Blackberry steps out from cover, and tries to send a firebolt toward Sephek, but it fizzles (Nat 1 on attack roll- game log). He then ducks back behind the tent.
Discouraged, Eva shakes her head at the opportunity lost to scatter or divide the bandits and perhaps free the children.
She telepathically whistles to Teb—who, doglike, obeys—and they depart together back to Good Mead, the chwinga lantern held out before them, cutting a path through the dale's endless night.
Sabetha's arrow flies straight and true, striking Sephek in the side, wedging itself between a couple of ribs. He spins around and glares in her direction, spying her diving behind the trees.
With Sephek's head turned, Naraeld steps out, drawing the blue-eyed man's attention with a shout. Naraeld fires a bolt of bright white energy at Sephek, but Sephek sees the bolt coming and dodges out of the way, getting grazed by the bolt's heat, but not taking a direct hit.
Aubin pulls Sephek's attention in yet a third direction, although Aubin's words seem to have no unnatural effect.
Again, while Sephek is distracted, Blackberry steps out from behind a tent and, holding his fire-spouting tube, aims it at Sephek. But the magic-driven mini-cannon seems to sputter, no flame escapes. Blackberry ducks back behind the tent before he is noticed.
(That ends the surprise round; Sabetha please go ahead)
Greth'g'karee and Eva:
Just as Eva is about to give up her watch, feelings of inadequacy and helplessness roiling inside her, she (and Greth'g'karee) hear a familiar voice. "5 silver pieces? 5 silver pieces? Is that all my sister's life is to you? Rondell's partner? Otag's son? Dark deeds entail risks for sure, but you led us into lands too dark to see. You lied about your plans, you lied about the risks, and now you lie in an attempt to escape with your life intact. You offer us 5 silvers, but we know you have more. I think it is time we took a recompense more to our liking." Mallifyr's words are followed by silence, but the bandits all look grim and determined now, gripping their weapons with violent intent.
(Greth'g'karee, from your vantage point you cannot tell if it is a cave.)
A silent sigh. If they slaughter the ringleaders it would be easier, but then Greth'g'kareewould never be able to track them back to their true lair... nor discover their true master. A moment's hesitation, then...
The Goliath stands up and calls out in a deep barrel-chested tone, his voice carrying down into the small clearing, "Good Mead knows who you are now. I did not come alone, and the others have already returned with your likenesses and names. If you wish this to end, and your feud with them forgiven, then band together now. Capture alive the leaders of this group, and secure alive the children taken, and march them all back to Good Mead as a gesture of peace. Take all that they have and offer it as recompense to Good Mead, including the paltry silvers offered. Tell them your truth, that you were lied to, and that though you harbor much disdain for the peoples there you never wished such carnage upon them. Do this, and the war drums will not sound. The hounds will not hunt you. Do it not, and you will never know peace in these lands. Bounties will be placed. Your names, likeness, and deeds will be known by all peoples. On this I swear. I will watch and await your decisions. Your ancestors and your Gods watch as well." Once he has spoken his peace he will duck down along the upper ridge, out of line of sight.
(( In case it is needed he rolled Persuasion = 11 - in the campaign log ))
Sabetha calls out grim encouragement, her voice pitched as low as possible to still be heard.
"Keep distance as long as we can and attack from afar. I don't see any long range bow on him, just blades. Retreat if he advances, advance if he retreats. Don't be discouraged, Blackberry! Keep sending your motes of flame - I doubt a thrall of the Frostmaiden cares for fire."
She emerges from her spot behind the tree to send another arrow Sephek Kaltro's way, though it is far from her best shot.
Sabethalongbow to hit: 12 (4 on die + 8... we are all rolling low when we most need it.) Sabethalongbow damage: 6 (minimum)
She returns to the same location, behind the cover of the tree.
Jotannlistens to this latest round of calculations, pauses to consider his options, looks to Zara for confirmation, and makes a decision. "Right. That's it, my boys. It looks like we are thinning the herd tonight!"
Please roll for initiative.
(Eva, they have not noticed you. They have noticed Teb, but at the moment they have higher priorities than fawning over a cute cat.)
Sabetha, once again, strikes Sephek in his side. He immediately pulls the arrow out and straightens out, looking in her direction. "You will be next, little girl," he sneers.
Sephekdisappears in a cloud of mist, appearing moments later 30 feet closer to Naraeld, screaming with rage. He uses the Dash action to get as close to Naraeldas possible.
(Naraeld, I put you where you are on the map because that was the farthest away I could get you and still have you see Sephek. That said, if you want to say you were 120 feet from him, that is fine. At present, he will reach you with this dash (you are about 80 feet away))
As Sephek closes Naraeld greets him with a thrust of his staff and chilled words, "Hello again old boy. Things just don't seem to go to plan for you do they?"
(Out of turn thought and speech for Sabetha as a result of hitting Sephek with a 12 to hit on her most recent arrow):
Sabetha is surprised that her relatively poor shot actually scores a hit on the ice man. She comes to a realization that their quarry wears no significant armor or other protection. Her face and scarf do not betray much expression, neither her surprise at hitting, nor anything at Sephek's taunt, nor her dismay at how quickly he closes on Naraeld. She calls out matter-of-factly in a voice canted to just reach Blackberry and Aubin:
"Keep shooting at him and don't let up! Motes of fire, beams of energy, arrows. He is easy to hit."
When Sephekreaches Naraeld, the half-elf, half-goliath is ready. He strikes at the cold-eyed killer with a powerful blow from his staff. Then Aubin'sred beam of power also strikes Sephekin the back and does do damage, but Sephekdoesn't seem concerned until Blackberry'sbolt of fire hits him as well.
(@LTG, couple things: First, I think it is Naraeld's turn, not Sabetha's. Naraeld's most recent attack was a Polearm Master reaction on Sephek's turn. Next, Aubin went, and then I think it should have been Naraeld, then Blackberry, though order may not matter much between PCs. Blackberry's turn is already posted so I'll post Sabetha's here now as well, but keep in mind that Naraeld should get his actual turn before Sephek. Also: Sabetha's starting position should be 3 squares south and one square east from where you have her per post 1126 She returned to the same location in post 1135.)
Sabetha observes Sephek Kaltro's reaction to each hit. Her own arrows, then Aubin's deep red beam, Naraeld's arcane quarterstaff. When Sephek only looks concerned after Blackberry's mote of fire singes him, her suspicion turns into a strong hunch. Thrall of the Frostmaiden indeed!
She lopes 40' southeast threading between the branches of the leafless trees towards Sephek. Urgently she hisses to the harengon as she approaches:
"Floppy-ears! Your fire is the key! He was unworried until you hit him with it. Some strange gift or curse from the Frostmaiden he has. Hop a hasty retreat away and keep sending fire from range. I should be next after Naraeld in melee, then Aubin. You need to be the last person he gets to."
Sabetha herself, draws her longbow and looses another arrow at Sephek: To Hit: 25 Damage: 11 piercing
Sabetha then stows her longbow as a free action, ready to draw either it or her dwarven longsword next as the situation dictates.
Grethwill peak over the rocks just enough to see Zara while remaining behind cover, recalling the description he was given earlier. He will HOLD HIS ACTION for now. He wants the rebelling fighters to soften his enemy up first. However, he will attack under one of two preconditions - Zara flees or otherwise withdraws from their current spot, or if it appears someone is going to kill them. No matter what, he will fire before the end of the combat round. When Greth'g'karee attacks, he pops up, takes aim, and fires one of his bludgeoning arrows at Zara. As soon as he has fired, he ducks back behind the rocks above.
(( Attack - Natural 20 = 27 to hit, 16 damage - in game log ))
(Sabetha, you are exactly right. I read Naraeld'shit as his action, when it was actually his reaction. Naraeld, you can go ahead and take an action.)
Greth'g'kareeand Eva
Greth'g'kareecarefully watches Zara. She starts to breath deeply and shake herself and, as you watch, her body swells with power. She takes her greataxe from her back and, rushing through her own men, drives into the bandits from Dougan's Hole to her south. As she does this, Greth'g'kareetakes aim and fires at Zara, driving an arrow through her back and into her lung. But, as hyped up as she is, she barely notices. Instead, with a great yell, she cleaves a bandit's head clean from his body.
Mallifyr fires two arrows from a bow she somehow found; both streak toward Zara. The first strikes the half-orc in the side, the second flies past her into the forest.
Aubin initiative 12 in game log
I will stick to the command spell mentioned above.
Blackberry steps out from cover, and tries to send a firebolt toward Sephek, but it fizzles (Nat 1 on attack roll- game log). He then ducks back behind the tent.
Discouraged, Eva shakes her head at the opportunity lost to scatter or divide the bandits and perhaps free the children.
She telepathically whistles to Teb—who, doglike, obeys—and they depart together back to Good Mead, the chwinga lantern held out before them, cutting a path through the dale's endless night.
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
A silent sigh. If they slaughter the ringleaders it would be easier, but then Greth'g'karee would never be able to track them back to their true lair... nor discover their true master. A moment's hesitation, then...
The Goliath stands up and calls out in a deep barrel-chested tone, his voice carrying down into the small clearing, "Good Mead knows who you are now. I did not come alone, and the others have already returned with your likenesses and names. If you wish this to end, and your feud with them forgiven, then band together now. Capture alive the leaders of this group, and secure alive the children taken, and march them all back to Good Mead as a gesture of peace. Take all that they have and offer it as recompense to Good Mead, including the paltry silvers offered. Tell them your truth, that you were lied to, and that though you harbor much disdain for the peoples there you never wished such carnage upon them. Do this, and the war drums will not sound. The hounds will not hunt you. Do it not, and you will never know peace in these lands. Bounties will be placed. Your names, likeness, and deeds will be known by all peoples. On this I swear. I will watch and await your decisions. Your ancestors and your Gods watch as well." Once he has spoken his peace he will duck down along the upper ridge, out of line of sight.
(( In case it is needed he rolled Persuasion = 11 - in the campaign log ))
Sabetha calls out grim encouragement, her voice pitched as low as possible to still be heard.
"Keep distance as long as we can and attack from afar. I don't see any long range bow on him, just blades. Retreat if he advances, advance if he retreats. Don't be discouraged, Blackberry! Keep sending your motes of flame - I doubt a thrall of the Frostmaiden cares for fire."
She emerges from her spot behind the tree to send another arrow Sephek Kaltro's way, though it is far from her best shot.
Sabetha longbow to hit: 12 (4 on die + 8... we are all rolling low when we most need it.)
Sabetha longbow damage: 6 (minimum)
She returns to the same location, behind the cover of the tree.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Mallifyr? I should not have abandoned you...
Eva nods to Teb, extinguishes the lantern, and turns to face the ambient light from the clearing.
[Woman and cat Dexterity (Stealth) checks: 20 and 10 (6 + 4), respectively]
Jotann listens to this latest round of calculations, pauses to consider his options, looks to Zara for confirmation, and makes a decision. "Right. That's it, my boys. It looks like we are thinning the herd tonight!"
Please roll for initiative.
(Eva, they have not noticed you. They have noticed Teb, but at the moment they have higher priorities than fawning over a cute cat.)
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
[Insert heart.]
Sabetha, once again, strikes Sephek in his side. He immediately pulls the arrow out and straightens out, looking in her direction. "You will be next, little girl," he sneers.
Sephek disappears in a cloud of mist, appearing moments later 30 feet closer to Naraeld, screaming with rage. He uses the Dash action to get as close to Naraeld as possible.
(Naraeld, I put you where you are on the map because that was the farthest away I could get you and still have you see Sephek. That said, if you want to say you were 120 feet from him, that is fine. At present, he will reach you with this dash (you are about 80 feet away))
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Initiatives: Eva: 13; Teb: 3 + 2 = 5
Greth'g'karee initiative = Dirty 20
(Let's leave it as is)
As Sephek closes Naraeld greets him with a thrust of his staff and chilled words, "Hello again old boy. Things just don't seem to go to plan for you do they?"
Reaction - Polearm Master opportunity attack - 20 to hit, 5 bludgeoning damage
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
(Out of turn thought and speech for Sabetha as a result of hitting Sephek with a 12 to hit on her most recent arrow):
Sabetha is surprised that her relatively poor shot actually scores a hit on the ice man. She comes to a realization that their quarry wears no significant armor or other protection. Her face and scarf do not betray much expression, neither her surprise at hitting, nor anything at Sephek's taunt, nor her dismay at how quickly he closes on Naraeld. She calls out matter-of-factly in a voice canted to just reach Blackberry and Aubin:
"Keep shooting at him and don't let up! Motes of fire, beams of energy, arrows. He is easy to hit."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Aubin nods in understanding to Sabetha's comment and fires a deep red beam of eldritch blast
Attack: 16 Damage: 6
Blackberry shakes his fire-spitter and thumps it with his other hand before aiming it once again at the servant of the Frostmaiden.
Attack: 12 / 6 fire damage (game log)
Torrga's camp:
When Sephek reaches Naraeld, the half-elf, half-goliath is ready. He strikes at the cold-eyed killer with a powerful blow from his staff. Then Aubin's red beam of power also strikes Sephek in the back and does do damage, but Sephek doesn't seem concerned until Blackberry's bolt of fire hits him as well.
(Sabetha, you are up)
Map!
Eva and Greth'g'karee
Initiative order:
Greth'g'karee: 20
Zara: 18
Mallifyr: 14
Eva: 13
Zara and Jotann's thugs: 8
Teb: 5
Dougan's Hole Roughs: 4
Jotann: 3
(Greth'g'karee, you are up)
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
(@LTG, couple things: First, I think it is Naraeld's turn, not Sabetha's. Naraeld's most recent attack was a Polearm Master reaction on Sephek's turn. Next, Aubin went, and then I think it should have been Naraeld, then Blackberry, though order may not matter much between PCs. Blackberry's turn is already posted so I'll post Sabetha's here now as well, but keep in mind that Naraeld should get his actual turn before Sephek. Also: Sabetha's starting position should be 3 squares south and one square east from where you have her per post 1126 She returned to the same location in post 1135.)
Sabetha observes Sephek Kaltro's reaction to each hit. Her own arrows, then Aubin's deep red beam, Naraeld's arcane quarterstaff. When Sephek only looks concerned after Blackberry's mote of fire singes him, her suspicion turns into a strong hunch. Thrall of the Frostmaiden indeed!
She lopes 40' southeast threading between the branches of the leafless trees towards Sephek. Urgently she hisses to the harengon as she approaches:
"Floppy-ears! Your fire is the key! He was unworried until you hit him with it. Some strange gift or curse from the Frostmaiden he has. Hop a hasty retreat away and keep sending fire from range. I should be next after Naraeld in melee, then Aubin. You need to be the last person he gets to."
Sabetha herself, draws her longbow and looses another arrow at Sephek:
To Hit: 25
Damage: 11 piercing
Sabetha then stows her longbow as a free action, ready to draw either it or her dwarven longsword next as the situation dictates.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Greth will peak over the rocks just enough to see Zara while remaining behind cover, recalling the description he was given earlier. He will HOLD HIS ACTION for now. He wants the rebelling fighters to soften his enemy up first. However, he will attack under one of two preconditions - Zara flees or otherwise withdraws from their current spot, or if it appears someone is going to kill them. No matter what, he will fire before the end of the combat round. When Greth'g'karee attacks, he pops up, takes aim, and fires one of his bludgeoning arrows at Zara. As soon as he has fired, he ducks back behind the rocks above.
(( Attack - Natural 20 = 27 to hit, 16 damage - in game log ))
Torrga's camp:
(Sabetha, you are exactly right. I read Naraeld's hit as his action, when it was actually his reaction. Naraeld, you can go ahead and take an action.)
Greth'g'karee and Eva
Greth'g'karee carefully watches Zara. She starts to breath deeply and shake herself and, as you watch, her body swells with power. She takes her greataxe from her back and, rushing through her own men, drives into the bandits from Dougan's Hole to her south. As she does this, Greth'g'karee takes aim and fires at Zara, driving an arrow through her back and into her lung. But, as hyped up as she is, she barely notices. Instead, with a great yell, she cleaves a bandit's head clean from his body.
Mallifyr fires two arrows from a bow she somehow found; both streak toward Zara. The first strikes the half-orc in the side, the second flies past her into the forest.
(Eva, you are up)
Map!
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd