chapter 3 - The Ranger's Request

Herger, Z, Jace, Grim is the crawling order?

Herger has the EB torch in 1 hand and his sword or shield in the other?  

Any other preparations?

@Alan - you can do something if you want retroactively, in case you don't get to log in before these guys make all the decision

if not, it would look like this




same as before...




stopping at the point of contact with Herger

Herr Viking?

Position Grim behind Herger in front of the soft targets (deferring to Zontreaux’s preference) and cast guidance on Herger for his next saving throw.

navyik wrote:Position Grim behind Herger in front of the soft targets (deferring to Zontreaux’s preference) and cast guidance on Herger for his next saving throw.

done and done

until any actions trigger certain responses, we will just go in order of the party in the tunnel, as the guy in front kinda has to move or do something to make room. once the encounter triggers, we will of course roll proper initiative


Herger?

shield in one hand, torch in the other... he'll probably drop it in the cave when he gets there so he can get his sword out

whit10 wrote:shield in one hand, torch in the other... he'll probably drop it in the cave when he gets there so he can get his sword out

please refer to the map, you are "there" and in the cave.  what do you want to do?


with Grim 2nd now

toss the torch into the middle of the room, move out of the way (f-6) and draw sword

The mutant wolves turn their ears at the sound of the torch hitting the ground but otherwise continue to snarl menacingly at Herger as he moves to F-6 and draws his sword.










Grim is next in line

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 27/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

Grim exits the conga line of a$$ to F-5, raises shield and draws axe.  He gives Herger a look of solidarity.

navyik wrote:Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 27/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

Grim exits the conga line of a$$ to F-5, raises shield and draws axe.  He gives Herger a look of solidarity.

1-2-3 actions


Grim forms up and makes a shield wall with Herger.  Grim's presence triggers a response from the mutants.  










Roll initiative!



mutant wolves

Rolling "1d20 +9" 2 times

1: 13 + 9 = 22
2: 5 + 9 = 14

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 27/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

Initiative
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +6" :

10 + 6 = 16

Wed Sep 13 2023 08:33:45 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 7 to total : 15, + 7, TOTAL: 22

HP: 32/32
AC: 19 - 21 w/ reaction
Fort: 5
Reflex: 10
Will: 5
Move: 25’ +5 w/ panache
Initiative/Perception: +5

Initiative Declined: "After You"

---

AHSOKA E5 was amazing!!!

Jace
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +6" :

8 + 6 = 14


Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1 22
Grimgar 16
Mutant wolf 2 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *



Herger is up


all, please remember stat blocks. thanks

Herger will move 10' towards the wolf at E-5 and attack with a normal strike (due to movement)

Wed Sep 13 2023 10:50:40 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 8, + 10, TOTAL: 18

assuming that hits...

Wed Sep 13 2023 10:51:22 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d8 + 4 to total : 6, + 4, TOTAL: 10

raise shield

Stat Block:

AC: 22 (w/shield)
HP: 32 (currently full)
Fort: 8
Reflex: 8
Will: 5
Movement: 20' - currently in rough terrain

Herger moves en passante and takes a swing at the nearest mutant but his sword cannot find a good angle with all the roots impeding his strike.  miss!


The wolf seems to sense Herger's motion and it bites at him (twice) with jaws that drip acid....

Melee [one-action] jaws +11, Damage 1d8+4 piercing plus 1d6 acid

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +11" :

9 + 11 = 20

miss!

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +6" :

9 + 6 = 15

miss!

 blind wolves are blind, news at 11






Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1 - 22
Grimgar 16
Mutant wolf 2 - 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *



Grimgar is up

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 27/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

Move to E-6 (or D-6 if it isn’t overly precarious)
swing on the same wolf.
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

14 + 8 = 22

Damage
Result of the throw of dice "1d8 +4" :

2 + 4 = 6
Raise shield

A dwarf should get a pass on the low ceiling…

navyik wrote:A dwarf should get a pass on the low ceiling…

Respectfully, you are asking to ignore size RAW. This encounter was built to hinder medium creatures, and Grim is a medium creature.

As a small creature, I've got to burn slot for a feat/ability to "get a pass" on being able to grapple the same size creatures as a medium creature, so that's systemically a big ask.

Maybe an ability or feat something slot might be applied - "Slight": medium creature but treated as small for movement purposes.

I made an update this morning but it doesn't seem to have saved..... fugggggg


I don't disagree with the logic behind the suggestion for Grim.  However, by that same logic, the wolves should also get a pass since they are built low to the ground.  Also, its their den, so they should get a pass.

The encounter is designed this way for a reason, so let's play it that way as it hinders both sides.

The wolf hit Grim once and missed once.

It did 3 piercing and 2 acid, then used its follow up ability

Tear [one-action] Trigger The wolf dealt damage to a creature with its jaws during the previous action. Effect The wolf tears at the creature’s flesh, dealing 1d6+2 slashing damage and 1 persistent acid damage.

for another 5 slashing and 1 persistent acid (remember flat check at the end of your turn)


Grim can use the shield block on 1 source of damage, but not both.  Since the bite causes both piercing and acid, he will still "take damage" and get the "Tear" effect either way.  blocking the Tear is probably the better move


Jace has to Stride x2, due to difficult terrain and then activates his Arcane Ward, giving Grim and Herger +1 AC







Zontreaux is up

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 22/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

Grim blocks the tear, which then presumably prevents the persistent acid?

Not actually arguing against the rule, which is why I made my move. Just grumbling that short guys should be able to do short guy stuff. Already getting taxed for using an Axe instead of a sword…

navyik wrote:
Grim blocks the tear, which then presumably prevents the persistent acid?

If an effect deals initial damage in addition to persistent damage, apply immunities, resistances, and weaknesses separately to the initial damage and to the persistent damage. Usually, if an effect negates the initial damage, it also negates the persistent damage, such as with a slashing weapon that also deals persistent bleed damage because it cut you. The GM might rule otherwise in some situations.


correct!

I think Josh figured this out last time



Zontreaux is still up

HP: 32/32
AC: 19 - 21 w/ reaction*
Fort: 5
Reflex: 10
Will: 5
Move: 25’ +5 w/ panache
Initiative/Perception: +5
Panache: Active (+5 move, +1 to trip, shove, grapple)

---

AP 1: Spent on After you

AP 2: STRIDE to D3 (2 15-ft diagonal moves)

AP 3: Whip Attack/TRIP vs target @ D5

Athletics +1 vs Reflex DC
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

11 + 8 = 19

---

Zontreax scowls in disgust at this place that reminds him so much of his whelpage.

Mutant wolf reflex save +11


so the DC is 10 +11 = 21

Zontreaux cracks his nasty whip but the four-legged foe is having none of his shenanigans

Chris wrote:
Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1  (-6hp) - 22
Grimgar 16     22/28
Mutant wolf 2 - 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *

Herger is up!

Let's dispatch this foul beast....

1st attack:

Fri Sep 15 2023 09:16:47 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 18, + 10, TOTAL: 28

I would think that hits....

Damage:

Fri Sep 15 2023 09:17:20 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d8 + 4 to total : 4, + 4, TOTAL: 8

2nd attack:

Fri Sep 15 2023 09:17:56 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 14, + 5, TOTAL: 19

not sure if that hits, if so....

Fri Sep 15 2023 09:18:25 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d8 + 4 to total : 5, + 4, TOTAL: 9

Raise Shield

AC: 23 (w/shield)
HP: 32 (currently full)
Fort: 8
Reflex: 8
Will: 5
Movement: 20' - currently in rough terrain

AC is 19, so 2 hits.... dang, too bad about the 28 only 1 pt off a crit....  +2 for flatfooted\flanking would have done it or even Aid from someone

anyways, 17 very respectable damage to the injured mutant wolfie


It appears very much still in this fight, even having taken 23 total damage so far.  grrr, yip yip

2 bites back at Herger, with the Tear if either hits

Melee [one-action] jaws +11, Damage 1d8+4 piercing plus 1d6 acid

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +11" :

2 + 11 = 13




Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +6" :

12 + 6 = 18

 mine dice hath abandoned me

Chris wrote:
Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1  (-23hp) - 22
Grimgar 16     22/28
Mutant wolf 2 - 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *

map is unchanged


Grimgar is up

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 22/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

1. Grim takes a swing at the same target. I believe he is flanking unless the whip rules differ in some way.
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

14 + 8 = 22

Damage
Result of the throw of dice "1d8 +4" :

1 + 4 = 5

2.

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

19 + 8 = 27 -5 =22

Damage

Result of the throw of dice "1d8 +4" :

7 + 4 = 11

3. Raise shield

YES - Grim gets flanking from Zontreaux's presence in a straight line since his whip has reach.

Grim took 0 damage, per convo on rules page, updated

Chris wrote:
Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1  (-39hp) - 22
Grimgar 16    
Mutant wolf 2 - 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *

Grim hacks away at the mutant beast but it is still in the fight, just barely now


The second mutant wolf will go after Grim again with 2 bites and maybe a Tear

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +11" :

16 + 11 = 27

chomp!

damage

Result of the throw of dice "1d8 +1d6 +4" :

8 + 1 + 4 = 13

now he can use Tear since Grim can't negate all of that with 5 hardness

Tear [one-action] Trigger The wolf dealt damage to a creature with its jaws during the previous action. Effect The wolf tears at the creature’s flesh, dealing 1d6+2 slashing damage and 1 persistent acid damage.


Result of the throw of dice "1d6 +2" :

1 + 2 = 3

13 (assuming a block) 8 + 3 = 11
8 damage to his shield
1 persistent bleed


the Tear cannot be blocked since it is not an "attack" tag action  


2nd bite

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +6" :

7 + 6 = 13

miss!

Chris wrote:
Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1  (-39hp) - 22
Grimgar 16       17\28  1 persistent acid
Mutant wolf 2 - 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *

Jace is up
He concentrates on his arcane ward, expanding the aura.


Jace sends a bolt of lightning bouncing from 1 wolf to the next

Electric Arc
Cantrip 1
Cantrip Electricity Evocation
Source Core Rulebook pg. 335 4.0
Traditions arcane, primal
Mystery tempest
Cast [two-actions] somatic, verbal
Range 30 feet; Targets 1 or 2 creatures
Saving Throw basic Reflex
An arc of lightning leaps from one target to another. You deal electricity damage equal to 1d4 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.

Result of the throw of dice "1d4 +4" :

4 + 4 = 8

each wolf gets a reflex save for 1/2  vs DC 18

Rolling "1d20 +11" 2 times

1: 6 + 11 = 17
2: 9 + 11 = 20

wolf 1 takes 8 but wolf 2 manages to avoid some of it and only takes 4.  wolf 1 goes down!

Chris wrote:
Initiative

Herger 22
Mutant wolf 1  DEAD - 22
Grimgar 16       17\28  1 persistent acid
Mutant wolf 2 - 14
Jace 14
Zontreaux *

Z is up

HP: 32/32
AC: 19 - 21 w/ reaction*
Fort: 5
Reflex: 10
Will: 5
Move: 25’ +5 w/ panache
Initiative/Perception: +5
Panache this round: Begin active, End inactive

---

AP 1: STRIDE to B6

AP 2: Rapier attack, Precise Strike/Confident Finisher, EXPENDS PANCHE

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

19 + 8 = 27

Rapier dmg
Result of the throw of dice "1d6 +3" :

5 + 3 = 8 P

Deadly D8 if Crit:
Result of the throw of dice "1d8" :

8

Precise Strike:
Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

6 + 5 = 11

Dmg if Hit: 19 p
Dmg if Crit: 27 p
Dmg if fail: 5 P

AP 3: STEP backwards to A5

HOT DICE!

