What is and Should Never Be

As the arrow strikes, it almost seems as if the adjacent bush grows brambles that grab the assassin. He lets out a surprised gasp but seems resolute.

Nobody sees the other attackers but there is melee combat evident on the front of the carriage.
Marvin should be in column 14 as he is outside of the carriage.

Initiative:

30 Marvin
20. Vasily
19. Qhu

16. Assassins!
Please include a perception check with each turn but don’t wait for the result.

Marvin is up again.

Perception:
Wed Apr 12 2023 07:15:38 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 13, + 10, TOTAL: 23

Marvin will tuck into the gap between bushes at I-14 and fire two arrows (w/ADV) at the Ass-in at E-16:

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:20:37 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 12 to total : 12, + 12, TOTAL: 24

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:20:36 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 12 to total : 6, + 12, TOTAL: 18

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:20:36 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 12 to total : 12, + 12, TOTAL: 24

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:20:35 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 12 to total : 17, + 12, TOTAL: 29

Assuming 24 and 29 hit:

Damage1 w/SA:

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:22:40 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 3d6 + 7 to total : 4, 4, 1, + 7, TOTAL: 16
Rolling line 2 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 2, TOTAL: 2

Damage 2 w/CS:

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:23:21 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d6 + 7 to total : 6, + 7, TOTAL: 13
Rolling line 2 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 2, TOTAL: 2
Rolling line 3 : 1d8 + 0 to total : 5, TOTAL: 5

34 piercing, 4 poison

Marvin will infuse the second arrow with another Arcane Shot:

Bursting Arrow. You imbue your arrow with force energy drawn from the school of evocation. The arrow detonates after your attack. Immediately after the arrow hits the creature, the target and all other creatures within 10 feet of it take 2d6 force damage each.

Damage:

Wed Apr 12 2023 07:26:17 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 2d6 + 0 to total : 2, 2, TOTAL: 4

So 42 total damage.

Marvin will use his remaining movement and Bonus Action to Dash to F-20

Thump thump kaboom, go Marvin’s arrows. The burst seems to distort reality. Resonating force ripples through the blast radius, tearing molecules asunder. The bush is also torn apart. 

Initiative:

30 Marvin
20. Vasily
19. Qhu

16. Assassins!
Please include a perception check with each turn but don’t wait for the result.

Big V is up.

Perception:
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 14, + 5, TOTAL: 19

Vasyli will charge at the baddie at M 9 and punch twice:

Mon Apr 17 2023 12:54:04 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 11 to total : 9, + 11, TOTAL: 20

Mon Apr 17 2023 12:54:03 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 11 to total : 10, + 11, TOTAL: 21

2 hits?

if they both hit:

Gauntlet Attack: +11 to hit; 1d8 Thunder damage +1d4 Acid damage +1d6 Radiant damage, +7

Mon Apr 17 2023 12:59:28 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d6 + 0 to total : 3, TOTAL: 3

Mon Apr 17 2023 12:59:23 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 2, TOTAL: 2

Mon Apr 17 2023 12:59:04 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d8 + 7 to total : 6, + 7, TOTAL: 13

18 on the first hit

Mon Apr 17 2023 13:00:17 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d6 + 0 to total : 1, TOTAL: 1

Mon Apr 17 2023 13:00:12 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 2, TOTAL: 2

Mon Apr 17 2023 13:00:00 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d8 + 7 to total : 6, + 7, TOTAL: 13

16 on the second hit

34 total if they both hit. Vasyli should be at M-10

Stat Block
AC: 23/ +2 Full Plate Armor, +1 Shield
HP: 91
Movement: 30’
Initiative: +1 w/ advantage
Passive Perception: 15
Saves: Int. +9, Con. +7, Str +2, Dex and Wis +1, Cha -1
Flash of Genius: +5 to any ability check or save (including allies within 30’)/ 5 uses
Shatter stored in Armor – 10 uses
Spell Refueling Ring – Unused
Mind Sharpener Robes – 4 charges

done

as always, let me know if the map is wrong

Qhu is up

Perception
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +5" :

3 + 5 = 8


"Why did everyone leave me?  How rude.  I don't want to be stuck with this assassin here either."

