Kuo-toa parade around the altar in a wide circle as they chant. Part of their path sends them splashing and wading through the shallows of the Darklake. You quickly can’t tell one faction of fish-folk from the other, but you do see the archpriest of the Sea Mother and his whip moving toward the altar.
Bloppblippodd calls for the sacrifices to be brought forth, and one kuo-toa for each of you jumps to do her bidding. They prod you all with their spears to herd you toward a slight depression about 20 feet from the altar, with a large grate at its center. You can see that the stonework of the depression is stained with the blood of innumerable sacrifices, and can hear the gentle lapping of the Darklake coming up through the grate. The chanting grows louder.
When the sacrifices are brought forward, Bloppblippodd gestures toward the altar, whereupon her father suddenly attacks, striking her with his scepter. Kuo-toa loyal to him surge forward to attack, while the guards that brought the characters forward stand in shock!
We are entering a fixed initiative for this combat so you do not need to roll for initiative. The kuo-toa have gone first, you all will go as a group. Feel free to mention something before they start fighting though. The dozens of kuo-toa around you are currently stunned this first round, only the two leaders are actually engaging in combat currently.
While you don't find any useable armor, you do find the priest's stash of things he has culled from...somewhere: 500 cp, 2,000 sp, 150 gp, 27 pp, a strand of matched pearls worth 1,000 gp total, two potions of healing, a potion of water breathing, and a spell scroll of light
Khessa doesn't think twice about picking up everything and sharing all with her companions: given the situation they are going to get themselves into, any help could make a difference!
Coins are easy to split: the blonde arcane warrior gives Traydark, Ebzer, Katryl and Silas a total of 100cp, 400sp, 34gp and 5pp each, while keeping 100cp, 400sp, 14gp and 7pp for herself
(OOC: we all receive the same value, even if with different coins, I can do math - redo the calculations if you like to check)
It remains to divide two potions of healing, a potion of water breathing, and a spell scroll of light.
Since Khessa already knows light as cantrip, the scroll is useless to her; she gives it to Traydark, who is the only other member of the party who uses arcane spells.
Since a fight is expected and Silas is out of healing spells, the tall adventure delivers one potion of healing to Ebzer (who will, like her, probably be in melee) and one to Katryl (who lent her the armor and is thus a bit more likely to be injured).
She gives the potion of water breathing to Silas: "It could be useful for you..." she jokes, winking "it is well known that cats are afraid of water!"
(OOC: Of course, feel free to exchange items as you see fit, if you don't like what Khessa gave you. She tried to share things in a way that made sense to her, but she is not pretending to impose anything; if something is not good, change what you want)
...We are entering a fixed initiative for this combat so you do not need to roll for initiative. The kuo-toa have gone first, you all will go as a group. Feel free to mention something before they start fighting though. The dozens of kuo-toa around you are currently stunned this first round, only the two leaders are actually engaging in combat currently.
Khessa quickly looks around trying to identify a position in which she and the others can put themselves to avoid being attacked from all directions... A position in which they have at least one side covered (even better if two or three ). Is there such a place?
If so, Khessa tries to use the kuo-toa's moment of surprise to lead everyone to take up positions there, with her and Ebzer in the front to block any attackers and the others behind free to attack from a distance.
If not, the blonde arcane warrior simply goes on the offensive, advising: "Let's focus on one at a time. Better one dead and five healthy enemies than six wounded but still capable of hurting us back!"
Khessa quickly looks around trying to identify a position in which she and the others can put themselves to avoid being attacked from all directions... A position in which they have at least one side covered (even better if two or three ). Is there such a place?
There is the nearby altar and a small stone wall where the duergar is chained up. Those are your closest options.
Silas reaches over to Katryl again and blesses her with the blessing of the trickster again (adv on stealth). He then runs over to the duerger’s wall and attempts to free the dwarf cousin from its shackles.
Khessa quickly looks around trying to identify a position in which she and the others can put themselves to avoid being attacked from all directions... A position in which they have at least one side covered (even better if two or three ). Is there such a place?
There is the nearby altar and a small stone wall where the duergar is chained up. Those are your closest options.
