Suddenly Auger feels the void encompass him. He senses Py's end immediately and despite himself, his heart still goes out to it, Py has to feel something when this happens. The cold leaves him shivering as he attempts to move through the space and adds to his weakened state. Auger wonders for a flashing moment if somehow his own powers are betraying him. This void. He cannot see but he does recognize it. The area he delves into, the space where he has found his power. Now he is exposed to it directly. The cold. The difficulty with breathing. And something more. Something reaches for him. He struggles to avoid it.
So close to his goal and this rider still attacks them and yet, still Auger wonders. Reaching through the Sea of Stars himself, he does not try to empower himself. He reaches out in the fashion that he communicates with Py. Towards the Roc in the distance. Can you hear me? I need help.
Details
Auger turn start: 4 points of cold damage. Auger at 10/49 hp
Py turn start: no need to role. The little bit of wood freezes and falls to the ground.
Auger move and action: Dashing if needed. Auger tries to leave the space, but of course does not know which way to go. Will need a ruling on whether or not Auger actually leaves the space and whether he has his Action available after doing so.
Auger Bonus Action: Will Misty Step if it helps to get out of the zone, but as a reminder, this calls for 'a place he can see'. So if he can use it, he is probably already out.
Auger end of turn saving throw (assuming it is needed). 1 +2 = 3 for first roll. Not sure if this counts as a magical effect to avoid so rolled for possible Advantage (my coat!) separately. 15 +2 = 17. I rolled the acid damage because I forgot about Auger's advantage on this sort of thing at first. 6 points of acid damage if that comes into play at all.
If Auger is able to leave the area without exhausting his Action to Dash, please let me know so I can use his Action to attack a certain sky rider. (see new post below)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: Auger: I am rolling a d8 to see which direction you head, on a hunch that the spell must have an area effect, but with no idea how large it is, or where you are in the area. 1 is north, 2 nne 3 east, and so forth. 4)
Auger heads due west. He escapes the AOE! He must move 15’ to exit, however, because it is difficult terrain and therefore it counts as double that. 30’, his full move. That means he must roll a DEX 10 save or trip and fall prone. If he falls, take 1d3HP damage. You will nevertheless exit the AOE but it will require a dash.
Either way, according To the spell description, no light can enter the area of affect. This means it is not possible to see through the area of effect. According to my calculations, Auger is too close to the black hole to be able to see the roc behind the area of effect. On the plus side, the rider may not be able to see Auger either. If Auger did not trip, Auger can now dash, moving around the area or backing up and moving to the side, and he could then use a bonus action to attack.
Varielky can likewise roll a d8 to see which way she goes if she moves in her turn, following this same sequence.)
Stuck in the blackness, unsure if he is headed the right way, Auger chooses a path at random and moves as best he can, hoping to find his way out. Stumbling slightly and unable to move quickly at first Auger is suddenly able to see.
He sees he has gone west in his fumbling way, but without sight of either Varielky or Benita and not really knowing what condition they were in, he tries to think on a way to disrupt this spell that the rider clearly placed upon the area. Getting hit earlier had ended his Darkness. Perhaps it would work on the rider. Auger reaches into the power of the Yemma's Diadem and releases a glowing golden orb towards the rider. It hits the rider and leaves a glowing mark upon him that Auger sees as a perfect target. He unleashes a pair of his twisting blasts targeting that mark, still hoping to unseat the rider if not kill him.
Details
Move: Leaves the area of Hunger of Hadar and repositions himself such that he has a clear view of the rider.
Bonus Action: Guiding Bolt targeting the rider. Still using the Eldritch Blast roller for the To Hit roll. 16 +10 = 26 for 2 points of radiant damage. Assuming that is a hit, will roll with Advantage for EB
(OOC: With the last hostile defeated, I’m going to say that the roc carries the limp rider away from the battlefield and out of view into the deepening night, perhaps to a different place of safety.
In any order, you can tell me what you plan to do over the next minute. Sorakayoshi does not appear before that much time has elapsed, nor do any other imperial guards so long as you stay away from the guardhouse.
Auger, by the way, receives no reply to his cry for help to the roc, which, however, continues to look toward the warlock, head cocked, eyes, predatory.)
Auger will provide assurances to the others that he will join them on the Airship as soon as he is able and otherwise approaches the Roc and attempts to communicate and interact with it.
Key points of interest:
Can he communicate with it at all? Verbally? Telepathically? Does it have a name?
Does its comportment change as Auger approaches?
Does his connection provide any guidance on what to do next?
Auger will consider mounting the creature, but only if there is some kind of positive response.
(OOC: Also I am wondering if we have ever used the Optional Healing Surge rule in the DMG (reference). Auger is really beat up and could use some help.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow moves quickly forward around the nest closest to the Kingdoms ship, stopping to get a look at who is on board before stepping out into the open.
He expects with all the commotion about, that whoever is on board is keeping an eye out, but hopefully on events in the distance rather than as close as he has come.
He motions for Strewn and Tamazaert to stay back a little bit whilst he determines what the situation is.
Stealth: 1+5=6 (Oops, must be rushing)
Perception: 2+7=9 (Passive: 17)
(OOC: I figure this taking 4 rounds out of the 10)
Before Varielky has a moment to react to the darkness, even before the cold gets to her, it's already gone, leaving Varielky merely confused. Having received no answer from Auger, but neither does she see the captain coming their way, Varielky drops the matter and starts running towards Tamazaert. First, she would like to confirm with the mother that it is, in fact, Sura. It might seem stupid, but she had to make sure, after letting all the other babies go.
Second, she would try to figure out with Granophyre and Snow what's the plan now, and perhaps also get an answer regarding the captain that was chasing them.
Auger moves closer to the roc, which is now sitting up in its nest, beside the wooden gangway and stone boarding platform which accompany all of the nests. It spreads its enormous wings, and flaps them, peevishly, twice, opens its beak as if ready to bite. In this upright position, Auger notices that it wears a harness, which is connected by a heavy chain to the boarding platform, and also, with his dark vision, he makes out in its features what he could only describe as a black eye, for it is bruised and swollen almost shut. Its form is smaller than the others, its pinions and down still maturing perhaps.
All of the boarding platforms house a sort of stable-closet underneath them, holding riding gear, saddles and tack, and the doorways to these storage rooms, Auger noticed along the way, all have names upon them, of the rocs and their masters, serving to identify ownership, one might suppose, of the bird, the contents of the storage closet and so forth. When Auger arrives to this one, he finds it too bears a golden plaque, and upon it are engraved the words CAPTAIN DAIRIKU SORAKOYOSHI – WYRM.
Auger’s sense of connection to the creature is real, although it – the roc – seems as ready to swallow him as it does to accept a rider. Auger realizes that the creature’s mind is like that of an intelligent horse, or a horse-like lion, perhaps. The relevant skill is Animal Handling, which can be modified by what Auger says and does.
SNOW
Snow is unable to hide as he rushes forwards, and moreover, the red spot of light has not dimmed, and indeed, a form continues to stand at the gunwale, eyeing Snow as he draws nearer. Something about the individual seems familiar to Snow, but as he is at the edge of the bard’s darkvision at this moment, he cannot yet see his face, only the upper half of his body is visible over the gunwale, and a wide-brimmed sailor’s hat which airshipmen wear to shield themselves from the everpresent sunlight casts his face in shade even from the distant lantern light in the guardhouse. Bearded neck over a tidy Kingdoms cravat and puffy-armed white cotton blouse, whiskered jaw, and the pipe, its embers glowing as the shipman inhales, casting the merest golden reflection into his eyes. This is what Snow takes in.
VARIELKY
(OOC: Remember to suffer 2d6 cold damage if you have not already.)
As Snow rushes ahead, Varielky catches up with Granophyre and Tamazaert, and Benita follows her friend. Granophyre, in an excited whisper, fills you in on what transpired downstairs, and expresses hope that one of the airships can transport you to safety.
Snow wanders out from the cover of the nest when he sees the figure has spotted him. No point being stealthy now.
He closes the distance until he can see the sailors face more clearly, his violin in his hand but no weapon. He hopes to strike the sailor as non threatening.
”Good evening, sir”, he says as he approaches, hoping that highlighting the Kingdoms portion of his accent will further put the man at ease.
“To be sure,” comes the airshipman’s voice after a moment, brisk and clear as a mountain breeze, but in its rhythm, which perfectly matches Snow’s accent, a quick wit; and in its cadence, the scholarly drama of a professor strutting before a packed classroom. “A good evening, to be sure: abduction of children, decapitations, or even… a song, it seems. The night beckons any or all of these things. Depending upon one’s inclinations.” His tone curls up as if asking a question. Snow takes the man to be a middle-aged human, perhaps in his late fifties. The sense of familiarity grows, and Snow believes that if he saw the man's face he'd recognize him. (OOC: Btw, speaking of drama, I'm going to say that Snow's hood is up, as hiding seems to require this wardrobe manipulation in movies.)
Riding gear, saddles, tack. If he even knew what to do with it, it would take time to get set. No flying for me today, Auger thinks as he moves by the stable-closet.
As he moves up the gangway towards the young Roc, Auger takes a moment to glance over his shoulder at the others, he is quite far from them and realizes he has little time to do anything if they are able to get the ship going. They might have to leave without him if the Imperials force them to. That would be... well he would need to move quickly. There is no time.
The Roc is ... owned by Sorakoyoshi? That would explain the eye. He senses the beast for what it is and with its motions can see it does not know what to think of him. Further he knows that he has no experience with handling animals of any sort. But he can certainly set it free. If it will let him.
Auger approaches and does his best to make calming noises as he tries to see how he can disconnect the chain or harness and allow the beast... Wyrm he named it? That would not do. A new name would be better. He needs to let it soar. Bay lên, in the southern old tongue. Soar.
Gently Auger says, "Hello there friend. I have sensed you from afar. I think you have sensed me too. I would call you Baylen. Have they mistreated you? That will not do. Perhaps I can let you go. You will soar, Baylen. That's what it means, to soar."
Knowing little about animals in general, and certainly nothing about a Roc, Auger continues making gentle sounds and describing what he is doing, just to fill the space and time as he focuses on the chain.
Details
Animal Handling: 14
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Ah, right. I thought Varielky just didn't start her turn in the area since Auger got rid of it before that, but I guess that's just abusing my conveniently late response (which, believe it or not, was not intentional). Damage is... 10. Ouch. Makes sense though. Smaller bodies will lose heat at an increased rate.)
"So he's on his way? Shouldn't we prepare to fight him?" Varielky is puzzled as to why they'd run to a ship that would surely take time to get moving, if it even goes as simply as that. The captain has called a roc before, so Varielky assumes he can ride one. That means he could catch up to them, given that Granophyre said the airships are slower than the rocs. Lastly, the others called him a warlock before. Varielky didn't see that in action, but if that were true, he could strike them at range, too.
Varielky turns on her heels. "I'll buy you time." Varielky sprints away, towards the guards'-house. "Just remember to pick me up before you leave!" She had no idea how that could be done, if at all, but the presence of the warlock captain while they're taking off would be detrimental, surely. Besides, if it comes to that, what greater death could one hope for than one which buys their friends, comrades and those they swore to protect; time to escape?
As she runs, Varielky draws Dreygaards and speaks to it, in Dreyen: ["Let my actions now be atonement for losing control before. May the gods' grace shine, guiding me and my sword, illuminating the proper path. May their might guide us to stand triumphant once the fighting is done."]
Varielky will Dash to run as fast as she can to be as close as she can when the captain arrives. She will not enter the building, however, but wait by the door instead. On the way, she uses Dreygaard's property to use Lay on Hands on herself, restoring 10 hit points, as well as cast Light so that she doesn't fight in the darkness.
"You have witnessed much from your perch up there. As you can see, I am not much of one for decapitations. Not sure a simple violin or it's bow are capable of such", Snow says in response to the sailor.
"As for the abduction of children, that is not an inclination of mine either. In fact, the return of a child to it's mother is far more my speed", he continues.
"But a song, now there you have hit the truth. Tell me though, what brings a fellow Kingdom resident here, for you are the last person I expected to find? And yet somehow...familiar as well", he adds venturing closer still, finding the compulsion to draw back his hood too much to resist as he does so.
The roc’s chain is attached to a roller, which through a gearbox is controlled by a wheel and a release lever. The roc seems ready to strike in self-defense, but when Auger begins to examine the chain attachment, to move the wheel and discover it only pulls the chain tighter, the creature moves away, ready, it seems, to fight against the chain’s tightening.
Auger is surprised when a moment later, a man comes up the gangway, not looking where he’s going really, carrying a saddle. This handler, apparently, had been asleep in the stable-closet, and roused when he heard movement above him, briskly climbed a ladder to the boarding platform, accustomed to his load. “I’ll be but a moment, Captain, patience, please!,” the strong old man grunts before turning to look Auger in the eye, and he freezes in place. “Errrrmmmm… I wouldn’t touch that if…”
At that moment, when Auger’s hand was just testing the release lever, the roc explodes upwards, leaping, pulling the chain; the gearbox whirs furiously, the chain links clicking like a thousand grains of rice spilling to the floor. The chain releases from the gearbox with a whoosh, slicing through the air and nearly striking both Auger and the saddle-carrying man. The roc seems about to fly away.
VARIELKY
You approach the guardhouse. This is where the stevedores and nurses fled to, and from within, as you get closer, you hear shouting and movement.
Varielky keeps moving towards the door, but now at a slower pace, with her shield raised. She wants to see what's inside, but at the same time, in case what's waiting inside is a barrage of arrows, she wants to be able to duck behind cover, if possible. Thus, she remains close to the edge of the opening. However, she does not hide there. If anyone's looking for her, they'll see. "Is your captain here?" She calls into the room. Her goal is to leave this place, and while there was no chance he'd just let them do so, who knows? If nothing else, she might be able to buy time talking before spells and arrows dart through the air and blades draw blood.
(Varielky moves to I-3 (or I-2 if we're in the constraints of movement speed per round) while ready to jump back to cover granted by the wall (or block with her shield, whatever's fitting) if she's attacked on sight.)
The sequence of events is too fast for Auger to do much more than react. He realizes how the chain works as the saddle-handler makes his appearance and before he has even looked away to respond to the man, the young Roc --Baylen-- has pulled away! Perfect, Auger thinks!
"Be free Baylen!" he calls out. "Do not come back here!"Auger says joyfully trying to wave him off. "Perhaps we will meet again!"
Stepping to go, Auger turns to look at the man. "If you care for these animals at all, you would see them all set free."Auger gestures towards the rest of the aerie. Seeing another Roc is nested between him and the ship and not yet seeing any activity from the Guardhouse, Auger move towards it, thinking to possibly set it free as well.
(OOC: Please note that the stat boxes for these creatures are homebrew, and not exactly 5e monster manual.)
The man begins to reply, “Now… lad… listen here…” however he does not have time to finish the thought. The roc does not fly free, and indeed, arcs immediately back around to grab Auger in one talon, and the other man in the other talon.
Auger, the grapple roll is 25. The other man is grappled, both he and the saddle enclosed tightly in the roc’s claw.
The shouting and movement stops a moment after Varielky’s reply, and a door slams shut inside. A voice replies, “Captain is near, warrior! Drop your weapons and surrender or you’re sure to feel his wrath!”
Varielky feels Dreygaard twinge, somehow making her certain a crossbow is aimed at her through one of the murder holes in the turret.
"I see you have your own mind in these matters, Baylen," Auger says to the bird. Auger tries to resist instinctually, but he is not very strong and once he relaxes a moment remembers he has his own ways to escape if need be. Feeling for his own powers he sense he has sufficient energy to do just that, but only just the one time, but he decides to wait on Baylen and see what the animal is thinking. Is this anger? Or, if it feels their connection as well, the thing that drew Auger here, perhaps it is trying to express itself in some fashion. By taking a possession? Maybe it is protecting him. Or saving a meal. Again, Auger thinks to himself, he has no mind for these things. Looking over to the saddle handler, Auger calls out. "If there is a command the Rocs know that will bring this one under some control, you had better say it now, or we will be flying away soon."
