<div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/e1/be/e1/e1bee16d747a4ffca52dc819c932376e.jpg)</div><strong>OOC Scene 4, Post 3 - Shh, be vewy, vewy quiet; We're hunting scorpions</strong><br/><br/>Characters: Arty, Alisandra, Cassandra, Sondanwe, Pharli<br/><br/>1) I don't like having NPCs take the lead in encounters. I feel it robs the players of narrative control. I added Arty to give the group a fighter/tank. However, I think this is a teachable moment where I can show the players how to bring the different strengths of the party together.<br/><br/>2) I'm going to assume that Pharli and Cassandra will follow Arty's instructions.<br/>Pharli and Pass Without Trace - see below.<br/>Cassandra - Owl Familiar provides aerial reconnaissance, Adv on Sight and Hearing Perception checks (call it an 18 Passive Perception)<br/><br/><strong>Pass without a trace</strong>– Assuming your group uses the Rules as Written Stealth and Surprise rules, pass without trace is your premier 2nd level spell and one of the best spells in the game in general. Use its hour long duration to cast well ahead of time in any environment with places to hide, watch the +10 bonus completely blitz past bounded monster passive Perception scores, and either easily surprise enemies or skip past combats entirely in scenarios where you don't want or need to engage, possibly holding concentration on it for reuse in future encounters.<br/><br/>There is a set of rolls - Perception and or Stealth - when two groups are coming together, and both are relatively stealthy. In this case, I will simplify things by using Passive scores for the group. Passive abilities let me roll everything up to Initiative.<br/><br/>Turning this into ranged combat is advantageous because the scorpions don't have ranged weapons. I will use a 2D Scale to represent the distance between the party and the scorpions. Technically, the terrain is not flat, it is broken with a series of small ridges and gullies. However, I'm not going to introduce this complexity into the scenario.<br/><br/>Scorpion<br/>Perception 11 vs PC 10+ (https://discord.com/channels/984211430507184218/984212526692712478/1003746870755082383)<br/>Scorpion to be spotted 3 vs PC 18 (https://discord.com/channels/984211430507184218/984212526692712478/1003747227946205276)<br/><br/>Ranges<br/>Party: +90<br/>Scorpions: +0,-10<br/><br/>Round 1: PCs have surprise<br/>Round 2: Any PCs rolling 11 or higher can act before the Scorpions. If your character has initiative, go on and post Round 2.<br/><br/>The Giant Scorpions have AC 15. All characters get advantage due to Surprise on Round 1.<br/><br/>Arty<br/>Initiative 9 _Goes after Scorpions Round 2 (https://discord.com/channels/984211430507184218/984212526692712478/1003753839826063440)<br/>Hit for 13 Damage (https://discord.com/channels/984211430507184218/984212526692712478/1003753502100705441)<br/><hr/>Arty drove for some time before stopping his horseless carriage. He looked to Pharli in the front seat.<strong>"This is as close as we can go in the carriage. With your Druidic magic, we should be able to get closer to the scorpions."</strong>then Andy looked to Cassandra,<strong>"And if you can use your familiar to scout ahead, we can find the Scorpions. We will catch them outside their lair with a bit of luck and can engage them at range."</strong><br/><br/>He smiled at the two Sorceresses and told them in his particularly artless style,<strong>"And I assume the two of you have some kind of magical attack. After Cassandra and Pharli get us close, you can add your magical attacks."</strong><br/><br/>Cassandra's familiar took of scanning the terrain for the Scorpions while Pharli masked the group. Soon enough, the familiar found the Scorpions. It appeared to be two of the large beasts - enough scales to make several sets of armor, but a dangerous combination if they should get the party into melee.<br/><br/>Arty pointed at the lead creature with one of his gauntleted hands and launched a blast of energy that hit the creature.