DM themed play-by-post D&D game : OOC thread

[money]

I'm happy where you put me, and posted my update... not sure how many places i can move - but i want to see the mummy before i throw and hide!

[Ameena]

I didn't think there was any point in hiding because Ameena's not near enough to anything she can hide in/behind - the torch light covers that entire end of the room so to get out of it and into shadow she'd have to move closer to the mummy (which she still hasn't seen and probably wouldn't want to get nearer to anyway). And like you said, people don't make good cover. About all she can do, the mummy being where it is, is hope that it agros someone else and then duck behind the central sarcophagus or whatever, and then maybe leap on it from behind.
What's a level check? My d20 gives me...oops. One. Lol. so +2 I get three wooooo :O. What does that do?

[beowuuf]

Lol, I was going to give you important tactical information you miiiiight know as a rogue, and I deceided a level check was more appropriate than a raw perception/intelligence. Oh well, I guess learn by doing

[oh_brother]

What are everyone's weekend schedule? I have no problem putting the game on hold over the weekend as a cliffhanger, ready to possible start a combat on Monday?

Forgot to answer this, I will be around to post this weekend.

[beowuuf]

Money, Ameena, you busy at the weekend or shall be carry on posting Saturday and Sunday?

[money]

I can post this weekend, sounds like next weekend will be a gap though!

[beowuuf]

Yeah, you can roll up new characters offline that weekend.

I mean...rest...

[Gambit37]

You don't have high hopes for this gang? They seem to be doing pretty well so far...

[beowuuf]

Of course, of course.... *whistles*

[Gambit37]

[beowuuf]

Ok, waiting for Ameena to say nay, but I'll assume we can just keep a normal schedule going over the weekend. I'll answer any questions probably as they happen, and properly update each evening then!

[beowuuf]

Weeeeeeeeeeee, update up!

Ameena, if I didn't say it before, yes, you found a clothing button, metal, that is bent. Goodness knows why it is there. It was under a club. The scent on it is faint but vaguely familiar, though you cannot place it at all.

OB and Ian, I've assumed your characters have picked up the closest/easiest clubs around before the next combat round starts. So the club/bandage beside Haynuus has been downgraded to bandages. I don't believe the other piles are so easy to untangle (if you have a club ontop of a set of bandages that implies it is easier to remove, though would take a movement action and would provoke an AoO to recover)

Money, a few questions/comment for you:
- your speed is 20 feet, which means each round you can move 4 squares. Since I moved you only one square the previous round, you can ask to be up to three squares further forward than I have placed you for free (watch the club/bandage pile). However, remember the limit of your sight is Haynuus's torchlight (unless you light your own), so you won't see the mummy any better for now.
- given that Haynuus has the light, if you want to move forward without your own torch, you might want to delay your turn and act after Haynuus. If so, your initiative becomes 4 aswell, which means the mummy will have an action ahead of you.
- did you put the torch in the sconce before you moved?
- do you take the extra torch from Haynuus's backpack (he moved it to be accessable), or did you even take the torch earlier when it was mentioned?
- note that while I wont let you use your 0-level spells to do damage or create fire, I believe you could probably create a spark on a torch to ignite it. When you become more powerful, you might be able to do several torches at once, but for now one standard action and wizard-like effect used up per torch ignited. You won't need to roll, just use an uninterrupted standard action to focus Falkor's will


In general, all kidding aside I've put you in harm's way here. DM mummies were pretty easy. D&D mummies are...well, they aren't good. How far between the two on that scale this particular example you are facing is, I will leave you to find out.

Then again, Haynuus is a walking tank, Westian once talked a Trolin to death, Falkor has managed to both draw the attention of a powerful foe (buy triggering an alarm) and then fake your death (by triggering an alarm) and had found cool stuff, and Ameena's stealth and nose frighten a DM. Seriously! So you guys rule.

I'm not going to give you any hints here beyond resolving your moves and asking for clarifications (incase the fact I let the two fighters make a short throw didn't tip that off). Well, not unless you ask. As you might notice, Ameena already triggered a check by musing on something. So I'm still rooting for you, just... I'm allowing what I've set up to play out.

Good luck!

[money]

Ok - not sure if this is allowed but i would like to move to B4 and light a torch - firstly it will allow me to see more, and secondly my intuition is telling me that having a lit torch could help... can i do this in 1 move? I assume i can also talk at the same time? let me know and I'll post...

Do i need a spare hand to cast a spell? (i'm holding the knife in one and potentially the torch in the other),

Also - yes, i have the torch from previous floor, no - not put in sconce, no - not taken the torch from Haynuus.

[beowuuf]

In DM you were never penalised for armour nor hands filled, so I am continuing that in this game. Especially for 0-level spells, where you are jsut focusing your will (or for Westian, thinking pious thoughts to his god)

For your higher level spells, I will assume 'proper' spells require you to have your mouth free to say the runes, while you concentrate on the rune shapes in turn. If you ever cannot speak, I may let you attempt to simple think the runes...


anyway, back to your move. Yes, in the previous 'round' you can easily move to B4 as you move action, and use your standard action to focus your will on the torch to light it. Yes, talking is a free action aslong as it's only a few words or a sentence or two.

I will update my post accordingly, go ahead and post your previous actions to bring us up to speed in light of this! And even your next actions too.

[beowuuf]

Map updated! Man multiple light sources suck. Money and Ian, one of your characters is dying next turn to make it easier. That's right, either the walking sack of hit points with the magical torch, or the fragile mage with the easy to extinguish light who has low hit points and is right outfront will die. One of the two. It could be either of you. Asking to move ahead with a torch and making me edit that darn map for the last ten minutes is certainly not putting your character in any form of bullseye.

Edit: Oh, and as you can see, the mummy is now in plain sight of Westian (PM sent) and because it moved, Falkor should be able to see its shape easily enough. It would have been an easy perception check if it was stationary, but as it's moved and you know it's there, it's a no brainer to spot.

[Ameena]

Yes, I've been out all day because, surprise I was at work, yaay . Anyway, we're going to Canterbury tomorrow and I dunno when I'll be back but whatever happens I'll be online in the evening, probably around 8pm or so, after Merlin's finished and I've had some food.
I'll make an IC post now. Just a few questions...
Is the central sarcophagus upright or lying down? From the space it takes up on the map I'm guessing the latter, while the ones around the walls are the former.
Movement-wise, I want to check something. In 4th edition characters can move diagonally, but only one square at a time. So, say your movement rate is six squares (which my Rogue's is in that game - they must've changed it from this version because I play a small race there, too...Halfling if you were wondering), you can take one of those squares as diagonal when you move, but the other steps must all be to adjacent squares. What's the rule here?
Hrmm, I think that's it for now. Time to make a posty .

[beowuuf]

The central Sarcophagus is lying down, on a two stepped pedastal. It's a little more impressive than the wall ones. The wall ones are standing up, and recessed into the wall. You think they might be loose (someone strong might be able to pull them down, if they are indeed loose).

In third edition, you can keep making diagonal movements. However, the pattern is counts as 1 square, counts as 2 squares, counts as 1 square, counts as 2 squares.

Ameena can only move 20 feet (4 squares), so she can only make two diagonal movements. If she runs, or if she got rid of items in her hand and went prone, she could move faster and hence do more diagnonal moves.

I imagine that they upped the movement rate in 4th edition because 4 squares of normal movement per turn is pretty obnoxious. I think dwarves get 5 squares now aswell, right?

[Ameena]

I dont know the movement rate of dorfs because I don't think we have one in our party. The Cleric might be one, but I think he can move about seven squares. I can't remember now.
And surely I can move three diagonals, not two, if it goes 1-2-1-2? First diagonal is one square, second is two, so that adds up to three, then if the third counts as one again, that's the final square of movement I can take?
Oh and thanks for the reminder about the button - I'd forgotten to add it. Actually, I only remembered to add that stuff into my inventory last night (the pouches etc from the room at the top of the stairs). What's the damage on the knife again? 1d2? Just want to add it in so I know. Or was it 1d3? I'm presuming that to get 1d2 I roll a d4 and halve the result, and for a 1d3 I roll a d6 and halve that, yes? I think to speed up combat, whenever I do actually try to hit something, I'll just roll for both attack and damage and post the result - that way if I hit, you won't have to wait for me to roll again for damage. If I miss, you can just ignore the damage roll and pretend I didn't make it .
Ohh, and one more thing - were all the other sarcophagi (the ones around the edge of the room) smashed open? I seem to recall you saying that at least some of them were, but wanted to make sure, for future reference. Perhaps that could be marked on the map somehow, some way to differentiate between broken tombs and non-broken ones. And the central one is intact but half-open or something, right?
Think that's it for now. Must go add that button to the newly-added Inventory section in my character file .

[beowuuf]

Oops, you is right about the movement. I feel foolish

Small knife is 1d3 in your hands. And yes, half the results and round up (for a change) to get the damage.

And yes please, always roll an attack and damage if you are attacking!


Some of the sarcophagi are just open but with intact fronts, others are broken (as in the front has been smashed, and some of them chipped). Yep, the central tomb is only partially open.

These are not hinged tombs, they are slabs topping an open box. Think DM2 style sarcophagi.

[Ameena]

Are the sarcophagi empty, or would that need some kind of Perception-y check thing after this fight's over? I'm guessing the central one is empty and that its occupant is curently shuffling about in the southern end of the room after having had two clubs thrown at it. But would we be able to see, at least of the nearest caskets, whether they're empty or not?
One more combat-related question - I think backstabbing/sneak attacks work if you have combat advantage, yes? And you can get combat advantage by either attacking whilst being Hidden, having your turn before the enemy in the first round of combat, and flanking an enemy (standing on the other side of it from an ally, adjacent not diagonal), I think. Obviously I won't be getting any Sneak Attacks this fight, and I've taken my first move already, but just in case I end up standing with the mummy directly between me and one of the others later on in combat, is there anything extra I need to roll to do sneaky-sneaky-stabby damage?
Well, that is, assuming you can backstab something that's not even technically alive. I hope physical weapons can hurt this thing or we're stuffed . Well, unless fire works .

[beowuuf]

The ones you can see you can tell are empty of people/mummies, either because the front has been slide mostly off, or because the front has been smashed. Whether there is something at the bottom of the sarcophagi, that is another matter and you are right you'd need a perception check to tell from afar. More likely you need to go look at each one. Similarly with the central tomb, the lid hasn't been opened that widely (plus it's angled badly for you being so small) so hard to tell if there is anything deeper inside. Haynuus and Westian would have a better idea.

I'll probably make the next map easier to spot how thigns are broken and open so you can get a better idea of where to stand to see inside them (if you want).

In 3rd edition it's not called combat advantage, but otherwise it is exactly the same set of conditions. Note that you can also attempt to feint an opponent with a standard action in the previous round to set him up for your sneak attack damage the next round.

Sneak attack damage is an automatic addition, you don't have to make an actual sneak attack. If the opportunity comes up, unless you decide not to take advantage, you are allowed the extra damage if you have combat advantage.

Oh, and remember 3rd edition isn't as weird with the diagonals. You can attack diagonally and flank diagonally in this game.

[beowuuf]

* If the mommy doesn't move very far Haynuus could move to D4 with an intention to throw his club and pick up another. OOC - I assume he could only move 5 feet and do that in one round? At least he'd be closer to it than our brave halfling!

Throwing the club is a standard action, so moving to D4 would be fine. Recovering a club from the ground on C4 beside Haynuus uses a move action though, so you'd have to do that next go, and if you did that then Haynuus would be be restricted to a 5 foot step.

