One-on-One ~ Round 14

At this moment, the lone unoccupied beetle chases Engelhart across the floor, leaving Engelhart with his next move.  Lothar is 8 feet up the twine rope, before Engelhart's move.  I will presume he continues to climb, but he is free to change his mind if he wants.

Since Engelhart still hasn't rested or removed any of his clothing, he receives 1 more heat damage.

If Lothar continues to climb out, I'll have to retire the above table; after that point, Lothar won't be able to get experience from what happens to Engelhart, so I'll have to continue with a unique table.  Once Lothar is out and free, and no longer judging time in rounds, he will get experience.  Engelhart will not until he is no longer in damage and can take stock of himself (as Lothar would do on the surface).

Here's the final total for experience:

Most are Quietly Chewing ~ Round 13

With the beetles taking no action except to eat the dead bodies of their victims, the only thing to do is check Engelhart's overheating damage.  I rolled that he takes zero damage.  So no issue there.

Lothar is 3 feet up the twine rope.  Both Engelhart and Lothar can act as they prefer.

Two Left Standing ~ Round 12

The beetles surrounding the party move in for the kill.  Two beetles from 0910 separate and attack Aleksandra.  One beetle attacks Rowan's prone body.  The one remaining one on Lothar attacks the ranger and the beetle from 0909 joins in the feast on Gudbrand's corpse.

While the beetle in 0811 misses Aleksandra, unfortunately the other attacking beetle rolls a natural 20.  A second d20 roll indicates the damage was doubled, a total of 3 x 2 = 6.  As Aleksandra was at -4, this is enough to kill her.  She drops and the spear falls to the wet floor.

At the same time, the beetle attacking Rowan tears at his flesh.  [ages ago, I made a rule under the paralyzation spell for being attacked while helpless ~ I've just updated this rule as its own wiki page, in the attacking/combat section].  I roll a 5 on a d6, which is multiplied by 1.2, a tenth of Rowan's total hit points above zero.  This is sufficient to kill Rowan also.

This leaves one attack on Lothar.  The beetle rolls a 9, missing.

Here is how it looks now:

Engelhart's cure light wounds spell is cast ~ see below in the comments for effects on movement.  As promised, it being the 12th round and Engelhart removing none of his clothing, I have to roll overheat damage, a total of 0-2 points.  I roll 4 on a d6, so that Engelhart takes 1 damage from heat.  Unless he rests (uses only 1 AP to do no more than move or locate something to drink), I will be doing this each round going forward.

Lothar can climb the twine at this time, up four feet (-1 for having to leave the combat hex with the beetle.  This has an 80% chance of being too high for the beetle to attack.  The beetles in 0610 and soon to be in 0710 will likely feast on the dead bodies of Rowan and Aleksandra.  This would mean that at the moment, only one beetle, the one in 0808, is truly dangerous.

Here is the distribution of x.p.:

Here are how things stand following the party's move:

Foiled Escape ~ Round 11

The beetles eating Gudbrand scatter only momentarily after Rowan's attack on the beetle in 0809, before returning to feed on Gudbrand's corpse.  The remaining beetles rush the party, breaking against Rowan and Aleksandra, or circling the dead body towards Lothar.  There are no attacks on Engelhart.

Aleksandra, against the wall, is attacked from the front by one beetle, in 0910: it rolls an 8, missing.

Rowan, facing 0809 after killing the last beetle, is attacked on the right by 0909 and on the flank by 0910.  The flanking beetle attacks first, rolling a natural 1.  Rolling to see if it damages itself, I discover that it does not.  The other beetle rolls a 13, that being enough to hit Rowan.  The druid takes 5 damage, driving it back into 0710.

That puts Rowan at -5 hit points.  I will need a d20 roll from Rowan that is not an attack roll this round.

Finally, against Lothar.  The beetle in 0709 expends its whole movement getting to that hex, so it makes no attack on Lothar this round.  However, flanking Lothar is a beetle in 0609, and he is attacked from the right by the beetle in 0808.  The flanking beetle attacks first, rolling a 13 and hitting Lothar, causing 6 damage and knocking him into hex 0707.  The beetle in 0808 then turns and attacks him, rolling a 9 and missing.

Here is the placement of characters following the beetles' move:

That is the beetles' round.  Rowan needs to roll his wisdom check, while Aleksandra and Engelhart can take action.  Rowan and Lothar are stunned this round.

Here is where the party's experience stands at this moment:

Following the party's last moves, here is the position of the characters and beetles:

Gudbrand Dies ~ Round 10

At this point, the beetle atop Gudbrand, along with two other beetles, tear into Gudbrand's body, causing enough damage to kill him and bloody up the corpse.

Most of the remaining beetles turn on Aleksandra, who is isolated from the others, primarily because Engelhart chose not to fill the gap with Lothar.  The living assassin is faced from the front by beetles in 0909, 1009 and 1109, with a beetle on her in 1110.  The first to attack is 1109, which hits with a 17, causing 6 damage.  Aleksandra reels into 0910, reducing her to 4 hp and stunning her.

The beetle in 0909 attacks next, turning and rolling a 11, which she barely sidesteps, taking no damage.  The beetle in 1009 rushes into 1010 and rolls a 17, so that Aleksandra is hit again, this time for a terrible 8 damage, tossing her back into the arms of Rowan.  There she must make a wisdom check, as she has been reduced to -4 hp (with her wisdom at 60%).

The fourth beetle, that was on Aleksandra's flank, scurries forward into 0910 and attacks from there, gaining a +2 to hit being that Aleksandra and Rowan are now both in a hex together.  This last beetle rolls a modified 10, thankfully missing both characters.

While the assassin is getting banged around, Lothar is attacked by a single beetle, from his right front, in 0909.  It rolls a 7, missing.

The beetle in 0709 attacks Engelhart, rolling a 3.  This also misses.

Here is how things are at the end of the beetle's round:

Engelhart, Lothar and Rowan can all take an action.  Note that Rowan can't fight out of the hex containing Aleksandra unless she falls unconscious; if she does remain conscious, she will be unable to remain prone while a beetle is still potentially chewing her legs off ~ meaning that Engelhart will have to move or Lothar will have to make a space.  Technically, Rowan can move first of the three, but Rowan can choose to wait to see what happens with the other two.

Also, if Rowan pushes Aleksandra (conscious) into the hexes with Lothar and Engelhart, costing 1 AP, they won't be able to move her again without it costing 2 AP (not going to play games where she can be handed off perpetually without additional penalties. The cost of the extra AP will be due to the others taking an AP to receive her before pushing her into the next hex over.

Here is the x.p., updated:

Following the party's move, here is the position:

The Situation Worsens ~ Round 9

The beetles surround the party.  As previously, I'll will do these alphabetically.

Aleksandra ~ you have two beetles rushing you from behind and flanking, and one attacking from the front. The last, in 1009, rolls a 5, missing.  The one flanking you, in 1209, rolls a natural 1, falling off balance but otherwise not hurting itself.  The one at your rear rolls a modified 8, also missing.  You were very lucky.

Engelhart ~ you have only one attacking you, in 0709.  It rolls a 12, which would hit AC 8.  Your character sheet lists your AC as 10, but you have a shield and leather armor, which should make your AC 7, meaning the beetle misses.  I am guessing your high CLO means you are wearing your armor, so I'll not roll damage at this time.

Lothar ~ you have a beetle on your right, one on your flank and one at your rear.  The one at your front, in 0708, rolls a 3, proving that I can also roll badly.  The one flanking you, in 0808, rolls a modified 9, also missing.  Finally, the one at your rear, in 0908, rolls a natural 20.  It rolls a 9 to follow, so the damage is doubled.  I roll snake-eyes on 2d4 and so you take 2 x 2 = 4 damage.  That will stun you, spin you around and cause you to fall back into Engelhart's hex.  The bug in 0908 will advance into 0809 after hitting you.

Rowan ~ you have two beetle in front of your, in 0908 and 1009.  The one on your left hits first with a 15, causing 5 damage, throwing you back into 0910.  The other, like before, rushes into 0909 and rolls a 12, hitting you again, this time for 4 damage, knocking you this time into 0811.  The beetle doesn't have enough move to follow you.  That makes a total of 9 damage this round, reducing you to zero hit points and leaving you stunned.

Thankfully, Engelhart started this combat in the 4th round - this is therefore only 5 rounds for him, so he is free of CLO damage until round 12 (whew).

Rowan didn't start until the 5th round; therefore, he's not overheating either and won't until the 13th round.

Here's how it looks after the bugs have attacked:

Engelhart, who hasn't hit or been hit yet, can act; Aleksandra also.  Lothar and Rowan must wait a round.

Here's the x.p. distribution so far:

Following the players move, here is their position:

A Staggering Blow ~ Round 8

The beetles in 0709 and 1309 are both stunned, so they are no threat; the hexes around them are not considered melee hexes, as these beetles cannot engage.

However, 1209 can engage against Aleksandra and does.  It rolls an 8, missing.

The beetle that Engelhart tried to push, in 1009, attacks.  It rolls a 7, also missing.

Beetles continue to harry Gudbrand, from 0807 and 0907, the latter climbing up and over the tomb to engage him from above.  0907 rolls a modified 13, missing, but 0807 rolls a 16 and hits.  [I see that Gudbrand lists his armor class as 5, but it is actually only 6; a 16 dexterity makes an 8 AC, not a 7].  Gudbrand takes 7 more damage . . . and now he really is in trouble, as he stumbles and falls into 0809.

I will need a d20 roll from Gudbrand.  A really important one.

Rowan, too, is in great danger.  He is being attacked from 0907, 1008 and 1009.

0907, 1008 and 1009 against Rowan, as the beetle's attack centers on him.  With an AC of 8, he is hit by an modified 15 from above, causing 3 damage.  Stunned, he falls back into 0909.  The beetle in 1008 rushes forward and attacks him again, rolling a 10.  The third beetle, in 1009, turns and bites, missing with a 9.  Over all, Rowan was very lucky.

At the end of the beetle's attack, here is how it looks:

Now, we're going to have to manage some unpleasantness.  I need the CLO for everyone in the party this round.  Please post it on the blog, even if it is on your character (will make it easier for me).

As well, Engelhart, Lothar and Aleksandra can all act.  Gudbrand is in trouble.  He will probably be unconscious.  I leave it to the party to handle that.  Best of luck.

Here is the x.p. distribution thus far:

The players round ends with everyone in this position:

SNAP! ~ Round 7

The beetles begin to swarm the party:

All the moves above were randomly generated, with the beetles balanced to go after the nearest targets ~ sorry, Aleksandra, the beetle moving over your bo stick was a total aberration.  Really a low chance.

All the beetles attack except for the one in 1210: it took five AP to move from 1305, and doesn't have enough move to attack Aleksandra ~ so she gets off easy this round.

Okay, alphabetically:

One beetle, in 0809, attacks Engelhart.  He declared he was facing 1009, so it is a flanking attack.  I roll an 8, missing.  Yes, on a d20.

I have three attacks on Gudbrand, in 0807, 1007 and 1008.  All are -1 to attack but the one in 0807 flanks Gudbrand.  That one rolls a natural 20; my second d20 roll was a 9.  The beetle rolls 5, doubled for 10 damage.  Gudbrand is stunned and will stagger into 0908, Rowan's hex, as 1008 is full of combatants.  On top of that, the beetle in 1007 rolls a 19, hitting for 4 more damage.

Gudbrand is not dead, not even unconscious; he is, however, at -1 hit points, cannot attack this round and is at 90% of his stat abilities for checks and combat effects.

I have two attacks on Lothar, from 1108 and 1209.  The beetle in 1108 hits with a 15, causing 7 damage.  That is enough to stun Lothar, throwing him into Aleksandra's hex.

And I have two attacks on Rowan, one from 1008 and the other from 1009.  These miss with an 8 and a 9.

So, a brutal round.  Here's how it looks:

Aleksandra and Rowan, you can push the stunned people in your hex out of your hex at a cost of 1 AP; you can't push Gudbrand up the slope, however.  You choose the hex.  You cannot attack out of the hexes you are in without pushing them out.  You can, however, move and leave them where they are; it is your choice.

Engelhard, Rowan and Aleksandra are free to otherwise take action.

The experience stands here thus far:

Feeling it.

Here's the state of things after the player's attack:

The Party Gets Lucky ~ Round 6

Here is how the map looks at after the players have made their move:

As none of the bugs are stunned at this point, all five of the bugs immediately near the party are able to attack.

Now, in the comments of the last post, I told Engelhart that any hex with two people could not be attacked out of.  This is actually not true of small, somewhat social animals, such as rats, piranha and quite a few insects ~ including these beetles.  However, I have arranged it this time so that no hex has two beetles attacking out of it.  I won't hold myself to this in the future.  The size of the beetles limits their "swarming" to two per hex.  Smaller creatures, less than 18 inches in diameter, can swarm three to a hex.  The beetles are about two feet long.

Here is the map as the beetles all move on the party:

From highest numbered hex to lowest numbered:

• The beetle in 1210 attacks Lothar, hitting with an 18 and causing 3 damage.  This does not stun Lothar.
• The beetle in 1208, having moved from 1107, attacks Lothar from behind, with +2 to hit.  It rolls a 7 and misses.
• The beetle in 1108, having moved from 1008, attacks Engelhart, missing with a 6.
• The beetle in 1008, having moved from 1207, attacks Rowan, missing with a 2.
• The beetle in 1007, attacking Gudbrand from below, getting a penalty of -1 for attacking upwards, misses with a 6.

That is the beetles' attack.  The rest come rushing from across the room, but none have enough move to attack.  One beetle, in 0807, does reach Gudbrand and engages him in melee (but Gudbrand was already in a melee hex).

By my count, this makes everyone still free to attack, no one stunned.  Please take whatever action seems best.

Here is the X.P. total earned so far (please correct me if I've missed caused or received damage at some point):

And here is the party's end of round movement for actions recorded below:

This Looks Bad ~ Round 5

Here is how the map looks at the end of the player's last turn:

With the bug on the map stunned, the party clusters together.  But while the bug in 1210 can neither move nor attack . . .

. . . the beetles that surrounded the hole at 1103 come skittering forward, engaging Lothar, Engelhart and Rowan.  None of these have enough move to attack this round, but they are bolstered by the appearance of five more beetles, coming from 0803 and 1002.

It is the party's turn.  Everyone can move.  Best of luck!

Uh-Oh ~ Round 4

At the same time as the beetles already engaged by the party attack, four more beetles emerge out of the glowing hex at 1103.

If the one image per round gets confusing, and you'd like

me to make sure I put up a layout image before the enemies

attack, please say so.  Engelhart's position is corrected.

We'll leave those four beetles up there by the hole for now.  The beetle fighting Aleksandra doesn't leave its hex either, attacking with a 12, not enough to hit AC 6.

The other beetle, driven back to 1008 by Lothar, shifts around to hex 1009 and attacks.  It rolls a 2 and misses.

That brings us back to the party again.  Everyone can move; Rowan is down on the barrow floor, so he is included.  Take whatever action seems appropriate at this time.

Two Left ~ Round 3

There are two beetles left, after Gudbrand (with a pinch-hitter) kills one.  The remaining two split up, one moving towards Lothar and the other attacking Aleksandra:

Both beetles roll an 11 to hit.  This is sufficient to MISS both characters.

I don't need another map, then.  Engelhart, you can jump in as you please ~ remember you don't have a weapon drawn yet and a heavy weapon takes time.  Lothar and Aleksandra, you're free to act.  And Gudbrand, you can do what you would like ~ I won't impose a cut off until around 5 or 6 tomorrow, your time.  But I will roll for you again if necessary.  And please, please, please, take note that it isn't good enough to rush; you may be wrong in your assumptions about the system.  It is natural that, the system being new, there will be time needed to adjust to it.

Also, Rowan, if you are climbing down, you won't appear on the map this round; if you're jumping, you should tell me which of three hexes surrounding the entrance circle you're jumping into, then roll a d20.

Aleksandra Gets Bitten ~ Round 2

The beetles move towards the party (showing the party's last moves with blue arrows):

The three beetles scurry forward to 1008, 1107 and 1208.  The latter two of these attack Aleksandra, each moving three hexes before attempting to give her a nasty bite.  The third beetle moves adjacent to Lothar and Gudbrand (and Aleksandra too), but does not have enough AP left other than to engage the last two in melee.

Attacking Aleksandra twice, then, the beetle in 1107 rolls and hits with an 18, causing an unpleasant 5 damage.  This potentially stuns anyone with up to 20 hit points, so Aleksandra is stunned (can take no action the rest of this round) and staggers back into 1109 (shown with a green arrow).  The beetle does not have enough AP to rush into 1108 after her.

The beetle in 1208 misses with a 6.

Thus the arrangement now looks like this:

Whenever possible, I will be zooming in on the immediate action,
but other hexes can still be seen on previous posts or other maps.

The players, with the exception of Aleksandra, can take an action.  Engelhart will finish his climb down (please indicate if he's in 0707, 0708 or 0608).  Engelhart can only drop into one of those three hexes.

Aleksandra Wakes the Beetles ~ Round 1

As Aleksandra steps forward into 1107, she sees three large beetles, each about two feet in length, with glowing patches on their backs.  These emerge quickly from the hole in 1205.

I will need her to roll a d6.

Under the Barrow

I'll work on this later in more detail, adding in Lothar and fixing the color of the numbers.  This in answer to Aleksandra's question: