC18.
Renik: AC 28, HP 89, Blessed, Blinking d20+23=34 6d6(1+5+5+1+3+6)+7=28 Friday December 23rd, 2005 5:40:24 PM
The rogue cannot quite believe how powerful Arien has become over the course of their adventures together. The elven mage has pretty much won this battle for them single handed! Such astonishing spells!
But he cannot afford to wonder at his friend's prowess now. There is still dark work to be done here.
Renik approaches the unicorn swiftly (Move to AR28). His mouth is set in a grim, thin line, evidence of his steely resolve to see this deed over. But his eyes tell another story, one of guilt and regret.
As his blade flashes out in a wicked blow, he whispers "I'm sorry."
Attack 1 hits AC 35 for 28 HP.
Arien (Mage Armor, Greater Invisibility, Bear's Endurance) HP: 82, AC 21 13d6(6+4+5+4+5+5+5+2+6+3+1+4+3)=53 Friday December 23rd, 2005 6:39:42 PM
Arien tracks the Unicorn as it moves into the fray, then after a quick consideration of the layout of the battle targets the Unicorn with a Chain Lightning spell. The lightning arcs off of the Unicorn to hit any other enemy within 30 feet of the Unicorn.
(53 damage to the Unicorn, Ref half DC 23; 26 damage to all enemies within 30 feet, Ref half DC 23)
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-11=199), AC24/21) d20+3=20 d20+16=23 d20+11=27 d20+4=7 d20+4=9 d20+3=23 Friday December 23rd, 2005 8:06:43 PM
Failing to pull the large stinger out of his brother on the first attempt, Sarigar takes hold of it with both hands and pulls with all his might (Str check 20). At first, it doesn't budge, but his brother's movements along with his own efforts finally dislodge the foul weapon. One his brother is free from the poisonous stringer, Sarigar turns to face the ant that just bit at him.
Black Paws, on the other hand, finding the bee he just bit dropping dead from Arien's colorful spell, turns on the ant attacking his brother. Feeling the stinger pump more venom into his wound, Black Paws shrugs off its effects easily (Con 23) and with his powerful jaws and his impressive fangs, he punches through the ants shell (AC 23 & 27) and tears out chunks of its exoskeleton, flinging gore through the air (Dmg 7 & 9) .
Monthor (HP 132, AC 22, Bear's Endurance, Bless) (Stan subbing) d20+24=33 d10+14=22 d6=4 d20+19=29 d10+14=20 d6=6 d20+14=30 d10+14=20 d6=6 Saturday December 24th, 2005 6:41:48 AM
If the Unicorn near Tratain is still alive, Monthor will take a step towards it and attack. (hit AC 33 with first hit for 22 regular dmg, 4 fire) (hit AC 29 with second hit for 20 regular dmg, 6 fire)(hit AC 30 with third hit for 20 regular dmg, 6 fire) (78 total dmg)
If the Unicorn near Tratain is dead before Monthor can attack, the dwarf will move to cover Tratain and attack any creature that comes near the priest.
Draax AC 25, HP 133/156 (Bear's Endurance. Bless) 3 out of 9 temp hp left d20+14=29 d20+23=37 d8+12=15 2d6(6+3)=9 Saturday December 24th, 2005 6:53:30 AM
(save vs poison 29) Draax moves over to the AS28 and if the Bee near Arien is still alive he will attack it (hit AC 37 for 15dmg).
If the Bee near Arien is dead before he can attack, Draax will defend that area and hope that any creatures that come in the area would rather attack a visible target and give Arien more of an opportunity to use his magic.
Tratain AC 27 HP 123/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing] d20+11=30 Saturday December 24th, 2005 10:25:17 AM
Seeing that the battle seems to be wrapping up nicely Tratain casts True Seeing on himself and looks around trying to spot any invisilbe enemies or hidden entrences to the Tree or compound.
(Spot 30)
Mopping Up: Round 4 (DM Cayzle) d20+3=23 (bee save) 3d6(4+4+2)=10 dam to BP in pulling out stinger) d20+9=16 (bee att) Sunday December 25th, 2005 10:41:48 PM
Renik attacks the unicorn, and Arien finishes it off with a Chain Lightning. The bolt riccochets into the nearby bee, and a natural 20 inflicts only 13 damage.
Sarigar yanks the pulsing poison stinger out of his friend, but doing so hurts! Black Paws yelps and takes 10 points of damage, but no longer has to worry about the poison.
Black Paws inflicts 16 points of damage to an ant.
[OOC: Philip, what damage are you doing? Looks like you rolled d20s for damage! Please let me know the scoop.]
Monthor readies an action to cover Tratain if any enemy approaches.
Draax also makes ready.
Tratain casts True Seeing and looks around. Everything is as it seems, from plants and animals to the tree itself. If there is an entrance or exit, it must be on the other side of the tree or up very high, concealed in the foliage. Tratain does see two invisible bees over there blindly nuzzling the slugs.
The Enemy
Four ants are paralyzed, and will be for a few minutes. Four bees are downed and underfoot. The unicorn is dead and gone back to its home plane. The ant uses the withdraw action to flee, moving to 15X, on top of the wall. The bee moves to where the unicorn had been and attacks Tratain (out of reach of Monthor's weapon), but misses.
Feng AC 23, HP 117 d20+15=34 d20+15=28 Monday December 26th, 2005 9:46:29 PM
Feng turns and scans for enemies but much to his suprise the formidable force sent against them is nearly wiped out.
"I expected much more from a force of this size." Feng comments.
ooc: Feng will ready an attack action in case one of the few insects left attack him. Made two poison saves at 34 and 28
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-21=189), AC24/21) Monday December 26th, 2005 10:44:02 PM
ooc: Hehe, oops, I was using d20s. Forgot to change the die type. At least the damage rolled was well within his damage of 1d8+4 /blush
Sarigar grunts along with his brothers yelp as he pulls the stinger loose. A noticable wet patch begins to soak through his armor in the same spot as his brother's sting.
With the immediate battle over, the brothers look and smell around more moving prey. They approach the paralyzed ants and although they smell alive enough, they're confused as to what to do with the completely unmoving prey. Sarigar pokes at one and steps back expecting some sort of retaliation. Black Paws nudges another similarly. With neither ant making any noticeable reaction, the brothers watch them confusedly.
Renik d20+21=28 6d6(3+2+2+6+1+4)+7=25 d20+18=20 d20+14=23 d20+21=25 d20+14=16 d20+24=40 Tuesday December 27th, 2005 5:27:39 AM
Renik takes a swipe at the remaining bee, hitting AC 28 for 25 HP.
"We need to find an entrance to this tree, and rescue those elves!" calls the rogue. "They are still at risk from this sage. Tratain, come with me, let's see if we can find a way in. How long will your True Seeing spell last? It may well come in handy over the next few minutes."
Assuming we are out of combat:
Renik fishes out his invisibility wand and uses it upon himself (UMD 20: just!).
The rogue (along with Tratain if he is willing to come) will circumvent the tree hunting for ways in. If none are apparent he will activate his armor and fly up the tree (blinking aand invisible), hunting for a way in.
Spot 23 MS 25 Listen 16 Hide 40+Invis (Hide 60)
Monthor (HP 132, AC 22, Bear's Endurance, Bless) (Stan subbing) d20+24=36 d10+14=22 Tuesday December 27th, 2005 6:53:48 AM
If the bee attacking Tratain comes within his weapon range, Monthor will attack it (AC 36 for 22dmg). If he cannot get to the bee he will remain ready to attack if he gets the opportunity.
Draax AC 25, HP 133/156 (Bear's Endurance. Bless) d20+7=9 Tuesday December 27th, 2005 6:58:07 AM
Draax stays on guard and tries to look for any new threats that might come the group's way (spot check 9).
Tratain AC 27 HP 123/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing] d20+16=18 d20+11=26 d20+6=23 d8+4=8 d8+4=11 d8+4=6 d20+11=12 d20+19=21 Tuesday December 27th, 2005 10:59:44 AM
Tratain Swings at the Bee that is attacking Him Striking it 3 Times. If it Falls and he is able he will travel around the Tree with Renik trying to spot a way inside.
