Red Dead Annihilation: Campaign Thread

 Disclaimer:  I spoke with the DM in private and rolled a Natural 20 in a Arcana check (total 25) asked by him to have the information about Hunger of Hadar so the content in the post is actually not metagame.

He recognized the cadaveric figure magecraft as one he uses himself, Magic Missile, and read in the number of motes a despairing truth. Normally the evocation released three darts of energy. This number, he knew, increased with the energy level concentrated on the magic execution. If the arcane, normally of first level, was conjured with the strength of a spell of second degree of complexity, another dart with be added. If conjured with the strength of a spell of third degree, two darts would be added and so on. The fact that three darts hit Danica, Meili and Mica meant that this enemy could use spells of the seventh magnitude.

“Ignis!” He shouted retreating, sniping the closest zombie out of reflex. Velan was about to the tell the group to run when the saw the black sphere appear and noticed it distorting space on its appearance. That was not Darkness, it was Hunger of Hadar. A power of eldritch, alien, origins that only warlocks use. And warlocks don’t manifest spells of seventh magnitude, he pondered. Unless the missiles come from a magic item. That would explain why the undead used a less potent technique instead of repeating its attack. Either the item had a delay to be used or its power had been spent.

Hunger of Hadar remains for a set duration, it is not dropped, he remined. That indicate to him that the undead didn’t prioritize being able to see the enemies, a condition for using Magic Missile. That meant, to his eyes, that the undead could not repeat the first assault. We may be able to do this.

“The caster is a Warlock and can use from one to four more spells beyond the most basic level!” He shouted as loud as he could, in the direction of the dark sphere. “The dark spreads in a twenty feet sphere and if you stay on it, you will take damage!” Then he started looking for Inete. “Inete, Danica, keep your strengths for healing!” I will try to keep mine to fulminate the damn caster, he thought evoking a mote of flame on his hand. “Ignis!”

 A bolt of fire was then hurled against the closest zombie.

Notes: Velan speaks a lot uses Fire Bolt on the closest zombie and stays put.

Ranged Spell Attack: 12
Potential Damage: 6

The battle was a blur, Danica experiencing tunnel vision while in her panther form. She noted that the zombie she was focused on reaching had cast some sort of dark spell out to her companions but didn't look away even for a moment, only registering the fact that Hew also ran up to the undead to alter her course to go around it to the right. Though she did hear Velan's helpful words of warning. The wizard certainly knew his magic. Putting herself strategically on the opposite side of the zombified caster before lashing out with her teeth, attempting to bite at the arm that held the wand. 

Panther Health: 17/17   //  AC: 12   //  Speed: 50ft
Attack: 23  //   Damage:  3

Meili slashes and rains blows down upon a zombie, staggering but not quite destroying it.

Velan's fire bolt's aim is true and burns a zombie for second time.

Danica/Panther lands a bite on the undead caster's hand, but it is only a glancing blow.

The undead mage has seen his circumstances change for the considerable worse, now finding himself flanked.  Undaunted and immune to fear, he raises a clawed hand skyward and unleashes a bolt of necrotic energy.  It splits into two beams, with one aiming for Hew and one for Danica/Panther.  At this close range, the attack on Danica/Panther is at disadvantage, but Hew's reckless attacks have left him more vulnerable.

Attack on Danica/Panther:  Attack: 8 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Attack on Hew:  Attack: 13 Damage: 12

(If I have the latest moves correct, Danica and Hew are engaged with the Deathlock, Mica is almost to the Deathlock too, leaving Meili alone with the northern zombies)

Ran, seeing Danica, Hew and Mica surrounding the zombie with the wand, and seeing Meili facing the other zombies on her own, he shifts gears and races in to support the whirling monk. Careful to avoid the fists flying like daggers, Ran moves into face the closest zombie,slashing across its torso then sweeping his second longsword out in a fast arc.

Action: Longsword - Attack: 11  plus Bless of 1  Damage: 6  

Bonus Action: Dual Wield/Two Weapon Fighting - Longsword against same zombie if it's still standing otherwise against the next closest - Attack: 22  plus Bless of 1  Damage: 5  

Ran is able to finish off the zombie that Meili had softened up with his first strike, then inflicted the first wound on another Zombie.

Inete continues to flee towards the relative safety of the jungle foliage near Velan.  

Only two zombies remain in the northern grouping.  One of them closes on Meili and attacks with grasping, rotten fingers.  Attack: 23 Damage: 2

The other zombie reverses course and follows Mica back toward the undead mage, clawing at his back.  Attack: 5 Damage: 3

To the south, two of the zombies (one lightly toasted) pursue Inete and Velan, two continue to plod slowly northward, and one continues to wrestle with Mica's hunting trap: 15  And it is still trapped.

The undead caster somehow misses Hew with his necrotic bolt.

The dwarf continues his frantic assault on the creature, piercing and stabbing at it with his rapier.  

Attack: 22 Damage: 11

Attack: 13 Damage: 4

Only one of Hew's attacks lands... the other seems to strike some unseen, ethereal armor on the monster.

ROUND FOUR

• Meili
• Mica 
• Velan
• Danica
• Inete
• Deathlock
• Ran
• Hew
• North Zombies
• South Zombies

Ran's help came in time, three monsters proved to be too many for Meili. Now chances were even, and she was ready to meet the southern group. But first things first - she attacked the zombie near her, hoping that a slash of the sword and a proper kick could return the monster to the grave.

Attack: 7 Damage: 8

BA: Attack: 13 Damage: 5

Bless: 4 and 4

Just as Mica believes he is free of the zombies, one doubles back and strikes at his back.  Unaware of the blow until it hits, Mica crumples down to the ground, unconscious.

Death Save: 7.

.

Seen as the zombies divided themselves, his first reaction was to move in diagonal, not retreating but rather advancing in the direction of the water pool. From there he should have chances to striking the undead while they approached his friends at north. It was then that he noticed Mica fallen and a zombie standing before the ranger and too far for any of his spells to reach. Kelemvor damn it, he cursed with the voice of his mind, attention turning fast toward the exanimate approaching his position. Should I use Magic Missile? If he did there was a chance at least one of the creatures would be defeated. But a chance offered no certainty. If he was surrounded, forced to use Shield, then he would be out of spells. 

Frustrated but seeing no better option, Velan decided to once again target the closest enemy with his rudimentary arcane. Gritting his teeth, the hexblood raised his right hand, crystal on the palm, and willed the arcane energy of the Veil to flow through his body. His eyes flared teal in color as a mote of flame appeared.

“Mica needs healing!” He shouted finding the closest zombie. “Ignis!” His voice echoed as hew threw the fire, doubting it even could be enough to stop the damned.

Notes: Velan moves 30ft in a diagonal, towards the pool then targets the closest zombie with Fire Bolt.

Spell Attack: 21
Damage: 10

A low rumble emanated from Danica's jaguar form, feeling predatory content at being able to trap her quarry between herself and an ally, but she knew all too well how deadly cornered prey could be. As was proven by the dark magic shot out at them, a beam hitting her in the spotted muscled shoulder, her fur rippling from the contact as black began to spread through her veins from the attack. A yowl erupting from the druid at the hit before she stared down the undead and roared, about to lift up her claws for a swipe when...

“Mica needs healing!”

The words brought the wildshaped woman back into a more humanoid state of mind, her yellow eyes flicking to the left where she could clearly see Mica's crumpled form. Lips curled in a silent snarl, there was a moment of hesitation before she turned and darted away from the arcane zombie. Her feline body tensed as she braced for an attack but as soon as she was able to reach the downed hunter Danica began to morph back into herself. Crouching over the Genasi, Danica grabbed onto his all too still hand. "Can't quit the fight that easily." Pouring healing into her grip. 

Panther Health: 5/17   //  AC: 12
Cure Wounds: 7

The undead warlock flashes out a clawed hand at Danica/Panther as she turned her back to it [AoO].  Attack: 5 Damage: 10 

The attack is enough to overwhelm Danica.  The creature cackles monstrously from deep in its rotten throat.  Then it raises a hand toward Danica's falling form, conjuring necrotic energies with which to finish her off for good.  Until Hew growls out beside it, "You're still dancing with me, you dung-faced worm!"  At that, it turns, and fires two blast of darkness at the dwarf instead.

Attack: 25 Damage: 16 

Attack: 14 Damage: 21

 [* Oops.  The enemy already used his reaction.  The strikethrough text never occurred, Danica's turn played out as written, and Mica is conscious again with 7hp.]

Inete, seeing the carnage unfolding to the north, pauses.  She clutches her holy symbol, steels herself, and begins to dash.  She dives headfirst into the pool of water and begins to swim across.  "I am on my way!"

Inete continues her retreat, getting closer to Velan.

At the warning that Mica needs healing, Ran looks over in time to see the panther arrive, morphing back into Danica and Mica taking a deep breath. 

"Quit lying down," Ran calls to Mica. "There're still a few of these zombies that need to be killed again."

Hew has the zombie wizard distracted for now and he can see some of the zombies making their way after Inete and Velan.

If the zombie in front of Meili is still standing, Ran will attack that one, swinging hard with his first sword, aiming for the neck, pivoting quickly to use the momentum to sweep around and low with his second sword.

Action: Attack: 12  plus Bless: 4  Damage: 13  

Bonus Action:  Attack: 18  plus Bless: 4  Damage: 14  

If it was down already he'll move full speed plus a dash to get down to the one with the red dot moving towards Inete and Velan.

Meili had pummeled the zombie with fists and blade... Ran finishes it off with a clean blow, removing the top of its skull.  The creature remains upright for a few moments more until the dark magicks animating it disperse, and it crumples to the jungle floor.  Ran then moves 30ft closer to the zombies pursuing the wizards.

One of the undead warlock's dark blast tears into Hew's side.  He howls in pain, but turns it into a wild cry of rage.  He once again advances, driving the creature a step backward with his reckless attacks.

Attack: 24 Damage: 8

Attack: 22 Damage: 5

From somewhere high above in the canopy, a small animal gives out a screeching call the echoes through the treetops.

Only one zombie remains in the northern grouping.  It stands over Mica, no expression on its face, until Danica appears before it.  "Muohuh?  Grrrrr!"  It seems to understand in some way that she has undone its killing work, and it clubs at her with its unclean fists.  Attack: 14 Damage: 3

In the south, two zombies continue to chase Velan and Inete, drawing ever closer.  Another to press on with their slow march north, one of them veering off towards Ran.  The last continues to try to break free from Mica's hunting trap.  3  It breaks free at last.

Hew has seemingly struck many blows against this undead spellcaster, yet it seems the two are evenly matched, with both beginning to show signs of injury.

There was no time to enjoy the little victory over one group of monsters, zombies were everywhere and more were limping to help the dead (?) wizard. Meili spotted the one already halfway to northern fighting group and tried to intercept it:

On the most "western" zombie (a bit below and to the left of Meili)

Sword: Attack: 9 Damage: 6

BA: Flurry of Blows: Attack: 25 Damage: 10
                                    Attack: 22 Damage: 5

Mica comes back to consciousness with a gasp as the healing magic flows through him.  Seeing Danica nearby, he realizes what she has done and thanks her through gritted teeth.  “Thank you, we must get to Hew to help with that wizard.” Mica pushes himself back to his feet, and seeing the zombie that had struck him down, realized they had a more immediate threat to deal with.  

Mica strikes the zombie with both of his hand axes, trying to clear a path to the deathlock.

Attack: 18 Damage: 10

Attack: 17 Damage: 8.

.