Buppido and Jimjar are on alert with the scraping sounds, the derro looking up and pointing, calling out to Jimjar in Undercommon, which the deep gnome repeats in Common for the benefit of the surface folk.
"Darkmantles! They'll try to grab your head!"
They are pointing upwards, but all you see is darkness, deep, deep darkness.
((Roll initiative! I'll take Nature rolls from folks who have spent any time in caves or the underdark before.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
The sounds of alarm at least seem to catch the old man's attention again, torn for a moment between the book and what is happening around him. But realizes that whatever he started doing, it won't be nearly enough, and his fingers... Twitch. Slowly, he's getting up.
"Jimjar, it was? If it'd be no trouble, could I have back that dagger, just in case..?"
His addled brain meanwhile, racks to see if "Darkmantles" means anything to it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Darkmantles, darkmantles... dark mantles. Mantles are above fireplaces, but fireplaces give off light, the mantle would be darkest if the fire was out...
"Sure, Slim. But if it finds its way into any of us, you can bet a hot meal and a bath the next place it's lodging is your neck." the deep gnome flicks it towards the cabin where it sticks in the wood as he's prepping a hand crossbow.
Jimjar: 10 Buppy: 14 Ranador: 5 Plibble: 16
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
As Forgetful Old Guy comes out of the cabin, the light of the shell cupped in his hands extends upwards, and the party can see bubbles of pure black descending from the ceiling towards them. It's a disconcerting experience, even more so for everyone but him, he's accustomed to not being able to see in the dark, but the darkness pushing in on the vision of the rest of the party seems most unnatural given your innate darkvision that doesn't seem to aid you here.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I owe you all a debt," he says, again, sincere. That at least feels... "Right", to him. "And it sounds like there are far more pressing things at hand,"
Initiative: 4
(I rolled a four on initiative above just in case this edit breaks it, but had to add this.)
The old man pulls out the dagger before he goes outside.
...It takes a surprising amount of effort for him to do so.
((Stena can be invisible on the far side of the boat from the lit shell, yes. Anyone above them on order can go, but you don't have any visible targets yet.))
@Stena
Your plenty familiar with darkmantles, and you realize that must be what the dried, squid-like remains in the spider's web were. They normally hang from the ceiling, and are indistinguishable from rock formations before dropping down on prey.
As everyone is observing first hand, they can create their own spheres of darkness... Which don't seem to hinder their ability to attack, so you don't think they rely on darkvision as you know it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Galingal's only sense of what's approaching them is an absence of any sense of what's coming. He does his best to listen and to focus on the center of the darkness approaching.
Neth, having only noticing the sudden tension of the rest of the crew after the cry of darkmantles, pulls out a dagger from his belt line to ready himself for any fight. With his other hand, he summons a giant tentacle by his side.
You can also look at the spoiler addressed to Stena above.
Additionally, this isn't your first time dealing with them, but the last time you did so, you weren't alone, and your familiar's version of darkvision wasn't impeded by the magical darkness they created. They were able to damage the one that wrapped around your head enough to force it to drop the darkness, after which it was fairly trivial to run the creature off, it having little interest in fighting fair against a foe that can see to attack it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Jimjar hisses as his crossbow and limited supply of bolts seems inadvisable, instead following Neth's example and getting a blade ready for any that come in range.
Lia has had many dreams about the darkness of the underworld closing in and crushing the life from her…
A moment of terrified panic takes her before she manages to call out to Stena, “Mistress Stena, what’s happening?!?!” Then more panic, “Gods, just shoot!!… I’ve never seen you miss a thing yet!… it’s the snakes… the skittering things!!… Please, do something!…”. ((Stena receives bardic inspiration!)).
Lia stands rooted to the spot on deck. Regaining some composure, she readies a vicious mockery for the first enemy she can see!…
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Got 'im! I hope... I didn't just stab one of you, did I?", Jimjar calls out.
Attack on Lia: 25 Damage: 8 Attack on Neth: 23 Damage: 4 Attack on Jimjar: 8 Damage: 8 Attack on Galingal: 20 Damage: 8 Attack on Buppy: 16 Damage: 7 Attack on Stena: 24 Damage: 7 Attack on Plibble: 23 Damage: 4 Attack on F.O.G.: 24 Damage: 5
You all feel the tentacles wrap around you, your heads being drawn into the creatures... orifices? Their flesh engulfs and wraps around you, and if the outer surface was dry and pebbly, the part that presses up against your face and squeezes uncomfortably is warm and soft, with a greasy, sticky texture. The tentacles wrap around your necks, the creatures pressing against your mouth and nose, and cutting off your ability to breathe.
"Guys? GUYS!?", calls Jimjar, getting more and more panicked at hearing no more than muffled responses and sounds of struggling.
((Lia, CON save to keep hold of vicious mockery!))
Stena, you feel something touch your leg, but you hear Ranador calling out in Undercommon, "It's me, it's me!"
You feel him tugging at the darkmantle, trying to pull it off your head.
Ranador STR: 9
There's more commotion, and those accustomed to their sounds can here Buppy's muffled grunts and Plibble's flapping and gurgling.
44
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
The exclamations of success from Buppy and Plibble are muffled, but two more of your company have gotten free, for the moment, from their darkmantle tormentors. Ranador doesn't have the strength to pull Stena's free, and she can feel him let go and move away.
Buppido and Jimjar are on alert with the scraping sounds, the derro looking up and pointing, calling out to Jimjar in Undercommon, which the deep gnome repeats in Common for the benefit of the surface folk.
"Darkmantles! They'll try to grab your head!"
They are pointing upwards, but all you see is darkness, deep, deep darkness.
((Roll initiative! I'll take Nature rolls from folks who have spent any time in caves or the underdark before.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Lia is just emerging from the interior of the boat when the alarm goes up!…
Initiative: 6
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
The sounds of alarm at least seem to catch the old man's attention again, torn for a moment between the book and what is happening around him. But realizes that whatever he started doing, it won't be nearly enough, and his fingers... Twitch. Slowly, he's getting up.
"Jimjar, it was? If it'd be no trouble, could I have back that dagger, just in case..?"
His addled brain meanwhile, racks to see if "Darkmantles" means anything to it.
9
Darkmantles, darkmantles... dark mantles. Mantles are above fireplaces, but fireplaces give off light, the mantle would be darkest if the fire was out...
"Sure, Slim. But if it finds its way into any of us, you can bet a hot meal and a bath the next place it's lodging is your neck." the deep gnome flicks it towards the cabin where it sticks in the wood as he's prepping a hand crossbow.
Jimjar: 10
Buppy: 14
Ranador: 5
Plibble: 16
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Darkmantles: 15
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
As Forgetful Old Guy comes out of the cabin, the light of the shell cupped in his hands extends upwards, and the party can see bubbles of pure black descending from the ceiling towards them. It's a disconcerting experience, even more so for everyone but him, he's accustomed to not being able to see in the dark, but the darkness pushing in on the vision of the rest of the party seems most unnatural given your innate darkvision that doesn't seem to aid you here.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Initiative 19
Initiative: 7
Nature: 17
((Is Stena invisible or no? She'd avoid new, standing on the far side of the house section of the boat if needed to be so.))
"I owe you all a debt," he says, again, sincere. That at least feels... "Right", to him. "And it sounds like there are far more pressing things at hand,"
Initiative: 4
(I rolled a four on initiative above just in case this edit breaks it, but had to add this.)
The old man pulls out the dagger before he goes outside.
...It takes a surprising amount of effort for him to do so.
((Stena can be invisible on the far side of the boat from the lit shell, yes. Anyone above them on order can go, but you don't have any visible targets yet.))
@Stena
Your plenty familiar with darkmantles, and you realize that must be what the dried, squid-like remains in the spider's web were. They normally hang from the ceiling, and are indistinguishable from rock formations before dropping down on prey.
As everyone is observing first hand, they can create their own spheres of darkness... Which don't seem to hinder their ability to attack, so you don't think they rely on darkvision as you know it.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal Initiative: 13
Galingal's only sense of what's approaching them is an absence of any sense of what's coming. He does his best to listen and to focus on the center of the darkness approaching.
Neth, having only noticing the sudden tension of the rest of the crew after the cry of darkmantles, pulls out a dagger from his belt line to ready himself for any fight. With his other hand, he summons a giant tentacle by his side.
Nature 20 ((if I’m allowed))
@Neth
You can also look at the spoiler addressed to Stena above.
Additionally, this isn't your first time dealing with them, but the last time you did so, you weren't alone, and your familiar's version of darkvision wasn't impeded by the magical darkness they created. They were able to damage the one that wrapped around your head enough to force it to drop the darkness, after which it was fairly trivial to run the creature off, it having little interest in fighting fair against a foe that can see to attack it.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Jimjar hisses as his crossbow and limited supply of bolts seems inadvisable, instead following Neth's example and getting a blade ready for any that come in range.
Lia: 20 <---<<
Neth: 19 (dagger readied)
Jimjar: 17 (shortsword readied)
Darkmantles: 15
Galingal: 13
Ranador: 13
Buppy: 9
Stena: 7
Plibble: 7
F.O.G: 4
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Lia has had many dreams about the darkness of the underworld closing in and crushing the life from her…
A moment of terrified panic takes her before she manages to call out to Stena, “Mistress Stena, what’s happening?!?!” Then more panic, “Gods, just shoot!!… I’ve never seen you miss a thing yet!… it’s the snakes… the skittering things!!… Please, do something!…”. ((Stena receives bardic inspiration!)).
Lia stands rooted to the spot on deck. Regaining some composure, she readies a vicious mockery for the first enemy she can see!…
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
The darkness rolls over the boat, accompanied by the scraping flapping of dry, rough tentacles that grope at your heads and necks.
There's a grunt as Jimjar jabs with his shortsword at the first thing he feels touch him.
Attack: 7 Damage: 8
((Neth, you can take your held attack at disadvantage too.))
Attack on Lia: 22 Damage: 8
Attack on Neth: 15 Damage: 5
Attack on Jimjar: 25 Damage: 7
Attack on Galingal: 19 Damage: 8
Attack on Buppy: 18 Damage: 5
Attack on Stena: 13 Damage: 4
Attack on Plibble: 15 Damage: 5
Attack on F.O.G.: 9 Damage: 7
((I think I'm hilarious.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Darkmantle Conc: 9
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"Got 'im! I hope... I didn't just stab one of you, did I?", Jimjar calls out.
Attack on Lia: 25 Damage: 8
Attack on Neth: 23 Damage: 4
Attack on Jimjar: 8 Damage: 8
Attack on Galingal: 20 Damage: 8
Attack on Buppy: 16 Damage: 7
Attack on Stena: 24 Damage: 7
Attack on Plibble: 23 Damage: 4
Attack on F.O.G.: 24 Damage: 5
You all feel the tentacles wrap around you, your heads being drawn into the creatures... orifices? Their flesh engulfs and wraps around you, and if the outer surface was dry and pebbly, the part that presses up against your face and squeezes uncomfortably is warm and soft, with a greasy, sticky texture. The tentacles wrap around your necks, the creatures pressing against your mouth and nose, and cutting off your ability to breathe.
"Guys? GUYS!?", calls Jimjar, getting more and more panicked at hearing no more than muffled responses and sounds of struggling.
((Lia, CON save to keep hold of vicious mockery!))
Stena, you feel something touch your leg, but you hear Ranador calling out in Undercommon, "It's me, it's me!"
You feel him tugging at the darkmantle, trying to pull it off your head.
Ranador STR: 9
There's more commotion, and those accustomed to their sounds can here Buppy's muffled grunts and Plibble's flapping and gurgling.
4 4
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"Grraaaaah!"
"Gllurrrrbbuggh!"
The exclamations of success from Buppy and Plibble are muffled, but two more of your company have gotten free, for the moment, from their darkmantle tormentors. Ranador doesn't have the strength to pull Stena's free, and she can feel him let go and move away.
Lia: 20 (conc on v.m.) (-8 HP, BLIND, CANNOT BREATHE)
Neth: 19 (dagger readied) (-4 HP, BLIND, CANNOT BREATHE)
Jimjar: 17 (BLIND)
Darkmantles: 15
Galingal: 13 <---<< (-8 HP, BLIND, CANNOT BREATHE)
Ranador: 13 (BLIND)
Buppy: 9 (-7 HP, BLIND)
Stena: 7 <---<< (-7 HP, BLIND, CANNOT BREATHE)
Plibble: 7 (-4 HP, BLIND)
F.O.G: 4 <---<< (-5 HP, BLIND, CANNOT BREATHE)
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Stena struggles and yells, or tries to,
"Ranador, go! Go back inside!"
She tries to force her way free.
Athletics: 8
(Minus 2 if only strength)