This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Perhaps Pardot's magic veiling us all in shadows will be sufficient to allow us to sneak up on the village. Edgar reports the Yuan-Ti are torturing the gripplis there. I suppose we could use a prisoner to interrogate but there is nothing to suggest these abominations otherwise deserve anything but a quick death." Ludolf says grimly, ready to follow Daventry to the village along one of the breakwater flanks. Edgar meanwhile surveys the village from the skies, trying to warn if the team seems to be noticed.
Stealth: 20 Another roll if still advantage: 18 + Guidance: 4 Perception: 14
Crouched by a tree, Daventry looks at the options.
"The opposite shore if we go north looks swampy. It'll be harder to move through I bet, though more cover. The way south looks more solid, but looks like there is a stream we will have to cross."
She looks to the guides, then to Triasa to translate. "Is there a bridge, or is the stream in your village easily crossed?"
If either answer is yes, south seems the best way with Pardot's spell.
Triäsa translates Ludolf's question to the grippli and relays the answer to the others. "There are buildings both sides of the river. We can start to the south and deal with the river when the moment comes."
"Agreed. And if the pools with the eggs are on the south bank, best we take those yuan-ti by surprise first. That way no one can hold the eggs hostage..."
Daventry nods to the two grippli guides and Triasa. "Shall we? Take us to the egg pools as quietly as you can." And she follows as they lead the southern path.
Triäsa explains to the grippli the direction they have decided to go - toward the egg pools - and asks them if there is anything they should be wary of in going that way.
Bullgup shakes his head, "Just the snakes..." Carefully, he picks his way down the shoreline the grippli leading the way as quickly and silently as possible (We will ride your crazy stealth rolls from the last round...) It takes a good 20 minutes or so of walking the shore before you reach the edge of the Cloakwood. Bullgup leads you just into the tree line as you make your final approach on the breading pools. You get glimpses of the village as you walk in the trees. The simple domes of the grippli’s residences and storage buildings are spread haphazardly around the marsh. Mud-brick with wicker roofs, they’re modest affairs, primitively decorated with giant crab claws. Most are empty and show signs of abandonment. It's very, eerily quiet you don't see any movement and Edgar keeps a careful eye on the Yaun-ti who patrol the village. None approach your location.
To be continued....
Mysterious DM rolls
4749575
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
You hunker down in the tree line just briefly as you arrive at the breeding pools. Four female appearing Yuan-ti and two male guard three clearly abused and battered gripple. The females could almost pass as attractive humans if you didn't look closely. Thankfully you do look and as you closely examine the women you see patches of rough scales and abnormally elongated, pointed noses and serpentine eyes. Their forked tongues flick out of their mouths tasting the air revealing thier true nature. Long knives remain sheathed at their side. The men are unmistakable in their true nature. Their human upper body sits atop a serpentine lower body. Muscular with cruelty radiating from it's very being each carries a scimitar as it slithers from pool to pool.
The grippli stand next to separate pools delicately and lovingly caring for the eggs submerged in the water below. You stand there watching a mere 30 feet away from one of the grippli when you hear a larger, male Yuan-ti say, "Ah, excellent work slave. The eggs grow nicely perhaps I'll let this one hatch to replace you once we kill you. You will die here, probably soon." An evil smirk crosses his face as he picks a larger egg up between a strong index and forefinger. "Then again it looks so, incredibly, delicious."He tosses the egg into the air and where he catches it nimbly in his mouth. He bites down on it loudly crunching on the shell as he lets the yolk careless spill from his teeth. He then spits the egg shells into the face of the horrified frog and slaps him violently to the ground. "Your children are delicious." He chuckles and turns away as the grippli weeps in sorrow.
None of the creatures have noticed your presence as Pardot's spell wears off.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Ludolf snarls quietly and grits his teeth in almost furious anger over the atrocities he witnesses, glancing over at Daventry for permission to deal swift death to these immensely cruel abominations.
Daventry holds up her hand in a "wait" gesture to Ludolf.
She taps Bullgup and Quartle, and points out the two Yuan-ti to the furthest right, then makes a fist and hits the inside of her other hand. Fight those.
She then motions to the rest of the group, circling her hand above her head, then pointing at herself, then pointing at the Yuan-ti who just ate the egg. All as one, my lead, on him.
She looks to the group for acknowledgement, and pulls her blade out quietly, ready to charge in while the moment of ambush is upon them.
Pardot, seeing the horror in front of him, and then his companions reactions, does the same, readying his staff and focus, looking towards the fiends in front of him, prepared to follow his companions into dealing with them..
You all get advantage on attack rolls for this surprise round. Numbering on bad guys is done from left to right. I'll add numbers to the next map update.
Your grippli guides nod back at Daventry with a strong determination and eagerness to exact revenge. They grip their spears tightly waiting for their moment. An uncomfortable stillness fills the air as the anticipation of battle builds. The snakes are oblivious to the danger lurking just beyond the treeline. Edgar crows proudly overhead!
Surprise Round!
All PCs may go. Bullgup and Quartle will post last.
Initiative:
Ludolf (0)
Pureblood 3 (0)
Daventry (0)
Triäsa (0)
Pardot (0)
Pureblood 4 (0)
Bullgup (0)
Quartle (0)
Pureblood 1 (0)
Pureblood 2 (0)
Malison 1 (0)
Malison 2 (0)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Daventry nods, sets her feet, and sprints at the egg-eater. As she runs, a shimmering sheen seems to surround her, and she attempts to drive her blade through the yuan-ti's back before slicing upward.
Bonus Action: Shield of Faith, +2 AC
Attack 1: 27 (19+8, other dice 8)
Attack 2: 23 (15+8, other dice 1)
As her second strike lands, she shouts at the yuan-ti torturers, "Your cruelty ends here!"and a burst of golden power trails from her blade, exploding forth from the creature's wound.
Triäsa watches what happens with eating the egg and steels herself for this fight. She will stay in place, targeting whichever yuan-ti is next closest to where Daventry has run. She makes a motion with her hands, chanting arcane words to cast [/spell]Fire Bolt;Force Bolt[/spell]. (Spell Attack: 24 Damage: 12 force)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Standing at Triäsa's side, Ludolf calls upon his eldritch powers to swiftly curse the yuan-ti on their left flank, turning his piercing gray eyes on her to blast the cruel abomination with gray eldritch force.
Daventry erupts from the tree line followed closely by the Grippli warriors. As she closes the distance Ludolf and Triäsa's magic zing past her. Ludolf's first bolt strikes the Yuan-ti squarely in the chest while the second sails just wide. Triäsa bolt of force crashes in female yuan-ti just behind Ludolf's target (If you rather hit another one just let me know you said next to so I went with Pureblood 3)
As she charges Daventry's form shimmers and wavers with the edges of her form blurring leaving her just out of focus. It's as if you are just waking from sleep and your eyes are not able to focus on her form.
Her blade catches a glimpse of light as it slices through the snake creature drawing deep, red blood. The creature reels back as a blast of force accompanies the second blow the moment it strikes the creature, orange and red motes of light erupt from the point of contact and linger in the air before dissipating. Bloody and beaten the creature remains standing. The enslaved frogs gasp sharply at the violence but a wave of hope crosses each ones face.
Pardot and Ludolf are up (The Grippli had to dash unfortunately to get to their location)
Updated Map
Initiative and damage tracker
Ludolf (0)
Pureblood 3 (12)
Daventry (0)
Triäsa (0)
Pardot (0)
Pureblood 4 (0)
Bullgup (0)
Quartle (0)
Pureblood 1 (0)
Pureblood 2 (0)
Malison 1 (54)
Malison 2 (0)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Triäsa looks to Daventry. "Any thoughts on the best way to approach? Cover would be best, but I am not sure how much cover there is."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Perhaps Pardot's magic veiling us all in shadows will be sufficient to allow us to sneak up on the village. Edgar reports the Yuan-Ti are torturing the gripplis there. I suppose we could use a prisoner to interrogate but there is nothing to suggest these abominations otherwise deserve anything but a quick death." Ludolf says grimly, ready to follow Daventry to the village along one of the breakwater flanks. Edgar meanwhile surveys the village from the skies, trying to warn if the team seems to be noticed.
Stealth: 20 Another roll if still advantage: 18 + Guidance: 4
Perception: 14
Crouched by a tree, Daventry looks at the options.
"The opposite shore if we go north looks swampy. It'll be harder to move through I bet, though more cover. The way south looks more solid, but looks like there is a stream we will have to cross."
She looks to the guides, then to Triasa to translate. "Is there a bridge, or is the stream in your village easily crossed?"
If either answer is yes, south seems the best way with Pardot's spell.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
The grippli shakes his head and says in thier tongue, "No bridges, the water from the river is calm but deep. Can you swim?"
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Triäsa translates Ludolf's question to the grippli and relays the answer to the others. "There are buildings both sides of the river. We can start to the south and deal with the river when the moment comes."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Agreed. And if the pools with the eggs are on the south bank, best we take those yuan-ti by surprise first. That way no one can hold the eggs hostage..."
Daventry nods to the two grippli guides and Triasa. "Shall we? Take us to the egg pools as quietly as you can." And she follows as they lead the southern path.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Triäsa explains to the grippli the direction they have decided to go - toward the egg pools - and asks them if there is anything they should be wary of in going that way.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Bullgup shakes his head, "Just the snakes..." Carefully, he picks his way down the shoreline the grippli leading the way as quickly and silently as possible (We will ride your crazy stealth rolls from the last round...) It takes a good 20 minutes or so of walking the shore before you reach the edge of the Cloakwood. Bullgup leads you just into the tree line as you make your final approach on the breading pools. You get glimpses of the village as you walk in the trees. The simple domes of the grippli’s residences and storage buildings are spread haphazardly around the marsh. Mud-brick with wicker roofs, they’re modest affairs, primitively decorated with giant crab claws. Most are empty and show signs of abandonment. It's very, eerily quiet you don't see any movement and Edgar keeps a careful eye on the Yaun-ti who patrol the village. None approach your location.
To be continued....
Mysterious DM rolls
4 7 4 9 5 7 5
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
You hunker down in the tree line just briefly as you arrive at the breeding pools. Four female appearing Yuan-ti and two male guard three clearly abused and battered gripple. The females could almost pass as attractive humans if you didn't look closely. Thankfully you do look and as you closely examine the women you see patches of rough scales and abnormally elongated, pointed noses and serpentine eyes. Their forked tongues flick out of their mouths tasting the air revealing thier true nature. Long knives remain sheathed at their side. The men are unmistakable in their true nature. Their human upper body sits atop a serpentine lower body. Muscular with cruelty radiating from it's very being each carries a scimitar as it slithers from pool to pool.
The grippli stand next to separate pools delicately and lovingly caring for the eggs submerged in the water below. You stand there watching a mere 30 feet away from one of the grippli when you hear a larger, male Yuan-ti say, "Ah, excellent work slave. The eggs grow nicely perhaps I'll let this one hatch to replace you once we kill you. You will die here, probably soon." An evil smirk crosses his face as he picks a larger egg up between a strong index and forefinger. "Then again it looks so, incredibly, delicious." He tosses the egg into the air and where he catches it nimbly in his mouth. He bites down on it loudly crunching on the shell as he lets the yolk careless spill from his teeth. He then spits the egg shells into the face of the horrified frog and slaps him violently to the ground. "Your children are delicious." He chuckles and turns away as the grippli weeps in sorrow.
None of the creatures have noticed your presence as Pardot's spell wears off.
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Ludolf snarls quietly and grits his teeth in almost furious anger over the atrocities he witnesses, glancing over at Daventry for permission to deal swift death to these immensely cruel abominations.
(What are the distances on the map? :-)
It's 30 feet from your location to the center group and 40 to the group on the right. Sorry this map does not have lines.
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Daventry holds up her hand in a "wait" gesture to Ludolf.
She taps Bullgup and Quartle, and points out the two Yuan-ti to the furthest right, then makes a fist and hits the inside of her other hand. Fight those.
She then motions to the rest of the group, circling her hand above her head, then pointing at herself, then pointing at the Yuan-ti who just ate the egg. All as one, my lead, on him.
She looks to the group for acknowledgement, and pulls her blade out quietly, ready to charge in while the moment of ambush is upon them.
Initiative: 12
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Pardot, seeing the horror in front of him, and then his companions reactions, does the same, readying his staff and focus, looking towards the fiends in front of him, prepared to follow his companions into dealing with them..
initiative 10
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
You all get advantage on attack rolls for this surprise round. Numbering on bad guys is done from left to right. I'll add numbers to the next map update.
Initiative:
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Your grippli guides nod back at Daventry with a strong determination and eagerness to exact revenge. They grip their spears tightly waiting for their moment. An uncomfortable stillness fills the air as the anticipation of battle builds. The snakes are oblivious to the danger lurking just beyond the treeline. Edgar crows proudly overhead!
Surprise Round!
All PCs may go. Bullgup and Quartle will post last.
Initiative:
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Daventry nods, sets her feet, and sprints at the egg-eater. As she runs, a shimmering sheen seems to surround her, and she attempts to drive her blade through the yuan-ti's back before slicing upward.
Bonus Action: Shield of Faith, +2 AC
Attack 1: 27 (19+8, other dice 8)
Attack 2: 23 (15+8, other dice 1)
As her second strike lands, she shouts at the yuan-ti torturers, "Your cruelty ends here!" and a burst of golden power trails from her blade, exploding forth from the creature's wound.
Damage: 14, 14, and 11 Divine Smite!
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Triäsa watches what happens with eating the egg and steels herself for this fight. She will stay in place, targeting whichever yuan-ti is next closest to where Daventry has run. She makes a motion with her hands, chanting arcane words to cast [/spell]Fire Bolt;Force Bolt[/spell].
(Spell Attack: 24 Damage: 12 force)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Standing at Triäsa's side, Ludolf calls upon his eldritch powers to swiftly curse the yuan-ti on their left flank, turning his piercing gray eyes on her to blast the cruel abomination with gray eldritch force.
Bonus Action: Hex (Dex)
Eldritch Blast: 25 Force: 6 Necrotic: 2
Eldritch Blast: 11 Force: 7 Necrotic: 3
Daventry erupts from the tree line followed closely by the Grippli warriors. As she closes the distance Ludolf and Triäsa's magic zing past her. Ludolf's first bolt strikes the Yuan-ti squarely in the chest while the second sails just wide. Triäsa bolt of force crashes in female yuan-ti just behind Ludolf's target (If you rather hit another one just let me know you said next to so I went with Pureblood 3)
As she charges Daventry's form shimmers and wavers with the edges of her form blurring leaving her just out of focus. It's as if you are just waking from sleep and your eyes are not able to focus on her form.
Her blade catches a glimpse of light as it slices through the snake creature drawing deep, red blood. The creature reels back as a blast of force accompanies the second blow the moment it strikes the creature, orange and red motes of light erupt from the point of contact and linger in the air before dissipating. Bloody and beaten the creature remains standing. The enslaved frogs gasp sharply at the violence but a wave of hope crosses each ones face.
Pardot and Ludolf are up (The Grippli had to dash unfortunately to get to their location)
Updated Map
Initiative and damage tracker
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Ludolf calls upon his eldritch powers, his piercing gray eyes staring at the cruel abomination, blasting it with gray eldritch force.
Eldritch Blast: 13 Force: 10 Necrotic: 5
Eldritch Blast: 25 Force: 13 Necrotic: 5
+ Maddening Hex for 5 psychic damage to target and other enemies within 5 feet.
He then takes a step back into the treeline for full cover if possible.