It is dark, and uncomfortably  hot where Sederic is. A short dim figure isvhobbling away from him in the murk. You smell sulphur and hot metal and armpit.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

Sederic will think to take off after the short figure...but suddenly wonders how in the hell he is going to get home, so he stops and looks for a portal...creating some light with a few words.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 2):

A large muscular, horned, tailed, batwinged creature carrying a cruelly barbed polearm approaches the space you arrived in, and a pentagram there begins to glow. Ahead of you, the small demon is heading to one of many such carvings in the floor of this vast and smoky chamber. Other horned creatures are moving about...
And they all turn and look at you!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

In reply to Khozapukt (msg # 3):

Sederic moves quickly to the pentagram and jumps into the middle, preparing to defend himself by attacking the demon if he gets the chance...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 4):

Which one? You took a step or twobout and cast light. Your wounded quarry headed to the next, and the newcomer stepped where you were. There look to be about a dozen in the near vicinity as well.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 5):

Trying to get back to the pentagram, so turning and striking any in the way in order to do so.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 6):
The small demon calls to you
"Get away from him, you idiot! That pig raper will have you for lunch!"



Let me clarify
You want to charge a stronger looking opponent who has a readied reach 2 weapon?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

In reply to Var (msg # 7):

He wants to get back home, figuring he won't last long here alone. He is only looks to fight to get home.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 8):

"You wanna fight that guy, and you die, you never leave. I'm goin to Valdassya "

In reply to Var (msg # 9):

"That sounds like the same world at least..."

He turns and follows... wait, the guy he attacked and followed here?

In reply to Sederic (msg # 10):

Same guy, wound is closing, and he is eyeing the approaching demons with pitchforks.
"I don't like dis place, I  only wouk here part time, and I got a gig coming up. Talk to my boss when we get there. I hate putting Meikka on the damn shelf. Cut my hand last time,"

In reply to Var (msg # 11):

He eyes the portal again for a chance to use it to escape...is the nasty demon looking like using it?

In reply to Sederic (msg # 12):

The big guy with the bill hook is in "your" pentacle, which is now warming up. The little guy you were chasing is entering the next neatest. Six fairly like him are approaching with pitchforks, will be in range in 3 seconds.

In reply to Khozapukt (msg # 13):

Sederic senses the big guy is going back to beat up on his buddies. He can handle the six small ones, before following the big guy home...he approaches the small guys and attacks, dodging the pitchfork easily...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 14):

The petty demons glance at eachother, and start to spread out and flank you. Meanwhile,  the one you cut disappears in a puff of brimstone as his pentagram glows.
The same happens in the "home" pentagram to the large winged demon with the polearm.

In reply to Alshsharir (msg # 15):

With the disappearance of the large winged demon, Sederic will head for the 'home' pentagram, and try to follow the thing through it! He will strike at any puny demon that approaches within sword range, however.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 16):

Two of them are blocking you, pitchforks ready. One to your left has become unready due to your parry. Another approaches your left rear flank, and two others are approaching your right and right rear flanks.

The heat is starting to get to you, and you lose an FP.

In reply to Alshsharir (msg # 17):

Long weapons in short range are not so good, Sederic immediately goes on the offensive, attacking both in a flurry.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 18):

You stab at both, but the others stab at you. one misses, the other two hit, for 3 and 6 impaling damage if not dodged. As you made a flurry of attacks, you get one defensive roll.

In reply to Alshsharir (msg # 19):

One roll for all defences?  I thought rapid strike gave defences as usual, with the penalty to hit of -6. Flurry of blows, as an all out attack, was different...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 20):

Ok  you get two actions per second,  and one of those was a flurry of blows. You have one action remaining. I have to see if you can dodge both without taking all out defense


Edit: I reviewed. You can parry once or dodge and keep dodging, but by next turntour options will be more limitrd as they close in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Mon 09 Mar 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 21):

Rapid strike is melee attack using the attack option that applies a -6 penalty to both attacks, but allows any defence. This differs from a double attack, which is an all out attack. Not sure what flurry of blows is, but it sounds like 3rd ed.

That is what I thought. So how many dodges do I need?

Failed both additional dodges, so DR3 absorbed one, but 3 damage penetrated with the second. Whose dumb build did not include Combat Reflexes for a fighter???
This message was last edited by the player at 07:09, Tue 10 Mar 2020.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 22):

A build focused on a dancing sword and magic bolt. I was trying to meet the players exact request, which should really have taken 400 points.


You take 5 points (it was impali g damage, and have -4 next round. Meikka is thrumming and yearns to be free.

3 of the demon's pitchforks are unready, three will be ready.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 23):

That explains the imbalance. Will try something else.

Sederic releases the sword to kill the creatures, whilst he moves into the square of a small critter near the 'home' pentagram, grabbing the demon to use it as a shield!

I've been trying to stay out of this conversation... but my Rules Lawyerliness demands satisfaction!  So I shall transgress and beg forgiveness...

Flurry of Blows is an Extra Effort option from 4e.  Prior to 4e, Extra Effort (spending FP to boost physical/supernatural activities) couldn't really be used in combat (it could but it was restricted to running, jumping, lifting, etc - in 3e they added in boosting defenses, but not attacks).

Flurry of Blows (which I suspect gwythaint keeps confusing the GURPS term with its use from D&D) halves the penalty from Rapid Strike by half, it costs 1FP per attack.  Nothing more.


As you suspect, you get your regular defenses with an Attack Maneuver.  In this case 1 per attack.

You could Parry each attack at a -4 per additional Parry beyond the first (unless you have Weapon Master/Trained by a Master, or are using a fencing weapon in which case it's -2 or -1 if you have both WM/TbaM and fencing weapons).  So if your Parry is significantly higher than your Dodge it's worth it.

Dodge never takes a penalty.  You only ever get one Block unless we're using optional rules, or you have a special rules Advantage that says so (and I don't think this is the case in this game).


Start saving exp.  The person who wrote it probably thought that +1 to defenses wasn't worth the 15 character points up front.  The build might be why they dumped the game, I've seen it before.

Note you can Retreat as a defense option...

Retreat (basic):  +3 Dodge, +1 Parry (+3 with fencing weapons), +1 Block.  Gain bonus versus all attacks from the enemy you are retreating from (if they have multiple attacks and you retreat versus the first, you are still in Reach of their attacks even if your movement puts you out of Reach).

Retreat Options:

Slip, 'Retreat' towards a foe, -2 to Retreat bonuses.  If adjacent will move you into Close Combat, useful when combined with Giant Step to 'step' past an opponent (in which case you need to Evade them).

Sideslip, 'Retreat' sideways versus foe, -1 to Retreat bonuses.  This is useful when fighting foes where you want to keep in Reach, but want a Dodge or fencing parry bonus, or if you ant to move away from one foe, but keep the other in Reach.  Also useful with Giant Step to "step around the side" of a foe.

Dodge and Drop, take a Step and go prone, full Retreat bonus versus ranged attacks, -1 to Retreat bonuses versus melee.

Dive for Cover, take a Step towards cover and dive prone (Dodge and Drop, but you're adding Cover into the mix).  If you achieve cover it applies versus all following attacks, even from that attacker.  If using versus an Area attack, successfully reaching cover applies cover to the attack.



Finally... Extra Effort Options (in case you're desperate):

You must declare that you are using extra effort and spend the required FP before you make your attack or defense roll. A critical failure on the roll causes 1 HP of injury to the arm (if blocking, parrying, or attacking with a shield, weapon, or hand) or leg (if dodging or kicking) in addition to the usual critical miss results. DR does not protect you from this damage!

Feverish Defense: If you take any maneuver other than All-Out Attack, you can spend 1 FP to get +2 to a single active defense roll. (You can use this bonus to offset the penalty for parrying multiple times with one hand; see Parrying, p. 376.)

Flurry of Blows: If you take an Attack maneuver, you can halve the penalty for Rapid Strike (see Rapid Strike, p. 370) by spending 1 FP per attack.

Giant Step: If you take an Attack or Defensive Attack maneuver, you can spend 1 FP for one extra step. You’re buying mobility similar to All-Out Attack, Committed Attack, or Move and Attack without the drawbacks, and cannot combine this option with those maneuvers. You may take your extra step before or after you attack; you can step, attack, and step again. When using Chambara Attacks (pp. 128-129), this extra step work identically to steps gained from sacrificing attacks, and you can combine the two.  Critical failure on the attack causes 1 HP of injury to the leg (not the weapon arm), as if dodging.

Heroic Charge: If you make a Move and Attack, you can spend 1 FP to ignore both its skill penalty and its effective skill cap in melee combat. If you do a Flying Attack (p. 107) or Acrobatic Attack (p. 107), the extra -1 or -2 to hit still applies. Likewise, you’re still subject to defensive penalties (no parry or retreat). Chambara fighters may spend 1 FP to ignore the -6 default penalty for attempting the “acrobatic” or “flying” version of a technique.

Mighty Blows: If you take an Attack maneuver in melee combat, you can spend FP to gain the damage bonus of an All-Out Attack (Strong) (see All-Out Attack, p. 365) without sacrificing your defenses. This costs 1 FP per attack.

Rapid Recovery: If you attack with an unbalanced weapon (one with “U” in its Parry statistic) during an Attack
maneuver or with any weapon using Move and Attack, and a foe later attacks you, you can spend 1 FP to parry with that weapon. You must spend the FP before you try your first parry – but unless this parry critically fails, the weapon can continue to parry afterward, at the usual penalties. In effect, you’ve returned the weapon to its guard position. This is one of the benefits of Defensive Attack; there’s no point in taking this option with that maneuver.

You may use no more than one offensive option (Flurry of Blows, Giant Step, Great Lunge, Heroic Charge, or Mighty Blows) and one defensive option (Feverish Defense or Rapid Recovery) per turn.



It might be worth it to you to start Feverish Defense + Giant Stepping your way past these pitchfork wielding devils...

You also recognize that the one that got you might have done the utmost it could to do this damage. The demons are thin and flabby and only about 5'4", including horns, not unlike thse dudes

https://drive.google.com/file/...Lb/view?usp=drivesdk

Also here
https://images.app.goo.gl/8ff58LFrMtjUzSq1A

In reply to Narrator (msg # 26):

It was that thought that suggested I go into close combat with one to use as a shield, while the sword fights...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 27):

Releasing Meikka is a free action, dodge to get into close range.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 28):

With hands free, he will be focusing on defense until he can get within close range.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 29):

Barehanded, you can try to grab the haft of the nearest trident before being struck by it. This will then become a quick contest of strength to disarm the demon.

Meikka dives for one of them, and cuts off its arm!

In reply to Narrator (msg # 30):

That would leave him exposed for several rounds. Is there a way he can push past them without getting pricked, or does he have to either grab the fork or dodge it?

In reply to Sederic (msg # 31):

Dodging and spending fp to keep moving is needed to push past, disarming one might give you a way to defend agaist the others while meikka acts. It also doesn't hurt to youse magic bolt once in a while, although that counts as an attack.
Remember, it does crushing damage, useful against face or junk, at -5 (instant hit) in any case.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 32):

Magic bolt uses fp, and does not get me past them or defend myself. Dodging seems rather unreliable considering the build...so I will go with disarming one. I have not done this before unarmed...what do I roll?

Sorry to butt in again... but you've got me interested.  Magic Bolt isn't supposed to have an FP cost, what Magic Bolt build do you have?


Going All Out Defense for +2 to Dodge and then spending 1 FP for an additional +2 Dodge (that is 1 FP per Dodge) is pretty potent... it also allows you half your Move, so is probably actually your best bet for beating feet to the gate (unless you can't take All Out Defense for some reason).

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 34):

Ah, you are right, it is free, but 1d-3 is unlikely to do any damage. On the other hand, will going all out defence allow me to try to push past these little pricks? pun intended...If so, I would try that. Otherwise use the extra effort to dodge to grab one of the little buggers and then use them as a shield after that...in order to get back to the portal...

Magic Bolt does a minimum of 1 damage.  But yeah... 1d-3 is pretty weak, but it is an always available ranged attack for 5 exp, so it's not a bad deal at that price.


It should... you might have to make an Acrobatics to Evade as well.  I have no idea how far you have to Move (are you within half Move of the pentagram?  You might have to burn an extra FP on Giant Step as well).

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 36):

Magic bolt costs no fp

1 hp to face or privates can cause stunning.

He is within 1 full move of the pentagram...

Move And Attack with a Slam* to bowl one of the wussy devils over and make the touchdown?

You might get stabbed at, but you get regular Parries, and could spend for Feverish Defense for +2 to the Parry if you're worried.

* I say that because a Move and Evade means you have to worry about failing the Evade which stops you (Evade is your DX, Acrobatics, or Judo versus their DX or Combat Skill - and they stop you using a Combat Skill they get a half damage hit on you!), but on a Slam you only get stopped if their Slam damage does more than yours (and if you're bigger and stronger you have better odds, unless these wuss devil are strong but clumsy in which case Evade might be better) and if they Dodge you can breeze right past them!

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 38):

How many dodges of weapons would he have to make to do a move and slam though?

You can't Dodge on Move and Attack when making a Slam, only Parry or Block... on Move and Attack whatever weapon you attack with, in this case your body, you can't use to defend, so no Dodges.

As for how many Parries you might need to make, only as many devils actually attack you.  Probably at least one, possibly the guy your charging if he Sets For A Charge (but you can try to Parry that as you run in on him).

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 40):

But being unarmed, and unarmed parry against a set spear has a lot of penalties as I remember...

Oh right, dancing sword.  Then if charging into a Slam is too risky (if they can't take a Wait action because they are slower than you, charging is safe; if they are moving faster than you, charging is dangerous) I'd recommend either Move and evade as that gives you your Dodge and your full Move, or All Out Defense [Dodge Bonus] and trying to slip past them with 2 actions (All Out Defense [Dodge] gives you half your Move).  Either way, don't forget you can use Feverish Defense for 1FP per defense to get an additional +2.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 42):

Ok, going to go with All out defence (Dodge) with feverish defence on the first two attacks he is moving towards, and retreating dodge on attacks from the sides/back. That raises dodge to 13. Moving towards the pentagram to get past the little pricks...

Rolled 13, 11, 8 and 13.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 43):

You squeak past onto the pentagram,  but nothing happens!

In reply to Narrator (msg # 44):

Sederic remember before, and thinks how badly he needs to buy some form of protection, as he calls his sword back to himself...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 45):

While four of them hold back, three readying their pitchforks, two charge at you!

In reply to Alshsharir (msg # 46):

Wishing he had something to something to deal with these buggers, Sederic focusses on dodging, suggesting the sword (which has/has not returned?) deal with those hanging back while he focuses on dodging the charges.

In reply to Sederic (msg # 47):

A brawling parry or brawl-5 to grab, then a ST roll to yank it out of their hand...or yank them toward you... what is your  max encumberance number?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 48):

Sederic uses extra effort in conjunction with all out defence to parry the trident, and grab it, but he is a bit of a wuss when it comes to moving the little creature...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 49):

You lose your grip on the trident, but it flies out of the demon's hands and clatters behind you on the pentagram!

As this happens, the runes around it start to glow blue.  Despite that, he dives after his pitchfork, and leaps beside you.


There is a burst of black greasy smoke, an earsplitting bang and a stench of hot metal and sulpher


Make a ht roll, and return to the specialty shop!

In reply to Alshsharir (msg # 50):

Sederic is holding his sword at this point?