"Before the meeting starts," Xanrym suggests, "Before the negotiations start, maybe Syllen, at least, can cast Detect Magic. It would be good to know whether they bring magic items with them and whether they are using any Enchantments or Illusions. I and maybe a couple of the others who can should ritual cast Comprehend Languages. Even if the negotiation is held in Common, I'd like to be sure that some of us understand anything that they say or signal in their own strange languages."
Other preparations:
Once The Company sees the space, Xanrym hopes that there are two exits so that it's harder for the Inheritors to block our way out.
Since it's a warehouse space, Xanrym suggests that we try to ensure that there are some boxes or barrels on our side of the meeting space. (While Xanrym is holding concentration, it helps if he can find some cover.)
Xanrym thinks that we should have someone close to Es Sarch at all times to make it harder for anyone to snatch him or to get to him unnoticed.
The rest of the party should try to spread out to avoid getting caught in a single Fireball or something.
Theldrin considers the situation carefully, "Well, as long as we have a plan for exactly what to do if they are planning to attack us... then I'm ready."
Xanrym says, "If a fight breaks out, and they they have a sorcerer or priest with them, I'll probably start with Silence to limit their impact. And maybe you can try to restrain them in the silenced area like you did in Ellesarwa's chamber, Theldrin? Of course, that won't help if they're just using powers or magic items that do not require a verbal component. In that case, if there are many of them like there were at the South Gate, I may try to hypnotize as many of them as I can. Finally, if it's a smaller group, but they bring something big and brutish as 'muscle', then maybe try to get out of range of that foe initially. That way, I could try to turn it against them with another spell you haven't seen yet. We don't have to wipe them out. We just need to get Es Sarch to an exit and then make it back to the Dripstone Inn safely."
Xanrym mentions that if word got out about a meeting between Es Sarch and the leaders of the Inheritors, it would be a fantastic time for The Guild and House Dusklorn to attack and try to wipe out their main rivals all at once. "Hopefully, House Dusklorn is still too upset about The Guild's purported involvement in Ellesarwa's death to collaborate on any attacks." He checks that Es Sarch hasn't heard any rumor that either of those factions is planning anything today. In any case, when they walk from the Dripstone Inn to the warehouse, perhaps they should disguise Es Sarch in some way? The Company has been seen walking around Pedestal in the last week, but he's not sure how common it is for Es Sarch to leave the Inn.
Xanrym is ready to go once everyone else has a chance to make their suggestions or to make any final preparations.
Khessa is happy to ritually cast Comprehend Languages before the meeting and assume the role of Es Sarch's bodyguard.
Anator will meanwhile continue to fly, unsuspecting, near the ceiling, like any other bat. Thus, in case of dire need, he too can intervene.
The only advice the blonde arcane warrior feels like adding is: "If a battle begins and they have magic-users with them, let's all try to focus on eliminating them first. Like we did with Ellesarwa—which was a success. Other than that..." she shrugs, smiling confidently, "...you can't prepare for everything; you have to be versatile. And we are. Let's just do it."
(OOC: cosmic omen was even so Syllen can add a d6 to things.)
As the party goes to the warehouse Syllen will cast Detect Magic. After each long rest Syllen would have asked for protection from the cosmos so everyone has 10 Temp HP. Before everyone enters, Syllen will mention.
“It might be best if I am in front so that I can detect any problems quickly.”
Assuming Syllen enters first he will look around for anything out of the ordinary, magical or otherwise.
You make your preparations at the Dripstone, and Es Sarch motions to move, “Let us go, meet our fate, whatever that may be.” And he lets you all lead the way as he glided along behind.
You make your way toward Bruhthwol’s shop. The 24 hour Bazaar that is always in full swing seems unnaturally sparse, with only a few shops open and even fewer customers. You turn down a laneway heading to the warehouse, and as you get half way down you hear footsteps all around you, getting into position. Too late, you draw your weapons as you hear a voice Xanrym regognises as that of the duergar Assassin’s Guild enforcer Regrak, “Sorry about this, Fadheela wants you dead, even paid for it herself. Fluid wasn’t happy, but we are who we are, we do what we do.” You hear the sound of psychic blades being drawn from all around you, and your minds instantly invaded by someone. Initiative:
Group 1: Avery and Theldrin
Group 2: Duergar Soulblades and Mind Master
Group 3: Khessa and Coriana
Group 4: Regrak
Group 5: Syllen and Xanrym
Avery and Theldrin both act first. You know you are surrounded by a group of Assassin’s Guild, probably a psionic Duergar hit squad. Haven’t made up the map yet, but will do tomorrow. Feel free to make your actions in the theatre of the mind and I’ll make sure the best possible interpretation happens on the map.
If possible Theldrin targets the Mind Master and as many of the other Duergar Soulblades as he can, using either Fireball or Lightning Bolt depending on where the enemies are located exactly.
Either Fire or Lightning Damage: 25 DEX 15 Save for half damage
All of the Soulblades, along with the Mind Master appear before you, blue glowing blades in their hands. The 9 Soulblades all close and make attacks against the closest character to them, and with advantage to those that are surprised, causing the Soulblades to do another 1d6 damage. While the Mind Master, who you recognize as the female duergar from the docks, moves away from Theldirn and target's Khessa with a use of it's Mind Mastery feature, before reducing in size as a bonus action, becoming tiny and adding +5 to Stealth and AC.
Soulblade against Syllen Attack: 25 Damage: 14 Force
Soulblade against Syllen Attack: 14 Damage: 14 Force
Soulblade against Theldrin Attack: 13 Damage: 7 Force
Soulblade against Theldrin Attack: 11 Damage: 8 Force
Soulblade against Xanrym Attack: 14 Damage: 11 Force
Soulblade against Coriana Attack: 22 Damage: 5 Force
Soulblade against Coriana Attack: 20 Damage: 10 Force
Soulblade against Khessa Attack: 25 Damage: 14 Force
Soulblade against Khessa Attack: 20 Damage: 11 Force
Mind Mastery against Khessa: Who makes a DC 12 INT Save: 11 or must attack Avery on her turn.
Khessa and Coriana are up, you're surrounded by Soulblades, and Regrak has yet yo show himself.
So the attack on Xanrym now hits an AC of 16, with Regrak's voice ringing out with his Scouring Instruction, guiding that Soulblade. "Better kill that one quickly, again sorry about this."
Khessa is slow to react to the sudden attack, but when one of the Soulblades' blades is about to bite into her flesh, her battle instincts kick in, and with a quick gesture and an esoteric murmur, she materializes a a barrier of invisible—but impenetrable—force, and she also activates her Arcane Ward.
Thus, the assassin who had targeted her manages to wound her only graze her, and another assassin who had tried to take advantage of the distraction of pain, impacts with his blade nothing but the impenetrable resistance of abjuration sorcery.
The blonde arcane warrior then uses magic again, confidently pronouncing an occult formula, and behold, three illusory duplicates of her appear in her space! The duplicates move with you and mimic her actions, shifting position so it’s impossible to track which image is real!
Now that she's better protected, the tall adventuress and her three illusory duplicates bring the magical Greatsword into guard position and prepare to counterattack...
[[ OOC: Reaction: cast Shield, simultaneously activating Arcane Ward - this way, 7 critical damage is absorbed by the ward (and the other 7 from the temporary HP provided by Syllen) and the other assassin misses. Action: cast Mirror Image ]]
Coriana slashes Soulblade 9 to death, and Khessa successfully defends the attacks against her and throws out her duplicates.
At Xanrym's words, Regrak let's out a laugh. "You think we are the ones in danger here? I think the Company of the Grey Chain overestimates itself. Let me dissuade you of your ego my friend." He then uses his Call to Attack to have both Soulblades next to Xanrym attack him, along with one attacking Khessa. 1d20 to see if it target's one of her duplicates: 5
Soulblade against Xanrym Attack: 20 Damage: 6 Force
Soulblade against Xanrym Attack: 11 Damage: 9 Force
Avery, Theldrin, Xanrym, and Syllen are up. You are surrounded by Soulblades and a tiny Mind Master is to the north. As you take your turns Es Sarch whispers in his rasping voice, "This is your battle it seems, not mine. I must remain impartial in your business with the Guild." And takes a few steps back to the west of the lane.
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"Before the meeting starts," Xanrym suggests, "Before the negotiations start, maybe Syllen, at least, can cast Detect Magic. It would be good to know whether they bring magic items with them and whether they are using any Enchantments or Illusions. I and maybe a couple of the others who can should ritual cast Comprehend Languages. Even if the negotiation is held in Common, I'd like to be sure that some of us understand anything that they say or signal in their own strange languages."
Other preparations:
Xanrym says, "If a fight breaks out, and they they have a sorcerer or priest with them, I'll probably start with Silence to limit their impact. And maybe you can try to restrain them in the silenced area like you did in Ellesarwa's chamber, Theldrin? Of course, that won't help if they're just using powers or magic items that do not require a verbal component. In that case, if there are many of them like there were at the South Gate, I may try to hypnotize as many of them as I can. Finally, if it's a smaller group, but they bring something big and brutish as 'muscle', then maybe try to get out of range of that foe initially. That way, I could try to turn it against them with another spell you haven't seen yet. We don't have to wipe them out. We just need to get Es Sarch to an exit and then make it back to the Dripstone Inn safely."
Xanrym mentions that if word got out about a meeting between Es Sarch and the leaders of the Inheritors, it would be a fantastic time for The Guild and House Dusklorn to attack and try to wipe out their main rivals all at once. "Hopefully, House Dusklorn is still too upset about The Guild's purported involvement in Ellesarwa's death to collaborate on any attacks." He checks that Es Sarch hasn't heard any rumor that either of those factions is planning anything today. In any case, when they walk from the Dripstone Inn to the warehouse, perhaps they should disguise Es Sarch in some way? The Company has been seen walking around Pedestal in the last week, but he's not sure how common it is for Es Sarch to leave the Inn.
Xanrym is ready to go once everyone else has a chance to make their suggestions or to make any final preparations.
Theldrin nods in reply, "I do have Web prepared today."
Khessa is happy to ritually cast Comprehend Languages before the meeting and assume the role of Es Sarch's bodyguard.
Anator will meanwhile continue to fly, unsuspecting, near the ceiling, like any other bat. Thus, in case of dire need, he too can intervene.
The only advice the blonde arcane warrior feels like adding is: "If a battle begins and they have magic-users with them, let's all try to focus on eliminating them first. Like we did with Ellesarwa—which was a success. Other than that..." she shrugs, smiling confidently, "...you can't prepare for everything; you have to be versatile. And we are. Let's just do it."
(OOC: cosmic omen was even so Syllen can add a d6 to things.)
As the party goes to the warehouse Syllen will cast Detect Magic. After each long rest Syllen would have asked for protection from the cosmos so everyone has 10 Temp HP. Before everyone enters, Syllen will mention.
“It might be best if I am in front so that I can detect any problems quickly.”
Assuming Syllen enters first he will look around for anything out of the ordinary, magical or otherwise.
Perception Roll: 19
19
You make your preparations at the Dripstone, and Es Sarch motions to move, “Let us go, meet our fate, whatever that may be.” And he lets you all lead the way as he glided along behind.
You make your way toward Bruhthwol’s shop. The 24 hour Bazaar that is always in full swing seems unnaturally sparse, with only a few shops open and even fewer customers. You turn down a laneway heading to the warehouse, and as you get half way down you hear footsteps all around you, getting into position. Too late, you draw your weapons as you hear a voice Xanrym regognises as that of the duergar Assassin’s Guild enforcer Regrak, “Sorry about this, Fadheela wants you dead, even paid for it herself. Fluid wasn’t happy, but we are who we are, we do what we do.” You hear the sound of psychic blades being drawn from all around you, and your minds instantly invaded by someone. Initiative:
Group 1: Avery and Theldrin
Group 2: Duergar Soulblades and Mind Master
Group 3: Khessa and Coriana
Group 4: Regrak
Group 5: Syllen and Xanrym
Avery and Theldrin both act first. You know you are surrounded by a group of Assassin’s Guild, probably a psionic Duergar hit squad. Haven’t made up the map yet, but will do tomorrow. Feel free to make your actions in the theatre of the mind and I’ll make sure the best possible interpretation happens on the map.
Avery will attack the first threat he sees: Attack: 23 Damage: 15; Attack: 27 Damage: 15
If possible Theldrin targets the Mind Master and as many of the other Duergar Soulblades as he can, using either Fireball or Lightning Bolt depending on where the enemies are located exactly.
Either Fire or Lightning Damage:
25
DEX 15 Save for half damage
Avery's attack goes off as Soulblade 5 comes into view right next to him, killing the duergar immediately.
Theldrin Perception check to work out where Mind Master is: 19
Theldrin's Fireball goes off, catching the Mind Master, and Soulblades 1 and 3 in it's area of effect:
Mind Master DEX Save: 23
Soulblade 1 DEX Save: 15
Soulblade 3 DEX Save: 17
All of the Soulblades, along with the Mind Master appear before you, blue glowing blades in their hands. The 9 Soulblades all close and make attacks against the closest character to them, and with advantage to those that are surprised, causing the Soulblades to do another 1d6 damage. While the Mind Master, who you recognize as the female duergar from the docks, moves away from Theldirn and target's Khessa with a use of it's Mind Mastery feature, before reducing in size as a bonus action, becoming tiny and adding +5 to Stealth and AC.
Soulblade against Syllen Attack: 25 Damage: 14 Force
Soulblade against Syllen Attack: 14 Damage: 14 Force
Soulblade against Theldrin Attack: 13 Damage: 7 Force
Soulblade against Theldrin Attack: 11 Damage: 8 Force
Soulblade against Xanrym Attack: 14 Damage: 11 Force
Soulblade against Coriana Attack: 22 Damage: 5 Force
Soulblade against Coriana Attack: 20 Damage: 10 Force
Soulblade against Khessa Attack: 25 Damage: 14 Force
Soulblade against Khessa Attack: 20 Damage: 11 Force
Mind Mastery against Khessa: Who makes a DC 12 INT Save: 11 or must attack Avery on her turn.
Khessa and Coriana are up, you're surrounded by Soulblades, and Regrak has yet yo show himself.
Syllen will give a d6 to Khessa's Int save.
Well that will mean she saves. Also, Regrak would have used his reaction to add a d6 to the attack on Xanrym: 2
So the attack on Xanrym now hits an AC of 16, with Regrak's voice ringing out with his Scouring Instruction, guiding that Soulblade. "Better kill that one quickly, again sorry about this."
Xanrym uses his reaction to cast Shield, deflecting the Soulblade's attack. He calls back to Regrak, "You seem a decent fellow, I hate to kill you!"
Coriana looks about, gauging the field of battle. Sizing up her opponents, she hexes the soulblade between her and Khessa and slashes at them.
Scimitar - AC 18; 5 necrotic. Hex; 4 necrotic.
Scimitar - AC 24; 9 necrotic. Hex; 5 necrotic.
Scimitar 2 - AC 18; 6 necrotic. Hex; 4 necrotic.
[[Excess attacks go to the other soulblade in melee with Coriana, without hex damage.]]
[[Concentration: hex.]]
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Khessa is slow to react to the sudden attack, but when one of the Soulblades' blades is about to bite into her flesh, her battle instincts kick in, and with a quick gesture and an esoteric murmur, she materializes a a barrier of invisible—but impenetrable—force, and she also activates her Arcane Ward.
Thus, the assassin who had targeted her manages to wound her only graze her, and another assassin who had tried to take advantage of the distraction of pain, impacts with his blade nothing but the impenetrable resistance of abjuration sorcery.
The blonde arcane warrior then uses magic again, confidently pronouncing an occult formula, and behold, three illusory duplicates of her appear in her space! The duplicates move with you and mimic her actions, shifting position so it’s impossible to track which image is real!
Now that she's better protected, the tall adventuress and her three illusory duplicates bring the magical Greatsword into guard position and prepare to counterattack...
[[ OOC: Reaction: cast Shield, simultaneously activating Arcane Ward - this way, 7 critical damage is absorbed by the ward (and the other 7 from the temporary HP provided by Syllen) and the other assassin misses. Action: cast Mirror Image ]]
Coriana slashes Soulblade 9 to death, and Khessa successfully defends the attacks against her and throws out her duplicates.
At Xanrym's words, Regrak let's out a laugh. "You think we are the ones in danger here? I think the Company of the Grey Chain overestimates itself. Let me dissuade you of your ego my friend." He then uses his Call to Attack to have both Soulblades next to Xanrym attack him, along with one attacking Khessa. 1d20 to see if it target's one of her duplicates: 5
Soulblade against Xanrym Attack: 20 Damage: 6 Force
Soulblade against Xanrym Attack: 11 Damage: 9 Force
The Soulblade successfully targets Khessa:
Soulblade against Khessa Attack: 17 Damage: 12 Force
Avery, Theldrin, Xanrym, and Syllen are up. You are surrounded by Soulblades and a tiny Mind Master is to the north. As you take your turns Es Sarch whispers in his rasping voice, "This is your battle it seems, not mine. I must remain impartial in your business with the Guild." And takes a few steps back to the west of the lane.