Going over the thread again I see what you mean: but there was no debate over it at the time (among us), we just conceded the point. It is quite clear that the prep rounds take place out of initiative, making round 1 the first round of combat, and thus subject to the rules of initiative.

Just for future reference though. Any open map (without walls) like this, and I shan't be participating unless everyone agrees that first turn isn't flat footed. I know too many min-maxers IRL to ever consider otherwise.

For the sake of storytelling. I like the think that any attack roll that hit's above a targets touch AC, but not above their full AC is considered a dodge or a parry, rather than a miss.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Wed 27 Mar 2013.

Wouldn't above touch AC but below full AC be a hit that is deflected by armor?

yes, or a parry, or a dodge, but not a straight up miss.

At least I got 24 damage in. Even passing the save, Levis still hurts.

In reply to Levis Luna (msg # 8):

I'm thinking I might be in a little trouble :)
but I'm going to do my best to take one of them with me!

New strat! Take out the archer, then grapple Gawain and wrestle him and yourself into the big circle. It's the only good idea. XD

I fully expect to lose this game. Orophear isn't even close to being defeated at this point.

He does have a few tricks up his sleeve but you guys have distance on him at this point. He's not overly mobile. I have to get him some sort of Exp. Retreat magic item. I love the sword throwing trick of Gawain's though!!

It's a bard 1 spell (hint, hint).

Whirling Blade?  Bard 2, according to both Complete Arcane and the Spell Compendium.

Yeah, Bard 2, sorry. But you only really need 1 level of bard to be able to use the wand without an UMD check.

In reply to Gawain Silvershield (msg # 15):

Hmmmm, that might be an interesting direction to send Orophear. I think it's Q's turn right?

One level of bard will not advance spellcasting much, but you will gain a LOT of skillpoints and get bardic music (and the possibility of bardic spellcasting through wands).

Oh, and we're all waiting on you. :-)

If you don't want to interrupt your Duskblade progression (since you are about to get 3rd level spells next level), here's a possible alternative.  Whirling Blade is not on the Duskblade's spell list, but it is an arcane spell on the Sorcerer/Wizard list.  So, an eternal wand of Whirling Blade will be usable by you since you are an arcane spellcaster.

A bit pricy (a little over 4k), but a regular wand of Bardic Whirling Blade costs 6k, and you need to take a level of Bard to use it, whereas you can use the eternal wand 2x/day without problems as a Duskblade...

A bard can use a wand created by a wizard just fine (4500 gp).

That is true.  So, roughly equal cost for wizardly Whirling Blade regular wand (usable by bard) vs. eternal wand (usable by duskblade).

Btw, do you need any update from Zar'Da or me in the match against the crabs and ettin?  I think we're waiting on the crabs' action now.

No, just some free time.

Ahh, RL action economy.  Yes, that's a tough one ;P  No rush.

I had two matches against Zar'Da. First was in the fight ring.
Thanks for updating though. I'll ask BCM about adding the exp.

Very sorry about the hold-up, but being really busy these past weeks. I'll get updates in during the weekend/next week.

Anyone up for a match?

Available opposition:

Quinlan: half-drow Bard 5/ranger 2
Gwendol: dwarf fighter 1/cleric 6
Ossian: Dark human rogue 3/swashbuckler 2
Take: Goliath monk 2/cleric 2/fighter 1
Tristram: Human knight 5
Gawain: Human bard 4/crusader 2

New map! And a preview for anyone playing in Chessenta. ;) Please let me know if there are any problems.

It seems my older maps have broken. I've re-uploaded these, and they should be available now.

BTW, I haven't logged in here in months if anyone's wondering.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Sun 27 Oct 2013.

Nice although one that will favor power over guile.