Angus wakes groggily and readies his staff, he has no spells left!

Brulna got up to her knees and unholstered her mace. As she blinked her eyes to see better in the pre dawn night. The muscular mage sits ready for what comes next.

As the light circles the camp, Oswyn watches with interest. When the sounds start up, he goes to wake up Lland first, to get another party member with infravision awake. He doesn't seem to notice something important...

06:57, Today: Oswyn rolled 20 using 1d20.  "Perception" check.

OOC:

Ok, I think I have a map ready. I have used the Mapper program I used for the terrain this time, including importing the token images from the game. I did it because the 'light' effects are better in here, allowing me to create a form of "darkness" that is broken through via the lights. The Mapper program takes care of the shadows and the relative illumination, which is something that I don't think Photoshop can do. The downside is fairly clunky images at the scale at which we are looking at them.

I tried to give Lland a generic dwarf image (dark lines over a white background) but with the pixelation it has become a blurry mess. Everyone else I believe can be recognized by their general token.

Lland, if you pick a token image for your character I can bring it in.

Let me know if I missed anything. I have dispensed with tents and rolls and other such fine details in the interest of getting the map completed.

I will work on further posts tomorrow.

[ Forest Encounter - Round 1 - PCs ]

OOC: Quick Description of the Map Details

So, as you can tell, your are divided into two groups: PCs and Orc NPCs. Each has their own camp. The gray areas with lines at the edges are the rocky outcroppings you are camping next to. At the center they are somewhere between eight to ten feet high, tapering down to just a few feet towards each edge. The ground is solid rock close to the upper edges, leading to soil away from it. There are small rock groups all around, but this is why this area is actually good for camp, as nothing will burn and the area is clear of other vegetation and debris. You have buried the bodies in the small area to the north of your camp.

The orcs are all huddled around their fire, with the leader taking a position against the wall. The watching outlook is actually sitting at the top of the outcropping keeping an high eye on everything around him.

To the south-west is the strange blue light. To the north-west is the crashing noise that is about to break through to your camp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:28, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 167):

08:32, Today: Black Angus rolled 6 using 1d6.  initiative.


Very nice Game Master! Very nice map!

OOC: 14:46, Today: Brulna rolled 1 using 1d6 ((1)).

Still seated with her legs crossed Brulna looked on into the  darkness.

The orc sentry starts barking an alert, and the warriors stir from their sleep, groggy but ready in a matter of moments. They only have time to grab their weapons before preparing for battle.

OOC: For those asleep, make an unmodified Wisdom check to wake up. It is loud enough that you'd wake up without prompting. I shall roll for the NPCs.

Petar, Oswyn, are you warning the party?

From between the trees begin to emerge figures, low in height and hunched over. It is hard to tell what they are, other than they are not very tall, but they do have one thing in common: their eyes, if you can call them that, glow red in the dark. You can see them approach to the edge of the light, and as they do, the figures become clearer to see.

(Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs: Because your position is too close to your fire, your night vision is impaired, leaving you limited in what you can see at a distance.)

That is when you realize you are looking at bones, walking bones. The bones of canines, perhaps wolves, and the bones of small humanoids, with flat round heads and pointy teeth, carrying small crude spears and knifes. You recognize these as goblin weapons. Behind them come more such bones, but these are taller, broader, with strong shoulders wearing ill-fitting leather hides you recognize as orc armor.

As their "eyes" meet yours, there is a moment of ... evaluation? Their heads turn up and sideways, as if listening for something. Then their eyes focus back on you, and they charge you.

There are no raging screams, not defiant calls for battle, no feral snarling or howls. There is only the soft crushing of soil and plants beneath their bony feet and paws, with weapons raised and fangs ready, as they close in for an assault.

OOC: Ok, I didn't have time to update the map, but at least you are getting an idea of what is going on here. I'll be needing to get a few new tokens for these new creatures and I'll be working on the images for a bit. In the meanwhile, everyone will have a chance to wake up. Everyone who's sleeping will not have their armor on, but can pick up a shield or weapon as normal. Everyone on watch is armed and armored.

08:34, Today: Black Angus rolled 19 using 1d20.  wisdom check.

I snore.

OOC: Alright. It's been a busy night. I had to help a friend with their kid. He's very young and sometimes she needs help. I don't have any kids of my own, and she's an ex of mine, so it is always a pleasure to help her out. But it does take time. =)

Anywho, I have what I believe is a finished and working version of the map. Updates from now on should work very easily and take little time. We just have to deal with the movement.

For those folks new to the game, we simplify turns by taking actions in the order in which they are posted. Both sides take their actions in turn. The monsters took their surprise round, and it is now Round 2 - PC actions.

This version of the map is 4 times larger than the previous one, but the benefit is that the images are now much sharper/smoother. I will not recommend you view this via your phone too much. It might eat up your data pretty fast.

Let me know how it turned out.

[ Forest Encounter - Round 2 - PCs ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:40, Fri 15 Jan 2021.

Great map as usual :)

Being one of the only armoured ones, Petar scurries forward to hold the line, readying sword and shield, bow forgotten.  His training vaguely recommends that arrows are useless against such monstrosities but he really doesn't know, and there is no time to find out.

How did they get so close?!

"Stay behind me!" Petar barks to the others as closes on an undead hound-wolf.

The elf's first attempts are tentative stabs, useless maneuvers that slide off bone or poke right though places where muscle and flesh were supposed to be.  Petar hopes the others have better luck, and the Cleric can turn them to ash like in the stories.

Actions
Move to engage skele-doggies 1&2
Counting squares, that's 7 or 8 of them.  35' to 40'?
Combat movement rate is 20 yards, so should be fine

Attacking doggie1,  miss

07:37, Today: Petar the Elf rolled 3,3 using d20,d8.  Petar sword attack vs skele doggie #1.

Combat section
AC -1, hp 7/7, hands full (sword&shield)
1 spell left today

Angus snores on! Oblivious.

Brulna stands at Petars warning. The muscular warlock begins to move her hands in a fluid motion as a missile materializes. "Where are they...? Don't fail me now." Brulna aims away from the elf and hopes she hits one of the undead.

Aila pulled herself from sleep, the shaking and the yell being enough to pull her out of her rest.  Her eyes scanned until she was able to see and, staff in hand, moved up between Angus' mule and Thing 2.

Unfortunately, it seemed that sleep still kept her concentration from being effective, and the swing of the staff went far wide.

---

20:59, Today: Aila rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  to hit.

Oswyn runs forward with Petar, trying to position himself between the rapidly advancing skeletons and the awakening party members.

He swings his battle axe at one of the canine skeletons. "Wake up, all!," he bellows, "We're under attack! And watch for that blue light to the southwest."

Unfortunately, the dwarf is so intent on his yell, he lets the skeleton easily dodge his powerful blow.

23:31, Today: Oswyn rolled 4,7 using 1d20+2,1d8+2.  battle axe attack/damage.

In reply to Oswyn (msg # 177):

At the yells, Angus startles awake finally, "Undead upon us! Where are the priests to turn them?!"

Round 2 - PCs

"Something comes!"

Petar's warning is loud and clear in the night, adding to the orc cries for alert.

Accustomed to the need to arise while at sleep, the orcs rouse themselves from their beds with alacrity. Their movement is a bit slow at first, but they gather their wits with enough speed. With their spears and knives next to them they join the fray as soon as they are armed.

The leader calls out to his warriors,

[Language unknown: "Res moetli! Tachtiev! Isth ica perat! Resa us nd proartday!"]

Petar, being closer, is the first into the fray. Drawing his sword, and knowing that his metal plate might very well mean the difference between seeing the next morning's sunrise or the cold goodbye of his companions, rushes forward to attempt to draw attention to himself and divert the rush of incoming enemies.

His training had taught him to strike at flesh and sinew, but there was nothing here like that. The blade passed too easily between the forsaken ribs, and the blows piercing the scant armor had nothing to cut into but empty space. He would have to redirect his attacks into just clubbing these creatures to pieces with the weight of the blade.

Angus, dreaming of pretty farm girls with big muscles, is harshly awakened by Petar's warning.

"Undead upon us! Where are the priests to turn them?!"

Brulna, coming to her knees with speed, falls back on her mystic training - a glowing arcane force of energy shaped into an arrow appears next to her. Who will she direct it to?

Aila, always a little bit on alert, rises to her feet in one smooth practiced motion, much like the day-long training she had received in being alert at all times from her old master. It was practically intuitive for her at this point. Not wasting any time, she grabs her staff and rushes to the side of the mule, which struggles to get away from the reins holding her in place. The animal is clearly frightened. Staff firstly grasped in her two hands, she swings with all her strength, but the 'thing' before her is small and wiry, with remarkable reflexes for being nothing but bones. The staff goes wide.

But fear is what often lends fire to the actions of living creatures. The mule turns to defend itself, even as it is tied down. It finds its way around Aila and strikes out with a hefty kick. In the dark and the shuffle the hoof fails to find its mark.

Oswyn runs forward with Petar, trying to position himself between the rapidly advancing skeletons and the awakening party members.

He swings his battle axe at one of the canine skeletons, but misses. "Wake up, all!," he bellows, "We're under attack! And watch for that blue light to the southwest."

Mysh rises quickly grabs his shield and sword, and faces the oncoming horde of walking bones.

Olagh stirs awake in a crazed manner, his eyes wild and his long blonde hair crazily about him. He grabs his spear and gets up, trying to get an bead on the situation.

"Sowen! Get up! GET UP!"

Sowen rises like his brother, swiftly, but with more self-discipline. He grabs his sword and shield, and prepares to face the attackers in the camp.

Camile, answering the many calls of warning, rises to her feet and understands immediately the need for divine assistance. Holding her symbol of Chiress, she calls out:

"By the power of Chiress, YOU ARE BANISHED!"

A piercing bright wave of light erupts from her hands and symbol, filling the night with the energies of the Goddess. The light is filled with warmth and serenity, making you stop for a moment, despite the danger all around you. As the light reaches the bones, they crack and char, bringing them to an immediate stop. The first seven before you turn and flee out towards the trees. The others hesitate for an instant, but then resume their inexorable advance.

The orcs stare in amazement at Camille, turning to their chief with silent questions.

[Language unknown: "Ulhoho! Ich o ic ntti'ulin ou to ersantven sti. Ng ri hereraantnti. Saacsa p has elred"], he bolsters them.

Lland, still a bit groggy from sleep, gets up and grabs his morning star and shield, setting his feet in a wide stance, ready to face the enemy.

[ Forest Encounter - Round 2 - PCs - B ]

---

OOC:

Ok! Mostly misses this round. =)

If you are in combat range of a turned skeleton, you can strike once as it turns to run away. I will update the map again as soon as you resolve the withdrawal attacks and Brulna selects her target and rolls her Magic Missile damage.

Camille is second level as a Cleric, so she turns skeletons automatically. Very nice. The extra light on the map coming from her at this moment is her divine power manifest. If you pay close attention to the monster numbers, the ones who are affected by the turning have a small 'T' next to their number.


New House Rules

So, standing up is not exactly detailed in much degree other than mentioning it should be considered an "action". So, I am going to make it like this: if your character needs to stand up for any reason, s/he will only have 1/2 their movement distance available.

Grabbing a weapon is considered easy enough that it does not affect a character's actions in a round. I am going to say that grabbing and readying a shield AND a weapon will affect a character, like a 'standing' action, leaving only half the distance left.

Therefore, standing + grabbing weapon + grabbing shield = full round action.

I am adding these two rules to the "House Rules" section.


Clarifying other rules for future use in combat situations:

- If you use the standard encounter speed (I.E.: 20 in a 20/60 speed) you can move it and still attack.
- If you go faster than standard combat speed, up to full speed (I.E.: 60 of 20/60) you cannot attack. You only move.
- If you "charge" (move at least 20 feet/yards in a round in a straight line at an enemy) you may attack and do double damage.
[The "charge" maneuver is talked about everywhere, but not defined in the character combat maneuvers. I find that odd.]

Let's work with these from now on.


Other notes: It looks like LLand's player hasn't logged in since Jan 4. That's a pretty long time for a PbP game. I hope everything is going well with him. I will have to NPC him until he returns.

Can anyone tell me if the "Last Game Login" stat in the Cast page is for logging into the site, or specifically loading a page in a given game thread?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:21, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

As soon as Camille's holy magic affects the canine skeletons and the one in front of Oswyn turns to flee, he brings his axe down hard on the creature, connecting this time.

15:12, Today: Oswyn rolled 22,10 using 1d20+2,1d8+2.  parting shot attack/damage.

Nat 20 and max damage. It don't get any better than this!

Like the dwarf nex to him, Petar saw the divine might force the maluses away, like raindrops fleeing off oil-soaked leather.  He slashed wildly at a Turned one, before advancing.

"Bring some light!" Petar hollers at the ones behind.


Actions
Withdrawal attack on skeledog 1 or 2, whichever Oswyn didn't hit

Nat 20 hits: looks like 1+2 = 3 total damage
23:05, Today: Petar the Elf rolled 20,1 using d20,d8.  withdrawal attack w/sword vs dog1 or 2.

Question
How much light does the fire emit?

This message was last edited by the player at 07:09, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

Sleep seemed to still be slowing her, as Aila swung the staff at the parting skeleton (#2) with a big whiff.

---

Forgot the modifier when rolling, but doesn't matter .. rolled 4, 4+1 isn't that much better.

Angus grabs a fire brand to light the night and char some bone as he can use it as a club.

Brulna made a fist and made a gesture at the skeleton retreating. Somatically garbled words manifested before a arrow coalesced above her fist.

ooc: 16:36, Today: Brulna rolled 5 using 1d6.  magic missile damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:37, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

Pick one of the three types of skeletons: the small ones, the large ones, or the canine ones. From there, pick the skeleton by the token number. This way I will know exactly which one you are aiming for.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 185):

#2 Canine skeleton

Round 2 - PCs - End

As the bones turn and flee, Petar, Oswyn, and Aila take the chance offered to them: they strike blows at their back.

Oswyn's axe meets the rear of the skeleton squarely, from lower back to legs, tearing all the bones apart in between. The creature collapses before him, dragging itself on its forepaws for a few more feet before falling apart.

Petar's reflexes keep up, and his sword manages to jar several of the bones in the skeleton before him, but not enough to keep it from getting away. Or so he thinks. The next instant, a glowing bolt of arcane energy slams into the back of the bones, shattering them to pieces and scattering them amid sparks of moxous flame. A few bits of the moxous embers touch the back of his hand, singing his skin ever so lightly.

Aila's luck had yet to favor her in this fight. Her second attempt at breaking the bones before her met again with a miss. But it didn't matter now - Owyn had taken care of the thing.

[ Forest Encounter - Round 2 - PCs - End ]

OOC: Turning attacks are complete now. I have updated the map for the result of the end of your round. I will work on this more tomorrow to craft the beginning of round 3.

On the question on the light: torches illuminate 30' around them, and last for an hour, give or take. Angus' token now has a torch token on it.