Book Two: Chapter Six: "Prosperous Hosts"

Halcyon wrote:As they depart, Verity offers a couple farewells.

"Stay with the main body of our troops Kersh, and don't forget to take a minute to gather your strength if you feel like your dying again. May the Queen protect ye.

"Frater, keep an eye on the big lug, he'll hold his own I'm sure. Signal in my stead for the Horde to advance when there's 200 yards between armies. We'll see you all shortly. Godspeed."

OCC:
Stows shield, oils armour along the way, wraps boots in rags to dampen sound. [circumstantial bonus?]
Stealths: 15, 16
Successfully aids 4 tracking rolls, spin more if necessary.

Malazek wrote:OOC: Sorry for the slow response. Internet was acting up last night.

So the heroes and their kin move ahead of the troops, turning from the main hall where Davin saw Sallowmane arrive from. With as much help as possible, the Elf looks for signs of passage on the cold hard stone; Hounds helps with his keen sense of smell, Alex helps with his sharp attention to detail, Vangg helps with his deep understanding of subterranean architechture, Straegis and Verity help in anyway they can.

But signs of the Dwarf are difficult to come by; a single shed hair is all that convinces the party that they are heading the right way.

After awhile, Vangg picks out a side passage that seems like a logical place for clerics to dwell (it seems like a chapel should be close, and the chaplains would need to be close to it). Checking it out, Hounds sniffs around, adding credibility to the notion. ... The sides of this hall are decorated with marble statues, standing armor, and similiar objects; then, Alex notices a senser among the decor. Seems this is the right way?

Studying the ground closely, Davin notices a crowd of bootprints on the floor here. The prints are so faint tht nobody else can see them; but they are are there. Whiping one with his finger, the elf smells it, and indentifies an ashy component to the track. This makes sense to Vangg and Verity because a large hearth or forge will undoubtedly be near the chapel.

So, the party turns down this new passage, ever so quietly and trying to stick to the shadows (which isn't easy, since they also must look for spoor). Following the invisible prints, Davin notices a few that resemble Sallowman's boot; she did come this way.

The entire tunnel turns right, and continues about 50 feet, where it ends at a pair of enormous metal doors. Straegis begins to feel uneasy, realizing that a Dwarven temple/hearth/forge would never be left unattended; listening closely, the party hears whispering on the other side of the door; Davin also hears breathing on this side of the door! (The breathing seems to be coming from the last two sets of plate armor, standing decoratively along the either wall).

Tracking Sallowmane is going to be a longer Skill Challenge. There are already enough rolls for several segments of the challenge, but there may be interruptions.
_____ _____ _____ _____

The first rolls are:
- Davin: Tracking 44 (Aided by Hound, Alex, Straegis, Verity)
- Vangg: Dungeoneering 24
That's two successes so far.

Stealth will be helpful, indirectly, because it will help you avoid conflict.
The stealth rolls so far are: 34, 23, 18, 15, 20, 15?

Swifthand wrote:Holding his finger to his lips in the classic shhh! signal, Davin points to the two sets of armour he hears breathing coming from and then motions for the others to wait there. Crouching, he then sneaks forward, still looking for signs of Sallowmane's passage, making sure to stay below the line of sight of the plate armour's restricted view. Still moving quietly and carefully, the Ranger begins to inspect the huge double doors.

If we have a Stealth failure, Davin will offer Crucial Advise (reroll at a +5)

I assume you want more rolls by saying this is a longer skill challenge, so, here ya go. I don't know if we need them all yet, but, if not, I will just save them for later (post-interruptions). If I misunderstood and you are looking for some other reaction/rolls, lemme know!

Perception (Tracking)=39 (Only added for Hound)
Stealth=37
Hound's Stealth=24

Perception (Door Locks/Traps)=34 (No Aiding on this total, but would happily accept it, perhaps from Taal? If we don't need this, use it as another Tracking roll.)
Thievery=41(Natch!)
Stealth (While working the lock/trap)=36

-Swift

Halcyon wrote:Verity will stay back as not to alert the sentries.

macksgarageusa wrote:Straegis will follow Davin's instructions and attempt to keep himself hidden and quiet, he also looks around for any markings or writings that may look familiar to him.

Stealth: 1d20=13+6(half=lvl)+5(helm)=24
History: 1d20=2+18=20

magicspellz12 wrote:Alex waits at the back of the group.

Malazek wrote:

Straegis wrote:Straegis will follow Davin's instructions and attempt to keep himself hidden and quiet, he also looks around for any markings or writings that may look familiar to him.

Ancient Davek runes adorn the marble walls, reciting an ancient hymn to Moradin.

Swifthand wrote:Holding his finger to his lips in the classic shhh! signal, Davin points to the two sets of armour he hears breathing coming from and then motions for the others to wait there. Crouching, he then sneaks forward, still looking for signs of Sallowmane's passage, making sure to stay below the line of sight of the plate armour's restricted view. Still moving quietly and carefully, the Ranger begins to inspect the huge double doors.

Passinve Insight 21: As soon as Davin starts to sneak forward, he realizes that the two Dwarves are standing TOO still. They must already be aware of the party, and are probably planning a surprise counter-attack. The fact that haven't moved yet can only mean they've noticed SOME of the heroes, and not others. (Crucial advise won't help; they've spotted multiple people already).

Also, reaching the door would be very difficult; you'd have to move right between the sentries (it's not impossible to do, but it would be VERY tricky).

151prooftattoos wrote:Vangg will wait at the back of the group also - aiding in anyway he can.

macksgarageusa wrote:O.O.C.: Would Straegis be aware of the dwarven sentries also? If not, I'll edit, how close together are they?

Straegis will continue to move slowly toward the dwarves attempting to stay hidden and unnoticed. Seeing Davin's tensed reaction Straegis insinctively pulls one of the javelins he recently acquired, ready to heave it immediately at the same enemy should his ally attack.

Stealth: 1d20=10+6(half-lvl)+5(helm)=21

Move: To try to stay stealthed?
Minor: Pull javelin.
Standard: Readied Action to attack same dwarf sentry as Davin.

Attack: 1d20=9+12=21
Damage: 1d6=5+7=12

Swifthand wrote:Davin: HP 81/81; AC 26 Fort 21 Ref 24 Will 23; Healing Surges=5/8, SV:20, Action Points=1
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Hound: HP 296/296; AC 23 Fort 22 Ref 20 Will 19; Healing Surges=2/2 SV:74, Action Points=1

With the knowledge that a fight is the only recourse available, Davin smoothly levels his Crossbow at the plate armour on the right and fires, alerting his friends and ordering Hound to attack as he does.

"We're found out! Cyl, Eiras!" ("Hound, Attack!")

Round 1, Davin
Initiative - 26
Free - Hemingr's Accuracy
Move - No move
Minor – Designate 2 armoured Dwarves as Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Twin Fang Strike right hand Dwarf

Initiative=26
Twin Fang Strike 1=38
Twin Fang Strike 2=29
TFS Damage 1=16
TFS Damage 2=22
HQ Damage =18
SA Damage =5

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Round 1, Hound
Initiative=23
Minor – Designate right-hand armoured Dwarf as Hunter's Quarry
Move - Don't know where I am in relation to everyone, will edit this when/if a map is posted, need to engage right-hand Dwarf in melee
Standard - Hawk's Talon right-hand Dwarf

Initiative=23
Hawk's Talon=32
HT Damage=14
HQ Damage=6

-Swift

Halcyon wrote:Verity - HP: 98/104 AC: 27 Fort: 24 Ref: 22 Will: 26 Healing Surges: 5/11 Action Points: 2 Init: 27

Verity lunges at the wounded dwarf that he may be dispatched quickly.

Minor: Challenge sentry on right
Standard: Charge right hand dwarf - 23 to hit, 10 damage
Move: Shift to flank with Hound if possible.

DM EDIT: Well, the Dwarf is in a corner; so Flanking is probably not possible

magicspellz12 wrote:Alex sucks water out of his waterskin, quick as a flash it darts across the battlefield and forms a column of ice radiating cold in front of the doors to ward away any intrusions to the current tustle.

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Ice Column in front of the doors. : Conjure a pillar of Ice crackling with cold energy in an unoccupied square within range. The pillar occupies 1 square and lasts until the end of your next turn. Each enemy that moves into a square adjacent to the piollar takes 1d6 +8 lightning damage.

Malazek wrote:Round 1 Recap & Resolution ...

Init 27
Verity charges the rightmost Dwarf and impales himself on the planson of the Dwarf's hammer; his sword clanging impedently against the Dwarf's armor. The other one charges across the corridor, striking Verity's armor with his hammer.

12 Damage
OOC: They had readied actions.

Init 33
Azzy waits.

Init 26
Davin fires two arrows into that same Dwarf; blood spits from the holes in the steel.

With a readied javelin, Straegis throws at the same moment; but the light spear bounces hamrlessly off the Dwarven breastplate.

Following Verity, Azzy swings his scythe over his dad's head, and punctures the Dwarf's helm with the tip. The sentry topples over, and dies.
56 Damage

Init 24
Hound switches targets and races into the fray, grinding his teeth against the armorer sabatons.

Alex creates a pillar of ice to block the door.

Init 22
Vangg readies a heal.

Init 16
Mordax bolts into the corner; standing over the dead guard, he hammers away at the remaining sentry.
14 Damage to the Dwarf.

Taalgarnuk throws a dagger and hits the Dwarf squarely between the paldrons.
17 Damage

Init 14
A familiat lance of radiant energy fires from Juugug's finger tips, striking the Dwarf in same place Taal's dagger struck.
CRIT! 12 Damage.
Verity gains a +2 to Attack rolls.

Onto Round 2

Malazek wrote:Since the Dwarf has initiative ...

Init 27 (Round 2)
The icy pillars shocks the sentry, but the Dwarf takes a couple more swings at the holy warrior, anyway.
The Dwarf takes 13 Damage from Alex's spell.
32 vs Verity's AC; 10 Damage.
18 vsVerity's AC; Miss.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

These two (err, one) shouldn't take too long; so, no map (yet). The corridor is 5 squares wide. The door is 3 squares long. The party was 5 squares back (except Davin, who crept a square closer); then Verity, Hound, aMordax, and Azzy who raced into melee).

The Dwarves were in the far corners (flanking the door), but now the last one is in the second square from the right (D1).

Swifthand wrote:Davin: HP 81/81; AC 26 Fort 21 Ref 24 Will 23; Healing Surges=5/8, SV:20, Action Points=1
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Hound: HP 296/296; AC 23 Fort 22 Ref 20 Will 19; Healing Surges=2/2 SV:74, Action Points=1

Round 2, Davin
Initiative - 26
Move - No move
Minor – Designate armoured Dwarf as Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Twin Strike right hand Dwarf

Twin Strike 1=38
Twin Strike 2=28
TS Damage 1=11
TS Damage 2=14
HQ Damage =9

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Round 2, Hound
Initiative=23
Minor – Designate left-hand armoured Dwarf as Hunter's Quarry
Move - Engage left-hand Dwarf in melee
Standard - Brash Strike right-hand Dwarf

Initiative=23
Brash Strike=25
BS Damage=miss
HQ Damage=miss

Hound grants CA to the Dorf until the beginning of next round.

-Swift

magicspellz12 wrote:Alex flicks a waterwhip at whichever Statue Verity is focusing on, and attempts to maneuver him into a flankable square, however the dwarves steadfast heritage means that, even with a coil of water wrapped around his middle, all of Alex's might cannot shift him. The whip bursts into a shower of water droplets.

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Attack: +14 vs. Will
Hit: 1d6 +8 Psychic damage and slide the target 1 square.

macksgarageusa wrote:Straegis sees hound moving in for an attack and gives a quick whistle and points for the mutt to move for a flank. Straegis moves across the battlefield to attack the remaining dwarf.

Minor: Pull Spear.
Move: To attempt to gain flank and attack Dwarf.
Standard: Wolf Pack Tactics on remaining Dwarf.

Attack: 1d20=15+15+2(flank?)=32
Damage: 1d8=8+10=18

O.O.C.: Hound can shift 1 sq. for free (Warlord-Wolf Pack Tactics) and hopefully gain flank for his attack.

Malazek wrote:Round 2 Recap ...

The party teams-up on the lone sentry and quickly demolishes him; and Alex's pillar of ice melts shortly thereafter. The heroes clearly hear cries of battle-preperation on the other side of the door.

Short & Sweet.

Malazek wrote:

Davin wrote:moving quietly and carefully, the Ranger begins to inspect the huge double doors.
Perception (Door Locks/Traps)=36.*
Thievery=43(Natch!).*
*with Taal aiding.

The elf and the kobold work together to ensure no traps await; the precaution might be unnecessary, but better safe than sorry. Finding no traps, they then check to see if it can be opened; though unlocked, the door IS barred (from the other side) by several heavy iron beams. Digging shortsword and picks in-between the doors, the duo slowly wedges the bars out of place ... each beam falls to the floor with a clang.

We ready?

Halcyon wrote:Verity - HP: 102/104 AC: 31 Fort: 26 Ref: 26 Will: 28 Healing Surges: 4/11 Action Points: 0 Init: 27

"Position and stand ready friends...
Azzy, when I open the door, move to where your scythe can sweep among their Clerics."

Verity readies his shield while his comrades unbar the door, ready actions, move to defensive position*, boost Verity's defenses, or what have you.

As soon as the door is unbarred:
Standard: Second wind
Move: Open door
Minor: Challenge the toughest looking dwarf present
AP: Charge that dwarf - 35 to hit, 11 damage

OCC: *The Prophet Verity has a vision of dwarf clerics blasting him as soon as the door opens. Some folks might want to take cover or stand back.

magicspellz12 wrote:Alex reforms the ice pillar in the centre of the doorway. Hoping some of those on the other side will rush in and be shocked by its icy power.

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Conjure a pillar of Ice crackling with cold energy in an unoccupied square within range. The pillar occupies 1 square and lasts until the end of your next turn. Each enemy that moves into a square adjacent to the piollar takes 1d6 +8 lightning damage.

macksgarageusa wrote:Straegis repositions himself to be directly behind Verity, before he opens the door Straegis calls upon the powers of his shield, then immediately follows Verity into the room. He tries to make it to attack the same enemy as Verity. His flailing attack gives his allies the opportunity to set up perfect positioning.

Standard: Protection from Shield for Verity and Straegis.
Move: To attack dwarf once door is opened.
Minor: EoG Spear Transformed to Long Sword.

Spend AP:
Standard: Steel Monsoon on Dwarf.

Attack: 1d20=5+16=21(+flank=?)
Damage: 2d8=8+10=18

O.O.C.: Straegis and Verity are Resist 10 to all damage until the end of my next turn(Shield- Protection). 5 allies within 5 sq. can shift one square for free (Warlord- Steel Monsoon).

Swifthand wrote:Davin: HP 81/81; AC 26 Fort 21 Ref 24 Will 23; Healing Surges=5/8, SV:20, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 296/296; AC 23 Fort 22 Ref 20 Will 19; Healing Surges=2/2 SV:74, Action Points=1

Assuming Round 3 was spent on the door, we're in...

Round 4, Davin
Initiative - 26
Move - No move
Minor – Designate 5 closest Dwarves as Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Biting Volley Dwarf (vs. Reflex, focus fire with other PC's)
Action Point - Twin Strike Dwarf (focus fire with other PC's)

If any Bolts finish off a Dorf, I will move my remaining shots to a new one.

Biting Volley 1=37(crit)
Biting Volley 2=21
Wild Elf Luck=4
Elven Accuracy=29
BV1 Damage=25
BV2 Damage=20
Brutal Accuracy Damage=9
HQ Damage=18
Twin Strike 2=29
Twin Strike 2=36
TS1 Damage=16
TS2 Damage=18

If a 21 hit vs. Reflex on my Biting Volley, ignore Wild Elf Luck, Elven Accuracy reroll, and Brutal Accuracy bonus damage.

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Round 4, Hound
Initiative=23
Minor – Designate Dwarf as Hunter's Quarry
Move - Engage Dwarf in melee; will try to use Straegis' granted shift and 8 move to flank with someone
Standard - Brash Strike right-hand Dwarf

Initiative=23
Brash Strike=32
BS Damage=8
HQ Damage=1

Hound grants CA to the Dorf until the beginning of next round.

-Swift

151prooftattoos wrote:Vangg will ready the heals~~

Malazek wrote:Round 4 Resolution & Recap

Init 27
Steeling himself for the fight, Verity pushes the unbarred doors open; the Dwarves on the other side are ready! Smoldering Brimstone flies through the air, striking Verity and Mordax! Radiant light and crossbow bolts follow cloesly behind.
39 vs Verity's AC; 13 Damage plus 5 Fire Damage
34 vs Mordax's AC; 13 Damage plus 5 Fire Damage

Daunting Light; 20 vs Verity's Will; Miss.
Daunting Light; 18 vs Davin's Will; Miss.
Daunting Light; 21 vs Alex's Will; Miss.
Daunting Light; 22 vs Azzy's Will; Miss.
Crossbow; 11 vs Straegis's AC; Miss.
Crossbow; 25 vs Mordax's AC; Miss.

Despite being burnt and battered, Verity challenges one of the plate-wearing Dwarves and charges into battle, exchanging blows with several Dwarves.
Verity's attack hits.
Shield Bash vs Verity; CRIT! 15 Damage & knocked Prone
Martyr's Retribution vs Verity; 20 vs AC, Miss.

Init 26
Firing four deadly arrows, Davin kills the centermost Dwarf right off.
A 21 *did* hit Reflex, btw.

Straegis transforms his spear into a sword and rushes in alongside Verity, trading strikes, as well.
Straegis's Attack misses.
Shield Bash vs Straegis; 20 vs AC! Miss.
Martyr's Retribution vs Straegis; CRIT! 47 Damage.

Striking over the heads of his allies, Azzy gets in his attacks, as well.
30 & 35 vs AC; 18 & 14 Damage (E7 is Blooded).

Init 24
Seeing the Dwarves are dug in, Alex creates his Pillar of Ice in the room; instead of in the doorway.
OOC: I hope that change is alright. It seemed that placing it behind the door after everyone ran inside wouldn't accomplish your initial purpose for casting it.

Init 23
Unable to fit on the right as planned, Hound brashly attacks one on the left!
Hound's attack hit.
Shield Bash vs Hound; 15 vs AC! Miss.

Init 22
Vangg gets ready to heal.

Init 16
Mordax charges into the battle.
29 vs AC; 12 Damage

Taalgarnuk steps forward and throws a dagger; which bounces harmlessly off a Dwarf's armored plate.

Init 14
Juugug's Lance of Faith seems no more effective than Taalgarnuk's misthrown blade.



Onto Round 5 ...

OOC: Note: If you are not on the map, then you are just outside the doors. When there is a clear square to stand in, you make move into the room; if you desire.