But the frothing creature is betrayed by its fury and thrusts just a bit too hard, sending it slightly off balance so the trident just barely misses Uz.
Round 3, initiative count 16:
Cove ambusher #2 initiative 20 - undamaged
Main (clearing) bullywug leader initiative 17 - 24 damage
Stepping nimbly to his right, Tarton avoids the spear thrown at him by the bullywug that jumped upon the log. "Hah! You'll have to be better than that to get me!" Taron says with a smirk, but his smugness doesn't last long as a frog mount immediately jumps over the log, landing right next to him and bites him.
As Tarton struggles to free his one arm and half of his upper torso from the frogs mouth, his legs and one arm holding his bow comically flailing in the air, he misses all that happened since his head entered the frogs mouth. Finally, after pushing against the frogs lips with his one arm and legs (STR save in log: 11) Tarton barely frees himself from the frog's mouth. "Gaa!" he says as he suddenly pops free of the frogs mouth. Using the momentum from suddenly getting free, Tarton moves 20 feet east, away from the frog (Cunning Action (bonus action) to disengage).
As he puts away his short bow in order to draw his dagger next round, he looks down and sees his new cloak has been utterly ruined. "Mother-in-law's burnt biscuits! I just got this!" Tarton curses at the frog.
As the giant frog’s slimy jaws clamped down on Zladark, he grunted in pain, the force of the bite jarring through his ribs. But the moment of pain was brief — fleeting — replaced by a surge of instinct. Gritting his teeth, he planted his feet against the inside of the creature’s mouth and strained to force the jaws apart. His muscles trembled with the effort, but brute strength was never his greatest tool, and the jaws held fast.
Then came the fetid stench — the reek of marsh gas and rot — and the sound of wet, unnatural movement behind him. One of the creatures he had already struck down was rising again. Zladark felt his heart race, but instead of giving in to fear or frustration, he centered himself.
He inhaled deeply, filtering out the stench as best he could, and shifted his focus from pain to purpose. Inside the beast’s maw, Zladark began to move with purpose — slow, deliberate motions. He adjusted his stance, angling his limbs and aligning his weight. Even in this impossible position, he attempted to adopt the defensive form of his monk order — a practice of readiness, awareness, and fluid reaction.
He couldn't move freely, not yet, but he would be ready. Every twitch of the frog’s jaw, every vibration in the ground, every movement of his allies would be felt, measured, and prepared for — because even inside the mouth of a monster, The Black Rose would not be caught unaware.
I’m assuming that since I have the same initiative, it’s okay for me to post now. Zladark will try to break free but fails, with only an 8 as the result of my Strength check. I also take the Dodge action using Patient Defense, so it only costs a bonus action.
I’m assuming that attempting to break free costs an action, but let me know if that’s not the case—then I’d still have one more action to use.
Also, could I attempt to use Dexterity next time? Maybe even Acrobatics? If not, maybe Athletics? Or do you prefer a Strength saving throw or a regular Strength check?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(oh yeah, it definitely costs an action to try and pull free -- 'at stuff STICKee!!! As far as Acrobatics or Dexterity, I'd say that once you're in the mouth there's not really room to maneuver in the way you would need to if you're just trying to use general agility to get free ... that needs STR too. However, a trained Acrobat would be familiar with contortionist and escape moves; so I'd say that if you succeed on an Acrobatics roll pf DC12 you can then proceed to roll a STR save with advantage to escape from the frog's mouth)
The nimble halfling pops loose from his slimy prison and quickly takes up a new position, though at the cost of some personal dignity and an absolutely ruined new velvet cloak. Zladark, though his greater height prevents him from being utterly engulfed, correspondingly presents a greater surface area of limbs and body for his amphibian assailant to wrap its tongue around, and consequently remains partially enveloped by the giant frog's mouth (Grappled [Condition]). Even so, his firmly planted feet and nimbly shifting body as he keeps his balance centered indicate that the monk is far from helpless.
The bullywug bullies in the clearing are apparently satisfied with the progress their side has made, though, despite being a little shaken initially when Arti's fire bolt engulfed their leader. They let out a ragged, croaking cheer before each moves to continue its attack on the target it selected last round; those who have spears clutch the shaft in both hands and thrust them forward with a good will. Gwrgi watches them approach with a critical sneer. "That's why most sentient beings prefer lizardfolk to bullywugs. No discipline." Quickly readying her crossbow, she sends a bolt at the shambling zombie as it stalks towards Zladark and Arti.
===***===
Bullywug # attack (short axe, vs. Tarton) 6; damage if hits 4 slashing
Bullywug #2 attack (spear, vs. Zladark) 17; damage if hits 4 piercing
Bullywug #3 attack (spear, vs. Arti) 13; damage if hits 6 piercing
Gwrgi's crossbow attack 12; damage if hits 2 piercing
(...and yes, you most probably will level up after this combat, and under the 2014 rules we've been sticking with its the all-important 3rd level where most of you get a chance to specialize to a subclass. So start thinking about how you want to grow your characters, Among other things, DragonHunters asked me a little while ago about using a feature from the new 2024 rules whereby eladrin have a 'season' that their mood and manifestation corresponds with {https://www.dndbeyond.com/species/1026386-eladrin}. I think this sounds interesting; the one thing I was concerned about is that it gives Artifex an extra magical effect added on to their fey step power, and I thought that for fairness' sake the other characters should also get an extra power that would be roughly equivalent in usefulness at the same time. I am not by any means saying I'll approve anything, but I thought I'd like to give you all some input as to what you think would be useful and fun for your character. Try and balance it power-wuse with the 3rd level season upgrade listed under 'fey step' in the eladrin entry ab ove.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The bullywug tridenteer's furious snarl suddenly transforms into a look of pure shock; but the hatred in its eyes only redoubles as Uz's sword bites deep into its neck. For a moment he thinks he has killed the creature, but it manages to stay on its feet, though swaying badly. It calls out to its leader for help as it points to the hobgoblin, but that froganoid has finally been driven beyond reason and caution by reason of the taunts of Artifex, and it leaps after them furiously. The net it leaves behind in its rage, but charges with sword raised and mouth open as if it had a mind to chop the eladrin up and devour them whole and raw in one fell swoop.
The second tridenteer proves more help, crying out in alarm as it sees its companion's. plight and moving forward with its own weapon lowered in one hand to try and fend Uz off. It keeps hold of its net with the other but holds that in reserve for its defense in case of a counterattack by the agile hobgoblin warrior. Meantime, in the clearing, the archer sways back and forth between targets before deciding to take a shot at Gwrgi.
===***===
Bullywug cove leader vs. Artifex:
-kukri (shortsword) 8; damage if hits 7 slashing
- bite 14; damage if hits 5 piercing
Bullywug tridenteer vs. Uz 14; damage if hits 9 piercing
Bullywug archer vs. Gwrgi 25; damage if hits 5 piercing
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Meanwhile, the giant frogs are just beginning to process the updated situation through their slow amphibian brains. The one whose jaws envelop Zladark instinctively attempts to swallow him, only to find that he is too large to fit down its gullet (Swallow attack only works vs. Small and smaller creatures). Instead it digs its webbed toes into the marshy earth and slowly drags him towards its master's master .,. the croakling shaman ... despite his firm-footed stance. Even so, his training allows him to shift his weight from side to side to slow his adversary down as much as possible {GRAPPLED (CONDITION): While you have the Grappled condition, you experience the following effects." ... "Movable. The grappler can drag or carry you when it moves, but every foot of movement costs it 1 extra foot unless you are Tiny or two or more sizes smaller than it."} Consequently, it dots not even get as far as the archer's position, though the look of stupid stubbornness on its face clearly indicates its intent to try again. *(Zladark: you can roll another STR save, with or without a preliminary Acrobatics roll as per previous post, to try and break free from the frog's jaws at a position just in front of the bullywug archer)
The remaining two frogs have no intention of being deprived of a more easily consumable meal, and resume their attacks on Tarton and Arti. The nimble rogue's attacker, having actually gotten a taste of him, finds the savor of halfling sweet and enthusiastically leaps after him to try another bite. There is a brief staredown between the two frogs attacking Arti, but the quicker one is clearly dominant and soon resumes its assault on her while the disappointed gamma frog leaps towards Gwrgi in hopes to be in position to try a taste of silver dragonborn next turn.
===***===
Giant frog #1 bite attack vs. Tarton11; damage if hits 3 piercing and grappled unless succeed on DC11 STR save
Giant frog #2 bite attack vs. Arti11; damage if hits 8 piercing and grappled unless succeed on DC11 STR save
The frogman lunged with his crude spear, aiming for Zladark’s exposed side. Despite having assumed the defensive stance of his monk order, there was only so much he could do while trapped within the slimy, crushing jaws of the giant frog. He twisting his body in the confined space, but the tip of the spear pierced his side, drawing a sharp hiss of pain from his lips.
Zladark cursed beneath his breath. He could feel the frog’s powerful legs tensing and releasing as it began to hop, dragging him helplessly across the damp ground toward the frog shaman. Each bounce jarred his body, the stench of swamp gas and rotting vegetation clinging to every breath he took.
Refusing to give in, he summoned every ounce of focus and strength he could muster. Muscles tensed, he braced his feet against the inner curve of the creature’s mouth and tried once again to wriggle free, using his monk training and acrobatic finesse to slip from its grasp.
But it wasn’t enough.
The jaws held firm. His breath came hard now, frustration and desperation building in equal measure. He knew time was running short — the frog shaman loomed closer. Still, he would not give up. Not while his allies still fought.
Saorsirse init 6 if next will run 10ft out of forest, speak a blessing on Zladark using bless and then take an archer’s stance. “Please master Finnian, allow the monk to free himself from that frog! Mo ghile mear!
Saorirse will run 10 ft out of the forest and, raising her eyes and arms, speak a prayer for help. “Please, master Finnian, give the man strength enough to get free of that horrid creature's mouth. Mo ghile mear!
As Saorsirse emerges from a clump of reeds so thick that it might well be called a forest of them, her sudden appearance draws the eyes of all in clearing and cove. But the strangest look is on the face of Arti. The vigorous-tongued dwarven priestess looks ... resigned. She mutters to herself, "Is He calling me to yet another life, then? Yet another story? But ... oh Moradin, did it HAVE to be an eeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllfffffffffffffffffffffff ... !!!" Her voice trails off, and while the onlookers watch in amaze her body dissolves into mist and is gone. There are only some sparkling gold-and-red motes of light that float over to Saorsirse 's hand and sink into her skin. She blinks in surprise, but then returns to the blessing spell she is casting with a new awareness in her eyes.
===***===
Zladark: "Whenever (you) make... an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends (1 minute), add... 1d4 to the attack roll or save."
(OOP: and Artifex is up, followed by the swamp zombie to close round 3)
Artifex visibly perks up at the healing, and though there's still a hint of pain behind Its eyes, the Eladrin is once again laughing, almost reveling in the moment. They spring to their feet, lively as ever, just in time to avoid the enraged cove-leader's first attack. They easily side-step the clumsily attempted bite, shaking Its head in mock disappointment. "Now now, don't be rude. You've already been inside me once."
They draw their daggers with a flourish, their grin twisting, a cruel sort of glee spreading across their face. "I insist, allow me to return the favor. I do so enjoy getting my hands dirty."
Just as Artifex is about to land a pair of stabs even more piercing than their wit, a hideous moaning gurgle rips from the throat of the swamp zombie in the clearing ahead of them. While the unflappable eladrin easily manages to avoid flinching, their target does not. Its amphibian legs amplify the movement into a startled jump upward that by pure chance is just enough to catch both daggers in the webs of the bullywug's flailing hands and feet. The thin membrane quickly tears loose, but since it does not have any vital blood vessels supplying it neither wound amounts to more than a superficial laceration.
The zombie moans again in confusion and frustration, seeing Arti strangely vanish and Zladark being dragged farther from its slime-befouled talons with every hop of his captor. It looks about as if, in its small vestigial brain, the effort and risk of crawling over the log to try and get at Tarton is precisely balanced with that of continuing to pursue a meal that might involve fighting the frog already consuming said meal. (d6: 1-3 Tarton; 4-6 Zladark/TBR 5)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
In the end, sheer bulk wins out in the undead bullywug;s tiny necroconsciousness, and it shambles after the Medium-sized monk. With its hesitation, it is unable to catch up with him this round, and it starts to heave and bubble and hiss in its frustration. A thick cloud of noxious fumes are released into the air as festering pustules rise up through the reanimated corpse's flesh, which has begun to decay and putrefy with unnatural speed; each roils and burbles when it reaches the outer air before bursting and releasing its load of putrid vapours.
===***===
Reeking Miasma - The swamp zombie releases foul-smelling marsh gas in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on itself. Each creature in that area must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 5 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The cloud acts as a stinking cloud on subsequent rounds to those who failed their saves, requiring a new CON save at the same DC. Success will end the effect.
The faces of most of the bullywugs and frogs in the clearing indicate that they had never expected a result of this kind, but the mad bullywug shaman's countenance betrays only a grim resignation. Though there is some slight hint that this might have been the reason for its obvious reluctance to raise the thing a few moments ago.
===****!!!!!*******===
Shaman's CON save 16
===***===
Meanwhile, by the landing, the most nimble of the tridenteers is well clear of the stench but bleeding badly from the wounds Uzhas inflicted upon it. It grasps its weapon with both hands and desperately lunges forward in what is clearly a last ditch charge of desperation (two-handed damage, but with disadvantage to atk due to the creature's passing parlous state)
===***===
Trident attack 6; damage if hits 7 piercing
===***===
(Tarton is up! aaaand just in the edge of the cloud!)
As Tarton struggles to free his one arm and half of his upper torso from the frogs mouth, his legs and one arm holding his bow comically flailing in the air, he misses all that happened since his head entered the frogs mouth. Finally, after pushing against the frogs lips with his one arm and legs (STR save in log: 11) Tarton barely frees himself from the frog's mouth. "Gaa!" he says as he suddenly pops free of the frogs mouth. Using the momentum from suddenly getting free, Tarton moves 20 feet east, away from the frog (Cunning Action (bonus action) to disengage).
-------------------------------------------------------- Your post on May 29 has Tarton in the same spot as todays post (July 2) so I think you missed Tarton's disengage movement (June 16 post) after getting out of the frogs mouth (highlighted in red above), which would put the bullywug and giant frog attacking Tarton outside of the zombie's Reeking Miasma AOE along with Tarton who moved away. If you have decided that Tarton can't make that move, that is fine and I will take the 4 damage (CON save: 4) and have Tarton move 25 feet to the west using his Cunning Action (BA) to disengage this time.
Zladark finally managed to squirm free from the crushing jaws of the giant frog. With a wet, sickening sound, he slid out of the beast’s maw, his robes clinging to his body, soaked in thick strands of glistening saliva. Gasping for breath, he landed on shaky feet directly in front of the creature, face-to-face with its bulbous eyes and flexing throat.
Before he could even recover his stance, a noxious wave of gas rolled over him — the fetid stench of rot and decay pouring from the reanimated monstrosity he had thought vanquished. The air turned thick and toxic, invading his lungs like smoke from a burning swamp.
Zladark choked, coughing violently, his body already battered and near its limit. But he did not fall.
Steadying his breath, he focused inward, recalling the breathing forms of his monk order. His lungs, though burning, slowly adjusted. His heartbeat calmed. His mind cleared — just enough.
Though his limbs trembled and his blood stained the edges of his tattered robes, Zladark remained standing. Barely upright, swaying like a reed in the wind, he stood his ground.
As Tarton struggles to free his one arm and half of his upper torso from the frogs mouth, his legs and one arm holding his bow comically flailing in the air, he misses all that happened since his head entered the frogs mouth. Finally, after pushing against the frogs lips with his one arm and legs (STR save in log: 11) Tarton barely frees himself from the frog's mouth. "Gaa!" he says as he suddenly pops free of the frogs mouth. Using the momentum from suddenly getting free, Tarton moves 20 feet east, away from the frog (Cunning Action (bonus action) to disengage).
-------------------------------------------------------- Your post on May 29 has Tarton in the same spot as todays post (July 2) so I think you missed Tarton's disengage movement (June 16 post) after getting out of the frogs mouth (highlighted in red above), which would put the bullywug and giant frog attacking Tarton outside of the zombie's Reeking Miasma AOE along with Tarton who moved away. If you have decided that Tarton can't make that move, that is fine and I will take the 4 damage (CON save: 4) and have Tarton move 25 feet to the west using his Cunning Action (BA) to disengage this time.
No, you're right, I did miss it. Currently a little tech-limited (mouse broke, & I'm not good enough (confident enough?) with a mousepad to handle click and drags; but soon as I'm able I'll make the fix on the visuals.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
The bullywug swings his axe at Tarton and catches him in the leg. Tarton lets out a groan of pain and frustration as he staggers from the blow. The next moment as the frog opens its mouth to bite at him again, Tarton manages to use the stagger to step to the side and avoid the massive mouth from engulfing him again.
Tarton is momentarily distracted by Arti turning into glowing particles and entering the elf. Luckily the sparkles seem to have attracted the attention of the giant frog too as it seems to be looking hungrily at the floating lights.
Quickly deciding that the bigger threat is being swallowed by the frog he pulls out his dagger and, taking advantage of the distracted frog, attacks it, getting a decent stab at its thick neck.
---------------------------------------------- Thanks for the quick reply. Perhaps using the convention DragonHunters used in his last post will make things easier to see. I know I appreciate the list of attacks at the bottom of your posts stating who it is against and the rolls.
LOVE your description of Arti's transformation. SO hilarious about how a dwarf doesn't want to become an elf. HA HA.
Item Action: Draw dagger (do you allow the drawing of a weapon as part of the attack action so Tarton could draw two daggers in one turn and attack with both? Won't use it this attack if you do allow it to simplify what you need to keep track of as there are a lot of us.) A: Dagger attack vs Giant Frog: 27, Damage: 9 pierce Sneak Attack: NA BA: None Move: None
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Stepping nimbly to his right, Tarton avoids the spear thrown at him by the bullywug that jumped upon the log. "Hah! You'll have to be better than that to get me!" Taron says with a smirk, but his smugness doesn't last long as a frog mount immediately jumps over the log, landing right next to him and bites him.
As Tarton struggles to free his one arm and half of his upper torso from the frogs mouth, his legs and one arm holding his bow comically flailing in the air, he misses all that happened since his head entered the frogs mouth. Finally, after pushing against the frogs lips with his one arm and legs (STR save in log: 11) Tarton barely frees himself from the frog's mouth. "Gaa!" he says as he suddenly pops free of the frogs mouth. Using the momentum from suddenly getting free, Tarton moves 20 feet east, away from the frog (Cunning Action (bonus action) to disengage).
As he puts away his short bow in order to draw his dagger next round, he looks down and sees his new cloak has been utterly ruined. "Mother-in-law's burnt biscuits! I just got this!" Tarton curses at the frog.
As the giant frog’s slimy jaws clamped down on Zladark, he grunted in pain, the force of the bite jarring through his ribs. But the moment of pain was brief — fleeting — replaced by a surge of instinct. Gritting his teeth, he planted his feet against the inside of the creature’s mouth and strained to force the jaws apart. His muscles trembled with the effort, but brute strength was never his greatest tool, and the jaws held fast.
Then came the fetid stench — the reek of marsh gas and rot — and the sound of wet, unnatural movement behind him. One of the creatures he had already struck down was rising again. Zladark felt his heart race, but instead of giving in to fear or frustration, he centered himself.
He inhaled deeply, filtering out the stench as best he could, and shifted his focus from pain to purpose. Inside the beast’s maw, Zladark began to move with purpose — slow, deliberate motions. He adjusted his stance, angling his limbs and aligning his weight. Even in this impossible position, he attempted to adopt the defensive form of his monk order — a practice of readiness, awareness, and fluid reaction.
He couldn't move freely, not yet, but he would be ready. Every twitch of the frog’s jaw, every vibration in the ground, every movement of his allies would be felt, measured, and prepared for — because even inside the mouth of a monster, The Black Rose would not be caught unaware.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m assuming that since I have the same initiative, it’s okay for me to post now. Zladark will try to break free but fails, with only an 8 as the result of my Strength check. I also take the Dodge action using Patient Defense, so it only costs a bonus action.
I’m assuming that attempting to break free costs an action, but let me know if that’s not the case—then I’d still have one more action to use.
Also, could I attempt to use Dexterity next time? Maybe even Acrobatics? If not, maybe Athletics? Or do you prefer a Strength saving throw or a regular Strength check?
Sorry for all the questions—hope that’s okay.
(oh yeah, it definitely costs an action to try and pull free -- 'at stuff STICKee!!! As far as Acrobatics or Dexterity, I'd say that once you're in the mouth there's not really room to maneuver in the way you would need to if you're just trying to use general agility to get free ... that needs STR too. However, a trained Acrobat would be familiar with contortionist and escape moves; so I'd say that if you succeed on an Acrobatics roll pf DC12 you can then proceed to roll a STR save with advantage to escape from the frog's mouth)
The nimble halfling pops loose from his slimy prison and quickly takes up a new position, though at the cost of some personal dignity and an absolutely ruined new velvet cloak. Zladark, though his greater height prevents him from being utterly engulfed, correspondingly presents a greater surface area of limbs and body for his amphibian assailant to wrap its tongue around, and consequently remains partially enveloped by the giant frog's mouth (Grappled [Condition]). Even so, his firmly planted feet and nimbly shifting body as he keeps his balance centered indicate that the monk is far from helpless.
The bullywug bullies in the clearing are apparently satisfied with the progress their side has made, though, despite being a little shaken initially when Arti's fire bolt engulfed their leader. They let out a ragged, croaking cheer before each moves to continue its attack on the target it selected last round; those who have spears clutch the shaft in both hands and thrust them forward with a good will. Gwrgi watches them approach with a critical sneer. "That's why most sentient beings prefer lizardfolk to bullywugs. No discipline." Quickly readying her crossbow, she sends a bolt at the shambling zombie as it stalks towards Zladark and Arti.
===***===
Bullywug # attack (short axe, vs. Tarton) 6; damage if hits 4 slashing
Bullywug #2 attack (spear, vs. Zladark) 17; damage if hits 4 piercing
Bullywug #3 attack (spear, vs. Arti) 13; damage if hits 6 piercing
Gwrgi's crossbow attack 12; damage if hits 2 piercing
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
(...and Uz is up again!)
(...and yes, you most probably will level up after this combat, and under the 2014 rules we've been sticking with its the all-important 3rd level where most of you get a chance to specialize to a subclass. So start thinking about how you want to grow your characters, Among other things, DragonHunters asked me a little while ago about using a feature from the new 2024 rules whereby eladrin have a 'season' that their mood and manifestation corresponds with {https://www.dndbeyond.com/species/1026386-eladrin}. I think this sounds interesting; the one thing I was concerned about is that it gives Artifex an extra magical effect added on to their fey step power, and I thought that for fairness' sake the other characters should also get an extra power that would be roughly equivalent in usefulness at the same time. I am not by any means saying I'll approve anything, but I thought I'd like to give you all some input as to what you think would be useful and fun for your character. Try and balance it power-wuse with the 3rd level season upgrade listed under 'fey step' in the eladrin entry ab ove.)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Uz will drop his crossbow and switch to his long sword. He will strike at the frog with the trident.
Attack: 20
Damage: 13
Then, if he killed the frog man, he would continue to move closer to his allies.
The bullywug tridenteer's furious snarl suddenly transforms into a look of pure shock; but the hatred in its eyes only redoubles as Uz's sword bites deep into its neck. For a moment he thinks he has killed the creature, but it manages to stay on its feet, though swaying badly. It calls out to its leader for help as it points to the hobgoblin, but that froganoid has finally been driven beyond reason and caution by reason of the taunts of Artifex, and it leaps after them furiously. The net it leaves behind in its rage, but charges with sword raised and mouth open as if it had a mind to chop the eladrin up and devour them whole and raw in one fell swoop.
The second tridenteer proves more help, crying out in alarm as it sees its companion's. plight and moving forward with its own weapon lowered in one hand to try and fend Uz off. It keeps hold of its net with the other but holds that in reserve for its defense in case of a counterattack by the agile hobgoblin warrior. Meantime, in the clearing, the archer sways back and forth between targets before deciding to take a shot at Gwrgi.
===***===
Bullywug cove leader vs. Artifex:
-kukri (shortsword) 8; damage if hits 7 slashing
- bite 14; damage if hits 5 piercing
Bullywug tridenteer vs. Uz 14; damage if hits 9 piercing
Bullywug archer vs. Gwrgi 25; damage if hits 5 piercing
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Meanwhile, the giant frogs are just beginning to process the updated situation through their slow amphibian brains. The one whose jaws envelop Zladark instinctively attempts to swallow him, only to find that he is too large to fit down its gullet (Swallow attack only works vs. Small and smaller creatures). Instead it digs its webbed toes into the marshy earth and slowly drags him towards its master's master .,. the croakling shaman ... despite his firm-footed stance. Even so, his training allows him to shift his weight from side to side to slow his adversary down as much as possible {GRAPPLED (CONDITION): While you have the Grappled condition, you experience the following effects." ... "Movable. The grappler can drag or carry you when it moves, but every foot of movement costs it 1 extra foot unless you are Tiny or two or more sizes smaller than it."} Consequently, it dots not even get as far as the archer's position, though the look of stupid stubbornness on its face clearly indicates its intent to try again. *(Zladark: you can roll another STR save, with or without a preliminary Acrobatics roll as per previous post, to try and break free from the frog's jaws at a position just in front of the bullywug archer)
The remaining two frogs have no intention of being deprived of a more easily consumable meal, and resume their attacks on Tarton and Arti. The nimble rogue's attacker, having actually gotten a taste of him, finds the savor of halfling sweet and enthusiastically leaps after him to try another bite. There is a brief staredown between the two frogs attacking Arti, but the quicker one is clearly dominant and soon resumes its assault on her while the disappointed gamma frog leaps towards Gwrgi in hopes to be in position to try a taste of silver dragonborn next turn.
===***===
Giant frog #1 bite attack vs. Tarton 11; damage if hits 3 piercing and grappled unless succeed on DC11 STR save
Giant frog #2 bite attack vs. Arti 11; damage if hits 8 piercing and grappled unless succeed on DC11 STR save
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
The frogman lunged with his crude spear, aiming for Zladark’s exposed side. Despite having assumed the defensive stance of his monk order, there was only so much he could do while trapped within the slimy, crushing jaws of the giant frog. He twisting his body in the confined space, but the tip of the spear pierced his side, drawing a sharp hiss of pain from his lips.
Zladark cursed beneath his breath. He could feel the frog’s powerful legs tensing and releasing as it began to hop, dragging him helplessly across the damp ground toward the frog shaman. Each bounce jarred his body, the stench of swamp gas and rotting vegetation clinging to every breath he took.
Refusing to give in, he summoned every ounce of focus and strength he could muster. Muscles tensed, he braced his feet against the inner curve of the creature’s mouth and tried once again to wriggle free, using his monk training and acrobatic finesse to slip from its grasp.
But it wasn’t enough.
The jaws held firm. His breath came hard now, frustration and desperation building in equal measure. He knew time was running short — the frog shaman loomed closer. Still, he would not give up. Not while his allies still fought.
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Acrobatics: 18
STR save: (7 and 5) 7
Saorsirse init 6 if next will run 10ft out of forest, speak a blessing on Zladark using bless and then take an archer’s stance. “Please master Finnian, allow the monk to free himself from that frog! Mo ghile mear!
Saorirse will run 10 ft out of the forest and, raising her eyes and arms, speak a prayer for help. “Please, master Finnian, give the man strength enough to get free of that horrid creature's mouth. Mo ghile mear!
As Saorsirse emerges from a clump of reeds so thick that it might well be called a forest of them, her sudden appearance draws the eyes of all in clearing and cove. But the strangest look is on the face of Arti. The vigorous-tongued dwarven priestess looks ... resigned. She mutters to herself, "Is He calling me to yet another life, then? Yet another story? But ... oh Moradin, did it HAVE to be an eeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllfffffffffffffffffffffff ... !!!" Her voice trails off, and while the onlookers watch in amaze her body dissolves into mist and is gone. There are only some sparkling gold-and-red motes of light that float over to Saorsirse 's hand and sink into her skin. She blinks in surprise, but then returns to the blessing spell she is casting with a new awareness in her eyes.
===***===
Zladark: "Whenever (you) make... an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends (1 minute), add... 1d4 to the attack roll or save."
(OOP: and Artifex is up, followed by the swamp zombie to close round 3)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Artifex visibly perks up at the healing, and though there's still a hint of pain behind Its eyes, the Eladrin is once again laughing, almost reveling in the moment. They spring to their feet, lively as ever, just in time to avoid the enraged cove-leader's first attack. They easily side-step the clumsily attempted bite, shaking Its head in mock disappointment. "Now now, don't be rude. You've already been inside me once."
They draw their daggers with a flourish, their grin twisting, a cruel sort of glee spreading across their face. "I insist, allow me to return the favor. I do so enjoy getting my hands dirty."
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A: Attack; To hit: 11; Damage: 6 (Piercing)
BA: Off-hand Attack; To hit: 12; Damage: 4 (Piercing)
Just as Artifex is about to land a pair of stabs even more piercing than their wit, a hideous moaning gurgle rips from the throat of the swamp zombie in the clearing ahead of them. While the unflappable eladrin easily manages to avoid flinching, their target does not. Its amphibian legs amplify the movement into a startled jump upward that by pure chance is just enough to catch both daggers in the webs of the bullywug's flailing hands and feet. The thin membrane quickly tears loose, but since it does not have any vital blood vessels supplying it neither wound amounts to more than a superficial laceration.
The zombie moans again in confusion and frustration, seeing Arti strangely vanish and Zladark being dragged farther from its slime-befouled talons with every hop of his captor. It looks about as if, in its small vestigial brain, the effort and risk of crawling over the log to try and get at Tarton is precisely balanced with that of continuing to pursue a meal that might involve fighting the frog already consuming said meal. (d6: 1-3 Tarton; 4-6 Zladark/TBR 5)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
In the end, sheer bulk wins out in the undead bullywug;s tiny necroconsciousness, and it shambles after the Medium-sized monk. With its hesitation, it is unable to catch up with him this round, and it starts to heave and bubble and hiss in its frustration. A thick cloud of noxious fumes are released into the air as festering pustules rise up through the reanimated corpse's flesh, which has begun to decay and putrefy with unnatural speed; each roils and burbles when it reaches the outer air before bursting and releasing its load of putrid vapours.
===***===
Reeking Miasma - The swamp zombie releases foul-smelling marsh gas in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on itself. Each creature in that area must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 5 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The cloud acts as a stinking cloud on subsequent rounds to those who failed their saves, requiring a new CON save at the same DC. Success will end the effect.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
--------------------------------------------------------
Your post on May 29 has Tarton in the same spot as todays post (July 2) so I think you missed Tarton's disengage movement (June 16 post) after getting out of the frogs mouth (highlighted in red above), which would put the bullywug and giant frog attacking Tarton outside of the zombie's Reeking Miasma AOE along with Tarton who moved away. If you have decided that Tarton can't make that move, that is fine and I will take the 4 damage (CON save: 4) and have Tarton move 25 feet to the west using his Cunning Action (BA) to disengage this time.
Zladark finally managed to squirm free from the crushing jaws of the giant frog. With a wet, sickening sound, he slid out of the beast’s maw, his robes clinging to his body, soaked in thick strands of glistening saliva. Gasping for breath, he landed on shaky feet directly in front of the creature, face-to-face with its bulbous eyes and flexing throat.
Before he could even recover his stance, a noxious wave of gas rolled over him — the fetid stench of rot and decay pouring from the reanimated monstrosity he had thought vanquished. The air turned thick and toxic, invading his lungs like smoke from a burning swamp.
Zladark choked, coughing violently, his body already battered and near its limit. But he did not fall.
Steadying his breath, he focused inward, recalling the breathing forms of his monk order. His lungs, though burning, slowly adjusted. His heartbeat calmed. His mind cleared — just enough.
Though his limbs trembled and his blood stained the edges of his tattered robes, Zladark remained standing. Barely upright, swaying like a reed in the wind, he stood his ground.
————————————
Acrobatics: 23
STR save: (20 and 16) 20
Con save: 21
No, you're right, I did miss it. Currently a little tech-limited (mouse broke, & I'm not good enough (confident enough?) with a mousepad to handle click and drags; but soon as I'm able I'll make the fix on the visuals.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
The bullywug swings his axe at Tarton and catches him in the leg. Tarton lets out a groan of pain and frustration as he staggers from the blow. The next moment as the frog opens its mouth to bite at him again, Tarton manages to use the stagger to step to the side and avoid the massive mouth from engulfing him again.
Tarton is momentarily distracted by Arti turning into glowing particles and entering the elf. Luckily the sparkles seem to have attracted the attention of the giant frog too as it seems to be looking hungrily at the floating lights.
Quickly deciding that the bigger threat is being swallowed by the frog he pulls out his dagger and, taking advantage of the distracted frog, attacks it, getting a decent stab at its thick neck.
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Thanks for the quick reply. Perhaps using the convention DragonHunters used in his last post will make things easier to see. I know I appreciate the list of attacks at the bottom of your posts stating who it is against and the rolls.
LOVE your description of Arti's transformation. SO hilarious about how a dwarf doesn't want to become an elf. HA HA.
Item Action: Draw dagger (do you allow the drawing of a weapon as part of the attack action so Tarton could draw two daggers in one turn and attack with both? Won't use it this attack if you do allow it to simplify what you need to keep track of as there are a lot of us.)
A: Dagger attack vs Giant Frog: 27, Damage: 9 pierce
Sneak Attack: NA
BA: None
Move: None