Berserker #4 holds a hand against his side, doing his best to keep his entrails from spilling out. He is wounded, perhaps mortally, but not quite dead yet [single digit HP left...].
As Zefladashes for the gem, he takes a swipe at her but fails to connect.
AOO on Zefla: 11
Zeflareaches the glowing gem and picks it up, the soft green light illuminating her face even as she is backlit by the roaring fires of the destroyed statue. Despite being in the flames itself moments ago, the gem is cool to the touch - though it is much heavier than it looks. Despite obviously being some kind of nearly translucent green stone, it feels as though it is made of heavy steel or iron.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The gem!Soren is about to urge Giles to pick it up, but does not want to give away the trickster cleric's location, nor advertise to their enemies that the gem is there to be picked up at all. Then he sees Zefla move towards it and feels both relieved and apprehensive...
To his companions and new allies, he calls: "Nettle reports there are still other things lurking further up the hill, though they have yet to stir. At the bottom where we came from, there are wolves now, three of them, sitting and waiting. Huge, like direwolves. Or perhaps werewolves?"
Nettle (1/1hp, 8 Temp) continues to circle above, monitoring both the wolves downhill and the other shapes uphill, and watching for any other threats.
Sorenmoves 30' south. He then draws and looses an arrow at the mortally-wounded berserker (#4) who had been engaged with Zefla:
Longbow to hit berserker #4 (at advantage due to the berserker's recklessness): 18 Longbow damage: 9 piercing
Bramble remains centrally-located, in case any allies need help on STR checks and saves. Soren conserves his spells for healing his two-legged allies (no Silvery Barbs). He looks sadly towards Thorn, knowing this is likely the end, once more, for his temporary spirit wolf companion.
Thorn (4/30hp), heedless of his horrific wounds, lets out a mournful howl and lunges once more at berserker #6. Thorn maul/bite at advantage to hit reckless berserker #6: 20 (dirty) Thorn maul/bite damage: 8 piercing
"Finish the one Thorn (the wolf) is attacking," he shouts to both Giles (without looking at him) and using Speech of the Woods to the raven swarm there.
Soren'sarrow takes Berserker #4 in the back, and he collapses, reaching back in futility for the shaft before he expires. The other Berserkers take a moment to make note of their fallen comrade, shouting, "Bloodjaw has returned to the mountain!"
Thornlands another vicious bite, and Burrcontinues to spread bruises around the crowd of warriors assaulting him.
The swarms of ravens continue to attack the Berserkers...
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 18 Piercing Damage: 2
Another Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 12 (miss)
Beak Attack on Berserker #6: 24 Piercing Damage: 14
The Man-Raven again reloads his crossbow, leaning to the side to shoot at Berserker #3...
Crossbow Attack: 18 Piercing Damage: 4
Then it continues to stab at the back of Berserker #1...
Short Sword Attack: 24 Piercing Damage: 10
Soren/Thorn
Burr
Ravens/???
Zefla/Giles
Berserkers
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles watches and smiles as the mayhem continues to come to fruition. His Fake Father Giles Dirty Druid simulacrum jumps up and down hooting and hollering, smiling at Zefla as she picks up the gem, then he points again at Beserker #5, a gong going off around his head, hopefully keeping him confused. The ethereal axe moves forward and swings at him again, trying to slice him from behind. It takes advantage of their reckless attacks and behind all of this the real Father Giles scoots on the ground a little to the west to be able to keep them in sight, directing the attacks….
Toll the Dead : DC 13 wisdom save or take 4 points of necrotic damage.
Once again, Berserker 5 is beset by the tolling of ill-intended bells. This time, however, he ducks away from the swinging blade of the spiritual axe.
Berserker #1
Again, Burrignores his destined foe, Berserker #1, and the man howls with fury. "Turn and face me, blackguard!" His swings his axe again, craving Burr'sattention.
[Unless I amsorely mistaken, that is all for Thorn...] The beast gives one last, defiant howl, and then vanishes into a puff of mist and disappears.
