Heavy is the Head - Campaign thread

Saoirse has a mix of emotions running inside her head right now. She's first and foremost worried because Poniros is running away from them. But then she is amazed by the transformation that has happened in front of her. Understanding Hemlock's intentions, she's also eager to hop on the magnificent horse and chase after the doppelganger. But something stops her, even if it is for just a second. She doesn't know that much about horses. Yes, she's surely taken a couple of lessons, but she's definitely far from being as good in that as she is at handling not one but two weapons simultaneously.

She knows they are in a rush, but she also knows that if she rushes this, even if it is Hemlock, things might get bad. So she approaches a hand towards the warhorse's forehead, and if she doesn't feel him flinching, then she'll interpret she's allowed to hop on him. Then she'll let him lead her to Poniros.

As that happens, the blood hunter focuses her gaze on their target.

Horse-lock tries to lower his front legs to allow Saoirse to climb on more easily, but seeing she is a little hesitant, he reaches out into her mind.

"I know this is new, but we will work it out together. Just tell me if there is somewhere you would like to go, and hold onto my mane", he says.

With that said, as soon as Saoirse is in place, he lurches forward into the pantry to move behind Poniros, not exactly gracefully for his first attempt, but having had experience with four legs and even as many as eight it is not as unfamiliar as it might have been.

Reaction Movement: Heads into the pantry and behind Poniros within melee range, trying to block him in amongst what look like barrels

Saoirse breathes in and out a couple of times and thinks "Okay ... okay ... we got this. I'll try to bind Poniros in place again as soon as he is within reach of my curse", as she grabs Horse-lock's mane. She doesn't want to use her hands for anything else at the moment. They are both still learning, after all.

Then, when they are next to Poniros, and regardless of the blood curse having effect or not, Saoirse will try to jump over Poniros to grapple him.

Saoirse rounds the corner astride Horselock, and her blood burns within her as her magic reaches out to bind the Doppelganger, but Poniros is able to shake off the blood curse, and strikes with a fist much stronger than Lichen could have. The fist connects with Hemlock's warhorse form, (11 to hit, 6 bludgeoning damage). Poniros is pinned between shelves in the pantry, and calls out "Help!" in Lichen's voice. <Many of them don't trust you, and will protect their darling Lichen from your violence... and if you ever want to see the young Firbolg again, you will let me go free.>

As he thinks that, he continues to flail at the warhorse, slaming his arms against your chest and neck, (18 to hit, 9 damage; 26 to hit, 12 damage). Horselock can feel his ribs crack, and in the moment when he feels death reaching out for him, his body collapses back to its normal size, only slightly injured. It is the first time you have felt that magical defense mechanism - reverting to your own body to avoid a mortal wound - and it is extremely shocking. (Remember that Hemlock's humanoid form takes spillover damage, and you've got a bunch of Con saves to hold on to detect thoughts). Even more shocking is the fact that you are suddenly a Firbolg with a Genasi sitting on your shoulders - Saoirse and Hemlock both roll dex saves (DC 15) to avoid falling prone. If you both fail, Poniros will make a run for it with his remaining movement. 

It is Hemlock's Turn. https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP

Lam and Sha follow Hermes (closely and carefully) and João to North Branch, where all of the teens (minus Lichen, who is absent) are shouting back and forth at each other about which one of them is an imposter. Apparently, Leonor thinks Karla is a doppelganger because Karla said they shouldn't be trying to fight anymore, but Karla is just trying to be smart, and she thinks that Leonor is a doppelganger because Leonor doesn't seem to be feeling guilty enough about what happened to Frederico, even though she totally does feel guilty...   There is a lot of shouting as you approach, and it is clear that the scuffle that you heard earlier has ended with Kristoff grappling Karla, and Kurt grappling Leonor, and a real possibility of a fight happening if either lets go. When you two walk in, everyone quiets down and turns, expecting you to say something wise. Hermes cuts in before you can speak. "Oh my, I understand why you're afraid. What if the real Frederico never even made it back?" 

You've only got seconds before that suggestion causes enough chaos to give Hermes a chance to escape.

 https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP

(Saoirse's DEX ST is 15)

“Listen, Fredrick’s life was literally in our hands that close to death and such a sacrifice, could not be an act!  And thinking someone is acting oddly is not proof of anything.  Doppelgängers are real just like us and they can chose to be good or bad just like us.  Unless you have proof don’t fight amongst yourselves, we need to stick together.  Hermes you can stop right there!”

persuasion 21

Lam nods at Sha’s wise words. He never allows Hermes out of his sight or his reach. He listens to the teenagers’ quarrel with growing concern, but never takes his eyes off the doppelgänger. As soon as Hermes begins to speak, Lam moves his greataxe, almost planning to swing at Hermes- but once he thinks he sees what Hermes is going for, makes himself wait. As Sha speaks, Lam stands tall and directs his words to cut through the panic, though he still doesn’t take his eyes off the doppelgänger as he speaks immediately after Sha: “I. Carried. Frederico. Myself. He made it back. HERMES. Everyone. Stop.”

Lam moves himself to where he can look at the kids without letting Hermes leave his sight, taking a few slow steps as he prepares his next words.

Horse-lock

Con Save 1: 8+2=10 (success)
Con Save 2: 12+2=14 (success)
Con Save 3: 2+2=4 (fail)
Dex Save: 20+2=22

Horse-lock is not prepared for the assault the doppelganger lays upon him, having hoped that being unarmed would have at least made it less dangerous. Somewhere in the back of his mind as he reverts to his natural form he is grateful that this was not to his natural form, or to Saoirse. He is also grateful for the aid Sha had given him, knowing that the damage would be far worse if not for that.

As he becomes a firbolg again, he feels his ability to read the doppelgangers thoughts flit away, but does manage to avoid falling down under the weight of Saoirse on his shoulders.

Knowing that he is no match for this creature, having depleted almost all of his resources having been forced into combat many times already during the day, he feels he has no choice but to once again change his form. Hoping to choose one that is more capable in close quarters.

And so with Saoirse safely on the floor, his body once again swells and grows, with fur appearing all over him. When the change is complete, Bear-lock stands before the doppelganger blocking it's path.

"No ... no no no no... NO!!" are Saoirse's thoughts as she sees how Poniros is clearly taking advantage of the situation. This can't be happening, they can't just let this  doppelganger beat them! Considering her options, the blood hunter decides to scream for help. She's doesn't know what Sha and Lam are up to, but hoping they are still within earshot she screams for at least one of them to come help. Especially, the one who will be able to both hurt and expose Poniros.

- SHA-GRAVIS!! HELP!! ENLIGHTEN US!!

She'll then draw both her weapons simultaneously, knowing that even if she doesn't attack just yet, Swordbreaker can help her parry incoming attacks. Once she does that, she'll try to grapple Poniros again.

Sha-Gravis hears Saoirse’s cry for help.  Looking at Lam, “Stay with this troublemaker!”  With that he turns and runs using feline agility (either he will then dash or cast moonbeam as Saoirse requested depending on range and distance)

(Leaving Saoirse's CON Save in case it ends up being necessary: 10. Oopsie daisy)

... Alright, we'll allow all this craziness. :)

Hemlock expands into a bear, and the world first seems to go black and white and slightly out of focus, until you are flooded with new colour and knowledge of your surroundings, through your snout. You know exactly which ingredients are in all of the containers on the shelves around you, and you could probably rank them.in order of when they were harvested without opening any jars. You know Saoirse's scent, though you may not have been aware of it before, and so you know that she is trust. She is friend. You are aware that she is still.standing on you, because you feel her there above your powerfully muscular shoulders and thick hide. And in front of you, you smell the wrongness shaped like Lichen, the threat that mist be torn asunder by your long claws and deadly maw. Then the good smell leaps toward the bad one.

Saoirse draws her weapons and shouts, almost in the same moment that she leaps off of Bearlock's back and tackles. Poniros before he can process everything happening in front of him. They both manage to stay standing, but now Saoirse has the upper hand, with her arms wrapped around the creature's neck, blades ready for any misstep.

Sha-Gravis sprints into the food storage room, appearing suddenly like a cat chasing its prey, and a beam of silver moonlight suddenly shoots down from the ceiling onto Poniros and Saoirse. The doppelganger shrieks, and its skin goes sallow ang gray, its eyes go black, and the image of a young firbolg is subsumed by the inhuman, alien form of a doppelganger's true shape.

Sha left behind the squabbling teenagers and Lam, though the teens' disagreement had fizzled out at their wise words, and ends at the moment that Saoirse shouts for help. Kurt and Kristoff immediately let go of Leonor and Karla, and turn to Lam with expressions that silently ask "can we go help?" Karla is more direct, speaking aloud "We will not let them turn us against each other. Tell us what to do, Onkel." (The significance of this appelate may not be clear to Lam. In Elvish, calling respected people 'Tio' is common, but the translation to Goblin might not carry that subtext.)

Hermes can see that this ploy, too, has failed, but continues to connive for a way to escape. "Looks like your friend needs you, big guy. Dont worry, I'll wait here," he lies obviously.

João is already following Sha-Gravis. He feels that he owes Saoirse for protecting him in the last battle a few hours ago.

Poniros struggles, but seems to shocked by the blinding moonlight to put up a good attempt at escaping Saoirse's grasp. (Rolled a 9 on an attempt to escape the grapple, Saoirse must roll to maintain it. If he gets out, he will try to squeeze between the containers beside him to run towards the lift).

Lam and Sha-gravis, roll initiative.

Saoirse grits her teeth as the sees Sha begin to cast, and though she tries to avoid the moonbeam, she's not able to. She could have if she had let Poniros go, but the stubborn genasi just doesn't want to loose this fight and let the doppelganger escape.

So she takes the full brunt of the moonbeam and looks ... very hurt. Even more than when se faced Hermes. But still she tries to keep her hold on Poniros... (OOC: Athletics 16) 

 When Sha is able he will direct the moonbeam to exclude Saoirse if possible, other actions yet to be decided.

Alright, look a the top of this for a (hopefully) functional battlemap.

Turn order: Poniros; Lam; Hemlock; Hermes; Teens; Saoirse; Sha

(We can let Sha try to adjust the moonbeam before Saoirse's turn, but it will take his action for this round.)

Lam feels pride swell in his chest witnessing the commendable behavior of the teenagers. He says, “Doppelgänger can read thoughts. Do not trust their words. No NOT fight unless you KNOW who is who.” He does not answer the silent question out loud, but he gives an affirmative nod to the teens.

Then he turns to Hermes. “Hermes. Come with me.” Then he waits, clearly not intending to leave the doppelgänger’s side.

OOC: I'll allow you to prepare either/or. So if he does the wrong thing, attack. If he walks in the right direction, you'll just walk with him.

Turn order: Poniros; Lam; Bearlock; Hermes; Teens; Saoirse; Sha

Bearlock marvels at how differently he now perceives the world, through scent more than sight, but he doesn't lose focus. Even as the familiar feline scent of Sha-Gravis enters his snout he remains fixated on the threat of the doppleganger.

He reaches out with his mind to give Poniros an ultimatum, but doesn't wait for a response.

"Tell us where Lichen is and that he is safe, or you will not leave here. Speak the truth", he commands telepathically. He is deadly serious.

He then swipes a large clawed paw at Poniros, before leaning in and attempting to rip out his throat with his teeth.

Movement: Only enough to be adjacent to Poniros whilst not entering the Moonbeam
Action: Multiattack against Poniros
Claw: To Hit: 9+4=13, Damage 1+2+2=5 [slashing]
Bite: To Hit: 19+4=23, Damage 2+2=4 [slashing]

Bearlock's claws swipe through the air, and the fur seems to change colour back to Hemlock's own as the paw moves through the moonlight - though there is no time to think about that, as he snaps his teeth forward, and pulls them back full of grey, oozey flesh. Poniros curses in pain. "Stop this at once. Lichen, and the others, are hidden, and you will not find them without me."

"Fine, these kids respect you, and I can't turn them against each other. But you know an animal is at it's most dangerous when it's back is against the wall." Hermes lunges towards Karla, and swings a fist that seems to grow along the way into the young bugbear's face. You attack him as he moves (please roll the attack), but a single hit is not enough to take him down. 

With Karla reeling, and injured, and all the teens shocked, Hermes wraps his arm around her, and it stretches all the way around and tightens like a snake. She struggles, but is not able to escape. Hermes turns towards Lam. "You will tell the children not to produce their weapons, to sit down, and stop. And you will let me walk away. I'm pretty sure I can kill this one before you can take me down."

Kurt and Kristoff look with laser-eyed focus, and they reach towards anything that could be used as a weapon, but their eyes dart towards Lam before making any movement - the doppelganger's threat is much to serious. Leonor begins to dart across the circle, but a small grunt escapes Karla as the arm tightens around her - and she looks to Lam as well. Karla continues to struggle, but can not break free of the monster's grasp. Joao is single-minded in his sprint towards Saoirse's shout, and does not notice this scene happening. He dashes to stop just behind Bearlock, although he doesn't seem to know exactly what to do from there.

Turn order: Poniros; Lam; Bearlock; Hermes; Teens; Saoirse; Sha

https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP&nbsp;  (OOC, I went ahead and moved the moonbeam so that it's only on Poniros. Sha can still have a full turn. I figure it's enough that Saoirse took the first hit.)

Despite being in a terrible shape, Saoirse still tries to keep her hold on Poniros, but it's clear that neither luck - nor vitality - is on her side this time. Even so, she tries to swing the rapier at him, but that she also fails (OOC: Rapier to hit: 10. Athletics roll for when he tries to escape: 6).

- ... don't let ... him ... go...! - she pleads to her closest allies. If only they were able to keep doppelganger in place, or run after him if he does end up escaping. Because she's failing. She's definitely going to fail in the last moment.