Suddenly Auger feels the void encompass him. He senses Py's end immediately and despite himself, his heart still goes out to it, Py has to feel something when this happens. The cold leaves him shivering as he attempts to move through the space and adds to his weakened state. Auger wonders for a flashing moment if somehow his own powers are betraying him. This void. He cannot see but he does recognize it. The area he delves into, the space where he has found his power. Now he is exposed to it directly. The cold. The difficulty with breathing. And something more. Something reaches for him. He struggles to avoid it.
So close to his goal and this rider still attacks them and yet, still Auger wonders. Reaching through the Sea of Stars himself, he does not try to empower himself. He reaches out in the fashion that he communicates with Py. Towards the Roc in the distance. Can you hear me? I need help.
Details
Auger Bonus Action: Will Misty Step if it helps to get out of the zone, but as a reminder, this calls for 'a place he can see'. So if he can use it, he is probably already out.Auger end of turn saving throw (assuming it is needed). 1 +2 = 3 for first roll. Not sure if this counts as a magical effect to avoid so rolled for possible Advantage (my coat!) separately. 15 +2 = 17. I rolled the acid damage because I forgot about Auger's advantage on this sort of thing at first. 6 points of acid damage if that comes into play at all.If Auger is able to leave the area without exhausting his Action to Dash, please let me know so I can use his Action to attack a certain sky rider. (see new post below)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: Auger: I am rolling a d8 to see which direction you head, on a hunch that the spell must have an area effect, but with no idea how large it is, or where you are in the area. 1 is north, 2 nne 3 east, and so forth. 4)
Auger heads due west. He escapes the AOE! He must move 15’ to exit, however, because it is difficult terrain and therefore it counts as double that. 30’, his full move. That means he must roll a DEX 10 save or trip and fall prone. If he falls, take 1d3HP damage. You will nevertheless exit the AOE but it will require a dash.
Either way, according To the spell description, no light can enter the area of affect. This means it is not possible to see through the area of effect. According to my calculations, Auger is too close to the black hole to be able to see the roc behind the area of effect. On the plus side, the rider may not be able to see Auger either. If Auger did not trip, Auger can now dash, moving around the area or backing up and moving to the side, and he could then use a bonus action to attack.
Varielky can likewise roll a d8 to see which way she goes if she moves in her turn, following this same sequence.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Stuck in the blackness, unsure if he is headed the right way, Auger chooses a path at random and moves as best he can, hoping to find his way out. Stumbling slightly and unable to move quickly at first Auger is suddenly able to see.
He sees he has gone west in his fumbling way, but without sight of either Varielky or Benita and not really knowing what condition they were in, he tries to think on a way to disrupt this spell that the rider clearly placed upon the area. Getting hit earlier had ended his Darkness. Perhaps it would work on the rider. Auger reaches into the power of the Yemma's Diadem and releases a glowing golden orb towards the rider. It hits the rider and leaves a glowing mark upon him that Auger sees as a perfect target. He unleashes a pair of his twisting blasts targeting that mark, still hoping to unseat the rider if not kill him.
Details
Depending on whether Beam 1 is a hit or not, that is up to 3 concentration checks.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: Auger does not unseat, but does knock out the rider. The spell ends as the roc continues, undirected, on its last heading.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: With the last hostile defeated, I’m going to say that the roc carries the limp rider away from the battlefield and out of view into the deepening night, perhaps to a different place of safety.
In any order, you can tell me what you plan to do over the next minute. Sorakayoshi does not appear before that much time has elapsed, nor do any other imperial guards so long as you stay away from the guardhouse.
Auger, by the way, receives no reply to his cry for help to the roc, which, however, continues to look toward the warlock, head cocked, eyes, predatory.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger will provide assurances to the others that he will join them on the Airship as soon as he is able and otherwise approaches the Roc and attempts to communicate and interact with it.
Key points of interest:
(OOC: Also I am wondering if we have ever used the Optional Healing Surge rule in the DMG (reference). Auger is really beat up and could use some help.)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow moves quickly forward around the nest closest to the Kingdoms ship, stopping to get a look at who is on board before stepping out into the open.
He expects with all the commotion about, that whoever is on board is keeping an eye out, but hopefully on events in the distance rather than as close as he has come.
He motions for Strewn and Tamazaert to stay back a little bit whilst he determines what the situation is.
Stealth: 1+5=6 (Oops, must be rushing)
Perception: 2+7=9 (Passive: 17)
(OOC: I figure this taking 4 rounds out of the 10)
Before Varielky has a moment to react to the darkness, even before the cold gets to her, it's already gone, leaving Varielky merely confused. Having received no answer from Auger, but neither does she see the captain coming their way, Varielky drops the matter and starts running towards Tamazaert. First, she would like to confirm with the mother that it is, in fact, Sura. It might seem stupid, but she had to make sure, after letting all the other babies go.
Second, she would try to figure out with Granophyre and Snow what's the plan now, and perhaps also get an answer regarding the captain that was chasing them.
Varielky
AUGER
(OOC: Re: optional healing, communicating telepathically, guidance: No.)
Auger moves closer to the roc, which is now sitting up in its nest, beside the wooden gangway and stone boarding platform which accompany all of the nests. It spreads its enormous wings, and flaps them, peevishly, twice, opens its beak as if ready to bite. In this upright position, Auger notices that it wears a harness, which is connected by a heavy chain to the boarding platform, and also, with his dark vision, he makes out in its features what he could only describe as a black eye, for it is bruised and swollen almost shut. Its form is smaller than the others, its pinions and down still maturing perhaps.
All of the boarding platforms house a sort of stable-closet underneath them, holding riding gear, saddles and tack, and the doorways to these storage rooms, Auger noticed along the way, all have names upon them, of the rocs and their masters, serving to identify ownership, one might suppose, of the bird, the contents of the storage closet and so forth. When Auger arrives to this one, he finds it too bears a golden plaque, and upon it are engraved the words CAPTAIN DAIRIKU SORAKOYOSHI – WYRM.
Auger’s sense of connection to the creature is real, although it – the roc – seems as ready to swallow him as it does to accept a rider. Auger realizes that the creature’s mind is like that of an intelligent horse, or a horse-like lion, perhaps. The relevant skill is Animal Handling, which can be modified by what Auger says and does.
SNOW
Snow is unable to hide as he rushes forwards, and moreover, the red spot of light has not dimmed, and indeed, a form continues to stand at the gunwale, eyeing Snow as he draws nearer. Something about the individual seems familiar to Snow, but as he is at the edge of the bard’s darkvision at this moment, he cannot yet see his face, only the upper half of his body is visible over the gunwale, and a wide-brimmed sailor’s hat which airshipmen wear to shield themselves from the everpresent sunlight casts his face in shade even from the distant lantern light in the guardhouse. Bearded neck over a tidy Kingdoms cravat and puffy-armed white cotton blouse, whiskered jaw, and the pipe, its embers glowing as the shipman inhales, casting the merest golden reflection into his eyes. This is what Snow takes in.
VARIELKY
(OOC: Remember to suffer 2d6 cold damage if you have not already.)
As Snow rushes ahead, Varielky catches up with Granophyre and Tamazaert, and Benita follows her friend. Granophyre, in an excited whisper, fills you in on what transpired downstairs, and expresses hope that one of the airships can transport you to safety.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow wanders out from the cover of the nest when he sees the figure has spotted him. No point being stealthy now.
He closes the distance until he can see the sailors face more clearly, his violin in his hand but no weapon. He hopes to strike the sailor as non threatening.
”Good evening, sir”, he says as he approaches, hoping that highlighting the Kingdoms portion of his accent will further put the man at ease.
