Ever so cautiously narrowing the distance between herself and the solitary creature headed in her direction, Pigpen narrows her gaze and comes to the conclusion that the creature, although bipedal, is not a humanoid. In addition to being rather large, its silhouette is too...misshapen...too unusual...to be anything like a human, or for that matter, anything giant like an ogre or troll. The creature's legs aren't right, and it seems to lack anything that resembles a neck.
Hidden well among some gorse and tall grasses, Pigpen studies the creature as it draws nigh. Now approximately 150' distant, its long claws and red, mottled skin become apparent. Its destination and purpose are impossible to discern...
“Well now,” Pigpen thinks to herself, “That’s not something you see every day! And it’s certainly not native to the moors.” She racks her brain, trying to think of anything fitting this description that she may have encountered in a book or scroll (Arcana: 23). Steadily maintaining this distance, Pigpen will allow this thing to pass her by and then she will follow it in order to learn its destination and purpose (Stealth: 20). When she sees its tracks, she compares them mentally to those of the troll’s initial companion (Survival: 24), trying to decide if they match.
The monster now a mere 60' away, Pigpen realizes what she's seeing: a red slaad. Furthermore, the slaad's feet are a perfect match with the tracks she had seen previously.
Slinking about silently comes almost as easily as breathing for Pigpen, but as she takes a step, inexplicably, her dragon vessel and bottle of boundless coffee clink against each other in her backpack. The bizarre creature, standing 70' away stops in its tracks and turns to see what might have caused the noise...
Initiative: Pigpen 15 | Slaad 20
The slaad rushes toward Pigpen, its intent to do harm wholly obvious.
Round 1 has begun. Slaad's action = dash (moving 60' directly toward Pigpen). Pigpen may act. The slaad is 10' away.
When the Slaad comes within 10’ of her, Pigpen immediately reacts. A cloud of spores surrounds her which are inhaled by the Slaad, causing 1 necrotic damage (Con ST DC 18 to avoid damage).
She then retreats 20’, pulls out her short bow, casts Hail of Thorns at 5th level, and fires two arrows at him.
When the Slaad comes within 10’ of her, Pigpen immediately reacts. A cloud of spores surrounds her which are inhaled by the Slaad, causing 1 necrotic damage (Con ST DC 18 to avoid damage).
She then retreats 20’, pulls out her short bow, casts Hail of Thorns at 5th level, and fires two arrows at him.
Attack: 19 Damage: 8
Attack: 23 Damage: 8
(Assuming the first of those hit, it does an additional 39 piercing damage, 1/2 if the Slaad passes a DC 18 Dex ST; if it didn’t hit, the extra damage comes from the second arrow)
When Pigpen fires her second arrow, great groups of the frogs that surround her attach themselves to it, traveling with the arrow through the air. When it lands, the frogs swarm the Slaad, attempting to push it back 15’ and knock it prone (DC 18 STR ST)
"You are Lyra. I am Lith. Yes, a pact made of gold. This is good. Questions we both have. Gold you have. Gold I want. Friends I lost. We have an agreement!"
Lyra senses, for now anyway, that the xorn speaks openly and honestly.
"Six miners there were. Four taken by troll with many arms. One taken by flame. One not taken; that one is Lith."
Lith goes on to explain that the dark gnome did indeed throw fire from his hands, causing the miner (who's name was Dello) to die. The troll dragged the other four miners--all of which were dwarves--away in a large cloth sack of some sort. Regarding the possibility of the gnome's presence in the mine, Lith explains that the gnome followed the troll out of the mine and headed southward.
Lyra finds herself strangely moved. The xorn, Lith, considered themselves one of the six miners. This was his home. His family. Now gone.
She finds herself explaining, unnecessarily: "I too have had ones close to me taken. Not far from here. Perhaps by the same captors. My mother."
Whoever is behind this has much to answer for. And they will. I swear it by old Mirt's beard.
Lyra pauses, recomposing herself and thinking for a moment. She first attempts to consider two immediate questions herself:
1. How did Lith react to the ten gold pieces? Was it just a pittance to them or did it seem to temporarily sate their hunger? Most of my coin is in platinum, not gold, she thinks. I will give them more soon enough, but I do not have enough gold to shower them in it as they no doubt wish.
2. Has Lyra heard of a creature matching the description of the many-armed troll before? Nature: 7
To Lith, she lays out a modest plan with further questions, thinking it through as she goes and seeing how the xorn reacts.
"Well. We don't have much to go on, Lith, but it's a start. Now - you are one with the earth and can sense things here in your domain. Have you searched the rest of this mine? Do you know if any sentient creatures remain here who we may be able to ask for further clues? Shall I search with you?"
"As we go, let me ask you - how did you converse with the other miners. Most humans and dwarves do not know Terran or Primordial. I myself do not know these languages without my magic. Can you speak and understand Common?" (If so, Lyra will feel a little silly for having cast Comprehend Languages and using her Universal Speech ability unnecessarily.) "Or did you only communicate through gestures and trade, not words?"
"Once I am confident there are no more clues or further survivors or foes in this mine, we will go to where Dello is and lay him to rest with respect in a cairn, in what I hope is the manner of his people. He did not deserve to die as he did. You can assist me in this so it goes quickly."
"After that, unless we find other surprises, I will give you more gold to sate your hunger before departing. I plan to set off over the moors southward in pursuit of the many-armed troll and the deep gnome. On this broom, I can move much faster than you, I suspect, so I think it may be best if you remain behind? You were wise to hide yourself when I arrived. Most will not be able to see you here. Remain watchful in case the captors or other enemies - or other possible friends like myself - arrive."
Watching Lith's reaction, Lyra proceeds to search the rest of the mine unless the xorn assures her that he has already done so. She then proceeds with the plan outlined above - lay Dello to rest in a humble cairn, then take leave of Lith with ten more gold pieces, and head south across the moors.
As the sun sets, Brast slows his ponies and temporarily hitches them, not far from the second corpse. Closing his eyes, he briefly chants in a soft drone, invoking the echoing halls of his ancestors and the watchful hearthfire of Moradin's blessings. Prayerfully, he casts Augury, consulting with the spirits of the olden Battlehammers.
"Noble forbears, should I continue on this hunt in the darkness?" In the echoing drone, Brast strains to hear a reply.
The slaad fights through the spores and succeeds in minimizing the damage from the thorns, but the swarm of frogs proves to be too much. After tumbling backward several feet, the aberration rises to its feet, its eyes filled with wild rage. It rushes toward Pigpen, but is unable to cover enough ground before the halfling responds...
(Round 2 action for slaad = dash, and now stands 15' from Pigpen. Pigpen's action is next)
Pigpen retreats another 25', spins around and croaks loudly, holding the mistletoe sprig around her neck. The sprig glows in its pouch and two giant toads rise up from the muck, directly in front of the Slaad, blocking its path to Pigpen. "Wrap him up, boys!" she calls out. (OOC: The toads roll their own initiative; they will attack and attempt to restrain the Slaad, until told to do otherwise).
Malachi ponders the possibilties regarding the two orc forces he has encountered, but eventually he decides on what actions to take against them.
So this is Malachi's plan in his head.
- Cast Mage Armor and ride closer until about 500' from the camps. - He will then wait until Edgar reports that The Warchief and the Shaman of the Hand has gathered together with at least most of their force. - He will then cast See Invisibility and use his winged boots to fly closer. - When just coming within sight of the camp he will cast Greater Invisibility. - When within 150 feet or less he will cast Circle of Death on the aforementioned force, especially targeting The warchief and the Shaman of the Hand. (Range 150' Radius 60' Necrotic: 14 Con save 18 for half) -He would use a fireball or two if necessary to mop up any remaining forces of the Hand. (Range 150' Radius 20' Fire: 26 Dex save 18 for half) (Range 150' Radius 20' Fire: 27 Dex save 18 for half) -He will then immediately drop of a note adressed to the War Chief of Guruk Nal.
"Greetings Warchief.
As you can see your force have been more lucky than the force of the Hand. You will now immediately walk east from your camp alone and we will have a short discussion. Don't be afraid, if I had wanted you dead you wouldn't be reading this note. Comply and you will continue to lead your force towards greater glories. Fail to comply and ready yourself to face the consequences."
- He will then immediately fly back to the east, waiting for the Warchief while Edgar keeps a lookout for any shenanigans, like orcs following the Warchief. - Assuming the War Chief of Guruk Nal decides to meet him, Malachi stays in his tree, explaining that he wants some simple answers and he'll let the Warchief go back to his force. - Assuming the Warchief complies, Malachi uses Detect Thoughts to check the truth as he asks the Warchief about what they are up to and who is behind the attacks on the caravans along the Everemoors and where he could find them. The Warchief is then told to leave a lock from his hair before he leaves. -Malachi will then take the lock and saddle up and ride around the remnants of the two camps, continuing west into the Evermoors.
Again Malachi fully realizes unforseen things might happen but this is the plan.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Thelan.
The Trolls started the conflict, of that much at least the shrubs were clear. Something was causing these Trolls to act unnaturally, leading to an increase in the already numerous and unpredictable dangers of the moors. Thelan thanks the plants for their information, and with a wave of his hand and a small whisper in sylvan, small flower buds open among the bushes.
Thelan looks off in the distance for any sign of the returning Orc band, then moves to follow the troll tracks deeper into the moors. Searching for any clues on where they came from and what caused them to attack the orcs.
Lyra's remark about her mother doesn't seem to register very well with Lith who, as an elemental, doesn't quite fully grasp humanoid genealogy. The xorn does, however, comprehend the loss of ones who are close. During the search of the mines, Lith explains its ability to speak rudimentary Undercommon--something it learned long ago from a svirfneblin in the Underdark. One of the dwarves recently captured also spoke Undercommon and was, therefore, the communication link between Lith and all the miners.
The search of the mine--an endeavor of roughly thirty minutes--reveals no additional information. Lith is eager to aid in the construction of Dello's cairn, and the entire project is done with relative ease. Lith has no interest in traveling across the moors and agrees to remain in the mine. Receiving the ten gold pieces with gratitude, Lith explains, "These I will save for tomorrow; my hunger will make them taste better then. Thank you. You also must remain watchful."
Her departure from the mines now a few hours in the past, Lyra faces nightfall in the Evermoors and the decision to continue without rest or to set up camp...
N.B. Lyra has heard tales of trolls with four arms; they are all the more dangerous, able to attack with all four sets of claws as well as their teeth.
Lyra's mind is still racing with the strange events of the day. Am I missing something right in front of my face? Or on a wild goose chase?
"Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired."
If she can, she flies her broom to a point of dry, higher ground that has a hollow just on one side of it so that she is at least partially sheltered from view. Once there, she takes her time to cast Leomund's Tiny Hut as a ritual within the hollow. She settles down for a long rest there. She goes to sleep after about ten minutes so as to be sure not to still be snoozing when the magical hut expires. But not before getting her bearings using her Orb of Direction so she clearly knows which direction is which in the trackless moors. Almost radiating loneliness.
She is astonished to discover herself sobbing silently.
To avoid chance of manipulating the dice rolls, I will not edit this post. I will, rather, quote this in a subsequent one.
Malachicallsthe wrath of the Nine Hells on the twenty-eight members of The Hand. Through the eyes of his familiar, the wizard sees that only one of his victims survives the onslaught: The Hand's war chief. Badly wounded and utterly perplexed by what has just taken place, the orc chieftain stands midway between his decimated tribe and the leader of the Guruk Nal. For the next minute or so, the the two orc chiefs gesticulate wildly and exchange heated words. The heated argument eventually shifts from the use of words to the use of weapons. The two swing wildly, cutting deep wounds into one another, but the leader of The Hand--at a distinct disadvantage--soon falls.
The leader of the Guruk Nal then wipes his axe blade upon the ground and gathers with members of his tribe. They seem to be be engaged in a rather serious conversation, their voices hushed. Their conversation ends, and the war chief walks eastward to Malachi.
"Attacks on the borders," begins the chief in Common, "are not the work of orcs. Orcs are hunted and taken captive as well. A cunning and magical one calls upon trolls and strange iriginathki* to take captives deep into the moors...to the islands in the fog. We go there to slay who it is that captures the orcs, but you, cowardly wizard, have weakened our army!"
As the war chief speaks, Malachi senses no deception in the orc's words or demeanor.
The chief then rips a handful of hair from his head, spits on it, and throws it on the ground before turning and walking away. As he does so, he calls out a few angry words in Orcish but neither he nor his tribe members seem to ready themselves for a fight.
Thankful for the fact that trolls leave rather deep impressions in the soft ground of the moors, Thelan follows the pair of footprints for several hours to a point where they are joined by a third set of tracks. This third set stops abruptly and turns back from whence they came. In other words, it seems the two trolls were traveling with someone else, who then turned around to make toward their original destination. These tracks, oddly enough, suggest a medium-sized boot-wearing humanoid. The humanoid tracks and troll tracks remain close to one another for some time, but eventually the humanoid tracks veer to the left, toward some rocky hills covered with scraggly trees and shrubs.
Thelan must consider which path to take. Follow the troll track northwest? Or follow the newly-identified humanoid tracks directly west?
Which, according to my quick bit of research, means the giant frogs will now act in round 2.
Bite attack for first giant frog: 20 for 7 piercing damage, if successful
If necessary, bite attack for second giant frog: 20 for 6 piercing damage, if successful
- - - - - - - -
If applicable, escape grapple attempt (at beginning of round 3) by red slaad (DC 11): 11
The slaad is unable to free itself from the grasp of the giant TOAD's gaping maw. Pigpen, half-amused, gazes upon a red-skinned slaad arm and leg flailing about wildly outside the toad's mouth.
PIGPEN
Ever so cautiously narrowing the distance between herself and the solitary creature headed in her direction, Pigpen narrows her gaze and comes to the conclusion that the creature, although bipedal, is not a humanoid. In addition to being rather large, its silhouette is too...misshapen...too unusual...to be anything like a human, or for that matter, anything giant like an ogre or troll. The creature's legs aren't right, and it seems to lack anything that resembles a neck.
Hidden well among some gorse and tall grasses, Pigpen studies the creature as it draws nigh. Now approximately 150' distant, its long claws and red, mottled skin become apparent. Its destination and purpose are impossible to discern...
PIGPEN
“Well now,” Pigpen thinks to herself, “That’s not something you see every day! And it’s certainly not native to the moors.” She racks her brain, trying to think of anything fitting this description that she may have encountered in a book or scroll (Arcana: 23). Steadily maintaining this distance, Pigpen will allow this thing to pass her by and then she will follow it in order to learn its destination and purpose (Stealth: 20). When she sees its tracks, she compares them mentally to those of the troll’s initial companion (Survival: 24), trying to decide if they match.
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
PIGPEN
The monster now a mere 60' away, Pigpen realizes what she's seeing: a red slaad. Furthermore, the slaad's feet are a perfect match with the tracks she had seen previously.
Slinking about silently comes almost as easily as breathing for Pigpen, but as she takes a step, inexplicably, her dragon vessel and bottle of boundless coffee clink against each other in her backpack. The bizarre creature, standing 70' away stops in its tracks and turns to see what might have caused the noise...
Initiative: Pigpen 15 | Slaad 20
The slaad rushes toward Pigpen, its intent to do harm wholly obvious.
Round 1 has begun. Slaad's action = dash (moving 60' directly toward Pigpen). Pigpen may act. The slaad is 10' away.
PIGPEN
When the Slaad comes within 10’ of her, Pigpen immediately reacts. A cloud of spores surrounds her which are inhaled by the Slaad, causing 1 necrotic damage (Con ST DC 18 to avoid damage).
She then retreats 20’, pulls out her short bow, casts Hail of Thorns at 5th level, and fires two arrows at him.
Attack: 19 Damage: 8
Attack: 23 Damage: 8
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
(Assuming the first of those hit, it does an additional 39 piercing damage, 1/2 if the Slaad passes a DC 18 Dex ST; if it didn’t hit, the extra damage comes from the second arrow)
When Pigpen fires her second arrow, great groups of the frogs that surround her attach themselves to it, traveling with the arrow through the air. When it lands, the frogs swarm the Slaad, attempting to push it back 15’ and knock it prone (DC 18 STR ST)
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
Lyra finds herself strangely moved. The xorn, Lith, considered themselves one of the six miners. This was his home. His family. Now gone.
She finds herself explaining, unnecessarily: "I too have had ones close to me taken. Not far from here. Perhaps by the same captors. My mother."
Whoever is behind this has much to answer for. And they will. I swear it by old Mirt's beard.
Lyra pauses, recomposing herself and thinking for a moment. She first attempts to consider two immediate questions herself:
1. How did Lith react to the ten gold pieces? Was it just a pittance to them or did it seem to temporarily sate their hunger? Most of my coin is in platinum, not gold, she thinks. I will give them more soon enough, but I do not have enough gold to shower them in it as they no doubt wish.
2. Has Lyra heard of a creature matching the description of the many-armed troll before? Nature: 7
To Lith, she lays out a modest plan with further questions, thinking it through as she goes and seeing how the xorn reacts.
"Well. We don't have much to go on, Lith, but it's a start. Now - you are one with the earth and can sense things here in your domain. Have you searched the rest of this mine? Do you know if any sentient creatures remain here who we may be able to ask for further clues? Shall I search with you?"
"As we go, let me ask you - how did you converse with the other miners. Most humans and dwarves do not know Terran or Primordial. I myself do not know these languages without my magic. Can you speak and understand Common?" (If so, Lyra will feel a little silly for having cast Comprehend Languages and using her Universal Speech ability unnecessarily.) "Or did you only communicate through gestures and trade, not words?"
"Once I am confident there are no more clues or further survivors or foes in this mine, we will go to where Dello is and lay him to rest with respect in a cairn, in what I hope is the manner of his people. He did not deserve to die as he did. You can assist me in this so it goes quickly."
"After that, unless we find other surprises, I will give you more gold to sate your hunger before departing. I plan to set off over the moors southward in pursuit of the many-armed troll and the deep gnome. On this broom, I can move much faster than you, I suspect, so I think it may be best if you remain behind? You were wise to hide yourself when I arrived. Most will not be able to see you here. Remain watchful in case the captors or other enemies - or other possible friends like myself - arrive."
Watching Lith's reaction, Lyra proceeds to search the rest of the mine unless the xorn assures her that he has already done so. She then proceeds with the plan outlined above - lay Dello to rest in a humble cairn, then take leave of Lith with ten more gold pieces, and head south across the moors.
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
BRAST
As the sun sets, Brast slows his ponies and temporarily hitches them, not far from the second corpse. Closing his eyes, he briefly chants in a soft drone, invoking the echoing halls of his ancestors and the watchful hearthfire of Moradin's blessings. Prayerfully, he casts Augury, consulting with the spirits of the olden Battlehammers.
"Noble forbears, should I continue on this hunt in the darkness?" In the echoing drone, Brast strains to hear a reply.
Saves for the slaad
PIGPEN
The slaad fights through the spores and succeeds in minimizing the damage from the thorns, but the swarm of frogs proves to be too much. After tumbling backward several feet, the aberration rises to its feet, its eyes filled with wild rage. It rushes toward Pigpen, but is unable to cover enough ground before the halfling responds...
(Round 2 action for slaad = dash, and now stands 15' from Pigpen. Pigpen's action is next)
PIGPEN
Pigpen retreats another 25', spins around and croaks loudly, holding the mistletoe sprig around her neck. The sprig glows in its pouch and two giant toads rise up from the muck, directly in front of the Slaad, blocking its path to Pigpen. "Wrap him up, boys!" she calls out. (OOC: The toads roll their own initiative; they will attack and attempt to restrain the Slaad, until told to do otherwise).
Giant Toad
[Tooltip Not Found]
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
MALACHI
Malachi ponders the possibilties regarding the two orc forces he has encountered, but eventually he decides on what actions to take against them.
So this is Malachi's plan in his head.
- Cast Mage Armor and ride closer until about 500' from the camps.
- He will then wait until Edgar reports that The Warchief and the Shaman of the Hand has gathered together with at least most of their force.
- He will then cast See Invisibility and use his winged boots to fly closer.
- When just coming within sight of the camp he will cast Greater Invisibility.
- When within 150 feet or less he will cast Circle of Death on the aforementioned force, especially targeting The warchief and the Shaman of the Hand.
(Range 150' Radius 60' Necrotic: 14 Con save 18 for half)
-He would use a fireball or two if necessary to mop up any remaining forces of the Hand.
(Range 150' Radius 20' Fire: 26 Dex save 18 for half)
(Range 150' Radius 20' Fire: 27 Dex save 18 for half)
-He will then immediately drop of a note adressed to the War Chief of Guruk Nal.
"Greetings Warchief.
As you can see your force have been more lucky than the force of the Hand.
You will now immediately walk east from your camp alone and we will have a short discussion.
Don't be afraid, if I had wanted you dead you wouldn't be reading this note.
Comply and you will continue to lead your force towards greater glories.
Fail to comply and ready yourself to face the consequences."
- He will then immediately fly back to the east, waiting for the Warchief while Edgar keeps a lookout for any shenanigans, like orcs following the Warchief.
- Assuming the War Chief of Guruk Nal decides to meet him, Malachi stays in his tree, explaining that he wants some simple answers and he'll let the Warchief go back to his force.
- Assuming the Warchief complies, Malachi uses Detect Thoughts to check the truth as he asks the Warchief about what they are up to and who is behind the attacks on the caravans along the Everemoors and where he could find them. The Warchief is then told to leave a lock from his hair before he leaves.
-Malachi will then take the lock and saddle up and ride around the remnants of the two camps, continuing west into the Evermoors.
Again Malachi fully realizes unforseen things might happen but this is the plan.
Thelan.
The Trolls started the conflict, of that much at least the shrubs were clear. Something was causing these Trolls to act unnaturally, leading to an increase in the already numerous and unpredictable dangers of the moors. Thelan thanks the plants for their information, and with a wave of his hand and a small whisper in sylvan, small flower buds open among the bushes.
Thelan looks off in the distance for any sign of the returning Orc band, then moves to follow the troll tracks deeper into the moors. Searching for any clues on where they came from and what caused them to attack the orcs.
Survival: 26.
Perception: 26.
.
LYRA
Lyra's remark about her mother doesn't seem to register very well with Lith who, as an elemental, doesn't quite fully grasp humanoid genealogy. The xorn does, however, comprehend the loss of ones who are close. During the search of the mines, Lith explains its ability to speak rudimentary Undercommon--something it learned long ago from a svirfneblin in the Underdark. One of the dwarves recently captured also spoke Undercommon and was, therefore, the communication link between Lith and all the miners.
The search of the mine--an endeavor of roughly thirty minutes--reveals no additional information. Lith is eager to aid in the construction of Dello's cairn, and the entire project is done with relative ease. Lith has no interest in traveling across the moors and agrees to remain in the mine. Receiving the ten gold pieces with gratitude, Lith explains, "These I will save for tomorrow; my hunger will make them taste better then. Thank you. You also must remain watchful."
Her departure from the mines now a few hours in the past, Lyra faces nightfall in the Evermoors and the decision to continue without rest or to set up camp...
N.B. Lyra has heard tales of trolls with four arms; they are all the more dangerous, able to attack with all four sets of claws as well as their teeth.
BRAST
Nothing to fear; nothing to find is the reply from the barbarian's ancestral past.
MALACHI
Saving throws for members of The Hand...
To avoid chance of manipulating the dice rolls, I will not edit this post. I will, rather, quote this in a subsequent one.
Lyra's mind is still racing with the strange events of the day. Am I missing something right in front of my face? Or on a wild goose chase?
"Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired."
If she can, she flies her broom to a point of dry, higher ground that has a hollow just on one side of it so that she is at least partially sheltered from view. Once there, she takes her time to cast Leomund's Tiny Hut as a ritual within the hollow. She settles down for a long rest there. She goes to sleep after about ten minutes so as to be sure not to still be snoozing when the magical hut expires. But not before getting her bearings using her Orb of Direction so she clearly knows which direction is which in the trackless moors. Almost radiating loneliness.
She is astonished to discover herself sobbing silently.
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
Malachi calls the wrath of the Nine Hells on the twenty-eight members of The Hand. Through the eyes of his familiar, the wizard sees that only one of his victims survives the onslaught: The Hand's war chief. Badly wounded and utterly perplexed by what has just taken place, the orc chieftain stands midway between his decimated tribe and the leader of the Guruk Nal. For the next minute or so, the the two orc chiefs gesticulate wildly and exchange heated words. The heated argument eventually shifts from the use of words to the use of weapons. The two swing wildly, cutting deep wounds into one another, but the leader of The Hand--at a distinct disadvantage--soon falls.
The leader of the Guruk Nal then wipes his axe blade upon the ground and gathers with members of his tribe. They seem to be be engaged in a rather serious conversation, their voices hushed. Their conversation ends, and the war chief walks eastward to Malachi.
"Attacks on the borders," begins the chief in Common, "are not the work of orcs. Orcs are hunted and taken captive as well. A cunning and magical one calls upon trolls and strange iriginathki* to take captives deep into the moors...to the islands in the fog. We go there to slay who it is that captures the orcs, but you, cowardly wizard, have weakened our army!"
As the war chief speaks, Malachi senses no deception in the orc's words or demeanor.
The chief then rips a handful of hair from his head, spits on it, and throws it on the ground before turning and walking away. As he does so, he calls out a few angry words in Orcish but neither he nor his tribe members seem to ready themselves for a fight.
*an Orcish word unfamiliar to Malachi
THELAN
Thankful for the fact that trolls leave rather deep impressions in the soft ground of the moors, Thelan follows the pair of footprints for several hours to a point where they are joined by a third set of tracks. This third set stops abruptly and turns back from whence they came. In other words, it seems the two trolls were traveling with someone else, who then turned around to make toward their original destination. These tracks, oddly enough, suggest a medium-sized boot-wearing humanoid. The humanoid tracks and troll tracks remain close to one another for some time, but eventually the humanoid tracks veer to the left, toward some rocky hills covered with scraggly trees and shrubs.
Thelan must consider which path to take. Follow the troll track northwest? Or follow the newly-identified humanoid tracks directly west?
PIGPEN
Initiative for giant frogs: 5
Which, according to my quick bit of research, means the giant frogs will now act in round 2.
- - - - - - - -
If applicable, escape grapple attempt (at beginning of round 3) by red slaad (DC 11): 22
The slaad is unable to free itself from the grasp of the giant TOAD's gaping maw. Pigpen, half-amused, gazes upon a red-skinned slaad arm and leg flailing about wildly outside the toad's mouth.
Pigpen's round 3 action is next.
(Amended damage from toad bite = 9 piercing damage + 9 poison damage)