((OOC: this is probably a stupid question, but was the Azhvuv lore for everyone?))
Seeing the two woman burst out of the carriage, Mittens lifts and eyebrow in surprise. Well, this just got interesting...
He mutters a few chants before he pantomimes hurling something. As he does, a javelin of hissing emerald green venom appears and hurtles through the air towards the woman that Dolkum didn't attack.
Action: cast ray of sickness at the woman not attacked by Dolkum. Attack: 20 Damage: 6 points of poison damage if it hits. If it hits, they need to make a DC 14 constitution saving throw or be poisoned until their next turn. Mittens will move to a different spot if he doesn't have line-of-sight.
Acid damage (if needed): 1
((OOC: I'm allowed to cast non-concentration spells while concentrating on a different spell right? I've had some DMs rule that I can only use cantrips while concentrating, so I want to make sure.))
As Varielky blocks one of the dragonflies, she quickly follows up with an attack with an axe she quickly draws just before the quick enemy has a chance to get away (riposte manoeuvre). So many enemies, Varielky understands this isn't going to be simple. Outnumbered and on unsteady ground. Clearly, for whatever it is that the gods poisoned her in order to correct her ways, Varielky had to also redeem herself by proving she is still worthy. Varielky roars to regain energy and scare her enemies, and throws her axe at the woman near the dragonfly that hit her. Then, she unsheathes her sword and attacks the driver swiftly.
Varielky can you also roll 1d4, Acrobatics, Athletics, and Acrobatics (again) for what I think is going to happen.
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
((OOC: this is probably a stupid question, but was the Azhvuv lore for everyone?))
Seeing the two woman burst out of the carriage, Mittens lifts and eyebrow in surprise. Well, this just got interesting...
He mutters a few chants before he pantomimes hurling something. As he does, a javelin of hissing emerald green venom appears and hurtles through the air towards the woman that Dolkum didn't attack.
Action: cast ray of sickness at the woman not attacked by Dolkum. Attack: 20 Damage: 6 points of poison damage if it hits. If it hits, they need to make a DC 14 constitution saving throw or be poisoned until their next turn. Mittens will move to a different spot if he doesn't have line-of-sight.
Acid damage (if needed): 1
((OOC: I'm allowed to cast non-concentration spells while concentrating on a different spell right? I've had some DMs rule that I can only use cantrips while concentrating, so I want to make sure.))
”There are no stupid questions, just unasked ones.” The lore was for everyone. Yes for casting a spell while concentrating on another one, with 2 exceptions: 1) you can’t cast another spell which also requires concentration, and 2) you can’t ready an action of spell-casting (because readying a spell requires concentration).
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
(Actually, you can cast a new spell that requires concentration or ready a spell, it'll just break your concentration on your current spell. That's how I know it anyway.)
(Actually, you can cast a new spell that requires concentration or ready a spell, it'll just break your concentration on your current spell. That's how I know it anyway.)
Yes that’s how I’m reading it too!
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ednyss runs up to the back of the carriage immediately behind Dolkum and clenching his fist, summons a spectral shield to slam into one of the dragonflies and calls some divine flames to keep the assault up. His blood is pumping through his veins and he feels the power of Takal Demesh surging through him and empowering him to continue onwards.
Move: D/E5 --> K4 (20 Feet)
Bonus Action: Cast Spiritual Weapon (Against the Dragonfly that Varielky did not hit) Spiritual Weapon Attack: 25 Damage: 9
Action: Cast Sacred Flame (Against the same Dragonfly if it is not dead, or against the Azhvuv that Dolkum attacked if it is) (DC 15 Dexterity Saving Throw) On a failure, take 5 Radiant Damage
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Reaction from Round 1 - Varielky: Riposte maneuver against the dragonfly that missed her (to her left) using a hand axe. Attack: 14 MISSES. The insect is too small and erratic, its shiny chitin glints, reflecting the lamplight like midnight black mother-of-pearl.
Start of Round 2: The carriage’s right rear wheel and kickboard continue to sizzle and smoke, there is a smelly cloud of vapor all around you, not thick enough to affect vision yet. As the Alyasub (the giant dragonflies) leave the carriage and buzz into the air, the horses lose what control they had regained. They rear, whinny, snort, and kick. Meanwhile, you all begin to see the air around you swirling, as if a sandy desert breeze has been trapped in a cul-de-sac. There is a howling sound, which seems to be coming from the sandy winds, all around you, yet as if from a distance.
17 Mittens. Moves forward to G5 to have line of sight with the Azhvuv at O3. Action: cast ray of sickness at the woman not attacked by Dolkum. Attack: 20 Damage: 6 points of poison damage and the ghostly woman succumbs to the poison, her form seeming to be caught in a loop of dissolving into a sandy shape and reforming.
15 Varielky's throwing axe seems to fly straight through the sandy form and cloak of the Azhvuv at O3. But you see after it passes, she has fallen to one knee, her eyes wide, and she freezes in the face of Varielky’s sudden fury (frightened of Varielky).(Varielky heals 8, confirmed). Varielky's attack against the driver no longer has advantage because the driver stood up, but hits nevertheless though without critical. The Driver takes 14HP! Perception roll: Varielky notes that the driver is wearing a disguise makeup, like the footman, and under its livery are concealed earth-toned desert clothing.
14 Dolkum Leaps off of the carriage kickboard, which creaks, sizzles and smokes behind him. His javelin shoots at the wounded Azhvuv but seems to pass straight through her cloaks, striking the grass behind her and springing up, spinning, and finally landing point-down, near the wall.
12 Ednyss Moves to K4, casts Spiritual Weapon against the Alyasub at N7, which bursts, spurting black ichor onto Horse #3 and Azhvuv #1 (M7). He then casts Sacred Flame against the Azhvuv at O3, which hits! She has now taken damage from three sources, is poisoned, and frightened, yet although barely holding her form, still stands!
10 The Driver pulls his hood back, revealing long, dark, sandy hair, and to Varielky’s surprise, she discovers that he is an Azhvuv woman, wearing a disguise. She (the Azhvuv)(interact with object) whips the crazed horses, “HYA!!!” then (bonus action) disengages from Varielky and (movement) drops off the carriage and runs to N3, engaging Dolkum in melee, and readies her attack for when one of the other assailants comes within 5’ of Dolkum.
The HORSES take off at a gallop and move forward 60’ this round, picking up steam! The roof of the carriage is lacquered, not meant to be stood upon at speed. Varielky has rolled a series of acrobatics and athletics saves, and the result is this. She falls forward into the driver’s seat, but is pitched head over heels over the front edge of the seat. She tries to keep from falling off, but a piece of the railing pulls off under the force of her grasping, and she is flung forward! In seeming slow motion, she sees the horses churning under her, their powerful rear hooves kicking directly in her path. She flails out, trying to grab for anything she can, and with her free hand she barely manages to grasp the edge of the driver’s seat, but she is hanging precariously from it, inches from the horses hooves as they thunder beneath her, and she is now facing toward the rear of the carriage! When she looks over her shoulder sees...
The Footman’s hood likewise falls back revealing that he too is an Azhvuv in disguise, as she (movement) leaps atop the lead horse as it begins to gallop. Demonstrating skill as a horsewoman, she steadies herself by grasping her mount with her knees as it plows forward. Her hands free, she looks back, sees Varielky, frowns, turns forward to load her hand crossbow, turns back, and fires with advantage as Varielky hangs by her fingertips. Incredibly, the carriage jerks and Varielky slips down at the moment the crossbow fires, Varielky, flailing, regains her grip again and sees the bolt has plunked into the driver's seat exactly in front of her right eye.
Azhvuv #1 Moves to J5 and readies an attack, triggered when the Alyasub attacks Ednyss.
Azhvuv #2 Moves to Dolkum and dodges. This triggers the Driver’s attack with one dagger. Dolkum takes 11HP! The deathly wails suddenly shift to Ednyss as a result of this (“wails from the grave”), and Ednyss takes 4HP necrotic damage! Then Azhvuv #2(bonus action) disengages and pulls back to her original position of A3.
Alyasub #2 Flies to L4 and attacks Ednyss, MISSING. This triggers Azhvuv #1’s double dagger attack against Ednyss. The first dagger criticals, Ednyss takes 12HP damage, and this causes the deathly wails to penetrate Dolkum’s mind, Dolkum takes 6HP necrotic damage and Dolkum is down! The second dagger strike MISSES Ednyss.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ednyss glances up from the burst Alyasub just in time to see the carriage take off and Varielky tumble off of the top of the carriage disappearing behind the other side. As the foot(wo)man takes off towards the horses, Ednyss doesn't even have time to shout a warning to Varielky. Caught up in the act of watching Varielky, he misses the daggers that come from the injured assassin. The first manages to catch a weak point in his armor between his shoulder blades and as he shouts out in pain he is barely able to twist out of the way of her second attack. As the first dagger slides out of his armor, he hears a deathly wail shift to Dolkum and the other dwarf collapses to the ground. Now worried, Ednyss glances back to Mittens and calls, "If you have any tricks up your sleeve, now is the time to use them." Turning back to the fallen Dolkum he sends a mote of healing towards the dwarf muttering a prayer and shouting the word, "Rise!" Without even looking to see if his spell took effect, Ednyss takes his newly upgraded War Pick and sends the sharp end smashing towards the nearest enemy.
Move: None
Free Action: Talking
Bonus Action: Cast Healing Word on Dolkum Healing: 8
Action: Attack (War Pick) (Against Azhvuv #1; If Azhvuv #1 is dead, then redirect attack to Alyasub #2) War Pick Attack: 20 Damage: 12
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Varielky cannot resist her urge. As she tries to pull herself up to a safer ground, she tries to ask the 'footman', shouting to have her voice overcome the challenge set by the horses: "Are you responsible for the attack on the arena the other day as well?"
Athletics if needed: 6
If Varielky manages to pull herself up, she'll leap onto to back of the horse behind the Azhvuv. She might not be the best, but she does have some experience with horses that she acquired during her service (Vehicles (land) proficiency).
If she still has enough time (an action), Varielky will set her shield in front of her, ready to block (dodge action) any shots from the crossbow. She gives the woman just a moment to answer before she attacks again. Probably a grave mistake, but Varielky can't miss such an opportunity. These assassins look the most fitting for such an attack. The one in front of her might as well be the one who poisoned Benita and herself.
