Lion's Way

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May 28, 2021 4:10 pm

May 28, 2021 4:10 pm

Dieter wakes up sore. It turns out that sleeping in a tree while wearing chainmail isn't the most comfortable way to rest. But at least he's alive.

The rising sun reveals a scene that is surprisingly peaceful. Light filters through the treetops as morning birds twitter. Nearby, a doe and her fawn graze quietly on some bushes. One would hardly guess that just a short distance away was such a terrible scene as what happened last night.

No, these wilds are deceptive, for danger could lurk around any corner. Wandering about alone even on the established roads is a good way to find an early death. The closest refuge must still lie to the west, the library-fortress of Candlekeep.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

May 28, 2021 4:22 pm

May 28, 2021 4:22 pm

"ow" dieter says aloud as he agitates a sore muscle. Climbing down from the tree Dieter removes his chain mail and stows it in his pack allowing him to move quietly. This won’t do me any good if I get caught out on my own, my best chances are if I remain unseen Getting his bearings he heads of west

OOC:

Current objective: Survive

Last edited May 28, 2021 4:25 pm

Rolls

Stealth - (1D20+5)

(11) + 5 = 16

May 28, 2021 5:05 pm

May 28, 2021 5:05 pm

Dieter puts his back to the sun and quietly makes his way westward. Before long his copse of trees opens up to the main road. Just as he’s about to step out that way, however, he notices a pair of wolves off to one side, just within the tree line. The animals tear eagerly at the corpse of a gibberling.

Busy as they are, the wolves might not notice if Dieter leaves the copse and moves quickly down the road. Or they might not care, seeing as how they already have a meal before them. But then, who can tell the mind of a beast? Still, the longer he waits, the more likely they are to finish their food and look for more.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

May 28, 2021 5:58 pm

May 28, 2021 5:58 pm

Pausing for a second Dieter takes the scene in. He looks for a tree he can bolt up if things go wrong then quickly moves through the danger zone

Last edited May 28, 2021 6:00 pm

Rolls

Perception check - (1D20+1)

(8) + 1 = 9

Stealth moving past the wolves - (1D20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

May 28, 2021 7:08 pm

May 28, 2021 7:08 pm

The wolves don’t look up from their meal as Dieter sneaks out and safely down the road.

A light rain accompanies the young warrior off and on as he walks. Before long, he comes to the top of a rise and catches his first glimpse of Candlekeep. From this view it does indeed seem more fortress than library. It sits out on a small peninsula, so that the only way to approach the keep is via the road which Dieter walks. The other sides are lined with jagged rocks that break the huge waves that intermittently crash down. The walls themselves are some 50 feet high, and the towers beyond them rise many times that.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/02/72/df02725c96e364e713969c0338be5b4e.jpg

A short while later, he stands before the front gate, whose double doors must stand more than three times his own height. One of doors sits open wide enough to let several people through at a time.

May 28, 2021 7:09 pm

May 28, 2021 7:09 pm

An old man with a long white beard stands at the front of the gate along with a handful of other men and women dressed in robes. Dieter can tell from their bearing that these others are guards, even if their attire doesn’t seem particularly appropriate for combat.

The old man raises a hand, palm forward. "Welcome to Candlekeep. What offering of knowledge do you bring?"

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

May 28, 2021 7:26 pm

May 28, 2021 7:26 pm

Though scratched up and tired Dieter straightens and gives a deep bow. He produces the small rune encrusted tube "the knowledge of identity and an open mind, forgive me master but I was ambushed on the road and I escaped with only my life, this contains a message of introduction to be delivered to a young fellowship that resides within having travelled far from Icewind dale. " Dieter stays bowed holding the tube in front of him.

Last edited May 28, 2021 7:26 pm

May 28, 2021 8:30 pm

May 28, 2021 8:30 pm

The Gatewarden mutters some arcane words and wiggles his fingers. A spectral hand appears in the air in front of Dieter and accepts the tube, then floats it on over to the Gatewarden, who casts several more spells. Then he pops the cap open and carefully slides out the paper within. A brief moment of perusal, and then he replaces the paper and cap.

"Very well. I will see to it that this message reaches the intended party." He snaps his fingers and the tube disappears. "You are welcome to wait here outside the gates."

The old man's eyes move to the Lion's Way road, seeking out any other potential visitors. A clear dismissal.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

May 28, 2021 9:02 pm

May 28, 2021 9:02 pm

"my lord, I am also part of the message... a gift of sorts." Dieter tries to explain.

May 28, 2021 9:12 pm

May 28, 2021 9:12 pm

The Gatekeeper runs a hand through his voluminous beard. "This is Candlekeep, boy. One only gains admittance with the gift of a rare book. Thus do we all learn through the sharing of knowledge. No book, no admittance. This party from Icewind Dale can pick you up when they leave. If you're still around by then. Sometimes Seekers study here for tendays at a time."

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

May 28, 2021 9:35 pm

May 28, 2021 9:35 pm

"apologies but did a Koveras come through here? He employed me to accompany him here I need to speak with him aswell. I was fighting off a horde of gibberlings so that they could escape, That is why we became separated as I let another escape in my place. I’m sorry to continue to disturb you but I cannot communicate with them myself for reasons we previously discussed my lord"

Last edited May 28, 2021 9:39 pm

Rolls

Persuasion - (1D20)

(8) = 8

May 28, 2021 9:47 pm

May 28, 2021 9:47 pm

The old man blinks. "With Koveras, you say? Yes, he arrived late last night with three others. Without the iron he'd promised us. In the middle of the Iron Crisis, no less! I suppose the iron may be recoverable, if the gibberlings did not run off with it."

The Gatewarden gestures and one of the guards disappears through the gate. "Koveras will tell us if you are indeed his guard. If you are, you will be allowed entry. If not... Well, then I have permission to be creative."

May 28, 2021 10:34 pm

May 28, 2021 10:34 pm

Some short time later, perhaps a quarter of an hour, the guard returns with Koveras. The half-orc merchant gives a rare smile. "So you lived! Dieter, you have more luck than any one person has a right to. Come, I'll show you to our rooms in the House of Rest and sort out your payment."

He exchanges a nod with the Gatewarden and leads Dieter into Candlekeep.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

May 28, 2021 11:40 pm

May 28, 2021 11:40 pm

Dieter genuinely thanks the Gate keeper as if he had simply let him in the first time. "of course Koveras that’s why you hired me. I had to sleep in a tree but it beats getting eaten by Gibberlings. Tell me did the archer and paladin survive?" Dieter says walking side by side with Koveras.

Wow! This place is huge. They say this whole place is full of books?

May 29, 2021 2:15 am

May 29, 2021 2:15 am

OOC:

Dieter's story continues here.

Jun 1, 2021 4:18 am

Jun 1, 2021 4:18 am

OOC:

All those accompanying Dieter and Runeson to retrieve the broken wagon, this be the place to post!

By the time Dieter and the rest of the posse leave Candlekeep the sun is directly overhead, making the air feel heavy and humid for those unaccustomed to the region. On horseback, they should be able to arrive at the broken wagon well before nightfall.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 1, 2021 4:47 am

Jun 1, 2021 4:47 am

"alright we need to move quickly! Once night falls it will become very dangerous if we aren't prepared. Once we get to the wagon we need to make a makeshift axle out of a small tree to allow the horses to pull it back. While the axle is being made the rest of us will form a perimeter to defend the workers and to keep a look out for trouble. We should be able to build a big fire with the scrap wood aswell. if we do this well we should be able to arrive at candle keep tomorrow morning. Any questions?" Dieter says explaining the plan to the assembled party

Last edited June 1, 2021 4:50 am

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 1, 2021 6:40 pm

Jun 1, 2021 6:40 pm

Gods, it was awful out here. Unbearable heat and brightness raining down from above, how wonderful. One eye entirely shut against the sunlight and her scowl back in full force, Wirrow shakes her head after Dieter's explanation.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. She does have one question, unable to entirely stop herself. Discomfort bleeding into her voice, she mumbles, "Why are we leaving at the worst time of day, again?"

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 1, 2021 9:11 pm

Jun 1, 2021 9:11 pm

"Good question" Dieter says wiping sweat from his brow "because we can’t wait till tomorrow morning and we can’t afford to start too late"

Jun 2, 2021 2:44 am

Jun 2, 2021 2:44 am

"Sooner we're off the sooner we're back!" Aiwë taps a march-like rhythm on the small drum at her hip and heads off.

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 2, 2021 3:47 am

Jun 2, 2021 3:47 am

Upon arriving at the gate, I go to talk to Dieter and say,"Good news! I went to ask the smith about any information he has on the Iron Crisis, sadly he had no more information than we had previously from Koveras. I also asked about purchasing an axle for the wagon and he graciously gave me a spare. This should speed up our return journey, as long as this axle isn't as weak as the last one and we avoid any roots or snags on the way."

I turn to the rest of the group and say,"I do not believe we have been introduced. I am Runeson, a paladin of Hoar. I traveled as a guard alongside Dieter on the caravan we are going to recover. Without Dieter's tactical skill and battle prowess I would have been killed like many of the other guards by a horde of angry Gibberlings."

Last edited June 2, 2021 3:48 am

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 2, 2021 4:08 am

Jun 2, 2021 4:08 am

Quote:

"I do not believe we have been introduced. I am Runeson, a paladin of Hoar."

Wirrow freezes at attention, eyes flaring wide for a heartbeat or two. The very next one, she hurriedly stalks off to join her friend in moving toward their goal. Aiwe was right; the sooner they got there, the better.

She ends up more towards the edge of the path; she has to, in order to be sure that either Aiwe or Stella is always between her and this new 'Runeson'.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 2, 2021 5:02 am

Jun 2, 2021 5:02 am

Oh yeah it’s all coming together, I love the snare drum

"Company, forward!" dieter laughs waving his hand in a circle before pointing down the road in a joking manner riding off towards the wagon

Jun 2, 2021 5:26 am

Jun 2, 2021 5:26 am

Sheemish shakes his head with a wry smile as Wirrow backs away from Runeson. "Do not mind some of us as we are new to this experience and to strangers. The home we come from is somehow diverse but secluded at the same time. But I'm glad to know we have some experienced hands to join us." He gives a nod of respect to Dieter.

Speaking to the group but not to anyone in particular, a tactic he has grown to realize works better with some of the women in the group. "Is anyone else familiar with these Gibberlings? Do they have weaknesses or strengths we should be aware?"

Last edited June 2, 2021 5:27 am

Jun 2, 2021 3:07 pm

Jun 2, 2021 3:07 pm

The companions start off on the Lion’s Path, eyes peeled for anything that might pose a threat. Those with the keenest vision spot a far-off hippogriff circling in the air, but it seems more interested in fishing off the coast than in causing any trouble for the group.

They make good time on the horses, and in just a few hours they come upon the site of the gibberling battle. The wagon is there, just where Koveras’ guards left it. The gibberlings are nowhere in sight, but the earth all about the area is torn up from their burrowing. The ground is stained muddy red in a few places, marking where guards and gibberlings met their end.

Within the covered wagon are crates of iron ore untouched by the gibberlings.

At Dieter’s ushering, the group forms a wary perimeter around Sheemish and Runeson as they begin to fit the new axle onto the wagon and hitch up the draft horses. So the companions are alert when a group of rough-clad men approach from the east.

Jun 2, 2021 3:07 pm

Jun 2, 2021 3:07 pm

"Well I’ll be!" The man walking in front has sun-wrinkled skin and a coarse beard. "That little rat must’ve been telling the truth. There really was an Iron Throne caravan headed this way. And look, these folks were kind enough to fix it up for us and bring us some horses."

He spits into the dirt and draws a mace from a loop on his belt. "Let’s go thank them personally. At ‘em, boys! Kill any who put up a fight!"

