The sun rises over the empty village of Drellen's Ferry. You use the kitchen in the abandoned inn to prepare yourselves a final, hearty meal, pack some salted meat, bead and mead as rations. Then, after resetting the boiling oil trap over the door into the inn as the innkeeper had instructed you to, you set out along the river into the depths of the Witchwood. Smoke on the horizon tells of the coming hoard, although based on the distance, Pawetha figures that the hoard just reached the skull gorge bridge. If anything is happening to them right now they are facing some resistance from the last of the forest giants in the Witchwood. Warklegnaw would be finding his honourable death soon, if he hadn't already succumb to the hoard by now.
Chapter 2, Days 8-10
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The sun rises over the empty village of Drellen's Ferry. You use the kitchen in the abandoned inn to prepare yourselves a final, hearty meal, pack some salted meat, bead and mead as rations. Then, after resetting the boiling oil trap over the door into the inn as the innkeeper had instructed you to, you set out along the river into the depths of the Witchwood. Smoke on the horizon tells of the coming hoard, although based on the distance, Pawetha figures that the hoard just reached the skull gorge bridge. If anything is happening to them right now they are facing some resistance from the last of the forest giants in the Witchwood. Warklegnaw would be finding his honourable death soon, if he hadn't already succumb to the hoard by now.
Rolls
Random Encounter - (1d100)
(72) = 72
Random Encounter - (1d100)
(40) = 40
Evening Encounter - (1d100)
How many?! - (1d2)
Rolls
Athletics, with Inspiration - (1d20+2, 1d20+2)
1d20+2 : (4) + 2 = 6
1d20+2 : (9) + 2 = 11
Rolls
Stealth - (1d20+6)
(10) + 6 = 16
Rolls
Attack 1 (with advantage due to Assassinate) - (1d20+5, 1d20+5, 1d4)
1d20+5 : (9) + 5 = 14
1d20+5 : (18) + 5 = 23
1d4 : (2) = 2
Attack 2 (with advantage due to Assassinate) - (1d20+5, 1d20+5, 1d4)
1d20+5 : (12) + 5 = 17
1d20+5 : (16) + 5 = 21
1d4 : (1) = 1
Sneak Attack damage! - (1d6)
(4) = 4
Also, Xara, you get +Dex Modifier on damage, so you did 8 more damage than you reported!
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(12) + 6 = 18
Sword damage - (1d8+4)
(7) + 4 = 11
Frost damage - (1d6)
(6) = 6
Ghunril, Corban and Zaris still to act before it's owlbear time
Rolls
Magic missile - (1d4+1)
(4) + 1 = 5
Magic missile - (1d4+1)
(1) + 1 = 2
Magic missile - (1d4+1)
(1) + 1 = 2
Rolls
Spear throw (attack, damage) - (1d20+5, 1d6+3)
1d20+5 : (12) + 5 = 17
1d6+3 : (1) + 3 = 4
Blow 1 - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (8) + 5 = 13
1d4+3 : (2) + 3 = 5
Blow 2 - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (4) + 5 = 9
1d4+3 : (3) + 3 = 6
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(11) + 6 = 17
Sword damage - (1d8+4)
(2) + 4 = 6
Cold damage - (1d6)
(2) = 2
Are the two owlbears within 5' of each other? If yes, I would use Horde Breaker to make another attack on the second owlbear.
Rolls
Short bow vs owlbear - (1d20+8)
(19) + 8 = 27
Damage plus Hunter's Mark - (1d6+4, 1d6)
1d6+4 : (1) + 4 = 5
1d6 : (5) = 5
Pawetha's arrow takes the owlbear in the claw.
Rolls
Deathroll - (1d20)
(11) = 11
Rolls
Rapier - (1d20+6, 1d8+3)
1d20+6 : (16) + 6 = 22
1d8+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Rolls
Color spray. Total hit points blinded. p. 222 - (6d10)
(8595710) = 44
He wields his longsword in one hand and swings viciously at the beast.
Rolls
Attack w/longsword - (1D20+8)
(5) + 8 = 13
Dam - (1D8+6)
(3) + 6 = 9
Attack 2 - (1D20+8)
(4) + 8 = 12
Attack 2 dam - (1D8+6)
(7) + 6 = 13
Rolls
Medicine check - (1d20+1)
(6) + 1 = 7
Rolls
Cure Wounds - (1d8+3)
(3) + 3 = 6
"What should we do with that?" Ghunril points at the Owlbears corpse and then stows the healing potion in his pack.
The ranger turns away from the group and continues north, touching an arm to her face only briefly.
The next few days pass without event, mostly thanks to Pawetha's keen senses and woodland knowledge, the group is able to avoid significant conflicts with other creatures of the woods. Sitting in a small clearing, making breakfast over an equally small cook fire, the discussion turns to the course of action. During the previous day's hiking the ground has grown softer as you've neared the Blackfens. By the map, if you head due north east you will arrive at the place where the red hand has set up a roadblock on the Rhest Trail. On the other hand, if you go due north, a day and a half of travel across the Blackfens will take you to the ruins of Rhest.
"Seems like the roadblock's got some power, but Rhest isn't much easier by the sounds of it," she says, rising to her feet at the edge of the clearing. The earth streaks her face like natural camouflage, especially given the way she absently smears it across her cheeks with a forearm. "Something reptilian, a number of them, have taken up residence in the ruins. Wherever the elves are, they're not at Rhest."
With that, the gnome dives into the undergrowth once again, belly-crawling this way and that until she finds her small animal friends to ask where the elves reside.
There are flames directly under Zaris' seat, licking up from the ground.
Rolls
Sleight of Hand (Minor Illusion) - (1d20+4)
(20) + 4 = 24
A low, mossy island of mud and peat protrudes from the marsh waters ahead. Two gnarled trees grow fitfully on the rugged ground, and sprawled across their turgid roots is the ruined and bloody remains of a horse-sized owl. The once-magnificent bird's body has been partially dissolved in places, and swaths of foul, dark green fluid still sizzle and pop, eating away at exposed flesh and bone.
Rolls
Nature on Owl - (1d20+4)
(4) + 4 = 8
Investigation on Scene - (1d20+2)
(9) + 2 = 11
Rolls
Arcana check - (1d20+5)
(4) + 5 = 9
It reaches Zaris with incredible speed and unleashes a flurry of attacks, slicing at him with the 'arm' part of its wing (3 vs AC) and following up by lashing out at him with its whip-like tail which is also covered in the upraised scales (15 vs AC; 7 Damage).
Rolls
Dagger 1 - (1d20+6, 1d4+4)
1d20+6 : (17) + 6 = 23
1d4+4 : (4) + 4 = 8
Dagger 2 - (1d20+6, 1d4+4)
1d20+6 : (20) + 6 = 26
1d4+4 : (1) + 4 = 5
Stealth - (1d20+6)
(9) + 6 = 15
Crit damage - (1d4)
(2) = 2
Rolls
Shortbow vs Scales, Damage, Hunter's Mark - (1d20+8, 1d6+4, 1d6)
1d20+8 : (20) + 8 = 28
1d6+4 : (6) + 4 = 10
1d6 : (2) = 2
Critical - (1d6)
(3) = 3
Rolls
Spear attack - (1d20+5, 1D6+3)
1d20+5 : (19) + 5 = 24
1D6+3 : (6) + 3 = 9
Elbow (1st flurry attack) - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (19) + 5 = 24
1d4+3 : (2) + 3 = 5
Knee (2nd Flurry attack) - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (10) + 5 = 15
1d4+3 : (3) + 3 = 6
Rolls
Short sword attack - (1d20-1)
(9) - 1 = 8
Slashing damage - (1d6)
(4) = 4
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(1) + 6 = 7
Sword damage - (1d8+4)
(8) + 4 = 12
Frost damage - (1d6)
(6) = 6
The creature hops back a half step and its throat bulges out for a moment before it launches a spray of corrosive poison at the three fighters engaging it in melee.
It's large size.
Constitution save from Kaiakas, Ghunril and Zaris please! Also, it's player turn.
Rolls
Short bow attack - (1d20+4, 1d6)
1d20+4 : (5) + 4 = 9
1d6 : (6) = 6
Rolls
Shortbow Attack, Damage - (1d20+8, 1d6+4)
1d20+8 : (19) + 8 = 27
1d6+4 : (2) + 4 = 6
Rolls
Constitution save - (1d20+2)
(12) + 2 = 14
Failed Con save, took 8 damage for poison damage resistance, but have poison condition.
Rolls
Constitution check - (1d20+1)
(4) + 1 = 5
Spear attack - (1d20+5, 1D6+3)
1d20+5 : (18) + 5 = 23
1D6+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Punch - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (10) + 5 = 15
1d4+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Rolls
MM 1 - (1d4+1)
(2) + 1 = 3
MM2 - (1d4+1)
(2) + 1 = 3
MM3 - (1d4+1)
(4) + 1 = 5
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(15) + 6 = 21
Long sword damage - (1d8+4)
(3) + 4 = 7
Frost damage - (1d6)
(1) = 1
Rolls
Attack! - (1d20+6, 1d8+3)
1d20+6 : (9) + 6 = 15
1d8+3 : (6) + 3 = 9
Rolls
MM 1 - (1d4+1)
(3) + 1 = 4
MM 2 - (1d4+1)
(1) + 1 = 2
MM 3 - (1d4+1)
(2) + 1 = 3
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(17) + 6 = 23
Long sword damage - (1d8+4)
(7) + 4 = 11
Cold damage - (1d6)
(4) = 4
Thunder damage - (2d6)
(65) = 11
Rolls
Shortbow vs Scales, Damage, Hunter's Mark - (1d20+8, 1d6+4, 1d6)
1d20+8 : (7) + 8 = 15
1d6+4 : (5) + 4 = 9
1d6 : (3) = 3
Rolls
Poison Check (constitution) - (1d20+2)
(16) + 2 = 18
Ghunril saves against the poison, and is no longer at Disadvantage.
Kaiakas has Advantage on his next attack,
Player turn.
Rolls
Int Save - (1d20+1)
(12) + 1 = 13
Rolls
Shortbow vs Scales, Damage, Hunter's Mark - (1d20+8, 1d6+4, 1d6)
1d20+8 : (11) + 8 = 19
1d6+4 : (6) + 4 = 10
1d6 : (5) = 5
Rolls
Spear attack - (1d20+5, 1d6+3)
1d20+5 : (3) + 5 = 8
1d6+3 : (3) + 3 = 6
Fist attack - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (6) + 5 = 11
1d4+3 : (2) + 3 = 5
Rolls
Acrobatics? - (1d20+6)
(18) + 6 = 24
Attack - (1d20+6, 1d8+3)
1d20+6 : (9) + 6 = 15
1d8+3 : (5) + 3 = 8
Sneak attack damage? - (1d6)
(1) = 1
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(14) + 6 = 20
Attack - advantage - (1d20+6)
(4) + 6 = 10
Cold damage - (1d6)
(6) = 6
Sword damage - (1d8+4)
(3) + 4 = 7
Con save - (1d20+2)
(4) + 2 = 6
Pawetha's arrow slams into its side, and Kaiakas slashes it with his blade as the wound on his arm flares up (Kai failed the save, so he takes 5 Damage at the start of his turn, and every turn until he succeeds on a DC 12 con save). Xara tries to leap on its back, and she gets a foot down, but as she tries to stab it, it reels up and bucks her off. She lands with a graceful roll and pops back to her feet beside the creature. Ghunril strikes and stabs at it, but his attacks can't find purchase against the creatures hearty hide.
It lets out another roar, then charges at Zaris - giving the foes surrounding it a chance to strike...
Rolls
AOO - (1d20+6, 1d8+3)
1d20+6 : (1) + 6 = 7
1d8+3 : (6) + 3 = 9
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+6)
(16) + 6 = 22
Sword damage - (1d8+4)
(8) + 4 = 12
Cold damage - (1d6)
(3) = 3
Rolls
Spear Attack (two handed) - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)
1d20+5 : (2) + 5 = 7
1d8+3 : (3) + 3 = 6
Rolls
Con save - (1d20+2)
(9) + 2 = 11
Death Save - (1d20)
(11) = 11
Rolls
Cure Wounds - (1d8+2)
(2) + 2 = 4
Making my way to my feet, I shake hands with Paws, smiling. "Thank you."
The ranger approaches the corpse of the dragon-thing and at Xara's words, begins to inspect the body. Not only to determine what could be made of its hide and parts, but the nature of the beast itself.
Rolls
Nature - (1d20+4)
(3) + 4 = 7
Nature (inspiration) - (1d20+4)
(1) + 4 = 5
Rolls
Arcana check for ID of the creature - (1d20+5)
(6) + 5 = 11
"It is dead. That is what matters." I look down at the corpse with disdain before going to Ghundril. "Are you injured?
Rolls
Cure Wounds - (1d8+3)
(2) + 3 = 5
May we have the benefit of your name?"
Rolls
Diplomacy - (1d20+2)
(8) + 2 = 10
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+1)
(9) + 1 = 10
The ranger doesn't know if these giant owls are anything like their smaller cousins and can understand her, but she breathlessly whispers under her breath, "...you're pretty..."
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+3)
(20) + 3 = 23
He turns to address Kaiakas, "If you are here to help, come with me to my camp. The speaker will wasn't to talk with you."
As this happens Pawetha notices a small iron coffer sitting atop the grassy knoll that the giant owl lays dead atop.
Rolls
Perception - (1d20+4)
(1) + 4 = 5
She then steps away to draw attention and approaches Killiar, looking up past the owl (though her eyes flit occasionally to admire the face). "I am Pawetha Foxfur Fenniklock Spriglan, Treeguard of the Mossgrove," she says, lowering her fox-headed hood to reveal a disheveled mop of black hair tangled with small twigs and leaves. "I humbly thank you for your invitation."
The ranger finishes her thanks with a bow, eyes downward.
"We would be grateful for a faster journey." I bow my head in thanks.
Noting how Killian is addressing me, I turn to my companions, beckoning them to accept the free ride
Rolls
Perception - (1d20+1)
(11) + 1 = 12
Rolls
Sleight of hand - (1d20+4)
(13) + 4 = 17
Unlock/disable - (1d20+6)
(13) + 6 = 19
The coffer is far too large to quietly pick up and hide, as it's the kind of thing one carries with two hands, but Xara is able to open it (as it is unlocked) with ease. Some of the contents, a ring, a headband, and a faintly glowing pearl, she is able to easily pocket. The loose gold coins and rapier, on the other hand, will not so easily be taken without notice.
"Xara, I trust you will help divide the coin evenly."
The giant owls are silent as they wing through the air. The sun is now beginning to set, and the moon crests the horizon and casts its white glow over the marshland below. Your elf escorts are, like their mounts, silent. Before long, you reach your destination. Rising from the marsh is a low hill of solid ground, encircled by a thick ring of trees. Dozens of pinpoints of light dot the hill-- small lanterns filled with fireflies, each hanging from a tree-platform or the upper reaches of a canonical tent. Many elves silently emerge to watch as you fly overhead. Killiar produces a sleek, silver horn of some sort from a saddlebag and blows on wailing note similar to a loon's cry.
Near the hill's peak stand three large trees, and built into the boughs are wooden structures. One glows softly with luminescence of its own and seems to be a temple. Another looks to be some sort of public building or town hall. The third, and your destination, is the smallest of the three -- a cozy looking tree house set above a large pool.
Killiar lands first on the porch of the treehouse. Then, one at a time the other owls deposit their charges before they and their riders fly off to their nests in the trees to the south. Killiar holds up a hand, "Wait." then steps into the house. A few moments later he returns and beckons that you join him inside.
Waiting inside is a wise-looking and ancient elf. She wears flowing golden and green robes, and her hair is braided around a complex headdress made of wicker and wood. She stands next to a much younger female elf in plain brown and green robes who looks to have been crying recently. The younger elf is seated in a large wicker chair, and the standing elf indicates nearby chairs for you. Behind you, Killiar takes a silent stance near the door.
"I am Sellyria Starsinger, Speaker for the Tiri Kitor," the standing elf says. She indicates the seated elf and continues, "This is High Singer Trellara Nightshadow. We do not often see strangers in our homeland. What brings you to the Blackfens?"
Rolls
Insight - (1d20+1)
(12) + 1 = 13
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+3)
(17) + 3 = 20
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+1)
(17) + 1 = 18
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20-1)
(12) - 1 = 11
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+2)
(20) + 2 = 22
Killian speaks up, "A hoard requires a banner to move its members and rally others to its cause. The banner of an evil god is as good as any, I suppose." His tone is dismissive.
The ranger turns to Zaris. "We check out this 'Saarvith' and make sure there are no surprises. Especially if we think dragons are involved. Once we understand the environment and what we're up against, we can try to think up a plan."
She turns to the group. "What now? Check out the blockades, or make directly for Rhest?"