SNOW
“To be sure,” comes the airshipman’s voice after a moment, brisk and clear as a mountain breeze, but in its rhythm, which perfectly matches Snow’s accent, a quick wit; and in its cadence, the scholarly drama of a professor strutting before a packed classroom. “A good evening, to be sure: abduction of children, decapitations, or even… a song, it seems. The night beckons any or all of these things. Depending upon one’s inclinations.” His tone curls up as if asking a question. Snow takes the man to be a middle-aged human, perhaps in his late fifties. The sense of familiarity grows, and Snow believes that if he saw the man's face he'd recognize him. (OOC: Btw, speaking of drama, I'm going to say that Snow's hood is up, as hiding seems to require this wardrobe manipulation in movies.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Riding gear, saddles, tack. If he even knew what to do with it, it would take time to get set. No flying for me today, Auger thinks as he moves by the stable-closet.
As he moves up the gangway towards the young Roc, Auger takes a moment to glance over his shoulder at the others, he is quite far from them and realizes he has little time to do anything if they are able to get the ship going. They might have to leave without him if the Imperials force them to. That would be... well he would need to move quickly. There is no time.
The Roc is ... owned by Sorakoyoshi? That would explain the eye. He senses the beast for what it is and with its motions can see it does not know what to think of him. Further he knows that he has no experience with handling animals of any sort. But he can certainly set it free. If it will let him.
Auger approaches and does his best to make calming noises as he tries to see how he can disconnect the chain or harness and allow the beast... Wyrm he named it? That would not do. A new name would be better. He needs to let it soar. Bay lên, in the southern old tongue. Soar.
Gently Auger says, "Hello there friend. I have sensed you from afar. I think you have sensed me too. I would call you Baylen. Have they mistreated you? That will not do. Perhaps I can let you go. You will soar, Baylen. That's what it means, to soar."
Knowing little about animals in general, and certainly nothing about a Roc, Auger continues making gentle sounds and describing what he is doing, just to fill the space and time as he focuses on the chain.
Details
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Ah, right. I thought Varielky just didn't start her turn in the area since Auger got rid of it before that, but I guess that's just abusing my conveniently late response (which, believe it or not, was not intentional). Damage is... 10. Ouch. Makes sense though. Smaller bodies will lose heat at an increased rate.)
"So he's on his way? Shouldn't we prepare to fight him?" Varielky is puzzled as to why they'd run to a ship that would surely take time to get moving, if it even goes as simply as that. The captain has called a roc before, so Varielky assumes he can ride one. That means he could catch up to them, given that Granophyre said the airships are slower than the rocs. Lastly, the others called him a warlock before. Varielky didn't see that in action, but if that were true, he could strike them at range, too.
Varielky turns on her heels. "I'll buy you time." Varielky sprints away, towards the guards'-house. "Just remember to pick me up before you leave!" She had no idea how that could be done, if at all, but the presence of the warlock captain while they're taking off would be detrimental, surely. Besides, if it comes to that, what greater death could one hope for than one which buys their friends, comrades and those they swore to protect; time to escape?
As she runs, Varielky draws Dreygaards and speaks to it, in Dreyen: ["Let my actions now be atonement for losing control before. May the gods' grace shine, guiding me and my sword, illuminating the proper path. May their might guide us to stand triumphant once the fighting is done."]
Varielky will Dash to run as fast as she can to be as close as she can when the captain arrives. She will not enter the building, however, but wait by the door instead. On the way, she uses Dreygaard's property to use Lay on Hands on herself, restoring 10 hit points, as well as cast Light so that she doesn't fight in the darkness.
Varielky
"You have witnessed much from your perch up there. As you can see, I am not much of one for decapitations. Not sure a simple violin or it's bow are capable of such", Snow says in response to the sailor.
"As for the abduction of children, that is not an inclination of mine either. In fact, the return of a child to it's mother is far more my speed", he continues.
"But a song, now there you have hit the truth. Tell me though, what brings a fellow Kingdom resident here, for you are the last person I expected to find? And yet somehow...familiar as well", he adds venturing closer still, finding the compulsion to draw back his hood too much to resist as he does so.
AUGER
The roc’s chain is attached to a roller, which through a gearbox is controlled by a wheel and a release lever. The roc seems ready to strike in self-defense, but when Auger begins to examine the chain attachment, to move the wheel and discover it only pulls the chain tighter, the creature moves away, ready, it seems, to fight against the chain’s tightening.
Auger is surprised when a moment later, a man comes up the gangway, not looking where he’s going really, carrying a saddle. This handler, apparently, had been asleep in the stable-closet, and roused when he heard movement above him, briskly climbed a ladder to the boarding platform, accustomed to his load. “I’ll be but a moment, Captain, patience, please!,” the strong old man grunts before turning to look Auger in the eye, and he freezes in place. “Errrrmmmm… I wouldn’t touch that if…”
At that moment, when Auger’s hand was just testing the release lever, the roc explodes upwards, leaping, pulling the chain; the gearbox whirs furiously, the chain links clicking like a thousand grains of rice spilling to the floor. The chain releases from the gearbox with a whoosh, slicing through the air and nearly striking both Auger and the saddle-carrying man. The roc seems about to fly away.
VARIELKY
You approach the guardhouse. This is where the stevedores and nurses fled to, and from within, as you get closer, you hear shouting and movement.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky keeps moving towards the door, but now at a slower pace, with her shield raised. She wants to see what's inside, but at the same time, in case what's waiting inside is a barrage of arrows, she wants to be able to duck behind cover, if possible. Thus, she remains close to the edge of the opening. However, she does not hide there. If anyone's looking for her, they'll see. "Is your captain here?" She calls into the room. Her goal is to leave this place, and while there was no chance he'd just let them do so, who knows? If nothing else, she might be able to buy time talking before spells and arrows dart through the air and blades draw blood.
(Varielky moves to I-3 (or I-2 if we're in the constraints of movement speed per round) while ready to jump back to cover granted by the wall (or block with her shield, whatever's fitting) if she's attacked on sight.)
Varielky
The sequence of events is too fast for Auger to do much more than react. He realizes how the chain works as the saddle-handler makes his appearance and before he has even looked away to respond to the man, the young Roc --Baylen-- has pulled away! Perfect, Auger thinks!
"Be free Baylen!" he calls out. "Do not come back here!" Auger says joyfully trying to wave him off. "Perhaps we will meet again!"
Stepping to go, Auger turns to look at the man. "If you care for these animals at all, you would see them all set free." Auger gestures towards the rest of the aerie. Seeing another Roc is nested between him and the ship and not yet seeing any activity from the Guardhouse, Auger move towards it, thinking to possibly set it free as well.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
AUGER
(OOC: Please note that the stat boxes for these creatures are homebrew, and not exactly 5e monster manual.)
The man begins to reply, “Now… lad… listen here…” however he does not have time to finish the thought. The roc does not fly free, and indeed, arcs immediately back around to grab Auger in one talon, and the other man in the other talon.
Auger, the grapple roll is 25. The other man is grappled, both he and the saddle enclosed tightly in the roc’s claw.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
VARIELKY
The shouting and movement stops a moment after Varielky’s reply, and a door slams shut inside. A voice replies, “Captain is near, warrior! Drop your weapons and surrender or you’re sure to feel his wrath!”
Varielky feels Dreygaard twinge, somehow making her certain a crossbow is aimed at her through one of the murder holes in the turret.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"I see you have your own mind in these matters, Baylen," Auger says to the bird. Auger tries to resist instinctually, but he is not very strong and once he relaxes a moment remembers he has his own ways to escape if need be. Feeling for his own powers he sense he has sufficient energy to do just that, but only just the one time, but he decides to wait on Baylen and see what the animal is thinking. Is this anger? Or, if it feels their connection as well, the thing that drew Auger here, perhaps it is trying to express itself in some fashion. By taking a possession? Maybe it is protecting him. Or saving a meal. Again, Auger thinks to himself, he has no mind for these things. Looking over to the saddle handler, Auger calls out. "If there is a command the Rocs know that will bring this one under some control, you had better say it now, or we will be flying away soon."
Details
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory