Red Dead Annihilation: Campaign Thread

Velan didn’t even try to rebuke Amphyretta’s words. Kelemvor would love undeath before he felt compassion for anything to happen with any aunt of that kind. He knew enough about them to know that the hexblood had no loss. If he was a better person, he maybe would have felt sorry for her true suffering. Going by her words it was such that she developed positive feelings towards her captor, her abuser, over time. Either that or she had such feelings emulated on her by a powerful charm spell. In the end the wizard decided it didn’t matter and returned to his tent waiting for Inete’s call. It didn’t come and he suspected the reason was the camp itself. Visions could be distracting and there was little to trust even here.

When the morning came, he prepared as usual, studying his spellbook, applying the repellent, casting the Mage Armor. As the journey started he could not help but ponder about the warns of the last night. A full coven serving whatever is behind the death curse.

“There is other things to consider.” He spoke soon after Hew. The hexblood woarning about him echoing in his head. We should ask his thoughts, his objective.  “These reclusive followers of Ubtao may know the location of the city we seek. Considering how old their community is it wouldn’t be strange. They could know also about the dangers of the jungle, be it fey or whatever threatens the Gauntlet. And I would like to know more about the village Amphyretta mentioned.” If folk there had broken the spells of a hag, then there were more than a few things to learn from them. “With the increase of the number of undead recently the people of M’bala may see advantage in providing us with such information.”

The Seekers pile into the two canoes and depart in good company from the Brave and Bold Company.  There is no sign of the hexblood woman this morning.  

As usual it is hot, but there are clouds on the horizon and the promise of rain after a couple of dry, clear days.

It is not long before the skies open and a heavy rain begins to fall.  For the first time that you recall, the rain is... not cool, exactly, but not as warm as usual.  It is almost refreshing.  The relief is short-lived, however, as the downpour ceases as quickly as it began, and a humid mist hangs over the river, before eventually burning off under the heat of the sun.

About this time, Ninlil flies down to warn Velan of approaching creatures, upriver.  There is a sound, deep and almost too low for you to hear.  

Danica:

 Though you reach for weapons and tense up, Hew laughs and encourages you all to keep paddling.  Soon the source of the sound becomes visible.  A few hundred yards upriver, a group of perhaps a dozen dinosaurs are gathered on the shore.  Most are adults but there are several young with them.  They are quadrupedal and their snouts end in wide, flat bills like ducks.  You all recognize these as hadrosaurs, one of the species sold as pack animals in Port Nyanzaru.  They pay you little attention, pacing nervously along the river bank before the plunge into the water, one by one, and begin to cross.  Hew now pulls his paddle and motions for you to slow and let them all cross in front of you.

For the first time you get a sense of the depth of the murky water.  The adults, a little shorter than a man at the shoulder, are able to walk about halfway across, but then the bottom drops and they begin to paddle.  Despite their ducklike appearance, they don't look suited to swimming and struggle in the current.  The drop off is much closer to the other shore, and the animals pull themselves up the embankment when they reach it and gather on the edge of the jungle to wait for the rest of the herd.  Just then, one of the last adults to cross stops moving forward just after it hits the deepwater.  It bobs like a cork, briefly disappearing below the surface.  It pops back up, continuing to paddle for the far shore, then bobs again.  Then, as it paddles forward, it begins to move slowly upriver, against the current.  It bobs one more time, and when it resurfaces, you catch a glimpse of a wide, clawed paw gripping its back, dark and scaled.  When the hadrosaur goes under again, it does not resurface, but the water roils as though there is furious activity just out of sight.  All of this plays out without more sound than the rippling of the water.  By now, the rest of the dinosaurs have reached the far shore.  They stand and look back to the far side, seemingly confused, and begin to call out in their deep, moaning tones.  

Hew watches the surface of the water for some time, then, without further explanation, takes up his paddle again.  "Let's move."

As you continue south, the jungle begins to recede from the shoreline and beaches of rock and sand reveal a wide, silty flood plain.  Hear and there, sandy islands breach the surface of the river.  You begin to see crocodiles.  Most are small, and scurry into the water as you approach.  But here and there larger specimens watch you coldly from the shore, or float on the surface.  "We can't stop for lunch.  Just keep moving." Hew continues paddling, but his head is on a swivel, trying to look everywhere at once.

Once the kinks and soreness of the previous day wear off, Ran settles into a rhythmic, almost trance-like motion of paddling. He keeps an eye on the water more than the shore and that doesn't change when he sees the large black paw pull the hadrosaur under.

As they put some distance in after the hadrosaur disappearance, Ran calls up to Hew.

"What was that back there?" Ran asks. "What pulled the big dino under the water?"

Glancing at the palm of her hand as she used Druidcraft to see that rain was soon in their future, Danica considered Hew's words and nodded. "Sounds like the river is our safest bet as well as the swiftest." But Velan was making her reconsider. "Wait a mo, so yer sayin' if we go by river then we wouldn't be able to go to M'bala?" Assuming that was the case, she would then shake her head. "Too good a chance we'll be able to learn something new about the Curse and Shepard by goin there. So skippin past it won't do I'm afraid, even if it does make our journey easier." 

Giving a wave to the trappers, Danica settled into the back of their canoe, rolling her neck for a moment before getting to steering. The sound of the river and insects droned out much thoughts until the elf saw that Velan's familiar was flying back towards them before all the hairs on her body seemed to stand on end at the rumbling she could feel roll through her body. The reverberating sound made something deep and primal inside of her tense and become completely alert so it was jarring to witness Hew simply laugh at their reactions. But as they continued forward the reason became rather apparent and Danica couldn't help the small smile of wonder cross her lips as she watched the hadrosaurs cross the river before them. But it didn't last as they witnessed the death of a straggler. 

At Hew's notice that they would be skipping lunch she called out loud enough for both canoes to hear, "Now's probably the time to eat those berries I gave ya." Looking over at Ran as he asked what had killed the straggler, she called out, "Must be those crocs. Those are what the Brave and the Bold were trapping and skinning, right? 

If that were indeed crocs, the chains on the beach, back in the little B&B fort,  began to look almost decorative. The size of the paw of that underwater creature alone was very impressive and Meili would hate to even imagine the jaws. She swallowed the berry from Danica, not feeling the taste, and pushed the paddle with even more determination. Lunch was sure the last thing in her mind right now.

"I didn't get a clear look.  Probably a croc..." Hew says.  "Keep your eyes up."

 [Velan, roll perception for Ninlil.   Nevermind.]

Mica rows in silence most of the morning, focusing on the task at hand.  He watches in awe as the dinosaurs wade the river before the lone straggler is lost beneath the ripples.  He didn’t know exactly what pulled the beast under, but answers Ran’s question anyway “A reminder that no matter how big you are, there is always something bigger or meaner out there.  Also a good reminder to avoid falling in the water, if the throat leeches weren’t enough.”  He pulls farther away from the scene with deep strokes.

 As they continue their journey, Mica fills Inete in on what little they learned from the woman last night, who Mica still thinks of as a witch.  He feels it will be important, especially with her mission to find the Red Wizards.  “The magic users deep in the jungle seem to work under the sway of these Sewn Sisters. Have you heard of them or this Soulmonger in your visions?” As they paddle, Mica keeps a sharp lookout for additional threats in the water or along the shoreline, learning from the crocs they have observed so far.  Perception: 8. (Passive Perception: 13)

You begin to pass more and more signs of animal life.  The river seems to grow shallower here, and shadows glide out from beneath your canoes as you pass overhead.  Here and there, skulls and ribs of predated creatures line the shores.  On large rocks overlooking the riverbank, you spot dimetrodons, such as the ones you saw in the coliseum.  And everywhere there are crocodiles.

Ninlil flaps down from above to warn of approaching danger, but his overhead eyes aren't really necessary.  You all can easily spot four large crocodiles as they surface and approach the boats from either side.  More raise their heads and turn to look at you from the beaches.  They mean to attack!

