Whirling branches come at Auger with deadly intent. Reaching into the Sea of Stars he channels his powers and redirects the blow harmlessly away. This time.
"Lady Demsha...?"Auger wonders aloud at the conversation between the tree and Snow. "Why would she be sleeping... here?" Auger shakes his head at himself, too much to follow right now. Concentrating on his attacks, Auger continues unleashing his damaging powers; twisting bolts, the Yemma's Bolt of Light, whatever it takes to keep moving forward.
(OOC: I'm not entirely sure which trees are up or down, Auger will concentrate fire on one till it de-animates and then move on to the next target if he has any attacks remaining. He'll start with the one attacking him and then help Snow and then Kotashin.)
Bonus Action: Yemma's Guiding Bolt, targeting the one attacking Auger. 7 +10 = 17 for 9 points of radiant damage. Attacks against this tree now have advantage through the end of Auger's next turn.
Action: Eldritch Blast, with no pushing. Since this might be a new target, I will roll with advantage but give you each die in case the target does not present advantage.
Beam 1: (19, 9) +10 = 29. A hit for 12 points of force damage.
Beam 2: (7, 14) +10 = 24 for 12 points of force damage.
(Woah, lucky rage halves the damage, so we end up the same. With that said, shouldn't #6 be deanimated? Varielky's second strike from round #2 (posts #1593, #1596) dealt 15 damage, and then with her action in round #3, she took down tree #8. She also had her riposte against one of the trees that hit her during round #2, which I assumed was #6. That riposte dealt 18 damage, so it would be enough to take down #6 unless it wasn't against it. In that case, whom did she strike? Therefore I'll assume it's just another, new tree #10, but otherwise I'm referring to that same tree.)
Perhaps splitting her attention between all trees and all allies was too reckless in this situation, as while Varielky worries for Kotashin and strikes down one tree, a massive branch of another tree strikes Varielky from the side. Even in her enhanced state, she now felt intense pain in her arm. Probably not broken... but that might just be luck. "Almost there! Don't give up!" She calls despite everything.
Determined to push on before she or anyone else can get hit by another such strike, Varielky focuses entirely on the tree in front of her. Perhaps, instead of clearing all the trees around, they can just form a spearhead and break through their line of defence.
Rage: Round 4/10. Strength Save: (2, 13 - advantage)+8=21. BA: Second Wind, healing 4+7=11 HP. Action: Attack. Will focus on #10 (or #6 if it is still #6 after all). Attack #1: 13+10=23. Damage: 2+11=13. Attack #2: 2+10=12, expending her last SD for Precision Strike manoeuvre, adding 6 for a total of 18. Damage: 5+11=16.
Snow continues trying to talk sense into the tree, which he fully accepts is a little bit of an odd thing to be doing.
”Her angel? What makes you think that she is an Angel of the goddess? We mean the goddess no harm, and yet even with the first two riddles answered correctly, that so called Angel demanded our demise. Is the a lady Demsha so bloodthirsty as that?”, he inquires.
”How do you know you are not being deceived? When did the Goddess herself last speak to you directly?”.
Tree #3 responds to Snow, “I speak to the goddess always. She is everywhere here and we sense her presence, although since she sleeps we are unwell. The Angel? She is always angry with those of the Lands and Seas. They all are, ever since their beloveds were taken away.”
“Yup, that’s the truth,” calls back another of the trees, over its shoulder, so to speak.
Snow has fallen behind and trees #9 and #10 are now between him and the others. (If he were to use a disengage action he could remedy this, as there is 5 to 10’ between each of the trees, although they have 10’ reach.)
Tree #7 de-animates after being struck by Auger’s Guiding Bolt. We’ll say his following blasts are against Tree #9, which is attacking Kotashin. Both hit, but the tree continues moving.
Tree #6 was defeated by Varielky’s prior reaction. The shield-maiden’s strikes against #10 do 29HP total, damaging the awakened tree significantly, but it continues thrashing and attacking with its enormous limbs.
Kotashin, who was side-swiped and thrown high into the air then batted to the ground and whipped by tree roots, looks very unwell. The fey creature yells, “Okay Valkraky, I will do what you said!,” and dodges, trying to take cover behind the shield-maiden.
As Tree #3 continues discussion with Snow, it swipes at him with slow gestures which are easy to read and dodge. The tree’s heart isn’t in it at the moment, it seems, although it still continues going through the motions.
Tree #11 comes to life, shrugging off a hundred cracked seed-casings and attacks Auger, a 22 for 14HP bludgeoning.
Tree #9 continues its assault on Kotashin, which dodges, evading a slamming branch.
Tree #10 attacks Varielky, rolling 16 for 16HP bludgeoning.
The clearing is just beyond the newest arrivals. You could reach it if you disengaged, and you know the trees move 20'. The clearing is about 70’ across, then the cabin, which you see the hag enter. The door remains open.
Trees 3, 9, 10 and 11 are up. #3 is wounded and suffers from Snow’s bane. #9 and #10 are both wounded so that one small blow will de-animate them. Tree #11 is fresh. Kotashin is badly wounded and looks like it might pass out.
Again Auger splits his attention among many things and again he finds himself unable to avoid or redirect another blow. The others hear Auger cry out as he momentarily falls to the ground. (Str Saving throw: 4 -1 = 3).
"These trees are endless! Let's get ahead of them and get into the field there where we can see them coming!"
From the ground Auger knows he cannot get there immediately and so he stands and then continues as he has been doing, moving as best as he can to keep up with Varielky while releasing as much destruction as he can into the tree that attacked him and then the one attacking Kotashin.
Move: Stand in place (1/2 movement).
Bonus Action: Yemma's Guiding Bolt, targeting the one attacking Auger, #11. Crit for 19 points of radiant damage. Attacks against this tree now have advantage through the end of Auger's next turn.
Snow cocks an eyebrow at the news of the beloveds.
"Their beloveds were taken away. By whom?", he asks, intrigued.
"Perhaps there is another way for us to earn an audience with the Goddess. Maybe we could look into this?", he suggests, whilst moving quickly through the crowd of trees sidestepping them.
As he moves his notices Kotashin's condition, and whispers some words of Elvish, sending healing energy into elephant-folk.
Action: Disengage Movement: As far towards the clearing as possible, staying close to Varielky Bonus Action: Cast Healing Word on Kotashin at level 2: 4+3+5=12
Varielky had a plan. Not a very complicated one, but one that should improve their situation... maybe. At least, it should help get Kotashin out of danger, or a tiny bit farther from it. Since she has already hit one of the trees twice, she assumed another hit would send it to root somewhere else like the rest of the trees. Then, she could grab Kotashin and run towards the cabin, then allow him to run freely without worrying about the trees behind them while she blocks their advance towards everyone. A sound plan, in theory.
But trying to do it all in a rush, Varielky misjudges the distance and the tip of Dreygaard's blade whiffs completely. Varielky then sheathes Dreygaard despite it all, grabbing Kotashin with one hand and running towards the clearing for a bit before breaking and turning back to face the trees, she puts Kotashin down. "Run!" She commands.
Action: Attack. Attack #1, against #10: 1! Critical failure... Free Action: Sheathe Dreygaard. Attack #2, substituted to a grapple to grab Kotashin (I'll assume he won't resist, but if he does... Athletics: (2, 4 - advantage)+8=12). Movement: As far as Varielky can get. Should be 15' while grappling an enemy, but since that's not exactly the situation, maybe she can run 30'? Either way, she'll then let go of Kotashin so he can run away.
Auger’s spell attacks stop Trees #9 and #11 in place, and both de-animate, raising their branches skywards and looking for all the world like normal trees. Snow leaves Tree #3 behind, and passes Tree #10 as it takes a swipe at Varielky. Its bough smashes just behind her as she picks up Kotashin. “Thank, thank, thank you Valkraky!,” it croaks, as it goes cross-eyed and its tongue droops out in pleasure in response to Snow’s healing magic, which remedies the worst of its worries. A peaceful smile forms on its face as Varielky carries it into the clearing, but the seriousness of the situation filters back in momentarily, and it sets its little jaw – or its trunk, anyhow – and begins to run beside her.
All four of you have now reached the clearing in fact, and the trees pause at the edge of the woods. #3 calls in parting to Snow, “They were taken away by those you call the Old Mystics. When I was but a sapling.”
As you approach the cabin, the distance to it seems strangely to grow, until you realize the grass underfoot is alive, and sticking to your boots, slowing your progress significantly. That’s when the bright full moon seems to lose its light. For an enormous flock of crows – a murder, it’s called – at least 200 of them, rises from the treetops encircling the clearing, covering the sky, screeching, cawing, circling tightly.
50’ separates you from the cabin. The terrain is difficult due to the enchanted grass. The crows will attack in seconds.
“My thanks”, Snow calls to the tree he has been conversing with. “I hope we will not always be adversaries”.
He then looks to the cabin, down to the ground and up to the flock of crows.
”I think Run is the best course of action. Form a line in front of me heading to the cabin, I will try and protect us”, he says as he starts to move.
As he moves he starts to play his violin, drawing into the void in it’s centre elemental energies, ready to release as a wall of wind surrounding them, leaving only a narrow channel heading directly to the cabin.
Movement: 15ft (full movement) towards the cabin
Action: ReadyWind Wall curving around behind them and then creating a roof-less tunnel towards the cabin. Total length 50feet, height 15 feet. Any birds caught in it when it appears take 9 damage, half on Str 18 save. Trigger to cast is when the others are beyond him.
Bonus Action: Will use telekinesis to nudge one of the others forward if needed.
(OOC: Although there is no roof (unless he is allowed to curve the wall?), it should make it very difficult for the crows to attack, especially in round 1 before they know it is there)
Varielky trudges through the long weeds. "And I thought we were done fighting against nature after forming an alliance with the Red Cypress. We had just helped them escape that temple, too." Even though she doesn't know what Snow is planning, Varielky will stay right in front of him as he asked. Varielky never considered crows dangerous beasts, but she had never seen so many of them flock together, either.
Rage: Ends. Action: Dash. Move: 30' (full) towards the cabin, staying in a straight line in front of Snow.
"Ahh, yes, as you say,"Auger says in response to Snow. He has some of his own tricks of course but there was no need to use them if Snow's magic could protect them. Per instruction, Auger gets ahead of Snow and moves as best as he can towards the cabin. This grass interferes with his movement he finds and he considers whether there would be any benefit to moving himself straight to the cabin but he chooses to stay with the others, at least for now.
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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
(OOC: You three would have been taught the following about gods: The Red Cypress is not Demsha is not Ritha Demsha nor the hag/angel. Think of them, perhaps, as the four faces of Eve. Discreet representations of a being/soul/entity whose goals, actions, etc. are beyond comprehension.)
Round 6
Varielky pushes forwards, Kotashin just behind her, then Auger, and lastly, Snow, whose wind wall comes into being just as the first crows torpedo out of the night sky overhead.
The first rank of twenty are engulfed by the wall as it rises, lose control, and careen downwards, smashing into the ground, feathers flying, bones breaking, dead. The rest whoosh upwards, are sent fluttering and disoriented back into the moonlit darkness. The bulk of them circle around overhead then form up to try a second assault from the other side, a few dozen on the edges noting the calm hanging directly above you and breaking off from the rest.
Varielky is now 20’ from the cabin; Kotashin, 25’, Auger, 30’, and Snow, 35’. You notice a single candle now shines in one of the cabin windows, and a thin line of smoke wisps up from the chimney.
Sensing now is the time for action, Auger reaches into the Sea of Stars and moves himself all the way to the cabin door... but it fails to work, Auger forgot that this did power did not work in the Fey Wild!
Still he moves forward as much as he can and turns and reaches into the Yemma's Diadem and through it to the Sea of Stars where he draws forth a pair of motes that begin emitting sparks as they attach themselves to his rod. When the crows next come into range, Auger plans to release the motes where they will explode in the midst of the dark birds, killing some and hopefully dissuading others from continuing their pursuit.
"Get in! Get in! I can cover us!"Auger calls, completely unsure if the statement is true. As he gestures to them he realizes he has been ignoring the protests coming from his chest area. Broken ribs perhaps.
Bonus Action: Misty Step to door. FAILS - let me know if I need to exhaust the slot or not.
Move: 15' towards the cabin.
Action: Ready. When the flock comes into range will release the pair of motes hoping to maximize the number of birds caught in the AOE. The description says 15' cubesand so hoping the 3-dimensionality of the birds location creates a lot of opportunities. Mote 1: 13 points of fire damage. Mote 2: 8 points of fire damage.
Shooting Stars. You can expend 1 to 3 charges as an action. For every charge you expend, you launch a glowing mote of light from the diadem at a point you can see within 60 feet of you. Each creature within a 15-foot cube originating from that point is showered in sparks and must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5d4 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
If feasible Auger will be last one to enter the cabin and may have an interact with object remaining to close the door behind him.
(OOC: Varielky stops in her tracks I will say, because what she sees is nothing like what she might have expected. I will elucidate once everyone is inside.)
Snow waits for the others to move ahead of him and then bolts for the cabin door himself. The going is difficult with the grass tangling his boots and shortening his stride.
He maintains the wall of wind as he goes, even thought his route takes him out of it's cover.
"You don't have to ask me twice", he says to Auger as he passes by him.
Concentration: Wind Wall - round 2/10 Movement: 15ft (full movement) towards the cabin Action: Dash another 15ft towards the cabin Bonus Action: Will use telekinesis to nudge one of the others forward if needed.
Kotashin continues to shadow Varielky, running in the wake of her shield and entering the cabin door just behind her.
Auger ends his turn on the cabin’s threshold just outside the door, and Snow, 5’ away from the threshold.
The crows swirl upwards, and the greater portion of them dive down from your left side now, their wings a torrent of black feathers, their beaks set like sharp knives to pierce you.
Several dozen come from behind you, avoiding the wall of wind, and they reach you before the others.
At the last moment, Auger’s shooting stars flare, and the leading crows burst into flame. Scores of smoking corpses pile into you and push you headlong to fall through the doorway as the remaining hundred black-feathered birds, like a screeching claw, whips across your path behind you, slicing over the cabin threshold. You all hear their passage, it takes half a minute for the last one to whoosh past.
But then the door disappears behind you, blending into the wall. Nor is the wall what you might expect to have discovered in this small wooden cabin. It is now made of carved stone, almost orange in the golden glow of the morning sun which shines directly toward you.
Turning to face the center of the structure, perhaps shielding your eyes from the sudden brightness, you find that you are now in a temple. Its walls are ancient, bearing bas reliefs and tiled artwork half covered by huge patches of thriving ivy. Tall pillars support a broad dome overhead, and beyond the pillars opposite you, you see a woman, lying on her side, asleep in the morning sunshine. A woman the size of a mountain.
Standing in the temple with you, some 80’ away, their back to the sleeping figure, is another being, this one of indeterminate gender. They stand 12’ tall, and wear a toga-like robe or gown, made entirely of long flower petals woven loosely together.
To one side of them is a lectern upon which is laid an enormous open codex.
The being regards you quietly from across the large chamber. It takes you a moment to discern that their eyes are narrowed and they stare at you with the same open contempt as the hag had earlier. The expression, indeed, is exactly the same.
Snow breathes a sigh of relief as he enters the cabin and hears the sounds of the birds whooshing passed. As he turns to face into what he thinks will be a cabin, he has a moment of surprise as he squints against the sudden brightness. It was a temple, an ancient temple.
The archaeologist in him can't help but stare at the bas reliefs and artwork on the walls.
It is then that he notices the sleeping mountain sized woman and the 12' toga wearing being. He does a double take on the latter as he realises this was likely the hag from outside the cabin.
"Please", he implores with arms spread wide in a sign of peaceful intent. "We do not wish to be adversaries. On the contrary, we are here to implore the Lady Demsha for aid in our attempt to leave this place".
As Auger falls through the doorway and sees the passage of the crows he cannot help but think that they were led here. In the time it takes for them to pas across the doorway, Auger thinks of Py and summons it to him, hoping it had survived the crows.
Well that was something Py, and now this place. Do you perceive the Temple as I do? And the Sleeping Lady? And the... guardian there?
Standing and looking around he finds himself wondering if this place is like... like his cousin's lair. An illusion made to dress up a cave. Carefully Auger reaches out to the wall where the door was. Did it feel like stone? Did the floor feel as it looked? (Investigation: 7 +1 = 8). A Temple in a cabin guarded by a hag and animated trees in the Fey Wild. Perhaps Varielky is right and this place is a dream.
Auger turns and gives his full attention to the rest of the Temple, and its occupant. As Snow speaks, Auger finds himself nodding at the assertion to not be adversaries. He looks beyond the hag/being at the enormous sleeping lady. Auger idly finds himself rubbing his fingers on the pendant he wears at his neck in worship of Piya and then thinks of his coat with its connection to D'ya Boabab. But they had aligned with the Red Cypress and they worshipped Ritha Demsha. This could go smoothly.
Except. Except this figure, it did not look pleased. What would it ask for next he wonders. More riddles? Another fight? A boon perhaps or a quest? Something in return? Auger has no urge to rush into any of that and allows Snow's words to represent them for the moment.
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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
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(OOC: Varielky and Kotashin are both struck critically. Varielky please double the damage above.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Whirling branches come at Auger with deadly intent. Reaching into the Sea of Stars he channels his powers and redirects the blow harmlessly away. This time.
"Lady Demsha...?" Auger wonders aloud at the conversation between the tree and Snow. "Why would she be sleeping... here?" Auger shakes his head at himself, too much to follow right now. Concentrating on his attacks, Auger continues unleashing his damaging powers; twisting bolts, the Yemma's Bolt of Light, whatever it takes to keep moving forward.
Details
(OOC: I'm not entirely sure which trees are up or down, Auger will concentrate fire on one till it de-animates and then move on to the next target if he has any attacks remaining. He'll start with the one attacking him and then help Snow and then Kotashin.)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Woah, lucky rage halves the damage, so we end up the same. With that said, shouldn't #6 be deanimated? Varielky's second strike from round #2 (posts #1593, #1596) dealt 15 damage, and then with her action in round #3, she took down tree #8. She also had her riposte against one of the trees that hit her during round #2, which I assumed was #6. That riposte dealt 18 damage, so it would be enough to take down #6 unless it wasn't against it. In that case, whom did she strike? Therefore I'll assume it's just another, new tree #10, but otherwise I'm referring to that same tree.)
Perhaps splitting her attention between all trees and all allies was too reckless in this situation, as while Varielky worries for Kotashin and strikes down one tree, a massive branch of another tree strikes Varielky from the side. Even in her enhanced state, she now felt intense pain in her arm. Probably not broken... but that might just be luck. "Almost there! Don't give up!" She calls despite everything.
Determined to push on before she or anyone else can get hit by another such strike, Varielky focuses entirely on the tree in front of her. Perhaps, instead of clearing all the trees around, they can just form a spearhead and break through their line of defence.
Rage: Round 4/10.
Strength Save: (2, 13 - advantage)+8=21.
BA: Second Wind, healing 4+7=11 HP.
Action: Attack. Will focus on #10 (or #6 if it is still #6 after all).
Attack #1: 13+10=23. Damage: 2+11=13.
Attack #2: 2+10=12, expending her last SD for Precision Strike manoeuvre, adding 6 for a total of 18. Damage: 5+11=16.
Varielky
Snow continues trying to talk sense into the tree, which he fully accepts is a little bit of an odd thing to be doing.
”Her angel? What makes you think that she is an Angel of the goddess? We mean the goddess no harm, and yet even with the first two riddles answered correctly, that so called Angel demanded our demise. Is the a lady Demsha so bloodthirsty as that?”, he inquires.
”How do you know you are not being deceived? When did the Goddess herself last speak to you directly?”.
Persuasion: 4+8=12
Round 4 Results
Tree #3 responds to Snow, “I speak to the goddess always. She is everywhere here and we sense her presence, although since she sleeps we are unwell. The Angel? She is always angry with those of the Lands and Seas. They all are, ever since their beloveds were taken away.”
“Yup, that’s the truth,” calls back another of the trees, over its shoulder, so to speak.
Snow has fallen behind and trees #9 and #10 are now between him and the others. (If he were to use a disengage action he could remedy this, as there is 5 to 10’ between each of the trees, although they have 10’ reach.)
Tree #7 de-animates after being struck by Auger’s Guiding Bolt. We’ll say his following blasts are against Tree #9, which is attacking Kotashin. Both hit, but the tree continues moving.
Tree #6 was defeated by Varielky’s prior reaction. The shield-maiden’s strikes against #10 do 29HP total, damaging the awakened tree significantly, but it continues thrashing and attacking with its enormous limbs.
Kotashin, who was side-swiped and thrown high into the air then batted to the ground and whipped by tree roots, looks very unwell. The fey creature yells, “Okay Valkraky, I will do what you said!,” and dodges, trying to take cover behind the shield-maiden.
As Tree #3 continues discussion with Snow, it swipes at him with slow gestures which are easy to read and dodge. The tree’s heart isn’t in it at the moment, it seems, although it still continues going through the motions.
Tree #11 comes to life, shrugging off a hundred cracked seed-casings and attacks Auger, a 22 for 14HP bludgeoning.
Tree #9 continues its assault on Kotashin, which dodges, evading a slamming branch.
Tree #10 attacks Varielky, rolling 16 for 16HP bludgeoning.
The clearing is just beyond the newest arrivals. You could reach it if you disengaged, and you know the trees move 20'. The clearing is about 70’ across, then the cabin, which you see the hag enter. The door remains open.
Trees 3, 9, 10 and 11 are up. #3 is wounded and suffers from Snow’s bane. #9 and #10 are both wounded so that one small blow will de-animate them. Tree #11 is fresh. Kotashin is badly wounded and looks like it might pass out.
Please post for Round 5.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Again Auger splits his attention among many things and again he finds himself unable to avoid or redirect another blow. The others hear Auger cry out as he momentarily falls to the ground. (Str Saving throw: 4 -1 = 3).
"These trees are endless! Let's get ahead of them and get into the field there where we can see them coming!"
From the ground Auger knows he cannot get there immediately and so he stands and then continues as he has been doing, moving as best as he can to keep up with Varielky while releasing as much destruction as he can into the tree that attacked him and then the one attacking Kotashin.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow cocks an eyebrow at the news of the beloveds.
"Their beloveds were taken away. By whom?", he asks, intrigued.
"Perhaps there is another way for us to earn an audience with the Goddess. Maybe we could look into this?", he suggests, whilst moving quickly through the crowd of trees sidestepping them.
As he moves his notices Kotashin's condition, and whispers some words of Elvish, sending healing energy into elephant-folk.
Action: Disengage
Movement: As far towards the clearing as possible, staying close to Varielky
Bonus Action: Cast Healing Word on Kotashin at level 2: 4+3+5=12
Varielky had a plan. Not a very complicated one, but one that should improve their situation... maybe. At least, it should help get Kotashin out of danger, or a tiny bit farther from it. Since she has already hit one of the trees twice, she assumed another hit would send it to root somewhere else like the rest of the trees. Then, she could grab Kotashin and run towards the cabin, then allow him to run freely without worrying about the trees behind them while she blocks their advance towards everyone. A sound plan, in theory.
But trying to do it all in a rush, Varielky misjudges the distance and the tip of Dreygaard's blade whiffs completely. Varielky then sheathes Dreygaard despite it all, grabbing Kotashin with one hand and running towards the clearing for a bit before breaking and turning back to face the trees, she puts Kotashin down. "Run!" She commands.
Action: Attack.
Attack #1, against #10: 1! Critical failure...
Free Action: Sheathe Dreygaard.
Attack #2, substituted to a grapple to grab Kotashin (I'll assume he won't resist, but if he does... Athletics: (2, 4 - advantage)+8=12).
Movement: As far as Varielky can get. Should be 15' while grappling an enemy, but since that's not exactly the situation, maybe she can run 30'? Either way, she'll then let go of Kotashin so he can run away.
Varielky
Round 5 Results
Auger’s spell attacks stop Trees #9 and #11 in place, and both de-animate, raising their branches skywards and looking for all the world like normal trees. Snow leaves Tree #3 behind, and passes Tree #10 as it takes a swipe at Varielky. Its bough smashes just behind her as she picks up Kotashin. “Thank, thank, thank you Valkraky!,” it croaks, as it goes cross-eyed and its tongue droops out in pleasure in response to Snow’s healing magic, which remedies the worst of its worries. A peaceful smile forms on its face as Varielky carries it into the clearing, but the seriousness of the situation filters back in momentarily, and it sets its little jaw – or its trunk, anyhow – and begins to run beside her.
All four of you have now reached the clearing in fact, and the trees pause at the edge of the woods. #3 calls in parting to Snow, “They were taken away by those you call the Old Mystics. When I was but a sapling.”
As you approach the cabin, the distance to it seems strangely to grow, until you realize the grass underfoot is alive, and sticking to your boots, slowing your progress significantly. That’s when the bright full moon seems to lose its light. For an enormous flock of crows – a murder, it’s called – at least 200 of them, rises from the treetops encircling the clearing, covering the sky, screeching, cawing, circling tightly.
50’ separates you from the cabin. The terrain is difficult due to the enchanted grass. The crows will attack in seconds.
Please post for Round 6.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“My thanks”, Snow calls to the tree he has been conversing with. “I hope we will not always be adversaries”.
He then looks to the cabin, down to the ground and up to the flock of crows.
”I think Run is the best course of action. Form a line in front of me heading to the cabin, I will try and protect us”, he says as he starts to move.
As he moves he starts to play his violin, drawing into the void in it’s centre elemental energies, ready to release as a wall of wind surrounding them, leaving only a narrow channel heading directly to the cabin.
Movement: 15ft (full movement) towards the cabin
Action: Ready Wind Wall curving around behind them and then creating a roof-less tunnel towards the cabin. Total length 50feet, height 15 feet. Any birds caught in it when it appears take 9 damage, half on Str 18 save. Trigger to cast is when the others are beyond him.
Bonus Action: Will use telekinesis to nudge one of the others forward if needed.
(OOC: Although there is no roof (unless he is allowed to curve the wall?), it should make it very difficult for the crows to attack, especially in round 1 before they know it is there)
Varielky trudges through the long weeds. "And I thought we were done fighting against nature after forming an alliance with the Red Cypress. We had just helped them escape that temple, too." Even though she doesn't know what Snow is planning, Varielky will stay right in front of him as he asked. Varielky never considered crows dangerous beasts, but she had never seen so many of them flock together, either.
Rage: Ends.
Action: Dash.
Move: 30' (full) towards the cabin, staying in a straight line in front of Snow.
Varielky
"Ahh, yes, as you say," Auger says in response to Snow. He has some of his own tricks of course but there was no need to use them if Snow's magic could protect them. Per instruction, Auger gets ahead of Snow and moves as best as he can towards the cabin. This grass interferes with his movement he finds and he considers whether there would be any benefit to moving himself straight to the cabin but he chooses to stay with the others, at least for now.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: You three would have been taught the following about gods: The Red Cypress is not Demsha is not Ritha Demsha nor the hag/angel. Think of them, perhaps, as the four faces of Eve. Discreet representations of a being/soul/entity whose goals, actions, etc. are beyond comprehension.)
Round 6
Varielky pushes forwards, Kotashin just behind her, then Auger, and lastly, Snow, whose wind wall comes into being just as the first crows torpedo out of the night sky overhead.
The first rank of twenty are engulfed by the wall as it rises, lose control, and careen downwards, smashing into the ground, feathers flying, bones breaking, dead. The rest whoosh upwards, are sent fluttering and disoriented back into the moonlit darkness. The bulk of them circle around overhead then form up to try a second assault from the other side, a few dozen on the edges noting the calm hanging directly above you and breaking off from the rest.
Varielky is now 20’ from the cabin; Kotashin, 25’, Auger, 30’, and Snow, 35’. You notice a single candle now shines in one of the cabin windows, and a thin line of smoke wisps up from the chimney.
Please post for Round 7
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Sensing now is the time for action, Auger reaches into the Sea of Stars and moves himself all the way to the cabin door... but it fails to work, Auger forgot that this did power did not work in the Fey Wild!
Still he moves forward as much as he can and turns and reaches into the Yemma's Diadem and through it to the Sea of Stars where he draws forth a pair of motes that begin emitting sparks as they attach themselves to his rod. When the crows next come into range, Auger plans to release the motes where they will explode in the midst of the dark birds, killing some and hopefully dissuading others from continuing their pursuit.
"Get in! Get in! I can cover us!" Auger calls, completely unsure if the statement is true. As he gestures to them he realizes he has been ignoring the protests coming from his chest area. Broken ribs perhaps.
Shooting Stars. You can expend 1 to 3 charges as an action. For every charge you expend, you launch a glowing mote of light from the diadem at a point you can see within 60 feet of you. Each creature within a 15-foot cube originating from that point is showered in sparks and must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5d4 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
If feasible Auger will be last one to enter the cabin and may have an interact with object remaining to close the door behind him.DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Varielky keeps on tredge-running through the enchanted weeds, until finally she reaches the cabin's door, opening it (if she can) and storming in.
((Dashing, Varielky should have 20 more feet of movement, and maybe a BA. If the door can be opened, what does Varielky see?))
Varielky
(OOC: Varielky stops in her tracks I will say, because what she sees is nothing like what she might have expected. I will elucidate once everyone is inside.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow waits for the others to move ahead of him and then bolts for the cabin door himself. The going is difficult with the grass tangling his boots and shortening his stride.