Jun 2, 2021 3:12 pm

Jun 2, 2021 3:12 pm

Round 1 Player Phase!

OOC:

Feel free to speak up in Discord if you're not sure how combat works! Basically you just take your turn and narrate what happens!

All the enemies are wielding melee weapons except for bandits 5 and 6, who are holding crossbows. Those two are in the back, and so aren't approachable by melee unless you have some nifty way of getting to them, or you're willing to take opportunity attacks.

Have fun and don't die!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/e0/93/56e093b0f87cb14b79f8e43e56546871.jpg

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 2, 2021 5:59 pm

Jun 2, 2021 5:59 pm

Wirrow immediately pulls away from the group, backing away as quickly as she can from the ensuing brawl (Wirrow moves 30 feet away). Turning back, she appears to take a moment to focus (bonus action), and her glare becomes one of determination.

With it, she meets the gaze of one of the crossbowmen in the back, issuing a challenge for blood before loosing an arrow that wedges itself solidly through a crack in his meager armor. (Bandit 5 is marked by Favored Foe and takes 8 damage)

HP: 12/12
AC: 14
Location: Further back, away from both groups

Last edited June 3, 2021 12:10 am

Rolls

Attack vs Bandit 5 - (1d20+5)

(6) + 5 = 11

Reroll Attack (inspiration) - (1d20+5)

(19) + 5 = 24

Damage (Longbow, Favored Foe) - (1d8+3, 1d4)

1d8+3 : (2) + 3 = 5

1d4 : (3) = 3

Jun 2, 2021 10:09 pm

Jun 2, 2021 10:09 pm

When Stella steps outside the Candlekeep gates with the others, she gasps and her eyes light up once more, her vandalized tome forgotten.

"Whoa!" She had certainly seen grass, bushes, and trees before—they were more prevalent in Kuldahar than anywhere else in the Dale—but she had never seen them blanket the land as far as the eye could see.

As Aiwë's drumming begins and the two, unfamiliar men lead the way. She looks over the two of them. The one named Deiter dressed...oddly...but his confidence and manner were endearing. He wasn't sure what to make of Runeson yet, but he seemed supportive and pleasant enough.

Stella reaches for her tome to jot some notes down about them, but finds the book missing—left on her bed, she remembers.

The young men are soon forgotten, however, as Stella becomes fascinated with the plant-life. Trees! Plants! Herbs! Flowers! So colorful! Several times she stops to clip some free and collect them with her herbalism kit, then hurriedly running to catch up with the group.

Quote:

"Well I’ll be!"...He spits into the dirt and draws a mace from a loop on his belt. "Let’s go thank them personally. At ‘em, boys! Kill any who put up a fight!"

Crouching near a small patch of violet flowers, Stella leaps to her feet, shocked, and drops her pair of shears.

Looking to Wirrow, she fumbles for her bow—thankfully, the archer had reminded her to string it—and follows her lead. Stella exhales sharply and brushes a lock of hair aside, then draws carefully and fires. The shot lacks confidence, but her technique is practiced and her aim is true. (Bandit 5 takes 3 damage and dies.)

A moment later, her face is filled with fear once more as the robbers fall upon them and she darts away, taking cover behind a tree.

HP: 8/8
AC: 13
Further back, behind a tree

Last edited June 2, 2021 10:18 pm

Rolls

Shortbow - (1d20+4)

(18) + 4 = 22

Damage vs Bandit 5 - (1d6+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 3, 2021 12:16 am

Jun 3, 2021 12:16 am

"Remember together!" dieter says as he lowers his pike. He stabs viciously at the leader with his pike before smacking him in the cheek with the iron head

Dieter deals 15 damage to thug one

Ac 16
Hp11/11

Last edited June 3, 2021 12:19 am

Rolls

Attack 1 - (1D20+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

1D10+3

(1) + 3 = 4

Pole arm specialist - (1D20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

1D4+3

(1) + 3 = 4

Damage reroll - (1D10+3)

(8) + 3 = 11

Damage reroll for specialist? - (1D4+3)

(1) + 3 = 4

Jun 3, 2021 12:21 am

Jun 3, 2021 12:21 am

Aiwë's eyebrows snap together at the bandit's shout. She immediately begins a battle chant, spitting guttural orcish at their attackers as she beats her drum. The tempo increases as she rushes toward the enemy. Stopping abruptly in front of the largest brigands, Aiwë draws her greatsword and slams the pommel down onto her drum. The resonance spreads out around her, shaking and breaking up the ground at the thug's feet.

"For the clan!"

Hoping to catch the two thugs in the range of Earth Tremors.

[ +- ] Earth Tremors

HP: 8/8
AC: 13

Last edited June 3, 2021 12:34 am

Jun 3, 2021 6:42 am

Jun 3, 2021 6:42 am

Fighting bandits was definitely not what Sheemish was expecting on a salvage trip! What on earth were he and the others thinking! Hoping his friends have some secrets he doesn't know about, Sheemish unleashes one of his. Thrusting out a gauntleted hand, Sheemish gestures to a fallen treelimb close by. A barbed chain shoots from his wrist and wraps around the limb. The enhanced contraption easily adds to his strength and with surprising momentum Sheemish swings the large branch at the second Thug.

Thug 2 must make a Dex 13 saving through or take 17 damage

Last edited June 3, 2021 6:43 am

Rolls

Bludgeoning Damage - (3d8)

(377) = 17

Jun 3, 2021 2:08 pm

Jun 3, 2021 2:08 pm

A half-dozen highwaymen charge forward, with two hanging back to level crossbows at the companions. The front ranks collide with a clash of metal on metal as Dieter and Runeson determinedly hold their ground. Dieter catches the bandit leader in the shoulder with his pike, but the brawny man continues forward all the same, landing two heavy hits on the young warrior (Dieter takes 9 bludg. dmg). At the same time, another thug smashes at Runeson with a mace, but the paladin easily sidesteps the blow.

Arrows and crossbow bolts whistle through the air, and one of the bandits in the back rank drops dead with Stella’s arrow in his side and Wirrow’s through his heart. At the end of the exchange, Wirrow finds that a bolt has painfully grazed her hip (Wirrow takes 4 piercing dmg).

Then, suddenly, an entire tree branch flies through the air, guided by Sheemish’s chain. It slams ione of the tougher bandits right in the chest, who gasps as the air is blasted from his lungs (Thug 2 takes 17 bludg. dmg).

The tough thug quickly recovers and swings his mace at Aiwe’s head hard enough to crack her skull, but somehow she ducks under the weapon. A drumbeat like thunder causes the ground to shake, and both the thug and one of his smaller allies fall to the ground, clutching at legs nearly broken by the localized tremor (Thug 2 and Bandit 1 each take 3 dmg and fall prone). One of the bandits manages to slash her shoulder with a curved sword, but she hardly seems slowed by the wound (Aiwe takes 2 slashing dmg).

Seeing Dieter and the bandit leader engaged in mortal combat, Runeson focuses on slowing down the rest of the bandits joining the battle. He focuses on fighting defensively (Dodge action), but two of the bandits pull some dirty tricks. One throws a handful of dirt into his visor while the other rams him from the side, and the paladin falls to the ground. Some quick knife work, and Runeson is left bleeding in the dirt (Runeson takes 12 slashing dmg and is dying).

Rolls

thug 1 vs Dieter (2 attacks, adv) - (2d20+4, 2d20+4)

2d20+4 : (412) + 4 = 20

2d20+4 : (195) + 4 = 28

dmg to dieter (2 hits, bludg.) - (2d6+4)

(23) + 4 = 9

thug 2 vs Aiwe (adv) - (2d20+4)

(47) + 4 = 15

thug 2 vs Runeson - (1d20+4)

(4) + 4 = 8

B1 vs Aiwe - (1d20+3)

(11) + 3 = 14

dmg to Aiwei (slashing) - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

B2 vs Runeson (disadv) - (2d20+3)

(1718) + 3 = 38

dmg to runeson (slashing) - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

B3 vs Dieter - (1d20+6)

(16) + 6 = 22

B3 vs Dieter (With proper bonus this time!) - (1d20+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

B4 vs runeson (disadv) - (2d20+3)

(1419) + 3 = 36

dmg to runeson (slashing) - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

B5 vs wirrow - (1d20+3)

(12) + 3 = 15

dmg to Wirrow (piercing) - (1d8+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

B6 vs Sheemish - (1d20+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

Thug 1 dex save vs earth tremor - (1d20)

(14) = 14

Thug 2 dex save vs earth tremor - (1d20)

(9) = 9

Bandit 1 dex save vs earth tremor - (1d20+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

earth tremor dmg (bludg.) - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Thug 2 dex save vs catapult - (1d20)

(8) = 8

Jun 3, 2021 3:01 pm

Jun 3, 2021 3:01 pm

Round 2 Player Phase!!

OOC:

So I accidentally rolled an attack for Bandit 6, but there is no Bandit 6. Just ignore him, he doesn't exist :P

Thug 2 and Bandit 1 are both PRONE and so are granting adv for melee attacks this round. Take advantage, literally!

Runeson is DYING!!! But if he gets any healing this round, he can be back in the fight and take his turn as per normal. So let him know in Discord if anybody heals him!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/f8/1a/bff81aaeee24be18a3be985734798e46.jpg

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 3, 2021 4:53 pm

Jun 3, 2021 4:53 pm

Dieter spits out some blood on the thugs shoe "you’re pretty strong" he says smiling "But you lost the moment you entered these woods!" Dieter yells before stabbing him through the throat. Taking a moment to breath Dieter scans the battle come on Runeson again?

"your leader is dead scum! Flee while you still live!" dieter shouts while stabbing a bandit that runs past him

Thug one dies of his wounds and bandit 2 receives 8 damage

Hp 2/11
Ac 16

Last edited June 4, 2021 1:08 am

Rolls

Hit thug 1 - (1D20+5)

(9) + 5 = 14

Damage thug 1 - (1D10+3)

(9) + 3 = 12

Pole arm specialist - (1D20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

1D4+3

(1) + 3 = 4

Reroll - (1D4+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Opportunity bandit 2 - (1D20+5)

(17) + 5 = 22

Damage - (1D10+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Intimidation - (1D20+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Jun 3, 2021 6:46 pm

Jun 3, 2021 6:46 pm

Seeing Runeson collapse, Sheemish makes a split second decision and swings his barbed chain at the bandit hovering over his unconscious companion. The chain wraps wickedly around the brutes arm slicing into the flesh and with a tug the bandit is yanked towards Sheemish instead.

B2 takes 6 damage and is yanked at least 10 ft towards Sheemish. B2 is not grappled in any way, just hit and moved away from Runeson hopefully taking his attention away from the dying hero

Last edited June 3, 2021 6:59 pm

Rolls

Thorn Whip vs B2 - (1d20+5)

(19) + 5 = 24

Damage B2 - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 3, 2021 7:55 pm

Jun 3, 2021 7:55 pm

Looking satisfied with the way she and Stella fell the first crossbowman together, Wirrow turns her sights on the second. As no one seems to be chasing after her, Wirrow stays where she is, and fires another arrow at the remaining bandit bowman. (Bandit 4 takes 6 piercing damage.)

Wirrow looks down at her hip, which stings from the bolt slicing by. A bit of a scratch, but it wasn't... so bad, right? She'd never been really hurt before though, and it was rather annoying. She'd deal with it after the battle.

HP: 8/12
AC: 14
Location: Further back, away from both groups

Last edited June 3, 2021 8:13 pm

Rolls

Longbow vs Bandit 4 - (1d20+5)

(14) + 5 = 19

Longbow Damage - (1d8+3)

(3) + 3 = 6

Jun 3, 2021 11:40 pm

Jun 3, 2021 11:40 pm

Aiwë lifts her longsword and brings it down over the neck of the fallen bandit. Just before her blade removes his head, he squirms away and takes a long gash in his side instead.

That was supposed to be +5, and a d10 instead of a d8 but oh well.

Bandit 1 takes 4 damage.

HP: 6/8
AC 13

Last edited June 3, 2021 11:49 pm

Rolls

Attack v B1 adv - (1d20+4, 1d20+4)

1d20+4 : (2) + 4 = 6

1d20+4 : (18) + 4 = 22

Damage - (1d8+3)

(1) + 3 = 4

Jun 4, 2021 1:05 am

Jun 4, 2021 1:05 am

Hiding behind a tree, Stella takes a few sharp breaths.

Monsters and bandits on the same caravan...why did I agree to this?!

She draws another arrow, then steps out and shoots, once again at the same target as Wirrow. Her arm is shaking, but still manages a scathing blow against the crossbowman. (Bandit 4 takes 3 damage.)

She hears a cry of anguish coming from Runeson, surrounded by bandits, and her eyes go wide with panic. She bites her lip, then shouts an exotic word of power—part Druidic, part Celestial.

Sleep not!

Five tiny stars appear on Runeson's wounds, four forming a square with the last one in the middle—constellation of the Sleepless Knights. With a flash, the fatal wounds seal and Runeson's eyes snap open. (Stella casts Healing Word. Runeson regains 7 HP.)

With that, she tries to duck behind the tree once more.

HP: 8/8
AC: 13
Back, behind a tree

Last edited June 4, 2021 1:36 am

Rolls

Healing Word - (1d4+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Shortbow vs Bandit 4 - (1d20+4)

(8) + 4 = 12

Damage - (1d6+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 4, 2021 6:52 am

Jun 4, 2021 6:52 am

Carcabob says:

Stella hears a cry of anguish coming from Runeson, surrounded by bandits, and her eyes go wide with panic. She bites her lip, then shouts an exotic word of power—part Druidic, part Celestial.

Sleep not!

Five tiny stars appear on Runeson's wounds, four forming a square with the last one in the middle—constellation of the Sleepless Knights. With a flash, the fatal wounds seal and Runeson's eyes snap open. (Stella casts Healing Word. Runeson regains 7 HP.)

HP: 7/12
AC: 16

I regain consciousness with a start, commanded by words that I vaguely recognize.
I stand up while shouting, "You will pay for that!" Gripping my warhammer in both hands, I close the distance to the only bandit remaining standing and swing it once I am close enough to the bandit. The swing hits, the force of my blow makes the bandit cry out in pain, as I feel his body absorb the blow.
That has to hurt.

bandit 3 has 1 hp remaining.

Last edited June 4, 2021 7:08 am

Rolls

Attack B3 - (1d20+5)

(18) + 5 = 23

Damage B2 - (1d10+3)

(7) + 3 = 10

Jun 4, 2021 2:40 pm

Jun 4, 2021 2:40 pm

The fight grows bloodier.

Smarter bandits might have turned and run, but this lot seems unable to believe that a group of such young adventurers could possibly defeat them. And so they press the fight.

Sheemish’s chain drags one of the bandits off of Runeson with enough strength to lift the bandit from his feet, and Dieter whirls mid-fight to bury his pike in the unfortunate man as he flies by, killing him. The bandit leader leaps forward to take advantage of Dieter’s open flank and clubs him hard in the side. Dieter falls, but as the bandit leader comes in for the kill he manages to orient his pike and take the charging ruffian in the throat. Strength spent, Dieter succumbs to his wounds (Dieter takes 8 damage and is dying).

Aiwe drops soon after, as the burly thug stands and delivers a two-handed wallop to the back of her head (Aiwe takes 7 dmg). That might have signaled the beginning of the end for the adventurers, but Stella’s healing magic puts Runeson back on his feet, ready to continue the fight. His warhammer immediately goes to work, almost slaying a bandit with one blow. The remaining crossbowman tries to put a bolt into Stella, but she safely ducks behind her tree and the bolt skips off of a branch. Wirrow and Stella’s returning shots both catch the crossbowman, and he stumbles backwards.

Meanwhile, a couple bandits at once jump Sheemish, blades slashing for his flesh. He manages to deflect one sword with his gauntlet, but is forced to grunt as the other cuts him deeply (Sheemish takes 6 dmg). Still, the half-dwarf blacksmith is made of stern stuff, and he keeps his feet as the bandits regroup. They circle about him, ready to strike, when suddenly one jerks as a blade slices along his side. Aiwe, blood streaming down her face, has found the strength to rise!

Now the bandits are truly bloodied. Their leader is slain, and for the first time they’re outnumbered. With no leadership, the cowards try to make a run for it!

OOC:

Anybody in melee range can make an opportunity attack against Thug 1, Bandit 1, or Bandit 3. Also, Stella and Wirrow can go ahead and make a ranged attack against anyone if they want, since I'm sure these guys aren't getting out of range with movement this turn. Or you all can just let them go, since they might turn and stab you if you run after them. Up to you!

Rolls

Thug 1 vs Dieter (2 attacks, adv) - (2d20+4, 2d20+4)

2d20+4 : (1313) + 4 = 30

2d20+4 : (28) + 4 = 14

dmg to Dieter (bludg.) - (1d6+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Thug 2 vs Aiwe (adv) - (1d20+4)

(12) + 4 = 16

dmg to Aiwe (bludg.) - (1d6+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Thug 2 vs Runeson (adv) - (2d20+4)

(181) + 4 = 23

dmg to Runeson (bludg.) - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Bandit 1 vs Sheemish - (1d20+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Bandit 2 vs Sheemish - (1d20+3)

(19) + 3 = 22

dmg to Sheemish (slashing) - (1d6+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Bandit 3 vs Sheemish - (1d20+3)

(9) + 3 = 12

dmg to Sheemish (slashing) - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Bandit 4 vs Stella (half-cover) - (1d20+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

Jun 4, 2021 5:12 pm

Jun 4, 2021 5:12 pm

Round 3 Player Phase!!!

OOC:

Anybody in melee range can make an opportunity attack against Thug 1, Bandit 1, or Bandit 3. Also, Stella and Wirrow can go ahead and make a ranged attack against anyone if they want, since I'm sure these guys aren't getting out of range with movement this turn. Or you all can just let them go.

Dieter's dying.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/a5/dd/ffa5dd43c7db2c79a97884c8a022b782.jpg

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 4, 2021 7:17 pm

Jun 4, 2021 7:17 pm

I’m feeling a little light headed..why is it so hot?" Dieter says as he crumples to the ground

Last edited June 4, 2021 7:17 pm

Rolls

Death throw - (1D20)

(15) = 15

Jun 4, 2021 7:20 pm

Jun 4, 2021 7:20 pm

Stella's cowers as a bolt cracks off a branch beside her, chest heaving.

She closes her eyes and puffs a breath, then peek around the tree to see Dieter collapse as the remaining bandits flee.

No time to think!

Ducking and trying to keep herself low, she runs to the dying young man and crouches low. (Stella drops prone.)

Dropping her bow, she deftly opens a leather pouch hanging from her belt and draws out a cloth and bandage. Biting and holding the end of the bandage with her teeth, she presses the cloth to the side of Dieter's bleeding head and wraps the bandage around it several times with the other. When mixed with the blood, the herbs soaked into the cloth would slow the bleeding, numb the pain, and facilitate quick healing.

Her eyes dart across the young man, looking for any other wounds she could address. She couldn't immediately tell what other wounds he had, but the herbs seemed to be stabilizing him already.

(Stella expends a use of her healer's kit to restore Dieter to 1 HP.)

HP: 8/8
AC: 13
Prone

Last edited June 4, 2021 7:21 pm

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 4, 2021 8:40 pm

Jun 4, 2021 8:40 pm

"...monsters.....eating me... so many mouths" Dieter mutters before regaining consciousness "oh hi, I don’t think I fought your name" dieter says woozily

Jun 4, 2021 8:51 pm

Jun 4, 2021 8:51 pm

With the bandits focused on his whip, they failed to realize gauntlets comes in pairs. Sheemish grabs one of the fleeing men from behind, metal fingers grasping him around the neck. The smell of burning flesh fills the air as an electric jolt rips through the bandits spine and his charred corpse falls to the earth.

"I faced down a dragon at the age of five you filth," he spits on corpse, "You think I fear a miserable thief like you?!"

for the record, Sheemish is a tradesman and has a very very strong distain for bandits and thieves.

Last edited June 4, 2021 9:08 pm

Rolls

Shocking grasp vs bandit - (1d20+5)

(18) + 5 = 23

Lightning damage - (1d8)

(2) = 2

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 4, 2021 9:21 pm

Jun 4, 2021 9:21 pm

"The axle... Quickly! We might be able to return before night fall!" dieter says gaining clarity

Jun 4, 2021 10:07 pm

Jun 4, 2021 10:07 pm

As the bandit before her turns to flee, Aiwë slams her pommel into the back of his neck, making him drop, unconscious. Her longsword falls with him, and she pulls two long mallets from their case at her hip and hurls one each at the fleeing bandits. The more wounded one falls to the ground as it strikes his head, but her second toss lacks follow-through, and it flies up into some tree branches.

She stands steadily, breathing laboured but controlled, as she looks around at her group.

Bandit 1 and 4 are unconscious.

HP: 1
AC: 13

Last edited June 4, 2021 10:24 pm

Rolls

Opportunity attack v B1 - (1d20+5)

(7) + 5 = 12

Damage - (1d10+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Action attack v B4 - (1d20+5)

(14) + 5 = 19

Damage - (1d4+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Bonus action attack v Thug - (1d20+5)

(3) + 5 = 8

Jun 4, 2021 10:56 pm

Jun 4, 2021 10:56 pm

Quote:

"...monsters.....eating me... so many mouths" Dieter mutters before regaining consciousness "oh hi, I don’t think I fought your name" dieter says woozily

Kneeling in her knee-high boots over Dieter, Stella is first relieved, then concerned.

"Uh...Stella!" She hurriedly glances over her shoulder to see the bandits flee and their allies taking them out, then back to the flamboyantly-dressed warrior. "What's your name?" she asks, trying to gauge his well-being.

Quote:

"The axle... Quickly! We might be able to return before night fall!" dieter says gaining clarity

She starts at his exclamation and gives him some space. Oh! Never mind then. The herbs had worked surprisingly well.

Setting one boot on the ground, she extends a hand to help him to his feet.

Last edited June 4, 2021 11:01 pm

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 4, 2021 10:56 pm

Jun 4, 2021 10:56 pm

Wirrow sets her sights on the biggest of the bandits as they start to run away, clearly in over their heads. Pathetic. In some harsh-sounding language--the tongue of of devils, for any who recognize it--she says, to herself mostly, "This is why you're not the hunter."

Wirrow slowly nocks an arrow, perfectly controlled, pulling back and lining up her bow exactly where she needs to to put an arrow through the bandit's back...

..and manages just in time to flick her aim away in panic as Stella rushes downfield, directly into her line of fire.

What was she thinking!? Didn't Master Zenithral always tell us not to do that?

The arrow whizzes far to the left and embeds itself harmlessly in the dirt a few dozen paces away, but it takes far longer for Wirrow's heart to slow back down from the combined rush of battle and near-disaster. Only then does she slowly begin to walk back to the group, still a bit wary.

(Attacked Thug 2, but missed)

HP: 8/12
AC: 14
Back, away from the group

Last edited June 4, 2021 11:28 pm

Rolls

Longbow vs Thug 2 - (1d20+5)

(4) + 5 = 9

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 4, 2021 11:12 pm

Jun 4, 2021 11:12 pm

Limping up Dieter grasps his pike and sees the bandit running off "I still got a few tricks left"d Dieter says throwing the pike like a javalin but the pike falls a few feet short of its user and clatters on the ground "I-i think I’m going to go sit down"

Last edited June 4, 2021 11:13 pm

Rolls

Throwing spear - (1D20+5)

(3) + 5 = 8

Damage - (1D4+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 5, 2021 5:06 am

Jun 5, 2021 5:06 am

I swing my Warhammer at the thug trying to flee from the battle and yell, [b]"You can't escape justice!"[b]
Justice would be a really good name for my Warhammer."
The Warhammer catches the fleeing thug in the side at just the right angle and he drops to the ground dead.

HP: 3/12
AC: 16

Fleeing Thug loses 12 hp

Last edited June 5, 2021 5:13 am

Rolls

Opportunity attack - (1d20+5)

(11) + 5 = 16

Damage: Fleeing thug - (1d10+3)

(9) + 3 = 12

Jun 5, 2021 2:27 pm

Jun 5, 2021 2:27 pm

The battle ends with all the bandits either dead or unconscious. The companions, though battered, are all on their feet.

With just a few minutes' work, Sheemish gets the properly fitted onto the cart, and then the mules are easily hitched. There are perhaps several of hours until nightfall, which should be just enough time to make it back to Candlekeep.

The two unconscious bandits begin to groan.

Jun 5, 2021 2:44 pm

Jun 5, 2021 2:44 pm

While the axel is worked on, Aiwë deftly ties the semi-conscious bandits up with the skill and familiarity of someone used to taking captives, humming a cheerful song while she does so.

"Someone want to grab this smaller guy?" Aiwë asks the men, then picks up the larger captive and deposits him into the cart. "Nevermind I got him." The second bandit is tossed, mostly gently, next to his fellow.

Aiwë then collects her weapons, and starts dragging the corpses off the road. She tucks them partially under a bush, where they can be found by authorities but are out of the way of other travellers.

Last edited June 5, 2021 2:48 pm

Jun 5, 2021 3:07 pm

Jun 5, 2021 3:07 pm

Quote:

"I-i think I’m going to go sit down"

"Good idea. Here." Stella helps Dieter rest up against a tree, then looks over the group.

Wirrow had a minor cut in her side—infection would be the only thing to worry about there...Dieter grimaced whenever he moved his torso—internal bleeding or fractured ribs?...blood had pooled around Sheemish's side, but looked like it had stopped...Runeson still had several gashes...and Aiwë looked like she was about to pass out.

While Sheemish tended to the wagon, Stella tends to her friends and allies.

"Where are you hurt? No, you're very clearly not fine."

"Drink this. Yes, it's perfectly safe."

"I'm going to apply a numbing agent. Er...It's a thing that makes the pains stop."

"Yes, we need to remove your armor and lift your shirt if you want your ribs to stop screaming at you..."

(Anyone who allows Stella to administer medical care to them regains 1d6+5 HP. Feel free to roleplay reactions to it, or your refusal of it!)

Last edited June 5, 2021 3:15 pm

Jun 5, 2021 3:53 pm

Jun 5, 2021 3:53 pm

Quote:

"Where are you hurt?"

"Oh, just a bump on my head and this scratch is all, I'm totally fine."

Quote:

"No you're very clearly not fine."

"Wha-!" Aiwë sputters in protest. "I only need to stretch and sit down for like, an hour, and I'll be good to go!" Still, Aiwë allows her friend to do her work, and is a model patient in every other respect. If they were to get jumped again within the hour she would be a goner, and only a fool refused medical help.

When Stella finishes Aiwë blinks. "Araleth's light, Stella!" She rolls her head on her shoulders and stretches her side. "You've gotten really good at this!"

Aiwë is at full HP!

Last edited June 5, 2021 3:58 pm

Rolls

Heals - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 5, 2021 6:23 pm

Jun 5, 2021 6:23 pm

Wirrow is abruptly reminded of the stinging in her side when it flares again, all distractions gone. She'd never really had to deal with herself bleeding before, and it gave her a bit of a concern. She would be fine, right?

Remembering something, Wirrow shoulders her bow. Then, she licks the palm of her now-free hand, and presses it against the cut on her side. She holds it there briefly, but the feeling of her own blood on her hand unnerves her, and she pulls it away as Stella come over to check on her.

The cut has stopped bleeding at least, which in turn decreases the sting of injury. However, Wirrow is too preoccupied with staring at the congealed blood and sheen of saliva on her hand to pay much attention to what Stella does until the other girl finishes.

"Oh! Thanks," Wirrow distractedly tells her. Her concerned look seems to have resolved itself; she hadn't been particularly hurt. As they near the others, the smell of everyone *else's* blood washes over her; it's fairly distracting in its own right. Sheemish and that 'Runeson' character especially seemed to have lost much more than she.

And the bandits, she supposed. But that was different; they'd asked to bleed.

Wirrow is also at full HP! (no need to roll). Yay for Stella.

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 5, 2021 6:49 pm

Jun 5, 2021 6:49 pm

"Do you have anymore of those leaf things....ooh oh yeah right there ow oh .....that feels better, thank you" Dieter says. After the cart is done Dieter gets onto the drivers bench and grabs the riens. "Alright everyone mount up! Let’s go! Mules YIP YIP" dieter says once everyone is ready giving the mules a light smack with the Riens

Rolls

Heal - (1d6+5)

(2) + 5 = 7

Jun 5, 2021 7:08 pm

Jun 5, 2021 7:08 pm

The mules, Durnan and Mirt, seem to exchange exasperated glances, and then start off pulling the wagon. While not as large as Koveras' draft horses, these mules are strong and durable. The wagon and its new guards make good time back to Candlekeep.

The Gatewarden opens the front gate wide for them to enter, and then closes it securely against the fall of night.

OOC:

And ya'll are officially back in Candlekeep. The space-time continuum is safe! This time.

Jun 5, 2021 7:11 pm

Jun 5, 2021 7:11 pm

"Standing strong, sister-girl?" Aiwë asks Wirrow in orcish, concerned. She repeats the question in common. "You feeling okay? The blood can be a lot, sometimes," she offers understandingly.

Last edited June 5, 2021 7:11 pm

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 6, 2021 12:12 am

Jun 6, 2021 12:12 am

"There was lot of it..." Wirrow agrees, sticking to Orcish. "Well, more than I've seen spilled at once, at least. You've probably seen a lot more though." She flexes her hand, where the stain of her own blood was less than an hour ago.

"I think I'm just not used to bleeding." From what little Aiwe's heard of Wirrow's childhood (and most of her teenage years so far), it certainly makes sense that she would have rarely had opportunities to get hurt. "But I think I'm already feeling pretty much better about it... besides, aren't you the one we should be concerned about? You got hurt worse than I did."

Jun 6, 2021 1:21 am

Jun 6, 2021 1:21 am

Heart still pounding as she works, Stella tries to stay focused to keep her hands from trembling—nobody wanted a healer prodding wounds with an unsteady hand! Despite her insides churning, she manages a mostly calm demeanor.

Her eyes keep drifting to the bloody corpses, however, specifically the crossbowman with one of her arrows sticking out of it.

They were trying to kill us all, she reminds herself.

She had never killed a person until now—and she had only ever killed one animal before—and the idea that she held the power to both save lives and take them was an unsettling one.

Quote:

Aiwë blinks. "Araleth's light, Stella!" She rolls her head on her shoulders and stretches her side. "You've gotten really good at this!"

Stella shivers, shocked out of her thoughts.

"Oh! Well, it's mostly just a new breed of Moon Cress I found growing in a neighbor's garden. Apparently it grows really well alongside pumpkins...it uh..." She gives a wry smile. Perhaps she shouldn't tell her patients that she was giving them a minor hallucinogen absorbed through the skin...It had miraculous healing properties too! But she found she couldn't let anyone have too much at once...

"Nevermind. I'm glad it works! Just...take it easy, okay?" she smiles.

When she gets to Wirrow and examines her wound, she furrows her brow at the congealed cut.

"Strange...Clotted already? I hope that bolt wasn't poisoned..." she wonders. After quickly cleaning and bandaging the cut, she looks sternly at Wirrow. "If you feel dizzy or find yourself losing focus today, let me know! I'm going to find one of those bolts before we leave so I can check it for poison later..."

Last edited June 6, 2021 1:23 am

Jun 6, 2021 1:41 am

Jun 6, 2021 1:41 am

Aiwë pauses. She has almost forgotten that this is likely the first battle Stella has been in. The wolves on the hunting expedition or the yeti on the camping trip doesn't count. They weren't people.

"It's always you, Stella," Aiwë says, hearing her mother's voice echo over her words. "When we can we offer them a choice before, and we spare who we can after," she gestures to the captives in the cart, "but they chose to risk lives. When you chose who to save, it's always you, or those you protect." She gives Stella a very gentle bump on the arm.

"You helped all of us, and did amazing. You must be so proud of yourself."

Last edited June 6, 2021 1:41 am

Jun 6, 2021 1:45 am

Jun 6, 2021 1:45 am

Aiwë shrugs. "I have seen more blood, and I was hurt more, but it's not a contest. Besides, I wasn't so bad off. Just tired, and the blow caught me off guard. There was no crunching snow to let me know he was there!" Aiwë grins.

Jun 6, 2021 2:02 am

Jun 6, 2021 2:02 am

Stella purses her lips and nods at Aiwë's words, but avoids eye contact. "That makes sense." She had heard it before, though it was a good reminder. "For some reason, the logic isn't settling in my mind yet...but it'll probably just take some time."

Quote:

"You helped all of us, and did amazing. You must be so proud of yourself."

Stella clenches her jaw and a few stars in her eyes fade to orange. She must be proud of herself? Why did she have to be proud?

Though...her actions were well-performed—except for her archery, compared to Wirrow's. Still, positive self-reinforcement would help her perform well in future encounters like this one. Statistically speaking, the odds of another deadly fight in her future were...well, very high.

With that figured out, she looks at Aiwë and smiles, her eye stars returning to their normal, soft yellow. "Thanks Aiwë. You were wonderful too! And throwing mallets?! That's a new one," she chuckles, then moves on to administer care to another party member.

Last edited June 6, 2021 2:02 am

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 6, 2021 3:55 am

Jun 6, 2021 3:55 am

Quote:

"If you feel dizzy or find yourself losing focus today, let me know! I'm going to find one of those bolts before we leave so I can check it for poison later..."

Wirrow nods. There was something undeniably pleasant about Stella's care and concern. "I'll tell you, then. I mean, I don't think it was."

And even though Stella finds no poison on any of the bolts, partway through the journey back Wirrow does in fact stagger, feeling unwell just like Stella described. She lets the other girl know, as she was asked, but also tells Stella it's more just the heat getting to her (understandably so), and requests to travel the rest of the way inside the wagon.

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 6, 2021 7:55 am

Jun 6, 2021 7:55 am

I join the rest of the group in either cleaning up the battle scene, getting the axle fitted and preparing to return to Candlekeep.
I also go and receive healing from Stella. "What concoction is this? I guess I'll try it... Wow, that is some powerful stuff!"
As we return to Candlekeep I cant help but wonder... Who had sent those bandits to retrieve the iron and how did they know were to find the caravan?

HP: 11/12

Last edited June 6, 2021 8:01 am

Rolls

Healing from Stella - (1d6+5)

(3) + 5 = 8

Jun 11, 2021 1:40 am

Jun 11, 2021 1:40 am

Aiwë watches her friend go with the sinking feeling that her words hadn't had the effect she had hoped for, and the reminder that of all her friends, she is the only one who was raised a soldier.

Why should Stella be proud? She only wants to read and study. And she is allowed to. Stella was never at war.

Aiwë checks on the bandits in the back of the wagon, then sets to watching their perimeter as they return to Candlekeep. She will see Stella back safely to her books.

Jun 16, 2021 4:21 am

Jun 16, 2021 4:21 am

OOC:

The party has just left left Candlekeep in a hurry.

The day’s warmth and humidity haven’t yet dissipated, and so though it is dark, the night is still quite warm and muggy. The moon shines brightly, however, illuminating the straight run of the Lion’s Way across the peninsula and back onto the mainland.

Keggruk’s eyes glint red in the dim lighting. "Let’s put some distance between ourselves and Candlekeep, and then we’ll rest until morning. Then, if all is well, you can discuss as a group where you want to go next."

As it turns out, ‘putting some distance between ourselves and Candlekeep’ means driving a hard pace until nearly midnight. The orog paladin pushes the group hard. Sometimes he leads from the front, and sometimes he keeps to the rear, glancing back often as though expecting pursuit, but always he keeps the party moving. His unspoken apprehension is contagious, and even those accustomed to the dark of night find themselves looking over their shoulders more often than necessary.

When a threat does reveal itself, however, it doesn’t come from behind.

It is directly in front of the party.

Jun 16, 2021 4:22 am

Jun 16, 2021 4:22 am

A hulking figure in spiked armor stands in the middle of the road. Horns protrude from its helmed head. It holds a greatsword easily in one hand, and its eyes shine with a fierce yellow light.

It watches the approaching party with a singular, fixed gaze.

Jun 16, 2021 4:22 am

Jun 16, 2021 4:22 am

"Now you show yourself." Keggruk moves to the front of the group, hands tightly clutching his axe. "These days I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when I see them about to attempt something stupid. Maybe they just don’t know better." The paladin lifts his axe to rest on his shoulder. "How confident do you feel tonight, stranger?"

Jun 16, 2021 4:26 am

Jun 16, 2021 4:26 am

The armored figure doesn’t give an answer, but raises a spiked gauntlet. From either side of the road step truly large creatures, both of them humanoid and clutching greatclubs. Ogres. They flank the armored man as he begins to move forward. Each step grinds stone beneath steel-plated boots. Each step is inevitable.

OOC:

They are about 60 feet away.

Jun 16, 2021 4:58 am

Jun 16, 2021 4:58 am

Shelur beats her drum quietly, then quickly builds tempo and volume as the ogres approach.

"GRONAR!" she shouts, beginning her orcish war chant and stamping her feet along with her drum. She draws her sword with one hand and beats her chest with the flat of her blade, baring her teeth as she spits threats at their enemies and buoys her allies with her cries.

Last edited June 16, 2021 5:06 am

Rolls

DONT MESS WITH US WE'RE BIG AND SCARY TOO (intimidation) - (1d20+5)

(12) + 5 = 17

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 16, 2021 5:04 am

Jun 16, 2021 5:04 am

Dieter lowers his pike. "They’re not so big and besides they only have one mouth each" Dieter whispers

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 16, 2021 5:18 am

Jun 16, 2021 5:18 am

As the huge forms walk towards the party, Wirrow backs away equally, quietly, heedless of if anyone else follows her back into the shadows behind their group. She fingers her bow, a crimson glint searching for a weakness in the yellow glare's owner.

Jun 16, 2021 3:56 pm

Jun 16, 2021 3:56 pm

Stella is silent and melancholy as the party leaves Candlekeep. As the group presses on and on into the night, she becomes increasingly exhausted, not even bothering to look up at the stars.

Quit pouting, girl, she scolds herself. Would you rather stay in Candlekeep with assassins after your friends?

Somehow, the self-talk didn't make her feel any better.

Quote:

A hulking figure in spiked armor stands in the middle of the road.

Stella starts as the group halts, facing this new threat.

Quote:

"How confident do you feel tonight, stranger?"

The armored figure doesn’t give an answer, but raises a spiked gauntlet. From either side of the road step truly large creatures, both of them humanoid and clutching greatclubs. Ogres. They flank the armored man as he begins to move forward.

She backs up, teeth grit, eyes wide with the stars in them blackened with fear.

We're a big group, and there are only three of them, right? Three...massive juggernauts...But we have Kregguk! He's a seasoned warrior—a paladin!

Trembling, Stella shrugs her bow off her shoulder and sets one end behind her foot to strings it—this time, she hadn't listened to Wirrow's reminder. Thankfully the enemy was approaching only slowly.

Last edited June 16, 2021 3:59 pm

Jun 16, 2021 4:01 pm

Jun 16, 2021 4:01 pm

Thunder rumbles, mixing with Aiwe’s war chant as roiling clouds above threaten to steal the moon’s light. Ahead, the armored man and his two ogre allies move forward with that same slow, deliberate pace.

In a flash of lightning, however, Wirrow sees more. Two men with longbows silently creeping forward along the sides of the road, nearly hidden by the trees. And yet another figure, this one cloaked with the hood drawn up, stands farther back on the road, out of the sight of anyone else on this dark night. It is significantly shorter and much more slender than the others.

The man in spiked armor raises his sword and punches the weapon forward, and the two ogres bellow their warcries and charge!

Jun 16, 2021 4:19 pm

Jun 16, 2021 4:19 pm

Round 1 Player Phase!

OOC:

This is the first fight of the game for some members of the party, so as a quick refresher: There's no initiative or 'turns' really, just go ahead and post what you do this round. You've got the AC and HP of the enemies detailed here, so if you roll an attack roll and see that you hit, go ahead and roll damage and narrate it all! If an enemy needs to make a saving throw against a spell you cast or something like that, just jot down what needs to be rolled (ex. Ogre 2 needs to make a DC 13 Dex save) and I'll roll that at the end of the round.

The enemies are marked with various colors in the chart below, basically indicating how close they are to the party:
Green means they can be engaged in melee.
Orange means they're a bit further back, roughly 30-60 feet (You could reach them if you move forward, but that would risk incurring opportunity attacks from the green folks (ogres).
Red in this case means that they're pretty far back, roughly 100 feet. Some ranged attacks can reach them, but if they're outside the range of your darkvision, you'll have disadvantage.

IMPORTANT STUFF!
Please at the end of your post just make a note of your HP, your AC, and roughly where you are compared to the rest of the party (ex. 'In front to tank' or 'In back to NOT tank', etc)

Try not to die!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2a/b3/2c/2ab32cd1c2bb435478156aa7b62aa282.jpg

yaroto98 Inactive forever!

Jun 16, 2021 4:30 pm

Jun 16, 2021 4:30 pm

Bert leans his head back and seems to take a deep breath, but not with his lungs. Violently pitching his head forward and opening his mouth farther than seems possible, a green wet beam sprays out of his mouth towards one of the slinking archers. Unfortunately, the spray lands short of the archer catching them off guard, and briefly creating a puddle at their feet, but ultimately not doing any damage.

Bert's AC:12
Bert's HP:5
Definitely towards the front.

"Nicely done Bert. Well, I suppose this just goes to show how far we have to go. Next time, we'll focus more on aiming, yes?"

Last edited June 16, 2021 9:17 pm

Rolls

Ray of Sickness attack - (1d20+4)

(5) + 4 = 9

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 16, 2021 4:59 pm

Jun 16, 2021 4:59 pm

All the anxiety built up over the last hour in Candlekeep, everything that happened with the assassin... something feels different inside of Wirrow, shifting. The anxiety becomes something stronger, but separate; distinct enough that she can direct it outwards, and its first victim is one of the archers. (Wirrow casts Shadowing Mark on Archer 2, and then Looming Shadow to attack.)

An arrows whistles out from the dark, and though it only slices the archer's arm, the mere touch of it sends a jolt of deadly fear into their heart. It leave a phantom imprint of itself there as well, a black thing poised to bury itself further. She then does her best to gauge distances, and retreats to where she thinks she might be safe from any retribution, while still keeping an eye on the lone figure at the other end of the battle.

(Archer 2 takes 11 damage (7 piercing, 4 psychic), and if they take any harmful action towards Stella on their next turn, they take 1d10 psychic damage.)

HP: 12/12
AC: 14
Far back, hopefully out of vision range of the archers.

Last edited June 16, 2021 5:21 pm

Rolls

Longbow vs Archer 2 (Shadowmark) - (1d20+5, 1d20+5)

1d20+5 : (13) + 5 = 18

1d20+5 : (6) + 5 = 11

Damage (Longbow, Shadowmark) - (1d8+3, 1d12)

1d8+3 : (4) + 3 = 7

1d12 : (4) = 4

Jun 16, 2021 10:22 pm

Jun 16, 2021 10:22 pm

Aiwë's chant takes on a secondary growl in her throat as the ogres advance.

Fine.

As she continues her war chant she makes eye contact with each ogre and the armoured figure, pointing her sword at each in turn, letting them know her song of death is just for them.

Aiwë casts Bane on both ogres and the Armoured Figure.

[ +- ] Bane

AC: 13
HP: 8

Last edited June 16, 2021 10:23 pm

Jun 17, 2021 3:36 am

Jun 17, 2021 3:36 am

With Aiwë's rhythmic war chant, Stella finds herself focusing. They need to protect themselves and this wasn't the time for fear.

Stella lifts her bow and knocks an arrow, whispering a word of celestial mixed with druidic.

"Reveal!"

The arrow glows with a wavering, green light, like the northern lights of the Icewind Dale sky. As it streaks through the air towards the armored figure and ogres, it leaves a trail of the smooth, green light, then bursts into a swirling vortex of it that cling to and hang around the foes. On the foes caught in the burst, the light seems to highlight areas where strikes might surpass their hide or armor or catch them off-guard.

(Stella casts Faerie Fire. Ogres 1 and 2 and the Armored Figure must each succeed on a DC 13 DEX save or shed dim green light in a 10-foot radius and grant advantage on attack rolls against them until Stella loses concentration.)

Wirrow's arrow streaks by at an unseen target.

There are more?!

With that revelation, she ducks and sprints towards a tree, her white hair waving behind with each stride.

AC: 13 (or 15 w/ half cover)
HP: 8/8
Back, taking cover behind a tree

Last edited June 17, 2021 4:03 am

Africhik Inactive forever!

Jun 17, 2021 4:51 am

Jun 17, 2021 4:51 am

The sight of the armored figure is enough to make Rift stop in his tracks. This was definitely an adventure, but suddenly it didn't seem so exciting. It was definitely terrifying.

As more enemies emerge from the darkness, Rift begins to panic. He needs a weapon! He pats his pockets, revealing only his lockpicking set. Why couldn't he have grabbed a weapon instead! He finally opens his small pack in desperation, knowing that he has only packed some extra clothes. At first he feels nothing but cloth and is sure that he is going to die. Then his fingers find metal and he pulls out a dagger. One of his own daggers. How did that get in there? There appears to be at least one more in the bag.

Not having time to think it through, he hefts the knife and hurls it at the closest ogre. It hits the ogre in the thigh, but it doesn't seem to notice.

Ogre 1 hit for 3 damage

AC: 14
HP: 10
Not in front, but within throwing range

Last edited June 17, 2021 4:55 am

Rolls

Dagger throw (11 to hit) - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Dagger damage - (1d4+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 17, 2021 5:13 am

Jun 17, 2021 5:13 am

Dieter stabs forward to intercept the ogre

Dieter deals 21 damage to ogre 1

AC 16
Hp11
In front of ogre 1

Last edited June 17, 2021 5:16 am

Rolls

Attacking ogre 1 - (1D20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

1D20+5

(17) + 5 = 22

Damage - (1D10+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

1D10+3

(1) + 3 = 4

Inspiration - (1D20+5)

(17) + 5 = 22

Damage reroll - (1D10+3)

(10) + 3 = 13

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 17, 2021 6:02 am

Jun 17, 2021 6:02 am

Upon seeing the beasts charge I step to the front of the group, my warhammer and shield at the ready. Once one of the ogres is within my range I swing my warhammer which hits with a whack.

AC 18
Health: 12/12
Location: Forward, tanking

Ogre 1 takes 8 damage

Last edited June 17, 2021 6:23 am

Rolls

Attack Ogre 1 - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Hit ogre 1 - (1d8+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Jun 17, 2021 12:17 pm

Jun 17, 2021 12:17 pm

A hint of a smile crosses Sheemish's face, not because he enjoys fighting, but because he gets to try out his new gauntlets. These ones are larger, cover most of his forearms. Pulling a canister from his pack, he attaches it to one of the gauntlets, and the other one crackles with electricity. Pointing both in front of him, he once again brings chaos to mechanics and magic. A stream of oil and grease jets out from his left gauntlet while a lightning burst leaps from the other. The concoction is a boiling splattering mess, landing on everything in its path.

Hoping to catch at least one ogre and the spikey dude in Tasha's Caustic Brew. Dex save of 13 or 2d4 damage at the start of each turn.

AC 17
HP 11

Jun 17, 2021 2:52 pm

Jun 17, 2021 2:52 pm

Chanting and arrows fill the air as those on both sides work magic and bowstrings. A heavy grunt sounds from the trees on the left as Wirrow’s arrow finds its mark. Another whistles toward Sheemish, but he deflects it with one of his new gauntlets. Rift doesn’t hear the arrow aimed at him, but he feels it punch through the scales covering his side (Rift takes 7 dmg). It’s a nasty wound, but the small dragonborn is made of tougher stuff than he looks, and manages to stay on his clawed feet.

The ogres bear down on the party’s front rank with rage, their huge clubs swinging with incredible force. Dieter catches one in the thigh with his pike, and then the melee truly begins. Keggruk engages with one ogre, leaving the other to Dieter and Runeson, and drives it back with radiant strikes (Ogre 2 takes 42 dmg). Runeson and Dieter rain punishment down on their large opponent, but it shakes off their weapons with a brutish roar, bringing its club straight down toward Runeson’s head in a blow that will surely crush the young paladin flat (Runeson is about to take 14 dmg...). The club just barely misses its mark, however, when Keggruk crashes into that ogre’s side, throwing off its aim (Keggy uses Interception and reduces the dmg to Runeson by 14).

Then the spellcasters finish weaving their spells, and the night erupts with the glow of magic. Zombie bile and boiling oil splatter forward, one of them more effective than the other, but both appropriately gross (Ogre 1 and ArmFig fail their saves and take 4 dmg). The ogres shake their heads in confusion as the doom of Aiwe’s magic weighs down heavily on them, but the armored man shrugs off the nefarious spell. Brightest of all is Stella’s spell, nearly a work of art more than battle magic. Its glow affects both ogres and the mysterious, armored man (Both ogres and ArmFig failed against Faerie Fire). He growls in anger and signals to the hooded figure behind him, who nods and finishes its own spell.

Giant strands of webbing suddenly burst in the party’s middle rank, sticky, magical snares that catch both Sheemish and Rift tightly (Sheemish and Rift are both restrained. Can use Inspiration to reroll that save if you want). Aiwe is nearly caught, but her quick reflexes save her and she rolls to the side just in time to clear the spell.

The enemy archers let loose a second volley, and both Dieter and Stella are hit (Each take 5 dmg).

The armored figure’s yellow eyes examine the battlefield, then focus on Keggruk. With those same deliberate strides he closes the distance to the orog paladin.

It doesn’t take a seasoned warrior to know this battle is going south. Keggruk blocks a swing from an ogre, then glances back at Aiwe. At Wirrow. The others. With his best orog growl he redoubles his efforts and buries his axe in the ogre’s chest (Action Surge, 22 lethal dmg to Ogre 2). He rips the weapon free as his large opponent falls, and then looks to Shelur. "Get them out! I will cover the retreat." A quick spell and a golden nimbus surrounds his niece (casts Sanctuary on Shelur). He glances at wounded Dieter and Runeson. "Flee with the others!"

Rolls

Ogre 1 vs Runeson - (1d20+6)

(16) + 6 = 22

dmg to Runeson - (2d8+4)

(37) + 4 = 14

Keggruk interception - (1d10+4)

(10) + 4 = 14

Ogre 2 vs Keggruk - (1d20+6)

(2) + 6 = 8

Archer 1 vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(15) + 4 = 19

dmg to Wirrow - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Archer 1 vs Dieter - (1d20+4)

(14) + 4 = 18

dmg to Dieter - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Archer 2 vs Sheemish - (1d20+4)

(7) + 4 = 11

Archer 2 vs Stella (half-cover) - (1d20+4)

(17) + 4 = 21

dmg to Stella - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Ogre cha saves vs bane (1, 2) - (1d20-2, 1d20-2)

1d20-2 : (7) - 2 = 5

1d20-2 : (11) - 2 = 9

ArmFig cha save vs bane - (1d20+1)

(7) + 1 = 8

Indomitable - (1d20+1)

(15) + 1 = 16

Ogre Dex saves vs Faerie Fire (1, 2) - (1d20-1, 1d20-1)

1d20-1 : (5) - 1 = 4

1d20-1 : (6) - 1 = 5

ArmFig Dex save vs Faerie Fire - (1d20+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Indomitable - (1d20+1)

(7) + 1 = 8

Ogre Dex saves vs Caustic Brew (1, 2) - (1d20-1, 1d20-1)

1d20-1 : (11) - 1 = 10

1d20-1 : (16) - 1 = 15

acid dmg - (2d4)

(22) = 4

ArmFig dex save vs Caustic Brew - (1d20+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Archer 1 vs Rift (NOT Wirrow) - (1d20+4)

(12) + 4 = 16

dmg to Rift - (1d6+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Keggruk vs Ogre 2 (2 attacks) - (1d20+8, 1d20+8)

1d20+8 : (18) + 8 = 26

1d20+8 : (13) + 8 = 21

Dmg to Ogre 2 (slashing, radiant) - (2d12+6, 4d8)

2d12+6 : (510) + 6 = 21

4d8 : (2748) = 21

Sheemish Dex save vs Web DC 13 - (1d20)

(2) = 2

Rift dex save vs Web DC 13 - (1d20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

Aiwe Dex save vs Web DC13 - (1d20+4)

(19) + 4 = 23

Keggruk vs Ogre 2 - (1d20+8)

(2) + 8 = 10

Keggruk vs ogre 2 - (1d20+8)

(16) + 8 = 24

dmg to ogre 2 (slashing, radiant) - (1d12+3, 3d8)

1d12+3 : (1) + 3 = 4

3d8 : (585) = 18

Jun 17, 2021 4:32 pm

Jun 17, 2021 4:32 pm

Round 2 Player Phase!!

OOC:

Keggruk wants the party to run away. Up to you guys! Might want to discuss in Discord.

Ogre 1 and Armored Figure are both affected by Faerie Fire, so advantage on attacks agains them!

Hooded Figure is concentrating on Web.

[ +- ] Web

Aiwe has Sanctuary on her.

[ +- ] Sanctuary

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9c/5f/9f/9c5f9f3961d579ac5aed05eb647af6b7.jpg

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 17, 2021 4:43 pm

Jun 17, 2021 4:43 pm

"You’ll die here" dieter says to kragguk in a matter of fact tone. "I will die with you, kill the archers!" Dieter says before shouting the last order and taking a defensive stab at the ogre and then quickly stabbing the oncoming armoured figure

Ac11
Hp6/11
By kragguk

Deals 21 points of damage to ogre 1

Last edited June 17, 2021 6:25 pm

Rolls

Ogre 1 - (1D20+5)

(14) + 5 = 19

1D20+5

(12) + 5 = 17

1D10+3

(10) + 3 = 13

1d20+5

(20) + 5 = 25

1D4+3

(4) + 3 = 7

Hit armour creep - (1d20+5)

(2) + 5 = 7

1D20+5

(9) + 5 = 14

Damage - (1D10+3)

(1) + 3 = 4

Bardic inspiration - (1D6)

(1) = 1

Jun 17, 2021 6:52 pm

Jun 17, 2021 6:52 pm

Sheemish couldn't run if he wanted to. With another brief attempt to free himself, he discards the idea. He had a better one. Defying physics and numerous modesty standards, Sheemish lifts up his loincloth and pulls out a battering ram? How in the Ug? Attaching it his chain he swings it in a wide arc above his head and launches it at the armored hulk.

Say Hello to my little friend : ) Moop needs a Dex save of 13 or takes 3d8 Bludgeoning Damage.

AC 17
HP 11

Last edited June 17, 2021 8:07 pm

Rolls

inspiration dex saving throw - (1d20)

(5) = 5

Jun 17, 2021 6:54 pm

Jun 17, 2021 6:54 pm

...

AC: 13 (15 w/ half cover)
HP: 3/8
Back, behind a tree

Concentrating on Faerie Fire (CON save was apparently unneeded)

Last edited June 17, 2021 6:59 pm

Rolls

Concentration - (1d20)

(9) = 9

Perception to see Cloaked Figure (DC 15) - (1d20+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Ice Knife vs Archer 2 - (1d20+5)

(20) + 5 = 25

Ice Knife Damage vs Archer 2 - (1d10+10)

(3) + 10 = 13

Ice Knife AoE damage vs Archer 1 and 2 - (2d6)

(64) = 10

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 17, 2021 9:49 pm

Jun 17, 2021 9:49 pm

The webs spring up, catching some of the group members off-guard and trapping them; it's rather in opposition to Keggruk's orders to retreat. Wirrow supposes that the orog would be displeased if some of her newfound companions don't make it out... and Stella would probably be upset too... and now the other girl was shot. Wonderful.

Cursing in some language (she doesn't stop to check which one), Wirrow doesn't run from the fight. I'm probably in the least amount of danger anyways. She takes aim at the hooded figure far down the road, hoping to disrupt their focus on the trapping spell enough for them all to get away.

Unfortunately, this battlefield is far more chaotic than a shooting range. Too many people milling about in front of her, too many dazzling lights she certainly wasn't used to dealing with--the arrow goes wide.

As an icy bolt whizzes by, Wirrow rushes over to Stella by the tree, consciously putting herself in front of the other girl to try and provide additional, shadowy cover.

(Attacked Hooded Figure but missed (ignore second roll), then moved near Stella.)

HP: 12/12
AC: 14
Back, tanking for Stella

Last edited June 17, 2021 10:11 pm

Rolls

Longbow vs Magic Dude - (1d20+5)

(6) + 5 = 11

If I have advantage - (1d20+5)

(10) + 5 = 15

yaroto98 Inactive forever!

Jun 17, 2021 10:04 pm

Jun 17, 2021 10:04 pm

"You heard the big boss Bert, let's get out of here. Hold on Bert, that's the wrong way, we're supposed to be going AWAY from these ungentleman. Oh, fine, we might as well slow them down for the others."

Bert whisper roars as he advances toward the armored figure. Ossein is wreathed in black oily flames, if you look too closely, they seem faintly familiar. You see the figures from your most recent nightmare within.

The blow lands and the darkness invades the armor, you're not sure what he sees, but he looks frightened and unable to give chase. Suddenly Bert seems unable to control himself any more and his teeth clamp down on a bracer. The bracer is ripped out of his mouth and a few teeth follow.

"Now is the time to flee, if you so wish. This blighter can't follow for a bit now.

Armored figure takes 13 damage and his speed is reduced to 0.

AC:12
HP:5

Last edited June 17, 2021 10:27 pm

Rolls

Mace melee attack - (1d20+4)

(19) + 4 = 23

Mace damage plus blade of nightmares - (1d6+4, 1d6)

1d6+4 : (5) + 4 = 9

1d6 : (4) = 4

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 18, 2021 4:13 am

Jun 18, 2021 4:13 am

Seeing my companions staying to fight, I decide that I had better help them.
I bet I’m going to regret this…
I engage the armored figure in battle alongside everyone else.

Armored figure takes 11 damage

AC 18
Health 12
Up front with the others

Last edited June 18, 2021 4:19 am

Rolls

Attack Armored Figure - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Attack armored figure (advantage) - (1d20+5)

(10) + 5 = 15

Damage armored guy - (1d8+3)

(8) + 3 = 11

Africhik Inactive forever!

Jun 18, 2021 4:46 am

Jun 18, 2021 4:46 am

Rift struggles in the web, but no matter how he twists and turns, he can't break free. Quickly losing strength from his wound, he does his best to hold in his tears as he watches his comrades fight without him.

AC: 14
HP: 3/10
Stuck

Last edited June 18, 2021 4:52 am

Rolls

Dex saving throw (inspiration) - (1d20+5)

(7) + 5 = 12

Strength check - (1d20)

(3) = 3

Jun 18, 2021 2:12 pm

Jun 18, 2021 2:12 pm

Aiwë grabs a stick and offers it over the webbing to Rift. "Your mom will eat me if I leave you here," she says, trying to ease his anxiety with a joke. "One, two three!" Aiwë yanks hard on the stick, pulling it and the latched-on Rift clear of the webs. "Now run!"

Shelur assesses the battlefield, trying to decide how to help Sheemish when she notices that not a single person listened to Keggruk. She blinks, surprised, and moves into position to help Sheemish. This is bad.

"Hey Sheemish! Show me what those smithing biceps are for! Yaugh!!" She mimes ripping the webs free with her own not-unimpressive arms.

Rift is free! Sheemish has bardic inspiration.

HP: 8/8
AC: 13

Last edited June 18, 2021 2:21 pm

Rolls

PULL (athletics) - (1d20+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

Jun 18, 2021 2:31 pm

Jun 18, 2021 2:31 pm

Thunder continues to rumble, and rain begins to fall, muddying the battlefield and obscuring vision even further.

Wirrow covers Stella’s body with her own as arrows whiz past, but thankfully neither of them are harmed. One arrow takes Sheemish in the chest, however, and the artificer slumps in his webbing (Sheemish takes takes 12 dmg). Seeing the party in dire straights, Stella summons powerful druidic magic that would make her mother proud. She flings a shard of conjured ice at one of the archers, hitting with enough force that it shatters, and a blast of cold air bursts out to freeze the other archer (Archer 1 dies).

In spite of Keggruk’s warning, Dieter and Runeson refuse to leave. Bravely, Dieter drives his pike deep into his ogre opponent’s heart (ogre dies). Unfortunately, this leaves the young warrior open to the ogre’s own strike, which falls at the same time. With tremendous strength, the club comes across and slams into Dieter, flinging him a dozen feet straight into the trunk of a tree (Dieter takes massive dmg and is killed outright).

Aiwe, still with that glowing, protective nimbus, manages to free Rift from the web, then directs the injured dragonborn away from the battle while shouting encouragement to Sheemish. With the last of his strength, Sheemish produces from the most unlikely of sources a portable battering ram and flings it powerfully toward the armored figure. That enemy is forced to move quickly, ducking to one side to avoid the impromptu missile, which soars past to squarely hit the hooded figure down the road. This done, Sheemish succumbs to his grievous wound (Sheemish is unconscious and bleeding out).

Keggruk curses at the sight of crumpled Dieter, then turns to face the man in spiked armor. "Good blood has been spilt this night. It’s stains your hands, though I doubt that you care. Torm, give me the strength to end this bloodshed!" The orog leaps forward, his greataxe swinging furiously across. His opponent twists away and takes only a minor blow, but it’s enough to show that the imposing figure bleeds, and enough for Keggruk to channel some of his divine power (ArmFig takes 18 dmg). A moment later, Runeson and Bert join in alongside Keggruk, each scoring their own hits. The armored figure sets his feet and brings his greatsword to bear. One swing takes Bert’s head from his shoulders (Bert takes 9 dmg and 'dies'). Two more swings give Keggruk stinging hits (Kegg takes 25 dmg), but the orog continues to stand strong.

The exchanged blows tell Keggruk all he needs to know about the strength of this foe. "Runeson, get BACK!" He mutters another spell of protection, and that same glowing nimbus now surrounds Runeson as well Casts Sanctuary on Runeson. "Help the others and GO!"

The sound of faint chanting comes through the falling rain as the hooded enemy finishes another spell. The webs vanish, dropping Sheemish to bleed on the ground, and then Keggruk and the armored man are engulfed in a sphere of magical darkness. The sounds of battle continue within.

Rolls

ogre vs Dieter - (1d20+6)

(20) + 6 = 26

dmg to Dieter - (2d8+20)

(37) + 20 = 30

Keggruk interception - (1d10+4)

(1) + 4 = 5

archer 1 vs runeson - (1d20+4)

(12) + 4 = 16

archer 1 vs sheemish (adv) - (1d20+4, 1d20+4)

1d20+4 : (12) + 4 = 16

1d20+4 : (20) + 4 = 24

dmg to Sheemish - (1d6+8)

(4) + 8 = 12

Archer 2 vs wirrow - (1d20+4)

(7) + 4 = 11

archer 2 vs wirrow - (1d20+4)

(3) + 4 = 7

ArmFig vs Bert - (1d20+11)

(17) + 11 = 28

dmg to Bert - (2d6+5)

(31) + 5 = 9

ArmFig vs Keggruk - (1d20+11)

(9) + 11 = 20

dmg to keggruk - (2d6+5)

(24) + 5 = 11

dmg reroll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

ArmFig vs Keggruk - (1d20+11)

(12) + 11 = 23

dmg to Keggruk - (2d6+5)

(63) + 5 = 14

BANE on Arm Fig - (1d4)

(4) = 4

keggruk vs armfig (2 attacks) - (1d20+8, 1d20+8)

1d20+8 : (17) + 8 = 25

1d20+8 : (4) + 8 = 12

dmg to ArmFig (slashing, radiant) - (1d12+3, 2d8)

1d12+3 : (4) + 3 = 7

2d8 : (83) = 11

kegg adv - (1d20+8, 1d20+8)

1d20+8 : (9) + 8 = 17

1d20+8 : (6) + 8 = 14

Archer dex saves vs Ice knife (1, 2) - (1d20+2, 1d20+2)

1d20+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1d20+2 : (19) + 2 = 21

ArmFig dex save vs catapult - (1d20+1)

(16) + 1 = 17

Hooded figure dex save vs Catapult - (1d20+4)

(5) + 4 = 9

dmg to hooded fig - (3d8)

(128) = 11

hooded figure concentration save - (1d20)

(10) = 10

Jun 18, 2021 4:02 pm

Jun 18, 2021 4:02 pm

Round 3 Player Phase!!!

OOC:

Dieter is dead. Bert is dead. Sheemish is bleeding out.

The Web spell is gone, and in its place is Darkness over Keggruk and the Armored Figure. And I guess Ossein too!

Aiwe and Runeson both have Sanctuary on them.

[ +- ] Sanctuary

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/09/3e/5e/093e5ec40340975679aa933ed67af63d.jpg

Jun 18, 2021 4:53 pm

Jun 18, 2021 4:53 pm

"Through tunnels dark, twisting, deep,
To stinking swamp for dragon's sleep."

Aiwë's song is eerie in the chaos.

"Monster spawn and devil's pawns
Could not keep them from us long."

She grabs Sheemish and haul's him to his feet, magic from her words filling his legs with strength.

"They brought our lost ones home."

Aiwë looks him in the eye as he comes to.

"RUN."

Sheemish gains 8 hp

Last edited June 18, 2021 5:17 pm

Rolls

Cure Wounds - (1d8+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 3 months

Jun 18, 2021 8:15 pm

Jun 18, 2021 8:15 pm

Feeling his insides resemble split pea soup rather than organs Dieter fights for breath lying on the ground "I’m sorry Tulfgar…" he whispers as the light leaves his young eyes

OOC:

WASTED

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Jun 18, 2021 8:21 pm

Jun 18, 2021 8:21 pm

Hearing the orog’s command, I shout to the rest of the part, "Get going! I’ll be right behind you!" and dash into the sphere of darkness to find Ossein. After picking Ossein up, I run to where Dieter’s body lies after being thrown by the ogres club. I respectfully carry him to and place him on Tulco’s back.
Time to go!

Jun 18, 2021 10:42 pm

Jun 18, 2021 10:42 pm

After her focused display of druidic, arcane archery with a shot of shattering ice, Stella's eyes widen with fear once more taking in the scene.

It was all happening so fast!

"No!!" Despite Kregguk's valiant attempt to protect the boy, there would be no saving Dieter from a such a crushing blow. Sheemish collapses, but Aiwë quickly gets him back to his feet. Rift becomes free as the web dissipates, replaced by a cloud of darkness.

Now they could run. But why didn't she listen to her instincts? Why didn't she follow Kregguk's first orders and try get the others to follow?!

The black stars in Stella's eyes flash orange as she looses an arrow into the remaining archer's neck.

(Archer 2 takes lethal damage.)

Tears begin to flow and her eye-stars fade to a flickering, dark blue as she turns to flee.

HP: 3/8
AC: 13 (15 w/ cover)
Back, fleeing

Last edited June 18, 2021 10:54 pm

Rolls

Shortbow vs Archer - (1d20+4)

(9) + 4 = 13

Damage - (1d6+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 19, 2021 1:02 am

Jun 19, 2021 1:02 am

The young knight's body slams into the tree, and Wirrow winces from where she stands, then again at Stella's sudden cry from right beside her. The size difference made it look like a cat batting a mouse around; except in this case, the mouse had managed to kill the cat too. At least he was true to his the rallying cry she'd heard from inside the darkness; he had, in fact, died here.

Wirrow doesn't exactly want to follow suit, or let the same happen to any of her friends. This time, her attempt to disrupt the figure in the back strikes true: an arrow skims the edge of the cloud of blackness and connects with the head of its creator. It's unfortunately not enough to fell then, however.

(Hooded Figure takes 13 damage)

There wasn't anything more she could do. Not even checking to see if the darkness fades, Wirrow turns to grab Stella by the wrist and pull her away to run from the fighting if needs be, but thankfully the other white-haired girl is already stepping away to retreat.

Briefly, Wirrow wonders if Aiwe or Keggruk will be unhappy later about having to run; wasn't a bloody fight something orcs typically wanted to see to the end? She shakes the thought out of her head. There would be time to think of things besides survival later.

HP: 12/12
AC: 14 (16 w/cover)
Back, fleeing

Last edited June 19, 2021 1:24 am

Rolls

Longbow vs Problem Guy #2 (Hooded) - (1d20+5)

(5) + 5 = 10

Inspiration reroll (cause why not) - (1d20+5)

(16) + 5 = 21

Damage (Longbow, Favored Foe) - (1d8+3, 1d4)

1d8+3 : (7) + 3 = 10

1d4 : (3) = 3

yaroto98 Inactive forever!

Jun 19, 2021 2:10 am

Jun 19, 2021 2:10 am

Ossein, covered in darkness, lying in the grass, imitates to the best of his ability, an Orog roar.

"Roar! I'm mean, take this you filthy metal covered meatsack! I Keggruk will slay you!"

The sphere of darkness grows tentacles, which turn inward.

[ +- ] Arms of Hadar

Last edited June 19, 2021 2:12 am

Rolls

Arms of Hadar Damage - (2d6)

(36) = 9

Performance for fun - (1d20+0)

(10) = 10

Jun 19, 2021 2:58 am

Jun 19, 2021 2:58 am

A sharp pain, collapsing, and wondering how all this happened so fast, Sheemish closes his eyes. His last thought is that his gift to his father of a light keeping bright as long as he lives may not have been the . . And then the light comes back to his eyes. Hauling himself up he takes in the scene, the darkness covering the remaining combatants, his fleeing comrades, and the crumpled broken form of dieter.

Hauling himself up, Sheemish helps Runeson heft the body of poor boy onto the horse. A part of Sheemish screamed inside to avenge this death and to not run like a coward, but it was obvious what would happen if they stayed. What were they even thinking participating in this fight? They were mostly just kids. Dieter was just a kid. Lowering his head, Sheemish leaves with the rest.

Africhik Inactive forever!

Jun 19, 2021 4:44 am

Jun 19, 2021 4:44 am

Rift staggers away from the web. Fear races through him as he watches the armored figure slice off the head of the strange smelly man who had been helping him. Ossein. There's another dead body, but Rift is having a hard time focusing on who it is. People are dying? Really dying?

All he can see is the hooded figure, even as people try to usher him away from the fight. He grabs his other dagger and, without thought, hurls it at the figure, just as he would in practice. He sees it hit, but is already turning to flee.

Rift hits the Hooded Figure for 8 damage

AC: 14
HP: 3/10
R-U-N-N-O-F-T

Last edited June 19, 2021 4:56 am

Rolls

Dagger throw - (1d20+5)

(16) + 5 = 21

Dagger damage + sneak attack - (1d4+3, 1d6)

1d4+3 : (3) + 3 = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jun 19, 2021 2:51 pm

Jun 19, 2021 2:51 pm

The party scrambles away while Keggruk and the armored man continue their duel within the sphere of darkness (Keggruk deals 13 dmg to the Armored Figure). Parting volleys are fired, and the last archer drops - though not before planting an arrow each in Wirrow and Runeson (Wirrow takes 7, Runeson takes 8).

Aiwe can’t see the hooded figure, but she feels malevolent eyes upon her. Then the golden nimbus around her flares, and the feeling goes away.

Abruptly there is a squelching *schink* and Keggruk’s cries to Torm cease. A heavy body hits the wet ground with a splash and the rattle of plate armor. The sphere of darkness lifts, and there stands the armored figure over Keggruk’s still body (Keggruk fails a save vs insta-death and dies).

The last thing the party sees as they flee is the horned helmet and yellow eyes turning to follow them.

OOC:

Out of combat. What does the party do? Flee West back to Candlekeep? Head off-road? Sneak back and try to take out the hooded figure?

Check the new map in Discord for options.

Runeson would know that to the North is the big fortified Friendly Arm Inn, run by Bentley and Gellana Mirrorshade, goodly retired gnomish adventurers, wizard and priestess. So that could be a good option. It would mean going off-road for a while though and would take a few days' travel.

Or to the town Beregost, where Tulfgar lives. Again, would need to go off-road for a bit to avoid the moops who ambushed you. It's closer, but you'd have to find some way to cross the river too. There's a large temple there.

Or you could go clear up to Baldur's Gate, but that would take a while.

Up to you guys!

Rolls

Archer 2 vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(16) + 4 = 20

dmg to Wirrow - (1d6+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Archer 2 wis save vs Sanctuary - (1d20+1)

(18) + 1 = 19

Archer 2 vs Runeson - (1d20+4)

(19) + 4 = 23

dmg to runeson - (1d6+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Keggruk vs ArmFig (2 attacks) - (1d20+8, 1d20+8)

1d20+8 : (15) + 8 = 23

1d20+8 : (3) + 8 = 11

Whoops, disadv Keggy - (1d20+8, 1d20+8)

1d20+8 : (18) + 8 = 26

1d20+8 : (1) + 8 = 9

dmg to ArmFig - (1d12+3)

(10) + 3 = 13

ArmFig vs Keggruk (Called Strike) - (1d20+11)

(16) + 11 = 27

Dmg to Keggruk (piercing, sneak attack) - (1d4+13, 4d6+24)

1d4+13 : (3) + 13 = 16

4d6+24 : (1656) + 24 = 42

Keggruk Con save vs Blind (DC 15 - (1d20+2)

(17) + 2 = 19

Keggruk Con save vs Death DC 15 - (1d20+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Hooded Figure wis save vs sanctuary - (1d20+5)

(7) + 5 = 12

ArmFig dex save vs arms of hadar - (1d20+1)

(15) + 1 = 16

Jun 19, 2021 5:47 pm

Jun 19, 2021 5:47 pm

Aiwë feels like an idiot. Keggruk was covering their retreat. She knows what that means.

Everything is too loud. Will the ambushers find them? What's wrong with her breathing?

Finally they stop. It's been hours. Where will they go? She looks to Keggruk for her instruction. He isn't here. She already received it.

"Get them out."

She listens to Runeson explain what he knows of the area. Why are his words all... swimmy?

"To the Inn," Aiwë says, and jumps at how loud the sound is. She quiets her voice, not knowing that it's almost too quiet now for her companions to hear. "I don't think most of us know how to cross a river that isn't frozen, and I don't want to learn now."

She checks her compass. "Head North. Go as fast as you can, and stay off the paths. I'll meet up with you in about a day."

Aiwë looks around at her location, judges where the ambush site is, and begins to head back toward it, taking a slightly different way than they arrived here by.

Jun 19, 2021 9:20 pm

Jun 19, 2021 9:20 pm

Sheemish catches Aiwe as she turns to head back. "if you are about to do what I think you are, you are going to need help," He whispers urgently as he holds out his hand and opens his palm. A small metallic orb with intricate runes hums to life in his palm. Fluttering wings unfold from it and it rises up and hovers just before Aiwe. It then zips forward and head butts her before pulling back and humming happily. Sheemish smiles weakly, "Aiwe, meet Snitch." He then adds as in plea "We should have ran when we had the chance. You may not be ready for this yet." He then gestures for her to turn around. With a fine chisel he embeds a soft tune on the back shoulder of her armor. It issues a soft hue as it takes effect, strengthening the metal Alloy within the Armor. "I can’t promise it will be permanent, but it will last long enough for this. We can’t afford to lose anyone else today."

As Aiwe walks off followed by a buzzing Snitch, Sheemish whispers "Come back safe" It wasn’t clear Whether he was referring to Snitch or Aiwe, or both.

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmage Inactive forever!

Jun 19, 2021 10:23 pm

Jun 19, 2021 10:23 pm

The young knight, who she couldn't even remember the name of. Keggruk. Nearly Sheemish. None of them pull on her heartstrings so much as seeing Stella valiantly trying to hold in tears over them. A dark thought whispers... that it's not a very hard measure to top, if none of them pull on her heartstrings at all...

Wirrow's thoughts are promptly forgotten when she realizes Aiwe's plan. She sighs.

Of course she's doing that. Is it an orc tradition thing, or something else?

Now she had to pick. Based on depth of familiarity, she wants to be present with Stella, but Aiwe going off on her own would most definitely be in more danger than Stella surrounded by all these other people. And of course, if Aiwe got killed too, as this night seemed to lend itself to? That would hurt Stella even worse, and herself.

It's that thought that makes up Wirrow's mind. Better to be safe and not let anyone else go alone; Sheemish's weird ball of metal didn't count.

As Aiwe leaves the group to head off into the woods, Wirrow breaks away as well to follow her. She hangs back as she tails the orc-elvish girl, outside of Aiwe's vision range to give her space to... do things herself, sort of? Whatever that feeling is called.

Last edited June 19, 2021 10:24 pm

Jun 19, 2021 11:33 pm

Jun 19, 2021 11:33 pm

Upon hearing Aiwë's plan to leave, Stella's eye-stars flicker between black, an icy blue, and a fierce orange—a confusing mix of emotions. Still, she can't get herself to speak, instead clutching her arms to her silently, gritting her teeth while trying to hold back tears.

Despair. Fear. Rage.

Mostly toward the brutal attackers. Partly toward Aiwë, who might as well be abandoning them to join Kregguk and Dieter. Partly toward herself for not trusting her instincts when the foes first appeared.

When Wirrow decides to follow, Stella silently stops the girl with deadened eyes and quickly tends to her wounds with herbs and bandages. (Wirrow regains 1d6+6 HP)

She then tends to her own wounds, where an arrow struck her.

OOC:

Anyone else who would like medical attention, let me know, though I only have three uses left.

Last edited June 19, 2021 11:34 pm

Jun 20, 2021 2:14 am

Jun 20, 2021 2:14 am

Aiwë's smile for Snitch and Sheemish is distant. "He wasn't there when they fought the dragon, but the heroes made it to you because Keggruk helped. Thank you. We'll be back."

She looks at Stella, her calm brown eyes taking in the colours swirling in her friend's. Stella is nearly her cousin. Had she paid attention, when she visited those summers? Aiwë isn't sure. But she knows Stella doesn't understand.

"I'll be back," she repeats.

She continues into the dark woods, ignoring the ranger at her back.

Last edited June 20, 2021 2:16 am

Jun 20, 2021 2:34 am

Jun 20, 2021 2:34 am

OOC:

The story of Aiwe and those who go with her continues here in Chapter 2!

Jun 20, 2021 2:43 am

Jun 20, 2021 2:43 am

OOC:

The story of the party that continues on aiming for the Friendly Arm Inn continues here in Chapter 2!

Index > Game Forums > Baldur's Gate > Chapter 1

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Game Details

Characters
- Africhik
  
  Tilrifturrin
- Araklusta
  
  Berrun Ghastkill
  
  Oublek
  
  Dynaheir
  
  Edwin
  
  Moonblade
  
  Xan
  
  Mulahey
  
  Snog'snoot
  
  Emerson
  
  Dwarf Scoundrel
  
  Minsc
  
  Aldous Silvershield
  
  Officer Vai
  
  Bardolan
  
  Kagain
  
  Marianne
  
  Silke Rosena
  
  Viconia DeVir
  
  Jeram
  
  Flaming Fist Mercenary
  
  Belt
  
  Jessa
  
  Sheemish
  
  Jaheira
  
  Seniyad
  
  Entar Silvershield
  
  Jhasso
  
  Skie Silvershield
  
  Halbazzer Drin
  
  Scar
  
  Tenya
  
  Drasus
  
  Yeslick Orothiar
  
  Druid Woman
  
  Stephan
  
  Dread Wolf
  
  Druid
  
  Aldeth Sashenstar
  
  Ajantis
  
  Centeol
  
  Tiber
  
  Tazok
  
  Sirene
  
  Feldepost
  
  Dead Assassin
  
  Liia Jannath
  
  Kelddath Ormlyr
  
  Dabner
  
  Taerom Fuiruim
  
  Khalid
  
  Tulfgar
  
  Gatewarden
  
  Kezryn
  
  Keggruk
  
  Dok
  
  Shar-Teel
  
  Riril
  
  Koveras
  
  Barkeep
  
  Fisherman
  
  Matt
  
  Bert
  
  Greyhelm
  
  Marl
  
  First Reader Tethtoril
  
  Maegan
  
  Halla
  
  Conlan
  
  Aerihykloarara
  
  Isherwood
  
  Jhonen
  
  Erevain
  
  Xeremiah Eltan
  
  Hooded Elf
  
  Kadmiel
  
  Ote
  
  Winski
  
  Teles Avhoste
  
  Bentley Mirrorshade
  
  Flaming Fist Soldier
  
  Gellana Mirrorshade
  
  Montaron
  
  Xzar
  
  Father Tulfgyr
  
  Armored Figure
  
  Miirym
  
  Happy
  
  Lady Kassandra
  
  Ulraunt
  
  Feldmar Bisset III
  
  Bandit
  
  Phlydia
  
  Droshroaqi
  
  Bandit
  
  Laurëa
  
  Little One
  
  Mesen
  
  Khe'ril Hammerbind
  
  Keeper of the Emerald Door
  
  Winthrop
  
  Jasan
  
  Imoen
- Carcabob
  
  Mr. Gemini
  
  Zenithral
  
  Stella
- Catsqui1688
  
  Runeson
- deoelvenmage
  
  Calliope O'Kelly
  
  Wirrow Bloodbyrn
- gardensun
  
  Aiwë Shelur
- Requella
  
  Ida
  
  Kay
- Victor.Strokov
  
  Dieter
- yaroto98
  
  Ossein Handel