Boyd - With the newfound freedom of movement, your hands swiftly manoeuvre the magical dagger towards the writhing mass of the creature. The blade pierces through the viscous substance, tearing through its syrupy texture with a satisfying resistance. You feel the resistance give way as the dagger sinks deeper, inflicting a noticeable injury upon the abhorrent entity. The creature convulses and wriggles in response to the assault, its form pulsating with a mixture of anger and agony.
Meresaa's Turn
Taking calculated steps, Meresaa positions herself strategically in close proximity to her allies, ensuring she maximises the reach of her mystical contraption. With a swift motion, she activates the enigmatic device, its arcane energies flowing forth like a shimmering aurora. As the radiant energy envelops those within its range, a palpable transformation occurs -- a surge of vitality courses through their veins, infusing them with a renewed vigour and an inner warmth that bolsters their resolve.
Satisfied that her contraption has achieved its intended purpose, Meresaa assumes a defensive stance, standing resolutely beside Faila.
Aruum's Turn
Aruum's hands tremble with a mix of trepidation and anticipation as he tries to steady his nerves. With a quick motion, he rubs his palms together, seeking a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Taking a determined step forward, he manoeuvres himself into a position that offers a clear line of sight.
Drawing upon the wellspring of arcane power that resides within him, Aruum begins a mesmerising dance of swirling gestures. His fingertips ignite with flickering flames, casting an eerie glow upon his face. With each intricate movement, the intensity of the conjured fire builds, its brilliance reaching its zenith.
In a display of controlled chaos, Aruum unleashes the culmination of his incantation—a blazing mote of fire hurtles forth, propelled by his will. The fiery projectile streaks through the air, leaving behind a trail of scorching embers.
The formless spawn, driven by a maelstrom of unrelenting hatred, undergoes a grotesque transformation. Its amorphous mass writhes and contorts, reshaping itself with an eerie fluidity. From the swirling depths emerges a nightmarish form—a colossal boulder-like entity bristling with a multitude of grotesque, black, spidery legs. With a malevolent purpose, the abomination propels itself forward, its numerous limbs pounding the ground with a thunderous cacophony. Its massive bulk hurtles toward Boyd with chilling intent. The creature's sheer weight, now concentrated within its newfound form, is brought to bear in a relentless, ramming assault.
Ram: Attack: 19, Damage: 31 (bludgeoning)
With a sickening crash, the collision of flesh and bone against the unyielding black form of the formless spawn reverberates through the air. Boyd, caught off guard by the immense force, becomes a mere ragdoll in the face of the abomination's assault. His body crumples under the relentless impact, every fibre of his being screaming in agony.
Battered and bruised, Boyd's consciousness fades, succumbing to the overwhelming trauma inflicted upon him. He slips into the cold embrace of unconsciousness, his presence reduced to a motionless figure sprawled upon the desecrated ground. The battle rages on, but for Boyd, the world fades into darkness, his fate uncertain.
Boyd - In the abyss of unconsciousness, pain becomes an echo, distant yet haunting. A torrent of vivid images floods your mind, a kaleidoscope of landscapes both familiar and surreal. The boundaries of reality blur as your mind traverses realms beyond mortal comprehension, each one more twisted and unfathomable than the last. Amidst this chaotic maelstrom, a single symbol emerges -- the black diamond. It hovers before your consciousness, emanating an aura of pure malevolence. Its presence fills your being with an icy chill, draining away every vestige of warmth and hope. A tangible sense of foreboding engulfs you as if staring into the depths of an abyss from which no light can escape -- all hope is lost. Please make a Death Saving Throw.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
((is there really no place to roll death saves on dndbeyond's character sheet? Guess I'll so it here and make a new post so my edit doesn't alter it.))
Boyd had been told not to enter the light, but Mother never told him anything about this shadowy diamond; he knew only from pure instinct to resist. His soul, already frayed by malevolent magics, was being ripped toward this zone of emptiness - a vacuum in which his essence would be consumed. Boyd, a simple but stalwart man, attempted to hold on as hard as he could. There was nothing in this black abyss to grab onto and he could feel himself slipping away. He dreamt of his daughter as she was when he last saw her... just a child of Esther's age. He grabbed her hand and held on. Small and frail as she was, the vacuum had no effect on her, and her presence anchored him. Only his tears slipped away into oblivion for now.
"No, Boyd!" Nikita's quiet cry falls in the no-man's land between a whisper and a sob. Too late she considers countering the abomination's onslaught with her Silvery Barbs of distracting light, but she doubts such a desperate measure would save Boyd, and it is soon too late anyway.
At Nikita's anguished telepathic request, Thumbtack swallows her fear and flies from her corner to distract the abomination, taking helping Nikita's attack before escaping back to the northwest corner of the chamber with her Flyby capability and fast flying speed.
The young high-elf's livid facial scar reflects the dim light eerily as she begins to hum the strange, whispered melody she had in the battle with the hounds:
Bonus action: Nikita starts her Bladesong. - Base AC goes from 16 to 21 - Move speed goes from 30' to 40' - CON Save to maintain concentration on spells (currently Protection from Evil and Good) goes from +2 to +7 - Advantage on Acrobatics checks
With her movement and free action, Nikita circles clockwise around the spidery mass until she is standing over the fallen Boyd, dragging him 5' away with her free hand while still engaged with the enemy. Putting her own body between it and the fallen rogue. The energy of doing so seems to sap her strength as her subsequent attack with her rapier and Booming Blade goes well awry.
Nikitarapier to hit: 11 (Assuming that misses, so not rolling damage).
"Someone heal him while we still can," she entreats, leaving the rest of her thought unspoken. I cannot lose another friend this way again...
