IC IX

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

"A giant door for a giant!" exclaims Aquar, half-smiling. "Perhaps our feline is but an escaped house cat of this gargantuan abode!"

The cleric mills about, half-heartedly searching the ground and door like the others then wanders up the ridge to be above the door to see if the giants may have skylight or chimney.

[thirdkingdom]

Aquar finds no sign of chimney nor vent.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Lanny nods in agreement with Aquar's theory of it being the abode of a giant. It certainly seemed logical, and he had heard of some giants living in foothills and mountains.

"And yet, this stone is ancient, while the attacks on the logging camps began only a month ago. I would not think that the two things were necessarily related. I would guess that this place has been abandoned for quite some time..."

When Thordin suggests that the door might be forced open with the combined strength of four or five of the party members, Lanny looks again at the door.

"I would be interested to see what lies behind this door... but I think we should camp first, and observe it from a distance through the night hours. In the morning, before we are ready to depart to the south, perhaps we can open it and have a quick look inside."

Lanny is assuming that since the rowan shield did not detect magical energy, the spell Read Magic would not have any effect on being able to read the runes on the door. TK, is that a correct understanding of the Read Magic spell? If there is any chance that Read Magic might work, Lanny will suggest that one of the spellcasters prepare it the following morning and then cast it before making any attempt to force open the door.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys raises an eyebrow at Lanny's suggestion to explore the 'giant's abode'. "It appears it has sat undisturbed for a long time. We should consider leaving it alone, at least until we've resolved this issue with the beast, lest we get distracted from our purpose, which is to prevent more innocents from dying."

"We should be able to locate this place again, now that we know of its location, right? Besides, we haven't prepared for an underground excursion. Let's come back when we have the proper gear for delving deeper..."

See what I did there?

[thirdkingdom]

Hmm. I think it is reasonable to assume that not all magical writing (i.e. spell formulae) is actually magical in itself. For instance, I would assume that while a spell scroll might radiate magic, as it not only contains the words of a spell but the magical energy needed to cast the spell, whereas a wizard's spellbook would not by necessity radiate magic, since it merely contains formulae and not the energy needed to cast a spell.

That being said, if the runes are not magical in nature Read Magic would not be helpful.

[riftstone]

[quote="Alethan"]Rhys the Traveler

delving deeper..."

See what I did there?

[/quote]

I did, and I liked it. My current game of choice...

[thirdkingdom]

Flaurmont 11, AC 1000

After some discussion the adventurers decide to leave the strange entranceway alone. They set up camp some short distance away. Those with spells or martial skills to practice do so: Bregalad has a breakthrough and is able to comprehend the writings that comprise the Analyze spell. Jaceo climbs a tall oak and reports that, yet again, there are no smoke signals from the logging camps. The night passes uneventfully.

Flaurmont 12, AC 1000

The companions rise to a light drizzle falling. Jaceo again climbs a tree and finds no sign of attack from the camps. The day passes slowly; the trees' canopy is enough to prevent the majority of the rain from reaching them, but the air is humid and oppressive. After eight hours of hard travel camp is established. Jaceo climbs yet another tree and finds nothing. The rain stops shortly after dark.

It is during the second watch, with Innana and Semele awake, that the two feel the hair on the back of their necks raise and prickle. Staring at them from just outside the ring of firelight are two enormous, golden cat's eyes, gazing intently at the sleeping forms within.

Okay, Semele and Innana are the only two awake. Innana, please declare actions for both you and Semele. I am going to say that both characters can rouse two other PCs in one round, or a character can shout to try and rouse everyone (but there will only be a % chance of success for each PC). The other characters will not be able to act in this round; characters that are woken in this round will be able to act during the next round. Please note that characters do not sleep in armor. Those currently on watch are assumed to be wearing armor.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Okay, Semele and Innana are the only two awake. Innana, please declare actions for both you and Semele. I am going to say that both characters can rouse two other PCs in one round, or a character can shout to try and rouse everyone (but there will only be a % chance of success for each PC). The other characters will not be able to act in this round; characters that are woken in this round will be able to act during the next round. Please note that characters do not sleep in armor. Those currently on watch are assumed to be wearing armor.

TK, how many rounds does it take to put on one's armor?

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny the Elf

Okay, Semele and Innana are the only two awake. Innana, please declare actions for both you and Semele. I am going to say that both characters can rouse two other PCs in one round, or a character can shout to try and rouse everyone (but there will only be a % chance of success for each PC). The other characters will not be able to act in this round; characters that are woken in this round will be able to act during the next round. Please note that characters do not sleep in armor. Those currently on watch are assumed to be wearing armor.

TK, how many rounds does it take to put on one's armor?

Oh, I don't know. My gut is to say two rounds. Thoughts?

[riftstone]

2 rounds is about 20 seconds (according to the rule book). I would say 1 minute (6 rounds) for Chain, and maybe twice that for Plate (if someone helps). That is being very generous. Just my take. Mind you, none of this is real knowledge...

[Alethan]

I know a DM who uses this house rule:

Donning/Removing Armor
While it will not be a perfect rule, to simplify and standardize the timing for the various armor types, the following will be implemented in this game:

The number of rounds required to don armor is equal to 10 minus the level of protection it offers (e.g. base AC). The time to remove armor will equal half the time to don a like piece of armor, rounding down.

Code: Select all

                  Armor         -- Rounds --
Armor             Type    AC    Remove   Don 
Leather           Light    8      1       2  
Padded            Light    8      1       2  
Ring Mail         Medium   7      1       3  
Studded Leather   Light    7      1       3  
Brigandine        Medium   6      2       5  
Hide              Medium   6      2       4  
Scale Mail        Heavy    6      2       4  
Chain Mail        Heavy    5      2       5  
Banded Mail       Medium   4      3       6  
Bronze Plate Mail Heavy    4      3       6  
Splint Mail       Heavy    4      3       6  
Plate Mail        Heavy    3      3       7  
Field Plate Mail  Heavy    2      4       8  
Full Plate Mail   Heavy    1      4       9  

[thirdkingdom]

Oh good. I didn't want to come across as a jerk. Thordin's suggestion sounds good to me for simplifies sake: chain and lighter takes one minute, plate two minutes.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana spies two golden eyes out in the darkness. Innana glances at Semeles saucer eyes to make sure she understands the gravity of the situation. Innana signals Semele with hand, and face gestures to wake Thordin. Innana leaps out in the darkness throwing the net out from around her hip. Placing her shield in front of her, Innana whispers loudly, "Here kitty, kitty...

Innana draws out her sword and waits for her eyes to focus in on what is stalking her friends from the darkness.

Innana will pull the goggles down over her eyes, if needed.

Net and Shield for round 1.
Net (Basic): +2, Entangle, Range 10/20/30

Sword and Shield for round 2.
Swift Fang Sword (Basic): +2, 1d8+1 (includes the penalty for silver wire handle)

[thirdkingdom]

Round One

Innana motions for Semele to wake Thordin, then throws her net at the shape in the darkness. Her aim goes wide and the net flies off to the right of the shape. The giant cat, with one swift, sinuous movement, bounds into the light, closing the thirty feet between it and Innana in an instant. It is twenty-five feet long if it is an inch from nose to the tip of its tail, its black hide criss-crossed with old scars and bare patches. The Beast has teeth that are the length of Innana's hand, and claws half as long as that. Perhaps its leap throws it a bit off balance, for the warrioress is barely able to dance out of the way of two swipes from its claws. It snaps at her with massive jaws and scores a minor hit.

Innana takes 3 hp. Thordin is up next round.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Oh good. I didn't want to come across as a jerk. Thordin's suggestion sounds good to me for simplifies sake: chain and lighter takes one minute, plate two minutes.

I think that is a good ruling. I have made a note of it for future reference on the Night Watch post on the Standards thread. If nothing else, I assume we can at least grab our shields if we don't want to take the time to get fully armored (the shield could be a lifesaver if anyone is hit by a particularly lethal blow).

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana screams at the top of her lungs "Get your arses up...we gotta a huge feline problem!!" Innana stays engaged with the big cat hoping Semele is waking the rest of the group up. Innana is so excited to use Swift Fang that she has left a better part of her fear behind near the campfire. Innana watches the cats movements, and steps in and swings her magical sword as the cat moves towards her.

Sword and Shield for round 2.
Swift Fang Sword (Basic): +2, 1d8+1 (includes the penalty for silver wire handle

)

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf once roused, rubs the sleep from his eyes.

"Bloody hell...?"

He grabs his magic sword and rowan shield, forgoing armor.

"For Innana!" he yells as he charges.

Sword, +7 to hit, 1d12+3 damage, -2 AC bonus vs. 1 opponent, 1 deflection attempt/round at a 7 or better chance.

[thirdkingdom]

Round Two

Semele roused Aquar and Lanny as Thordin rushes in to attack. The dwarf's blade leaves a thin scratch on the great cat's hind leg, and does not distract it from its quarry. It lashes out at Innana again with claws and a bit; its claws part Innana's armor like paper, and it delivers a viscious bite that leaves her bleeding from multiple wounds. She attempts to strike the Beast with her blade but is unable to find the leverage needed to harm it.

Aquar and Lanny may act during round three, so intentions, please. Everyone else will be awakened by the din of battle and can act during Round Four. Innana takes 18 hp damage.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf continues his assault.

Sword, +7 to hit, 1d12+3 damage, -2 AC bonus vs. 1 opponent, 1 deflection attempt/round at a 7 or better chance.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana hears Thordins approach "For Innana!", Thordin yells. Innana somehow feels like everything is going to be alright now. Innana watches Thordin rush in from the side like someone had flung him into the fighting area hyped up on coffee. Innana swings high, and then tries for a low swing when she feels the cats jaws latch on,and tear her flesh. Innana screams, Semele!" Innana does not chance to glance at the wound, but feels the warm blood roll over her skin, "I need your healing!"

Innana holds Swift Fang for another blow, tiring for a better grip on the wired handle, "show me what you got!" Innana swings again at the massive cat, trying to keep the felines attention away from the un armored Thordin.

Sword and Shield for round 2.
Swift Fang Sword (Basic): +2, 1d8+1 (includes the penalty for silver wire handle