Snow‘s communication is unanswered by the Eye and seems to have no effect. Meanwhile, Tamazaert rushes ahead, keeping to the wall, ending at J1.
Sorakayoshi’s shield, embellished with arcane runes, previously hanging under the level of the tram wall, comes up in the captain’s grip as Auger’s guiding bolt fires from the darkness, and the shield seems to draw the bolt to it, dissipating its energy on contact. “Now, now. There’s no need to resort to violence, mmm?,” the tall Jenghen smiles.
The Yemma’s Diadem’s attacks flash brilliantly into the tram. The star landing on Sorakayoshi is absorbed almost fully by his shield, and his armor too, which glows red for a moment then cools down once again. The star landing lightly on Abadolla, on the other hand, consumes the Orracan, perhaps mortally, setting his clothes and soul patch aflame. He shrieks in agony, slapping uselessly at the flames, and drops under the level of the tram wall and out of view.
The other star flashes and overwhelms Guards 4, 5, and 6 who fall, flaming and limp, from the tram to crash through the treetops below. (OOC: yes I totaled the effects of all three upon those in range.) Guard 3 whirls, trying to escape the flame, and falls onto the tram floor out of view. The diadem attacks have no effect whatsoever on the tram, the crossbow men on the roof, or the Eye.
Two crossbow bolts exchange fire, zipping into the darkness, targeting the spot from which the attacks seem to have originated, and therefore firing at disadvantage. One clatters against the back wall, the other, 16 /5HP.
Sorakayoshi groans ironically, “Well if it must be violence...!,” and Auger sees Dairiku Sorakayoshi’s hand raise, gathering energy whose pattern Auger recognizes, and the southerner witnesses not two, but six bolts of twisting red and black energy, firing at one second intervals, targeting the exact spot from which the guiding bolt originated. Auger can tell Sorakayoshi is firing blind, and therefore at disadvantage. The blasts crackle through the space Auger is occupying. 22 for 11HP; 14 for 8HP; 11 for 11HP; 13 for 13HP; 25 for 12HP; and 14 for 6HP
The beams that miss crash into the back wall in Tamazaert's exact location, throwing shards of stone around her and Snow as they rush west.
“Sorikayishi? You were wise to run when he told you to. But he should know better. CLEAR!,” the rider’s voice booms in its brazen tone, and the stevedores dash out of the nest and onto the gangway. Varielky senses Benita behind her, unseen, with crossbow raised and pointing at the rider. Then, suddenly, a sharp breeze from the shield-maiden’s flank, and the roc your company injured earlier streaks up to arc around the rider you address. “HOSTILE! GET HER!,” yells the new arrival, and a double firebolt shoots from the rider’s hand at Varielky as the assembled guards take heed of this warning, raise shields, and drop into defensive crouches.
The firebolts roll at disadvantage due to Varielky’s spellguard shield, which absorbs the first attack. The second is a rolled 1, and hits one of the nurses by accident. She is incinerated, her smoking skeleton clatters to the rocky ground.
(OOC: Re: disarming attack: No. A roc is not holding its rider. You could make the rider drop the control reins or his shield. If you want to target the harness you can. However, it is made of thick leather cuirass and could withstand quite a bit of punishment.)
OOC: Shield makes no difference so Auger is struck twice. The Darkness goes down with the first blow (concentration roll: 2 +2 = 4). Auger hurts! Will post more later
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Auger sends seething energies into the tram. Again and again. He sees guards burn and fall to the ground. And maybe the one who Varielky fought. But the Imperial Captain proved more formidable. As some of the six returning blasts find their mark, Auger is hurt badly. He is unable to maintain his Darkness and sees little point in trying again now. Turning back, Py still on his shoulder, Auger says to the others, "Run!"
He does so himself, invoking his power to move in order to get back out of range and out of sight quickly. "Get up the stairs! Now!"
Auger moves and dashes up the stairs and ends his turn at C2 where he makes himself prone if he is still in sight of the tram (or ducks behind any low railing should there be one).
Not sure if Py goes with Auger on a Misty Step, probably not, so it follows Auger and ends its turn at G2, still invisible.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Well, that closes the lid on this approach. She should have known it wouldn't work, but at the same time, it's not like she had a better idea. "Move away!" Varielky commands the nurses. "Hey! If that's your best aim you're better come down and fight me face to face! You're hitting the nurses!"
More importantly, though, Varielky needs to stop the roc from taking off, and there aren't many options left. Varielky starts running towards the roc, drawing her handaxe on the way. While running, Varielky begins to breathe differently, hyperventilate her systems and willingly release adrenalin. She needs her muscles to work even harder now. When she thinks she's within possible range, Varielky hurls the axe towards the roc. "HEY! Big stupid bird! You'll die if you fly!"
Bonus Action: Rage. Varielky will now have resistance to all Bludgeoning, Slashing and Piercing damage (and some other buffs). Move: 30' in a straight line towards the roc. It's hard to calculate in the 30' grid map, but I believe this can get her somewhere next to #5 (on the map, at least) and hopefully within 60' of the roc to throw a hand axe. Action: Attack the roc using her hand-axe. Attack: (14, 14 - disadvantage)+8=22 to hit, 1+7+2=10 damage. Assuming that hit, Varielky would use a superiority die to use Menacing Attack manoeuvre, which adds 3 to the damage, for a total of 13, and forces the roc to succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom save or be frightened of Varielky until the end of her next turn. (I know that the condition technically causes the roc to be unable to come close, but my intention, and hope, is that a roc is just an animal and that the rider would lose control - even momentarily - on a scared animal. If that doesn't work that's also fine. Varielky might not be aware of it but Sura isn't there anyway.)
The shield-maiden’s hand axe flips through the air, striking the enormous roc’s beak and causing it to recoil and suffer the frightened condition for the next round. (OOC: The frightened condition has no impact on animal handling rolls unless the beast is directed to do something its frightened condition does not allow.)
A crossbow bolt zips over Varielky’s head to strike the roc rider through the neck—or would have except that he shifts his long shield up just an inch to deflect most of the force of the shot, but he still suffers 10HP damage.
The roc’s huge wings spread, the rider yanks up and away on the reins, and the bird lifts off the ground 120’ directly away from Varielky, both the bird and rider dodging.
The second rider shouts back to Varielky, “If you hadn’t dodged, she’d still be alive. Why don’t you come up here?,” and releases another firebolt which splashes harmlessly against Varielky’s shield.
Auger retreats, Tamazaert hurries up the stairs just ahead of him, Granophyre beside her. The tram is not within sight, and although another round of crossbow bolts and twisting blasts pummel the walls behind you as you flee, nothing connects.
“I’m all right,” comes Tamazaert’s reply to Snow, as she carefully and expediently carries the sleeping bundle up the stairs.
“Is that Sura? THANK the elders!!,” says Granophyre, huffing slightly up the stairs. “Varielky and Benita are trying to keep the last babies from being carried off on the back of a roc upstairs! I fear she may be in danger!”
You are now situated like so. As a reminder, once you reach the guard tower, the distance is some 45’ to the Aerie itself where you would be able to see out to where Varielky is. Here’s how that last looked (ignore the character markers).
Auger continues his mad dash up the stairs. The others hear the buzzing of Py's wings as it catches up to and then passes above their heads and into the guardroom.
Auger knows the current safety is only momentary but still. He had wanted to come up here. To the aerie. And now he needs to know what it is that draws him this way. He lets those impulses guide his direction as he reaches the guardhouse. There he let's his attention pass between the open door to outside, the stairs up and the entrances into the other rooms. What is it? What is pulling at him? Which way does the pull tell him to go?
Auger then processes what Granophyre stated and focuses outside, trying to see what is going on. The last babies, Auger thinks. Despite everything Auger remembers himself and where he comes from and mumbles a quick blessing towards Varielky and Benita in the name of Piya, hoping she would watch them and aid them in their work.
Details
Auger moves and dashes to D5 on the Guardhouse map (assuming he did not end the previous turn in the prone position).
Py, still invisible, dashes along with him ending its turn just ahead of Auger at E5.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"NO!" Varielky shouts, but words don't matter. The roc with the babies is too far now. In hindsight, she should have targeted the rider. If only she were closer because hitting the roc already felt like a difficult throw.
In frustration, Varielky draws Dreygaard and lashes against the guards surrounding her, instantly decapitating one, and severely wounding another. "I cannot fly, though I would if I could! On the other hand, you are just a coward, afraid to die as quickly as these low-ranking guards." This time, Varielky notices that the state she's in does not only empower her body but her emotions too. Frustration, guilt, irritation and, well, pridefulness too. That doesn't bother her too much. None of these are new, she's only feeling them more intensely now.
"Are all you riders captains? You sure don't act like ones! One who commands troops should lead first into battle, not cower in safety while your subordinates die! You throw sparks from a safe distance. I wouldn't serve under a commander like that." Varielky turns to the guards who yet stand. "You don't have to throw your lives for this coward. Flee!"
Action: Attack, #2 first and then #3. It seems the guards until now had 15 or 16 HP, I think, so I'll assume that. If somehow #2 doesn't die to the first attack, Varielky still attacks #3 with her second attack. Attack #1: 17+10=27 to hit, 6+9+2=17 damage. Attack #2: 13+10=23 to hit, 2+9+2=13 damage.
Snow heads into the guardhouse and takes a look around, trying to figure out where the others went. Assuming the Aerie is up, he looks for stairs upwards and bolts up them.
"I will check on Varielky and Benita, everyone keep up as best you can".
Movement and Dash: As far as he can get towards the Aerie.
Guard #2 falls, and Guard #3 is sorely wounded as Varielky’s red-steel blade clangs against or slices through their shields and armor.
Benita rushes forward, no crossbow in hand now, but with a rope she picked up from somewhere, and she runs, leaps, and lassos one of the claws of the roc ridden by the sorcerer attacking Varielky. Swinging high in the air, she begins to climb upward. “I’m not going to let that other one get away with Sura!!!,” she screams.
Guards 1, 3, 4 and 5 attack Varielky, but they are no match for the shield-maiden’s ferocity, rolling 8, 9, and 10 (terrible rolls!), and 23 for 7HP from Guard #5.
The roc from which Benita is hanging wheels and then slashes the rope with its beak, and Benita falls to earth again, shouting, “NO!,” to rebound off of a nest, which breaks her fall, but she nonetheless lands hard and prone while the huge bird pulls up. Its rider bathes the raven-haired woman in flame for 12HP damage, while you see the first roc, carrying the babies, disappearing into the night over the near mountain slopes.
For the sake of convenience I’m going to say Auger, Snow, Granophyre and Tamazaert pass through the guardhouse and reach its entry at the end of this round, where you see the high Bantus reaching skyward in the near distance, veins of snow cutting through the looming black peaks under swirling gray clouds, and nearer, enormous rocs nests, on four of which are perched the giant red-brown-feathered birds. Gangways lead to each of them, and proximate to the nearest such dock are nurses and stevedores rushing away from the melee in which Varielky and Benita are embroiled against four imperial guards, one roc flying above them 60’ in the air, another now some 300’ beyond them, its wings flapping in slow strokes.
To either side of the aerie, right and left, airships whose flags show the imperial dagger-moon are docked and anchored, sails furled, floating ten or twenty feet above the ground.
Auger’s attention is immediately pulled toward the roc farthest from the guardhouse, at B5. It – the roc – he knows for a certainty, is the source of the pull he’s been feeling these last weeks.
Here is the view from the Guardhouse entryway which Varielky and Granophyre saw earlier from the turret. One of the middle rocs in the illustration is now gone, while the one Snow caused to crash while en route is now circling over that central area.
"The Roc,"Auger says, pointing as he steps out into the aerie. "The Roc in the distance there has drawn me this way."Auger moves along with the others, even dashing as needed to keep up but his mind is wholly on the large bird in the distance. Py keeps up with Auger on its own.
If this is creating the sensation of... family... or something like it... then how is that possible. Is it friendly? Will it help? Is it their salvation? Is it the way to fly... yes... yes, perhaps to fly out of here. With the others? Its large enough for many people. But can they all be secured? And how do I... how do I even approach it?
Auger allows his attention to snap back to Benita and Varielky as they catch up to them, but given who is behind them, he wonders about heading straight for the enormous bird.
Details
Auger and Py move and dash along with the others, presumably towards where Varielky and Benita are engaged with the soldiers and the flier on the Roc. I believe the scale here is 30' per square so Auger will finish his turn in N21.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"You think the Roc is our escape route then? What about the airships?", he asks Auger as he sprints off. He shrugs and moves after him, trying not to outpace Tamazaert.
Seeing Benita closer to him than Varielky, and not wanting to draw the Roc's attention to themselves, he whispers to Benita, "We are here and have Sura. Do we have an escape plan? Sorakayoshi is close behind us with more guards".
Movement: 30' towards the others Action: Message to Benita
(OOC: Would Snow know how to pilot an airship? How long would it take to get moving if so?)
(I suppose 7 damage before resistance? Or is it after?)
"Benita!" Varielky calls as her friend falls, but seeing that she lands on the nest, she imagines Benita would be fine. Considering it's Benita, she probably wouldn't have gotten mortally injured even if she fell right on the floor, maybe. But still, now that even Benita couldn't stop the other roc, it is clear they failed. All that remains is hope that Sura was in the lower level, but would the roc have taken flight if there were babies remaining?
Varielky chooses not to think about it, for the moment. Right now, there was no way she could help it. Instead, she focuses on the soldiers around her. "You should have retreated. Now you no longer get a chance. But I commend that commitment and bravery of yours. May you serve the gods well in the afterlife." Immediately after she finishes these words, the head of the guard who hit her before is detached from its shoulders. Varielky's blade doesn't stop there, though. The backhand slash is strong enough to cut through that guard's neck and continue to the next one. At reduced strength now, perhaps, but still enough to gravely wound the last guard.
["Thor!"] Varielky prays in Dreyen, ["May your thunder send these brave souls to feast in Hallvala!"] The last word is already impossible to hear, as a loud, deafening thunder rolls from Varielky's armour.
Action: Attack, first guard #5, then #4. Attack #1: 16+10=26 to hit, 5+11=16 damage. Attack #2: 6+10=16 to hit, 3+11=14 damage. Bonus Action: Through Thunder, Varielky casts Shatter as described in the armour's description. So a DC18 Constitution save for any within 10' of Varielky, taking 22 thunder damage on a failure, not sure whether half or not on success (the armour mentions nothing, but the normal spell shows half damage on a successful save).
A deafening blast followed by blue-cloaked, lifeless bodies flung through the air to roll and slide face down upon the aerie floor. At the epicenter stands the brass-armored shield-maiden who has ended the melee by unleashing the seismic power of Thunder.
Benita pushes herself up, watching the child-carrying roc recede out of sight into the distance and even with the second roc wheeling dangerously above, holds Varielky’s eyes grimly, failure and despondence writ upon her features. But at that moment, Varielky sees, behind her friend in the near distance, the others emerge from the guardhouse, as if in slow-motion (grim minor chords resounding in the soundtrack): Snow first, then Auger, and at first hidden behind them, Tamazaert. Benita turns to take in the focus of Varielky’s glance. (As the soundtrack swells and minor modulates to slow, triumphant major), Benita and Varielky now discern that Tamazaert, the young mother, is holding something she hadn’t been when they arrived at the landing earlier, not a pack, not a shield… a baby. Sura!
Benita’s eyes close as they moisten with tears of relief, a silent prayer in her heart as Granophyre, bringing up the rear, comes into view, his golden bird fluttering upon his shoulder. La Cass hears Snow’s message and replies silently, “I see you! The plan is: get the flock out of here! Can you fly one of those airships??”
Burnt but rallying, Benita runs to pick up the filched crossbow once again and launches another bolt, but it rebounds off of the roc-rider’s shield.
He fires back with a jet of flame, but the comely Indallian seems to slip away in the shadows, the bolt lands nowhere near her.
Now you all hear a piercing horn call from the landing — no doubt a cry for backup to the garrison regiment at El Harrouch Castle.
As Auger leaves the guardhouse, dashing toward that particular roc — which he begins to notice, is smaller than the others — Auger sees, from a distance, its head, which had been tucked under a wing in sleep, swivel up, waking, as it directs its gaze directly at the warlock.
Snow notices that of the two airships, one’s construction, the one to the right, is of a type he recognizes as an older model from The Kingdoms. He has flown upon them before, especially in his youth, and he has childhood memories of holding the pilot’s wheel and manipulating control pedals and levers as the ship soared through the clouds. How long does it take to launch? It depends on the ship’s status, crew, Captain. It will take time for Snow to absorb these details. Snow notices on this ship, at the gunwale, a single point of red light, perhaps a crewman smoking a pipe. Granophyre and Tanazaert are following Snow, a bit behind, and dodging. The old sage is helping the young mother along if needed.
(OOC: Varielky: the damage last round was 7HP before resistance. I’ll try to remember to do the math before posting. All the enemies surrounding you were destroyed.
All: The squares (or diamonds rather) on the map are 30’ per side.) Same map as last round, almost. Please track your movement.
The fight directly ahead. A horn sounding from below. The various wounds and bruises making him feel unsteady. He had helped Granophyre get into the archives. If that worked out, he did not know. He had helped Tamazaert find her baby. He had helped hurt and maybe delayed those who were following after. Now he had to take time to see to his own matter.
His dreams had involved a mountain. And so he was here. The dreams had also involved flight. And in the distance nested a Roc. A Roc who noticed him and looked back.
Answering for Snow as he moves, "The Roc is what has drawn me here. For weeks I think. In my dreams. I have to learn more. As to its help for us all, who can say? I suggest you see if you can get one of those ships moving and I will join as soon as I can."
If only for a time, he had to see to this, he still had his promises to the Dowager and in turn to Granophyre.
Details
Auger continues dashing forward towards Varielky and Benita.
I see that I misread the grid in my previous post. In the previous post, Auger started in Q14 and dashed forward to O14. In this turn he continues dashing, ending his turn at M14.
It seems everyone else has the same idea as Snow, borrow an airship. He throws Benita and Auger a quick salute to show he understands.
Seeing a familiar model, he turns to Strewn and Tamazaert, who are still close to him. “This way, we’ll go for that ship and take cover behind the nest as we do”, he says pointing towards the East.
With that he bolts for the old kingdoms ship, skirting around the nest.
He turns to see if the others are keeping up, giving Strewn a helping pull with his mind. He then looks to see if he can make out more about the glow.
Movement: 30’ East
Bonus Action: Telekenetic Shove on Strewn bringing him 5’ closer.
Varielky sprints to Auger. There's little she can do to fight the roc rider, and all other combatants are now dead. She sheathes her sword, and slowly, her body returns to a normal state as her breathing normalises. Her muscles hurt again, but less than they did the first time she used this technique. Her body slowly gets used to it. While running, though, Varielky still keeps an eye on the roc rider, ready to block any sparks or other kinds of magic he throws in her direction.
"You found Sura!" Both a call of relief and a question, just to make sure. Though, mostly, a call of relief. "But where's the captain? I mean, their captain? Did you manage to get rid of him?" It seems the others were busy doing productive stuff while she exchanged insults with a man on a giant bird. But well, it's better that way than if Sura was in fact on the roc that took off.
Status: Rage ends because Varielky neither attacks anyone nor takes damage. Action: Dash. Movement: Next (or close) to Auger at M-14.
(OOC: Snow: the ship you want is to Snow’s right, i.e., left on the map. I have placed you, Granophyre and Tamazaert on the map based on that goal.)
Benita fires another crossbow bolt at the roc-rider, hitting for another 10HP. “Ellosh take this crossbow! It takes forever to reload!,” she curses. But the rider, having suffered multiple hits after crashing earlier, is losing blood and seems to waver in his saddle as his huge hawk-like mount carries him east and then west again.
Yet, alas, the rider still pulsates with magical force. He intones an arcane phrase which resonates in the minds of Auger, Varielky and Benita. A hole opens in the sky above the rider, and it grows and catapults towards you, growing quickly to encompass all three of you – and Py, a gateway to blackness and bitter cold filled with a cacophony of soft whispers which drill through your minds.
(OOC: No light, magical or otherwise, can illuminate the area, and creatures fully within the area are blinded. This is not magical darkness: it is a psionic spell. The void creates a warp in the fabric of space, and the area is difficult terrain. Any creature that starts its turn in the area takes 2d6 cold damage. Any creature that ends its turn in the area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DEX DC14) or take 2d6 acid damage as milky, other-wordly tentacles rub against it. AUGER: see Hunger of Hadar. I don’t think Auger can see through this, since the effect is not magical darkness or obscured visibility: it causes blindness to those in the area.)
Snow has no other choice right now but to race to the Kingdoms ship. He knows he can get there faster than either Strewn or Tamazaert, but that would leave them lagging behind, and he is worried about Sorakayoshi catching up to them.
"Keep out of sight of the Roc and the building we came from, Sorakayoshi and the other guards will come out shortly. I am going to move ahead", he says, and then sprints as fast as he can towards the ship again.
He will try and break line of sight to the building and also avoid the Roc rider's line of sight as much as possible using the large nest.
Movement: 30' West Action: Dash - 30' West ending at P8. Status: Tamazaert still has Bardic Inspiration (d8) if needed I believe.
(OOC: Are the nests bowl shaped? Is there a path underneath?)
(OOC: The nests are only somewhat bowl-shaped. There is no path underneath, but the last 5’ of the edge of each nest is an overhang. Benita has been successfully using that slight overhang for cover.)
Round 19 results
AUGER and SNOW
Snow‘s communication is unanswered by the Eye and seems to have no effect. Meanwhile, Tamazaert rushes ahead, keeping to the wall, ending at J1.
Sorakayoshi’s shield, embellished with arcane runes, previously hanging under the level of the tram wall, comes up in the captain’s grip as Auger’s guiding bolt fires from the darkness, and the shield seems to draw the bolt to it, dissipating its energy on contact. “Now, now. There’s no need to resort to violence, mmm?,” the tall Jenghen smiles.
