Siege of the Rift (G2 Part 4)

[Magnus]

Date: Autumn, 432 ca., Campaign Day 15
Time: 9:41
Weather: 12 degrees (f), howling wind (over 30 mph), visibility 70' (outside of plague)
Location: Rift

*********************************
Magic in Effect (all cast as of 9:20, except PfL: 930)

Jinx: Call Lightning (lasts 10 turns; 1 bolt per turn; can cast again)
Protection from Lightning

Hollis: Insect Plague (lasts 9 turns)

Andor: PFE 10' R (lasts 9 turns; cast by Flam)

Arqos: Strength 18 (lasts 54 turns; cast by Andor)
Gaerys: Strength 18/20 (lasts 54 turns; cast by Andor)
Brax: Strength 18/10 (lasts 66 turns; cast by Vor)

*****************************************

The party cautiously and slowly begins to traverse the narrow ledge, using the anchored rope. The shelf slopes downward towards the Rift floor and crumbles at the edges, making the journey tricky even for those who are magically assured their footing. Those who are not grip the rope tightly as they make their way across the icy ledge. It seems to have been flooded over recently, as if to make it all the more icy..

Players without footing risk falling just by removing both hands from the rope. MUs need two hands to cast. Clerics can cast with one.

The party reaches the "bulge" of the ledge - its narrowest point. They huddle somewhat, creating a bubble of protection magic that shields them from the insect plague created by Arqos and Andor at the front and rear of the party.

Gaerys and Arqos round the bulge, and Hollis and Vorsyin follow closely behind. The remainder of the party remains at the bulge. All watch the sky and the ledge in front of them.

The skywatch proves prudent, as the cloud of insects above them parts suddenly with the great buffeting of wings. The deafening shriek of a huge white dragon terrifies even the experienced adventurers, especially when they see a cloud giant riding it. Out of the swirling snow and insects, a huge wyrm (recognized by Gaerys) dives towards the party, reaching a point approximately 45' above the party. Its black, beady eyes stare down the party with cold, malicious purpose.

DECLARE ACTIONS!!!

Glacial Rift (7).jpg (649.27 KiB) Viewed 616 times

[Storm11]

Eyes blazing, Jinx concentrates on the sky above and calls a bolt of lightning to blast into the flying dragon from the rumbling clouds above, arcing it down from the heavens in a manner that will miss the ledge.

[Cwreando]

OOC-Sorry for the absence. I am subscribed to this but I'm not getting any emails.


Andor able to use his ring send out a Fireball in such a way that it will only hit the dragon and rider and not the party or ice ledge if possible factoring range into things.

11 HD fireball [6d6] = 19, [5d6] = 21

If not he uses the Magic Missile from the ring on the dragon factoring in range as needed.

11 LVL MM [6d4] = 9

Let's hope the fireball idea will work.

[GreyWolfVT]

Brax uses his giant slayer hammer throwing the magical weapon at the rider of the dragon and summoning it back to his hand if it hits or misses Hammer of the Dwarfs [1d20 +7] = 3+7 = 10 to hit [1d6 x3] = 6x3 = 18 +8 = s/m dmg [1d6 x3] = 2x3 = 6 +7 = lrg dmg

Throm fires his crossbow at the dragon aiming it's wings Throm L.Crossbow [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2 to hit [1d4+3] = 2+3 = 5

Krom fires his crossbow at the dragon aiming for it's wings Krom L.Crossbow [1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11 to hit [1d+2] = err dmg

[Zhym]

Gaerys fires arrows at the dragon.

Long bow (THAC0 11): [1d20] = 16 Damage: [1d6] = 5
Long bow (THAC0 11): [1d20] = 18 Damage: [1d6] = 6

"Behind me!" shouts Arqos, who readies his sword and holds his shield up in protection against the dragon's breath he expects to come soon.

I'm hoping that gives Arqos and Hollis a bonus to save vs. dragon attack. If not, please use the following arrow attacks instead:

Short bow (THAC0 12): [1d20] = 3, Dmg: [1d6] = 6
Short bow (THAC0 12): [1d20] = 17, Dmg: [1d6] = 6

Neither these rolls nor Gaerys's include the bonus for short range.

[Magnus]

Round 1

The party takes a wide initiative.

Jinx calls down a powerful bolt of lightning. The Rift itself shakes with the force of the bolt. The dragon swerves and avoids most of the blast, but the fact of the matter is that the bolt is so powerful that its sheer force leaves the dragon blackened and smoking.

The called bolt is quickly followed by a bolt of lightning from Vorsyin's wind and a magic missilefrom Andor, as well as a volley of arrows and hammer. Arqos tries to protect Hollis, though the cleric stands pat, wisely realizing that few beings could withstand the assault that the party would bring.

Andor takes more conservative action, as a precise calculation is not possible in a few seconds under these conditions.

Throm's crossbow string snaps in the cold. It will take the dwarf some time to repair it.

Critical miss. Crossbow damaged. Will take one turn to repair.

Arrows and hammer thump against the dragon as the magical attacks strike even harder. The assault is then too much, even for a Great Wyrm of the Rift. The dragon's lifeless body drops like a rock down to the Rift floor, landing with a thud and a cloud of snow. The giant rider also falls, though seems to somehow slow on its descent.



The party's brief sigh of relief is cut short as the entire party is engulfed within an explosion of flame... a taste of their own medicine, as it were. The heroes struggle to avoid the worst of the blast, keep their footing, and hope the shelf under them does not collapse. Only then will they be able to discern the source of the blast.

Please all roll a save versus spells, a second 1d20, and declare actions for Round 2.

Brax (and everyone else) - can you please post the relevant THAC0s when you attack? It saves me lots of time. I called your hammer a hit because it did not matter, but can't always do that of course.

[Storm11]

PbP Forum code: [1d20+7] = 19+7 = 26 : [1d20] = 19 : Flam [1d20] = 10 : [1d20] = 16

Jinx: +3 from magical leather armour, +2 from dexterity dodge, +2 from druids resistance to fire. Not counted halfling +4 vs magic incase it's dragon fire or oil fire trap or some such.

Flam: +3 from dodge bonus, +1 from Splintmail armour, immune to normal fire, +4 vs normal fire in 10' radius.

Both the small druid and the priest of light look to see where the fire came from, and try and anchor themselves to the icy ledge.

did the druids bolt of lightning also shock the rider on the dragon?

[Magnus]

did the druids bolt of lightning also shock the rider on the dragon?

Yes.

Can you also roll for your pet as well?

[GreyWolfVT]

Brax Save v Spell 13 [1d20] = 9
Random Roll [1d20] = 20

Save v Spell Throm 15 [1d20] = 14 Save v Spell Krom 15 [1d20] = 15
Not sure if we require more 2nd d20 rolls for the two henchmen. But here they are.
Throm Random Roll [1d20] = 15
Krom Random Roll [1d20] = 1

The three dwarves scramble to get to the other side of the rift asap.

[saalaria]

Hollis save:

Saving Throw [1d20] = 20

urgghh! The one time you really don't want a 20!
Hollis seems dazed, the blast surprises him nd he is unable to take any evasive action.

[Storm11]

PbP Forum code: [1d20] = 6 : [1d20] = 12

[Zhym]

Arqos takes the full brunt of the fireball blast.

Save v. spell (9): [1d20+6] = 2+6 = 8 (PfE: +2. Armor: +1. Shield: +3) [1d20] = 5

Gaerys avoids the worst of the fireball.

Save v. spell (11): [1d20+5] = 9+5 = 14 (PfE: +2. Armor: +3) [1d20] = 18

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin's save [1d20] = 20

Wow that sucks!!

[Magnus]

The power of the flame washes over the party.

Flambeau relishes the flames -- the sign of his God and remains unharmed. Hollis, Gaerys, Jinx, Vorsyin, Brax, and Krom all manage to avoid the worst of the blast. 10 damage each Andor, Throm, Shadowcat, and Arqos take the full force of the blast. 20 damage.

Each party member feels the ice of the ledge beneath them melt, crack, and start to give way. Most party members are able to recover or at least keep hold on the rope. However, Arqos cannot keep his balance as the ledge beneath him melts to a nearly straight drop beneath his feet. Krom also loses his footing. The paladin and dwarf tumble off the ledge, falling into the Rift below!!!

Arqos: 41 damage!
Krom: 32 damage!

The blast subsides, leaving the party members still on the ledge in a thick fog of steam - though one that should blow aside in a few minutes. However, for now, they cannot see their attacker - but they can see to the next ledge, which remains clear of insects thanks to the force of the fireball. The option of retreating is available as well.

Party members still on the ledge, declare actions for Round 3. I will open a new thread for Krom and Arqos. They will get a round or so before they can get their bearings.


HP:
Arqos: 17/91 (-13)
Gaerys: 61/71
Flambeau: 75/75
Andor: 15/35
Hollis: 42/52
Vorsyin: 42/52
Brax: 61/74
Throm: 34/54
Krom: 4/46
Jinx: 49/57
Shadow-cat 12/32

[GreyWolfVT]

Brax scrambles to get over to safer footing.

Throm follows him as well thinking to get to safer ground.

[Magnus]

Brax scrambles to get over to safer footing.

Throm follows him as well thinking to get to safer ground.

Forward or backward?

[saalaria]

How big is the gap created in the ledge? How many are 'forward' of the gap and how many of us 'behind'?

[Magnus]

There is no gap. Everyone is still on the ledge in the same positions as shown on the map.

[Storm11]

Jinx will shapeshift to bird form and fly into the rift to try and find out where the fireball came from and see if the two fallen are ok.

Flam will try and move forward to get off the ledge as soon as possible.

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin moves with best possible speed forward. Staying in place is the worst of all options.