Gnome's OOTA Story Thread [CLOSED]

"So these Duergar think this Gnome took the gem. But we're going to search the Drow to find it?" Katryl asks, clearly not following all of the story. "I don't get it, but let's move quickly. Things are looking pretty bad." 

Horkas agrees that they ought to move quickly. "Katryl, the Gnome here is saying the Drow charmed her into taking the gem from the Duergar." 

The noble drow would indeed disecreetly inform his companions that Yantha seems to be quite mad, and likely beyond saving.

"Yes, the Svirfneblin has likely been corrupted by the gem you seek but she is still more valuable to you alive so keep her here and call off the attack, it is just a waste of resources and Duergar lives, we will find this gem before long." Traydark says confidently, bowing politely to the Duergar before turning to lead his companions to the Zhentarim enclave to finally speak to Ghazrim DuLoc.

"How do you know the gem did this?" The duergar answer and then look back at Yantha. "Guess you're no use to anyone then." He then lets go of the rope and you watch was the poor, clearly mad deep gnome suddenly falls and is swallowed amid screams by the hungry xorn. The two then look at you all again, "We'll call off the attack when we're sure none of the rest of them are keeping what is rightfully ours. Now get out."

Leaving the duergar compound and heading across the small trade city toward the Zhentarim enclave you can see a gathering already forming in the large pavilion outside of the Zhentarim quarters, where some of you know Ghazrim regularly held trading. Everyone but Khessa would spot, as you get closer, a gargoyle perched up on a ledge overlooking the pavilion. Around some of the smaller tents nearby are 15 other Zhentarim, but under the larger tent four drow stand around food laden tables but are not eating currently.

The noble Drow gives the two Duergar an incredulous look as they callously and quite unnecessarily kill the Svirfneblin. Where they too affected by the madness? Nothing really made sense to him now.

While making his way to meet with Ghazrim DuLoc, Traydark casts a discreet but quite suspicious glance at the four Drow, ordering Grax'xt to invisibly follow them for now and report to him if they were up to anything shady.

Insight to determine intentions of the Drow: 10

Khessa is initially shocked by the absurd behavior of the two Duergar: they have been offered help (without even speaking of a reward) to find what they so desire... they have been explained how to continue the violence (which will already bring serious consequences for them) will hinder said help… and yet they persevere. Plus, they uselessly kill the prisoner in cold blood. She is almost tempted to point out the absurdity to the rest of the Duergar, to have the two leaders,  probably also prey to Madness (after all, they too had something to do with the gem), removed and have them replaced with Duergar still able to think coherently!

Almost.

But the blonde arcane warrior ultimately decides against it. The minds of other Duergar may also have been compromised (she doesn't know, after all, how many Duergar the gem has been in contact with) and a further fight could arise... a fight in which the party would end up finding themselves embroiled. She therefore follows Traydark (although clearly worried and saddened by the enormity of what is happening). And, while amazed to find drow among the Zhentarim, she lets Traydark do the talking. After all, he is the Zhentarim...

But about one thing Khessa is now sure: given the effect that the gem has on everyone it comes into contact with, it should not be returned at all... it must be neutralized - or even better destroyed. For her it is now practically obvious that it must be an artifact of the Demon Lords (or of some of their powerful agents) which is only being used to the advantage of the forces of the Abyss!

Light significantly diminished by the senseless loss of life and her helplessness in the face of it, Lulu is silent as she follows her companions, her holy symbol clutched so tightly in her hand it's fit to bruise.

Something feels horribly familiar to her about this city. Petty squabbles and greed; puppeteers pulling and cutting strings with little care or remorse. In all truth, it reminds her of the worst aspects of the Feywild. Especially of the Courts and their political schemes and manipulations.

Needing to be forcefully encouraged away from the duergar leaders after having watched them murder Yantha, the cleric's gaze is both wary and weary as they make their way to the Zhent encampment. Upon their approach, she casts Locate Object and keeps her arcane senses peeled for the infamous gem as she peers up at the gargoyle, trying to determine where its interest is focused.


((Can she do a Perception or Insight check to try and tell what the gargoyle is up to/where it's looking?: 16+7 23 for either one))

As far as Traydark can tell, the drow are simply waiting for something, or someone, even with the familiar hiding out not too far away.

Unfortunately, Lulu, having never seen the gem or even had it described that much to you, it is hard to decide just what you are trying to find other than a gem of some kind. There are lots of gems scattered around the small city all easily within range of the spell and it seems that until you have more details about this gem you're just not going to get a lot of help from the spell. However, the gargoyle is looking down at the large pavilion tent, but since it is outside the covering it is hard to know exactly what it is looking at or looking for but perhaps one of the drow since they are the main ones standing there currently.

Khessa continues to leave the initiative to Traydark. She just looks around, clearly worried that the maddening influence of the Demon Lords has reached Mantol-Derith, so close to the surface... but she is not looking in the direction of the gargoyle. Maybe she hasn't noticed... And maybe, if one of her fellow adventurers pointed it out to her, she might try talking to the gargoyle through Dawn... and maybe ask it what its intentions are...

(Nice pic!)

Taking a moment or two to try and size up what is going on near the Zhentarim camp, you see the far doors open up and Gharim DuLoc appears along with 6 other thug agents...and a beholder in tow. The drow perk up at the sound of opening doors and approaching steps, see the group coming toward them, including the beholder. There is no hesitation then once seen, one of the drow immediately rushes at the beholder and the other drow quickly follow her and engage the Zhentarim in battle!

Khessa would like to scream in desperation: chaos here too! Another pointless battle! It is surprising that there are not just dead corpses left in the city...

However... considering that the 'gem' that is likely causing all of this is supposed to be in drow hands... and that it is the drow who attacked the Zhentarim... and that the Zhentarim are her allies, here in Mantol -Derith... the blonde arcane warrior rushes to help Gharim DuLoc, brandishing Dawn (whose light, as sunlight, as she well remembers from Traydark's initial reactions, should put the drow in serious trouble). [[ OOC: They should have Disadvantage to their attacks, if I well remember ]]

"Desist this senseless attack immediately and explain what's wrong with you!" the tall adventuress intimates to the drow, while she fights them - but considering their senseless attack she is afraid that they are unable to reason by now; no more able than the other victims of the gem already encountered, at least.

"Careful of the gargoyle on high," Lulu warns as she dons her shield.

The cleric refocuses her divine senses (from Locate Object) on the aggressors and searches for any aura that might indicate any of them carries a gem before, in one last attempt to avoid bloodshed, again reaches out to gesture like a conductor of emotions. "Mistress grant us peace. There has been enough death this day." 


((After looking for any ping on the Zhents' or drows' persons indicating possession of a gem, Lulu will drop her concentration on Locate Object and cast Calm Emotions on the drow (likely getting Khessa in the radius, I don't believe I can choose targets with this one, sorry!); DC 15 CHA save.
Hopefully any of them under the effects of Madness will be freed of it momentarily. "A calm emotions spell can suppress the effects of madness, while a lesser restoration spell can rid a character of a short-term or long-term madness." https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Madness#content))

@MissAbyss: Don't worry, we are 80' from battle. Khessa moves 60'. Area of calm emotions is 20' radius. So Khessa is not included, at the moment.

Initiative order:

Drow Assassin

Horkas

Katryl

Ghazrim

Lorthuun (Beholder)

Thugs A-F

Drow Mage

Lulu

Drow warrior A-B

Khessa

Traydark

Gargoyle

The assassin swiftly draws a bow and fires at the beholder, hitting it square on, causing it to shriek in pain!

Horkas/Katryl up!

Horkas dashes towards the fight, not yet sure which side he was joining... (total of 50' movement, stopping to the south of the big building and pressing against the wall to stay obstructed...)

Katryl moves forward just slightly, trying to keep most the Drow within 80 ft. She knocks an arrow to her bowstring and draws, holding it there.  She's poised to fire, but waits to see what happens. (READY a shot to attack if anyone attacks a member of the party. Shortbow Attack: 20, Damage: 7) 

"Who exactly are we fighting? It doesn't seem like much point in helping to push the hostilities." 

Ghazrim looks surprised but irritated or angry that the drow have attacked, drawing his rapier and runs toward the drow assassin but slips on a loose rock and can't get a good swing.

Lorthuun's central eye points toward the area and all magic is suppressed in that area! (It's a 150ft cone pointed down the map, which should catch everyone in combat currently)

Thugs A-F: A/B go after Drow warrior A! (A's 8 and 7 miss; B's 10 and 10 also miss). C/D go after the mage! (C gets 1 hit with a 17 for 8 damage; D smashes twice with a 23 and 21 for a total of 7 damage with a mace). E/F go after the other Drow warrior (B) (E's miss with a 14 and 5; F's miss with a 12 and 5)

Drow Mage risks opportunity attacks to get away from the thugs and the anitmagic zone, getting clipped for 7 damage by one of them as they run toward the west (top) and get up against the wall just out of range of the zone and then summons a shadow demon to attack the beholder!

Shadow demon strikes at the beholder with a critical hit! 17 psychic damage to the beholder!

Lulu up!

Lulu's eyes widen as she's suddenly cut off from her Goddess' divinity. The effect is an overwhelming sense of emptiness--a bone-deep loneliness she hasn't felt in decades--but like a shadow across the moon, it passes. While her power may be quelled, her faith cannot be extinguished. And she's not alone.

"We've allies in this fight," she replies to Katryl, meaning the Zhentarim. The Zhentarim who are also their key to finding Gravenhollow. "I dinnae ken if deescalation is possible, but tis always worth trying." Leaving her sword sheathed, the cleric sprints forward. It is her job to share her calm, not join the chaos. Between uncontrolled escalation and passivity, there is a demanding path of responsibility she must follow. 


((Round 1
Movement & Action: Lulu will use her full movement and then Dash to move 60ft towards the scuffle, testing the bounds of the anti-magic cone as she goes.))

Drow Warrior A pulls out their short sword and with a couple of brutal slashes sends one of the thugs down to the ground (thug A).

Drow Warrior B does the same, quickly stabbing down another thug (F) so they stop moving.

Khessa and Traydark up!

The noble drow groans as yet another senseless battle erupts in Matol-Derith, moving as needed to get within 90 feet of the drow mage before swiftly cursing him, then unleashing two purple beams of eldritch crackling force against him, hoping they would at least break his concentration on the summoning of the shadow demon.

Eldritch Blast: 25 Force: 11 Necrotic: 4
Eldritch Blast: 24 Force: 11 Necrotic: 6

He would then move into cover behind a tent.