James steps forward just enough that the big bug would be inconvenienced trying to bite most of the others before himself (...Such a strange job).  He hurls his Maul at the bug, but it's a rather awkward nowhere near coming close sort of toss unfortunately.

  James misses Marks already.  "Nature does not apply natural selection very much, so much as natural aggression." A concern that plagues players across all genres.

OOC: Bug next, then Mittens.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:41, Thu 18 May 2017.

The Bug would've made James eat those words...had Darcy not readied an action ahead of time (Note:  I feared this would happen.  Good thing Darcy follows Designated Healer rules; she can ready a heal before combat.)

The Ankheg rears up and strikes at James.  With Authority!! (Rolled a Nat 20)

At the same time, Darcy cried out a "NO!" and throws her prepared spell.  A healing word at her maximum possible level.

James had the wonderful experience of being damaged for 20 hit points and healed for 22 at the same time.  He went down, saw stars, lost consciousness for a moment, but then felt his senses come back to him.

...which might or might not be a good thing.

"Take that lobster down fast before it does that again," Darcy said!

(Ruling:  The attack reduces James to -7 Hit Points.  His MHP is 13, so it's not an instakill.  I also didn't want to whack someone out with the first random encounter, hence the readied spell.  Jamies will be stunned for his next turn.

Blasted Random Number Generators!!  Why do you hate me so?!)

Mittens is next.  Don't let that lobster get away with that!

"It's like James is a friggin' prophet!" Mits surmises.

She forward-flips over her warhorse's head and hits the ground running.  Once beside the monster, she does a staff uppercut on it's abdomen with a loud CRACK! which causes the front end to seesaw down, making the giant monster face-plant and bite it's own tongue!

"I'll keep it distracted for your sweet sneak attack awesomeness, Meiou!"

---

Staff attack: 18 v AC. Hits!
 Bug takes 9 bludgeoning dmg

Bug HP: 31 - 9 = 22

REACTION:  Mittens will use shield if the bug looks like it's about to hit her, causing her to have an effective 22 AC temporarily.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:59, Thu 18 May 2017.

The rabbit flipped out of the wagon and hit the ground rolling out into a clear line of sight spot. He lifted up the crossbow as he took careful aim given the creature hadn't noticed him yet and let loose a bolt towards it. (25) He winced hearing it hit and sink in deeply ( 11 dmg yes thats WITH SA. i rolled double 1's on SA) That would take some work to get out he thought.

"Nice going, team," Darcy said as she readies her next heal.  "It's against the ropes, finish him off!"

Round Two; Top of the Order.

Chestnut takes aim and fires another crossbow bolt, sinking it into one of the bug's guts. "Way to keep it distracted, James! Good shots, Meiou and Mitts! Amazing heals, Darcy! High fives and snacks for all when we're done!"

---

Light Crossbow v Bug. Hit(18)!
 dmg: 9

Bug HP: 11 - 9 = 2

  Well, James is stunned so that pretty much sums up the mechanical front.

  Though as everybody knows, talking is a free action.  "Overly homicidal nature it is, then. Thanks for keeping at least half my blood inside my body Darcy."

  He know Chestnut means well, but that's a fairly grim view on what counts as a 'distraction'.

OOC: Bug, then Mittens.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:58, Sun 21 May 2017.

REMINDER!



(( Hoping the bug attacks Mits and she denies the attack with this power. :P ))

The Ankleg goes for Mittens.  But even with the reaction, the bug only does as much as create a loud gong sound on the impact with Mittens.  (It rolled a 15 on Attack)

During the violence of the attack, Mits catches hold of the monster's armored shell and rides on it's back!  She charges up a ball of magic, stuffs it into one of the openings in the carapace opened up by her allies shots, then leaps free.  A moment later, KABOOM!  Bug guts everywhere!  (( https://youtu.be/9iJi2YXcOrE?t=2m3s ))

"Wooooo!"

The rabbit winces at the loud explosion. This was going to sting for awhile.He then casually back flipped out of the way of the bug guts. " Not to be rude but would you kindly warn me before doing loud noises next time? " 

Chestnut says, "....that was amazing!" He looks at Meiou and with a flourishing bow, Meiou can see the bug guts vanishing from Chestnut. "No worries, Meiou. The ickyness is only temporary with mages at your disposal who can cast prestidigitation!"

He glances at James. "Though for magical mending on your armor to un-dent it, might wanna ask more divine casters.... Darcy, do you know the Mending prayer?"

He then beckons to Meiou. "Anyone wanting a cleaning, I am offering..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:25, Fri 26 May 2017.

  "Meiou, do you hear any of us asking you to warn is you're about to sneak up and stab someone?  Because the high pitched screams when you stab people are far more irritating than some basic magic." Looks like James is well off enough now that the fight is over to sass his semi-partner. Yay?

  "I'm going to try and follow the traditional mindset of feeling better about nearly dying, that nobody else did.  I've never gone for ornate armor for a reason, really."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Mon 29 May 2017.

Darcy rushes over to James, "Oh, sweet Gods, are you all right?"

"I w-was afraid that would happen," Justin said as he rolled the wagon up to the battlefield.  "Th-those anklegs hit hard."

the rabbit shook his head. " I dunno ever been part of a poker game where your caught cheating and everything breaks out into a large fight? I think that might hit a little harder. "

Chestnut cleans those who take him up on it. And those who don't. Because he's nice that way.

Chestnut gives James a fist-bump. "Thanks, James. You are right; nobody else got hurt. Thanks to you."

He turns his attention to Justin. "They sure do. But Darcy cures harder. Everyone good for boarding the wagon?"

"Gotcha.  I'll have the rest of my fun really quietly.  Wheeee!"

(( https://youtu.be/rUoHD25gc1g?t=5s ))

Mits hops aboard the wagon and gives Chestnut a thumbs-up.  Then asides to James, "You could go ornate if you wanted to with Chestnut handy to fix things.  Thanks for bravely taking one for the team!"

   "Yes Darcy, thank you.  I'd have been much worse off without your concern."  Pain hurts a lot less when it's temporary, after all.

  James refrains from commenting on how often Meiou must get caught to form such an opinion, as he fistbumps the other shorty short party member.  "I'd consider it more resignation than bravery, Mittens.  Even most people all excited about battle are not so enthusiastic about getting stabbed themselves."  Though there are plenty of idiots who claim it's enjoyable, despite not simply letting you win if they liked it so much.

Justin checks out the road ahead, with the Tower in the distance and the sun setting.  "I think we can reach the tower before sundown, after that we can make camp."


End of Combat:
Each party member is at 150 XP:
     *  25 for the bandit encounter
     *  110 for the Ankheg
     *  15 for exploration

"Well mind you i wasnt playing in that game but i witnessed it first hand as the dealer. The things that happen sometimes." one would be surprised the situations he got into cause of pipkin 'teaching' him to be a thief.

Aaaaand James just gave THIS player the idea of a tank character who enjoys pain. 9.9

Chestnut looks at James. "If you wanted to get stabbed, that wouldn't be bravery. Bravery is facing danger when you don't want to, but know you have to. You, sir, are brave."

Chestnut giggles from Mittens' antics. Then asks, "Can we set up camp inside the tower, or would you advise against it?"

Mits gives James a thumbs-up, again, looking like a hand puppet with a dislocated jaw.  "Mittens would be among those who does not enjoy getting stabbed.  Hence the thank you!"

One of the youngest orphans approaches James to hug his leg.  "You're a hero!"

Righty comments, "May as well let people think it's bravery."

Mits thinks about Chestnut's question and answers, "Definitely outside for those who snore."

Then it suddenly hits her and she laughs, pointing at Meiou, which makes her hand puppet look even more deformed than when she gives a thumbs-up.  "I see what you did there!  First hand as the dealer!  Nice one!  We should teach the kids your card games when we set up camp."

The orphans cheer.  "Yay card games!"

  James actually trusts these orphans not to try and poison and/or shoot him (probably a mistake), so does not avoid tiny hugs.

  "Check for hidden basement hatches with things that wait until night to try and kill you inside them first, settling in for staying the night second whether or not people hang out inside.  I hold no responsibility for any horrible occurrences on the premises." Calling dibs on a property is fun.  Openings for accusations of negligence, not so much.

"Well ofcourse I'm going search for stuff like that. I mean it would be nuts not to. Don't want dark elves popping out and attacking you while your trying to sleep.Though i'm more hoping to find some secret rooms full of magical items left behind."

OOC:  It's going to take a while for me to design the tower, since I didn't expect anyone to get there, also, with Chris over at Ireland at this time, this is a good pausing point for me to build one over the weekend.