Nox retreats to a corner and finds some protection within her magically created Darkness. She knows that she can see through it (Eyes of the Dark) and hopes her opponents can't. Taking advantage of that gamble, she calls forth a shadowy scythe and commands it to attack Baern.
-> Rolling a second attack for the Spiritual Weapon as attacks against Baern have advantage for now (Reckless Attack):19
The dwarf scoffs at the puny attempt at hurting him.
(@Palfatreos: please detail the exact spot where you are casting Darkness.)
Tupoc swoops down on Mumed once again, unleashing another Flurry of Blows, this time with his fists. Each attack that connects gets infused with a small wave of ki, with the goal of stunning Mumed. Afterwords, he flies up again, unhampered by the man in front of him (Mobile).
Tupoc swoops in and Mumed raises his defenses. The hybrid's fist smashes against the tall and heavy shield. Expecting the defensive maneuver, Tupoc keeps floating to the side while throwing a second punch. Mumed cannot move his shield in time, but the whip on his other hands cracks against the flying fist, blocking it. Tupoc was expecting that too. A third punch comes in the form of an uppercut and Mumed is forced to take it on the chin (Mumed takes 9 magical bludgeoning damage).
-> Mumed's CON saving throw {DC 19}: 14 - Mumed's world gets temporarily rocked and he falters.
-> Tupoc would technically have advantage on the fourth attack, so here's another roll: 26
A fourth punch finds its target unresponsive (Mumed takes 10 magical bludgeoning damage). After that, Tupoc flies back up.
(@Hydra: Please deduct 2 ki points from your sheet).
"Coward!" Baern screams while running towards what he estimates to be the center of the Darkness bubble. Once inside, he begins swinging his grotesque axe wildly, hoping his long arches will compensate for not being able to see his foe (i.e. advantage and disadvantage cancel each other out).
(OOC: Still not lucky enough with the insight checks... bummer.)
Selrahc continues to thrash about within his box, the ground under his feet shaking with each strike. Nonetheless, it is not working and there are no signs it would...
Mumed continues to stumble in place for now, incapable of doing much (stunned and incapacitated).
It is then that Xavier takes a look around the field and speaks loudly: "Enough! You have lost this fight. Half of your party is down and you have barely put a dent on ours. Desist now, rest, wait for your companions to be reborn, and try again."
He sighs after a pause: "Abe, Tupoc, and Selrahc. If any of you would prefer to try your luck on the Reincarnate wheel of fortune, the offer for a quick execution option still stands. This is not a threat, but an honest offer."
Selrahc pauses from his cube, "What happens if we get even more monstrous? Eventually we will just become another shepherd, or another Ooguay. We aren't like you guys, we don't stay the same body death after death."
Xavier responds: "Your concerns are well-founded, rock-man. You will dive deeper and deeper into your monstrosity. Reach deep enough and there is no turning back. But, the deeper you go the more powerful you get, and that is the kind of strength you'll need to beat Lysanderoth."
Baern adds: "If not us, weaklings."
"It's a gamble you just might have to take."says Ingus, coming back into your field of vision from behind the walls.
Xavier admits: "We have already reached our limit. You can break yours."
OOC: At this point, and also going by the OOC chat, we are out of initiative.
OOC: Also, the tough lesson you just learned in defeat sinks in hard. You all grow from it. LEVEL up to 18th, folks!
Abe swoops down once Spaklegem lets him go from the spell he was focusing on. The birdman says: "I am of the mind to try my luck and gain powers that are more suitable to defeating you and Lysanderoth as part of a more coherent group. I speak for the fallen assimar Nox on the corner as well. The others are likely to want to remain as they are."
Abe kneels on the ground: "Make it quick."
Xavier: "Very well. Baern, Milo, please do the honors."
The pair approaches the volunteers. Baern unceremoniously decapitates Abe, while Milo stabs Nox's heart without uttering a word. Both bodies disappear soon after.
Each team goes back to their corner and begins to rest and prepare for the next round.
Yessaris awakens less than pleased at the news, but not otherwise surprised by the result being defeat. Hearing of Abe's and Nox' sacrifice though? Now that left him looking at least mildly livid for all of a few seconds before the feeling gets suppressed and dismissed in a tired sigh. "I suppose we'll see in the future what comes of that. At the very least, this frees from one obligation."He steps away from the others to see to the remains of Barney.
What happened after is miracle of engineering and magic that few can stand the light of, but in wake of it resulted in the blue-plated dragonoid standing at his master's side. "Come, Bar-... No. You are Bailiff now. Come. There is yet more work to be done."And so, the two returned to the others to rest and wait. Though at some during or towards the end of the long rest, struck by inspiration and grim reminders alike, Yessaris all but turns his pack inside out in his haste to turn the mundane into the extraordinaire.
Prior to Long Rest: Expending a spellslot to revive Baliff to Full HP
Iron Defender(excerpt):
If it has died within the last hour, you can use your Smith's Tools;smith’s tools as an action to revive it, provided you are within 5 feet of it and you expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. The iron defender returns to life after 1 minute with all its hit points restored.
At 10th level, you gain the ability to make sure you have the right magical tool for a job. Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can replace one of the artificer cantrips you know with another cantrip from the artificer spell list.
Current 5 Infusions Following a Long Rest:
Cloak of the Immovable (Attuned to Yessaris) Ring of the Indomitable (Attuned to Yessaris) Enhanced Defense (Yessaris' Shield) Enhanced Weapon (Graxx's Handcrossbow?) Sandals of Alacrity (Given to Selhrac with matching Socks of Extreme Elasticity(matching item))
Spellstored:
Still waiting on input. But if none is given, then Yessaris will store the second level spell version of Vitalizing Mist(if possible?) into Graxx' handcrossbow.
Spell-Storing Item:
When you reach 18th level, you learn how to store a spell in an object for repeated use. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch one simple or martial weapon or an item that you can use as a spellcasting focus and store a spell in it, choosing one 1st- or 2nd-level spell from the artificer spell list that requires 1 action to cast (you don’t need to have the spell prepared). With the object in hand, a creature can take an action to produce the spell’s effect from it, using your spellcasting ability modifier.
The spell stays in the object until it has been used a number of times equal to twice your Intelligence modifier (minimum of twice) or until you use this feature again.
(Thus, the infusion of Graxx' handcrossbow is necessary)
Ingus approaches and stabilizes Graxx, while Xavier does the same for Yessaris. Selrahc is let out of his prison. Bailiff is also brought back online (wasn't that the gorilla's name?).
"We'll be preparing over in our corner. You should do the same in yours," Mumed says, now recovered from Tupoc's hits.
(OOC: While we wait, feel free to post below any preparations you'll be doing for this second fight. Each of you should also go ahead and roll an insight check {DC 18} while you wait. Pick an opponent when you roll. Feel free to also roll for your own initiative this time around.)
(@Lerus: I KNEW I used that term somewhere before, but couldn't remember! Okay, new name... Wait for it... Attorney! That way people being defended by him can go 'Bring it up with my Attorney!)
Even during his mad machinations Yessaris cannot get a certain barbarian out of his head. While he could equate some of his abilities being within a realm similar to Selherac, certain limitations of race should've interfered. And then there was the axe... Clearly magical in some fashion or another, if not designed for heavy handed use despite its oversized form. Not to mention his speed. Even with the feral ferocity of some cruder martial artist tended to display, he /should've/ been delayed for a moment at least.
Regardless of what answers come to light, Yessaris does not stop working -- improving upon past designs and the like. To that end, he eventually calls aside certain allies, offering in some cases and brow beating in others to enhance their performance. Any talk of conservation out of him is brushed aside as pointless. He was no so prideful as to not acknowledge the current shortcomings of his practice. Buuut neither would he say as much outloud. Either which way goes, some find themselves with fancy new sandals and socks that comfortably warm even stony feet, bittersweet drafts that embolden constitution, weapons that -- with some minor "tweaks' far accelerate their payloads for more devastating results, and so much more.
Preparation(in order):
(4th level)Health Draught on Yessaris, Attorney, and Nox, gaining and increasing HP Max by 15. Yessaris places at 10ft intervals from north to south(top to bottom on any map) 10 oil flasks and 1 Alchemist Fire Jug. (2nd level)Etheral Vision Visor on Yessaris activated. (3rd level)Accelerating Draught on Selherac, Graxx, and Nox, granting 10 additional feet of movement. (1st level)Warding Matrix Activated on Attorney. (Cantrip)Spark of Inspiration on self to be added to initiative roll if less than 15. Attorney takes the Defensive Maneuvers.(If possible) Yessaris Initiative: 16. (Eh, too close to 15, so burning that guidance) Plus Guidance: 2.
(Above is subject to minor change depending on other PCs preparations.)
Selrahc's Preparation: None. He is a Barbarian. He is ready to smash. If possible, he will rage BEFORE the combat so he can use his Bonus Action on his turn, but if he isn't able to that's fine.
Yessaris' insight check: Though you haven't seen Selrahc in combat just yet, you do have a solid guess that the elemental-hybrid and this elegantly dressed dwarf (from the waist down, that is), do indeed share a common approach to a good fight. You can't quite yet tell how he manages to move so fast, but you feel you have a general grasp on his base fighting style. You'll need to keep watching him further (a.k.a. succeed in successive insight checks) to learn more.
Mechanically speaking, you learn the following about Baern. I'll assume Yessaris shares all of this with the party. You should all feel free to use this information strategically (a limited metagaming license, if you will). It is OK to assume your characters fully understand the character features implied by the information below (e.g. Rage, Reckless Attack, Persistent Rage, Dwarven Resilience, etc.):
Name: Baern Oakbeard; Race: Mountain Dwarf; Class: Barbarian - Path of the Berserker; Level: 20; Successful insight checks against Baern: 1 (more info available with further successes; anyone may try as a reaction).
@All: Keep those prep posts coming.
@Superbad: Don't forget you roll initiative with advantage. You can certainly rage "a turn" before the start of the battle if you'd like. Also, sorry but that insight check is still not high enough, even with the reduced DC of 18.
@Ori: In which column in the map are you placing all those vials?
@Superbad: Don't forget you roll initiative with advantage. You can certainly rage "a turn" before the start of the battle if you'd like. Also, sorry but that insight check is still not high enough, even with the reduced DC of 18.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tupoc falls out of his stance and walks back to his group as the fight ends, glancing at the blood and skin stuck under his fingernails. "I suppose, healer, that we will be seeing each other again soon. Sweet dreams." When he reaches his side of the cave he sits down and prepares to take a long rest. First, however, he waits for Mumed to fall asleep. Once he does, Tupoc inserts a monstrous version of himself into the balding man's dreams (DC 18, taking 16 psychic damage and losing any benefits of the long rest on a failure)
____
After the rest, Tupoc will prepare by casting Bless on himself, Selrahc, and Graxx and casting Sanctuary on Abe before dropping back into his stance.
Nox retreats to a corner and finds some protection within her magically created Darkness. She knows that she can see through it (Eyes of the Dark) and hopes her opponents can't. Taking advantage of that gamble, she calls forth a shadowy scythe and commands it to attack Baern.
-> Rolling a second attack for the Spiritual Weapon as attacks against Baern have advantage for now (Reckless Attack): 19
The dwarf scoffs at the puny attempt at hurting him.
(@Palfatreos: please detail the exact spot where you are casting Darkness.)
Sparklegem advances to {BT19} with a big grin on his face and says to Abe: "I'll take you down with my fiery finger, birdman!"
-> Fire Bolt vs. Abe: Attack: 12
Damage: 12 fire.Nothing even leaves the gnome's hand... "Well, that didn't work..."
He looks so disappointed that he does nothing else... (*sad tuba plays*)
(Tupoc is up next.)
OOC: it is cast on the staff i am holding srr forgot to mention.
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Tupoc swoops down on Mumed once again, unleashing another Flurry of Blows, this time with his fists. Each attack that connects gets infused with a small wave of ki, with the goal of stunning Mumed. Afterwords, he flies up again, unhampered by the man in front of him (Mobile).
Attack: 12 Damage: 10
Attack: 21 Damage: 13
Attack: 31 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Attack: 14 Damage: 6
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
Tupoc swoops in and Mumed raises his defenses. The hybrid's fist smashes against the tall and heavy shield. Expecting the defensive maneuver, Tupoc keeps floating to the side while throwing a second punch. Mumed cannot move his shield in time, but the whip on his other hands cracks against the flying fist, blocking it. Tupoc was expecting that too. A third punch comes in the form of an uppercut and Mumed is forced to take it on the chin (Mumed takes 9 magical bludgeoning damage).
-> Mumed's CON saving throw {DC 19}: 14 - Mumed's world gets temporarily rocked and he falters.
-> Tupoc would technically have advantage on the fourth attack, so here's another roll: 26
A fourth punch finds its target unresponsive (Mumed takes 10 magical bludgeoning damage). After that, Tupoc flies back up.
(@Hydra: Please deduct 2 ki points from your sheet).
"Coward!" Baern screams while running towards what he estimates to be the center of the Darkness bubble. Once inside, he begins swinging his grotesque axe wildly, hoping his long arches will compensate for not being able to see his foe (i.e. advantage and disadvantage cancel each other out).
-> Oversized Greataxe vs. Nox: Attack: 32 Damage: 28 magical slashing.
-> Nox's concentration check {DC 14}: 12 - Darkness is dropped.
"I've seen and fought this trick before, coward!" He creams swinging twice more, this time knowing exactly where to aim:
-> Oversized Greataxe vs. Nox: Attack: 31 Damage: 28 magical slashing.
-> Oversized Greataxe vs. Nox: Attack: 32 Damage: 39 magical slashing.
-> Even more extra damage for the critical hit: 23 magical slashing.
Nox is quickly overwhelmed, falling to the ground both unconscious and incapacitated (Nox takes 118 magical slashing damage and needs to start rolling DEATH saving throws).
-> Baern's INT saving throw against Synaptic Static {DC 19}: 14 + Bardic Inspiration: 5 - the effects to the curse cease to pester the dwarf.
(Selrahc is up next. For now, he is still trapped inside his invisible box.)
((Here is the roll for that check to see what Baern is: 10))
Selrahc will yell, "LET ME OUT!" He will then attack the wall with his maul again (normal attacks. No reckless or GWM)
-> Maul, +1 vs. Wall: Attack: 19 Damage: 17
-> Maul, +1 vs. Wall: Attack: 31 Damage: 21
-> Maul, +1 vs. Wall: Attack: 30 Damage: 13
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
(OOC: Still not lucky enough with the insight checks... bummer.)
Selrahc continues to thrash about within his box, the ground under his feet shaking with each strike. Nonetheless, it is not working and there are no signs it would...
Mumed continues to stumble in place for now, incapable of doing much (stunned and incapacitated).
It is then that Xavier takes a look around the field and speaks loudly: "Enough! You have lost this fight. Half of your party is down and you have barely put a dent on ours. Desist now, rest, wait for your companions to be reborn, and try again."
He sighs after a pause: "Abe, Tupoc, and Selrahc. If any of you would prefer to try your luck on the Reincarnate wheel of fortune, the offer for a quick execution option still stands. This is not a threat, but an honest offer."
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 3
Selrahc pauses from his cube, "What happens if we get even more monstrous? Eventually we will just become another shepherd, or another Ooguay. We aren't like you guys, we don't stay the same body death after death."
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
Xavier responds: "Your concerns are well-founded, rock-man. You will dive deeper and deeper into your monstrosity. Reach deep enough and there is no turning back. But, the deeper you go the more powerful you get, and that is the kind of strength you'll need to beat Lysanderoth."
Baern adds: "If not us, weaklings."
"It's a gamble you just might have to take." says Ingus, coming back into your field of vision from behind the walls.
Xavier admits: "We have already reached our limit. You can break yours."
OOC: At this point, and also going by the OOC chat, we are out of initiative.
OOC: Also, the tough lesson you just learned in defeat sinks in hard. You all grow from it. LEVEL up to 18th, folks!
“For now, I agree with Selrahc. I have no wish to be lost to this twisted game. I will suffer execution only as a last resort.”
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
(@All: Going off the OOC chat here)
Abe swoops down once Spaklegem lets him go from the spell he was focusing on. The birdman says: "I am of the mind to try my luck and gain powers that are more suitable to defeating you and Lysanderoth as part of a more coherent group. I speak for the fallen assimar Nox on the corner as well. The others are likely to want to remain as they are."
Abe kneels on the ground: "Make it quick."
Xavier: "Very well. Baern, Milo, please do the honors."
The pair approaches the volunteers. Baern unceremoniously decapitates Abe, while Milo stabs Nox's heart without uttering a word. Both bodies disappear soon after.
Each team goes back to their corner and begins to rest and prepare for the next round.
Yessaris awakens less than pleased at the news, but not otherwise surprised by the result being defeat. Hearing of Abe's and Nox' sacrifice though? Now that left him looking at least mildly livid for all of a few seconds before the feeling gets suppressed and dismissed in a tired sigh. "I suppose we'll see in the future what comes of that. At the very least, this frees from one obligation." He steps away from the others to see to the remains of Barney.
What happened after is miracle of engineering and magic that few can stand the light of, but in wake of it resulted in the blue-plated dragonoid standing at his master's side. "Come, Bar-... No. You are Bailiff now. Come. There is yet more work to be done." And so, the two returned to the others to rest and wait. Though at some during or towards the end of the long rest, struck by inspiration and grim reminders alike, Yessaris all but turns his pack inside out in his haste to turn the mundane into the extraordinaire.
Prior to Long Rest:
Expending a spellslot to revive Baliff to Full HP
Iron Defender(excerpt):
If it has died within the last hour, you can use your Smith's Tools;smith’s tools as an action to revive it, provided you are within 5 feet of it and you expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. The iron defender returns to life after 1 minute with all its hit points restored.
After a Long or Short Rest:
The Right Cantrip for the Right Job
Replacing Boomer Pulse for Explosive Rounds.
At 10th level, you gain the ability to make sure you have the right magical tool for a job. Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can replace one of the artificer cantrips you know with another cantrip from the artificer spell list.
Current 5 Infusions Following a Long Rest:
Cloak of the Immovable (Attuned to Yessaris)
Ring of the Indomitable (Attuned to Yessaris)
Enhanced Defense (Yessaris' Shield)
Enhanced Weapon (Graxx's Handcrossbow?)
Sandals of Alacrity (Given to Selhrac with matching Socks of Extreme Elasticity(matching item))
Spellstored:
Still waiting on input. But if none is given, then Yessaris will store the second level spell version of Vitalizing Mist(if possible?) into Graxx' handcrossbow.
Spell-Storing Item:
When you reach 18th level, you learn how to store a spell in an object for repeated use. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch one simple or martial weapon or an item that you can use as a spellcasting focus and store a spell in it, choosing one 1st- or 2nd-level spell from the artificer spell list that requires 1 action to cast (you don’t need to have the spell prepared). With the object in hand, a creature can take an action to produce the spell’s effect from it, using your spellcasting ability modifier.
The spell stays in the object until it has been used a number of times equal to twice your Intelligence modifier (minimum of twice) or until you use this feature again.
(Thus, the infusion of Graxx' handcrossbow is necessary)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ingus approaches and stabilizes Graxx, while Xavier does the same for Yessaris. Selrahc is let out of his prison. Bailiff is also brought back online (wasn't that the gorilla's name?).
"We'll be preparing over in our corner. You should do the same in yours," Mumed says, now recovered from Tupoc's hits.
(OOC: While we wait, feel free to post below any preparations you'll be doing for this second fight. Each of you should also go ahead and roll an insight check {DC 18} while you wait. Pick an opponent when you roll. Feel free to also roll for your own initiative this time around.)
(@Lerus: I KNEW I used that term somewhere before, but couldn't remember! Okay, new name... Wait for it... Attorney! That way people being defended by him can go 'Bring it up with my Attorney!)
Insight(DC 18): 19 on Baeren.
Plus Guidance?: 4 .
Even during his mad machinations Yessaris cannot get a certain barbarian out of his head. While he could equate some of his abilities being within a realm similar to Selherac, certain limitations of race should've interfered. And then there was the axe... Clearly magical in some fashion or another, if not designed for heavy handed use despite its oversized form. Not to mention his speed. Even with the feral ferocity of some cruder martial artist tended to display, he /should've/ been delayed for a moment at least.
Regardless of what answers come to light, Yessaris does not stop working -- improving upon past designs and the like. To that end, he eventually calls aside certain allies, offering in some cases and brow beating in others to enhance their performance. Any talk of conservation out of him is brushed aside as pointless. He was no so prideful as to not acknowledge the current shortcomings of his practice. Buuut neither would he say as much outloud. Either which way goes, some find themselves with fancy new sandals and socks that comfortably warm even stony feet, bittersweet drafts that embolden constitution, weapons that -- with some minor "tweaks' far accelerate their payloads for more devastating results, and so much more.
Preparation(in order):
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx awakens and scampers over to Yessaris. He offers his hand crossbow.
"After that last pitiful attempt by myself I will accept any aid you can give. Thank you, my friend." say Graxx angrily pointed inward.
Graxx will then observe Yessaris's work fascinated by this magic.
Selrahc's Insight check: 15
Selrahc's Initiative: 9
Selrahc's Preparation: None. He is a Barbarian. He is ready to smash. If possible, he will rage BEFORE the combat so he can use his Bonus Action on his turn, but if he isn't able to that's fine.
EDIT: He will also attune to the Sandals of Alacrity from Yessaris.
EDIT: If it isn't too late, he will also use a bonus action to click his heels together RIGHT before the battle.
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
Yessaris' insight check: Though you haven't seen Selrahc in combat just yet, you do have a solid guess that the elemental-hybrid and this elegantly dressed dwarf (from the waist down, that is), do indeed share a common approach to a good fight. You can't quite yet tell how he manages to move so fast, but you feel you have a general grasp on his base fighting style. You'll need to keep watching him further (a.k.a. succeed in successive insight checks) to learn more.
@All: Keep those prep posts coming.
@Superbad: Don't forget you roll initiative with advantage. You can certainly rage "a turn" before the start of the battle if you'd like. Also, sorry but that insight check is still not high enough, even with the reduced DC of 18.
@Ori: In which column in the map are you placing all those vials?
((That was with advantage :( ))
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
Tupoc falls out of his stance and walks back to his group as the fight ends, glancing at the blood and skin stuck under his fingernails. "I suppose, healer, that we will be seeing each other again soon. Sweet dreams." When he reaches his side of the cave he sits down and prepares to take a long rest. First, however, he waits for Mumed to fall asleep. Once he does, Tupoc inserts a monstrous version of himself into the balding man's dreams (DC 18, taking 16 psychic damage and losing any benefits of the long rest on a failure)
____
After the rest, Tupoc will prepare by casting Bless on himself, Selrahc, and Graxx and casting Sanctuary on Abe before dropping back into his stance.
Initiative: 9
Insight (DC18) on Mumed: 23
Bless roll for initiative: 1Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear