In Service to the Prophet (IC)

[NecroRebel]

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I'll... Keep that in mind.

While I had already had treasures thought out for level 1 or so, I can probably switch them around a bit. It may or may not make some other things that I had planned make little to no sense, but you're right, with your rolls being as bad as they are, you guys really need either rerolls or more attack bonuses.

The problem, unfortunately, is that as of right now you actually have, in theory, between a 40%-70% chance of hitting any given target... Which makes me more than a little annoyed at the fact that none of you ever seem to hit.

The way I see it, the fun in DMing is first telling a story, but second is the ability to put your players into a fire and see how they pull themselves out. If the dice screw you, though, that's half my fun as well as most of yours

[Parmenides]

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Ipphli - I can feel your pain about the rolls. God knows I felt it myself - I too missed important attacks (even as I rolled high damage), and look - I just got critically hit for the second time in as many fights (I was only attacked 5 times, tops), and I'm bloodied again.

Still, like NecroRebel said, we have a decent Hit chance, just a lot of bad luck. I'd prefer if he didn't have to make something in the story make no sense just because we had bad luck now. Another side of the gambler's fallacy is to believe thing will stay just as bad, so a specific plus-to-hit item will make a big difference. Let the pace of the story continue as planned, and NecroRebel - I think we can cope with no more then maybe a few more healing potions.

[NecroRebel]

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I think I overstated the problem a bit. The difficulty is that, in this particular battle, I had planned a weapon upgrade for Dumar - specifically, a +1 Flaming warhammer. I could make that a +2 hammer instead, but unfortunately the elf trooper just used said +1 flaming warhammer's daily power against Erion, so either he has a +1 flaming warhammer (and not a +2 hammer), or he has a +2 hammer and the trooper gained a power giving +1d6 fire damage and 5 ongoing fire damage out of nowhere

It isn't really plot-significant at all, and I do have more magic items planned scattered throughout the ruins in several of the preplanned encounters (though I suspect that I'm going to be changing some of those at least to noncombat encounters if possible; battle after battle takes too long), but the ones in the future are obviously much easier to change than the one at present.

Still Talis's turn, by the way.

[RTGoodman]

Seeker

After seeing Erion sneak around the building and then seeing him immediately flung backwards (and on fire!), Seeker moves to the warlock's aid, calling out to Talis, "The others have hit a snag - I've got to help them. If things get too bad in there, retreat to us and we'll see if we've better luck together."

When he arrives, he channels holy energies and some of his own life-force into the ailing and rapidly burning Erion. "Get behind me, friends - I'll try to hold them off, and see what I can do about the fire when I get a hand free!"

Ioun help us. I trust in her will, but things aren't looking as good for us as they could...

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I'm gonna break our little rule because I don't know when I'll get a chance to get back here today - I turned 21 today, and that means I've gotta go spend time at the DMV to get my license changed and THEN I get to go out and booze it up (maybe).

From what I've seen, a weapon with a higher to-hit bonus might help a little, but it's mostly just that we've had high rolls on non-combat stuff (Perception, Knowledge, Initiative, etc.) and unfortunately low rolls on attack rolls. Damage is a different story - I think everyone that has missed on attack rolls has rolled max damage or at least really good damage on those botched attacks.

I don't think my actions will change anything, so here's the plan. If things do change and invalidate what I've done, just DM me with the following basic plan - I want to heal up anyone I can and then be ready to fight next round when I'm more in range of enemies.

Move Action: Move down to the square north of Erion and west of Parmenides.
Free Action: Drop Rod
Standard Action: Lay on Hands
Minor Action: Draw Scimitar

Effect: I spend a healing surge, and Erion gains HP as if he had spent one.

If anyone hits either Erion or Parmenides with a pretty bad attack before my next turn, I'll use Martyr's Blessing as an immediate interrupt to take it instead.

Also, guys, try to put your status blocks at the bottom of posts if possible, so I'll know who needs HP or saving throws or whatever.

Current Status:

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HP: 40/40
Healing Surges: 9/11
Action Points: 0

[TwoBitWriter]

Talis

"We will fall together, Dumar!"

Talis shifts Northeast one, uses Cleave on So3 (secondary attack So2)

Attack on S03: (1d20+10)[15]
Damage: (1d10+6)[11]
(If I hit So3, So2 takes 4 Damage

Hit or miss, Talis will take an action point to Cleave So3 again (secondary hit on So2)

Attack on S03: (1d20+10)[30]
Damage: (1d10+6)[8]
(If I hit So3, So2 takes 4 Damage

[NecroRebel]

Talis moves into the castle and deals a strong blow to one of the soldiers, his blade biting through leather and flesh before burying itself into another's chest, as the paladin goes to aid his companions towards the south.

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Talis's first attack misses, but the action-point attack hits. Both So3 and So2 drop.

It would have been So3's turn, but he is currently a bit dead.

Current Status:

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Soldiers 1, 2, and 3 are dead.
Archer is bloodied.

Parmenides's turn.

Map:

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Assuming Parmenides doesn't post in the next 2 hours or so, this will be my last post until later tomorrow. I'll have my computer disassembled so I can move, so I won't be active.

[Ipphli]

Dumar

Dumar glances over at Talis. "You keep swinging like that and neither of us are going down today, lad."

[Parmenides]

Parmenides

Parmenides shakes his head to rid himself of the thunderous ringing in his ears. "Seeker, it's good you came. I'll try to keep the elves disoriented for a moment, so after you help Erion we can form a line. He'll be safe behind us."
Parmenides positions himself south of Erion and faces the elves."Normally, I'd be glad to play 'thunder tug', but for now just look at the pretty lights... "

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I move left-down-down and blast the elves with Color Spray.

Color Spray - Tr: (1d20+7)[21] , Sw: [roll]1d20+7[roll] , So6: [roll]1d20+7[roll] vs. Will.
Hit - (1d6+6)[8] radiant damage, and daze.

Status

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Bloodied at 14/28, but if someone attacks me, I'll use Shield as an interrupt. (Assumig it won't be another critical)

[Parmenides]

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Correcting the two bad rolls:

Sw: (1d20+7)[11] , So6: (1d20+7)[22]

[TwoBitWriter]

(NecroRebel emailed me, and said he can't access the GitP site for some reason. He asked me to relay this information to everyone. He wasn't sure when he could come back.)

[The_Werebear]

Sadface. Well, I am willing to wait for a return.

[TwoBitWriter]

(OOC: Also, I will be unavailable to post this weekend. So if necro gets back, he can NPC my next actions.)

[NecroRebel]

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I'm finally able to get access to the site again, so assuming you're all still paying attention we can continue. Again, I apologize for my extended absence; I hadn't expected to be gone more than a day or two, and it turned into nearly a week due to network problems Regardless, I need to review what's happened since I left and remember how things were going, so I'll probably be posting the next enemies' turns in a few minutes.

Thank you again for your patience.

[NecroRebel]

The glittering colors spike from the wizard's hand, cutting into the elves with the hammer and short sword, and while the former throws up his hands to avoid the worst of the blast the latter is not so lucky; light burns through him, leaving a scorched husk. The elf with the hammer shakes his head to clear it and steps forward, able to do nothing more but swing ineffectively at the air. Meanwhile, inside one of the soldiers attacks Dumar again.

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Parmenides hits Soldier 6 and Trooper, Soldier 6 drops. Soldier 4 attacks Dumar, Trooper moves 1 square west.

Attack vs. AC - (1d20+6)[11]
Damage if hit - [5]

Current Status:

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Trooper is dazed.
Archer is bloodied.
Soldiers 1, 2, 3, 6 are dead.

Erion's turn now.

Map:

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[The_Werebear]

Erion

Smoldering, and sent sprawling, the warlock scrambles backwards, still on the ground. Without bothering to stand, he curses the trooper, and then sends a vile word winging his way. Foul elves. Fear Enlightenment.

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Dreadful Word - (1d20+7)[12] versus Will. If he fails, he gets -3 on Will Saves.
Damage - (2d8+3)[7]
Curse - (1d6)[3]
Save versus Fire - (1d20)[18]
HP: 33/38, Prone, On Fire if I fail the save

[The_Werebear]

Erion

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Well, at least that attack sucked in general. I am ending on square 2 left, three up from the bottom.

[NecroRebel]

Erion's blast goes wide and splashes harmlessly against the castle wall as the elven swordsman-wizard moves to attack the warlock again, this time with his blade. Inside the castle, the archer moves towards the south exit, loosing an arrow at Dumar as he runs.

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Erion misses the trooper. Swordsman moves 2 squares left and 1 square up and left, then attacks Erion. Archer moves 3 squares down and left and 2 squares down, then attacks Dumar.

Swordsman attack vs. AC - (1d20+11)[25]
Damage if hit - (1d8+5)[8]
Recharge - (1d6)[6]
Archer attack vs. AC - (1d20+9)[29]
Damage if hit - (1d10+4)[6]
Archer's attack was a critical, so 14 damage instead of rolled damage.

Current status:

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Trooper is dazed and cursed.
Archer is bloodied.
Soldiers 1, 2, 3, 6 are dead.

Dumar's turn.

Map:

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Damn, that's annoying... 2 criticals on you guys in one battle, and 1 last battle, too Oddly enough, I don't have luck like this when I'm doing die rolls as a player in other games, so why when I'm DMing?

[Ipphli]

Dumar

Dumar grunts in pain as the arrow hits him in the thigh. He manages to stay on his fight, muttering to himself. "This is not how my story ends!" He shifts foward to make space of Talis to fight at his side and swings at the soldier.

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Minor action for Inspiring Word on myself (1d6)[3]
Wolf-pack tactics to let Talis shift as a free action
Attack (1d20+6)[16]
Damage (1d10+4)[5]

So Dumar is now at 23/40 hp

[NecroRebel]

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I'm just going to assume that the soldier you were attacking was #5, because it's easier for me

Since TwoBitWriter said earlier that he is offline for the weekend, I'm going to assume that I'm NPCing him this turn.

Dumar jumps to the side, smashing his hammer into one of the elves' side and giving Talis an opening to move in and attack the other.

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Soldier 5 dies. Talis shifts 1 down and uses Sure Strike on Soldier 4.

Attack vs. AC - (1d20+12)[15]
Damage if hit - (1d10+1)[3]

Current Status:

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Trooper is dazed and under Erion's curse.
Archer is bloodied.
Soldiers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 are dead.

Seeker's turn, then Parmenides's.

Map:

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You know, I think you guys are just cursed. I keep rolling well when I attack for baddies, and badly when I roll for one of you.

[RTGoodman]

Seeker

Stepping into the fray right in front of both elves, Seeker calls out "Now THIS is the kind of battle I like!" He swings his scimitar at the elf with the flaming weapon, and calls out a challenge to the swordsman.

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Good to be playing again. Also, here's a question - is this Swordsman the same one from before, or just another random elf swordsman?


Move Action: Shift down one square.
Standard Action: Shielding Smite against Trooper
Minor Action: Divine Challenge against Swordsman

Here goes nothin'...

Attack: (1d20+9)[22] vs. AC (with Combat Advantage)
Damage: (2d8+3)[19] damage
Effect: Parmenides gets a +2 power bonus to AC until the end of my next turn.

That should keep everyone safe for a turn and draw the enemies' fire (pun totally intended regarding the Trooper's flaming hammer ). Parmenides has +2 AC so he should be good if the Trooper tries to bypass me, and the only one that could attack Erion is marked so he takes a -2 penalty if he DOES attack him (and takes some damage).

Status:

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40/40 HP
9/11 Healing Surges
0 Action Points

Hey, I rolled well AND rolled max damage! Hooray!

[Parmenides]

Parmenides

"Thanks Seeker, I appreciate it." Parmenides moves a bit southward and unleashes his own thunderous attack on the two elves.

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Shift down one, then Thunderwave on both elves.
Thunderwave: Tr (d20+7)[9], Sw (d20+7)[23] vs. Fort.
Hit: (d6+6)[7] thunder damage and push 3.

If one of them attacks me, I still have Shield as an interrupt.

[NecroRebel]

Seeker's blade cuts into his opponent's flesh, drawing blood, as Parmenides thunderous rejoinder blasts away the other elf. Seeing his companion knocked around like a rag doll makes the hammer-wielding trooper reconsider his opponents, and he attacks the wizard as, inside the castle, the last of the elf soldiers attacks Talis.

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Trooper is bloodied, swordsman is 2 squares left of the lower left-most square on the map. Trooper attacks Parmenides, Soldier 4 attacks Talis.

Trooper attack vs. AC - (1d20+15)[35]
Fire damage if hit - (1d10+7)[9] and Parmenides is marked.
...And apparently the dice hate Parmenides. Another critical, so damage is instead in next post (magic weapon, so +damage on critical)
Soldier attack vs. AC - (1d20+6)[14]
Damage if hit - [5]

Current status:

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Archer is bloodied.
Swordsman is marked by Seeker.
Trooper is bloodied and cursed by Erion.
Soldiers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 are dead.

Erion's turn.

Map:

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[NecroRebel]

Parmenides damaged from critical - (1d6+17)[22]

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I don't know why I keep getting crits. At least you guys have gotten some good attack rolls in the last half-round

[The_Werebear]

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Has the swordsman left the map yet? It affects how I move.

[RTGoodman]

Seeker

Seeing the elf with the flaming hammer swing what looks like a sure death-blow at Parmenides, Seeker leaps in the way of the elf's hammer, absorbing the attack. Sneering at the elf as the fiery blow phases him less than it should, Seeker growls at the elf, "Perhaps you should focus on those of us who are a more immediate threat to you."

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I think this is the perfect time to use Martyr's Blessing. Parmenides isn't hit by that critical, and I'm him instead.

And it just so happens that I'm resistant to some of that fire, too.

Current Status:

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24/40 HP
9/11 Healing Surges
0 Action Points
1 Item Power

[NecroRebel]

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Has the swordsman left the map yet? It affects how I move.

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Yes, it is 2 squares left of the bottom-left square on the map. He will probably be coming back, as Parmenides pushed him off with Thunderwave, but at the moment he is off.

[The_Werebear]

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Ok, I'll be able to put up my post later this evening.

[The_Werebear]

Erion

Taking advantage of the sudden release of the press on him, the warlock backpeddles around the tree, aiming a quirky curse he picked up, one that will temporarily remove any ability for the trooper with the hammer to realize the sight of him. If the swordsman looses track of me, and the trooper loses sight, maybe I can pick up an advantage

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Moving back three squares, then using Eyebite on the Trooper. If I hit, I am invisible to him until the end of my next turn.
To Hit versus Will - (1d20+6)[20]
Damage with Curse - (2d6+4)[15]
HP: 25/38
No Status Problems

[The_Werebear]

Erion

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Woo, good rolls. One other thing. In Addition to being behind a tree, I also have concealment for moving more than three squares. And I went around the side of the tree closer to the castle, if it matters.

[NecroRebel]

Erion's curse streaks out into his target's face and a swirl of power is clearly visible in the elf's eyes as the man screams in pain. Not knowing where the warlock has gone, and furious at the paladin for interfering, the swordsman approaches and creates another thunderous arc as the elven archer emerges from the castle and fires at Seeker.

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Trooper is hit by Eyebite. Swordsman moves in and uses Thunderwave again. Archer moves out of castle and attacks Seeker.

Swordsman attack vs. Seeker reflex - (1d20+9)[11]
Swordsman attack vs. Parmenides reflex - (1d20+9)[14]
Thunder damage if hit - (1d6+5)[6] and push 1
Recharge - (1d6)[5]

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While I'm aware that recharges are technically supposed to happen at the start of a creature's turn, for the sake of simplicity I'll just be doing them with the rest of their rolls. That way, I'll know if they have an ability recharged at the start of their next turn and won't need to make poor tactical decisions or double post to use recharge powers.

Archer attack vs. Seeker AC - (1d20+9)[25]
Damage if hit - (1d10+4)[14]

Current Status:

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Swordsman is marked by Seeker.
Trooper is bloodied, cursed by Erion, and cannot see Erion.
Archer is bloodied.
Soldiers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 are dead.

Dumar's turn, then Talis's, Seeker's, and Parmenides's.

Map:

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You know what? I think that's the worst luck any of the enemies have had on attack rolls, ever.