You follow the blood trail down the stairwell as it twists downward. You come to a landing where there is a door, but the blood trail keeps going down. You know you are the one floor below you just were at. Do you continue downward and follow the blood trail?
[[OOC: Hmm. That's a long trail of blood from the first room and going down 2 flights of stairs now. Referring to Vrox's Survival / Investigation check above, is the volume of blood consistent with an injured person who was dripping blood as they fled? Or is it more like a river of blood created by dragging a bunch of freshly decapitated corpses down the stairs? We were rushing downstairs to attempt a rescue, but that might not make sense, depending on the amount of blood loss implied by the trail of blood we're following.]]
The volume of the blood splatter is more than a simple injury a wounded person would make. Rather, more and likely a major artery has been cut.
You follow the blood trail down the steps, determining you have descended two more levels when the stairs come to the bottom of the tower, and a door that is open. The blood trail goes through the door and down the passageway. There are sputtering torches set in the wall, and the blood heads due west from the bottom of the steps. From where you see at the bottom, the passageway goes forward for 50 feet. There appear to be openings on either side about halfway down. At the end of the hallway, is another opening facing west. There appears to be flickering light coming from within.
the passageway goes forward for 50 feet. There appear to be openings on either side about halfway down. At the end of the hallway, is another opening facing west. There appears to be flickering light coming from within.
Vrox waits at the foot of the stairs so that everyone can gather in the hallway before they proceed toward the first openings / doorways. He whispers to ask whether anyone wants to send a familiar or other summoned creature forward to see what's ahead.
If not, Vrox will creep quietly to scout the way. He goes to the first pair of openings, trying to peek around the corners without being seen.
Khessa promptly summons Anator from the safety of his pocket dimension to scout ahead as Vrox requested... After all, his appearance is that of a simple bat, so he shouldn't arouse suspicion unless spotted by magically enhanced eyes or other magical means.
Anator flies down the hallway, and after 20 feet, sees the two recessed openings that have steps down to a door, and either side. He then flies through the end of the hallway and climbs a little to see the room. It is a large chamber, where in the center, bodies are being placed in a circle and their blood being used to draw arcane symbols on the floor. A modified hobgoblin mage is in the center, wearing purple with the Chaos runes on it, directing the placement of the bodies, and the drawing of the symbols. There are two large devils, two red devils with horns, and 4 armored devils in the room.
Khessa had Anator come back and she shares the bad news: no surivors. She also describes whatever her brother just saw.
"I'd say let's storm inside, stopping whatever the arcanist is doing, since he's not finished - so maybe we can avoid something more bad to happen" the blond earcane warrior advises. "Thenwe can resume our exploration from the upper floor".
[[OOC: Does Vrox know anything about these types of demons? In particular, damage resistance / immunities or any special magical powers? Nature28` (advantage because Fiends are one of his Favored Enemies) If that's the wrong INT skill, the value would be Arcana: 22 or Religion: [roll][roll:-2]-12[/skill]. ]]
"I'd say let's storm inside, stopping whatever the arcanist is doing, since he's not finished
Vrox asks, "What about the two doors? If there are more demons there, we may be surrounded during the fight. Should I try to look into those rooms first? Or do we just leave Sir Robert, Sparhawk, and Brother Maynard in reserve to protect our rear while we charge ahead?"
As soon as Akkron knows the scene, he has an idea...
"Now seems like the opportune moment to use my illusory dragon to wipe them all out while blocking any attempt to retreat..."
Vrox likes this idea, but he wonders whether a dragon can effectively fight in that room with the rest of them. Is there enough space for it?
Or, if Lord Akkron wants to put the dragon in front of the tunnel so that the party can hang back in the hallway and just let the illusory dragon wipe out everything in the room, what if one of the demons has truesight or sees through the illusion? Would it then be able to pass through the "dragon" and attack them in the tunnel?
[[OOC: Does Vrox know anything about these types of demons? In particular, damage resistance / immunities or any special magical powers? Nature28` (advantage because Fiends are one of his Favored Enemies) If that's the wrong INT skill, the value would be Arcana: 22 or Religion: [roll][roll:-2]-12[/skill]. ]]
[[OOC: Typo in the roll macro. That would be a 16 if the right skill is Religion.]]
"Though it is called an 'illusory' dragon, the summoned entity has a physical presence and cannot be easily bypassed," the lich explains. "If it blocks the hallway, they would have just as much of a challenge trying to squeeze past it as if a real dragon appeared in their midst. Whether they can see through the illusion or not makes no difference."
"Though it is called an 'illusory' dragon, the summoned entity has a physical presence and cannot be easily pypassed," the lich explains. "If it blocks the hallway, they would have just as much of a challenge trying to squeeze past it as if a real dragon appeared in their midst. Whether they can see through the illusion or not makes no difference."
Vrox's eyes get wide, and he gives Akkron a long, considering look. He seems impressed and maybe a little afraid of the lich. Finally, he says, "Well! I thank the Summer Queen that you're on our side!" Looking to the others, he says, "I'd say, let's let Lord Akkron flex his arcane power and take care of this batch of demons for us. Before you start, Lord Akkron, we may want to spread out a bit. They may have spellcasters of their own. They may guess that there's an attack coming from here, and I wouldn't want us to be all lined up in the hallway just for them to send a lightning bolt through here. Or maybe we can get through one of those two doors where we can wait politely for your not-just-an-illusory dragon finishes off the demons in the room ahead?"
(OOC: I know that @Mister_Whisker has been looking for an opportunity to try that spell, so I'd say, let him have at it.
If Vrox has any idea what these particular demons' damage immunities / resistances are, he shares that information with Lord Akkron so that the wizard can pick the best damage type for the dragon. Probably not fire, poison, or even cold against a demon, but I'm not sure whether necrotic, acid, or lightning would be the best choice. Depends on the type of demon.)
"As you had also speculated before, Vrox," Khessa points out "going through one of those two doors we may find further enemies. If we want to wait out of reach of any spells, perhaps the spiral stairs are a better choice... We just need to climb them a little bit to get out of sight".
[[OOC: Does Vrox know anything about these types of demons? In particular, damage resistance / immunities or any special magical powers? Nature28` (advantage because Fiends are one of his Favored Enemies) If that's the wrong INT skill, the value would be Arcana: 22 or Religion: [roll][roll:-2]-12[/skill]. ]]
"I'd say let's storm inside, stopping whatever the arcanist is doing, since he's not finished
Vrox asks, "What about the two doors? If there are more demons there, we may be surrounded during the fight. Should I try to look into those rooms first? Or do we just leave Sir Robert, Sparhawk, and Brother Maynard in reserve to protect our rear while we charge ahead?"
As soon as Akkron knows the scene, he has an idea...
"Now seems like the opportune moment to use my illusory dragon to wipe them all out while blocking any attempt to retreat..."
Vrox likes this idea, but he wonders whether a dragon can effectively fight in that room with the rest of them. Is there enough space for it?
Or, if Lord Akkron wants to put the dragon in front of the tunnel so that the party can hang back in the hallway and just let the illusory dragon wipe out everything in the room, what if one of the demons has truesight or sees through the illusion? Would it then be able to pass through the "dragon" and attack them in the tunnel?
Here is what you recall:
The chort devil has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.Damage ResistancesBludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered. Damage ImmunitiesPoison, Cold, Fire. It prefers its magical pole arm as a weapon, but won't hesitate to use its claws and has some spell casting abilities.
Orobus Devil: Damage ResistancesCold, Acid; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered. Damage ImmunitiesPoison, Fire. It likes to bite and use its Flail.
Devil Legates: Damage ResistancesBludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Mundane Attacks, Damage ImmunitiesFire. While within 60 feet of a devil with a challenge rating of 9 or higher, the legate has advantage on saving throws against powers, spells, and other supernatural effects.
After scouting ahead to see the demons for himself, Vrox sneaks back to the group. He quickly summarizes what he knows for Lord Akkron: "I saw devils of various types. Chort devils and great Orobus devils with their soldiers (devil legates). They are mostly immune to fire and poison, of course. Some of them are also resistant to frigid cold and even acid. Can you make the shadowy dragon that you summon attack with the power of storm or the moon: thunder, lightning, or radiant light itself?"
"As you had also speculated before, Vrox," Khessa points out "going through one of those two doors we may find further enemies. If we want to wait out of reach of any spells, perhaps the spiral stairs are a better choice... We just need to climb them a little bit to get out of sight".
Vrox agrees to this plan. Once Lord Akkron unleashes his dragon, the whole party can retreat up the stairs and just get ready to finish the job once the dragon vanishes "back into the shadowy stuff of which it's made."
His scouting complete, Vrox moves toward the back of the group and switches from his shield and sword to his bow and heads up the stairs 10' or so. He wants to be ready in case the demons get past the dragon or survive its attacks.
"Thank you... as a matter of fact, I can make it breath lightning or pure necrotic energy. I think that lightning will probably be the most reliable option, just in case any undead decide to try to back them up..."
If he still had lips, Lord Akkron would be smiling as he finally unleashes his illusory dragon...
He'll go ahead and stand about 90-ft back when he plants the dragon right in the middle of the hallway/blocking the end of the hallway. When it appears, every enemy that can see it must make a DC 24 Wis save or be frightened of the dragon for 1 minute.
Then it opens its mouth and expels a 60-ft cone of lightning damage at the monsters, dealing 28 damage to all that fail a DC 24 Intelligence saving throw (half-damage on success).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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[[OOC: Yes, I'm fine with following the trail, but any answer to my question in post #2124 above?]]
The volume of the blood splatter is more than a simple injury a wounded person would make. Rather, more and likely a major artery has been cut.
You follow the blood trail down the steps, determining you have descended two more levels when the stairs come to the bottom of the tower, and a door that is open. The blood trail goes through the door and down the passageway. There are sputtering torches set in the wall, and the blood heads due west from the bottom of the steps. From where you see at the bottom, the passageway goes forward for 50 feet. There appear to be openings on either side about halfway down. At the end of the hallway, is another opening facing west. There appears to be flickering light coming from within.
Vrox waits at the foot of the stairs so that everyone can gather in the hallway before they proceed toward the first openings / doorways. He whispers to ask whether anyone wants to send a familiar or other summoned creature forward to see what's ahead.
If not, Vrox will creep quietly to scout the way. He goes to the first pair of openings, trying to peek around the corners without being seen.
Stealth 32, advantage from Shadowfell Brand Tattoo
Perception 25 (advantage from Sentinel Shield)
[[OOC: Heh, his tattoo helps Vrox melt into the shadows of the flickering torches.]]
Khessa promptly summons Anator from the safety of his pocket dimension to scout ahead as Vrox requested... After all, his appearance is that of a simple bat, so he shouldn't arouse suspicion unless spotted by magically enhanced eyes or other magical means.
Anator flies down the hallway, and after 20 feet, sees the two recessed openings that have steps down to a door, and either side. He then flies through the end of the hallway and climbs a little to see the room. It is a large chamber, where in the center, bodies are being placed in a circle and their blood being used to draw arcane symbols on the floor. A modified hobgoblin mage is in the center, wearing purple with the Chaos runes on it, directing the placement of the bodies, and the drawing of the symbols. There are two large devils, two red devils with horns, and 4 armored devils in the room.
Khessa had Anator come back and she shares the bad news: no surivors. She also describes whatever her brother just saw.
"I'd say let's storm inside, stopping whatever the arcanist is doing, since he's not finished - so maybe we can avoid something more bad to happen" the blond earcane warrior advises. "Thenwe can resume our exploration from the upper floor".
As soon as Akkron knows the scene, he has an idea...
"Now seems like the opportune moment to use my illusory dragon to wipe them all out while blocking any attempt to retreat..."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Vrox creeps down the hall to get a look at the demons and then sneaks back to the party at the foot of the stairs:
[[OOC: Does Vrox know anything about these types of demons? In particular, damage resistance / immunities or any special magical powers?
Nature 28` (advantage because Fiends are one of his Favored Enemies)
If that's the wrong INT skill, the value would be Arcana: 22 or Religion: [roll][roll:-2]-12[/skill].
]]
Vrox asks, "What about the two doors? If there are more demons there, we may be surrounded during the fight. Should I try to look into those rooms first? Or do we just leave Sir Robert, Sparhawk, and Brother Maynard in reserve to protect our rear while we charge ahead?"
Vrox likes this idea, but he wonders whether a dragon can effectively fight in that room with the rest of them. Is there enough space for it?
Or, if Lord Akkron wants to put the dragon in front of the tunnel so that the party can hang back in the hallway and just let the illusory dragon wipe out everything in the room, what if one of the demons has truesight or sees through the illusion? Would it then be able to pass through the "dragon" and attack them in the tunnel?
[[OOC: Typo in the roll macro. That would be a 16 if the right skill is Religion.]]
"Though it is called an 'illusory' dragon, the summoned entity has a physical presence and cannot be easily bypassed," the lich explains. "If it blocks the hallway, they would have just as much of a challenge trying to squeeze past it as if a real dragon appeared in their midst. Whether they can see through the illusion or not makes no difference."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Vrox's eyes get wide, and he gives Akkron a long, considering look. He seems impressed and maybe a little afraid of the lich. Finally, he says, "Well! I thank the Summer Queen that you're on our side!" Looking to the others, he says, "I'd say, let's let Lord Akkron flex his arcane power and take care of this batch of demons for us. Before you start, Lord Akkron, we may want to spread out a bit. They may have spellcasters of their own. They may guess that there's an attack coming from here, and I wouldn't want us to be all lined up in the hallway just for them to send a lightning bolt through here. Or maybe we can get through one of those two doors where we can wait politely for your not-just-an-illusory dragon finishes off the demons in the room ahead?"
(OOC: I know that @Mister_Whisker has been looking for an opportunity to try that spell, so I'd say, let him have at it.
If Vrox has any idea what these particular demons' damage immunities / resistances are, he shares that information with Lord Akkron so that the wizard can pick the best damage type for the dragon. Probably not fire, poison, or even cold against a demon, but I'm not sure whether necrotic, acid, or lightning would be the best choice. Depends on the type of demon.)
"As you had also speculated before, Vrox," Khessa points out "going through one of those two doors we may find further enemies. If we want to wait out of reach of any spells, perhaps the spiral stairs are a better choice... We just need to climb them a little bit to get out of sight".
[[ OOC: Yes, why not, let's use the dragon ]]
Here is what you recall:
The chort devil has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered. Damage Immunities Poison, Cold, Fire. It prefers its magical pole arm as a weapon, but won't hesitate to use its claws and has some spell casting abilities.
Orobus Devil: Damage Resistances Cold, Acid; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered. Damage Immunities Poison, Fire. It likes to bite and use its Flail.
Devil Legates: Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Mundane Attacks, Damage Immunities Fire. While within 60 feet of a devil with a challenge rating of 9 or higher, the legate has advantage on saving throws against powers, spells, and other supernatural effects.
Hobgoblin War Mage: Resistant to fire
After scouting ahead to see the demons for himself, Vrox sneaks back to the group. He quickly summarizes what he knows for Lord Akkron: "I saw devils of various types. Chort devils and great Orobus devils with their soldiers (devil legates). They are mostly immune to fire and poison, of course. Some of them are also resistant to frigid cold and even acid. Can you make the shadowy dragon that you summon attack with the power of storm or the moon: thunder, lightning, or radiant light itself?"
Vrox agrees to this plan. Once Lord Akkron unleashes his dragon, the whole party can retreat up the stairs and just get ready to finish the job once the dragon vanishes "back into the shadowy stuff of which it's made."
His scouting complete, Vrox moves toward the back of the group and switches from his shield and sword to his bow and heads up the stairs 10' or so. He wants to be ready in case the demons get past the dragon or survive its attacks.
"Thank you... as a matter of fact, I can make it breath lightning or pure necrotic energy. I think that lightning will probably be the most reliable option, just in case any undead decide to try to back them up..."
If he still had lips, Lord Akkron would be smiling as he finally unleashes his illusory dragon...
He'll go ahead and stand about 90-ft back when he plants the dragon right in the middle of the hallway/blocking the end of the hallway. When it appears, every enemy that can see it must make a DC 24 Wis save or be frightened of the dragon for 1 minute.
Then it opens its mouth and expels a 60-ft cone of lightning damage at the monsters, dealing 28 damage to all that fail a DC 24 Intelligence saving throw (half-damage on success).
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WIS Saves;
Chort 1 15
Chort 2 6
Orobus 1 17
Orobus 2 2
Legate 1 18
Legate 2 10
Legate 3 2
Legate 4 5
Hobgoblin 17
INT Save:
Chort 1 11
Chort 2 4
Orobus 1 5
Orobus 2 6
Legate 1 9
Legate 2 16
Legate 3 8
Legate 4 12
Hobgoblin 20
You can see that the fear and the breath weapon had an effect on the devils in the room