SC's Beta Testing Thread

[edtosivaree]

Sgt Christ stared at the creature standing before him. He lowered his firearm but kept rather tense. "Hey there little buddy... Now, you're gonna be all nice and calm right? No sudden movements or sounds," He said, reaching into his back pocket to see if he had something to offer it ((Animal Husbandry? Just a suggestion)). He was very careful in looking for signs of what it ate, be it meat, plants, or both. He was ready to drop his gun and pull out his knife if it attacked though.

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

(( Sorry, couldn’t help it… ))

SPOILER: Click to show

Dec 3, 2015 0:13:47 GMT -6 edtosivaree said:

Sgt Christ

((Anyway...))

CHRIS READY ACTION: SWAP WEAPONS IF ATTACKED
CHRIS WISDOM (HANDLE ANIMAL) CHECK: (1d20+2) (1) [3]
((Oh man, I am so sorry for rolling you a 1! Now things are going to get… fun…))

From his back pocket, Chris gingerly pulled out an “Ooh-rah!” energy bar and held it out as an offering to the reptilian creature. It sniffed the air loudly, the nostrils on its pointed nose flaring as it slowly began to approach. It appeared cautious, almost innocently timid as it neared the Marine Sergeant, remaining focused on the ooh-rah bar. Once it got close enough, it even gently nudged the bar with its nose, giving it one more big sniff…

And then screeched loudly, revealing a mouth full of little teeth as it chomped at Chris’s hand!


CANYON SNATCHER BITE ATTACK: (1d20+3) (15) [18]
DAMAGE ROLL: (1d6+1) (1) [2]
GRAPPLE ATTEMPT! OPPOSED STRENGTH CHECKS:
CANYON SNATCHER STR CHECK: (1d20+1) (10) [11]
CHRIS STR CHECK: (1d20+2) (7) [9]

((Chris took 2 damage (HP 15/17) and is now grappled!))


The creature clamped down hard on Chris’s arm, ooh-rah bar and all! He felt its teeth sink into his wrist. It actually didn’t hurt too bad, but now the creature refused to let go! It snarled and growled with its mouth full as it started to tug, pulling Chris along with it deeper into the fissure! At least since he was prepared to drop his gun, Chris now had his knife at the ready to fight back with.



((Congratulations! You guys are now in combat! The following is a brief summary of combat in D&D 5e, which is what we’ll be using a very slightly modified version of. But the basics are exactly the same, so if you want to use that link Draken provided in the other thread, go ahead and read Chapter 9: Combat on page 189 for full details. Otherwise I’ve summarized everything you need to know below. (I think).

SPOILER: Click to show

There will be no initiative rolls to determine who goes first. Instead, just post as normal. The sooner you post, the sooner you get to act! In other words, we’ll be using “real” initiative instead of “simulated” initiative.

During a combat post you have one Move and one Action.

Use the Move to travel up to your character’s Speed, which for medium-sized characters like humans is around 30 feet. Picture six imaginary 5x5 squares, that’s how far you can go. (Since we’re not using an exact grid, rough, estimated distances are good enough for me).

Use your Action to perform a number of possible things, like attacking for example. This can really be anything, so just describe what your character tries to do, and I’ll take care of the rest. These are the main Actions listed in the Player’s Handbook for your convenience, so if you want to use these specific Actions please mention so OOC:

Attack – Make an attack roll against target AC to damage them
Cast a Spell – Not used for our purposes
Dash – travel your movement speed again
Disengage – Leave an enemy’s space without provoking an attack of opportunity
Dodge – Until the start of your next turn enemies have Disadvantage when attacking you
Help – Assist an ally with an ability check or attack roll, giving them Advantage
Hide – Make a Stealth check to escape enemy sight
Ready – Prepare a Reaction in response to a specific trigger
Search – Make a Perception or Investigation check to study your surroundings
Use an Object – Interact with the environment in a way not covered by a Free Action

You may break up your Move in any way you want before/after using your Action.

If you try to move past an enemy within melee range they can use a Reaction to attack you, and vice versa. This is known as an Opportunity Attack, and you can only use it once per turn. (Use the Disengage Action to avoid this).

Remember you only get one Move and one Action per combat post. But sometimes, certain things might happen that grant you a Bonus Action (which allows you to do more things than just your one Action), or a Reaction (an instant response to a trigger event. The most common Reaction is an Opportunity Attack). I will let you know if anything like this comes into play.

Some things are considered so minor they do not count as a Move or an Action. Essentially you can do them “for free”. These are called Free Actions. (Note: D&D 5e doesn’t use the specific term “Free Action”, but previous editions did and I like it, so that’s what I’ll call it). The Player’s Handbook provides some of these examples for Free Actions:

Communicate or talk normally
Draw or sheathe a weapon
Open or close a door
Withdraw an item from your backpack
Pick up a dropped weapon
Remove a ring from your finger
Stuff some food into your mouth
Throw a lever or switch
Don a mask
Pull the hood of your cloak up and over your head
Hand an item to another character

((Conclusion: During Combat you have one Action, and can Move before it, after it, or split your move before and after it.

As always feel free to ask about stuff OOC if you’re confused or if you want to try something that isn’t totally covered in the rules.))

[Spartan 999]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

“For fuck's sake...” Roland's eyes rolled, and he dropped the battle rifle on a soft spot on the ground; he didn't want to risk shooting Young and/or alert the Covenant to their position. He readied his knife and rushed forward. He attempted to grab the creature and force it to release Sergeant Young, knife pulled back and poised to strike if it snapped back at him.

((Helping Young with opposed Grapple w/readied action to hit the crawler in case it goes after Roland.))

[BetaWülf]

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
Sergeant Major Gregory Perkins

Gregory couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise when he finally got a good look at the Grunt's face, the poor lil bastard was missing his left eye and scarred all to hell on that side of his head. Greg furrowed his brow once more under his helmet as he listened to the Grunt, named Jagjag apparently. The crab apple seemed to have an idea, and Greg was open to anything at the moment to survive.

"Okay Jagjag, we'll put our differences aside and work together, buddy?" Greg said, trying to sound as friendly as possible, hoping to sell it to the small crab alien.

Greg turned as a horn boomed behind him, looking over his shoulder to see a damned Jackal sizing him up. Greg turned around fully to face, arms slightly bowed at his sides and his hand clenched into fists, holding his shoulders as broad as possible to try and look intimidating to the alien dino pirate. Greg glared at it, trying to be as menacing as possible, he was fairly scary for a Human at least.

Greg looked up as something was thrown in his direction, lifting his foot to avoid the thing as it landed in the sand beside him. He bent down and picked it up, looking the weapon over. A Brute weapon, of course, twin bladed and hefty. Greg looked up as the Brute said something to him in their weird-ass barking grunting dog-sounding language, looking back at Jagjag as the Grunt translated for him.

"Thanks Jagjag, I'll be sure to save one for him" he said, tipping his head towards the Brute with a wink to the Grunt. Greg nodded to the Grunt as he told him what he needed to do "I'll try to last, wish me luck" Greg said sincerely before turning and pacing somewhat closer to the Jackal.

Greg stood in place, waiting for either a signal from the Brutes to start fighting, or for the Jackal to make the first dumb move....

[edtosivaree]

This is the eigth time I have tried writing this and I'm burnt out. Don't wanna hold up the thread any longer though so here are the actions.

He lets out a startled growl groan kinda thing and tries to stab the creature in the neck with his free hand ((I assume off hand)). Unaware of where or how Bellamy tries to remove the creature but if he is in direct danger of being stabbed Chris won't follow through. Otherwise, it's pretty much totally involuntary.

[SuperCommando]

Dec 5, 2015 20:19:15 GMT -6 edtosivaree said:

This is the eigth time I have tried writing this and I'm burnt out. Don't wanna hold up the thread any longer though so here are the actions.

Don't worry about it. I've got an all-day shift tomorrow, so I won't get around to another update until tomorrow night or Monday. 

Sorry to hear about the 8 tries though. I've lost posts before, and it's heartbreaking to redo it all even just once. No idea what the issue was, but if you wanted to edit in more detail you have plenty of time to do so.

Or, you know, not. Understandable if you don't want to touch that post ever again, lol.

[Remnant]

Dec 4, 2015 19:33:41 GMT -6 SuperCommando said:

so if you want to use that link Draken provided in the other thread

that was me who linked that...

just wanted to point that out. this post should probably be deleted. Sorry for interrupting the RP. xD

[SuperCommando]

Oops! Sorry bud. I knew it was you, honest. It's just Darknal/Draken are written so similarly I must have mixed them up without realizing it...

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

SPOILER: Click to show

((Chris has Advantage from Roland’s Help Action, meaning I’ll roll the twenty twice and use the better result. I didn’t list it at the start but it would make sense that you guys are trained in basic knife skills, so I’ll also add the +2 Proficiency Bonus when making knife attacks in addition to the +2 STR for a melee weapon.))

ROLAND READY ACTION: LASH OUT IF ATTACKED
CHRIS KNIFE ATTACK: (1d20+4) (15) [19]
DAMAGE ROLL: (1d6+2) (2) [4]
CHRIS STRENGTH (GRAPPLE) CHECK (ADVANTAGE): (1d20+2) (10) (18) [20]
CANYON SNATCHER OPPOSED STRENGTH (GRAPPLE) CHECK: (1d20+1) (13) [14]

COMBAT ROUND 2

CANYON SNATCHER DISENGAGE ACTION

((Chris stabs the creature for 4 damage and is no longer grappled!))

Blood gushed out freely from the deep knife wound Chris inflicted upon the creature as he drove his blade through the side of its neck. It shrieked in pain, allowing Roland to pry it off his Sergeant’s arm. The creature staggered, clearly hurt very badly. It backed away from the Marines then turned tail and fled further up the passage where it disappeared behind the next bend, wailing in agony as it went, leaving behind a bloody trail in the loose sandy soil.

((Let me know if you think I should put combat stats in a spoiler box like that or if you prefer to have it in the open.))

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
SUBJECT(S): BetaWülf

Another blast of the war-horn rang out across the alien arena. At its sound the Jackal gave a quick forward spin of its cutlass and advanced towards the center of the arena with its energy shield lifted defensively in front of its body. The mercenary fighter hissed at Greg, and meanwhile the spectating crowd of Brutes continued to jeer, laugh, and shout from above.

((I’ll give you the same rundown I wrote for the other test in case you haven’t read that already. Not like you really need it though, since you’ve had experience with 5e combat before.))

SPOILER: Click to show

Congratulations! You are now in combat! The following is a brief summary of combat in D&D 5e, which is what we’ll be using a very slightly modified version of. But the basics are exactly the same, so if you want to use that link Darknal provided in the other thread, go ahead and read Chapter 9: Combat on page 189 for full details. Otherwise I’ve summarized everything you need to know below. (I think).

There will be no initiative rolls to determine who goes first. Instead, just post as normal. The sooner you post, the sooner you get to act! In other words, we’ll be using “real” initiative instead of “simulated” initiative.

During a combat post you have one Move and one Action.

Use the Move to travel up to your character’s Speed, which for medium-sized characters like humans is around 30 feet. Picture six imaginary 5x5 squares, that’s how far you can go. (Since we’re not using an exact grid, rough, estimated distances are good enough for me).

Use your Action to perform a number of possible things, like attacking for example. This can really be anything, so just describe what your character tries to do, and I’ll take care of the rest. These are the main Actions listed in the Player’s Handbook for your convenience, so if you want to use these specific Actions please mention so OOC:

Attack – Make an attack roll against target AC to damage them
Cast a Spell – Not used for our purposes
Dash – travel your movement speed again
Disengage – Leave an enemy’s space without provoking an attack of opportunity
Dodge – Until the start of your next turn enemies have Disadvantage when attacking you
Help – Assist an ally with an ability check or attack roll, giving them Advantage
Hide – Make a Stealth check to escape enemy sight
Ready – Prepare a Reaction in response to a specific trigger
Search – Make a Perception or Investigation check to study your surroundings
Use an Object – Interact with the environment in a way not covered by a Free Action

You may break up your Move in any way you want before/after using your Action.

If you try to move past an enemy within melee range they can use a Reaction to attack you, and vice versa. This is known as an Opportunity Attack, and you can only use it once per turn. (Use the Disengage Action to avoid this).

Remember you only get one Move and one Action per combat post. But sometimes, certain things might happen that grant you a Bonus Action (which allows you to do more things than just your one Action), or a Reaction (an instant response to a trigger event. The most common Reaction is an Opportunity Attack). I will let you know if anything like this comes into play.

Some things are considered so minor they do not count as a Move or an Action. Essentially you can do them “for free”. These are called Free Actions. (Note: D&D 5e doesn’t use the specific term “Free Action”, but previous editions did and I like it, so that’s what I’ll call it). The Player’s Handbook provides some of these examples for Free Actions:

Communicate or talk normally
Draw or sheathe a weapon
Open or close a door
Withdraw an item from your backpack
Pick up a dropped weapon
Remove a ring from your finger
Stuff some food into your mouth
Throw a lever or switch
Don a mask
Pull the hood of your cloak up and over your head
Hand an item to another character

Conclusion: During Combat you have one Action, and can Move before it, after it, or split your move before and after it.

As always feel free to ask about stuff OOC if you’re confused or if you want to try something that isn’t totally covered in the rules.

[edtosivaree]

Sgt Chris gave out a sigh of relief as the Canyon Snatcher ran off, wasting no time wrapping his hands in something and looking around ((Looking for hiding place)). "Well, that didn't turn out quite how I expected it too. Almost worked though" He grumbled, listening out for any sign of the covenant. "Lets just hope ET didn't hear us" He said, starting to walk again.

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

CHRIS WISDOM (PERCEPTION) CHECK: (1d20+2) (20) [22]
((All right! Nice one Edto, you got the first ever natural 20! ))
CHRIS REFLEX SAVE (+5 CIRCUMSTANCE BONUS FROM BADASS PERCEPTION CHECK): (1d20+7) (12) [19]

“Are you all right, Sergeant?” Anwen’s voice buzzed over the comm. “That looked rough.”

Chris had enough time to respond as he continued to lead the way ((I’m assuming)) through the fissure, keeping his eyes open for any more surprises. By the time he finished his response they would have advanced to the slight bend ahead where the creature fled. There was no detectable reaction from the Covenant on the other side of the right-hand rock wall, but being on high alert, the Marine Sergeant’s wary gaze caught just enough of a glimpse around the zig-zag corner to register a hidden danger and stop himself dead in his tracks, recoiling instinctively away from the corner.

From his current position behind cover, he could reflect on what he just saw…

((The following is for Edto only. 999 please do not read.))

SPOILER: Click to show

It was just a quick glimpse so you don’t have a lot of details yet, but you think you saw some kind of humongous shape wedged between the walls of the fissure way high up above. It was perfectly still, but there’s no chance it was a rock formation. It was a darkened silhouette due to the sun high noon sun, but it was definitely shaped like some sort of gigantic creature. It would have been extremely easy to miss by anyone walking through the passage casually.

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

((We're slacking guys. Don't lose pace now, we're over halfway done.))

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
SUBJECT(S): BetaWülf

((Only three posts over a 20 day span isn't looking very good Beta. Pick it up or I might have to replace you.))

[Spartan 999]

((Apologies. Stuff going on, not to mention trying to focus on finishing Jethro's RP sample.))


TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

Roland winced at the sound of the lizard's screech. “If they've got Jackals, they probably did hear it.” He followed after Young, then stumbled and backed up when the Sergeant recoiled.. He dropped to one knee and brought his battle rifle up to bear. “What was it?” He whispered, just loud enough for Young to hear.

[edtosivaree]

((Sorry, wanted to let SPARTAN 999 post before I continued. DOn't wanna leave the poor guy behind >.>; I'll be a little less lenient on the amount of time I personally wait for the full rotation to complete. No offence 999))

Sgt took a deep breath, trying to look around the corner without being seen. ((Will redact this next part if requested)). He pulled out a small pocket mirror and tried to use it to see around the corner just as Roland started asking him questions. "Trying to figure that out now Bellamy. Just give me a moment" He said, continuing to look around the corner as subtly as he could.

((Stealth Check, and Perception check I guess))

[BetaWülf]

(OOC: Sorry for the lack of posting, things have been kind of hectic due to the holidays and to top it off I was bed ridden from Sunday to Thursday with Friday being the first day I could walk, have been trying to pick up a lot of pieces IRL and Online from the unexpected absence. Going to assume for my post that my Move is a definite thing in the way I'm using it but can change it needed, unlike an Action like an attack which can of course outright fail)

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
Sergeant Major Gregory Perkins

Greg looked up as a horn blasted, ringing his ears slightly from the horrendous noise. He watched the Jackal spin its sword in the distance of the blood pit the two were in. He watched as it made its approached with its shield raised, it's double kneed legs stopping near the center of the arena. It hissed at Greg, the Marine snarling right back at it.

Greg took a deep breath. This sucked. He was a POW being used as a Pit Fighter with three shots in an alien cutlerly set they dared call a projectile weapon, being forced to fight an alien he'd normally have good gear to use against it.

"Fuck's sake, who'd I piss off?" was all Greg said as he looked straight up, before making his move, that is.

Greg surged forward with his Spiker in hand, charging at the alien bastard. Greg yelled at the top of his lungs, lips drawn back as his nose's bridge and brow knit together in anger as his adrenaline. He brought the Spiker down to his side as he drew near, moving to attempt a backswing as he got even closer.

(Summary, Greg runs at the Kig-Yar and attempts to swing the Spiker Rifle at it)

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

CHRIS DEXTERITY (STEALTH) CHECK: (1d20+2) (8) [10]
CHRIS WISDOM (PERCEPTION) CHECK: (1d20+2) (14) [16]

The mirror wasn’t very large, but at least with it the Sergeant was able to get a covert view around the corner without exposing himself.

((Edto’s eyes only. 999 please do not read.))

SPOILER: Click to show

The first thing Chris would notice is that the fissure ahead must have collapsed inward at some point – the passage terminated in an impenetrable wall of piled rocks. Between his current location and the dead end was a wide area where the ground had been dug out a little bit to form a kind of crater, within which could be seen various skeletal remains and some kind of large eggshell pieces.

Laying motionless in the dirt just in front of the dugout, mere feet away from where Chris was currently peeking with his mirror, was the creature he and Roland previously encountered. The dirt all around its neck area was soaked where it had profusely bled out to death.

From above, a massive appendage covered in red scales slowly reached down and scooped up the little creature’s body with claws so big they could cage an Elite. The body was lifted high into the fissure, where some kind of gigantic abomination was perched.


((Looks kinda like this except even bigger, more reddish brown in color, and much much longer arms with giant claws))

It looked like a much, much bigger version of the creature Chris had killed, except the horns were greatly elongated and so were its arms. In fact, the arms were ridiculously long and those oversized claws made the creature look more like a nightmarish fantasy then a real living being. Yet there it was, real as real can be, with its four long flexible legs outstretched to prop itself up between the fissure walls, taloned feet pierced into the rock, its tail (which sported an impressive scorpion-like tip) curled beneath its suspended body and poised to strike.

It held what obviously used to be its young close to its nose for a moment, sensing, inspecting…

And then, its lips snarled angrily. It’s nose turned to point directly at the entrance to the nest where the two Marines were hiding right around the corner…

“Oh… my… god…!” Anwen gasped as she processed what Chris was seeing.

((Map updated))

((Here we go guys! This is where things really start to ramp up!))

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
SUBJECT(S): BetaWülf

SPOILER: Click to show

COMBAT ROUND 1

JACKAL MOVE TO ARENA CENTER
JACKAL DODGE ACTION

GREG MOVE TO JACKAL
GREG SPIKER BLADE ATTACK (DISADVANTAGE): (1d20+2) (17) (8) [10] - MISS

COMBAT ROUND 2

JACKAL MULTIATTACK
CUTLASS ATTACK 1: (1d20+3) (18) [21] – HIT
DAMAGE ROLL: (1d6+2) (4) [6]
CUTLASS ATTACK 2: (1d20+3) (7) [10] – MISS

((You only get to add your STR modifier since Greg is not proficient using the Spiker, which the Jackal avoided since it used the Dodge action after its last move, giving your attack Disadvantage. It then dealt Greg 6 damage (HP 18/24) with its first attack, but the second attack did not land. You may describe how you defend against “missed” attacks on you from other combatant’s turns (Either you dodge it, block it with your weapon, block it with your armor, etc) in your post before continuing with your actions for your current turn. ))

The Jackal was ready for Greg’s swing. It nimbly ducked under his backswing and spun around, lashing out with its glowing pink energy cutlass as it spun. Its sharp crystalline edge caught the bare flesh of Greg’s side, ripping open a wound. The audience of bloodthirsty apes cheered in approval as the alien mercenary drew first blood.

Sand was kicked up as the Jackal quickly halted to plant its feet and then launched itself forward for another attack. It leapt into the air straight at Greg, shield upraised, cutlass pulled back and aimed to thrust straight into the Marine’s throat…

[Spartan 999]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

Roland made a face at the AI's words. "...So," he said quietly. "On a scale of Unggoy Fireteam to Six Hunters and a Zealot, how exactly fucked are we?"

[edtosivaree]

Stg Chris pressed his back to the wall, looking as if he had just seen a ghost. "Where would you place being sandwiched in a rock fissure, between a covenant scouting part, and a fucking dragon?" He asked in a hissy whisper. "I'm not even joking you, there is what can only be described as a dragon or some DinoDemon from hell around that bend" He added, checking the SPNKr. Two rounds. Two, measly fucking rounds against what ver was around that bend. "I'm too fucking old for this shit" He muttered.

[Spartan 999]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

"...Ah." It was more of a groan than anything. "So then pretty fucked." Roland looked over his shoulder down the canyon. "...Think we can somehow get it to go after the Covenant instead of us? Big ol' distraction while we run for the 'Hog?"

[edtosivaree]

Sgt Chris looked at Roland and gave a morbid smile. "Ever hear the joke about the Newfie and the Irish man running into a bear?" He asked rhetorically with a smirk. "If we can get around it, and piss it off then with a whole hell of a lot of luck, we can get it to go after the Covenant. We just gotta pray that it doesn't eat us, and the covenant doesn't just fucking shoot us on sight" He said with a sigh. Then he realized something. It was looking towards them. "Decision made, fucking run!" He said, bolting back down the fissure.

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

((Hmm… We’re playing Halo… and we have an epic chase scene on our hands. This calls for some appropriately epic background music!

Whenever you get a prompt that says BGM START! you have the option to open the spoiler box and play the video, listening to the music therein while reading from that point forward. The BGM will persist through all subsequent posts until I include the prompt END BGM. If the video ends before the encounter is over, feel free to restart the video.))

BGM START!

SPOILER: Click to show

((Gonna roll a Constitution check for each of you to see who runs faster. ))

CHRIS CONSTITUTION CHECK: (1d20+2) (9) [11]
ROLAND CONSTITUTION CHECK: (1d20+2) (4) [6]

The Marines bolted for it not a moment too soon. There was a deafening, Godzilla-like roar from behind them that caused the fissure walls around them to quake, followed by a rapid succession of explosive noises undoubtedly caused by the monstrous creature crushing rock underfoot. And they were getting louder!

It’s head appeared first, smashing its way clear through the edge of the corner as it entered furious pursuit. It remained high up in the fissue, using its legs to swiftly scuttle its way forward. It needed to tilt almost vertically sideways in order to fit, but that was good. That meant it could only reach for them with one arm instead of both.

VERY ANGRY ADULT CANYON SNATCHER CLAW ATTACK (AGAINST ROLAND): (1d20+5) (8) [13] - MISS

Lagging a little behind, perhaps due to his injury, Roland was the nearest of the monster’s prey. Its long gangly arm snapped out like a striking snake, easily able to reach around twenty, maybe twenty-five feet. Its cruel claws just barely raked the Marine’s back. This time was a close call. Next time he might not be so lucky…

EDIT:
((If you want 999, you can go back and read those Edto-only posts now that we're past that stuff))

[Spartan 999]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

"Fucking hell!" Roland screamed as he ducked beneath massive claws. The wind accompanying the massive limb made him stagger for a moment, but he was back at full sprinting pace in a second. Unfortunately, said full pace wasn't as fast as he'd like, seeing as how he was still a bit winded from the shrapnel wound from earlier. "Hey Sarge, think a grenade might slow it down and attract the Covie's to us?" He pulled out his grenade and held it tightly in one hand, arms pumping as he raced after Young. He didn't prime it yet, however, instead waiting for the Sergeant's affirmative or negative.

[edtosivaree]

Chris didn't even look behind him. "Over-pressure! We are in a fissure man! Shot it or something till we get out of this damn crevice!" He yelled, using his lead to spin around with his AR and start unloading at the things face. He continued to move backwards as he shot, hoping the bullets to the face would slow it down a bit. When the Roland ran past him he would start running again.

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

((Since you are proficient with UNSC primary weapons you get to add your Proficiency Bonus to attack rolls with the assault rifle in addition to your Dexterity modifier for a ranged weapon. I’m going to have you make a Controlled Burst attack this time, (honestly you could dump your whole magazine into that thing and still likely not do much…), but in the future you guys can utilize alternate fire modes as detailed below.))

House Rules for Autos:

SPOILER: Click to show

Using your Attack action with an automatic weapon is called a “controlled burst” and costs one “Ammunition Charge”. One full magazine contains enough rounds for 4 Ammunition Charges. Once all Ammunition Charges have been expended the weapon must be reloaded, which takes one action. Making a Controlled Burst attack does not mean you literally keep the trigger squeezed until you fire exactly ¼ of your magazine – it can represent a little less or a little more or even several small bursts in a row during that attack. It’s just a rough approximation since I’m not going to even try keeping track of individual rounds. The damage for a Controlled Burst is 2d6 plus your Dexterity modifier.

Alternately, instead of the Controlled Burst you may choose to make a “Single Shot” attack instead to fire only one round or so. This option does not cost any Ammunition Charges, but only does 1d4 damage plus your Dexterity modifier.

As a final option, you could also choose to make a “Suppressive Fire” attack. This costs three Ammunition Charges, but deals 3d6 damage plus your dexterity modifier to a single target, or you can “walk your fire” across up to three adjacent targets, dealing 1d6 damage plus your dexterity modifier to each of them, or in the case of two targets 2d6 to one and 1d6 to the other.

CHRIS MA5B CONTROLLED BURST: (1d20+4) (19) (23) – HIT! ((Wow, nice first shot!))
DAMAGE ROLL: (2d6+2) (1) (5) [8]

The burst of gunfire from the Sergeant’s assault rifle echoed through the fissure, although by this point it hardly did much to raise the volume of ambient noise going on what with the reptilian giant rampaging after them and all.

His bullets caught the Snatcher right in the face and mouth, causing it to hiss out in pain. Chris definitely saw spurts of blood fly up here and there, although it wasn’t enough to notably deter the creature’s alarming pace. Which wasn’t good news for him… Now that he had let Roland run ahead, that left him as their pursuer’s closest target!

VERY ANGRY ADULT CANYON SNATCHER CLAW ATTACK: (1d20+5) (20) [25] – CRITICAL HIT!!!
((Oooooh shit! I’m so, so sorry Edto!))
DAMAGE ROLL (CRITICAL X2): (4d10+3) (5)(3)(7)(3) [21]

((Chris’s HP has been reduced to -4 and he is now dying! Dying characters are unconscious and unstable until they are no longer dying or receive medical treatment. Each turn they do not receive medical treatment they must make a death saving throw against DC 10, no modifiers. Get three fails, you die. Get three saves, and you stabilize. Get medical treatment, you stabilize.))

CHRIS DEATH SAVING THROW: (1d20) [2]
FAILS: 1, SAVES: 0 

END BGM! ((Queue abrupt music cut-off for drama…))

The vengeful Snatcher’s far-reaching claw snapped out again. One second Chris was there, the next he was gone as Roland was covered in a splash of warm red bodily fluid! There wasn’t even enough time for the man to scream, it happened so fast.

The creature paused, hoisting the Sergeant’s limp body up triumphantly, its sword-like talons piercing right through his now blood-soaked armor in multiple places. It roared out a ghastly cry, and then opened its mouth wide, lifting Chris towards its gaping, saliva-filled maw…


EDIT:
((So uh, Edto, I suppose you can post to describe yourself getting "snatched" if you really want. Otherwise just sit tight until 999 saves your ass. Or, you know, you die. If that happens, your beta-testing service will be concluded and qualify as an "RP completion".

Sorry again.))

[BetaWülf]

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
Sergeant Major Gregory Perkins

Greg was so sure that he was going to land the blow, so damn sure, but then... he didn't. Greg gritted his teeth in a muffled cry of pain as he was struck with the crystalline blade, he couldn't show weakness or he'd get torn to shreds. He barely had time to react to the second attack as the blade was thrust towards his own throat, barely able to interpose his pauldron between himself and near certain death just in time to deflect it.

Greg was pissed. His teeth were gritted more in anger than pain now, his knuckles white as he gripped the Spiker rifles handle, his eyes wide and the veins more prominent. He swung the Spiker at the Jackal, giving his equivalent of a combat roar in the form of a hoarse yell. He had to hit this time dammit, he was banking on it.

(Summary; Greg swings at the Jackal, I couldn't think of a way to use my Move so I didn't if that's possible)

[Spartan 999]

((Well. Shit. Also, is the rocket launcher still on Young, or did it drop?))

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

Roland stumbled and skidded to a halt, the back of his neck sticky with Young's blood. He turned and stared up...up...up at the creature. Well. That...was not good. Seeing as how he had mere moments, he acted quickly. One thumb clicked the activation tab on the back of the grenade, and he threw it underhand, aiming for it to bounce below the canyon crawler so its body could absorb the worst of the shockwave.

He swiftly dropped to one knee and brought his battle rifle to bear, carefully lining up the sights with one of the crawler's eyes. Roland exhaled, paused, then squeezed the trigger and sent a trio of bullets hurtling at its face, just a second before the grenade went off.

((I know, throwing a grenade and then using an Aim action and shooting might be too much for a single "round", technically speaking, but it fits and it's what Roland would do.))

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

((The launcher is still strapped to him. Unfastened equipment, like his assault rifle I believe, would have dropped.

Also it’s not a “Canyon Crawler”. It’s a “Canyon Snatcher”. Cuz of the long arms, you know. It, like, snatches stuff. Like unlucky Marines. So, yeah.

And we’ll make your post work. Since drawing a weapon (your grenade) is a free action, that obviously won’t cost any actions. And since you can hold your battle rifle with one hand while lobbing the grenade with the other, it’s not like you need to swap between multiple weapons or anything, meaning that won’t cost any actions either. Since you didn’t really go anywhere, we’ll have the grenade toss count towards your Move, and then shooting will be your usual Attack action.

There is no such thing as an “Aim” action, so when you attempt to hit a specific area on a target (like a monster’s eye for example), I’ll just increase the AC you need to beat with your attack roll. If you fail against the enhanced AC but still hit the normal AC, you will miss your specific target but still hit the monster anyway. If you fail to even beat the normal AC, then your shot will just miss completely.

Now since you threw a grenade that means I have to make up my mind on how grenades are supposed to work. For the sake of this particular scenario, (just chucking it somewhere under the creature), I’m not going to even bother with a roll and just assume it’s fine. But for future applications I still haven’t quite figured things out. See below for more on that, and any suggestions regarding that would be nice.))

((So about them ‘nades…))

SPOILER: Click to show

The 5e Player’s Handbook actually doesn’t have any rules for grenade-type area of effect thrown weapons. So I looked around online for ideas. Found a perfect discussion here:
www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?419120-Handling-Grenade-like-Weapons-with-AoE-Splash-Damage

The take-away I got from that is these two approaches:

For grenades, I would use an area of effect save system like for spells not a to hit roll. If you want to add a to hit roll I would make them Target AC 10 and for every 1 they missed it by have it travel a few feet in a random direction, just roll a d8 with directly north of the target as '1' and go clockwise around the compass points.

Use 1E rules. On a miss roll 1d8, with "1" being the space in front of the target (under-thrown), and each higher number being a different space clockwise. The area hit will suffer the damage, and (if you feel the need) a creature in the hit space has to make a Very Easy Dex Save or take 1/2 Damage (it's both easy and less damage since it's a splash, not direct hit).

I like parts of both, so I’m thinking of combining the two like this:

For grenades, if you want to add a to hit roll make them Target AC 10 and for every 1 they missed it by have it travel a few feet in a random direction. Roll 1d8, with "1" being the space in front of the target (under-thrown), and each higher number being a different space clockwise. The area hit will suffer the damage, and (if you feel the need) a creature in the hit space has to make a Very Easy Dex Save or take 1/2 Damage.

But then again, after looking at all that I wonder if that’s going too overboard? Maybe just have grenades land perfectly where the thrower wants is good enough. But does that make it too easy? I dunno. Thoughts?

Also, I have to figure out the size of the blast radius and damage dice. Realistically speaking, according to google:

The average soldier can throw the M67 grenade 35 meters (115 feet, 23 “squares” on a D&D map). The effective casualty producing radius is 15 meters (50 feet, 10 “squares”) and killing radius is 5 meters (16.4 feet, 3 “squares”).

In other words, going by those numbers if a grenade lands in your space, you and everything in an adjacent space is instantly dead, and things further away than even a standard 30 ft speed (6 spaces) Move is still going to be injured.

If I wanted to leave it hyper-realistic like that, then I’d have to figure out how much damage that should be for the kill zone, how much damage for the injury zone, and also consider how much damage should be absorbed by an Elite’s energy shields depending on its rank, or how effective that would be against armored vehicles.

That’s… a lot to think about, and honestly I’ve wasted so much time just writing out my thoughts it’s not even funny. Let me know if you guys have any input on this, I’m just gonna focus on finishing this post for now…

((Unlike the various lengths of time you can pull the trigger on an assault rifle, a battle rifle will only have a 3-round burst per trigger pull. (Realistically there’d probably be a semi-auto fire select setting too, but for the same reason as the games I’ll say burst-fire only in order to distinguish it from the DMR). Therefore I’ll give it 5 Ammunition Charges instead of 4 (representing the conservation of ammo from using 3-round bursts. Using one Ammunition Charge doesn’t necessarily mean only one burst, it could also represent multiple bursts in a row over the course of your attack) and up the damage a little (2d8 instead of 2d6), and extend the range compared to the AR. I forgot to mention range earlier, but we’ll use “estimated range” rather than measuring exact effective range. The range increments are:
Close
Medium
Long
Far
The MA5B and sidearms will be effective up to “medium range”, and the BR55 and DMR will be effective up to “long range”. Sniper rifles and rocket launchers will be effective up to “far range”. The only weapons effective only at “close range” are shotguns. So basically standard video game formula.))

ROLAND BR55 ATTACK: (1d20+4) (10) [14] – HIT!
DAMAGE ROLL: (2d8+2) (2) (7) [11]

Roland’s trio of bullets hit the creature, just not in the eye where he was aiming. It was difficult to gauge its reaction, if anything, to getting shot because almost immediately after that the grenade went off, and it did so in spectacular fashion.

The explosive blew apart a section of one of the fissure walls beneath the Snatcher, causing the weakened rock above it (where the Snatcher’s leg was dug into) to crumble. The giant creature’s body lurched as it suddenly slipped and lost its footing. It released a piercing cry of surprise as it plummeted down, scraping jagged scars in the stone as it slid uncontrollably into the ground where it awkwardly crashed in a spray of dirt.

Sergeant Young’s body was flung from the monster’s claws as it fell. He flew right over Roland’s head, crashing limply before rolling to a stop not far away.

CHRIS FALL DAMAGE: (1d6) [3]
HP -7/14

((When you take damage while dying, it adds a failure to your death saving throw tally. Also if you get negative hit points equal to your max HP (in this case -14), you instantly die.))

CHRIS DEATH SAVING THROW: (1d20) [18]
FAILS: 2, SAVES: 1
ANOTHER FAIL WILL RESULT IN DEATH

((I strongly suggest healing him, fast! Gotta hand it to him though, after all this punishment the poor guy is still clinging to life… for now…))

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
SUBJECT(S): BetaWülf

((That’s fine. You don’t need to use your Move if you don’t want to. Also thanks for your turn summaries. Right now the actions are pretty straightforward, but I can see summarizing things being helpful after long descriptive posts.))

SPOILER: Click to show

COMBAT ROUND 2

JACKAL MULTIATTACK
CUTLASS ATTACK 1: (1d20+3) (18) [21] – HIT
DAMAGE ROLL: (1d6+2) (4) [6]
CUTLASS ATTACK 2: (1d20+3) (7) [10] – MISS

GREG SPIKER BLADE ATTACK: (1d20+2) (16) [18] – HIT!
DAMAGE ROLL: (1d8+2) (5) [7]

COMBAT ROUND 3

JACKAL ABANDON CUTLASS (FREE ACTION)
JACKAL DISENGAGE ACTION
JACKAL MOVE AWAY FROM GREG

The Jackal’s momentum carried it forward after Greg deflected its thrust with his armored shoulder. It whirled about to press its attack, but came face-to-face with the Marine’s savage blow instead. It attempted to raise its energy cutlass to parry, but Greg smashed through the lightweight alien’s defense with sheer brute force.

Purple blood flew through the air as the Jackal was sent spinning by Greg’s blow, which received cheers of approval from the rowdy audience. Greg must have hurt it pretty good, because the once-cocky mercenary decided to abandon its assault. Lifting its energy shield between itself and the human gladiator, the Jackal began to rabidly backpedal. Greg could see its hand begin to reach for its side, where he noticed a plasma pistol was waiting.

But wait, where did it’s sword go, then?

Greg realized that the crystalline blade had been stabbed into the ground beside him. The Jackal must have left it there after getting hit. He also realized that the glowing blade was getting brighter…

GREG DEXTERITY SAVING THROW: (1d20+2) (10) [12] – SUCCESS!

((You may describe the manner in which you dodge the energy cutlass’s explosive self-destruct.))

[Spartan 999]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
Lance Corporal Roland Bellamy

Roland tried to reach up to catch Young as he soared overhead, but he wasn't fast enough. “Shit!”

He scrambled to his feet and rushed over to the Sergeant, then picked him up and carried Young over behind something that could be used as cover nearby. ((I'm just assuming that there's enough crevices, boulders, and/or outcroppings around to allow that to happen.)) Roland hastily pulled out a medkit and popped it open. First was biofoam, followed by some self-adhering antiseptic battle dressing, and he kept the polypseudomorphine on standby. He just hoped that the canyon snatcher didn't recover before Young did, or they were probably gonna be in trouble...

((If there's a drug that helps to bring people to consciousness, then Roland will inject some of that into Young after treating his wounds. If it's necessary, of course.))

[BetaWülf]

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
Sergeant Major Gregory Perkins

The move to deflect the blow for his neck was successful, thank God. The Jackal moved to attack again, but was met with strong resistance. Greg grinned with malicious glee as his blow cut through the damned Alien's defenses, sending it spinning away in a spray of purple blood. It seemed he'd hurt the alien reptile pretty good, as it broke away from Greg and tried to flee. Greg frowned when he realized it was backpedaling, reaching for a Plasma pistol.

To make matters worse, he noticed it had dropped its sword, the crystalline blade was glowing... getting brighter and bright. Shit. Greg leapt as far from the blade as he could, narrowly escaping its deadly explosion. Greg jumped back up, glaring at the Jackal with an intense hatred. Now the bastard had really gotten on his bad side.

Greg rushed the alien, Spiker rifle in hand, he knew it was risky as hell but he swung again instead of firing his weapon. Greg's face was red, flushed with rage and exertion as he made his attack on the creature. He hoped he wouldn't get lethally melted by a shot from that Pistol....

(Summary, Greg jumps out of the way of the exploding sword, runs at the Jackal and attacks with the Spiker's blades)

[SuperCommando]

TEST 01: MARINE EVAC
SUBJECT(S): Spartan 999 , edtosivaree

While Roland conducted some hasty first-aid, he could hear the giant creature nearby as it roared in frustration, causing quite a racket as it squirmed and thrashed around in attempt to un-wedge itself from the bottom of the fissure.

It was a no-brainer that Young would require proper medical attention if they ever made it out of this canyon alive, but for now spraying some foam in the Sergeant’s wounds and getting them covered would just have to do. Hopefully it was enough.

((I decided to make using biofoam equivalent to a 5e action with the Healer feat. It heals 1d6+4, plus an additional 2 because you have two hit dice. When you receive points of healing when dying, your HP instantly becomes 0 before the healing occurs. This is because the negative HP isn’t so much your “actual” hit points, by then it’s just a representation of how close you are to death. So after 11 points of healing Chris doesn’t go from -7 to 4, he actually goes straight to 11.))

ROLAND HEAL ACTION: (1d6+6) (5) [11]
CHRIS HP: 11/17

((Chris now regains consciousness and is no longer dying. Edto, you may describe the extent of your injuries however you see fit based on your HP fluctuations. Maybe assume Roland injected the polypsudomorphine to account for Chris’s sudden liveliness?))

Sergeant Young began to stir as Roland was finishing up his rushed patch job. Not a moment too soon either… The bloodstained nails of a giant claw suddenly reached around the outcropping and impaled the rock just above Roland’s head, showering both Marines with a stream of dust and pebble-sized debris!

TEST 02: RAGNUS GLADIATOR
SUBJECT(S): BetaWülf

COMBAT ROUND 3

JACKAL ABANDON CUTLASS (FREE ACTION)
JACKAL DISENGAGE ACTION
JACKAL MOVE AWAY FROM GREG

GREG DEX SAVE (FREE ACTION)
GREG MOVE ACTION
GREG SPIKER BLADE ATTACK: (1d20+2) (12) [14] – HIT!
DAMAGE ROLL: (1d8+2) (8) [10]
((Maximum possible damage on that one! Nice! Your attack hits before the Jackal gets its next turn, so it shooting at you in the description below isn’t a real action, it’s just for flavor.))

The wounded Jackal snatched up its plasma pistol and leveled it at Greg’s face. It managed to squeeze off a few shots, but a combination of shaky aim on its part and actively staying out of its line of fire on Greg’s resulted in each shining green streak lancing harmlessly past the charging Marine as he rapidly closed in for the kill…

((Your attack hits and deals enough damage to kill the Jackal. Therefore I now release control of the Jackal over to you so you may describe the kill however you like.))