Action Thread 18

[Alethan]

Till does not know if the offer for one-on-one combat is real or a ruse, so he throws both of his bottles at the largest group of rats coming his way that he can see.

Fiery Death Bottle #1 [1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21

Fiery Bottle Of Death #2 [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19

Then he draws magical sword and dagger and prepares for the onslaught of rats.

[Argennian]

Believing this to be the forced showdown that they've all expected, Yosef immediately casts his Mirror Image spell (casting time: 2 segments, duration: 6 rounds (2 rounds/level), range: 6' components: verbal & somatic) before the action jumps off...

Yosef: casting Mirror Image spell [1d4] = 3

... and three perfect replica images of the elf fighter/mage appear surrounding him!


OOC: Ron, not sure what your rules are on concerning when a mage or cleric for that matter casts a spell, in regards to them having something in their hands. There's obviously 3 separate components possible for a spell: V, S, M (verbal, somatic and material). I've always played it as a caster needs one free hand to cast a spell with a verbal and somatic component, but would need two hands free to cast a spell with all three components. The logic there being that one hand would have to make the somatic motions and the other second hand would have to engage the material component. I don't think I ever found anything in the 1E core books to detail this. So your call there. If Yosef needs both hands, he'll drop his torch. If he doesn't, he'll keep it to hand.

EDIT: oh snap! I'm at work but just happen to carry my most awesome Usherwood Publishing mini-OSRIC 2nd Edition rulebook with me in my work truck. The following is a quote from page 36:

Spells with a verbal component may not be cast within the area of effect of a silence spell or if the caster is gagged. Spells with a somatic component will require that the caster has at least one hand free for casting. Spells with a material component will usually require two free hands as well as the material component itself.

[ToniXX]

Bruard will toss his lit cocktail over Till's head:

Bottle toss over Till: [1d20] = 15

[dmw71]

Jeloon, while she welcomed the long awaited challenge of squaring off against the rat king, accepts the reality that trickery is likely in force and decides to follow suit with the rest of her companions.

She tosses her lit bottle and quickly prepares for melee.

Bottle toss: [1d20] = 13

[rredmond]

.

Day 19 – 12:01 p
Round 1


It’s really not becoming of such famous adventurers to be so paranoid… sheesh, thinking the King himself would set a trap. I’m… well, I’m just ashamed of you all.


The party is surrounded by the noise and movement of rats. Some of them wet so that the smell is just delightfully odious. But you are ready for them and have ample opportunity to light and throw your bottles. As Yosef says his arcane majiks, holding the lighting torch, you are all surprised at the quickness of the wick burn! In the split second that you think “thank goodness Till added that” you realize you need to get rid of them quick. Four bottles fly into the caverns as Van jumps at the crowd of Yosef’s in the back of the passageway. There are two ranks of two Yosefs, and Van quickly realizes what’s going on, moves next to the real Yosef in the second rank (it’s a real interesting spell, I think there’s supposed to be a line of you, but this way makes more sense in a passage only 10’ wide, and protects you with the added bonus of giving Van a bit of protection as well.)

Meanwhile havoc is wreaked with flying fire bombs. The reason for the quick burning wicks is revealed as the bottles break on the ground they provide a quick explosive burn, and flame out in less than a minute. But oh what a flame arose! The damage rolls were nigh on ridiculous. Though there are a good dozen coming up behind you, the ones attacking from the front were all incinerated before they could squeak in pain. In the flash you can see the rattish king, semi-melted crown on his head, face twisted in rage, and a glowing broad sword in his hands. Before you can count the dead rats in front of you, he urges the half dozen, which he has obviously kept back as a rear guard forward to attack. He is all the way in the back NW of the room, and he is standing in front of a small (Till would say disappointingly small) pile of coins, maybe a small pouch, and even from behind Yosef can see a wand of sorts. But that’s the glint you get in the flash. Ah you were prepared for it, so it didn’t hurt your eyes or nothing

Meanwhile the rats from behind rush forward to attack what they believe are twin Yosefs standing in front of two more twin Yosefs and a single Van. Above five are attacking the two now, but more are climbing over them and likely about 8 will attack next round. But Van is set with the spear and another bites the dust without even making it to Phantasm Yosef. Only one though is able to hit the Phantasm in front of Van, making it completely disappear. Van moves further back to attack behind the second rank Phantasm Yosef with his spear. But the space is now pretty tight.

There are a dozen minus one giant rats coming up from the south, and a half dozen rats closing in the north. The king stays behind, though is moving up behind the northern dirty half dozen.

Bruard still holds the lantern which is the source of Van’s light. For Round 2 I’ll need an initivative and called actions, with corresponding rolls please. Let me know if there are any other actions.

HPs: Jeloon - 26/29; Till - 36/36; Yosef - 8/10; Bruard - 16/19
WIH: Till: short sword (15' radius light); Jeloon: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Yosef: bow and arrow; Bruard: Mace, shield; Van: +1 ogre spear, shield; Eyman: +1 Battle Axe, shield
MO: 1- Jeloon; 2- Till; 3- Bruard & Eyman; 4- Ancor, Rosin, DAMs; 54 - Yosef ; 5 - Van
Consumables: Lantern - (Bruard) continual light 60' radius; Torch, 58 minutes (off), 40' radius; Torch, 60 minutes (off), 40' radius.
--------Spells: Yosef: 1-2/2, 2-1/1; Bruard: 1-5/5, 2-3/4
Helm used 1x today.
Ointment 3 normal applications left.
8 bottles o' flame
2 Phantasm Yosefs

.

[Alethan]

OOC: Does anyone in the back ranks have a bottle or two they could toss at the rats that came at us from behind? I have a few ideas, but would love to hear from the rest of the party first...

[ToniXX]

OOC: Does anyone in the back ranks have a bottle or two they could toss at the rats that came at us from behind? I have a few ideas, but would love to hear from the rest of the party first...

Per this thread here: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1261&start=60#p36775

Before following Jeloon, Bruard muses on Till's idea, then grabs two bottles and puts them in his sack.

Bruard has two more in his pack and can set his shield down and take one or both out. I could lob one or both at the rats behind us. What's your plan?

[Alethan]

Find someone with one or two more bottles and have them lob the bottles of fiery death at the rats that came at us from behind.

Next, Jeloon tosses the halfling over the rats to take out the rat king... =-)

[ToniXX]

Bruard will then take out another bottle from his pack and toss it. Ron, I'm not sure if you'll allow the removing of the bottle AND tossing it in the same round, but if so, here's the roll:

Bottle toss #2: [1d20] = 2

Ahhh nutsack! At least it's not a 1!

[Argennian]

Still holding his burning torch in place next to him in case more Molotov bottles need to be lit by those in the front ranks, Yosef faces the rat king as he and the last wave of his pet rats begin to close on the front rank of the party. Not knowing if it will be a wasted spell or not, the elf decides that it's now or never to try, since the phantom Yosef's and Van with his spear are holding down the rearguard for at least the next round.

Yosef sights in on the rat king and casts Charm Person (range: 120 feet, casting time: 1 segment, AoE: 1 person, Components: V,S) He then cries out at the rat bastard, "Wait! It's me! Hold your rats back!"

OOC: Does anyone in the back ranks have a bottle or two they could toss at the rats that came at us from behind? I have a few ideas, but would love to hear from the rest of the party first...

OOC: Yosef had originally gathered 3-4 bottles and prepped them to throw when the party was still looking to cross the water room but apparently he never stuffed them in his pack (cause they're not on his character sheet). But based on Ron's description, I believe the rats behind the party have already moved in to engage our rearguard, so not sure if we could get off Molotov bottles there without taking a chance of friendly fire (pun intended! ).

Ron: what is the disposition & position of the 12 (-1) rats attacking our rearguard? If I understand your descriptor correctly, both of the mirror-imaged phantom Yosefs are in the last rank as rearguard. Does that mean that the rats will have to attack the mirror images before they could get to Van and Yosef? Would it be possible to get a Molotov bottle off in that direction without chance of friendly fire? (not counting a 1 on a throw, of course)

[rredmond]

Ron, I'm not sure if you'll allow the removing of the bottle AND tossing it in the same round, but if so, here's the roll:

I assumed all the bottles were out and ready to go. Essentially there's 8 bottles set up near Yosef for easy grasping and tossing.

Bottle toss #2: [1d20] = 2

Ahhh nutsack! At least it's not a 1!

[rredmond]

Ron: what is the disposition & position of the 12 (-1) rats attacking our rearguard? If I understand your descriptor correctly, both of the mirror-imaged phantom Yosefs are in the last rank as rearguard. Does that mean that the rats will have to attack the mirror images before they could get to Van and Yosef? Would it be possible to get a Molotov bottle off in that direction without chance of friendly fire? (not counting a 1 on a throw, of course)

The 11 rats are engaging with you, your two phantasms and Van. There are two ranks that are kind of a zig zag. Rank 1 is Phantasm Yosef 1, Rank 1.5 (so next to, but a few steps behind PY1) is Phantasm Yosef 2, then Rank 2 is Yosef (behind PY1) and Rank 2.5 is Van (behind PY2). Let me see if I can depict it graphically:

Rest of Party

---------------------Van-----
-----Yosef--------------------
----------------------PY2-----
-----PY1----------------------
--------LOTS o' RATS--------

[rredmond]

.

Day 19 – 12:02 p
Round 2


.

Taking too much care with not flaming his companions, Bruard lobs the fire bomb over the rats. It flares up, momentarily blocking the exit, but does no damage.

Meanwhile Yosef tries to talk the wererat out of attacking… with the help of a spell, but he seems to be still exhorting his minions to attack.

With no flame to stall them, they attack Till and Jeloon holding the line up front. Bruard is in the middle, with two phantasm Yosefs holding the line behind, with Van and Yosef in a second rank behind them.

The party won initiative (I rolled it) but the rats in front of the party spend the time rushing to attack and neither side will be able to attack this round (unless Till is throwing a dagger or something) but you both can attack in round 3.

The 10 rats behind the party overwhelm the two phantasm Yosefs that are left, but before that time Van is able to skewer another rat with his spear, which is why there were only 10 and not 11.

Bruard still holds the lantern which is the source of Van’s light. For Round 3 I’ll need an initiative and called actions, with corresponding rolls please.

HPs: Jeloon - 26/29; Till - 36/36; Yosef - 8/10; Bruard - 16/19
WIH: Till: short sword (15' radius light); Jeloon: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Yosef: bow and arrow; Bruard: Mace, shield; Van: +1 ogre spear, shield; Eyman: +1 Battle Axe, shield
MO: 1- Jeloon; 2- Till; 3- Bruard & Eyman; 4- Ancor, Rosin, DAMs; 54 - Yosef ; 5 - Van
Consumables: Lantern - (Bruard) continual light 60' radius; Torch, 58 minutes (off), 40' radius; Torch, 60 minutes (off), 40' radius.
--------Spells: Yosef: 1-2/2, 2-1/1; Bruard: 1-5/5, 2-3/4
Helm used 1x today.
Ointment 3 normal applications left.
7 bottles o' flame

.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d6] = 5

Till attacks the rats currently in front of him.

"Jeloon, I hear rats behind us. Let's clear these out then let the others back out into the open so you can help them."

To Hit, Shortsword+1 [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12 and Dagger +1 [1d20] = 20
Damage, Shortsword+1 (Small/Medium) [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2 (Don't think that hit, but just in case...)
Damage, Dagger+1 (Small/Medium) [1d4+1] = 3+1 = 4

[Argennian]

"It was worth the try," mutters Yosef to no one in particular as he realizes that his Charm Person spell failed. With torch switched to his off hand, the elf fighter/mage reaches down and grabs up one of the prepped Molotov cocktails nearby. He will light it and quickly throw it over his phantom mirror images in the rear rank, hoping to catch as many of the rear group of the giant rats as possible.

Yosef: To Hit, Thrown weapon or object (+1 Dex bonus) [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6

OOC: dang, crappy roll! Ron, I'm assuming, based on your previous post descriptors that Yosef could still make a Molotov attack without risk of friendly fire on he or Van (bar rolling a natural 1, of course).

If that is NOT the case, then Yosef would draw his longsword and stand with Van to engage the oncoming rats that are attacking his two remaining mirror images. Please advise and I'll edit my post, if needed!

... Bruard still holds the lantern which is the source of Van’s light. ... ...

OOC: Ron, just wanted to make sure to reflect that Yosef has a torch burning here as well. I did not see that you had that accounted for in the bottom of your action post. He lit it just before the current encounter went down and still has it in his hands.

[dmw71]

Jeloon gladly joins Till in waging attacks against the rats in front of them. Frustrated with her early efforts, she is very deliberate with her last attack making sure all her efforts aren't for nothing.

+1 Longsword (vs. s/m) [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7 [1d8+3] = 8+3 = 11
+1 Longsword (vs. s/m) [1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12 [1d8+3] = 3+3 = 6
+1 Longsword (vs. s/m) [1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21 [1d8+3] = 6+3 = 9

[ToniXX]

Bruard sets the lantern down and swings his mace at the closest foe:

Mace to-hit [1d20] = 16 damage (sm/m) [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7

Ron, I assume I can do that in the same round... if not, let me know. Also know that my shield is on my back, so my AC is one higher than normal. I figured I can't do all three in one round: set down the lantern, sling my shield and attack.

[rredmond]

.

Day 19 – 12:03 p
Round 3


The lantern isn’t lit, just Lighted, so Bruard is good to put it down and attack. Sorry Mitch about the torch, I knew about it, but you’re right didn’t have it below. Fixed!

Cowards! The king screams as he exhorts his rats forward moving up behind them brandishing his glowing sword.

Yosef attempts one more toss of a fire bomb, but again being too careful about the back blast he lobs it over the oncoming rats, burning yet again the poor passageway behind them – charred dirt comes from the ceiling, but the tunnel still appears sturdy.

Till attacks one of the rats in front of him, hitting BOTH times and slicing the thing before it could attack.

Jeloon wades into battle a bit (giving Bruard room he definitely doesn’t have with the rear guard, to attack up front) and only one of her first two attacks hit, but it does the job adding another dead rat next to Till’s.

Bruard moves up to get his mace in between Till and Jeloon and crush the head of yet another rat. But they keep coming on!

Behind Van is unable to continue his previous excellent efforts at putting rats on a stick and misses with his spear.

Then the party is amidst the rats! Though unfortunately there are more behind than there are in front. The three left up front (yup, I triple counted that attack Jeloon (one rat) and Till (two rats) while the ten behind slam into Van and Yosef.

Till deftly avoids the two attacking him (though the second one was a bit clumsy) but the one focused on Jeloon is able to get past his defenses and bites hard for 3 damage!

Yosef and Van do a great job holding the line and not allowing any rats past them. Though Van does get bit, nothing more than a scratch that hurts him (1 HP) but he shakes it off to continue the battle.

The king stays out of sword range, but has moved up to right behind the giant rats.

For Round 4 I’ll need an initiative and called actions, with corresponding rolls please. Yosef still has his torch, and the lantern is on the ground next to Bruard. No saving throw needed for Jeloon… this round. On the rats Yosef can attack three times while Jeloon can attack four times this round now that they are firmly engaged.

HPs: Jeloon - 23/29; Till - 36/36; Yosef - 8/10; Bruard - 16/19
WIH: Till: short sword (15' radius light); Jeloon: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Yosef: bow and arrow; Bruard: Mace, shield; Van: +1 ogre spear, shield; Eyman: +1 Battle Axe, shield
MO: 1- Jeloon; 2- Till; 3- Bruard & Eyman; 4- Ancor, Rosin, DAMs; 54 - Yosef ; 5 - Van
Consumables: Lantern - (Bruard) continual light 60' radius; Torch, 58 minutes (off), 40' radius; Torch, 60 minutes (off), 40' radius.
--------Spells: Yosef: 1-1/2, 2-0/1; Bruard: 1-5/5, 2-3/4
Helm used 1x today.
Ointment 3 normal applications left.
7 bottles o' flame

.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d6] = 4

Till continues swinging at the rats, as long as they press against him.

What he really wants to do is get a piece of the rat king, though... as soon as the opportunity arises, that will be his target.

Of course, he'll do nothing with rolls like this...
To Hit, Shortsword+1 [1d20+1] = 4+1 = 5 and Dagger +1 [1d20] = 4

[Argennian]

"Damn!" curses Yosef as he overthrows the rat horde attacking he and Van in the rearguard with the Molotov.

Realizing that there will be no more need for lighting fire-bomb bottles, he drops his torch just in front of him, between he and Van, draws his longsword and hand axe from his belt line, and begins swinging at the incoming vermin. He steels himself, determined to hold the line with Van at all costs. "We'll hold them off back here! Get that rat bastard!"

To Hit: Fighting 2-handed, primary weapon: longsword (+1 Dex bonus;+1 elvishness/-2 penalty) [1d20] = 18 (hits AC0), Damage vs sm/med creatures [1d8] = 4
To Hit: off-hand weapon: hand axe (+1 Dex bonus/-4 penalty) [1d20-3] = 6-3 = 3 (miss), Damage vs sm/med creatures [1d6] = 4

To Hit: Fighting 2-handed, primary weapon: longsword (+1 Dex bonus;+1 elvishness/-2 penalty) [1d20] = 1 (miss badly!), Damage vs sm/med creatures [1d8] = 8
To Hit: off-hand weapon: hand axe (+1 Dex bonus/-4 penalty) [1d20-3] = 14-3 = 11 (hits AC7), Damage vs sm/med creatures [1d6] = 6

To Hit: Fighting 2-handed, primary weapon: longsword (+1 Dex bonus;+1 elvishness/-2 penalty) [1d20] = 5 (miss), Damage vs sm/med creatures [1d8] = 6
To Hit: off-hand weapon: hand axe (+1 Dex bonus/-4 penalty) [1d20-3] = 12-3 = 9 (hits AC9), Damage vs sm/med creatures [1d6] = 1


OOC: <sigh> first time Yosef fights 2-handed and it didn't really help much!

You know, I had thought about having him keep his torch to hand and using that as his off-hand/secondary weapon but in OSRIC, the off-hand weapon can only be a dagger or hand axe, BtB. No rule for that in 1e either, so it would have to have been a house rule adjudication anyways.