[Hourglass of Zihaja D&D 4e] Heroes on a Sea of Swords OOC

[Belthasar]

Our priest is unconscious, and our artificer is next to him. Bad situation...

I think bloodied people should spend healing surges to avoid a fatal blow. Is any non-bloodied character able to make ranged attack against the thing? It has a lot of negative statuses.

Did the elemental got blinded because of Hakhpur's attack? Because it shouldn't if it's a miss, I think (it still receives half damage though).

[Shadow_Elf]

Originally Posted by Belthasar

Our priest is unconscious, and our artificer is next to him. Bad situation...

I think bloodied people should spend healing surges to avoid a fatal blow. Is any non-bloodied character able to make ranged attack against the thing? It has a lot of negative statuses.

Did the elemental got blinded because of Hakhpur's attack? Because it shouldn't if it's a miss, I think (it still receives half damage though).

Oh, I assumed it was still blinded on a miss, but I did not factor it into any of my attack rolls, so no problem. Just ignore the blinded label.

[Reverent-One]

And into the deeps we go.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

And into the deeps we go.

You said something in the post about approaching without getting hit, but you're going to get hit by an AO no matter what, since the creature has reach.

Otherwise, nice going, although try not to get it too far from the crocodile, or you'll break the grab.

Grey Wolf

[Reverent-One]

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf_c

You said something in the post about approaching without getting hit, but you're going to get hit by an AO no matter what, since the creature has reach.

I was afraid of that, but wasn't sure.

Otherwise, nice going, although try not to get it too far from the crocodile, or you'll break the grab.

Grey Wolf

Oh hey, that makes my plan even better, I thought I broke the grab just from pulling her at all (given that she was slowed and I could pull her further down on an AoO if she moved away from me without shifting, I considered it worth it).

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

Oh hey, that makes my plan even better, I thought I broke the grab just from pulling her at all (given that she was slowed and I could pull her further down on an AoO if she moved away from me without shifting, I considered it worth it).

I think that as long as they remain in contact it is ok, particularly since this is allied force move, and the crocodile is large.

GW

[Reverent-One]

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf_c

I think that as long as they remain in contact it is ok, particularly since this is allied force move, and the crocodile is large.

GW

I actually just checked the rulebook, as long the push/pull/slide doesn't move them out of your reach, they're still grabbed.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

I actually just checked the rulebook, as long the push/pull/slide doesn't move them out of your reach, they're still grabbed.

Ah, yes, found it. PHB 290. Somehow I thought that an enemy's forced movement would break it no matter what, but it's simpler than that.

Well, then we can push the ghost one more downwards before croc is out of reach. She still could manage to escape, which allows her a shift move as part of the escape.

Hey, think you could flank her as part of your move? That way, even if she shifts, she can't shift away from the croc, and gives us a chance to grab her again with an instinctive attack.

Grey Wolf

[Scylfing]

Last three attacks: a 2, a 3, and a 1. Yeah, I'd say the forum roller is officially back to hating me.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Errr... can someone explain to me why are we dismembering a comatose ally instead of trying to destroy the flaming ball of death?

Grey Wolf

[ninja_penguin]

No, not Teshiq, that dead 'Zhong priest! I want it for Soul Idol so we can interrogate him post-mortem. At least, I think that's that token. Hard to tell with the 'X's. If that's the wrong body, let me know, and I'll re-do the turn.

Also, Rahman is pretty much out of the ranged fun stuffs, so he'll need to swim out there.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by ninja_penguin

No, not Teshiq, that dead 'Zhong priest! I want it for Soul Idol so we can interrogate him post-mortem. At least, I think that's that token. Hard to tell with the 'X's. If that's the wrong body, let me know, and I'll re-do the turn.

Also, Rahman is pretty much out of the ranged fun stuffs, so he'll need to swim out there.

I still feel it might be a good idea to try and block the ghost's way out. If the croc starts his turn next to the ghost, he gets a free attack. But, on the other hand, to get that close you need to take an OA, so I can understand if you'd rather stay in the ship. Can you try fix it? If it doesn't sink, we can loot it later.

By the way, dead bodies that didn't drown float. So even if the boat sinks, we will be able to get hold of enemy chunks for post-morten interrogation.

Grey Wolf

[Shadow_Elf]

Just because I sensed some trepidation in your turn, NP, your move as-written is legal and such.

Also, just my two cents, but the ghost is more crippled with Rahman out of reach than with him nearby - that's how Swordmagi really shine, after all.

[Shadow_Elf]

Okay, we're just waiting for Belthasar then. Tomorrow night, I'm moving the game forward.

And sorry to A'den that he's still unconscious. I don't like taking characters out of the fight because it is unfun for the player, but that dart trap crit was pretty unavoidable . Maybe after this encounter, the party will brew up some potions so anyone can be medic in an emergency.

[Shadow_Elf]

I just want to let everyone know that this name is not dead, I've just had some serious work over the past few days. I have some of it done though, so expect an update in a day or two.

Also, Belthasar, this gives you extra time to post Hakhpur's turn before I go. Don't waste your turn! Striker DPR is an important aspect of any solo battle!

[Scylfing]

I didn't think it was dead--this is too good of a game for that to happen.

[Shadow_Elf]

Turn up, including map. Her aura exploded. Have fun. beating her down some more.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by Shadow_Elf

Turn up, including map. Her aura exploded. Have fun. beating her down some more.

Unless something else has been going on that I missed, Amirah should be at 62, not 52, since she had 10 temp HP.

Edit: Can we reach the ghost (to attack in melee) from the deck?

Grey Wolf

[Reverent-One]

So, how does all of you above water shoot at her, then I use Abjure Undead to pull her back under and let the croc grab her again sound?

Also, she should also have a -2 to AC because she started her turn adjacent to me thanks to Menacing Presence.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

So, how does all of you above water shoot at her, then I use Abjure Undead to pull her back under and let the croc grab her again sound?

Also, she should also have a -2 to AC because she started her turn adjacent to me thanks to Menacing Presence.

That sounds perfect. I could use my encounter power that boosts the damage of the croc for a couple of turns, too, just to drive the point further. Although I'm hoping the thing is close to dead by now. These "three-phase" boss battles are supposed to last two-three turns per form, not as much as a regular battle each.

Grey Wolf

[Shadow_Elf]

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf_c

Unless something else has been going on that I missed, Amirah should be at 62, not 52, since she had 10 temp HP.

Edit: Can we reach the ghost (to attack in melee) from the deck?

Grey Wolf

She is up 2 squares from the surface, so yes. Also, sorry, didn't realize you had THP, so you should be @ 62 instead.

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

So, how does all of you above water shoot at her, then I use Abjure Undead to pull her back under and let the croc grab her again sound?

Also, she should also have a -2 to AC because she started her turn adjacent to me thanks to Menacing Presence.

Right, forgot that. She has -2 AC.

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf_c

That sounds perfect. I could use my encounter power that boosts the damage of the croc for a couple of turns, too, just to drive the point further. Although I'm hoping the thing is close to dead by now. These "three-phase" boss battles are supposed to last two-three turns per form, not as much as a regular battle each.

Grey Wolf

She has only been in this form for a short time, and her insubstantial quality is slowing things down - I think I won't do any more insubstantial solos, it doesn't work, its too slow. The first stage was longer 'cause there were other monsters in play.

[ninja_penguin]

Originally Posted by Shadow_Elf

She has only been in this form for a short time, and her insubstantial quality is slowing things down - I think I won't do any more insubstantial solos, it doesn't work, its too slow. The first stage was longer 'cause there were other monsters in play.

For what it's worth, I've found insubstantial to be rage-inducing in my players, even if the overall HP is halved so that they still need to do the same damage.

[Shadow_Elf]

Originally Posted by ninja_penguin

For what it's worth, I've found insubstantial to be rage-inducing in my players, even if the overall HP is halved so that they still need to do the same damage.

Overall HP is not actually halved, which is why it is so awful. HP is 60-80% for insubstantial creatures, which just doesn't work.

[Scylfing]

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

So, how does all of you above water shoot at her, then I use Abjure Undead to pull her back under and let the croc grab her again sound?

Also, she should also have a -2 to AC because she started her turn adjacent to me thanks to Menacing Presence.

Yep, this seems like the perfect time for it. Hopefully I'll hit with Eyes of the Vestige this time so she can't just move out of the water again.

And it's a darn good thing Rahman's still aboard the ship, otherwise Teshiq would be dead, as opposed to only mostly dead.

[Shadow_Elf]

Eyes is a hit. I know that Reverent One is holding off until the others get a chance to act, so Belthasar and NP should take their turns - GW is waiting to use the croc attack after she's been dragged, I think. I am making Sunday Afternoon the deadline for this Player Phase, since I am quite uber busy this weekend. Regardless of who has gone, I will take the Avatar's turn then.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Yes, I will delay my turn to see if we can get free croc attack.

Grey Wolf

[Reverent-One]

Bad news, I likely miss. At least I'll do 21 damage (plus any vulnerability if it has one to radiant damage).

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

Bad news, I likely miss. At least I'll do 21 damage (plus any vulnerability if it has one to radiant damage).

OK, so now we need to know how many squares above the crocodile she is. I could still be able to push her down one square, if that would be enough.

Edit: also, since she's immaterial or whatever it's called, the damage is likely a mere 10. It's only cold that allows to do full damage.

You know, this whole rounding down fractions has really nickle-and-dime'd us in this battle.

Grey Wolf

[Shadow_Elf]

It is too bad that missed, a hit would've been truly devastating. Since the original damage roll was 43, I ended up rounding up the fraction to 11 damage (it makes sense to round down halves, but its just silly to compound rounding to that degree) She is 2 squares above the surface of the water (i.e. the base of her "space" has two squares between it and the surface). She is looking really hurt - a strong cold attack or critical normal spell might knock her into the third and final stage.

[ninja_penguin]

Originally Posted by Shadow_Elf

third and final stage.

Augh. Seriously? Geez, do we even have anything left that does more then at-will damage lying about?