Brevig DEX save: 8 takes full damage from the fireball, but lays on hands upon himself to heal the small amount of damage which penetrated his defenses.
(OOC: apologies, but were there additional temp HP I should have recorded, beyond the 12 from Brevig’s Inspiring Leader feat? Also has his moonbeam duration passed?)
The paladin looks to Patrin with an arched eyebrow; ‘What did he say?’
(OOC: apologies, but were there additional temp HP I should have recorded, beyond the 12 from Brevig’s Inspiring Leader feat? Also has his moonbeam duration passed?)
Moonbeam remains in effect IFBrevig maintains concentration. I'm not aware of any other temporary hit points being distributed...
(OOC: apologies, but were there additional temp HP I should have recorded, beyond the 12 from Brevig’s Inspiring Leader feat? Also has his moonbeam duration passed?)
Moonbeam remains in effect IFBrevig maintains concentration. I'm not aware of any other temporary hit points being distributed...
Con save DC 13: 5
Brevig maintains concentration and with a gesture of his hand, he pulls his moonbeam forward to within 60’ of the new arrival, awaiting some response from Patrin.
Patrin sketches a brief bow, and continues in Elvish.. 'We shall certainly do our best to help abate your ennui, Lord Skree. We're but recently arrived to the Shadowfell, so please accept our apologies for such an abrupt entrance - we determined discretion might be the best policy.' he grins, 'But then one's valued colleague forgot herself and went exploring!' he smiles reassuringly to Gwin. 'We're looking for someone we believe you have in your possession, in order to determine if they are in possession of stolen property. I wonder if we might discuss this further with you?'
He looks to the others who don't speak Elvish, and quickly explains the situation in Common. 'We seem to have met someone with the wisdom to recognise that we made a mistake in our approach, but that we are not his enemies.'
Realizing that at least one of the party members does not speak Elvish, Skree responds in Common. "Stolen property? I see. Yes, we should discuss this."
The shadar-kai then turns and walks into the ground floor's main room. He motions for you to follow but does not actually wait to see if you do so. He takes a seat at an oblong table; behind him is an enormous set of shelves filled with books, vials, bottles, small but finely carved statues, and precious stones. You can see similar shelves with similar objects line the walls elsewhere in this room. Large marble statues stand near the south entrance to the room; they depict cloaked, wizard-like figures (no one that you recognize). Symmetry seems to be a priority in Chorandan, for the left and right sides of the room mirror each other with tables, bookshelves, and enormously long stairwells to the floor above. The stairwell on the right ascends from south to north; the one on the left ascends in the opposite direction. The room is massive, museum-like, and is only dimly illuminated. The ceiling is high above; you estimate at least 40.
After Skree sits, but still with his staff in hand, he says, "The journey to Chorandan is both risky and lengthy. This thief must have stolen something valuable indeed."
(I'm not assuming your locations in the room; you can let me know where you are standing in your next post. The strangely -shaped black object in the center of the room is basically a large column that extends from floor to ceiling)
"Ah so many books. It seems that you already have enough here to keep yourself entertained for many years, if you enjoy reading.” He then then peers directly at Skree and continues in a serious tone, “We seek Badrizar Nath.” ‘Does he seem to recognize that name?,’ the paladin wonders.
(Perception 8)
“And your assumption is correct. The item is of value to us, although Nath himself is not. We are of the understanding that he is held captive here in this tower.”
Fargoth enters the room, listening to the others conversing with their host. His demeanour seemed off, at odds with their oppressive surroundings, which was causing the wood elf no end of unease.
Insight: 15
Moving adjacent to the stairs on the left, directly west of the guy at his table
Aside from her initial apology to Skree for disturbing the Chorandan, Gwin has remained silent, instead choosing to peruse the shelves directly behind the shadar-kai while surveying him (and the room) with her shrewd eye.
Brevig is unable to determine if Skree cares much of anything about the name Badrizar Nath. The shadar-kai's face remains nearly expressionless.
Fargothreaches the wall of stone that marks the western edge of the room; nothing Skree says triggers any sort of alarm for Fargoth, but what does elevate the wood elf's concerns is the faint silhouette of another shadar-kai approximately 60' to the north. Whoever it is, stands very still but seems to be watching the goings on near Skree.
Skree--who does give every appearance of being bored--answers Brevig. "Nath is no prisoner of Chorandan. He stayed among us briefly but has now gone about his business."
Gwin takes in the scope and breadth of the tomes that stand on the shelves behind Skree. Nearly every field of study seems to be present, and in multiple languages. The statuary and precious stones are, unquestionably of great value, and they create a vivid contrast with the stark and dreary world in which they are found. As the cleric turns her attention to Skree, especially when he responds to Brevig, she senses that the Shadar-kai is not telling the truth, or at least all of the truth.
Updated map. Locations of Gwin and Brevig (and his moonbeam are assumed. Will add Donir and Patrin when more information is provided.
Fargoth decides that honesty is the best policy in this situation, and raises a hand towards the shadow at the back of the room, at the very least to alert his companions that there were others in the vicinity. "Hail friend, come and join us."
To their host, he speaks in elvish. "We were set upon by spirits shortly after we entered the Shadowfell, forgive our overreaction regarding your skulls."
Gwin ceases her perusal of the shelves and approaches the table where Skree is seated. I mean no disrespect to you or the Queen you serve, she says with a deep bow, but I do not believe you are being entirely honest regarding the whereabouts of Badrizar Nath. While it's true I lack grace of foot, I do not lack keenness of mind. We have come a long way through much danger in search of Nath. Please, is he still here?
“What purpose does it serve to suggest anything other than the truth,” rings out Brevig’s bright baritone. “The doors were unlocked and unmarked. We entered seeking Nath. The skulls attacked us, as was, one assumes, their sole purpose as animated guardians. We prevailed. Master Skree,” he continues, politely gesturing to the Shahar-Kai, “hardly seems to care that the undead were slain, and I must refuse to apologize for my part in their slaying. If we’d been greeted with open arms and killed those greeting us by accident, then would I feel remorse.”
Leveling a terribly serious gaze at Skree, the paladin continues, ”You may be surprised to learn that Badrizar Nath has NOT gone about his business, for if he had, we would know. Your skulls were obstacles to our goal and they fell quickly. Your days — or whatever you call them here — might be tedious, but would it not be more tedious to have to reconstitute yourself after falling in battle? Please do be a help, not a hindrance?”
As he speaks, the moonbeam slowly moves to stand immediately to the paladin’s right, silver strands of energy crackling quietly and tracing patterns across the floor as it advances.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Initiative:
Shadar-kai10
Brevig6
Donir16
Fargoth14
Gwin23
Patrin23
All players except Fargoth granted the +4 provided by Brevig's Aura of the Sentinel. Fargoth is a bit too far away.
Fargoth's invitation to the shadar-kai to the north goes unheeded; he remains in the distant shadows, motionless and silent. A second shadar-kai appears not far away; this one seems to have descended the western staircase.
Skree gives his full attention to whoever speaks, first to Gwin and then to Brevig, and as he does so, his nonchalant, disinterested demeanor changes perceptibly. A wry smile crosses his face before he responds, his voice conveying, oddly enough, a tone of excitement. "The dangers you have faced, keen-minded dwarf, are nothing compared to the dangers of Chorandan..."--and then turning his focus to Brevig--"...And I am quite delighted that my little skulls have provided an opportunity for you to crow about your skill and might. Relish it! For it is an opportunity you shall never again have. You shall die this day...but the memory of the sorrow of your loss shall sweetly remain."
Skree's smile evolves into a sinister grin, and he then calls out something in Infernal. Despite your unfamiliarity with the language of the Nine Hells, you understand Skree's intent to spill your blood...
Actions for Donir, Fargoth, and Patrin are first. The shadar-kai act second, followed by Brevig and Gwin. The shadar-kai to the north of Fargoth resemble the image to the left of the map. Locations for Donir and Patrin are based completely on DM discretion.
Donir curses as Skree incants in fiendish dialect, and begins fishing about in his bag. After a moment, he grasps in his fingers a small metal ball, with one section of it being flat. He rubs a rune carved into that flat end, then hurls the ball at the Shadar-Kai. It rolls to a stop, resting with its flat end down, and nothing seems to happen for a moment. Suddenly, the ball bursts into a variegated light show, casting swirling patterns of light upon its surroundings for a moment, before fizzling and shutting off again, looking slightly charred and melted.
(Casting Hypnotic Pattern, DC 17 CHA or charmed, charmed creatures are incapacitated with a speed of 0)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
The main room is lit up in spectacular fashion by Donir's spell. Either their nature or the magic within Chorandan itself prevents the shadar-kai from succumbing to the hypnotic pattern.
Skree reacts immediately to Patrin's blast, creating an invisible wall that deflects the arcane light and energy. He then growls a few words in Infernal, hoping to disorient Patrin with a stab of psychic energy.
(DC 18 INT save; failure = 11 psychic damage and a penalty of4 to any saving throw made before the end of your next turn)
Fargoth's arrow find its mark, sinking deep into the leg of the shadar-kai (1) lurking to the north.
Both chain-wielding shadar-kai then vanish momentarily, only to reappear less than 30' from Fargoth and Donir. They then stride forward, shadow-like, and fill the air with the sound of their spiked chains whipping toward their targets. They move with blurring speed, each striking three times within a few seconds...
Shadow dancer 1, spiked chain attack 1 vs. Donir: 10 causing 12 piercing damage, if successful
Shadow dancer 1, spiked chain attack 2 vs. Donir:10 causing 12 piercing damage, if successful
Shadow dancer 1, spiked chain attack 2 vs. Donir: 15 causing 9 piercing damage, if successful
Shadow dancer 2, spiked chain attack 1 vs. Fargoth: 18 causing 11 piercing damage, if successful
Shadow dancer 2, spiked chain attack 2 vs. Fargoth: 4 causing 9 piercing damage, if successful
Shadow dancer 2, spiked chain attack 3 vs. Fargoth: 13 causing 11 piercing damage, if successful
N.B. For each attack that is successful, you must make a DC 14 DEX save. Failed saves trigger the following results:
The aasimar’s right hand swings in an arc as Skree begins to cast his shield spell, and closes in a tight fist just as the Shadar-Kai’s spell takes effect. A low-frequency hum crescendos loudly for a moment as a celestial portal opens, in a sudden eerie silence, sucking Skree’s Arachne energy within before the vortex snaps closed once again and the sound of battle resumes. Brevig then glances at his moonbeam, drawing a line with his eyes to Skree, and with a silvery hiss the column of crackling light rushes forward, bathing the shadar-Kai in burning radiance.
(OOC:
Counterspell: If the creature (Skree) is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your (Brevig’s) spellcasting ability: 13. The DC equals 10 + the (Kree’s) spell's level. On a success, the creature's (Kree’s) spell fails and has no effect.
Moonbeam: Skree takes 16 HP radiant damage. Successful DC 15 CON Save results in 1/2 damage.)
Brevig DEX save: 8 takes full damage from the fireball, but lays on hands upon himself to heal the small amount of damage which penetrated his defenses.
(OOC: apologies, but were there additional temp HP I should have recorded, beyond the 12 from Brevig’s Inspiring Leader feat? Also has his moonbeam duration passed?)
The paladin looks to Patrin with an arched eyebrow; ‘What did he say?’
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Gwin smiles at her companion, laying a hand on his arm. I am happy to spare what I can.
Healing Word: 14
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Moonbeam remains in effect IF Brevig maintains concentration. I'm not aware of any other temporary hit points being distributed...
Con save DC 13: 5
Brevig maintains concentration and with a gesture of his hand, he pulls his moonbeam forward to within 60’ of the new arrival, awaiting some response from Patrin.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Patrin sketches a brief bow, and continues in Elvish..
'We shall certainly do our best to help abate your ennui, Lord Skree. We're but recently arrived to the Shadowfell, so please accept our apologies for such an abrupt entrance - we determined discretion might be the best policy.' he grins, 'But then one's valued colleague forgot herself and went exploring!' he smiles reassuringly to Gwin. 'We're looking for someone we believe you have in your possession, in order to determine if they are in possession of stolen property. I wonder if we might discuss this further with you?'
He looks to the others who don't speak Elvish, and quickly explains the situation in Common. 'We seem to have met someone with the wisdom to recognise that we made a mistake in our approach, but that we are not his enemies.'
16
Realizing that at least one of the party members does not speak Elvish, Skree responds in Common. "Stolen property? I see. Yes, we should discuss this."
The shadar-kai then turns and walks into the ground floor's main room. He motions for you to follow but does not actually wait to see if you do so. He takes a seat at an oblong table; behind him is an enormous set of shelves filled with books, vials, bottles, small but finely carved statues, and precious stones. You can see similar shelves with similar objects line the walls elsewhere in this room. Large marble statues stand near the south entrance to the room; they depict cloaked, wizard-like figures (no one that you recognize). Symmetry seems to be a priority in Chorandan, for the left and right sides of the room mirror each other with tables, bookshelves, and enormously long stairwells to the floor above. The stairwell on the right ascends from south to north; the one on the left ascends in the opposite direction. The room is massive, museum-like, and is only dimly illuminated. The ceiling is high above; you estimate at least 40.
After Skree sits, but still with his staff in hand, he says, "The journey to Chorandan is both risky and lengthy. This thief must have stolen something valuable indeed."
(I'm not assuming your locations in the room; you can let me know where you are standing in your next post. The strangely -shaped black object in the center of the room is basically a large column that extends from floor to ceiling)
Taking in the room , Brevig answers,
"Ah so many books. It seems that you already have enough here to keep yourself entertained for many years, if you enjoy reading.” He then then peers directly at Skree and continues in a serious tone, “We seek Badrizar Nath.” ‘Does he seem to recognize that name?,’ the paladin wonders.
(Perception 8)
“And your assumption is correct. The item is of value to us, although Nath himself is not. We are of the understanding that he is held captive here in this tower.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Fargoth enters the room, listening to the others conversing with their host. His demeanour seemed off, at odds with their oppressive surroundings, which was causing the wood elf no end of unease.
Insight: 15
Moving adjacent to the stairs on the left, directly west of the guy at his table
Aside from her initial apology to Skree for disturbing the Chorandan, Gwin has remained silent, instead choosing to peruse the shelves directly behind the shadar-kai while surveying him (and the room) with her shrewd eye.
Insight: 21
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Brevig is unable to determine if Skree cares much of anything about the name Badrizar Nath. The shadar-kai's face remains nearly expressionless.
Fargoth reaches the wall of stone that marks the western edge of the room; nothing Skree says triggers any sort of alarm for Fargoth, but what does elevate the wood elf's concerns is the faint silhouette of another shadar-kai approximately 60' to the north. Whoever it is, stands very still but seems to be watching the goings on near Skree.
Skree--who does give every appearance of being bored--answers Brevig. "Nath is no prisoner of Chorandan. He stayed among us briefly but has now gone about his business."
Gwin takes in the scope and breadth of the tomes that stand on the shelves behind Skree. Nearly every field of study seems to be present, and in multiple languages. The statuary and precious stones are, unquestionably of great value, and they create a vivid contrast with the stark and dreary world in which they are found. As the cleric turns her attention to Skree, especially when he responds to Brevig, she senses that the Shadar-kai is not telling the truth, or at least all of the truth.
Updated map. Locations of Gwin and Brevig (and his moonbeam are assumed. Will add Donir and Patrin when more information is provided.
Fargoth decides that honesty is the best policy in this situation, and raises a hand towards the shadow at the back of the room, at the very least to alert his companions that there were others in the vicinity. "Hail friend, come and join us."
To their host, he speaks in elvish. "We were set upon by spirits shortly after we entered the Shadowfell, forgive our overreaction regarding your skulls."
Gwin ceases her perusal of the shelves and approaches the table where Skree is seated. I mean no disrespect to you or the Queen you serve, she says with a deep bow, but I do not believe you are being entirely honest regarding the whereabouts of Badrizar Nath. While it's true I lack grace of foot, I do not lack keenness of mind. We have come a long way through much danger in search of Nath. Please, is he still here?
Persuasion:12
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
“What purpose does it serve to suggest anything other than the truth,” rings out Brevig’s bright baritone. “The doors were unlocked and unmarked. We entered seeking Nath. The skulls attacked us, as was, one assumes, their sole purpose as animated guardians. We prevailed. Master Skree,” he continues, politely gesturing to the Shahar-Kai, “hardly seems to care that the undead were slain, and I must refuse to apologize for my part in their slaying. If we’d been greeted with open arms and killed those greeting us by accident, then would I feel remorse.”
Leveling a terribly serious gaze at Skree, the paladin continues, ”You may be surprised to learn that Badrizar Nath has NOT gone about his business, for if he had, we would know. Your skulls were obstacles to our goal and they fell quickly. Your days — or whatever you call them here — might be tedious, but would it not be more tedious to have to reconstitute yourself after falling in battle? Please do be a help, not a hindrance?”
As he speaks, the moonbeam slowly moves to stand immediately to the paladin’s right, silver strands of energy crackling quietly and tracing patterns across the floor as it advances.
