Example combat: It makes me laugh.

An example of combat

Occum, a 3^rd level human swordsman, Magnus, a 4^th level human wizard of 2^nd circle spell-power, and Millena, a 3^rd circle half-elven rogue, are traveling along a riverside trail when a large wolf leaps from the bushes, attacking them. We begin our example just prior to the wolf’s appearance.

Game Master (GM): You’ve been making you way along the river at a steady pace. It’s been 3 hours since sunrise. -Each of you may make a perception check of 6.

Occum: I don’t have the perception proficiency. The most I can get is a 4 with a non-proficiency perception check.

Magnus: I don’t have perception either.

Millena: I’ve got perception grade II. (Millena’s player rolls 2δ4*, with a result of 1 and 3.) Ugh, I got a 4. -Unfortunately, I don’t make a 6. Does something happen?

Unbeknownst to the characters, concealed in the bushes, a hobgoblin shaman hides with a trained wolf. 100’ further up the trail, an orcish archer is hiding as well. The Game Master decided a perception check of 6 would enable the characters to sense the trap. However, as no character made a successful perception check, the bandits get the element of surprise.

GM: Actually, yes. From the bushes to the right of the trail, a large dog or wolf springs upon you, Occum. It’s nasty looking, and is wearing a spiked collar. Please roll initiative.

Occum: Ugh. I got a 3.

Magnus: Great, I got a 9!

Millena: I’ve got a 6. What’s the wolf’s initiative!?

The Game Master rolls initiative for the hobgoblin, orc and wolf. As they have the element of surprise, he adds +4 to each of their initiative rolls. The hobgoblin, orc, and wolf get initiatives of 9, 7, and 11, respectively.

GM: Sorry, the wolf has it with an 11. Occum, he tries to bite you. You have a dodge of 12, correct?

Occum: Yeah, it’s a 12. Also, don’t forget I’m wearing studded leather! That absorbs 1δ2 points of damage if the wolf hits.

The Game Master nods. Rolling 1δ20 for the wolf’s attack, the result is 10. However, the wolf has a +3 ‘to-hit’ modifier, giving a result of 13. The wolf hits Occum. Rolling 1δ4 + 1 for damage, the result is 5.

GM: The wolf bites into you Occum, for 5 points of damage. However, you can roll for your armor absorbance.

Occum rolls 1δ2 with a result of 2.

Occum: Well, that helps some. -My armor absorbs 2 points, so I take 3.

GM: That’s right. You have 11 health points left, Occum.

Magnus: Alright, now it’s our turn! I’m going to cast Force Bolt on that wolf!

GM: Ok, Magnus. You can begin to cast at initiative 9. However, just as you do, a filthy looking humanoid rises from the bushes from where the wolf appeared. He looks somewhat like a goblin, and is covered in a variety of odd trinkets. It appears he is casting as well!

Millena: Damn! I’m next. I attack that caster at initiative 6!

GM: Not so fast, Millena. Magnus’ Force Bolt spell goes off at initiative 8, as does the goblin-like creature’s spell. Magnus, roll for your Force Bolt damage.

Magnus: Can I switch my Force Bolt to the goblin caster?!

GM: No. He appeared as you started casting your spell targeting the wolf. Sorry. -Please roll your damage.

Magnus: (Magnus rolls 1δ6 + 2 for a result of 4.) I got it for 4 points. Take that you mangy hound!

The wolf has 10 health points. Due to its hide, it absorbs 1 point. The GM notes that it has 7 health points left.

GM: The wolf yelps, but it still looks pretty good. Occum, the caster has targeted you with his spell. Please make a willpower check of 11.

The hobgoblin has targeted Occum with the 1^st circle Ritual magic spell, Weakness. Occum’s player rolls 1δ20 with a result of 6. Occum has a +1 willpower modifier. However, a 7 still fails to resist the spell. Rolling 1δ6 + 2, the Game Master determines that Occum loses 4 points of strength.

GM: Occum, unfortunately the spell affects you. You instantly begin to feel a loss of strength, almost as if you were affected by a severe illness. As a result, you lose 4 points of strength, and suffer a -4 modifier to your fortitude and willpower checks.

Occum: (Groaning) Arrgh! That drops my strength from 12 to 8! What’s worse, my armor impedance increases by 2! Now, I’ve got a dodge of 10. -I’m going to kill that goblin!

Millena: Ok, now can I go?

GM: Sorry, but there’s one more surprise first. About 30 yards up the trail, you see a figure stand. He’s armed with a bow and shoots at… Magnus, you have a dodge of 13? (The Game Master rolls 1δ20 with a result of 15. The orc’s arrow hits Magnus. 1δ6 indicates Magnus takes 3 points of damage from the arrow.) …Magnus, the archer hits you. An arrow sticks in your leg and you take 3 points of damage. You have no armor to absorb it, so you go from 11 health points to 8.

Millena: This is looking bad. Is there anyone else around?!

GM: Ok, make a perception check of 5, Millena.

Millena: (Rolling 2δ4*, Millena gets a result of 1, 4, and then 2 with the exploding 4.) I got a 7! Do I see anyone else?

GM: No, besides these three adversaries, no one else seems to be around. You do notice the archer looks like an orc, however. Millena, we are now at initiative 6. You may act.

Millena: Finally! I am going to stab that goblin spellcaster with my rapier. Is he close enough?

The hobgoblin is just 15’ away. As this is less than ¼ of Millena’s 120’ movement rate, the Game Master nods. If the wolf had not yet attacked this round, the wolf could have opted to immediately attack Millena as she leaves. However, she may actively retreat from this melee without any recourse. Millena rolls 1δ20 ‘to-hit’ with a result of 20.

Millena: Ha, critical hit! (She rolls 1δ6 twice for damage, with a result of 1 and 6.) 7 points! I got him good.

GM: You sure did, Millena. He looks badly hurt, and screams in frustration. (The hobgoblin has no armor, and is reduced from 14 health points to 7.) Occum, you can act at initiative 4 now.

Occum: Good. I slash this wolf with my longsword. (Occum rolls 1δ20 ‘to-hit’ with a result of 5. He adds +2 for his weapon mastery II ability, yet a 7 misses the wolf with a dodge score of 16.)

GM: Ok everyone, that’s the end of the first round. Roll for initiative. -Occum, don’t forget your new armor impedance now gives you a -2 modifier to your initiative roll.

For initiative, Occum gets a 4, Magnus an 8, and Millena a 3. The hobgoblin, orc, and wolf get initiatives of 9, 4, and 3, respectively.

GM: Alright, the goblinoid caster begins another incantation at 9. (The GM decides the hobgoblin is going to cast his last spell Steal Strength, upon Occum.) He’s not yet done casting at initiative 8, however. -You may act Magnus.

Magnus: Great, I am going to cast a Fog spell, centered upon that orcish archer. That should give him some trouble.

GM: Nice, Magnus. Your spell goes off at initiative 7, surrounding the orc in a dense fog. However, the globlinoid’s spell takes effect at initiative 7 as well. Occum, make another willpower check, but this time with a target number of 12.

Occum: Me again?! Magnus, you should have targeted this goblin! (Occum rolls 1δ20 for his willpower check and gets a 13. However, as he is affected by the Weakness spell, he adds a -4 modifier. Combined with his normal +1 modifier, he gets a result of 10. Occum fails to resist the Steal Strength spell.) Arrgghh! I missed it!

GM: Occum, just when you thought you couldn’t feel worse, you do. You feel even weaker, losing another 4 points of strength. You now have a 4 strength. Your studded leather armor feels crushingly heavy now. You have an armor impedance of 4, making your dodge an 8. You don’t think you can move too quickly either. We are now at initiative 4. Millena, you notice that the goblinoid seems to look a bit tougher, in a somewhat unnatural way.

Occum: Great. I’m an invalid with a wolf trying to eat me. Well, I try to hit it with my sword. (Occum sighs as he rolls a 1δ20 with a result of 3.) No good, I miss.

The orc also has an initiative of 4. The Game Master decides the orc is perplexed by the fog, and rather than shooting, he will spend two rounds, switching his bow for a club and then charging out of the fog towards the party. He mentally keeps note of this as the next rounds pass.

GM: Ok, we are at initiative 3. Millena, you and the wolf act simultaneously. Occum, the wolf bites you again. (Rolling a 13, the wolf easily hits the feeble Occum for 3 more points of damage. Occum rolls for his armor absorbance and gets a 1.) Occum, you are now at 9 health points. Millena, what do you do?

Millena: I stab this goblin again. (Millena rolls a 14 ‘to-hit’ which just misses.)

GM: Alright everyone, new round. Roll those initiatives.

For initiative, Occum gets a -1, Magnus a 7, and Millena a 10. The hobgoblin, orc, and wolf get initiatives of 6, 6, and 5, respectively.

GM: Millena, you have it with a 10. Do you want to defer to initiative 0?

Millena: No way! I attack this goblin again. (Millena rolls a 15 this time, just hitting the hobgoblin. Her rapier inflicts 3 points of damage. The Game Master notes the hobgoblin now has 4 health points.) Ha! Don’t worry, Occum. The tide is turning!

GM: Magnus, you are next with an initiative of 7. What do you do?

Magnus: Can I see the orc? What is he doing?

GM: Yes, you see a faint outline of him within the fog. It’s difficult to say what he’s doing though.

Occum: Magnus, kill the wolf! Help me already!

Magnus: Ok, ok. I am going to cast my 2^nd circle spell, Force Weapon. I’ll make a Force Weapon in the form of a greatsword. -Sorry, I can’t do more this round Occum. It’s either that or I draw my broadsword.

GM: Ok, Magnus. Your Force Weapon will materialize at initiative 5. However, the goblinoid goes at initiative 6. Millena, he sneers as he draws a wicked looking morningstar. (The Game Master notes the orc also draws his club and advances 30’ out of the fog towards the party, now 70’ away.) At initiative 5, Magnus’ Force Weapon materializes, and the wolf attacks you once again, Occum. (Rolling, the Game Master determines the wolf hits Occum again for 4 more points of damage.) He bites you for 4 more, Occum. Roll your armor absorbance.

Occum: I got a 1. I take 3 more putting me at 6 health points. Can I finally attack?

GM: Yes, Occum. You go last at -1.

Occum: Alright, here it goes again. I swing my longsword at the wolf. (Occum rolls ‘to-hit’ getting an 18. He has +2 ‘to-hit’ due to his weapon mastery II, giving him a final result of 20.) I finally hit! (Occum rolls 1δ8 for damage with a result of 3. His weapon mastery II gives him a +1 damage modifier. However, his 4 strength gives him a -2. Thus, Occum inflicts 2 points of damage on the wolf.) That’s 2 points. -Not so great.

The Game Master notes that the wolf suffers 1 point of damage due to its armor absorbance.

GM: You just nick the wolf, Occum. Ok, that does it for round three. Roll your initiatives, please.

For the fourth round initiative, Occum gets a 4, Magnus a 5, and Millena an 8. The hobgoblin, orc, and wolf get initiatives of 8, 4, and 11, respectively.

GM: Well, the wolf has it. He’s intent on you, Occum. (Once again, the Game Master rolls and determines the wolf bites Occum again for 3 more points of damage. Occum’s armor absorbs 1 point of damage again.) Occum, you are now at 4 health points. You also notice the orc is charging at the lot of you. -He’s brandishing a large club.

As the orc is greater than ¼ of his movement rate away (30’), but less than his full movement of 120’, the Game Master decides the orc will actively charge into combat this round. Therefore, at initiative 4 the orc will get one on-hand attack against one of the three characters. As the orc only gets one attack per round normally, this active charge does not decrease his number of attacks.

Millena: Who’s next? I got an 8 for initiative.

GM: Actually Millena, you and the goblinoid have tied. He swings at you (rolling) and gets a 14. You have a 14 dodge? He just hit you. (Rolling 1δ8 for the Morningstar, the GM gets an 8. However, the hobgoblin naturally gets a +1 modifier to damage. Combined with a +2 modifier due to his Steal Strength spell, the hobgoblin hits Millena for 11.) Ouch! Millena, he lands a mighty blow upon you for 11. Your leather armor absorbs 1, but you still take 10. You are now at 2 health points.

Millena: (Cursing) Alright, I am taking this nasty guy down! (Millena rolls ‘to-hit’ with a result of 7.) No! I’m sure that doesn’t do it.

GM: No, it doesn’t. Sorry, Millena. The goblinoid chuckles maliciously. Magnus, you are next at initiative 5.

Magnus: Ok. I help Occum and attack this wolf with my Force Weapon greatsword. I got a 16, with the +1 ‘to-hit’ modifier from the weapon, that’s a 17. (The GM indicates it’s a hit.) Great, (rolling a 1δ8 + 2 for damage) that’s 7 points!

GM: That does it, Magnus. The wolf yelps loudly and falls to the ground, lifeless. (The players sigh in relief.) Seeing the wolf fall, the goblinoid screams in rage. Alright, at initiative 4, the orc crashes into the frey. Magnus, you seem to be the greater threat. The orc swings his club on you. And… he hits. Magnus you take 4 points of damage, putting you at 4. Occum you act at the same time as the orc.

Occum: I’ll try to return the favor Magnus, I’m attacking the orc. (Occum rolls a 12. However his +2 ‘to-hit’ makes it a 14. The Game Master indicates it’s a hit.) Ha! He takes… 3 points of damage.

The Game Master notes the orc has been reduced from 14 to 11 health points. Taking stock of the situation, the Game Master observes the orc is slightly wounded, whereas the hobgoblin has been wounded badly. The hobgoblin’s Weakness and Steal Strength spells each last for 10 minutes; they won’t be ending soon. Nonetheless, due to the loss of the wolf, he decides that if the next round does not go well for the orc and hobgoblin, they will flee the battle.

GM: Alright, we are going into round five. Roll for initiative. Magnus keep track of your Force Weapon duration, you have 9 rounds left.

For the fifth round initiative, Occum gets a 5, Magnus a 10, and Millena a 4. The hobgoblin gets a 7 and the orc a 10.

GM: Magnus, you and the orc have tied. Do you want to defer to 0? (Magnus shakes his head) Fine, the orc doesn’t defer either. In fact, he attacks you. (The Game Master rolls a 6 for the orc’s attack.) However, he swings wide and misses you, Magnus.

Magnus: Great! I’m going to take him out! (Magnus rolls his ‘to-hit’ and gets a 1.) No! A critical fumble?!

GM: Sorry, Magnus. Stepping into the attack, you roll your ankle over a large stone in the path. As you try to regain your balance, the orc brings his club down upon you once again. His counterattack comes at initiative 9. And… this time it’s a hit. 5 more points of damage. That’s enough to drop you, Magnus. In fact, you are at -1.

Magnus: No!

Occum: Can I grab his Force Weapon and use it against the orc?

GM: No, Occum. Actually, the Force Weapon falls from his hand and disappears as Magnus collapses. Anyway, the goblinoid cheers and attacks Millena again at initiative 7. (The Game Master rolls.) …but, he misses. Occum, it’s your action at initiative 5. What do you do?

Occum: What else can I do?! I attack this orc! (Occum rolls ‘to-hit’, but gets a 4.) Ugh, I miss. Take that goblin out, Millena!

Millena: I’ll try… (Millena rolls ‘to-hit’ and gets a 16. The Game Master indicates it to be a hit. Millena rolls for damage.) Take 4 points, you ugly bandit!

GM: That’s just enough to do it, Millena. You run the goblinoid through, and he crumbles to the ground! Nice work. Seeing his comrade fall, the orc gives a reluctant growl. That’s it for this round. However, there’s still the orc left. Roll initiative.

For the sixth round initiative, Occum gets a 6 and Millena an 8. The Game Master decides that the orc will run before rolling for initiative. Thus, the orc actively retreats.

GM: Well, looking obviously worried, the orc turns and runs.

Occum: He runs?! Can we attack him?

GM: You can, Occum. However, although Millena is close, she isn’t close enough to attack the orc as he flees. She would have to cover about 15’ first. However, either of you may immediately pursue him instead.

The players hurriedly discuss their options.

GM: Quickly now, there’s no time for conversation.

Occum: No, we won’t pursue him. We don’t want to leave Magnus unguarded. Besides, I think Millena is the only one with a chance of catching him. I’m just too weak. Nevertheless, I’ll swing on him as he leaves.

GM: Fine. Roll for your attack.

Occum rolls an 11, and despite his +2 modifier, he just misses the orc’s 14 dodge.

GM: Well, the orc feels your sword brush the hair on his neck. However, you miss and he retreats unscathed. Are you sure you don’t want to give chase?

Millena: No, we’ve had enough for one day. I watch to make sure he keeps running, but I am not going anywhere. Occum, let’s get Magnus off this path. You have the healing proficiency, right?

From this point, the characters may begin non-combat actions. Thus, exact bookkeeping of passing time is no longer necessary. Nevertheless, the Game Master may decide the orc has sought reinforcements, and will return once again in an hour. If this were the case, he may mentally note the time required for the character’s subsequent actions.