Faila keeps twisting, turning her long head, blinking and flinching at every sickening motion of the abomination's black legs and bludgeoning skitter. The reptilian eyes shimmer and shake watching Nikita's strange dance of blinding speed. Then, the feathered and scaled creature acts, leaping across in front of the Lord of Autumn towards the fallen Boyd as Nikita pushes his limp, fallen body away from the writhing black thing, putting herself in between it and him.
A moment later Faila has her claws in Boyd's leather armor, and snaps her long jaws around his collar. Lifting him up like a great cat moving a fresh kill, she drags him back to set the broken Boyd at the back of the Lord of Autumn's heels.
Boyd's form lies in a crumpled heap upon the ground, his lifeblood staining the cobbled floor in sombre hues. The hush of uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, casting a pallor upon the faces of his companions. A collective ache of potential loss grips their hearts as they behold their fallen comrade, caught in the fragile embrace between life and death.
Time seems to stretch, each passing second akin to an eternity, as they hold their breath, yearning for the slightest flicker of life. A profound stillness settles over the scene, as if the very world holds its breath, awaiting a sign of hope amidst the encroaching despair.
Then, as if carried on a fragile breeze, a word escapes trembling lips, barely audible, yet filled with the weight of longing and faith -- "Hylle."
Nikita's eyes widen with horror as Boyd crumples, his body meeting the unforgiving stone floor of the desecrated temple. The urgency of the moment ignites a fire within her, and without hesitation, she dispatches her loyal companion, Thumbtack, into the heart of the chaos. The owl, swift and nimble, swoops by the inky aberration, its presence a daring distraction that diverts the creature's attention from the fallen warrior.
Humming a sombre tune under her breath, Nikita's movements take on an otherworldly grace, a supernatural fluidity that allows her to dance amidst the chaos. Her rapier, an extension of her will, strikes out with a desperate ferocity, seeking to find purchase in the darkness. Alas, her blows meet only empty air, her focus shattered by the image of her fallen comrade lying vulnerable on the cold ground.
A surge of determination courses through her veins as she reaches down, intent on dragging Boyd to safety. Yet, the cruel reality of time presses upon her, reminding her of the fleeting moments that slip through her grasp. With a heavy heart, she abandons the attempt, choosing instead to stand as a stalwart shield, her protective presence a defiant barrier between the creature and her fallen comrade. Her resolve burns bright, a flickering flame in the face of imminent danger.
Faila's Turn
Faila's eyes blaze with determination as she witnesses Nikita's valiant efforts. Without a moment's hesitation, she springs into action, her powerful muscles propelling her towards the fallen warrior. With an indomitable strength, she bends down, gripping Boyd's motionless form, and with a primal force, she pulls him backwards, away from the reach of the encroaching darkness.
Positioning herself with unwavering resolve, Faila stands as an imposing barrier, her towering figure shielding Boyd from the looming threat. Her primal instincts take hold as she channels her inner ferocity, ready to confront the abomination head-on. Every sinew in her body tenses, her gaze fixed upon the writhing mass before her. She becomes a formidable wall of protection.
Lord of Autumn - Boyd's battered form lies before you, a testament to the brutality of the battle. The man still clings to life, his feeble mutterings and restless eyes a testament to his indomitable spirit. With steely determination, both Nikita and Faila stand guard, their unwavering presence shielding him from further harm. It now falls to you to turn the tides of this fight, it is your turn.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The firbolg withdraws his arboreal lance from it's mark as Boyd is heaped before him from the battlefront. Despite the sight of immense trauma, the Lord of Autumn appears unfazed, as if driven by some otherworldly determination to see the conflict through [Favored Foe]. He shifts his stance, brings the glaive upright, and lets the leaves from its tip cascade down. Some of the foliage sails down to rest gently on Boyd's form, though seemingly out of their own volition rather than through the firbolg's command, acting like some sort of caress from nature itself. The rest land gently by the boots of the Lord of Autumn, though are blown aback slightly when he taps the glaive's end on the ground with a resounding CLINK.
As the metallic end rings out against the cold stone floor, a wave of transparence washes over the form of the massive firbolg [Hidden Step]. Now vanished from plain sight, all that is left to take is are the scattering of leaves from where he last stood and the sound of heavy footsteps.
[Movement 30ft behind Boyd and Nikita to end up diagonally southeast by 2 squares from the spawn (down two, right two from its position)]
Suddenly, the figure reemerges, now positioned across Nikita and Falia to the opposite end of the spawn. His appearance is accentuated by the fact that he is mid-swing, using both of his hands to bring the glaive's cutting edge across the backside of the creature in a massive slice. He ends the swing facing slightly away from the spawn, exposing his backside. Without missing a bear, the firbolg shouts, "To Me!!"
Suddenly, the foliage back where he once stood springs to life. The leaves then begin to zip through the air, racing harmlessly past Nikita and Falia, but piercing through the formless mass like wicked darts on their way back to their master's beckon. As they return to the Lord of Autumn, the foliage again reassembles itself back together into the massive cloak piece by piece by piece.
Attack from invisibility against the Formless Spawn w/Favored Foe and Gathered Swarm: Attack: 17 Damage: 14
Meresaa, transfixed by the resplendent display of grace and power, shakes herself from her revery. She immediately leaps forward to Boyd's unconscious form and retrieves a small jar of balm from a pocket. She quickly smears its contents across the human's forehead and a bit in his jugular notch before it nearly instantly absorbs and disappears from sight.
Quickly stowing the vessel, she palms her miniature mechanical device, clicks it once again, and glowers at the mindless menace causing so much trouble for her companions.
Eldritch Canon: Protector granting 11 temp HP to Boyd, Nikita, Failasaur, Meresaa & the device itself (ignore if you already have more than 11 temp HP)
Darkness Unbound - Round #2 - Lord of Autumn & Meresaa's Turns
Lord of Autumn's Turn
Vanishing from sight with a deft flicker, the Lord of Autumn reemerges with a flourish to the southwest of the formless spawn. A thunderous command erupts from his lips, drawing the creature's bewildered gaze. It fails to discern the whirlwind of autumn leaves swirling through the air, their razor edges slicing and dicing through its amorphous form. A grotesque maw materialises within the creature, wide open, yet no sound escapes its shadowy depths; it is clear the Lord of Autumn's attack has caused it great pain.
Where the leaves pierce the spawn's inky flesh, chunks are hewn asunder, falling to the ground in lifeless splatters. The spawn's once formidable bulk diminishes to a mere fraction of its former self; around a third of its initial size. It teeters, swaying unsteadily, a defiant but faltering shadow attempting to confront its terrifying, yet surprisingly colourful, adversary.
Meresaa's Turn
Spellbound by the swirling maelstrom of deadly beauty conjured by the Lord of Autumn, Meresaa shakes off her reverie and fixes her gaze upon the broken form of Boyd. His body, mangled as if struck by a colossal boulder or the fury of a cannonball, labours with ragged breaths. With a solemn word and a vial of potent balm retrieved from her pocket, she sets to work mending her fallen comrade's shattered frame.
As she tucks away the vial, her fingers brush against the small sample of oil she had collected from the upper floor. Curiously, its appearance bears a striking resemblance to the inky splotches now staining the ground in the spawn's wake. Not dwelling on the oddity for long, she retrieves her miniature mechanical contraption and deftly activates it once more. Rejuvenating energies surge forth, enveloping several members of the party in with an aura of restoration, mending wounds and bolstering their resilience.
Boyd - Your eyelids flutter open, revealing the sight of a familiar bluish-purple face looming above you. Meresaa's countenance is etched with concern as you slowly regain consciousness, her gaze akin to that of a protective she-bear shielding her cubs. From your vantage point on the damp and odorous cobblestone floor, you observe the formless spawn, its size notably diminished since your last encounter. Though agony still courses through your battered frame, remnants of the spawn's onslaught, the soothing balm applied to your forehead and neck, coupled with the healing energies emanating from Meresaa's mystical device, offer some respite from the torment.
Aruum's Turn
With Golds-chucker now awake, Aruum breathes a sigh of relief, and his tiny goblin hands start to dance around his form. To the uninitiated, the words that escape his lips may seem like utter gibberish, but there's a strange power to them. Fire surges and coils around his arms and hands, and with a bold gesture, he thrusts them forward, unleashing a fiery mote aimed at the formless spawn.
The mote collides with the creature, and a wild explosion ensues as it ignites the smaller oil patches scattered around the spawn. Flames flicker and dance, clawing at the spawn's dark mass, making it writhe and thrash in pain.
Battered and weakened, the formless spawn fights desperately to hold its shape, its essence slipping and flickering like a dying flame. Undeterred by its plight, the creature fixates its gaze on the Lord of Autumn, driven by a singular purpose to bring down the one who has inflicted the most torment upon it.
Faila & Nikita - As the formless spawn moves away from you, feel free to make any opportunity attacks.
A grotesque transformation takes hold, as the spawn reshapes itself once more. The tendrils that once writhed now converge, merging into a central maw that devours their form, granting it newfound mass. Like a monstrous mouth on four twisted legs, the spawn looms, hungering for its revenge.
((As the formless spawn is relatively close to death, I'll wait for the opportunity attacks before posting the rest of the creature's turn.))
Battlemap:
Initiative Order:
Formless Spawn (Large) - 20 - Black Bacteria Symbol
Boyd - 16 - Tan Dagger Symbol
Nikita & Thumbtack - 11 - Purple Wand Symbol & Small Purple Shield Symbol
Faila, standing and snarling aggressively, seems to move almost instantaneously as Nikita does, lunging at one flank of the formless ooze in a kind of primal pack instinct.
With fierce determination, Nikita and Faila spring forward, their weapons aimed at the monstrous maw closing in on the Lord of Autumn. But fate betrays them, as their strikes miss their mark, leaving the spawn unchecked in its relentless pursuit. Closing the distance, the abomination unleashes its full wrath upon the mighty firbolg, its mighty maw descending upon him, a grotesque symphony of gnashing teeth and impending doom.
Bite: Attack: 22, Damage: 15(piercing) + 6 (acid)
Lord of Autumn - You are now grappled within the Formless Spawn's mighty maw.
With a thunderous impact, the monstrous maw envelops the Lord of Autumn, its relentless grip tearing into flesh and shattering bones. The black, razor-sharp teeth sink deep into their target, anchoring him in a vice-like embrace.
Boyd - With death's grip narrowly evaded, your heart pounds in your chest as you witness the formless spawn's attention shift towards your valiant comrade, the Lord of Autumn. Time slows as you behold the harrowing sight of the creature disregarding the desperate assaults of Faila and Nikita, its sole focus fixated on ensnaring the Lord of Autumn within its monstrous maw. A surge of primal instinct courses through your veins, compelling you to act swiftly, for the fate of your newfound ally hangs in the balance. Every ounce of your being screams for retribution as you prepare to unleash your might against this abhorrent foe, it is your turn.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Boyd, bruised and battered, is jolted firmly back into the land of the living as Meresaa's balm knits his wounds. His eyes flit around and land on the formless enemy. Grabbing Meresaa's shoulder for support, the man yanks himself to his feet, perhaps too quickly, as he grabs his head in a bout of dizziness. Nonetheless, he grabs his magical knife and whips it at the demon, hoping for it to sink deep into the monster's flesh.
Nikita, startled for a moment to see Boyd's knife whip past her at the horrific aberration, smiles in relief, though the dim light and her livid scar make it appear slightly monstrous, to match the creature in front of her. Still horrified at the abomination's latest attack, this one on the Lord of Autumn, she considers using her Vortex Warp magic to extricate the firbolg from its clutches, but decides to try to finish off the enemy instead.
At Nikita telepathic request, Thumbtack once again flies 30' southeast to sail by the Formless Spawn, wings flapping and claws extended in a feint, then flies back 30' northwest to her starting location, having taken the help action.
Spinning and dancing 10' southeast to stand next to the grappledLord of Autumn, Nikita takes advantage of the opening provided by Thumbtack to attack from the other side with her rapier and Booming Blade.
Nikita'sRapier attack with Booming Blade at advantage due to Thumbtack'shelp: To Hit: 26 (natural 20) Damage: 9 (oof) piercing and target is sheathed in dark blue booming energy. Secondary damage: 3 thunder if target moves voluntarily before Nikita's next turn.
Her voice is hoarse. "We must finish it off. Now, before it can strike again."
Grim determination etches across Boyd's face as he rises to confront the ominous presence of the formless spawn. With every ounce of desperation fueling his actions, he hurls his enchanted dagger towards the abomination. The blade finds its mark, piercing the creature's side and inciting a wordless frenzy of convulsions as if it teeters on the precipice of its demise. Yet, the fiendish entity clings tenaciously to the Lord of Autumn, its form writhing with a desperate determination, refusing to relinquish its grasp.
Nikita's Turn
Fixated on the Lord of Autumn, the formless spawn remains oblivious to Nikita's swift and agile approach. Like a tempest unleashed, she becomes a blur of motion, whirling and spinning as if touched by the very essence of chaos. With unwavering determination etched across her face, she drives her blade deep into the creature's side, catching it completely off guard. At close range, she witnesses firsthand the devastating impact their collective assault has had on the abomination. Patches of its shadowy form lie scattered, lifeless, upon the blood-soaked ground, leaving only remnants of its once formidable mass. Gritting her teeth, Nikita hoarsely commands her comrades to seize this fleeting opportunity and deliver the final blow, lest the fiend renews its assault with unrestrained fury.
Faila - With a fierce determination burning in her eyes, Nikita wastes no time in engaging the abomination, her movements a blur of agility and deadly grace. Her blade strikes true, slashing through the creature's form with calculated precision. Turning towards you, her voice laced with urgency, she implores you to seize the opportunity and deliver the final blow. The air is heavy with the scent of blood and desperation as your instincts keenly sense the vulnerability of the wounded spawn. This is the moment you have been waiting for, the chance to strike with all your beast-like fury and end the creature once and for all. It is your turn.
With one head-bobbing glance at Meresaa, Faila's reptilian eyes dilate and fixate on the abomination clinging to the Lord of Autumn, and she runs past Boyd, circling around next to the wall to give herself an uninterrupted line of sight to the dark thing. With a defiant scream, she launches herself at it, claws and teeth braced for the impact.
Claw #1: 20 to hit, 7 damage
Claw #2: 17 to hit, 4 damage
Bite: 12 to hit, 8 damage
Trying to get close to the wall to travel at least 20 feet to use her Pounce ability: If the deinonychus moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the deinonychus can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Bite (bonus action if abomination is Prone): 5 to hit, 9 damage (23 to hit w/ advantage)
Faila's gaze sharpens, her eyes fixated on her quarry; the abomination that threatened the lives of her companions, a creature born of shadow and darkness, its heart as black as night. Now, it dares to set its sights on the newfound addition to their ranks, a vibrant soul among the darkness. A scream of fury escapes Faila's lips as she morphs into a fearsome embodiment of vengeance, a force to be reckoned with. With a furious charge, she becomes an avatar of hell itself, her claws and teeth tearing into the formless spawn, rending it apart with unrelenting savagery.
The assault unfolds in a breath, though it feels like an eternity. Faila's relentless assault leaves nothing but a trail of destruction in her wake, as she tears and rends, reducing the abomination to a lifeless, inky mass scattered across the temple's floors and walls. The violence of her onslaught ensures that the formless spawn will never rise again, its obliteration so complete that it leaves no semblance of a body behind, only a grotesque mess of darkness as a testament to its demise.
All - The defeat of your foe grants you a fleeting respite. Wounds sting and fatigue weighs heavily upon you, tempting you to take a moment to recover. Yet, there remains a choice, a crossroads where your path diverges. Will you seize this opportunity to tend to your wounds, or steel yourself for what lies ahead? The decision rests in your hands, and only you can determine the next step on your perilous journey. End of combat/initiative.
Boyd - The weight of the keys in your hand is both comforting and unsettling. The once-binding magic that held them captive has dissipated, granting you the power to unlock the secrets they guard. Yet, a sense of unease creeps over you, for what ominous purpose would require such keys? What dark and mysterious artefact or chamber awaits your exploration?
Darkness Unbound - Round #1 - Meresaa & Aruum's Turns
Boyd - With the newfound freedom of movement, your hands swiftly manoeuvre the magical dagger towards the writhing mass of the creature. The blade pierces through the viscous substance, tearing through its syrupy texture with a satisfying resistance. You feel the resistance give way as the dagger sinks deeper, inflicting a noticeable injury upon the abhorrent entity. The creature convulses and wriggles in response to the assault, its form pulsating with a mixture of anger and agony.
Meresaa's Turn
Taking calculated steps, Meresaa positions herself strategically in close proximity to her allies, ensuring she maximises the reach of her mystical contraption. With a swift motion, she activates the enigmatic device, its arcane energies flowing forth like a shimmering aurora. As the radiant energy envelops those within its range, a palpable transformation occurs -- a surge of vitality courses through their veins, infusing them with a renewed vigour and an inner warmth that bolsters their resolve.
Satisfied that her contraption has achieved its intended purpose, Meresaa assumes a defensive stance, standing resolutely beside Faila.
Aruum's Turn
Aruum's hands tremble with a mix of trepidation and anticipation as he tries to steady his nerves. With a quick motion, he rubs his palms together, seeking a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Taking a determined step forward, he manoeuvres himself into a position that offers a clear line of sight.
Drawing upon the wellspring of arcane power that resides within him, Aruum begins a mesmerising dance of swirling gestures. His fingertips ignite with flickering flames, casting an eerie glow upon his face. With each intricate movement, the intensity of the conjured fire builds, its brilliance reaching its zenith.
In a display of controlled chaos, Aruum unleashes the culmination of his incantation—a blazing mote of fire hurtles forth, propelled by his will. The fiery projectile streaks through the air, leaving behind a trail of scorching embers.
The fire bolt finds its mark, crashing into the amorphous mass of the formless spawn with a searing impact, scorching and singeing its inky surface.
Battlemap:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Darkness Unbound - Round #2 - Formless Spawn's Turn
Formless Spawn's Turn
The formless spawn, driven by a maelstrom of unrelenting hatred, undergoes a grotesque transformation. Its amorphous mass writhes and contorts, reshaping itself with an eerie fluidity. From the swirling depths emerges a nightmarish form—a colossal boulder-like entity bristling with a multitude of grotesque, black, spidery legs. With a malevolent purpose, the abomination propels itself forward, its numerous limbs pounding the ground with a thunderous cacophony. Its massive bulk hurtles toward Boyd with chilling intent. The creature's sheer weight, now concentrated within its newfound form, is brought to bear in a relentless, ramming assault.
With a sickening crash, the collision of flesh and bone against the unyielding black form of the formless spawn reverberates through the air. Boyd, caught off guard by the immense force, becomes a mere ragdoll in the face of the abomination's assault. His body crumples under the relentless impact, every fibre of his being screaming in agony.
Battered and bruised, Boyd's consciousness fades, succumbing to the overwhelming trauma inflicted upon him. He slips into the cold embrace of unconsciousness, his presence reduced to a motionless figure sprawled upon the desecrated ground. The battle rages on, but for Boyd, the world fades into darkness, his fate uncertain.
Boyd - In the abyss of unconsciousness, pain becomes an echo, distant yet haunting. A torrent of vivid images floods your mind, a kaleidoscope of landscapes both familiar and surreal. The boundaries of reality blur as your mind traverses realms beyond mortal comprehension, each one more twisted and unfathomable than the last. Amidst this chaotic maelstrom, a single symbol emerges -- the black diamond. It hovers before your consciousness, emanating an aura of pure malevolence. Its presence fills your being with an icy chill, draining away every vestige of warmth and hope. A tangible sense of foreboding engulfs you as if staring into the depths of an abyss from which no light can escape -- all hope is lost. Please make a Death Saving Throw.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
((is there really no place to roll death saves on dndbeyond's character sheet? Guess I'll so it here and make a new post so my edit doesn't alter it.))
Death save: 18
Boyd had been told not to enter the light, but Mother never told him anything about this shadowy diamond; he knew only from pure instinct to resist. His soul, already frayed by malevolent magics, was being ripped toward this zone of emptiness - a vacuum in which his essence would be consumed. Boyd, a simple but stalwart man, attempted to hold on as hard as he could. There was nothing in this black abyss to grab onto and he could feel himself slipping away. He dreamt of his daughter as she was when he last saw her... just a child of Esther's age. He grabbed her hand and held on. Small and frail as she was, the vacuum had no effect on her, and her presence anchored him. Only his tears slipped away into oblivion for now.
1 success.
"No, Boyd!" Nikita's quiet cry falls in the no-man's land between a whisper and a sob. Too late she considers countering the abomination's onslaught with her Silvery Barbs of distracting light, but she doubts such a desperate measure would save Boyd, and it is soon too late anyway.
At Nikita's anguished telepathic request, Thumbtack swallows her fear and flies from her corner to distract the abomination, taking helping Nikita's attack before escaping back to the northwest corner of the chamber with her Flyby capability and fast flying speed.
The young high-elf's livid facial scar reflects the dim light eerily as she begins to hum the strange, whispered melody she had in the battle with the hounds:
Bonus action: Nikita starts her Bladesong.
- Base AC goes from 16 to 21
- Move speed goes from 30' to 40'
- CON Save to maintain concentration on spells (currently Protection from Evil and Good) goes from +2 to +7
- Advantage on Acrobatics checks
With her movement and free action, Nikita circles clockwise around the spidery mass until she is standing over the fallen Boyd, dragging him 5' away with her free hand while still engaged with the enemy. Putting her own body between it and the fallen rogue. The energy of doing so seems to sap her strength as her subsequent attack with her rapier and Booming Blade goes well awry.
Nikita rapier to hit: 11
(Assuming that misses, so not rolling damage).
"Someone heal him while we still can," she entreats, leaving the rest of her thought unspoken. I cannot lose another friend this way again...
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
Faila keeps twisting, turning her long head, blinking and flinching at every sickening motion of the abomination's black legs and bludgeoning skitter. The reptilian eyes shimmer and shake watching Nikita's strange dance of blinding speed. Then, the feathered and scaled creature acts, leaping across in front of the Lord of Autumn towards the fallen Boyd as Nikita pushes his limp, fallen body away from the writhing black thing, putting herself in between it and him.
A moment later Faila has her claws in Boyd's leather armor, and snaps her long jaws around his collar. Lifting him up like a great cat moving a fresh kill, she drags him back to set the broken Boyd at the back of the Lord of Autumn's heels.
Darkness Unbound - Round #2 - Boyd's Turn
Boyd's Turn
Boyd's form lies in a crumpled heap upon the ground, his lifeblood staining the cobbled floor in sombre hues. The hush of uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, casting a pallor upon the faces of his companions. A collective ache of potential loss grips their hearts as they behold their fallen comrade, caught in the fragile embrace between life and death.
Time seems to stretch, each passing second akin to an eternity, as they hold their breath, yearning for the slightest flicker of life. A profound stillness settles over the scene, as if the very world holds its breath, awaiting a sign of hope amidst the encroaching despair.
Then, as if carried on a fragile breeze, a word escapes trembling lips, barely audible, yet filled with the weight of longing and faith -- "Hylle."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Darkness Unbound - Round #2 - Nikita & Faila's Turns
Nikita's Turn
Nikita's eyes widen with horror as Boyd crumples, his body meeting the unforgiving stone floor of the desecrated temple. The urgency of the moment ignites a fire within her, and without hesitation, she dispatches her loyal companion, Thumbtack, into the heart of the chaos. The owl, swift and nimble, swoops by the inky aberration, its presence a daring distraction that diverts the creature's attention from the fallen warrior.
Humming a sombre tune under her breath, Nikita's movements take on an otherworldly grace, a supernatural fluidity that allows her to dance amidst the chaos. Her rapier, an extension of her will, strikes out with a desperate ferocity, seeking to find purchase in the darkness. Alas, her blows meet only empty air, her focus shattered by the image of her fallen comrade lying vulnerable on the cold ground.
A surge of determination courses through her veins as she reaches down, intent on dragging Boyd to safety. Yet, the cruel reality of time presses upon her, reminding her of the fleeting moments that slip through her grasp. With a heavy heart, she abandons the attempt, choosing instead to stand as a stalwart shield, her protective presence a defiant barrier between the creature and her fallen comrade. Her resolve burns bright, a flickering flame in the face of imminent danger.
Faila's Turn
Faila's eyes blaze with determination as she witnesses Nikita's valiant efforts. Without a moment's hesitation, she springs into action, her powerful muscles propelling her towards the fallen warrior. With an indomitable strength, she bends down, gripping Boyd's motionless form, and with a primal force, she pulls him backwards, away from the reach of the encroaching darkness.
Positioning herself with unwavering resolve, Faila stands as an imposing barrier, her towering figure shielding Boyd from the looming threat. Her primal instincts take hold as she channels her inner ferocity, ready to confront the abomination head-on. Every sinew in her body tenses, her gaze fixed upon the writhing mass before her. She becomes a formidable wall of protection.
Lord of Autumn - Boyd's battered form lies before you, a testament to the brutality of the battle. The man still clings to life, his feeble mutterings and restless eyes a testament to his indomitable spirit. With steely determination, both Nikita and Faila stand guard, their unwavering presence shielding him from further harm. It now falls to you to turn the tides of this fight, it is your turn.
Battlemap:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
The firbolg withdraws his arboreal lance from it's mark as Boyd is heaped before him from the battlefront. Despite the sight of immense trauma, the Lord of Autumn appears unfazed, as if driven by some otherworldly determination to see the conflict through [Favored Foe]. He shifts his stance, brings the glaive upright, and lets the leaves from its tip cascade down. Some of the foliage sails down to rest gently on Boyd's form, though seemingly out of their own volition rather than through the firbolg's command, acting like some sort of caress from nature itself. The rest land gently by the boots of the Lord of Autumn, though are blown aback slightly when he taps the glaive's end on the ground with a resounding CLINK.
As the metallic end rings out against the cold stone floor, a wave of transparence washes over the form of the massive firbolg [Hidden Step]. Now vanished from plain sight, all that is left to take is are the scattering of leaves from where he last stood and the sound of heavy footsteps.
[Movement 30ft behind Boyd and Nikita to end up diagonally southeast by 2 squares from the spawn (down two, right two from its position)]
Suddenly, the figure reemerges, now positioned across Nikita and Falia to the opposite end of the spawn. His appearance is accentuated by the fact that he is mid-swing, using both of his hands to bring the glaive's cutting edge across the backside of the creature in a massive slice. He ends the swing facing slightly away from the spawn, exposing his backside. Without missing a bear, the firbolg shouts, "To Me!!"
Suddenly, the foliage back where he once stood springs to life. The leaves then begin to zip through the air, racing harmlessly past Nikita and Falia, but piercing through the formless mass like wicked darts on their way back to their master's beckon. As they return to the Lord of Autumn, the foliage again reassembles itself back together into the massive cloak piece by piece by piece.
Attack from invisibility against the Formless Spawn w/Favored Foe and Gathered Swarm: Attack: 17 Damage: 14
Meresaa, transfixed by the resplendent display of grace and power, shakes herself from her revery. She immediately leaps forward to Boyd's unconscious form and retrieves a small jar of balm from a pocket. She quickly smears its contents across the human's forehead and a bit in his jugular notch before it nearly instantly absorbs and disappears from sight.
Quickly stowing the vessel, she palms her miniature mechanical device, clicks it once again, and glowers at the mindless menace causing so much trouble for her companions.
Cure wounds on Boyd for 10 HP
Eldritch Canon: Protector granting 11 temp HP to Boyd, Nikita, Failasaur, Meresaa & the device itself (ignore if you already have more than 11 temp HP)
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Darkness Unbound - Round #2 - Lord of Autumn & Meresaa's Turns
Lord of Autumn's Turn
Vanishing from sight with a deft flicker, the Lord of Autumn reemerges with a flourish to the southwest of the formless spawn. A thunderous command erupts from his lips, drawing the creature's bewildered gaze. It fails to discern the whirlwind of autumn leaves swirling through the air, their razor edges slicing and dicing through its amorphous form. A grotesque maw materialises within the creature, wide open, yet no sound escapes its shadowy depths; it is clear the Lord of Autumn's attack has caused it great pain.
Where the leaves pierce the spawn's inky flesh, chunks are hewn asunder, falling to the ground in lifeless splatters. The spawn's once formidable bulk diminishes to a mere fraction of its former self; around a third of its initial size. It teeters, swaying unsteadily, a defiant but faltering shadow attempting to confront its terrifying, yet surprisingly colourful, adversary.
Meresaa's Turn
Spellbound by the swirling maelstrom of deadly beauty conjured by the Lord of Autumn, Meresaa shakes off her reverie and fixes her gaze upon the broken form of Boyd. His body, mangled as if struck by a colossal boulder or the fury of a cannonball, labours with ragged breaths. With a solemn word and a vial of potent balm retrieved from her pocket, she sets to work mending her fallen comrade's shattered frame.
As she tucks away the vial, her fingers brush against the small sample of oil she had collected from the upper floor. Curiously, its appearance bears a striking resemblance to the inky splotches now staining the ground in the spawn's wake. Not dwelling on the oddity for long, she retrieves her miniature mechanical contraption and deftly activates it once more. Rejuvenating energies surge forth, enveloping several members of the party in with an aura of restoration, mending wounds and bolstering their resilience.
Boyd - Your eyelids flutter open, revealing the sight of a familiar bluish-purple face looming above you. Meresaa's countenance is etched with concern as you slowly regain consciousness, her gaze akin to that of a protective she-bear shielding her cubs. From your vantage point on the damp and odorous cobblestone floor, you observe the formless spawn, its size notably diminished since your last encounter. Though agony still courses through your battered frame, remnants of the spawn's onslaught, the soothing balm applied to your forehead and neck, coupled with the healing energies emanating from Meresaa's mystical device, offer some respite from the torment.
Aruum's Turn
With Golds-chucker now awake, Aruum breathes a sigh of relief, and his tiny goblin hands start to dance around his form. To the uninitiated, the words that escape his lips may seem like utter gibberish, but there's a strange power to them. Fire surges and coils around his arms and hands, and with a bold gesture, he thrusts them forward, unleashing a fiery mote aimed at the formless spawn.
The mote collides with the creature, and a wild explosion ensues as it ignites the smaller oil patches scattered around the spawn. Flames flicker and dance, clawing at the spawn's dark mass, making it writhe and thrash in pain.
Battlemap:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Darkness Unbound - Round #3 - Start of Round & Formless Spawn's Turn
Formless Spawn's Turn
Battered and weakened, the formless spawn fights desperately to hold its shape, its essence slipping and flickering like a dying flame. Undeterred by its plight, the creature fixates its gaze on the Lord of Autumn, driven by a singular purpose to bring down the one who has inflicted the most torment upon it.
Faila & Nikita - As the formless spawn moves away from you, feel free to make any opportunity attacks.
A grotesque transformation takes hold, as the spawn reshapes itself once more. The tendrils that once writhed now converge, merging into a central maw that devours their form, granting it newfound mass. Like a monstrous mouth on four twisted legs, the spawn looms, hungering for its revenge.
((As the formless spawn is relatively close to death, I'll wait for the opportunity attacks before posting the rest of the creature's turn.))
Battlemap:
Initiative Order:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Nikita lunges as the Formless Spawn rushes away but cannot connect.
Rapier opportunity attack to hit: 12
(Won't bother rolling damage).
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
Faila, standing and snarling aggressively, seems to move almost instantaneously as Nikita does, lunging at one flank of the formless ooze in a kind of primal pack instinct.
Bite: 7 to hit, 3 damage
Claw #1: 5 to hit (nat 1), 4 damage
Claw #2: 17 to hit, 7 damage
Darkness Unbound - Round #3 - Formless Spawn's Turn Continued...
Formless Spawn's Turn Continued...
With fierce determination, Nikita and Faila spring forward, their weapons aimed at the monstrous maw closing in on the Lord of Autumn. But fate betrays them, as their strikes miss their mark, leaving the spawn unchecked in its relentless pursuit. Closing the distance, the abomination unleashes its full wrath upon the mighty firbolg, its mighty maw descending upon him, a grotesque symphony of gnashing teeth and impending doom.
With a thunderous impact, the monstrous maw envelops the Lord of Autumn, its relentless grip tearing into flesh and shattering bones. The black, razor-sharp teeth sink deep into their target, anchoring him in a vice-like embrace.
Boyd - With death's grip narrowly evaded, your heart pounds in your chest as you witness the formless spawn's attention shift towards your valiant comrade, the Lord of Autumn. Time slows as you behold the harrowing sight of the creature disregarding the desperate assaults of Faila and Nikita, its sole focus fixated on ensnaring the Lord of Autumn within its monstrous maw. A surge of primal instinct courses through your veins, compelling you to act swiftly, for the fate of your newfound ally hangs in the balance. Every ounce of your being screams for retribution as you prepare to unleash your might against this abhorrent foe, it is your turn.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Boyd, bruised and battered, is jolted firmly back into the land of the living as Meresaa's balm knits his wounds. His eyes flit around and land on the formless enemy. Grabbing Meresaa's shoulder for support, the man yanks himself to his feet, perhaps too quickly, as he grabs his head in a bout of dizziness. Nonetheless, he grabs his magical knife and whips it at the demon, hoping for it to sink deep into the monster's flesh.
movement: stand
Bonus action: steady aim
action: attack 23 to hit, 6 piercing, 6 sneak attack piercing.
As Meresaa steps away, Boyd staggers toward the wall for support to hold himself up. ((he doesn't actually move anywhere)).
Nikita, startled for a moment to see Boyd's knife whip past her at the horrific aberration, smiles in relief, though the dim light and her livid scar make it appear slightly monstrous, to match the creature in front of her. Still horrified at the abomination's latest attack, this one on the Lord of Autumn, she considers using her Vortex Warp magic to extricate the firbolg from its clutches, but decides to try to finish off the enemy instead.
At Nikita telepathic request, Thumbtack once again flies 30' southeast to sail by the Formless Spawn, wings flapping and claws extended in a feint, then flies back 30' northwest to her starting location, having taken the help action.
Spinning and dancing 10' southeast to stand next to the grappled Lord of Autumn, Nikita takes advantage of the opening provided by Thumbtack to attack from the other side with her rapier and Booming Blade.
Nikita's Rapier attack with Booming Blade at advantage due to Thumbtack's help:
To Hit: 26 (natural 20)
Damage: 9 (oof) piercing and target is sheathed in dark blue booming energy.
Secondary damage: 3 thunder if target moves voluntarily before Nikita's next turn.
Her voice is hoarse. "We must finish it off. Now, before it can strike again."
(Nikita's reactions reset. She is also still concentrating on Protection from Evil and Good.)
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
Darkness Unbound - Round #3 - Boyd & Nikita's Turns
Boyd's Turn
Grim determination etches across Boyd's face as he rises to confront the ominous presence of the formless spawn. With every ounce of desperation fueling his actions, he hurls his enchanted dagger towards the abomination. The blade finds its mark, piercing the creature's side and inciting a wordless frenzy of convulsions as if it teeters on the precipice of its demise. Yet, the fiendish entity clings tenaciously to the Lord of Autumn, its form writhing with a desperate determination, refusing to relinquish its grasp.
Nikita's Turn
Fixated on the Lord of Autumn, the formless spawn remains oblivious to Nikita's swift and agile approach. Like a tempest unleashed, she becomes a blur of motion, whirling and spinning as if touched by the very essence of chaos. With unwavering determination etched across her face, she drives her blade deep into the creature's side, catching it completely off guard. At close range, she witnesses firsthand the devastating impact their collective assault has had on the abomination. Patches of its shadowy form lie scattered, lifeless, upon the blood-soaked ground, leaving only remnants of its once formidable mass. Gritting her teeth, Nikita hoarsely commands her comrades to seize this fleeting opportunity and deliver the final blow, lest the fiend renews its assault with unrestrained fury.
Faila - With a fierce determination burning in her eyes, Nikita wastes no time in engaging the abomination, her movements a blur of agility and deadly grace. Her blade strikes true, slashing through the creature's form with calculated precision. Turning towards you, her voice laced with urgency, she implores you to seize the opportunity and deliver the final blow. The air is heavy with the scent of blood and desperation as your instincts keenly sense the vulnerability of the wounded spawn. This is the moment you have been waiting for, the chance to strike with all your beast-like fury and end the creature once and for all. It is your turn.
Battlemap:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
With one head-bobbing glance at Meresaa, Faila's reptilian eyes dilate and fixate on the abomination clinging to the Lord of Autumn, and she runs past Boyd, circling around next to the wall to give herself an uninterrupted line of sight to the dark thing. With a defiant scream, she launches herself at it, claws and teeth braced for the impact.
Claw #1: 20 to hit, 7 damage
Claw #2: 17 to hit, 4 damage
Bite: 12 to hit, 8 damage
Trying to get close to the wall to travel at least 20 feet to use her Pounce ability: If the deinonychus moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the deinonychus can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Bite (bonus action if abomination is Prone): 5 to hit, 9 damage (23 to hit w/ advantage)
Darkness Unbound - Round #3 - Faila's Turn
Faila's Turn
Faila's gaze sharpens, her eyes fixated on her quarry; the abomination that threatened the lives of her companions, a creature born of shadow and darkness, its heart as black as night. Now, it dares to set its sights on the newfound addition to their ranks, a vibrant soul among the darkness. A scream of fury escapes Faila's lips as she morphs into a fearsome embodiment of vengeance, a force to be reckoned with. With a furious charge, she becomes an avatar of hell itself, her claws and teeth tearing into the formless spawn, rending it apart with unrelenting savagery.
The assault unfolds in a breath, though it feels like an eternity. Faila's relentless assault leaves nothing but a trail of destruction in her wake, as she tears and rends, reducing the abomination to a lifeless, inky mass scattered across the temple's floors and walls. The violence of her onslaught ensures that the formless spawn will never rise again, its obliteration so complete that it leaves no semblance of a body behind, only a grotesque mess of darkness as a testament to its demise.
All - The defeat of your foe grants you a fleeting respite. Wounds sting and fatigue weighs heavily upon you, tempting you to take a moment to recover. Yet, there remains a choice, a crossroads where your path diverges. Will you seize this opportunity to tend to your wounds, or steel yourself for what lies ahead? The decision rests in your hands, and only you can determine the next step on your perilous journey. End of combat/initiative.
Boyd - The weight of the keys in your hand is both comforting and unsettling. The once-binding magic that held them captive has dissipated, granting you the power to unlock the secrets they guard. Yet, a sense of unease creeps over you, for what ominous purpose would require such keys? What dark and mysterious artefact or chamber awaits your exploration?
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)