2. Welcome to Borovia

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 3, 1221
Time: 1:03 AM - Combat Round 3
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

The wolves get the first move again.

The huge beasts are literally on a tear, ripping through clothes and flesh. Robert, Tumbler, and Agrippo each feel the bite of powerful canine jaws.

[Robert: -8; Tumbler: -6; Agrippo: -9]

Tibbius backs out of the front rank to make room for Ismark. A wolf rushes forward to vacate the spot. Ismark steps in front of it, blocking any further progress. Ismark hacks at the wolf with a long sword, but the wolf's hide is too tough.

Robert, shocked at the attack from the wolf, strikes again, attempting to take down the beast! He misses badly, just barely avoiding giving the wolf an opportunity for a counter-attack.

Agrippo tries to spear the wolf he had been fighting. His spear again stabs the wolf, but the massive creature seems not even to notice the wound.

“Bite me!!! Arghhhhh!!” yells an infuriated Tumbler. His rage hampers his aim and his hammer swing falls far off the mark.

Tibbius conjures the image of a bonfire in the entry hall. The “bonfire” is rather thin, only about 5’ wide, but stretches from one end of the hall to the other. For some reason, the flames are gold. The gold flames catch in the glowing sand on the foyer floor.

Vorkath, drawn out of the library by the sound of fire, appears in the door to the east wing hallway across the foyer. Ireena is just behind him. The bats stay away from him, forming a 10’ radius bat-free circle around the paladin. “Tibbius, part these flames for us!” he yells so as to reach the combat.

As if in response, the flames rush forward in a 5’ wide band. The bonfire disappears as the flames split down the middle, run along the walls and around the fighting party members to reconverge on the front rank of wolves.

The woves react for a moment, surprised by the approaching flames. But the illusionary flames lack the heat and, more importantly to the wolves, smell of true fire. Despite this, two of the wolves in the front rank try to back out of the flames. The other two fight on, not fooled by the golden tongues that have no smell. One of the wolves that backed away from the flames is quickly replaced by another, but the other is not.

Vorkath approaches Tibbius and stands near him by the doorway to the drawing room. "Tibbius, are you controlling these flames?” asks Vorkath, remembering past adventures when he has seen the mage seemingly practice pyromancy.

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Actions for round 4?

Initiative (Monsters): [1d6] = 5
Initiative (Party): [1d6] = 1
Wolf attack rolls: 18, 12, 20, and, on the free attack from the critical hit, 19!
Wolves inside the house save vs. the illusion at +4 due to the complexity of the illusion and missing sense components (heat and, particularly for wolves, smell). Wolves outside the house save at +2. Wolves that fail their saves do not flee, but take 1d4 illusionary damage if in the flames and try to stay out of the fire.

Status: Robert: 23/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokarth: 40/40, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 21/39, Agrippo: 38/52

[Bouv]

Robert, reeling from the blow, decides it would be best to let Vorkath into his frontline spot and will make a retreating attack, keeping on guard and he slowly moves make and makes room.

"Vorkath, use my spot, I feel you will have some better luck against these wolves than I!"

Will roll when I get home

[Stirling]

Wolves the size of ponies..? are these uncommon dire wolves or just well fed on villagers? Agrippo will attack the one chewing on his leg with renewed gusto, two melee attacks this round:

1st attack:

[1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21
[1d8+3] = 8+3 = 11

2nd attack:

[1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21
[1d8+3] = 6+3 = 9

"thats' more like it! take that you flea ridden bath rug!"

[Grognardsw]

“Taste the sword of the True God, foul beasts!” Vorkath gives battle cry as he charges, swinging Excommunicator at the nearest wolf exposed from Robert’s withdrawal.

Having battled many an enemy in the past together, the adventurers have combat strategy to take advantage of each others' strengths.

“Close to me Robert!” Vorkath assumes the injured Robert, with missile weapon and spell capability, will fall in beside or behind the paladin to be afforded his Protection from Evil 10’ aura, which is effective against summoned animals such as these wolves and bats, and then fire his missiles or spells.

In a 3/2 attack, do you have the 2 attacks fall in the first round?
I'm four squares away so can charge, getting automatic initiative and +2 to hit.
Excommunicator Attack [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12, S/M Damage [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, L Damage [2d8+1] = 14+1 = 15 Charge +2 is 14, hiting AC 0
Excommunicator Attack [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2, S/M Damage [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, L Damage [2d8+1] = 10+1 = 11 Miss
I assume they're Large for size damage?
I take it you’re not linking DM dice rolls in the Roller?
Robert, Hold animal? Call lightning?

[Zhym]

In a 3/2 attack, do you have the 2 attacks fall in the first round?
I'm four squares away so can charge, getting automatic initiative and +2 to hit.
Excommunicator Attack [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12, S/M Damage [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, L Damage [2d8+1] = 14+1 = 15 Charge +2 is 14, hiting AC 0
Excommunicator Attack [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2, S/M Damage [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, L Damage [2d8+1] = 10+1 = 11 Miss
I assume they're Large for size damage?
I take it you’re not linking DM dice rolls in the Roller?
Robert, Hold animal? Call lightning?

Double attacks come in even-numbered rounds for simplicity. So this is a two-attack round for everyone who gets 3/2.

A square on that map is 5', not 10' (I use 5' squares on that map because MapTool acts more the way I want it to that way). So Vorkath is 20' away from the wolves. And there's a timing issue here. If the party doesn't win initiative, Robert won't have a chance to move out of combat until it's the party's turn to act. Which means that even if Vorkath can charge "first," there's nowhere he can charge to until Robert gets his move.

Also, that 10' protection from evil aura works both ways: the wolves will do everything they can to stay away from you. You might not have anything to attack when you get there.

They are size large, yes.

I am using the dice roller, but the DM character hasn't been linked to the campaign to make it a little harder for those in the library to see what's going on (although it's all on the honor system anyway). I can send you links if there's anything you're curious or skeptical about.

[Computer +1]

Tumbler has been bitten and scratched a few times already and knows that he can't take this kind of assault for long unless he starts hitting back. He calms down and tries his best to time the movement with the wolf in front of him and his attack.

Attack:
[1d20] = 19
Damage:
[1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

Tumbler's damage output sucks.

[NJWilliam]

Iluq, Dark Elf Cleric

Hearing the sounds of combat from the drawing room, and Ireena having moved there, Iluq determines that his companions likely will not retreat to the library to take advantage of his chant.

"No doubt they won't brave that fire to come back here, knowing them."

He stops his chant, takes his two magical hammers in hand, and strides out of the library to meet the foes with his companions.

[Zhym]

*Points to the sign* Hey, buddy, can'tcha read the "No NJWilliam" sign up there?

Welcome back to the action.

[Bouv]

Dice Roll for fighting withdrawal

[1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14

a ha! A dice roll inthe double digits!

Damage (Scimitar is 1d8+1/1d8+1 so I just rolled it once)

[1d8+1] = 5+1 = 6

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 3, 1221
Time: 1:04 AM - Combat Round 4
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

You act first this round.

Vorkath charges into battle as Robert mounts a fighting retreat. The wolves back away to stay out of his protection aura.

Agrippo and Tumbler are both able to engage the remaining wolf. Agrippo strikes twice, poking deep holes in the wolf with his spear. The wolf staggers, bleeding heavily. Tumbler bops it on the head with his hammer. The blow is not mighty, but it is enough. The wolf falls to the floor, dead.

Another wolf jumps over its dead cousin, biting viciously at Agrippo. But it proves unable to climb over a dead wolf and attack at the same time, and its bite misses.

Tumbler continues concentrating on his illusion. Iluq emerges from the hallway to the library to join the fight.

And that’s it for this round. Actions for round 5?

If anyone wants to advance to attack the wolves, either Tibbius needs to drop the illusion or you'll need to roll a save to disbelieve the flames.

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Initiative (Monsters): [1d6] = 1
Initiative (Party): [1d6] = 4

Status: Robert: 23/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 21/39, Agrippo: 38/52

[Eulalios]

Tibbius continues to focus on the illusory flames, making them flicker and flare from the blades and metal armor of his companions, making the fur of the wolf confronting Agrippo seem to smolder and smoke. Given his melee "prowess" and poor spell selection this morning, this seems like the most useful thing he can do for now... [DM Edit: the next sentence covers it ] Not that Tibbius can really be communicating anything re:tactics right now.

[Bouv]

Robert will inch forward a bit, to be in the Protection From Evil and then let lose with a sling stone from his sling going for wolf #3

[1d20] = 9

[NJWilliam]

Iluq

Iluq moves to the side of Ireena, watching for whatever summoned the bats, and ready to smash it with his hammers.

[Computer +1]

Tumbler has no desire to move forward and potentially get bitten again. He stands his ground and will attack at anything that ventures too close but otherwise is content to let the fighters do some fighting for now.

Attack, if necessary:
[1d20] = 12

Edit- rolled damage:
[1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

[Zhym]

Folks—please roll damage with your attack rolls, even if you think you missed.

Thanks!

[Stirling]

Agrippo will stand victorious over the body on the dead wolf, bellowing snarls and penal war cries. He will lunge and parry at the next wolf trying to force them backwards from whence they came. I think he can reach through the flames with his spear.
[1d20+2] = 6+2 = 8
[1d8+3] = 5+3 = 8.

"I we have the measure of these wolves, the rats and bats can be the work of you arcane masters."

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / drawing room

The paladin holds forth his holy sword, his fury righteous, his faith unwavering, advancing while chanting:

"In the Name of the True God,
and of His Son,
and of His Holy Ghost,
I banish you!

The power of God compels you,
The authority of God commands you,
The spirit of God drives you away
So says the Sword of the True God!

As smoke is driven away,
so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire,
so the wicked perish at the presence of the True God.

We drive you from us,
whoever you may be,
unclean spirits,
all satanic powers,
all infernal invaders,
all wicked legions,
assemblies and sects.

So says the Sword of the True God!"

[NJWilliam]

Iluq, Dark Elf Cleric

"Comrades, these bats are clearly summoned creatures seeing how they refuse to come close to Good Vorkath.
"I wager their master is none other than the villain Strahd, and that is the cloaked one standing 50 yards beyond that shattered window.
"Do not look and I will not point, lest he realize he is spotted."

Iluq will then cast Negative Plane Protection on himself.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 3, 1221
Time: 1:05 AM - Combat Round 5
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

Initiative is . . . irrelevant.

Robert and the one wolf able to attack past Vorkath’s aura attack each other, but both miss. Tibbius continues concentrating on the illusion of fire. Tumbler stands his ground, but because he is within Vorkath’s powerful aura of pure Good, the wolves cannot attack him. Robert lets loose a sling stone that flies just past the head of a wolf.

Vorkath takes a few steps toward the middle of the room, until his aura of Good bars all progress through the drawing room into the house. The paladin holds forth his holy sword, his fury righteous, his faith unwavering. He tells the wolves to go away. In lengthy non-rhyming verse.

Iluq calls your attention to something in the distance through the busted-in window. It is the figure of a man, standing on a hill about 50 yards away from the house. You can't make out his features in the dark, but he wears a heavy dark cloak that wafts in the late night breeze. He stands with his arms crossed, motionless, intently observing the battle.

Iluq surrounds himself with a protective spell.

The figure raises his head to the nearly full moon, opens his mouth wide, and lets cry a low, moaning howl that chills your bones and makes your skin crawl. The wolves all stop what they’re doing, raise their heads, and perk up their ears. When the howling finally stops, the wolves jump through the gaping window pane and out of the house. The scores of bats that had been flying throughout the house fill your vision as they stream around the edges of Vorkath’s protection aura and out the window. In a moment, they are all gone. When you can again see through the window, the figure on the hill has vanished.

All is quiet. The only signs that there was just a battle in this place are the overturned furniture, Tibbius’s "fire," two dead wolves on the drawing room rug—one much smaller than the other—and your wounds.

Status: Robert: 23/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 21/39, Agrippo: 38/52

[Computer +1]

Tumbler looks around at the mess before declaring, Well that sucked. He rests the head of his hammer on the floor and leans on the handle. We better all find our religion because the rest of us are toast against something like that.