Book One: Chapter Four: "Plots Unearthed"

The Witch-King wrote:Mordax thinks very hard about the fact that the stairwell would be a much better defensive position, acting as a pinch-point against the two monstrous foes.

macksgarageusa wrote:Straegis will stay on the left wall and continue moving (hopefully ahead of the rest of the group) toward the bottom of the stairs, stopping about 3 steps from the bottom.

151prooftattoos wrote:Vangg follows Straegis - staying a few feet behind.

magicspellz12 wrote:OOC: OOOh. Good Question Davin!

Malazek wrote:

Swifthand wrote:O.O.C. - Does Alex have Darkvision because I am in LoS, or does me hiding negate it?

Oh, yes he does! Passive Perception 21. Alex can see into corners that Davin can not; it appears more old boxes, broken statues, and fallen debris fill those areas as well. Feel free to drop an actual Perception Roll

Malazek wrote:Alot has been posted since this was, but since a reply is pending, I am quoting it here so it'll be easier for Halcyon to see it.

Malazek wrote:

Verity wrote:“It seems you have us at a disadvantage: You know something of our purpose here, but what of you? What brings your unlikely group together, if I may inquire?”

"But we know nothing of your purpose -- we seek only refuge from the horrors abound in these parts -- but since you bring it up, what IS your purpose? A quest of epic proportions? Do tell!"

magicspellz12 wrote:Perception: OK. NATURAL ONE. GRR = 12.

Malazek wrote:

magicspellz12 wrote:Perception: OK. NATURAL ONE. GRR = 12.

Okay, hehe. Alex only sees what was described above.

Halcyon wrote:

Malazek wrote:... this group is comprised of an Umber Hulk, and Ogre, and Elf, and someone else ... then something terrible indeed must have brought them together; maybe the third one is their charismatic leader?
Considering the issue further, Vangg decides it's very unlikely that the third voice is their leader. He didn't speak to them with the tone of authority. Something (or somebody) is missing here.

Alex is convinced that the eyeless lady is a Grimlock. Grimlocks are a sightless servitor race, commonly found as thralls to smarter and more powerful monsters. Perhaps the whole group is under some sort of geas or mind control?

Telepathically,
"What controls these four? An arcane device? A Demon?
"Everyone's in position, good. I weary of this ones lies.
"Mordax, I agree the steps would be more defensible. Best we fall back should a fight begin, your hammer and the swords of myself and Straegis at the front.
"We won't need to fight them all if we break the mind control. Watch them closely, let us see the light of truth reveals."

Aloud he continues, "Some might describe our quest as epic, though we simply serve our Goddess as best we can. She came to me in a waking dream and said that I must come hence to strengthen my faith and gain wisdom. Exactly how was not made clear, for She spake a riddle. But we faithful shall strive ever onward until the truth of the Queen's words manifest.
"As we are new to this realm, do tell us of it's dangers. For example, we've heard tales of great warriors ensorcelled to fight for causes not their own. Most tragic, our sympathies go to any brought so low.
"What can you tell we pilgrims of this and the other dangers of this dark new land?"

Malazek wrote:

Verity wrote:Aloud he continues, "As we are new to this realm, do tell us of it's dangers. For example, we've heard tales of great warriors ensorcelled to fight for causes not their own. Most tragic, our sympathies go to any brought so low."

"What can you tell we pilgrims of this and the other dangers of this dark new land?"

"Yes, it's true: warriors even greater than ourselves have fallen victim to the tricks of Vampires, Illithid, Aboleths ... Yet, the Beholder is the real danger in these parts; but, powerful as they are, they are often loath to attack large enough parties."

"Shall we set-up a camp?"

Halcyon wrote:"Alas while rest would be most welcome, we've miles to travel yet this day. It shall be some time before we make camp."

The Witch-King wrote:Mordax retreats to the safety of the stairs, rocking on the balls of his feet.

Malazek wrote:

After Mordax moves back to the stairs, he sees ... a squid-faced monstrosity run out from the shadows! WTF?!

Init 26
As if on cue, the entire monster squad lunges forward; but Verity and Davin are ready for them, and strike first ... but the monsters follow up with deadly attacks of their own: The Drow charges Verity. Mandibula's gaze confuses Verity, causing the knight to run into the wall. The Grimlock rushes to a more threatening position. Kersh charges forward, swinging his deadly flail into Verity.

OOC: Since no rolls were posted with your Readied Actions, I went ahead and rolled them. I needed to explain what happened right after those attacks, in order to keep the scene clear for everyone.

Davin: Nimble Strike. CRIT! 29 Damage. (Davin can shift, but I didn't know where to).
Verity: Beckon Foe. 24 vs Will. 21 Damage.
Drow: Charge Verity. 38 to hit. 8 Damage.
Mandibula: Confusing Gaze. 32 vs Will. Verity Slides and is Dazed (Save Ends).
Grimlock: Move to U3.
Kersh: Charge Verity. 30 vs AC. 17 damage and knocked Prone.

Finally, the Mindflayer lets loose it's devastating attack against everyone at the foot of the steps!

35 vs Davin's Will. 22 Psychic Damage and Dazed.
36 vs Alex's Will. 22 Psychic Damage and Dazed and you can't SEE the Illithid!!
32 vs Mordax's Will. 22 Psychic Damage and Dazed and you can't SEE the Illithid!!

...

Everyone else can roll initiative and post their actions. If you roll more >26, you can either Delay to 25 (or later) or you can wait until next round. If you roll <26, your actions will still go off this round.

This is what the scene looks like as of Init 26:


OOC: Yes, the Mindflayer rolled higher Perception than Davin's Stealth, and higher Stealth than Davin's Perception!!

Just to be clear: although you have NOT recovered your dailes since the Aboleth fight, you did earn an Action Point after the Light Bridge encounter. So, every one should have atleast 1 AP.

Halcyon wrote:Verity: HP 50/75; AC 27 Fort 21 Ref 21 Will 24; Healing Surges=11/11, Action Points=1

The dazed and battered Paladin stands and shakes it off.
He urges telepathically, "If we all focus on the Drow we can take him this round. First finish the Drow, then kill the Illithid that controls the rest!"

Move: Stand (and that's it, since he's dazed)
Free: Speak
Save: 9+3 for 12

Swifthand wrote:Davin: HP 44/66; AC 21 Fort 19 Ref 22 Will 21; Healing Surges=7/8, SV:16, Action Points=1
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Hound: HP 105/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=2

Round 1
Move - Get into position, Stealth, Perception checks (resolved)
Minor - Choose Drow as my Hunter's Quarry (resolved)
Standard - Readied Action, Nimble Strike on Drow (resolved)
Free - When Standard triggers, activate Hemingr's Accuracy (resolved)
Free - (Telepathy) "Azzy, untie the Dwarf from Hound."

Initiative=26
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Hound
Free - Delay until Azzy's Initiative
Minor - Choose Drow as his Hunter's Quarry
Standard/Move - Charge to V3, finishing in U4, setting off an OA from the Grimlock
Immediate Reaction - Yield Ground, if the Grimlock hits, Shift 2 to S3

Initiative=23
Hit and Run=11

O.O.C. - Holy Crap guys! A freeking Illithid monster squad! This fight is nuts! We ABSOLUTELY need to be fully healed before Initiative count 26; these guys are focusing fire and have more than enough firepower to kill any one of us in 1 round!

-Swift

The Witch-King wrote:

The Witch-King wrote:HP:78/56 AC:28/27(bloodied) Fort:20 Ref:18 Will:16 Healing Surges:11/11 Action Points:0

Mordax explodes into action, shouting "Alex, fool lad, git ye' behind me!"

Init: 1d20+4=8
Minor: Mark Target (Illithid)
Move: To W4
Standard: Come and get it - 1d20+12=27 close burst 3, no penalty for concealment, shift Illithid and Drow to adjacent square and attack at close burst 1.
Damage: 1d10+6=9

Free: Mordax growls at the Illithid "Gie' 'er up, beastie, yuir caught an' no doubt. Leave o'er an' I'll let ye' be on yuir merry way!
Intimidate: 1d20+9=26

OOC: No help for healing here, swapped my Warlord ability for some net stuff.

Crap just looked up dazed. Mordax moves into position this round, and will use the rolls above for next round's attack presuming layout warrants it.

DM EDIT: Thats IF he makes his Save.

Oh. Right. Invisible Castle, once again, you provide a warm, fuzzy, aneurysm kind of feeling.
1d20=9

magicspellz12 wrote:HP: 19; AP 0; HS: 4/6

Init 23
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Alex's eyes widen and he scowls. I knew they'd have a spellcaster His mind flares as he tips up his waterskin and lets the water gush out, puddling at his feet. With the Grimlocks sightless gaze at him, he narrows his eyes and throws his arms out. The water at his feat rises into a terrible wave!

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Water Wave: Close Blast 3 on the Grimlock, Drow and Ogre.
Attack vs. Grimlock: 32 vs. Fort
vs. Drow: 31 vs. Fort
Ogre: 14 vs. Fort (Natural 1).
Damage: 13 Thunder Damage and Pushed back 3 squares! Rolls
Grimlock Pushed to R3
Drow Pushed to Q3
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Satisfied as the tidal wave sends his enemies backwards, Alex raises his arms, but this time, the water at his feet only twitches. He is draining the brains of the creatures by shifting the blood around their head!

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Action Point: Slow Blood centered on Q3
Attack vs. Umberhulk: 33 vs. Will
Attack vs. Drow: 33 vs. Will
Attack vs. Grimlock: 32 vs. Will
Attack vs. Ogre: 26 vs. Will
Rolls without Straegis +2 bonus, but I have included that in the above stuff
Hit: he target is slowed (save ends). If the target fails its first saving throw against this power, the target becomes unconscious (save ends).
Miss: The target is slowed (save ends)

Free Action: Orb of Imposition vs. the Drow. The Drow takes a -3 to Saving throws against the Sleep Power.

Saving Throw vs. Dazed = 14!.

INVISIBLE CASTLE IS THE NICEST THING EVER.
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His mind calls out. "Target the Illithid. I shall disable the rest as well as I am able."

151prooftattoos wrote:WoeVangg: HP: 71/71 AC:20 Fort:18 Ref:16 Will:23 Healing Surges:11/11 AP:1

Initiative: 8 (Roll)

Move: Move To W-7

Standard: Cast Beacon of Hope (all allies in close burst 3 add 10 hps (5+5), and Vangg is +10 (5+5) to all heals until the end of the encounter))
OOC: Drow has a chance to be dazed in burst

Minor: Cast Healing Word on Verity (Spend a Healing Surge and add 2d6+10 to it)

151prooftattoos wrote:

Malazek wrote:

macksgarageusa wrote:Straegis II: HP:64/64 AC:27 Fort:21 Ref:21 Will:18 Healing Surges:8/8 Action Points:1

Initiative: 1d20=8+6=14

Straegis weaves his way thru his allies intent on getting to the drow, unable to reach him, he turns his aggression instead to the grimlock. His attack seems to catch all the nearby enemies off guard and he gives his allies an opportunity to better their positions.

Move: To S4.
Standard: Steel Monsoon on Grimlock at R3.

Attack: 1d20=16+13(s)=29
Damage: 2d8=16+8(s)=24

O.O.C.: On Hit- Alex, Verity, Mordax, and Vangg can shift 1 sq. for free.

Malazek wrote:Round 1 Recap & Resolution ...

Initiative 26 wrote:Init 26
As if on cue, the entire monster squad lunges forward; but Verity and Davin are ready for them, and strike first ... but the monsters follow up with deadly attacks of their own: The Drow charges Verity. Mandibula's gaze confuses Verity, causing the knight to run into the wall. The Grimlock rushes to a more threatening position. Kersh charges forward, swinging his deadly flail into Verity.

Davin: Nimble Strike. CRIT! 29 Damage. (Davin can shift, but I didn't know where to).
Verity: Beckon Foe. 24 vs Will. 21 Damage.
Drow: Charge Verity. 38 to hit. 8 Damage.
Mandibula: Confusing Gaze. 32 vs Will. Verity Slides and is Dazed (Save Ends).
Grimlock: Move to U3.
Kersh: Charge Verity. 30 vs AC. 17 damage and knocked Prone.

Finally, the Mindflayer lets loose it's devastating attack against everyone at the foot of the steps!

35 vs Davin's Will. 22 Psychic Damage and Dazed.
36 vs Alex's Will. 22 Psychic Damage and Dazed and you can't SEE the Illithid!!
32 vs Mordax's Will. 22 Psychic Damage and Dazed and you can't SEE the Illithid!!

Init 23
Hound delays.

Alex punishes the aggressors with a powerful Water-wave, sending the Grimlock and the Drow flying backward. Alex follows-up by slowing the blood of all four of them!

Water Wave hit the Drow and Grimlock; Missed the Ogre.
Slow Blood hits everyone.

Init 15
Azzy unties the rope from Hound, and hangs onto it.

Init 14
Hound races down ... and finds the Grimlock is no longer in reach, so he races by the Ogre instead. The Ogre takes the bait, but the flail is even heavier than Hound imagined. Wounded, Hound is unable to finish his attack run.

Ogre's OA: CRIT! 22 Damage and Hound is knocked Prone
Being Prone, he cannot shift and stays adjacent to the Ogre.

Straegis runs into the hall, and hacks deeply into the Grimlock with his heavy blade ... totally expecting him to do something else, the monsters are startled enough that the heroes are able to jockey for better position.

Note: I adjusted Straegis's move so he'd actually reach the Grimlock.
Alex, Verity, Mordax, and Vangg can Shift 1 Square!

Hound takes the chance to shift out of flank.

Juugug races down the steps and grants divine aid to Mordax!
Juugug spends his AP to give Mordax an immediate Save at +3.
I went head and rolled that for you: 10 even! Mordax is no longer Dazed.

Init 8
Undazed, Mordax steps forward and beckons the Ilithid; despite it's better judgement, the mindflayer is compelled to rush at Mordax. The soldier then wallops the squidface, and asks it to surrender.

Just a reminder: only Bloodied targets can be intimidated into surrender.

Vangg steps to a defensible position on the stairs, and says a few helpful prayers that drains the drow and heal his comrades.
Everyone is healed 10; Verity gets another Surge+2d6+10
Rolled your Attack on the Drow: 29 vs Will. The Drow is Weakened.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Onto Round 2!
Davin and Verity lead off. Don't forget to roll your saves.
Also, if you are still Dazed, the Illithid is INVISIBLE to you!

Going into Round 2, this is what we look like ...

magicspellz12 wrote:HP: 29/45; HS 4/6

As Straegis nimbly dances into the fray, Alex takes the opportunity to move behind Verity. He has some nasty things in mind.

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The Shift goes down
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Alex smiles as he see's his spells takign effect, one arm still raised and shifting through numerous magical symbols scratched in the air with trails of water, he continues to sap his enemies strength.

His raises his other hand and the water from his puddle flies overhead to create a huge disc in the air above the battle! He spins the thin sheet around and then clenches and unclenches his fist. The disc shatters into a sheet of burning rain. Searing the bunch of foes.

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HotRain centered on P3.
Attack vs. Umberhulk: 24 vs. Ref
Attack vs. Grimlock: 32 vs. Ref
Attack vs. Drow 23 vs. Ref
Attack vs. Ogre: 19 vs. Ref
Hit: 19 Fire damage. Rolls
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His mind calls to the group. "Focus on the Illithid for the moment." He projects to Davin, Vanng, Mordax and the goblin. Sending an image of a frosty whirlwind around the foolishly bunched up enemies.

Swifthand wrote:Davin: HP 54/66; AC 21 Fort 19 Ref 22 Will 21; Healing Surges=7/8, SV:16, Action Points=1
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Hound: HP 93/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=2

Round 2
Davin - Initiative=26
Free - Drop Crossbow
Move - Draw Greatbow
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Hound - Initiative=14
Move - Stand Up
Minor - Choose Ogre as his Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Hit and Run Ogre
Action Point - Charge Illithid to X4, no OA due to Hit and Run

Save=16
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Hit and Run=23
Charge=28
Charge Damage=9 (if someone is flanked with Hound at Initiative count 14, the Illithid is knocked prone)

-Swift

Halcyon wrote:Verity: HP 75/75; AC 27 Fort 21 Ref 21 Will 24; Healing Surges=10/11, Action Points=1

Head cleared and body restored, the death knight crouches coiled like a viper and awaits the Fate of his adversaries.

Verity will delay to see how Alex's spell fares then:

Definitely:
End of Last Round: Save 9+3, makes it
Shift to U4 from Straegis
Free: Telepathically alert the ranger, "Await my blessing before you act Davin," (which Davin declines).
He projects concern for the sorely injured Alex to his brothers of the Faith. Alex the Maelstrom he telepathically slaps a hearty pat on the back.
Minor: tuck everburning torch in belt

Contingencies:
If the Ogre falls unconcious:
Move: R3
Standard: Coup de Grace the Drow, Grimlock, and Ogre by way of "Crown of Glory".
Since Coup de Grace is an automatic critical hit, they all take 21 points of damage and are slowed (sustain minor).
If conscious: Drow - 28 vs will, 18dmg Grimlock - 25 vs willl, 10 damage

If the Ogre does not fall unconcious (and Verity could get knocked prone trying to engage the Drow):
Move: to W2 - athletics checks for challenging terrain: 24 and 19
Standard: Aid Another for Mordax's attack: 12 to hit = Mordax is +4 from aid, +2 from flank

OCC: Swift will re-post around 4. Presently he watches The Watchmen.

151prooftattoos wrote:OOC: Gotta run to work, be back later tonight - my next move is to heal Alex in case you post for me.

macksgarageusa wrote:Hearing Verity's plans telepathically, Straegis decides this is a perfect opportunity to unleash his own coup de grace. He bashes the grimlock again.

Move(?): To get flank?
Standard: Coup de Grace on Grimlock.

Attack: 1d20=9+13(s)+2(helpless)+2(flank?)=26
Damage: Auto Crit. on Hit: d8+8=16+(2d10=14)=30

O.O.C.: I was unable to load the map for round 2, so I am unsure if I can move around to gain flank, if not Mal please amend above for me.

Malazek wrote:Because the entire opposing team acts on the same Init, I'll post "mid round" ...

Init 26
Davin drops his crossbow, draws his bow, and then shakes off the disorienting effects of the mindblast.

Verity delays.

The Drow steps past Straegis, invoking an attack from warlord; but the Drow ripostes the attack, and continues on ... repeatedly swinging his blades at Hound, cutting the mutt deeply. In comical fashion, the Dark Elf then falls asleep.

Straegis's OA: CRIT! 30 Damage.
Whirling Riposte vs. Straegis: 28 vs AC. 11 Damage
Blade Mastery vs Hound: 26 & 24 vs AC. 13+10 Damage
AP: Blade Mastery vs Hound: 26 & CRIT vs AC. 12+11 Damage
Save = 9

Mandibula then lumbers forward, battering Straegis from afar with his mantis-like claws. His mandibles twitch in anticipation of a tasty meal.

34 & 20 vs Straegis's AC: 14 Damage & Miss.
Save = 19

The Grimlock climbs onto one of the boxes, trapping Straegis in a flank ... and then brings her nasty battle axe down upon the Marshal.

31 vs Straegis's AC: 13 Damage
Save = 17

Kersh yells "Flail Hurricane!!" and begins swinging his monstrous flail around in circles; it catches Straegis, Verity, and Hound! Then, like the Drow, the ogre falls asleep.

