In the Intest of aid

anybody else want to fucking pile on?? Geez... one mistake

We love you, Josh. Just tighten it up please.

yeah yeah.... I'm sorry I missed the spell thing but the HP was supposed to be there. I'll try to stay on it

DOGPILE!!!



Glad to see Joe back up and ready to scorch lackadaisical players. Love it!


As for Abi, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think she's taken damage yet. She did expend her single use of Action Surge though, so I'll add that to her stat block.
Also not sure when the duration for Blessed ends. I figure Chris will alert us when it does.

Abigail: Sea-Elf Fighter

AC: 18
HP: 74/74
Pass Perc: 14
Init: +5
Blessed: +1d4 to Attacks and Saves
Action Surge: 0

I added Bless duration to my stat block in an effort to be a better player

You're all awesome. Can't wait to start killing everyone's characters off.

I'll resolve Kruhl's turn and keep it moving tonight.

Josef909 wrote:You're all awesome.  Can't wait to start killing everyone's characters off.

yes

oh, you don't want to kill Sam... I have a much more lethal idea in the works if that happens.

@Chris: Samis currently occupying the space at J-27. Please restate Kruhl's intended end grid. Additionally, LOS will likely become important at a later time, so I will just put this here for the benefit of everyone...

sorry, J-28 then, just north of Sam

I put your LOS and cover image into a new thread, otherwise it will get lost here

Great idea, Chris. Thanks for doing that.

I'm not always a complete stickler, but I usually prefer that rules are used if they have been so thoroughly established. Of course GM fiat always supercedes hard rules, but to quote Mark Twain, "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please."

Kruhl sees his Sam in possible distress and rushes to his aid. A natural protector. Perhaps it is Helm The Vigilant One, god of guardians, protection, and protectors, who is his patron in this moment.

As the spirit finally drains from the form of the mindlfayer, the party suddenly hears a chorus of howling calls from behind their position. Deep and powerful in tone, and echoing from somewhere at the other end of the tunnels. The Dwarven figure who once laid atop the slab, subjected to whatever procedure the mindflayer was engaging in, stands up. His gaze is distant and unfocused, and he seems to pay no mind to the events occurring in the Hall of Instruction. He begins to shamble down the stairs at the back of the raised platform.

Crispy's turn.




Initiative
Sam
Kruhl
Dwarf (Green square with purple border for now)
Crispy
Floater/Shriekers
Abagail
Hawkes

"I've got a bad feeling about this...."

...yep, me too

Pyriannix "Crispy"

HP: 29/59
AC: 17
Hit Dice 4d8/7d6
Ki: (3/3)
Sorcery Points: (3/7)
Spells:
1st: (4/4)
2nd: (1/3)
3rd: (1/3)
4th:(1/1)
Spell DC: 15
Breath Weapon: 15' Cone of Fire 3d6 1/rest
DC: 12 vs Dex for 1/2 damage
Buffs:
Elemental Affinity: Add CHR bonus to fire spell damage (+3)

Crispy will continue his advance to the upper levels of the arena, pausing at the top of the stairs at M-18 to huck another Fire Bolt at the slimer at Q-27:

Fire Bolt
cantrip evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V S
Duration: Instantaneous
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard
You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried.
This spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th Level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Roll(1d20)+7:
10,+7
Total:17

Looks like a hit. Damage:
Roll(2d10)+3:
4,5,+3
Total:12

Press on to K-23 and end turn.

How tall is the statue that Abi's behind?



Abigail: Sea-Elf Fighter

AC: 18
HP: 74/74
Pass Perc: 14
Init: +5
Blessed: +1d4 to Attacks and Saves
Action Surge: 0

Avast ye ' scurvy dogs!

Ready to bring Renda back at the next convenient entry point. If it is still going to be a bit I may draft a new character instead of him.

Oh shite! I feel sorry for you all evil-doers now! Here comes our liardman barbarian!

Saurus ex-machina?

Chris wrote:Saurus ex-machina?

Lol, you guys on the ropes? I figured Id slide in after this encounter, but if needed can jump in sooner.

MAS wrote:

Chris wrote:Saurus ex-machina?

