23. Right Branch (Strom, Aric, Shan, Fim, Kaltar only)

[dmw71]

Given your barbarian background and knowledge, I'll assume you'll know how to safely transfer the venom from the gland to the weapon itself. The coating will be in place for a single attack, hit or miss. From Gwillt's experience, there was a delayed onset, and also a missed saving throw, so even a successful hit may not result in the expected results (unless you stick around and wait until the affects kick in to see whether or not the creatures saving throw was successful or not).

I've still been thinking about this and, while I don't have any issues of Dragon magazine to refer back to, and a transcript of the article wasn't provided in the post, I did find this 'Injected Poisons, Contact Poisons, and Bladed weapons' discussion out on Dragonsfoot which was helpful and, while it's not a huge boost, I will amend my above ruling and state that the venom coating will be in full affect for your first attack (hit or miss) and at half potency for your second (hit or miss). If you can, please make sure to mention the extra venom potential when posting your next two attacks.

[Grognardsw]

Aric / passageway

"Ah we not here to crush ah enemies?" whispers the barbarian to Shan. "Let us surprise, hew heads from shoulders, and hear their lamentations of pain."

Venom effects noted. Thanks.

[dmw71]

"Ah we not here to crush ah enemies?" whispers the barbarian to Shan. "Let us surprise, hew heads from shoulders, and hear their lamentations of pain."

Unless provided another option, this is what I will assume the group is doing.

[Stonjuz]

Myabe I can shoot some flaming oils over there? If nothing else I can shoot an arrow, but i dont wanna fight hand to hand with these smellie things.

[saalaria]

"Also we don't want enemies at our backs that could attack us later on when we have another threat and supposing Gwilt and Grim stumble in here and are then outnumbered? We have a larger group so I say attack and deal with the threat!" the warlike cleric opines in a whisper.

[Computer +1]

Strom nods in agreement. No more will they kill innocents. Let us end their threat.

[dmw71]

Code: Select all

                                           ______
                                          /    
               _____                     / t1     
               __   \           ________/    t2  
                 \   \         /            t3 
                  \   \       /St _____          
                   |   \_____/Ar /     \      __ 
                   |   Sh Fi Ka /       \____/  
                   |    _______/                
                   /   /
                  /   /
                 |   /__      _
                 /      \____/
                /   _          ___
               /   /  \       /   \
         \  \_/   /    \     /
          \     /       \___/
           \   /
           |   |
          

Strom, Aric and Kaltar, for reasons of their own, are all of the agreement that the troglodytes must be dealt with; while Fimmion and Shannigans remain reluctant. The halfling will fall back in the order and join the chef in the rear of the defenses.

---

I will need definitive actions from everyone, and rolls from those that are going to attack.

[Rukellian]

While the fighters and such charge forward, weapons swinging, Fimmion will accompany Shannigans in the rearguard, placing the light source that he was holding just far enough that there is lighting for the attacking group. "I will help watch our backs while you guys attack. If we need help, you'll know!"

[Grognardsw]

The most quiet attack would be Shan casting Sleep from around the corner, then the fighters rush in to kill them in a stroke? In any attack Aric would, coincidentally , happen to stay next to Strom to benefit from the paladin’s protection from evil modifier benefit. In any case, Aric would suggest to others a surprise rush at the trogs to hopefully gain first attack advantage.

Aric rushes forward, savagely cleaving the nearest lizard monster with its back turned toward him.

Bastard sword attack [1d20+3] = 8+3 = 11 Damage [2d8+4] = 9+4 = 13 Plus maybe any rear or flank plus or surprise modifiers?

[Stonjuz]

The most quiet attack would be Shan casting Sleep ...

Sorry, its only copied, and he doesnt actually know it yet.......soon though

While the fighters and such charge forward...

Shannigans yells out some coaching encouragment.
"You can do it. Hit em low. Hit em high. Split em open. Split em wide."
After the melee fighters charge to engage, the halfling will fill up the next rank behind them and let fly his magic missile at the trog who was not attacked by either Aric, Strom or Kaltar (probably t1)
mm [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

[saalaria]

Kaltar lumbers in with the fighters:

Mace Action To Hit [1d20] = 11 Dam [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

[Computer +1]

Strom move forward slowly, wary that there may be many more enemies then they can handle in the room.
If indeed he sees a superior number of trogs he will hold position in the tunnel before it widens out more then the space for two across.

If necessary he will hold back the trog tide while the others withdraw.

[dmw71]

Two things:
(1) I meant to update earlier this morning after receiving Computer +1's update, but ran into an issue. Sorry for the delay.
(2) The radius of a torch is 15 lowly feet. Unless someone in the front ranks is holding it, it will not be very effective. I will give it to Aric, as I believe it was his torch to begin with, and he can more easily use it with a buckler shield.

---

Strom moves forward slowly, wary that there may be many more enemies then they can handle in the room; only the three known beasts are visible in their limited vision. Suddenly, Aric rushes forward, savagely cleaving the nearest lizard monster (t3) but the creature reacts in time to avoid the bastard sword being swung in its direction. The light from Strom, witnessing the barbarian charge into the room, follows closely behind and opens a wicked gash on the nearest troglodyte (t3), leaving the creature staggered and bleeding heavily. Aric's torch illuminates a bit more of the room.


Kaltar lumbers into the cavern around Aric and survey's the room, looking for the best opportunity to engage with his next action (you couldn't have engaged in this short round given your position at the end of the marching order and limited speed; besides, your attack roll was a miss).

After Aric, Strom and Kaltar have entered the room, Shannigans sneaks around the corner, still mostly hidden from view, and lets fly an unerroring 'magic missile' just behind Strom at the northernmost trog (t1) getting the beasts attention.

Code: Select all

                                           _________
                                          /         
               _____                     / t1*      
               __   \           ________/    t2     
                 \   \         /         St t3*     
                  \   \       / Sh_____  Ar      f1
                   |   \_____/Fi /     \Ka    __ f4 
                   |            /       \____/  \___
                   |    _______/                    
                   /   /
                  /   /     

---

That will be the end of my round zero. Actions and initiative for round 1.

[Rukellian]

Fimmion will light his own torch and remain vigilant in his watch for any signs of movement from behind the group (right where he is on the map), and will attack if necessary.

[Computer +1]

Strom will hold his position and attack from that point. He does not want to let a trog get past to attack those behind him. He will target the nearest trog or will attack a trog that tries to get by.

Attack:
[1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12
Damage:
[2d4+3] = 5+3 = 8

[Grognardsw]

Aric growls at the trog that blocked his blow. His muscles flex as he reverses his blade and hews the monster.

Bastard sword attack [1d20+3] = 10+3 = 13 Damage [2d8+4] = 13+4 = 17

[Stonjuz]

init [1d10] = 8
Shannigans takes his step forward and draws daggers and readies to defend the cook.
dag [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2 [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5 dag [1d20-1] = 16-1 = 15 [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5

[dmw71]

Fimmion will light his own torch.

Does Fimmion have a torch?

[dmw71]

The creatures move to defend. To the south, one (f4) rushes to face Kaltar and skewers the cleric with its javelin (-7). The cleric swings his mace wildly, narrowly avoiding damaging his trusted weapon.

Another attacker (f1) from the second ranks engages with Aric but misses badly. The already wounded original opponent (t3) also remains on Aric but the barbarian is able so knock its javelin aside with his blade.

Strom also faces a pair of the foul beasts (t1, t2). The first (t1) manages to sneak past the defenses of the paladin and issues him a nick (-3), but the knight is able to deflect the second javelin with his shield.

---

Aric growls at the trog that previously blocked his blow (t3). His muscles flex as he reverses his blade and attempts to put the heavily wounded monster out of its misery, but the beast proves its resilience and eludes another attack.

Strom, distracted by the sting from his new wound, is successful in holding his position guarding the passageway, but unsuccessful in landing a successful attack.

---

Further back in the original passageway, Shannigans remains positioned in front of the chef and draws his daggers. The chef, struggling in the darkness, looks to light a torch of his own.

Two more troglodytes (f2, f3) are seen entering the light.

Code: Select all

                                           _________
                                          /         
               _____                     /          
               __   \           ________/t1* t2  f3 
                 \   \         /         St t3*     
                  \   \       / Sh_____  Ar f1   f2
                   |   \_____/Fi /     \Ka f4 __    
                   |            /       \____/  \___
                   |    _______/                    
                   /   /
                  /   /     

---

End of round 1. Actions and initiative for round 2.

Also, I will need two actions from Kaltar -- one for round 1, one for round 2.

[Rukellian]

Edited to reflect later decision