Nox teleports to safety, instantly escaping the grapple. Not wanting for her spell to be cancelled once again, the druid opens the nearby door and reveals a mostly empty room, of similar dimensions to the one she just left. It is also covered in knee-high, think fog. From her new position, she calls forth eight tiny, buzzing sprites. Six of them immediately rush to attack the brain creatures.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#4: Attack: 18 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#4: Attack: 17 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#4: Attack: 18 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#8: Attack: 14 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#8: Attack: 15 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#8: Attack: 13 Damage: 1 piercing.
All arrows find their mark, but the mystical fluid coating the brain creatures prevents any physical damage from the tiny projectiles. Nonetheless, both creatures begin to wobble a bit:
Graxximus stands back up with a different look about him. He ignores all the creatures surrounding him and immediately rushes towards Nox after casting Haste on himself. Sensing the change in her companion, Scorpio-Le'gal lashes out with her newly acquired tail, but the paladin's armor is more than sufficient to absorb the blow.
(@Palfatreos: As Graxximus moves towards you, five of the six sprites near the brain creatures would get opportunity attacks. I'll assume you would want them to use their reaction to attempt the attacks. To keep things moving, I'll roll those attacks on your behalf, but let me know if you'd rather save their reaction and I can edit the post accordingly.)
Taking a hint from Scorpio-Le'gal, the sprites lash out with tiny blades:
-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 4Damage: 0.5 slashing.
-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 20Damage: 0.5 slashing.
-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 17Damage: 0.5 slashing.
-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 19Damage: 0.5 slashing.
-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 6Damage: 0.5 slashing.
None of the tiny blades find their mark. Now past the buzzing fey, Graxximus then asks for the gods to mark his target and his mace gets lit up. Ignoring the other two fey surrounding Nox, Graxximus brings down his weapon with unrivaled force. Surprised that an ally would strike her, the druid can do little to prevent it.
-> Nox takes a whopping 63 damage (16 magical bludgeoning and 47 radiant). She would drop if not for Le'gal's preventive Death Ward. Nox is barelly keeping it together at 1 HP.
-> Concentration check for Conjure Woodland Beings {DC 31}: 22 - the eight sprites disappear back into the Feywild.
After failing to poke Graxximus, Scorpio-Le'gal turns its attention to the closest walking brain. This one is the only one that is still slowed, who also happens to be the only one of the three remaining brain creatures that is not currently unconscious. The first claw fails to snap properly, being still stuck in between the wall and the rest of the scorpion's body. The swinging tail hits the ceiling, but the second claw pinches on the creature hard (Sheep#2 - CMD: 20).
The creature squirms and wiggles in pain, but it is for naught as it is now grappled.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Charles, pissed that he now can't get to the shepherd creature, punches the wall. He takes a quick second to think then casts Bigby's Hand, losing concentration on Slow. He will use the Forceful Hand feature as a bonus action (Hand's STR check: 19 vs any Athletics check needed.))
((On a success everyone is pushed 5ft plus an additional 25ft (if possible, instead of a total of 30ft, could he like just push enough to get Sigil and Scorpio-Le'gal out of the doorway so he can end up at like CR-22?)))
(Also, since like the majority of the creatures are of Medium and smaller, I rolled for advantage. If you need a separate roll for Large Scorpio-Le'gal then here: 21)
((Let me know if you have any questions.))
EDIT: ((How in the hell do I roll an 11 with advantage? Dice gods hate me. Sorry team...))
EDIT EDIT: ((If it isn't too late I'm going to redo Charles' turn. I will put it below this edit while keeping the original, just in case you rule it is too late to change my mind.))
Charles will cast a Fireball centered on the top right corner of CR-22. DC 18 Dex Save or take 25 fire damage, 15.5 on success.
He will use his Sculpt Spell to save everyone in the corridor (1+spell level (3) = 4, Talon, Le'gal, Sigil, Charles.)
(@Superbad: If you prefer the Fireball, then let's go with the Fireball.)
A bit frustrated, Charles points his finger at the corner of the ceiling, right where the bend on the hallway is. Luckily, there is a small gap through some of the scorpions squished legs for the thin but bright streak of fire to travel from the wizard's fingertip to the desired point. Just as the explosion happens, Charles sculpts the fire to ensure safety to himself and his companions. The fire travels outward towards the room.
Sheep#8 (unconscious): auto-fails the saving throw;
Sheep#4 (unconscious): auto-fails the saving throw;
Shepherd: 20;
The three remaining brain creatures are burned to a crisp (all take 31 fire damage and are DEFEATED).
No one can see it, but through his expert control of the flames, Charles can tell that the shepherd did something to avoid being completely engulfed (Shepherd - CMD: 15).
-> Concentration check for the shepherd (DC 10): 18
DM's Screen:
SS: 3
LEGENDARY ACTION (end of Charles' turn)
The shepherd does something, but no one is there to see exactly what.
(Talon & Fancy are up next. Please note that you cannot move past Scopio-Le'gal by conventional means as she is a Large creature stuffed in a hallway.)
BONUS ACTION: Throw Hexblade's Curse on the Shepherd and the finish movement.
Talon will use his action to send Fancy into a pocket dimension. He will then wait patiently as a log jam halts movement into the arena. If there is any chance that he can actually see the shepherd (probably not) he will inflict hexblades's curse on him.
Either fearing for its safety or planning his next move, Talon hides Fancy into his pocket plane for the moment and then prepares a curse to be launched at the shepherd in case the dwarf sees him.
Then, Scorpio-Le'gal hears the approaching calm steps of the shepherd. As he turns the corner to enter the hallway, the giant arthropod notices the situation might be getting worst. Not one, not two, but a total of four shepherds approach the opened portcullis, their slender forms walking side by side or just behind in close proximity. One of them calmly extends a hand and softly touches the mostly helpless scorpion.
-> Attack: 29 Damage: 4 cold.
-> Scorpio-Le'gal's CON saving throw {DC 18}: 4
The area where the shepherd's unnaturally dry hand touched the scorpion is immediately frozen. Despite the lack of ice crystals indicating so, the rest of Scorpio-Le'gal's body soon follows (Le'gal is now paralyzed and incapacitated but may attempt another saving throw at the end of her turn).
Sigil would be up next but the hunter continues to slumber on the ground.
LEGENDARY ACTION (end of Sigil's turn)
All four shepherds reach out to grab Sigil on the ground as one of them envelops his head in tentacles:
-> Attack: 30 Damage: 23 psychic
-> Sigil's INT saving throw {DC 20}: 13
The tentacles cause Sigil to scream a mumbled scream. The pain seems insurmountable (Sigil is now grappled and re-stunned, on top of already being incapacitated and prone).
(Nox and Le'gal are next. Then, Graxximus can go.)
(@Ori: It's a CON save, so you actually rolled a 13.)
Nox finds a way to prevent Graxximus' attacks without necessarily hurting him. The paladin not-so-slowly enlarges and becomes rounder. He is now a Killer Whale who is stuck in the doorway (OOC: following the squeezing rules).
Before Nox can move away, Whale-Graxximus tries swiping at her with its heavy front-end, but the tortle is far away by the time the marine animal manages to shift its weight. Nox then magically patches herself up a bit.
(OOC: So, it turns out Whales are Huge creatures, so here are some adjustments: Graxximus is being squeezed into a Large size by the doorway, which will break open into a 10 foot opening. As stipulated earlier in the campaign, initially squeezing a creature into a space smaller than what the squeezing rules would accommodate results in some damage. I am basing this damage on the creature's hit die.)
Whale-Graxximus continues to grow towards its full size. The doorway collapses against the expanding force, and the stuck creature feels the pressure. Some of the pain is transferred to Scorpio-Le'gal through their Warding Bond (Damage roll: 1. Graxximus takes 5 bludgeoning damage), Scorpio-Le'gal takes the other 5 bludgeoning damage).
-> Graxximus concentration check for Haste {DC 10}: 4
Unable to do much else, Whale-Graxximus goes into a lethargic state as the whale faces the aftermath of being magically hasted.
LEGENDARY ACTION (end of Graxximus' turn)
The shepherd begins to slowly crack Sigil's cranium open:
-> Attack: 31 Damage: 40 piercing.
The intense, painful nightmare Sigil is drifting into intensifies, but the hunter is still alive.
NOTE: Twenty of Nox's Goodberries are still active (reference). All party members are benefiting from Aid to some degree (reference).
FOGGY PASTURE MAP UPDATE:
NOTE: Le'gal is being squeezed into a medium space. Graxximus is being squeezed into a Large space. Space {CW-13} is now broken/open space, but it is difficult terrain due to rubble.
(OOC: The initiative order is important at the top of the round, so I'll have to wait until Charles goes next before resolving Talon's turn.)
(Charles is still up. Please note that you cannot move past Scopio-Le'gal by conventional means as she is a Large creature stuffed in a hallway.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
If Charles can see the Shepherd:
Charles will cast Chain Lightning on the Shepherd, using his Overchannel ability, maximizing damage, as well as adding a +5 to damage from Empowered Evocation; totalling 85 lightning damage, DC 18 Dex Save to take 42.5 on success.
If Charles canNOT see the Shepherd (Would it be safe to assume he can at least hear Sigil scream?):
Charles will cast Fireball, using his last 3rd level spell slot, on the top right corner of CR-22. Using the same abilities as above to maximize damage totalling: 53 fire damage, DC 18 Dex Save to take 26.5 on success. He will use his Sculpt Spell feature to save as many allies as possible.
((Also, just in case this is a thing in D&D, he will use his Sculpt Spell to not allow his allies to get hit by the Chain Lightning blasts lmao))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(@Superbad: Because of the view angle and because there is a large scorpion blocking your view, I'm going to say that you cannot effectively see the shepherd. There are some gaps in the scorpion's stance, but they give you awkward viewing angles into the ceiling and walls. Also, the description from Fireball specifically says that a streak of fire leaves your fingertip, which I imagine is something that can "thread the needle", sorta-speak, through these gaps I mentioned. This is why I allowed Charles to cast that spell through the scorpion last time. Please refer to the post where I resolved Charles's last fireball for reference. I do not feel that this would be the same case for Chain Lightning, so I'll go with your second option above.)
Not being able to properly see the shepherd but hearing his presence just beyond the bend, Charles repeats the trick he used a few moments ago. This time, he makes sure to empower the spell as much as he can in addition to sculpt it to create safety bubbles within the explosion.
-> Shepherd's DEX saving throw vs. Fireball {DC 18}: 14
Charles can hear a painful hiss (Shepherd - CMD: 41).
-> Shepherd's concentration check {DC 13}: 27 - his concentration falters for a moment, but is somehow undisturbed in the end.
Some of the fog from the room starts to seep into the hallway, enveloping the shepherd, Sigil, and Scorpio-Le'gal.
Le'gal then feels a presence in the back of her mind. She is not alone in there...
(@Laserwhit: The same explanation I gave @Superbad above applies to you, and your viewing angle is even narrower to begin with. You won't be able to perceive which of the four shepherds is the real one. In fact, you don't even know there are four of them out there. You won't be able to tag it/them with Hexblade's Curse either. Knowing that the shepherd is there though, I'll say that Talon can throw a Hail-Mary-style Eldritch Blast through the scorpion -- again, because it is described as a beam, so it could conceivably "thread the needle"-- but at the cost of a major cover bonus to the four shepherds.)
Noticing the approaching fog, Talon unleashes three Blasts in a sort of desperate move. Two of them hit the nearby walls, but the third slips past the scorpion successfully. Even then, that last blast finds nothing but stone on the other side.
Nox teleports to safety, instantly escaping the grapple. Not wanting for her spell to be cancelled once again, the druid opens the nearby door and reveals a mostly empty room, of similar dimensions to the one she just left. It is also covered in knee-high, think fog. From her new position, she calls forth eight tiny, buzzing sprites. Six of them immediately rush to attack the brain creatures.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#4: Attack: 18 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#4: Attack: 17 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#4: Attack: 18 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#8: Attack: 14 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#8: Attack: 15 Damage: 1 piercing.
-> Shortbow vs. Sheep#8: Attack: 13 Damage: 1 piercing.
All arrows find their mark, but the mystical fluid coating the brain creatures prevents any physical damage from the tiny projectiles. Nonetheless, both creatures begin to wobble a bit:
-> CON saving throws {DC 10}:
Both brain creatures fall poisoned, unconscious, incapacitated, and prone (but still alive).
The two other sprites stay back to protect Nox.
Graxximus stands back up with a different look about him. He ignores all the creatures surrounding him and immediately rushes towards Nox after casting Haste on himself. Sensing the change in her companion, Scorpio-Le'gal lashes out with her newly acquired tail, but the paladin's armor is more than sufficient to absorb the blow.
(@Palfatreos: As Graxximus moves towards you, five of the six sprites near the brain creatures would get opportunity attacks. I'll assume you would want them to use their reaction to attempt the attacks. To keep things moving, I'll roll those attacks on your behalf, but let me know if you'd rather save their reaction and I can edit the post accordingly.)
Taking a hint from Scorpio-Le'gal, the sprites lash out with tiny blades:
-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 4
Damage: 0.5 slashing.-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 20
Damage: 0.5 slashing.-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 17
Damage: 0.5 slashing.-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 19
Damage: 0.5 slashing.-> Shortsword vs. Graxximus: Attack: 6
Damage: 0.5 slashing.None of the tiny blades find their mark. Now past the buzzing fey, Graxximus then asks for the gods to mark his target and his mace gets lit up. Ignoring the other two fey surrounding Nox, Graxximus brings down his weapon with unrivaled force. Surprised that an ally would strike her, the druid can do little to prevent it.
-> Nox takes a whopping 63 damage (16 magical bludgeoning and 47 radiant). She would drop if not for Le'gal's preventive Death Ward. Nox is barelly keeping it together at 1 HP.
-> Concentration check for Conjure Woodland Beings {DC 31}: 22 - the eight sprites disappear back into the Feywild.
-> Vow of Enmity is still in place on Nox.
After failing to poke Graxximus, Scorpio-Le'gal turns its attention to the closest walking brain. This one is the only one that is still slowed, who also happens to be the only one of the three remaining brain creatures that is not currently unconscious. The first claw fails to snap properly, being still stuck in between the wall and the rest of the scorpion's body. The swinging tail hits the ceiling, but the second claw pinches on the creature hard (Sheep#2 - CMD: 20).
The creature squirms and wiggles in pain, but it is for naught as it is now grappled.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 2
FOGGY PASTURE MAP UPDATE:
NOTE: Since she is squeezed in there, I'll continue to use Le'gal's standard portrait for now.
(Charles is up next. Please note that you cannot move past Scopio-Le'gal by conventional means as she is a Large creature stuffed in a hallway.)
Charles, pissed that he now can't get to the shepherd creature, punches the wall. He takes a quick second to think then casts Bigby's Hand, losing concentration on Slow. He will use the Forceful Hand feature as a bonus action (Hand's STR check: 19 vs any Athletics check needed.))
((On a success everyone is pushed 5ft plus an additional 25ft (if possible, instead of a total of 30ft, could he like just push enough to get Sigil and Scorpio-Le'gal out of the doorway so he can end up at like CR-22?)))
(Also, since like the majority of the creatures are of Medium and smaller, I rolled for advantage. If you need a separate roll for Large Scorpio-Le'gal then here: 21)
((Let me know if you have any questions.))
EDIT: ((How in the hell do I roll an 11 with advantage? Dice gods hate me. Sorry team...))
EDIT EDIT: ((If it isn't too late I'm going to redo Charles' turn. I will put it below this edit while keeping the original, just in case you rule it is too late to change my mind.))
Charles will cast a Fireball centered on the top right corner of CR-22. DC 18 Dex Save or take 25 fire damage, 15.5 on success.
He will use his Sculpt Spell to save everyone in the corridor (1+spell level (3) = 4, Talon, Le'gal, Sigil, Charles.)
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
(@Superbad: If you prefer the Fireball, then let's go with the Fireball.)
A bit frustrated, Charles points his finger at the corner of the ceiling, right where the bend on the hallway is. Luckily, there is a small gap through some of the scorpions squished legs for the thin but bright streak of fire to travel from the wizard's fingertip to the desired point. Just as the explosion happens, Charles sculpts the fire to ensure safety to himself and his companions. The fire travels outward towards the room.
-> DEX saving throws {DC 18}:
The three remaining brain creatures are burned to a crisp (all take 31 fire damage and are DEFEATED).
No one can see it, but through his expert control of the flames, Charles can tell that the shepherd did something to avoid being completely engulfed (Shepherd - CMD: 15).
-> Concentration check for the shepherd (DC 10): 18
DM's Screen:
SS: 3
LEGENDARY ACTION (end of Charles' turn)
The shepherd does something, but no one is there to see exactly what.
(Talon & Fancy are up next. Please note that you cannot move past Scopio-Le'gal by conventional means as she is a Large creature stuffed in a hallway.)
Talon will move until he can see the opening an then will magically appear at CR, -16 and move to CS, -14 and then will hex the shepherd.ACTION: Move and cast misty stepBONUS ACTION: Throw Hexblade's Curse on the Shepherd and the finish movement.Talon will use his action to send Fancy into a pocket dimension. He will then wait patiently as a log jam halts movement into the arena. If there is any chance that he can actually see the shepherd (probably not) he will inflict hexblades's curse on him.
Blink roll: 11 Talon does NOT disappear
Fancy will fly as close to the Shepherd as it can. Maybe ending at CQ, -20 and perform the help action for whoever is able to attack.Lot's of stuff ...
Either fearing for its safety or planning his next move, Talon hides Fancy into his pocket plane for the moment and then prepares a curse to be launched at the shepherd in case the dwarf sees him.
Then, Scorpio-Le'gal hears the approaching calm steps of the shepherd. As he turns the corner to enter the hallway, the giant arthropod notices the situation might be getting worst. Not one, not two, but a total of four shepherds approach the opened portcullis, their slender forms walking side by side or just behind in close proximity. One of them calmly extends a hand and softly touches the mostly helpless scorpion.
-> Attack: 29 Damage: 4 cold.
-> Scorpio-Le'gal's CON saving throw {DC 18}: 4
The area where the shepherd's unnaturally dry hand touched the scorpion is immediately frozen. Despite the lack of ice crystals indicating so, the rest of Scorpio-Le'gal's body soon follows (Le'gal is now paralyzed and incapacitated but may attempt another saving throw at the end of her turn).
Sigil would be up next but the hunter continues to slumber on the ground.
LEGENDARY ACTION (end of Sigil's turn)
All four shepherds reach out to grab Sigil on the ground as one of them envelops his head in tentacles:
-> Attack: 30 Damage: 23 psychic
-> Sigil's INT saving throw {DC 20}: 13
The tentacles cause Sigil to scream a mumbled scream. The pain seems insurmountable (Sigil is now grappled and re-stunned, on top of already being incapacitated and prone).
(Nox and Le'gal are next. Then, Graxximus can go.)
A: "Srr buddy but you not yourself" Nox cast Polymorph Graxximus (WIS DC:18) changing him into a Killer Whale.
BA: She reach in her fey pool and heal herself with Balm of the Summer Court 16HP and gaining 7 temp HP.
If Graxximus succesfully turned she move away to CV-9 otherwise she stays where she is.
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Graxximus Wisdom Save: 15
Scorpion Queen Le'gal tries to get her wits about her... but her mind remains abuzz of disjointed thoughts.
S-Le'gal Intelligence Save: 6.
(Just realized I can't make the save as a beast even with a nat20. XD)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Ooooooooooooo" Graxx the Whale says as he makes an opportunity attack against Nox.
Attack: 7 Damage: 23
(@Ori: It's a CON save, so you actually rolled a 13.)
Nox finds a way to prevent Graxximus' attacks without necessarily hurting him. The paladin not-so-slowly enlarges and becomes rounder. He is now a Killer Whale who is stuck in the doorway (OOC: following the squeezing rules).
Before Nox can move away, Whale-Graxximus tries swiping at her with its heavy front-end, but the tortle is far away by the time the marine animal manages to shift its weight. Nox then magically patches herself up a bit.
Scorpio-Le'gal is still paralyzed.
(@Grx: So, Graxximus' turn is still up...)
(Whale-Graxximus is up next. Charles and Talon can pre-post for the next round if they so choose.)
Whale-Graxxmus wiggles and ends it’s turn.
If Talon can still see the shepherds he will attempt to determine which 'shepherd' is the real 'shepherd': perception 27
He will then apply his Hexblade's Curse on the determined 'shepherd'. At that point he will unleash his main weapon against him!
#1 Blast: Attack: 16 Damage: 13
#2 Blast: Attack: 28 Damage: 11
#3 Blast: Attack: 30 Damage: 11
BONUS ACTION: Hexblade's Curse
ACTION: Eldritch Blast
Blink Roll: 9 Talon does NOT disappear
Lot's of stuff ...
(OOC: So, it turns out Whales are Huge creatures, so here are some adjustments: Graxximus is being squeezed into a Large size by the doorway, which will break open into a 10 foot opening. As stipulated earlier in the campaign, initially squeezing a creature into a space smaller than what the squeezing rules would accommodate results in some damage. I am basing this damage on the creature's hit die.)
Whale-Graxximus continues to grow towards its full size. The doorway collapses against the expanding force, and the stuck creature feels the pressure. Some of the pain is transferred to Scorpio-Le'gal through their Warding Bond (Damage roll: 1. Graxximus takes 5 bludgeoning damage), Scorpio-Le'gal takes the other 5 bludgeoning damage).
-> Graxximus concentration check for Haste {DC 10}: 4
Unable to do much else, Whale-Graxximus goes into a lethargic state as the whale faces the aftermath of being magically hasted.
LEGENDARY ACTION (end of Graxximus' turn)
The shepherd begins to slowly crack Sigil's cranium open:
-> Attack: 31 Damage: 40 piercing.
The intense, painful nightmare Sigil is drifting into intensifies, but the hunter is still alive.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 3
FOGGY PASTURE MAP UPDATE:
NOTE: Le'gal is being squeezed into a medium space. Graxximus is being squeezed into a Large space. Space {CW-13} is now broken/open space, but it is difficult terrain due to rubble.
(OOC: The initiative order is important at the top of the round, so I'll have to wait until Charles goes next before resolving Talon's turn.)
(Charles is still up. Please note that you cannot move past Scopio-Le'gal by conventional means as she is a Large creature stuffed in a hallway.)
If Charles can see the Shepherd:
Charles will cast Chain Lightning on the Shepherd, using his Overchannel ability, maximizing damage, as well as adding a +5 to damage from Empowered Evocation; totalling 85 lightning damage, DC 18 Dex Save to take 42.5 on success.
If Charles canNOT see the Shepherd (Would it be safe to assume he can at least hear Sigil scream?):
Charles will cast Fireball, using his last 3rd level spell slot, on the top right corner of CR-22. Using the same abilities as above to maximize damage totalling: 53 fire damage, DC 18 Dex Save to take 26.5 on success. He will use his Sculpt Spell feature to save as many allies as possible.
((Also, just in case this is a thing in D&D, he will use his Sculpt Spell to not allow his allies to get hit by the Chain Lightning blasts lmao))
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
(@Superbad: Because of the view angle and because there is a large scorpion blocking your view, I'm going to say that you cannot effectively see the shepherd. There are some gaps in the scorpion's stance, but they give you awkward viewing angles into the ceiling and walls. Also, the description from Fireball specifically says that a streak of fire leaves your fingertip, which I imagine is something that can "thread the needle", sorta-speak, through these gaps I mentioned. This is why I allowed Charles to cast that spell through the scorpion last time. Please refer to the post where I resolved Charles's last fireball for reference. I do not feel that this would be the same case for Chain Lightning, so I'll go with your second option above.)
Not being able to properly see the shepherd but hearing his presence just beyond the bend, Charles repeats the trick he used a few moments ago. This time, he makes sure to empower the spell as much as he can in addition to sculpt it to create safety bubbles within the explosion.
-> Shepherd's DEX saving throw vs. Fireball {DC 18}: 14
Charles can hear a painful hiss (Shepherd - CMD: 41).
-> Shepherd's concentration check {DC 13}: 27 - his concentration falters for a moment, but is somehow undisturbed in the end.
Some of the fog from the room starts to seep into the hallway, enveloping the shepherd, Sigil, and Scorpio-Le'gal.
Le'gal then feels a presence in the back of her mind. She is not alone in there...
(@Laserwhit: The same explanation I gave @Superbad above applies to you, and your viewing angle is even narrower to begin with. You won't be able to perceive which of the four shepherds is the real one. In fact, you don't even know there are four of them out there. You won't be able to tag it/them with Hexblade's Curse either. Knowing that the shepherd is there though, I'll say that Talon can throw a Hail-Mary-style Eldritch Blast through the scorpion -- again, because it is described as a beam, so it could conceivably "thread the needle"-- but at the cost of a major cover bonus to the four shepherds.)
Noticing the approaching fog, Talon unleashes three Blasts in a sort of desperate move. Two of them hit the nearby walls, but the third slips past the scorpion successfully. Even then, that last blast finds nothing but stone on the other side.