Zman's P2 4th Level Arena: Firechanter

[Zman]

Zman's Arena: Liu Xing and Yin Yǔyàn

"Enter the Arena!", the loud voice boomed and reverberated through the massive arena.

The doors in front of you open wide revealing a small room beyond. Further the hallway continues, the floor stained red, The Hall of Arrows lies ahead.

As you look up you see the opaque black ceiling, knowing that beyond it are the spectators. Hundreds of them. You glance around but are unable to spot the magic eyes you know are watching, giving the hundreds beyond a view of your trial.

The voice booms again, "Begin. Let us test the nature of your mettle."


Initiative: Choose the order of your party, it will stay in that order throughout the entirety of the dungeon. Your team will act, then the dungeon will act. The round counter will continue every single round. Occasionally there might be a repetitive action, if you as me to repeatedly try an action I will post repetitive actions, or you can and tell me when the action ceases.

OOC Information: Please try and keep the mechanical stuff in spoilers, a brief description of your characters actions, or an in depth roleplaying of them are equally welcome. Others will likely go through your arena run, might as well make it an exciting and enjoyable read to add to the mechanical crunch.

Character Sheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mETTq4nMVM3XcIKSVjMB_la6j7H08PEUPozqNALmfm8/edit#gid=2016231614)

MAP: Here is your Map! (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ceVgInKd5mq8MFTQIQWhtlahay5eKTKlKAwt3oKcW PU) When you need to move, just tell me the map coordinates you are moving to any any particular path you want to take.

If you are unsure of anything, just post with your questions in the spoiler or PM me. If there are dependent actions, we can take them piecemeal. Don't be afraid of writing out a string of if then statements to speed things along.

Make sure you roll in the thread only, preferably in the spoiler tags. Sometimes I will post rolls in do not peek spoilers, so on your honor.

[Zman]

It takes less than a second after your eyes spot the red stained floor.

Liu's eyes grow wider as he spots the trap. Holes, large enough for bolts to pass through, line the wall for thirty feet ending as it opens to the room beyond.


Round 1
Describe how you are currently equipped, ie what are you holding in your hands.

Liu spotted a trap. The hallway is 10' wide and 30' long and some kind of arrow trap, hence the name "Hallway of Arrows". You do not spot a control panel.



L[roll0]
Y[roll1]

[Firechanter]

The pair of elegant, lithe Half-Elves enter the area making a bit of a show of their defensive stance, back to back. The complexion of the man, Liu, has a slightly bronze tan, he has long black braided hair and wears an old-fashioned armour in burnished copper and dark red and black clothes on his muscular but wiry frame. The woman, Yin, is exceptionally lithe and graceful, also wearing her black hair very long, but with a much paler skin tone matching her white clothes and short silvery chain shirt. Both have a metal shield strapped on their backs.

Liu is holding his experty crafted Guandao [Guisarme], Yin has readied her bow.

As they realize there is no immediate threat from creatures, and assessing the threat from the trapped hallway, both swap their weapons against 10-foot poles carried in loop-tied silk sashes over their backs, and break up their defensive stance.

Both approach the edge of the trapped corridor, crouch and examine the floor, the walls and the ceiling.
"We need to find out how the trap is sprung. Are those pressure-plates in the floor? Do you think the device can actually aim, or will the bolts just fly straight?"

Yin begins to hum a soothing, yet encouraging melody. She examines the trap with the eyes of a scout. Liu contemplates the possible inner workings from the stance of a craftsman.


Yin goes first. She will usually fire up one or more inspirations.
[I hope I get these actions right, if not pls feel free to correct me]

Round 1, both:
* sheathe weapon
* draw pole
* stride to D12/D13

Round 2:
Yin:
* Inspire Competence [roll0] [roll to determine if Crit. Success.]
* Seek [roll1]
* examine Trap (Thievery), but eyes-only for the moment [roll2]

Liu:
* ready shield (the metal one)
* Seek (being Inspired) [roll3] (or possibly +2 more)
* try to find out how and how well the trap is built (Crafting) [roll4]

[Firechanter]

[Don't mind this post, just figured out how to subscribe to a thread]

[Zman]

Yin eyes the trap, quickly spotting all of the individual pressure plates that make up the continuous floor. Not a single square inch of the hallway is spared their guard. She eyes the bolt holes, knowing it is impossible to determine if one is a launching or receiving hole. Or a dummy. None of the holes are located below her knee.

Liu runs his hand over the well made wall, finding the seams tight and fitted... as he eyes the hall he notices none of the countless bolts launched by this deathtrap have pitted or damaged the opposing wall. They must either find something that stops them, or enter a corresponding hole on the opposite wall. None of the holes are below the knee.



You can delete unwanted posts, just edit and delete.

Round 2
Yin finds nothing seeking her 10' area.
She does understand exactly how the trap works. None of its attack can harm on the bottom 2' of the hallway.

Liu finds nothing odd in his 10' area with his Seek.
He examines it's crafstmanship and knows the bolts fly straight and horizontal, none of which have pitted the opposing wall. No bolts fire in the bottom 2' of the hall.


[roll0]

[Firechanter]

Yin and Liu quicky exchange their findings, look at each other and shrug. If there is a way to disarm the trap from this side of the hallway -- which would be an incredibly silly trap to design, as Liu points out -- there doesn't really seem to be a need for it. In the worst case, they could just crawl through, however that would cost a bit of time.

"One more thing" mused Liu, reaching out with his 10-foot-pole to try out the trigger weight.


Round 3 (and possibly 4)
Liu reaches out with his pole to probe tile F12, applying pressure until the trap goes off, and maintaining the pressure for two full rounds, to see if and how quickly the trap re-fires if you stand still on one plate, counting seconds carefully. If it doesn't shoot again in Round 3, he keeps on the pressure throughout Round 4. If it hasn't refired by the end of Round 4, he withdraws the pole.

Yin, having nothing better to do, and confident she covered her half of the corridor well, spends Round 3 Seeking, this time round to her left (squares C11, D11, C12, D12)
* Seek
if she spots something, she Strides as necessary (Action 2) to examine it closer (Action 3). Otherwise, she keeps Seeking.

Die rolls, pls add modifiers as required:
Action 1 (Seek) [roll0]
Action 2: [roll1] (Seek +5; Thievery +7)
Action 3: [roll2] (ditto)

Rules/Ruling Question:
Can you Leap and dive on the floor? (without hurting yourself?)

[Zman]

As Liu puts maybe twenty pounds of pressure on the pole the first section of floor there is an audible click; the first bolt snaps across his vision at about naval height. It was moving fast, but he is sure it came from his right. Some around a second later another one snaps from his left at approximately throat height. Another from the right at groin height. The bolts continue snap across at varying heights roughly once a second, but never below the knee...

Yin closely examines her area and finds nothing amiss...


Round 3

The bolts fire continuously at about once per second from varying heights with no discernible pattern.

Leap Action. Prone Action. Its less than a 5' fall, so no damage except possibly a bruised ego.

[Firechanter]

Seeing how the bolts came in at a quick pace, Liu withdraws the pole after a couple of seconds, drawing his shield instead.

"Alright, enough stalling, let's give the crowd a good show!"
"Oh, like back then in the circus with the knife-throwers?"
Yin laughed light-heartedly at the memory, readied her shield, and started trilling a merry tune in Triple-Time, egging her partner on to go for it.

Liu took a deep breath, raised his shield to be ready for incoming missiles, feathered his knees, and Leapt.
Shortly thereafter, the girl followed suit.



Edited for continuity:
Round 3:
as 3rd Action, Liu readies his metal shield.

Round 4:
Yin:
* Ready (metal) shield
* Composition Cantrip: Triple Time. Liu's Speed is now 30

Liu:
* Raise Shield (AC now 24)
* Leap 20 feet (Powerful Leap), land in H12, expecting a bolt attack, so if this would hit,
<> Reaction: Shield Block (absorb up to 5 points of damage), then immediately:
* Leap 20 feet, land in L12

[PMed you another rule question for Round 5, but maybe I didn't make clear what I'm looking at... since Yin can't jump as far as Liu, I'd like her to Raise, Leap, Block, Leap and drop on the floor to avoid the bolt -- technically Drop Prone is an action in itself, but if combined with a Leap..?]

[Zman]

Liu soars though the air with his mighty leap, as he lands the distinct audible click is hears followed immediately by the whoosh of bolts... one would have caught Liu in the should had he not had his shield at the ready. His second mighty leap takes him clear of the deadly hallway...



Bolt Attack [roll0] vs AC 22
Damage [roll1] Piercing
If Crit [roll2][roll3]

On to Round 5!

[Firechanter]

Yin, despite being the more graceful and less encumbered of the pair, didn't seem quite as confident as Liu when she took to negotiating the passage. She ceased her song and looked a bit doubtful at the length of the hallway.

Apparently abandoning the plan to imitate Liu, she doesn't bother with the shield any further. Instead, she just leaps out into the hallway, diving and rolling in one fluid motion, coming to rest flat on the ground. As the arrows zip harmlessly over her head, she proceeds to negotiate the remainder of the trapped hallway in a crawl.

Liu, theatrically rolling his eyes but certainly glad to see his companion out of immediate danger, turns around to assess the surroundings and the next obstacle.


Round 5:
Yin:
* Leap 15 ft (to G13)
* Drop Prone
* Crawl

Liu:
* Step into M12
* Look Around (Perception) [roll0]
If no creatures are hiding in the crevices and no immediate danger is present:
* Stow shield

OOC: I need to pay attention not to narrate in past tense. It kinda comes so naturally... ^^

[Zman]

As Yin land hard in a controlled fall bolts whip across over her head. She keeps crawling and crawling until she is finally clear.

Liu steps forward keeping his eyes peeled, he sees nothing but the closed door in front of him. It does not appear barred or locked.


End of Round 5

End of Round 6
Crawling. Liu can do more if he wants.

[Firechanter]

Not quite as graceful as she would have preferred, Yin completes her crawl through the hallway, arrows continuously but harmlessly zipping over her head.

Liu, on the other hand, seems eager for action. He draws his Moonblade and steps closer to the door. What might await on the far side?

Finally, Yin reaches safe ground again, rises to her feet and pats the dust off her clothes. Secretly she curses herself for not having learned Prestidigitation -- that would be handly now to clean her stained clothes. She closes up to her companion and also readies her weapon.


Ugh, got ahead of myself again. Sorry for the mixup!

Round 6:
Yin:
* Crawl
* Crawl
* Crawl to K13

Liu:
* Draw Weapon (Guisarme)
* Step to N12
* Listen [roll0]

Rules question: would Inspire Competence (a vocalized melody) help with a Listen check? :smallyuk:

Round 7:
Yin:
* Stand Up
* Ready Shortbow
* Stride to M13

Liu's turn pending.

[Zman]

Liu listens near the door, but doesn't hear anything, except, maybe a distant scrape...

Yin makes her way to stand behind Liu, her bow at the ready...


Finished up Liu's Round 6 Actions


Onto Round 7
Yin's actions are done.
Waiting on Lius.

Reminder: Enemies will act at the end of your rotation ie after Liu's actions.

[Firechanter]

Not quite sure whether he could trust his senses, Liu rummages in his belt pouch, fishing out a vial filled with an amber liquid.
"Should have done this before", he mutters, as he pulls out the stop with his teeth, spits it out and downs the content in a single gulp.
With slight impatience, Liu beckons Yin to close the distance.
"Come on, what's taking you so long? Here, on the other side there seems to be... something. Some kind of scraping noise. Not sure what."

As Yin finally catches up with him, Liu pushes the door wide open with a shove.
Both adventurers take in what sight is revealed to them.




Round 7:
Liu
* Get out Eagle-Eye Elixir
* Drinks said Elixir
* Opens door

What is revealed to us without spending an Action to Seek?

[Zman]

As the double wide doors swing open a grand hall opens beyond filled with four platforms. Immediately beyond the door lies a large platform decorated with four pillars and a large wheel at its center. There are two smaller platforms off to the sides. Standing on those platforms are pairs of shambling skeletons with bows in their hands. Across the way is a small platform.

On the largest platform, in addition to the four pillars three draw bridges are standing upright. One, the largest looks to fall forward towards a small platform and an iron door. The two smaller drawbridges look to fall to the smaller platforms. It appears the drawbridges connected to the large wheel by chains, some contraption capable of dropping all three of them. The chains are visible as the base of the bridges.

Crossing the gulf between the large and smaller platforms is a narrow an treacherous beam. Falling off the beam looks to be a steep fall as twice as tall as a man.

Away from the smaller platforms in the open area stand taller pillers, each appears to have some kind of glistening blue vial on top of them.

Skeleton Archers

As soon as Liu becomes visible the shambling skeletons snap to attention and begin knocking arrows... a whole host of arrows begin striking near him. Some strike the pillars and never get close, others thud into the door. One narrowly misses Liu's throats and skitters off the stone...


See the map for details, feel free to PM me any questions.

Skeleton 1(3)
Action 1: Strike: Shortbow [roll0] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))Edit:AC24
Damage: [roll1] Critical [roll2] [roll3]
Action 2: Strike: Shortbow [roll4] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll5] Critical [roll6] [roll7]
Action 3: Strike: Shortbow [roll8] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll9] Critical [roll10] [roll11]

Skeleton 2(3)
Action 1: Strike: Shortbow [roll12] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll13] Critical [roll14] [roll15]
Action 2: Strike: Shortbow [roll16] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll17] Critical [roll18] [roll19]
Action 3: Strike: Shortbow [roll20] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll21] Critical [roll22] [roll23]

Skeleton 3(3)
Action 1: Strike: Shortbow [roll24] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll25] Critical [roll26] [roll27]
Action 2: Strike: Shortbow [roll28] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll29] Critical [roll30] [roll31]
Action 3: Strike: Shortbow [roll32] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll33] Critical [roll34] [roll35]

Skeleton 4(3)
Action 1: Strike: Shortbow [roll36] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll37] Critical [roll38] [roll39]
Action 2: Strike: Shortbow [roll40] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll41] Critical [roll42] [roll43]
Action 3: Strike: Shortbow [roll44] vs AC 23(AC21(No Shield) +2 Circ(Cover))
Damage: [roll45] Critical [roll46] [roll47]
*Pair of 19s on the MAPs, that could have been nasty!


One Hit: 4 Damage 0 Damage
End of Turn 7

[Firechanter]

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Liu exclaims as he finds a whole rain of arrows going down all around him.
"Well here we go." he nods to Yin. "Not our favourites but let's send them back to their graves."


Yay, Action!

Little correction: please note that Liu's AC without Shield is 22, so with that fortunate cover it should be a comfortable 24, so no hit I guess. ;)

Unfortunately, it's high time for me to catch some sleep. Will continue tomorrow. Thanks for the game! ^^

Oh, to speed up the next turn, on which squares exactly are the skeletons?

[Firechanter]

In his native language, the warrior mutters something about fornicators of livestock under his breath, apparently momentarily unsure how to proceed given the circumstances. Apparently, the intention behind this arena segment was to lower the drawbridges by turning the wheel under a constant barrage of the undead archers, but Liu Xing and Yin Yuyan never were reknowned for abiding by rules. He looks over to his companion.

"Alright, game faces, everyone."
Yin straightens her posture and with some quick hand signs, she communicates her intention to Liu, who nods and makes ready to charge in. Once more, the lady begins vocalizing an uptempo melody, then rushes into the room, seeking cover between the big wheel and the northern drawbridge. Immediately, Liu follows suit. In one fluid motion and at a speed that defies his heavy armour, he runs up to the northern ledge, bounds over the chasm in one mighty leap with his weapon raised high over his head, bringing it down on the nearest skeleton as he lands on the far side.


Round 8

Yin:
* Triple Time
* Stride to S11
* Take Cover (AC should now be 24)

Liu:
* Stride to R9
* Leap to R5
* Strike skeleton on Q3
Attack roll 1d20+11
Damage 2d10+4 Slashing
if Critical, increase damage by 2d10 and move the skeleton off the ledge to Q2

[Firechanter]

[Apparently I'm too dumb to use the die roller]


Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1] Slashing
if Critical, increase damage by [roll2] and move Skeleton off the ledge to Q2


Oh great, I guess I missed.

[Zman]

Yin takes cover behind the great wheel, finding herself nearly hidden from the opposing archers...

With uncanny speed and an impressive and mighty leap Liu is able to clear the gulf not intended to be lept. Though the landing sent his strike wide...


Skeletons

The two skeletons nearest Liu drop their bows to draw scimitars and stride fowards the formidable warrior... despite their lack of sill one manages to for Liu on the back step...

The other two archers continue to rhythmically knock arrows and loose them towards Yin... the arrows fill the air over her should and she hears the solid thunk on one that would hav found purchase in her had she not been sheltered behind the great wheel...


Miss! Make sure you don't preview or try and edit in rolls.

Skeleton 1(3) Attacking Liu
Free: Drop Shortbow
Action 1: Draw Scimitar
Action 2: Step
Action 3: Scimitar Attack [roll0] vs AC22
Damage [roll1] Critical [roll2]
Hit for 3 Damage


Skeleton 2(3) Attacking Liu
Free: Drop Shortbow
Action 1: Draw Scimitar
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Scimitar Flank Attack [roll3] vs AC22(-2)
Damage [roll4] Critical [roll5]

Edit:Made a mistake, Flake is exact opposites, not opposite 3. Results are the same, one dies to AoO, the other makes a strike that hits.


Skeleton 3(6) Attacking Yin
Action 1: Shortbow Attack [roll6] vs AC20(+4)
Damage [roll7] Critical [roll8][roll9]
Action 2: Shortbow Attack [roll10] vs AC20(+4)
Damage [roll11] Critical [roll12][roll13]
Action 3: Shortbow Attack [roll14] vs AC20(+4)
Damage [roll15] Critical [roll16][roll17]

Skeleton 4(6) Attacking Yin
Action 1: Shortbow Attack [roll18] vs AC20(+4)
Damage [roll19] Critical [roll20][roll21]
Action 2: Shortbow Attack [roll22] vs AC20(+4)
Damage [roll23] Critical [roll24][roll25]
Action 3: Shortbow Attack [roll26] vs AC20(+4)
Damage [roll27] Critical [roll28][roll29]

Round 9!

[Firechanter]

Liu, seeing how the skeletons try to outflank him, lashes out his Moonblade in a wide arc at the approaching skeleton to the right to stop it from doing that.


Liu (still Round 8):
Attack of Opportunity! vs right skeleton: [roll0]
Damage [roll1] Slashing,
if Crit add [roll2] and move skeleton to R4

[Firechanter]

Liu nods satisfied as the bones of the skeleton collapse and scatter over the floor.

Yin, seeing how she might be stuck in this spot a while, draws and raises her shield, then changes her tune to a measured, martial sounding tune that reverberates off the walls.

Liu then proceeds to bring his blade around in one fluid motion, attempting to bisect the other skeleton that so futilely tried to lash out at him.


Yin:
* Ready Shield
* Raise Shield
Edit: retconned to
* Triple Time

Liu:
* Attack skeleton [roll0]
Damage [roll1]
if Crit add [roll2] and knock off the ledge

[remaining Actions pending outcome of first attack]

[Zman]

The skeleton is struck down before it can enter range... and a split second later Liu strikes down the second...


And I just learned how reach affects AoOs, haha. Nasty! He should have just stepped right up and avoided the flank position.

Skeleton 2 and Skeleton 1 are dead. Again.

Yin, Raise Shield with the spell is just casting the cantrip, those are one action, not two. So she had one more.

Yin and Liu each have a remaining action on Round 9

[Firechanter]

Satisfied with the outcome of his murderous Sweep, Liu somersaults backwards right back to the main platform and quickly moves to take cover from the skeletons on the far side behind the great wheel.


Yin actually readies her metal shield; I should have been more clear about that.
In case she gets hit, she uses
Reaction: Shield Block

Liu, remaining Actions:
2: Leap to R9
3: Stride to R11

[Zman]

As Liu effortlessly bounds over the gulf once more he moves to Yin who is still tucked behind the shelter of the great wheel...

Skeletons

The two remaining shambling skeletons reach back into their dwindling quivers to loose more arrows as the leaping man...


S3(9) Attacks Liu vs AC22(+2)
Attack: Ranged Strike [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] Critical [roll2][roll3]
Attack: Ranged Strike [roll4]
Damage: [roll5] Critical [roll6][roll7]
Attack: Ranged Strike [roll8] *-4
Damage: [roll9] Critical [roll10][roll11]

S4(9) Attacks Liu vs AC22(+2)
Attack: Ranged Strike [roll12]
Damage: [roll13] Critical [roll14][roll15]
Attack: Ranged Strike [roll16]
Damage: [roll17] Critical [roll18][roll19]
Attack: Ranged Strike [roll20]*-4
Damage: [roll21] Critical [roll22][roll23]

All misses. No Nat 20 crits by the skeletons, forturnate!

Round 10!

[Firechanter]

Yin and Liu look and quickly nod at each other. They simultaneously break cover and advance. Yin, however, does so cautiously with her shield raised, only attempting to draw some attention away from her partner.

Liu Xing moves on the repeat the same strategy as before. He rushes out of cover, on to the ledge, leaps across in a great powerful bound, his weapon raised high, attemping to cleave the bone-man in half from top to bottom, in an effort to honour his name.


Yin
* Triple Time
* Raise Shield (metal)
* Stride to S15
<> Reaction: if Hit, Shield Block

Liu
* Stride to Q16
* Leap to Q20
* Attack skeleton at Q22. Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1], If Crit plus [roll2] and move skelly off the platform.

If an enemy Provokes,
<> Reaction: Attack of Opportunity roll [roll3]
Damage [roll4], If Crit plus [roll5] and if possible move skelly off the platform.

[Zman]

Liu makes another mighty leap landing with the full force behind his blow crushing the skeleton under it... in one seamless motion he gurns and brings the reach of the blade horizontally through the approaching foe sundering it in half as it collapses in a heap of bone fragments, the magical cohesion holding them together broken...


Kill and Kill on the AoO

End of Round 10!

[Firechanter]

Again accompanied by the satisfying clatter of smashed bones, Liu ends his kata with a flourish and looks around. Now that the immediate threats have been cleared, it is time to look for treasure.

"Look over there, on those pillars!" he calls. "I'm not sure what they are, but they look worth having."
"I'm on it!" smiles Yin.


what do the numbers on the map mean -- 19', 14', 10', 15'? Deep, high, far? ^^
Are the pillars 15' higher than the bottom, or relative to the platform level?

What does the legend on the Wheel mean -- "DC19(15)x3(-2/-2) DC15(11)d6Prone" ?

If Yin tried to leap over to the platform, obviously falling a bit short, what is the DC to Grab the Ledge? Can Liu assist her / catch her?

And do I read that right, you could cut the Drawbridge chains by damaging them enough to make 1 Dent? So basically 9 damage in one shot? Or 18?

I see so many possibilities to get to the loot, would love to play around a bit if we weren't on the clock. ^^

Oh! And what are the tingies at AB3 / AB21?

[Firechanter]

"Come back here, and get over there to the exit. Have a look at that door, looks sturdy!", Yin calls over to Liu. "I'll handle the flasks. All easy."
Continuing her song, she strides over to the corner and measures the distance of their bounty. Satisfied with the result, she prepares to cast a spell.

Meanwhile, Liu again bounds back over to the main platform, swiftly moves over to the ledge next to the big drawbridge, and again jumps over with a great leap.

As soon as her companion has cleared the distance, Yin breaks off her song, finishes the spell she was preparing, and suddenly the blue flask slowly rises from its pillar, hovering over to her beckoning hand.

Liu looks over the door with a disapproving smirk. Breaking it open seemed all but impossible, and just from a casual layman's glance, the four sturdy locks looked like they might put Yin's lockpicking skills out of her depth. "Here goes nothing", he sighed. "Better hope that it's not magical, too." With these words, he hefted his weapon and swung, determined to let the blade reinforced by Rune Magic simply slice through the thick iron.

With an ear-tearing screech, the Moonblade bites into the door.


(I hope I'm not overstepping when I interpret the map that the door is the next obstacle.)

Round 11

Yin:
* Triple Time
* Stride to V16
* nothing

[I assume that you can split spellcasting actions over two rounds. If that's not the case, there's little Yin can do with her 3rd Action this round. The somatic component shouldn't interfere with her Inspiration either way.]

Liu:
* Leap back to Q16
* Stride to V14 (30')
* Leap to Z13

Round 12:
Yin:
** Cast Mage Hand (Verbal Component) and move the flask to V17
* Pick up the flask

Liu:
** Power Attack the door
Attack Roll, if necessary: [roll0]
Damage: [roll]3d10+4[/url] ; add [roll1] if Crit is applicable.

[Last Action pending; probably gonna forfeit it, unless I can start preparing a second Power Attack]

[Firechanter]

[Grrr mistyped the /Roll tag]

[roll0]

[Zman]

Whilst Yin dances her way to edge nearest one of the pillars Liu perfoms a succession of mighty leaps clearing the gulf to the platform before the reinforced door... Liu sets himself and delivers a mighty ringing blow to the door as Yin performs a casting and the potions slowly crosses the gulf to her. She reaches out and grabs it.


Round 11 Moving

Round 12 Lie Deals 1 Dent to the door(PS it isn't four locks, just takes four success on an expert lock) You don't have to roll to hit a door, nor can you crit. Liu has one action left. And Yin will just move the potion to V17 and grab it. Liu can just make another attack.

Rules question: Can you grab an unattended item in a neighboring square, or do you have to be in the same square as it?

[Firechanter]

Liu assesses the damage his first strike did. "Definitely making some headway", he thinks, as he spits into his hands and gathers momentum for another swing.
Another, less considerable clash of metal on metal rang through the hall.
"Can you knock it off already?" Yin yells over.
"Sorry, Love" Liu smirks after his second strike. "You can't make a Fu Yong without breaking eggs."

Yin snickers, happily stows the potion, momentarily flinching as another terrible ringing screech reverberates off the walls.
She then proceeds to stride over to the corner near the other pillar, accompanied by another screech.


Liu (last action of Round 12)
* regular Attack on door for [roll0] damage.

Round 13
Yin
* Stow potion
* Stride
* Stride to V9

Liu
** Power Attack for [roll1] damage
* Attack for [roll2] damage

[I'll just proceed to write the next round, I suppose.]

[Firechanter]

Liu scowls at the progress he is making -- every other blow seems to just glance off harmlessly.
After another set of heavy attack and backswing, he seemed to be almost there, at least.
Meanwhile, Yin summons another ghostly hand and retrieves the second potion in the same fashion as before.


Yin
** Mage Hand, Move 20 ft
* grab Potion

Liu
** Power Attack [roll0]
* Attack [roll1]

--
(Oh as for your rules question -- well since you can grab a creature in an adjacent square, I suppose the same should be possible for unattended objects. ^^)

Round 15 coming up

[Firechanter]

Second potion in hand, Yin happily starts humming a frolicking tune. She turns around to find a good spot to jump from, and leaps.

Just as she lands, Liu smashes once more at the stubborn door to pieces with a powerful swing, but to no avail.
"Ask any Fighter." he grins, visibly full of himself. "A hammer is a just a really heavy set of lockpicks."

"What did you even get? Anything good?" He then asks.
"Some pretty good curative potions." She replies. "And I have a hunch we may be in need of them before long."

"Well, good timing at any rate. Time to get this over with"


[Now I just hope that the roll will be good enough to validate my narrative. ^^ Otherwise I'll edit.]

Yin
* Triple Time
* Stride to V11
* Leap 15' to Y12

Liu
** Power Attack [roll0]

Edit: fixed.

[Firechanter]

"ARGH! I don't believe it!"

Yin changes her tune, apparently to egg on her companion.
Liu smashes again.

Finally, the terrible door gives way and collapses with a loud crash.
Grunting, Liu marches through to the hall beyond.


Yin
* Inspire Courage
* Stow potion
* Stow shield

Liu
** Power Attack [roll0]
* Stride to AC13

[Firechanter]

"So, this is what they call 'The Pitted Hallway'?" Yin asked. "I don't quite see what's so special about it."
"Well, just a couple of hops, I reckon." answered Liu, already standing on the edge of the first pit, peering down. "The pits aren't very deep, and I don't see any spikes on the bottom or anything. Shouldn't be much trouble."
Yin resumed humming her merry tune, and with that, the two Adventurers proceded to negotiate the passage, bounding over increasingly wider gaps with what seemed no effort at all. In fact, Liu in particular seemed to float across the mini-chasms as if suspended on a wire, as long as he heard his companion's lovely song.

Liu was the first to corner the bend, revealing yet another pit -- but no wider than what he had already traversed four times today already. Unabashed he jumped that as well, eager to approach the door at the far end of the corridor. Only when he arrived here, he waited up for Yin, whose bounds didn't carry her quite as far and arrived at the last pit a few seconds later.

"Stay there, dear" he signed back towards her, adding their symbol for "archery". Yin nodded in understanding, readying her bow and nocking an arrow, but continuing her melody.
"Now for that door", Liu muttered more to himself. "Which way do you open?"


[I'm assuming these are all just regular pits, and the Climb Check referenced is what you need to do to get out in case you fall in. Please correct if I'm misinterpreting.]

Round 17
Yin
* Triple Time
* Stride to AC12
* Leap to AF12

Liu
* Leap to AG13
* Leap to AK13
* Step to AL14

Round 18
Yin
* Triple Time
* Step to AF13
* Leap to AJ13

Liu
* Leap to AL18
* Stride to AL20
- Wait

Round 19
Yin
* Triple Time
* Stride to AK14
* Ready Bow

Liu
<Actions Pending>

Q: I'm assuming this is an unbarred door like at N12/13. Does it open to the outside or inside (i.e. north or south)?


If the door opens to the inside,
* Liu pushes it open.
If it opens to the outside, I have something different in mind. ^^

[Zman]

The two challengers make short work of the physical obstacle course in front of them, often making the physical challenges that could trouble lessor men and women. With both potions in hand Yin watched Liu strike the final door and bust open the Stubborn Door. It swung wide open to reveal a pit filled hallway ending in a sharp right turn. The couple bound over them effortless, carried swiftly by Yin's machinations.

Yin stopped short of the final pit, drawing her bow as Liu waited in front of the wooden door. The door was identical to the previous one, simple wood and likely to spring open without much effort. Though, unlike the last, this one is covered in frost.

With a heavy the doors springs wide open into the room, banging against the walls... the rooms is maybe thirty feet square. In each corner of the room stands a grotesque looking statue... There is a patch of ice located just inside the door...


Bottom of Turn 19, Door are open, four statues located in the room, one in each corner. I'll update a new map when I get a chance.

Liu has two actions left.




With a heave the door spring wide open into the room, banging against the walls... in the center of the room stands a white scaly beast the size of a sturdy war horse. But this one is winged, and the air freezes and frosts in contact with its frigid breath... The only thing standing between the challengers and the monstrosity is a patch of glare ice...


Bottom of Round 19, Door are open, Young White Dragon is in front of you. Liu has two actions remaining.

Edit: Oh, forgot the Frightful Presence DC18
Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) A creature that
enters the area must attempt a Will save. It’s frightened 1 on
a success, unaffected on a critical success, frightened 2 on a
failure, or frightened 3 and fleeing for 1 round on a critical failure.
After a creature attempts its save, it’s bolstered.

[Firechanter]

"They have a dragon! This is insane!" Liu exclaims, eyes widened and with disbelief in his voice.


Frightful Presence saves
Yin [roll0]
Liu [roll1]

[Zman]

The sight of the dragon strikes fear in the heart of even the mightiest warriors...


Both are Frightened 1

PS Your inbox is full.

[Firechanter]

"Well, here goes nothing" Liu thought to himself. But he would sure sell his hide as dearly as possible. For the first time in this arena, defeat appeared as a very real possibility.

With a suspicious glance at the icy sheet ahead of him, he tries to take what cover he can from the door frame, and with a word of power raises a force barrier around himself.
He steadies himself, adjusts the grip on his Moonblade and faces the icy lizard with fresh resolve.


Liu:
2: Take Cover
3: cast Shield

End of Turn: Reduce Frightened state by 1 -> no longer Frightened

[Zman]

Dragon

Upon seeing the terrible sight Liu hooks the bouncing door, using it for cover against what he fears is to come... the beast does not disappoint, it rears back and exhales a cone of frigid air which crystallizes the small amount of water in the air....


I'll let you use the door for cover with the action in this case, seems reasonable to me.

Dragon
Action 1 and 2: Dragon Breath [roll0] Cold Damage. DC20 Reflex Save
Use Breath Again in [roll1]Rounds

Action 3 Pending
Roll your save and let me know if you will be using your Shield Block Reaction. Note, the circumstance bonus from Taking Cover and the Shield do not stack. The door is going to take the damage and will be shattered and splintered by the cold.

[Firechanter]

Reflex Save [roll0]

edit: looks good. ^^ I'll happily let the door take the damage, though.

[Zman]

With quick reflexes, Liu is able to spare himself the brunt of the blast if frigid air... the door shatters in the cold as the dragon lumbers forward, apparently unphased by the glare ice below it...


Dragon strides to AK20-AL21

You’ll get an AoO if you want it. ;)

Round 20

[Firechanter]

Watching the heavy door crumbling to dust right before his eyes, Liu thanked the Maker for not having received the icy storm into his own face. As the dragon then lumbers forward to go toe to clawed toe with the warrior, Liu brings his long-hafted Moonblade about in a desparate attempt to stop the beast in its tracks.

Attack Roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]
Crit [roll2] and push back 5ft

[Zman]

Despite a well timed strike the large beast is unrelenting...


Hit

Round 20

[Firechanter]

The two adventurers quickly try to compose themselves, desperately trying to figure out how to take on the terrible winged beast. Well, who knows, those wings might not be terribly useful in the confined quarters of this hallway. But they also knew that time was of the essence.

Yin changes the pitch of her melody, now sounding more brazen. Bow still in hand, she spreads her arms, takes aim just beside the balancing beam traversing the pit, and leaps to the far side. She does fall short, but barely so, and to the observers behind the magic screens it would be obvious that this was no mishap, but carefully planned. With her free hand, she grabs the ledge of the corridor and pulls herself up in one fluid motion.


Yin
* Inspire Courage
* Leap to AK18 [or AL18 in case the beam is too bothersome, same distance either way]
<>Reaction: Grab Ledge /w Rapid Mantel (Acrobatics DC12) [roll0]
3rd Action pending

[Firechanter]

She drops her bow, letting it come to rest clattering on the ledge, and out of her garments draws what appears to be a silken belt, its seemingly harmless appearence belied by a sharp crack cutting the air as she twirls the white band with a flourish.

Without turning around, Liu Xing notices the source of the brazen melody come closer, neither flinching when the crack of the silken whip resounded off the walls. With new resolve, he whirls around his polearm, gathering momentum before guiding it towards the monster's neck with a terrible blow. With a satisfying crunch, the heavy blade briefly buries itself in the creature's scales.
In the next moment, he leaps backwards, pulling free his blade in flight and landing right next to Yin, who has now assumed a close combat stance.


Yin
Free: Drop Bow [yes, I do wonder myself if we will ever see an arrow released from it]
3: Interact (Draw Whip)

Liu:
** Intimidating Strike [roll0], Dmg [roll1]
Target Frightened 1 and Flat-Footed
* Leap to AL18 (or AK18 depending on where Yin had to go)

[Zman]

Yin's acrobatics are nearly flawless despite her inability to span the large chasm... Liu's wicked flourish find's purchase on the dragons hide causing it to step to its back foot, eyes wide, for a splite second.

Dragon

The scaly beast steps forward, more cautiously than before. With a heave of its body and a great flap of its wings its slams itself down onto the ground, using the moment to step further forward... Yin is sure on her fee, but Liu is taken off guard and falls...


Actino 1: Step to AK/AL20
Action 2: Slam
Acrobatics Check DC20 or [roll0] Bludgeoning Damage
Yin [roll1] Success
Liu [roll2] Failure 8 Damage and Prone
Free Step to AK/AL19

Action 3: Pending

[Zman]

Dragon

Capitalizing on Liu's fall, the dragon snaps at him with ice sharp teeth...


Attacks Liu AC: 22(-2)
Action 3: Melee Strike Jaws [roll0] Damage:[roll1] Piercing [roll2] Cold Critical:[roll3] Piercing [roll4] Cold
Hit: 21 Damage

Turn 21!

[Firechanter]

Two things:
1. afaik a Step is also just 5' for Large creatures, so he'll have to Stride, which should buy me an AoO
2. Seeing how this seems to be Falling damage, won't Liu's Cat Fall feat help mitigate that? (basically he treats Falls as 10' shorter, I think that is actually... 2d6. ;)

[Firechanter]

Grunting, Liu tries to regain his footing.
"Good, good" he utters between gnashing teeth. "We have made him nervous." He gives Yin an almost imperceptible nod.

Yin quickly spread her arms out and up, sped up the pace of her tune to a staccato, and... proceeded with a cartwheel in the dragon's direction.

Yin:
* Triple Time (Move Speed 40)
* Tumble Through (Acrobatics [roll0])

[Firechanter]

Not finding the right angle the first time, she tries again, this time with a flicflac.

come on cross your fingers for me...

Acrobatics [roll0]

[Firechanter]

Liu realized that this was to no avail. He jumps back up to his feet, lashes out rather hastily and unceremoniously at the dragon again...
...and with even that blow missing, he hisses a few syllables in their native language at Yin, and leaps backward again in the direction they came from. Apparently, it was time for a tactical retreat.

Argh!
Entire turn wasted...
Well now my chances have just rapidly diminished, I reckon.

Liu
* Stand Up
* Strike [roll0] [roll1]
* Leap to AL14

[Zman]

Dragon

The dragon snapped after Liu as he leapt away before turning its vicious toothy maw towards Yin followed by a deft tail strike and razor claws... the assault was too much for her as she fell to tooth and claw...


Vs Yin AC:20
Action 1: Melee Attack Jaw [roll0] Damage: [roll1] Cold[roll2] Critical: [roll3] Cold[roll4] Critical: 35 *Breath Recharged
Action 2: Frenzy
Melee Attack Tail [roll5] Damage: [roll6]Critical: [roll7] Hit: 11
Melee Attack Claw [roll8] Damage: [roll9]Critical: [roll10] Hit: 14
Melee Attack Claw [roll11] Damage: [roll12]Critical: [roll13]

Yin is Down

Turn 22

[Firechanter]

"No!" Liu roars in frustriation as he whirls around.
Yin had collapsed from the onslaught of the overpowering attacks. But then, something stirred in her. She struggled to her knees, then to her feet again. Liu let out a brief sigh of relief.
The girl then went back the way she came, leaping over the chasm, pulling herself up on the ledge, and cornering the bend.

"Alright, it's enough!", Liu yelled to unseen watchers. "We forfeit. You hear me, we forfeit."

Yin uses Hero Point. Regains 1HP
Get up, Leap+Mantel, Move

Well, honestly, that went pretty much exactly as I expected. A shame, would have liked to test the system against level-appropriate challenges.

[Firechanter]

Yin was about to call out a warning not to open the suspicious doors too hastily, but not quite in time. She watched Liu pushing it open, pausing for a second, then peering inside ever so carefully, without treading on the presumably slippery threshold. He then briefly turned around and, with a slight smirk, said
"Statues. Tell me, love, have we ever come across a statue that did _not_ come alive or started spitting firebolts?" With that, he beckoned Yin to join up to him. If his suspicions were correct, the statues would be programmed to animate either when someone stepped into the room - which would be good - or triggered by the opening of the door itself. Typically, they would also be programmed not to leave the room.

He beckoned Yin to join up to him, well aware that her bow would make little impact, literally, on what the room probably held in store for them.


Just realized you changed the description already.
Hm, been meaning to Ready a Strike in case anything approaches so I could combine it with an AoO; that tactic works well in 3E, but here again I had to realize both Ready and AoO eat your Reaction -- bleh.
I'll go to bed now and think of a turn until tomorrow. Maybe just leap in and out again and see what happens. ^^

[Firechanter]

Suspiciously, Liu changes his stance, now holding his Moonblade with the blade pointing diagonally downward, as if he was spear-fishing. If the statues triggered on opening the door, he'd try to stop them in their tracks.


** Ready Action:
if Hostile enters Reach, Trip it

[Zman]

As Liu readies his blade in anticipation, nothing happens... the grotesque statues remain unmoving. As unmoving as his readied reflection in the ice beyond the door...


Turn 20!

[Firechanter]

Yin complies with Liu's beckon and proceeds to move up to the front line. She spreads her arms, takes aim just beside the balancing beam traversing the pit, and leaps to the far side. She does fall short, but barely so, and to the observers behind the magic screens it would be obvious that this was no mishap, but carefully planned. With her free hand, she grabs the ledge of the corridor and pulls herself up in one fluid motion. Holstering her bow, she continues forward.

Liu nods to himself, satisfied that the statues do not seem to be triggered by the door itself. Well, if they would anymate at all -- as unconventional as it might sound, maybe those were really just regular ornaments. He carefully surveys the floor and measures the distance, then with a mighty leap he jumps well across the glare ice, landing on solid ground near the center of the room. With a wide swing he strikes out at the nearest statue, then immediately retreats to where he came from with another somersault.


Yin
* Leap + Rapid Mantel
* Stow Bow
* Stride to AK20

Liu
* Leap to AM23
* Strike at Statue in NE corner
Attack [roll0] [if at all necessary, if the statue is inert anyway]
Damage [roll1] Crit [roll2]
* Leap to AL20


Man, it's really annoying how changing weapons eats into your actions. It will basically be 2 rounds until Yin can meaningfully participate, but I don't want to just wait and wait.

[Zman]

Yin's acrobatics do not go unnoticed, the grace and efficiency in which the contender's navigated the obstacles was something to watch... Liu leapt into the room, past the ice to strike at one of the twisted statues, sparks snapt off it as he nicks the stone...

As he leaps back the statue in the southwest corner of the room springs to life, gnarled wings unfolding from its back as it springs into the air...


See next Post



[roll0]

[roll1]

[Zman]

Gargoyle

The living statue lifts into the air and closes the distance to Yin and Liu... lashing out with its sharp talons and teeth...


Attack Liu AC22
Action 1: Fly 5' up, forward.
Action 2: Melee Strike Jaws [roll0] Damage [roll1] Critical [roll2] Hit: 16 Damage
Action 3: Melee Strike Claws [roll3] Damage [roll4] Critical [roll5] Hit: 14 Damage

Liu will get his AoO. Though, I think technically you can move diagonal into an adjacent square. As a DM that seems underhanded and wouldn't let players or monsters claim it.

And yes, it does suck wen you have to spend actions for switching weapons etc. Though, dropping one is free, drawing another is only a single Action.

Reaction then Round 21

Total 30 damage taken Edit: Man those damage rolls were way above average.

[Firechanter]

Surprised at the statue taking flight - he hadn't expected that - Liu momentarily braces his weapon, attempting to skewer the Gargoyle.


Attack [roll0]
Dmg [roll]2d10+4]
if Crit [roll1] and push back 5ft

[Firechanter]

Damage [roll0]

This seems to have been a Crit. Does me moving the Gargoyle interrupt its own movement? Then it'd have to start a new action to approach again.

[Firechanter]

Shocked at the terrible slashes and bites meted out by the monster, Liu jumps to her companion's side. She lets out a sharp trill, then jumps into the air aiming a high kick at the Gargoyle, intended not to harm but disturb its balance.


Yin
* Inspire Courage
* Assist [roll0]

Edit: the dice hate me.

[Firechanter]

With a desparate slash, Liu swings his blade upward to get the nasty bugger out of his face.


Yin:
* Leap backwards 2 squares

Liu:
* Strike [roll0] Dmg [roll1] Crit [roll2] Move back 5 ft

The dice hate me.

[Firechanter]

With a frustrated howl, Liu uses his weapon's momentum to swing back and bring about a second, hasty swing at the monster. That also narrowly missing, he leaps back to the ledge and braces for another assault.


* Strike [roll]2d10+5 (Crit +Shove)
* Leap to AL18

seriously, I don't BELIEVE it!
My RNG is clogged. Need to shake it free.
[roll]1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
1d20
#§$*%!GRRRR

[Zman]

As the hideous stone-beast approached Liu's backhanded blow sent it skittering backwards before it renewed its assault... taken off balance by the horrid onslaught Liu's next handful of blows glance off stonelike flesh even aided as they were by his ally's distraction...

Gargoyle

Having pressed its foes back to the ledge it advances more... more cautiously this time it flys forward free of the ice before taking its feet. It is nearly the size of a man, each step forward careful of the reach of the biting moonblade...



Sorry, it happened in the middle of its move and does not end the move. If the creature has enough movement left in their stride, which the Gargoyle does, it can keep going.

Solid hit on the reaction

Action 1: Fly
Action 2: Step
Action 3: Jaws vs Liu AC 22 [roll0] Damage [roll1] Hit: 18 Damage... Seriously, only 1 short of Max?!

Turn 22

[Firechanter]

This time, Yin circles around the Gargoyle and moves into a Flanking position. Then Liu tries to exploit any openings she might create.

Yin
* Inspire Courage
* Assist [roll0]
* Stride to AL20

Liu
* Strike [roll1] (plus possibly +2 or +4 depending on the outcome of the Assist)
I'll just hold off rolling damage until I actually hit.

[Firechanter]

Damage [roll0]

So, does the bastard still stand?


Note how as you roll max damage 3 times in a row, I roll near min damage. :6

For the record, I just retraced my last ten D20 rolls:
6, 8, 2, 1, 18, 7, 2, 13, 11, 7

That's an average of 7.5. That is _exactly_ why I hate overly random systems with coin-toss probabilities. I am not lucky with coin tosses.

[Zman]

Yin offers words of encouragement as she flanks around the hideous living statue... her aid is more than enough and his blade scores another shallow wounds across the monstrosity... his blade just doesn't bite as deep as it should on a creature of flesh and bone...


Liu has two actions left on Turn 22

The Gargoyle does not appear bloodied yet.



Yeah, that was a pretty bad run of dice. But in the end, over the course of thousands of rolls you'll be dead on the average. ;)

[Firechanter]

The Gargoyle does not appear bloodied yet.


Wait, what? I did 32 and 12 damage to it, how can it still have >50% Health?

--

The problem with the die roll randomness is that they did even out... just you got the good ones, I got the terrible ones. I suppose Liu will fall over on the next gust of wind.
They won't even out for me after 1000s of rolls, not in this system anyway. I hate that kind of Snakes & Ladders game.

[Zman]

Sorry about that, I take all of the damage from the crit, when I updated the spreadsheet I only saw the half and then the second hit. It has 8HP left.

Carry on.

There is risk and reward with the die roll. There are other systems with less randomness, but on some level the uncertainty and risk are part of the suspense and fun. The dice will even out for you after thousands of rolls, perceived unluckiness is no match for the laws of probability.

[Firechanter]

With bolstered resolve, Liu brings about his Moonblade in a wide arc, gathering momentum as if he were about to cut through a metal door.


Time for another coin flip, I guess.
Modifiers included: +1 IC, +2 Flanking, +2 Assist

** Power Attack [roll0]

Edit:
Ah, forget it. I'm outta here.
(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
RAGEQUIT

[Zman]

Gargoyle

After being bitten again and seeing no threat from the smaller adversary it presses its attack with tooth and claw... but despite having its foe near death it was unable to land the final strike...


Your first attack should have been the power attack, it would have killed it.

Vs Liu AC22
Action 1: Step
Action 2: Melee Strike Jaws [roll0] Damage [roll1] Critical [roll2] Miss
If Liu is still standing
Action 3: Melee Strike Claws [roll3] Damage [roll4] Critical [roll5] +1 Agile Miss
If Liu is down
Action 3: Step

Round 23



What it boils down to is this is a high to severe difficult solo boss. Success is not guaranteed. You're rolling poorly and your team build puts a lot of emphasis into one character's attacks. You have rolled poorly. The monster has rolled well. This is the expected result when that happens. That is how a High to Severe threat encounter should be able to go.


High-threat encounters are a true threat to the
characters, though unlikely to overpower them
completely. Characters usually need to use sound tactics
and manage their resources wisely to come out of a highthreat encounter ready to continue on to face a harder
challenge without resting.

Severe-threat encounters are the hardest encounters
most groups of characters can consistently defeat, and
as such they are most appropriate for major encounters,
such as with a fnal boss. Bad luck, tactics, or a lack of
resources due to prior encounters can easily turn a severethreat encounter against the characters, and a wise group
keeps the option to disengage open.

Edit: Well, well, well, looks like those dice are returning towards the mean after all. ;)