150919 Argo Lives! and Enter Gimbor the Battlerager! Cemetery Battle Part 2

TWITCH STREAM Be sure to participate with the group each week LIVE! at <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/dm4hire" rel="nofollow">www.twitch.tv/dm4hire</a> every Saturday night at 6 PM until midnight. View this entire session here... <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/dm4hire/v/16841625" rel="nofollow">http://www.twitch.tv/dm4hire/v/16841625</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEzte8OcXM" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEzte8OcXM</a> Twitch.tv keeps each broadcast for one week only, so be sure to stay up-to-date while it is still available, and be sure to click the heart icon under the twitch screen to 'follow' the group and be alerted of each new session. Brief portions of these weekly sessions can also be found on Youtube with the same date code. QUICK READ RECAP Honestly, I had no idea how this session was going to end up, but our holiday time off really paid off, as the group pulled victory from the jaws of defeat and managed to overcome this encounter of epic proportions, resurrect Argo from death, save Leaxle and meet Gimbor the dwarven Battlerager in the process. &nbsp;With the party realizing that if they but only stay on the worn cemetery path, and not provoke the trees in any way, the titanic struggle disappeared all together, providing a way of escape! DM SESSION LOG 150919 Spells points (used / total) Tralaan: 1st -- Chromatic Orb, Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Color Spray 2nd -- Web, Melf's Acid Arrow 3rd -- Fireball Max. 3rd Level Max: 70 (5th Level Max is still 3rd, 4 per day). Cantrips are 1 (or free if memorized), 1st 4 /8, 2nd 6/12, 3rd 10/20. Argo: Memorized 1st lvl: Chromatic Orb, Magic Missile, Color Spray 2nd lvl: Blur 3rd lvl: Fireball Max. 3rd Level: 97/97 Karmadel: 85 (33 for free): 0 lvl spells = Healing x4, Calm x2 | 1st lvl spells = Bless x2, Detect Magic x1, Cure Light Wounds x3 | 2nd lvl spells = Cure Light Wounds x2, Heat Metal x1 | 3rd lvl spells = Dispel Magic x1 ( those are my fixed and i have 33 points left for my free cast (My innate spells/abilities) = Expert Heals x4 cure light wounds, Detect Lie x3, Inspire Fear x2 Kyra Spells : 70 Shenjo: 42 BEGIN... Using a prayer bead magical item, Karmadel successfully summons his deity Heironeous. &nbsp; With a mighty breath,&nbsp;Heironeous blows out all the tree fires, and blows the majority of trees into the north eastern corner of the cemetery, buying the group a brief moment to act.&nbsp; Bjorn picks up the remains of Argo. Balfon attempts to free Kell from the vegetation entangling him. Heironeous vanishes in a thunderclap. Gimbor the dwarf battlerager exits the crypt and announces his presence, and says 'the trees didn't bother me when I walked in on the path'. Shenjo runs to the crypt and finds a flight of stairs going down. Kyra asks Gimbor for a pint. Leaxle moves 5' and parries and calls for help. Aaron assists Balfon in attempting to chop Kell loose from the vines. Tree attacks Leaxle for 6 hp of damage reducing him to 11 hp of life. Tree attacks Balfon for 9 hp of damage reducing him to 40 hp of life. Tree hits Bjorn for 8 hp reducing him to 38 hp. Tree hits Aaron for 14 hp reducing him to 22. Karmadel hits a tree blocking the door for 14 hp of damage. Bjorn carries Argo into the crypt and pours a potion of resurrection down his throat. Argo makes a successful resurrection roll of 18% (85% chance), adjusts his constitution one less and lives with full hit points and spell points! Argo lives! Leaxle takes 11 hp of damage and falls unconscious. Gimbor takes 4 hp of damage from a tree at the door. Karmadel takes 3 hp of damage reducing him to 66. Aaron takes 4 hp of damage for 18 hp of life left. Argo casts burning hands on three trees outside the crypt for 13 hp of damage each. New Round --- Shenjo calls out "Get into the crypt with us and be safe!" Aaron sheaths his sword and puts his shield on his back and carefully attempts to calmly walk through the agitated trees toward the crypt and arrives successfully drawing no attacks of opportunity upon himself! Gimor attacks a tree blocking the door for 12 hp of damage Kell sheathes his weapon and successfully walks past the trees into the crypt unharmed. Karmadel takes 2 hp of damage from a tree dropping him to 64. New Round --- Aaron tosses a grappling hook and successfully drags Leaxle out from the corner. Karmadel puts his rod away in a non-threatening manner. Argo calmly walks through the tress and rescues his deceased cat familiar. Karmadel heals Leaxle for 1 hp of health. Kyra shuts the door to crypt and shouts 'Take cover! You don't want to watch this.' Karmadel casts cure moderate wounds on Leaxle for 5 hp of health raising him to 6. Gimbor screams "See I told you to leave the trees alone and stay on the path!!" and his rage subsides. Karmadel casts cure serious wounds raising him to 12 hp of life. Leaxle slowly approaches his dropped sword, places his sheath on the ground and pushes it onto the sword in a non-threatening manner with out a reaction from the surrounding trees. Leaxle thanks Heronious and gives 10 silver to Karmadel. Party lump sum XP with all aspects considered (including but not limited to) session survival, skill usage, role-playing, alignment checks, etc: 25,190 Shenjo/Kyra/Dogs (Craig F.) Gray Elf: 2290 Karmadel, Priest/Bjorn/Balfon (Christopher S.): 2290/2290/2290 Gimbor/Serandon (Paul W.): 2290/2290 Tralann (Shalvenay K) Elf, Half: 2290 Kell/Aaron (Robert D.) Human: 2290/2290 Leaxle (Pater) Elf, Wood: 2290 Argo (Modnar) Human: 2290 SESSION LENGTH: 4 -1/2 Hours

That's a TON of XP !

heh... carried this over from the previous installment after a 'nudge' from our DM. &nbsp;:D In a pinch, we could go down the stairs in the micro crypt and have Karmadel do his 'stone' spell which could 'close' the opening and make it look like it's not there. Only downside is, we might have to retreat back UP through that spot so... And yes, between the fires and a phreaking GOD showing up... we aren't exactly being super stealthy. Then again, wasn't this about how the 'super stealthy' mission underwater went? :p

Oh yea, I remember it all too vividly. &nbsp;Ok, now all we have to do is go in super quiet, get the intel the council wants, and get out to get paid. &nbsp; Day of mission. &nbsp;Step one: &nbsp;Set up block and tackle right in front of sahuagin fortress main door and begin excavating, and mining gigantic boulders all day long, causing a major racket. &nbsp; (Palm to forehead) I almost pee'd my pants. &nbsp;The no longer present bard was the driving force on that major blunder. &nbsp; Sheesh.

ha ha ha ha ha ha yea, and the whole time i, as the "new" mage, was totally ignored when i said "this is recon, not trap and kill"

Did you already add the exp to the characters? (am I seeing that correctly?)

Modnar Wylde said: Did you already add the exp to the characters? (am I seeing that correctly?) our DM is right on point, he always adds the xp to the sheet for us as well as posting what we gained for the session here. if at any point its enough to level you up, though, you have to wait until we are in a town/city to be trained. in addition, you will continue to gain xp past leveling up even if you cant train right away, all the way to 1xp away from an additional level. &nbsp;Only 1 level per training period.

Leveling and such is discussed in the in-game DM Player Notes Handout item 6 through 9. &nbsp;The only thing I don't do is level up your character. &nbsp;It is then the players responsibility to monitor that aspect, and take care of all the necessary sheet updating when that occurs, when in town, and after training costs are deducted (which I also do).

Is it possible for the older and more experience players to train lesser ones? so say i was going to bring in a 1st level torch bearer/fighter and the older and more experienced fighters were to take me under his/her wing and train me could we forgo the training costs?

Like taking on a squire?

DM4HIRE said: Leveling and such is discussed in the in-game DM Player Notes Handout item 6 through 9. &nbsp;The only thing I don't do is level up your character. &nbsp;It is then the players responsibility to monitor that aspect, and take care of all the necessary sheet updating when that occurs, when in town, and after training costs are deducted (which I also do). Sorry I was being unclear. &nbsp;There is a button for "modify" I'm not sure if I was supposed to hit&nbsp; the button, it certainly appears to say I've gained that exp - which makes sense, but I began to wonder if once the "modify" button is pressed if the gained exp field would be empty or remain filled - which made me question if the macro's action may not have "successfully completed", if it/you needed me to 'confirm' or just leave it be.&nbsp; (That was my first time using that sheet)

oh lol, thats if your a multiclass/dual class, you can add a whole nother exp section is all

Don't worry about the XP area on the character sheet. &nbsp;If your character gets the prime requisite bonus, then the total you'd use is the Prime Req Exp Total area for level determination.

I could seal up the down stairs, but 1st we should send Mr. The One Ring To Rule Them All down and make sure there is no other exits, cause if that's the case i think we have smoke sticks in party loot and if not oh well. But if we do have them and no other exit, light them toss them down and i seal it up and they will all die from smoke inhalation. And if no smoke sticks then they will sufficate, with all that are in there the air would be used up in a hour or 2 depending on how big it is down there. Ok just checked we have no smoke sticks in party loot so there goes that idea, but still can sufficate them all, if there is no other exit.

I suspect this is another area that *may* somehow connect to the ant farm below. &nbsp;We might find a better way to go against them than the VERY narrow spaces we got stuck in before. &nbsp;AND, we really need to find some goodies or release some important prisoners or this is gonna be a really nasty expedition with little to show other than interesting scars at the local tavern later.

I'm with Robert. &nbsp; BUT, i've *RYAN/Modnar* not fought the ants before. &nbsp;Are they certain death? We have a town full of Orc and guards that apparently control the outside (which is an absolute - DM confirmed). Sealing the stairs is just limiting a choice of a Possible source of a threat and apparently the ants have multiple vents /exits so seems a futile effort. &nbsp;These Stairs aren't something Ants build. &nbsp;There would seem to be a great chance that the stairs lead into a lower crypt or dungeon crawl scenario. &nbsp;Likely the ants have perforated the walls, perhaps have taken over the structure entirely - which isn't a bad thing because they likely have additional exits or have likewise tunnelled into other cellars for other buildings in the town. &nbsp;

Argo likes fried ants...

It was not so much the dog sized ants attacking OR the man sized, bipedal ant things as much as the confining space. &nbsp;Although I grouse about these 5 foot wide hallways, those ant tunnels were even narrower and made moving a nightmare. &nbsp;&nbsp; I think Argo has decided chocolate covered ants (MOLTEN CHOCOLATE) is preferred than the 'open roasted' fireball style.

What spells has Argo seen cast by the other wizard? &nbsp;(I know Knock/Lock is bandied about - but what else is there in the party?)

Wait a moment what was the mission espoused by the council again? I would reałly hate for you guys to get all worked up about something that doesn't need to be done at all know what I mean lol. I bet the council just loves you guys you're like a loaded gun "just point them at something and they'll kill it!" lol

After the temple terror in Hommlet, we traveled 500 miles south to Highpoint. &nbsp;We received news that 'the Counsel' (sort of the guys we work for), had information that&nbsp;the coastal Pomarj city of Highpoint was desolate and overrun with monsters. We were to 'investigate' -- and that was about as clear as mud as to what we are investigating. When approaching from the woods, we saw humanoids (orcs or worse) patrolling the city walls and trade wagons (legal or illegal -- who knows) being stopped before allowed to enter the main gates. &nbsp; We used&nbsp;a secret entrance in the back of the town temple to get 'inside' and see what's what. And so far, the 'what' is a run down / neglected temple with half orcs and orcs active; &nbsp;ghouls and ghasts and piles of 'stuff' with nasty tendrils and bigger than average ants and humanoid ants -- and there are the odd trees in the cemetery. &nbsp;We have yet to 'see' anything of note other than critters or rot -- no idea how this town fell so quickly or what happened to all the people -- though many *might* have been snacks for some of the roaming monsters. &nbsp;*shrugs* And that's about all we know. Other than.. ants below; &nbsp;the orcs who were huddled (scared) in that room and had holy symbols nailed on every wall; and the doppleganger who was a pain in the neck. &nbsp;Still lots of temple to explore and lots of questions with no answers (yet). &nbsp;&nbsp; Now, anyone with religion lore -- any ideas on what a room full of holy icons might mean? &nbsp; (I can guess but I don't want to give Mike any ideas. :p )

Modnar Wylde said: What spells has Argo seen cast by the other wizard? &nbsp;(I know Knock/Lock is bandied about - but what else is there in the party?) the only one he has seen and does not have from tralann or shenjo is enlarge (shenjo)

Thomas H. said: Wait a moment what was the mission espoused by the council again? I would reałly hate for you guys to get all worked up about something that doesn't need to be done at all know what I mean lol. I bet the council just loves you guys you're like a loaded gun "just point them at something and they'll kill it!" lol "loaded Gun" ha ha ha ha. for sure now with the addition of a battlerager :P

Oooooh enlarge.... mu-hahahahaha. &nbsp; That's exactly what I wanted! I want to consider the possibility that casting Enlarge on the first ant that comes down a tunnel to make it a blockade. (should be about 2 1/2 turns of blockage) - its friends will have to dig through it, BUT... hopefully its thrashing will collapse the tunnel. Either way, victory. AND/OR to reverse Enlarge [Shrink] a few of us and run through the now large, spacious tunnels - with that whole 20-30 minutes of travel time in mind. Invisible that would be almost perfect . (and I'd like to learn that spell)

FYI. &nbsp;Since we have recently brought on-board some new folks, it is imperative that our turns be ready to go, as pointed out last session, to keep the game flow moving at a healthy pace, so, I went into my DM supplies and retrieved my timer that I'll be putting into use from now on. &nbsp;If a player needs more time to make a decision on what to do, I'll merely move that character down the turn order, and, in a worse case scenario, move them into the following round if need be. &nbsp; I do ask that any comments, concerns and recommendations be made to me discreetly in chat during our live sessions , so that game time isn't occupied with those types of discussions and we stay focused on the main objective of moving the story along in an enjoyable manner. &nbsp;Let's all continue to maintain our professionalism during the sessions, so that they do have a certain degree of entertainment value for the viewers. &nbsp;Please and thank you. &nbsp;It is sincerely appreciated.&nbsp;

I still want to get sand 'hourglasses' -- but for now, I &nbsp;bought a nice 'count down / alarm' digital timer. &nbsp;Don't be surprised if you hear beeping and I say, "guess I do nothing". &nbsp;(though I AM giving myself more than 6 seconds...)

On an 'out of left field' note: Seems those trees weren't 'all that' after all. &nbsp; So why did Heironeous show up? &nbsp; Wouldn't he have known we were barking up a silly situation? &nbsp; What must he think of the priest calling for 'the easy stuff'? &nbsp; What if he doesn't show up for the killer stuff sometime down the road because "it's those idiots yelping again"? &nbsp;&nbsp;

Prayer bead.

Magic. &nbsp; "Holy" magic. &nbsp; Darn stuff....

Paul W. said: Modnar Wylde said: What spells has Argo seen cast by the other wizard? &nbsp;(I know Knock/Lock is bandied about - but what else is there in the party?) the only one he has seen and does not have from tralann or shenjo is enlarge (shenjo) did argo grab ID from Shenjo?

DM4HIRE said: FYI. &nbsp;Since we have recently brought on-board some new folks, it is imperative that our turns be ready to go, as pointed out last session, to keep the game flow moving at a healthy pace, so, I went into my DM supplies and retrieved my timer that I'll be putting into use from now on. &nbsp;If a player needs more time to make a decision on what to do, I'll merely move that character down the turn order, and, in a worse case scenario, move them into the following round if need be. &nbsp; I do ask that any comments, concerns and recommendations be made to me discreetly in chat during our live sessions , so that game time isn't occupied with those types of discussions and we stay focused on the main objective of moving the story along in an enjoyable manner. &nbsp;Let's all continue to maintain our professionalism during the sessions, so that they do have a certain degree of entertainment value for the viewers. &nbsp;Please and thank you. &nbsp;It is sincerely appreciated.&nbsp; To this i suggest player comment/use DIscord or private message. or instead of optimizing and analyzing we just go balls to the wall and do it. lol. FYI if you have more than one character this can be a pain the butt.

nope, forgot about ID tbh lol, he has not had a need of it since he still has no magic items other than his ring :/

well didn't someone say there was ants and orcs down below, and if thats the case why the ants not going after the orcs, must be something they have / use / an intellegent ant person (for example the Mantis People) and made a deal with them, to be in the same area as them. And if there is prisoners then what better place to keep them than underground with the ants.

Shenjo said orcs after going invisibly down into the crypt, however some group members also assume ants with it being underground

Christopher S. said: well didn't someone say there was ants and orcs down below, and if thats the case why the ants not going after the orcs, must be something they have / use / an intellegent ant person (for example the Mantis People) and made a deal with them, to be in the same area as them. And if there is prisoners then what better place to keep them than underground with the ants. Why would you keep Prisoners with the ants?! *OoC* I mean, its a module... so "LOGIC" and habitats and entomology are thrown out the window... but honestly &nbsp;WHY?! Unless you have an... insect (?!) shaman&nbsp;?

The prisoners are forced to 'milk' the ants for formic acid?

If I were you guys I would return to the council and tell them that "yup the towns been over run with monsters" if they want them cleared out then they'd better be willing to pay for it. I mean you guys are doing stuff that your not being paid for. It's like a contractor who says "sure I'll add that kitchen on to the back of your house and how about I do it for free." And you ask yourself "but I only wanted a new faucet installed."