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 16/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

1 persistent acid

Shield damage 8

Grim blocks the attack and takes 8 +3
Grim started the encounter at 27/28 from the previous encounter.

MAS wrote:HP: 32/32
AC: 19 - 21 w/ reaction*
Fort: 5
Reflex: 10
Will: 5
Move: 25’ +5 w/ panache
Initiative/Perception: +5
Panache this round: Begin active, End inactive

---

AP 1: STRIDE to B6

AP 2: Rapier attack, Precise Strike/Confident Finisher, EXPENDS PANCHE

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

19 + 8 = 27

Rapier dmg
Result of the throw of dice "1d6 +3" :

5 + 3 = 8 P

Deadly D8 if Crit:
Result of the throw of dice "1d8" :

8

Precise Strike:
Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

6 + 5 = 11

Dmg if Hit: 19 p
Dmg if Crit: 27 p
Dmg if fail: 5 P

AP 3: STEP backwards to A5

HOT DICE!

ok, help me out here....  

I am trying to figure out why you are not doubling the precise strike damage?


Doubling and Halving Damage
Source Core Rulebook pg. 451 4.0
Sometimes you’ll need to halve or double an amount of damage, such as when the outcome of your Strike is a critical hit, or when you succeed at a basic Reflex save against a spell. When this happens, you roll the damage normally, adding all the normal modifiers, bonuses, and penalties. Then you double or halve the amount as appropriate (rounding down if you halved it).

basic rules say roll everything and double it

Deadly - extra dice get added after doubling, ok

I also looked up Precision damage, precise strike, confident finisher, etc
I don't see anything that says Precision damage is not doubled for some reason.

I think your correct damage is   2(8+11)  + 8 = 46

This would kill the mutant wolf dead, so please let me know if you think I am not doing something correctly here.  Otherwise.... the fight is over!

Chris wrote:

MAS wrote:HP: 32/32
AC: 19 - 21 w/ reaction*
Fort: 5
Reflex: 10
Will: 5
Move: 25’ +5 w/ panache
Initiative/Perception: +5
Panache this round: Begin active, End inactive

---

AP 1: STRIDE to B6

AP 2: Rapier attack, Precise Strike/Confident Finisher, EXPENDS PANCHE

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

19 + 8 = 27

Rapier dmg
Result of the throw of dice "1d6 +3" :

5 + 3 = 8 P

Deadly D8 if Crit:
Result of the throw of dice "1d8" :

8

Precise Strike:
Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

6 + 5 = 11

Dmg if Hit: 19 p
Dmg if Crit: 27 p
Dmg if fail: 5 P

AP 3: STEP backwards to A5

HOT DICE!

ok, help me out here....  

I am trying to figure out why you are not doubling the precise strike damage?


Doubling and Halving Damage
Source Core Rulebook pg. 451 4.0
Sometimes you’ll need to halve or double an amount of damage, such as when the outcome of your Strike is a critical hit, or when you succeed at a basic Reflex save against a spell. When this happens, you roll the damage normally, adding all the normal modifiers, bonuses, and penalties. Then you double or halve the amount as appropriate (rounding down if you halved it).

basic rules say roll everything and double it

Deadly - extra dice get added after doubling, ok

I also looked up Precision damage, precise strike, confident finisher, etc
I don't see anything that says Precision damage is not doubled for some reason.

I think your correct damage is   2(8+11)  + 8 = 46

This would kill the mutant wolf dead, so please let me know if you think I am not doing something correctly here.  Otherwise.... the fight is over!

Doubling? Why I am doubling anything?

Are you saying I failed to double for the "if crit" dmg? I do appear to have overlooked that.

MAS wrote:

Doubling? Why I am doubling anything?

Are you saying I failed to double for the "if crit" dmg? I do appear to have overlooked that.

yes, doubling for a crit and looking at your "if crit" damage

sorry for lack of clarity on my part


since Z moved into a flanking position, the wolf is flatfooted and has a -2 AC (19-2=17) which makes the 27 a crit

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 16/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

“Good work,” Grim praises Zontreaux with a wink. “Look for those flanking opportunities and capitalize.”

If combat is ended, Grim will see to his persistent damage. “Anyone else hurt?”

Zontreaux cleans his blade and re-sheaths it, nods in respect, in return to Grimgar.

"I am unscathed, Mezzon, but thank you."

The oily pool gives off an acrid smell.

If anyone wants to interact with it, please describe how you do so in some detail.

There isn't really anything to search for but anyone interested in the "oily pool" can make any of the following rolls:
Crafting, Nature, or Occult as part of their interaction with it.

"My business is finished here, I shall await you all outside."

Zontreaux strolls back into the open air.

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

20 + 5 = 25

Nature:

Mon Sep 18 2023 18:46:36 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 15, + 5, TOTAL: 20

If none of this provokes some kind of encounter I’ll add my roll for medicine.

Result of the throw of dice "2d8" :

6 + 3 = 9

Grimgar
Stat Block:
HP: 25/28
AC: 19 Breastplate (17 quilted)
+2 with raised shield
Fort: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 8
Move: 20’
Initiative/Perception: +6

navyik wrote:Crafting
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +5" :

20 + 5 = 25

if the party recalls, Hallod the brute also had mutagen potions and alchemical supplies in his cave


anything else in the cave?
back outside to look for Naola?
something else entirely?

hmm, well that could be that mystery solved. (the brute and the mutagens)

back to the Ranger?

whit10 wrote:hmm, well that could be that mystery solved.  (the brute and the mutagens)

2 clues to the same mystery, also don't forget the note you found

“This is either coming up from or seeping down into the water table. We have to tell the Elf woman. And then, Herger, we need to stake out that stump. Tell no-one outside of us four about the stump. There are still clues without connections.”

forgive me but what "stump" are you referring to?

whit10 wrote:forgive me but what "stump" are you referring to?

“From the letter. I think there was a map From the bully’s strong box?”

navyik wrote:

whit10 wrote:forgive me but what "stump" are you referring to?

“From the letter. I think there was a map From the bully’s strong box?”

correct

moving on...

do we need the rest? Herger doesn't but he won't speak for everyone

Zontreaux is ready to march.

Does the group agree?
Do you want to move slowly and spend a night resting in the woods?
something else?

“Just need a few minutes to fix my shield.”
It has some damage but isn’t broken. How does this work?

navyik wrote:“Just need a few minutes to fix my shield.”
It has some damage but isn’t broken. How does this work?

10 minute short rest, which i think you already took to heal someone?

Jace can fix the shield while you healed. Its a crafting roll + repair kit which the party has

DC 14 for a basic item like a shield

Jace roll
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

7 + 8 = 15

done

failure just means, you wasted the 10 minutes and only a critical failure damage the shield further but at +8... Jace can't critically fail unless he rolls a 1


Repair
Exploration Manipulate
Source Core Rulebook pg. 243 4.0
Requirements You have a repair kit.
You spend 10 minutes attempting to fix a damaged item, placing the item on a stable surface and using the repair kit with both hands. The GM sets the DC, but it’s usually about the same DC to Repair a given item as it is to Craft it in the first place. You can’t Repair a destroyed item.

Critical Success You restore 10 Hit Points to the item, plus an additional 10 Hit Points per proficiency rank you have in Crafting (a total of 20 HP if you’re trained, 30 HP if you’re an expert, 40 HP if you’re a master, or 50 HP if you’re legendary).

Success You restore 5 Hit Points to the item, plus an additional 5 per proficiency rank you have in Crafting (for a total of 10 HP if you are trained, 15 HP if you’re an expert, 20 HP if you’re a master, or 25 HP if you’re legendary).

Critical Failure You deal 2d6 damage to the item. Apply the item’s Hardness to this damage.