Mairrethid, level 2

Mairrethid, level 2

Human, Wizard

Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 20, Wis 14, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 10.

AC: 17 Fort: 12 Reflex: 17 Will: 16

HP: 25 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS

Insight +8, Arcana +11, History +11, Diplomacy +6, Dungeoneering +8

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics, Bluff +1, Endurance +1, Heal +3, Intimidate +1, Nature +3, Perception +3, Religion +6, Stealth, Streetwise +1, Thievery, Athletics +1

FEATS

Wizard: Ritual Caster

Human: Linguist

Level 1: Action Surge

Level 2: Implement Expertise (staff)

POWERS

Wizard at-will 1: Scorching Burst

Wizard at-will 1: Magic Missile

Bonus At-Will Power: Thunderwave

Wizard daily 1: Flaming Sphere

Wizard daily 1 Spellbook: Sleep

Wizard encounter 1: Force Orb

Wizard utility 2: Shield

Wizard utility 2 Spellbook: Arcane Insight

ITEMS

Spellbook, Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing), Quarterstaff, Dagger, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Candle (10), Flask (empty) (5), Flint and Steel, Hammer, Lantern, Oil (1 pint) (5), Pitons (10), Pouch, Belt (empty) (4), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Tent, Waterskin

RITUALS

Comprehend Language, Tenser's Floating Disk, Make Whole

Schlobrock, level 2

Orc, Cleric

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 20, Con 13, Dex 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 18, Con 11, Dex 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

AC: 17 Fort: 16 Reflex: 11 Will: 15

HP: 30 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS

Religion +6, Arcana +6, Insight +8, Heal +8, Nature +8

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics, Bluff, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering +3, Endurance +1, History +1, Intimidate, Perception +3, Stealth, Streetwise, Thievery, Athletics +5

FEATS

Level 1: Warrior of the Wild

Level 2: Expert Tracker

POWERS

Cleric at-will 1: Righteous Brand

Cleric at-will 1: Lance of Faith

Cleric daily 1: Avenging Flame

Cleric encounter 1: Wrathful Thunder

Cleric utility 2: Shield of Faith

ITEMS

Ritual Book, Chainmail, Morningstar, Javelin (5), Dagger, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Pouch, Belt (empty) (2), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Torch (10), Waterskin, Flask (empty) (3), Vicious Spear +1

RITUALS

Gentle Repose, Animal Messenger

Mez Gobbo, level 2

Goblin, Rogue

Rogue Tactics: Artful Dodger

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 8, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 8, Con 11, Dex 18, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14.

AC: 19 Fort: 11 Reflex: 20 Will: 14

HP: 28 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS

Stealth +13, Thievery +13, Perception +6, Streetwise +9, Acrobatics +11, Bluff +9

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Arcana +1, Diplomacy +4, Dungeoneering +1, Endurance +1, Heal +1, History +1, Insight +1, Intimidate +4, Nature +1, Religion +1, Athletics

FEATS

Level 1: Two-Weapon Fighting

Level 2: Two-Weapon Defense

POWERS

Rogue at-will 1: Sly Flourish

Rogue at-will 1: Deft Strike

Rogue daily 1: Easy Target

Rogue encounter 1: Positioning Strike

Rogue utility 2: Tumble

ITEMS

Leather Armor, Dagger (4), Hand Crossbow, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Candle (5), Flask (empty) (3), Flint and Steel, Grappling Hook, Rations, Trail, Rope, Silk (50 ft.), Thieves' Tools, Waterskin, Duelist's Short sword +1

Gherota, level 2

Human, Fighter

Fighter Talents: One-handed Weapon Talent

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 20, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 18, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.

