1222.2b The Fall of Night

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: In the Ruins of Bibracte
30

Since this option has opened up, what with Trap of the Entwining Vines and Theraphosa's Weaver's Trap of Webs, I'm going to do the following.

Round 1: the webs are cast around the three magi in black,
Round 2 Trap of the Entwining Vines surrounds them as well (this spell works like Weaver's Trap of Webs, future castings of both spells may require finesse; I think we can discuss it in the OCC secion).

I need intiatives for Ivor and Deykin, as well as their round 2 actions.

Alexei probably doesn't want to leap into a group entangled in webs (the vines will happen after Alexei leaps, and he'll be stuck in that, definitely. So, we'll inject a bit of narrative into the battle scene and pick up in a bit.

"Valerian, I suggest you leave, you've already failed in your objective. You might yet save your House and hold true to the Order you took an oath to protect. While you and your House might have prepared for my eventual return, I've been preparing the rest of the Order for it, as well. You see I came to a conclusion long ago, that one can survive only so many attempts on one's life. Over 50 years ago, at the last attempt on my life, I decided I needed to disappear and changed my tactics. You see, Valerian, I am quite prepared to die today."

One of the magi besides Valerian speaks, "You said this would be a simple mission, in and out, recover the books and be gone. You didn't say anything about anyone but mundanes dying or killing another magus. You said the covenant was empty!" The last sentence is hissed out.

"Come now, Valerian, you didn't tell them the real mission? That he intended to kill me? That his goal was to enter my sanctum, retrieve an arcane connection to me and kill me? Just had a slight problem there, didn't you? I don't suppose you told them who I really am, or what books they were supposedly looking for, did you? Your reputation really does preceed you, my dear boy. Very well, I was gauntleted Xenophon of Tremere. About 50 years ago members of House Guernicus attempted to assassinate me for research I'd been conducting, authenticating the Duresca scrolls. At that time, it was the third attempt on my life, and it was decided that I would assume a new identity. Just so that's all clear, and everyone knows why we're here. They, or at least he Apollodorus/Xenophon points at Valerian, "is here to kill me. Everyone else is here because there should be witnesses to such a momentous event, understanding that House Guernicus assassinates those who get to close to the Truth about their House. Poena's been alerted, and I expect she'll be in Durenmar any moment now. Of course Andru was here when you arrived, but I suspect the blasting of the parapet alerted him to something else going wrong. Garus has never trusted House Guernicus as much as House Guernicus would've liked. You might be suprised to know I had something to do with that, well, actually, credit goes to the lovely Carmine. So now, Valerian, the only thing left for you here is revenge. Come get it." All of that goes out loud enough for everyone to hear, including those in the courtyard below.

We are at iniatiave point 5, and Alexei's action has been deferred. Once I'm clearer on what Alexei and everyone else are doing, I'll resolve the action to follow.

31

((Alexei is not about to teleport down into those vines and webs, and is lousy at magic that goes beyond Touch range, so he'll wait. Based on what he says there might be a roll, such as Leadership or something as he tries to intimidate the group, but I'm at work and can't roll))

It has been remarked at times that Alexei is a bit...obtuse, perhaps not as questioning as he could be. Some have even said he's downright dense. Any such qualities though seem to fade as he (finally) begins to understand some of what is going on. Apollodorus/Xenophon's speech would seem outrageous except for the looks on the conspirators faces as Valerian is called out. Alexei seems to be in a towering rage at how his honor and ambitions have been used by the likes of Valerian.

"You are a base assassin and killer Valerian! We will be requited for the damage done to our home and person! I will be requited for your manipulations of me! Those with Valerian, stand down now! I am Alexei Von Kroitsau ex Flambeau! As a Milites I will allow you to surrender! If you do not, you will share Valerian's fate!"

32

Go ahead and roll. In pbp it never hurts to make the roll. You've got a shot, but not much of one.

33

((OK, I'll get that later today, I can't access the site right now. If you want to roll go ahead. Alexei would spend a Confidence point if it requires it to succeed, if he's within 3 in other words.))

34

With nothing else to do. Jacques will wait to see if they surrender or retreat. If not, he will keep shooting arrows at them. perhaps he gets lucky.

35

Oh. Right.

Ivor: Qik 2 + Weapon Modifier 2 – Enc 0 + die roll of 5 = 9. Round 2, he is going to let Fiona cast Preternatural Growth and Shrinking on him.

Deykin's is still Qik 1 + Weapon 1 - Enc 2 + die roll of 1 (followed by die roll of 4, for a total of 8 ) = 8, unless you want me to reroll for the change of venue or something. His action is to draw his sword and to interpose himself between Apollodorus, the man he has promised to protect, and his would-be assassins.

36

There's luck and then there's being able to overcome their defenses because they have too many other things to worry about... so their ability to dodge arrows isn't limitless.

37

((Presence + Leadership roll:

1d10+3 → [8,3] = (11) 11
invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3388315/
Not bad))

38

Okay, the resolution you came up with works. I see where the communication issue happened with Thera's actions, and will try to remember it for the future (in essence: I need to talk in rounds, not general combat-long tactics).

Thera continues to hide in shadows, and makes Magic Theory rolls while studying the invading magi, seeking clues about their cabilities, active spells, etc. She'll make one roll per round.

During round 2, she'll focus on Valerian, since the general air seems to be that she'll need to kill him someday.

39

I'm really disinclined to take strategic direction from players, and will err on the side of caution and get a better idea of what they want to do, if I need to provide more information, or narrow the scope of available action, tht's what's going to happen. Saying, I want to cast the net on them to immbolize gives me a clear idea of intent. I can then take that player intent and craft it into a bit of narrative. Asking for additional details has a tendency to slow combat/enemy encounters down, and I'm interested in streamlining it as much as possible.

qcipher: for Alexei: you indicated you might be willing to spend a confidence point. You can get one of them to flee if you do so.

40

((Consider it spent. Alexei would love to be able to say later on: "One of the conspirators fled once he knew Alexei von Kroitsau was there!"))

41

Both the magi next to Valerian disappear.
"Well, Valerian, the odds seem to be skewing into my favor."
Valerian says nothing, but seems to smile and glances up very subtly. Groaning and creaking can be heard just before the ceiling is brought down on top of Apollodorus, Deykin and Alexei. Acting quickly, Apollodorus, with bold words and gestures manages to redirect the majority of the rubble towards Valerian.

One of the magi reappears near Fiona, Jacques and Ivor (this is round 2 still).

Alexei and Deykin are busy dodging rubble. We'll advance to the next round.

Round 3 actions.

Alexei, Deykin and Thera should make awareness rolls. (Sometimes I make them, and sometimes I want the players to know that their characters should feel as if they're missing something. When I ask for an awareness roll players should put that kind of feeling onto their characters if you end up not discovering it).

42

((OK, I'll roll when I get home. One thing Alexei would do (if necessary) is fast cast Wizards Leap to safety on the ground floor with Valerian, but outside of the webs and vines. If he needs to do that to be safe let me know. I'll roll Awareness when I get home, but he's a pretty low chance of succeeding))

43

Well, if Alexei Wizard Leapt closer to Valerian, he'd be risking being hit by all the rubble that Apollodorus redirected. The rubble dodging is minor, like a distraction.

44

((He'd mainly Wizard Leap to be on the same level as Valerian, but outside of the webs, vines and rubble then. If the rubble is that widespread he'd be as close as possible, but still safe i suppose. And if that's not possible, then just stay where he's at (if safe), he'll teleport later with more scrutiny))

45

Deykin's roll: Per 1 + Awareness 2 + die roll of 5 = 8...11 if he gets to use his Keen Vision.

He will hold his action, looking for the other magi who disappeared. If one appears within striking distance, then he will attack.

And I totally forgot about all the other possible combatants I can theoretically bring to bear.

Ulrich: Initiative is Qui 0 + die roll of 7 = 7. He will try to Rego a piece of wood, branch, two by four, whatever's around and clobber one of the magi upside the head with it.

Wilhelm: Initiative is Qui 1 – Weapon 1 – Enc 2 + die roll of 8 = 6. He is going to loose an arrow at one of the magi.

Catrin: Initiative is Qui 0 + die roll of 6 = 6. She will engage in the time-honored tradition of rock-throwing.

Daffyd: Initiative is Qui 1 – Weapon 1 – Enc 2 + die roll of 2 = 0. He's going to shoot one of the magi.

Wen: Initiative is Qui 1 + die roll of 8 = 9. She is going to try to sneak up on one of the magi and clobber him/her/it with a rock. I was going to say "upside the head," but I don't think she can reach that high. So, if she can climb up and clock him from above, or clip his knees or something, she will.

46

Jacques initiative 1d10=4 -2 = 2

47

Why don't we go with your previous roll of 6-2=4? :smiley:

Initiative is only rolled once per combat.
I'm going to block Wilhelm for participating, as he lives outside the covenant. He's likely heard the alarm raised, and will make his way, but it will take a while to get to the covenant.

48

Okily dokily,

49

((Woops, I never made that Awareness roll. I'm at work and can't use the die roller page, we can go ahead and say he failed it, he has a negative Perception anyway (unless someone wants to make a roll for him). Sorry about that, I hope you weren't witing for me. His next action (if this helps) would be to Port over to the Magus that re-appeared, dependning on what he sees.))