This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: I was hoping to avoid this but the 24-hour rule has now triggered for Utar and since he mentioned he would be travelling, I'll go ahead and autopilot him for now.)
With the last of his strengths, Utar swing his magical mace one more time:
Furious yet jubilant from triumph, Grim starts to turn away -- a threat or cocky word no doubt already on his tongue -- but stops short, a look of wide-eyed surprised on his mug as the half-orc remained standing against all odds. "no..." He whispered in between ragged breathe. Then, the half-orc swung at him, and the sound of bone and scales cracking beneath the force echoes throughout the cavern; masking the following "clack" and "thunk" of many a draconic fangs hitting the ground.
He staggers back from the blow to the jaw, but remain standing... for only a few moments more. "You..."Grim shakes his head as if to shake of a daze to little avail. His leg soon gives out. Then as he rested on a knee, still swaying and looking around in confusion, he dabs at his snout, pulling back a blood covered fingers. "... hmph… She.. was righ..."With one final bloody smile, the dragonborn's eyes roll back up into his head as he falls face first into the ground unconscious.
Only then did his death grip on the greatsword relaxes upon it. The flames from earlier briefly consume its entirety before fading away, revealing not the same blade wielded by Grim. Rather it conveniently appeared to those able to wield such weapons as whatever design the individual finds most appealing in such a weapon.
(@Lerus: A bit of flavor at the end. Let me know if I should cut it though, but thought all might get a kick out of it.)
Utar's last ditch attack brings Grim to the ground, prone, unconscious, and incapacitated. Realizing the fight is not quite over yet, the half-orc motions for his spiritual weapon to float around him and deliver a blow to the last enemy standing:
-> Spiritual Weapon vs. Undead-Shana: Attack: 23 Damage: 3 force.
The blow catches the zombie on the arm, about which she cares very little (Undead-Shana - CMD: 10).
(Grim needs to start rolling DEATH saving throws in his next turn. The Hexblade's Curse on Neya drops.)
NOTE: Remember that a thin layer of mud on the ground makes it slippery. The squares where dead or unconscious bodies lay are considered difficult terrain.
Graxx coughs and a bit of blood runs down his mouth as he comes to consciousness. He gets to one knee... Then uses the Greatsword as a prop to rise to his feet.
He looks around seeing Grim down and looks to Utar in amazement.
He then turns and sees the Zombie.
Graxx raises his sword and makes a reckless attack against the Zombie. He aims to cleave the Zombies head in half from temple to temple like a watermelon on a sunny day.
Praxx squeezes by the zombie and touches Graxx's calf, healing him back into consciousness. The barbarian takes a second to come to terms with his surroundings and then brings his sword down on the remaining threat. The blade cuts through the already vertically split head of Shana, this time horizontally.
-> Undead-Shana's CON saving throw {DC 14}: 6
A couple of pieces of Shana's skull fall to the ground, as does Shana herself (Undead-Shana - CMD: 27 -> DEFEATED).
Things then calm down a bit, as all foes have been defeated. Aravele, Matthis, Naru, and Elias are very hurt and unconscious, but otherwise alive and stable. Grim is in worse shape, bleeding on the ground. There is no coming back for Shana.
YOU ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. DO AS YOU WILL.
(@Ori: Please go ahead and roll three DEATH saving throws for me. We may or may not use them depending on what the other players choose to do while Grim bleeds on the floor.)
"We are up to our knees in swine crap I fear." Graxx says as he looks at his surroundings. Graxx looks to Praxx, "Did you get the runner?"
Praxx says to Graxx, "Not me. But Neya gave her a little slicey dicey across the leg. She's not going anywhere."
Graxx nods in approval.
Graxx then says, "These troops seemed scared to talk in front of the dragonborn."
Graxx looks down at the bleeding Grim. "I say, we take his head and then speak with troops to find out what's really going on here. He's too dangerous to be kept alive. All of them probably are too dangerous. They tried to kill us."
Praxx to Graxx, "Hey big fella. I didn't sign up to be murdering folks! They are unconscious! The threat is over!"
Graxx to Praxx, "He can't be trusted. The moment they get out of here they will have us in chains."
Praxx becomes frustrated, "Because YOU split that ladies head open!"