AC: 20 Fort: 19 Reflex: 16 Will: 12

HP: 32 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 8

TRAINED SKILLS

Intimidate +5, Heal +6, Athletics +9, Endurance +4

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics +1, Arcana +1, Bluff, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering +1, History +1, Insight +1, Nature +1, Perception +1, Religion +1, Stealth +1, Streetwise, Thievery +1

FEATS

Human: Action Surge

Level 1: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade)

Level 2: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)

POWERS

Fighter at-will 1: Cleave

Fighter at-will 1: Reaping Strike

Bonus At-Will Power: Tide of Iron

Fighter daily 1: Villain's Menace

Fighter encounter 1: Spinning Sweep

Fighter utility 2: Pass Forward

ITEMS

Scale Armor, Heavy Shield, Longsword, Throwing hammer, Sling, Sling Bullets (40), Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Pouch, Belt (empty), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Torch (10), Waterskin, Bracers of Mighty Striking (heroic tier)

Gurnlocke Fisk, level 2

Dwarf, Warlock

Eldritch Blast: Eldritch Blast Constitution

Eldritch Pact: Infernal Pact

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 20, Dex 8, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 18, Dex 8, Int 14, Wis 11, Cha 10.

AC: 15 Fort: 16 Reflex: 14 Will: 13

HP: 37 Surges: 13 Surge Value: 9

TRAINED SKILLS

Insight +7, Religion +8, Arcana +8, History +8

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics, Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Dungeoneering +4, Endurance +8, Heal +2, Intimidate +1, Nature +2, Perception +2, Stealth, Streetwise +1, Thievery, Athletics +1

FEATS

Level 1: Improved Dark One's Blessing

Level 2: Durable

POWERS

Warlock daily 1: Flames of Phlegethos

Warlock encounter 1: Vampiric Embrace

Warlock utility 2: Fiendish Resilience

ITEMS

Leather Armor, Dagger, Warhammer, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Lantern, Oil (1 pint) (10), Rations, Trail, Waterskin

Fight Notes

So, I almost didn't get a post up this week, after a wasted weekend and then meetings out of town mid-week. But it was important for me to get something up, and I'm feeling very satisfied that I did.

And I even ran a combat simulation to inform the writing!

Some notes: I used the same d20 to roll for all characters and "monsters," and I was rolling really high. I'm not sure this had a huge impact, given the way the fight went--most of the attacks would have hit even if I wasn't rolling 17s all the time.

Still, I was surprised, again, by this two-round knockout. The baddies added up to 1150xp, which is above my target of 1050xp for a hard encounter for a second level party. I figured it would be okay to add that seventh ninja, because the characters had a tactical advantage. I think I needed to fully double the number of monsters before it would have forced the characters in this party to break a sweat--one, so there would be enough guys to survive the first round, and two, so they could keep the party pinned with ready actions as they try to bust through a wall to facilitate a pincher-maneuver.

My friend Rich has learned with his group to massively overwhelm his players with level-approriate monsters. 4th ed is so generous to players, I think he's right.

Anyway, my fight notes:

         A.        Crew:

                 1.       Elf Rogue: Lurker 4, Rogue

                        a.        Loot: Amulet of Health +1 (L3), 2 potions of healing (actually 1, cuz drank 1 in combat), gold ring set with pearl (250gp), 20gp.

                        b.        Xp: 350

                 2.       Elf Archer: Artillery 4

                        a.        Loot: Bracers of the Perfect Shot (L3), 2 potions, 20gp.

                        b.        Xp: 175

                 3.       Elf Ninjas: 5 Skirmisher 2s

                        a.        Loot: healing potion, 20gp.

                        b.        Xp: 125 each

         B.        FIGHT!

                 1.       Round 1: (initiative determined by circumstances)

                        a.        Previously, all players set up with ready actions as follows:

                                    i       Mairrethid: Force Burst on whoever opens the door.

                               ii       Mez: Sly Flourish (dagger) on closest enemy he can see.

                          iii       Fisk: Vampiric Embrace on closest enemy he can see.

                               iv       Schlobrock: Righteous-brand on first enemy in melee range; if successful, attack bonus goes to Gherota.

                                    v       Gherota: Reaping Strike at first target in melee range

                        b.        N2: Opens Door, interrupted by readied actions.

                                    i       Mairrethid: Force Orb against N2 hits (attack 24 vs Ref 16, damage 18, N2 hp 14 bloodied). Secondary attacks against N1 hits (attack 24 vs Ref 16, damage 12, N1 hp 20), ER hits (attack crit, damage 15, ER hp 28), EA hits (attack 22 vs Ref 18, damage 12, EA hp 26), N5 hits (attack 22 vs Ref 16 damage 12, N1 hp 20), N3 hits (attack 18 vs Ref 16 damage 12, N1 hp 20). 71 hp of damage, total, to 6 targets.

                               ii       Fisk: Curse on N2; Vampiric Embrace against N2 (attack 15 vs Will 14, damage 18 +5 curse, Fisk thp 9, EA hp -7 dying).

                          iii       Mez: Sly Flourish against ER (attack 27 vs Ac 18, damage 12, ER hp 26).

                        c.        EA: Longbow against Gherota hits (attack 23 vs Ac 20, damage 10, G hp 22).

                        d.        ER: Deft Strike against Gherota--move interrupted by readied actions of Schlobrock (attack 26 vs Ac 20, damage 11, ER hp 15 bloodied) and Gherota (attack crit, damage 14, ER hp 1 bloodied)--continued (attack 22 vs Ac 20, damage 12, Ma hp 10 bloodied); move action shifts back out of room; drink healing potion (heal 10, ER hp 11 bloodied).

                        e.        N1: Chain and Sickle against Gherota hits (chain 24 vs Ac 20, damage 4 & grabbed, G hp 6 bloodied; sickle 13 vs Ac 20, miss).

                        f.        N2: dying.

                        g.        N3: Move into room, movement interrupted by opportunity attacks--Gherota miss (attack fail), Schlob hits (attack 19 vs Ac 16, damage 10, N3 hp 10 bloodied), Mez miss (attack 15 vs Ac 16)--then Chain and Sickle against Gherota (chain 26 vs Ac 20, damage 5, G hp 1 bloodied; sickle 25 vs Ac 20, damage 7, G hp -6 unconscious).

                        h.        N4: Move into room, Chain and Sickle against Mez (chain 12 vs Ac 19, miss; sickle 24 vs 19, damage 4, Mz hp 24).

                        i.        N5: Move forward, Sickle against Schlob miss (attack 15 vs Ac 17 +cover).

                 2.       Round 2

                        a.        Mairrethid: Flaming Sphere in ER’s square, misses ER (attack 10 vs Ref 18). Action Point Scorching Burst in ER’s square (ER: attack 26 vs Ref 18, damage 7, ER hp 4 bloodied) (EA: attack 23 vs Ref 16, damage 7, EA hp 19 bloodied) (N1: attack 21 vs Ref 16, damage 7, N1 hp 13 bloodied) (N3: attack 26 vs Ref 16 +cover, damage 7, N3 hp 3 bloodied) (N4: attack 26 vs Ref 16 +cover, miss) (N5: attack 17 vs Ref 16, damage 7, N5 hp 13 bloodied).

                        b.        Fisk: Delays action.

                        c.        Gherota: makes Death Save (roll 10), delays turn.

                        d.        Schlobrock: Healing Word on Gherota (heal 8+5, G hp 7), Righteous Brand vs N1 (attack 17 vs Ac 16, damage 14 and attack bonus given to Mez vs N1, N1 hp 6 bloodied).

                        e.        Gherota: Cleave against N4 (attack 17 vs Ac 16, damage 12 and cleave 5 to N3, N3 hp -2 dying, N4 hp 8 bloodied).

                        f.        Mez: Sly Flourish vs N1 (attack 23 +5 brand vs Ac 16, damage 15, N1 hp -9 dying).

                        g.        Fisk: Warlock’s Curse on ER, Flames of Phlegartharos against ER (attack crit, 35 damage, F thp 11, ER hp -29 dead).

                        h.        Morale checks, triggered by losing 50% of force and by leader’s collapse. This is an old school Wisdom check (roll Wisdom score or less to pass check), with success resulting in retreat (because these characters aren’t fantatics and they will lose). Factors: +2 bloodied, +2 leader down. Rolls: EA succeeds (roll 23 vs Wis 15), E4 fails (roll 13 vs Wis 15), E5 fails (roll 16 vs Wis 15). Yes, I am house-ruling, and yes, I'm still experimenting with it. All modifiers are ad hoc circumstance bonuses that just happen to make sense. Players can always argue for or against these.

                        i.        EA: Burned by Flaming Sphere (damage 5, EA hp 14 bloodied). Double move, running, to get 18 squares, clear out of the bathhouse and off the map.

                        j.        N4: Burned by Flaming Sphere (damage 5, N4 hp 3 bloodied). Chain and Sickle against Gherota (chain 10 vs Ac 20, miss; sickle 24 vs Ac 20, damage 6, G hp 5).

                        k.        N5: Burned by Flaming Sphere (damage 5, N5 hp 8 bloodied). Double move, running, to get 18 squares, clear out of the bathhouse and off the map.

                 3.       Round 3:

                        a.        Mairrethid: Cancels Flaming Sphere, Readies Magic Missile in case N4 moves or attacks.

                        b.        Schlobrock: Healing word on Gherota (heal 14, G hp 19), Moves to block N4’s exit, Readies Righteous Brand in case N4 moves or attacks.

                        c.        Gherota: Intimidate check against N4 to force surrender (check 17 vs Will 14, success; note that no bonus for N4 being Unfriendly or Hostile because N4 is a disinterested mercenary, also not a psycho with a death wish, also offended that his surviving allies ditched him).

                 4.       Note: None of the wounded (N1, N2 and N3) could have failed three death saves in this time, so I don’t need to roll them. Schlob and Gherota apply first aid, with Healing checks:

                        a.        Gherota stabilizes N1 (roll 15 vs DC 15)

                        b.        Schlobrock stabilizes N2 (roll 25)

                        c.        Gherota stabilizes N3 (crit)

I'm back.

So, I recently moved, broke up with my girlfriend, got busted for running cockfights behind the Circle K, and had a botched masectomy. It's not an excuse, but a reason for why I utterly failed to maintain any semblance of a writing schedule.

Anyway, I'm back, and I'm going to try hard to keep to a once-a-week posting schedule, probably on Mondays.

Also, after a conversation with a friend, I'm aiming for shorter instalments, around 2k words. I hope this doesn't leave anyone feeling shortchanged. Less, more often, ought to actually leave you with more to read.

And thanks for reading!

Chapter 8 Combat Simulation Notes

Initiative

Mez - 22

Blackblade 2 - 18

Merry - 16

Hexer - 15

Archer - 14

• Archer 1
  
• Archer 2
  
• Archer 3
  
• Archer 4
  

Gherota - 14

Schlob - 12

Blackblade 1 - 11

Soldier C - 10

• Grunt C1
  
• Grunt C2
  
• Grunt C3
  
• Grunt C4
  

Fisk - 6

Soldier B - 2

• Grunt B1
  
• Grunt B2
  
• Grunt B3
  
• Grunt B4
  

Round 1

Mez – Sly Flourish crossbow shot out of the room at Soldier B0 (atk 29 crit, dmg 14 + 6 sneak attack, hp 27).

Blackblade 2 – Takes up position 2 squares from door against wall, doesn’t engage.

Merry – Scorching blast centered on Soldier B0 (atk 15, miss), with 2 minions in blast range (B1, atk 7, miss) (B2, atk 20, dmg 7, kill) (B4, atk 9, miss). Action point, summons Flaming Sphere behind Soldier B0 and attacks him (atk 7, miss). Moves to get position vs Archers.

Hexer – Vexing Cloud centered on Gherota, putting everyone at -2 attack until they leave the cloud, and an additional -2 against goblins in the cloud (concealment).

Archer – Schlob (atk 9, miss).

Archer 1 – Fisk (atk 17, dmg 6, hp 26).

Archer 2 – Merry (atk 12, miss).

Archer 3 – Gherota (atk 22, dmg 4, hp 22).

Archer 4 – Schlob (atk 12, miss).

Gherota – Handaxe at Soldier B0 (atk 22, dmg 7, hp 20, bloodied).

Schlob – Lance of Faith at Hexer (atk 6, miss).

Blackblade 1 – Stands pat, no action.

Soldier C – Waits until Soldier B gets to move.

• Grunt C1 -
  
• Grunt C2 -
  
• Grunt C3 -
  
• Grunt C4 -
  

Fisk – Places his Warlock’s Curse on Soldier B0, then Vampiric Embrace (atk 19, dmg 15 + 2 curse, hp 3). Fisk gains 7 thp.

Soldier B – Burned by Flaming Sphere (6 hp, dead), dies. Fisk gains 4 thp (total thp 11).

Grunt B1 – Advance and Longsword against Schlobrock (atk 19, dmg 5, hp 20)

Grunt B2 – Already Dead

Grunt B3 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 12, miss). Advance and Longsword against Gherota (atk 15, miss).

Grunt B4 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 19, dead)

Soldier C – Burned by Flaming Sphere (dmg 8, hp 39). Advance and Spear against Gherota (atk 17, miss).

Grunt C1 – Advance and Longsword Schlobrock (atk 19, dmg 5, hp 15).

Grunt C2 – Gets away from allies.

Grunt C3 – Gets away from allies.

Grunt C4 – Stands there like an idiot.

Round 2

Mez – Waits until after Fisk acts.

Blackblade 2 – Waits until after everyone acts.

Merry – Sustains Flaming Sphere and sends it toward Hexer, attacking with it (atk 1 critical miss).

Hexer – Burned by Flaming Sphere (dmg 9, hp 37). Sustains Vexing Cloud and moves it forward slightly, to keep party covered and give goblins more room to maneuver. Blinding Hex against Mairrethid (atk 19, dmg 9, hp 12, blinded). Moves away from Flaming Sphere.

Archer – Arrow against Fisk (atk 13, miss)

Archer 1 – Arrow against Gherota (atk 13, miss)

Archer 2 – Arrow against Mez (atk 1 critical, miss)

Archer 3 – Arrow against Gherota (atk 25, dmg 6, hp 16).

Archer 4 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 14, dead).

Gherota – Draws Longsword, Footwork Lure against Soldier C0 (atk 25 critical, dmg 14, hp 25), stepping out and sliding C0 behind him.

Schlob – Healing word on Gherota (heal 9, hp 25). Righteous Brand, Soldier C0 (atk 8, miss).

Blackblade 1 – Advance and attack Gherota flanking with Swort Sword (atk 23, dmg 3 + 6 combat advantage, hp 16).

Fisk – Shift away from Soldier C0. Curse on Soldier C0. Hellish Rebuke on Soldier C0 (atk 11, miss).

Mez – Draws Short Sword, dropping Crossbow. Attacks Soldier C0 with Sly Flourish (atk 20, dmg 6 + 11 sneak attack, hp 8).

Soldier B - Dead

Grunt B1 – Longsword against Schlobrock (atk 26 critical, dmg 5, hp 10 bloodied).

Grunt B3 – Longsword against Gherota (atk 12, miss).

Soldier C – Spear against Gherota (atk 21, dmg 5, hp 11 bloodied).

Grunt C1 – Longsword against Gherota (atk 20, dmg 5, hp 6 bloodied).

Grunt C2 – Advance, Longsword against Gherota (atk 22, dmg 5, hp 1)

Grunt C3 – Advance, but keeps spacing away from others. Doesn’t engage.

Grunt C4 – Advance, attack Gherota (atk 28 critical, dmg 5, hp -4).

Blackblade 2 – Moves into room, attacks Fisk (atk 13, miss).

Round 3

Merry – Saves against blindness (save 10). Force Orb against Soldier C0 provokes attack from Blackblade 2 (atk 22, dmg 3, hp 9 bloodied), attack hits (atk 16, dmg 9, dead) and secondaries Blackblade 2 (atk 4, miss), C1 (atk 18, dead), and B3 (atk 20, dead). Sustains and moves Flaming Sphere against near enemies.

Hexer – Stinging Hex against Merry (atk 9, miss).

Archer – Arrow at Fisk (atk 17, dmg 9, thp 2)

Archer 1 – Arrow at Fisk (atk 25, dmg 10, thp 0, hp 26)

Archer 2 – Arrow at Mex (atk 15, miss)

Archer 3 – Arrow at Fisk (atk 27, dmg 8, hp 18)

Gherota – Death save (roll 16)

Schlob – Warrior’s Surge against B1 (atk 17, dead) heals (heal 6, hp 16). Healing Word on Gherota (11, hp 7).

Blackblade 1 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (dmg 8, hp 17). Advances to position of Blackblade 2, provoking opportunity attack from Schlob (atk 23 crit, dmg 15, hp 2 bloodied) and Mez (atk 9, miss), using Sneaky to take his position. Short sword against Mairrethid (atk 22, dmg 6, hp 3).