The Yemma’s Diadem’s attacks flash brilliantly into the tram. The star landing on Sorakayoshi is absorbed almost fully by his shield, and his armor too, which glows red for a moment then cools down once again. The star landing lightly on Abadolla, on the other hand, consumes the Orracan, perhaps mortally, setting his clothes and soul patch aflame. He shrieks in agony, slapping uselessly at the flames, and drops under the level of the tram wall and out of view.
The other star flashes and overwhelms Guards 4, 5, and 6 who fall, flaming and limp, from the tram to crash through the treetops below. (OOC: yes I totaled the effects of all three upon those in range.) Guard 3 whirls, trying to escape the flame, and falls onto the tram floor out of view. The diadem attacks have no effect whatsoever on the tram, the crossbow men on the roof, or the Eye.
Two crossbow bolts exchange fire, zipping into the darkness, targeting the spot from which the attacks seem to have originated, and therefore firing at disadvantage. One clatters against the back wall, the other, 16 /5HP.
Sorakayoshi groans ironically, “Well if it must be violence...!,” and Auger sees Dairiku Sorakayoshi’s hand raise, gathering energy whose pattern Auger recognizes, and the southerner witnesses not two, but six bolts of twisting red and black energy, firing at one second intervals, targeting the exact spot from which the guiding bolt originated. Auger can tell Sorakayoshi is firing blind, and therefore at disadvantage. The blasts crackle through the space Auger is occupying. 22 for 11HP; 14 for 8HP; 11 for 11HP; 13 for 13HP; 25 for 12HP; and 14 for 6HP
The beams that miss crash into the back wall in Tamazaert's exact location, throwing shards of stone around her and Snow as they rush west.
You are now situated like so.
VARIELKY
“Sorikayishi? You were wise to run when he told you to. But he should know better. CLEAR!,” the rider’s voice booms in its brazen tone, and the stevedores dash out of the nest and onto the gangway. Varielky senses Benita behind her, unseen, with crossbow raised and pointing at the rider. Then, suddenly, a sharp breeze from the shield-maiden’s flank, and the roc your company injured earlier streaks up to arc around the rider you address. “HOSTILE! GET HER!,” yells the new arrival, and a double firebolt shoots from the rider’s hand at Varielky as the assembled guards take heed of this warning, raise shields, and drop into defensive crouches.
The firebolts roll at disadvantage due to Varielky’s spellguard shield, which absorbs the first attack. The second is a rolled 1, and hits one of the nurses by accident. She is incinerated, her smoking skeleton clatters to the rocky ground.
You are now situated like so.
(OOC: Re: disarming attack: No. A roc is not holding its rider. You could make the rider drop the control reins or his shield. If you want to target the harness you can. However, it is made of thick leather cuirass and could withstand quite a bit of punishment.)
ALL: please post for Round 20.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
OOC: Shield makes no difference so Auger is struck twice. The Darkness goes down with the first blow (concentration roll: 2 +2 = 4). Auger hurts! Will post more later
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Auger sends seething energies into the tram. Again and again. He sees guards burn and fall to the ground. And maybe the one who Varielky fought. But the Imperial Captain proved more formidable. As some of the six returning blasts find their mark, Auger is hurt badly. He is unable to maintain his Darkness and sees little point in trying again now. Turning back, Py still on his shoulder, Auger says to the others, "Run!"
He does so himself, invoking his power to move in order to get back out of range and out of sight quickly. "Get up the stairs! Now!"
Details
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Well, that closes the lid on this approach. She should have known it wouldn't work, but at the same time, it's not like she had a better idea. "Move away!" Varielky commands the nurses. "Hey! If that's your best aim you're better come down and fight me face to face! You're hitting the nurses!"
More importantly, though, Varielky needs to stop the roc from taking off, and there aren't many options left. Varielky starts running towards the roc, drawing her handaxe on the way. While running, Varielky begins to breathe differently, hyperventilate her systems and willingly release adrenalin. She needs her muscles to work even harder now. When she thinks she's within possible range, Varielky hurls the axe towards the roc. "HEY! Big stupid bird! You'll die if you fly!"
Bonus Action: Rage. Varielky will now have resistance to all Bludgeoning, Slashing and Piercing damage (and some other buffs).
Move: 30' in a straight line towards the roc. It's hard to calculate in the 30' grid map, but I believe this can get her somewhere next to #5 (on the map, at least) and hopefully within 60' of the roc to throw a hand axe.
Action: Attack the roc using her hand-axe. Attack: (14, 14 - disadvantage)+8=22 to hit, 1+7+2=10 damage. Assuming that hit, Varielky would use a superiority die to use Menacing Attack manoeuvre, which adds 3 to the damage, for a total of 13, and forces the roc to succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom save or be frightened of Varielky until the end of her next turn. (I know that the condition technically causes the roc to be unable to come close, but my intention, and hope, is that a roc is just an animal and that the rider would lose control - even momentarily - on a scared animal. If that doesn't work that's also fine. Varielky might not be aware of it but Sura isn't there anyway.)
Varielky
Snow starts to think that his Message ability is broken as he shields his face from the exploding masonry.
"You ok Tamazaert? We need you and Sura out of here", he says adding tot he urgency of Auger's comment.
With that he runs up the stairs, stopping briefly to get an update from Strewn.
"We have the child, how are Varielky and Benita? Any sign of an escape route? Tell me on the way".
With that he waits for Tamazaert to find cover then runs further up the stairs, around the corner, crouching down to be out of view from the Tram.
Movement: 30' to D2
Action: Ready - Dash 30' to G1-1 (G0?) once Tamazaert safely out of view
Round 20 Results
VARIELKY
The shield-maiden’s hand axe flips through the air, striking the enormous roc’s beak and causing it to recoil and suffer the frightened condition for the next round. (OOC: The frightened condition has no impact on animal handling rolls unless the beast is directed to do something its frightened condition does not allow.)
A crossbow bolt zips over Varielky’s head to strike the roc rider through the neck—or would have except that he shifts his long shield up just an inch to deflect most of the force of the shot, but he still suffers 10HP damage.
The roc’s huge wings spread, the rider yanks up and away on the reins, and the bird lifts off the ground 120’ directly away from Varielky, both the bird and rider dodging.
The second rider shouts back to Varielky, “If you hadn’t dodged, she’d still be alive. Why don’t you come up here?,” and releases another firebolt which splashes harmlessly against Varielky’s shield.
You are now situated like so. Sorry it’s blurry. Enlarged.
AUGER and SNOW
Auger retreats, Tamazaert hurries up the stairs just ahead of him, Granophyre beside her. The tram is not within sight, and although another round of crossbow bolts and twisting blasts pummel the walls behind you as you flee, nothing connects.
“I’m all right,” comes Tamazaert’s reply to Snow, as she carefully and expediently carries the sleeping bundle up the stairs.
“Is that Sura? THANK the elders!!,” says Granophyre, huffing slightly up the stairs. “Varielky and Benita are trying to keep the last babies from being carried off on the back of a roc upstairs! I fear she may be in danger!”
You are now situated like so. As a reminder, once you reach the guard tower, the distance is some 45’ to the Aerie itself where you would be able to see out to where Varielky is. Here’s how that last looked (ignore the character markers).
ALL: Please post for Round 21
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Keep up Py, there is no safety behind us.
Auger continues his mad dash up the stairs. The others hear the buzzing of Py's wings as it catches up to and then passes above their heads and into the guardroom.
Auger knows the current safety is only momentary but still. He had wanted to come up here. To the aerie. And now he needs to know what it is that draws him this way. He lets those impulses guide his direction as he reaches the guardhouse. There he let's his attention pass between the open door to outside, the stairs up and the entrances into the other rooms. What is it? What is pulling at him? Which way does the pull tell him to go?
Auger then processes what Granophyre stated and focuses outside, trying to see what is going on. The last babies, Auger thinks. Despite everything Auger remembers himself and where he comes from and mumbles a quick blessing towards Varielky and Benita in the name of Piya, hoping she would watch them and aid them in their work.
Details
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"NO!" Varielky shouts, but words don't matter. The roc with the babies is too far now. In hindsight, she should have targeted the rider. If only she were closer because hitting the roc already felt like a difficult throw.
In frustration, Varielky draws Dreygaard and lashes against the guards surrounding her, instantly decapitating one, and severely wounding another. "I cannot fly, though I would if I could! On the other hand, you are just a coward, afraid to die as quickly as these low-ranking guards." This time, Varielky notices that the state she's in does not only empower her body but her emotions too. Frustration, guilt, irritation and, well, pridefulness too. That doesn't bother her too much. None of these are new, she's only feeling them more intensely now.
"Are all you riders captains? You sure don't act like ones! One who commands troops should lead first into battle, not cower in safety while your subordinates die! You throw sparks from a safe distance. I wouldn't serve under a commander like that." Varielky turns to the guards who yet stand. "You don't have to throw your lives for this coward. Flee!"
Action: Attack, #2 first and then #3. It seems the guards until now had 15 or 16 HP, I think, so I'll assume that. If somehow #2 doesn't die to the first attack, Varielky still attacks #3 with her second attack.
Attack #1: 17+10=27 to hit, 6+9+2=17 damage.
Attack #2: 13+10=23 to hit, 2+9+2=13 damage.
Varielky
Snow heads into the guardhouse and takes a look around, trying to figure out where the others went. Assuming the Aerie is up, he looks for stairs upwards and bolts up them.
"I will check on Varielky and Benita, everyone keep up as best you can".
Movement and Dash: As far as he can get towards the Aerie.
Round 21 Results
VARIELKY
Guard #2 falls, and Guard #3 is sorely wounded as Varielky’s red-steel blade clangs against or slices through their shields and armor.
Benita rushes forward, no crossbow in hand now, but with a rope she picked up from somewhere, and she runs, leaps, and lassos one of the claws of the roc ridden by the sorcerer attacking Varielky. Swinging high in the air, she begins to climb upward. “I’m not going to let that other one get away with Sura!!!,” she screams.
Guards 1, 3, 4 and 5 attack Varielky, but they are no match for the shield-maiden’s ferocity, rolling 8, 9, and 10 (terrible rolls!), and 23 for 7HP from Guard #5.
The roc from which Benita is hanging wheels and then slashes the rope with its beak, and Benita falls to earth again, shouting, “NO!,” to rebound off of a nest, which breaks her fall, but she nonetheless lands hard and prone while the huge bird pulls up. Its rider bathes the raven-haired woman in flame for 12HP damage, while you see the first roc, carrying the babies, disappearing into the night over the near mountain slopes.
You are now situated like so.
AUGER and SNOW
For the sake of convenience I’m going to say Auger, Snow, Granophyre and Tamazaert pass through the guardhouse and reach its entry at the end of this round, where you see the high Bantus reaching skyward in the near distance, veins of snow cutting through the looming black peaks under swirling gray clouds, and nearer, enormous rocs nests, on four of which are perched the giant red-brown-feathered birds. Gangways lead to each of them, and proximate to the nearest such dock are nurses and stevedores rushing away from the melee in which Varielky and Benita are embroiled against four imperial guards, one roc flying above them 60’ in the air, another now some 300’ beyond them, its wings flapping in slow strokes.
To either side of the aerie, right and left, airships whose flags show the imperial dagger-moon are docked and anchored, sails furled, floating ten or twenty feet above the ground.
Auger’s attention is immediately pulled toward the roc farthest from the guardhouse, at B5. It – the roc – he knows for a certainty, is the source of the pull he’s been feeling these last weeks.
Here is the view from the Guardhouse entryway which Varielky and Granophyre saw earlier from the turret. One of the middle rocs in the illustration is now gone, while the one Snow caused to crash while en route is now circling over that central area.
You are now situated like so.
ALL: Please post for Round 22
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"The Roc," Auger says, pointing as he steps out into the aerie. "The Roc in the distance there has drawn me this way." Auger moves along with the others, even dashing as needed to keep up but his mind is wholly on the large bird in the distance. Py keeps up with Auger on its own.
If this is creating the sensation of... family... or something like it... then how is that possible. Is it friendly? Will it help? Is it their salvation? Is it the way to fly... yes... yes, perhaps to fly out of here. With the others? Its large enough for many people. But can they all be secured? And how do I... how do I even approach it?
Auger allows his attention to snap back to Benita and Varielky as they catch up to them, but given who is behind them, he wonders about heading straight for the enormous bird.
Details
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow looks around at the scene before him.
"You think the Roc is our escape route then? What about the airships?", he asks Auger as he sprints off. He shrugs and moves after him, trying not to outpace Tamazaert.
Seeing Benita closer to him than Varielky, and not wanting to draw the Roc's attention to themselves, he whispers to Benita, "We are here and have Sura. Do we have an escape plan? Sorakayoshi is close behind us with more guards".
Movement: 30' towards the others
Action: Message to Benita
(OOC: Would Snow know how to pilot an airship? How long would it take to get moving if so?)
(I suppose 7 damage before resistance? Or is it after?)
"Benita!" Varielky calls as her friend falls, but seeing that she lands on the nest, she imagines Benita would be fine. Considering it's Benita, she probably wouldn't have gotten mortally injured even if she fell right on the floor, maybe. But still, now that even Benita couldn't stop the other roc, it is clear they failed. All that remains is hope that Sura was in the lower level, but would the roc have taken flight if there were babies remaining?
Varielky chooses not to think about it, for the moment. Right now, there was no way she could help it. Instead, she focuses on the soldiers around her. "You should have retreated. Now you no longer get a chance. But I commend that commitment and bravery of yours. May you serve the gods well in the afterlife." Immediately after she finishes these words, the head of the guard who hit her before is detached from its shoulders. Varielky's blade doesn't stop there, though. The backhand slash is strong enough to cut through that guard's neck and continue to the next one. At reduced strength now, perhaps, but still enough to gravely wound the last guard.
["Thor!"] Varielky prays in Dreyen, ["May your thunder send these brave souls to feast in Hallvala!"] The last word is already impossible to hear, as a loud, deafening thunder rolls from Varielky's armour.
Action: Attack, first guard #5, then #4.
Attack #1: 16+10=26 to hit, 5+11=16 damage.
Attack #2: 6+10=16 to hit, 3+11=14 damage.
Bonus Action: Through Thunder, Varielky casts Shatter as described in the armour's description. So a DC18 Constitution save for any within 10' of Varielky, taking 22 thunder damage on a failure, not sure whether half or not on success (the armour mentions nothing, but the normal spell shows half damage on a successful save).
Varielky
Round 22 Results
A deafening blast followed by blue-cloaked, lifeless bodies flung through the air to roll and slide face down upon the aerie floor. At the epicenter stands the brass-armored shield-maiden who has ended the melee by unleashing the seismic power of Thunder.
Benita pushes herself up, watching the child-carrying roc recede out of sight into the distance and even with the second roc wheeling dangerously above, holds Varielky’s eyes grimly, failure and despondence writ upon her features. But at that moment, Varielky sees, behind her friend in the near distance, the others emerge from the guardhouse, as if in slow-motion (grim minor chords resounding in the soundtrack): Snow first, then Auger, and at first hidden behind them, Tamazaert. Benita turns to take in the focus of Varielky’s glance. (As the soundtrack swells and minor modulates to slow, triumphant major), Benita and Varielky now discern that Tamazaert, the young mother, is holding something she hadn’t been when they arrived at the landing earlier, not a pack, not a shield… a baby. Sura!
Benita’s eyes close as they moisten with tears of relief, a silent prayer in her heart as Granophyre, bringing up the rear, comes into view, his golden bird fluttering upon his shoulder. La Cass hears Snow’s message and replies silently, “I see you! The plan is: get the flock out of here! Can you fly one of those airships??”
Burnt but rallying, Benita runs to pick up the filched crossbow once again and launches another bolt, but it rebounds off of the roc-rider’s shield.
He fires back with a jet of flame, but the comely Indallian seems to slip away in the shadows, the bolt lands nowhere near her.
Now you all hear a piercing horn call from the landing — no doubt a cry for backup to the garrison regiment at El Harrouch Castle.
As Auger leaves the guardhouse, dashing toward that particular roc — which he begins to notice, is smaller than the others — Auger sees, from a distance, its head, which had been tucked under a wing in sleep, swivel up, waking, as it directs its gaze directly at the warlock.
Snow notices that of the two airships, one’s construction, the one to the right, is of a type he recognizes as an older model from The Kingdoms. He has flown upon them before, especially in his youth, and he has childhood memories of holding the pilot’s wheel and manipulating control pedals and levers as the ship soared through the clouds. How long does it take to launch? It depends on the ship’s status, crew, Captain. It will take time for Snow to absorb these details. Snow notices on this ship, at the gunwale, a single point of red light, perhaps a crewman smoking a pipe. Granophyre and Tanazaert are following Snow, a bit behind, and dodging. The old sage is helping the young mother along if needed.
(OOC: Varielky: the damage last round was 7HP before resistance. I’ll try to remember to do the math before posting. All the enemies surrounding you were destroyed.
All: The squares (or diamonds rather) on the map are 30’ per side.) Same map as last round, almost. Please track your movement.
You are now situated like so.(~)
Please post for Round 23
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The fight directly ahead. A horn sounding from below. The various wounds and bruises making him feel unsteady. He had helped Granophyre get into the archives. If that worked out, he did not know. He had helped Tamazaert find her baby. He had helped hurt and maybe delayed those who were following after. Now he had to take time to see to his own matter.
His dreams had involved a mountain. And so he was here. The dreams had also involved flight. And in the distance nested a Roc. A Roc who noticed him and looked back.
Answering for Snow as he moves, "The Roc is what has drawn me here. For weeks I think. In my dreams. I have to learn more. As to its help for us all, who can say? I suggest you see if you can get one of those ships moving and I will join as soon as I can."
If only for a time, he had to see to this, he still had his promises to the Dowager and in turn to Granophyre.
Details
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
It seems everyone else has the same idea as Snow, borrow an airship. He throws Benita and Auger a quick salute to show he understands.
Seeing a familiar model, he turns to Strewn and Tamazaert, who are still close to him. “This way, we’ll go for that ship and take cover behind the nest as we do”, he says pointing towards the East.
With that he bolts for the old kingdoms ship, skirting around the nest.
He turns to see if the others are keeping up, giving Strewn a helping pull with his mind. He then looks to see if he can make out more about the glow.
Movement: 30’ East
Bonus Action: Telekenetic Shove on Strewn bringing him 5’ closer.
Action: Dash - 30’ East again, ending at P17
Reaction:
If the person on the ship turns out to be hostile and attacks or uses a skill detrimental to the group, he will use cutting words.
”That pipe has addled your brain, it’ll be the death of you”
Cutting Words: 3+2=5
(OOC: I have assumed you meant to the right of the map, not to Snows right)
Varielky sprints to Auger. There's little she can do to fight the roc rider, and all other combatants are now dead. She sheathes her sword, and slowly, her body returns to a normal state as her breathing normalises. Her muscles hurt again, but less than they did the first time she used this technique. Her body slowly gets used to it. While running, though, Varielky still keeps an eye on the roc rider, ready to block any sparks or other kinds of magic he throws in her direction.
"You found Sura!" Both a call of relief and a question, just to make sure. Though, mostly, a call of relief. "But where's the captain? I mean, their captain? Did you manage to get rid of him?" It seems the others were busy doing productive stuff while she exchanged insults with a man on a giant bird. But well, it's better that way than if Sura was in fact on the roc that took off.
Status: Rage ends because Varielky neither attacks anyone nor takes damage.
Action: Dash.
Movement: Next (or close) to Auger at M-14.
Varielky
Round 23 Results
(OOC: Snow: the ship you want is to Snow’s right, i.e., left on the map. I have placed you, Granophyre and Tamazaert on the map based on that goal.)
Benita fires another crossbow bolt at the roc-rider, hitting for another 10HP. “Ellosh take this crossbow! It takes forever to reload!,” she curses. But the rider, having suffered multiple hits after crashing earlier, is losing blood and seems to waver in his saddle as his huge hawk-like mount carries him east and then west again.
Yet, alas, the rider still pulsates with magical force. He intones an arcane phrase which resonates in the minds of Auger, Varielky and Benita. A hole opens in the sky above the rider, and it grows and catapults towards you, growing quickly to encompass all three of you – and Py, a gateway to blackness and bitter cold filled with a cacophony of soft whispers which drill through your minds.
(OOC: No light, magical or otherwise, can illuminate the area, and creatures fully within the area are blinded. This is not magical darkness: it is a psionic spell. The void creates a warp in the fabric of space, and the area is difficult terrain. Any creature that starts its turn in the area takes 2d6 cold damage. Any creature that ends its turn in the area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DEX DC14) or take 2d6 acid damage as milky, other-wordly tentacles rub against it. AUGER: see Hunger of Hadar. I don’t think Auger can see through this, since the effect is not magical darkness or obscured visibility: it causes blindness to those in the area.)
You are now situated like so.
Please post for Round 24
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow has no other choice right now but to race to the Kingdoms ship. He knows he can get there faster than either Strewn or Tamazaert, but that would leave them lagging behind, and he is worried about Sorakayoshi catching up to them.
"Keep out of sight of the Roc and the building we came from, Sorakayoshi and the other guards will come out shortly. I am going to move ahead", he says, and then sprints as fast as he can towards the ship again.
He will try and break line of sight to the building and also avoid the Roc rider's line of sight as much as possible using the large nest.
Movement: 30' West
Action: Dash - 30' West ending at P8.
Status: Tamazaert still has Bardic Inspiration (d8) if needed I believe.
(OOC: Are the nests bowl shaped? Is there a path underneath?)
(OOC: The nests are only somewhat bowl-shaped. There is no path underneath, but the last 5’ of the edge of each nest is an overhang. Benita has been successfully using that slight overhang for cover.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer