The Long Road of the Mage King (Game Thread)

“Three wolves! Big ones!”

"Big pups? I'm bigger. How close are they? We might want to get us brutes to the front toward the woods to ward off the wolves and the rest of the group with backs to the stone platform while we figure out just what we're doing here."

If the wolves are close, Dog climbs up toward the woods, tosses rope to the others to get down to the stone platform, and readies a longbow arrow, looking for incoming threats in the dawn light.

If they're still far away, he'll suggest tying a long rope to the big loop around the column, and holding onto the other end solidly, and seeing if that allows people to keep their footing, sliding the loop along the column as they go.

"Does anyone have any idea where we are and what this place is?"

(OoC: I will relay all information to dog)

A dire wolf emerges from the treeline to the west as Dog is talking, followed by two more coming in from the north and south. All three look half-starved with their ribs showing, growling at the group that they hope to make lunch.

In the distance, another howl sounds.

Initiative:

 (Let's keep things simple. Everyone may go in any order. The wolves will go after the players.)

Here's the map:

Tock will be oblivious to what's going on above, so he's going to dangle for a bit, look around and try to understand what's going on. (OOC: same as the player to be honest. Are you saying that there is a huge gear under the bridge on the other side of the waterfall that, if activated, may pull the bridge towards it?)

 (Ooc will Friend act on my turn? Because I’d like him to help me by distracting DW3)

”Ah!” Gash panic and throws a fire bolt: Attack: 7 Damage: 8

(if I get adv 11)

he then runs back to f8

Tock:

 Gash:

Sorry, I forgot to roll for Friend. Yes, Friend can go now as well. Using help will let Gash gain advantage. However, in spite of Friend's pestering of the dire wolf, Gash's fire bolt misses.

"I'm not in the mood for this" as he shouts Feytok goes into a rage and swings recklessly at DW2 as he advances on it. Attack: 18 Damage: 8

Tock investigation check: 9

Feytok manages to brutally wound the dire wolf, which yelps in response.

Tock:

Dog, seeing FeyTok run to the center wolf, sees the other one approaching to the right, and though he'd rather go into melee side-by-side with his friend, or even flank the wounded wolf, he doesn't want to open the ones they're protecting up to being surprised. 

So he will rush forward with longsword and shield and attack DW1. He will action surge as well:

Longsword: Attack: 13 Damage: 10

Action surge: 22 Damage: 9

If he can use these two attacks to somehow advance on the wolf, or push it toward the edge, he'll do that (I forget how that works in 5e - here's a strength check if that helps: 5!

(You'll have to grapple as a separate action, I'm afraid.)

Dog slashes at the dire wolf, barely missing it, but presses the wolf again, giving it a memorable wound.

(Keyrie and Lucien are up next.)

(Wolves are covered and can't advance on our squishy friends without an attack of opportunity? )

(Yup.)

Lucien will cast Toll the Dead on the wounded DW2 that Feytock hit. Wisdom saving throw, DC 13, or take 5 necrotic damage.

WIS (13) check: 15

The wolf is able to resist the spell, as it bears its fangs and rumbles with a vicious growl.

(Keyrie is up, but I won't post for her until the morning. G'night, all!)

Keyrie speaks to the wolves, holding up her hands. "Friends," she says. "We are not your enemies."

She reads the snarls and pacing of the wolves to mean, "No, you are food and we are hungry."

She begins weaving a spell, one very natural for the animal handler. It is directed towards the southern-most wolf.

Cast Animal Friendship on Dire Wolf 3.

DW3 WIS (13) check: 2

The wolf pauses for a moment, but the pain of hunger is overpowering and it resists Keyrie's spell.

A dire wolf tries to bite Dog, Feytok, and (3) Keyrie.

Bite Attack against Dog: 15 Damage: 6

Bite Attack against Feytok: 18 Damage: 15

Bite Attack against Keyrie: 23 Damage: 8

Keyrie falls to the ground under the vicious fang of the Dire wolf.

(All players may go in any order.)

Keyrie death save: 2

Nev sings a little encouragement to Feytok, giving him bardic inspiration.