30 vs. Straegis's AC: 18 Damage & Knocked Prone
23 vs Verity's AC: Miss!
24 vs. Hound's AC: 18 Damage (Hound is already Prone).
Save = 6

The Illithid tries to shift toward the Aquamancer, which incurrs an attack from Mordax; the soldier's weapon hits, and stops the mastermind in his tracks. Unable to move, the Mindflayer turns his deadly tentacles on his attacker.

Mordax's OA: 32 vs. AC. 14 Damage.
Tentacles: 35 vs. Mordax's AC: 17 Damage and Grabbed
AP: Bore into the Brain: 29 vs AC. 12 Damage and Dazed

Init 23
Alex unloads a downpour of burning shards upon the enemy! It bounces harmlessly off the Umberhulk's chitinous hide, but causes serious harm to the others (especially since the Drow and the Ogre are sleeping).

The Drow is Bloodied.

Once the mage has finished, Verity springs into action. After saying a quick prayer for Davin, he leaps over the unconscious Drow, landing in thick of it! His glorious crown of raidance burns all around him!

OOC: The battlefield changed since you posted, so I adjusted your movement to avoid OA while still catching the foes who were sleeping.

Davin: Make a Save at +5. If successful, post the rest of your actions.
Jump (to avoid OA from Grimlock): 24 (good enough).
CoG: 21 damage to the Drow and the Ogre, 18 damage to the Umberhulk.
All three are re-Slowed.

Init 14
Juugug heals Mordax, and then runs around behind the Mindflayer. he swings mace against the dangerous foe, but misses.

Mordax: Spend a Surge and heal an extra +2d6+4.
Juugug's Mace Attack: 9, Miss.

Hound gets up, bites the downed Ogre, and then charges the Mindflayer.
Counted his Attack against Kersh as a Coup de Grace: 21 Damage.
His attack against the Illithid knocks it Prone (thanks to Juugug).

Straegis shifts around to line up with Verity, and delivers a terrible blow to the downed Drow. Somehow, unbelievably, the Dark Elf does not die!
Applied the Coup de Grace to the Drow, since the Grimlock was not downed.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

That's all of Round 2, EXCEPT Mordax and Vangg.
(And the rest of Davin's actions, if his Save is Successful)..

PostImage isn't cooperating. Here's the map, from Photobucket.

Swifthand wrote:

Halcyon wrote:Telepathically alert the ranger, "Await my blessing before you act Davin.".....Offer Davin a save at +5 and gains 7 temporary hit points....

Free - "Save it, Verity. I'll be fine."

Seeing the Mind-Flayer begin to bore into Mordax's skull, Davin sends a quick bolt of electricity his way.

Disruptive Shot=24
Wild Elf Luck=1
Disruptive Shot=18

Probably missed D.S.

-Swift

DM EDIT: Wiff.

Swifthand wrote:Davin: HP 54/66; AC 21 Fort 19 Ref 22 Will 21; Healing Surges=7/8, SV:16, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 29/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=1

Round 3
Davin - Initiative=26
Minor - Activate Hemingr's Precision
Standard - Attacks on the Run the Illithid to T4
Action Point - Coup De Grace (Two-Fang Strike) Drow
Free - Arc Lightning Drow (target and all within 2 take 1d6 lightning damage)
Move - Run to CC4
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Hound - Initiative=14
Move - will edit
Minor - will edit
Standard - will edit

Attacks on the Run 1=27
Attacks on the Run 2=25
AotR Damage 1=35
AotR Damage 2=13(26/2)
Twin Fang Strike=Crit
TFS Damage=50
Hunter's Quarry Damage=16
Lightning Crit Bonus=4
Arc Lightning Damage (Drow)=4
Arc Lightning Damage (Ogre)=4
Arc Lightning Damage (Grimlock)=3
Arc Lightning Damage (Mandibula)=4
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will edit

-Swift