FOURTHCORE TEAM DEATHMATCH

March 5, 2008

Underground

PLAY-BY-POST THE LOST CROWN OF TESH-NAGA (Part 5)




The chasms yawns before you. The sounds of splashing water echo up from the depths. A mildew-laden stench wafts up from the fetid dungeon below.



62 comments:

  1. Mavarothix peeks over the edge and cautiously looks down the opening.

    "Looks dangerous... You go first!"

    OOC:
    Perception +6 on the ladder, walls, etc... Anything within sight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mavarothix finds nothing suspicious.

      Though the smell of mold is very present, the crafty Kobold can tell that the water itself, whatever its source, is relatively clean.

      [TECH]
      Perception Check (5)+6

      Delete
  2. Duurkala also looks over the edge of the chasm and reaches into his pack. Pulling out a sunrod, he cracks it over his knee and drops it down the hatch hoping to get some perspective on how deep the shaft falls before looking into ways to get down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seeing the brief flare of light from the sunrod, you estimate the drop is a little more than 20 ft. You can see at the bottom of the downward tunnel is an open room, covered with a few inches of water. A rat scurries away at the falling bright light, letting out an almost imperceptible squeak.

      Delete
  3. [Ghaaldar]
    With the light at the bottom provided by the sunrod, Ghaaldar produces rope from his backpack. Handing the others one end, he requests, "Hold this."

    Assuming the others hold the end of the rope, he stows his weapon and descends down into the pit.

    Tech: +11 Athletics.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Grimlock grabs the rope and braces himself to assist.

    ReplyDelete
  5. With Grimlock holding the rope tight, Ghaaldar easily descends through the darkened tunnel and softly lands in the ankle-deep water. Bathed in the light of the dropped sunrod, Ghaaldar sees a brick-walled chamber. Water spills in from cracks in the ceiling, forming a murky pool that can been seen to get progressively deeper as it gets further away from the rusty iron ladder. The Dhakaani's splashing around has garnered the attention of some unwelcome inhabitants, however, as massive nests of rats begin scurrying out of countless holes in the walls. The rats sense a fresh meal and begin swimming through the water to attack! The squeals of innumerable rodents echoes off of the brick dungeon walls.

    [TECH]
    Lots of pictures updated above. The rats get an (18)+6 initiative, beating all of the other rolls for yous guys. Unless we need otherwise, I will have the rats make their actions (upcoming Comment), and then have each of you chime in with your character's actions at your convenience until everyone has had a set of actions. You all have three days to post, making the deadline at Sunday afternoon. Besides Ghaaldar, all other dungeoneers are assumed to be adjacent to the hatch on the sanctuary floor.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The rats swim through the water, the light of the sunrod reflecting off of their sickly red eyes. Ghaaldar splashing the first group with a wave from his shield, but that only provides the opening the second group needs to get in. The rats chomp down through mail armor and tunic, finding the succulent Hobgoblin blood they so desire! Their filthy, yellow teeth carry with it all manner of pestilence and give Ghaaldar a scar that will last him the rest of his days.

    [TECH]
    (1) HUMILIATION!!!
    (15)+6 vs. AC 20; HIT!!!
    for (1)+4= 5 damage and ongoing 5 damage (save ends). Ghaaldar is at 38 HP.

    I assume Ghaaldar uses Hobgoblin Resilience to grant a free save: (5) FAILURE!!!

    No Gotchas: The rat swarms each have an Aura 1, making an attack as a free action at the start of an enemy's turn in the aura.

    ReplyDelete
  7. [Ghaaldar]
    Ghaaldar is not fazed by these insignificant rats. He draws out his flail, and thrashes them!

    Tech:
    Minor: Draw Flail.
    Move: Shift to X15 if not difficult terrain, otherwise stay in W16.
    Standard: Attack rats at W15, +9 vs AC for 1d10+6 damage (Battle Wrath stance)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOC: Aha! I forgot to mention, Difficult Terrain is encountered in watery squares in Columns 12 and lower. Shift away!

      The rats swarm around Ghaaldar, crawling up his legs and wedging into the crevices between himself and his armor. The horrid rodents viciously bite at the soft flesh beneath Ghaaldar's rough tunic, staining his shirt with small drops of blood. Making room for his incoming allies, Ghaaldar furiously swats at the rats as best he can, their massivenumbers proving to be difficult for him.