He maintains the wall of wind as he goes, even thought his route takes him out of it's cover.
"You don't have to ask me twice", he says to Auger as he passes by him.
Concentration: Wind Wall - round 2/10
Movement: 15ft (full movement) towards the cabin
Action: Dash another 15ft towards the cabin
Bonus Action: Will use telekinesis to nudge one of the others forward if needed.
Kotashin continues to shadow Varielky, running in the wake of her shield and entering the cabin door just behind her.
Auger ends his turn on the cabin’s threshold just outside the door, and Snow, 5’ away from the threshold.
The crows swirl upwards, and the greater portion of them dive down from your left side now, their wings a torrent of black feathers, their beaks set like sharp knives to pierce you.
Several dozen come from behind you, avoiding the wall of wind, and they reach you before the others.
At the last moment, Auger’s shooting stars flare, and the leading crows burst into flame. Scores of smoking corpses pile into you and push you headlong to fall through the doorway as the remaining hundred black-feathered birds, like a screeching claw, whips across your path behind you, slicing over the cabin threshold. You all hear their passage, it takes half a minute for the last one to whoosh past.
But then the door disappears behind you, blending into the wall. Nor is the wall what you might expect to have discovered in this small wooden cabin. It is now made of carved stone, almost orange in the golden glow of the morning sun which shines directly toward you.
Turning to face the center of the structure, perhaps shielding your eyes from the sudden brightness, you find that you are now in a temple. Its walls are ancient, bearing bas reliefs and tiled artwork half covered by huge patches of thriving ivy. Tall pillars support a broad dome overhead, and beyond the pillars opposite you, you see a woman, lying on her side, asleep in the morning sunshine. A woman the size of a mountain.
Standing in the temple with you, some 80’ away, their back to the sleeping figure, is another being, this one of indeterminate gender. They stand 12’ tall, and wear a toga-like robe or gown, made entirely of long flower petals woven loosely together.
To one side of them is a lectern upon which is laid an enormous open codex.
The being regards you quietly from across the large chamber. It takes you a moment to discern that their eyes are narrowed and they stare at you with the same open contempt as the hag had earlier. The expression, indeed, is exactly the same.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow breathes a sigh of relief as he enters the cabin and hears the sounds of the birds whooshing passed. As he turns to face into what he thinks will be a cabin, he has a moment of surprise as he squints against the sudden brightness. It was a temple, an ancient temple.
The archaeologist in him can't help but stare at the bas reliefs and artwork on the walls.
It is then that he notices the sleeping mountain sized woman and the 12' toga wearing being. He does a double take on the latter as he realises this was likely the hag from outside the cabin.
"Please", he implores with arms spread wide in a sign of peaceful intent. "We do not wish to be adversaries. On the contrary, we are here to implore the Lady Demsha for aid in our attempt to leave this place".
Persuasion: 19+8=27
As Auger falls through the doorway and sees the passage of the crows he cannot help but think that they were led here. In the time it takes for them to pas across the doorway, Auger thinks of Py and summons it to him, hoping it had survived the crows.
Well that was something Py, and now this place. Do you perceive the Temple as I do? And the Sleeping Lady? And the... guardian there?
Standing and looking around he finds himself wondering if this place is like... like his cousin's lair. An illusion made to dress up a cave. Carefully Auger reaches out to the wall where the door was. Did it feel like stone? Did the floor feel as it looked? (Investigation: 7 +1 = 8). A Temple in a cabin guarded by a hag and animated trees in the Fey Wild. Perhaps Varielky is right and this place is a dream.
Auger turns and gives his full attention to the rest of the Temple, and its occupant. As Snow speaks, Auger finds himself nodding at the assertion to not be adversaries. He looks beyond the hag/being at the enormous sleeping lady. Auger idly finds himself rubbing his fingers on the pendant he wears at his neck in worship of Piya and then thinks of his coat with its connection to D'ya Boabab. But they had aligned with the Red Cypress and they worshipped Ritha Demsha. This could go smoothly.
Except. Except this figure, it did not look pleased. What would it ask for next he wonders. More riddles? Another fight? A boon perhaps or a quest? Something in return? Auger has no urge to rush into any of that and allows Snow's words to represent them for the moment.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory