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)

Thank you. I've been AWOL myself.--The DM (talk) 15:40, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

The demon turns on Engelhart and swings, missing with a 7. It will attempt to cause fear in the cleric, with the arc of the effect forcing both Engelhart to make save vs. magic; the demon reins in the effect, however (for it is a natural ability), because the ice toad advances into what would be the fear's path. Once again, Engelhart needs a 15.--The DM (talk) 15:47, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

I roll a 17, passing the save. --Engelhart (talk) 19:44, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

The toad moves into 0706 and attacks Embla. It has a THAC0 of 18 and rolls an 11; Embla, unfortunately, has an AC of 7 and is hit. The toad causes 3-12 damage ... it rolls 7. Embla is stunned and shoved back into 0507. --The DM (talk) 15:47, 25 August 2020 (UTC)--The DM (talk) 16:07, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

I am now at -1hp. --Embla (talk) 17:10, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

It's not any fun unless death is on the line. --The DM (talk) 17:55, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

Engelhart, Embla and Vafrandir all suffer 1 point from the toad's cold.--The DM (talk) 16:07, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

I have updated all the maps on the main page.--The DM (talk) 16:29, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

Round 3

Lothar's long sword is in 0807. From earlier in the campaign: "The sword is reforged with mithril, strengthening it and also giving it a +1 bonus. As it is the easiest piece of metal to magick, they take a little time and give the sword a convenient +2 bonus against amphibians and reptiles." --The DM (talk) 16:22, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

Uhmm, those giant toad hindquarters look _really_ tempting, but if they stun me I end up in hell - not an enticing prospect -, plus no-one has moved yet and Embla needs someone by her side (taking into account how these critters supposedly are not capable of mounting effective attacks of opportunity). I attack from where I am (still a flank attack, I'm figuring): attack roll of 19 +1 from flanking, +1 from maul, +1 from background bonus, hitting AC -4, damage roll of 10+1, 11 damage! (I'm having some insane rolls, God delivers!)--Engelhart (talk) 22:05, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

Stuns and the skin at the back of the creature splits from the blow and begins to ooze fluid (a wound).--The DM (talk) 00:37, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

I've still got 2 AP left, so I then move at a walk (stride 2) to 0608 and, with my remaining action point I wish to pull Embla back one hex (going along in parallel, if possible, but if not allowed it's ok: I need to get her out of the cold aura).--Engelhart (talk) 22:07, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

(Ok, I've gone and read me some wiki pages and some clarifications might be in order, as I'm unsure the above will stand as legal: _if_ the toad is stunned by my attack and the demon is counted as engaged with Vafrandir and/or Pandred then I guess I'm good to go, otherwise I've failed to account for the AP movement penalty of melee and would have to rethink those two last points).--Engelhart (talk) 23:27, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

Remember that every melee hex (which includes 0807 and 0707) are still a 1 AP penalty to move out of, no matter what stride you're using. While withdrawing, it's represented that you're still defending yourself against both the toad's thrashings and the demon being in melee with you (as Engelhart was the demon's last combat, it's engaged with YOU) ... so while you can get into 0807 with 2 AP, and stride while you do so, you can't get out of 0807 without a third AP. You're too deep into the fight. --The DM (talk) 00:29, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Got it. Then I guess I'll have to stay put and face back at the demon (as I'm gambling that the toad got stunned), since I can't go and stand on top of the sword intended for Vafrandir. I guess I'll shout for Pandred to toss her iron salve to Embla or Lothar or someone. She's in pretty rough shape and still losing Hp to boot.--Engelhart (talk) 00:34, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Oh yeah, the toad was stunned.--The DM (talk) 00:37, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Hm. Okay, let me rethink that. The toad is stunned, so that means 0807 stops being a melee hex after Engelhart hits. You can get into 0807 at a stride of 2 (1 AP melee penalty, 1 AP buys you two hexes) as you say, so you CAN get out of 0807 and move the rest of your stride anywhere you want to. Does Engelhart choose to do that?--The DM (talk) 00:41, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Bear with me. I'm just out of practice and there are new rules in place.--The DM (talk) 00:43, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Damn, I was all ready to stay and reap the punishment. Here's the deal, then: that doesn't get me far enough to help Embla right at this point (plus she'll already be stunned & driven back simply by action of the cold aura), but it does let Pandred do her stuff. I think I'd rather break into a stride-3 (run) and go all the way to 0409 (one 60 degree turn).--Engelhart (talk) 00:56, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

(I just hope I won't collide like an idiot into Vafrandir along the way or something)--Engelhart (talk) 00:58, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

You STILL have to pay a 1 AP penalty for leaving 0806! It may not be a melee hex because of the toad, but it IS a melee hex because of the demon. 1 AP to leave the hex, +1 AP to stride away, gives you a straight line distance of 1-8 hexes. You cannot turn. The "melee penalty" concedes that while you want to retreat, you have to parry a blow or two with the enemy before finding an opportunity to do so. Follow?--The DM (talk) 01:28, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Absolutely. I'll go to 0810 then.--Engelhart (talk) 01:35, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Alright. Alexis, can I resume shoving on the gate? Dropping the axe/etc. "Finish the frog!" --Pandred (talk) 23:47, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes. Please disregard Sterling's calculations on the weight of the gate; it's magical and much lighter. The demon is not touching the gate; it is holding the hex it's in but nothing more. You can throw your body against the gate to slam the gate into the demon, but it is only hurt by magical weapons. As well, it appears to be at least 250 lbs.; so with your strength and size, you're not going to roll the beast out of the way. I have these rules on entangled and snarled weapons from the old wiki if you want to hit through the gate, at no AP cost. On the other hand, Vafrandir is going to go to 0807 to grab Lothar's sword, possibly trapping Engelhart in 0806 (as Vafrandir will get there first), or Vafrandir will rush to 0707, knowing the toad is stunned and can't attack anyway, so that Engelhart jumps out of 0806 then Pandred can walk-stride 2 into 0806 (no melee penalties) and risk a hit from the demon before getting a chance to attack. On the other hand, the demon could fear or suggest again, which would make such a strategy worthless. Follow? --The DM (talk) 00:30, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

(Bear in mind that I don't think Pandred's weapon is magical. This could be very important in her and Vafrandir's respective actions).--Engelhart (talk) 01:02, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

It isn't magical. Without Oddsdrakken here, my AP limits me a lot. I'd like to heave on this gate with the understanding that even if that doesn't actually force the demon away, it will at least not be able to move without me closing that half. If Lothar and Vafrandir combined can't deal the approximately 8 damage it will take next round to stun the Toad, then it's out of my hands what happens as far as I'm concerned. Embla has throwables, and if she doesn't she can have mine. I believe in you guys, so let me keep shoving. --Pandred (talk) 01:23, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Understood. Your being there, Pandred, keeps the creature from teleporting — which in the earlier encounter it demonstrated itself able to do.--The DM (talk) 01:31, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

[Can I just say, the ability to edit phrasing and separate the threads to make the combat clearer is SO much better than blogger.]--The DM (talk) 00:32, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes, yes it is.--Engelhart (talk) 00:56, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

I just need Vafrandir's turn.--The DM (talk) 01:31, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

August 26

No sign of Vafrandir.--The DM (talk) 17:22, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Okay, these things are going to happen. I might as well mention presently that my partner Tamara is having her third eye operation tomorrow morning at 7:20 am; so if I'm not stressed and too tired to look at things, I won't be checking Juvenis until late in the day. In other news, I've asked I.T. Jan about echo; he's looking into it, but he hasn't installed it before so he's researching. Vafrandir, if you want to send me a heads-up email when you comment here, that would be great.--The DM (talk) 19:01, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

How many AP to pick up Lothar's sword? I assume 2 AP, based on the time to draw such a weapon. In that case, I will pick up the sword in 0807 and use my remaining 1 AP to continue to 0707. I'm not sure if I'm in melee with the demon because of the gate between us, but if that is the case then that 1 AP will be used to extract myself, and I will remain in 0807 after getting the sword. –Vafrandir 21:19, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

"Adjust a free object for use." In this case yes, 2 AP. The gate protects you from being in melee with 0905, so your move is 1 AP to get into 0807. You do have 1 AP left, yes? --The DM (talk) 21:50, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Damn it. I keep forgetting you have a shield in your hand. Okay, I'm posting a new map.

With the last AP then, I will move to 0707 –Vafrandir 21:52, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

The image should update with that change.--The DM (talk) 22:02, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Lothar fires his bow at the toad and misses with a 6.--The DM (talk) 22:02, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

The Demon does not move to attack, but holds its position by the gate. It will make a roaring sound, however ... and just like that, there's another one in 1008. --The DM (talk) 22:02, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Vafrandir and Embla each take 1 damage from the toad. Embla staggers back into 0408, still conscious at -2 h.p. --The DM (talk) 22:04, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Round 4

Everyone except Embla can act.--The DM (talk) 22:04, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

After the enemy's turn

Ok, I'm going to go out on a limb and take the duplicate-demon as an illusion, as I feel we must concentrate on keeping the toad stunned until it keels over. Alexis, I retreated all this way to now mount a charge on the toad, and here the questions about new rules begin: Is there any danger of receiving attacks of opportunity, seeing as it is already engaged with Vafrandir? Would we need to roll an extra initiative die?--Engelhart (talk) 22:10, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Technically, if you check the initiative rules, Engelhart has broken off the fight, even if the players haven't. So Engelhart does have to roll initiative to re-enter. If you're declaring a charge, I need you to name your end hex; THEN we roll initiative; if you win, you run forward, and THEN I'll tell you if there are any attacks of opportunity. The new demon might have a missile weapon. If you're attacked by opportunity, and it doesn't stun you, then you'll finish your run to your end hex and attack at +2 to hit, and attempt to overbear. The toad weighs somewhere around 450 lbs. If you fail initiative, then I move you to your target hex and your round is over; IF the toad attacks you (and it may not, it may be stunned by Vafrandir, it may attack Vafrandir), then it will get +2 to hit you. If you're not stunned by the toad's attack, then you'll STILL attack at +2/overbear because you're STILL charging. Your call. --The DM (talk) 22:37, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

I'm going to play it safe, going counter to my instincts, hoping Vafrandir can hold out at least one round. I move cautiously to 1009 and swing the maul at the newcomer. Attack roll: 1 (what the...), and a d8 of 3 for where it lands, plus a 2d6 roll of 11 for breakage. Damn.--Engelhart (talk) 00:08, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

O-kay. Well, that's a cliffhanger.--The DM (talk) 00:47, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

The weapon falls into the hex controlled by the new demon, where it is out of your reach. --The DM (talk) 09:37, 31 August 2020 (MDT)

I'll attack the toad. My understanding of the bonuses: +1 from my strength, +1 to hit from my race, +1 from its magical quality, and +2 against an amphibian? [7]+5=12 to hit, [8]+1+1+2=12 damage. –Vafrandir 22:59, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Not quite; the sword is +1 to hit and damage against all other creatures and +2 to hit and damage against amphibians & reptiles. So all together, you're +4 to hit and +3 damage (str + sword, no elf bonus to damage). An 11 to hit misses. --The DM (talk) 23:04, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Thanks for the clarification –Vafrandir 23:05, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Engelhart, I need you to hit something every round. EVERY round. We don't have enough manpower to be losing swings for a few MAYBE +1s. There's every reason to think the second demon is real-most demons and devils can gate in their kin. Forget the charge. Hit demons. Hit them until they die with your magical hammer. You are one of two people who can damage them, so you HAVE TO. Please!

Damn it, it's really not an easy choice. Vafrandir has little enough Hp that a hit will effectively keep him out of the fight permanently (due to the frost aura's continuing effect), but I'll admit I'm mostly relying on meta knowledge of how "the DM would never allow a stiff fight like this to become outright impossible by duplicating a tough foe".--Engelhart (talk) 00:00, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

As hard as it is, my role really cannot be, "keep the party alive." I can think of things the party could have done BEFORE stepping up to close that gate, once you realized what the answer was. But you're in it now. Arguably, Engelhart gave him time to bring in the duplicated tough foe by hitting the toad and not him, and then leaving the demon without an enemy. --The DM (talk) 00:13, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

Hah, perhaps so. We had no clue as to the critter's capabilities, our earlier encounter with it actually tipped that it wasn't all that much of a foe.--Engelhart (talk) 00:21, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

Alexis, I keep pushing on the gate, but if possible I'd like to move into 0906 while I do it. --Pandred (talk) 23:24, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Done. 0906. --The DM (talk) 23:42, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

OOC: the surgery is done and I'm back at home; Tamara is fine and has turned in to sleep. I feel pretty tired, had sleep cut off last night by our getting up so early to get out to the 7 a.m. surgery. I'm here and I'll check in, but I'm not up right now to turn over the round and have the bad guys make their turn. Please be patient.--The DM (talk) 17:59, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

No rush. Glad everything went well! –Vafrandir 18:07, 27 August 2020 (UTC)

OOC: it's been another long day. Yesterday, as intended, I started cleaning the rugs in the apartment. I've spent today trying to dry them, getting other tasks done as well, attending to Tamara and such, and though I've poked a little at the wiki, I haven't much energy for anything else. I'm sorry if it feels that I'm misusing you, fellows. Engelhart is probably very concerned about the drop. Please forgive me. It's been a difficult week.

We'll find a way to forgive you somehow, I'm sure. Just come back sometime this year! --Pandred (talk) 20:35, 28 August 2020 (UTC)

Alexis, not at all. I'm amused more than anything else. You take good care of your family, we'll be here when you're up for it. -- Engelhart (talk) 21:38, 28 August 2020 (UTC)

Almost forgot. Lothar loads his bow.

August 31

Whew. I needed that hiatus. First off, you will see at the top of the page, a new tab for "watch/unwatch." This is supposed to give us updates for what's new. I haven't tried it yet.--The DM (talk) 09:51, 31 August 2020 (MDT)

Second, I have the enemy's move to make. The image shows the movement after the player's turn.--The DM (talk) 09:51, 31 August 2020 (MDT)

The toad attacks Vafrandir. It hits with a 17, causing 3d4 damage. I roll 10 damage, one short of a wound, and Vafrandir is knocked back into 0708, stunned. The toad makes a move to hop forward and the demon in 0905 shouts sharply at it; the toad holds its position.--The DM (talk) 09:51, 31 August 2020 (MDT)

The demon in 1008 laughs, kicking Engelhart's hammer into 1107, and swinging a fist. An 11 hits AC 7 and misses.--The DM (talk) 09:51, 31 August 2020 (MDT)

The other demon in 0905, no longer pressed, moves to 0806 and claws at Pandred. It misses with an 8.--The DM (talk) 09:51, 31 August 2020 (MDT)

Player's Round

All participants can move, except for Vafrandir.--The DM (talk) 09:51, 31 August 2020 (MDT)