[No one is surprised... these crocodiles apparently don't know the meaning of the word 'stealth,' and your passive perceptions are all more than enough to notice them coming.]

Initiative:

• Crocodiles:  2
• Danica:  9
• Velan:  16
• Ran:  16
• Mica:  22
• Meili:  22
• Inete:  1
• Hew:  21

Alternating rowing on the left and right to keep steering straight, Danica snorted at Mica's caution. "Got that right. Never thought I'd say that the open ocean would be the safer option but true as can be in this case. Bugs bigger than yer head, strange curses, crocs, dinosaurs, shivering diseases and throat leeches. Give me a good ol' shark n scurvy any day." She joked lightheartedly, finding it easy to make light of the situation now that she was feeling better. 

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Danica glanced forward around Ran to where Velan was keeping lookout in tandem with his familiar. "So.... Seemed that Amphyretta did or said some sort of personal affront that provoked yer attitude last night. What was it?" Being rather direct as dancing around subjects wasn't her strong suit. But before they could talk further their canoes sailed right into some crocodiles.

Grimacing at the ill timing, Danica's head swiveled to get a good read of just how many there were and how surrounded their group was before feeling something something align within her and suddenly she was in her Starry Form once more. Bright eyes flicking between the crocodile on her right and left she pulled in the oar before aiming out a palm towards the one on the left that was further away from her but closest to Velan. Out of her palm shot a Guiding Bolt. "Don't tip the canoes!" She warned, "They get us in the water n we're dead!" Thinking back to how they took down that other dinosaur before.  Shooting off another Guiding Bolt towards the one creeping up on her and Ran. 

Bonus action Wildshape Starry Form (Archer), Guiding Bolt upon activation, 2nd Guiding Bolt for action. Action economy yo!
Attack: 19  // Damage: 8
Attack: 19  // Damage: 10

(From the map above, I'm assuming the crocs are within melee range already, if not, I'll adjust Ran's actions).

Counting the drops of sweat falling from his forehead between strokes of the paddle has turned into an almost form of meditation for Ran as they paddle along. But eve distracted by that, it's hard to miss the sight of the crocodiles surfacing nearing the canoes.

He grunts as Danica warns them not to tip the canoe.

Ran quickly swivels around, looking at both crocs approaching their canoe. Whatever that streak of light was that flashed from Danica's hand seems to have smacked the crocs pretty well.

Action - Longsword - at croc Danica attacked if it's not alive anymore, he will attack the one on the other side of the canoe): Attack: 18 Damage: 9  

Bonus Action - Dual Wield - Two Weapon Fighting - Longsword - Attack: 9 Damage: 11  

Mica noticed the crocs lounging on the shoreline and hoped they would be able to pass through without incident.  A notion he quickly gave up on as additional creatures in the water began to move toward the canoes.  Confident that they would not be able to outpaddle the threat, he reached for his hand axe.  "Crocs, be ready" he warned his canoe, just as Danica sent out bright blasts of energy from the other boat. 

He briefly considered the bow, but could not afford to lose any more arrows into the river, instead he readied an attack, preparing to swing his hand axe when the nearest croc came into range.

Attack: 12 Damage: 4.

Yep, the jaws of those creatures were not something one would want to see. Especially, when those jaws were dashing toward you.

The animals were close but not close enough to truly do something about them. All she could hope for is to maybe scare away the beast? A laughable idea, for sure, but to sit and do nothing felt worse.

Dart at the croc on her side: Attack: 12 Damage: 7

Danica's blast nearly lifts the target croc clear out of the water, a spray of bloody river water wafting through the air.  The 12 foot reptile sinks and does not rise again.

Ran finds none of the crocs are yet within melee range for his attacks.  [You can ready an attack instead, which would use your first roll.  Or you can adopt a different action.]

Meili's dart catches the crocodile between her and the small island right in the snout.  It thrashes back and forth in the water trying to dislodge the projectile.

Mica holds an attack...

Hew grunts in anger, then begins to paddle furiously, trying to turn the canoe toward the little island.  "Don't let them overturn the boats!"  Athletics 6

 ... But with just the one arm he over corrects on the steer and just manages to turn the boat completely around.

ROUND ONE

• Danica
• Ran (readied attack?)
• Meili
• Mica (readied attack)
• Hew
• Velan
• Crocodiles
• Inete

Updated Ran action:

Realizing the crocs are too far away to reach with his swords, Ran surveys the situation again. A hungry croc attacking from both sides of the canoe could mean an exposed back getting bitten. Then he spots the other crocs still on shore. He was no expert on the beasts and didn't know if they attacked as a group, but if a fight attracts the others into the water, there'd be more than one on either side and that was going to be trouble.

He leaves his swords sheathed for now and doubles his efforts at paddling, dipping the paddle first on one side then the other, pulling with all his strength.

Action - Paddle Dash? Athletics? 14  

As they took the river Velan commanded Ninlil to remain flying ahead, paying attention to the water. The first warn is about the presence of dinosaurs and they, much like the raptors, fascinate the wizard. There is not much time to admire them, for something makes them retreat. Something that the group soon find to be crocodiles. For a moment, a brief moment, the wizard considers asking if running away was not the right answer but was that even possible? Could they row faster than predators of the rivers can swim? Hew seemed to believe not. The dwarf tried to put one of the boats in the small isle close by.

The best surprise was to see Danica outright exterminate one of the reptiles. The wizard had feared they were as resilient as the giant turtle and fortunately, he was wrong. There shouldn’t be too hard to defeat these enemies, he thought considering his options. There was still much of the day in front of them so using Magic Missile could be precipitated. The enemies were in water, so Fire Bolt could just fail.

“Good to se you back at your best.” He says to Danica while pulling his arcane focus. His eyes flash teal while he moved his hands and mutter arcane incantations. He focused on the closest crocodile, the one that Ran seemed ready to target, readying to assault it with Mind Sliver.

Notes: Velan readies Mind Sliver against the same crocodile Ran attacks (Int Save DC 13 for the croc, in case of failure -1d4 from its next save throw and 1d6 psychic damage).

Damage: 3

Crocodile INT save: 2

10

Ran recognizes the crocs are out of reach for now.  He grabs a paddle instead, and rows, hell bent for leather, toward the nearest shore.  

Crocodile 2's primitive reptile mind is defenseless against Velan's spell, but the psychic pain does little to deter its predatory impulses.

Crocodile 1, on the far shore, watches the events on the other side of the channel with half-hearted interest, not yet stirred to action.

Crocodile 2 pursues Ran's canoe.  With a spray of river water, it surges upaward like an uncoiling spring to try and clamp its jaws down on Velan.  Attack: 15 Damage: 6   On a hit, Velan is grappled (escape DC 12). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the crocodile can't bite another target.

Crocodile 3, disturbed from its resting place on the beach, scurries into the water.  It assumes an aggressive posture towards Ran's boat, but does not attack this turn.

Crocodile 4, Meili's dart still stuck in its snout, submerges and rams the underside of the canoe.  Occupants of Hew's canoe must make a DEX save DC 4 or fall overboard.

Crocodile 5 closes on the canoe and attacks Mica.  As it propels itself out of the water, Mica gets off his readied attack, carving a gash on the beast's scaly head.   But that doesn't prevent the crocodile from completing its attack.  Attack: 13 Damage: 8  On a hit, Mica is grappled (escape DC 12). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the crocodile can't bite another target.

Crocodiles 6 and 7 slide into the water and take up positions alongside Hew's boat, reading attacks on anyone who falls overboard....

Hew DEX save:  21

Inete DEX save: 4

Both attacking crocs miss their mark and slide back into the water empty-jawed.

For a moment, it seems as though Inete is about to go over the side of the boat, but by sheer plot armor determination she catches herself and remains in her seat.  She clutches the jeweled eye around her neck and cries out, "Savras!  Open their eyes, that they may see the path to victory!"  She casts bless on Meili, Mica and Hew.

ROUND OTWO

• Danica
• Ran 
• Meili
• Mica 
• Hew
• Velan
• Crocodiles
• Inete