Starker offers the following: “Whatever the guards had on them didn’t help them survive, so stopping here seems a poor idea. Let’s quickly head toward the source of the smoke. If friendly, grand. If unfriendly, perhaps we could subdue them, hobble them and leave them to the tender mercies of the Night Doom. Either win-win or win-lose, sure, but both times we are the ‘win’.”
Trolkarl considers Starker's words for a moment and nods
Our reasoning is different, but our conclusions are the same. Death as a result of intending to help those in need is better than being alive knowing we didn't offer a warning. If there is a possibility of this "night thing" attacking, we have an obligation to let them know.
Is there anywhere nearby that would help obscure us as we set up camp? If not guess we travel a bit perpendicular to the path we've been following so we're not right on it.
I've got two cures left, so figure I should heal the lowest. I want to save one spell slot for a divine smite in case we are attacked by the Night Terror.
Gneuman shows 1 HP, assuming that's not accurate since it was posted above he drank a healing potion.
Gnueman was given a Potion of Healing so his HP should be better than that.
I have 1 spell slot left for healing, plus we still have 4 remaining Potions of Healing (i believe).
Recommend we exit the area hugging the lake/river bank which provided cover from the Ruins area. Recommend we march until the Moon is at its highest (midnightish).
Trolkarl considers Starker's words for a moment and nods
Our reasoning is different, but our conclusions are the same. Death as a result of intending to help those in need is better than being alive knowing we didn't offer a warning. If there is a possibility of this "night thing" attacking, we have an obligation to let them know.
I am in alignment, continue on. As we get closer, Gnueman (the tasmanian devil) can scout ahead prior to engagement allowing the party to intervene if he finds trouble.
Selûne is a waning quarter. Night is arriving as the donkey cart pulls up to Aaden's camp. He remains sitting with slumped shoulders staring at the coals of a dying fire.
It has been a very long "day" for all of you. A ride through the night started it all for most of you to arrive in Shalecliff early this morning. Starker was awake through the night in defense of the town and then in effort to recover from the attack. A short respite followed that then led to a 20-mile march and two pitched battles at the ruined manor and the defeat of a blue dragon wyrmling. Two of you were nearly killed by the dragon. And now, flight from the ruins from an unnamed terror that Henilen assures you all will be the death of each and every one of you if you do not flee. The cold, pure water of the Bright River flowing from the Spine of the World is a welcome luxury to your dried throats.
When the cart stops Starker will start to rest. If I must decide on the shortness or length of the rest in advance I’ll go for a short rest, otherwise I will try to get the longest rest I can get hoping to prepare Protection from Evil.
Cirrus Magnus will rest too, and recover all his spell slots.
Sentries are set and rest is taken. Late in the night you are all awakened by the hair on the back of your necks standing up. You feel as if you are being watched.
Trolkarl immediately sits up. Something is out there or scrying upon us . He shakes his head. If something is out there - Belgger may still be helpless - not good. He grabs his shield and unsheathes Darkbane moving toward Chadwick.
Have the globe at the ready; something is watching us.
Chadwick immediately reaches out with Divine Sense. Then he will get out the globe, keeping it dark for now. If he senses evil within 60' he'll immediately cast Daylight.
Edit...
Chadwick says loud enough for all to hear "The Night is close, but out of my normal sensing range. I'm activating the globe in hope it will keep it at bay."
The Driftglobe flares to life with the Daylight spell. The surrounding grassland suddenly comes into view. In the distance, south of camp, you see two wispy, humanoid creatures floating above the hillcrest. They remain in view briefly and then fly off to the south. Their torsos evaporate into smoky tendrils in place of legs. Each seems to be made of purified darkness folding upon itself repetitively. A feeling of emptiness comes over you at the sight of them, however distant and brief.
Starker casts his kind back to the trip down here. Were there any more defensive position to the north than the one we occupy? Perhaps an outcropping of rock we could put our backs against?
”It seems these creatures prefer to enact their malfeasance under the cover of inky black night. When we do find a defensible spot, perhaps we could douse the wagon with oil or other flammable material so we can set it alight when these creatures return having screwed their courage to the sticking place?”
Starker recalls his day at The Academy: having now seen the creatures, does his knowledge of the arcane give him a clue as to their nature or weaknesses?
They appear to be wraiths, or something similar. Non-magical/non-silvered weapons will be ineffective. Cold, poison and necrotic damage also ineffective, like all undead.
Erbert told me that the daylight spell of the globe could be helpful in repelling certain creatures and extinguishing darkness like what CradDick cast. Unfortunately it only lasts an hour, then can't be cast again until after dawn. It can cast light repeatedly though, each casting lasting an hour. I don't know if the basic light spell will keep them at bay like daylight did.
He then looks down at his axe and growls a few sentences in some unknown language that can only be cursing, pulls out the silvered dagger followed by more cursing.
Hoid I think you had the right idea getting that silvered sword instead of upgrading armor. This little paring knife sure aint gonna do much. Aiden, we have another silvered dagger if you want one.
My Ray of Frost will do us little good against these wrathful wraiths. However I have three tranches of three magic missiles each before I become as useful as an eyepatch at a Beholders Convention. After that I fear I will only be able to use my Mage Hand to tastefully arrange our body parts into patterns pleasing to both geometry and theology. Also, I can make the air smell briefly of fesh mown grass, should that seem helpful.
If anyone has a spare silvered daggers or can temporarily enchant my quarterstaff, I will stand in the line so long as my courage allows.
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Starker offers the following: “Whatever the guards had on them didn’t help them survive, so stopping here seems a poor idea. Let’s quickly head toward the source of the smoke. If friendly, grand. If unfriendly, perhaps we could subdue them, hobble them and leave them to the tender mercies of the Night Doom. Either win-win or win-lose, sure, but both times we are the ‘win’.”
Trolkarl considers Starker's words for a moment and nods
Our reasoning is different, but our conclusions are the same. Death as a result of intending to help those in need is better than being alive knowing we didn't offer a warning. If there is a possibility of this "night thing" attacking, we have an obligation to let them know.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/equipment/50-holy-water-flask
Gnueman was given a Potion of Healing so his HP should be better than that.
I have 1 spell slot left for healing, plus we still have 4 remaining Potions of Healing (i believe).
Recommend we exit the area hugging the lake/river bank which provided cover from the Ruins area. Recommend we march until the Moon is at its highest (midnightish).
I am in alignment, continue on. As we get closer, Gnueman (the tasmanian devil) can scout ahead prior to engagement allowing the party to intervene if he finds trouble.
Chadwick concurs with Trolkarl's reasoning. He'll also use one of his cure wounds on Gneuman.
Max heal! 10 hps.
Gneuman returns from scouting out the smoke in the north...
"The smoke ahead is a small camp fire." "It is our friend Aiden."
"He is physically ok, but still quite shaken by recent events."
"I told him that I would return to him with the rest of you in tow."
Gneuman looks at the group, motions to the smoke and heads back that direction.
"Also, I saw a small hare." "It scampered off before I could have a word, but it is a good sign to see small creatures about."
That is good news. We should warn him about the fire, it's too visible and might attract the wrong attention.
What stage is the moon in?
Selûne is a waning quarter. Night is arriving as the donkey cart pulls up to Aaden's camp. He remains sitting with slumped shoulders staring at the coals of a dying fire.
It has been a very long "day" for all of you. A ride through the night started it all for most of you to arrive in Shalecliff early this morning. Starker was awake through the night in defense of the town and then in effort to recover from the attack. A short respite followed that then led to a 20-mile march and two pitched battles at the ruined manor and the defeat of a blue dragon wyrmling. Two of you were nearly killed by the dragon. And now, flight from the ruins from an unnamed terror that Henilen assures you all will be the death of each and every one of you if you do not flee. The cold, pure water of the Bright River flowing from the Spine of the World is a welcome luxury to your dried throats.
The night comes and sleep must as well.
When the cart stops Starker will start to rest. If I must decide on the shortness or length of the rest in advance I’ll go for a short rest, otherwise I will try to get the longest rest I can get hoping to prepare Protection from Evil.
Cirrus Magnus will rest too, and recover all his spell slots.
(( The Murder Monkey spell list is replete with options. I will need to consider his choices..... ))
Sentries are set and rest is taken. Late in the night you are all awakened by the hair on the back of your necks standing up. You feel as if you are being watched.
Trolkarl immediately sits up. Something is out there or scrying upon us . He shakes his head. If something is out there - Belgger may still be helpless - not good. He grabs his shield and unsheathes Darkbane moving toward Chadwick.
Have the globe at the ready; something is watching us.
Moves on toward Belgger to check his state
Kragen awakens alertly, hammer in hand, intently peering into the dark to find what his senses detect.
to the others as he scans about "on alert, trouble approaches", "steel yourselves, the undead may be near"
Chadwick immediately reaches out with Divine Sense. Then he will get out the globe, keeping it dark for now. If he senses evil within 60' he'll immediately cast Daylight.
Edit...
Chadwick says loud enough for all to hear "The Night is close, but out of my normal sensing range. I'm activating the globe in hope it will keep it at bay."
He then casts Daylight.
The Driftglobe flares to life with the Daylight spell. The surrounding grassland suddenly comes into view. In the distance, south of camp, you see two wispy, humanoid creatures floating above the hillcrest. They remain in view briefly and then fly off to the south. Their torsos evaporate into smoky tendrils in place of legs. Each seems to be made of purified darkness folding upon itself repetitively. A feeling of emptiness comes over you at the sight of them, however distant and brief.
Starker casts his kind back to the trip down here. Were there any more defensive position to the north than the one we occupy? Perhaps an outcropping of rock we could put our backs against?
”It seems these creatures prefer to enact their malfeasance under the cover of inky black night. When we do find a defensible spot, perhaps we could douse the wagon with oil or other flammable material so we can set it alight when these creatures return having screwed their courage to the sticking place?”
Starker recalls his day at The Academy: having now seen the creatures, does his knowledge of the arcane give him a clue as to their nature or weaknesses?
They appear to be wraiths, or something similar. Non-magical/non-silvered weapons will be ineffective. Cold, poison and necrotic damage also ineffective, like all undead.
Erbert told me that the daylight spell of the globe could be helpful in repelling certain creatures and extinguishing darkness like what CradDick cast. Unfortunately it only lasts an hour, then can't be cast again until after dawn. It can cast light repeatedly though, each casting lasting an hour. I don't know if the basic light spell will keep them at bay like daylight did.
He then looks down at his axe and growls a few sentences in some unknown language that can only be cursing, pulls out the silvered dagger followed by more cursing.
Hoid I think you had the right idea getting that silvered sword instead of upgrading armor. This little paring knife sure aint gonna do much. Aiden, we have another silvered dagger if you want one.
My Ray of Frost will do us little good against these wrathful wraiths. However I have three tranches of three magic missiles each before I become as useful as an eyepatch at a Beholders Convention. After that I fear I will only be able to use my Mage Hand to tastefully arrange our body parts into patterns pleasing to both geometry and theology. Also, I can make the air smell briefly of fesh mown grass, should that seem helpful.
If anyone has a spare silvered daggers or can temporarily enchant my quarterstaff, I will stand in the line so long as my courage allows.