Dragon of Icespire Peak - Campaign 2

Once she has a chance to breathe a bit, she looks around the room they're in, trying to see if anything notable's hidden anywhere. She doesn't go into passageways but she's looking for items, clues, anything.

Investigation: 21

As KD observes Fae, her knowledge in the arcane allows her to easily recognizes that the runed bag is the work of an artificer. It’s woven with an infusion which copies the function of a bag of holding.

(OOC: Dire may recognize this item to be Ethan’s work, made from the silk that wrapped that party’s last treasure.)

While comparing medical methodology with Fae’s work, KD does notice some differences. While the artificer may carry her own skills to produce the unique substance for treatment almost as needed, the wizard was reliant on pre prepared items in a personal packaged kit with limited supplies. Fae would have to replenish the pack dependant on use. There were also certain techniques that Fae used which differed from her own. The medical care Fae administered was similar to first aid taught by acolytes of temples which meant she must have been taught.

(OOC: KD essentially analyses that Fae has the Healer feat:

Onu winces a bit as Fae's delicate hands pull back the fabric of his ruined trousers, once so carefully tailored, now embedded in the deep gashes the rats left on his leg.  He tries not to show it, but her ministrations hurt even as he could see the sense they made.  Her delicate hands worked deliberately, pushing in the poultice and binding the wounds tightly to keep them clean and dry, as she did the Monk's clever eyes caught sight of what looked like scars running up the experienced wizards' arms.  He averted his eyes, not wanting to pry too much into whatever she was keeping out of view. 

Looking over to KD the monk made a show of engaging her in conversation to show just how completely uneffected he was by the fingers jamming into the open wound on his leg 'Hal and I are quite the team now, aren't we!  He keeps them at bay, and I dash in to finish them off.  I like it!' looking towards Hamish 'And you, my good man! You're quite the trooper, walking right into the fray!'

Hamish's eyes welled up as Fae worked on his injuries.  He didn't want the rest of group to see him cry.  He missed his mother.  He missed the monastery.  He knew he made the right choice leaving experience the world but, right now, he just wanted to be with his mother.  He still wasn't afraid of dying but he was scared of the pain. He whispered to himself:  Now's not the time to act like a baby, Hammy.  Finish what you started.

To Fae he said:  "Thank you so much.  You are very skilled.  After this is over, if I haven't moved on, maybe you could teach me some things."

"If everyone is feeling ok, we should continue on.  I'm on a bit of a tight timeline."

Being this close Fae would notice Onu's gentle aversion. It wasn't uncommon for people to deliberately gawk, or try their best to politely avoid staring, and with the recent dragon sightings, there was a lot of curiosity and misconception around her. The wizard had been keeping to herself a bit and decided that those who surrounded her here was the closest thing to comradery she's had in some time. There was a sense of comfort. "This was not the work of legends." She admits. "More of the result of a perfect storm..." In her early life Fae allowed her self consciousness to wear her shame like armour, shielding herself from embracing the reality of the event. Those deep rooted habits still manifest from time to time in timid gestures to hide herself. "As an orphan from the event of the lost mines, I harboured a lot of rage and confusion... I developed with a stutter and stammered, struggling to be accepted by my peers..." Fae would take a steadying breath, reaching out to give the recently silent Edgar the raven, who was perched on the stoically quiet Paladin's (Demetrios') shoulder, some scritches. "Edgar's mimickery was my prime form of communication..." She'd give a small sheepish smile before continuing. "One day I was invited to play with the neighbourhood children and followed them to the park..." She closes her eyes as if remembering.

"I was pushed into a tar trap and covered in feathers." Fae visibly inhales then exhales, eyes slowly fluttering open. "I allowed myself to lose control, manifesting my power for the first time and set everything aflame..." The wizard would open her cloak and allow on side to fall away. Beneath she wore simple black leggings and a tank top that revealed most of the extent of her burns. Marbled pink scarred skin indeed began from her finger tips, wrapped around her arms all the way up until it tapered off at her shoulders where small patches and flecks scatter over her clavicles, chest and neck. Reaching down, Fae pulls up the leg of her pants to reveal the same scars blanket her calves, indicating the same pattern continues up her thighs. "Though..." Sometime, not too long ago, she met someone who influenced a change in her... introducing a belief that her scars could maybe even be beautiful... as if she were kissed with flame rather than ravaged, engulfed and twisted by hate. "We are more than our gravest mistakes..." She returns her clothes back to their place, covering herself again comfortably.

Fae's eyes would fall over Hammish's holy symbol. "Back in Phandalin Sister Garaele took me in at the Temple of Tymora after I fell terribly ill... both times..." The wizard would pause a few moments before looking back up to him. "She tended and cared for me when others wouldn't... couldn't." Although her expression showed sadness she'd continue. "As I healed, I studied." There was gentle resolve growing in the young wizards voice. "With power comes great responsibility..." Absentmindedly, she tugs at her sleeves. "I had decided I did not want to only have the power damage... I did not want to be helpless when someone was in pain..." She would dip her head to Hamish and present him with a kind smile. "It'd be my pleasure to share knowledge that has been shared with me."

After potentially oversharing, the wizard feels warmth build up in her cheeks. She pauses a few moments in silence, glancing down at her feet before looking back up. Fae would be ready to proceed with the group when they would be, assuming that Hal may take scouting ahead once again.

Hamish would listen with complete attention as Fae spoke.  After she was done he spoke softly, "One thing that I learned growing up the way I did is that there is a lot of bad in this world.  Some bullies have a way of finding our insecurities and striking like an arrow.  I am glad that the followers of Tymora were able to help you.  I have had limited interaction with their group but I'd be willing to wager that they saw something in you that made them take a chance on you.  I'm glad they did.  I am very happy to have met you."

"Now.  Let's get going."

Fae may not have noticed it but KD has sat down next to Fae, listening to the bits of story she shared, and silently supporting the wizard. She doesn’t flinch when the scars are shown. But she almost reaches out, stopping her hand before it moves too far, an involuntary reaction to try to fix something broken, but realizing the break happened long ago, and, judging by how Fae moves through the world, repaired and perhaps upgraded. Stronger than before. Hal walks over, newly repaired, and at her feet  chrrps and clicks interrogatively, with interest, and sadness, and care. A small metal monkey paw softly touches a toe.

After the party catches a breath, KD asks Hal if he’d like to check out the next chamber and the construct slowly moves forward, wary of more rats, his arms moving slowly in a circular “put up your dukes” stance.

Fae offers Hamish a small smile. Then feeling the touch of her foot she looks down to meet Hal with an appreciative smile. With this being Hamish’s second time encouraging them to get moving, it was time to move on. With a hint of embarrassment in her cheeks for holding things up, the wizard would bring herself to her feet. With spellbook in hand, she falls in line with the group.

Hal leads the way with Hamish close behind while Nova bounced directly at his back. The druid would keep popping up on her tip toes, or doing what ever she could to get a look or a huff of air from around him. Her efforts were in full support to back him up, should they encounter anything. 

Following map directions, the group travels towards the south, then the tunnel turns east and eventually winds back north. Coming to a door to their right, investigating it, the leading crew would discover a simple caved room with six cots. It was the dwarfs sleeping quarters (M12).

Heading east from there, there would be a dead end at the north (M9). Anyone curious enough to check it out for any potential dangers would discover a dead human miner with a pickaxe. Inspection of the corpse reveals that the miner was stabbed to death.

Returning to the east path, it’d eventually open up into a storage area filled with picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows (M8). On the far side of the room was a door to the next area (M4) where the miners had indicated their concern for where the wererats were. Anyone choosing to listen closely would hear rustling from the other side.

What's the door like? Does it open toward us or away? Is there any hole in it? Is it wooden?

KD's trying to figure out how they can perhaps try to use the door as a barrier to be able to fire into without letting the wererats out. KD can send firebolts into the next room if she can have even a little peephole to see through. Maybe Hamish has something that can hurt at a distance while he stays safe on their side. Maybe Fae and Nova too. This doesn't work so well for Demetrios and Onu, however, so she quietly is thinking out loud. She looks to Fae and Nova for their thoughts. Hamish shouldn't have to always be the pincushion preinfected by disease that goes in front.

She looks at the wheelbarrows and pickaxes, trying to think about a way to use them in their task. Bar the door to strengthen it? Any incendiaries they could use to surprise those on the other side?

Onu pulls out his hitherto unused bolt thrower - the one KD herself helped him assemble from his fevered scribbling.  'I've been itching to give this a try, if we're thinking about staying back a bit.  Otherwise, happy to lead the way with blade and boot!'

"I can make them weaker and I can also create a magical weapon.  I've only done it once in practice with my mother but it's pretty great!  It looks like Kelemvor's scales but instead of the plates on each side, it is a spiked ball like a mace.  I can even spin it to hit things."  When Hamish talks about his spiritual weapon with such excitement, it's easy to see how young and sheltered he is.  Hamish doesn't seem scared like he has been.  He almost seems eager to face the wererats again after all of the buildup.

"If we go in, I think I should go first.  I have already been bitten.  That was the whole point of this.  If we can't take them out from afar, I will rush in and distract them while you all wallop them."  

The door’s made of wood with iron hinges and handles. It’s outfitted with a lock, but it’s busted and there are no peepholes. It looks as though this door was barricaded before and breached. It opens into the room you’re currently in.

Fae quietly holds her spellbook at the ready while Nova bobs up and down, humming a tune to herself. The pair were ready to follow the now eager Hamish into the room to face probable danger.

Onu carefully folds the delicate bolt-thrower and tucks it away safely before drawing his gleaming blade and settling into a stance - ready to shoot forward as the door opens, following in the brave cleric's wake.

Hamish prepares to cast Spiritual Weapon, walks into the room, and calls out.  "I'd like to speak to whomever is in charge here.  I've been bitten and will soon be turning into one of you so I wanted to see if I get assigned a group to live with or if I need to apply.  Do you provide me with the torn rags to wear or do I have to provide them myself?  I've gotta say that your orientation has been lacking but I'm sure we can work it out."

Hamish marches into the wererat's den catching them unaware. Four pairs of piercing yellow pupils turn to gaze his way. They stare. They shift. They blink. They twitch.

"One of us?" One whispers.

"One of us?" Another mutters.

With a squint, the closest leans in huffing the air around Hamish.

"Is that what I look like?" Nova blurts. She's looking over Fae's shoulder, huddled with the group members watching from the storage room doorway. The wizard shushes the druid. They held the door open a crack to peer through, providing Hamish back up after he bravely strode in.

"One of us." Back in the room the sniffing wererat confirms. "One of us!" He declares. "A survivor!"

The room of wererats begin chanting. "One of us. One of us. One of us. One of us!" And closing in to take in his scent.

(If Hamish would like to kick off a surprise round, he may.)

Hamish screams in terror and excitement as the rats begin closing in.  Hamish will take dodge and as a bonus action cast Spiritual Weapon Attack: 21 Damage: 4 at one of the closest wererats. 

Initiative - 5

Onu takes two steps and then somersaults over Hamish's crouched form, bringing boot and blade into battle to break the back of these basic baddies.

Initiative 12

Surprise Round if applicable:

Rapier Attack: 12 Damage: 5
Bonus Unarmed Attack: 17 Damage: 5 
Flurry of blows Unarmed Attack: 22 Damage: 5

A spectral weapon manifests in the room as if conjured by Hamish’s scream. It comes crashing down onto the first wererat closing it on him. It interrupts their chanting with a harrowing schreech that echoes through the chasm. Onu rushes in to support the cleric, and in a flurry of attacks, he cuts deep with his rapier and follows up with one successful kick. This further kicks off a screeching symphony, piercing everyone’s ears in waves of chaotic communication amongst the wererats.

Fae and Nova move into the room, backs hugging the wall. In practiced calculated motions, the wizard releases her fiery bolt while Nova flicks off a shard of ice into the fray. It explodes, shattering amongst the wererats. Then bringing her fingers to her mouth, Nova lets go a sharp whistle. The tribal marking along her body glow as a waft of wind rushes into the room, swirling around and bursting into cascading shimmery magic. As the glitter settles, it takes form of a unicorn, giving off a spiritual presence.

Fae:

Attack: 12 Damage: 5 
Initiative: 8 

Nova:

Ice Knife - Attack: 12 Damage: 8 and Dex Save DC13 or take 9 
BA - Summon Spirit Totem: 

KD initiative: 5

The artificer secures a small tube to her hand cannon, cocks it, and aims it at the wererats. You can see tiny sparkling flecks that seem to flash and glow as they move around inside. She aims, and fires it, and it lands just far enough inside for the faerie fire to hit them and not us.

Hal darts forward and tries to rend the closest wererat. He uses his reaction to mess with their attacks on Hamish or Onu.

Rend attack 21Damage 12 (ignore adv if they make their faerie fire save)

KD's canon adds to Nova's burst of magics by firing her own bursts of sparkling substance to rain down upon the room, concentrating it on the wererats. Hal runs in, taking advantage of any rat that becomes fully blanketed in the reflective glitter.

Saving Throws
R1: 12 | R2: 18 | R3: 3 | R4: 17 
(What's the DC @rkmobius?)

Initiative
O | R4 | R1 | R3 | KD | R2 | N | H | F

Roll Call: Onu