OOC Discussion and Table Talk II

[ravenn4544]

May i suggest that the power of Malibran's dispel magic is so articulate and powerful that it dispels the entire group of monsters' ability to cast at-will powers for the spell's duration. Just a suggestion, mind you

[Zhym]

I'll take that under consideration.

...and, I'm done considering it.

(Especially since the spell's duration is "Permanent," which I think really means instantaneous, with effects that are permanent. I don't think casting Dispel Magic on an area prevents magic from ever working in that area again. It's just that whatever is dispelled stays dispelled.)

[Norjax]

60 ft of movement is just enough to get Rool to the corner and out of the entanglement, so he can't also attack this round (see the house rule on combat movement: a PC can move up to half his movement rate and still attack, but any more than that and the movement is all he can do that round).

Noted. I wasn't sure and wanted to state my actions through the next round.

[Zhym]

Tanner

The warrior moves to a better location, readying an arrow for an attack. He ignores the grasping algae- his Ring of Free Action keeps him mobile.

I don't know what "a better location" means. Could you spell it out for me?

Think of me as a not-very-advanced Infocom interpreter.

[Urson]

Sorry- I wasn't feeling very coherent. What I mean is- if there is a location closer to the opposite wall that will give him a better angle of attack on the apes, he'll move to that location. otherwise, he'll stand his ground.

[Zhym]

The opposite wall is better, but not great. Here's a side-view diagram:

Cross-Section.jpg (27.52 KiB) Viewed 646 times

You're basically firing from the bottom of a 35'-deep pit. Moving to the far wall helps a little, but not enough to remove the penalty.

(Also, in case people aren't aware, you can fire attacks into the darkness, they're just at an additional -4 to hit.)

[Scott308]

Or, cast AoE spells into the darkness.

[Zhym]

Hallagad shakes off his stupor, and looks above. He backs to the far wall, hoping to get a view of the grape apes. He hurls his hammer of thunderbolts at one (does not include modifiers, such as the -4 for cover)

Attack with hammer of thunderbolts +3 [1d20+4] = 19+4 = 23 damage [2d6+6] = 7+6 = 13

Am i misremembering the range of the hammer? I thought it was 30’. Xale’s hammer has a 60’ range, iirc. The ledge is 35’ up.

[Zhym]

Hey all. Risdac's dexterity roll has forced me to figure out what to do when it fails. Once I figure out what that is, I'll update.

I'm thinking it'll be about a 50% chance that the spell fizzles harmlessly, with the other 50% being some mix of (1) whimsical but mostly harmless, (2) reversed spell effect, and (3) harmful backfiring or misfiring (e.g., random targeting, spell goes off in MU's face instead of at targeted range; spell energy discharges on MU instead of the intended spell, etc). The table would be heavily weighted so that truly harmful misfires (like a 17d6 fireball exploding in the MU's face and likely ending the adventure) are rare.

I should have something figured out in a day or so.

[Scott308]

4 characters would still be standing even if they failed the saving throw. Granted, two of them would only be at 2 hp... Figures, the spell that is really his biggest weapon is the one he blotches. Guess he'll stick to using the staff.

[AleBelly]

Hallagad shakes off his stupor, and looks above. He backs to the far wall, hoping to get a view of the grape apes. He hurls his hammer of thunderbolts at one (does not include modifiers, such as the -4 for cover)

Attack with hammer of thunderbolts +3 [1d20+4] = 19+4 = 23 damage [2d6+6] = 7+6 = 13

Am i misremembering the range of the hammer? I thought it was 30’. Xale’s hammer has a 60’ range, iirc. The ledge is 35’ up.

I can't recall, but you're probably right. I assumed there would be a -2 range penalty...

[Zhym]

I keep forgetting to apply range penalties. In AD&D 1e, the penalty for long range is -5!

[Zhym]

Okay, I think I'm going to go with something (fairly) simple and flexible. Here's the table for spell effects after a failed dexterity check:

Roll 1d100:
100: Spell succeeds. Major beneficial effect (permanent duration, max damage, etc.)
96-99: Spell succeeds. Minor beneficial effect (increased duration, bonus to damage, etc.)
56-95: Spell fizzles and is lost. No other effects.
36-55: Random release of magical energy (roll for Wand of Wonder effect)
21-35: Minor harmful effect (damage or duration halved; spell reversed if reversible; etc.)
11-20: Major harmful effect (minimum damage, instantaneous duration, spell reversed with increased effect; etc.)
4-10: Moderate backfire: 1d6 damage per spell level to all in 20' radius; 2d6/spell level to caster
2-3: OOPS. Spell goes off but not as planned, in a pretty big way (detonates at point-blank range, affects random target, etc.)
1: KABOOM. Spell energy releases explosive damage of 1d6 per caster level to all in 50' radius.

[Scott308]

Sounds good. Risdac'll just have to make sure he doesn't fail again.

[ravenn4544]

If i had to guess, those black spheres maybe were an attempt to gate in other demons? I assume we would see something coming through? maybe not.

[GreyWolfVT]

I was considering that to be the same maybe they are gates or portals that something is going to come through.

[Inferno]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking a brief break from these boards. Everything is okay. I just have an opportunity to go camping and hiking for the next two months. I've never been able to take that much time off at once before. But unfortunately, I'll be away from a keyboard.

Sorry for the short notice. It all came together at the last minute.

I realize that two months is a long time to NPC a character, Zhym. Sorry. Please feel free to do whatever you have to: kill him off, get a replacement player, have him fall into a black void portal, whatever. I completely understand.

Have a great two months, everyone. See you on the other side.

[Rex]

Have a great time Inferno, sounds like a great time.

[GreyWolfVT]

Yes have a great time and I hope you do return in 2 months time hate to see another great player vanish from here.

[Inferno]

Thanks. I will be back.