Qhu weaves repulsive magic and casts Eldritch Blast at K-17 baddie

3 rays
Eldritch Blast (x3) +11  1d10+5 +10ft push


Rolling "1d20 +11" 3 times

1: 9 + 11 = 20
2: 15 + 11 = 26
3: 2 + 11 = 13

damage for any of those that hit

Rolling "1d10 +5" 3 times

1: 1 + 5 = 6
2: 2 + 5 = 7
3: 7 + 5 = 12

plus a 10ft push directly away from Qhu per ray that hit.


holding remaining move and bonus action until I see if I moved him at all

Qhu’s target goes poof into a cloud of smoke leaving a log on his place. The log goes flying 15’ in the proscribed direction according to the spell.

You May finish your turn.

"Well.... you don't see that everyday!"
Qhu turns his attention to the baddie in the trees at Q-17

Qhu uses 2 sorcerer points to Quicken Evard's Black Tentacles, target at P\Q 16\17

Black Tentacles
Squirming, ebony tentacles fill a 20-foot square on ground that you can see within range. For the duration, these tentacles turn the ground in the area into difficult terrain.

When a creature enters the affected area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, the creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 bludgeoning damage and be restrained by the tentacles until the spell ends. A creature that starts its turn in the area and is already restrained by the tentacles takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage.

A creature restrained by the tentacles can use its action to make a Strength or Dexterity check (its choice) against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.

baddie takes 3d6b now and must make a Dex save or be restrained and again on the start of his turn, which is next I believe, so here is damage twice, 2 saves needed, unless he fails, then he is already restrained and just takes the damage

Rolling "3d6" 2 times

1: 1 + 4 + 2 = 7
2: 6 + 1 + 3 = 10

Qhu will hop out of the wagon at J-16 trying to use both it and the tree for some cover.

Qhu is done

map update

Chris wrote:QHU's STAT BLOCK

HP: 79/79
AC:  20
PP: 15
Sorc pts: 7/9
saves:  Cha +9  Con +7, ADV concentration, ADV all Int\Wis\Cha
resistant to psychic dmg
Spell DC = 8+cha+prof+1 = 18

Sorcerer Spell slots
4/4
3/3
3/3
2/3
1/1

Warlock spell slots
2/2

Sorry, Qhu doesn’t see that guy, but the ones to the north or west are fair game.

navyik wrote:Sorry, Qhu doesn’t see that guy, but the ones to the north or west are fair game.

Ok, but you said Qhu knew where everybody was

navyik wrote:Marvin is sure he saw where those baddies were when he glanced out the carriage window, but he was wrong. The baddie he is after is at I-16 in the bush.

Vasily saw the guy disappear and heard a rustling in the bush. Qhu knows where everyone is.

I know that was posted a couple weeks ago, but this is Qhu's first action and the baddies haven't moved at all yet.

Oops, I forgot about his natural 20. Okay. Fire away.

The guy at M9 does seem pretty beat up. He makes weird motions with his hands. “Fire style! Fireball Jutsu!” Then he breathes a ball of fire that incinerates the brambles holding him.

Big V must make a dex save for half damage vs 32 fire damage.

Then the assassin disengages and breaks line of sight behind the flaming bushes.

———————————————
Suddenly Qhu is attacked from above by the guy who appeared to turn into a log. He lands at I-16 like a battletech death from above and strikes as an unseen attacker with advantage.
Rolling "1d20 +6" 2 times

1: 15 + 6 = 21
2: 6 + 6 = 12

Result of the throw of dice "5d6 +3" :

5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 16

Poison

Result of the throw of dice "7d6" :

1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 5 = 22
DC 15 con save for half damage

Make a concentration check for the tentacles.

The guy makes a second attack which Qhu reads like a book and dodges matter of factly.
———————————

The guy at E16 breaks line of sight. Marvin knows he’s being flanked. His attacker doesn’t gain advantage, but attacks twice from E20.
Rolling "1d20 +6" 2 times

1: 5 + 6 = 11
2: 15 + 6 = 21 hit!

Damage
Result of the throw of dice "1d6 +3"

2 + 3 = 5

Poison DC 15 con save for half

Result of the throw of dice "7d6"

4 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 22

Everyone has lost sight of the guy in the tentacles. Qhu is sure the guy WAS there, but not sure now.

————————-

I need saves and reactions from everyone. I will arbitrate once they’re all submitted and then I will announce the beginning of the second round.

Also, if you have an argument, please submit the saves and reactions as though you will lose and as though you will win. It will be faster to move on after a decision is reached that way.

Qhu senses the intention of the strike before the blow lands and uses his Reaction to cast Shield which raises his ac to 25. That should avoid the saves, but as requested

Vs poison con +7
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 7 to total : 15, + 7, TOTAL: 22

Concentration w adv from cowl of the mind
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 7 to total : 15, + 7, TOTAL: 22

Wed Apr 19 2023 22:48:44 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 7 to total : 2, + 7, TOTAL: 9

Qhu successfully defends against the attack!

I think the RAW would let you use shield unless surprised. So even though you didn’t see the attack coming, you caught it just in time out of the corner of your eye.

Marvin’s CON:
Thu Apr 20 2023 06:22:57 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 1 to total : 18, + 1, TOTAL: 19

Does that halve the 5 or the 22 or all of it?

Assuming that was a melee attack and the Assassin ended its turn adjacent, Marvin will use his Skirmisher reaction to move 10’ away to F-22 (no AoO).

GM - I need enemy positions for the map, please.

I got 1 at i 16

The guy at m9 used an Action for a spell, bonus action disengage i assume and a move. So V would see where he moved prior to breaking LoS and he cant move further without being seen, since he has no more actions to Hide. Hide isnt invisible anyways, as we all know

You said Marvin is flanked... So there are 2 enemies there? Locations?

And can you describe what the guy in the tentacles did? Qhu could see him prior to his action. Was he restrained by the initial spell or starting his turn there? Did he take damage? Did he wave his arms, speak magic and cast a spell (if not restrained) and teleport away? Did he step behind a tree?

Remember we can know what square someone is in without having LoS.

Vasyli's Dex Save:

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 1 to total : 3, + 1, TOTAL: 4

Ok, bombed that roll. lol.... but that's why the Artificer is just awesome.

Vasyli will use his reaction to cast Absorb Elements:

1st-level abjuration

Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you take acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 round

The spell captures some of the incoming energy, lessening its effect on you and storing it for your next melee attack. You have resistance to the triggering damage type until the start of your next turn. Also, the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell ends.

Resistance is half damage; so big V takes 16 Fire damage and has an extra 1d6 fire damage on his next hit (for only the next round)

Stats:
AC: 23/ +2 Full Plate Armor, +1 Shield
HP: 91/ -16
Movement: 30’
Initiative: +1 w/ advantage
Passive Perception: 15
Saves: Int. +9, Con. +7, Str +2, Dex and Wis +1, Cha -1
Flash of Genius: +5 to any ability check or save (including allies within 30’)/ 5 uses
Shatter stored in Armor – 10 uses
Spell Refueling Ring – Unused
Mind Sharpener Robes – 4 charges
1 1st level spell slot used

Chris wrote:GM - I need enemy positions for the map, please.  

I got 1 at i 16

The guy at m9 used an Action for a spell, bonus action disengage i assume and a move.  So V would see where he moved prior to breaking LoS and he cant move further without being seen, since he has no more actions to Hide.  Hide isnt invisible anyways, as we all know

You said Marvin is flanked... So there are 2 enemies there?  Locations?

And can you describe what the guy in the tentacles did?  Qhu could see him prior to his action.  Was he restrained by the initial spell or starting his turn there?  Did he take damage?  Did he wave his arms, speak magic and cast a spell (if not restrained) and teleport away?  Did he step behind a tree?  

Remember we can know what square someone is in without having LoS.  

Just 1 guy by Marvin. I was not useing flank as a technical term but to illustrate that the guy was going around the back way.

I’m playing the foliage differently in my mind than you are. In my minds eye, the entire bush-tree thingy blocks los. You seem to be envisioning a canopy with clearance underneath. Let’s go with mine.

Put Josh’s baddie at s-7

Leave the guy in the tentacles. He appeared to be in a bit of trouble as Qhu moved away. He might still be there…

navyik wrote:
Just 1 guy by Marvin. I was not useing flank as a technical term but to illustrate that the guy was going around the back way.

I’m playing the foliage differently in my mind than you are. In my minds eye, the entire bush-tree thingy blocks los. You seem to be envisioning a canopy with clearance underneath. Let’s go with mine.

Put Josh’s baddie at s-7

Leave the guy in the tentacles.  He appeared to be in a bit of trouble as Qhu moved away. He might still be there…

let me know if this is not correct





ok, I see what you are saying about the bushes. so, was Qhu able to hop off the wagon and into a bush?
did his attacker completely lose LoS on Qhu when he entered the bush?

Marvin should be at F-22

Qhu’s attacker had no trouble maintaining his acquired target. If I have to explain every detail of why a baddie can do something that you can’t do, it will really take away from the mystery and the fun. Would you like a list of all of their abilities, feats, and spells?

Qhu appears to be squeezing into the space where the bush is brushing up against the wagon he is obscured.

For the sake of clarity let’s say that you can move through squares freely that partially touch the bushes. LOS is affected by a full square of bush. If you are adjacent to someone in the same bush, you have LOS. If you’re non-adjacent but in the same bush, you know where the others are in the same bush unless they have beaten your perception with stealth.

navyik wrote: If I have to explain every detail of why a baddie can do something that you can’t do, it will really take away from the mystery and the fun. Would you like a list of all of their abilities, feats, and spells?

A description of what objects are on a map and how they interact would be helpful though, as it avoids lots of extra questions, answers and general confusion.

Those are bushes, not trees
Bushes block 100% LoS
They guy ran south when V lost sight of him (not - he just vanishes)

I am sorry if I am coming across as being a dick. Its more like frustrating not "fun and mysterious" to not be on the same page as the DM, not follow what is happening and also deal with the slow pace of the forum. The pace gets further bogged down with above mentioned Q and A instead of advancing the scene.

I do appreciate that you are running the game and I am trying to go with the flow. Game on!

Who's turn is it anyways???

I don’t think you’re being a dick, it’s just our MO to rules lawyer. I don’t have the time or energy to prepare thoroughly to the standard we typically enjoy. I was burned out on several fronts before we started. I’m trying to improvise adapt and overcome, but I don’t know 5e well enough to do it well.

Top of the round:
30 Marvin
20. Vasily
19. Qhu

16. Assassins!

Initiative:

30 Marvin
20. Vasily
19. Qhu

16. Assassins!

Perception:
Mon Apr 24 2023 07:09:13 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 8, + 10, TOTAL: 18

From his stated position at F-22 Marvin will use his Bonus Action to cast Hunter’s Mark on the Ass-in at E-20, then retreat to E-25 where he should have line of sight.
Hunter’s Mark:
You choose a creature you can see within range and mystically mark it as your quarry. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 damage to the target whenever you hit it with a weapon attack, and you have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check you make to find it. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to mark a new creature.

He’ll fire two arrows at the baddie at E-20
Mon Apr 24 2023 07:12:45 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 12 to total : 15, + 12, TOTAL: 27

Mon Apr 24 2023 07:12:45 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 12 to total : 9, + 12, TOTAL: 21

Assuming two hits:
Damage 1 w/HM & CS:
Mon Apr 24 2023 07:14:35 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 2d6 + 7 to total : 1, 4, + 7, TOTAL: 12
Rolling line 2 : 1d8 + 0 to total : 1, TOTAL: 1
Rolling line 3 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 1, TOTAL: 1
Adding Bursting Arrow (10’ radius) to that mess:
Mon Apr 24 2023 07:18:15 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 2d6 + 0 to total : 5, 2, TOTAL: 7
Damage2, also w/ Bursting Arrow:
Mon Apr 24 2023 07:20:18 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d6 + 7 to total : 4, + 7, TOTAL: 11
Rolling line 2 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 3, TOTAL: 3
Rolling line 3 : 2d6 + 0 to total : 5, 2, TOTAL: 7

23 piercing, 4 poison, 14 force. 41 total damage.

Stats:
Need results of Marvin’s damage save from last turn, please Mr. DM

Marvin’s save halved the 22 to 11 damage.

The Assassin takes an arrow to the shoulder and the thigh with a grunt, but his red eyes are resolute in their contact with Marvin’s.

V is up.

Alright, let's get nasty....

Vasyli will cast Haste on himself.

Choose a willing creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, the target’s speed is doubled, it gains a +2 bonus to AC, it has advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and it gains an additional action on each of its turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action.
When the spell ends, the target can’t move or take actions until after its next turn, as a wave of lethargy sweeps over it.