Fisk – Shifts backwards, curses Blackblade 1, wallops him with Eldritch Blast (atk 15, dmg 13, dead). Absorbs power (thp 4).

Mez – Sly Flourish against Blackblade 2 (atk 17, dmg 11 + 6, hp 8 bloodied). Takes cover against wall.

Soldier B - Dead

Grunt B1 – Dead

Grunt B3 - Dead

Soldier C – Dead

Grunt C1 - Dead

Grunt C2 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 10, miss). Advances and attacks Gherota (atk 17, miss).

Grunt C3 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 12, miss). Advances and attacks Gherota (atk 15, miss).

Grunt C4 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 19, dead)

Blackblade 2 – Short Sword against Gherota (Atk 18, miss)

Round 4

Merry – Waits for Mez to act.

Hexer – Sustains Vexing Cloud. Blinding Hex on Gherota (atk 23, dmg 11, hp -4, blind).

Archer – Arrow at Fisk (atk 12, miss)

Archer 1 – Arrow at Fisk (atk 20, dmg 9, thp 0, hp 13 bloodied)

Archer 2 – Arrow at Schlob (atk 17, dmg 8, hp 8 bloodied)

Archer 3 – Arrow at Schlob (atk 20, dmg 5, hp 3 bloodied)

Gherota – Fail blindness save (roll 5), fail death save (roll 7).

Schlob – Waits for Merry.

Fisk – Curse on Blackblade 2. Hellish Rebuke (atk 24, dmg 11 + 4 curse, dead) pact boon (thp 4).

Mez – Sly Flourish against C3 (Atk 20, dead). Advances on C2, uses Action Point for another attack (atk 12, miss).

Merry – Magic Missile against C2 (Atk 18, dead). Moves Flaming Sphere towards balcony archers, leaving it in scorching distance of Archer A3.

Schlob – Grabs and pulls Gherota back into room, slams door shut, and drops bar.

Soldier C - Dead

Grunt C1 - Dead

Grunt C2 - Dead

Grunt C3 - Dead

Grunt C4 - Dead

Blackblade 2 - Dead

Round 5

Hexer – Blinding Hex against door (atk 10, dmg 11, hp 9).

Archer – Idle.

Archer 1 – Idle.

Archer 2 – Idle.

Archer 3 – Burned by Flaming Sphere (atk 15, dead).

Gherota – Fails Blindness Save (roll 3), aces Death save (roll 20, hp 6).

Fisk – Second Wind (hp 21)

Mez – Heals Gherota w/untrained skill check (roll 13, hp 12)

Merry – Sustains Flaming Sphere. Second Wind (hp 5).

Schlob – Second Wind (hp 9).

Discussion: First question--wait to heal or not. Then three options--fight, run, talk terms. Worry about reinforcements, but dismissed, since they had plenty of time to muster before fight started. Talk terms, to earn enough time for a short break? Maybe.

Merry – Diplomacy check (roll 20, opposed Diplomacy check rolls 10, success!)

Complex Challenge, The Negotiation. (complexity 3, 8 success before 4 failures, diplomacy and bluff and insight.

Character Stats as of Chapter 08

These are character summaries, generated through the official Dungeons and Dragons Character Builder. (It is worth subscribing to insider for a month to download the thing... I strongly recommend it.)

These are the characters at level 1, just after the Chapter 08 fight.

Gherota, level 1

Human, Fighter

Fighter Talents: One-handed Weapon Talent

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 20, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.

Starting Ability Scores

Str 18, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.

AC: 19 Fort: 18 Reflex: 15 Will: 11

HP: 26 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS

Intimidate, Heal, Athletics, Endurance.

FEATS

1: Action Surge

1: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade)

POWERS

1, At-Will: Cleave

1, At-Will: Reaping Strike

1, At-Will: Footwork Lure

1, Encounter: Spinning Sweep

1, Daily: Villain's Menace

ITEMS

Scale Armor, Heavy Shield, Longsword, Throwing hammer, Sling, Sling Bullets (40), Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Pouch, Belt (empty), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Torch (10), Waterskin, Bracers of Mighty Striking (heroic tier)

Gurnlocke Fisk, level 1

Dwarf, Warlock

Eldritch Blast: Eldritch Blast Constitution

Eldritch Pact: Infernal Pact

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 20, Dex 8, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10.

Starting Ability Scores

Str 10, Con 18, Dex 8, Int 14, Wis 11, Cha 10.

AC: 14 Fort: 15 Reflex: 13 Will: 12

HP: 32 Surges: 11 Surge Value: 8

TRAINED SKILLS

Insight, Religion, Arcana, History.

FEATS

1: Improved Dark One's Blessing

POWERS

1, Encounter: Vampiric Embrace

1, Daily: Flames of Phlegethos

ITEMS

Leather Armor, Dagger, Warhammer, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Lantern, Oil (1 pint) (10), Rations, Trail, Waterskin

Mairrethid, level 1

Human, Wizard

Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 20, Wis 14, Cha 10.

Starting Ability Scores

Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 10.

AC: 16 Fort: 11 Reflex: 16 Will: 15

HP: 21 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 5

TRAINED SKILLS

Insight, Arcana, History, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering.

FEATS

1: Ritual Caster

1: Linguist

1: Defensive Mobility

POWERS

1, At-Will: Magic Missile

1, At-Will: Scorching Burst

1, At-Will: Thunderwave

1, Encounter: Force Orb

1, Daily: Flaming Sphere

Spellbook: Sleep

ITEMS

Spellbook, Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing), Quarterstaff, Dagger, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Candle (10), Flask (empty) (5), Flint and Steel, Hammer, Lantern, Oil (1 pint) (5), Pitons (10), Pouch, Belt (empty) (4), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Tent, Waterskin, Comprehend Language, Tenser's Floating Disk, Make Whole

Mez Gobbo, level 1

Goblin, Rogue

Rogue Tactics: Artful Dodger

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 8, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.

Starting Ability Scores

Str 8, Con 11, Dex 18, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14.

AC: 17 Fort: 10 Reflex: 18 Will: 13

HP: 23 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 5

TRAINED SKILLS

Stealth, Thievery, Perception, Streetwise, Acrobatics, Bluff.

FEATS

1: Backstabber

POWERS

1, At-Will: Deft Strike

1, At-Will: Sly Flourish

1, Encounter: Positioning Strike

1, Daily: Easy Target

ITEMS

Leather Armor, Dagger (4), Hand Crossbow, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Candle (5), Flask (empty) (3), Flint and Steel, Grappling Hook, Rations, Trail, Rope, Silk (50 ft.), Thieves' Tools, Waterskin, Duelist's Short sword +1

Schlobrock, level 1

Orc, Cleric

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 20, Con 13, Dex 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

Starting Ability Scores

Str 18, Con 11, Dex 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

AC: 16 Fort: 15 Reflex: 10 Will: 14

HP: 25 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS

Religion, Arcana, Insight, Heal, Nature.

FEATS

1: Ritual Caster

1: Warrior of the Wild

POWERS

1, At-Will: Lance of Faith

1, At-Will: Righteous Brand

1, Encounter: Wrathful Thunder

1, Daily: Avenging Flame

ITEMS

Ritual Book, Gentle Repose, Chainmail, Morningstar, Javelin (5), Dagger, Animal Messenger, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Pouch, Belt (empty) (2), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Torch (10), Waterskin, Flask (empty) (3), Vicious Spear +1

Mailing list

My posting schedule had developed to be far less regular than I was planning, and I hope that won't keep me from losing readers. (Those of you who have announced yourselves in comments, thank you.)

If you would like to get an email when I update, email me at sinotuber@hotmail.com, and I will add you to my mailing list.

Thanks everyone (all... three of you?).

Regarding Ch 05...

I had thought I would post something longer and bigger for Chapter 5, reaching something of a minor conclusion because five is a nice, round number. (Sorta.) Then I realized that I had 5,000 words and still wanted to go further before wrapping things up. I decided to scale it back to the much more easily consumed 2,500 words and post now.

So, it is a good time to ask... is the length for each installment good?

Any other thoughts?

Anyway, I'm trying to steer things back in the direction of my first chapter, because I got some good feedback on that and none since. There were some good points made. I feel I've indulged my imagination a lot but let the writing suffer, moving quickly through things I should take more time to describe. And some other content stuff. I meet few of those goals with Chapter 5, however.

Anyway, let me know what you think.