Lord Dameion could think of no additional equipment he would need for this mission, so once he was fully briefed he took his seat and continued to drink his cold ale while the others went shopping in the armory. He put his feat up on a nearby chair and leveled his eyes on the fire in the fireplace and watched the flame dance around. He could feel his thoughts slipping away and his ever present companion swelling inside him, like a tide rising subtly until it had overtaken his entire mind. His hand tightened around his tankard, squeezing until his fingers and knuckles drained of blood. His breath nearly slowed to a point of being imperceptive. There was a sound, sharp, and then a wet feeling, something cold, and something warm. His attention returned and a feeling of pain turned his attention to his hand where his white knuckled grip had broken his tankard. The cold ale and blood from his freshly cut hand mingled on the table creating a swirling pattern. He sighed deeply, and took a rag from his bag. "What a waste of a good ale", he quickly wrapped his hand with the rag and tied it off, then grabbed the pieces of the broken tankard and took them to the bar. "I apologize, I have broken my tankard. I will gladly pay for it, and another drink" he gave the keep the necessary money and then took his newly acquired drink and returned to the groups table to wait for them to return.
The dwarf had all his needed equipment on hand and he was not comfortable being the one carrying the flammable liquid, deciding to wait in the hall for the rest of the party as he cleaned his hammer once again. He looked up, startled, by the sound of the wooden tankard shattering. He watched as the man paid for it before sitting back down, and went back to cleaning his weapon. "Calm down lad, its just combat. You will get use to it." Figuring the nervousness was due to the mission ahead.
The nearest cavalry group opts to take the volunteers halfway to the objective, to save time. They are taken to a narrow pass, too small for large groups or heavy equipment and vehicles. It has been ignored as of late, as soldiers are concentrate elsewhere. The party can hear the distant sounds of battle as they creep past enemy lines. Miraculously, there are no roving patrols. A quick glance at your map shows the rest of the way on foot. The trample of hooves in the dirt fade as the cavalry makes a hasty return to safety.
The towering trebuchet is faint in the distance, but the party can just make it out. The map takes you slightly to the side of it, so as to stay out of its line of sight and maintain an element of surprise. As the party nears the weapon, more details come into view. The wind carries a scent of decay in it. The crew, still small from your vantage point, walk with a disturbing, unbalanced gait.
You get a layout of the area: The siege weapon is on a small mound for an added height advantage. The front is guarded by a semi-circular stone fence, about waist high for a human. The terrain is rocky and desolate, but there is some cover to be found from dead tree trunks and craters in the ground. The weapon itself is perhaps the most unnerving at all. It is made from a variety of bones. Many of them look to be from giants. Instead of rope, the pieces are bound together with sinewy ropes of flesh.
It hurls several things out of a large net. If you dare to get closer, you see where its getting its ammunition from: a pyramid of skulls. They are picked out and loaded by five living skeletons and five zombies. Perhaps some powerful undead creature is influencing them from afar, or were re-animated with more intelligence than others of their kind. For they seem to know what they're doing, only slowed by their own rotting.
They wear a mix of TCA and CU uniforms. They are lightly armored, nothing more than battered chainmail. They carry short swords on their belts. As far as you can tell, they cannot speak. And do not seem capable of much more than performing their task, however it is almost certain they will defend themselves if attacked.
The party is still undetected, and may choose when and how to act.
(ooc: I think I will use maps after all, they be rudimentary though, I'll see what I can do. Someone generously provided me an overhead map of the field the party is in to use in the meantime. Sorry I don't remember who atm, its been a long day :D Anyways, hopefully I didn't make the battle too hard, its been awhile since I've had to scale a fight for level 1's. This will be a good test anyway. D&D Beyond is giving me trouble posting images, may have to hotlink it.)
"I'm wearing too much chain mail to be sneaky. I'm happy to let smarter minds figure out the best way to take on these undead, since they outnumber us. I'd like to introduce the skeletons to Joybringer," patting his mace, "and use Sacred Flame on the zombies after they are beaten down... Before the front-liners run off, I should Bless two of the damage dealers (myself being the third bless-ee)."
(OOC: Skels vulnerable to blunt damage. Radiant damage to finish off the zombies. But I don't know the best way to keep 10 foes off guard.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"The numbers aren't too bad, but I'm more than happy to let a few of you act as bait, perhaps draw out some nasty reinforcements hidden from view." Sliding his bow from his back and nocking an arrow, he smirks at Drusk. "Don't worry my orcish friend, I'll down whatever attacks you out there before it fully consumes you."
The half-elf slinks forwards to cover behind a tree trunk to get a better view of the crew, aiming to determine if there's anything else out there.
Perception: 14
Not sure where we are starting on the map, but I'll assume I'm at the south-most tree trunk. I'll roll for stealth if DM wishes.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Berak crouches down and tries to perceive his surroundings (Perception16)). "They don't look that strong, but I'm worried about the stuff we don't see. As far as I know, skeletons just don't wake up on their own. Something has to be controlling them." He will slowly take out his shield and longsword.
"Um. Are you certain they won't notice a fog cloud, though?"he asks, shaking his head slightly.
"But that's alright. I can burn as many as nicely clump together for one spell, which will probably be very few, then throw some Fire Bolts at any remainders. But I'll want to save some magic for the trebuchet."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tempest
“From what I’ve heard, the front has fog/ smoke clouds pop up from time to time due to all the smoke and burning projectiles but if they do notice we’ll find out soon enough”
*pulls out shield and maintains his grasp on the staff in his right hand.
“I’ll drop it as soon as y’all want it gone”
*slowly advances towards the edge of the fog cloud next to a stump closest to the group.*
Balian's check succeeds, he sees clearly past the engine and notices no other reinforcements. Liakrana finds a good vantage point behind a tree trunk with adequate cover and range to the enemies. Barak doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, seems like the coast is clear except for the undead the group currently knows about. Fortunately for the party, the enemy crew ignores the cloud and focuses on their task.
Going to edit the map to try and place everyone in it for reference. Will update the post with a link momentarily.
I put everyone relatively close and behind the cloud cover. Except I moved Liakrana a little closer to behind a tree. I also color coded everyone's letter on the map. Some have two letters to avoid confusion with other characters whose names start with the same letter. S=skeleton. Z=Zombie.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: I count 7 player symbols. The "B" is probably "Berak", but the "I" could be "Balian Ibelin" or "Ignatius Madaran"... That can be fixed next round.
How far away is the closest undead? (30 feet means Drusk should rush them. Longer distances, might let them come to us.) From the size of the Fog Cloud on the map, are they 100-120 feet away from the main group (closer for Liakrana)?
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Oi, these things never seem to smart outside a' how to do one job. We get me, or someone faster, and the orc friend to lure them in close, we move and get a nice big blast on the whole lot 'em. After that a simple clean up mission nev'r been to hard. Or if we could, move the cloud up and cover the whole lot a' us, nice and close just how I like it, dispel it and we have a nice fun time up and personal with the buggers. I don't know whats best, but a plan is more likely for glory and survival."
He has prepared his hammer and shield now is ready to make a move on anyone's mark, twirling the hammer now as if it was a baton as he readied himself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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"Perfect!" Ignatius mutters, dropping the vials carefully into his pack.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Lord Dameion Arlon
Lord Dameion could think of no additional equipment he would need for this mission, so once he was fully briefed he took his seat and continued to drink his cold ale while the others went shopping in the armory. He put his feat up on a nearby chair and leveled his eyes on the fire in the fireplace and watched the flame dance around. He could feel his thoughts slipping away and his ever present companion swelling inside him, like a tide rising subtly until it had overtaken his entire mind. His hand tightened around his tankard, squeezing until his fingers and knuckles drained of blood. His breath nearly slowed to a point of being imperceptive. There was a sound, sharp, and then a wet feeling, something cold, and something warm. His attention returned and a feeling of pain turned his attention to his hand where his white knuckled grip had broken his tankard. The cold ale and blood from his freshly cut hand mingled on the table creating a swirling pattern. He sighed deeply, and took a rag from his bag. "What a waste of a good ale", he quickly wrapped his hand with the rag and tied it off, then grabbed the pieces of the broken tankard and took them to the bar. "I apologize, I have broken my tankard. I will gladly pay for it, and another drink" he gave the keep the necessary money and then took his newly acquired drink and returned to the groups table to wait for them to return.
Tempest
Perception check: 18
Tempest probably doesn't notice anything and continues to await the order for departure.
Thavlos
The dwarf had all his needed equipment on hand and he was not comfortable being the one carrying the flammable liquid, deciding to wait in the hall for the rest of the party as he cleaned his hammer once again. He looked up, startled, by the sound of the wooden tankard shattering. He watched as the man paid for it before sitting back down, and went back to cleaning his weapon. "Calm down lad, its just combat. You will get use to it." Figuring the nervousness was due to the mission ahead.
"are we about ready then" Liakrana says softly
Laissez les bons temps rouler
The nearest cavalry group opts to take the volunteers halfway to the objective, to save time. They are taken to a narrow pass, too small for large groups or heavy equipment and vehicles. It has been ignored as of late, as soldiers are concentrate elsewhere. The party can hear the distant sounds of battle as they creep past enemy lines. Miraculously, there are no roving patrols. A quick glance at your map shows the rest of the way on foot. The trample of hooves in the dirt fade as the cavalry makes a hasty return to safety.
The towering trebuchet is faint in the distance, but the party can just make it out. The map takes you slightly to the side of it, so as to stay out of its line of sight and maintain an element of surprise. As the party nears the weapon, more details come into view. The wind carries a scent of decay in it. The crew, still small from your vantage point, walk with a disturbing, unbalanced gait.
You get a layout of the area: The siege weapon is on a small mound for an added height advantage. The front is guarded by a semi-circular stone fence, about waist high for a human. The terrain is rocky and desolate, but there is some cover to be found from dead tree trunks and craters in the ground. The weapon itself is perhaps the most unnerving at all. It is made from a variety of bones. Many of them look to be from giants. Instead of rope, the pieces are bound together with sinewy ropes of flesh.
It hurls several things out of a large net. If you dare to get closer, you see where its getting its ammunition from: a pyramid of skulls. They are picked out and loaded by five living skeletons and five zombies. Perhaps some powerful undead creature is influencing them from afar, or were re-animated with more intelligence than others of their kind. For they seem to know what they're doing, only slowed by their own rotting.
They wear a mix of TCA and CU uniforms. They are lightly armored, nothing more than battered chainmail. They carry short swords on their belts. As far as you can tell, they cannot speak. And do not seem capable of much more than performing their task, however it is almost certain they will defend themselves if attacked.
The party is still undetected, and may choose when and how to act.
(ooc: I think I will use maps after all, they be rudimentary though, I'll see what I can do. Someone generously provided me an overhead map of the field the party is in to use in the meantime. Sorry I don't remember who atm, its been a long day :D Anyways, hopefully I didn't make the battle too hard, its been awhile since I've had to scale a fight for level 1's. This will be a good test anyway. D&D Beyond is giving me trouble posting images, may have to hotlink it.)
Current map.
Drusk:
"I'm wearing too much chain mail to be sneaky. I'm happy to let smarter minds figure out the best way to take on these undead, since they outnumber us. I'd like to introduce the skeletons to Joybringer," patting his mace, "and use Sacred Flame on the zombies after they are beaten down... Before the front-liners run off, I should Bless two of the damage dealers (myself being the third bless-ee)."
(OOC: Skels vulnerable to blunt damage. Radiant damage to finish off the zombies. But I don't know the best way to keep 10 foes off guard.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"The numbers aren't too bad, but I'm more than happy to let a few of you act as bait, perhaps draw out some nasty reinforcements hidden from view." Sliding his bow from his back and nocking an arrow, he smirks at Drusk. "Don't worry my orcish friend, I'll down whatever attacks you out there before it fully consumes you."
The half-elf slinks forwards to cover behind a tree trunk to get a better view of the crew, aiming to determine if there's anything else out there.
Perception: 14
Not sure where we are starting on the map, but I'll assume I'm at the south-most tree trunk. I'll roll for stealth if DM wishes.
Liakrana also surveys the terrain
PERCEPTION:14
then chooses a suitable spot and readies his bow (preferably up or behind a tree within bowrange)
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Tempest
”I can create a fog cloud between us and them. It should allow us to close the gap and ambush them. I can hold it in place for an hour.”
*casts fog cloud* a 20ft radius cloud of fog appears in the open battlefield equidistant between the group and the enemies.
“As long as we try to stay quiet they shouldn’t be able to see us as we approach.”
Berak crouches down and tries to perceive his surroundings (Perception 16)). "They don't look that strong, but I'm worried about the stuff we don't see. As far as I know, skeletons just don't wake up on their own. Something has to be controlling them." He will slowly take out his shield and longsword.
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
Ignatius coughs to get Tempest's attention.
"Um. Are you certain they won't notice a fog cloud, though?" he asks, shaking his head slightly.
"But that's alright. I can burn as many as nicely clump together for one spell, which will probably be very few, then throw some Fire Bolts at any remainders. But I'll want to save some magic for the trebuchet."
And that's all I have to say about that.
Tempest
“From what I’ve heard, the front has fog/ smoke clouds pop up from time to time due to all the smoke and burning projectiles but if they do notice we’ll find out soon enough”
*pulls out shield and maintains his grasp on the staff in his right hand.
“I’ll drop it as soon as y’all want it gone”
*slowly advances towards the edge of the fog cloud next to a stump closest to the group.*
Stealth: 8
Balian's check succeeds, he sees clearly past the engine and notices no other reinforcements. Liakrana finds a good vantage point behind a tree trunk with adequate cover and range to the enemies. Barak doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, seems like the coast is clear except for the undead the group currently knows about. Fortunately for the party, the enemy crew ignores the cloud and focuses on their task.
Going to edit the map to try and place everyone in it for reference. Will update the post with a link momentarily.
Liakrana takes some arrows out of his quiver and places them point down in the ground, then signals he is ready
Laissez les bons temps rouler
I put everyone relatively close and behind the cloud cover. Except I moved Liakrana a little closer to behind a tree. I also color coded everyone's letter on the map. Some have two letters to avoid confusion with other characters whose names start with the same letter. S=skeleton. Z=Zombie.
Updated map.
OOC: I count 7 player symbols. The "B" is probably "Berak", but the "I" could be "Balian Ibelin" or "Ignatius Madaran"... That can be fixed next round.
How far away is the closest undead? (30 feet means Drusk should rush them. Longer distances, might let them come to us.) From the size of the Fog Cloud on the map, are they 100-120 feet away from the main group (closer for Liakrana)?
In case it is needed, Initiative: 9
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Initiative: 4
Liakrana nocks an arrow ready to provide covering fire
OOC: that roll sucked
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Initiative: 11
*casts Shillelagh on his staff, slowly advances into the fog cloud and prepares for battle.
"Oi, these things never seem to smart outside a' how to do one job. We get me, or someone faster, and the orc friend to lure them in close, we move and get a nice big blast on the whole lot 'em. After that a simple clean up mission nev'r been to hard. Or if we could, move the cloud up and cover the whole lot a' us, nice and close just how I like it, dispel it and we have a nice fun time up and personal with the buggers. I don't know whats best, but a plan is more likely for glory and survival."
He has prepared his hammer and shield now is ready to make a move on anyone's mark, twirling the hammer now as if it was a baton as he readied himself.