Sep 17, 2026 4:49 pm
Sora will not choose to take the AoO. No sense in provoking someone who is fighting against the owlbear.
Chapter 4.3: Returning to Report
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Sep 18, 2026 1:19 am
Round three, completed.
Antonius gags a little but withstands the stench of the troglodyte. "Wee Jas preserve us!" Moving to place himself on the opposite side of the trog from the owlbear, the death cleric whips out with his mace and catches the troglodyte on the snout!
Wayne takes 4 bludgeoning damage!
All caution gone in her terror, Annie the bandit archer steps away from Sora, scooping up her bow, nocks an arrow, and looses it at the owlbear.
The owlbear takes 5 piercing damage!
Wayne the troglodyte attacks Kazzak. Is it trying to take the dwarf alive, as Devon had instructed, or is it just out for his blood? Probably it wants to kill him, but in its grief and rage, it is unable to land a solid blow.
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda (-6), Devon Dead
18 - Morton (8/15) to the east of the encounter, just north of the Road
18 - Owlbear (-39) in the Road
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-1)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne (-11), and Willie Dead
Antonius gags a little but withstands the stench of the troglodyte. "Wee Jas preserve us!" Moving to place himself on the opposite side of the trog from the owlbear, the death cleric whips out with his mace and catches the troglodyte on the snout!
Wayne takes 4 bludgeoning damage!
All caution gone in her terror, Annie the bandit archer steps away from Sora, scooping up her bow, nocks an arrow, and looses it at the owlbear.
The owlbear takes 5 piercing damage!
Wayne the troglodyte attacks Kazzak. Is it trying to take the dwarf alive, as Devon had instructed, or is it just out for his blood? Probably it wants to kill him, but in its grief and rage, it is unable to land a solid blow.
OOC:
This ends round three.21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda (-6), Devon Dead
18 - Morton (8/15) to the east of the encounter, just north of the Road
18 - Owlbear (-39) in the Road
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-1)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne (-11), and Willie Dead
Rolls
Annie bow attack on owlbear, piercing damage - (1d20+3, 1d6+1)
1d20+3 : (18) + 3 = 21
1d6+1 : (4) + 1 = 5
Sep 18, 2026 1:29 am
Round Four
(this is preceded by round three, followed by round five)
"I'll handle the beast," Ben the bandit yells, "You take care of these assassins!"
Kazzak ends Wayne the troglodyte with a thrust to the heart.
Wayne takes 11 damage and dies!
"Look out!" No stranger to dark intent, Morton caught the meaning behind Ben's words. That, and the bandit referred to Berthold as 'an assassin' once already. "They're going to attack us next!" Demogorgon, the Fiend that looks out on the world through his eyes, sends a bubbling froth of eldritch power coursing through the half-elf, which Morton expels through his outstretched hand...at the owlbear this time. Sure, the bandits were talking about killing them, but the beast just ate a woman's head!
But the Fiend also finds entertainment in Morton's distress. The blast of demonic foulness does no more than irritate the monster.
Irritated and in considerable pain from its various puncture wounds, the owlbear rears up on its hind legs and snaps its toothy maw at the closest thing that harmed it: Ben the bandit. "ARGH!" the man yells as the monster takes a chunk out of his side.
Ben takes 11 piercing damage!
But the owlbear is still confused as to the location of its challenger. It heard the horn again nearby, but when it followed that sound before, there were only all these little creatures attacking it, rather than a rival. The smell of brimstone attracts it; it turns and lopes to the southeast and stops, sniffing.
Despite his wound, Ben slices at the monster as it turns its back and moves away.
The owlbear takes 7 slashing damage!
The owlbear turns and swipes a claw at the source of the foul smell: Morton, taking the warlock across the face!
Morton takes 13 slashing damage and falls, dying!
Sora bounds over Wanda's body and runs alongside the wagon, past the skittish oxen, hopping over Aaron's corpse, and Dashes between Ben the bandit and Berthold. The bandit has just slashed at the owlbear as it retreats; he does not attack the monk that follows the beast. Sora catches up to the monster as it pauses to slash the half-elf. Morton is dying nearby.
Amnestria pushes through the undergrowth and hunkers down behind the tree stump where the dead kobold, Ken, lies. She casts a Fire Bolt, lingering on the final syllable, Ready to send it flying at the first enemy to attack the party.
She doesn't have to wait long. Kobold Karl moves to take cover from Dell behind a tree and looses an arrow at Kazzak; the missile spangs off of the dwarf's shield. Amnestria's burst of flame scorches the bark above its head; it gives a little yelp of surprise and fear.
"You won't get us all, backstabbers!" Ben swipes at Berthold with his sword, but his aim if off as he steps away to pursue the owlbear. Coming up behind Sora, he stabs at the monk with his dagger, but she hears him coming and twists out of the way. "This was our job!" Stepping between the monk and dying Morton, Ben the bandit slashes at the owlbear with his sword. "Some days everything just goes wrong!"
The owlbear takes 8 slashing damage and gives a keening wail of pain; the accumulated little wounds are taking their toll!
"Fool!" Berthold scolds, "That beast is our foe, not each other!"
"You attacked us." Ben the bandit looks over his shoulder as he skips out of reach of the owlbear's claws. "It seems to me like you're all foes."
"Hold!" Antonius calls, his voice carrying across the road. "Enough! Lower your weapons. The beast is the immediate threat. We are no assassins, just misunderstandings between us." His eyes narrow. "But if you attack one of mine again, I will answer."
"It sounds like you want to stop fighting." Ben retorts. "I'm willing to consider it, if you will accept a compromise. We stop when one of yours is dead for every one of mine that you killed."
Berthold steps up next to Sora as the owlbear is trying to crush the bandit. While the beast is distracted, the knight steps in under the heavy arm and stabs his sword up under its chin, where a neck would be on a normal creature. The blade sinks deep.
The owlbear takes 15 slashing damage and dies!
"Nice blow." Ben admits. "Now that the distraction is out of the way, what do you say to my offer?"
Having heard Ben and quick to respond before anyone else, Antonius raises his voice and calls across the Road, around the wagon and oxen, to the cluster of combatants clustered around the fallen great beast. "Death is not ours to trade. It belongs to Wee Jas. I will not barter one life for another simply because you demand a count. But there is something you can answer for. You were waiting here. Armed. Hidden. You surrounded that wagon and threatened its occupants. So tell me plainly: Who chose this place for the ambush? How long had you been watching the wagon? How did you know it would pass this road? And what were you expecting to take from them?" Antonius’ eyes narrow, and in the pause, Ben mutters Berthold: "Does he always talk so much?" Not hearing this, Antonius continues: "Because this was no chance encounter. You came prepared for these travelers. So tell me — who told you they were coming, and why were you sent to intercept them? Answer those questions, and perhaps we can stop adding bodies to this road."
There is a moment of silence as Ben the bandit pauses for a moment, then starts. "Oh! Are you done? I wasn't sure you were done talking. You seem to be confused about how the life of a highwayman works. There isn't a grand plan; we're trying to make ends meet because life has kicked us in the teeth, and sometimes people come along who have something we can use. We were ready to just take their supplies and leave them be, and they attacked us. And then you did, too."
"Listen to my friend," Berthold says sternly, "There is a narrow path you can all take, where the bloodshed ends now."
"Yes, I know." Ben nods sagely. "I just told you what it is. You just need to choose which one of you will die. That guy over there -" he gestures at Antonius, half seen on the other side of the wagon, "he's not willing to choose. By all rights, it should be you that dies." He points his bloody sword at Berthold. "Because you're the backstabber that killed my friend." He raises his voice. "But I'm being reasonable, and I'm letting you all choose. Which one will it be? Will it be him?" (still pointing at Berthold) "Or will it be her?" (he points at Sora) "Or maybe one of the others, like that guy in the trees?"
As if on cue, Dell moves out from behind the rock outcropping and steps smoothly, carefully down the slope, crackling through the underbrush, his bow drawn, aimed directly at Ben, and Ready to loose. "I would listen to my friends, bub, or you are the next to take an arrow."
"I am listening." Ben sighs. "Listening and talking. So much talking! But it seems like you are not listening to me. You see, I've given you a chance to stop this in a fair and just way. All you need to do is to choose one of you - just one! - that will die to balance the scales. Then we'd leave, satisfied (after we claim our share of the loot, of course). But not choosing which one of you will die is still making a choice. And that choice would be that ALL of you would die."
Antonius Readies Toll the Dead as he approaches cautiously, crossing the Road partway and reaching the ox team.
"I have given you my answer, and you have proven what kind of man you are. Hence I believe we are done." Antonius responds for the group. Then he calls out, hoping that the other bandits that he can't see are listening. "There is no need for you to be judged by Wee Jas, and you may go or join us. Whichever you wish?"
Annie the archer has heard the message from her leader, but she also can count, and is not as confident in her chances of survival. So first she runs into the trees, taking cover behind a bole, before nocking another arrow.
"Now you're trying to poach my people? That does it!" Ben growls, then raises his voice to repeat his earlier command about killing the assassins. "They've made their choice! Let 'em have it!"
Annie sees the armored wall that is Kazzak approaching; she draws and looses.
Kazzak takes 7 piercing damage!
Dell, hearing the grunt of pain, turns, sees his friend hurt, and looses his Readied attack on the bandit, but the arrow lodges into the tree trunk behind which Annie is hiding. Antonius, on the other side of the wagon, cannot see her to release his spell; he is focused on Ben, who surely will be attacking momentarily.
21 - Kazzak (5/12) on the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear Dead
14 - Sora (7/12) next to the dead owlbear
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) next to Ben
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, in amongst the trees
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road by the ox team
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
(this is preceded by round three, followed by round five)
"I'll handle the beast," Ben the bandit yells, "You take care of these assassins!"
Kazzak ends Wayne the troglodyte with a thrust to the heart.
Wayne takes 11 damage and dies!
"Look out!" No stranger to dark intent, Morton caught the meaning behind Ben's words. That, and the bandit referred to Berthold as 'an assassin' once already. "They're going to attack us next!" Demogorgon, the Fiend that looks out on the world through his eyes, sends a bubbling froth of eldritch power coursing through the half-elf, which Morton expels through his outstretched hand...at the owlbear this time. Sure, the bandits were talking about killing them, but the beast just ate a woman's head!
But the Fiend also finds entertainment in Morton's distress. The blast of demonic foulness does no more than irritate the monster.
Irritated and in considerable pain from its various puncture wounds, the owlbear rears up on its hind legs and snaps its toothy maw at the closest thing that harmed it: Ben the bandit. "ARGH!" the man yells as the monster takes a chunk out of his side.
Ben takes 11 piercing damage!
But the owlbear is still confused as to the location of its challenger. It heard the horn again nearby, but when it followed that sound before, there were only all these little creatures attacking it, rather than a rival. The smell of brimstone attracts it; it turns and lopes to the southeast and stops, sniffing.
Despite his wound, Ben slices at the monster as it turns its back and moves away.
The owlbear takes 7 slashing damage!
The owlbear turns and swipes a claw at the source of the foul smell: Morton, taking the warlock across the face!
Morton takes 13 slashing damage and falls, dying!
Sora bounds over Wanda's body and runs alongside the wagon, past the skittish oxen, hopping over Aaron's corpse, and Dashes between Ben the bandit and Berthold. The bandit has just slashed at the owlbear as it retreats; he does not attack the monk that follows the beast. Sora catches up to the monster as it pauses to slash the half-elf. Morton is dying nearby.
Amnestria pushes through the undergrowth and hunkers down behind the tree stump where the dead kobold, Ken, lies. She casts a Fire Bolt, lingering on the final syllable, Ready to send it flying at the first enemy to attack the party.
She doesn't have to wait long. Kobold Karl moves to take cover from Dell behind a tree and looses an arrow at Kazzak; the missile spangs off of the dwarf's shield. Amnestria's burst of flame scorches the bark above its head; it gives a little yelp of surprise and fear.
"You won't get us all, backstabbers!" Ben swipes at Berthold with his sword, but his aim if off as he steps away to pursue the owlbear. Coming up behind Sora, he stabs at the monk with his dagger, but she hears him coming and twists out of the way. "This was our job!" Stepping between the monk and dying Morton, Ben the bandit slashes at the owlbear with his sword. "Some days everything just goes wrong!"
The owlbear takes 8 slashing damage and gives a keening wail of pain; the accumulated little wounds are taking their toll!
"Fool!" Berthold scolds, "That beast is our foe, not each other!"
"You attacked us." Ben the bandit looks over his shoulder as he skips out of reach of the owlbear's claws. "It seems to me like you're all foes."
"Hold!" Antonius calls, his voice carrying across the road. "Enough! Lower your weapons. The beast is the immediate threat. We are no assassins, just misunderstandings between us." His eyes narrow. "But if you attack one of mine again, I will answer."
"It sounds like you want to stop fighting." Ben retorts. "I'm willing to consider it, if you will accept a compromise. We stop when one of yours is dead for every one of mine that you killed."
Berthold steps up next to Sora as the owlbear is trying to crush the bandit. While the beast is distracted, the knight steps in under the heavy arm and stabs his sword up under its chin, where a neck would be on a normal creature. The blade sinks deep.
The owlbear takes 15 slashing damage and dies!
"Nice blow." Ben admits. "Now that the distraction is out of the way, what do you say to my offer?"
Having heard Ben and quick to respond before anyone else, Antonius raises his voice and calls across the Road, around the wagon and oxen, to the cluster of combatants clustered around the fallen great beast. "Death is not ours to trade. It belongs to Wee Jas. I will not barter one life for another simply because you demand a count. But there is something you can answer for. You were waiting here. Armed. Hidden. You surrounded that wagon and threatened its occupants. So tell me plainly: Who chose this place for the ambush? How long had you been watching the wagon? How did you know it would pass this road? And what were you expecting to take from them?" Antonius’ eyes narrow, and in the pause, Ben mutters Berthold: "Does he always talk so much?" Not hearing this, Antonius continues: "Because this was no chance encounter. You came prepared for these travelers. So tell me — who told you they were coming, and why were you sent to intercept them? Answer those questions, and perhaps we can stop adding bodies to this road."
There is a moment of silence as Ben the bandit pauses for a moment, then starts. "Oh! Are you done? I wasn't sure you were done talking. You seem to be confused about how the life of a highwayman works. There isn't a grand plan; we're trying to make ends meet because life has kicked us in the teeth, and sometimes people come along who have something we can use. We were ready to just take their supplies and leave them be, and they attacked us. And then you did, too."
"Listen to my friend," Berthold says sternly, "There is a narrow path you can all take, where the bloodshed ends now."
"Yes, I know." Ben nods sagely. "I just told you what it is. You just need to choose which one of you will die. That guy over there -" he gestures at Antonius, half seen on the other side of the wagon, "he's not willing to choose. By all rights, it should be you that dies." He points his bloody sword at Berthold. "Because you're the backstabber that killed my friend." He raises his voice. "But I'm being reasonable, and I'm letting you all choose. Which one will it be? Will it be him?" (still pointing at Berthold) "Or will it be her?" (he points at Sora) "Or maybe one of the others, like that guy in the trees?"
As if on cue, Dell moves out from behind the rock outcropping and steps smoothly, carefully down the slope, crackling through the underbrush, his bow drawn, aimed directly at Ben, and Ready to loose. "I would listen to my friends, bub, or you are the next to take an arrow."
"I am listening." Ben sighs. "Listening and talking. So much talking! But it seems like you are not listening to me. You see, I've given you a chance to stop this in a fair and just way. All you need to do is to choose one of you - just one! - that will die to balance the scales. Then we'd leave, satisfied (after we claim our share of the loot, of course). But not choosing which one of you will die is still making a choice. And that choice would be that ALL of you would die."
Antonius Readies Toll the Dead as he approaches cautiously, crossing the Road partway and reaching the ox team.
"I have given you my answer, and you have proven what kind of man you are. Hence I believe we are done." Antonius responds for the group. Then he calls out, hoping that the other bandits that he can't see are listening. "There is no need for you to be judged by Wee Jas, and you may go or join us. Whichever you wish?"
Annie the archer has heard the message from her leader, but she also can count, and is not as confident in her chances of survival. So first she runs into the trees, taking cover behind a bole, before nocking another arrow.
"Now you're trying to poach my people? That does it!" Ben growls, then raises his voice to repeat his earlier command about killing the assassins. "They've made their choice! Let 'em have it!"
Annie sees the armored wall that is Kazzak approaching; she draws and looses.
Kazzak takes 7 piercing damage!
Dell, hearing the grunt of pain, turns, sees his friend hurt, and looses his Readied attack on the bandit, but the arrow lodges into the tree trunk behind which Annie is hiding. Antonius, on the other side of the wagon, cannot see her to release his spell; he is focused on Ben, who surely will be attacking momentarily.
21 - Kazzak (5/12) on the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear Dead
14 - Sora (7/12) next to the dead owlbear
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) next to Ben
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, in amongst the trees
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road by the ox team
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
Sep 18, 2026 1:32 am
OOC:
@rpgventurer - go ahead and post Kazzak's round four turn. Having made the save once, Kazzak doesn't need to roll another CON save vs Wayne's stench, though he is still adjacent to the troglodyte. Kazzak is 30' from Annie, and 40' from Karl. As for the owlbear and Ben, Kazzak is 45' from both of them, and the wagon (with terrified oxen) is in the way.
Sep 18, 2026 2:26 am
Assassins? Does he mean the travelers with the trogdolytes? Kazzak has no time to decide who’s who, not with a bloodthirsty creature in front of him and a bigger monster threatening everyone.
He thrusts his sword at the wounded trogdolyte, who is the most immediate danger.
He thrusts his sword at the wounded trogdolyte, who is the most immediate danger.
Rolls
Longsword attack - (1d20+5, 1d8+5)
1d20+5 : (11) + 5 = 16
1d8+5 : (6) + 5 = 11
Sep 18, 2026 2:15 pm
Round four, continued...
Kazzak ends Wayne the troglodyte with a thrust to the heart.
Wayne takes 11 damage and dies!
"Look out!" No stranger to dark intent, Morton caught the meaning behind Ben's words. That, and the bandit referred to Berthold as 'an assassin' once already. "They're going to attack us next!" Demogorgon, the Fiend that looks out on the world through his eyes, sends a bubbling froth of eldritch power coursing through the half-elf, which Morton expels through his outstretched hand...at the owlbear this time. Sure, the bandits were talking about killing them, but the beast just ate a woman's head!
But the Fiend also finds entertainment in Morton's distress. The blast of demonic foulness does no more than irritate the monster.
Irritated and in considerable pain from its various puncture wounds, the owlbear rears up on its hind legs and snaps its toothy maw at the closest thing that harmed it: Ben the bandit. "ARGH!" the man yells as the monster takes a chunk out of his side.
Ben takes 11 piercing damage!
But the owlbear is still confused as to the location of its challenger. It heard the horn again nearby, but when it followed that sound before, there were only all these little creatures attacking it, rather than a rival. The smell of brimstone attracts it; it turns and lopes to the southeast and stops, sniffing.Ben slashes at the monster as it turns its back.
The owlbear takes 7 slashing damage!
The owlbear turns and swipes a claw at the source of the foul smell: Morton, taking the warlock across the face!
Morton takes 13 slashing damage and falls, dying!
Sora is 10' from Annie, 20' from Karl, and Ben (40' away) and the owlbear (55' away) are on the other side of the wagon from her.
Amnestria is 25' from Annie, 40' from Karl, and Ben (75' away) and the owlbear (90' away) are on the other side of the wagon from her.
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear (-46) south of the Road
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
Kazzak ends Wayne the troglodyte with a thrust to the heart.
Wayne takes 11 damage and dies!
"Look out!" No stranger to dark intent, Morton caught the meaning behind Ben's words. That, and the bandit referred to Berthold as 'an assassin' once already. "They're going to attack us next!" Demogorgon, the Fiend that looks out on the world through his eyes, sends a bubbling froth of eldritch power coursing through the half-elf, which Morton expels through his outstretched hand...at the owlbear this time. Sure, the bandits were talking about killing them, but the beast just ate a woman's head!
But the Fiend also finds entertainment in Morton's distress. The blast of demonic foulness does no more than irritate the monster.
Irritated and in considerable pain from its various puncture wounds, the owlbear rears up on its hind legs and snaps its toothy maw at the closest thing that harmed it: Ben the bandit. "ARGH!" the man yells as the monster takes a chunk out of his side.
Ben takes 11 piercing damage!
But the owlbear is still confused as to the location of its challenger. It heard the horn again nearby, but when it followed that sound before, there were only all these little creatures attacking it, rather than a rival. The smell of brimstone attracts it; it turns and lopes to the southeast and stops, sniffing.
OOC:
@matmaisan you can use Berthold's reaction to make an opportunity attack here, if you like.The owlbear takes 7 slashing damage!
The owlbear turns and swipes a claw at the source of the foul smell: Morton, taking the warlock across the face!
Morton takes 13 slashing damage and falls, dying!
OOC:
@WhtKnt @CancerMan - please post your round four turns.Sora is 10' from Annie, 20' from Karl, and Ben (40' away) and the owlbear (55' away) are on the other side of the wagon from her.
Amnestria is 25' from Annie, 40' from Karl, and Ben (75' away) and the owlbear (90' away) are on the other side of the wagon from her.
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear (-46) south of the Road
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
Rolls
Morton eldritch blast at owlbear, force damage - (1d20+6, 1d10)
1d20+6 : (4) + 6 = 10
1d10 : (6) = 6
owlbear bite at Ben, piercing damage - (1d20+7, 1d10+5)
1d20+7 : (17) + 7 = 24
1d10+5 : (6) + 5 = 11
Owlbear direction (1 north, moving clockwise) - (1d8)
(4) = 4
Ben opportunity sword attack on owlbear, slashing damage - (1d20+5, 1d6+3)
1d20+5 : (17) + 5 = 22
1d6+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Owlbear claw attack on Morton, slashing damage - (1d20+7, 2d8+5)
1d20+7 : (11) + 7 = 18
2d8+5 : (71) + 5 = 13
Sep 18, 2026 3:31 pm
As the owlbear began to move away, Berthold pressed his advantage and attempted to cut down the huge predator! He was, however too slow, the large monstrosity's alacrity surprising him.
Last edited September 18, 2026 3:32 pm
Rolls
Berthold (Baronet of Dunsdale): Longsword to hit, damage - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)
1d20+5 : (6) + 5 = 11
1d8+3 : (1) + 3 = 4
Sep 18, 2026 4:08 pm
The large monster didn't take the bait, which Amnestria considers to be a natural consequence of everybody continuing to take their payment of flesh and blood. She maneuvers back towards the general fray, heading to the tree stump where Kobold Ken lies, and where she can support Antonius and Kazzak as they prepare for either the owlbear's advance or the retaliation of the bandits.
She looks down at the fallen kobold's shortbow and considers whether it would be a good idea to supplement her magic with mundane missiles. Ah, that can come later, as Amnestria still has some willpower left to manage her default Fire Bolts. She intones the arcane words and grips her wand with a loose wrist, poised to quickly aim in whichever direction requires a serving of flame.
She looks down at the fallen kobold's shortbow and considers whether it would be a good idea to supplement her magic with mundane missiles. Ah, that can come later, as Amnestria still has some willpower left to manage her default Fire Bolts. She intones the arcane words and grips her wand with a loose wrist, poised to quickly aim in whichever direction requires a serving of flame.
OOC:
Ready action to cast Fire Bolt. I am unsure if I can specify multiple targets, but basically I will prioritize the owlbear if it continues to attack my party or the bandits. Secondary targets would be either Annie or Karl if either attack the party, though my suspicion/hope is that they'd still consider the owlbear to be the primary threat.Rolls
Ready Action: Fire Bolt, Fire Damage - (1d20+5, 1d10)
1d20+5 : (3) + 5 = 8
1d10 : (10) = 10
Sep 18, 2026 4:31 pm
Sora skirts the far side of the wagon, heading in the direction of the owlbear.
Sep 18, 2026 6:03 pm
WhtKnt says:
Sora skirts the far side of the wagon, heading in the direction of the owlbear.OOC:
@WhtKnt - Just to clarify: do you want Sora to Dash, and so end up close to the beast (either adjacent to the owlbear or 5' away from it), or do you want to Move (so that you stop 25' away from it) and either make a ranged attack or Ready some other action with a trigger?CancerMan says:
Ready action to cast Fire Bolt. I am unsure if I can specify multiple targets, but basically I will prioritize the owlbear if it continues to attack my party or the bandits. Secondary targets would be either Annie or Karl if either attack the party.OOC:
@CancerMan - The way it works in a real-time game is that you declare a trigger and then, when that trigger occurs, the DM prompts the player "Will you use your reaction to perform your Readied action?" So that question and confirmation/demurral happens very quickly. But also the assumption is that the player is declaring a specific trigger, such as "The first time an enemy attacks my party." Obviously, this is particularly desirable for an asynchronous game like ours, given that each question-and-response cycle can take hours or even days. I would encourage every player to phrase their triggers this way, so there's no ambiguity and I can apply the rolls when the trigger occurs.But this particular situation and your proposed trigger raises an interesting question. The rules are not explicit when it comes to more vague/general triggers and what happens if the player declines to act on the first trigger but then another trigger occurs before their PC's next turn. Do we want to allow a player to decline using their PC's reaction for a trigger, but then decide that they WILL use that reaction for another instance of that trigger later in the same round?
If yes, then Amnestria could say "I will attack Annie, Karl, or the owlbear if they attack us" as the trigger for her Readied action, and then if Annie attacks, I would ask CancerMan whether he wants to use Amnestria's reaction. He could accept and the attack would happen, OR he could decline, and then I would ask again if Karl attacked after that.
If no, then Amnestria could say "I will attack the first time an enemy attacks my party" as the trigger for her Readied action, and then if someone attacks, CancerMan's attack would use Amnestria's reaction to make the attack OR he would decline and the spell would be wasted.
I'm willing to put it to the group, and then add it to this game's conventions.
Sep 18, 2026 6:07 pm
OOC:
Kazzak didn’t move this turn. Since Wayne the trog is dead, he will move 25 feet southwest.Sep 18, 2026 8:32 pm
OOC:
For this particular case, I think because I can see initiative order, it's easier to decide what trigger I will act upon. My main goal was to retaliate if anybody attacked us this turn, basically giving the bandits the chance to 'save themselves' by concentrating on the owlbear, or letting the owlbear leave the area since it only seems interested in bigger threats. I know I initially said I was prioritizing the owlbear, but since I now realize that all the bandits will act earlier, I'll amend my conditions to react the first time an enemy attacks the party.In future cases, at least for me personally, I'll try to divulge more of my thought process on why I would choose one trigger over another, which will hopefully provide you with enough information to resolve all the actions.
As for the initial question of allowing players to decline and accept different triggers of the same generic condition, while I am going to try to avoid such circumstances as much as possible, I'm also of the mind that there will be cases where we can't avoid a prolonged back-and-forth to determine what the player decides to do. Maybe something happens after a player's turn that changes the context. For example, a cadre of guardsman arrive and seek to arrest everyone first before sorting out friends from foes; the DM might think it's not technically an attack because they're trying to restrain the party, but the player might believe IC that it is and would want to act.
Sep 20, 2026 2:29 am
OOC:
No guts,no glory. Sora will dash and trust to luck that she isn't hit before she can attack!Sep 21, 2026 5:15 am
Round four, continued...
Sora bounds over Wanda's body and runs alongside the wagon, past the skittish oxen, hopping over Aaron's corpse, and Dashes between Ben the bandit and Berthold. The bandit has just slashed at the owlbear as it retreats; he does not attack the monk that follows the beast. Sora catches up to the monster as it pauses to slash the half-elf. Morton is dying nearby.
Amnestria pushes through the undergrowth and hunkers down behind the tree stump where the dead kobold, Ken, lies. She casts a Fire Bolt, lingering on the final syllable, Ready to send it flying at the first enemy to attack the party.
She doesn't have to wait long. Kobold Karl moves to take cover from Dell behind a tree and looses an arrow at Kazzak; the missile spangs off of the dwarf's shield. Amnestria's burst of flame scorches the bark above its head; it gives a little yelp of surprise and fear.
"You won't get us all, backstabbers!" Ben swipes at Berthold with his sword, but his aim if off as he steps away to pursue the owlbear. Coming up behind Sora, he stabs at the monk with his dagger, but she hears him coming and twists out of the way. "This was our job!" Stepping between the monk and dying Morton, Ben the bandit slashes at the owlbear with his sword. "Some days everything just goes wrong!"
The owlbear takes 8 slashing damage and gives a keening wail of pain; the accumulated little wounds are taking their toll!
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear (-54) south of the Road
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
Sora bounds over Wanda's body and runs alongside the wagon, past the skittish oxen, hopping over Aaron's corpse, and Dashes between Ben the bandit and Berthold. The bandit has just slashed at the owlbear as it retreats; he does not attack the monk that follows the beast. Sora catches up to the monster as it pauses to slash the half-elf. Morton is dying nearby.
Amnestria pushes through the undergrowth and hunkers down behind the tree stump where the dead kobold, Ken, lies. She casts a Fire Bolt, lingering on the final syllable, Ready to send it flying at the first enemy to attack the party.
She doesn't have to wait long. Kobold Karl moves to take cover from Dell behind a tree and looses an arrow at Kazzak; the missile spangs off of the dwarf's shield. Amnestria's burst of flame scorches the bark above its head; it gives a little yelp of surprise and fear.
"You won't get us all, backstabbers!" Ben swipes at Berthold with his sword, but his aim if off as he steps away to pursue the owlbear. Coming up behind Sora, he stabs at the monk with his dagger, but she hears him coming and twists out of the way. "This was our job!" Stepping between the monk and dying Morton, Ben the bandit slashes at the owlbear with his sword. "Some days everything just goes wrong!"
The owlbear takes 8 slashing damage and gives a keening wail of pain; the accumulated little wounds are taking their toll!
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear (-54) south of the Road
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
Rolls
Karl bow attack on Kazzak AC18, piercing damage - (1d20+4, 1d6+2)
1d20+4 : (7) + 4 = 11
1d6+2 : (1) + 2 = 3
Ben sword attack on Berthold AC18, slashing damage - (1d20+5, 1d6+3)
1d20+5 : (5) + 5 = 10
1d6+3 : (5) + 3 = 8
Ben dagger attack on Sora AC15, piercing damage - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (8) + 5 = 13
1d4+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Ben sword attack on owlbear, slashing damage - (1d20+5, 1d6+3)
1d20+5 : (9) + 5 = 14
1d6+3 : (5) + 3 = 8
Sep 21, 2026 11:33 am
Wayne falls beneath Kazzak's blade, and Antonius immediately turns his attention toward the next crisis.
Morton.
The elf hits the ground hard beneath the owlbear's blow, and Antonius sees the familiar signs of a man hovering between life and death. He starts toward him at once, shield raised, moving with deliberate purpose through the chaos.
"Hold!" Antonius calls, his voice carrying across the road. "Enough! Lower your weapons. The beast is the immediate threat. We are no assassins, just misunderstandings between us."
He keeps moving, drawing the power of Wee Jas around himself as he goes. The familiar weight of Toll the Dead gathers at his fingertips, the spell held in reserve rather than released. Antonius's eyes move constantly between the surviving bandits and his companions.
"But, if you attack one of mine again," he warns, his voice cold and unmistakably authoritative, "I will answer."
Reaching the oxen, Antonius slows beside Aaron's corpse and takes up a position where he can see both Morton and the remaining combatants. His hand tightens around the holy symbol beneath his tabard, the unseen toll waiting to be called upon the first bandit foolish enough to turn their weapon against the party.
Then something catches his eye.
Beside Devon's body, partially obscured by the fallen wagon driver, lies a familiar shape.
Antonius stops.
His breath catches.
Final Measure!
For a moment, the battle seems to fall away. His eyes remain fixed upon the warhammer he had thought lost to the forest, the weapon lying within arm's reach of the dead man.
But there is no time to reclaim it.
Antonius tears his gaze away and continues toward Morton, the power of Wee Jas gathering in his hands as he prepares to pull the dying elf back from death's threshold.
"Not yet, Morton," he murmurs. "Wee Jas has not called you yet."
Morton.
The elf hits the ground hard beneath the owlbear's blow, and Antonius sees the familiar signs of a man hovering between life and death. He starts toward him at once, shield raised, moving with deliberate purpose through the chaos.
"Hold!" Antonius calls, his voice carrying across the road. "Enough! Lower your weapons. The beast is the immediate threat. We are no assassins, just misunderstandings between us."
He keeps moving, drawing the power of Wee Jas around himself as he goes. The familiar weight of Toll the Dead gathers at his fingertips, the spell held in reserve rather than released. Antonius's eyes move constantly between the surviving bandits and his companions.
"But, if you attack one of mine again," he warns, his voice cold and unmistakably authoritative, "I will answer."
Reaching the oxen, Antonius slows beside Aaron's corpse and takes up a position where he can see both Morton and the remaining combatants. His hand tightens around the holy symbol beneath his tabard, the unseen toll waiting to be called upon the first bandit foolish enough to turn their weapon against the party.
Then something catches his eye.
Beside Devon's body, partially obscured by the fallen wagon driver, lies a familiar shape.
Antonius stops.
His breath catches.
Final Measure!
For a moment, the battle seems to fall away. His eyes remain fixed upon the warhammer he had thought lost to the forest, the weapon lying within arm's reach of the dead man.
But there is no time to reclaim it.
Antonius tears his gaze away and continues toward Morton, the power of Wee Jas gathering in his hands as he prepares to pull the dying elf back from death's threshold.
"Not yet, Morton," he murmurs. "Wee Jas has not called you yet."
OOC:
Antonius had Toll the Dead at the ready. He will target the next bandit to attack the group. If no bandit attacks before the end of the round, he will release it upon the Owlbear.Last edited September 21, 2026 11:37 am
Sep 21, 2026 2:36 pm
OOC:
@matmaisan @mathias0077 - please post Berthold and Dell's round four turns now. The owlbear is showing signs of being badly hurt, Ben has just attacked Berthold (again) and Sora, and Morton is dying. From Dell's current position taking cover behind the rock outcropping, Ben has half cover, Karl has total cover and Annie has 3/4 cover because of intervening trees.Sep 21, 2026 5:10 pm
Berthold remained focused on his main foe, the owlbear. To the man that swiped at him, the knight replied: "Fool! That beast is our foe, not each other!"
And having said that, the knight moved on towards the massive, but heavily wounded beast. He attempted once more to land a blow, trying to calm his nerves before striking with all his might. This time, the refocusing of his mind proved decisive. But would it be sufficient against such a terrifying thing?
EDIT: Dang! That was sweet ! And great damage too!
And having said that, the knight moved on towards the massive, but heavily wounded beast. He attempted once more to land a blow, trying to calm his nerves before striking with all his might. This time, the refocusing of his mind proved decisive. But would it be sufficient against such a terrifying thing?
OOC:
Move to engage the creature, trying to not provide cover to it from our archers and spell-casters.EDIT: Dang! That was sweet ! And great damage too!
Last edited September 21, 2026 5:14 pm
Rolls
Berthold (Baronet of Dunsdale): Longsword to hit, damage - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)
1d20+5 : (20) + 5 = 25
1d8+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Critical damage roll - (1d8)
(8) = 8
Sep 21, 2026 11:46 pm
Round four, continued...
"Fool!" Berthold scolds, "That beast is our foe, not each other!"
"You attacked us." Ben the bandit looks over his shoulder as he skips out of reach of the owlbear's claws. "It seems to me like you're all foes."
"Hold!" Antonius calls, his voice carrying across the road. "Enough! Lower your weapons. The beast is the immediate threat. We are no assassins, just misunderstandings between us." His eyes narrow. "But if you attack one of mine again, I will answer."
"It sounds like you want to stop fighting." Ben retorts. "I'm willing to consider it, if you will accept a compromise. We stop when one of yours is dead for every one of mine that you killed."
Berthold steps up next to Sora as the owlbear is trying to crush the bandit. While the beast is distracted, the knight steps in under the heavy arm and stabs his sword up under its chin, where a neck would be on a normal creature. The blade sinks deep.
The owlbear takes 15 slashing damage and dies!
"Nice blow." Ben admits. "Now that the distraction is out of the way, what do you say to my offer?"
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear Dead
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
"Fool!" Berthold scolds, "That beast is our foe, not each other!"
"You attacked us." Ben the bandit looks over his shoulder as he skips out of reach of the owlbear's claws. "It seems to me like you're all foes."
"Hold!" Antonius calls, his voice carrying across the road. "Enough! Lower your weapons. The beast is the immediate threat. We are no assassins, just misunderstandings between us." His eyes narrow. "But if you attack one of mine again, I will answer."
"It sounds like you want to stop fighting." Ben retorts. "I'm willing to consider it, if you will accept a compromise. We stop when one of yours is dead for every one of mine that you killed."
Berthold steps up next to Sora as the owlbear is trying to crush the bandit. While the beast is distracted, the knight steps in under the heavy arm and stabs his sword up under its chin, where a neck would be on a normal creature. The blade sinks deep.
The owlbear takes 15 slashing damage and dies!
"Nice blow." Ben admits. "Now that the distraction is out of the way, what do you say to my offer?"
21 - Kazzak (12/12) north of the Road
19 - Cultists Walter Dead, Wanda Dead, Devon Dead
18 - Morton (0/15) in the Road, dying
18 - Owlbear Dead
14 - Sora (7/12) next to Karl
14 - Amnestria (9/9) north of the Road, behind cover
13 - Grallaria (0/1) spell ended
13 - Kobolds Karl, Kathy Dead, Kelly Dead, Ken Dead
11 - Bandit Ben (-12)
9 - Berthold (10/11) on the Road
8 - Dell (6/8) south of the Road, behind cover
5 - Antonius (3/10) on the Road
3 - Bandit archers Aaron Dead, Amy Dead, Annie (-9), Arthur Dead
0 - Troglodytes Warren Dead, Wayne Dead, and Willie Dead
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