Epos and Xel rush to help the fallen Khial. There is a burnt smell in the air as they approach the fallen rogue.
Despite his medical training from the monastery, Epos is unable to stabilize Khial. Xel, however, recognizes the symptoms of what seems to be electric shock in Khial (he remembers watching a miscast Shocking Grasp cantrip during his magical training) and is able to stabilize the rogue.
The Herr Doktor Professor rushes up and examines the fallen Khial.
"He seems to have stabilized," the Herr Doktor Professor says. "It is a pity I have no healing spells to help him with, isn't it, nicht wahr?
"However, I do have this healing potion," he says, pulling out a vial. "I vill expect compensation for using it, of course."
The Herr Doktor Professor feeds the healing potion to Khial; the rogue regains 7 hit points.
When the rogue regains consciousness, he tells Xel and Epos that he remembers being struck by something after touching the sigil, but did not see what it was before being knocked unconscious.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Xel looks at the tree where the sigil that Khial touched is located. Earlier this tree only had a red aura. What kind of aura does he see now?
Xel also notes that this tree apparently used lightning to harm Khial. He therefore concludes that the tree in K7 would use ice or cold as an attack.
Apparently, touching the sigils was not a way to end the enchantment.
"It seems that my theory was incorrect. My apologies to you Khial for that".
Xel moves to J12 and examines the barrier itself. He checks to see if the barrier extends below the earth, digging a little bit to see if it does and if it does extend below the earth, can he determine how far below.
Investigation Check: 9
Xel would also like to see if he knows how or remembers anything to dispell the enchantment:
Khial, still very discombobulated from his near-death experience, gathers enough strength to speak. "No worries, Xel. Sometimes we thieves have to try dangerous and fatal tasks in order to get what we need.", the thief stares coldly at the sigil that nearly killed him, "Once more I have cheated death, but with the help of all of you. For that I am eternally grateful."
Khial hands HDP the red gem that he stashed in his pocket before the sigil incident. "Perhaps this could even out my debt for the healing potion you gave to save my life."
Xel notices that the sigil of this tree has now gone black; however, the magical barrier he can see through his Detect Magic spell has not fallen. Digging a little bit, he sees the barrier extends beneath the surface. Based on his skills in arcana, he knows he lacks the spell to bring down the magical barrier, but believes touching the sigils in the correct combination should accomplish that task.
Epos says to Khial: "It is wonderful to have you back!"
To Xel he says: "Your expression leads me to suspect you have realized something about this puzzle before us. What do you think we should do next? Should our next attempt to touch the sigils be with very long poles?"
"A most excellent idea," says the Herr Doktor Professor. He looks the party over.
"However," he says, "I notice that none of you are carrying that adventurer's staple -- the 10-foot pole. Such a thing would be most useful now, I think."
OOC: if it's not on your equipment list (and it wasn't when I checked), then you don't have it. Like HDP said, 10-foot poles would be really useful right now.
Xel thinks for awhile. "Epos, maybe yo can check the surrounding area for a a branch which we an substitute for a ten foot pole.
While you are doing that, Xel tries to think of a way to activate the sigil remotely.
OOC: Where is the sigil located on the tree? Waist high? Depending on where it is located (and if Epos or Khial can find a ten foot pole substitute), can Xel rig the hobgoblin corpse to trigger the sigil?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"How about hitting the sigils with a rock from 10 feet away?" Epos asks Xel which one to target (OOC: Xel, pls tell DM), then Epos makes sure everyone is clear and picks up a good rock from the ground: OOC: Dex 14
The sigils are located at about eye-level for a humanoid-sized (Medium-sized) creature.
OOC: Unless Xel has the Animate Dead spell, I don't see how you can "rig" the hobgoblin's body to trigger the sigils.
A search through the area quickly shows Epos that he won't likely find a branch that could serve as a 10-foot pole (remember, the weirwoods are the only really tall trees in this part of the woods). Any branch he finds will be about the same size as Xel's staff (4 to 5 feet); he'll need to find taller trees to obtain a trunk that he could carve a 10-foot pole from.
Frustrated, he hurls a stone at one of the sigils, hitting it dead-on.
OOC: Epos, please identify which sigil, on which tree, you threw at; place yourself at a 10-foot distance from that tree. (Since you did not roll with disadvantage, I'll assume that you threw the stone from normal range, which is 10 feet for an improvised weapon like a stone. By the way, why did you add your +2 proficiency bonus to the attack; are you proficient with Improvised Weapons? Anyway, even without the bonus, the stone still hit the sigil.)
OOC: Epos, Xel, and Khial, identify which squares you are on when the stone hits.
OOC: Epos has no idea what color the magical auras around the sigils are. From back reading, I don't see Xel mentioning those specific details to anyone in the party. Anyway ... I still need to know where everyone is on the map before I reveal the results of touching that sigil.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Khial stands at M14, keeping away from the sigil that he once touched. He tries to look around for a stick that could perhaps resemble a 10-foot pole. Even if he has to rip out some branch or part of a trunk.
Xel says: "Epos, I would believe if you are going to throw that rock at a tree that you should throw it at that one. Xel points out the tree in K11.
Xel explains: "Using my magic, I can see the energy that magic radiates. The three trees where the dead humanoids are close by all show to my eyes a red aura with black streaks."
OOC: Just to double check that all three trees have a red aura with black streaks or are they black aura?
"The two trees which were different, were these trees (pointing at the trees in K11 and K7) which had a red aura. After the unfortunate activation by Khial of the magical defence or trap, once again my fault for that, on that tree (K7), the aura has now changed from a red aura to a black aura. Not understanding completely how this enchantment works, the activation of the sigil on that tree (K11) through your stone throwing prowess may set it off. If it does, then we may discover something new with all the trees having been "activated" and having their auras turn black. There is a possibility that all trees having their magic spent on releasing a deadly attack would also have the side-effect of bringing the barrier down."
"Just let me find some appropriate cover to observe"
Xel now moves to J5 and takes what available cover he can from the rock in J6.
Xel continues "We haven't seen yet an attack of cold or ice so you should be ready for that since so far we have seen fire, acid, lightning. and poisonous gas (OOC:maybe).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: Xel needs to make an Investigation check to determine if rigor mortis has set in.
OOC: Khial, why are you making a Spot check? (Btw, there are no more Spot checks in 5E; you either roll Perception or Investigation checks -- at the DM's request.) Anyway, if you backread to the previous post answering Epos, there are no trees large enough to carve a 10-foot pole out of (you'll need a trunk, by the way; a branch won't be large enough). No Investigation roll, no matter how high, will help you find what's not there.
OOC: Xel, how long does this Detect Magic spell last? Ten minutes? I'm going to rule that the spell soon gives out: all you can see now are the weirwood trees. You recall that a red aura with black streaks emanated from the trees (the trees themselves aren't magical), forming a barrier of sorts around the grove. The sigils carved onto the trees -- according to your arcane sight -- also emanated a magical aura. It was a black aura for the sigils with dead goblinoids nearby -- and for the sigil which Khial touched. You just convinced Epos to throw a rock at the last sigil with a red aura.
OOC: Epos, since you didn't state what square you're in, I'm randomly determining it: 5.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: Okay, you're in L14, right next to Khial. The Herr Doktor Professor is in G12.
Cowering behind his rock, Xel does not see so well what happens when Epos hits the sigil. Unfortunately for them, Epos and Khial have a front row seat when a cone of cold bursts from the struck sigil -- covering trees, grass, and them with bone-numbing frost and rime. Damage roll: 13.
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Epos and Xel rush to help the fallen Khial. There is a burnt smell in the air as they approach the fallen rogue.
Despite his medical training from the monastery, Epos is unable to stabilize Khial. Xel, however, recognizes the symptoms of what seems to be electric shock in Khial (he remembers watching a miscast Shocking Grasp cantrip during his magical training) and is able to stabilize the rogue.
The Herr Doktor Professor rushes up and examines the fallen Khial.
"He seems to have stabilized," the Herr Doktor Professor says. "It is a pity I have no healing spells to help him with, isn't it, nicht wahr?
"However, I do have this healing potion," he says, pulling out a vial. "I vill expect compensation for using it, of course."
The Herr Doktor Professor feeds the healing potion to Khial; the rogue regains 7 hit points.
When the rogue regains consciousness, he tells Xel and Epos that he remembers being struck by something after touching the sigil, but did not see what it was before being knocked unconscious.
Xel looks at the tree where the sigil that Khial touched is located. Earlier this tree only had a red aura. What kind of aura does he see now?
Xel also notes that this tree apparently used lightning to harm Khial. He therefore concludes that the tree in K7 would use ice or cold as an attack.
Apparently, touching the sigils was not a way to end the enchantment.
"It seems that my theory was incorrect. My apologies to you Khial for that".
Xel moves to J12 and examines the barrier itself. He checks to see if the barrier extends below the earth, digging a little bit to see if it does and if it does extend below the earth, can he determine how far below.
Investigation Check: 9
Xel would also like to see if he knows how or remembers anything to dispell the enchantment:
Arcana Check: 14
Khial, still very discombobulated from his near-death experience, gathers enough strength to speak. "No worries, Xel. Sometimes we thieves have to try dangerous and fatal tasks in order to get what we need.", the thief stares coldly at the sigil that nearly killed him, "Once more I have cheated death, but with the help of all of you. For that I am eternally grateful."
Khial hands HDP the red gem that he stashed in his pocket before the sigil incident. "Perhaps this could even out my debt for the healing potion you gave to save my life."
Xel notices that the sigil of this tree has now gone black; however, the magical barrier he can see through his Detect Magic spell has not fallen. Digging a little bit, he sees the barrier extends beneath the surface. Based on his skills in arcana, he knows he lacks the spell to bring down the magical barrier, but believes touching the sigils in the correct combination should accomplish that task.
Epos says to Khial: "It is wonderful to have you back!"
To Xel he says: "Your expression leads me to suspect you have realized something about this puzzle before us. What do you think we should do next? Should our next attempt to touch the sigils be with very long poles?"
"A most excellent idea," says the Herr Doktor Professor. He looks the party over.
"However," he says, "I notice that none of you are carrying that adventurer's staple -- the 10-foot pole. Such a thing would be most useful now, I think."
OOC: if it's not on your equipment list (and it wasn't when I checked), then you don't have it. Like HDP said, 10-foot poles would be really useful right now.
Xel thinks for awhile. "Epos, maybe yo can check the surrounding area for a a branch which we an substitute for a ten foot pole.
While you are doing that, Xel tries to think of a way to activate the sigil remotely.
OOC: Where is the sigil located on the tree? Waist high? Depending on where it is located (and if Epos or Khial can find a ten foot pole substitute), can Xel rig the hobgoblin corpse to trigger the sigil?
Epos looks for a really long branch fallen on the ground, not wanting to hurt living trees. OOC: Nature Check 4
Epos goes the other direction: OOC: Nature 14
"How about hitting the sigils with a rock from 10 feet away?" Epos asks Xel which one to target (OOC: Xel, pls tell DM), then Epos makes sure everyone is clear and picks up a good rock from the ground: OOC: Dex 14
The sigils are located at about eye-level for a humanoid-sized (Medium-sized) creature.
OOC: Unless Xel has the Animate Dead spell, I don't see how you can "rig" the hobgoblin's body to trigger the sigils.
A search through the area quickly shows Epos that he won't likely find a branch that could serve as a 10-foot pole (remember, the weirwoods are the only really tall trees in this part of the woods). Any branch he finds will be about the same size as Xel's staff (4 to 5 feet); he'll need to find taller trees to obtain a trunk that he could carve a 10-foot pole from.
Frustrated, he hurls a stone at one of the sigils, hitting it dead-on.
OOC: Epos, please identify which sigil, on which tree, you threw at; place yourself at a 10-foot distance from that tree. (Since you did not roll with disadvantage, I'll assume that you threw the stone from normal range, which is 10 feet for an improvised weapon like a stone. By the way, why did you add your +2 proficiency bonus to the attack; are you proficient with Improvised Weapons? Anyway, even without the bonus, the stone still hit the sigil.)
OOC: Epos, Xel, and Khial, identify which squares you are on when the stone hits.
OOC: To DM - Oops - was looking at wrong section of sheet, should have been +3
OOC: Hi All, I made sure y'all were clear before I threw. I threw at the last red aura sigil, K11 - i.e., the one not triggered yet.
OOC: Epos has no idea what color the magical auras around the sigils are. From back reading, I don't see Xel mentioning those specific details to anyone in the party. Anyway ... I still need to know where everyone is on the map before I reveal the results of touching that sigil.
Xel is in M10 examining the hobgoblin bodies to see if rigor mortis has set in.
Khial stands at M14, keeping away from the sigil that he once touched. He tries to look around for a stick that could perhaps resemble a 10-foot pole. Even if he has to rip out some branch or part of a trunk.
Spot check: 5
OOC: Miguel - please tell Epos to target K11... either because of the Aura being red or because it isn't the one triggered yet :-D
Xel notices Epos pick up a rock.
Xel says: "Epos, I would believe if you are going to throw that rock at a tree that you should throw it at that one. Xel points out the tree in K11.
Xel explains: "Using my magic, I can see the energy that magic radiates. The three trees where the dead humanoids are close by all show to my eyes a red aura with black streaks."
OOC: Just to double check that all three trees have a red aura with black streaks or are they black aura?
"The two trees which were different, were these trees (pointing at the trees in K11 and K7) which had a red aura. After the unfortunate activation by Khial of the magical defence or trap, once again my fault for that, on that tree (K7), the aura has now changed from a red aura to a black aura. Not understanding completely how this enchantment works, the activation of the sigil on that tree (K11) through your stone throwing prowess may set it off. If it does, then we may discover something new with all the trees having been "activated" and having their auras turn black. There is a possibility that all trees having their magic spent on releasing a deadly attack would also have the side-effect of bringing the barrier down."
"Just let me find some appropriate cover to observe"
Xel now moves to J5 and takes what available cover he can from the rock in J6.
Xel continues "We haven't seen yet an attack of cold or ice so you should be ready for that since so far we have seen fire, acid, lightning. and poisonous gas (OOC:maybe).
OOC: Xel needs to make an Investigation check to determine if rigor mortis has set in.
OOC: Khial, why are you making a Spot check? (Btw, there are no more Spot checks in 5E; you either roll Perception or Investigation checks -- at the DM's request.) Anyway, if you backread to the previous post answering Epos, there are no trees large enough to carve a 10-foot pole out of (you'll need a trunk, by the way; a branch won't be large enough). No Investigation roll, no matter how high, will help you find what's not there.
OOC: Xel, how long does this Detect Magic spell last? Ten minutes? I'm going to rule that the spell soon gives out: all you can see now are the weirwood trees. You recall that a red aura with black streaks emanated from the trees (the trees themselves aren't magical), forming a barrier of sorts around the grove. The sigils carved onto the trees -- according to your arcane sight -- also emanated a magical aura. It was a black aura for the sigils with dead goblinoids nearby -- and for the sigil which Khial touched. You just convinced Epos to throw a rock at the last sigil with a red aura.
OOC: Epos, since you didn't state what square you're in, I'm randomly determining it: 5.
OOC: Okay, you're in L14, right next to Khial. The Herr Doktor Professor is in G12.
Cowering behind his rock, Xel does not see so well what happens when Epos hits the sigil. Unfortunately for them, Epos and Khial have a front row seat when a cone of cold bursts from the struck sigil -- covering trees, grass, and them with bone-numbing frost and rime. Damage roll: 13.