Lol, you guys on the ropes? I figured Id slide in after this encounter, but if needed can jump in sooner.

we have the current room under control, however

Josef909 wrote:You're all awesome. Can't wait to start killing everyone's characters off.

followed by:

Josef909 wrote:
As the spirit finally drains from the form of the mindlfayer, the party suddenly hears a chorus of howling calls from behind their position.  Deep and powerful in tone, and echoing from somewhere at the other end of the tunnels.  The Dwarven figure who once laid atop the slab, subjected to whatever procedure the mindflayer was engaging in, stands up.  His gaze is distant and unfocused, and he seems to pay no mind to the events occurring in the Hall of Instruction.  He begins to shamble down the stairs at the back of the raised platform.

this was just the exhibition round

Crispy takes the steps 2 at a time, slowing only to chuck another fiery ball at the pile of flesh. It lands squarely in one of the creature's many eyes, causing it to cry out and slouch to the ground, motionless. He continues onward towards Sam and Kruhl.

@Rob: I reckon the statue is roughly 20' at the top

@Matt: Heyo, friend! Before we talk about Renda making a recovery from the stomach bug (mustve eaten some bad lamb), are we sure you are able to stay with it?

I myself had a tooth extraction and bone graft done today, so I am feeling like my face got smashed with a bag of nickles.

The last remaining floater retreats behind the pulpit, out of view of everyone, including Hawkes. /wink

Abagail's turn




Initiative
Sam
Kruhl
Dwarf (Green square with purple border for now)
Crispy
Floater/Shriekers
Abagail
Hawkes

Since Abi no longer sees any more foes about, she makes a Dash action up the central staircase. She goes as far as she can go with 60' of movement.


Abigail: Sea-Elf Fighter

AC: 18
HP: 74/74
Pass Perc: 14
Init: +5
Blessed: +1d4 to Attacks and Saves
Action Surge: 0

@Matt: Heyo, friend!  Before we talk about Renda making a recovery from the stomach bug (mustve eaten some bad lamb), are we sure you are able to stay with it?

Sorry 'bout your face, dental work is the absolute worst. Heal up fast!

It is reasonable to me that you wouldn't be aware that we've traditionally been very flexible about people sliding in and out of games as needed over the last decade of forum play. That being said: I did not condition your participation on any pledge or posting pace when I invited you here to game as friends, I did not show back up trying to condition my participation on "Before we talk about me rejoining the group, are we sure you are able to GM at a reasonable pace?" or "are we sure the other players are able to stay with it", and I will not answer a challenge to my participation made in such a spirit. Not cool.

As for my recent lull in participation, when it became clear that I would not have consistent enough internet access to participate, I informed you directly. There has been ample time to address the situation since it occurred; if it caused deeper disruption/angst than I have been made aware of, nothing has been said, by anyone. If there is additional or unknown friction that needs to be resolved on this matter or others, lets clear it up. Consider that an invitation for anyone that might have something they need to get off their chest.

I'll post any additional OOG traffic in the appropriate thread.

Whoa.

I think you misunderstand the intent of my question. What it boils down to is, can I safely scale the difficulty up to accommodate a returning party member?

There has been no angst or friction or anything like that. Is there something deeper going on here?

Edit: I dont think my question was at all unfair either. I wasnt sure if you had a reliable internet connection.

Josef909 wrote:Whoa.

I think you misunderstand the intent of my question.  What it boils down to is, can I safely scale the difficulty up to accommodate a returning party member?

There has been no angst or friction or anything like that.  Is there something deeper going on here?

Edit:  I dont think my question was at all unfair either.  I wasnt sure if you had a reliable internet connection.

Yes, you can, and that is a fair question phrased as such. I Figured "I am back and ready to play at the nearest convenient point" was clear, ...Which is why I asked if there is something that needs to be resolved between us, because it seemed odd to me - my thought was "why question if the guy who just said he is ready to play is ready to play unless you're making a point". Let's call it honest crossed wires and forget about it.

Moving along then. Renda stumbles into the hall from the tunnels. Roll initiative.

Abagail may proceed.

Josef909 wrote:Abagail may proceed.

More specifically, she wants to get to the rubble at NE side of first staircase. Q-19 if she can. That depends whether she can move diagonally a 5' or 7.5' increments.

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +3" :

3 + 3 = 6

Will update/Enter stat block in portrait asap

Robyo wrote:
More specifically, she wants to get to the rubble at NE side of first staircase. Q-19 if she can. That depends whether she can move diagonally a 5' or 7.5' increments.

Yeah, diagonal movement also counts as 5', so by my count Abagail can make it to Q-19.

Hawkes is no longer subject to the Fear condition for his turn. Go ahead.




Initiative
Sam
Kruhl
Dwarf (Green square with purple border for now)
Crispy
Floater/Shriekers
Abagail
Hawkes
Renda

the noise of approaching doom came from the lower right corner of the map?

Yes, it clearly came from the other end of the tunnels.

Josef909 wrote:Yes, it clearly came from the other end of the tunnels.

So, DM Joe, stop me if you think this in inappropriate....

Josh and I were talking this weekend about the general lack of coordination within the party. We have seen this for years on the forum. I know part of it is just the pace which can't be changed.

We also discussed another aspect, which is the absence of "table talk" since we aren't actually all sitting around the same table to plan our efforts as a group. I would like to try and get back to playing as a group a bit more, if we can.

TABLE TALK: we need to flip our positions on the map, to defend the high ground and try to bottleneck the emerging enemies from the tunnels.

there is still 1 floater thing and 1 dwarf zombie thing behind the alter to finish off in order to clear our (new) rear position

Kruhl is happy to be the plug at the gate, if the rest of you want to provide crowd control and fire support?

other thoughts or suggestions?

maybe our fearful fearless leader Hawkes can bark commands?

I think a bit of table talk is great actually, and I encourage it, but would prefer it to make narrative sense. That is to say, if something would be understandably established through the history of the characters previously, or if it can be part of the characters interacting during play. Devising a complex strategy or tactics that rely on each other doing certain things without the characters themselves planning seems out of place and antithetical to roleplaying though.

Does that make sense and seem fair?

Edit: if the group were to hear these noises coming from the tunnels, it seems to make sense narratively that they would want to establish favorable positions, so any planning of that sort seems to be fair game.

that makes complete sense Joe.

Sam will pipe up "we need to kill the rest of this lot and block that damned tunnel!" He says this as he wipes the tentacle "juice" off of his face with his sleeve.

"Bloody damned squids...."

Renda can take his turn while Hawkes is on delay.

Renda emerges from the tunnels, having found his way by virtue of a crudely drawn map from the Proctor. He heard the clamoring howls from the other end of the tunnels as his nose directed him to the Hall of Instruction as well as the voices of his party. As he enters the hall, he sees his clan and a cadre of recently dispatched enemies.

Stat block on sidebar.

Renda will Dash to get as close to Sam and Kruhl as he can, with 90 ft of move. Bonus action to initiate rage.

---

Just as mysteriously as Renda vanished during the earlier fight, he suddenly appears again, sprinting forward to feast on his Clan's foes...

Captain Hawkes

AC AC 18
Hp 74/74

Spell save 15
Passive perception 14
Passive insight 17
Spell Resistance
Cannot be surprised
Immune to stun

Spells:
1:4
2:3 x
3:2 x

Inspiration 3 x
Maneuvers 4 x
Adv. persuade 1
Adv. Con save 1
Wand 7

Bless 10 rounds xxxX
+1d4 to attack and save

“This is silly, it’s just a blob with eyes.” Hawkes makes his way further up the ramp to P-20, dashing. “Good thing, I stayed aft, I hear something coming. Regroup and clear the deck of this vermin!”

@ Matt:  I tried a few different paths for renda and unless you can see otherwise, it seems the furthest he can get is by taking the difficult terrain NW and them proceeding up the stairs.  Let me know if you can find a more efficient route.

Renda springs into action, hustling as quickly as he can towards the largest contingent of the party and working himself up into a frothy rage.  

Hawkes follows suit, issuing the order to finish off the enemy as he pushed towards the upper level via ramp.

Top of the Round
An unfamiliar voice rings through the Hall, echoing behind the platform.  Deep and gruff, it sounds like it could've been from a male Dwarf.  Whoda thunk it?  An incantation is spoken and the wall at the back of the room shakes.  What once appeared to be nothing more than a wall of stone begins shifting as an opening appears.  The opening is dark with only the slightest source of light in the area that lies beyond.

Sam's turn




Initiative
Sam
Kruhl
Dwarf (Green square with purple border for now)
Crispy
Floater/Shriekers
Abagail
Hawkes
Renda

Josef909 wrote:
Top of the Round
 What once appeared to be nothing more than a wall of stone begins shifting as an opening appears.  The opening is dark with only the slightest source of light in the area that lies beyond.

where is this on the map?

"I'm beginning to think we need that damned chest they showed us"

WE still have a target right?

Sam will launch a Firebolt at the remaining baddie

Roll(1d20)+6:
10,+6
Total:16

Not sure if that hits or not.  

