This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Well, this certainly complicated matters. Geren knew enough not to automatically judge a creature by their appearance, but that could just as often save your life.
In this case he wasn't about to leave the path and he had no way of attacking whatever that was so he'd try diplomacy.
Geren calls out to the creature.
"You there! This doesn't have to come to violence, let's talk."
A small, unsettling bump shifts under Shae's sleeve, creeping along her arm before settling near her wrist. From the fold of her cloak, a tiny form emerges—a bat with inky black wings and gleaming eyes. Shae raises her arm slightly, and the bat unfurls its wings, but instead of taking flight, it clings to her forearm, its head tilting as if intrigued by the tension radiating from her. "This is Ekko," Shae murmurs, her voice steady despite the unease in the air. The bat shifts slightly, its gaze fixed on the dark woods ahead, as if sensing the unseen eyes watching them.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
The creature's curved horns tilt to the side and you can just make out the hint of a smile in the dim moonlight filtering through the canopy and the clouds. The white eyes catch the light filtering through and its thin wings buzz as they flutter rapidly. It moves slightly and you notice the bottom of its form ends in two disjointed legs more akin to a grasshopper than a human. It's voice is thin and layered, almost mocking, "But when it does come to ormë (Sylvan for 'violence' or 'harm' for those who speak that language) it can be so interesting!" The sinewy arms flex as it spins the spear around and small ornaments dangling from the intricate weapon buzz and begin to spin around it. The creature's laughter seems filled with dark joy and echoes through the night. "Dûr Faug has seen fit to bring you to the woods this night! Let us enjoy our time together while it lasts, no?" For any who speak Sylvan, the term Dûr Faug is strange and perhaps means something close to 'the long dark gaze'.
...Interesting. Perhaps this is one of what they're being paid to exterminate? The Alchemist is intrigued, his curiosity tapped. In this moment, his mind works more than any simple emotion, and for the time being, he pushes fear and uncertainty to the back of his mind. This, after all, is a time to test, theories from both the shopkeep and the constabulary.
He starts, foremost, with a simple shot of his crossbow...
The creature watches as the bolt flies into the trees and smirks. "Suste orae!! (Sylvan for something akin to 'your warning shot failed') At least you've come faele seluabe (near to possibly 'have a good time')" The being continues to parse the Common tongue with some strange variant of Sylvan as its excitement seems to grow to nearly a giddy glee.
Shae advances cautiously along the road, her wand arm steady with Ekko perched alertly on her forearm, his wings fluttering slightly in the tense air. Her shield is ready, poised to be raised at the first sign of an attack, and her eyes remain locked on the strange, insectile creature before them. With a careful, almost naive tone, she calls out, "Are you... one of the Jae?" Her voice carries a blend of curiosity and innocence, though her mind is sharp, analyzing every word and movement. The creature's insectoid appearance clashes with what she knows of the Jae, and she hopes its reaction will reveal more than it intends.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
A lilting melody begins to emanate from the direction of the creature as the objects spin and hum around its weapon. Shae's ears are tickled by the sound, a blend of music and insect trilling. She begins to wonder if the objects attached to the intricate spear are alive. As the music begins the creature speaks in its strange dialect once again, "The Jae?!? Do not insult me! Those outcasts are nothing more than tainted relics!" The being raises a thin hand and a sickly yellow bolt of energy flies through the woods at both Shae and Joy! Something stirs within the creature's chest as it's ribs part - two tiny buzzing creatures that you can only make out the motions of from this distance.
Joy grits her teeth against the impact of the spell, recognizing the damage as poison. Ah, the...apparently-not-Jae got her good! Fortunately, the bolt aimed at Shae and the adorable Ekko missed, though the strange sounds are worrisome. When the creature's chest opens with a sickening sound she wants to vomit, able to resist only because of the weight of her duty...and a less noble, hag-like desire to get back at this freak. She frowns and moves toward the creature as much as she can while staying on the path.
"Those who needlessly inflict harm invite it upon themselves," she declares in Sylvan, reaching out to point at the creature and cast Hex on it. She then lays a hand over her wounds and focuses her Oath, using it to heal herself completely.
Actions: Bonus Action - Hex, giving the creature Disadvantage on Dex ability checks. Action - Lay on Hands on Joy for 14 Hp.
As Shae saw the sickly yellow bolt hurtling toward Joy, she instinctively reached out to call upon Kiaransalee, ready to cast the protective spell. But then the creature’s strange melody, an unsettling blend of music and insect trills, wrapped itself around her mind like a creeping vine. The sound was mesmerizing, its eerie beauty captivating her senses and pulling her attention away from the danger.
The spell she was about to cast slipped from her grasp, the incantation lost in the haze of the enthralling tune. Shae’s hand faltered, and she could only watch in helpless dread as the bolt struck Joy. A wave of guilt washed over her, but the melody still held her in its thrall, making it hard to focus, hard to think.
Ekko clung to her forearm, sensing her distress, his tiny claws digging into her skin as if to anchor her to reality. Shae’s eyes flicked to the creature, her thoughts struggling against the melody’s grip. She knew she had to break free, to regain control, but the haunting tune continued to weave through her mind, making her feel as if she were trapped in a waking dream.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
Seeing his teammates under attack and the obvious ill intent of the fey Geren quickly draws his shortbow and moves forward.
"You're doing the Jae's work for them by attacking us! How's it feel to know you're their pawn?"
Geren's just guessing but he hopes the taunt will get them some information or maybe even get the fey to stop attacking. Not that he'll stop attacking unless they do.
Geren's arrow hits the Stalker but doesn't penetrate as far into the fey as it should have.
Ekko takes flight in a panic, weaving through the chaos as the eerie melody holds Shae in its grip. Desperate to snap her out of it, he darts in front of her face, his frantic chirps piercing through the enchanting tune. With each pass, his small wings beat rapidly, a blur of motion as he tries to break through her trance and bring her back to the reality of the fight.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
The fae creature chuckles as one of its pets similar to a twisted dragonfly speeds past a gnarled dead tree and attempts to jab Geren with its sharp tail! The stalker responds, "The Selang are free to do as we wish! A freedom granted us by Dûr Faug...one of the few we still hold dear in this mundane realm! Come and dance with us in the dark between the leaves!"The creature winces as the arrow strikes it in the shoulder.
1Faefly
Move - Fly 40 ft.
Action -Sew Attack targeting Geren TO HIT: 8 (misses)
The second tiny faefly zips through the darkness and rapidly jabs its tail directly into Joy's lip! Before she knows it, the hexblood's own skin is twisted and sewn together sealing her mouth closed as her green skin becomes necrotic and fused together!
2Faefly
Move - Fly 35 ft.
Action -Sew Attack targeting JoyTO HIT: 19 DAMAGE 6 PIERCING (and her mouth is sewn shut)
The Dragonborn grumbles about having to recover all the bolts when he's done, reloading at a leisurely pace. And no Jae? Damn. This had seemed the perfect opportunity to test his theories. But... if this is no more than another dark fey, he has no need to test a thing. Ah, lament! If he doesn't improve his aim, these bolts will surely eat away at his gold! All the more reason to test his newest idea, tonight.
As he muses, he finishes reloading his weapon. The others have charged in, but he has no need. Not so long as he can fight from afar... Turning his gaze to the insect floating before Geren, Kesh aims and fires once more!
Shae’s mind drifts, the melody pulling her deeper into a dreamlike haze. The forest whispers secrets, its shadows beckoning her forward. In her mind, a path of silver light seems to lead her deeper into the woods, promising answers to unasked questions. The creature’s song pulses through the air, guiding her steps as she wanders off the path, forgetting the battle entirely.
Ekko flutters around her, his frantic chirps growing louder, wings beating with urgency. His presence finally breaks through the fog in her mind. Shae blinks, realizing she’s strayed from the path, far from the battle and heading in the opposite direction. The trance shatters, and reality rushes back in, her heart pounding as she regains her senses.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
Geren begins to hear the trill of the buzzing melodies wafting through the trees from the fae creature and its whirling spear trinkets. He's enraptured by the sounds and begins a capering dance. "Yes, yesss! Come and dance, pretty things!" Two flashes of that sick yellow light fly past the rogue but his dancing actually enables him to bob and weave away from them!
Stalker
Move - 40 ft
Action -Multiattack - Piping targeting Geren (failed save and will do a capering dance in their space using all of their movement. On the target’s next turn, it must use all of its movement dancing without leaving its space, and it has disadvantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws.) 2 Poison Bolts targeting Geren (both miss)
Joy is taken off-guard by the speed of the insect's attack and the stinging pain around her mouth. It is only when she tries to cry out that she realizes in horror that her mouth is sealed. Looking around she sees her allies disoriented and dancing...at least Kesh is alright. Trying to control her breathing through her nose, she tempers her growing rage into steeled resolve and heads for the Stalker, prepared to take opportunity attacks from the wretched bugs along the way. Reaching the creature at long last she swings her Warhammer at it with all her might, the attack bolstered by the radiance of a Divine Smite and the necrotic energy from the Hex she cast on the Stalker previously. She then focuses her Oath to Harness Divine Power; she will smite this thing as many times as it takes.
To hit: 21, Damage: 5 base damage plus 8 radiant divine smite plus 5 necrotic from hex.
Joy is taken off-guard by the speed of the insect's attack and the stinging pain around her mouth. It is only when she tries to cry out that she realizes in horror that her mouth is sealed. Looking around she sees her allies disoriented and dancing...at least Kesh is alright. Trying to control her breathing through her nose, she tempers her growing rage into steeled resolve and heads for the Stalker, prepared to take opportunity attacks from the wretched bugs along the way. Reaching the creature at long last she swings her Warhammer at it with all her might, the attack bolstered by the radiance of a Divine Smite and the necrotic energy from the Hex she cast on the Stalker previously. She then focuses her Oath to Harness Divine Power; she will smite this thing as many times as it takes.
To hit: 21, Damage: 5 base damage plus 8 radiant divine smite plus 5 necrotic from hex.
The creature grimaces and recoils from the fury of the blow, and Joy can see the things fluttering about the ornate spear are actually some kind of flying insects flying about the weapon and creating the chilling music. The selang squares up to the hexblood and grabs at its side still smoldering from the divine smite...but then it grins and cocks its head to the side with a jerk, inviting the melee...
Geren struggles against whatever magic is forcing him to dance. At least his erratic movements let him dodge the creature's attacks.
Unable to switch weapons in time he's forced to use his bow at close range against the smaller insectoid fey next to him. Fortunately his arrow strike true, piercing the thing's abdomen.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Well, this certainly complicated matters. Geren knew enough not to automatically judge a creature by their appearance, but that could just as often save your life.
In this case he wasn't about to leave the path and he had no way of attacking whatever that was so he'd try diplomacy.
Geren calls out to the creature.
"You there! This doesn't have to come to violence, let's talk."
OOC: Persuasion check
13
A small, unsettling bump shifts under Shae's sleeve, creeping along her arm before settling near her wrist. From the fold of her cloak, a tiny form emerges—a bat with inky black wings and gleaming eyes. Shae raises her arm slightly, and the bat unfurls its wings, but instead of taking flight, it clings to her forearm, its head tilting as if intrigued by the tension radiating from her. "This is Ekko," Shae murmurs, her voice steady despite the unease in the air. The bat shifts slightly, its gaze fixed on the dark woods ahead, as if sensing the unseen eyes watching them.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
The creature's curved horns tilt to the side and you can just make out the hint of a smile in the dim moonlight filtering through the canopy and the clouds. The white eyes catch the light filtering through and its thin wings buzz as they flutter rapidly. It moves slightly and you notice the bottom of its form ends in two disjointed legs more akin to a grasshopper than a human. It's voice is thin and layered, almost mocking, "But when it does come to ormë (Sylvan for 'violence' or 'harm' for those who speak that language) it can be so interesting!" The sinewy arms flex as it spins the spear around and small ornaments dangling from the intricate weapon buzz and begin to spin around it. The creature's laughter seems filled with dark joy and echoes through the night. "Dûr Faug has seen fit to bring you to the woods this night! Let us enjoy our time together while it lasts, no?" For any who speak Sylvan, the term Dûr Faug is strange and perhaps means something close to 'the long dark gaze'.
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
...Interesting. Perhaps this is one of what they're being paid to exterminate? The Alchemist is intrigued, his curiosity tapped. In this moment, his mind works more than any simple emotion, and for the time being, he pushes fear and uncertainty to the back of his mind. This, after all, is a time to test, theories from both the shopkeep and the constabulary.
He starts, foremost, with a simple shot of his crossbow...
[To hit: 8 (nat 1), Damage: 9]
The creature watches as the bolt flies into the trees and smirks. "Suste orae!! (Sylvan for something akin to 'your warning shot failed') At least you've come faele seluabe (near to possibly 'have a good time')" The being continues to parse the Common tongue with some strange variant of Sylvan as its excitement seems to grow to nearly a giddy glee.
And it is now Shae's turn
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
Shae advances cautiously along the road, her wand arm steady with Ekko perched alertly on her forearm, his wings fluttering slightly in the tense air. Her shield is ready, poised to be raised at the first sign of an attack, and her eyes remain locked on the strange, insectile creature before them. With a careful, almost naive tone, she calls out, "Are you... one of the Jae?" Her voice carries a blend of curiosity and innocence, though her mind is sharp, analyzing every word and movement. The creature's insectoid appearance clashes with what she knows of the Jae, and she hopes its reaction will reveal more than it intends.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
A lilting melody begins to emanate from the direction of the creature as the objects spin and hum around its weapon. Shae's ears are tickled by the sound, a blend of music and insect trilling. She begins to wonder if the objects attached to the intricate spear are alive. As the music begins the creature speaks in its strange dialect once again, "The Jae?!? Do not insult me! Those outcasts are nothing more than tainted relics!" The being raises a thin hand and a sickly yellow bolt of energy flies through the woods at both Shae and Joy! Something stirs within the creature's chest as it's ribs part - two tiny buzzing creatures that you can only make out the motions of from this distance.
Enemy Round 1
Stalker
Action - Multiattack: Disorienting Piping targeting Shae
Poison Bolt targeting Shae TO HIT: 16 DAMAGE 17
Poison Bolt targeting Joy TO HIT: 25 DAMAGE 14
(Shae will need to make a DC 14 Wisdom Saving Throw or be Disoriented by the sounds of the piping, resulting in being incapacitated)
1Faefly & 2Faefly
Added to initiative
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
Joy grits her teeth against the impact of the spell, recognizing the damage as poison. Ah, the...apparently-not-Jae got her good! Fortunately, the bolt aimed at Shae and the adorable Ekko missed, though the strange sounds are worrisome. When the creature's chest opens with a sickening sound she wants to vomit, able to resist only because of the weight of her duty...and a less noble, hag-like desire to get back at this freak. She frowns and moves toward the creature as much as she can while staying on the path.
"Those who needlessly inflict harm invite it upon themselves," she declares in Sylvan, reaching out to point at the creature and cast Hex on it. She then lays a hand over her wounds and focuses her Oath, using it to heal herself completely.
Actions: Bonus Action - Hex, giving the creature Disadvantage on Dex ability checks. Action - Lay on Hands on Joy for 14 Hp.
As Shae saw the sickly yellow bolt hurtling toward Joy, she instinctively reached out to call upon Kiaransalee, ready to cast the protective spell. But then the creature’s strange melody, an unsettling blend of music and insect trills, wrapped itself around her mind like a creeping vine. The sound was mesmerizing, its eerie beauty captivating her senses and pulling her attention away from the danger.
The spell she was about to cast slipped from her grasp, the incantation lost in the haze of the enthralling tune. Shae’s hand faltered, and she could only watch in helpless dread as the bolt struck Joy. A wave of guilt washed over her, but the melody still held her in its thrall, making it hard to focus, hard to think.
Ekko clung to her forearm, sensing her distress, his tiny claws digging into her skin as if to anchor her to reality. Shae’s eyes flicked to the creature, her thoughts struggling against the melody’s grip. She knew she had to break free, to regain control, but the haunting tune continued to weave through her mind, making her feel as if she were trapped in a waking dream.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
Seeing his teammates under attack and the obvious ill intent of the fey Geren quickly draws his shortbow and moves forward.
"You're doing the Jae's work for them by attacking us! How's it feel to know you're their pawn?"
Geren's just guessing but he hopes the taunt will get them some information or maybe even get the fey to stop attacking. Not that he'll stop attacking unless they do.
Geren's arrow hits the Stalker but doesn't penetrate as far into the fey as it should have.
Ekko takes flight in a panic, weaving through the chaos as the eerie melody holds Shae in its grip. Desperate to snap her out of it, he darts in front of her face, his frantic chirps piercing through the enchanting tune. With each pass, his small wings beat rapidly, a blur of motion as he tries to break through her trance and bring her back to the reality of the fight.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
The fae creature chuckles as one of its pets similar to a twisted dragonfly speeds past a gnarled dead tree and attempts to jab Geren with its sharp tail! The stalker responds, "The Selang are free to do as we wish! A freedom granted us by Dûr Faug...one of the few we still hold dear in this mundane realm! Come and dance with us in the dark between the leaves!" The creature winces as the arrow strikes it in the shoulder.
1Faefly
Move - Fly 40 ft.
Action - Sew Attack targeting Geren TO HIT: 8 (misses)
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
The second tiny faefly zips through the darkness and rapidly jabs its tail directly into Joy's lip! Before she knows it, the hexblood's own skin is twisted and sewn together sealing her mouth closed as her green skin becomes necrotic and fused together!
2Faefly
Move - Fly 35 ft.
Action - Sew Attack targeting Joy TO HIT: 19 DAMAGE 6 PIERCING (and her mouth is sewn shut)
It is now Kesh's turn
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
The Dragonborn grumbles about having to recover all the bolts when he's done, reloading at a leisurely pace. And no Jae? Damn. This had seemed the perfect opportunity to test his theories. But... if this is no more than another dark fey, he has no need to test a thing. Ah, lament! If he doesn't improve his aim, these bolts will surely eat away at his gold! All the more reason to test his newest idea, tonight.
As he muses, he finishes reloading his weapon. The others have charged in, but he has no need. Not so long as he can fight from afar... Turning his gaze to the insect floating before Geren, Kesh aims and fires once more!
[To hit: 11, Damage: 10]
Kesh's bolt flies into the darkness missing the mark as the tiny insects flitter around their marks.
It is now Shae's turn and she is incapacitated as well as moving in a random direction in her disoriented state 6
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
Shae’s mind drifts, the melody pulling her deeper into a dreamlike haze. The forest whispers secrets, its shadows beckoning her forward. In her mind, a path of silver light seems to lead her deeper into the woods, promising answers to unasked questions. The creature’s song pulses through the air, guiding her steps as she wanders off the path, forgetting the battle entirely.
Ekko flutters around her, his frantic chirps growing louder, wings beating with urgency. His presence finally breaks through the fog in her mind. Shae blinks, realizing she’s strayed from the path, far from the battle and heading in the opposite direction. The trance shatters, and reality rushes back in, her heart pounding as she regains her senses.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
Geren begins to hear the trill of the buzzing melodies wafting through the trees from the fae creature and its whirling spear trinkets. He's enraptured by the sounds and begins a capering dance. "Yes, yesss! Come and dance, pretty things!" Two flashes of that sick yellow light fly past the rogue but his dancing actually enables him to bob and weave away from them!
Stalker
Move - 40 ft
Action - Multiattack - Piping targeting Geren (failed save and will do a capering dance in their space using all of their movement. On the target’s next turn, it must use all of its movement dancing without leaving its space, and it has disadvantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws.) 2 Poison Bolts targeting Geren (both miss)
And it is now Joy's turn
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
Joy is taken off-guard by the speed of the insect's attack and the stinging pain around her mouth. It is only when she tries to cry out that she realizes in horror that her mouth is sealed. Looking around she sees her allies disoriented and dancing...at least Kesh is alright. Trying to control her breathing through her nose, she tempers her growing rage into steeled resolve and heads for the Stalker, prepared to take opportunity attacks from the wretched bugs along the way. Reaching the creature at long last she swings her Warhammer at it with all her might, the attack bolstered by the radiance of a Divine Smite and the necrotic energy from the Hex she cast on the Stalker previously. She then focuses her Oath to Harness Divine Power; she will smite this thing as many times as it takes.
To hit: 21, Damage: 5 base damage plus 8 radiant divine smite plus 5 necrotic from hex.
The creature grimaces and recoils from the fury of the blow, and Joy can see the things fluttering about the ornate spear are actually some kind of flying insects flying about the weapon and creating the chilling music. The selang squares up to the hexblood and grabs at its side still smoldering from the divine smite...but then it grins and cocks its head to the side with a jerk, inviting the melee...
It is now Geren's turn
Murder Court Discord OOC | Phandelver Discord OOC
Geren struggles against whatever magic is forcing him to dance. At least his erratic movements let him dodge the creature's attacks.
Unable to switch weapons in time he's forced to use his bow at close range against the smaller insectoid fey next to him. Fortunately his arrow strike true, piercing the thing's abdomen.