This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Allowing himself only the shallowest of breaths, Utar remains stock still. Rythnax offering a contest to Obsben is interesting, but likely the dragon will only offer up a contest that it knows it will win. Strength, cunning or ferocity... Sounds like a dragon would have most of CRAP beaten on those... Well, maybe Graxx in a contest of strength, or Neya or Obsben in a contest of cunning.
Suddenly realising that the yellow lights glinting in the darkness of the swamp are not reflections from the campfire or the stars, but eyes, Lord Ekmong's warning about not trying to fight a dragon in it's lair come roaring back to the front of his mind. Straining his eyes in the darkness, Utar peers into the waterrs of the swamp and tries to identify a little more of what might be watching them all.
(OOC - Likely going to need another skill check to properly identify whatever is watching us, but hoping this one might make the next one easier, like if you know they have four legs you can discount all the swamp things that only more or less legs? Does that make sense?)
"Too many apologies, too much pandering," Rythnax says with a turn of his head, showing some disappointment at CRAP's spokesperson. "I get plenty of that in the Cult already. I expected Ellison's hunters to be more interesting." Rythnax rises another 5ft. "And Ellison is my plaything to badmouth, not yours," his tone shifts a bit further. "I am the genius behind the thefts, Ellison is simply a mindless lackey."
"Why are you here? Surely you do not hope to defeat me, so it must be for some other, smaller claim to victory. Is it the pages missing from the stolen books Ellison brought along? If so, they are in a pack I carry. Go on... I dare you to make a run for them."He laughs a deep, confident, boastful laugh."They are the property of the Cult now and I'll take them back. You are powerless to stop me." Rythnax gestures toward his belly, as if to taunt. You now notice that the dragon is wearing a sort of harness with a steel-banded pack on his belly. You now also notice a large amulet hanging around the black dragon's neck.
Conversely, mentions of Ellison screwing up and proposals of using Ellison as a scapegoat have the scribe shaking on the knees: "Now, now.. I've paid my dues. I need not be thrown to the wolves. I deserve a reward but will settle for a simple undisputed departure from here." he points to the far edge of the immediate swampy area.
Any reply that would be elicited by Ellison's request is interrupted when Obsben mentions Claugiyliamatar. Rythnax's mood seems to shift further into disappointment: "Is she the one sending you here? Is she calling herself Lord now? That deceitful bore and her grandiose schemes... Don't tell me you are one of her lackeys. I had higher hopes for you."
@Obsben:
Now that you have observed and interacted with him for a few minutes, you note that Rythnax seems prone to mood shifts. Excited about visitors just a moment ago, this black dragon now seems ready to move on to the next distraction. While you get a sense that the young, boastful, brash dragon appreciates an audience to his wild and outlandish claims to cunning and ferocity, you also start to notice that Rythnax bores easily and quickly. He tends to lash out, as he has done with Ellison, but you suspect the target of his next lashing out might be someone else.
Regarding the involvement of more players, you indeed suspect that this is something Ellison might be hinting at.
@Utar:
You notice several humanoids lying in wait underwater. You can see the outline of five appendages on them, and are impressed by their ability to hold their breath underwater.
@Graxx:
Although you do not understand the words the dragon is saying, you can definitely feel the change in their mood.
"Hardly not, alas. Though I suspect she would not grow nearly as weary of my pandering, if but out of amusement knowing how quickly she could turn my hopes into despair with but a few words alone."Obsben freely confesses in Draconic and gave a little shrug. "Just as I suspect that she'd be quite interested in that bit of new bling you have there... But that's neither here or there."
Continuing on in the common tongue from there, Obsben massages her throat a bit, then says, "As to your earlier question, I believe you already know in part the answer to that." She looks to Ellison, then back to the dragon. "The other half of it was to have a genuine conversation with you in perhaps of persuading you towards a different course, or if interest aligned, joining you in your endeavors. But seeing as you have no need for such, and are far too powerful especially now that you have that artifact about your neck, I suppose all I can say is... Crap.. Baskets, back to the contest then?" Though half-hopeful her warning to members of CRAP that she's about to engage, Obsben keeps up the forgetful act, only to gasp at an epiphany. "Oh wait! I got it now." She snaps her fingers, and in that moment(if all went well!), Rythnax would see the sky darken and all the colors in the world suddenly gain a more Sepia filter. Then he'd start to ear the sounds of gears cranking slowly to a stop as several interconnected gears -- some the size of trees and others far too immense to take in all at once -- faintly appear in the sky. And as the gears ground to a stop, so too would he feel his everything freeze up in that moment.
(OOC: Times like these makes me wish I was an eloquence bard! But as it stands, if allowed to and he's hopefully within at least 30ft of her, he needs to make a Con Save(DC 16) or become incapacitated by Momentary Stasis feature. If he would succeed, she'll say "Za Warudo!"and Chronal Shift to force a re-roll.)
As an action, you can magically force a Large or smaller creature you can see within 60 feet of you to make a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. Unless the saving throw is a success, the creature is encased in a field of magical energy until the end of your next turn or until the creature takes any damage. While encased in this way, the creature is incapacitated and has a speed of 0.
(Also, if Rath is Huge + she'll Disengage if need be and try to fly away 60ft.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
18171811
As Obsben spoke, and especially as she changes tongues, tensions rise. Rythnax had been ready to swoop into a fight, and it looks and sounds like the halfing is just about beating him to it. The dragon drops his talkative demeanor for a moment and simply roars ferociously. Much like CRAP, it seems Rythnax also has a code "word" for his companions. The roar serves as a signal for several Lizardfolk to snap upright from their lying-down positions just below the swampy water surface. They look like primitive reptilian humanoids who are used to lurking in the swamps and jungles of the world. They are covered in green scales, wear little to no clothes, sport long and sharp claws and fangs, and are quite muscular (including their tails.) Most of them wield a spiked or fanged shield on one arm and a club or javelin on the other. A couple of them seem to carry no weapons but are adorned with bracelets made of reeds and pendants made of bones.
Ellison is the only one who does not look ready for a fight, but neither is he ready to forfeit his relative freedom.
NOTE: The entire area is lightly obscured by a constant layer of fog, so search actions and associated skill checks are rolled with disadvantage. HPs listed above include Aid and Inspiring Leader bonuses, as per this post. I also changed the syntax to (currentHP/maxHP+TempHP).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
LAIR ACTION
Rythnax sustains his fearsome roar. In addition to the Lizardfolk, the animals around the general area begin to react to it. Promptly, a large cloud of mosquitos forms as the buggers come together as if commanded to do so. They envelop Graxx and Obsben, biting repeatedly.
CON saving throw {DC 15} or take 16 piercing damage (half on a success). The description for the Insect repellent-salve item specifically says it does not provide protection against swarms of insects, so we'll abide by it.
Graxx: 11
Obsben: 9
-> Obeben's concentration check {DC 10}: 15
-> If concentration drops, we'll need to account for some fall damage: 4
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Despite full expectations of a fight being imminent, few suspected that the first blow would come from a dragon-commanded swarm of mosquitos. Their sudden attack is enough to surprise Obsben, who fails to keep concentration on her spell for just a split second. Unfortunately, it is enough to cause both her and Graxx to fall to the ground. Speaking of the barbarian, Graxx seemed better built to deal with mosquitos, but even he can't avoid all bites. The repellent had worked against the ambient insect presence in the swamp, but simple herbs can't fight back a dragon's magic. (Obsben takes 17 piercing and bludgeoning damage; Graxx takes 10 piercing and bludgeoning damage.)
Here are acrobatics checks to see if Graxx and Obsben fall/land prone {DC 10}:
The adventurers hit the ground with a wet sploosh, but are able to quickly regain their balance. The nearby armed Lizardfolk swoop in to capitalize on their fall, even if they are not quick enough to catch Graxx and Obsben while they were down.They interpret the relative size difference between the two CRAPers to signify that Obsben is the easier target. Three of these primitive humanoids attack the halfling from close-quarters. They first hit her with a bash of their spiked shields and then follow it up a swing of their heavy clubs:
Obsben is quick enough to avoid most of the shield bashes but, once the last one hits her, she opens herself to two of the swinging clubs. (Obsben takes 15 piercing and bludgeoning damage.)
Graxx uses his forearm to deflect one of the javelins but the move takes most of his attention. The two remaining projectiles hit him, one of them sinking into his stomach! (Graxx takes 15 piercing damage.)
-> The Armed Lizardfolk are currently in these positions: {AU-42}, {AW-41}, {AW-43}, {AX-37}, {AY-37} and {AZ-43}.
(Neya and Utar are up next. Neya can release her readied attack before her turn rolls in.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Obsben tries to quickly manipulate time as to maintain Graxx's ability to fly a bit longer, but the effort falls flat (see what I did there?)
From her hidden spot, Neya decides it is time to reveal herself with a well-placed arrow. She then moves a bit slower than she had initially expected and shoots two more arrows as she goes. (I'm placing Neya at {BD-51} to account for difficult terrain given the knee-high swampy water environment.) One of the arrows magically splashes into a burst of acid, but there is no satisfying sizzle against Rythnax's black scales. (Rythnax takes 29 magical piercing damage.)
While Neya takes a moment to focus on her defenses, Utar follows closely behind, though at a slower speed. (I'm placing Utar at {BD-53} to account for difficult terrain, as mentioned above.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rythnax shrugs off the high-powered spell and acknowledges the new entrants to the fight: "MORE SNEAKY VERMIN!"
Ellison feels vindicated: "I knew it! I told you there were more of them!"
The black dragon then flies down to an altitude of just 5ft {AS-41, AT-42} and inflates his throat (like a frog), filling it with some internally-produced liquid. He then spits out a shot of highly acidic bile, aiming at Obsben and catching Graxx in the shot as well. The dragon's proximity and elevation allow the nearest Lizardfolk warrior {AU-42} to avoid the shot.
DEX saving throw {DC 14} or take 51 acid damage (half on a success):
The sizzle can be heard loud and clear now, though it is unfortunately followed by the screams of pain from both Graxx and Obsben. The halfling is hit in her mid-section, while the splash catches the human warrior's feet and shins. (Obsben takes 51 acid damage;Graxx takes 51 acid damage.)
Rythnax then flies up while planning his next move. He is now at {AT-35, AU-36} at 45ft up.
(Obsben and Graxx are up next. Obsben is in melee with three Armed Lizardfolk, Graxx with two. Please see their exact spots in post#734. Sourpuss is still hidden.)
Allowing himself only the shallowest of breaths, Utar remains stock still. Rythnax offering a contest to Obsben is interesting, but likely the dragon will only offer up a contest that it knows it will win. Strength, cunning or ferocity... Sounds like a dragon would have most of CRAP beaten on those... Well, maybe Graxx in a contest of strength, or Neya or Obsben in a contest of cunning.
Suddenly realising that the yellow lights glinting in the darkness of the swamp are not reflections from the campfire or the stars, but eyes, Lord Ekmong's warning about not trying to fight a dragon in it's lair come roaring back to the front of his mind. Straining his eyes in the darkness, Utar peers into the waterrs of the swamp and tries to identify a little more of what might be watching them all.
Perception - 19
(OOC - Likely going to need another skill check to properly identify whatever is watching us, but hoping this one might make the next one easier, like if you know they have four legs you can discount all the swamp things that only more or less legs? Does that make sense?)
Graxx is getting a bit nervous but continues to allow Obsben to work their magic.
Graxx sees the eyes and thinks... Could this be the Lizard People? Are they waiting to pounce?
Graxx does not make any moves or cast any spells at this time as he does not want to risk messing up Obsben's strategy.
"Too many apologies, too much pandering," Rythnax says with a turn of his head, showing some disappointment at CRAP's spokesperson. "I get plenty of that in the Cult already. I expected Ellison's hunters to be more interesting." Rythnax rises another 5ft. "And Ellison is my plaything to badmouth, not yours," his tone shifts a bit further. "I am the genius behind the thefts, Ellison is simply a mindless lackey."
"Why are you here? Surely you do not hope to defeat me, so it must be for some other, smaller claim to victory. Is it the pages missing from the stolen books Ellison brought along? If so, they are in a pack I carry. Go on... I dare you to make a run for them." He laughs a deep, confident, boastful laugh. "They are the property of the Cult now and I'll take them back. You are powerless to stop me." Rythnax gestures toward his belly, as if to taunt. You now notice that the dragon is wearing a sort of harness with a steel-banded pack on his belly. You now also notice a large amulet hanging around the black dragon's neck.
Conversely, mentions of Ellison screwing up and proposals of using Ellison as a scapegoat have the scribe shaking on the knees: "Now, now.. I've paid my dues. I need not be thrown to the wolves. I deserve a reward but will settle for a simple undisputed departure from here." he points to the far edge of the immediate swampy area.
Any reply that would be elicited by Ellison's request is interrupted when Obsben mentions Claugiyliamatar. Rythnax's mood seems to shift further into disappointment: "Is she the one sending you here? Is she calling herself Lord now? That deceitful bore and her grandiose schemes... Don't tell me you are one of her lackeys. I had higher hopes for you."
@Obsben:
Now that you have observed and interacted with him for a few minutes, you note that Rythnax seems prone to mood shifts. Excited about visitors just a moment ago, this black dragon now seems ready to move on to the next distraction. While you get a sense that the young, boastful, brash dragon appreciates an audience to his wild and outlandish claims to cunning and ferocity, you also start to notice that Rythnax bores easily and quickly. He tends to lash out, as he has done with Ellison, but you suspect the target of his next lashing out might be someone else.
Regarding the involvement of more players, you indeed suspect that this is something Ellison might be hinting at.
@Utar:
You notice several humanoids lying in wait underwater. You can see the outline of five appendages on them, and are impressed by their ability to hold their breath underwater.
@Graxx:
Although you do not understand the words the dragon is saying, you can definitely feel the change in their mood.
"Hardly not, alas. Though I suspect she would not grow nearly as weary of my pandering, if but out of amusement knowing how quickly she could turn my hopes into despair with but a few words alone." Obsben freely confesses in Draconic and gave a little shrug. "Just as I suspect that she'd be quite interested in that bit of new bling you have there... But that's neither here or there."
Continuing on in the common tongue from there, Obsben massages her throat a bit, then says, "As to your earlier question, I believe you already know in part the answer to that." She looks to Ellison, then back to the dragon. "The other half of it was to have a genuine conversation with you in perhaps of persuading you towards a different course, or if interest aligned, joining you in your endeavors. But seeing as you have no need for such, and are far too powerful especially now that you have that artifact about your neck, I suppose all I can say is... Crap.. Baskets, back to the contest then?" Though half-hopeful her warning to members of CRAP that she's about to engage, Obsben keeps up the forgetful act, only to gasp at an epiphany. "Oh wait! I got it now." She snaps her fingers, and in that moment(if all went well!), Rythnax would see the sky darken and all the colors in the world suddenly gain a more Sepia filter. Then he'd start to ear the sounds of gears cranking slowly to a stop as several interconnected gears -- some the size of trees and others far too immense to take in all at once -- faintly appear in the sky. And as the gears ground to a stop, so too would he feel his everything freeze up in that moment.
(OOC: Times like these makes me wish I was an eloquence bard! But as it stands, if allowed to and he's hopefully within at least 30ft of her, he needs to make a Con Save(DC 16) or become incapacitated by Momentary Stasis feature. If he would succeed, she'll say "Za Warudo!" and Chronal Shift to force a re-roll.)
As an action, you can magically force a Large or smaller creature you can see within 60 feet of you to make a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. Unless the saving throw is a success, the creature is encased in a field of magical energy until the end of your next turn or until the creature takes any damage. While encased in this way, the creature is incapacitated and has a speed of 0.
(Also, if Rath is Huge + she'll Disengage if need be and try to fly away 60ft.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Naye's initiative: 22
Extended Signature
Obsben's Initiative: 11. (11)
(Forgot the adv. from DM Inspo, which I'll probably come to regret, but here goes adv: 12.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx Initiative: 12
DM's Screen:
18 17 18 11
As Obsben spoke, and especially as she changes tongues, tensions rise. Rythnax had been ready to swoop into a fight, and it looks and sounds like the halfing is just about beating him to it. The dragon drops his talkative demeanor for a moment and simply roars ferociously. Much like CRAP, it seems Rythnax also has a code "word" for his companions. The roar serves as a signal for several Lizardfolk to snap upright from their lying-down positions just below the swampy water surface. They look like primitive reptilian humanoids who are used to lurking in the swamps and jungles of the world. They are covered in green scales, wear little to no clothes, sport long and sharp claws and fangs, and are quite muscular (including their tails.) Most of them wield a spiked or fanged shield on one arm and a club or javelin on the other. A couple of them seem to carry no weapons but are adorned with bracelets made of reeds and pendants made of bones.
Ellison is the only one who does not look ready for a fight, but neither is he ready to forfeit his relative freedom.
(@MB: Please roll initiative.)
Utar's initiative: 18
(LAIR ACTION is up first.)
LAIR ACTION
Rythnax sustains his fearsome roar. In addition to the Lizardfolk, the animals around the general area begin to react to it. Promptly, a large cloud of mosquitos forms as the buggers come together as if commanded to do so. They envelop Graxx and Obsben, biting repeatedly.
Despite full expectations of a fight being imminent, few suspected that the first blow would come from a dragon-commanded swarm of mosquitos. Their sudden attack is enough to surprise Obsben, who fails to keep concentration on her spell for just a split second. Unfortunately, it is enough to cause both her and Graxx to fall to the ground. Speaking of the barbarian, Graxx seemed better built to deal with mosquitos, but even he can't avoid all bites. The repellent had worked against the ambient insect presence in the swamp, but simple herbs can't fight back a dragon's magic. (Obsben takes 17 piercing and bludgeoning damage; Graxx takes 10 piercing and bludgeoning damage.)
The adventurers hit the ground with a wet sploosh, but are able to quickly regain their balance. The nearby armed Lizardfolk swoop in to capitalize on their fall, even if they are not quick enough to catch Graxx and Obsben while they were down.They interpret the relative size difference between the two CRAPers to signify that Obsben is the easier target. Three of these primitive humanoids attack the halfling from close-quarters. They first hit her with a bash of their spiked shields and then follow it up a swing of their heavy clubs:
-> Spiked Shield vs. Obsben: Attack: 7 Damage: 6
-> Spiked Shield vs. Obsben: Attack: 18 Damage: 7
-> Spiked Shield vs. Obsben: Attack: 11 Damage: 5
-> Heavy Club vs. Obsben: Attack: 13 Damage: 3
-> Heavy Club vs. Obsben: Attack: 22 Damage: 4
-> Heavy Club vs. Obsben: Attack: 23 Damage: 4
Three others aren't quite fast enough to reach the duo, so they whip out javelin instead. These projectiles come flying at Graxx:
-> Javelin vs. Graxx: Attack: 24 Damage: 10
-> Javelin vs. Graxx: Attack: 11 Damage: 5
-> Javelin vs. Graxx: Attack: 19 Damage: 5
Obsben is quick enough to avoid most of the shield bashes but, once the last one hits her, she opens herself to two of the swinging clubs. (Obsben takes 15 piercing and bludgeoning damage.)
Graxx uses his forearm to deflect one of the javelins but the move takes most of his attention. The two remaining projectiles hit him, one of them sinking into his stomach! (Graxx takes 15 piercing damage.)
-> The Armed Lizardfolk are currently in these positions: {AU-42}, {AW-41}, {AW-43}, {AX-37}, {AY-37} and {AZ-43}.
(Neya and Utar are up next. Neya can release her readied attack before her turn rolls in.)
(OOC: Obsben will most certainly re-roll that conc. save 'cause Fly is too important.)
-> Chronal Shift on Initial Conc.(DC 10): 19.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Reaction
As soon as Rythnax roars for the fight to begin, Neya looses her arrow at the black dragon.
readied Splashbow Attack: 22 Damage: 12 (13,12)
Acid check: 11 Damage: 3 (4, 4)
Full Turn
Moving closer to the action (to BD-47), Neya keeps firing arrows at the airborne target.
Splashbow Attack: 10 Damage: 11 (26, 6)
Acid check: 10 Damage: 1 (11, 5
Extra Splashbow Attack: 28 Damage: 8 (26, 11)
Acid check: 11 Damage: 4 (4, 3)
(Forgot advantage for reaction due to hidden 12)
Bonus
Anticipating retribution, she gets ready for fancy footwork (1 ki point for patient defense)
Extended Signature
Whispering a quick prayer to Torm, Utar strides forward, following Neya's lead (BB,49).
Aiming Lightbringer at the body of Rythnax, the hand symbol on Utar's pauldron glows, iluminating one side of the half-orc's face.
Casting hold monster using a fifth level slot. Rythnax must succeed on a DC16 wisdom save or become paralysed.
Obsben tries to quickly manipulate time as to maintain Graxx's ability to fly a bit longer, but the effort falls flat (see what I did there?)
From her hidden spot, Neya decides it is time to reveal herself with a well-placed arrow. She then moves a bit slower than she had initially expected and shoots two more arrows as she goes. (I'm placing Neya at {BD-51} to account for difficult terrain given the knee-high swampy water environment.) One of the arrows magically splashes into a burst of acid, but there is no satisfying sizzle against Rythnax's black scales. (Rythnax takes 29 magical piercing damage.)
While Neya takes a moment to focus on her defenses, Utar follows closely behind, though at a slower speed. (I'm placing Utar at {BD-53} to account for difficult terrain, as mentioned above.)
DM's Screen:
WIS save {DC 16}: 19
Rythnax shrugs off the high-powered spell and acknowledges the new entrants to the fight: "MORE SNEAKY VERMIN!"
Ellison feels vindicated: "I knew it! I told you there were more of them!"
The black dragon then flies down to an altitude of just 5ft {AS-41, AT-42} and inflates his throat (like a frog), filling it with some internally-produced liquid. He then spits out a shot of highly acidic bile, aiming at Obsben and catching Graxx in the shot as well. The dragon's proximity and elevation allow the nearest Lizardfolk warrior {AU-42} to avoid the shot.
The sizzle can be heard loud and clear now, though it is unfortunately followed by the screams of pain from both Graxx and Obsben. The halfling is hit in her mid-section, while the splash catches the human warrior's feet and shins. (Obsben takes 51 acid damage; Graxx takes 51 acid damage.)
Rythnax then flies up while planning his next move. He is now at {AT-35, AU-36} at 45ft up.
(Obsben and Graxx are up next. Obsben is in melee with three Armed Lizardfolk, Graxx with two. Please see their exact spots in post#734. Sourpuss is still hidden.)