Graxx to Praxx, "I did what needed to be done! While you sat there mocking people we were fighting for our lives and our freedom. You're too new to this group to know how we do things. We decide as a group. Neya, Drazzim, Utar... What are your thoughts? Decide slowly if you like, this one bleeding out."
"I'm thinking of binding and muzzling him before questioning the others. The half-elf girl - I think her name is Naru - seemed like she wanted to say something before everything went sideways. I'll go get her since she can't exactly walk for quite a while."
Neya goes back into the corridor to retrieve Naru's unconscious body.
Praxx says, "I will go with you as you sound like you have some sense! Listen to her you deformed muscle! Binding and muzzling! Not decapitating and... probably eating knowing you!"
(OOC: DM puts his player hat on and cracks his knuckles...)
Drazzim clears his throat. Not one to take an indirect approach, the dwarf speaks his mind freely:
"I'm with Graxx. I say we drag these folk out of this cursed room and let them meet their respectful end at the edge of our blades. They fought a good fight and lost. I'm sure they would rather die in combat than live in shame. I would. But if that sounds too murderous to some of ya, we can simply let them slip into the sinkhole while unconscious, the one we traversed on our way into this chamber. I'm sure that'd do the trick. My point here is that we have little to gain from letting them live. I'll elaborate"
He clears his throat a second time:
"These folk are the policing force in Phlan, and the Lord in power is one of their own. We don't know him or where his alliances lie, but if not him, I'm sure these guards can report our appearances and names to some high ranking superior that is just as devious as they are. Now, we'd all be wanted, I'm sure. We'd fall afoul of the most powerful group in this city, well, that we know of at least... If none of them come out of this hole, then we can just say they met their end greedily exploring this ancient cursed temple. What more, what are we gonna tell the folks living in this island? The truth? They are just as likely to report us to the next batch of Black Fist assigned to this damned isle. We met, fought and killed Black Fist before. Whether justified or not, I'm sure we'd be in trouble if we were ever found out. We've been lucky to do it in places where we could slip away. This is no different. I say we take advantage of it."
Changing subjects, Drazzim then says:
"We have other things to consider too. First, we need to check the room where the Black Fist folk were hiding while we were fighting skeletons. Who knows what is in there. Hopefully answers. Second, I say we relieve these folk of any valuables they have. Spoils of war, I say. Third, we should probably do something about this cursed statue."
After all this talk, the dwarf waits for the group's thoughts. Neya and Praxx leave and bring back into the room Naru's unconscious body. Neither of them are too strong, but the slick muddy floor makes for an easy dragging job.
Once they are back, Drazzim asks: "So, what should we do?"
Grim is now stable and not in danger of dying of blood-loss.
Graxx is clearly in a moral dilemma. Neya is his voice of reason but Drazzim makes good points as well.
Graxx turns to Neya, “If we let these Black Fist go then we are as good as dead. They are evil. As much as they appear human and weak in their current states they put us in danger walking out of here.”
Graxx nods to the Naru, “That one was a willing one yes? What if we leave her alive so you can speak with her while we investigate the rooms as Drazzim has recommended. Maybe she is not bound to the Black Fist as tightly. How do you feel on this Neya?”
Utar collapses onto his haunches, breathing raggedly. The dragonborn lay on the floor and he didn't. That was all he knew and all that mattered in that moment.
Looking to the mace in his hand, he silently gave thanks to Torm, and while he was loathe to do so, Gruumsh as well. He knew the stories from his mother, about Orcish skirmishes and battles, about great heroes on the verge of collapse, yet driven into triumph against the odds by Gruumsh's desire for conflict.
Closing his eyes Utar began to sing a song first taught to him by his mother but sung by many parents in many towns to their children, especially when the night was dark, the wind howling and terror stalked the lands. A simple lullaby about the watchful hand of Torm, protecting the land for them.
As Utar sings he casts prayer of healing, healing the party 12 hit points each.
Then, the dwarf speaks up: "I have a feelin' we might have pulled our punches a bit too much. I am no expert in this but I'd say we have about half-an-hour before some of this Black Fist folk start wakin' up..."
Finishing up his song, Utar looks at the devestation within the room. He knows the dwarf is likely right. Shaking his head he looks to the group.
"I doubt the Black Fist would believe us over one of their own. Grim admitted killing Igan, but that didn't explain the why of it. Considering we're the motley crew who collapsed the Lyceum and burnt down the Tea Kettle, I'd wager gold to copper they would clap us in chains.
His voice drifts off thinking about the little halfling women who had run the place and made them all feel so welcome. Glancing at the green statue, he shudders but continues to speak, pointing at the statue as if he had just denounced it.
"We can't kill them in here, not if we don't want to have to put them down again and we need to destroy that abomination. We have to move them then check out the next room. To move them and leave them, we need to secure them. Anyone remember to pack some rope?"
Graxx's mouth drops open at Utar's words then a smile comes across his face.
"The crusade has begun then... Would you like to do the honors of caving in Grim's skull?"
Graxx turns to Neya with a mixture of an empathetic and hesitant look
"Neya... I know this is difficult. Think of your dead comrade we found back there. This is retribution. This is the only way we do not end up like that."
Graxx begins tying up Grim running the rope through the Dragonborn's mouth as well.
OOC: @Ori, I am not sure if you are finished here or not. If you are, thank you for playing with us! I enjoyed it. Had me sweating for a minute there!
@Grx: *shrugs* Pretty sure I am once Grimm and his guard are at least officially deaded. Though either way, thank you all for having me! Hope I kept all entertained, and provided an interesting challenge. But on that note:
Until maybe another time... I'll get you all yet!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
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(OOC: I was hoping to avoid this but the 24-hour rule has now triggered for Utar and since he mentioned he would be travelling, I'll go ahead and autopilot him for now.)
With the last of his strengths, Utar swing his magical mace one more time:
-> Magical Mace vs. Grim: Attack: 25 Damage: 10 magical bludgeoning.
This brings Grim to his knee (Grim takes 10 magical bludgeoning damage).
(@Ori: I'll let you come in here with the description.)
Furious yet jubilant from triumph, Grim starts to turn away -- a threat or cocky word no doubt already on his tongue -- but stops short, a look of wide-eyed surprised on his mug as the half-orc remained standing against all odds. "no..." He whispered in between ragged breathe. Then, the half-orc swung at him, and the sound of bone and scales cracking beneath the force echoes throughout the cavern; masking the following "clack" and "thunk" of many a draconic fangs hitting the ground.
He staggers back from the blow to the jaw, but remain standing... for only a few moments more. "You..." Grim shakes his head as if to shake of a daze to little avail. His leg soon gives out. Then as he rested on a knee, still swaying and looking around in confusion, he dabs at his snout, pulling back a blood covered fingers. "... hmph… She.. was righ..." With one final bloody smile, the dragonborn's eyes roll back up into his head as he falls face first into the ground unconscious.
Only then did his death grip on the greatsword relaxes upon it. The flames from earlier briefly consume its entirety before fading away, revealing not the same blade wielded by Grim. Rather it conveniently appeared to those able to wield such weapons as whatever design the individual finds most appealing in such a weapon.
(@Lerus: A bit of flavor at the end. Let me know if I should cut it though, but thought all might get a kick out of it.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@Ori: Sounds good to me.)
Utar's last ditch attack brings Grim to the ground, prone, unconscious, and incapacitated. Realizing the fight is not quite over yet, the half-orc motions for his spiritual weapon to float around him and deliver a blow to the last enemy standing:
-> Spiritual Weapon vs. Undead-Shana: Attack: 23 Damage: 3 force.
The blow catches the zombie on the arm, about which she cares very little (Undead-Shana - CMD: 10).
(Grim needs to start rolling DEATH saving throws in his next turn. The Hexblade's Curse on Neya drops.)
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 6
THE JADE TEMPLE MAP UPDATE:
NOTE: Remember that a thin layer of mud on the ground makes it slippery. The squares where dead or unconscious bodies lay are considered difficult terrain.
(Undead-Shana up next.)
Undead-Shana continues to wail on whatever available target is nearest to her, mindlessly:
-> Slam vs. Praxx: Attack: 20 Damage: 3 bludgeoning.
-> Second roll for advantage because of prone: 18 - nothing changes.
The zombie lunges on Praxx, hurting the gnome with its weight (Praxx takes 3 bludgeoning damage).
Drazzim then takes a couple of steps and tries to put an end to this fight:
-> Glaive vs. Undead-Shana: Attack: 21 Damage: 8 slashing.
The dwarf amputates one of the zombie's arm, but it still seems unfazed by the loss (Undead-Shana - CMD: 18).
(Neya and Praxx are next up. Graxx needs to roll another DEATH saving throw.)
**PRAXX TURN**
Praxx limping himself saunters up to Graxx. He places his hands on Graxx's calf muscle and says, "Be well".
Praxx casts Level 1 Cure Wounds healing Graxx for 11
**GRAXX TURN**
Graxx coughs and a bit of blood runs down his mouth as he comes to consciousness. He gets to one knee... Then uses the Greatsword as a prop to rise to his feet.
He looks around seeing Grim down and looks to Utar in amazement.
He then turns and sees the Zombie.
Graxx raises his sword and makes a reckless attack against the Zombie. He aims to cleave the Zombies head in half from temple to temple like a watermelon on a sunny day.
Attack: 16 Damage: 9
Praxx squeezes by the zombie and touches Graxx's calf, healing him back into consciousness. The barbarian takes a second to come to terms with his surroundings and then brings his sword down on the remaining threat. The blade cuts through the already vertically split head of Shana, this time horizontally.
-> Undead-Shana's CON saving throw {DC 14}: 6
A couple of pieces of Shana's skull fall to the ground, as does Shana herself (Undead-Shana - CMD: 27 -> DEFEATED).
Things then calm down a bit, as all foes have been defeated. Aravele, Matthis, Naru, and Elias are very hurt and unconscious, but otherwise alive and stable. Grim is in worse shape, bleeding on the ground. There is no coming back for Shana.
YOU ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. DO AS YOU WILL.
(@Ori: Please go ahead and roll three DEATH saving throws for me. We may or may not use them depending on what the other players choose to do while Grim bleeds on the floor.)
Grim's Death Save(s):
#1: 2.
#2: 11.
#3: 3.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"We are up to our knees in swine crap I fear." Graxx says as he looks at his surroundings. Graxx looks to Praxx, "Did you get the runner?"
Praxx says to Graxx, "Not me. But Neya gave her a little slicey dicey across the leg. She's not going anywhere."
Graxx nods in approval.
Graxx then says, "These troops seemed scared to talk in front of the dragonborn."
Graxx looks down at the bleeding Grim. "I say, we take his head and then speak with troops to find out what's really going on here. He's too dangerous to be kept alive. All of them probably are too dangerous. They tried to kill us."
Praxx to Graxx, "Hey big fella. I didn't sign up to be murdering folks! They are unconscious! The threat is over!"
Graxx to Praxx, "He can't be trusted. The moment they get out of here they will have us in chains."
Praxx becomes frustrated, "Because YOU split that ladies head open!"
Graxx to Praxx, "I did what needed to be done! While you sat there mocking people we were fighting for our lives and our freedom. You're too new to this group to know how we do things. We decide as a group. Neya, Drazzim, Utar... What are your thoughts? Decide slowly if you like, this one bleeding out."
"I'm thinking of binding and muzzling him before questioning the others. The half-elf girl - I think her name is Naru - seemed like she wanted to say something before everything went sideways. I'll go get her since she can't exactly walk for quite a while."
Neya goes back into the corridor to retrieve Naru's unconscious body.
Extended Signature
Praxx says, "I will go with you as you sound like you have some sense! Listen to her you deformed muscle! Binding and muzzling! Not decapitating and... probably eating knowing you!"
Praxx follows behind Neya.
(OOC: DM puts his player hat on and cracks his knuckles...)
Drazzim clears his throat. Not one to take an indirect approach, the dwarf speaks his mind freely:
"I'm with Graxx. I say we drag these folk out of this cursed room and let them meet their respectful end at the edge of our blades. They fought a good fight and lost. I'm sure they would rather die in combat than live in shame. I would. But if that sounds too murderous to some of ya, we can simply let them slip into the sinkhole while unconscious, the one we traversed on our way into this chamber. I'm sure that'd do the trick. My point here is that we have little to gain from letting them live. I'll elaborate"
He clears his throat a second time:
"These folk are the policing force in Phlan, and the Lord in power is one of their own. We don't know him or where his alliances lie, but if not him, I'm sure these guards can report our appearances and names to some high ranking superior that is just as devious as they are. Now, we'd all be wanted, I'm sure. We'd fall afoul of the most powerful group in this city, well, that we know of at least... If none of them come out of this hole, then we can just say they met their end greedily exploring this ancient cursed temple. What more, what are we gonna tell the folks living in this island? The truth? They are just as likely to report us to the next batch of Black Fist assigned to this damned isle. We met, fought and killed Black Fist before. Whether justified or not, I'm sure we'd be in trouble if we were ever found out. We've been lucky to do it in places where we could slip away. This is no different. I say we take advantage of it."
