Talk:Attempt to Close the Gate

August 21

Round 1

Make each move an individual thread, please. --The DM (talk) 20:16, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

Waiting on Embla. --The DM (talk) 21:29, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

I move cautiously to 0705 (2 AP), and swing my maul at the ice frog (2 AP): attack roll of 11, hitting AC 6, or AC 5 if the toad's Intelligence is below 5 due to my "Aggressive" trait. --Engelhart (talk) 20:41, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

The creature's intelligence is low enough, but the attack yet misses.--The DM (talk) 21:29, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

I'll draw my sword (1 AP) and attempt to enter combat. I have to succeed on a morale check: I roll a 5 (my WIS is 11). I'll move into 0806 (1 AP) and attack the grey creature (2 AP): 15+2=17 to hit, 1+1=2 damage –Vafrandir 20:43, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

Vafrandir's check isn't really a morale check; it is characteristic of his background, in which he has learned to be cautious before rushing into fights. The fighter scores a clean hit ... but it so happens the creature is immune to normal weapons and can't be hit by Vafrandir's short sword.

Because of the earlier time spent withdrawing, Vafrandir has his shield in place.--The DM (talk) 21:29, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

Understood. I make it each round, yes? Ha, yes I figured that might be the case. –Vafrandir 23:34, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

You'll be glad to learn that no you don't! Just once at the beginning of a combat. You're fine to proceed normally.

I draw my battle axe and step into 0906 warily for 1 AP. --Pandred (talk) 21:02, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

For information, there is space between the bars to allow a swing, Pandred, though you would risk getting your axe caught in the bars. --The DM (talk) 21:29, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

Noted, but my AP limits me to drawing regardless. I want to leave space for the door to open so Embla has room and I can strike without issue.--21:39, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

Embla I move to 0607 (2AP) and throw my javelin at the toad (2AP). Hit AC 8, dealing 7 damage. A miss, I believe. --Embla (talk) 00:22, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

August 22

[OOC: in general, I'm going to relax and not strain myself during the weekends with the campaign. I would like to complete one combat round per day, if we could. At some point today I'll commit myself to rolling the enemy's move and transferring material to the public eye, but for the present I'm going to spot work on the wiki as I have been doing. I'd like to write a post today, as well. So kick back until Monday. I hope I don't have to kill anybody's characters. Incidentally, it might have been a real big mistake letting go of the door and choosing to fight; you might have kept the nasty only-hit-by-magic fellow busy by maintaining the threat of closing the door. Sorry if my saying so breaks some "rule" about the DM not commenting, but sometimes I'm still a teacher]--The DM (talk) 17:50, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

Mistakes keep the game complex, at least. –Vafrandir 18:10, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

Would I recognize that my attack does nothing? –Vafrandir 18:10, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes. The contact would have been clean, and your experience would have told you that should have done damage. Growing up in a world of magic, you would have heard of creatures that were immune to weapons, and your experience would put two and two together.--The DM (talk) 18:37, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

August 23

The red mud creature decides to punch Vafrandir, who is handy, rolling a 12 and missing AC 5 (would have hit if Vafrandir had not had his shield in place; thought you'd like to know). --The DM (talk) 18:59, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Pandred, the creature will say to you clearly, as Vafrandir lifts his shield to ward off the blow, "If you want to reach me, squeeze through the bars." I'll need you to roll a saving throw against magic (suggestion). You need a 15. I suggest everyone take a good, close look at the suggestion spell. --The DM (talk) 18:59, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

There's a 50% chance the toad will let go with its breath weapon ... and it does. The original rule from the player's handbook reads, "All non-cold creatures within 10 ft. of the ice toad suffer 3-18 points of damage." It says nothing else; usually, however, a breath weapon is a cone, typically 5 ft wide at the base and stretching outwards to 20 ft. wide at 30 ft. away. So, rather than freeze out the whole party, I'll use the cone; shame this is a monster starting with "T", or else I've have written out rules for it online by now. It has an average intelligence, so it is smart enough to leave Vafrandir and Pandred to the mud creature (though it could get two), and attack the immediate threat, which is Engelhart. Engelhart, the breath causes 11 damage. Please make a saving throw against breath weapon. You need a 15. --The DM (talk) 18:59, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Yet another mistake made: I missed Embla's last move. That does put her in the breath weapon's path ... so I will need a saving throw against breath weapon for Embla as well.

