Upon the blast of frozen lightning halting their escape Judal exclaims "Yoikes!" with all the intelligence and pompousness he can muster. Which is none... He turns to face the multi-headed creature once more, hands half raised to show their emptiness, and he calls out "Alright, alright, you don't want us leaving then, eh?"
Judal lowers his hands as it begins approaching them, one hand moving towards his weapon, the other readying a possible spell... and then the shimmering light cracks open. "Did you do that?" Judal asks, head tilting towards the hydra. "Did you?" he asks again, looking at the women.
Perception to see if the Hydra is as surprised by this as we are: 18+2 for 20...
Lelith's eyes narrowed with determination as she scoffed at the surreal scene unfolding before her. "Oh, I did do this and anticipate it, in a manner of speaking," she muttered, her gaze briefly flickering towards the shimmering kaleidoscope beyond. Despite her suspicions, she chose to temporarily disregard the impending arrival and redirected her focus towards the immediate threat—the hostile hydra that stood before them.
Her voice dripped with venomous intent as she addressed the creature, her words laced with conviction. "Beast, tis' I who shall make you my prey now," she declared, her tone seething with disdain. Swiftly and gracefully, Lelith drew her bow and expertly nocked an arrow, aligning her aim with the hydra's numerous heads.
The tension in the air grew palpable as Lelith's eyes locked onto her target. She felt the familiar weight of her bow, the taught string ready to unleash her wrath. With a surge of primal energy, she released the arrow, its trajectory guided by her fey-infused prowess. The projectile cut through the air with deadly precision, an embodiment of her determination to conquer the creature before her. Lelith's purpose was clear—to dominate this once-threatening foe and assert her superiority. Lelith felt her blood sing. She would not be deterred, for she was the hunter now, stalking her prey relentlessly.
A man steps out of the crack in reality. No, not a man - an Eladrin. Tall, thin, and extremely pale, with clear elfin features. He stands imperiously in ornate deep blue robes, arms crossed behind his back as he surveils the chaotic situation, raising an eyebrow with curiosity at the hydra. A snow owl sits on his shoulder, watching the battle with its master. "I suppose the proper introductions will have to wait, at least until the current matter is resolved. Let us dispatch this thing, shall we?" says Riair, speaking rhetorically to his familiar.
The Eladrin steps forwards and utters a magical incantation, psychically lashing at the hydra with a Mind Whip as the owl takes to the skies. He then retreats from the beast, stepping through the Feywild in a burst of ice and snow, both creating distance from the creature and closing in on the collected company a fair ways away. He waves politely at the party in greeting as he calmly approaches, acting unruffled even in the midst of combat.
(Tasha's Mind Whip: Int saving throw, DC 17; 13 psychic damage + can't take reactions + can only take an action, a bonus action, or a move action on its turn on fail; 6 psychic damage on success)
The first arrow drives hard into the base of one of the hydra's necks before the newcomers attack affects the same head, following the arrow like a lightning rod. The head dies even as the second arrow glances off its hard scales and zips harmlessly off into the distance...
The brass prosthesis whirs to life yet both of her weapons were already in hand and ignited. Taking a breath and recalling just what she had learned from Master Qui-Gonn, About her needing to carve her own path. Create her own code, find her own balance in the force. Inahling through her nostrils, her prosthetic hand raise up. Clenched into a fist with her amber coloured weapon humming and pointed straight towards the stirring creature. A surge of electrical energy arced through the prosthetic arm, propelling from her palm and towards the creature that stepped towards them.
"Flowing through all, there is balance There is no peace without a passion to createThere is no passion without peace to guide" With just a whisper, she constructs the first lines of her new path.
A surge of electrical energy arced through the prosthetic arm, propelling from her palm and towards the creature that stepped towards them.
Action: Casting Lightning bolt at 3rd level.
Must succeed a DC 17 Dex Save or take: 30 Lightning Damage. 1/2 on a success.
There is a loud crackling sound as the hydra is struck head-on by the lightning bolt, and one neck goes limp. A split second later, two arrows strike another head, killing it as well.
The hydra's remaining two heads shriek as the thing turns, it's body flashing a myriad of colors, and flies down over the side of the mountain to escape...
Raising an eyebrow at the fleeing beast, Riair decides to pursue the creature. It would not get away on this day. Pursuing and chanting, the wizard recasts the spell he used before, causing mental energy to flog and thrash the many heads of the hydra again.
Move: 30ft towards the hydra Action: Cast Tasha's Mind Whip (Int saving throw, DC 17; 4 psychic damage + can't take reactions + can only take an action, a bonus action, or a move action on its turn on fail; 2 psychic damage on success)
“Umm, guys?” Judal calls out as he warily steps to the edge and looks over it for signs of the fleeing beast. “Did this seem… TOO easy?”
Judal takes a quick look around suspicious that they may have missed something. (Perception: 15, plus he has 30’ blindsight…) “Could there be more around? Or a mommy beastie? What was all that “Bidi Bidi Bidi’ about?”
“And who is the new guy??” Judal finishes with a flourish after a dramatic pause…
—-
If Judal did see the creature still when he looked over the edge, Judal lazily tosses a couple Eldritch Blast bolts at it to further encourage it to flee. Holding his non-shield hand by his side and focusing all his energy there, the hand starts to glow with a golden aura with two dark red orbs spinning around the closed fist. The orbs spin faster and faster until Judal throws forth his hand at the target as if throwing a rock to skip across the surface of a pond. Only no rocks are cast, just the twin dark orbs which do skip and bounce and ricochet until, hopefully, finding their target…
"Figure that out later, Finish the creature before it attacks someone who cant defend themselves!" Malenia uncharacteristically shouts over her shoulder as a wave of crimson rushes past her companions and the newcomer. In a impressive display of speed and acrobatics, Malneia barrels down the mountain towards the fleeing Hydra, Intent on finishing what the creature had started. Each footfall landing for only a moment before moving to another, she keen fae vision already plotting the most direct path towards the wounded creature.
Action: Dash 45 feet Movement: 45 feet Bonus action: Step of the Wind for another 45 feet until Im right beside the Hydra.
If it tries to move out of my melee range. Sentinel attack to stop it.
Judal's Eldtitch Blasts both strike the hydra. The first splashes harmlessly over its scales, but the second hits directly behind it, throwing busted scales into the air. The hydra hissed, snapped at the flying magic, and suddenly, as it prepared itself to move, an arrow stuck it while Malenia reached from the rock she landed on to nail it with an attack.
The hydra turned its attention to her, snapping its two remaining heads at her in an attempt to clamp down, but both miss, snapping the air around her and keeping the monster too busy to move on.
Suddenly, one of the dead heads fell away, falling down the side of the mountain while two more sprout from the monster in its place, snaking together from sinew growing from the beast's body...
Fire, as distasteful as it may be to associate with the element of Summer, would likely be the answer here. He points his finger at the hydra, and a great gout of flame erupts from it to sear and burn the regenerative flesh of the beast.
Action: Firebolt To hit: d20 (20) + 9, Crit! Damage: 2d10 + 20 = 35 fire damage + additional random effect
"Looks like we're doing this," Judal says to himself and will climb/jump down the mountain side to try to get within sixty feet of the beast if possible. He is not as graceful as others perhaps but he thinks he can maybe do it without killing himself? ((Dexterity - 6+2 for an 8... So maybe he can't. lol)) Even as Judal is trying to leap his way down the mountain though, the new guy lets out a blast of fire which seems to all but consume the creature, definitely killing it... The distraction of it all causes Judal to miss a step and go slipping and sliding down the mountain after it.
"...this is not good..." and with those magically infused words Judal Misty Step's his way back up to his previous spot on the mountain. He immediately starts brushing the dirt and debris from his cloak as if nothing had happened.
"And you are...?" he calls out, looking towards the new guy.
With the death of the rather craven hydra, Riair takes stock of the situation and approaches the party. The Eladrin dressed in blue bows and flourishes with a complicated gesture, recognizable as a sign of mild respect for those familiar with the etiquette of the winter fey.
"Greetings and salutations. I am Riair Vakav Afioifa, scholar of magic and folklore, tutor to royal, orator of great skill and loquaciousness, retainer to Her Royal Majesty, Queen Morgana of the Winter Court. Her Highness, Lelith, whom you may be familiar with, can vouch for my identity as I have served her in many a capacity in the past," the wizard says as he gestures towards the other winter Eladrin. "There have been certain disturbing reports of incidents involving Your Highness, and Her Royal Majesty is deeply amused at the whole affair and dearly wishes to have a greater hand in such incidents. As such, she has seen fit to dispatch an agent, my august self, to accompany this band. Might I have your names? Lelith, of course, I am quite familiar with, but I have not had the pleasure of being introduced to you."
Lelith's annoyance was palpable as she leveled a reproachful gaze at her fellow kin. "I don't appreciate your casual disregard for discretion, revealing my identity to every stranger we encounter. It's as if you're guiding them straight into the heart of the Feywild, inviting them into my home," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. The casual and familiar frostbite of Winter reminded her of home and her longing for it. "Maintaining secrecy about my affiliation on Hyboria is of utmost importance!"
She paused, her gaze unwavering as she fixed her eyes upon Riair. "Or perhaps my esteemed grandmother has decided that discretion is no longer necessary?" Lelith's tone held a hint of skepticism, her doubts plain for all to see. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice softening ever so slightly. "Regardless, I can vouch for Riair's identity. I have been forewarned of his arrival and his purpose here is to safeguard me. But he is more than just a protector. He is wise and learned, guiding me through the icy corridors of our ancestral home. If you would only lend him your ear, you may find his counsel invaluable."
The wizard chuckles before speaking. "Princess, all the springs and mountains have heard of your presence on the material plane by now. Secrecy is a flimsy barrier, and one that has been irrevocably shattered. Why else would Her Enlightened Ladyship dispatch a lowly servant such as I?" asks Riair rhetorically.
"Wait, I'm supposed to give him my name AND my ear?" Judal asks with mock shock and confusion.
"If it helps, I don't know what the hell he is on about. Nor you, for that matter," Judal says in response to Lelith's concerns with a grin. "Winter Courts, grandmothers, invaluable counsel... This is all gobbledygook to me. You all have your secrets? Well I am the perfect companion for you, 'cause I just don't care. I've got my own skeletons in my own closet to deal with and have no need to poke around in yours. In the meantime, we have a world that seems about to end at any moment, at least per the kid and the wizard, so perhaps that is what we should focus on?"
Judal then strides up to Riair and holds out his hand for a good old fashioned hand shake. "Any more than just a protector to Lelith is welcome here, I guess. How do you do? I am Judal the Sladdbarn, the Disappointment, the Gauntlet of Galladoorn, the Grim Knight of Guilder, the Favorite Brother and The Forgotten Relation. But you can just call me Judal."
"Judal! Judal. Judal? Judal," speaks they fey, testing the name upon his lips, as if sampling it, tasting it. "A fine name, and a novel one. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. In time, we may even become associates. Wouldn't that be grand‽ In other matters, I must inquire into the nature of this group's journey. It had not been deemed fit for me to be informed of such matters beforehand. a fine jest to be sure, and if it would behoove you to expand my knowledge of the subject. That is to say, what is our destination, and what is the reason for traveling there?"
The streak of fire hits the Hydra square in the location where the two new heads are sprouting and then punches through into its chest. There's a second for the two remaining heads to look confused, and then the creature splits open and drops like a stone, slamming into the side of the mountain on its descent and disappearing into the canyon below.
Upon the blast of frozen lightning halting their escape Judal exclaims "Yoikes!" with all the intelligence and pompousness he can muster. Which is none... He turns to face the multi-headed creature once more, hands half raised to show their emptiness, and he calls out "Alright, alright, you don't want us leaving then, eh?"
Judal lowers his hands as it begins approaching them, one hand moving towards his weapon, the other readying a possible spell... and then the shimmering light cracks open. "Did you do that?" Judal asks, head tilting towards the hydra. "Did you?" he asks again, looking at the women.
Perception to see if the Hydra is as surprised by this as we are: 18+2 for 20...
Lelith's eyes narrowed with determination as she scoffed at the surreal scene unfolding before her. "Oh, I did do this and anticipate it, in a manner of speaking," she muttered, her gaze briefly flickering towards the shimmering kaleidoscope beyond. Despite her suspicions, she chose to temporarily disregard the impending arrival and redirected her focus towards the immediate threat—the hostile hydra that stood before them.
Her voice dripped with venomous intent as she addressed the creature, her words laced with conviction. "Beast, tis' I who shall make you my prey now," she declared, her tone seething with disdain. Swiftly and gracefully, Lelith drew her bow and expertly nocked an arrow, aligning her aim with the hydra's numerous heads.
The tension in the air grew palpable as Lelith's eyes locked onto her target. She felt the familiar weight of her bow, the taught string ready to unleash her wrath. With a surge of primal energy, she released the arrow, its trajectory guided by her fey-infused prowess. The projectile cut through the air with deadly precision, an embodiment of her determination to conquer the creature before her. Lelith's purpose was clear—to dominate this once-threatening foe and assert her superiority. Lelith felt her blood sing. She would not be deterred, for she was the hunter now, stalking her prey relentlessly.
Total Damage: 30
To Hit: 1d20 (14) + 9 = 23
Damage: 1d8 (4) + 6 + 1d6 (6) + 1d4 (3) [piercing] = 19
To Hit: 1d20 (3) + 9 = 12
Damage: 1d8 (2) + 6 + 1d6 (3) [piercing] = 11
A man steps out of the crack in reality. No, not a man - an Eladrin. Tall, thin, and extremely pale, with clear elfin features. He stands imperiously in ornate deep blue robes, arms crossed behind his back as he surveils the chaotic situation, raising an eyebrow with curiosity at the hydra. A snow owl sits on his shoulder, watching the battle with its master. "I suppose the proper introductions will have to wait, at least until the current matter is resolved. Let us dispatch this thing, shall we?" says Riair, speaking rhetorically to his familiar.
The Eladrin steps forwards and utters a magical incantation, psychically lashing at the hydra with a Mind Whip as the owl takes to the skies. He then retreats from the beast, stepping through the Feywild in a burst of ice and snow, both creating distance from the creature and closing in on the collected company a fair ways away. He waves politely at the party in greeting as he calmly approaches, acting unruffled even in the midst of combat.
(Tasha's Mind Whip: Int saving throw, DC 17; 13 psychic damage + can't take reactions + can only take an action, a bonus action, or a move action on its turn on fail; 6 psychic damage on success)
The first arrow drives hard into the base of one of the hydra's necks before the newcomers attack affects the same head, following the arrow like a lightning rod. The head dies even as the second arrow glances off its hard scales and zips harmlessly off into the distance...
Post Order
Malenia
Lelith
DM
Riair
Judal
It is Malenia's turn!
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
The brass prosthesis whirs to life yet both of her weapons were already in hand and ignited. Taking a breath and recalling just what she had learned from Master Qui-Gonn, About her needing to carve her own path. Create her own code, find her own balance in the force. Inahling through her nostrils, her prosthetic hand raise up. Clenched into a fist with her amber coloured weapon humming and pointed straight towards the stirring creature. A surge of electrical energy arced through the prosthetic arm, propelling from her palm and towards the creature that stepped towards them.
"Flowing through all, there is balance
There is no peace without a passion to createThere is no passion without peace to guide" With just a whisper, she constructs the first lines of her new path.
A surge of electrical energy arced through the prosthetic arm, propelling from her palm and towards the creature that stepped towards them.
Action: Casting Lightning bolt at 3rd level.
Must succeed a DC 17 Dex Save or take: 30 Lightning Damage. 1/2 on a success.
Bonus action: 1 ki point for Patient defence.
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Lelith fires two arrows at the Hydra.
To Hit: 1d20 (10) + 9 =
19Damage: 1d8 (1) + 6 + 1d6 (4) + 1d4 (4) [piercing] =15To Hit: 1d20 (19) + 9 =
28Damage: 1d8 (3) + 6 + 1d6 (6) [piercing] =15Total Damage: 30There is a loud crackling sound as the hydra is struck head-on by the lightning bolt, and one neck goes limp. A split second later, two arrows strike another head, killing it as well.
The hydra's remaining two heads shriek as the thing turns, it's body flashing a myriad of colors, and flies down over the side of the mountain to escape...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Raising an eyebrow at the fleeing beast, Riair decides to pursue the creature. It would not get away on this day. Pursuing and chanting, the wizard recasts the spell he used before, causing mental energy to flog and thrash the many heads of the hydra again.
Move: 30ft towards the hydra
Action: Cast Tasha's Mind Whip (Int saving throw, DC 17; 4 psychic damage + can't take reactions + can only take an action, a bonus action, or a move action on its turn on fail; 2 psychic damage on success)
“Umm, guys?” Judal calls out as he warily steps to the edge and looks over it for signs of the fleeing beast. “Did this seem… TOO easy?”
Judal takes a quick look around suspicious that they may have missed something. (Perception: 15, plus he has 30’ blindsight…) “Could there be more around? Or a mommy beastie? What was all that “Bidi Bidi Bidi’ about?”
“And who is the new guy??” Judal finishes with a flourish after a dramatic pause…
—-
If Judal did see the creature still when he looked over the edge, Judal lazily tosses a couple Eldritch Blast bolts at it to further encourage it to flee. Holding his non-shield hand by his side and focusing all his energy there, the hand starts to glow with a golden aura with two dark red orbs spinning around the closed fist. The orbs spin faster and faster until Judal throws forth his hand at the target as if throwing a rock to skip across the surface of a pond. Only no rocks are cast, just the twin dark orbs which do skip and bounce and ricochet until, hopefully, finding their target…
Eldritch Blast
First beam: 11 to hit, 3 damage
Second beam: 21 to hit, 3 damage
"Figure that out later, Finish the creature before it attacks someone who cant defend themselves!" Malenia uncharacteristically shouts over her shoulder as a wave of crimson rushes past her companions and the newcomer. In a impressive display of speed and acrobatics, Malneia barrels down the mountain towards the fleeing Hydra, Intent on finishing what the creature had started. Each footfall landing for only a moment before moving to another, she keen fae vision already plotting the most direct path towards the wounded creature.
Action: Dash 45 feet
Movement: 45 feet
Bonus action: Step of the Wind for another 45 feet until Im right beside the Hydra.
If it tries to move out of my melee range. Sentinel attack to stop it.
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
"My prey will not escape!" Lelith sneered in disdain as she nocked an arrow at the Hydra for daring to flee.
BA: Hunter's Mark
To Hit: 1d20 (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d8 (3) + 6 + 1d6 (4) + 1d4 (2) [piercing] = 15
Judal's Eldtitch Blasts both strike the hydra. The first splashes harmlessly over its scales, but the second hits directly behind it, throwing busted scales into the air. The hydra hissed, snapped at the flying magic, and suddenly, as it prepared itself to move, an arrow stuck it while Malenia reached from the rock she landed on to nail it with an attack.
The hydra turned its attention to her, snapping its two remaining heads at her in an attempt to clamp down, but both miss, snapping the air around her and keeping the monster too busy to move on.
Suddenly, one of the dead heads fell away, falling down the side of the mountain while two more sprout from the monster in its place, snaking together from sinew growing from the beast's body...
Post Order
Malenia
Lelith
DM
Riair
Judal
It is Riair's turn!
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Fire, as distasteful as it may be to associate with the element of Summer, would likely be the answer here. He points his finger at the hydra, and a great gout of flame erupts from it to sear and burn the regenerative flesh of the beast.
Action: Firebolt
To hit: d20 (20) + 9, Crit!
Damage: 2d10 + 20 = 35 fire damage + additional random effect
"Looks like we're doing this," Judal says to himself and will climb/jump down the mountain side to try to get within sixty feet of the beast if possible. He is not as graceful as others perhaps but he thinks he can maybe do it without killing himself? ((Dexterity - 6+2 for an 8... So maybe he can't. lol)) Even as Judal is trying to leap his way down the mountain though, the new guy lets out a blast of fire which seems to all but consume the creature, definitely killing it... The distraction of it all causes Judal to miss a step and go slipping and sliding down the mountain after it.