Seeing the melee unfold before him, a moment of hesitation strikes Mittens. In that split second, he struggles to decide what to do. With a slight sigh, he releases his acidic spell from the carriage ((end concentration)). He moves up a few feet to get a good look at the farthest Azhvuv ((the one at O3)). Once he has a good view, he points his finger while saying arcane gibberish as draws a circle in the air. Seemingly forming from the gloom of the night sky, a crown of twisted darkness wreathed in a shadowy aura begins to form over the Azhvuv's head.
Movement: move to get a good line of sight at O3 before he moves back to where he was ((if possible))
Free action: end concentration ((hope I did enough damage to that carriage...))
Action: cast crown of madness at the O3 Azhvuv. DC 14 wisdom saving throw or be charmed. If it fails is saving throw, it will attack the thing next to it ((a dragonfly?)) before moving to K4
Seeing the melee unfold before him, a moment of hesitation strikes Mittens. In that split second, he struggles to decide what to do. With a slight sigh, he releases his acidic spell from the carriage ((end concentration)). He moves up a few feet to get a good look at the farthest Azhvuv ((the one at O3)). Once he has a good view, he points his finger while saying arcane gibberish as draws a circle in the air. Seemingly forming from the gloom of the night sky, a crown of twisted darkness wreathed in a shadowy aura begins to form over the Azhvuv's head.
Movement: move to get a good line of sight at O3 before he moves back to where he was ((if possible))
Free action: end concentration ((hope I did enough damage to that carriage...))
Action: cast crown of madness at the O3 Azhvuv. DC 14 wisdom saving throw or be charmed. If it fails is saving throw, it will attack the thing next to it ((a dragonfly?)) before moving to K4
The spell works, but Mittens is hit by two daggers before the Azhvuv's turn to act. Mittens roll CON save vs DC10 twice (2 times) or the spell is broken and the Azhvuv acts of her own free will this turn.
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
The Horses careen on, frightened by the Alyasub, accelerating, and now dashing forward, throwing gravel and clods of dirt up behind them. The carriage leaves behind it a noxious vapor trail.
The horse team harnessed to the light blue carriage just north of Ednyss and Mittens is reacting to the dragonfly and death wails now, the horses whinnying and rearing in their stall. The other nearby horses are becoming agitated as well, snorting and kicking their hooves Other people in the Carriage House are stopping in their tracks, wondering what is going on.
17 Mittens must move to F5 for clear line of sight, and casts crown of madness at the O3 Azhvuv #2, and finds that her mind is human. She rolls a 1 on her WIS save, failing, and is subject to Mittens' commands, and will attack the nearest ally before moving to K4 on her turn.
15 Varielky fails her athletics save and still can’t move from her position without dropping under the horses’ hooves.
(OOC: I'm going to treat your current situation as if you are grappled. You'll have to beat DC10 with Athletics to escape from your current predicament, and if the carriage hits too big a bump you'll have to roll the same save not to fall. For this turn you're still stuck where you are.
Your proficiency with land vehicles tells you, 'look down.' You do, and see that directly under your feet is a sturdy wooden rod or beam called a singletree. This connects the front axle housing to the harnesses of all four horses. You plant your feet on it, and this gives you +2 for your Athletics or Acrobatics saves in coming rounds, while you’re on it. For next turn, roll Athletics once again, +2, vs DC10.
Once you are 'ungrappled,' you could:
1) try to jump forward along the beam and grab the rear two horses' harnesses on either side of you. That will be Acrobatics, DC15. Both hands will be occupied doing that, but will put you within melee range of the Footman. If you make it, you could then dodge while in that position. The next turn you could try the same thing, and if you succeed, be able to grapple or shove the Footman (Azhvuv #4).
2) pull yourself up into the driver's seat, where the reins for the team are within grasp (both your hands are busy right now, holding your shield, holding you up). Getting into the seat would be an Athletics DC10 (with +2 bonus) after ungrappling yourself.
3) jump off, to one side. Acrobatics roll DC20 or take 2d6 damage and land prone.
For next round, roll your Athletics+2 vs DC10 save AND roll for whatever action (1,2,3, or ??)you take.)
14 Dolkum fails his death saving throw, the texture of his stony skin firms, stiffens, and seems whipped away by the sandy winds and wailing from the grave. But after being healed by Ednyss, he’s up!
12 Ednyss heals Dolkum, then critical hits Azhvuv #1, his war pick ripping through her earthen robes and impaling under her ribcage. Yet as his glowing pick pulls back, the desert wraith still stands, and like swirling quicksand, the deep puncture seems to fill and disappear.
10 Driver (Azhvuv #3) (bonus action:) disengages from Dolkum and moves to L5 to attack Ednyss with both daggers, which whip around but both reflect off of his armor.
The Horses gallop forward 120’, nearing the south end of the carriage house. Varielky can see, coming into view, the rear corner of the Library, and beyond it, the pools bordering the Parade Grounds.
Footman (Azhvuv #4) The Azhvuv answers Varielky, breathlessly, as the horse leaps forward under her, her voice haunting, feminine. "What does it matter to you, meddler? The cursed Amazigh Family, whose carriage you will die defending. The games belong to them. We have been called in retribution for the Beauty Games. And you...are in our way.”She fires her hand crossbow once again, but Varielky, with a foothold on the singletree, manages to bring up her shield and the bolt deflects, whizzing away into the night. Varielky’s grip is lost again with the move, but she throws herself back against the carriage wall and grabs hold again, still mere inches from the horses’ pumping hindquarters.
Azhvuv #1 (bonus action:) disengages from Ednyss, advances to G5 engaging Mittens in melee, and strikes him with both daggers as she lunges and whirls her short blades. Mittens takes 7HP damage. (Mittens succeeds in his two DC10 CON saves to avoid losing concentration on his spell). Deathly wails pierce Ednyss’ soul once again (“wails from the grave”), and Ednyss takes 1HP necrotic damage!
Azhvuv #2, charmed by Mittens’ crown of madness, finds no enemies next to her, so she can’t attack. She also can’t reach K5 so moves in that direction as far as she can, to M4, next to Dolkum, the Driver, and the Alyasub. She fails her end-of-turn WIS save, so Mittens still has control in the coming round.
Alyasub (dragonfly) #2 attacks Ednyss, but misses!
Considering the speed of the horses, Varielky understands that she probably won't be able to return to the others, if she beats this opponent. Moreover, the woman just confirmed Varielky's suspicion, and that fills her heart with fury. "I care not about this carriage but I'm not meddling either. You dragged me into this when you poisoned me and my best friend at the games and I will not let that pass!" As Varielky finishes, she tries to pull herself up once again, using the singletree as support to push herself up.
Athletics: 22
If she succeeds, Varielky will try to jump forward towards the woman, grabbing the rear horses' harnesses to get close.
Acrobatics: 18
If she succeeds on that, she'll try to avoid any attack aimed at her while grinning at the woman, a bit frantically. "By Takal Demesh's might, I'm going to end the unworthy life of those responsible for ereyesterday even if I have to walk all the way to Hallvala to do so!"
(Edited for a few more details but this is my final version of this post.)
Considering the speed of the horses, Varielky understands that she probably won't be able to return to the others, if she beats this opponent. Moreover, the woman just confirmed Varielky's suspicion, and that fills her heart with fury. "I care not about this carriage but that doesn't mean I'm meddling in your busyness. I have a personal score to set with you, so it seems, and by Takal Demesh's might, I will set it even if I have to walk halfway through to Hallvala just to do it! You will not get away with poisoning me and my best friend!" As Varielky finishes, she tries to pull herself up once again, using the singletree as support to push herself up.
Athletics: 22
If she succeeds, Varielky will try to jump forward towards the woman, grabbing the rear horses' harnesses to get close.
Acrobatics: 18
If she succeeds on that, she'll try to avoid any attack aimed at her while grinning at the woman, a bit frantically. "By my shield and my right hand, I'm going to end your unworthy life. If you tell me who called you for that despicable mission, I'll make it quick."
(OOC: Keep the good rolls but see my IM.)
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Ednyss winces from the tolling but shakes his head to clear his thoughts. Deflecting blows from all around, Ednyss is unsure of attacking the Azhvuv again given the way that the first one seemingly recovered instantly from his blow. Instead, Ednyss spends a moment and with a quick prayer, he brings some of the blessings of Takal Demesh to himself, Mittens, and Dolkum. Seeing the cat being attacked, Ednyss summons his spectral shield to defend the mage and slam into the Azhvuv that approached Mittens. Calling out to the others he says, "Our weapons don't appear to be harming them! We need to come up with another plan."
Move: None
Action: Cast Bless on Ednyss, Mittens, and Dolkum Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
Bonus Action: Move Spiritual Weapon to G5 and Attack Azhvuv #1 Spiritual Weapon Attack: 16 Force Damage: 7
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens yelps in pain as the two daggers slide into him. He stumbles a few feet back, and then he feints going a direction, but actually moves the opposite way.
Action: Disengage
Movement: move to J4 ((I think that's the square I want, but it was hard to tell))
((OOC: have the guards at the end of the barn-thing noticed the fight, or did they leave? I don't remember.))
I’m dividing this into two simultaneous but separate melees.
The Carriage House
17 Mittens disengages and moves to J4. He can’t see the guards from where he is, the neighboring carriage is blocking his view, but he can hear them still a ways off, approaching and exclaiming, “Ellosh! They’re flockin’ witches!!”
14 Dolkum jumps, grabs the Alyasub by its articulated leg, and dashes it to earth. It is now prone.
12 Ednyss attacks Azhvuv #1. As his spiritual weapon strikes her, there is a whooshing wind, her form twists up into a tight swirling tornado of dark sand, then dissipates, streaming up with a haunting shriek into the northern sky. Azhvuv #1 is defeated!
Azhvuv #3 (Driver) Seeing Azhvuv #1 go down, she shrieks, "You will pay for that, meddler!" and attacks Ednyss with her dagger and crits! She does 10HP damage and Ednyss is down!
Azhvuv #1 [eliminated]
Azhvuv #2 still charmed by Mittens’ crown of madness, attacks what is in front of it, the prone Alyasub, and (OOC: with a series of pathetic rolls) misses the creature with both daggers. (OOC: She also fails her WIS saving throw and will continue to be charmed next turn.)
Alyasub #2 [prone] Rights itself, buzzes up again, and attacks Dolkum, missing.
15 Varielky pulls herself up, then turns and kicks off the front of the driver’s bucket, behind her toward the galloping horses, and lands both feet firmly on the narrow singletree while reaching out and grabbing the rear horses' harnesses. She is now 8’ away from the mounted Azhvuv and dodging. (For next turn, if you want to attack, you’ll have to roll Acrobatics vs DC15 to jump forward to the lead pair of horses. If you attack from that position it will be with disadvantage unless you can roll Acrobatics again vs. DC10. You must use one hand to hold the horse’s harness, so you’ll be limited to a shield bash. Or, instead of attacking, from that position you could mount the other front horse next to the Azhvuv with an Acrobatics DC10 roll. Once mounted, you could act without disadvantage on subsequent rounds).
Azhvuv #4 (Footman) Still riding expertly, the Azhvuv shouts in her harrowing, ghostly voice, which echoes over the thundering hooves surrounding you, “Azhvuv do not use poison, it is the weapon of snakes and cowards. It is the weapon of the Amazighs. If you were poisoned at the Games then you were poisoned by the Amazighs.” She fires her crossbow once again which strikes Varielky squarely in the breast plate, but the bolt shatters against the Dwarven steel and does no damage. She hooks the crossbow onto a loop on her belt and pulls her woolen cloak back, revealing paired dagger sheaths.
The Horses plunge forward 120’, still dashing and pulling the carriage with it, which has finally stopped smoking.
((OOC: this is probably a stupid question, but was the Azhvuv lore for everyone?))
Seeing the two woman burst out of the carriage, Mittens lifts and eyebrow in surprise. Well, this just got interesting...
He mutters a few chants before he pantomimes hurling something. As he does, a javelin of hissing emerald green venom appears and hurtles through the air towards the woman that Dolkum didn't attack.
Action: cast ray of sickness at the woman not attacked by Dolkum. Attack: 20 Damage: 6 points of poison damage if it hits. If it hits, they need to make a DC 14 constitution saving throw or be poisoned until their next turn. Mittens will move to a different spot if he doesn't have line-of-sight.
Acid damage (if needed): 1
((OOC: I'm allowed to cast non-concentration spells while concentrating on a different spell right? I've had some DMs rule that I can only use cantrips while concentrating, so I want to make sure.))
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Varielky can you also roll 1d4, Acrobatics, Athletics, and Acrobatics (again) for what I think is going to happen.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
”There are no stupid questions, just unasked ones.” The lore was for everyone. Yes for casting a spell while concentrating on another one, with 2 exceptions: 1) you can’t cast another spell which also requires concentration, and 2) you can’t ready an action of spell-casting (because readying a spell requires concentration).
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
(Actually, you can cast a new spell that requires concentration or ready a spell, it'll just break your concentration on your current spell. That's how I know it anyway.)
1d4: 1
Acrobatics 1: 9
Athletics: 8
Acrobatics 2: 5
Yikes. I have a feeling Varielky will fall.
Varielky
Yes that’s how I’m reading it too!
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Ednyss runs up to the back of the carriage immediately behind Dolkum and clenching his fist, summons a spectral shield to slam into one of the dragonflies and calls some divine flames to keep the assault up. His blood is pumping through his veins and he feels the power of Takal Demesh surging through him and empowering him to continue onwards.
Move: D/E5 --> K4 (20 Feet)
Bonus Action: Cast Spiritual Weapon (Against the Dragonfly that Varielky did not hit)
Spiritual Weapon Attack: 25 Damage: 9
Action: Cast Sacred Flame (Against the same Dragonfly if it is not dead, or against the Azhvuv that Dolkum attacked if it is) (DC 15 Dexterity Saving Throw)
On a failure, take 5 Radiant Damage
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Round 2 Results
Reaction from Round 1 - Varielky: Riposte maneuver against the dragonfly that missed her (to her left) using a hand axe. Attack: 14 MISSES. The insect is too small and erratic, its shiny chitin glints, reflecting the lamplight like midnight black mother-of-pearl.
Start of Round 2: The carriage’s right rear wheel and kickboard continue to sizzle and smoke, there is a smelly cloud of vapor all around you, not thick enough to affect vision yet. As the Alyasub (the giant dragonflies) leave the carriage and buzz into the air, the horses lose what control they had regained. They rear, whinny, snort, and kick. Meanwhile, you all begin to see the air around you swirling, as if a sandy desert breeze has been trapped in a cul-de-sac. There is a howling sound, which seems to be coming from the sandy winds, all around you, yet as if from a distance.
17 Mittens. Moves forward to G5 to have line of sight with the Azhvuv at O3. Action: cast ray of sickness at the woman not attacked by Dolkum. Attack: 20 Damage: 6 points of poison damage and the ghostly woman succumbs to the poison, her form seeming to be caught in a loop of dissolving into a sandy shape and reforming.
15 Varielky's throwing axe seems to fly straight through the sandy form and cloak of the Azhvuv at O3. But you see after it passes, she has fallen to one knee, her eyes wide, and she freezes in the face of Varielky’s sudden fury (frightened of Varielky).(Varielky heals 8, confirmed). Varielky's attack against the driver no longer has advantage because the driver stood up, but hits nevertheless though without critical. The Driver takes 14HP! Perception roll: Varielky notes that the driver is wearing a disguise makeup, like the footman, and under its livery are concealed earth-toned desert clothing.
14 Dolkum Leaps off of the carriage kickboard, which creaks, sizzles and smokes behind him. His javelin shoots at the wounded Azhvuv but seems to pass straight through her cloaks, striking the grass behind her and springing up, spinning, and finally landing point-down, near the wall.
12 Ednyss Moves to K4, casts Spiritual Weapon against the Alyasub at N7, which bursts, spurting black ichor onto Horse #3 and Azhvuv #1 (M7). He then casts Sacred Flame against the Azhvuv at O3, which hits! She has now taken damage from three sources, is poisoned, and frightened, yet although barely holding her form, still stands!
10 The Driver pulls his hood back, revealing long, dark, sandy hair, and to Varielky’s surprise, she discovers that he is an Azhvuv woman, wearing a disguise. She (the Azhvuv)(interact with object) whips the crazed horses, “HYA!!!” then (bonus action) disengages from Varielky and (movement) drops off the carriage and runs to N3, engaging Dolkum in melee, and readies her attack for when one of the other assailants comes within 5’ of Dolkum.
The HORSES take off at a gallop and move forward 60’ this round, picking up steam! The roof of the carriage is lacquered, not meant to be stood upon at speed. Varielky has rolled a series of acrobatics and athletics saves, and the result is this. She falls forward into the driver’s seat, but is pitched head over heels over the front edge of the seat. She tries to keep from falling off, but a piece of the railing pulls off under the force of her grasping, and she is flung forward! In seeming slow motion, she sees the horses churning under her, their powerful rear hooves kicking directly in her path. She flails out, trying to grab for anything she can, and with her free hand she barely manages to grasp the edge of the driver’s seat, but she is hanging precariously from it, inches from the horses hooves as they thunder beneath her, and she is now facing toward the rear of the carriage! When she looks over her shoulder sees...
The Footman’s hood likewise falls back revealing that he too is an Azhvuv in disguise, as she (movement) leaps atop the lead horse as it begins to gallop. Demonstrating skill as a horsewoman, she steadies herself by grasping her mount with her knees as it plows forward. Her hands free, she looks back, sees Varielky, frowns, turns forward to load her hand crossbow, turns back, and fires with advantage as Varielky hangs by her fingertips. Incredibly, the carriage jerks and Varielky slips down at the moment the crossbow fires, Varielky, flailing, regains her grip again and sees the bolt has plunked into the driver's seat exactly in front of her right eye.
Azhvuv #1 Moves to J5 and readies an attack, triggered when the Alyasub attacks Ednyss.
Azhvuv #2 Moves to Dolkum and dodges. This triggers the Driver’s attack with one dagger. Dolkum takes 11HP! The deathly wails suddenly shift to Ednyss as a result of this (“wails from the grave”), and Ednyss takes 4HP necrotic damage! Then Azhvuv #2(bonus action) disengages and pulls back to her original position of A3.
Alyasub #2 Flies to L4 and attacks Ednyss, MISSING. This triggers Azhvuv #1’s double dagger attack against Ednyss. The first dagger criticals, Ednyss takes 12HP damage, and this causes the deathly wails to penetrate Dolkum’s mind, Dolkum takes 6HP necrotic damage and Dolkum is down! The second dagger strike MISSES Ednyss.
You are now positioned like so
Please post actions for Round 3
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Ednyss glances up from the burst Alyasub just in time to see the carriage take off and Varielky tumble off of the top of the carriage disappearing behind the other side. As the foot(wo)man takes off towards the horses, Ednyss doesn't even have time to shout a warning to Varielky. Caught up in the act of watching Varielky, he misses the daggers that come from the injured assassin. The first manages to catch a weak point in his armor between his shoulder blades and as he shouts out in pain he is barely able to twist out of the way of her second attack. As the first dagger slides out of his armor, he hears a deathly wail shift to Dolkum and the other dwarf collapses to the ground. Now worried, Ednyss glances back to Mittens and calls, "If you have any tricks up your sleeve, now is the time to use them." Turning back to the fallen Dolkum he sends a mote of healing towards the dwarf muttering a prayer and shouting the word, "Rise!" Without even looking to see if his spell took effect, Ednyss takes his newly upgraded War Pick and sends the sharp end smashing towards the nearest enemy.
Move: None
Free Action: Talking
Bonus Action: Cast Healing Word on Dolkum
Healing: 8
Action: Attack (War Pick) (Against Azhvuv #1; If Azhvuv #1 is dead, then redirect attack to Alyasub #2)
War Pick Attack: 20 Damage: 12
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Death Saving Throw 8
Varielky cannot resist her urge. As she tries to pull herself up to a safer ground, she tries to ask the 'footman', shouting to have her voice overcome the challenge set by the horses: "Are you responsible for the attack on the arena the other day as well?"
Athletics if needed: 6
If Varielky manages to pull herself up, she'll leap onto to back of the horse behind the Azhvuv. She might not be the best, but she does have some experience with horses that she acquired during her service (Vehicles (land) proficiency).
If she still has enough time (an action), Varielky will set her shield in front of her, ready to block (dodge action) any shots from the crossbow. She gives the woman just a moment to answer before she attacks again. Probably a grave mistake, but Varielky can't miss such an opportunity. These assassins look the most fitting for such an attack. The one in front of her might as well be the one who poisoned Benita and herself.
Varielky
Seeing the melee unfold before him, a moment of hesitation strikes Mittens. In that split second, he struggles to decide what to do. With a slight sigh, he releases his acidic spell from the carriage ((end concentration)). He moves up a few feet to get a good look at the farthest Azhvuv ((the one at O3)). Once he has a good view, he points his finger while saying arcane gibberish as draws a circle in the air. Seemingly forming from the gloom of the night sky, a crown of twisted darkness wreathed in a shadowy aura begins to form over the Azhvuv's head.
Movement: move to get a good line of sight at O3 before he moves back to where he was ((if possible))
Free action: end concentration ((hope I did enough damage to that carriage...))
Action: cast crown of madness at the O3 Azhvuv. DC 14 wisdom saving throw or be charmed. If it fails is saving throw, it will attack the thing next to it ((a dragonfly?)) before moving to K4
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
The spell works, but Mittens is hit by two daggers before the Azhvuv's turn to act. Mittens roll CON save vs DC10 twice (2 times) or the spell is broken and the Azhvuv acts of her own free will this turn.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Constitution save 1: 14
Constitution save 2: 11
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Round 3 Results
The Horses careen on, frightened by the Alyasub, accelerating, and now dashing forward, throwing gravel and clods of dirt up behind them. The carriage leaves behind it a noxious vapor trail.
The horse team harnessed to the light blue carriage just north of Ednyss and Mittens is reacting to the dragonfly and death wails now, the horses whinnying and rearing in their stall. The other nearby horses are becoming agitated as well, snorting and kicking their hooves Other people in the Carriage House are stopping in their tracks, wondering what is going on.
17 Mittens must move to F5 for clear line of sight, and casts crown of madness at the O3 Azhvuv #2, and finds that her mind is human. She rolls a 1 on her WIS save, failing, and is subject to Mittens' commands, and will attack the nearest ally before moving to K4 on her turn.
15 Varielky fails her athletics save and still can’t move from her position without dropping under the horses’ hooves.
(OOC: I'm going to treat your current situation as if you are grappled. You'll have to beat DC10 with Athletics to escape from your current predicament, and if the carriage hits too big a bump you'll have to roll the same save not to fall. For this turn you're still stuck where you are.
Your proficiency with land vehicles tells you, 'look down.' You do, and see that directly under your feet is a sturdy wooden rod or beam called a singletree. This connects the front axle housing to the harnesses of all four horses. You plant your feet on it, and this gives you +2 for your Athletics or Acrobatics saves in coming rounds, while you’re on it. For next turn, roll Athletics once again, +2, vs DC10.
Once you are 'ungrappled,' you could:
1) try to jump forward along the beam and grab the rear two horses' harnesses on either side of you. That will be Acrobatics, DC15. Both hands will be occupied doing that, but will put you within melee range of the Footman. If you make it, you could then dodge while in that position. The next turn you could try the same thing, and if you succeed, be able to grapple or shove the Footman (Azhvuv #4).
2) pull yourself up into the driver's seat, where the reins for the team are within grasp (both your hands are busy right now, holding your shield, holding you up). Getting into the seat would be an Athletics DC10 (with +2 bonus) after ungrappling yourself.
3) jump off, to one side. Acrobatics roll DC20 or take 2d6 damage and land prone.
For next round, roll your Athletics+2 vs DC10 save AND roll for whatever action (1,2,3, or ??)you take.)
14 Dolkum fails his death saving throw, the texture of his stony skin firms, stiffens, and seems whipped away by the sandy winds and wailing from the grave. But after being healed by Ednyss, he’s up!
12 Ednyss heals Dolkum, then critical hits Azhvuv #1, his war pick ripping through her earthen robes and impaling under her ribcage. Yet as his glowing pick pulls back, the desert wraith still stands, and like swirling quicksand, the deep puncture seems to fill and disappear.
10 Driver (Azhvuv #3) (bonus action:) disengages from Dolkum and moves to L5 to attack Ednyss with both daggers, which whip around but both reflect off of his armor.
The Horses gallop forward 120’, nearing the south end of the carriage house. Varielky can see, coming into view, the rear corner of the Library, and beyond it, the pools bordering the Parade Grounds.
Footman (Azhvuv #4) The Azhvuv answers Varielky, breathlessly, as the horse leaps forward under her, her voice haunting, feminine. "What does it matter to you, meddler? The cursed Amazigh Family, whose carriage you will die defending. The games belong to them. We have been called in retribution for the Beauty Games. And you...are in our way.” She fires her hand crossbow once again, but Varielky, with a foothold on the singletree, manages to bring up her shield and the bolt deflects, whizzing away into the night. Varielky’s grip is lost again with the move, but she throws herself back against the carriage wall and grabs hold again, still mere inches from the horses’ pumping hindquarters.
Azhvuv #1 (bonus action:) disengages from Ednyss, advances to G5 engaging Mittens in melee, and strikes him with both daggers as she lunges and whirls her short blades. Mittens takes 7HP damage. (Mittens succeeds in his two DC10 CON saves to avoid losing concentration on his spell). Deathly wails pierce Ednyss’ soul once again (“wails from the grave”), and Ednyss takes 1HP necrotic damage!
Azhvuv #2, charmed by Mittens’ crown of madness, finds no enemies next to her, so she can’t attack. She also can’t reach K5 so moves in that direction as far as she can, to M4, next to Dolkum, the Driver, and the Alyasub. She fails her end-of-turn WIS save, so Mittens still has control in the coming round.
Alyasub (dragonfly) #2 attacks Ednyss, but misses!
You’re now oriented like this.
Please post Round 4 actions.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Considering the speed of the horses, Varielky understands that she probably won't be able to return to the others, if she beats this opponent. Moreover, the woman just confirmed Varielky's suspicion, and that fills her heart with fury. "I care not about this carriage but I'm not meddling either. You dragged me into this when you poisoned me and my best friend at the games and I will not let that pass!" As Varielky finishes, she tries to pull herself up once again, using the singletree as support to push herself up.
Athletics: 22
If she succeeds, Varielky will try to jump forward towards the woman, grabbing the rear horses' harnesses to get close.
Acrobatics: 18
If she succeeds on that, she'll try to avoid any attack aimed at her while grinning at the woman, a bit frantically. "By Takal Demesh's might, I'm going to end the unworthy life of those responsible for ereyesterday even if I have to walk all the way to Hallvala to do so!"
(Edited for a few more details but this is my final version of this post.)
Varielky
(OOC: Keep the good rolls but see my IM.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Ednyss winces from the tolling but shakes his head to clear his thoughts. Deflecting blows from all around, Ednyss is unsure of attacking the Azhvuv again given the way that the first one seemingly recovered instantly from his blow. Instead, Ednyss spends a moment and with a quick prayer, he brings some of the blessings of Takal Demesh to himself, Mittens, and Dolkum. Seeing the cat being attacked, Ednyss summons his spectral shield to defend the mage and slam into the Azhvuv that approached Mittens. Calling out to the others he says, "Our weapons don't appear to be harming them! We need to come up with another plan."
Move: None
Action: Cast Bless on Ednyss, Mittens, and Dolkum
Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
Bonus Action: Move Spiritual Weapon to G5 and Attack Azhvuv #1
Spiritual Weapon Attack: 16 Force Damage: 7
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Clattering and screaming and why is everything so bright? Ednyss? Look out!
Dolkum gets up and charges the Avhila next to Ednyss, attempting to shove it to the ground.
,,,and still the cry of the banshee...
Athletics 18
Mittens yelps in pain as the two daggers slide into him. He stumbles a few feet back, and then he feints going a direction, but actually moves the opposite way.
Action: Disengage
Movement: move to J4 ((I think that's the square I want, but it was hard to tell))
((OOC: have the guards at the end of the barn-thing noticed the fight, or did they leave? I don't remember.))
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Round 4 Results
I’m dividing this into two simultaneous but separate melees.
The Carriage House
17 Mittens disengages and moves to J4. He can’t see the guards from where he is, the neighboring carriage is blocking his view, but he can hear them still a ways off, approaching and exclaiming, “Ellosh! They’re flockin’ witches!!”
14 Dolkum jumps, grabs the Alyasub by its articulated leg, and dashes it to earth. It is now prone.
12 Ednyss attacks Azhvuv #1. As his spiritual weapon strikes her, there is a whooshing wind, her form twists up into a tight swirling tornado of dark sand, then dissipates, streaming up with a haunting shriek into the northern sky. Azhvuv #1 is defeated!
Azhvuv #3 (Driver) Seeing Azhvuv #1 go down, she shrieks, "You will pay for that, meddler!" and attacks Ednyss with her dagger and crits! She does 10HP damage and Ednyss is down!
Azhvuv #1 [eliminated]
Azhvuv #2 still charmed by Mittens’ crown of madness, attacks what is in front of it, the prone Alyasub, and (OOC: with a series of pathetic rolls) misses the creature with both daggers. (OOC: She also fails her WIS saving throw and will continue to be charmed next turn.)
Alyasub #2 [prone] Rights itself, buzzes up again, and attacks Dolkum, missing.
You are now oriented like so.
The Runaway Carriage
15 Varielky pulls herself up, then turns and kicks off the front of the driver’s bucket, behind her toward the galloping horses, and lands both feet firmly on the narrow singletree while reaching out and grabbing the rear horses' harnesses. She is now 8’ away from the mounted Azhvuv and dodging. (For next turn, if you want to attack, you’ll have to roll Acrobatics vs DC15 to jump forward to the lead pair of horses. If you attack from that position it will be with disadvantage unless you can roll Acrobatics again vs. DC10. You must use one hand to hold the horse’s harness, so you’ll be limited to a shield bash. Or, instead of attacking, from that position you could mount the other front horse next to the Azhvuv with an Acrobatics DC10 roll. Once mounted, you could act without disadvantage on subsequent rounds).
Azhvuv #4 (Footman) Still riding expertly, the Azhvuv shouts in her harrowing, ghostly voice, which echoes over the thundering hooves surrounding you, “Azhvuv do not use poison, it is the weapon of snakes and cowards. It is the weapon of the Amazighs. If you were poisoned at the Games then you were poisoned by the Amazighs.” She fires her crossbow once again which strikes Varielky squarely in the breast plate, but the bolt shatters against the Dwarven steel and does no damage. She hooks the crossbow onto a loop on her belt and pulls her woolen cloak back, revealing paired dagger sheaths.
The Horses plunge forward 120’, still dashing and pulling the carriage with it, which has finally stopped smoking.
You are now oriented like this.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters