Slightly different format for the recap this time (less list, more fluff because this is a copy/paste for a recap I had to write for an absent player); though I think I prefer the 'list' format better because it's easier to 'glance' for info ...

The group met with the king for the second appointment. They told him of the situation at the ruined Delphus (the dragon, the beholder, the 2 trolls, the ice barricades, the Farwalker journal). During the conversation, the king told of the Sureya investigation status: after questioning the guests it seems no one has personal first-hand knowledge of actually having seen or spoken to Sureya for months, questioning the staff they (eventually) said that she has been out of town for months. The king further goes on to say that Sureya's estate is continually being watched by men from the royal guard. Finally, the king also gave the group the time and place where the Necklace of the Ruby Flame's destruction ritual was going to be cast and (although the king did not necessarily care if you were there) said that since you showed interest in being present that you could get to that location to meet his royal guard that would be doing the ritual (it was going to be done in a spot a few days west, so out in the former war-zone, away from the kingdom itself).

With a couple days to spare, Melenna and Syd studied the rituals in the Farwalker journal, Brennan went to investigate around town in case there was something for him to do while waiting, and Basil went to catch the Bullthorns as they were leaving to get some allies to join in the task of facing whatever was to be released from the necklace. Melenna took an opportunity in the evening to get herself invited to one of Sureya's evening parties (going as a guest of a random man named Ambrose), she snooped around (even found that those "security" auras from the paintings were detecting the presence/absence of certain creatures but couldn't tell more than that) nor was she able to see actual evidence of Sureya other than second hand reports of people saying "they think they saw her around". Once the grop regrouped, they also visited Timor to get help for the coming battle (and got a couple priests of Melora assigned to help). They also visited Aleena to get help (and got a couple paladins of Pelor assigned to help). Keep in mind that none of these gathered allies (except for the royal guard) know the specifics of the background, they only know they are coming to help take care of an evil thing.

With the gathered allies, the group heads to the ritual site being prepared by the royal guardsmen. Upon arrival, they find that some of the royal guardsmen had been killed enroute to the site due to antics of the necklace on the way. The ritual is cast on the necklace and the others ready for what is to come. As the ritual is finished, a crack forms in the ruby pendant of the necklace - the flame that once burned inside of it extinguishes and out of the smoke near the necklace emerges a grotesque humanoid woman. Her limbs are bony and gaunt while her face and skin seems almost decayed. All around her, the prevalence of death and decay can be felt burning the flesh of anyone that approaches her. Nyssa is the first to realize that this is a rare being, once a creature of flesh that has been warped by necrotic rituals and forgotten lore of undeath (a lich).

A long and hard battle ensues as the lich causes several skeletons (forgotten dead left buried in natural shallow graves from the war) to crawl their way through to the surface. The lich continued to burn the ground with fiery energy that drained life, as well as her necrotic aura, and tossing blasts of energy at those who annoyed her. The skeletons continued to claw at the forces with burning claws. The allied forces (Royal Guards, Bullthorns, Priests, Paladins) and the PCs fight off the skeletons and the lich. During the fight, Melenna grabs the necklace in case it had an effect on the lich (though it did not seem to) as well as blasting away at the skeletons and slowing the lich so that she could not get away. Brennan worked on taking out skeletons one at a time and eventually blasting at the lich with radiant energy. Syd helped blast the skeletons and his prescience helped counter some attacks against his friends. Basil directed the forces around the field, and coordinated their attacks so that everyone helped weave and distract the lich so that others would have an easier time of striking. Nyssa, despite her fragile appearance, caused the most destruction to the lich, for her spirit was somehow protected from the brunt of the liches effects, causing her minimal discomfort and with rage she managed to critically strike the lich several times with her blade sheathed in radiant fire. The skeletons were destroyed and the lich eventually killed and crumbled in to dust. Between the healing of the allies, the only major casualty on the allied forces was that of a paladin (sent by Aleena). However, with the healing skills and attention from the force, he too was saved from any permanent damage despite the pain he suffered.


Current in game time: November 07, 7791, noon.
Melenna, Syd, Nyssa, Brennan: have riding horses on loan from the king
Basil and the allied Bullthorns: have warhorses
The clerics and paladins: have riding horses from their own orders.

Party Location: At the aftermath of the battle site. Though we may just fast forward back to the city at the start of next session if no one has any particular thing to do out here.

fba827

Thread Link

Fight like you mean it, not like it's an accident...

Disclaimer: I don't want this to turn into a thread or series of postings dealing with any particular edition of D&D. It doesn't even have to deal with D&D at all, though it might be applicable to D&D. It is really just about interesting combat mechanic methods. Already existing, experimental, or theoretical.


This thread is about interesting Combat Resolution Methods in gaming and Role Play Gaming that don't necessarily involve dice or any other means or method or device of randomization for engaging in game-combat. Or alternately about combat resolution methods that only partially rely upon dice rolls, or some similar method, to achieve the same effect.

So if you've seen a (combat) system that doesn't use dice, or cards, or whatever the case may be, or you have developed one of your own, then present it for us to look over and analyze and then let everyone discuss it.

I/we have a system (which is not static, I'd be happy to improve it if I see something worth pursuing) that we've used for years but before presenting that to everyone else (my system) I'd like to see some other ideas. I will say this, in my system fighting monsters is different than fighting men.

I'll get back to this as my work schedule allows but I'm looking forward to reading your ideas, and debates, and arguments on the matter.


To get some ideas started, these are the main problems I considered in developing my system:

Weaponry
Reach
Close Quarters Combat versus Stand-Off or At a Distance Engagement
Mounted Combat
Damage Modifications
Formation Fighting
Maneuver and Movement
Forcing Misses
Technique and Tactical Fighting
Skill and Experience
Fighting Monsters versus Fighting Men
Armor and how it actually Operates
First Strikes
Rapidity of Combat
Initiative and Ambush


Good luck ladies and gentlemen.

Jack.

Jack7

Karl, the guy who owns and runs my FLGS, The Games Keep, future greatest gaming store in America, has agreed to do a cameo role as the Great Eagle Lord during the next session of my D&D campaign. To make sure he knows what’s he talking about, I’m making him a handout that explains the general situation. Here it is.

1. You will be playing the role of The Eagle Lord, or the spirit of the Eagle Lord to be exact. You have come to the material plane to advise the party. I’ll be playing the roll of the great Blessed Bird, your animal companion. I’ll play a supporting role to fill in details or take over when you need to deal with customers.

2. Your general history (as well as the village’s) is told below. Feel free to re-tell this to the Party if you want to.
Long ago the people of the land worshipped devils and made sacrifices of blood in order to appease them. One day, a great warrior named Karl The Eagle Lord left his home village. He spent many years searching for a way to defeat the devils and stop the blood sacrifices. After countless adventures and trials, he found a great blessed bird. With the aid of the blessed bird, Karl returned to his homeland and defeated the devils. From one blessed bird came many others and from them a great age of peace and prosperity came to the land.

3. Be sure to explain that it will be up to the party to protect and guide the last blessed bird. The party is destined undergo a series to trials and challenges that will test them in order for the last blessed bird to ascend to the higher level of being required to stop the devils and save the day. As this point, I plan on having the egg they’re carrying hatch. Ask the party to name the bird then.

4. You need to tell the party that they need to go explore the lower areas of the temple and go through “The Nine Trials.” They are nine rooms of traps, challenges, and puzzle that simulate the very challenges the Eagle Lord himself had to overcome so long ago. They need to gather a feather from each of the trials because it may be useful later. Also, the traps have been made more lethal.

5. The party needs to find Tlacocelot and stop his reign of terror by any means possible. After he is foiled, it will become clear what needs to be done next.

6. If the party offers you the +2 Javelin with your name on it freely, act very glad to have it back. Ask them to place it in your tomb. The tomb will open when you command it to be so. You will also reward them for their kind action. I’ll handle that part.

7. Last but not least, you are (the spirit of a) 30th level super epic ranger. You are totally awesome. Feel free to play that up as much as you want.

After meeting the Eagle Lord, they'll gain access to a new epic destiny, The Eagle Lord.
　
The Eagle Lord

There is no such thing as impossible. I’m proof of that.
Karl the Eagle Lord

Prerequisites: 21st Level

The legendary Eagle Lord, great father of the blessed bird, conqueror of the devils, he who has triumphed over the gods themselves. All know of his adventures and of his greatness. Some say his deeds were great there could never be another Eagle Lord. You are proof that they are wrong.
You will walk the steps that The Eagle Lord once walked. You will undertake the same trails that The Eagle Lord once undertook. If you defeat all the challenges that lay before and give rise to the next great blessed bird, you can become the next Eagle Lord.

Immortality?

After you pass the trails of the gods, give rise to the next great blessed bird, cleanse the land of devils, and triumph over darkness, you will become the New Eagle Lord. For the rest of your living days, you will rule over the people, starting a new age of peace. Your kingdom could be as small as a village or as grand an empire. When your final day has come, you will not simply die. You will ascend to the heavens; to your rightful place among the court of the Gods.

Eagle Lord Features
All Eagle Lords have the following features.

Flight of the Blessed Bird (21st level): You and up to four of your allies can ride upon the Blessed Bird. It can travel up to 1,000 miles a day and can take you to a different plane once a day.

Rise Above the Challenge (24th level): Whenever you engage in a skill challenge, you automatically start with two successes.

Talons of The Eagle Lord (30th Level): Twice per day as a free action, you may spend a healing surge to treat the result of a d20 you just rolled as a 20 instead of gaining hit points. If you use this feature for a daily power, you spend two healing surges instead of one.

Eagle Lord Powers

Song of the Blessed Bird Eagle Lord Utility 26
You call upon the Blessed Bird to aid you in this challenge.
Daily Conjuration
Minor Action
Effect: You call upon the Blessed Bird. It appears in an adjacent space. The Blessed Bird is not affected by attacks and can move 5 squares on your turn. Once per round, an adjacent ally may do one of the following as a free action: take an extra move action this turn, spend a healing surge, re-roll a d20 roll, or gain a +4 power bonus to all defenses until the end of his next turn.


Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this material is for my next session of DMing "The Forgotten Portal" adventure. 　

MichaelSomething