Coming up behind the massive red dragonborn, the blonde girl simply nods and gives the masked kossuthan a friendly smile as Thrax introduces her. "Greetings servant of the great Firelord. It pleases me to see those of faith joining forces against the growing threat of the evil queen of dragons." She says with a polite bow. "The fires of your lord were most impressive. The elven servant of the many-mawed is however still lurking above I suspect so we should perhaps press on as soon as possible." She continues, keeping a wary eye to the stairs going up. "If the brave dragonborn is to lead the charge I believe he will first need any healing magic you can spare."
She listens attentively to the harper, nooding as he speaks. "Good to meet you all even though the circumstances could have been more pleasant." She says as he finishes, looking between the harper, the kossuthan and the kobold. "As for setting the tower on fire I think we should do what is necessary, but I'd venture to guess that if this Dralmorrer retreated upstairs then he is now weak enough to defeat. If we can take him prisoner we can find out what is happening in this castle but perhaps we can use him to hold off any counter attacks against the tower while we rest and recuperate." She suggests.
He pants for breath, gathering himself and his gaze falls upon the short, yellow-masked man. As the peculiar fellow speaks, realisation soon comes. "Saviour." Thrax breathes, puzzled but nevertheless in awe. "You saved me."
Ixsas makes a fist, holds it to his chest, and bows in greeting to Thrax. He says, "I am but a vessel for Light of the Lord of Flames, but I am happy to help all those who stand against the Dragon Queen's cult."Dralmorrer. That is his name? Yes. Ambush. Coward." Thrax says, moving closer to the stairs but not ascending them.
Ixsas says, "Yes, I believe so. That was Dralmorrer, the Dragon Cult's leader at this outpost."
"There is a woman here with me. Follower of Selune. Seraphina. And little strange ones. Like you. A kobold and an unscaled."
Ixsas's expression hardens a bit at hearing about a follower of Selune, but he's very happy to hear and soon see that his friends are OK.
Coming up behind the massive red dragonborn, the blonde girl simply nods and gives the masked kossuthan a friendly smile as Thrax introduces her. "Greetings servant of the great Firelord. It pleases me to see those of faith joining forces against the growing threat of the evil queen of dragons." She says with a polite bow. "The fires of your lord were most impressive. The elven servant of the many-mawed is however still lurking above I suspect so we should perhaps press on as soon as possible." She continues, keeping a wary eye to the stairs going up. "If the brave dragonborn is to lead the charge I believe he will first need any healing magic you can spare."
Seraphina's gracious manner and compliments about Kossuth's fires immediately disarm Ixsas's suspicion of the "follower of Selune." He bows to her, "Seraphina, Moon-Touched Priestess. I am pleased to meet more allies in the fight against this cult." He assumes that she's a cleric, and he knows something of Selune's religion. (Religion: 16 in game log)
At Seraphina's suggestion of healing Thrax, Ixsas suddenly looks weary and wavers a bit light-headedly. "Channeling that much of the Fire Lord's power is taxing, and I do not have the strength left for much more healing today. I did not anticipate so much fighting today, and we've cleared less than half of the castle just getting this far!"
Zeds reaches the second floor and pauses there as he notices the others are not advancing yet.
Looking to Zeds, Ixsas says, "We had hoped to exploit the enmity between the bullywug and lizardfolk here and get them to fight each other so that they do not unify against us. But we fear that killing the drakes in the Inner Ward may have given away our true aims here. Zeds is right! We don't have much time. We must deal with Dralmorrer soon, before more guards can arrive, and then do what we can to sow more chaos among the castle guards." He glances to the red dragonborn, wondering whether he'll be able to help in that effort.
Then, realizing that Zeds's presence means that there's no fighting downstairs, Ixsas suggests, "If you already killed all of the guards who came from the other side of the courtyard, we have an opportunity here. As Seraphina said, Dralmorrer must be badly injured now. If we could capture or kill him quickly and find the key to the tower door, we could lock it and pretend that the 'invaders' never made into the tower. Maybe you could pretend to be one of the guards or just issue orders through the closed door: tell anyone who comes to the tower that you must keep Dralmorrer safe in the locked tower while they sweep the entire castle for intruders. That could give us quite a bit of time to rest and search this tower...." Of course, Ixsas isn't sure how they would get out of the tower after that time.
Ixsas performs a quick search of the fallen guards. He doubts that they have the key to the tower since they did not lock it before they ran up the stairs to Dralmorrer, but he figures that it's worth checking. Perception or Investigation: 14 (or 24 if someone else will help)
"Zeds. Krackle. Ixsas. Seraphina." The dragonborn repeats the names, connecting them to faces. His gaze alights on Zeds' pin. "I am Thraxinthos. Thraxinthos of the Order of the Gauntlet."
"Dralmorrer. Dralmorrer is the leader?" A low growl resonates in his broad, shirtless chest. Seraphina's assessment is indisputably true - if Thrax is to be the first one up the stairs, the blood leaking from his numerous wounds doesn't suggest he is likely to stand for very long. Nevertheless, he seems convinced that action must be taken, and soon. "You are right. We must follow. Follow at once."
"You have oil? I have fire." As if to demonstrate the capacity to produce flames, a few small columns of smoke rise from the corners of Thrax's mouth. As he watches his saviour, Ixsas, perform a swift investigation of the charred corpses, he reaches to take the leather armour from one of the cultists. If it can be adapted for his body and offer additional protection, he will take one set of armour and place it among his belongings. He draws closer to the stairs, summoning what reserves he can for the next stage of the battle he has been thrust into. "Prepare."
Once everyone seems to have gathered themselves, and there doesn't appear to be any further conversation, Thrax begins making his way up the stairs.
ACTION: While, Ixsas finishes collecting items during the search, Chromatic Warding (Fire). Thrax becomes immune to fire damage for 1 minute.
Next round.
MOVEMENT: Up to the third floor. BONUS ACTION: Rage if he sees Dralmorrer. ACTION: Attack with Greatsword if he sees Dralmorrer. To hit: 14 Damage: 12 Extra Attack. To hit: 13 Damage: 6
Zeds readies his shortswords and follows up the stairs right behind Thrax. All in all he doesn't think the Dragonborn is going to survive the fight if he is the only target so Zed's pride just won't let him go up and hide and try to take pot-shots at Drally without being seen. Damn it. So it is on Thrax's heals he climbs the stairs and then makes a b-line for Dralmorrer, if he is visible.
Movement: Up to third floor and engaging with Dralmorrer if possible... Action: Short Sword Attack on Drally - Nat 20 for 28to hit and a middling 1+2 plus 5 for 8damage Plus Sneak Attack for 8 more damage (This nat 20 sure did roll a lot of 1s in damage...) Bonus Action: Short Sword Attack again - 16 to hit for 7piercing damage
((IF movement is not enough to get to Dralmorrer then Zeds would stay right besides Thrax as best he can... If Thrax can get to Dral but Zeds cannot (he's 5 feet closer if Zeds is following?) then Zeds would use Bonus Action to get to Dral instead of attacking with it. He would use this extra movement to flank Dral with Thrax so they could get advantage next round?))
Ixsas takes the coins. He's disappointed but not surprised that the guards didn't have the key: he guessed that Dralmorrer would have the key to the tower. Ixsas thanks Kracklefor the healing. Feeling slightly refreshed, he's ready to follow Thrax and Zeds up the stairs.
If Zeds is behind Thrax, Ixsas will go up the stairs behind him, leaving a little gap in case Dralmorrer prepared an explosive trap for them. Before they head up the stairs, he tells the rogue sincerely, "I am glad that you still live, Zeds! May Kossuth guide you through the next fight." He touches Zeds's arm and casts Guidance on him.
((OOC: Guidance might be useful if Zeds needs to hide or search for Dralmorrer.))
Going upstairs: Ixsas
Since Seraphina seems to be wearing no armor, Ixsas will go in front of her and stop at the top of the stairs on the third floor. Ixsas positions himself so that nothing can get to Seraphina without getting past Ixsas. He confirms that Seraphina can see past him to target anything on the third floor that's visible from the stairs, and recommends that she Ready her spell: "This feels like another ambush: if anything attacks our allies, burn it with your Moonmaiden's fire!"
If neither Zeds nor Thrax cannot locate Dralmorrer on their turn, then Ixsas will just Dodge on his turn, expecting Dralmorrer to spring another ambush.
Movement: 20-ft of movement to get on the stairs and go to the 3rd floor behind Zeds. Action: Dodge Free Action: Talking
((OOC: @Kaemgen - if Zeds cannot see Dralmorrer this round, then Zeds and Thrax might want ready attacks. If this is an ambush, it's probably a good use of your reaction (and your critical hit) to attack anything that tries to attack you before our next turn.))
Zeds head up and does not see Dralmorrer. It takes 15ft of movement to go up. You see the large telescope.
Dralmorrer is behind full cover. Is Zeds using the rest of his movement to look around the telescope if so, which way does he go?
Nope, Zeds is staying next to Thrax... He doesn't want to let the Dragonborn take on Dralmorrer alone, but he's not wanting to do so either. Zeds stays with the big guy and readies an attack in case anyone (or thing) jumps out at them.
((B_E - any ambush is likely to be magical... And not sure if DM would want to carry over an old roll of have me roll again if a target does present itself. But *shrug*))
The blonde girl follows her allies upstairs, stopping in the stairwell as soon as she spots the gruesome statue looming over her above, ready to release more moonfire should the grotesque thing move even an inch.
Moonfire: 27 Force: 11 Moonfire: 27 Force: 13
She would then take a few steps back down the stairs to hopefully get out of harms way.
As Thrax ascends the stairs, he growls when he is unable to lay eyes on his quarry. "The coward. Has he already fled?" The colossal dragonborn grumbles, his yellowed gaze flitting across the room.
The barbarian makes note of the statues, but thinking them little more than the unusual, crude ornamentation the unscaled sometimes fashion in parody of his kind, isn't too interested in investigating them any further. Thrax begins moving around the large unusual device in the centre of the room. With each step, more droplets of blood fleck the floor, creating a trail marking his path around the telescope. His gargantuan axe is raised aloft in both hands, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.
MOVEMENT: Assuming the blue square is the telescope, Thrax will move from south towards the west (i.e. in a clockwise motion). ACTION: Ready an attack with greataxe.
The gargoyles burst into motion. Creature of stone flying.
((OOC: Let me just say it again: fantastic image! I don't know where you find them, but I'm always impressed by the artwork and photos that you drop into your PbP games!))
((OOC: @Weathervision - If the sword / dagger token is Zeds, I think that it's out-of-position. I think that @Kaemgen's intent was to use his movement + Cunning Action (if needed) to stay as close to Thrax as possible as they moved around the telescope together.))
((IF movement is not enough to get to Dralmorrer then Zeds would stay right besides Thrax as best he can... If Thrax can get to Dral but Zeds cannot (he's 5 feet closer if Zeds is following?) then Zeds would use Bonus Action to get to Dral instead of attacking with it...
Nope, Zeds is staying next to Thrax... He doesn't want to let the Dragonborn take on Dralmorrer alone, but he's not wanting to do so either. Zeds stays with the big guy and readies an attack in case anyone (or thing) jumps out at them.
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Coming up behind the massive red dragonborn, the blonde girl simply nods and gives the masked kossuthan a friendly smile as Thrax introduces her. "Greetings servant of the great Firelord. It pleases me to see those of faith joining forces against the growing threat of the evil queen of dragons." She says with a polite bow. "The fires of your lord were most impressive. The elven servant of the many-mawed is however still lurking above I suspect so we should perhaps press on as soon as possible." She continues, keeping a wary eye to the stairs going up. "If the brave dragonborn is to lead the charge I believe he will first need any healing magic you can spare."
She listens attentively to the harper, nooding as he speaks. "Good to meet you all even though the circumstances could have been more pleasant." She says as he finishes, looking between the harper, the kossuthan and the kobold. "As for setting the tower on fire I think we should do what is necessary, but I'd venture to guess that if this Dralmorrer retreated upstairs then he is now weak enough to defeat. If we can take him prisoner we can find out what is happening in this castle but perhaps we can use him to hold off any counter attacks against the tower while we rest and recuperate." She suggests.
Ixsas makes a fist, holds it to his chest, and bows in greeting to Thrax. He says, "I am but a vessel for Light of the Lord of Flames, but I am happy to help all those who stand against the Dragon Queen's cult."Dralmorrer. That is his name? Yes. Ambush. Coward." Thrax says, moving closer to the stairs but not ascending them.
Ixsas says, "Yes, I believe so. That was Dralmorrer, the Dragon Cult's leader at this outpost."
Ixsas's expression hardens a bit at hearing about a follower of Selune, but he's very happy to hear and soon see that his friends are OK.
Seraphina's gracious manner and compliments about Kossuth's fires immediately disarm Ixsas's suspicion of the "follower of Selune." He bows to her, "Seraphina, Moon-Touched Priestess. I am pleased to meet more allies in the fight against this cult." He assumes that she's a cleric, and he knows something of Selune's religion. (Religion: 16 in game log)
At Seraphina's suggestion of healing Thrax, Ixsas suddenly looks weary and wavers a bit light-headedly. "Channeling that much of the Fire Lord's power is taxing, and I do not have the strength left for much more healing today. I did not anticipate so much fighting today, and we've cleared less than half of the castle just getting this far!"
Looking to Zeds, Ixsas says, "We had hoped to exploit the enmity between the bullywug and lizardfolk here and get them to fight each other so that they do not unify against us. But we fear that killing the drakes in the Inner Ward may have given away our true aims here. Zeds is right! We don't have much time. We must deal with Dralmorrer soon, before more guards can arrive, and then do what we can to sow more chaos among the castle guards." He glances to the red dragonborn, wondering whether he'll be able to help in that effort.
Then, realizing that Zeds's presence means that there's no fighting downstairs, Ixsas suggests, "If you already killed all of the guards who came from the other side of the courtyard, we have an opportunity here. As Seraphina said, Dralmorrer must be badly injured now. If we could capture or kill him quickly and find the key to the tower door, we could lock it and pretend that the 'invaders' never made into the tower. Maybe you could pretend to be one of the guards or just issue orders through the closed door: tell anyone who comes to the tower that you must keep Dralmorrer safe in the locked tower while they sweep the entire castle for intruders. That could give us quite a bit of time to rest and search this tower...." Of course, Ixsas isn't sure how they would get out of the tower after that time.
Ixsas performs a quick search of the fallen guards. He doubts that they have the key to the tower since they did not lock it before they ran up the stairs to Dralmorrer, but he figures that it's worth checking. Perception or Investigation: 14 (or 24 if someone else will help)
Scimitars for each one and cultist leather armor.
no key
37 gp 86 sp 120 cp
Krackle heads to the 2nd floor as well and heals Ixsas.
Cure Wounds 1/day
"Zeds. Krackle. Ixsas. Seraphina." The dragonborn repeats the names, connecting them to faces. His gaze alights on Zeds' pin. "I am Thraxinthos. Thraxinthos of the Order of the Gauntlet."
"Dralmorrer. Dralmorrer is the leader?" A low growl resonates in his broad, shirtless chest. Seraphina's assessment is indisputably true - if Thrax is to be the first one up the stairs, the blood leaking from his numerous wounds doesn't suggest he is likely to stand for very long. Nevertheless, he seems convinced that action must be taken, and soon. "You are right. We must follow. Follow at once."
"You have oil? I have fire." As if to demonstrate the capacity to produce flames, a few small columns of smoke rise from the corners of Thrax's mouth. As he watches his saviour, Ixsas, perform a swift investigation of the charred corpses, he reaches to take the leather armour from one of the cultists. If it can be adapted for his body and offer additional protection, he will take one set of armour and place it among his belongings. He draws closer to the stairs, summoning what reserves he can for the next stage of the battle he has been thrust into. "Prepare."
Once everyone seems to have gathered themselves, and there doesn't appear to be any further conversation, Thrax begins making his way up the stairs.
ACTION: While, Ixsas finishes collecting items during the search, Chromatic Warding (Fire). Thrax becomes immune to fire damage for 1 minute.
Next round.
MOVEMENT: Up to the third floor.
BONUS ACTION: Rage if he sees Dralmorrer.
ACTION: Attack with Greatsword if he sees Dralmorrer. To hit: 14 Damage: 12
Extra Attack. To hit: 13 Damage: 6
Thrax does not see Dralmorrer when he moves to the 3rd floor. He sees a large telescope in the center of the room and gargoyle statues.
Zeds readies his shortswords and follows up the stairs right behind Thrax. All in all he doesn't think the Dragonborn is going to survive the fight if he is the only target so Zed's pride just won't let him go up and hide and try to take pot-shots at Drally without being seen. Damn it. So it is on Thrax's heals he climbs the stairs and then makes a b-line for Dralmorrer, if he is visible.
Movement: Up to third floor and engaging with Dralmorrer if possible...
Action: Short Sword Attack on Drally - Nat 20 for 28 to hit and a middling 1+2 plus 5 for 8 damage
Plus Sneak Attack for 8 more damage (This nat 20 sure did roll a lot of 1s in damage...)
Bonus Action: Short Sword Attack again - 16 to hit for 7 piercing damage
((IF movement is not enough to get to Dralmorrer then Zeds would stay right besides Thrax as best he can... If Thrax can get to Dral but Zeds cannot (he's 5 feet closer if Zeds is following?) then Zeds would use Bonus Action to get to Dral instead of attacking with it. He would use this extra movement to flank Dral with Thrax so they could get advantage next round?))
Zeds head up and does not see Dralmorrer. It takes 15ft of movement to go up. You see the large telescope.
Dralmorrer is behind full cover. Is Zeds using the rest of his movement to look around the telescope if so, which way does he go?
.
Ixsas takes the coins. He's disappointed but not surprised that the guards didn't have the key: he guessed that Dralmorrer would have the key to the tower. Ixsas thanks Krackle for the healing. Feeling slightly refreshed, he's ready to follow Thrax and Zeds up the stairs.
If Zeds is behind Thrax, Ixsas will go up the stairs behind him, leaving a little gap in case Dralmorrer prepared an explosive trap for them. Before they head up the stairs, he tells the rogue sincerely, "I am glad that you still live, Zeds! May Kossuth guide you through the next fight." He touches Zeds's arm and casts Guidance on him.
((OOC: Guidance might be useful if Zeds needs to hide or search for Dralmorrer.))
Going upstairs: Ixsas
Since Seraphina seems to be wearing no armor, Ixsas will go in front of her and stop at the top of the stairs on the third floor. Ixsas positions himself so that nothing can get to Seraphina without getting past Ixsas. He confirms that Seraphina can see past him to target anything on the third floor that's visible from the stairs, and recommends that she Ready her spell: "This feels like another ambush: if anything attacks our allies, burn it with your Moonmaiden's fire!"
If neither Zeds nor Thrax cannot locate Dralmorrer on their turn, then Ixsas will just Dodge on his turn, expecting Dralmorrer to spring another ambush.
Movement: 20-ft of movement to get on the stairs and go to the 3rd floor behind Zeds.
Action: Dodge
Free Action: Talking
Concentration: Guidance on Zeds, round 1 of 10
((OOC: I have added the coins to the new Party Inventory until we have time to divide the treasure later.))
((OOC: @Kaemgen - if Zeds cannot see Dralmorrer this round, then Zeds and Thrax might want ready attacks. If this is an ambush, it's probably a good use of your reaction (and your critical hit) to attack anything that tries to attack you before our next turn.))
Nope, Zeds is staying next to Thrax... He doesn't want to let the Dragonborn take on Dralmorrer alone, but he's not wanting to do so either. Zeds stays with the big guy and readies an attack in case anyone (or thing) jumps out at them.
((B_E - any ambush is likely to be magical... And not sure if DM would want to carry over an old roll of have me roll again if a target does present itself. But *shrug*))
((OOC: I guess we'll see soon enough!))
(I am fine using Zeds attack for his ready action)
Krackle will wait on the 2nd floor to keep the stairs clear should anyone need to head back down.
The blonde girl follows her allies upstairs, stopping in the stairwell as soon as she spots the gruesome statue looming over her above, ready to release more moonfire should the grotesque thing move even an inch.
Moonfire: 27 Force: 11
Moonfire: 27 Force: 13
She would then take a few steps back down the stairs to hopefully get out of harms way.
As Thrax ascends the stairs, he growls when he is unable to lay eyes on his quarry. "The coward. Has he already fled?" The colossal dragonborn grumbles, his yellowed gaze flitting across the room.
The barbarian makes note of the statues, but thinking them little more than the unusual, crude ornamentation the unscaled sometimes fashion in parody of his kind, isn't too interested in investigating them any further. Thrax begins moving around the large unusual device in the centre of the room. With each step, more droplets of blood fleck the floor, creating a trail marking his path around the telescope. His gargantuan axe is raised aloft in both hands, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.
MOVEMENT: Assuming the blue square is the telescope, Thrax will move from south towards the west (i.e. in a clockwise motion).
ACTION: Ready an attack with greataxe.
Enemy's turn
Dralmorrer takes the dodge action
The gargoyles burst into motion. Creature of stone flying.
Gargoyle Green - Thrax
Bite
Attack: 10 Damage: 7
Claw
Attack: 15 Damage: 7
Movement: Afterward fly vertically up 10ft from the floor
Gargoyle Blue - Thrax
Bite
Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Claw
Attack: 21 Damage: 8
Movement: Afterward fly vertically up 10ft from the floor
Gargoyle Red - Zeds
Bite
Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Claw
Attack: 5 Damage: 4
Movement: Afterward fly vertically up 10ft from the floor
Gargoyle Orange - Ixsas - Disadvantage
Bite
Attack: 21 Damage: 6
Claw
Attack: 17 Damage: 4
Movement: Afterward fly vertically up 10ft from the floor
The party ready actions triggers.
Thrax misses
Zeds hits Gargoyle Red - half damage - Resistance.
Seraphine hits Gargoyle Orange.
Round 16
The party is up. Post when able.
((OOC: Has anyone spotted Dralmorrer yet?))
((OOC: Let me just say it again: fantastic image! I don't know where you find them, but I'm always impressed by the artwork and photos that you drop into your PbP games!))
((OOC: @Weathervision - If the sword / dagger token is Zeds, I think that it's out-of-position. I think that @Kaemgen's intent was to use his movement + Cunning Action (if needed) to stay as close to Thrax as possible as they moved around the telescope together.))