"...this is not good..." and with those magically infused words Judal Misty Step's his way back up to his previous spot on the mountain. He immediately starts brushing the dirt and debris from his cloak as if nothing had happened.
"And you are...?" he calls out, looking towards the new guy.
With the death of the rather craven hydra, Riair takes stock of the situation and approaches the party. The Eladrin dressed in blue bows and flourishes with a complicated gesture, recognizable as a sign of mild respect for those familiar with the etiquette of the winter fey.
"Greetings and salutations. I am Riair Vakav Afioifa, scholar of magic and folklore, tutor to royal, orator of great skill and loquaciousness, retainer to Her Royal Majesty, Queen Morgana of the Winter Court. Her Highness, Lelith, whom you may be familiar with, can vouch for my identity as I have served her in many a capacity in the past," the wizard says as he gestures towards the other winter Eladrin. "There have been certain disturbing reports of incidents involving Your Highness, and Her Royal Majesty is deeply amused at the whole affair and dearly wishes to have a greater hand in such incidents. As such, she has seen fit to dispatch an agent, my august self, to accompany this band. Might I have your names? Lelith, of course, I am quite familiar with, but I have not had the pleasure of being introduced to you."
Lelith's annoyance was palpable as she leveled a reproachful gaze at her fellow kin. "I don't appreciate your casual disregard for discretion, revealing my identity to every stranger we encounter. It's as if you're guiding them straight into the heart of the Feywild, inviting them into my home," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. The casual and familiar frostbite of Winter reminded her of home and her longing for it. "Maintaining secrecy about my affiliation on Hyboria is of utmost importance!"
She paused, her gaze unwavering as she fixed her eyes upon Riair. "Or perhaps my esteemed grandmother has decided that discretion is no longer necessary?" Lelith's tone held a hint of skepticism, her doubts plain for all to see. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice softening ever so slightly. "Regardless, I can vouch for Riair's identity. I have been forewarned of his arrival and his purpose here is to safeguard me. But he is more than just a protector. He is wise and learned, guiding me through the icy corridors of our ancestral home. If you would only lend him your ear, you may find his counsel invaluable."
The wizard chuckles before speaking. "Princess, all the springs and mountains have heard of your presence on the material plane by now. Secrecy is a flimsy barrier, and one that has been irrevocably shattered. Why else would Her Enlightened Ladyship dispatch a lowly servant such as I?" asks Riair rhetorically.
"Wait, I'm supposed to give him my name AND my ear?" Judal asks with mock shock and confusion.
"If it helps, I don't know what the hell he is on about. Nor you, for that matter," Judal says in response to Lelith's concerns with a grin. "Winter Courts, grandmothers, invaluable counsel... This is all gobbledygook to me. You all have your secrets? Well I am the perfect companion for you, 'cause I just don't care. I've got my own skeletons in my own closet to deal with and have no need to poke around in yours. In the meantime, we have a world that seems about to end at any moment, at least per the kid and the wizard, so perhaps that is what we should focus on?"
Judal then strides up to Riair and holds out his hand for a good old fashioned hand shake. "Any more than just a protector to Lelith is welcome here, I guess. How do you do? I am Judal the Sladdbarn, the Disappointment, the Gauntlet of Galladoorn, the Grim Knight of Guilder, the Favorite Brother and The Forgotten Relation. But you can just call me Judal."
"Judal! Judal. Judal? Judal," speaks they fey, testing the name upon his lips, as if sampling it, tasting it. "A fine name, and a novel one. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. In time, we may even become associates. Wouldn't that be grand‽ In other matters, I must inquire into the nature of this group's journey. It had not been deemed fit for me to be informed of such matters beforehand. a fine jest to be sure, and if it would behoove you to expand my knowledge of the subject. That is to say, what is our destination, and what is the reason for traveling there?"
The streak of fire hits the Hydra square in the location where the two new heads are sprouting and then punches through into its chest. There's a second for the two remaining heads to look confused, and then the creature splits open and drops like a stone, slamming into the side of the mountain on its descent and disappearing into the canyon below.
While the group is caught up in introductions...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York