Changing subjects, Drazzim then says:
"We have other things to consider too. First, we need to check the room where the Black Fist folk were hiding while we were fighting skeletons. Who knows what is in there. Hopefully answers. Second, I say we relieve these folk of any valuables they have. Spoils of war, I say. Third, we should probably do something about this cursed statue."
After all this talk, the dwarf waits for the group's thoughts. Neya and Praxx leave and bring back into the room Naru's unconscious body. Neither of them are too strong, but the slick muddy floor makes for an easy dragging job.
Once they are back, Drazzim asks: "So, what should we do?"
Grim is now stable and not in danger of dying of blood-loss.
Graxx is clearly in a moral dilemma. Neya is his voice of reason but Drazzim makes good points as well.
Graxx turns to Neya, “If we let these Black Fist go then we are as good as dead. They are evil. As much as they appear human and weak in their current states they put us in danger walking out of here.”
Graxx nods to the Naru, “That one was a willing one yes? What if we leave her alive so you can speak with her while we investigate the rooms as Drazzim has recommended. Maybe she is not bound to the Black Fist as tightly. How do you feel on this Neya?”
Utar collapses onto his haunches, breathing raggedly. The dragonborn lay on the floor and he didn't. That was all he knew and all that mattered in that moment.
Looking to the mace in his hand, he silently gave thanks to Torm, and while he was loathe to do so, Gruumsh as well. He knew the stories from his mother, about Orcish skirmishes and battles, about great heroes on the verge of collapse, yet driven into triumph against the odds by Gruumsh's desire for conflict.
Closing his eyes Utar began to sing a song first taught to him by his mother but sung by many parents in many towns to their children, especially when the night was dark, the wind howling and terror stalked the lands. A simple lullaby about the watchful hand of Torm, protecting the land for them.
As Utar sings he casts prayer of healing, healing the party 12 hit points each.
As the group continues to discuss, Utar spends some time making sure that they all recuperate well from the arduous battle.
-> Utar, Graxx, Neya, Praxx, and Drazzim each heal for 12 HP.
Drazzim approaches each of the unconscious bodies on the ground and examines their wounds.
-> Medicine check: 11
DM's Screen:
natural: 1
Then, the dwarf speaks up: "I have a feelin' we might have pulled our punches a bit too much. I am no expert in this but I'd say we have about half-an-hour before some of this Black Fist folk start wakin' up..."
Finishing up his song, Utar looks at the devestation within the room. He knows the dwarf is likely right. Shaking his head he looks to the group.
"I doubt the Black Fist would believe us over one of their own. Grim admitted killing Igan, but that didn't explain the why of it. Considering we're the motley crew who collapsed the Lyceum and burnt down the Tea Kettle, I'd wager gold to copper they would clap us in chains.
His voice drifts off thinking about the little halfling women who had run the place and made them all feel so welcome. Glancing at the green statue, he shudders but continues to speak, pointing at the statue as if he had just denounced it.
"We can't kill them in here, not if we don't want to have to put them down again and we need to destroy that abomination. We have to move them then check out the next room. To move them and leave them, we need to secure them. Anyone remember to pack some rope?"
Drazzim agrees with the cleric: “We found some rope at the entrance of this place, remember? Here, you can use my length.”
Graxx's mouth drops open at Utar's words then a smile comes across his face.
"The crusade has begun then... Would you like to do the honors of caving in Grim's skull?"
Graxx turns to Neya with a mixture of an empathetic and hesitant look
"Neya... I know this is difficult. Think of your dead comrade we found back there. This is retribution. This is the only way we do not end up like that."
Graxx begins tying up Grim running the rope through the Dragonborn's mouth as well.
OOC: @Ori, I am not sure if you are finished here or not. If you are, thank you for playing with us! I enjoyed it. Had me sweating for a minute there!
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.