Wall of stone then... so maybe we can also free or defend the poor duergar. Khessa tries to lead all there and have more vulnerable members of the party take place behind her and Ebzer, if possible. Then she is ready to fight (she will also place an attack against a nearby kuo-toa in the meantime, if she can)
(OOC I'm curious about the lighting here. Ambient through bio-luminescent fungi? Torches? Bonfire? Everybody just relying on darkvision?
Also, I guess I didn't understand the plan. Were we supposed to help take out the leader, or just be present?)
Ebzer is torn between violent anger at the priestess and her minions, and a desire to free his fellow duergar. If there is a burning torch nearby, he will grab and toss it onto the altar of rotting flesh before joining his comrades at the wall, seething with fury. (This is Ebzer using restraint. He seriously considered a more... unsanitary method of desecrating the altar.)
Earlier Traydark gives Khessa a curious look as she offers him coins and a scroll, but then being fully content with the blonde warrior mage having no compunctions about stealing from their allies. "I have nothing to carry that much coins in I'm afraid, you better keep them safe for me Khessa, I would only spend it all at the first tavern we pass." He says with a smile ans a wink, accepting the scroll and tucking it into his belt and pocketing 30 gp and 5 pp.
(Don't forget the pearls now :-)
As the brutal quelling of the insurgents is underway, the noble drow retreats towards the chained duergar (unless he is among us to be sacrificed?) and uses his drow magic to summon a swarm of vicious spiders as a protective barriers between the group and the kou-toa, trying to figure the best way to one of the boats.
(Cast Silent Image 15 feet wide wall of spider for protection, himslef being inside the swarm for now.)
Sarith joins close to Traydark, readying his hand crossbow to fire at anyone coming closer.
(You're right! I keep them on Khessa for now; of course we sell and divide as soon as we have a chance - it will be another 200gp for each one of us! And it's not stealing, by the way! It's and advance payment! We are risking to be sacrificed to the decomposed lemonic twin of Demogorgon...)
Silas reaches over to Katryl again and blesses her with the blessing of the trickster again (adv on stealth). He then runs over to the duerger’s wall and attempts to free the dwarf cousin from its shackles.
He is just tied to the wall more or less so that is easily done this round. The man groans as you release him but is still alive.
Katryl's first thought is to look for a spot where she could get out of sight and hide. (Perception: 24)
There aren't any real good places to hide here, as the lake is on your side and there's just the altar and the small stone wall with the prisoner being released.
Khessa quickly looks around trying to identify a position in which she and the others can put themselves to avoid being attacked from all directions... A position in which they have at least one side covered (even better if two or three ). Is there such a place?
There is the nearby altar and a small stone wall where the duergar is chained up. Those are your closest options.
Wall of stone then... so maybe we can also free or defend the poor duergar. Khessa tries to lead all there and have more vulnerable members of the party take place behind her and Ebzer, if possible. Then she is ready to fight (she will also place an attack against a nearby kuo-toa in the meantime, if she can)
Fairly easy to do as the fishy dudes are currently stunned. Feel free to make an attack against one though. (AC 13)
(OOC I'm curious about the lighting here. Ambient through bio-luminescent fungi? Torches? Bonfire? Everybody just relying on darkvision?
Also, I guess I didn't understand the plan. Were we supposed to help take out the leader, or just be present?)
Ebzer is torn between violent anger at the priestess and her minions, and a desire to free his fellow duergar. If there is a burning torch nearby, he will grab and toss it onto the altar of rotting flesh before joining his comrades at the wall, seething with fury. (This is Ebzer using restraint. He seriously considered a more... unsanitary method of desecrating the altar.)
Other than a few scant glowcaps scattered throughout the town, the place is pitch black. You would have noticed that Shuushar never did like bright lights and these kuo-toa probably don't like it either. No burning torches for sure. And ideally, the priest's plan was to hopefully use you all to get a free swing at the priestess by luring her in.
Round 2: The two leaders are dealing heavy blows to each other, and the other kuo-toa are now free and engaged in a grand melee on the shore of Darklake. It is at least 60ft to the nearest boat. If Khessa attacks one of the kuo-toa, that attracts 3 others nearby to join in an attack on you all. (1 swipe against Khessa hits for 3 pts bludgeoning dmg)
(Hmm, they don't like bright lights... might could use that to our advantage. How are the non-darkvision party members getting by? does someone have a light spell going?)
(Hmm, they don't like bright lights... might could use that to our advantage. How are the non-darkvision party members getting by? does someone have a light spell going?)
(Yes, if it's dark Khessa has cast a Light cantrip on a pebble and is keeping it with her - else she would not be able to see. She can hide the pebble in a pocket every time we need to be in complete darkness for some reason. Yes, let's keep in mind that they don't like bright light... but I can not produce such a light at the moment, sadly. I can produce light only with the Light cantrip... and its light is not especially bright)
@DM: Now Khessa has an armor (Katryl's leather). Has been hit AC > 16? Else she might use Shield spell to block...
So one attacks her. The other two coming at us who are attacking? All her or Ebzer too (the two of them dhould br front-line, trying to protect the others behind)?
And how is the kuo-toa hit by Khessa and Buppido faring? Wounded? Heavily wounded? Dead?
(Excuse the swarm of question, it's just to have a clearer picture of the situation and thus decide what it is best to do now, on Round 2)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Standing inside the swarm of vicious spiders, Traydark and Sarith watches as Khessa bravely joins the fray against the Kuo-Toa insurgents and decides to back her up with what they got, aiming their attacks at the Kuo-Toa enemy closest to the blonde arcane warrior.
Eldritch Blast: 7 Another roll if considered hidden by the silent image: 25 Force: 12
Hand Crossbow: 18 Another roll if considered hidden by the silent image: 24 Piercing: 4 + Drow poison
Silas asks the duergar how long he has been tied up? Does he know a good escape route? What is his name?
He says his name is Hemeth. He hasn't been here too long as he came here to try and cut a deal with either faction of kuo-toa but they captured him instead. Says he's willing to cooperate with you all and might even try and return the favor if you let him go.
@DM: Now Khessa has an armor (Katryl's leather). Has been hit AC > 16? Else she might use Shield spell to block...
So one attacks her. The other two coming at us who are attacking? All her or Ebzer too (the two of them dhould br front-line, trying to protect the others behind)?
And how is the kuo-toa hit by Khessa and Buppido faring? Wounded? Heavily wounded? Dead?
(Excuse the swarm of question, it's just to have a clearer picture of the situation and thus decide what it is best to do now, on Round 2)
The other kuo-toa are at the illusionary wall and unable to connect with anyone else at the moment. That one you hit is dead. Your AC is fine for now, no need for shield.
Standing inside the swarm of vicious spiders, Traydark and Sarith watches as Khessa bravely joins the fray against the Kuo-Toa insurgents and decides to back her up with what they got, aiming their attacks at the Kuo-Toa enemy closest to the blonde arcane warrior.
Eldritch Blast: 12 Another roll if considered hidden by the silent image: 17 Force: 8
Hand Crossbow: 18 Another roll if considered hidden by the silent image: 10 Piercing: 4 + Drow poison
Another few solid hits! Another kuo-toa flails into the water, where a moment later it too is dragged off into the depths in a pool of blood!
There are still lots of fish people engaged in their city-wide melee, and the two leaders continue to exchange blows, although it seems like the priestess of the Deep Father is losing but is still swinging!
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Kuo-toa parade around the altar in a wide circle as they chant. Part of their path sends them splashing and wading through the shallows of the Darklake. You quickly can’t tell one faction of fish-folk from the other, but you do see the archpriest of the Sea Mother and his whip moving toward the altar.
Bloppblippodd calls for the sacrifices to be brought forth, and one kuo-toa for each of you jumps to do her bidding. They prod you all with their spears to herd you toward a slight depression about 20 feet from the altar, with a large grate at its center. You can see that the stonework of the depression is stained with the blood of innumerable sacrifices, and can hear the gentle lapping of the Darklake coming up through the grate. The chanting grows louder.
When the sacrifices are brought forward, Bloppblippodd gestures toward the altar, whereupon her father suddenly attacks, striking her with his scepter. Kuo-toa loyal to him surge forward to attack, while the guards that brought the characters forward stand in shock!
We are entering a fixed initiative for this combat so you do not need to roll for initiative. The kuo-toa have gone first, you all will go as a group. Feel free to mention something before they start fighting though. The dozens of kuo-toa around you are currently stunned this first round, only the two leaders are actually engaging in combat currently.
Khessa doesn't think twice about picking up everything and sharing all with her companions: given the situation they are going to get themselves into, any help could make a difference!
Coins are easy to split: the blonde arcane warrior gives Traydark, Ebzer, Katryl and Silas a total of 100cp, 400sp, 34gp and 5pp each, while keeping 100cp, 400sp, 14gp and 7pp for herself
(OOC: we all receive the same value, even if with different coins, I can do math - redo the calculations if you like to check)
It remains to divide two potions of healing, a potion of water breathing, and a spell scroll of light.
Since Khessa already knows light as cantrip, the scroll is useless to her; she gives it to Traydark, who is the only other member of the party who uses arcane spells.
Since a fight is expected and Silas is out of healing spells, the tall adventure delivers one potion of healing to Ebzer (who will, like her, probably be in melee) and one to Katryl (who lent her the armor and is thus a bit more likely to be injured).
She gives the potion of water breathing to Silas: "It could be useful for you..." she jokes, winking "it is well known that cats are afraid of water!"
(OOC: Of course, feel free to exchange items as you see fit, if you don't like what Khessa gave you. She tried to share things in a way that made sense to her, but she is not pretending to impose anything; if something is not good, change what you want)
Khessa quickly looks around trying to identify a position in which she and the others can put themselves to avoid being attacked from all directions... A position in which they have at least one side covered (even better if two or three ). Is there such a place?
If so, Khessa tries to use the kuo-toa's moment of surprise to lead everyone to take up positions there, with her and Ebzer in the front to block any attackers and the others behind free to attack from a distance.
If not, the blonde arcane warrior simply goes on the offensive, advising: "Let's focus on one at a time. Better one dead and five healthy enemies than six wounded but still capable of hurting us back!"
There is the nearby altar and a small stone wall where the duergar is chained up. Those are your closest options.
Silas reaches over to Katryl again and blesses her with the blessing of the trickster again (adv on stealth). He then runs over to the duerger’s wall and attempts to free the dwarf cousin from its shackles.
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
Katryl's first thought is to look for a spot where she could get out of sight and hide. (Perception: 24)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Wall of stone then... so maybe we can also free or defend the poor duergar. Khessa tries to lead all there and have more vulnerable members of the party take place behind her and Ebzer, if possible. Then she is ready to fight (she will also place an attack against a nearby kuo-toa in the meantime, if she can)
(OOC I'm curious about the lighting here. Ambient through bio-luminescent fungi? Torches? Bonfire? Everybody just relying on darkvision?
Also, I guess I didn't understand the plan. Were we supposed to help take out the leader, or just be present?)
Ebzer is torn between violent anger at the priestess and her minions, and a desire to free his fellow duergar. If there is a burning torch nearby, he will grab and toss it onto the altar of rotting flesh before joining his comrades at the wall, seething with fury. (This is Ebzer using restraint. He seriously considered a more... unsanitary method of desecrating the altar.)
Earlier Traydark gives Khessa a curious look as she offers him coins and a scroll, but then being fully content with the blonde warrior mage having no compunctions about stealing from their allies. "I have nothing to carry that much coins in I'm afraid, you better keep them safe for me Khessa, I would only spend it all at the first tavern we pass." He says with a smile ans a wink, accepting the scroll and tucking it into his belt and pocketing 30 gp and 5 pp.
(Don't forget the pearls now :-)
As the brutal quelling of the insurgents is underway, the noble drow retreats towards the chained duergar (unless he is among us to be sacrificed?) and uses his drow magic to summon a swarm of vicious spiders as a protective barriers between the group and the kou-toa, trying to figure the best way to one of the boats.
(Cast Silent Image 15 feet wide wall of spider for protection, himslef being inside the swarm for now.)
Sarith joins close to Traydark, readying his hand crossbow to fire at anyone coming closer.
(You're right! I keep them on Khessa for now; of course we sell and divide as soon as we have a chance - it will be another 200gp for each one of us! And it's not stealing, by the way! It's and advance payment! We are risking to be sacrificed to the decomposed lemonic twin of Demogorgon...)
He is just tied to the wall more or less so that is easily done this round. The man groans as you release him but is still alive.
There aren't any real good places to hide here, as the lake is on your side and there's just the altar and the small stone wall with the prisoner being released.
Fairly easy to do as the fishy dudes are currently stunned. Feel free to make an attack against one though. (AC 13)
Other than a few scant glowcaps scattered throughout the town, the place is pitch black. You would have noticed that Shuushar never did like bright lights and these kuo-toa probably don't like it either. No burning torches for sure. And ideally, the priest's plan was to hopefully use you all to get a free swing at the priestess by luring her in.
Round 2: The two leaders are dealing heavy blows to each other, and the other kuo-toa are now free and engaged in a grand melee on the shore of Darklake. It is at least 60ft to the nearest boat. If Khessa attacks one of the kuo-toa, that attracts 3 others nearby to join in an attack on you all. (1 swipe against Khessa hits for 3 pts bludgeoning dmg)
(Hmm, they don't like bright lights... might could use that to our advantage. How are the non-darkvision party members getting by? does someone have a light spell going?)
(Yes, if it's dark Khessa has cast a Light cantrip on a pebble and is keeping it with her - else she would not be able to see. She can hide the pebble in a pocket every time we need to be in complete darkness for some reason. Yes, let's keep in mind that they don't like bright light... but I can not produce such a light at the moment, sadly. I can produce light only with the Light cantrip... and its light is not especially bright)
Seeing no immediate options to hide, Katryl will move to keep the wall at her back as Khessa urges everyone to do.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Silas asks the duergar how long he has been tied up? Does he know a good escape route? What is his name?
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
Khessa's attack Vs Deep Father's kuo-toa while getting in position:
Spear: 24 Damage: 6 (Piercing)
Scimitar: 18 Damage: 2 (Slashing)
Buppido the same but with crossbow (same target)
Crodsbow: 18 Damage: 9 (Piercing)
@DM: Now Khessa has an armor (Katryl's leather). Has been hit AC > 16? Else she might use Shield spell to block...
So one attacks her. The other two coming at us who are attacking? All her or Ebzer too (the two of them dhould br front-line, trying to protect the others behind)?
And how is the kuo-toa hit by Khessa and Buppido faring? Wounded? Heavily wounded? Dead?
(Excuse the swarm of question, it's just to have a clearer picture of the situation and thus decide what it is best to do now, on Round 2)
Standing inside the swarm of vicious spiders, Traydark and Sarith watches as Khessa bravely joins the fray against the Kuo-Toa insurgents and decides to back her up with what they got, aiming their attacks at the Kuo-Toa enemy closest to the blonde arcane warrior.
Eldritch Blast: 7 Another roll if considered hidden by the silent image: 25 Force: 12
Hand Crossbow: 18 Another roll if considered hidden by the silent image: 24 Piercing: 4 + Drow poison
He says his name is Hemeth. He hasn't been here too long as he came here to try and cut a deal with either faction of kuo-toa but they captured him instead. Says he's willing to cooperate with you all and might even try and return the favor if you let him go.
Both swings connect with a near kuo-toa who burbles angrily!
His aim is true and sends one kuo-toa down, flopping into the water where it is suddenly dragged under in a boil of blood and not seen again!
The other kuo-toa are at the illusionary wall and unable to connect with anyone else at the moment. That one you hit is dead. Your AC is fine for now, no need for shield.
Another few solid hits! Another kuo-toa flails into the water, where a moment later it too is dragged off into the depths in a pool of blood!
There are still lots of fish people engaged in their city-wide melee, and the two leaders continue to exchange blows, although it seems like the priestess of the Deep Father is losing but is still swinging!