Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Zooming around the tunnel in an up and down trek, like a thing gone mad, Yuki blasts visible, harengon-shaped, holes into the water. The ground below him erupts into waves that splatter the tunnel walls with glittery grime, and the tiles light up in a blur, but you notice that too many consecutive tiles turn them all off for an instance until you land on another tile. Even still, you can light up individual tiles. You can even light them all up, which glow an electric blue. But not all at once.
I guessed at how you wanted your movement to be, but I assume you're being methodical. with 240 feet per turn (and with difficult terrain) you're able to cover the right side of the tunnel, by running the map vertically like you're doing speed drills, but hopping 5' over at the end of each route.
I rolled for Acrobatics to see if you can ignore terrain. The roll wasn't high enough, so your speed was halved. The map will show where you ended up, but you're just inside the tunnel, just south of Orr the Unseen. Because you're holding your breath, you do not have to roll against Poison.
The chittering of whatever is crawling towards you seems to be coming from the ceiling. Two Spider Swarms descend upon the party on dozens of silky threads, lowering towards and directly above you! But they're hardly the real threat. 3 Giant Spiders climb out from behind crystal stalactites, building webs to launch at you!
I've given the link to the Spider Swarm and the Giant Spiders, because you know their statblock by default. This doesn't mean you know their starting HP or if they have any magic endowments from being in the crystal cave, because I roll for HP. But they appear to be normal for their type, so you can assume they have somewhere near their default HP. Since the Spider Swarms are Tiny and are currently hovering over you, I haven't added them to the map yet. But they are currently descending upon Hastos and Sera, since they are furthest from the poisonous tunnel. Once they are physically interacting within the same 5' plane you are on, I will outline the square they are occuying. They are currently 20' above you.
You can have 1 Move or 1 Action before it's my turn. The noise you're hearing accounts for more critters than you currently see. But you may roll for Perception to find more.
Behind you, the myconids appear dissapointed, and are starting to shuffle away from the tunnel entrance.
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
Sera see the Haregon rush around to step on as many tiles as possible..." thats fast..." but her further comments are cut short ..she shivers at the swarms of spiders...and further back giant spiders. " this might work on dumb spiders..."
Sera pull out a card from deck of illusions. She toss it over Swarm black ( just notheast of swarm black)
And a bluish Night Hag cacklingly appears. Sera hope it will attrackt the attention of the giant spiders.
Hastos searches above to get a sense of where all the skittering is coming from (Perception: 16).
As he does, he takes out his axe and says calmly “Fuego”. The axe again roars into flames. He reaches into his pack and pulls out the flask of oil, pops the top and hurls it at the feet of the black spider.
If this doesn’t count as a full turn, then Hastos would like to use “Firebolt” to ignite the oil. I don’t know if I need to roll, but if so: (To hit: 16, Dam; 12)
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
(Fire Burst Recharge Roll: 6. Barkly can spit another burst)
“Y’know just a little while ago we were looking for water and now all we seem to do is spit out fire!” Looking up at the swarms above, “You think you could hit em both Barkly?” (If Barkly isn’t stopped by Bucky due to some other circumstance the fire burst damage is: 10 fire damage on failed DC12 dex save half on success)
Turning back to look at the giant spiders. “They might be fun to ride, but I don’t have time for that” He pulls out his daggers and rushes towards Spider Blue. (3 squares straight up, Splinter 19 to hit, 10 Damage. Nik with Shard 23 to hit, 5 damage. Bonus action 2 weapon fighting with Shard Nat 1 for a 10 to hit and 3 damage)
Loyalty Begets Honour
The Night Hag appears out of thin air behind Giant Spider Black, cackling wildly! "Whom shall share my dream with me?" She looks to Giant Spider Black with delight and raises a translucent bag, carrying glowing, swiriling, ethereal things within in, and smiles. While her expression seems gleeful, it remains unnerving to behold. "What a pretty thing," she breathes.
Giant Spider Black curls up writhes in agony as the flames singe its sensutive hairs. The Night Hag rears back in horror and rage at Hastos's actions. She points a finger at Hastos angrily while screeching incoherently, her glare a twisted visage of malice.
Buckeran braces himself while Barkly prepares to belch out another burst of flame. She lobs a shot over Sera's head, and the first spider swarm lights up in a crackling flame! More than half of the spiders within are incinerated instantly! The webbing douses most of the flame before it can pass through to the second swarm. But enough of the embers land, causing a few dramatic pops as the scurrying ambassaders curl up and die.
Dex Save 1: 4 (Spider Swarm 1 is Bloodied)
Sex Save 2: 15
Barkly tilts her head in disappointment. The wetness of the webbing diminished the flamboyant nature of her favorite attack in a way that she seems to find anticlimactic. She wants to join Merkas and aid in battle, but isn't sure how with the wall structure in the way. She spots a dangerous route and gets her feet under her to make the dash...
Barkly readies to make an 80' circuit around the spiders and the Hag, then attack Spider Black.
Merkas charges in swinging, and lacerates Giant Spider Blue with a nasty 1-2 combo, and limbs spin end over end through the air! The wound causes the spider to wince and retract for only a moment, just long enough for Merkas's dagger to swipe nothing but air with his third suprise assault! Giant Spider Blue's resolve does not look like it has faded. And she continues to ready her webbing!
After finally catching their breath, Orr the Unseen surveys the battle scene. With most of their spell uses done for the day, they revert to an old favorite. The tattoos on their arms glow with a telltale blue, and they launch three Arcane Bursts! The first one rips through the swarm looming above Hastos! Spider shrapnel erupts everywhere! The second barrels into what's left of the Spider Swarm wriggling its way down to Sera, and explodes in a small shockwave! The third blast pounds into the thorax of Giant Spider Blue and it shudders a moment, before exploding violently!
Attack (Arcane Burst 1): 14, Damage: 16 (Force)
Spider Swarm over Hastos is Dead.
Attack (Arcane Burst 2): 17, Damage: 21 (Force)
Spider Swarm over Sera is Dead.
Attack (Arcane Burst 3): 24, Damage: 19 (Force)
Giant Spider Blue is Dead.
Bits of spider and webbing drape Hastos and Sera. Merkas is covered in yet another type of goo and spider bits. Orr the Unseen shrugs an apology for the messy overkill. The Night Hag, visibly the most offended by the violent results, turns her gnarled finger of judgment towards Orr the Unseen. Her screams have silenced... only raw fury burns from her eyes now.
Yuki, still trying to decode the secrets of the tunnel, is too distracted to engage in the battle at the moment.
TheBeanestOfBeans, I'm invoking the 24 (extended to 48) hour turnover rule to keep the game going. You may ready an action if you like, and it will take precedence over moves or actions on the Player turn.
The Night Hag begins her encantation... "Art thou delighted? Art thou jolly? Thine actions righted? I say tis folly! In thy mind, burn and sear; the event in kind, you most fear!"
Night Hag casts Phantasmal Killer (no damage) on Orr the Unseen.
WIS Save (Dis from Exhaustion): 4
Orr the Unseen has Disadvantage on Ability Checks (already from Exhaustion) and Attack Rolls (from Phantasmal Killer)
Orr the Unseen goes stiff, and their breath catches in their throat. Unholy panic wracks their body, and tears pool up in the lids of their eyes. Their arms go limp, and their knees weak. Suddenly, croaking, panicked breaths rattle through straining lungs. They stumble and nearly collapse. Their eyes appear to be seeing something from years away... glassy and distant. Their heart flutters in their chest erratically as if it could stop at any moment!
Orr the Unseen is having a panic attack.
The Night Hag turns her horrible gaze on Hastos next.
Giant Spider Red seizes the opportunity created and blasts a web at Orr the Unseen! Then it begins dragging them away to a safe distance!
Orr the Unseen's Dex Save (Dis): 12
Orr the Unseen is Restrained.
Giant Spider Red scurries quickly up to Orr the Unseen and begins to drag them. Once the spider feels like its gotten far enough away, it begins seeking out threads to crawl up.
Giant Spider Black, after putting itself out, hurls its web at Hastos!
MrUncleTio please make a Dex Save (DC 13) to avoid the Restrained Condition.
The skittering from the ceiling seems to have stopped for a moment. Eyes are on you, watching to see how this battle turns out.
Player turn, but I have readied actions pending Hastos's Save results.
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
With a flick of her hand Sera dismiss the illusion agast that it attacked her companions. It just flicker out of existence. " wooha!..Orr..it is not real!" But too late.He gets stiff as a statue and easy prey to the spiders webbing.
Sera hurry after Orr ( moving 30 feet east)
While trying to get out a shard infused with sacred flame. But in her stress and bad concience she loose grip on it the moment she was to grenade it at the giant red spider. ( nat 1 on attack)
And ghe shard lands somewhere else sparkling useless and her spell land on the giant spider normally without any increased power. ( 9 radiant dex save 13)
The glowering Hag vanishes in a flash. Radiant light flashes around Giant Spider Red, searing it with holy fire! In its pain, the spider drops Orr the Unseen, who is curled up in a ball inside the web. Orr's eyes are clenched tight, and tears form small, soggy puddles on the ground below, but with the presence of the Night Hag gone, Orr seems to be breathing more steadily.
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
Hastos easily side steps the Black spiders web and looks disappointedly at it.( Dex: 19)
”Honestly?” Has asks incredulously as he readies his axe for another attack! (Attack:13, Dam:14)/ (Attack:11, Dam:7)
Hastos takes an unsteady swing, his stance being made difficult by the thin covering of spider icor. He follows with another swing, but it’s even less accurate
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
“Barkly can you help Sera with Orr? Give ‘im a nice muzzle nuzzle would ya, that’s always comforting”
Merkas turns to watch the back and forth between Hastos and the giant spider. “Y’know Haz, if you’re gonna banter you gotta at least back it up with some action.” Merkas jokes as he steps up beside his friend and starts slashing at the spider. “Like, ‘You’re Momma was a centipede and yer Daddy a slug!’ Now that I said that it’s time to help them be more like Daddy!”
The small, blue, burned, filthy Kender goes to town on the nearest things he can reach of the spider. His twin daggers seem to find purchase on each hit but he’s not sure if this one will explode too.
(Move 3 squares right, Splinter to hit: 27, 11dmg , Nik: Shard to hit: 23, 4dmg, BA:TWF: Shard to hit: 14, 4dmg)
Loyalty Begets Honour
Hastos, still sliding a bit from the spider entrails under his feet, watches Merkas begin to ferociously attack the spider.
”I believe I’ll leave the banter to you, my friend!” He manages to let out a chuckle at the sight of his otherwise mild mannered friend savagely stabbing and slashing at the spider.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Giant Spider Black ducks and weaves from the frenzied axe swings. Hastos's axe glances off Giant Spider Black's exoskeleton, ripping a chuck of hair off with each strike, but doing no significant damage in the process.
Merkas's swift action, and even swifter knives dig in to the unfortunate Giant Spider Black, dicing the creature apart with precise and deadly swipes! Chelicerae plop to the ground in two blinding flashes of metallic light! A third slice shaves off a bit of the thorax, and ichor dribbles from the wound. All fight has left the Giant Spider's will. It's legs writhe and curl in pain.
Giant Spider Black is alive but near death (severely Bloodied).
I moved you up a square so you're not occupying the same square as Giant Spider Black.
As Merkas's surgical attack rips into the happless spider, a new spider drops to the ground, and sinks its fangs into Merkas! Venon courses through his veins at the shoulder wound as Giant Spider Black tries to regroup and retreat.
Giant Spider Blue (new) Attacks (Bite) as Readied Action: 14, Hits; Damage: 7 (Piercing) + 4 (Poison) = 11 or 9, pending CON Save (DC 11)
Hrothbert_Neruca, Merkas has the Poisoned condition on a failed save.
The sudden attack reveals two other Giant Spiders waiting in the ceiling!
They are dangling from barely visible threads attached to webs in the ceiling to fall on you, and are now 20 ft above you. I've marked the squares where they've set their trap. They're waiting for you to land within 5' of their attack radius to drop. They are presumed weakened because of fall damage from the landing. But while they're dangling, they're at full health.
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
(21 Con save against poison, 3 for Barkly’s Fire burst recharge- no good)
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sera pull out her swordhilt...and with a short command it flares to life. The energy blade buzz and shine.
She gets closer and try squeese herself between Orr and the giant spider ( move north east 5 feet. (Dex+ath 17 to try swap place with Orr if possible)
So the monster leave him be and focus on her instead. Swinging wildly her blade at it to fend it off and not making any great attemt to hit it.
( attack roll 11 )
Hastos watch is the blue giant spider sink it’s fangs into Merkas. Hastos seas that Merkas has already dealt the black giant spider a fatal blow so he runs and dives over Merkas, putting himself between the blue spider and his friend.
He swings his great axe at the blue spider but the blue spider dodges the attack. Hastos follows with swinging his acts in a large circle at the great blue arachnid. (To hit: 14, Dam:9, Fire damage: 8).
”Merkas, you ok?” he shouts back at his friend.
Hastos moves to the spot just above Merkus.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Merkas, having tested himself with poisons before, finds the spider venom to be less troublesome than a mug of cheap beer. He shrugs it off easily.
Sera carefully replaces Orr with herself and squares off against the pained and frantic spider. Rising from her crouched position, she spins and lashes out to keep the spider at bay. Her flaming sword guarding her guild underling, making the Giant Spider flinch backwards. The glancing strike against its forelegs singe hairs. Even though the attack is defended, Giant Spider Red appears to be on the defense. It's losing interest in this particularly dangerous prey.
Hastos's brutal chop with his flaming axe lops off several of Giant Spider Blue's limbs! Smoking and crackling, they plop to the ground! Giant Spider Blue staggers as bloody ichor dribbles and cauterizes.
Giant Spider Blue is severely Bloodied.
Giant Spiders Black and Blue have their minds on retreat. Stumbling, and with severe injuries, they seek refuge in the webs above. They retreat backwards and attempt to leap for their dangling threads with what remains of their bodies.
Giant Spiders Blue and Black are moving away from threatened squares.
Hrothbert_Neruca, and MrUncleTio, you each get an Attack of Opportunity. Even without a Medicine check, you both know that any successful hit will be enough to kill either one of them.
Giant Spider Red doesn't seem to like the flaming sword. Even the most fearsome predators must guage the likelihood of surviving its prey. It finishes the connection with its ascending thread and begins its swift climb upwards.
Larskolstad, Sera gets an Attack of Opportunity.
Sera's protection pulls Orr the Unseen from their thoughts. They study their surroundings and count their breathing. Their eyes lock on the tattoos inked onto their hands and forearms to center themself. Their heart slows to a more even pace. And while their breathing is still heavy, it's far less shaky. Their vision clears, and they begin to struggle against the webbing. The effort is weak, but they scratch and strain nonetheless.
Orr the Unseen Attacks the web (Unarmed, AC 10): 8
"I'm coming, my friend!" Buckeran squeaks desperately, and throws himself from Barkly's saddle, rushing towards Orr the Unseen with frantic steps and a look of fear and concern on his face! Retrieving a pocket knife from his waistcoat, he drops to his knees and skids the rest of the way to Orr the Unseen. Delicately as he can with missing fingers, he starts to saw at the webbing, but his unstable grip, paired with the density of the webbing prove too difficult a task. Nevertheless, he saws away. Bloodshot eyes threaten to leak tears onto his face as he frets over his dear companion and confidante.
Buckeran Attacks the Web: 7
Barkly, now freed from her passenger, launches into motion and darts ahead, unconcerned by the traps laid out by the spiders above her! No matter, even the ones above have lost interest in this fight. Instead of dropping, they appear to be pulling themelves back up into the safety of the den's ceiling. Barkly opens her mouth wide, and her teeth rake against the retreating spider's limbs. Enraged by the threat these creatures pose to her master and his friends, she lets out a shattering squawk! Murder is in her eyes.
Barkly Attacks (Bite, Adv from Flanking): 13, Miss
Hastos and Merkas have Advantage against Giant Spider Black
The dangling Giant Spiders are now 40' up and have Total Cover.
Your turn!
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
“I’m good Haz, he didn’t like what I said to his friend, or he just wanted to give me a kiss” Merkas jokes as he shrugs off the poison effects. “Ah, ah, aah you’re the one that came to dance with us, you don’t get to leave until we’re done with this song” Merkas slashes at the retreating spider black, severing it’s head from the thorax. “Well that was short lived, I need another partner”
(AOO Splinter to hit: 26, 10 dmg. Fire Burst Recharge: 1)
The kender looks around quickly to see how everyone is doing, and sees the spider that attacked Orr starting to retreat. “Hey, you don’t get to walk away from the lady when she accepted your invite, stay there with her!” Flicking his wrist to spray the ichor from Splinter towards the spider, it becomes a magical burst and flies at incredible speed towards the arachnid before causing a thunderous boom on impact. (Cast Sorcerous Burst. To hit: 14, 9 Thunder Damage)
Covering his ears with his hands he winks at Barkly. “That hurts the ears a bit, whatcha think girl? Is giant spider tasty or it something you don’t wanna eat?”
Loyalty Begets Honour
( aoo hits ac 22 for 10 radiant)
Sera manage press Orr back " what unluck you have today Orr...you get beaten on all the time" leaving they to try cut free of the webbing.
As the giant spider hurry away Sera slash at its back. Cutting deep and the stench of charred flesh fills the air.
Then Merkas almost burst her eardrums. " Merkas...." she mumbles shaking her head in pain.Getting her wits back she send down sacred flame on the fleeing spider. Pulling up another shard infused with the same magic earlier. This time using it for increased accuracy ( 4 radiant dex save dc 15)
( sacred flame
Hastos levels his flaming axe at the retreating blue spider. The closeness of the intense flames causes the blue spider to shriek and stagger in terror as it retreats.
Hastos says in a threatening tone. “Remember us and warn your children for death rides on the edge of our blades.”
As if planned for maximum theatrical impact, the thunderous boom from Merkas’ incantation punctuated his warning and the blue spider, scrambled harder, it’s legs flailing to gain purchase and put as much distance between itself, and these intruders.
Hastos allows Blue spider to retreat.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Giant Spider Blacks severed parts flop to the ground, its legs still twitching randomly until it curls up... stiffened forever.
Giant Spider Red is too focused on its escape to notice the roiling, explosive ichor flying at it until the last second! It flinches, but less than a second too late. The impact blows several fist-sized holes into its body, and the thunderous eruption rips the spider apart, spraying Sera in bits of chiton, spider hair, and goo. The spider is still somehow alive, but delirous from pain and disoriented from the brutal impact.
Barkly's thoughts are vitriolic in Merkas's mind. "Rip! Tear! I will KILL THEM!" Her anger at the threat these spiders posed, compounded by her frustration at missing the attack has her practically frothy with rage.
Before being able to regroup from Merkas's strike, Giant Spider Red ignites from Sera's surgical strike, which nearly splits the creature in two longways. It's shattered body barely even manages to writhe before it dies and drops to the ground. Its remains fly away into ash... seared away by the sacred flame.
Giant Spider Blue drags the remains of its mangled body up to the ceiling. The other spiders join the retreat, scampering away into the darkness. The chamber is quiet for several moments. Smaller denizens of the cave, scavenger insectoids and arachnids crawl out from the shadows to inspect the corpses. In their tiny world, such a bounty is not easily ignored.
These are various cave creatures, bugs, scorpions, rats... harmless unless you are severaly injured or dying. They're interested in the dead spiders.
Components from the Giant Spiders are helpful for Alchemical purposes, as material components to augment spells, or even as weapon modifications. Witchdoctor Duncan and a certain budding Druid at the Guild Hall might be interested in their properties, or you can attempt to use them for your own needs. Roll Nature or Arcana to see what you know.
Sera's blade makes clean slices into the webbing. Orr nods at Sera's sympathy. "My apologies. I will strive to be a better asset to the team," they reply softly. Orr the Unseen has always been soft-spoken, but their demeanor is much more reserved that usual.
Buckeran lurches towards his dear friend, embracing Orr the Unseen. "I'm so glad you're safe. That is what matters, my friend. Were you injured?" Orr the Unseen shakes their head and returns the hug.
The battle is over. You each earn 2000 XP.
In the radiant light of the ceiling, you can see various bundled corpses, tangled up in devaying webbing. Mostly, they are mid-sized animals, but some of them seem to be Dragon Army Soldiers. Their dessicated corpses are bundled up with weapons, coin purses, water skins, and pouches that seem full of baubles, most likely potions, totems, and personal affects. There are 5 in all.
The path northeast leads to a crumbling archway. Though it seems unstable, it clearly is the dragon's path to the next level of the dungeon. Buckeran confirms this after breaking away from his hug.
"That path should lead to the lower level. By taking the dragon's path, we seem to have avoided most of the traps. And the noise we've made so far confirms my suspician that no dragons remain to defend its den, or we would've at least heard a roar. But we should be on the lookout in the lower level. Things that do not die guard a dragon's inner sanctum. We should expect to fight elementals or golems, like more of those pesky Dust Mephits. Ankhegs, Giant Scorpions, and even Umber Hulks are also said to guard a Blue Dragon's Lair. I don't particularly enjoy wearing my monacle for long periods of time, but I'll make an exception in the lower level, as it may help us in detecting magical threats."
He approaches Barkly to attempt to mount her. She's still on edge and watching the ceilings with rapt attention. When he approaches her, she nips before realizing who it is. Her beak doesn't make contact, and Buckeran flinches back. Barkly lowers her head and stretches it out to Buckeran slowly, who scratches the base of her skull gently. "The battle had you rattled, did it? Me too." He says with a soft smile.
The black circle marks on the map where the crumbling archway is. There are shattered crystals on the ground below it, and occasionally small rocks dislodge and tumble to the ground. The various thunderous attacks have made it even more unstable. There are other pathways if you wish to take a less tenuous route. This is the most direct path to the lower level though.
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
She removes bug splatter and gore from her face. " ..great another stink to cover all the other stinks..Hastos be knocked unconsious if he get close to me now..." she sigh. Then look at Orr. "Orr..if you can just make yourself useful by not taking all the damage we be glad" Sera grins and slap his back then shake her head as she peeks up " now that is odd. How 5 dragonarmy soldiers get all the way here? " she points up at the roof. " let me try get rid of the webbing holding them. Maybe they have orders, maps or something useful. And Buckeran. Are you using lots of words the tell we most likely meet undeads next?"
Sera start call sacred flame around on the roof to get the dragonarmy corpses go fall down.