Crannoc sighs at the likely coming bloodshed. Certainly something is happening here that he doesn't fully understand. The leader of the robed figures is unhappy about the predicament they are in, though he does not seem directly afraid, and is ordering the hyena-faces as if they are guards who have failed to keep the party out.
Why is the leader unhappy exactly? If only the they were willing to explain their thoughts rather than just dismissing us, we could ascertain whether they are a villain who needs to be destroyed so that balance can be restored. But as it is, we may be forced to do so without ever knowing the truth.
Since there is no way to hide his words while communicating with all his allies, he says it plain for everyone to hear as the sycamore seedling spins once slowly in place on his shoulder. Crannoc's voice is matter of fact: "As we walked in, there was an argument in progress, with the leader unhappy at the situation. Now the leader here is scolding the hyena-faces, likely about our presence here, and they in turn wish to attack us now but are holding back for the moment at the leader's order. The two lesser robed figures seem uneasy with this conflict between alphas."
To the robed leader: "I sense that if you wish to avoid a fight, you will need a better explanation than simply telling us to come back later. Let us start with simple truths. This is the Lonsvell's den. Why are you here?"
Kass posts up behind Crannoc, cracking her knuckles through the armor and looking tough. "I suggest you answer the plant-man's questions quickly, robe-man. After facing strong conflict today, I am running out of patience."
The robed leader sighs, glancing over the three of you that are now visible. “Yes, this is the Lonsvells’ keep, but we aren’t here for them. They happened to be in the same location that we need-“ He is cut off by the leading hyena-creature barking something aggressively, then striding up to him. The hyena-creature grabs the robed figure by the shoulders and lifts him up, dangling him in the air. The robed figure and the hyena-creature shout back and forth in their violent language for a moment, the argument seemingly escalating rapidly. All three of the hyena-creatures grow more and more anxious for action.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Having stayed ready for combat, Miesha attacks the creature as soon as they appear violent. Once the hyena-thing reached for the robed one that seemed at least intelligent enough to converse with, Miesha steps up and attacks… Spear vs Hyena Attack: 15 Damage: 7
Bonus action Attack: 10 Damage: 7
(Of course whether this is deemed to happen before initiative or will need to wait til Miesha’s initiative turn, we’ll need some Initiative: 19 )
Crannoc reaches out to Temuth in this ravaged place. He has been murmuring in Sylvan:
"The essence of nature flows through us. Guiding us. Sheltering us. Blessing us. Like the dappled sunlight on the meadow and the quiet of growing life on the forest floor. The teeming seas and even the realms of men. Temuth is all around us, aiding us if we allow it."
As he sees the bronze leader move to attack the hyena-face, Crannoc calls Temuth's Blessing on the three allies he can see: himself, Miesha and Kass.
((While Crannoc keeps concentration on Bless, all three PCs have a 1d4 bonus to attack rolls and saves, including possibly Miesha's attacks above if Crannoc was able to cast the spell in time.))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Miesha - (I'm going to apply Bless on those two rolls above for you - 4) You lunge forward, sinking your spear into the large creature, then whirling it around and striking it a second time.
Initiative:
Kass - 10
Aalsan - 21
Crannoc - 5
Maggwyn - 11
Jasper - 24
Miesha - 6
Lesser Robed Individuals - 5
Robed Leader - 16
Lesser Hyena-Monster - 13
Hyena Monster Leader - 17
Order: Crannoc, Lesser Robed Individuals (A and B), Maggwyn, Jasper, Kass, Aalsan, Robed Leader, Lesser Hyena Monsters (A and B), Miesha, Hyena Monster Leader
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the sycamore seedling spins, Crannoc calls out to the entire group (including hidden party members) in Common, sadly but conversationally, and without looking at anyone so as not to give away their hidden positions: "I suggest finishing the Hyena-Leader first, then the other hyena-faces. Perhaps we can all communicate after that."
In Sylvan:
"Nature never deceives us. It is we who deceive ourselves. And doing so doing, return to nature's embrace sooner than otherwise."
With Crannoc'sAction, he casts Toll the Dead cantrip on the Hyena-Leader: DC 17 WIS Save or take 2 necrotic damage.
Bonus action: Spiritual Weapon - the floating, spectral giant pine needle appears again and stabs at the Hyena-Leader for force damage, benefiting from Bless - add 1 to the following attack roll: Attack: 13 Damage: 7
The hyena-monster leader shakes off the effects of the lesser spell cast by Crannoc, but as it does so the summoned pine needle stabs through its side. It manages to maintain its grip on the robed leader.
The two other robed individuals turn to your group, seeming hesitant to move at all. The hyena-monster leader barks something to them, and they draw poorly-made blades from their sides and move forward. One (Lesser Robed Individual A) attacks Crannoc and the other (Lesser Robed Individual B) attacks Miesha.
As a reaction, Crannoc quickly uses his free hand to bring up an arcane shield, casting the spell just as his aasimar father had taught him. The shield is not nature magic, but not surprisingly, it takes the form of thick, verdant vines, deflecting the blade of the first lesser robed individual.
(Crannoc's AC goes from 18 to 23 until the start of his next turn).
As the one robed creatures moves into Miesha's melee range it provokes an Attack of Opportunity (due to Polearm Master) which Miesha takes advantage of...
Opportunity Attack: 21 Damage: 10
Miesha uses the surprise of her own attack on the incoming figure to be able to sidestep it's own attack upon her...
---
Order: Crannoc, Lesser Robed Individuals (A and B), Maggwyn, Jasper, Kass, Aalsan, Robed Leader, Lesser Hyena Monsters (A and B), Miesha, Hyena Monster Leader
Miesha - You successfully stab into the robed individual, sidestepping as they stumble to the ground beside you. Their arms giving out from under them as a pool of blood begins to form around them.
(Maggwyn is up. All three hyena-creatures are alive, and the only one to have been damaged being their leader. One lesser robed individual is bleeding out, while the other one attacked your party. The robed leader remains in the clutches of the hyena-creature leader.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Maggwyn hears the clash of weapons, she creeps out of her hiding spot to surprise whichever creature is closest to her. If she has a choice, a hyena creature, but whichever is closest so she can have the element of surprise.
Attack: 9 Damage: 15
Attack: 18 Damage: 5
(Not sure on how you do the unseen attacker, so if not advantage, take first roll)
Maggwyn - (Yes, unseen attackers get advantage. Because of that you could apply sneak attack to the first attack.) You attack the hyena-monster standing around the corner of the doorway (Lesser Hyena-Monster A), landing both strikes against it, leaving it heavily wounded as it falls to the floor.
(Next up: Jasper. After sneak attack was applied, the hyena-monster that Maggwyn attacked is slain.)
Maggwyn - (Yes, unseen attackers get advantage. Because of that you could apply sneak attack to the first attack.) You attack the hyena-monster standing around the corner of the doorway (Lesser Hyena-Monster A), landing both strikes against it, leaving it heavily wounded.
(Next up: Jasper.)
(Thanks for that! Sorry weekends can be more difficult.)
Jasper follows Maggwyn's lead on this one and rounds the corner ready to strike at her target or the next closest one if she has already stolen all of the fun from the first. He intends to work with the tiefling to swiftly take down targets as they have done in the past.
Jasper - You slash towards the second of the two lesser hyena-monsters (B) and strike it solidly in the chest, the thunderous energy lingering around its incredibly hurt body.
Kass takes advantage of the huge damage inflicted by Jasper and sweeps in, pulling back her fist and throwing a punch with her thunder gauntlet at the hyena monster!
Aalsan had been watching the scene unfold with his usual curiosity, something that was complicated further by the voices arguing away in the back of his head. It was hard for him to discern whether it was an argument about him, what he should do next, or whether he should even bother staying around. It wasn't an infrequent.. noise, however, the timing was not ideal.
The words were a babble that would likely be lost on most who hadn't grown accustom to Its guidance, but Aalsan had long had plenty of time alone to listen. Without so much as a second thought he focused his gaze on where the robed leader was being held by the hyena-monster, his fingers and hands flickering in quick, intentional movements along with his lips. His voice, barely heard above the fighting, spoke a language that was not usually heard from humanoid mouths and even more rarely on this plane. It was the language of his patrons and it summoned their power channeled through his body.. from his hands up through his mouth and escaping out his lips in a crackling beam of arcane energy towards the hyena-monster.
Casting eldritch blast. Attack: 23 Force damage if hit: 6
Aalsan - The beam of energy streaks from your hand and strikes the hyena-monster. It drops the robed leader as it clutches its wound.
The robed leader stands, looking at the tall beast before it and says "Grovel." (Hyena-creature Wis save: 5) The beast's body begins to move, seemingly beyond its control, to obey.
Crannoc sighs at the likely coming bloodshed. Certainly something is happening here that he doesn't fully understand. The leader of the robed figures is unhappy about the predicament they are in, though he does not seem directly afraid, and is ordering the hyena-faces as if they are guards who have failed to keep the party out.
Why is the leader unhappy exactly? If only the they were willing to explain their thoughts rather than just dismissing us, we could ascertain whether they are a villain who needs to be destroyed so that balance can be restored. But as it is, we may be forced to do so without ever knowing the truth.
Since there is no way to hide his words while communicating with all his allies, he says it plain for everyone to hear as the sycamore seedling spins once slowly in place on his shoulder. Crannoc's voice is matter of fact:
"As we walked in, there was an argument in progress, with the leader unhappy at the situation. Now the leader here is scolding the hyena-faces, likely about our presence here, and they in turn wish to attack us now but are holding back for the moment at the leader's order. The two lesser robed figures seem uneasy with this conflict between alphas."
To the robed leader:
"I sense that if you wish to avoid a fight, you will need a better explanation than simply telling us to come back later. Let us start with simple truths. This is the Lonsvell's den. Why are you here?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Kass posts up behind Crannoc, cracking her knuckles through the armor and looking tough. "I suggest you answer the plant-man's questions quickly, robe-man. After facing strong conflict today, I am running out of patience."
The robed leader sighs, glancing over the three of you that are now visible. “Yes, this is the Lonsvells’ keep, but we aren’t here for them. They happened to be in the same location that we need-“ He is cut off by the leading hyena-creature barking something aggressively, then striding up to him. The hyena-creature grabs the robed figure by the shoulders and lifts him up, dangling him in the air. The robed figure and the hyena-creature shout back and forth in their violent language for a moment, the argument seemingly escalating rapidly. All three of the hyena-creatures grow more and more anxious for action.
Having stayed ready for combat, Miesha attacks the creature as soon as they appear violent. Once the hyena-thing reached for the robed one that seemed at least intelligent enough to converse with, Miesha steps up and attacks…
Spear vs Hyena Attack: 15 Damage: 7
Bonus action Attack: 10 Damage: 7
(Of course whether this is deemed to happen before initiative or will need to wait til Miesha’s initiative turn, we’ll need some Initiative: 19 )
Crannoc reaches out to Temuth in this ravaged place. He has been murmuring in Sylvan:
"The essence of nature flows through us. Guiding us. Sheltering us. Blessing us. Like the dappled sunlight on the meadow and the quiet of growing life on the forest floor. The teeming seas and even the realms of men. Temuth is all around us, aiding us if we allow it."
As he sees the bronze leader move to attack the hyena-face, Crannoc calls Temuth's Blessing on the three allies he can see: himself, Miesha and Kass.
((While Crannoc keeps concentration on Bless, all three PCs have a 1d4 bonus to attack rolls and saves, including possibly Miesha's attacks above if Crannoc was able to cast the spell in time.))
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Miesha - (I'm going to apply Bless on those two rolls above for you - 4) You lunge forward, sinking your spear into the large creature, then whirling it around and striking it a second time.
Initiative:
Kass - 10
Aalsan - 21
Crannoc - 5
Maggwyn - 11
Jasper - 24
Miesha - 6
Lesser Robed Individuals - 5
Robed Leader - 16
Lesser Hyena-Monster - 13
Hyena Monster Leader - 17
Order: Crannoc, Lesser Robed Individuals (A and B), Maggwyn, Jasper, Kass, Aalsan, Robed Leader, Lesser Hyena Monsters (A and B), Miesha, Hyena Monster Leader
As the sycamore seedling spins, Crannoc calls out to the entire group (including hidden party members) in Common, sadly but conversationally, and without looking at anyone so as not to give away their hidden positions:
"I suggest finishing the Hyena-Leader first, then the other hyena-faces. Perhaps we can all communicate after that."
In Sylvan:
"Nature never deceives us. It is we who deceive ourselves. And doing so doing, return to nature's embrace sooner than otherwise."
With Crannoc's Action, he casts Toll the Dead cantrip on the Hyena-Leader: DC 17 WIS Save or take 2 necrotic damage.
Bonus action: Spiritual Weapon - the floating, spectral giant pine needle appears again and stabs at the Hyena-Leader for force damage, benefiting from Bless - add 1 to the following attack roll:
Attack: 13 Damage: 7
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Hyena-Monster Leader - Wis Save - 7
The hyena-monster leader shakes off the effects of the lesser spell cast by Crannoc, but as it does so the summoned pine needle stabs through its side. It manages to maintain its grip on the robed leader.
The two other robed individuals turn to your group, seeming hesitant to move at all. The hyena-monster leader barks something to them, and they draw poorly-made blades from their sides and move forward. One (Lesser Robed Individual A) attacks Crannoc and the other (Lesser Robed Individual B) attacks Miesha.
Against Crannoc - Attack: 12 Damage: 3
Against Miesha - Attack: 12 Damage: 7
As a reaction, Crannoc quickly uses his free hand to bring up an arcane shield, casting the spell just as his aasimar father had taught him. The shield is not nature magic, but not surprisingly, it takes the form of thick, verdant vines, deflecting the blade of the first lesser robed individual.
(Crannoc's AC goes from 18 to 23 until the start of his next turn).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
As the one robed creatures moves into Miesha's melee range it provokes an Attack of Opportunity (due to Polearm Master) which Miesha takes advantage of...
Opportunity Attack: 21 Damage: 10
Miesha uses the surprise of her own attack on the incoming figure to be able to sidestep it's own attack upon her...
---
Order: Crannoc, Lesser Robed Individuals (A and B), Maggwyn, Jasper, Kass, Aalsan, Robed Leader, Lesser Hyena Monsters (A and B), Miesha, Hyena Monster Leader
I believe Maggwyn is up...
Miesha - You successfully stab into the robed individual, sidestepping as they stumble to the ground beside you. Their arms giving out from under them as a pool of blood begins to form around them.
(Maggwyn is up. All three hyena-creatures are alive, and the only one to have been damaged being their leader. One lesser robed individual is bleeding out, while the other one attacked your party. The robed leader remains in the clutches of the hyena-creature leader.)
As Maggwyn hears the clash of weapons, she creeps out of her hiding spot to surprise whichever creature is closest to her. If she has a choice, a hyena creature, but whichever is closest so she can have the element of surprise.
Attack: 9 Damage: 15
Attack: 18 Damage: 5
(Not sure on how you do the unseen attacker, so if not advantage, take first roll)
Maggwyn - (Yes, unseen attackers get advantage. Because of that you could apply sneak attack to the first attack.) You attack the hyena-monster standing around the corner of the doorway (Lesser Hyena-Monster A), landing both strikes against it, leaving it heavily wounded as it falls to the floor.
(Next up: Jasper. After sneak attack was applied, the hyena-monster that Maggwyn attacked is slain.)
(Thanks for that! Sorry weekends can be more difficult.)
4 sneak attack
Jasper follows Maggwyn's lead on this one and rounds the corner ready to strike at her target or the next closest one if she has already stolen all of the fun from the first. He intends to work with the tiefling to swiftly take down targets as they have done in the past.
Booming Blade Attack: 19
Damage: 14 Piercing
BB Movement penalty: 4 Thunder
Sneak Attack: 5
Jasper - You slash towards the second of the two lesser hyena-monsters (B) and strike it solidly in the chest, the thunderous energy lingering around its incredibly hurt body.
(Next up: Kass, with Bless)
Kass takes advantage of the huge damage inflicted by Jasper and sweeps in, pulling back her fist and throwing a punch with her thunder gauntlet at the hyena monster!
Attack: 19 Damage: 9
Kass - You land a punch squarely in the creatures chest, sending it reeling before it comes to rest on the floor.
(Next up: Aalsan. The robed leader is alive and is still being held by the hyena-monster leader. Only one other robed individual remains.)
Aalsan had been watching the scene unfold with his usual curiosity, something that was complicated further by the voices arguing away in the back of his head. It was hard for him to discern whether it was an argument about him, what he should do next, or whether he should even bother staying around. It wasn't an infrequent.. noise, however, the timing was not ideal.
..hithebeastsavetheleaderhitthebeastsavetheleaderhitthebeast..
The words were a babble that would likely be lost on most who hadn't grown accustom to Its guidance, but Aalsan had long had plenty of time alone to listen. Without so much as a second thought he focused his gaze on where the robed leader was being held by the hyena-monster, his fingers and hands flickering in quick, intentional movements along with his lips. His voice, barely heard above the fighting, spoke a language that was not usually heard from humanoid mouths and even more rarely on this plane. It was the language of his patrons and it summoned their power channeled through his body.. from his hands up through his mouth and escaping out his lips in a crackling beam of arcane energy towards the hyena-monster.
Casting eldritch blast. Attack: 23 Force damage if hit: 6
Aalsan - The beam of energy streaks from your hand and strikes the hyena-monster. It drops the robed leader as it clutches its wound.
The robed leader stands, looking at the tall beast before it and says "Grovel." (Hyena-creature Wis save: 5) The beast's body begins to move, seemingly beyond its control, to obey.
(Next up: Miesha)