Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The Froglings Retreat ~ Round 8


Following the players' last attack, the fighting strength of the froglings is reduced to one third of their total; the one Pandred hit (nominally, a pinch-hit), drops below zero and the froglings retreat.  The stunned one is helped by another into hex 0608, ending in the hex together (where they are -2 in armor class) and the third drops into 0708 and then to 0508.

The players may act.

I'm also adding this file to account for character details and information.


52 comments:

Embla Strand said...

Could Embla attack into 608 from 707?

Engelhart Askjellson said...

I don't get it, they were 6 to begin with, we were duly circled by one of them but the other flanker never showed himself, what gives?

Embla Strand said...

The missing frog vanished back in round 2. We got motion for 5 frogs (including the one that later jumped out at us), and the 6th one (the one on the log) fell down behind it - it either snuck away while we were fighting or we managed to drop it with that initial salvo (unlikely).

Lothar Svensson said...

Bergthora still having a decent number of hitpoints jumps down into hex 0708. Dex Check is 13, which equals her Dex score. This is a success, yes?

She then attacks one of the frogs in 0608, taking advantage (hopefully) of their reduced AC.

Attack: 6+1=7
Damage: 4

Lothar, meanwhile finishes applying the healing salve. Will he have any AP left after that?

Valda is at -1 HP, and Fjall is at 1. If Lothar has any move left, he'll fish the second salve out of his pouch for Fjall to take to Valda.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Embla, you can't. We had established that 0707 is seven feet higher than 0608. Therefore, a missile weapon would be needed.

Engelhart, perhaps the other flanker went to get help? Perhaps it is dead and laying behind the log? Embla's comment is sound from my point of view.

Bergthora won't continue to engage! She'd have to make a dex check to get there and the party is already beaten up. Petar will, however, fire a bow.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Lothar, I figured the healing salve would be something that you would keep in a pouch or some place close to your body; it shouldn't take more than 2-3 AP to find it and only takes 1 AP to quaff. So you would have gained the h.p. from it last round: 1d4.

That gives you all of this round to act.

Lothar Svensson said...

4 for the salve... about time I roll well for something.

Ok, can Fjall and Lothar switch places? I'm having trouble turning up the ruling on that on the wiki at the moment.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Neither Lothar nor Fjall are in a combat hex at the moment, so you can both move perfectly freely.

The rule you're thinking of states that, if Fjall were stunned, you can "help" him back into your own hex with no AP cost, so long as you also move forward into his hex while you do so (costing 1 AP, plus any additional penalties for movement).

Petar will want to move up, having loaded his weapon last round, to fire, but he will look at Embla for a go-ahead before he does. Valda should retreat, having only 1 hp, while Willa can make room for Petar by moving into Valda's hex and loading her own bow.

Alexis Smolensk said...

[above, added to the main post, I have created a chart that needs to be both confirmed and the missing data filled in. Some of this information has not been given to the players, but I thought I would check to be sure of that before creating new information to complete the chart.

[You might know details about the followers' morale in particular. I have, at least once, said that a follower's morale dropped one point, I think for Bergthora at least (at least, I'd know where to look for it), but could you share any info on that if you can. And, obviously, anything that I have incorrect, please notify me.

[For your experience, give me what you have prior to this combat, please]

Embla Strand said...

[sorry, I am on a grocery run.]

Petar and Willa get the go-ahead. Embla wants to drop down as efficiently as possible, as she no longer has her javelin.

Lothar Svensson said...

Gotcha, that's right. Ok, Fjall and Lothar swap places (1 AP), Lothar sheathes his sword (2 AP) and picks up his bow (1 AP).

Fjall waits in hex 1008.

Valda fades back to 0811.

Can I have Bergthora chuck a rock at the frogs in 0608?

Lothar Svensson said...

Left hand for Bergthora, Valda and Fjall should be shield, combined with studded leather armor for AC 6 for them.

I've got Bergthora at Morale 7, with Fjall and Valda at 8.

Lothar's XP prior to this combat is 2,858. Also, my Str and Dex are at 14, not 13. Current HP is 9, thanks to the salve.

Alexis Smolensk said...

[Run those groceries! Run them!]

Throw a rock, Lothar.

You're on a grocery run, Embla, so I'll fire the bow for Petar. He rolls a 19 against the hex with two frogs, causing 4 damage. That will kill one of the froglings in 0608.

Embla, I will need to know what hex you're dropping into; remember, though, that once you jump, you may get left down there by yourself.

Lothar Svensson said...

Rock attack: 5 (le sigh)

Alexis Smolensk said...

I think you've been stacking your followers up with equipment, Lothar. Embla too. Do you know their action points?

Lothar Svensson said...

I haven't given them anything special to carry apart from their armor, helmets and shields. Everything else I've been hanging off the donkey. They are each carrying a 25' length of rope, four spikes, four torches, a pottery lamp and a flask of oil per your comment from Jan 4 on the Greasy Cod post, plus a dagger and short sword from the background generator. Not sure about their body weight, though.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Okay. I'll generate their heights and weights, then we'll call it 4 AP for all of them.

Embla Strand said...

[groceries run. Thanks, Alexis.]

I don't have Petar and Willa's height/weight. Their initial morale was 7 - I don't know if Petar lost morale from my order at the beginning of this combat.

I have 19 and 24 experience for Petar and Willa, respectively.

Embla has 959 xp.

In that case, I'll move into 809 and throw a rock at the remaining frog in 608. 10+1(bless)+2(hex overcrowding?)=13.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Right. Petar made his morale check when he was stunned and so did Fjall. That makes Petar 6 and Fjall 7. Fixes made.

That hits, Embla. Roll a d4.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Forget it, I'll do it. 2 damage. That won't stun.

I feel confident that Pandred will hold back, lick her wounds. This just leaves Engelhart.

Engelhart Askjellson said...

I'm all over 'em.

I move into 0606, jumping down from 0706.

I intend to block the frogs' escape path, if at all possible.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Engelhart, okay. I have no problem with you reaching 0606; you can't "jump down" from 0706, since that hex is beneath the ledge, but 0806 (2 AP), 0706 and 0606 will get you there.

I'll count that as the party's complete move.

Alexis Smolensk said...

I don't need a map for the frogling's response:

The frogling in 0608 will hurl its spear at Engelhart, hitting with a 17. The cleric is only creased by the spear for 2 damage. The frogling will grab the spear of the frogling that was killed last round, by Petar's arrow.

The other will hurl it's spear at Petar, but the spear hits the rock below Petar's feet and breaks (fumble, 1 rolled for break).

With that, both froglings will hop directly into the bush at 0308 and 0309, landing amid the branches of the trees and being engulfed by then.

There's a chance that Willa might still hit with an arrow, but it is pretty much a 1 in 20 shot, as she'd have to hit AC 0. She does not want to waste the arrow.

Any other actions?

Embla Strand said...

My battlexe is useless in the trees. Retreat?

Alexis Smolensk said...

[That wasn't bad at all, guys. Almost have this combat resolved; are you ready to let them run and just take the x.p.?

[I'm going to use the rest of my day off to settle in a bit and then write. I didn't write anything yesterday, just crashed, so I need to get serious tonight]

Alexis Smolensk said...

Players, I am here. Does anyone want to take further action against the froglings?

Lothar Svensson said...

I ready my bow. I'm prepared to waste an arrow if I get any kind of a shot lined up.

Alexis Smolensk said...

You could get that shot, but it would -4 to hit, as you need to do it this round. Still, I'm easy; see if you can roll a natural 20.

Lothar Svensson said...

Nope, 4. At least I'm consistent.

Embla Strand said...

I think we need to let them go. The big question is: Do we want to investigate the fire before regrouping with the soldiers.

Lothar Svensson said...

I think we've not got much choice but to let them go at this point.

However, going to investigate means following the froglings back towards the fires, where the alarm I'm sure will be raised. Then we get to run away from an angry mob of froggers with 6 AP. It's possible one of us might be able to sneak close enough and not be seen, but the whole group is not going to be able to go. I've got 9 HP, the same as my only uninjured (wo)man-at-arms. Crossing arms with them again is not going to end well.

What we do know about the fire is that it isn't a forest fire. Which means they could be cooking, smelting ores (unlikely), forging weapons (also unlikely), making charcoal, or preparing some sort of pagan sacrificial bonfire.

Lothar Svensson said...

Which is a lot of words to say I vote we go back now.

Engelhart Askjellson said...

Let us go back and lick our wounds. If Embla gets caught out sneaking it will be the death of her.



Alexis Smolensk said...

Wait, wait. You should deal with more immediate issues first. Is the creature that was shot at the beginning dead and laying behind the log. Why is the stone that made up the spear heads so unusually sharp (because I did make a point of it). What else might be on the bodies? How does the experience you've accumulated change your character's standing?

Answer those questions first.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Do those numbers above look right to you Engelhart? What is your present x.p., prior to the combat?

Engelhart Askjellson said...

The first and second questions are of little consequence to our immediate situation. Maybe we're being watched as we speak, maybe we'll be followed back as we link up with the rest of our posse.

Best that we keep an eye out.


My xp at the combat's outset was 2767. We're all still pending adjustment for the two additional points of damage I suffered after the last round, not yet accounted for.

Engelhart Askjellson said...

I retrieve my warhammer and shield from behind the rocky outcrop and sling my maul behind my back.

I'll turn over one of these anfibian corpses. I don't expect the slightest thing of value on them, but that could just be Alexis' graphic depiction, which led me to conceive of them as having no clothing at all.

Alexis Smolensk said...

I don't mean to keep forgetting you, Engelhart. I'm just doing a lot of juggling. That will be fixed.

I brought up the first question because you did.

Alexis Smolensk said...

... and there are three spear heads right in front of you.

These things matter. I understand your concerns right now, but take it from me that I'm not going to suddenly screw you by having a thousand creatures burst out of the bushes. You would hear them, for one thing.

They may be watching you, yes, but they're obviously too afraid at this point to confront you. So please take care of this immediate business, so that we are clear on what was done right now. That seems fairly reasonable.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Your last comment, Engelhart, delayed on my feed.

The creature you've chosen to turn over has loops of hemp tied in knots around its wrists and throat, but nothing that you see of value.

Engelhart Askjellson said...

As per my latest comment: I scour one of the beasties' bodies. What do I see that draws the eye?

Engelhart Askjellson said...

Oh, right, ahm, catching on: loops of hemp that could be conceived as adornments or rather as bondage (in the traditional sense) implements?

Engelhart Askjellson said...

And about those spearheads, since I'm already elbow deep in frogling flesh?

Alexis Smolensk said...

They look like adornments.

Regarding the nearest spearhead. You pick up the handle of the spear and immediately notice that the head is much heavier than iron. The heads feel as heavy as lead or gold, but they are entirely the wrong color for either.

Alexis Smolensk said...

More like a dirty reddish-silver, I should add.

Embla Strand said...

[Embla does not go up a level, although she is very close]

Do we know what adamantine looks like?

I take my battleaxe and walk over to the log, to see if the creature who fell off of it is still there.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Embla,

According to the assassin's experience table on the wiki, you do go up a level at 1,501, just like in the old Player's Handbook. I did mean to increase the Assassin's experience requirement by 7/6ths, to account for the better combat table . . . . which would mean you'd need 1,751, and you would just miss it. But I'm willing to hold off on my intentions there for the present, unless for some reason there's treasure that would bump you up the extra 90 x.p. you need.

The creature you are searching for is gone. The arrow has been pulled and is laying broken on the ground, but there is no frogling.

Lothar Svensson said...

Or orichalcum? Whatever they are we should definitely take all of them that we can find. Are the remaining frog bodies similarly adorned as the one already examined?

Alexis Smolensk said...

I don't have orichalcum in my game, but I do have adamantite and adamantium, as evident on the equipment table. In Stavanger, a ton of the ore is worth about 4.5 g.p. per pound. The puddled product is worth near to 10 g.p. per pound. Each of these spear heads would weigh about 2.5 lbs. If they are adamantium, and this seems likely (as mithril is bluish), they're worth something.

All of the others are adorned as described already, except for one: the one that leapt into the tree and was finished off by Valda. That one has a ring on its finger; the ring seems to be the same stony metal as the spear-heads, embracing a watery blue gem.

Sometimes, it is plain that something is magic, just because of how it looks. Upon close examination, there seems to be something made of aqua-green light, trapped inside the ring's gem, jumping back and forth.

Embla Strand said...

I will happily take the level, as I'm not sure if we are going to sell any of this stuff. Do I just need to roll for my extra hp?

Definitely we need to take the ring and the spears. Yay! [although it's a damn shame I don't have spear proficiency].

Are there any differences between the different adornments? Color, pattern, fabric, etc?

We probably should not experiment with the ring while being observed, although I am very curious as to what it is!

Alexis Smolensk said...

The next post is up.

Please keep talking. Gives me something to read when I'm at work.

Alexis Smolensk said...

Nope. No difference.