I roll precisely an unmodified 15(!!), *Phew!*. That's hellishly dangerous, hope it can't repeat the deed again soon or at all. Could my knowledge of beasts extend to knowing if it can use its breath again? --Engelhart (talk) 19:21, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes! It will be three rounds of not using it before it makes a 50/50 roll again. The breath weapon only causes 5 damage, Engelhart--The DM (talk) 19:27, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Embla I roll an 11 on the saving throw, which is a failure, I believe. If so, taking the 11 damage will stun me. --Embla (talk) 21:06, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

I'm afraid it does.--The DM (talk) 21:57, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

That puts me at 6hp remaining and stunned. Do we have any healing available? --Embla (talk) 22:13, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Pandred's perma-salve. But honestly, sacrificing an attack roll for +1d4 Hp in such a swingy fight hardly seems worth the time.

Oh, and I forgot. The ice toad also radiates cold to everything within 10 feet; that includes, Engelhart, Vafrandir and Pandred. You each take 1 pt. of damage.--The DM (talk) 19:27, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Amazingly, I believe I am not stunned, due to the two damage sources being separate. But from here on the going can only get tougher. It appears the creature's spell will cost us Pandred for much of the fight, regardless of her making her save or not... --Engelhart (talk) 19:47, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

I get 19, which I believe is a successful save even without my background bonus. I'm out of the running for a bit regardless. Is it okay if I still offer advice to my comrades, or would you prefer I wait 'till I am able to act of my own volition again? --Pandred (talk) 20:20, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes, Pandred feels a strong compulsion to begin explaining to the apparent demon why her body cannot possibly fit between the bars. Which would mean, it would be impossible for her to give advice. There is a clue in the cell description, however, that can release Pandred from the spell almost at once.--The DM (talk) 21:57, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

Well, she did take damage from the toad's cold aura, now whether you're willing to count that as "attacked" is up in the air...--Engelhart (talk) 22:04, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

It is not sufficient; an attack would have to involve a sharp pain. Moreover, a pummel or an overbear would be more certain than an attempt to hit with weapon, as Pandred would habitually react and defend herself. Point in fact, for Vafrandir's benefit, I will be adding the rule of attacking with two weapons to the wiki this evening; the 16 dex fighter should be sure to see that post before giving any action when round 2 starts. --The DM (talk) 23:20, 23 August 2020 (UTC)

"Listen, GUY, if I want to reach you I'm not sticking my hands through a set of ice cold bars, you want me to get stuck like some idiot kid's tongue?" The way I see it-" --Pandred (talk) 02:01, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

August 24

Alexis, I do have a magic weapon, my maul became a maul +1 after being worked on by the svirfneblin. Pandred I am not so sure, as she left us before we encountered the elder Prugg, and I clearly remember Rob and Mikael being with us at that point. I similarly cannot account as to who kept the frogling ring with the trapped soul (evil-tainted, apparently usable for a Hp boost near death), whereas I'm fairly sure it was Mikael or Rob who had the artifact (another ring?) who would summon the valkirie to help us in dire need. This all came to memory because, frankly, it feels like they're about to really become necessary.--Engelhart (talk) 12:48, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I have the frogling ring. --Embla (talk) 15:27, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Additionally, my battleaxe is +1 --Embla (talk) 15:28, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I have my shield in my non-sword hand: how does this interact with a pummel attack re: the new two-weapon rules? –Vafrandir 14:53, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I merely wanted you to be aware of the rule, Vafrandir. --The DM (talk) 16:18, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Show of hands: who feels that properly Rob, Lothar and Mikael should be here as NPCs? Since they helped get you into this. --The DM (talk) 16:18, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

They're here in any case. I vote NPCs. –Vafrandir 16:42, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Seconded --Embla (talk) 16:48, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I don't mind either way, but lean towards letting them sit out. I will say that Pan herself was briefly an NPC, although under slightly different circumstances, so precedent is there. Vafrandir, you and I both have Puissance so your Shield does 1d4 as a weapon. It would be up to Alexis to clarify if that means you forego your AC bonus the round you use it that way, which I assume is the case. --Pandred (talk) 17:40, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Thanks for the reminder! –Vafrandir 18:11, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I'm a bit torn. But coming down on the side of yes, as these guys have a crucial item on them and, well, without additional warm bodies it feels like this fight will soon turn very sour on us. Lothar even had a magic sword with a +2 vs. amphibians.--Engelhart (talk) 20:21, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

And obviously THAT was an intended plan!

As when I used you that way, Pandred (did you feel used?), I have to play them carefully; couldn't have one wade into a fight. I don't know if the players will ever be back to pick up those characters or not, but I certainly can't get them killed. Lothar has a bow, however, and Mikael has spells.--The DM (talk) 18:15, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

In any case, Engelhart and Vafrandir, please take an action. --The DM (talk) 18:15, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I recognize the futility of my attack on the mud demon. I will move behind the gate to 1007 (stride of 2, not subject to AoO per my background) and smack Pandred with my shield: 10+2=12 to hit, 2+1=3 damage "Snap out of it!" –Vafrandir 19:00, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

[this is the sort of thing that frustrates my DMing]. Vafrandir, being new, perhaps you didn't understand. Pandred is Armour Class TWO. If you attack him with your shield in a normal fashion, you need to roll an 18 to hit. On the other hand, IF you overbear, then his armour is not relevant; his armour class becomes TEN. Meaning you only need a 10. Now. When you were in training, and your instructor hit you hard against your head AGAIN, what did he tell you about overbearing when the amount of damage you did in a fight wasn't important? --The DM (talk) 19:19, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes, I'm an idiot, ha. An overbear (if you'll allow the mulligan), yields a 16-1=15, considering our weights (122/143=85%). And a damage of 2. Do I have that right? I appreciate your patience. –Vafrandir 19:23, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

I will allow the mulligan, but I wouldn't allow a re-roll. If you had missed with the overbear, I wouldn't have let you try again. The first roll hits and Pandred snaps out of it. And I want to thank YOU for bearing my growliness. --The DM (talk) 19:49, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Sounds good. Takes all sorts! –Vafrandir 19:58, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Thinking about it, I don't know where the 10+2 on your attack came from. Your strength is 17, so it should be 10+1. The overbear would be 10+1-1. I suppose I overlooked it because I'm ordinarily not policing you. Where's the "10+2"?

A typo, and a good reminder to double-check numbers. I have an additional +1 with my sword as an elf, but an overbear doesn't use a sword, obviously. It's a case in point for raw rolls, as we've discussed before. –Vafrandir 19:58, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

Ah, correct! The elven sword gambit! You are +1 for it also: 10+2 was accurate for a normal hit.

Neither of the enemies here have any weapon with which to take advantage of a fast move, so no need to worry about AoO in this combat.

I shift to 0806, formerly occupied by Vafrandir, so as to keep the two enemies properly engaged while Embla and Pandred recover. I attack the red mud demon: attack roll of 19, hitting AC -2, damage roll of 1 (+1 from the enchantment means a total of 2 damage).--Engelhart (talk) 20:22, 24 August 2020 (UTC)

That is most definitely a hit.

As you feel sore pressed, Lothar comes running towards the party. From thirty feet away, he hurls a sword at Vafrandir, so that it bounds and bounces towards the fighter, landing in the adjacent hex. As he hurls it, Lothar shouts, "Try this, friend elf!" Then he loads his bow.

[Enemy turn to come; caught up in some duties]

August 25

OOC: I have to head cross-state for a medical appointment this afternoon through tomorrow, so my participation will be intermittent. I hope to be able to check in every so often while not on the road. –Vafrandir 14:56, 25 August 2020 (UTC)