24. Left Branch (Ewell, Ken, Darrin, Epsilon, O'rek only)

[dmw71]

I'll move you guys along tonight. It's Bears vs Packers on Monday Night Football, though, so it might not be until later.

[dmw71]

Ewell keeps to the left, northwest passage, assuming it will eventually connect with the other lair entrance Grim and Gwillt entered through. Epsilon stops and draws an arrow in the dirt pointing to the left tunnel along with the message: "Ewell is a goat farmer."

The left passage continues north approximately 100 feet before the cavalier slows. The passage suddenly opens, but opens into what? The limited light provided by the torchlight leaves whatever --if anything -- lies ahead concealed in a veil of darkness.

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    \_____                  
          \       _______
           \ Ew  /
           / Ke /
          / Da /
         / Ep /
        | Or |
        |    \
         \   |
         |   \
        /    |
        \    \
         \    \  /   /
          \    \/   /
           \       /    
            \      \
            /  /\   \
     ______/  /  \   \
    /   _____/

[Zhym]

Kendrick whispers, "Let's back this queue up and see where the other tunnel goes."

The big space that seems to be beyond would be a better place for the larger group.

[onlyme]

anybody in the room already knows we're here. Turning around gives them a flank attack..

Ewell replies, as he progresses into the room.

[dmw71]

Moving this group on my commute home (~1 hour from now). Extended map is on my personal computer and I forgot to share it.

[dmw71]

Convinced their arrival has already been betrayed, Ewell resists Kendrick's urging to fall back and explore another option. The brave young knight grabs the torch from Darrin and manages to gain an awkward hold on it with his shield hand. While the torch will need to be dropped in order to gain full defensive benefits of his shield should a combat situation present itself, it will provide him the greatest use of light and its poor illumination (15 feet).

"If there is anything," the cavalier thinks to himself, "they already know we're here." He marches into the open area and, while the full depth of the chamber is lost in darkness, the group of troglodytes standing protectively in front of a pool of miniature-sized versions of the foul swamp creatures quickly has the young knight realizing he's stumbled upon a hatchery.

Within moments, the protective stench fills the room.

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      ____________________
     /                    f3      
    /                 f1 f6  h7 
   |                    f2 f4    
   |             Ew     f5  h8    
    \_____                  ____
          \   Ke  _________/
           \     /
           / Da /
          /    /
         / Ep /
        | Or |
        |    \
         \   |   

The stench will penetrate the entry passage so I will need saves from everyone. I'll assume both the wax noseplugs and the wine soaked rags are in use so all characters will receive +4 on their saving throws (per here). Additionally, all characters except Kendrick, will receive an additional +1 due to recent familiarity with the pungent odor.

In addition to a saving throw versus poison, I will need actions and, if necessary, an initiative roll.

[dmw71]

I forgot to mention that Epsilon's 'Bless' spell, which lasts 6 minutes, has already expired by this time.

[wolfpack]

[1d20+5] = 11+5 = 16


unaffected by the odor which smells surprisingly like curdled goat cheese Epsilon casts hold person on f1 f2 and f5

[onlyme]

Saving throw [1d20] = 1

no need to add the 5... Ewell feels weaker.
weakened roll d6 [1d6] = 3

where is epsilon, and does Ewell need to duck from his spell?

[wolfpack]

epsilon was behind DA and no hold person doesnt fire a bolt or anything i just choose targets.

[Zhym]

When the trogs release their stench, Kendrick just smiles. "Mmm! Spicy food!"

Save vs. Pee-ew [1d20+6] = 20+6 = 26

Assuming the trogs are armed with spears, javelins, or other pointy objects that can be set against a charge, Kendrick will simply attack the nearest unheld trog. If for some reason they aren't so armed, he'll charge.

Initiative: [1d10] = 8 Sorry about that.

Broad Sword (THAC0 14): [1d20+3] = 8+3 = 11, Dmg: [2d4+4] = 7+4 = 11 Even sorrier about that. Hits AC 9. I don't know why the macro says THAC0 14. For a 1st-level paladin, it should be 20, right?

What a waste of a natural 20 on the save. If the save and to-hit rolls were reversed, he still would have saved and would have gotten a critical hit on the trog!

[ravenn4544]

Save vs. Poison [1d20] = 9 +5 = 14

O'rek shrugs off the aroma and advances to the right and holds back until battle lines are drawn to help the fighters in the front.

[onlyme]

Ewell, knowing there is no redemption for these evil creatures, attacks the left most trog.

Roll#18288 was 20-2 for weakness and dam 7-2.
2nd attack (cav3rdlevel perk), 18289 was net 10 and 5.

[dmw71]

2nd attack (cav3rdlevel perk), 18289 was net 10 and 5.

Regarding this, your multiple attack round will come in the "second" round, per the following rules: 03. Multiple Attacks and Initiative, summarized as follows:
"...the first round you attack with a weapon is the lower number of your attack rate. If you continue attacking with that weapon in the consecutive round, then you get your bonus attack."

[dmw71]

unaffected by the odor which smells surprisingly like curdled goat cheese Epsilon casts hold person on f1 f2 and f5

Notes from the 'Hold Person' spell:

"This spell holds 1d4 humans, demihumans, or humanoid creatures rigidly immobile and in place for a minimum of six rounds (the spell lasts 2 rounds per caster level, and the priest must be of at least 3rd level to cast the spell)."

"...if the spell is cast at only one person, the saving throw die roll suffers a -2 penalty. Saving throws are adjusted for Wisdom. Those who succeed on their saving throws are totally unaffected by the spell."

[dmw71]

The vile stench fills the room and only Ewell is affected. The creatures, with their javelins, are able to act more quickly.

Ewell (f1, f3, f6) and Kendrick (f2, f4, f5) are both quickly surrounded by a trio of attackers. The young cavalier is able to easily escape all attacks, while the paladin is not as fortunate, avoiding one attack, but being struck by two others (-6)(-4).

Even in his weakened state, Ewell is aware that there is no redemption for these evil creatures. He rushes at the furthest troglodyte (f1) and gashes the creature. Darrin follows the knight and holds the torch he carries high which, as its light fills more of the room, you can see

Epsilon focuses a 'Hold Person' spell on the troglodyte most front and center (f2) and the creature freezes in place, which will help Kendrick considerably.

Able to tolerate that putrid odor, Kendrick recognizes that the foul creatures are all armed with javelins and launches himself at the nearest unheld swamp beast (f5) but is unable to connect with his broad sword.

O'rek shrugs off the aroma and advances to the entrance of the cavern and holds back, waiting for the battle lines to be established and quickly realizes that the young paladin in front of him will likely be in need of assistance first.

---

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                            ______
                           /  h2  \
      ____________________/ h1 h3  \
     /               f3        h4   \
    /              Ew f1*     h7 h5 |
   |           Da    f6         h6  |
   |                 [f2]       h8   \
    \_____  Ep       Ke f5  ______/\
          \    Or ______f4_/
           \     /
           /    /
          /    /  

---

Round two actions and initiative.

[wolfpack]

unaffected by the odor which smells surprisingly like curdled goat cheese Epsilon casts hold person on f1 f2 and f5

Notes from the 'Hold Person' spell:

"This spell holds 1d4 humans, demihumans, or humanoid creatures rigidly immobile and in place for a minimum of six rounds (the spell lasts 2 rounds per caster level, and the priest must be of at least 3rd level to cast the spell)."

"...if the spell is cast at only one person, the saving throw die roll suffers a -2 penalty. Saving throws are adjusted for Wisdom. Those who succeed on their saving throws are totally unaffected by the spell."

guess it changed from 1st edition. used to be up to three creatures casters choice.

[Zhym]

Just checking: all hits take into account Kendrick's protection aura?

Kendrick attacks one of the trogs in front of him and moves in a fighting retreat back to the tunnel, where he can hopefully limit the number of enemies able to attack. "Back into the tunnel, please!" he calls. "Epsilon first, then O'rek." He knows Ewell is likely to ignore the request (and notes to himself that following impulsive cavaliers isn't a good idea), but hopefully O'rek and Epsilon will get into the tunnel where they could still cast spells. Kendrick will wait at the edge of the tunnel for them, then enter it to protect them from the trogs.

Initiative: [1d10] = 1 Yeah!
Broad Sword (THAC0 20): [1d20+3] = 15+3 = 18, Dmg: [2d4+4] = 4+4 = 8

[dmw71]

Just checking: all hits take into account Kendrick's protection aura?

I did forget to factor this in (sorry, but don't hesitate to ask like you did, or even feel free to mention it in your action post to remind me) but it turns out that both attacks still hit. I make all rolls against the players public:

"...while the paladin is not as fortunate, avoiding one attack, but being struck by two others (-6)(-4)"

Troglodyte's have a 19 THAC0 which, against Kendrick's 4 AC would require a 15; 16 with your protection aura. As you can see from the two links above, 16 was the result of both successful attack rolls against you.

[onlyme]

Isn't the pfe aura -2 to hit?