Damage if it does:

Roll(2d10)+0:
10,7,+0
Total:17

Sam is done for now:

AC: 19
+2 Studded Leather:
Saves: Dex. & Int. Immune to Magical Sleep and Advantage vs. Charm spells
HP: 84; -18
Movement: 30’
Initiative: +5

only two remaining spell slots - 1st and 2nd (1 of each) and 1 remaining use of luck

....and I forgot to move Sam (which was intended) - please place him at F-35

@chris: I forgot to mark it on the map. The opening is created on the wall behind the pulpit. It is roughly 10'' wide and 15' tall.

Josef909 wrote:@chris:  I forgot to mark it on the map.  The opening is created on the wall behind the pulpit.  It is roughly 10'' wide and 15' tall.

thanks!

Kruhl has spent so many actions running around, I wanted to know which way to go next

Chris wrote:

Josef909 wrote:@chris:  I forgot to mark it on the map.  The opening is created on the wall behind the pulpit.  It is roughly 10'' wide and 15' tall.

thanks!

Kruhl has spent so many actions running around, I wanted to know which way to go next

The wonders of a large battlemap. I have indicated on the map where the opening has been created, using the same colors as those marking the Dwarf.

Sam moves northwest, slowing only to hurl a firebolt at the last floater. The smoldering dart smashes into the creature and it wails in pain as it takes its first damage of the battle. 30' of movement gets him to F-33.

Kruhl is up.




Initiative
Sam
Kruhl
Dwarf (Green square with purple border for now)
Crispy
Floater/Shriekers
Abagail
Hawkes
Renda

That's fine, if we were around a table it would be an easy fix, and so shall it be here. Where would you like sam to end his turn?

Whoops, I edited your move request. My bad.

See above. Bad DM.

no, good DM - dumb player. lol

I had actually meant for Sam to move to F-27, but somehow that got mixed up. Your call man

Thanks for the update!
Just to clear, the noise we heard came from that opening? Or was there also noise in tunnels behind us? (Direction of W)

@Chris: the chorus of howls you heard when the mindflayer died echoed from the tunnels that you used to enter the hall. The dwarven voice you heard prior to the wall opening up was that of the dwarf descending the stairs to the back of the podium.

@Josh: I will adjust Sam to F-27 on the next map update.

"Incoming!"  Kruhl shouts as he moves to plug the new doorway


As a bonus action, Kruhl casts Shield of Faith on himself which ends his concentration on Bless.

Shield of Faith
1 Abjuration

   Casting Time: 1 bonus action
   Range: 60 feet
   Components: V S M (A small parchment with a bit of holy text written on it)
   Duration: Up to 10 minutes
   Classes: Cleric, Paladin
   A shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.

Chris wrote:Kruhl

saves:  Cha +12, Wis +8, all +4 from aura.  Dex +9 (shield master)
Passive Perception 14
Auras:  Protection (cha to all saves 10ft) and Hatred (+cha damage fiends\undead 10ft)
Spell\channel save DC = 16

AC =  20   (breastplate +1, shield +1, dex +2)
HP: 82/82

Paladin Spells
1st = 2/4
2nd = 2/3

Warlock 2/2

HP: 87/87
AC:  22 (shield of faith)  1\100 rds duration (10 minutes)

Kruhl advances to K-34 which puts him in range of both the floater and the dwarf.

Kruhl will attack twice with his warhammer, starting with the injured Floater, then the dwarf if the floater dies

warhammer +2 =  +10 1d8+12  x2 attacks

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +10" :

4 + 10 = 14

if that hits,  damage

Result of the throw of dice "1d8 +12" :

2 + 12 = 14


2nd swing

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +10" :

17 + 10 = 27

if that hits, damage

Result of the throw of dice "1d8 +12" :

7 + 12 = 19


Kruhl is finished

The words of Proctor Gamble rise up into Kruhl's memory as he considers his target... "Unfortunately, Magister Vellum would have the greatest ability to unlock the secrets of the artifact, but he was turned donkey-brained when the Mindflayer launched their counterattack at the temple. Nobody has seen him since then and I can only assume he is either enslaved, turned by mindmagic, or dead." and "Go to the temple, destroy the evil, and bring back Vellum if you can. It would be considered a grand gesture to our people and you would be handsomely rewarded. That is how you all can help us."

He moves towards the floater with purpose, bringing his warhammer down upon the creature. The first attack glances off his enemy (AC15), but he realigns the arc of his swing and makes good with his second attempt.

Dwarf's turn coming later tonight.




Initiative
Sam
Kruhl
Dwarf (Green square with purple border for now)
Crispy
Floater/Shriekers
Abagail
Hawkes
Renda