All OOC comments for chapter 5 should go here.

Here are the blessings Saris/Nestael gives.  Please note them on your character sheet.






All of these are while in Nestael's service, though too much distance might mute the effects some.

A few questions to start some conversation...

Was it possible to tell how many attackers hit the caldera?
Assuming the people in Duston are able-bodied enough to even flee, is there any where they could run or hide?
Is there any structure within Duston that would help support a defense?
If not, are there any large structures that could hold a large number of people/creatures? ie: barn, town hall, etc...

Id be doubtful any could even think about fleeing. From the last Ourn saw of the place, everyone was sick and frail, and had no stamina. Just from 2 or 3 days there, Ourn was getting sluggish.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:15, Wed 23 Dec 2015.

The numbers were not large, maybe twenty, depending on how big some of them were.  There were claw marks of a couple of pretty big ones, mountain trolls and the like.

I wish a very merry Christmas to you all.

Same, to the echo.

Ditto!!

Merry Christmas everyone.  So glad to have such a steady group of companions and an incredible GM.

In reply to Ano (msg # 9):

Happy Christmas!

Thanks guys.  Merry Christmas to all.

What is the tallest building in town?

Also does anyone have anything that makes a loud or distinctive sound?

Outside of potential spells, I have a couple thunderstones.

Beans, beans, the musical fruit.
The more you eat, the more you toot.

A thunder stone might work.  Ano can climb up high and alert the town at the first sign of an attack.

3 story inn is tallest.  An old guard tower about 5 stories sits at the edge of town, but its got about fifty meters between it and the next building that begins the town.

I like the guard tower as an early warning alert. Ano can cover that distance easily. If we could find a good spot to funnel the attackers, we could bottleneck them... might make it easier to deal with them.

Also, I've got a few new spells to help as well. Once the fight starts I can hit Ano and Klale with enlarge person and other physical enhancements. Might help with the troll types.

If I can acquire a bow of some sort, my newfound dexterity score might lend me to being a very effective sniper from the guard tower or the inn, whichever is closest to the fighting. I could potentially help whittle down heavier target or thin out the small fry (if there's even anything in the bunch that could be considered that)

To incorporte into your IC post:

Klale has been carrying this for a long time, and he's glad that it may see some use. He hands the heavy repeating crossbow, with a supply of bolts, to Ourn.

NAME : Repeating Heavy Crossbow, Masterwork
ATT  : +1 To Hit
DMG  : 1d8, 1d10
CRIT : 19-20 * 2
RNG  : 120'
WGHT : 8#
TYPE : Piercing
SIZE :
COST :

Sounds like a good plan over all.

Sounds like we can use the guard tower as the lookout post, and the 3 story inn as our defense?


The other enhancements will last from rounds to minutes, based on what it is. Right now he can:

• Boost any physical stat by +4 for 5 mins
• +1 to attack rolls and 1d8+5 temp hps for 5 mins
• With Eru's guidance, various body modifications like sprouting wings, growing claws/fangs, rhino like horns on head for charging, etc.. (duration unknown)
• Haste for 5 rounds
• Venomous touch (str damage) for 5 rounds

For the sake of the town though, I'm sure we'd want to make our preparations as as realistic as possible. The people might be more afraid of us than the attackers if they see us running around with wings and scorpion tails shooting out of our backs.

In reply to Klale Tsolo (msg # 19):

Oh awesome. Even with the untrained penalties for use, I should still be alright. Thanks!

So that I understand the general plan, are we:

• Congregating the towns people at the Inn (while I don't like putting all our eggs in one basket, it helps protect stragglers)
• Placing a person at the guard tower for early warning
• Upon first contact of the baddies, signal the defense and the watchmen falls back to the Inn
• Mount our primary defense at the Inn

I imagine we'll have a few rounds to prepare spells once the watchman gets back, whoever that may be. If all that sounds good, let me know who what's what spell and I can try to prepare as much as possible. Some spells can be cast in mass, while others are individually targeted.

Toben will likely want to position himself at the top of the Inn for the tactical vantage point and ranged spells.

Also, are there any villagers capable of fighting? If so, do we have bows or ranged weapons we could give them? Keeping them at the top of the Inn firing down on the attackers may be the safest bet for them, plus Toben may be able to keep an eye on them.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Sun 03 Jan 2016.

Sounds like a good plan.  I will take the watch tower, I can get back to town the fastest and Ano probably has some of the best spot and listen checks.

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 23):

Thumbs up. Since Phin is far more effective in combat when he can get the drop on folks (and when his rolls don't SUUUUUUUUUCK), he'll hide himself someplace nearby the inn so that he can leap out and surprise attack at opportune moments.

Klale is relaxed, not paying any particular attention to the planning. Realizing he should speak up, he says Whatever the plan, tell me what you want me to do until it's time to fight.

Curious... what towns/settlements can be reached via the south road?

Not much for many leagues.  However, there is a road that heads west towards Towertown and the duchies.

Unless there are any specific requests for spells, Toben will cast Haste on the party as soon as combat starts.

I'll caveat all this with "Eru will need verify everything I am saying is correct", but here is how I understand damage is calculated.

There are a couple rules that could throw a curve ball into the formula, but...
Melee damage should be: weapon damage + STR bonus + misc. modifiers (stuff like feats, spell effects, etc)

Two-handed weapons give a modest boost to damage for both strength bonus and power attack.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equi...woHandedMeleeWeapons
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#powerAttack

If using a 1-handed weapon w/power attack:

• weapon damage + STR bonus + power attack bonus

If using a 2-handed weapon w/power attack:

• weapon damage + (STR bonus *1.5) + (power attack bonus *2)

So, if we were to pretend you were a troll with a 30 STR, attacking with a 2-handed weapon, using power attack 10, then it ought to look something like this:

• weapon damage + 15 (10 * 1.5) + 20 (10 * 2) = weapon damage + 35

Depending on how much STR you ended up with after Nestaels blessing, you might be doing some pretty super human damage!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

Toben is correct.  To get the maximum effect of your blessings, Klale, you should take the Enlarge.

Klale has a shield, so he's striking one-handed. When I read the Enlarge description, I got that STR increases by 2 but DEX goes down by 2. I figured the defense is more important than the one extra point of damage.

Ultimately your call.  Happy to watch you smash em up either way. :D

Oh yeah, the shield might make a bit of a difference.

Using the formula for 1-handed damage with power attack is still going to yield quite a bit of damage with your level of strength.

Ok that is a lot of goblins.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Klale suggested wounding/killing it through its eyes.

If Klale wakes up the Vastidon by checking around its backside, I'm going to die of laughter.

Would not be the first time one of my campaigns included anal adventures.  Remind me to tell you about the goblin torches one player invented one time.

ಠ_ಠ
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Tue 19 Jan 2016.

I forget didn't someone already stab a hydra in the ass?

Something like that, and I believe it was Klale. :)

Now that Toben is back in the saddle, who do yall think will be best suited for the enhancement?

In game terms, Toben doesn't really know that Ano's attacks are considered magical yet... I dont think he overheard Saris mention that.

I think Klale for sure, but I really don't know between Phin and Ourn.

I'm ok with enchanting the ammo. I have a total of around 15 14 bolts left if I remember correctly. I'll have to go back and review my posts real quick.

Will you be hitting us with haste again? I dunno about Phineas, but if I remain stationary I can crank out 2 shots per turn until I reload.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Thu 21 Jan 2016.

With the amount of rest Toben got, he was able to reclaim several spell slots. It'll take a couple rounds, but he was planning on casting haste again, as well as slow on the monster.

I also agree about using the last casting of Greater Magic Weapon on the bolts, but it was worth mentioning the other option in case someone has a weapon that can out damage the bolts.

I only have an ordinary long sword outside of having the heavy repeater

As near as I can figure, Klale will have two attacks per round and should hit every time. His damage will be 1d10+1 + 10 for strength, +2 for greater weapon, +10 for power attack. Thant makes each attack 23 + 1d8 done twice.

Come to think of it, it's more important to whack the weak part of one leg. The hind end should be relatively easy to hit.

Whats the attack and damage bonus for your greater magic weapon? I believe t's supposed to be based on caster level (according to a 3.5 wiki)

+2 attack and damage at Toben's current level.

Wow. With haste, being stationary, and making full attacks, my rolls might actually not be crippled for once:D

That's the goal :)

Also, for Phineas, that crossbow is actually a masterwork light crossbow. You won't get the benefit of the +1 to hit for it being masterwork since the enhancement bonus of the ammo will override it.

Your to hit should be: base attack bonus + dex bonus + 2 enhancement bonus
Your damage should be: 1d8 + 2 enhancement bonus

The reload of a light crossbow is a move equivalent action (unless you have the Rapid Reload feat), but since we're hasted, you might be able to get 2 shots off a round. Eru, please confirm this info :)

The masterwork clause goes for me as well then

2 shots/round confirmed if you aren't moving.  3 shots/round for automatic xbow.

In reply to Eru (msg # 53):

Well now. Thats even better.

Only if you don't move and only so long as you have bolts loaded in the magazine.

Right ;)

I rolled a 19 on my for save.  Does tieing the DC count as a pass or fail?

Tie goes to the player.

Everyone: I just wanted to say to everyone I'm not trying to be a one man show or anything. I just really got into the game today and I think I may have gotten a bit carried away, all while trying to stay within the parameters of being a lawful good guy. I'm sorry if I've annoyed anyone, or over stepped the boundaries of what you all expect from group play.

Klale: by all means buddy, jump in :D

Toben: I 100% did not try to steal your thunder there either. I was (again) just trying to stay in character, and RP out what I think Ourn would have done at seeing the younger man so selflessly willing to lay his life out for everyone. Sorry if I've come off as being a one upper or anything like that.

No offense taken! That's part of roleplaying.

In game terms, Toben will probably be relatively useless given his current state. At the very least, he will be able to find a use for himself without being in the heat of battle.

Haven't looked at the IC thread yet. Baddie's reaction will be interesting.

It's been intense and fun, but lets give Ano and Phin a chance to react as well at this point, though Klale can certainly give us his action as well.

Wow I missed a bunch while at work.  This fight seems really cool so far.
I'll post tonight, but Toben can you make clear the stand down command, are you just wanting us to wait as a second line of defense?

And Ourn, I'm glad you took the opportunity to let us get a better look at your character personality through your role play.  We haven't been with you for too long so it is good to give us glimpses of what he is like.

Yeah, I am kinda torn though. Toben has made a realization that he hasn't been able to fully convey without tipping off the bad guy too. That was about all he could squeeze into a single post.

I don't mind spilling the beans, but I don't want to influence anyones posts prematurely.

In reply to Ourn (msg # 59):

No harm done! I, for one, have been having fun watching Ourn and see how he reacts to various circumstances.

Most of my turn this round is primarily spent getting Ourn inside, my next post ought to debrief everyone in the room with what he knows. Downside is that Klale probably won't catch that conversation since it would also tip off the boss. :(

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 66):

On a related note, Ourn's HP is down to only 4 after being hit. Can't risk being hit again without there being a rather tragic DM post about my untimely end.

I hope Toben's explanation was clear enough. Sometimes words are hard. :)

Klale's battle is going on in PM. I think a public update will be coming in the next turn.

Ok this seems like a plan that could work.  I'll make a post soon as it looks like I just got my speed back.  Once the fight has started how often could Saris change who gets the blessing, is it like one change per round?

I honestly don't know. I wasn't given that level of detail. Based on my observation it looked like she could switch with a thought, but I don't know how frequently she can switch.

I'm playing it by ear right now lol

Battle takes place in main thread only when there are two or more players observing.  Else it is in PM to adjust for the fog of war.

I am still fairly new to the use of Secret vs Private.  I think I'm going to use the following format to indicate only you can see certain lines.  It will be in Goldenrod and your name will be at the front of the paragraph indicating that you and only you can see this paragraph.  Everything else can be seen by all in the post.

Quick battle reminder: Klale's sword and the arrows are still enchanted, unless more than 5 hours passed since the vastidon fight.

(that means +2 to hit and damage, Phin ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Tue 09 Feb 2016.

Only about 10 mins passed between.  Enchants are still good.

In reply to Eru (msg # 75):

Phin, that means the bolts should still carry their enchantment as well.

Everyone but Ourn still has one action round before the Dark Star closes with him.

This message was deleted by the player at 06:04, Sun 14 Feb 2016.

Plan: When Klale gets a reasonable opening, studying Dark Stars pattern of movements, he'll try to strike again, aiming for a leg if feasible.

Right now he moves about like Ourn when Ourn has Nestael's blessing.  Unless something unique happens, it's not likely that anyone will hit, especially not taking 10 or 15 in combat.  He needs to shift again, especially since his wounds are closing up.

Ourn looks a lot better though.  His wounds have been closing up for the past half a minute it seems as well.

Can we give Phin a bonus level purely for his ability to taunt? 10/10 man, brilliant.

LOL

Is Basarshakath in the building with the others or is he just outside?

Outside.  Only ones inside now are Saris and Kornari.

Ano, it's your action.

Klale, don't forget you've got a +2 to attack and damage if you're using the enchanted weapon.

Thank you; everybody needs an editor..notably me.

Whoops!

Klale, you posted in the chapter 4 thread

Thanks, but maybe just as well...poor aim.

I've been rolling in hopes of getting a 19 or 20 and sever something.

Waiting on PMs.

In reply to Eru (msg # 91):

Hey, a Dwarf Ex Machina!

Waiting on PMs. :)

If you have any more conversation you need to address with Ceven, I am happy to create a separate thread to facilitate that.  I just figured we were ready to move forward with the story.

Okay it seems like the info dump at the end of the chapter is done.  I have a couple more posts to make, but I will also be doing some PMs relating to your particular abilities and choices while you stay at the farm.

Grading tests and projects today so it might be tonight before I get to it.

Augmentations like Klale's strength, which I think went away?

Didn't Klale receive the permanent blessing from Ceven?

~~~~
Klale, gentle as the open field, as strong as any mountain.  Earth calls to you.  You have always heard its Song.  You have used its harmony to shape years of metal in your skilled hands.  The others may benefit from my Song, but you, you are as much of the mountains as these dwarves, yet unlike them, you are not deaf to our Song.  It is within you to forge wonders, not just for yourself, nor your companions, but for all the world.  Wonders that will tip the balance against the rising darkness.  In your hands, earth, metal, crystal, stone...all will seem to shape itself, eager to be what you envision.  But the choice is yours.
~~~~

I believe that is correct. I though you were talking about the blessing we got from Nestael.

Klale, when not needed elsewhere is busy tinkering in the forge area and looking for scrap metal.

At night he sleeps.

Ecclesiastes 5:12: Parallel Verses
New International Version
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

[Tsk, tsk, grammar]

PMs to certain folks.

I have some thinking to do.

So...no reaction to Saris waking up?  I'm getting a humorous picture here of everyone waiting at the farm for the dwarves and the woman to wake up, but when Saris does, she stands in the doorway and says hello, but...

Klale is at the forge
Ano is off meditating
Toben is buried in his books
Ourn is out scouting
Vanter is too flummoxed by a dwarf talking to him to reply.

It made me chuckle.

In reply to Eru (msg # 102):

I kinda goofed that one by replying for the RP situation we talked about without reading the previous replies. Makes the time line seem all out of whack

Whoops... totally forgot to post in the main thread. Was too wrapped up in PMs

Startign a PM draft since I'm making some assumptions.

Sorry guys.  I'm going to be out for a couple of days.  I can barely sit up long enough to type this.  Look for me around Wednesday.

hope you get to feeling well soon broseph

Ano, Kornari was missing by the end of the battle with Basarshakath.  No one knows what happened to him.

In reply to Eru (msg # 108):

Can Phin communicate with the others in his tiny state now that they know he's there, or are his minuscule squeaking beyond the range of hearing?

You cannot communicate directly.

One of the major things Toben has been able to accomplish during the down time was identifying a ton of stuff. Most of the items found in the mountain, with the exception of what Phin is carrying, has been identified. The stuff we figured out through trial and error was not included in the identifies... ie: scale boots, fang dagger, quiver, etc..

Based on knowing what they can do now, y'all might have a better idea of who wants what.

~~~

* Spear of Elemental Damage.  Has the ability once per round to shift elemental alignment as a free action.  Adds +1 damage (not attack) and counts as a weapon of that element.  Includes but does not seem to be limited to: fire/ice, water, earth, wind, lightning, sonic, poison (does not actually work like poison), holy, demonic, necromantic, spirit (can hit incorporeal creatures).  Spear is made of some unknown black non-metal (not a magical property so can't identify through magic) that is about half the density of mithril and just as strong if not stronger.  Klale might be able to help further.

* Sash of Elemental Immunity.  Once per day, as a free action, the wearer can will the sash to make them immune to any single form of elemental damage (this does not grant immunity from normal damage from any kind of weapon).  The immunity resets with the rising of the sun regardless of when the previous day's immunity was chosen.

* Skull (polished) - difficult to understand, though it has some capacity to communicate telepathically in certain locations.  Telepathy is specific to a certain target which is unknown.  Possibly finding the right location will reveal more.

* Shield of Arcane Dome - three times per day the bearer of this shield can summon a spell at caster level 20 that acts like a Shield Spell except it protects the bearer and everyone within a 10' circle behind the bearer.  It blocks all non-magical arrows, magic missiles, and magical projectiles of up to 3rd level magic.  There is also something about dragons, but the identify spell is hazy on that point.

* portable hole-like thing we got from the goblins - Modified Portable Hole.  When open, allows passage through up to 15 feet of solid material or creates a 15 foot cave in the side of thicker objects.  If closed, anything within remains stored there but does not weigh anything.  There is more to the hole, but it seems you would have to explore those properties from inside the hole...when it is closed.

* fancy lute - on Phin.
* feathered hat - on Phin's person.

* 20 vials of liquid - see below
Potions:

5 divine magic (unidentifiable by a mage)
3 dwarven fire - burns hot enough to melt mithril, clings, only goes out when it runs out of fuel or addressed by magical cold.  Lack of oxygen does nothing.  Burns under water or vacuum.
2 potions of greater invisibility (duration 10 mins each)
1 poison (1d4 STR damage/ 1d4 days)
3 spider climb potions
1 potion of greater polymorph
1 potion of alter self
1 potion of transformation
2 potion of competence (allows a permanent +1 increase to 1 base stat chosen by drinker)
1 sparkling bright potion that is super powerful but unidentifiable.  It's in a black container that seems to swallow light.  Made whole barn glow when opened.

I can make use of the vial of poison at the very least. The portable hole sounds intriguing for stealthy entries as well, but if anyone else has a greater need for it the by all means have at it. As with the invisible pots.

Toben is currently holding on to the portable hole, but he doesn't necessarily have to keep it. He also has the animal skull, primarily because it's use is still relatively unknown. The other items seem more useful to others.

For potions, Toben would be interested in the transformation, alter self, and greater polymorph. Greater invis can pass to someone else since he can already cast regular invis.

I'm happy with my Sash and would take 1 potion of spider climb.

Klale is busy working on his sword.

@ Toben

*fistbump*

Yes, well played indeed.

*whispers of mocking laughter*

Do we know where the  Soul's Range Mountains are?

Not sure. But Mairen would know I would think, as well as Ceven being the song of the Earth and all.

On a side note, I'd like to take a moment to thank Eru for a fantastic story and game thus far. The plot is outstanding, keeps us all guessing, and is far more engaging than I ever imagined a forum based d&d game could ever be. I'm loving the character and NPC development as well. If this was a novel, I would have binge read it until my eyes dried out. The quality of this experience definitely shows from the dedication of the gentleman behind the DM screen.

I couldn't ask for better pals to game with as well. You're all awesome :D
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Sun 10 Apr 2016.

Yes. Agree.

Agreed.  It is so rare to be part of such a great group and have a DM that sticks around.  We have been doing this for almost two years now wich is amazing.

Yep, agreed on all points.

Thanks guys.  I really appreciate that.  I am here for two reasons, to give you the best game I can come up with and to hone my own story telling abilities as a writer.  Y'all have really helped me with both, so thank you.

Ano, you'd definitely know, though the rest of you might considering where you were raised.  The Soul's Range borders the northern sea.  It's southern foothills begin due north of Towertown (the turtle-shaped forest on the map).  It's near enough the duchies that you may have heard of them, maybe called by a different, more generic name.  Ano's education is more formal and so he would know both the current formal name (Soul's Range) and any local generic names.  He even knows where the fort is.

Late to the party, but agreed. Great DM, great story. Thank you. :)

:)  Thanks.

So far we have found two stars, the song of the earth and the healer.  The enemy may have at least three dark stars.  The song of fire, the song of mind, and Basarshakath the counter part of the healer.

Interesting.