"I wonder why the husband escaped judgement then? While the drowning may not have been his blame... from her version of the tale the man saw her decline into despair and neglect of the other children and chose to abandon them all. He could have stayed... or at least taken the surviving children to see they were being cared for." He looks around the room again, growing a bit bolder in challenging their host's morality. "No judgement then for the man who runs from grief? Just for the woman who wallows in it?"
Varan turns back to the apparition from the bottle. "Your sin was not letting Tristan drown. All parents' attentions slip now and again... most breeze past without consequence. You fell to bad luck and the whims of an uncaring universe. No, your sin was in letting your despair ruin you. As Mulligan asks, what would you do now? Would you stitch your soul back together and seek out your living children? Would you put in the hard, thankless work undoing the harm your neglect and absence has done to them, knowing all the while they may never love you the same, but doing it anyway because it is the right thing to do? Or would you take one look at them... at the harm you've caused... at the cold way they look at you... and fall back to pieces?" He will look at her, not cruelly, but without any outward sign of emotion. "Look into yourself. Do you see anything left to save?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“Are we expecting rhyme and reason?” Mulligan asks, curiously. “Consistency? Even us here are an unbalanced lot of sins. Some perhaps even believing themselves to be sin free.”
“Assuming our host does have a very black and white approach to sin, it also seems they weigh all the same. To them an insult may hold the same grave consequences as genocide…” Mulligan continues, mostly just thinking aloud.
“If that be the case, this could all fall to luck. Who has the bad luck of being in our hosts line of sight… no plan, no scheme, just mindless selection of who is available…”
“Then again, this is all assuming we are not being lied to. By our host, by our very senses…” Mulligan considers in a bit of a playful way. “Could be something just got into our heads and is filling them with illusion and deceit. These rooms… these people we are interviewing… even each other… we may all be wisps of mind Magic trying to influence and control us. Could be we just need to awaken to escape…”
“But then again, I suppose that could be true of life itself,” he philosophizes before shrugging and returning to study their newest interview subject.
Avarice had been silent for a while since it became clear their captor had been listening in on their conversation. Even though he didn't expect to see anything he couldn't help but look around in the ceiling for a sign of this entity. "I suppose you could be right about all that Mulligan, but I believe we will have to assume that there is a point to all this and that our captor really thinks there is a right answer to this dilemma. To figure that out who we really should be talking to is our captor I believe, although I admit not having an idea on how to get that conversation going." He says, scratching his chin over this conundrum.
It would seem that the crimes of a negligent mother were on the same level of Ragnar’s. How strange and ironic, he thinks, as he has been anything but negligent as the steward of his realm.
Mulligan’s philosophizing flies over his head.
“This is not meant to be a simple choice. While amongst the others she is perhaps the least responsible for her mistakes, she would also be the least likely to reform her ways. Varan is right. If we release her, what difference does that make? At least she’s remorseful.”
Ragnar speaks with the slow, measured voice in rendering his judgement.
“If we assume our captor to be a benevolent being, I believe that it would want us to release her, for many reasons. We should first interview the last candidate, though.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Keyleth arches a brow at Ragnar. “All evidence seems to point to our captor being quite far from benevolent.”
She does wonder if they’re being told the full truth, though. Before speaking to Lisichka, she would dismiss it as the captor evidently having no care for whether something was intentional or not, but given that she’s probably here because of a bribe, that doesn’t really apply. A mother who neglected her living children in her grief for the dead one, who died because she looked away for just a bit too long…it’s tragic, and certainly not commendable, but this seems to be a disproportionate punishment. Which their captor seems to enjoy, but still.
”Varan is right,” Keyleth says to the woman. “Should we free you, should you get a second chance, will you truly use it to make things right?”
She tries to discern the woman’s truthfulness, both in what she said prior and in her response here.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
16 (25)
Keyleth, and Keyleth only - you get a feeling something, something about this woman...is subtly off. Only because of Keyleth's extreme sense of reading people, she recognizes this woman's story seems somehow...basic. Generic. Made up on the spot. In fact, when Keyleth remembers the woman's eyes flicker to the picture painted on her flask...Keyleth realizes this woman's story has been spun entirely on the fly to fit in with what the flask showed.
"I will-" the woman thickly swallows. "If you - if you grant me this opportunity, I will devote the last of my life to my children. Please, I beg of you - I will change. I want to change. I love my children more than I love myself - I wish to, above all else, see them smile again." She wipes the tears from her eyes. "I have made mistakes, and I may not have much to offer you besides the word of a mother."
Keyleth folds her arms. “So, here’s a suggestion. Try this again, except this time you tell us your actual story. As in, something you didn’t just make up on the spot.”
Realizing Keyleth having seen through the woman's lies Avarice just chuckles, standing with his arms crossed, in his mind already writing off this one.
The woman’s pitiful expression suddenly solidifies Into one of fury, eyes narrowing into pinpricks of pure hate towards Keyleth. Before anyone can react, the woman suddenly stands and extends a band towards Keyleth - the sound of something whistling through the air becomes apparent as a dagger races directly towards Keyleth’s throat, uncovered by an apparatus strapped to the woman’s wrist, previously covered by her cowl. A flick of the woman’s wrist and another aims towards a gap in the laughing Ragnar’s armor.
Bracer of Flying Daggers Attack (Keyleth): 25 Damage: 43 slashing. If you are not immune to being surprised, you take an additional 33 slashing damage. Regardless, you must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw for half of 22 poison damage. Bracer of Flying Daggers Attack (Ragnar): 35 Damage: 8 slashing. If you are not immune to surprise, you take an additional 4 slashing damage. Either way, you must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw for half of 26 poison damage.
The woman’s head leans back in a crazed, mocking laugh. Her skin suddenly drains of color, turning into a papery-white shade of alabaster. Her eyes fade into pale, merciless, pupil-less disks as her original form morphs into something different entirely - with a snap of her (his?) fingers, a cruel, genderless voice emanates from the Changeling; “So, here’s a suggestion - crush the others, release me immediately, and I won’t repaint these walls with your arterial spray. How’s that for an offer?” The Changeling flashes a mischievous grin before pulling their shiftweave cowl over their head - and suddenly disappearing from sight.
??? - Cunning Action to Hide: 35 (cannot roll below 25). Pulling a [Tooltip Not Found] over their head.
Anyone seeing this unsettling visage must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of ??? until the end of your next turn.
A DC 15 History check will reveal this to be a Changeling - doppelgangers who can shift their appearance at will. Some use this gift for good, most use this gift to stay hidden - others abuse this gift, working as perfect spies and assassins. They are unanimously untrusted and often burned at stake - people fear be unknown, after all, even though most are simply attempting to live a normal life.
Others, however, use this gift for evil. A DC 20 History check will bring up some rumors of a Changeling named Nikto Nikovo, who allegedly makes themself known as an open Changeling who is the face of several anarchistic groups and the source of most rebellions in otherwise stable countries. Apparently, they claim watching the world burn for nothing but the fun of it is their goal - and they have infiltrated many a peaceful gathering among elites and ruined peace treaties, infamously assassinating those they please.
Either way, I would like Initiative rolls, please! Nikto Nikovo initiative: 13
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Everyone gets a +5 to all saves, and assuming we are still close no one can be frightened.)
Initiative: 16
Con Save: 18
History: 20
Ragnar's laugh is stifled as a dagger sinks into a gap in his armor. There's a glimpse of anger in his eyes as he draws Frostbrand while his griffon also prepares to attack.
"You're going to regret that."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Wulgar was in mid sentence, saying "Great job little lady Keyleth (as he manages to recover), you would make a great first mate!" Then all hell broke loose. He growls and roars and pulls out his great axe when this starts to go down.
Keyleth's throat definitely gets sliced by that dagger, but somehow, she manages to dodge out of the brunt of it, and though she definitely isn't looking her best, she's on her feet as she draws her shortswords.
CON save: 9
Initiative: 9
She automatically passes the DC 20 History check, and grits her teeth. She’s heard a lot about this Nikto—it’s no wonder they’re here.
WIS save: 17
Even knowing about them, though, she can’t shake the fear that floods her when she sees them. Though she’ll never admit it, she’s lucky for Ragnar’s aura right now—the fear seems to have no effect on her.
Nikto is invisible by virtue of the cloak they pulled over their head. A DC 25 or higher Perception check, magic, or other forms of location will be needed to determine their location.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mulligan basically ignores the attacker except for listening and trying to sense where they are so as to avoid attack. Perception: 30
On his turn, Mulligan shifts position as subtly and nonchalantly as possible to the center of the room where the hammer is and uses Sleight of Hand to try to pick it up unnoticed. Sleight of Hand: 35 If successful, Mulligan then jumps over to Wulgar and swings the hammer at the flask they are holding to try and shatter it and by crushing it eliminate the threat for good... Hopefully.
Attack rolls w/Hammer vs Flask if needed: Attack: 26 Damage: 0
Not sure what damage with this hammer would be? Or if I'd get sneak attack on such a thing?
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Wulgar shouts out "Back in the bottle you go!" He picks up the fourth flask and opens it. When it appears that the Changeling has been taken back into the 3rd flask he will replace the stopper into it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
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"I wonder why the husband escaped judgement then? While the drowning may not have been his blame... from her version of the tale the man saw her decline into despair and neglect of the other children and chose to abandon them all. He could have stayed... or at least taken the surviving children to see they were being cared for." He looks around the room again, growing a bit bolder in challenging their host's morality. "No judgement then for the man who runs from grief? Just for the woman who wallows in it?"
Varan turns back to the apparition from the bottle. "Your sin was not letting Tristan drown. All parents' attentions slip now and again... most breeze past without consequence. You fell to bad luck and the whims of an uncaring universe. No, your sin was in letting your despair ruin you. As Mulligan asks, what would you do now? Would you stitch your soul back together and seek out your living children? Would you put in the hard, thankless work undoing the harm your neglect and absence has done to them, knowing all the while they may never love you the same, but doing it anyway because it is the right thing to do? Or would you take one look at them... at the harm you've caused... at the cold way they look at you... and fall back to pieces?" He will look at her, not cruelly, but without any outward sign of emotion. "Look into yourself. Do you see anything left to save?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“Are we expecting rhyme and reason?” Mulligan asks, curiously. “Consistency? Even us here are an unbalanced lot of sins. Some perhaps even believing themselves to be sin free.”
“Assuming our host does have a very black and white approach to sin, it also seems they weigh all the same. To them an insult may hold the same grave consequences as genocide…” Mulligan continues, mostly just thinking aloud.
“If that be the case, this could all fall to luck. Who has the bad luck of being in our hosts line of sight… no plan, no scheme, just mindless selection of who is available…”
“Then again, this is all assuming we are not being lied to. By our host, by our very senses…” Mulligan considers in a bit of a playful way. “Could be something just got into our heads and is filling them with illusion and deceit. These rooms… these people we are interviewing… even each other… we may all be wisps of mind Magic trying to influence and control us. Could be we just need to awaken to escape…”
“But then again, I suppose that could be true of life itself,” he philosophizes before shrugging and returning to study their newest interview subject.
Avarice had been silent for a while since it became clear their captor had been listening in on their conversation. Even though he didn't expect to see anything he couldn't help but look around in the ceiling for a sign of this entity. "I suppose you could be right about all that Mulligan, but I believe we will have to assume that there is a point to all this and that our captor really thinks there is a right answer to this dilemma. To figure that out who we really should be talking to is our captor I believe, although I admit not having an idea on how to get that conversation going." He says, scratching his chin over this conundrum.
It would seem that the crimes of a negligent mother were on the same level of Ragnar’s. How strange and ironic, he thinks, as he has been anything but negligent as the steward of his realm.
Mulligan’s philosophizing flies over his head.
“This is not meant to be a simple choice. While amongst the others she is perhaps the least responsible for her mistakes, she would also be the least likely to reform her ways. Varan is right. If we release her, what difference does that make? At least she’s remorseful.”
Ragnar speaks with the slow, measured voice in rendering his judgement.
“If we assume our captor to be a benevolent being, I believe that it would want us to release her, for many reasons. We should first interview the last candidate, though.”
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Keyleth arches a brow at Ragnar. “All evidence seems to point to our captor being quite far from benevolent.”
She does wonder if they’re being told the full truth, though. Before speaking to Lisichka, she would dismiss it as the captor evidently having no care for whether something was intentional or not, but given that she’s probably here because of a bribe, that doesn’t really apply. A mother who neglected her living children in her grief for the dead one, who died because she looked away for just a bit too long…it’s tragic, and certainly not commendable, but this seems to be a disproportionate punishment. Which their captor seems to enjoy, but still.
”Varan is right,” Keyleth says to the woman. “Should we free you, should you get a second chance, will you truly use it to make things right?”
She tries to discern the woman’s truthfulness, both in what she said prior and in her response here.
Insight: Unable to parse dice roll.
16 (25)
Keyleth, and Keyleth only - you get a feeling something, something about this woman...is subtly off. Only because of Keyleth's extreme sense of reading people, she recognizes this woman's story seems somehow...basic. Generic. Made up on the spot. In fact, when Keyleth remembers the woman's eyes flicker to the picture painted on her flask...Keyleth realizes this woman's story has been spun entirely on the fly to fit in with what the flask showed.
"I will-" the woman thickly swallows. "If you - if you grant me this opportunity, I will devote the last of my life to my children. Please, I beg of you - I will change. I want to change. I love my children more than I love myself - I wish to, above all else, see them smile again." She wipes the tears from her eyes. "I have made mistakes, and I may not have much to offer you besides the word of a mother."
Keyleth folds her arms. “So, here’s a suggestion. Try this again, except this time you tell us your actual story. As in, something you didn’t just make up on the spot.”
Realizing Keyleth having seen through the woman's lies Avarice just chuckles, standing with his arms crossed, in his mind already writing off this one.
Now Ragnar laughs as well. He says to Mulligan, "I told you something was off! What an act- you even managed to fool me! Good job, Keyleth."
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
The woman’s pitiful expression suddenly solidifies Into one of fury, eyes narrowing into pinpricks of pure hate towards Keyleth. Before anyone can react, the woman suddenly stands and extends a band towards Keyleth - the sound of something whistling through the air becomes apparent as a dagger races directly towards Keyleth’s throat, uncovered by an apparatus strapped to the woman’s wrist, previously covered by her cowl. A flick of the woman’s wrist and another aims towards a gap in the laughing Ragnar’s armor.
Bracer of Flying Daggers Attack (Keyleth): 25 Damage: 43 slashing. If you are not immune to being surprised, you take an additional 33 slashing damage. Regardless, you must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw for half of 22 poison damage.
Bracer of Flying Daggers Attack (Ragnar): 35 Damage: 8 slashing. If you are not immune to surprise, you take an additional 4 slashing damage. Either way, you must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw for half of 26 poison damage.
The woman’s head leans back in a crazed, mocking laugh. Her skin suddenly drains of color, turning into a papery-white shade of alabaster. Her eyes fade into pale, merciless, pupil-less disks as her original form morphs into something different entirely - with a snap of her (his?) fingers, a cruel, genderless voice emanates from the Changeling; “So, here’s a suggestion - crush the others, release me immediately, and I won’t repaint these walls with your arterial spray. How’s that for an offer?” The Changeling flashes a mischievous grin before pulling their shiftweave cowl over their head - and suddenly disappearing from sight.
??? - Cunning Action to Hide: 35 (cannot roll below 25).
Pulling a [Tooltip Not Found] over their head.
Anyone seeing this unsettling visage must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of ??? until the end of your next turn.
A DC 15 History check will reveal this to be a Changeling - doppelgangers who can shift their appearance at will. Some use this gift for good, most use this gift to stay hidden - others abuse this gift, working as perfect spies and assassins. They are unanimously untrusted and often burned at stake - people fear be unknown, after all, even though most are simply attempting to live a normal life.
Others, however, use this gift for evil. A DC 20 History check will bring up some rumors of a Changeling named Nikto Nikovo, who allegedly makes themself known as an open Changeling who is the face of several anarchistic groups and the source of most rebellions in otherwise stable countries. Apparently, they claim watching the world burn for nothing but the fun of it is their goal - and they have infiltrated many a peaceful gathering among elites and ruined peace treaties, infamously assassinating those they please.
Either way, I would like Initiative rolls, please!
Nikto Nikovo initiative: 13
History check for recognizing changeling... 13
WIS Save: 6
Varanitiative: 18
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
(Everyone gets a +5 to all saves, and assuming we are still close no one can be frightened.)
Initiative: 16
Con Save: 18
History: 20
Ragnar's laugh is stifled as a dagger sinks into a gap in his armor. There's a glimpse of anger in his eyes as he draws Frostbrand while his griffon also prepares to attack.
"You're going to regret that."
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Wulgar was in mid sentence, saying "Great job
little ladyKeyleth (as he manages to recover), you would make a great first mate!" Then all hell broke loose. He growls and roars and pulls out his great axe when this starts to go down.History check : 19
Wisdom save : 20
Initiative : 17
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Keyleth's throat definitely gets sliced by that dagger, but somehow, she manages to dodge out of the brunt of it, and though she definitely isn't looking her best, she's on her feet as she draws her shortswords.
CON save: 9
Initiative: 9
She automatically passes the DC 20 History check, and grits her teeth. She’s heard a lot about this Nikto—it’s no wonder they’re here.
WIS save: 17
Even knowing about them, though, she can’t shake the fear that floods her when she sees them. Though she’ll never admit it, she’s lucky for Ragnar’s aura right now—the fear seems to have no effect on her.
Avarice's eyes widen in surprise as the shapeshifter attacks.
History with advice from Vorax: 14
Wis save: 11
Initiative: 17
DC 18 Wisdom save VS Frightened: 19
DC 15 or 20 History Check: 14
Initiative: 24
---
(Missed the +5 to saves via Ragnar but I think I am good anyway...)
Ragnar - 25
Mulligan - 23
Varan - 18
Wulgar - 17
Avarice - 17
Nikto Nikovo - 13
Keyleth - 9
Nikto is invisible by virtue of the cloak they pulled over their head. A DC 25 or higher Perception check, magic, or other forms of location will be needed to determine their location.
Mulligan basically ignores the attacker except for listening and trying to sense where they are so as to avoid attack. Perception: 30
On his turn, Mulligan shifts position as subtly and nonchalantly as possible to the center of the room where the hammer is and uses Sleight of Hand to try to pick it up unnoticed. Sleight of Hand: 35 If successful, Mulligan then jumps over to Wulgar and swings the hammer at the flask they are holding to try and shatter it and by crushing it eliminate the threat for good... Hopefully.
Attack rolls w/Hammer vs Flask if needed: Attack: 26 Damage: 0
Not sure what damage with this hammer would be? Or if I'd get sneak attack on such a thing?
Varan ducks behind the nearest pillar. (I think I'm far enough away from Ragnar that I still fail the save and am frightened.)
"Wulgar! The rules! Command the wretch back into the bottle!"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Wulgar shouts out "Back in the bottle you go!" He picks up the fourth flask and opens it. When it appears that the Changeling has been taken back into the 3rd flask he will replace the stopper into it.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.