The Most Merciful Thing (OOC)

[knewsom]

In thick Austrian accent: "I eat green berets Arcane Casters for breakfast!"

[lostsole31]

Technically, I'm an arcane caster too...

Doh! Well, I, er, I - umm, meant that the party doesn't have an arcane caster I can see? Uhh, yeah, that's what I meant. I mean, how can I count you if I can't see you? ::scratches head, knowing how pathetic that backpedal was::

[Terraspaz]

Alright, boys and girls! Some notes about this particular combat:

Init
Initiative order is:

Nis
John
??????
Will
Remus
Kioi
Brown Bears
Lizards
Grug
Black Bears

So, Remus, since you're far away with the movement penalty, you won't be able to charge at anything this turn. May want to alter that when your turn rolls around.

Special Factors!
This hillside is a steep slope, which bears a couple things with it.
--Moving Uphill - Moving up will cost two squares of movement every time you change colors. (Light gray/ Dark Gray)
--Moving downhill - Running or charging downhill runs the risk of falling, just be aware.
--Melee attacks - If you're above your foe, you get a +1 bonus to melee attacks.

Again, the map is located at http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...v1cjsHTg&hl=en

The borders of the map aren't edges... so if we need to expand it, we can.

Happy hunting!

[knewsom]

so it should cost about 100' of movement to get to the bears? Dang, so much for my charge. I guess he'll just try and close some of the distance this round.

[Ascension]

I've placed Grug on the map, as you can see.

[lostsole31]

Unfortunately, since Kioi is "flat-footed" he can't say anything to get you to drop back. Otherwise he would try to use animal empathy.

Do the animals appear to be different (actions or appearance) from normal animals of their type?
Knowledge: Nature (1d20+7)[16]

Just let me know when I can act, Terraspaz ... I am in limbo until then.

[AetherFox]

Hey guys! Sory for my long absence.

New Hampshire's been knocked out of power for the past week, but I'm back again! I'll post as soon as I can, but I've got lots of backlog to read up on. (4 pbp's of it. *Gulp*)

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know I hadn't dropped out.

[lostsole31]

Ayup! Fer enuf. I lived in Newmarket for a year-and-a-half when my last ship was drydocked in Kittery ME, so I understand. Today was actually a snow day for me, too.

[Terraspaz]

'Salright, things happen. I'd sorta figured thing's slow down here for a week or two, what with Christmas and New Year's (also my birthday!) coming up. I'll try not to start really bugging people until 2009.

[lostsole31]

What? What?! Noooooo ..... (says the lonely, single sailor on a snow day)

Okay, okay. I guess I understand. Too bad that all these days I get off have to be spent on low-activity here at the playground.

Btw, my birthday is on Monday ... so I feel your pain/joy. Happy birthday, spaz!

[Terraspaz]

Back to you, lost. Got the big 22 on my end. Really boring birthday age.

[Ascension]

Well, since Grug doesn't go until after (some of) the bears, I'm just cooling my heels for the moment.

[lostsole31]

Yup, just hanging out with mouth agape and in total, flat-footed shock.

Interesting fact ... my horse actually goes before me, so at least he might have some protection a split second before something attacks. [The DM rolled my initiative as one "unit" but using Ihsan's intiative bonus.]

[RebelRogue]

Merry Xmas while we wait for the action to pick up again

[lostsole31]

Ditto ...

Happy Chanukah to all!

[Terraspaz]

ACTION!!!

It's a brand new year, filled with a stampede of ferocious beasts ready to murder you! I figured that since Gentoo is still around, but a bit delayed, I'd guess her action so we can resume the story. I love where this one is going, and want to see it progress.

That said, Lostole, you're up.

[lostsole31]

Terraspaz, I can't access that Webpage ... says it's not a valid document URL.

[Terraspaz]

Did you copy the web address, or click the link?

It gets abbreviated when putting it on the forums, so if you copy/paste it, it may not work.

[lostsole31]

Clicked the link. I will copy the Web address this time.

[knewsom]

Once it's his turn, Remus will continue to attack the bears, though hopefully he won't have to move next time, since I imagine some of them will be coming down the hill at him.

Let me know when his go is, and I'll make some new attack rolls with the higher strength bonus afforded by Nis' spell!

[lostsole31]

The bear missed, and that's cool ... but just a reminder: Ihsan's AC is now 23 thanks to the barkskin spell.

Also, just in case I end up doing another attack of opportunity ... brown bears are considered "long" so remember that I have "high ground" when mounted.

Speaking of size ... shouldn't brown bears (Large creatures) be taking up 4 squares (10 ft. space/ 5 ft. reach) each?

EDIT: Sorry for the double post IC, but when I first submitted, it gave me the IE failure notice so I backed out and resubmitted. And trying to delete a post on this site is like trying to pull teeth.

[Terraspaz]

Speaking of size ... shouldn't brown bears (Large creatures) be taking up 4 squares (10 ft. space/ 5 ft. reach) each?

Whoops. Just checked, and you're right. It shouldn't change a whole lot, from what happened... I'll adjust accordingly.

[knewsom]

Ok, Remus will activate his breastplate (blur, as the spell, for 5 rounds, 20% miss possibility) as a free action, and use Combat Expertise for the max of 5, bringing his AC to a whopping 20. I've also made the appropriate changes on his sheet to his strength and HP.

I'll hold off on attack rolls and movement until it's my turn.

[lostsole31]

Terraspaz, since we are dealing with 'normal' animals here, can I roll a Survival/ K: Nature/ Animal Empathy check in lieu of a Sense Motive check to determine if there is anything amiss with the behavior of the bears ... beyond the obvious fact that they would not normally ever act in tandem like this, especially cross-species? Really, this goes beyond fundamental, sentient-race motivators to a specific understanding of animals beyond all other creatures. Even if not, would I be able to get a +2 'synergy' bonus to understand these animals?

Basically, I am trying to figure out if they are acting like they might when an animal goes beyond it's 'normal' parameters but willingly ... such as in service to a powerful icon of nature; or, if they seem to be flatly controlled or dominated.

Regardless, here's a roll of each type ...

Spoiler

Show

Survival: (1d20+11)[30]
Animal Empathy: (1d20+8)[24]
K (Nature): (1d20+7)[25]
Sense Motive: (1d20+4)[6]

Wow! A natural 17 or higher on every roll except that of the Sense Motive. Wowie-wowie-wow-wow!

[RebelRogue]

Am I the only one to be a little confused about where we are in the grand sceme that is initiative order?

[knewsom]

will's turn, then remus. It's pretty clear in the spoilers.

[RebelRogue]

will's turn, then remus. It's pretty clear in the spoilers.

Got it now.

[Terraspaz]

There's nothing terribly wrong with posting your action out of turn. So long as you understand that it won't occur until your initiative, I'm totally alright with it.

That said, Grug, you're up.

EDIT:
Oh, and Kioi, you definitely pick up that this is abnormal behavior for animals. In no sane world would bears of different species, and shocker lizards work together in any sort of organization. There is definitely an outside influence upon the creatures. It doesn't seem to be forced, but it is certainly strong.

[lostsole31]

I figured as much. I don't know anything in particular about shocker lizards, though I am as like to believe that they would act as any other lizards. Still, I just wanted that 'in character' definite understanding of what you told me.

Unfortunately, these brave warriors of forest and hills (the bears) are pawn-soldiers in this battle. And like any warrior of any opposing army, even if I sympathize with the other sides' soldiers, yet I must do my duty and strike them down.

I will not feel the thrill of victory, despite my devotion to Lyris, even should we win. My heart is heavy, for to kill these bears are as if to kill warriors of standing and note ... the black bears a little less so. Even if Remus were not here to charge headlong into battle lust, I understand that with the external influence there was no way I would have been able to calm them.

And no, I am not going to take an AOO on Bear #5. I am holding out for Bear #6 for when Ihsan strikes.

... disappointing clang of metal.

That should read, the disappointing scrape of claw on hardened wood. Remember: Druid ... he has wildwood plate armor and a wooden shield. Even if AC is partly with him parrying (as he is using Combat Expertise), his lance is wooden as well.

[Terraspaz]

No no, you misunderstand. Whenever someone misses me with an attack, I bust out some Tool, or Metallica to celebrate their failure.

...You mean you don't?