* If the thing moves within pouncing range a simple charge with the club would suffice. Why complicate Haynuus's life? OOC - My ignorance of the mechanics may show here

A charge actually lets your character move up to double their normal move, so range isn't an issue. However, the club and bandages in his way would stop him charging this turn (he can't 5 foot step and then charge). Note that bandages on their own might stop Haynuus if you fail a simple acrobatics check, but don't block the attempt itself.

If by charge you just want to move into combat, which I'm realising you probably meant, then can do!

[ian_scho]

yep, move in there.

[beowuuf]

Either way that mummy's feeling some Haynuus-induced pressure! Can you roll me a d20 for the attack, and funnily enough either attack will require 1d6 for damage.


Edit: About throwing clubs (and knives), they have a range increment (ten foot in both cases). Within this range, it's all good. Outside of this range, you start taking cumulative penalties to your attack roll of -2 per range increment.

Thrown weapons have a maximum range of five increments (so @50 foot for clubs and knives) and missile weapons have a maximum range of ten increments.

I'm not advising you for or against throwing anything, especially clubs, just letting you know the penalties since I've realised now the information is buried in the weapons info explanations.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/wea ... eIncrement

Ok, personally speaking, I think there's no harm in throwing the clubs and keeping the pressure on. That's my last comment on the battle

[oh_brother]

Sorry, posted this in IC threrad by mistake.

Question: How fast is the mummy moving? What are the chances of being able to throw a club, run away, throw another club, and generally run around the room keeping out of his reach? For instance if the mummy is moving on the east side of the tomb, is it possible for Westian to throw a club, run to C4 and pick up another club, etc. This would work in DM, but not in DnD unless the creature was slow.

Alternatively, and maybe I prefer this...is it possible in the time frame to wrap some bandages around a club, light it on Haynuus's torch and throw that?

The interent has been coming on and off here for the last few hours, and that probably will continue for the next while, but I should be able to get an IC post in later.

[beowuuf]

The mummy's movements were hesitant and slow, though that could have been a trick of the light or a reaction to the situation. The D&D system does penalise characters much more for their actions, so even if it is much slower, there are ways for the critter to move fast while Westian loses movement to picking up clubs.

Certainly, it would be an idea. Just make sure the thing is distracted!

To improvise a torch just now with the creature across the room from Westian is doable. Trying it again if it is close to Wetian, will be less so!

Westian can either five foot step backwards to the rags and use his existing club, or five foot step to the club and rags, and temporarily drop his current club to use the items on the floor. Making this item would be a fullround action. I won't be evil and ask for a crafting check As Westian has a base attack bonus of +1, I'd let him retrieve his own dropped club (if applicable) as part of a movement away the next turn.

Lighting the club torch will be trickier. As the rags are not coated in any flammable material, Falkor would probably realise his torch lighting trick would be unlikely to work on the club. Lighting the club will be a minor action for Haynuus, as long as he doesn't move away nor use the torch for other reasons.

The club torch will make a better melee weapon than a normal torch (no attack penalties and better blunt damage) but will be just as bad when throwing (you'll take a ranged attack penalty). Still better damage on hitting, of course!

Good luck with your net!

[ian_scho]

The Tiles of ash and bandages are flammable but it's a pity that we can't trip the thing up with rope on one of those

Can you roll me a d20 for the attack, and I require 1d6 for damage... (1d20=6, 1d6=1) Doh!

[beowuuf]

Ouch! Still, early days


There are such things such as bullrushing (pushing someone backwards) and trip attacks (knocking someone prone) you can use if you want to set up mummy-lethal room!

Plus ths is D&D, you make a strong enough case for something reasonable, and why not try

[ian_scho]

I've edited my ultimate post in the other thread with three possabilities. There's no reason why he can't just toss his (magic?) torch into the pile of paper/clubs/ash as a free action to be honest. Hmmm, we'll keep it the way it is for now.

[oh_brother]

I am going to go with plan B. I grab the bandages in D1, wrap them around my club and light it on the torch. Then shake it in the mummy's face. That should work if Haynuus does not run anywhere else in the meantime. If he does...then, well, at least the layer of bandages will stop me getting icky mummy puss on my shiny club.