Can Vasyli actually see any of the baddies to the south?

navyik wrote:I don’t think you’re being a dick, it’s just our MO to rules lawyer. I don’t have the time or energy to prepare thoroughly to the standard we typically enjoy.  I was burned out on several fronts before we started. I’m trying to improvise adapt and overcome, but I don’t know 5e well enough to do it well.

I appreciate the conversation and I am glad you were not offended.  My personal insulation has been thin-to-frayed lately too, so I understand.  

Just to say it...  you are under no obligation to continue being GM.  We all understood when Mike had to stop running the game due to that pesky "real life".   If you are not in a place to do it either, its ok to just say so.  Personally, I like forum gaming for connecting with my old buddies and to have fun.  If this isn't accomplishing BOTH of those goals, we should all re-evaluate the situation.  

options:

Josh mentioned concluding the tale.  time and energy to do so?

we could take a pause in general for a set time and then reconvene - 2 weeks?  30 days?

Matt mentioned interest in trying to run a sci-fi game based on the Hostile system.  I have the basic rules and he shared links to more books.  It's a very simple system and cool setting based on 80's and 90's sci-fi\horror movies.  think - The Thing, Alien, Event Horizon, the Sphere, Blade Runner, etc

I would run a PF2e short game, like 1-2 quick levels with custom characters, that may or may not continue later after 5e wraps up in the future.  I have 20+ published adventures and all the books in pdf to share.  It is very similar to 5e in many ways, enough to get started quickly and learn as you go.  There are even pre-gen characters if you don't want to mess with character building.  



also, map

Marvin’s stats:

HP: 62/78
AC: 20
Attacks: 2
PP: 15

Saves:
STR +5
DEX +9
CON +1
INT +1
WIS +3
CHR +1

Spell Save: 15
Spell Attack: +6
Spell Slots:
1st: 3/4
2nd: 2/2

Arrows: 30/34

V saw his attacker go that way but lost LOS. He also knows that something is up where the tentacles appear above the brush intermittently.
Perception check?

Perception check:

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 13, + 5, TOTAL: 18

V is pretty sure he can tell where the baddie that ran is.

ok, since he has doubled movement, full steam ahead to the spot where the baddie should be. I would think he'd be in range?

(just to cut to the chase on this)

If he sees the baddie, he will attack once.

hu Apr 27 2023 22:11:57 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 11 to total : 14, + 11, TOTAL: 25

I will assume that hits, if that assumption is correct

Thunder and bonus damage:

Thu Apr 27 2023 22:12:41 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d8 + 7 to total : 8, + 7, TOTAL: 15

heh

Acid damage:
Thu Apr 27 2023 22:13:19 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d4 + 0 to total : 3, TOTAL: 3

Fire damage:(w/ Absorb Elements bonus
Thu Apr 27 2023 22:17:11 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 2d6 + 0 to total : 3, 6, TOTAL: 9

total of 27 damage on him/her/it

Stat Block:

AC: 25/ +2 Full Plate Armor, +1 Shield - Hasted +2
HP: 91/ -16
Movement: 30’
Initiative: +1 w/ advantage
Passive Perception: 15
Saves: Int. +9, Con. +7, Str +2, Dex and Wis +1, Cha -1
Flash of Genius: +5 to any ability check or save (including allies within 30’)/ 5 uses
Shatter stored in Armor – 10 uses
Spell Refueling Ring – Unused
Mind Sharpener Robes – 4 charges
1 1st and 1 3rd level slot used

11 days.....

Sorry. I didn’t intend to check out. I’m just completely unmotivated. I have no excuse other than that I’m leaving it all on the field every day at work and come home with zero administrative initiative.

No worries, it happens!
Lets move to the out of game char

Big V rounds the bush and unleashes a hail of elemental destruction on the shocked shinobi. After the attack he sees a burning smoldering log 🪵 lying on the ground where the Assassin had stood!

Does V have further actions or reactions? If not, Qhu is up.

so its dead?

No further actions for Vasyli

If this story is not continuing.... I really have no motivation to slog through a fight at 1 turn every few days or weeks.

Chris wrote:If this story is not continuing.... I really have no motivation to slog through a fight at 1 turn every few days or weeks.  

Fair enough. 🤪

I am curious about the "assassin turns into a log when hit" puzzle though.

I was planning to have Qhu ready an action to interrupt on their turn, since it seems like hitting them our turns triggers the disappearing\teleporting\illusion reaction.