Persuasion: 21
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Initiative:
All players except Fargoth granted the +4 provided by Brevig's Aura of the Sentinel. Fargoth is a bit too far away.
Fargoth's invitation to the shadar-kai to the north goes unheeded; he remains in the distant shadows, motionless and silent. A second shadar-kai appears not far away; this one seems to have descended the western staircase.
Skree gives his full attention to whoever speaks, first to Gwin and then to Brevig, and as he does so, his nonchalant, disinterested demeanor changes perceptibly. A wry smile crosses his face before he responds, his voice conveying, oddly enough, a tone of excitement. "The dangers you have faced, keen-minded dwarf, are nothing compared to the dangers of Chorandan..."--and then turning his focus to Brevig--"...And I am quite delighted that my little skulls have provided an opportunity for you to crow about your skill and might. Relish it! For it is an opportunity you shall never again have. You shall die this day...but the memory of the sorrow of your loss shall sweetly remain."
Skree's smile evolves into a sinister grin, and he then calls out something in Infernal. Despite your unfamiliarity with the language of the Nine Hells, you understand Skree's intent to spill your blood...
Actions for Donir, Fargoth, and Patrin are first. The shadar-kai act second, followed by Brevig and Gwin. The shadar-kai to the north of Fargoth resemble the image to the left of the map. Locations for Donir and Patrin are based completely on DM discretion.
Donir curses as Skree incants in fiendish dialect, and begins fishing about in his bag. After a moment, he grasps in his fingers a small metal ball, with one section of it being flat. He rubs a rune carved into that flat end, then hurls the ball at the Shadar-Kai. It rolls to a stop, resting with its flat end down, and nothing seems to happen for a moment. Suddenly, the ball bursts into a variegated light show, casting swirling patterns of light upon its surroundings for a moment, before fizzling and shutting off again, looking slightly charred and melted.
(Casting Hypnotic Pattern, DC 17 CHA or charmed, charmed creatures are incapacitated with a speed of 0)
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
The main room is lit up in spectacular fashion by Donir's spell. Either their nature or the magic within Chorandan itself prevents the shadar-kai from succumbing to the hypnotic pattern.
(Fargoth and Patrin may act)
‘Dammit!’ swears Patrin, before launching coruscating volts of force at Skree…
Casting Eldritch Blast…
Attack: 15 Damage: 8
Attack: 14 Damage: 15
Fargoth grunts slightly in agreement, and fires on one of the shadar-kai to the north (1) with his longbow.
Attack: 17
Damage: 19
Skree reacts immediately to Patrin's blast, creating an invisible wall that deflects the arcane light and energy. He then growls a few words in Infernal, hoping to disorient Patrin with a stab of psychic energy.
(DC 18 INT save; failure = 11 psychic damage and a penalty of4 to any saving throw made before the end of your next turn)
Fargoth's arrow find its mark, sinking deep into the leg of the shadar-kai (1) lurking to the north.
Both chain-wielding shadar-kai then vanish momentarily, only to reappear less than 30' from Fargoth and Donir. They then stride forward, shadow-like, and fill the air with the sound of their spiked chains whipping toward their targets. They move with blurring speed, each striking three times within a few seconds...
N.B. For each attack that is successful, you must make a DC 14 DEX save. Failed saves trigger the following results:
EDIT: Forgot to add the attack modifier to all the rolls above. Each should receive a +6
Brevig and Gwin may act, ending round 1. Updated map:
The aasimar’s right hand swings in an arc as Skree begins to cast his shield spell, and closes in a tight fist just as the Shadar-Kai’s spell takes effect. A low-frequency hum crescendos loudly for a moment as a celestial portal opens, in a sudden eerie silence, sucking Skree’s Arachne energy within before the vortex snaps closed once again and the sound of battle resumes. Brevig then glances at his moonbeam, drawing a line with his eyes to Skree, and with a silvery hiss the column of crackling light rushes forward, bathing the shadar-Kai in burning radiance.
(OOC:
Counterspell: If the creature (Skree) is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your (Brevig’s) spellcasting ability: 13. The DC equals 10 + the (Kree’s) spell's level. On a success, the creature's (Kree’s) spell fails and has no effect.
Moonbeam: Skree takes 16 HP radiant damage. Successful DC 15 CON Save results in 1/2 damage.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer