Rime of the Frostmaiden - Adventure

Dvu takes a deep breath as he feels the war pick smash against him, using Stone’s Endurance to reduce the damage by 4, but 6 points of damage still come through.  A look of anger covers the Goliath’s face and he roars at the duergar, swinging his magically imbued mace at him with vigor, connecting with him in the face.  

Shillelagh to D5 : (Nat 20!) 25 to hit, for 12 points of force damage and 6 points of hunter’s mark damage, 18 points of damage in total.  

As a bonus action, Dvu pops one of his goodberries in his mouth, healing a point.  

Marva curses in Draconic at her own failures. It appears that Dvu doesn’t need her at all to handle the gray dwarf he faces. She runs around the well to the southern side, planning to flank with the ogre when she can. “Perhaps I am not the main character here, the hero, but let me do something to support these people.” She hurls a bolt of light toward the ogre.

Movement: To Q14

Action: Guiding Bolt, to hit 11; if successful, damage 10 and the next attack on the ogre has advantage

Zuleikha's whirling torrent of magical blades catch the morningstar and turn back the undead titan's strike. "Why, thank you for the assistance!" Zuleikha calls over to Marva, admiring as the dragonborn blasts the massive zombie with radiant light. "But I must protest - you are proving more heroic than you seem to believe."

With a wry smile at the lifeless leviathan before her, the Calishite folds her body downwards in a graceful drop that resembles water pouring from a turned aftaba. One leg extends long and straight to the side, anchoring her heel, as the other bends beneath her. The turbaned woman's skirts billow out beneath her like a peacock's plumage, a curved sword sweeping against the ogre's knees. Brilliant light sears through the ligaments and tendons that hold the brute's cold legs steady. 

The paladin winks reassuringly at Drift as she spins, kicking up snow, then turns back to face her gargantuan foe.

OTHER: Scheherazade gives Zuleikha the Help action and moves to O16, if Marva's guiding bolt hits. Otherwise, Scheherazade moves to L17 after giving Dvu the Help action.
MOVEMENT: None.
ACTION: Attack. Shortsword. To hit: (12, 20) Damage: 5 Divine Favour damage: 3. 
BONUS ACTION: Divine Smite. Damage: 13.
REACTION: Opportunity attack on any enemy that leaves her reach. To hit: 25 (natural 20!). Damage: 15. Divine Favour Damage: 1.  

Drift throws Caltrops down to protect the townsfolks from the Ogre and duergar before retreating. Ophelia continues to electrify the Ogre and successfully hits the duergar (D3) threatening Trovus with her longbow - D3 is not looking good. D5 is killed with a might swing of Dvu's magical mace! Marva moves to the other side of the Ogre but once again misses with her spell. Zuleikha layers on the damage to the Ogre, who is now Bloodied. Ellora sends two Fire Bolts (one from the previous round) that both hit for a total of 11 damage. Trovus finishes off D3 with a swipe of his longsword. He yells encouragement to the townsfolks guarding the tavern and moves to join them.

The Zombie Ogre hits Zuleikha with its morningstar for 13 bludgeoning damage. D4, which is in perfect Enlarged condition, moves to the well and hits Marva with its war pick for 11hp.

Your initiative.

The world swims as Zuleikha is struck by the morningstar cleaving its way through her magical defences. She crumples to one knee, staggered by the force of the undead colossus. Only when she steadies herself with healing magic that courses through her body, knitting broken bone and tissue back together, does she find the strength to rise again. 

Alarmed by the fate befalling her mistress, Scheherazade glides in, pecking at the zombie's decaying flesh before taking flight once more. Taking advantage of the distraction afforded by the simurgh, Zuleikha thrusts her sword upward, directly through the ogre's crotch. 

BONUS ACTION: Lay on Hands. +10 HP. 
OTHER: Scheherazade gives Zuleikha the Help action and moves to I15. 
ACTION: Booming Blade. Shortsword. To hit: (7, 23). Damage: 8. Divine Favour Damage: 4. Booming Blade damage (if Zombie Ogre moves willingly): 7. 
REACTION: Opportunity attack with Shortsword if an enemy leaves her reach. Advantage due to Vex weapon mastery. To hit: (10, 6). Damage: 4. Divine Favour Damage: 2.
CONCENTRATION CHECK: 14. Maintains concentration on Blade Ward. 

Marva sees Zuleikha take a heavy blow and shouts, “No!” She is about to cast a healing spell when she takes a grievous wound herself. She stumbles for a moment and then recognizes that the valiant knight has healed herself. Noting that, she still whispers Resanigi* but heals herself for 7 points. She then grits her teeth and steps to the west. Inhaling deeply, she sends out her frosty breath in a weak line to hit both the dwarf and the ogre, but missing Zuleikha. 

Bonus Action: Healing Word on Marva for 7 hp

Movement: Steps to R12

Action: Breath weapon in a line from Q12 to L12, dex save DC 12, damage 2 or half as much if they save

(OOC: Marva’s magical words are in Esperanto)

Dvu turns after he sees the duergar go down, to see the massive ogre zombie strike Zuleikha with the Morningstar.  His eyes go wide and he yells at the thing, “No, foul fiend!  Strike me if you will!”  He rushes at it (to M14) with his magically imbued mace, changing his target of hunter’s mark to the ogre zombie.  He swings at the thing, then pops a goodberry in his mouth.  

Shillelagh : 14 to hit, for 6 points of force damage and 6 points of hunter’s mark damage.  

Bonus action : pops a goodberry in his mouth, healing 1 point.  

"... Gods... She... I can hear Her in my... my...  AND WHETHER THE IMPLACABLE COLD ABIDES UNDER THE BLEAK EARTH OR ABOVE ON THE GLACIER'S RIME OR OUT TO THE FROZEN SEA OR IN THE VERY AIR ITSELF, THERE IS NOTHING ON THIS EARTH WHICH HER STRANGLING WRATH CANNOT PRESERVE, LIFELESS YET AWARE, HELD ETERNAL IN HER ICY, SUNLESS GRIP...  No... N-no!  Get out get out get out get out... please... please..."

Ophelia's prolonged scream subsides to pitiable whimpering, yet the sizzling lavender electricity continues to arc, tethering her to the Zombie Ogre.  Gasping and stumbling forward in a daze, she lifts her bow once more to loose another arrow, almost not looking where she is aiming.  Once more the warbling violet arcane aura seems to guide the projectile along an improbably curving trajectory, directly into the final duergar's center of mass.

Movement:  Ophelia staggers forward 5' SW and 5' S to G10 next to Drift
Bonus Action:  Ophelia's Witch Bolt inflicts damage on the Zombie Ogre (no attack or save needed):  7 (lightning)
Action:  Ophelia casts True Strike using her bow at Duergar 4 (if still up, otherwise the Zombie Ogre) at advantage due to Innate Sorcery:
True Strike with bow, to hit Duergar 4:  23
True Strike with bow, damage on Duergar 4:  10 (radiant)

Ophelia is maintaining concentration on Witch Bolt (round 3 of 10).  She also has the Shield spell available as a reaction.
It is round 7 of 10 for her ongoing use of Innate Sorcery.

Drift looks at Ophelia quickly, his eyes darting to take in her discomposure and her distress, and the crackling magic that surrounds her before fixing back on the zombie ogre as he points his wand, and flicks a firebolt at the monstrosity that is the Zombie ogre. . 

Fire Bolt “Die at last,” he says.
Attack: 10 (12-2, having used his Heroic Inspiration). 
Damage: 6 fire. 

“Ophelia, what is happening to you?” asks Drift urgently. 

The white-haired woman unleashes another bolt of searing white flames towards the undead ogre.

Firebolt: 8 Fire: 6

Month: Hammer, 3, Day: II, Time: 1702

Zuleikha heals herself from the huge blow and stays put to effectively strike back at the undead. Marva also heals herself and moves away from her attacker, provoking an opportunity attack that the duergar misses, and then breathes on it and the Zombie, both of which take full damage. Dvu rushes the Zombie and makes sizable damage against it. Ophelia is still shicking the Zombie and successfully hits the Enlarged duergar that is slightly glowing from Faerie Fire. Drift kills the Zombie Ogre with his Fire Bolt, sending its body parts flying in different directions.

Seeing it is the last one standing, the remaining duergar disappears, with a disembodied voice grimly saying, Well met. We will meet again. He attacks Marva but misses badly. (OOC - I will assume the six of you will kill D4 so the encounter is over.)

Trovus rushes to Marva to ask if she is alright while the townsfolks check on the rest of the party. When you are all together at the well, Trovus says to you, Amazing, simply amazing. Ye were brave and successfully drove away those duergars and that nasty Zombie. They were full of boasts and bravado before ye came out of the Northern Light Inn. They wasn't expecting that, no they weren't. Before ye showed up, they said they had been taking the goods from our town and decided to drive us away to make it easier to get things. They said they decided to come tonight after ye found their hideout last night. Ye know, take the fight to us, but ye proved to be more of a fight than they bargained for. Now we better find out the state of the town and its people. At this, Glen the barkeep steps forward and says, I got a bottle of ale for everyone to take with them to fortify themselves. The fires to the houses and the harm to the people look significant. Ye might need it. 

Ophelia's body is thrown backwards by the recoil of her Witch Bolt snapping back into her with jolt.  Falling to the snow, she hugs her knees, nearly oblivious to Trovus and the other townsfolk of Caer Konig.  Gently, she rocks back and forth, breathing hard.

“Ophelia, what is happening to you?” asks Drift urgently. 

Ophelia answers in a small voice.  "Since the time I ventured north, after my family was... was... since then, there is a wild torrent of arcane power just... there.  I cannot help but touch it, and be touched, like touching the water of a mighty river when standing on a stone in its midst.  But here, in this frozen fingertip of the world, Her grip is on the Weave.  I feel it in that torrent.  Cold.  Implacable.  So strong.  She may not even intend it.  But I... I feel Her."

She lets out a long, helpless sigh, looking up at the cartographer morosely.  "I am sorry.  I do not wish to be a burden on you all.  Your magic prevented the last duergar from escaping, Drift.  You did well.  Everyone fought bravely.  Though I still do not understand why... why are these duergar willing to kill and die over stolen trinkets from a poor village?  Perhaps they do it for Her sake.  If so, they are our enemy, though Gods know, I cannot deny Her power."

Eventually, she stands up, lavender eyes downcast.  Listening wordlessly to Trovus and the others, face blank.  Rousing to help put out the fires if needed.

Drift’s eyebrows furrow and he steps close to Ophelia, looking into her eyes as she finishes speaking, for a moment he says nothing.

(Is she telling the truth, does her emotion seem genuine, does her face flash with any telling clue at the mention of her family? I don’t know if it works like this but in case: Insight 13)

Ophelia's madness waxes and wanes.  She seems to feel as she appears and believe what she says.

Whether what she says is wholly true (as she seems to believe), or partly true, or metaphorically true or not true at all is open to interpretation.

Zuleikha is jubilant after victory, thrusting her swords in the air with the thrill of triumph over the attackers. She laughs when Trovus congratulates the group and slaps the dragonborn on the shoulder. "You fought courageously yourself. I saw you holding the line before we had vanquished our misbegotten foes in the inn. Not bad, Speaker. Not bad at all!" She says approvingly, cleaning her blades on the snow and then stowing them in their scabbards with a flourish. 

Only when Glen confesses the toll may be more severe than she first realised do her spirits sober. She inclines her head, casting a glance around the still smoking buildings, studying them for lingering embers, forgotten townsfolk trapped within the blackened barn and warehouse, or enemies still lurking and lying in wait. Eventually she regroups with her companions properly, offering hugs and handshakes and praising them all in turn for a battle well-fought. 

When she reaches Ophelia, however, her gentle smile is marred by worry. "Are you well, seer? This affliction that plagues you... I noticed it previously. Another voice speaks through you, like a shadow that slips its tether and carves its own path. Have you consulted a priest who might purge you of this... this possession?

Perception: 12

Marva nods at Trovus' kind words. "I'm still standing. But many are not. Someone help me check the fallen for any who still breathe." She moves quickly through the town, casting Spare the Dying on anyone who might survive their wounds. (Medicine: 10) If there are any survivors, she would help move them indoors to bandage their injuries. 

She is a little distracted by her companions' conversation. Once she has done what she can for the fallen, she rejoins her group, perhaps resting in the tavern. "You all fought well. Dvu, what a mighty hit against that dwarf earlier! Ellora or Drift, I'd love to learn that fire spell. It seems very effective in this icy world. Zuleikha, you are a mighty warrior! I would not like to go against your blades! And Ophelia, I am sorry you suffer as you draw on the weave. But you wield that power well, bringing down those who would harm these townsfolk. I am glad to have you with us."

Marva tends to her own injuries and then hopes for a good trout dinner.

Dvu shakes off any splatter from the zombie ogre, the blue glow fading from his mace, he seems to take deep breaths then relax.  He goes over to Trovus and congratulates him on the defense of the town, nodding to join him for an ale.  Then he walks over to the others by Ophelia.  "I haven't heard that voice from you, I would be interested to hear more, Ophelia.  You seriously damaged that ogre and helped to save us all.  One thing is clear, when we work together, we are a powerful force indeed!  Each a finger, and gathered together, a mighty fist to crush our foes!"  He smiles at the others, nodding and acknowledging each with a smile.  "Now let's go have an ale and talk for a bit!"

Month: Hammer, 3, Day: II, Time: 1830

People gather to identify the dead and help the wounded. Marva is in particular demand as she saves two townsfolks from death and helps three others that are wounded. There are five dead, including both of the sisters who ran the Northern Light Inn. The buildings on fire are soon extinguished, although the smell of burnt knuclehead trout fills the night air since one of the buildings the duergars set on fire was a warehouse. Some of that trout is what you eat at the Tavern that evening while you and others talk discuss what happened and what happens next.

Five dead and five gravely wounded does not sound like much but it is a lot to us since we all know each other and there were only 100 people in Caer-Konig, Trovus says. Burning the warehouse is also a problem since that was going to be our sacrifice to Auril later this ten-day. The full moon is the night of the Vth, so we will need to come up with a plan for that. Trovus turns to you in case you have any questions about how Caer-Konig attempts to placate Auril. Glenn, being a practical man of business, asks, What are we to do with the Northern Light? We will need to find someone to take care of it, since I cannot house people in the tavern and we do not want to become as inhospitable as Caer-Dineval. Garret, who is still recovering from his wounds, adds, I wonder what is at the duergar's hideout. There may be stolen goods and information there, in addition to more duergars.

After some conversation, Trovus stands and offers a toast, first to all who died, then to all who were wounded, next to all who fought, and finally to you as the outsiders who saved Caer-Konig. 

"Speaker Trovus, I know that you have your people's wellbeing at heart. Do you think the sacrifices make a difference? Conditions seem dire as it is. I am glad that you have not given up people to the Frostmaiden, but I truly wonder if any of these attempts to placate her are effective. Do you know of any horrors befalling a community who refused to give gifts?"

When Glenn mentions the Northern Light, Marva nods thoughtfully and says, "I never considered becoming an innkeeper. What do you all think? Anyone want the join me in a new career?" She chuckles a little and then adds, "Somehow, I don't feel like that's how my story goes. I'll have to think on it."

As Garret speculates about the duergar stronghold, Marva frowns. "It is concerning that there may be more of these dwarves who seek what little the town has. We do not need any more deaths. I didn't think to search the invaders' bodies for clues. And though my part in the fight was largely ineffective, I still spent some strength that must be recovered before I try to improve my record. I think I could manage a little more healing, Oghma willing. But nit much. And surely our more capable warriors must also regain their strength." She looks to her companions to gauge their thoughts.

(OOC: Have we had a short rest?)

When [Zuleikha] reaches Ophelia, however, her gentle smile is marred by worry. "Are you well, seer? This affliction that plagues you... I noticed it previously. Another voice speaks through you, like a shadow that slips its tether and carves its own path. Have you consulted a priest who might purge you of this... this possession?" ... Perception: 12

Ophelia looks up from her brooding.  She seems somewhat recovered and mostly lucid now, if still downcast.

"I... I have not been well in months since I left home and was drawn here.  I feel the torrent of wild magic seething in me, just under the surface, and at times it consumes me when I channel it.  And even when not, it is always there, seeping into my mind.  I do not believe the Frostmaiden possesses me directly, only that Her touch on the Weave is so strong here in Icewind Dale, where She has stolen the very Sun, that I am in turn buffeted by Her power."

She pauses.  "Though I would consult with a priest if you think it best.  I just believe this to be an arcane effect, such as what Ellora casts, not a divine one.  Only her magic is well studied and controlled, whereas mine is anything but.  Perhaps Auril cannot reach her as she does me."

[Marva] "Speaker Trovus, I know that you have your people's wellbeing at heart. Do you think the sacrifices make a difference? Conditions seem dire as it is. I am glad that you have not given up people to the Frostmaiden, but I truly wonder if any of these attempts to placate her are effective. Do you know of any horrors befalling a community who refused to give gifts?"

Ophelia perks up at this, the bookish dragonborn's questions getting at what Ophelia had tried (and failed) to convince Speaker Naerth of in Targos.

"Aye, from what I sense of the Frostmaiden, She has no mercy.  Cold and implacable, She laughs icily at the Ten Towns' sacrifices and does not relent in the slightest.  Has Winter lessened one bit since the sacrifices began?  She has cowed you into helping Her carry out Her aims by damaging yourselves.  You should stop.  Or is it the wrath and retribution of Her cultists which concerns you, Speaker?  They are enemies and will torment you regardless."

As Garret speculates about the duergar stronghold, Marva frowns. "It is concerning that there may be more of these dwarves who seek what little the town has. We do not need any more deaths. I didn't think to search the invaders' bodies for clues. And though my part in the fight was largely ineffective, I still spent some strength that must be recovered before I try to improve my record. I think I could manage a little more healing, Oghma willing. But nit much. And surely our more capable warriors must also regain their strength." She looks to her companions to gauge their thoughts.

"As for the bodies of the duergar and the zombie, we should..." Ophelia shivers, "... we should burn them after searching them.  Destruction by fire seems the antithesis of the Frostmaiden's aim, so it should be our path forward.  We need no more corpses rising as zombies."

She pauses in thought.  "Though the duergar did start the fires in the warehouse and barn.  Perhaps they do not serve Auril directly.  Still, we should go back to the fort and put an end to their threat.  Having just woken from our long rest, perhaps an hour to recover before setting off?"