"Leave the duergar of our family alone!" snarls Khessa, angry that the brave dwarf has already taken a few hits.
Brandishing spear and scimitar, the blonde arcane warrior runs to the position where the corpse of the gnoll that Ebzer and Silas have just killed lies. From there she sends a low thrust of the spear into the belly of the last remaining gnoll, combined with an up and down slash of the scimitar, toward the collarbone.
(just confirming, the critical hit only did 5 hp damage?)
Ebzer cries out in Dwarvish,
Ancestors! Fortify me!
and allows his battle rage to come to the surface. (BA) The remainder of the party is startled to see faint images of spectral warriors appear around the duergar.
Ancestral Protectors feature:
Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, spectral warriors appear when you enter your rage. While you’re raging, the first creature you hit with an attack on your turn becomes the target of the warriors, which hinder its attacks. Until the start of your next turn, that target has disadvantage on any attack roll that isn’t against you, and when the target hits a creature other than you with an attack, that creature has resistance to the damage dealt by the attack. The effect on the target ends early if your rage ends.
Ebzer utters a cry of battle and strikes back at Gnoll C!
Attack: 18 Damage: 16 slashing
--------
Silas will hurl his dagger at Gnoll C as well, but remain out of melee reach.
Attack: 20 Damage: 6 piercing.
Two devastating attacks are sufficient to put down Gnoll C!
Letting his illusion fade away, Traydark uses his drow magic, weaving a complex pattern with his slender fingers and uttering arcane words to curse the last gnoll, then unleashing a beam of purple eldritch crackling force against it.
Cast Hex on Gnoll D Eldritch Blast: 7 Force: 7 Necrotic: 1
Sarith fires another bolt from his hand crossbow at the same gnoll. Hand Crossbow: 19 Piercing: 7 + Drow Poison
Eldritch Blast misses, but Sarith's crossbow finds its mark, wounding Gnoll D!
Katryl again firies at one of the remaining gnolls. She then will try to find a hiding spot (Stealth: 24) (Shortbow Attack: 9 Damage: 6 + 5)
Eldeth also continues firing at the gnolls with her longbow. (Longbow Attack: 23 Damage: 6) (Longbow Attack: 21 Damage: 9)
Katryl misses with her bow but does manage to find the best spot in the area to hide in, and Eldeth's shots plant firmly into the gnoll and send it to meet Yeenoghu in the afterlife.
That was enough to finish off the gnolls, but you are still considered in combat for now. That being said there are no immediate threats anymore that you can see in the immediate area. The sounds from the hook horrors has died down in the corridor to your left.
"The Gnolls called out to their demon lord Yeenoghu, not nearly as powerful as mighty Demogorgon but truly one of the most fearsome demon lords. The gnolls calling out his name doesn't necessarily mean Yeenoghu would be present in the Underdark of course but we'd better be wary as we proceed. The Hook Horrors are monstrous predators of the Underdark and not much better so I see no reason to intervene. We should try to continue towards Gracklstugh I think, I will use more illusions to cover our way. I suggest we only engage enemies that stand in our way."The noble drow says, then using his drow magic to create a burning inferno in the intersection ahead, hopefully discouraging others to enter it, motioning for Ebzer to press on through the tunnels. "Don't worry duergar, the fire won't hurt you."
If a round passes with no obvious enemies, Ebzer's rage subsides, and the spectral figures disappear. He looks down at his greataxe, stained with the blood of the gnolls, and heaves a sigh of relief. "I did not flee."
He wipes his weapon on the hide or clothing of the gnolls, and then slings it across his back, nodding to Traydark. The duergar then heads into the inferno at the intersection, and turns towards Gracklstugh.
Silas retrieves his thrown dagger from the corpse of the gnoll, and follows the barbarian.
"Oh," Buppido scratches his head, at Traydark's explanations "but then why didn't we let the gnolls chase the Hook Horrors unhindered, without attacking them? We could have kept quiet behind the illusory wall and let them pass..."
"Good question, Buppido, but maybe for later. If more Gnolls (or Hook Horrors) come, better shut up now" Khessa speaks in a low voice and while trying to figure out which of the four gnolls might be more similar to her in size, she takes him with her behind the shelter of the new illusion "Would you wait for me a moment? I would like to try to see if I can wear the this dude's armor... If it fits, Katryl can have hers back!"
The derro also follows behind the illusion, keeping watch while the blonde arcane warrior (if not disturbed) tries to don the new armor.
If a round passes with no obvious enemies, Ebzer's rage subsides, and the spectral figures disappear. He looks down at his greataxe, stained with the blood of the gnolls, and heaves a sigh of relief. "I did not flee."
He wipes his weapon on the hide or clothing of the gnolls, and then slings it across his back, nodding to Traydark. The duergar then heads into the inferno at the intersection, and turns towards Gracklstugh.
Silas retrieves his thrown dagger from the corpse of the gnoll, and follows the barbarian.
"Oh," Buppido scratches his head, at Traydark's explanations "but then why didn't we let the gnolls chase the Hook Horrors unhindered, without attacking them? We could have kept quiet behind the illusory wall and let them pass..."
"Good question, Buppido, but maybe for later. If more Gnolls (or Hook Horrors) come, better shut up now" Khessa speaks in a low voice and while trying to figure out which of the four gnolls might be more similar to her in size, she takes him with her behind the shelter of the new illusion "Would you wait for me a moment? I would like to try to see if I can wear the this dude's armor... If it fits, Katryl can have hers back!"
The derro also follows behind the illusion, keeping watch while the blonde arcane warrior (if not disturbed) tries to don the new armor.
Khessa the gnoll is wearing leather armor but it is scratched up pretty well and caked in blood and who-knows-what. It is still usable however.
Katryl you see and hear...each other. Although there are some scratches on the walls that seem vaguely interesting but were probably just made by the gnolls or hook horrors at some point.
-----------
At the next intersection you can continue straight as it starts to bend slightly to your left, or take the passage off to the right, which seems to bend back further in the general direction you came from. You might surmise that the gnolls you just met probably were in this right hand tunnel somewhere.
Katryl eventually gives up her cover to follow along with the others. "I guess we continue on, unless we want to make sure those creatures are taken care of?" She glances in Khessi's direction as she says the last.
Khessa finishes wearing the gnoll's armor ("Traydark, would you be so kind to help me donning this? So I'll be quicker...") and seeing Katryl watch her, winks: "I'm looking fine in this new one, I'm not?" then she gives the genasi friend her leather back, kissing her on the cheek with a bright smile "I'll never forget that you lent me your armor, exposing you to more risk only to help me! Thank you, my friend!"
Since no more enemies show up, the blonde arcane warrior thinks it safe to talk: "I know that avoiding troubles serms safer, but I'd like to know if yet another demon lord is around... The whole Gracklstugh could be in danger!" she shivers at the memory of Sloopludoop's doom "We could let another group of gnoll fight with the hook horrors, then beat them when they are weskened by the battle and keep one alive to be put to question... What do you think?"
"I think we will simply have to see what we might run into here as we move forward, if we're lucky we can continue unhindered towards Gracklstugh now. We're still far away from the city of the duergar though. If Yeenoghu indeed is present in the Underdark as well I don't see what we can do about it other than trying to stay as far away as possible from the raging lunatic of a demon lord." The noble drow says grimly. Traydark then frowns as Khessa decides to wear the wholly unwholesome looking armour of the slain gnoll, but quickly tries to magically clean it up as the blonde arcane warrior dons it as he can't stand the view of it's current state. "You are really desperate for new armour Khessa? What will we see you wear next, the carved out and still bloody chitinous plates of a hook horror?" He says with a chuckle, then ready to follow Ebzer's brave lead onwards.
"Why 'bloody'?" raises an eyebrow Khessa, joking "Couldn't I count on you for the courtesy of cleaning it up for me like you now did for this wonderful piece? Anyway," she winks "I understand: you envy my new armor because, worn from the many battles it must have seen, it gives me the look of hardened veteran... But what can I do, if the nobles of our group are not moved by compassion to buy me a proper mithral full plate? I do not want to use poor Katryl's armor indefinitely".
The blonde arcane warrior falls back to serious speaking: "I don't delude myself in being able to stop Yeenoghu already, but... Traydark... If he is headed to Gracklstugh like us? I'll not simply stay and watch a new apocalypse like Sloopludoop had! If we discover the demon lord is heading there, then we can at least warn the city, have the people flee..."
"Guys," the blue eyes of the tall adventuress shine with determination "would it not better to question at least one of the gnolls? If you don't care about the city, think to yourself also: we'll head into danger ourselves, if Yeenoghu shares our destination! It would be nor better to know? If we let the gnoll be weakened by the hook horrors, we should not be at great risk".
'Plus...' she thinks 'What if we can find a way to put Yeenoghu against Demogorgon? I want these bloody demon lords destroyed or banished... and what could help more than having them fighting among themselves? If we can get some hint about their plans, we could be able to do that...'
"There is nothing suggesting Yeenoghu is heading for Gracklstugh, but we could certainly tell them of the demonic acticity we have exeprienced, if we ever get there."The noble drow says with a tired sigh. "These particular gnolls are not so talkative any more, but if we happen to run into more of them, which is quite possible, you can certainly ask them. Don't get your hopes up for anything useful though. If you even get to talk to one and make it speak coherently as opposed to madly yapping, barking and howling, it might just proudly proclaim that Yeenoghu is coming to make the Underdark his new personal layer of the Abyss, but it would likely say that whether it is the truth or not."He says with a scoff, ready to follow Ebzer.
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"Leave the duergar of our family alone!" snarls Khessa, angry that the brave dwarf has already taken a few hits.
Brandishing spear and scimitar, the blonde arcane warrior runs to the position where the corpse of the gnoll that Ebzer and Silas have just killed lies. From there she sends a low thrust of the spear into the belly of the last remaining gnoll, combined with an up and down slash of the scimitar, toward the collarbone.
Low thrust of the spear into the belly: 17 Damage: 8
Up and down slash of the scimitar, toward the collarbone: 17 Damage: 1
Katryl again firies at one of the remaining gnolls. She then will try to find a hiding spot (Stealth: 13)
(Shortbow Attack: 25 Damage: 7 + 1)
Eldeth also continues firing at the gnolls with her longbow.
(Longbow Attack: 9 Damage: 5)
(Longbow Attack: 24 Damage: 7)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Two devastating attacks are sufficient to put down Gnoll C!
Eldritch Blast misses, but Sarith's crossbow finds its mark, wounding Gnoll D!
Buppido puts some sense into the gnoll, hitting them easily for another 5 points of damage!
You're attacking the corpse?
Katryl misses with her bow but does manage to find the best spot in the area to hide in, and Eldeth's shots plant firmly into the gnoll and send it to meet Yeenoghu in the afterlife.
=================================================================================================================================================
That was enough to finish off the gnolls, but you are still considered in combat for now. That being said there are no immediate threats anymore that you can see in the immediate area. The sounds from the hook horrors has died down in the corridor to your left.
Eldeth says, "Do we try and find those creatures? Or you suppose they have just left us alone?"
(I presume initiative-wise we are back to Traydark and Sarith? i.e. we are not waiting for some NPC/monster?)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Correct.
Of course I'm attacking the corpse! What if the gnoll was only pretending to be dead? I had to be sure... 😉
"The Gnolls called out to their demon lord Yeenoghu, not nearly as powerful as mighty Demogorgon but truly one of the most fearsome demon lords. The gnolls calling out his name doesn't necessarily mean Yeenoghu would be present in the Underdark of course but we'd better be wary as we proceed. The Hook Horrors are monstrous predators of the Underdark and not much better so I see no reason to intervene. We should try to continue towards Gracklstugh I think, I will use more illusions to cover our way. I suggest we only engage enemies that stand in our way." The noble drow says, then using his drow magic to create a burning inferno in the intersection ahead, hopefully discouraging others to enter it, motioning for Ebzer to press on through the tunnels. "Don't worry duergar, the fire won't hurt you."
If a round passes with no obvious enemies, Ebzer's rage subsides, and the spectral figures disappear. He looks down at his greataxe, stained with the blood of the gnolls, and heaves a sigh of relief. "I did not flee."
He wipes his weapon on the hide or clothing of the gnolls, and then slings it across his back, nodding to Traydark. The duergar then heads into the inferno at the intersection, and turns towards Gracklstugh.
Silas retrieves his thrown dagger from the corpse of the gnoll, and follows the barbarian.
"Oh," Buppido scratches his head, at Traydark's explanations "but then why didn't we let the gnolls chase the Hook Horrors unhindered, without attacking them? We could have kept quiet behind the illusory wall and let them pass..."
"Good question, Buppido, but maybe for later. If more Gnolls (or Hook Horrors) come, better shut up now" Khessa speaks in a low voice and while trying to figure out which of the four gnolls might be more similar to her in size, she takes him with her behind the shelter of the new illusion "Would you wait for me a moment? I would like to try to see if I can wear the this dude's armor... If it fits, Katryl can have hers back!"
The derro also follows behind the illusion, keeping watch while the blonde arcane warrior (if not disturbed) tries to don the new armor.
Katryl waits for a moment, silent, to see if any more enemies approach.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
A full round passes.
Make an investigation check.
Make a perception check.
Khessa's investigation: 15
(Katryl Perception: 8)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Khessa the gnoll is wearing leather armor but it is scratched up pretty well and caked in blood and who-knows-what. It is still usable however.
Katryl you see and hear...each other. Although there are some scratches on the walls that seem vaguely interesting but were probably just made by the gnolls or hook horrors at some point.
-----------
At the next intersection you can continue straight as it starts to bend slightly to your left, or take the passage off to the right, which seems to bend back further in the general direction you came from. You might surmise that the gnolls you just met probably were in this right hand tunnel somewhere.
Which way would you like to go?
Katryl eventually gives up her cover to follow along with the others. "I guess we continue on, unless we want to make sure those creatures are taken care of?" She glances in Khessi's direction as she says the last.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Khessa finishes wearing the gnoll's armor ("Traydark, would you be so kind to help me donning this? So I'll be quicker...") and seeing Katryl watch her, winks: "I'm looking fine in this new one, I'm not?" then she gives the genasi friend her leather back, kissing her on the cheek with a bright smile "I'll never forget that you lent me your armor, exposing you to more risk only to help me! Thank you, my friend!"
Since no more enemies show up, the blonde arcane warrior thinks it safe to talk: "I know that avoiding troubles serms safer, but I'd like to know if yet another demon lord is around... The whole Gracklstugh could be in danger!" she shivers at the memory of Sloopludoop's doom "We could let another group of gnoll fight with the hook horrors, then beat them when they are weskened by the battle and keep one alive to be put to question... What do you think?"
"I think we will simply have to see what we might run into here as we move forward, if we're lucky we can continue unhindered towards Gracklstugh now. We're still far away from the city of the duergar though. If Yeenoghu indeed is present in the Underdark as well I don't see what we can do about it other than trying to stay as far away as possible from the raging lunatic of a demon lord." The noble drow says grimly. Traydark then frowns as Khessa decides to wear the wholly unwholesome looking armour of the slain gnoll, but quickly tries to magically clean it up as the blonde arcane warrior dons it as he can't stand the view of it's current state. "You are really desperate for new armour Khessa? What will we see you wear next, the carved out and still bloody chitinous plates of a hook horror? " He says with a chuckle, then ready to follow Ebzer's brave lead onwards.
"Why 'bloody'?" raises an eyebrow Khessa, joking "Couldn't I count on you for the courtesy of cleaning it up for me like you now did for this wonderful piece? Anyway," she winks "I understand: you envy my new armor because, worn from the many battles it must have seen, it gives me the look of hardened veteran... But what can I do, if the nobles of our group are not moved by compassion to buy me a proper mithral full plate? I do not want to use poor Katryl's armor indefinitely".
The blonde arcane warrior falls back to serious speaking: "I don't delude myself in being able to stop Yeenoghu already, but... Traydark... If he is headed to Gracklstugh like us? I'll not simply stay and watch a new apocalypse like Sloopludoop had! If we discover the demon lord is heading there, then we can at least warn the city, have the people flee..."
"Guys," the blue eyes of the tall adventuress shine with determination "would it not better to question at least one of the gnolls? If you don't care about the city, think to yourself also: we'll head into danger ourselves, if Yeenoghu shares our destination! It would be nor better to know? If we let the gnoll be weakened by the hook horrors, we should not be at great risk".
'Plus...' she thinks 'What if we can find a way to put Yeenoghu against Demogorgon? I want these bloody demon lords destroyed or banished... and what could help more than having them fighting among themselves? If we can get some hint about their plans, we could be able to do that...'
"There is nothing suggesting Yeenoghu is heading for Gracklstugh, but we could certainly tell them of the demonic acticity we have exeprienced, if we ever get there." The noble drow says with a tired sigh. "These particular gnolls are not so talkative any more, but if we happen to run into more of them, which is quite possible, you can certainly ask them. Don't get your hopes up for anything useful though. If you even get to talk to one and make it speak coherently as opposed to madly yapping, barking and howling, it might just proudly proclaim that Yeenoghu is coming to make the Underdark his new personal layer of the Abyss, but it would likely say that whether it is the truth or not." He says with a scoff, ready to follow Ebzer.