      [TECH]
      Rats: (1)+6 vs. AC 20; MISS!!!
      Rats: (20) CRITICAL HIT! Ghaaldar takes 10 damage to be at 28 HP!
      Ghaaldar: (8)+9 vs. AC 15; HIT!!! for 1/2x (6)+6= 6 damage! The rat swarm is in Ghaaldar's Defender Aura.
      Save Ends: (13). Joe, you lucked out!

      Delete
  8. Duurkala laughs maniacally and grabs hold of the rope. He begins to lower himself down the edge and looking up at his allies, he gives them a wink.

    "A rats, the quintessential dungeon dweller. Shall we then? Kulimvorith, this seems like a great chance for you to demonstrate that strong, sorcerous dragon blood, no?"

    With what can best be characterized as a yodel, Duurkala comes laughing down towards the bottom of the pit.

    "Couldn't let you have all the fun, eh, Ghaaldar?" Drawing his blade, he

    TECH:
    Minor: Activate Skald aura
    Move: Climb down rope, Athletics +6 (if fall, Acrobatics +5, trained)
    Minor: Draw sword.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If climbing the rope costs my move and standard, then I have no sword. :(

      Delete
    2. While the rope is securely fastened by Grimlock, any character can slide down as a Move Action, no check required. Sword: unsheathed!

      Delete
  9. OOC: Are V17 and X17 open squares or are they walls? Can't quite tell on map.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both are empty, although they do count as difficult terrain, as noted by the white triangles.

      Delete
  10. [Ghaaldar]
    OOC: On the recent hit, I activate Power Strike (encounter power) to deliver an extra 1d10 damage to the rat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The rat takes an additional 1/2x (5) = 2 damage

      Delete
    2. OOC: Am I weakened? Curious, why the deduction?

      Delete
    3. OOC: Make a Monster Knowledge check and I'll tell you all about it.

      Delete
  11. [Ghaaldar]
    Ghaaldar believes his flail should be doing more against the creatures, and considers why this isn't the case.

    Tech: +1 Dungeoneering or +1 Nature

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The check result would use Nature, as these are natural creatures; however, Ghaaldar is out of actions and needs a spare Minor Action.

      Delete
  12. [Drum-Haak]
    Struggling to find a good vantage point, Drum-Haak shrugs his shoulders and slides down the rope. He shakes his head disapprovingly at his bemused ally.

    “Ghaaldar, you fool, make way for a professional exterminator!”

    Summoning powerful arcane forces, the wizard sends an orb of crackling lightning toward the rats.

    [Tech]
    Move Action: slide down the rope (I'm unclear as to what squares are unoccupied)
    Standard Action: Shock Sphere centered at W13. +6 vs. Reflex (area burst 2)
    Hit: 2d6+5 lightning damage.
    Miss: Half damage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOC: Map updates will be in the morning. With Drum-Haak sliding down, squares V15 and W15 are occupied by rat swarms, square X15 by Ghaaldar, square W16 by Duurkala, and I'll put Drum-Haak in the non-OA-provoking square X17. A clumped up corner in the bottom right!

      At the beginning of Ghaaldar's turn (before the saving throw was made) he takes an additional 5 damage to be at 23 HP.

      Drum-Haak slides down the rope and casts a crackling ball of lightning from between his tented fingertips, behind the cover and safety of that fool Ghaaldar. Electrical arcs dance across the water surface, frying the rats en masse as dozens of their small bodies float up to the surface.

      [TECH]
      (15)+6 vs. Reflex 14; HIT!!!
      (18)+6 vs. Reflex 14; HIT!!!
      Both rat swarms take (6)+(5)+5= 16 lightning damage! The rat swarm adjacent to Ghaaldar is bloodied.

      Delete
  13. [Grimlock]
    Impatient at having to hold the rope for his allies to descend, Grimlock bellows "Hurry! Grimlock want fight!"

    ReplyDelete
  14. "Yes, yes!" Mavarothix grabs the rope and slides down, trying to position himself as far back in the crowd as possible. He quickly pulls his bow and fires a screaming arrow at each target.

    [Tech]
    Move: Down rope, to whatever adjacent square I can get to that's farthest from the rats (V17?). Since it's a traffic jam down there and map isn't updated, I'll leave that to you.

    Minor: Draw shortbow

    Standard: Twin Strike, one shot per rat ... +10 vs AC, 1d8 +1 thunder damage per attack
    Oh, and very important... On hit, the rats are DEAF. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOC: Since you guys seem to be itching to see position updates, I've got a crappier-than-usual graphic map update now.

      Adding in the vulnerability that the rats face from Drum-Haak's area attack, both swarms are bloodied.

      Mavarothix twists and turns down the stout rope, loosing a pair of arrows from his bow! Out of the dozens and dozens of swimming vermin, Mavarothix gets two of them dead on! Bam, eat it!

      [TECH]
      (14)+10 vs. AC 15; HIT!!!
      (6)+10 vs. AC 15; HIT!!!
      Both rat swarms take 1/2x (2)+1 = 1 damage! More importantly, the rats are deaf!

      Delete
  15. Kulimvorith slides down, dances past Mavarothix and with a grand gesture, spraying acid all over the swarm of rats.


    OOC: Move action: Slide down rope, move to U16, via Mava's square to not provoke OA.
    Standard Action: Burning Spray, Close Blast 3, +7 vs Reflex, 1d8+8 damage to the swarm on a hit. On a hit, next enemy to hit me takes 3 fire damage. Blast squares will be U12-15->U15-X15. No reason to hit Ghaaldar for the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kulimvorith channels the almighty power of the Progenitor Wyrm and blasts the vermin from his sight, leaving naught but a greasy film of blood and gore floating atop the water!

      [TECH]
      (6)+7 vs. Reflex 14; MISS!!!
      (15)+7 vs. Reflex 14; HIT!!!
      The rat swarm in front of Ghaaldar is killed.

      Delete
    2. winner winner, chicken dinner anyone?

      Delete
  16. OOC: By the way, I'm going to start backdating these posts to clear them out of view for anyone wishing to avoid spoilers and the like.

    ReplyDelete
  17. [Black Lotus]

    "I'm hurrying, my large friend, I'm hurrying." He slithers agilely down the rope and emerges in front of the rats, attacking them.

    [tech]

    Move: Down the rope to V16, using Tactical Trick if possible for this to avoid any potential AoOs/gain CA.
    Minor: Draw weapon.
    Standard: Stabbity! +13 vs AC if I have CA, +11 if not. On hit: 1d8+8 + 2d6 if I have CA, 1d8+7 if not.

    OOC: Sorry for the delay, been sick the last couple of days and sinus infections suck and make me wobbly.

    ReplyDelete
  18. OOC: No probs, you're way ahead of deadline.

    Black Lotus slithers down the rope expertly, darting out a flash of blade as his feet hit the solid floor.

    [TECH]
    (6)+13 vs. AC 15; HIT!!!
    for 1/2x (7)+8= 7 damage!

    The scattered rats break apart, taking their entire turn to shift and move to get to square U10. The whole group can give chase as they please. Map updates in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Map updated. Rats took a shift & move to swim to square U11.

      HAVE AT THEE!!!

      Delete
  19. [Drum-Haak]

    Drum-Haak sends a freezing burst of arcane energy down the hall to finish off the disgusting rats.

    [tech]
    Freezing burst +6 vs. reflex (area burst 1)
    Hit: 1d6+5 cold damage and slide to V12.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The scattered remnants of the rat swarms are killed off by the frost-spells of Drum-Haak. The rest of ya's may now explore at your leisure.

      OOC: Thanks for posting quick and wrapping this up.

      [TECH]
      (8)+6 vs. Reflex 14; HIT!!!

      Delete
  20. Taking his sword and sifting through the rocks and rubble to the north, Duurkala looks back casually at Drum-Haak and Kulimvorith. "Well played gentlemen. Well played indeed. Now that we've defeated the rats, any preference for our action? I'm inclined to say, let's to the west."

    ReplyDelete
  21. [Black Lotus]

    "A nice finish, Drum-Haak." He looks around.

    "These foul vermin are beneath us," he says, wrinkling his nose. "Though perhaps one of you would care to have some for dinner?" He grins.

    "Let us proceed cautiously, comrades."

    He looks around warily for signs of any other inhabitants and keeps a watchful eye for anything that may look dangerous, cautiously feeling his way forward with one foot to make sure he isn't about to end up in over his head in water. He pays particular attention to the waterfall and the drop-off on one side.

    (Perception, +7 modifier)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The keen eyes of Black Lotues miss little. Among the swirling, turnulent waters, you see a pair of eyes briefly break the surface. A scaled predator prowls the depths.

      [TECH]
      Perception Check (14)+7

      Delete
  22. "To the west, seems just fine with me" says Kulimvorith before taking in the surrounding area and starts to walk along around the water.

    Tech:
    Looking around the room, and moving along the north shore to T11 if I see nothing of interest. Perception +3

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, Kulimvorith. So impatient! Ignoring the words of the Dhakaani, the Dragonling strides forward and is ambushed by a giant crocodile hiding beneath the waters! The unfeeling, scaled horror snatches onto the Dragon-Man, biting down with immensely powerful jaws and tearing the supple, dragon-flesh. It's red hot reptile-on-reptile action! Blood froths the waters red!

    I wonder if Ghaaldar will return your favor to him from earlier and scratch your back?

    You may all now take a turn.

    [TECH]
    (6)+10+2 vs. AC 15; HIT!!!
    (12)+10 vs AC 15; HIT!!!
    Kulimvorith takes (5)+4 + (2)+(7)+4 = 22 damage!
    He is bloodied and grabbed (until escape) at 14 HP!

    ReplyDelete
  24. [Black Lotus]

    "There is a creature in the water. Be ca-" He cuts off as Kulimvorith charges ahead and is attacked by the creature.


    (OOC: Going to wait to see what the others do for a bit.)

    ReplyDelete
  25. [Ghaaldar]
    Seeing worth in Kulimvorith, Ghaaldar looks to attack the crocodile from afar. He readies a javelin, takes careful aim, and let's loose!

    OOC: Kulimvorith wasn't the "back scratcher" from earlier. That was the bastard, Marathovix.

    Minor: Stow Flail
    Move: Draw Javelin
    Standard: Ranged Basic Attack (Javelin); +7 vs AC, 1d6+5 damage (Battle Wrath Stance)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mavarotrix moves in to position and fires a volley, waiting to see if the creature snaps again to provide covering fire.

    [Tech]
    Minor: Hunter's Quarry on croc
    Move: Move to X13, using movement from additional attack below if need be.
    Standard: Skirmish Shot ... +10 vs AC, 2d8 +6 +1d6 quarry damage on hit
    Can move my speed prior to attack; see above, to X13.

    If croc attacks anyone, Immediate Interrupt: Disruptive Strike ...
    Trigger: Me or ally is attacked by creature
    Attack: +10 vs AC
    Hit: 1d8+6 damage and the croc takes a -3 penalty to triggering attack

    ReplyDelete
  27. [Drum-Haak]

    Drum-Haak chuckles softly, thoroughly amused by the situation. He launches a magic missle into the beast, careful not to hit his hapless ally (although to be fair, Drum-Haak has trouble distinguishing the two).

    [tech]
    Standard Action: Magic Missle versus crocadile (automatic hit for 7 damage).

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ghaaldar's javelin soars through the air and clangs against the wet stone. SNAP! Magic bolts soar through the air, followed up by a series of arrows that impale the thick reptilian hide! Blood from the croc mixes with Kulimvorith's in the waters! Gross! That is how you get the D&D-herps.

    [TECH]
    (7)+7 vs. AC 20; MISS!!!
    (18)+10 vs. AC 20; HIT!!!
    [For convenience, Disruptive Shot done now] (20) CRITICAL HIT!!!
    Magic Missile; HIT!!!

    (7)+(5)+(5)+6 + 14+(3) + 7 = 40 damage!!! The crocodile is bloodied.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And deafened. Let's not forget the deafened.

      Delete
  29. "This reminds me of an old story of a crocodile that ate a dragonborn. Oh wait, that's right now! HAHA! I'm coming Kulimvorith!"

    Duurkala comes rushing into the fray, his words of......heartening......warning ringing in their ears, he goes rushing forward and crashes into the crocodile in a whirl of blades.

    Tech:

    minor action: Words of Gravity, if i hit with a melee basic attack, grant Kulimvorith a +2 to all defenses until the end of my next turn.

    standard action: CHARGE THE CROCODILE! +10 vs AC, 1d8+7 damage and grant boon to dragonborn ally.

    Also, while my Skald Aura is active, an ally within 5 squares of me can use a minor action to grant themselves a healing surge +1d6, but only twice per encounter. An ally can use it on another ally, but has to be adjacent to the one receiving the healing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Duurkala throws himself into danger to try and save the impatient Kulimvorith! His sword arcs high, but only skims off the thick hide of the croc.

      [TECH]
      (8)+10 vs. AC 20; MISS!!!

      Delete
  30. OOC: ACTION POINT! Slash and stab and try again. Same bonuses and effects.

    ReplyDelete
  31. [Black Lotus]

    Black Lotus sighs and goes in after the hasty Kobold.

    [tech]
    Move: Tactical Trick to get next to the crocodile and gain CA
    MBA: +13 vs AC and 1d8+8 & 2d6 damage on a hit.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Black Lotus jumps in, wading into the thigh-high water. His blade flashes out but skims their the air, the cunning warrior distracted by the water spray thrown into the air from all the thrashing about.

    [TECH]
    (6 again)+13 vs. AC 20; MISS!!!
    So close!!!

    Waiting on Grimlock to finish the round.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Grimlock drops the rope down and then clambers down the ladder.

    OOC: If climbing down is a move and standard, I'm done. If not, let me know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOC: Climbing down the ladder is only a Move Action, however ...

      Left behind by the others, Grimlock stares at the length of rope in his hands. Tossing it away, he squeezes through the Sanctuary's opening to descend down the rusty iron bars jutting out of the stone walls, using them as a make-shift ladder. One of the bars is loose and snaps off, sending the hulking brute tumbling down to the hard, wet ground.

      [TECH]
      (10)+9 vs. Reflex; HIT!!!
      Grimlock falls for (3)+(4) damage, down to 39 HP, is knocked prone, and presumably spends his Standard Action to stand up.

      === END OF ROUND 1 ===

      Delete
  34. The crocodile chomps away at its meal, namely, Kulimvorith. A well-placed arrow from Mavarothix arches out across the chamber and impales the croc in the roof of its mouth (OOC: Damage already resolved), and causes the slithering predator to wince back enough for Kulimvorith to reposition himself in the beast's mouth so as not to be crushed quite so bad.

    [TECH]
    (7)+10 -3 vs. AC 15; MISS!!!
    Kulimvorith still takes one-half (5)+(1)+4= 5 damage to be at 9 HP!

    Everyone may now beat the snot out of the crocodile.

    ReplyDelete
  35. [Ghaaldar]
    This was a fun battle. Sure, Ghaaldar loves to mix it up in close melee, but sometimes just hanging back and chuckin' javelins from afar is just what the shaman ordered.

    Tech:
    Minor: None
    Move: None
    Standard: Ranged Basic Attack (Javelin); +7 vs AC, 1d6+5 damage (Battle Wrath Stance)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Duurkala puts a hand to his chin as he sizes the situation up,

    "Hmmm. This is certainly a tough foe. Perhaps we should leave the dragonborn to figure things out?" He pauses and considers it for a heavy moment.

    As his face explodes in a grim laugh, the bard pronounces loudly, "NAH!"

    He slashes out at the crocodile trying to sever the muscles in its jaw clamping down on his ally. He leans in and gives a wink to Kulimvorith, "I almost got you there didn't I?"

    TECH:
    Move Action: Shift to square V9
    Standard Action: Melee basic attack +9 vs. Crocodile, 1d8+7 damage on hit and Kulimvorith gains +2 to all defense until end of my next turn due to my Words of Gravity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ghaaldar's javelin strikes true, his eye sharp and his throwing arm strong. Duurkala, try as he might, does not have quite the same success and swings wildly. These old bones have seen one too many winters, and the wear and tear may just be catching up to them.
      Map updated.

      [TECH]
      Javelin: (18)+7 vs. AC 20; HIT!!!
      Longsword: (8)+10 vs. AC 20; MISS!!!
      The crocodile takes (1)+5= 6 damage and is (still) bloodied.

      Delete
  37. Mavarothix remains silent, but attempts to finish off the beast with a well placed shot.

    [Tech]
    Standard: Careful Attack, +12 vs AC, 1d8 +6 +1d6(HQ) damage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mavarothix hones in on his target as only an expert hunter can, placing an arrow straight between the crocodile's eyes and piercing the creature's small reptilian brain.

      [TECH]
      (20) CRITICAL HIT!!!
      Dead.

      Use this Comment thread to take a short rest, spending and tracking your healing surges as you like.

      New Post is here: http://dmg42.blogspot.com/2009/03/side-passage.html

      Delete
  38. [Drum-Haak]

    Drum-Haak fires off another magic missle at the crocadile. (7 damage)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Kulimvorith, feeling the power of the reptilian jaws around him, has had enough. In a flash, he is gone from the croc's jaws, and before the croc knows what hits him, there is a clap of thunder!

    Tech:
    Spatial Trip (move action), teleport 3 squares east, to U14.

    Dragonfear vs the croc (minor action) +7 vs will. On a hit, croc grants CA AND takes -2 to attack rolls until EoNT.

    Thunder Slam (Standard Action) vs the croc +8 (+10 if dragonfear hits) vs Fort 2d10+8 thunder damage and I push the croc 3 sq.

    ReplyDelete