Briar smiles as Felmar starts climbing the rope. "Better to strike them at home than to wait for them to organize." he concurs, dashing up the remainder of the rope into the room at Rusty and Aeilinn's sides.
Waiting patiently for the others to climb the rope, Krikas agrees with Briar's comment. When the rope is free he makes one last check around that they're not being followed and clambers up the rope post haste. Once at the top he unslings his crossbow.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing that no one is going to need to be raised on the lift, Rusty leaves the mechanism and walks over to peer down the hallway. He raises one arm, prepared to strike if someone who appears to be a target steps into melee range.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aelinn peeks around the corner, keeping an eye out as her companions move in around her. Rusty steps out to get a better idea of what is ahead, not worried about stealth or subterfuge. Felmar and Krikas make it over half way up the rope. Felmar hangs 10' below the rocky lip above, Krikas just below him, hanging 25' above the lift.
The stairs, formed long ago by the passage of water eating away at the softer stone. Uneven and rough they split only a few feet in front, both sides rise another ten feet then plateau on a hard rock shelf. The surface is marked with divots and erosion but shouldn't be too difficult. The left passage opens on to the floor above, then continues to rise into the darkness beyond. The stairwell is quiet and dark, with just the faint glow of light coming from a distance within.
The right passage opens into a large gallery. Pillars formed of hanging stalactites prevent easy view beyond them. Like a line of stone sentinels preventing intrusion. The sound of water falling is faint, coming from within the gallery itself. Hastily spoken words as the raiders prepare for your assault can be heard echoing against the walls. "How many?, What of Evers and Martell? So dead then" Faint shadows of their forms dash past the few small openings in your sight lines. Just a little seen flash of movement, nothing more. "Who are they? Harpers, Alliance?" They get close, focus, be ready, what's that?, SHOOT IT!"
A pair of arrows fly from behind the pillars, flashing across the distance towards Rusty. The raiders are forming a defensive line, on their turf.
Arrow from the dark against Rusty (Advantage-unseen):Attack: 20 Damage: 3
Arrow from the dark against Rusty (Advantage-unseen):Attack: 19 Damage: 2
Rusty is well obstructed by the wall of the stairs gaining 3/4 cover against these attacks (+5AC) [Tooltip Not Found]
The Raiders (Red dots) are placed only as a best guess for Aelinn and Rusty. It may not be correct as for the numbers or the position of the foe. Felmar and Krikas are still on the rope, 10 and 15' left to climb respectively.
[[ With the stairwell and gallery being dark with only a little bit of light from beyond, I assume Rusty and Briar would have difficulty seeing enemy targets, correct? ]]
"Closer than I'd like." remarks Briar about the narrowly missing arrows zinging past Rusty. He stows his warhammer and finds a nearby rock. "Torm guide our eyes." he prays, setting the rock glowing in a vibrant hue of blue. "No sense making the charge while we're at half strength." he says eyeing Felmar and Krikas still on the ropes. "But may as well get that room lit up for you and I, eh?" he speaks to Rusty, asking if the warforged might be able to chuck the rock into the room.
[[ Initially was gonna light it up and chuck it himself, but realized the action-economy wasn't enough since I think it would both an action to light and another to throw. ]]
Item Interaction: stow warhammer //will likely draw a javelin next round Action: light on a rock by Rusty
Torches are lit and illuminate most areas. The stairs heading up the left side are unlit but a faint radiance seeps downward. Clearly a torch is lit in a room at the far end, its light feeble upon the stairs.
The gray portion is obscured, not because of an absence of light. It is hard to make out the details beyond the stone pillars. The angles are all wrong revealing only tiny glimpses like looking through many peepholes, from a distance. Motion can be seen like a shadow passing the moon or a hand flashed before a lantern. Quick, brief and not of enough substance to target. But enough to know your foes are gathering.
Rusty holds out one hand and accepts the rock from the halfling. Taking a step or two further, he throws the rock as far as he can toward where the arrows came from, then steps back even further than before, not wanting to get hit by any projectiles. "I'm a-a-a-afraid I'm ill equipped to attack at range."
[[ Alright, in that case no need to cast light for visibility. So if it's alright to retcon Briar's actions from my previous post. (And understand if you'd rather not.)
Also just realized what I thought were cracks and crevasses in the floor are the pillars you're mentioning. (Silly me not reading the map correctly.) I like it, nice dynamic map with the various options for PCs and NPCs to utilize cover. ]]
"No matter, Rusty." says Briar with a smile. "Feel free to take some of my javelins." He heads up the stairs, trying to get a glance at once of the raiders. "Torm smite you!" he calls out, unleashing divine flames and then ducks behind the pillar at the top for cover.
Item Interaction: still stow the warhammer Movement: think it's 10ft to get to the base of the stairs (without extra movement for moving through Rusty and Aelinn due to Hafling Nimbleness; can pause if Rusty wants to take a javelin), 10ft up the stairs (I think) where Sacred Flame is cast, and then another 5ft to get behind that pillar at the top of the stairs to have cover Action: Sacred Flame Damage: 3 radiant DEX SAVE DC 13 (no benefits from cover) target: given the angles I'm guessing the one farther away and more directly left of the 3 is the one that'll be seen, but any raider is fine
Briar has a Passive Perception of 13 is that affects things.
"Who in their right mind climbs a rope when there's a perfectly good lift?" Krikas complains to himself out loud as he finishes climbing to the ledge above.
Move - finish climbing using all his movement for the round.
She moves silently during a flicker of the flame still stealthed (21) as she moved up the stairs next to the column, turning to the left not far from Briar resting on the steps after the stairwell parted in two. Popping her head around the corner to the right she can see movement (Perception 22). One of the archers that had been shooting at Rusty. (One on the left of the map).
Attack 18, damage 9 plus sneak attack 5 = total damage of 14
Rusty accepts a javelin from Briar and inspects it. Never before has he wielded such a weapon. In fact, the only weapons he's ever wielded were small and medium blades used in the The Blade's show. And that wasn't very often. More often, Rusty was the target to miss rather than the one doing the throwing. The metal man holds it over his shoulder and makes a throwing motion. Seems easy enough. He watches as the halfling and the elf make their way up the stairs, and he follows, moving to where he is behind the large pillar that splits the stairs.
Briar plucks a strand of the weave, an arcane word of power on his lips as he dashes across the opening to the large pillar, the split in the stairwell climbing upward. No foe can be seen, only shadows cast from torches in the far room to reveal anybody is there. That and the calls of defense. An arrow chips off the stone wall, missing Briar but telling you they are ready.
Aelinn dashes across, keeping low and to the shadows, a movement, perhaps just a flicker of torchlight. Her bow snaps, launching an arrow but the sound of a ricochet is all that comes of the effort. She ducks into cover next to Briar and peers around the corner.
Rusty, testing this new found weapon strides up the stairs, a couple arrows fly from the shadows behind the far pillars. Rusty has 3/4 cover from the narrow sight lines. (+5AC)
Arrow from the dark towards Rusty (Advantage: unseen):Attack: 8 Damage: 3
Arrow from the dark towards Rusty (Advantage: unseen):Attack: 13 Damage: 3
Felmar and Krikas hoist themselves over the edge and scramble into position close to the lift, safely tucked behind the wall. The torches sputter from the constant wind caused by the crashing water.
Krikas make a perception check DC: 21 If you succeed open this spoiler
The crunch of a stone ball carries up towards your position. Is someone, or something moving below?
If you decide to check it out, open the next spoiler
Only open this spoiler if you are told to.
Peering over the lip, into the darkness below you spot two raiders moving towards the lift. Ready for you they have bows out, arrows fly across the distance to strike at anybody popping out from above...you. (You have 3/4 cover from the ledge beneath your feet) (+5AC)
Arrow from below: Attack: 11 Damage: 3
Arrow from below: Attack: 6 Damage: 6
Barely a flit of movement remains to be seen beyond, someone dashing across the narrow sight line. Not long enough to target, just to know they are there. The movement beyond has nearly stopped, it seems they are in position. A woman barks out, "Save your ammo till you can see them". Another, a man from somewhere to the right side yells, "You made a mistake, you aint leavin here. Give up, and see another dawn!".
The above image describes your current sightlines. You know the raiders are there, having taken defensive position behind the pillars.
Initiative
Your group<---Your turn, any order
Raiders, numbers and positions unknown
If you choose to dash across towards #4 or #5 please open this spoiler
The raiders are ready for you, a pair lean out and let loose the arrows they had nocked:
Arrow from the dark: Attack: 5 Damage: 4
Arrow from the dark: Attack: 8 Damage: 7
If you choose to dash towards #6 please open this spoiler
The pillars rise up around you, blocking sight and options as you enter an open area, the Raiders are ready for you, arrayed behind the stone. Arrows trained on the area are released as they spot you in the open.
The half elf takes in his new surrounds. He spots the majority of his group huddled behind a rock formation. He hurries over to their location and puts his back against the stone. "What have we got?" he asks the others, his crossbow drawn again after his rope climb.
Felmar huff and puffs as he crests the top. Climbing isn’t exactly his mug of mead, but he made it up. After he catches his breath he hears Krikas’s question, and waits to learn the situation from those that have already been up here
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kaelan Thornfell - Wildhunt Shifter Beast Barbarian - Horde of the Dragon Queen
Gustuck "Grumpy Gus" Clayshaper - Deep Gnome Astral Self Monk - Malady of Minarrh
Shelmo Sherrinford - Fairy Inquisitive Rogue - Vae Victus
A solid hit on Rusty and even Aelinn's evlish accuracy didn't seem to be working. Not the greatest situation.
Briar looks over to Krikas and Felmar, "We got a group of raiders down in this hall hiding behind the pillars. At least two or four. Maybe more. Be on the lookout for arrows as you advance." he says. He eyes the further stairs. Makes some room for the others. And perhaps the hostages are up that way. he thinks. He heads from behind the pillar, searching for a raider to cast a sacred flame on. The arrows ting off his armor as he heads out. "Missed me!" he mutters in Hafling as the delight of battle fills him.
Sacred Flame Damage: 4 radiant DEX DC 13 no benefit from cover
Movement: Head to the square 2 blocks NE of the 3 and, cast sacred flame from there, hoping to catch one of the archers that just shot at him, and then head to the stairs by the 4 for cover.
She moved up to where Briar had been and took a peak around the column from a kneeling stance looking for the archers. Perception 19, remaining stealthed 20. Using Briar as bait she learned forward and watched their archer shoot at him and miss.
With darkvision she could see even into the shadows so tried another bow attack 20, damage 9 +sneak attack 3 = damage 12
After a moment of reflection. Felmar changes his mind
“On second thought, I think we should make our stand at the top. The enemy could just raise the lift and cut us off.”
With that Felmar will begin climbing after Briar
Athletics: Dirty 20
Kaelan Thornfell - Wildhunt Shifter Beast Barbarian - Horde of the Dragon Queen
Gustuck "Grumpy Gus" Clayshaper - Deep Gnome Astral Self Monk - Malady of Minarrh
Shelmo Sherrinford - Fairy Inquisitive Rogue - Vae Victus
Solstice Nightchill - Winter Eladrin Hunter Ranger - The Yawning Portal
Captain Duskstar - Human Hex "Gun" Warlock - Airships and Whiskey
Briar smiles as Felmar starts climbing the rope. "Better to strike them at home than to wait for them to organize." he concurs, dashing up the remainder of the rope into the room at Rusty and Aeilinn's sides.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
Krikas
Waiting patiently for the others to climb the rope, Krikas agrees with Briar's comment. When the rope is free he makes one last check around that they're not being followed and clambers up the rope post haste. Once at the top he unslings his crossbow.
Seeing that no one is going to need to be raised on the lift, Rusty leaves the mechanism and walks over to peer down the hallway. He raises one arm, prepared to strike if someone who appears to be a target steps into melee range.
Readied action:
Attack: 18 Damage: 5
Aelinn peeks around the corner, keeping an eye out as her companions move in around her. Rusty steps out to get a better idea of what is ahead, not worried about stealth or subterfuge. Felmar and Krikas make it over half way up the rope. Felmar hangs 10' below the rocky lip above, Krikas just below him, hanging 25' above the lift.
The stairs, formed long ago by the passage of water eating away at the softer stone. Uneven and rough they split only a few feet in front, both sides rise another ten feet then plateau on a hard rock shelf. The surface is marked with divots and erosion but shouldn't be too difficult. The left passage opens on to the floor above, then continues to rise into the darkness beyond. The stairwell is quiet and dark, with just the faint glow of light coming from a distance within.
The right passage opens into a large gallery. Pillars formed of hanging stalactites prevent easy view beyond them. Like a line of stone sentinels preventing intrusion. The sound of water falling is faint, coming from within the gallery itself. Hastily spoken words as the raiders prepare for your assault can be heard echoing against the walls. "How many?, What of Evers and Martell? So dead then" Faint shadows of their forms dash past the few small openings in your sight lines. Just a little seen flash of movement, nothing more. "Who are they? Harpers, Alliance?" They get close, focus, be ready, what's that?, SHOOT IT!"
A pair of arrows fly from behind the pillars, flashing across the distance towards Rusty. The raiders are forming a defensive line, on their turf.
Arrow from the dark against Rusty (Advantage-unseen):Attack: 20 Damage: 3
Arrow from the dark against Rusty (Advantage-unseen):Attack: 19 Damage: 2
Rusty is well obstructed by the wall of the stairs gaining 3/4 cover against these attacks (+5AC) [Tooltip Not Found]
The Raiders (Red dots) are placed only as a best guess for Aelinn and Rusty. It may not be correct as for the numbers or the position of the foe. Felmar and Krikas are still on the rope, 10 and 15' left to climb respectively.
Initiative
Felmar just keeps climbing, mumbling Dwarvish curses all the way up…
Kaelan Thornfell - Wildhunt Shifter Beast Barbarian - Horde of the Dragon Queen
Gustuck "Grumpy Gus" Clayshaper - Deep Gnome Astral Self Monk - Malady of Minarrh
Shelmo Sherrinford - Fairy Inquisitive Rogue - Vae Victus
Solstice Nightchill - Winter Eladrin Hunter Ranger - The Yawning Portal
Captain Duskstar - Human Hex "Gun" Warlock - Airships and Whiskey
[[ With the stairwell and gallery being dark with only a little bit of light from beyond, I assume Rusty and Briar would have difficulty seeing enemy targets, correct? ]]
"Closer than I'd like." remarks Briar about the narrowly missing arrows zinging past Rusty. He stows his warhammer and finds a nearby rock. "Torm guide our eyes." he prays, setting the rock glowing in a vibrant hue of blue. "No sense making the charge while we're at half strength." he says eyeing Felmar and Krikas still on the ropes. "But may as well get that room lit up for you and I, eh?" he speaks to Rusty, asking if the warforged might be able to chuck the rock into the room.
[[ Initially was gonna light it up and chuck it himself, but realized the action-economy wasn't enough since I think it would both an action to light and another to throw. ]]
Item Interaction: stow warhammer //will likely draw a javelin next round
Action: light on a rock by Rusty
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
Torches are lit and illuminate most areas. The stairs heading up the left side are unlit but a faint radiance seeps downward. Clearly a torch is lit in a room at the far end, its light feeble upon the stairs.
The gray portion is obscured, not because of an absence of light. It is hard to make out the details beyond the stone pillars. The angles are all wrong revealing only tiny glimpses like looking through many peepholes, from a distance. Motion can be seen like a shadow passing the moon or a hand flashed before a lantern. Quick, brief and not of enough substance to target. But enough to know your foes are gathering.
OOC: Thanks for the 3/4 cover, DM!
Rusty holds out one hand and accepts the rock from the halfling. Taking a step or two further, he throws the rock as far as he can toward where the arrows came from, then steps back even further than before, not wanting to get hit by any projectiles. "I'm a-a-a-afraid I'm ill equipped to attack at range."
[[
Alright, in that case no need to cast light for visibility. So if it's alright to retcon Briar's actions from my previous post. (And understand if you'd rather not.)
Also just realized what I thought were cracks and crevasses in the floor are the pillars you're mentioning. (Silly me not reading the map correctly.) I like it, nice dynamic map with the various options for PCs and NPCs to utilize cover.
]]
"No matter, Rusty." says Briar with a smile. "Feel free to take some of my javelins." He heads up the stairs, trying to get a glance at once of the raiders. "Torm smite you!" he calls out, unleashing divine flames and then ducks behind the pillar at the top for cover.
Item Interaction: still stow the warhammer
Movement: think it's 10ft to get to the base of the stairs (without extra movement for moving through Rusty and Aelinn due to Hafling Nimbleness; can pause if Rusty wants to take a javelin), 10ft up the stairs (I think) where Sacred Flame is cast, and then another 5ft to get behind that pillar at the top of the stairs to have cover
Action: Sacred Flame
Damage: 3 radiant
DEX SAVE DC 13 (no benefits from cover)
target: given the angles I'm guessing the one farther away and more directly left of the 3 is the one that'll be seen, but any raider is fine
Briar has a Passive Perception of 13 is that affects things.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
Krikas
"Who in their right mind climbs a rope when there's a perfectly good lift?" Krikas complains to himself out loud as he finishes climbing to the ledge above.
Move - finish climbing using all his movement for the round.
Aelinn
She moves silently during a flicker of the flame still stealthed (21) as she moved up the stairs next to the column, turning to the left not far from Briar resting on the steps after the stairwell parted in two. Popping her head around the corner to the right she can see movement (Perception 22). One of the archers that had been shooting at Rusty. (One on the left of the map).
Attack 18, damage 9 plus sneak attack 5 = total damage of 14
She pulls back into the shadow of the stairwell.
Rusty accepts a javelin from Briar and inspects it. Never before has he wielded such a weapon. In fact, the only weapons he's ever wielded were small and medium blades used in the The Blade's show. And that wasn't very often. More often, Rusty was the target to miss rather than the one doing the throwing. The metal man holds it over his shoulder and makes a throwing motion. Seems easy enough. He watches as the halfling and the elf make their way up the stairs, and he follows, moving to where he is behind the large pillar that splits the stairs.
Briar plucks a strand of the weave, an arcane word of power on his lips as he dashes across the opening to the large pillar, the split in the stairwell climbing upward. No foe can be seen, only shadows cast from torches in the far room to reveal anybody is there. That and the calls of defense. An arrow chips off the stone wall, missing Briar but telling you they are ready.
Aelinn dashes across, keeping low and to the shadows, a movement, perhaps just a flicker of torchlight. Her bow snaps, launching an arrow but the sound of a ricochet is all that comes of the effort. She ducks into cover next to Briar and peers around the corner.
Rusty, testing this new found weapon strides up the stairs, a couple arrows fly from the shadows behind the far pillars. Rusty has 3/4 cover from the narrow sight lines. (+5AC)
Arrow from the dark towards Rusty (Advantage: unseen):Attack: 8 Damage: 3
Arrow from the dark towards Rusty (Advantage: unseen):Attack: 13 Damage: 3
Felmar and Krikas hoist themselves over the edge and scramble into position close to the lift, safely tucked behind the wall. The torches sputter from the constant wind caused by the crashing water.
Krikas make a perception check DC: 21 If you succeed open this spoiler
The crunch of a stone ball carries up towards your position. Is someone, or something moving below?
If you decide to check it out, open the next spoiler
Only open this spoiler if you are told to.
Peering over the lip, into the darkness below you spot two raiders moving towards the lift. Ready for you they have bows out, arrows fly across the distance to strike at anybody popping out from above...you. (You have 3/4 cover from the ledge beneath your feet) (+5AC)
Arrow from below: Attack: 11 Damage: 3
Arrow from below: Attack: 6 Damage: 6
Barely a flit of movement remains to be seen beyond, someone dashing across the narrow sight line. Not long enough to target, just to know they are there. The movement beyond has nearly stopped, it seems they are in position. A woman barks out, "Save your ammo till you can see them". Another, a man from somewhere to the right side yells, "You made a mistake, you aint leavin here. Give up, and see another dawn!".
The above image describes your current sightlines. You know the raiders are there, having taken defensive position behind the pillars.
Initiative
If you choose to dash across towards #4 or #5 please open this spoiler
The raiders are ready for you, a pair lean out and let loose the arrows they had nocked:
Arrow from the dark: Attack: 5 Damage: 4
Arrow from the dark: Attack: 8 Damage: 7
If you choose to dash towards #6 please open this spoiler
The pillars rise up around you, blocking sight and options as you enter an open area, the Raiders are ready for you, arrayed behind the stone. Arrows trained on the area are released as they spot you in the open.
Arrow from the dark: Attack: 8 Damage: 2
Arrow from the dark: Attack: 22 Damage: 2
Krikas
Perception 14
(Will post again once I see the result)
Krikas
The half elf takes in his new surrounds. He spots the majority of his group huddled behind a rock formation. He hurries over to their location and puts his back against the stone. "What have we got?" he asks the others, his crossbow drawn again after his rope climb.
Felmar huff and puffs as he crests the top. Climbing isn’t exactly his mug of mead, but he made it up. After he catches his breath he hears Krikas’s question, and waits to learn the situation from those that have already been up here
Kaelan Thornfell - Wildhunt Shifter Beast Barbarian - Horde of the Dragon Queen
Gustuck "Grumpy Gus" Clayshaper - Deep Gnome Astral Self Monk - Malady of Minarrh
Shelmo Sherrinford - Fairy Inquisitive Rogue - Vae Victus
Solstice Nightchill - Winter Eladrin Hunter Ranger - The Yawning Portal
Captain Duskstar - Human Hex "Gun" Warlock - Airships and Whiskey
A solid hit on Rusty and even Aelinn's evlish accuracy didn't seem to be working. Not the greatest situation.
Briar looks over to Krikas and Felmar, "We got a group of raiders down in this hall hiding behind the pillars. At least two or four. Maybe more. Be on the lookout for arrows as you advance." he says. He eyes the further stairs. Makes some room for the others. And perhaps the hostages are up that way. he thinks. He heads from behind the pillar, searching for a raider to cast a sacred flame on. The arrows ting off his armor as he heads out. "Missed me!" he mutters in Hafling as the delight of battle fills him.
Sacred Flame
Damage: 4 radiant
DEX DC 13 no benefit from cover
Movement: Head to the square 2 blocks NE of the 3 and, cast sacred flame from there, hoping to catch one of the archers that just shot at him, and then head to the stairs by the 4 for cover.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
Aelinn
She moved up to where Briar had been and took a peak around the column from a kneeling stance looking for the archers. Perception 19, remaining stealthed 20. Using Briar as bait she learned forward and watched their archer shoot at him and miss.
With darkvision she could see even into the shadows so tried another bow attack 20, damage 9 +sneak attack 3 = damage 12
Raider Dex save: DC13: 7