With the wolf gone, the Berserker turns his eyes toward Zefla, and advances on her...
Berserker #6
Not interested in the flock of birds, this warrior too turns toward Zefla. In the process of advancing on her, he absorbs an Attack from the nearby swarm of ravens but they fail to do any meaningful damage.
AOO on Berserker #6: 20 (20- 19) Piercing Damage: 2
Reaching Zefla, he swings hard but catches only a glancing blow...
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren cries out in anguish as Thorn is felled by the raging mountain man.
In a fit of his own rage, Soren yells at the remaining axe-wielders: "Fear not. All of you madmen are moments away from meeting this mountain god of yours. We will burn your corpses, along with those of the vile druidic betrayers, and cleanse this accursed place as best we can from your befoulment."
With difficulty, he targets berserker #6 (near death) instead of the less wounded berserker #5 who had slain his spirit wolf, letting another arrow fly.
Longbow to hit berserker #6 at advantage due to recklessness: 16 Longbow damage on berserker #6: 11 piercing
He moves another 10' south. Nettle continues to circle, watching for the shapes up the hill and the wolves down at the bottom, or any other threats.
Soren'sarrow takes Berserker #6 in the throat. He drops his axe and falls to his knees, reaching out toward Zeflaambiguously - he could be seeking aid, or to strangle her - before falling at her feet.
Berserker #5 hollers, "Axe-Of-Flint has gone home to the Mountain!" Further away, the others answer, "His name will echo in the skies!"
All except #1, that is, as Burr'smaul knocks the breath out of him before he can join the other's in their shout.
The ravens continue their attacks...
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 18 Piercing Damage: 3
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 17 Piercing Damage: 2
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 7(miss)
The Man-Raven sets its crossbow against the nearest Berserker, #1. [No advantage as the proximity negates it.]
Crossbow Attack on Berserker #1: 20 Piercing Damage: 4
It hits with the crossbow, but when it tries to attack with its short sword, the transition is less smooth than with prior attacks and the Berserker is able to deflect the blade.
Short Sword Attack on Berserker #1: 10 (miss)
Soren
Burr
Ravens/???
Zefla/Giles
Berserkers
Berserker #1: Near Death
Berserker #2: Seriously Injured
Berserker #3: Seriously Injured
Berserker #5: Hurt
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As Berserker #6 advances on Zefla, she uses her skirmisher reaction and retreats 15'.
"Bloodjaw? Axe-of-flint? Y'all need better names!" Zefla taunts as she starts backing away from Berserker #5. Seeing that he isn't badly hurt and well, she doesn't want to get hit again, she uses her shortbow.
Attack w/adv: 24, Dam w/sneak attack: 17
and using her BA, she disengages and backs away from the man, never taking her eyes away from him.
Giles continues to watch and direct his illusion, smiling as he stands, realizing that since the statue has fallen, his chance to hide is likely fading away. He walks forward around the pieces of burning statue, not quite reaching but approaching the other image. He is dressed similarly and makes similar hooting sounds with a grin. Fake Father Giles points again at Beserker #5, a gong going off around his head, hopefully addling him. The ethereal axe moves forward and swings at #5 again, trying to slice him open. The Fake Father Giles turns its head and speaks to the Beserker #5, “They are all fading away, your plan has failed, perhaps you should run….”
Toll the Dead : DC 13 wisdom save or take 3 points of necrotic damage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Save: 7
D20 Roll for Berserker #5... Even he selects Giles, Odd he selects fake Giles... 16
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla's arrow catches the Berserker just under the collarbone. He doesn't seem to notice Giles' bell spell, but the spiritual axe one again cuts the man. Just like that, he seems to have gone from only moderately hurt, to seriously injured.
Berserker #1
Stabbed, pierced and bludgeoned, Berserker #1 is barely on his feet. He tries to grin, but it a bloody and exhausted attempt. Still, he remains committed to his battle, and swings his axe once more - perhaps for the last time - at Burr.
With his efforts against the Man-Raven seemingly for naught, and finding himself the target of both nearby flocks of ravens, he turns and cleaves his axe through the remainder of the smaller flock.
Reckless Attack on swarm of ravens: 20 (20 - 14) Slashing Damage: 8
The last of the smaller flock of ravens fall twitching to the floor of the stone circle, cleaved in twain by the mighty axe. Then the Berserker looks at the Man-Raven hoping the death of the smaller birds has provoked some reaction. "Hah! Your wee ones can fall, and so can you!"
Berserker #3
"Time has come for you to join the fallen, warrior. You've earned a place of honor in the fields of the dead!" Berserker #3 swings low at Burr'slegs while the fighter/barbarian's eyes are turned toward Berserker #1.
He howls a wordless scream of rage as Zeflaescapes his reach. He turns his eyes to the two Giles, and in his fury forgets which one is fake. He lashes out with his great axe at Fake Dirty Druid Not Father Giles...
Reckless Attack on Fake Giles: 25 (25- 7)
The attack could have cut a man in half... but the fake image of Giles just continues to dance and mock the Berserker.
Nettle sees that, below, the wolves still sit just inside the forest edge at the bottom of the hill. By their posture, they look almost bored.
Above, a single figure emerges from the corrupted grove. It is one of the needle-flinging blights you encountered at the winery. It doesn't move any closer than the edge of the grove, but it seems oddly attracted to the orange glow in the sky from the burning statue.
Soren
Burr
Ravens/???
Zefla/Giles
Berserkers
Berserker #1: Near Death (worst shape)
Berserker #2: Seriously Injured (best shape)
Berserker #3: Seriously Injured
Berserker #5: Seriously Injured
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren remains seething in an irrational fury, elicited by Thorn's death.
"You are wrong, rabid axe-man. My warrior companion has more honor than any of you, who fight without thought and on behalf of corruption. Yet he will not join your mountain god today, only you, for Silvanus will revive him time and again if he falls until his maul crashes through your skull."
To his allies, he shouts: "Huge wolves still waiting below. Likely blights in the grove above, with one projectile-emitting needle blight emerging."
Nettle continues to circle above and observe up and down the hill as Soren stays put and draws down on the most injured remaining foe (berserker #1): Soren'sLongbow to hit berserker #1, at advantage due to recklessness: 24 Soren'sLongbow damage on berserker #1: 9 piercing
"Finish the most wounded ones first," he shouts to Burr, the raven swarm and the raven-man, pointing at berserker #3 (or at berserker #1 if he is still up after Soren's arrow), assuming Zefla, Giles and the one raven swarm will continue focusing on berserker #5 near them.
Father Giles steps forward right beside the Fake Dirty Druid Father Giles, smiling at the barbarian, says “Time to go to the mountain top. Or wherever the hell you go. Perhaps we’ll throw your corpse onto this statue to burn up with the rest of it.” And he swings with his dagger to try to plunge it into his chest. (Attacks with advantage since he is standing within 5 feet of his invoked duplicity).
Dagger : 13 to hit, for 7 points of piercing damage.
As a bonus action, he directs the ethereal great axe to come up behind the barbarian and swing at him.
Spiritual weapon : (Nat 20!) 25 to hit, for 13 points of force damage.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Burr turns and deals another heavy blow to Berserker #3.
The raven's peck and poke at Berserker's#2 and #5, doing minimal damage.
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 17 Piercing Damage: 4
Beak Attack on Berserker #5: 23 Piercing Damage: 4
The Man-Raven climbs overtop the freshly slain corpse of Berserker #1 to go back to back with Burr. He fires a crossbow bolt around and at Berserker #3, but misses.
Crossbow Attack: 9 (miss)
But then he turns and stabs at Berserker #2, connecting with his short sword.
Short Sword Attack: 15 Piercing Damage: 8
Finally coming out of hiding to confront the enemy, Gilessticks his dagger into the wounded berserker. Badly hurt but undeterred, the warrior snarls at the real Gilesand readies his axe... until the spectral axe hacks into his back from behind. The still snarling form of the berserker drops to the ground, dead.
Berserkers #2 and #3 call out to each other. "The fates have turned against us, brother!"
"Indeed! If this be the end, let the skies above see that we took these two with us to the stone halls of the dead!"
Soren
Burr
Ravens/???
Zefla/Giles
Berserkers
Berserker #2: Very Seriously Injured (best shape)
Berserker #3: Very Seriously Injured (worst shape)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Seeing that Giles had taken down the one he was engaged with, she turns to the two remaining and taunts, "What, didn't those two have names? Or were they just not good enough to shout to whatever demon you're worshiping?"
Staying still and concentrating on her shot, Zefla looses another arrow towards 3, her closest adversary.
Zefla'sarrow pierces Berserker #3 in the side. Blood pours to the dirt and rocky ground at his feet. He is near to the end.
Berserker #2 raises his axe shouting, "For the skies!"
Reckless Attack on Man-Raven: 18 Slashing Damage: 8
Berserker #3 answers, "... For the Mountain!"
Reckless Attack on Burr: 23 Slashing Damage: 12
[Not sure a map is necessary at this point, with only 2 enemies left...]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Berserker #4 holds a hand against his side, doing his best to keep his entrails from spilling out. He is wounded, perhaps mortally, but not quite dead yet [single digit HP left...].
As Zefla dashes for the gem, he takes a swipe at her but fails to connect.
AOO on Zefla: 11
Zefla reaches the glowing gem and picks it up, the soft green light illuminating her face even as she is backlit by the roaring fires of the destroyed statue. Despite being in the flames itself moments ago, the gem is cool to the touch - though it is much heavier than it looks. Despite obviously being some kind of nearly translucent green stone, it feels as though it is made of heavy steel or iron.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The gem! Soren is about to urge Giles to pick it up, but does not want to give away the trickster cleric's location, nor advertise to their enemies that the gem is there to be picked up at all. Then he sees Zefla move towards it and feels both relieved and apprehensive...
To his companions and new allies, he calls: "Nettle reports there are still other things lurking further up the hill, though they have yet to stir. At the bottom where we came from, there are wolves now, three of them, sitting and waiting. Huge, like direwolves. Or perhaps werewolves?"
Nettle (1/1hp, 8 Temp) continues to circle above, monitoring both the wolves downhill and the other shapes uphill, and watching for any other threats.
Soren moves 30' south. He then draws and looses an arrow at the mortally-wounded berserker (#4) who had been engaged with Zefla:
Longbow to hit berserker #4 (at advantage due to the berserker's recklessness): 18
Longbow damage: 9 piercing
Bramble remains centrally-located, in case any allies need help on STR checks and saves. Soren conserves his spells for healing his two-legged allies (no Silvery Barbs). He looks sadly towards Thorn, knowing this is likely the end, once more, for his temporary spirit wolf companion.
Thorn (4/30hp), heedless of his horrific wounds, lets out a mournful howl and lunges once more at berserker #6.
Thorn maul/bite at advantage to hit reckless berserker #6: 20 (dirty)
Thorn maul/bite damage: 8 piercing
"Finish the one Thorn (the wolf) is attacking," he shouts to both Giles (without looking at him) and using Speech of the Woods to the raven swarm there.
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
Burr pivoted sending the maul back around and into the berserker trying to circle him.
Attack: 19 Damage: 13
Soren's arrow takes Berserker #4 in the back, and he collapses, reaching back in futility for the shaft before he expires. The other Berserkers take a moment to make note of their fallen comrade, shouting, "Bloodjaw has returned to the mountain!"
Thorn lands another vicious bite, and Burr continues to spread bruises around the crowd of warriors assaulting him.
The swarms of ravens continue to attack the Berserkers...
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 18 Piercing Damage: 2
Another Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 12 (miss)
Beak Attack on Berserker #6: 24 Piercing Damage: 14
The Man-Raven again reloads his crossbow, leaning to the side to shoot at Berserker #3...
Crossbow Attack: 18 Piercing Damage: 4
Then it continues to stab at the back of Berserker #1...
Short Sword Attack: 24 Piercing Damage: 10
Soren/ThornBurrRavens/???Zefla/GilesPC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles watches and smiles as the mayhem continues to come to fruition. His Fake Father Giles Dirty Druid simulacrum jumps up and down hooting and hollering, smiling at Zefla as she picks up the gem, then he points again at Beserker #5, a gong going off around his head, hopefully keeping him confused. The ethereal axe moves forward and swings at him again, trying to slice him from behind. It takes advantage of their reckless attacks and behind all of this the real Father Giles scoots on the ground a little to the west to be able to keep them in sight, directing the attacks….
Toll the Dead : DC 13 wisdom save or take 4 points of necrotic damage.
Spiritual Weapon : 12 to hit, for 4 points of force damage.
((Invoke Duplicity round 6/10, Spiritual weapon round 5/10))
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Berserker #5 WIS Save: 12
Once again, Berserker 5 is beset by the tolling of ill-intended bells. This time, however, he ducks away from the swinging blade of the spiritual axe.
Berserker #1
Again, Burr ignores his destined foe, Berserker #1, and the man howls with fury. "Turn and face me, blackguard!" His swings his axe again, craving Burr's attention.
Reckless Attack on Burr: 16 (16 - 12) Slashing Damage: 5
Berserker #2
This Berserker continues to hack at the man-raven with his great axe... he is hitting, he is sure of it, but the man-raven pays him no heed.
Reckless Attack on Man-Raven: 15 (15 - 6) Slashing Damage: 10
Once again, the man-raven ignores the assaults.
Berserker #3
Burr's maul had hit this man in the face. He spits teeth and grins like a madman, raising his own axe in turn...
Reckless Attack on Burr: 23 (23 - 15) Slashing Damage: 14
Berserker #5
Eager to be done with the wolf and move on to more glamorous opponents, the berserker brings his axe down viciously on the wounded beast spirit.
Reckless Attack on Thorn: 22 (22 - 20) Slashing Damage: 11
[Unless I am sorely mistaken, that is all for Thorn...] The beast gives one last, defiant howl, and then vanishes into a puff of mist and disappears.
With the wolf gone, the Berserker turns his eyes toward Zefla, and advances on her...
Berserker #6
Not interested in the flock of birds, this warrior too turns toward Zefla. In the process of advancing on her, he absorbs an Attack from the nearby swarm of ravens but they fail to do any meaningful damage.
AOO on Berserker #6: 20 (20 - 19) Piercing Damage: 2
Reaching Zefla, he swings hard but catches only a glancing blow...
Reckless Attack on Zefla: 22 (22 - 16) Slashing Damage: 4
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren cries out in anguish as Thorn is felled by the raging mountain man.
In a fit of his own rage, Soren yells at the remaining axe-wielders: "Fear not. All of you madmen are moments away from meeting this mountain god of yours. We will burn your corpses, along with those of the vile druidic betrayers, and cleanse this accursed place as best we can from your befoulment."
With difficulty, he targets berserker #6 (near death) instead of the less wounded berserker #5 who had slain his spirit wolf, letting another arrow fly.
Longbow to hit berserker #6 at advantage due to recklessness: 16
Longbow damage on berserker #6: 11 piercing
He moves another 10' south. Nettle continues to circle, watching for the shapes up the hill and the wolves down at the bottom, or any other threats.
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
Burr turns again aiming at the man eager to face him bringing the maul round in a vicious arc....
Attack: 23 Damage: 11
BA- Second Wind- 7
Soren's arrow takes Berserker #6 in the throat. He drops his axe and falls to his knees, reaching out toward Zefla ambiguously - he could be seeking aid, or to strangle her - before falling at her feet.
Berserker #5 hollers, "Axe-Of-Flint has gone home to the Mountain!" Further away, the others answer, "His name will echo in the skies!"
All except #1, that is, as Burr's maul knocks the breath out of him before he can join the other's in their shout.
The ravens continue their attacks...
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 18 Piercing Damage: 3
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 17 Piercing Damage: 2
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 7 (miss)
The Man-Raven sets its crossbow against the nearest Berserker, #1. [No advantage as the proximity negates it.]
Crossbow Attack on Berserker #1: 20 Piercing Damage: 4
It hits with the crossbow, but when it tries to attack with its short sword, the transition is less smooth than with prior attacks and the Berserker is able to deflect the blade.
Short Sword Attack on Berserker #1: 10 (miss)
SorenBurrRavens/???PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As Berserker #6 advances on Zefla, she uses her skirmisher reaction and retreats 15'.
"Bloodjaw? Axe-of-flint? Y'all need better names!" Zefla taunts as she starts backing away from Berserker #5. Seeing that he isn't badly hurt and well, she doesn't want to get hit again, she uses her shortbow.
Attack w/adv: 24, Dam w/sneak attack: 17
and using her BA, she disengages and backs away from the man, never taking her eyes away from him.
Giles continues to watch and direct his illusion, smiling as he stands, realizing that since the statue has fallen, his chance to hide is likely fading away. He walks forward around the pieces of burning statue, not quite reaching but approaching the other image. He is dressed similarly and makes similar hooting sounds with a grin. Fake Father Giles points again at Beserker #5, a gong going off around his head, hopefully addling him. The ethereal axe moves forward and swings at #5 again, trying to slice him open. The Fake Father Giles turns its head and speaks to the Beserker #5, “They are all fading away, your plan has failed, perhaps you should run….”
Toll the Dead : DC 13 wisdom save or take 3 points of necrotic damage.
Spiritual Weapon : 13 to hit, for 5 points of force damage.
((Invoke Duplicity round 7/10, Spiritual weapon round 6/10))
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Save: 7
D20 Roll for Berserker #5... Even he selects Giles, Odd he selects fake Giles... 16
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla's arrow catches the Berserker just under the collarbone. He doesn't seem to notice Giles' bell spell, but the spiritual axe one again cuts the man. Just like that, he seems to have gone from only moderately hurt, to seriously injured.
Berserker #1
Stabbed, pierced and bludgeoned, Berserker #1 is barely on his feet. He tries to grin, but it a bloody and exhausted attempt. Still, he remains committed to his battle, and swings his axe once more - perhaps for the last time - at Burr.
Reckless Attack on Burr: 21 (21 - 20) Slashing Damage: 9
Berserker #2
With his efforts against the Man-Raven seemingly for naught, and finding himself the target of both nearby flocks of ravens, he turns and cleaves his axe through the remainder of the smaller flock.
Reckless Attack on swarm of ravens: 20 (20 - 14) Slashing Damage: 8
The last of the smaller flock of ravens fall twitching to the floor of the stone circle, cleaved in twain by the mighty axe. Then the Berserker looks at the Man-Raven hoping the death of the smaller birds has provoked some reaction. "Hah! Your wee ones can fall, and so can you!"
Berserker #3
"Time has come for you to join the fallen, warrior. You've earned a place of honor in the fields of the dead!" Berserker #3 swings low at Burr's legs while the fighter/barbarian's eyes are turned toward Berserker #1.
Reckless Attack on Burr: 25 (25 - 6) Slashing Damage: 13
Berserker #5
He howls a wordless scream of rage as Zefla escapes his reach. He turns his eyes to the two Giles, and in his fury forgets which one is fake. He lashes out with his great axe at Fake Dirty Druid Not Father Giles...
Reckless Attack on Fake Giles: 25 (25- 7)
The attack could have cut a man in half... but the fake image of Giles just continues to dance and mock the Berserker.
Nettle sees that, below, the wolves still sit just inside the forest edge at the bottom of the hill. By their posture, they look almost bored.
Above, a single figure emerges from the corrupted grove. It is one of the needle-flinging blights you encountered at the winery. It doesn't move any closer than the edge of the grove, but it seems oddly attracted to the orange glow in the sky from the burning statue.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren remains seething in an irrational fury, elicited by Thorn's death.
"You are wrong, rabid axe-man. My warrior companion has more honor than any of you, who fight without thought and on behalf of corruption. Yet he will not join your mountain god today, only you, for Silvanus will revive him time and again if he falls until his maul crashes through your skull."
To his allies, he shouts: "Huge wolves still waiting below. Likely blights in the grove above, with one projectile-emitting needle blight emerging."
Nettle continues to circle above and observe up and down the hill as Soren stays put and draws down on the most injured remaining foe (berserker #1):
Soren's Longbow to hit berserker #1, at advantage due to recklessness: 24
Soren's Longbow damage on berserker #1: 9 piercing
"Finish the most wounded ones first," he shouts to Burr, the raven swarm and the raven-man, pointing at berserker #3 (or at berserker #1 if he is still up after Soren's arrow), assuming Zefla, Giles and the one raven swarm will continue focusing on berserker #5 near them.
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
Burr lifts the maul up in a huge overhead hammerstrike at his foe. ( If #1 is up then him, otherwise the other.)
Attack: 14 Damage: 8
(Going ahead with Giles turn)
Father Giles steps forward right beside the Fake Dirty Druid Father Giles, smiling at the barbarian, says “Time to go to the mountain top. Or wherever the hell you go. Perhaps we’ll throw your corpse onto this statue to burn up with the rest of it.” And he swings with his dagger to try to plunge it into his chest. (Attacks with advantage since he is standing within 5 feet of his invoked duplicity).
Dagger : 13 to hit, for 7 points of piercing damage.
As a bonus action, he directs the ethereal great axe to come up behind the barbarian and swing at him.
Spiritual weapon : (Nat 20!) 25 to hit, for 13 points of force damage.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Soren's arrow end's the life of Berserker #1.
Burr turns and deals another heavy blow to Berserker #3.
The raven's peck and poke at Berserker's#2 and #5, doing minimal damage.
Beak Attack on Berserker #2: 17 Piercing Damage: 4
Beak Attack on Berserker #5: 23 Piercing Damage: 4
The Man-Raven climbs overtop the freshly slain corpse of Berserker #1 to go back to back with Burr. He fires a crossbow bolt around and at Berserker #3, but misses.
Crossbow Attack: 9 (miss)
But then he turns and stabs at Berserker #2, connecting with his short sword.
Short Sword Attack: 15 Piercing Damage: 8
Finally coming out of hiding to confront the enemy, Giles sticks his dagger into the wounded berserker. Badly hurt but undeterred, the warrior snarls at the real Giles and readies his axe... until the spectral axe hacks into his back from behind. The still snarling form of the berserker drops to the ground, dead.
Berserkers #2 and #3 call out to each other. "The fates have turned against us, brother!"
"Indeed! If this be the end, let the skies above see that we took these two with us to the stone halls of the dead!"
SorenBurrRavens/???GilesPC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Seeing that Giles had taken down the one he was engaged with, she turns to the two remaining and taunts, "What, didn't those two have names? Or were they just not good enough to shout to whatever demon you're worshiping?"
Staying still and concentrating on her shot, Zefla looses another arrow towards 3, her closest adversary.
Attack w/adv: 19, Dam w/sneak attack: 12
Zefla's arrow pierces Berserker #3 in the side. Blood pours to the dirt and rocky ground at his feet. He is near to the end.
Berserker #2 raises his axe shouting, "For the skies!"
Reckless Attack on Man-Raven: 18 Slashing Damage: 8
Berserker #3 answers, "... For the Mountain!"
Reckless Attack on Burr: 23 Slashing Damage: 12
[Not sure a map is necessary at this point, with only 2 enemies left...]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Burr ducks the worst of the axe strike and returns it with a maul uppercut. ( #3)
Attack: 25 Damage: 16