Completed Play-by-Post: In Search of the Sorcerer

[Grimgravy]

Rhenmyr watches and waits as Uvan approaches. He thinks it would be nice to take him alive, but with Oona and Fidach's fate unknown, his death wouldn't be terrible. When he approaches the pit chamber entrance (and is hopefully too close and or moving too fast to avoid the trap) or slows down, he fires.
To hit: [1d20+3] = 7+3 = 10, Damage (arrow): [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3

 

[Stella Brando]

Rashid attempts to knock Uvan smartly over the back of his head with his knife handle (subdual damage).

To hit: [1d20+2] = 7+2 = 9
Damage: [1d3+3] = 3+3 = 6

(A miss I assume, a man has AC 10 without armour).

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

I'm here wondering what's the best way to incapacitate Uvan while keeping him alive for Rashid's purposes... Maybe roll for a whack to his kneecap, nikolokolus.
Damn, having a job sucks if you can't browse codex at work.

Spoiler

If we do try to keep him alive, i'll whack him on the back of the head with the blunt end of my weapon.


What do you guys do at work if you can't use the Codex?

OOC

I can browse the codex from work, but my main problem the last couple of months has been time -- far too much on my plate. This is fieldwork season and deadlines loom in mid-July and my weekends have been consumed with fence building, carpentry and other such fucking about. Complicating matters has been travel out of town for family stuff and now we have my wife's family visiting for the next two weeks. Things should settle down in the next few weeks (hopefully).

OOC2

subdual attacks are entirely possible. Basically you make your attack normally and half the damage is real damage and the other half is temporary. If you drop his Hit Points to 0 he's knocked unconscious.

Rhenmyr's shot goes wide (roll 50% chance to see if it has a chance of hitting Uvan Rashid, if yes then roll again Grimgravy)

Rashid rushes forward while the hulking Pict is temporarily frozen in his tracks and tries to bring the butt of his knife down on his head, but misses; the knife glancing off of his shoulder harmlessly.

Brule rounds the corner with his shield held before him. He rushes ahead heedless of his own safety
Brule's charging, overbearing attempt: to hit [1d20+5] = 5+5 = 10

The canny Uvan sidesteps his bullrush and Brule goes sliding past him where he slams into the wall of the crypt.

Spoiler

I know Ker and Marcan are holding the rope that is functioning as a tripwire and can basically do nothing in the surprise round (Uvan is around the corner from you and out of sight). For instance, Borric could try to overbear/grapple or attempt a subdual attack. Cormac and/or Urash can try to cast a spell (basically guaranteed to go off since there is no chance of interuption in the surprise round.

If that is all then everybody needs to roll initiative (1d6+/- Dexterity Modifier)

 

[Grimgravy]

Rhenmyr's shot goes wide (roll 50% chance to see if it has a chance of hitting Uvan, if yes then roll again

51-100 hits Uvan?

edit
d100: [1d100] = 64

edit 2
To hit: [1d20+3] = 8+3 = 11, Damage (arrow): [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

 

[Stella Brando]

Initiative: [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

Spoiler

The modifier is just +1 for 18 dexterity, right?

5e is a paradise for rogues - benefits up the wazoo.

I'm not complaining, just saying.

 

[Siveon]

Initiative: [1d6] = 5

 

[nikolokolus]

Rhenmyr's shot goes wide (roll 50% chance to see if it has a chance of hitting Uvan, if yes then roll again

51-100 hits Uvan?

edit
d100: [1d100] = 64

edit 2
To hit: [1d20+3] = 8+3 = 11, Damage (arrow): [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

Ack! Rashid.

In this case the projectile misses your original target and then misses Rashid utterly, with no need to roll to-hit.

 

[nikolokolus]

Initiative: [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

Spoiler

The modifier is just +1 for 18 dexterity, right?

5e is a paradise for rogues - benefits up the wazoo.

I'm not complaining, just saying.

Spoiler

The importance of ability scores was far less important in original D&D, which is probably why straight 3d6 actually worked for character generation. In effect your character has three possible ratings for any ability score: below average, average, or above average - far more weight is given to player skill over character skill.

That 18 is still going to come in handy for Dexterity checks though.

 

[nikolokolus]

Uvan's Initiative (round 1) [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5

 

[Stella Brando]

Spoiler

player skill

Uh oh.

No worries boss, it's more fun to think of a way out of a situation than to just roll the dice. And with this slower format we can genuinely give thought to what moves we want to make.

I'll just wait for the other inititiatives to come in, then roll to hit Uvie.

 

[Grimgravy]

Initiative [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7

OOC

I like the time to think and plan too. It makes blaming the dice for failures sound more plausible. Look at our ambush! I think it was a good set up. And thanks to the dice we got nothing, nada, bupkis. Damn dice!

Spoiler

Unless Borric pulls something off.

 

[L'ennui]

[url=http://www.unseenservant.com/default.asp?do=showone&id=88930&macid=0]Urash's initiative: [1d6] = 4+1[/URL]

Seeing Rashid try to subdue Uvan rather than kill him, Urash will hold off on throwing any darts.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Initiative: [1d6] = 6

Borric strikes at Uvan's knee, in order to hobble his mobility.

To Hit: [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19
Maul Damage:[2d4+4] = 2+4 = 6

 

[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd]

Cormac waits behind cover.
: Initiative: [1d6] = 5

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

Grimgravy Rhenmyr is first. I'll just retroactively move your action to the front of the que depending on how things shake out.

Borric swings his giant hammer and strikes Uvan square in the shin.

In the torchlight cast from the Pict's brand you can now see many gashes on his forearms and face and his eye is nearly swollen shut from a large bruise and cut over his eyebrow -- apparently whatever attacked him outside of the tomb got in some pretty good licks.

The Pict grunts in pain and stabs at Borric with his shortword, and the tip of his blade is deflected by the rings of his armor's cuirass
Uvan's short sword [1d20+5] = 9+5 = 14 damage [1d6+3] = 5+3 = 8

Simultaneously he shouts a word in Pictish ("Bind" for those of you fluent in Keltic). A loose coil of rope hanging from his belt animates suddenly and leaps from his hip in a whirlwind of coils. Its ends snap outward like a viper's head surging at Brule and Rashid and a looping coil tries to seize Borric.

Spoiler

all three of you need to roll a save vs. spells or you become entangled in the rope (failure indicates you are slowed to ten feet per round and can only attack once every other round until you are freed).

 

[Grimgravy]

OOC

I think Borrics attack could have been in the surprise round. Then there's no problem with order.

Question

At this point there's a 50% chance to hit a friendly on any missile attack, correct?

 

[Helly]

Initiative [1d6] = 5
Ker readies his sling and look for any target other than the pict while staying in cover.

 

[nikolokolus]

OOC

I think Borrics attack could have been in the surprise round. Then there's no problem with order.

OOC

Yep, you're right. ERYFKRAD go ahead and roll another attack. Your last action happened in the surprise round.

Question

At this point there's a 50% chance to hit a friendly on any missile attack, correct?

RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL

Yeah, that's how it's written in the book. And actually I'm not in love with it. Would you and everyone else be OK with a modest rule change? How about a successful hit is always against your intended target, but if you miss then everybody else currently engaged in melee range with that target (friend or foe) has an equal chance of being targeted by the errant missile. The only exception to this would be a fighter specialized with a missile weapon who can roll a saving throw to avoid hitting another target.

For example, this would mean that in the current fight an errant projectile would automatically target one of Brule, Rashid or Borric (and the to-hit roll would be re-rolled).

As of now it's a 50% chance that the missile targets somebody else in melee range and the to-hit roll stands against them.

I think the new way would reward increased skill with a weapon as you gain levels instead of just being a flat 50-50 chance.

Yay or nay? Other thoughts?

 

[nikolokolus]

Initiative [1d6] = 5
Ker readies his sling and look for any target other than the pict while staying in cover.

Currently Ker is holding one end of the tripline from the ledge. You don't currently have line of sight, It sounds like Borric, Brule, Rashid and the Pict are about ten feet away from the pit's edge.

 

[Stella Brando]

Saving Throw: [1d20] = 6 Yikes!

Spoiler

So no attack for Rashid this round? Or next round?

I won't weigh in on the shooting debate, I'm the FNG and not a long range type.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

OOC

I think Borrics attack could have been in the surprise round. Then there's no problem with order.

OOC

Yep, you're right. ERYFKRAD go ahead and roll another attack. Your last action happened in the surprise round.

Borric aims at Uvan's elbow.
To Hit: [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19
Maul Damage:[2d4+4] = 3+4 = 7

Save vs. spells: [1d20] = 5

 

[Grimgravy]

RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL

Yeah, that's how it's written in the book. And actually I'm not in love with it. Would you and everyone else be OK with a modest rule change? How about a successful hit is always against your intended target, but if you miss then everybody else currently engaged in melee range with that target (friend or foe) has an equal chance of being targeted by the errant missile. The only exception to this would be a fighter specialized with a missile weapon who can roll a saving throw to avoid hitting another target.

For example, this would mean that in the current fight an errant projectile would automatically target one of Brule, Rashid or Borric (and the to-hit roll would be re-rolled).

As of now it's a 50% chance that the missile targets somebody else in melee range and the to-hit roll stands against them.

I think the new way would reward increased skill with a weapon as you gain levels instead of just being a flat 50-50 chance.

Yay or nay? Other thoughts?

I'm all for this. With the rules as written, you can't really support your front line with missiles. I wouldn't be take a coin toss at hitting an ally. Plus the rule change would prevent the oddity in the snake creature fight where Urash had a critical hit Borric rather than the baddie.

If we implement the change, Rhenmyr tries to hit Uvan in the thigh with an arrow. To hit: [1d20+3] = 9+3 = 12, Damage (arrow): [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6

If not, Rhenmyr holds fire.

 

[nikolokolus]

Saving Throw: [1d20] = 6 Yikes!

Spoiler

So no attack for Rashid this round? Or next round?

I won't weigh in on the shooting debate, I'm the FNG and not a long range type.

(You would lose your attack next round. This round you can keep trying to attack your foe, try to cut the rope (Armor Class 18), or try to break the rope with a successful "Heroic" strength check (6d6 vs Strength). It's worth noting that people entangled also lose their Dexterity modifier to AC)

I'm all for this. With the rules as written, you can't really support your front line with missiles. I wouldn't be take a coin toss at hitting an ally. Plus the rule change would prevent the oddity in the snake creature fight where Urash had a critical hit Borric rather than the baddie.

If we implement the change, Rhenmyr tries to hit Uvan in the thigh with an arrow. To hit: [1d20+3] = 9+3 = 12, Damage (arrow): [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6

If not, Rhenmyr holds fire.

(We'll start it in the next combat. I'd still like to hear some more feedback before implimenting something like this.)

Borric aims at Uvan's elbow.
To Hit: [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19
Maul Damage:[2d4+4] = 3+4 = 7

Save vs. spells: [1d20] = 5

Before the rope entangles Borric, Brule and Rashid, Borric gets in another swipe of his maul at Uvan's tender bits and the blow strikes true. The smelly, rangy Pict howls in pain, but still seems like he's still in the fight.
Brule's Initiative [1d6] = 2
Brule's Save vs. spells [1d20] = 5

The animated rope starts to ensnare the feet of Brule. He roars defiantly surging into Uvan. The flat of his blade strikes viciously at the other Pict's head as he abandons almost any semblance of guard (+1 to-hit, -2 AC).

Brule's press attack vs Uvan [1d20+4] = 20+4 = 24, damage [1d8+1] = 3+1 = 4 (A critical Hit for maximum damage!)

Brule's blow staggers the man a bit and causes him to clutch his head in pain. He looks as if he could be very close to buckling.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

I'd still like to hear some more feedback before implimenting something like this

Spoiler

Unless frontliners are actively grappling an enemy, maybe the range line can hit what they're aiming for? I'd not mind the original rules as they are, especially if they apply to our opposition, but it's a bit of a lopsided thing given that we tend to meet more melee-blokes than others.

 

[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd]

OOC

I think Borrics attack could have been in the surprise round. Then there's no problem with order.

OOC

Yep, you're right. ERYFKRAD go ahead and roll another attack. Your last action happened in the surprise round.

Question

At this point there's a 50% chance to hit a friendly on any missile attack, correct?

RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL

Yeah, that's how it's written in the book. And actually I'm not in love with it. Would you and everyone else be OK with a modest rule change? How about a successful hit is always against your intended target, but if you miss then everybody else currently engaged in melee range with that target (friend or foe) has an equal chance of being targeted by the errant missile. The only exception to this would be a fighter specialized with a missile weapon who can roll a saving throw to avoid hitting another target.

For example, this would mean that in the current fight an errant projectile would automatically target one of Brule, Rashid or Borric (and the to-hit roll would be re-rolled).

As of now it's a 50% chance that the missile targets somebody else in melee range and the to-hit roll stands against them.

I think the new way would reward increased skill with a weapon as you gain levels instead of just being a flat 50-50 chance.

Yay or nay? Other thoughts?

Spoiler

I say that is a good change. I really dislike the 50/50 rule. It neuters range weapons. Not everyone wants to have to switch to melee just to continue fighting, especially if their character is not set up for that kind of combat. Back in the day playing 2nd edition, we would only roll where the missile weapon went on a miss.