----------------- Hit AC 18 for 8 Damage Hit AC 26 for 11 Damage Hit AC 23 For 6 Damage Total Damage 25
Second Fort Save when needed 21
The Entrance(s): Rounds 5 & 6 (DM Cayzle) Wednesday December 28th, 2005 5:17:47 AM
Renik and Tratain combine to finish off the last bee.
Sarigar and Black Paws are confused by the paralyzed ants. They might deduce that some kind of magic is at work to keep their enemies still.
Monthor, Draax, and Feng stay alert. All three notice a bee or two concealed high up in the tall tree -- maybe a hundred feet up or more? Hard to tell with all the foliage in the way.
Tratain and Renik circle the tree. There are three possible ways to go that they note. About 50 feet up the free trunk on the south side is a big hole in the tree. And there are two huge anthills / holes in the ground.
You see no bees or ants or other creatures, aside from the downed bees, the paralyzed ants, two invisible bees over by the slugs, and a glimpse of a bee high overhead in the tree.
Combat notes: Friends, while you are still potentially in danger, I will be tracking actions by the round. Please do not give me poison saves until I call for them. Current Poison status:
BP, Tratain, Draax - Secondary Poison save needed in R12 Feng, BP - Secondary Poison save vs improved poison needed in Rs 12 & 13.
Renik d20+14=27 d20+14=17 Thursday December 29th, 2005 11:18:20 AM
Noting the entrances Renik says "Well, we can go in high or low. Unless we can fly the whole party up the tree I suggest we take the ant hole to the east."
He peers in, trying to determine how difficult it will be to climb down, and whether there are any foes lying in wait.
Spot 27, Listen 17.
Draax AC 25, HP 133/156 (Bear's Endurance. Bless) Thursday December 29th, 2005 11:18:55 AM
Draax waits for a decision to be made about which entry point the group should use. "If I remember correctly the king said that the mage lived under a hill. A tree is not a hill but the king could have been mistaken. Anyway, I say we go downward, the king said a hill that the mage's pets made. Maybe it is the tree.
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-21=189), AC24/21) d20+20=31 d20+20=26 Thursday December 29th, 2005 11:32:23 AM
Able to take a moment and calm down and listen to Renik and Draax's comments, the brothers begin to meander around the area, sniffing intently (Survival 31/26). Perhaps they can pick up the scent of any humanoids and where they seem to be most prevalent. Orc scents will be fairly obvious, but elf smells would be new and welcome.
Monthor d20-1=3 d20-2=1 Thursday December 29th, 2005 12:26:06 PM
The dwarven fighter grasps Renik by the shoulder and speaks in his ear.
"If this be the way we go then move ye aside tall one. This here hole be me specialty. Me darkvision can see 60 feet ahead without me needing to have a light. Me will go on ahead for a we bit to scout and me will come back. Get the rest of the boys in the hole to give us cover from those bees. Don't forget that those ants over there ain't dead. Whatever magic was used on them by Arien won't likely last forever. That hole in the tree is likely the bee's nest. So, we either take on ants in their holes or bees in their nests. Me'd rather the ants. "
If Renik moves, Monthor, axe held in front of him unlite, sets off down the hole for up to 30', if that's even possible, keeping and eye and ear out as he goes. (Spot 3, listen 1 deff AND blind). If Monthor can climb down it he does. If it's to steep then he'll use his winged boots to go down.
Arien (Mage Armor, Greater Invisibility, Bear's Endurance) HP: 82, AC 21 Thursday December 29th, 2005 1:25:20 PM
"I actually agree with the dwarf on this one." the invisible Arien says with an equally invisible smirk on his face. The orc had to have sleeping chambers around here and I suspect we will need to go into the tree to find them."
Feng AC 23, HP 117 (On Horseback) Thursday December 29th, 2005 5:18:04 PM
Feng takes this moment to call his massive warhorse from his astral home. With all the land before them the extra speed will come in quite handy.
"Well he's got to be around here somewhere."
Monthor (HP 132, AC 22, Bear's Endurance, Bless) Thursday December 29th, 2005 5:39:38 PM
ooc> Sorry, forgot to put the stats above Monthor's name in the first post.
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