Learning Dungeon Fantasy, Part 3

This post continues on from Part 1 and Part 2. Check those out if you want to know what’s going on prior to this.

This is the third part of my three-part typed up solo report, recorded using RPGSolo.com. As ever, it’s a blend of emergent fiction and how the game is played mechanically. It’s pretty much unedited, however, so there are likely mistakes and typos.

Goblins Counterattack!

There are four Goblins and Calyphix the Pyromancer (an evil priest of the Fire God, Asmodeus) who are stalking the party, aiming to drive them out of the room they are holed-up in, restin. There are two archers, one of whom is injured from before but whom Calyphix has cast Minor Healing upon (+3HP), and two Goblin long knife and shield fighters.

The large 30’ by 40’ room has stone walls and a large brazier filled fire. There are numerous bedrolls (all searched and tossed around) on the floor around the edges of the walls. On the south wall there is an elaborate mural and some words written large across the top, although the language is unknown. The ceiling is about 12 feet high and supported by arches running from the four corners.

Everyone in the party is stunned due to surprise at the end of Part 2. They must all make an IQ test each turn. at +1 per turn after the first, +6 for Combat Reflexes, and can only react on the turn after they succeed. It’s based on the Partial Surprise rules.

Combat Order is: Aethelred, Marcus, Goblins, Ellesan, Calyphax.

Aethelred makes an IQ test, rolls 9 to succeed. He can act next turn.

Marcus, who is sitting on the ground with his back to the wall, makes an IQ test – rolls 12 to fail. (EDIT: I forgot he had Combat Reflexes – damn!)

Goblins move into the tunnel: those with long knives move 4 yards towards the chamber while the archers deploy in the corner turn of the passageway.

Ellesan makes an IQ test, rolling 13 to succeed. He can act next turn.

I just learned about Change Posture and how you use that maneuver in combat – one thing I didn’t realise was how you can’t go from prone to standing in one manuever. Good to know.

Calyphax begins casting Flaming Weapon on his broadsword. It has a 2 second casting time, so he is Concentrating.

Aethelred fast draws an arrow (critical success – I decide he’ll reduce the Heroic Archer ready penalty to -1), and tries to ready the bow Heroically (success). Aethelred aims at the lead Goblin.

Marcus makes an IQ test at +1, rolling 11 to succeed. He can act next turn.

The Goblins with long knives advance, sprinting in to gain 5 yards. The two archers ready their bows and point them towards Aethelred.

Ellesan changes posture from sitting to standing.

Calyphix continues to cast the spell, rolling to see if he’s successful – needs 14 or less, scores 9 to succeed. Expends 4 Fatigue Points but gains +2 damage from the burning flames on his now ignited broadsword. He takes a step forward towards the corner as he nods in satisfaction to himself.

Aethelred shoots at the lead Goblin using an All-Out Attack (Determined) for +1 to hit (I just realisd you can do this) – range is 4 yards (-2), and he’s aiming as Heroic Archer (+3), to give him an effective skill of 17. Rolls 8, on target. The Goblin tries to Block with his shield, rolls 14 to fail. The arrow strikes the torso, rolling 1D+1 impaling damage and scoring 5. That’s three points past the leather armour, a total of 6 damage. That’s a major wound – the Goblin rolls HT and succeeds. OK then.

Marcus changes posture from sitting to standing.

The lead Goblin runs at Aethelred but shock (-4) makes it pointless to try and attack on the move, so he just moves 4 yards to be adjacent to the archer.

The second Goblin runs forward and reaches the base of the steps that hold up the huge burning brazier of fire. The archers aim at Aethelred.

Ellesan yells, “Aethelred, run!” He then casts a 5-yards radius Smoke spell centred at the base of the brazier of fire – rolls to cast, range 7 yards (-3) and succeeds with a roll of 6. Smoke begins to rise from the floor within 5 yards of the brazier at a rate of 1 foot per second. The smoke is currently zero feet high.

The party is deciding that discretion is the better part of valour, methinks.

Calyphix moves forward 3 yards – he’s in heavy chain armour under those lovely red robes.

Aethelred decides to move away he turns 1 hex side (costs 1 move), backs off 1 yard and turns a hex side (costs 3), and then moves 1 yard forward. He is 3 yards from the Goblin with his back to the creature – this is very risky but if he can keep moving, he’ll outrun the Goblin.

Marcus sees the smoke rising right in front of him. He readies his axe and steps sideways 1 yard.

The Goblins… the lead Goblin chases after Aethelred, moving two yards and trying an All-Out Attack (Determined) – he rolls to hit, stabbing with the blade and needing 17 to hit, scoring 13. Aethelred cannot defend from behind. The Goblin rolls damage, 1D-1 impaling, scores 1. Aethelred has 3 points of armour on the torso, so the blade slides off the armour. Talk about lucky!

The second Goblin runs around the brazier on the opposite side to the ensuing fight. He can see the smoke and wants to get clear by running to block the adventurer’s exit.

The archers can no longer see Aethelred so, with a huff, they move forward 4 yards.

Ellesan runs for the exit – moves 5 yards and enters the passageway the party entered through.

Calyphix marches 3 yards towards the chamber. He can see the smoke rising and wonders at where it is coming from. A mage, perhaps?

Oh, the smoke 1 foot high now. It’ll become a problem for the Goblins when it gets to 4 feet high.

Aethelred runs – I just realised his Move is 6 (not 5), so he runs for the exit moving 6 yards.

Marcus moves towards the exit, axe in hand.

The Goblins in front move towards the party – 4 yards each. The Goblin archers move to the edge of the smoke and stop. They are cautious about what that stuff might do if they breath it in.

Ellesan starts running back towards the rope out. He’s low on Fatigue and can’t cast much magic, so he’s going to make sure there’s a way out.

Calyphix bellows, “Yes, run! Cowards!” and then strides up to the edge of the smoke. He’s happy to let the party escape, I think. It’ll add to his reputation.

Aethelstan runs down the corridor, catching up to Ellesan quite quickly. I’m counting both of these as out of the combat unless the Goblins pursue.

Marcus readies his large shield and steps back 1 yard so he’s blocking the corridor a bit.

The Goblins in the lead – do they pursue and attack Marcus?

(Somewhat Likely) Yes.

Yeah, of course they do. No orders from the boss yet. They decide to move and attack – 4 yards forward and a hasty strike.

The first Goblin rushes up 4 yards and slashes with the long knife – rolls to hit (-4), and scores 7 to succeed! Marcus tries to Block with the shield, rolls 11 to (just) succeed. Clang!

The second Goblin rushes up 3 yards and slashes at the big man – rolls to hit (-4), and scores 14 to miss. Phew!

Ellesan runs. The smoke is 2 feet high.

Calyphix shouts for the Goblins: “Let them go! Let them tell of how Calyphix the Pyromancer is a power to be feared!”

Aethelred runs.

Marcus opts for All-Out Defense (Block) and steps back 1 yard.

Do the Goblins disengage?

(Likely) Yes + Event: Usurp / Intrigues

Interesting. I don’t know what to do with that Event other than to suggest that Calyphix will complete his ritual and sacrifice the girl immediately after the party departs. He’s not taking any chances.

The party can depart, defeated. They hear muffled coughing echoing down the tunnel as they climb up to the surface. I guess that’s a wrap for this adventure.

Game on!