Rhanloi's Romp Through the Sword Coast

• Wakka is felled by Backes, but Manfred quickly speaks a healing word and infuses the fighter with healing (you get all of the healing - and a near-death experience to tell the folks back at Lielon about!) Rather than being killed by Backes, Wakka gets off the ground and strikes twice, slashing the man across his chest and leaving a bloody X. Backes crumples to the ground, finally succumbing to his wounds!

Round 3: Statue(-36) :: Tallow(-0) :: Black Backes(-121) :: Genren(-14) :: Manfred(-22) :: Wakka

• The statue, though, remains and keeps fighting. It looks like perhaps Wakka's revival will be short...
  • Headbutt Attack: 11 Damage: 7
• With Wakka on the ground, the statue moves to attack Tallow with its swords... 
  • Lightning Blade Attack: 9 Damage: 9
  • Lightning Blade Attack: 14 Damage: 7
  • Lightning Blade Attack: 22 Damage: 9
  • Lightning Blade Attack: 21 Damage: 12

 Round 3 (con't): Statue(-36) :: Tallow(-17) :: Genren(-14) :: Manfred(-22) :: Wakka (death save!)

‘Oh no you don’t!’ exclaims Manfred, whistling a complex melody that morphs into a peaceful aura in his vicinity, which he immediately focuses on Wakka…

(Manfred has cast Aura of Vitality, then uses his bonus action to use it to heal Wakka for 6hp!)

Seeing Wakka and Tallow continuing to take a beating Genren sprints back into the fray attacking with his short swords (recalling his dancing weapon into his hand as he pirouettes and attempts two strikes at the statues "Hey over here you monstrosity!" 

Attack 1: Attack: 12 Damage: 9

Attack 2:Attack: 14 Damage: 5

Sneak Attack if applicable: 12

(doubling the damage on the crit, not the dice)

Tallow will take a deep breath and scream "That really hurt you dumb fork!" before twirling his spoon in his hand and pointing it at the statue.  He casts Fire Bolt Attack: 19 Damage: 7

Just as Wakka managed to cut down the leader once and for all, he was blindsided by the still active statue and knocked unconscious once again.  Feeling a warm healing light surround him, he once again shot up from the ground from where he laid prone and regathered his bearings.  Seeing the statue still standing, he shouted out a primal roar and attacked it with all the might he had left.

• Attack #1: Hit 28 (CRIT!!!)/ Damage: 11 Slashing + 7 Cold + (8+3) Force = 29 Total!
• Attack #2: Hit 23/ Damage: 8 Slashing

(Note: Used (1) charge of Bite of Winter and (1) Psi-Energy Die for Psionic Strike for double dice on the Critical Hit)  

• Tallow flings a small sphere of hot pepper sauce at the statue, burning away some of the surface area!
• Genren tosses his dancing sword into the air, swinging once with his regular sword and hitting, but not causing much damage to the metal statue. The magical sword, however, hits it much harder and leaves a dented gash. (one arm attacks at disadvantage =)
• Manfred once again resuscitates the fallen warrior, his magic-enhanced tune bringing vitality and staving away death.
• Wakka, now twice sucked back from death's threshold, attacks the statue again with reckless abandon, cleaving one of the statue's arms with a critical hit!
• The statue keeps its attention on 2 and 4 (1-2=Wakka; 3-4=Tallow; 5-6=Genren)
  • Headbutt against Wakka: Attack: 25 Damage: 16
  • Lightning sword w/ disadv against Wakka: Attack: 18 Damage: 10
  • Lightning sword against Tallow: Attack: 18 Damage: 8
  • Lightning sword against Tallow: Attack: 18 Damage: 9

Round 4: Statue(-94) :: Tallow(-29) :: Genren(-14) :: Manfred(-22) :: Wakka(+6)

"Ow!  That really hurt again!  I'm getting pretty sick of getting beat up."  Tallow hurls another Fire Bolt Attack: 16 Damage: 19

(Mobile)

Barely conscious, Wakka's body moved on its own and continued to attack the statue

• Attack: Hit-26/ Damage- 15 Slashing
• Extra Attack: Hit-25/ Damage- 15 Slashing 

Manfred strums out a number of specific chords of discordant notes, attempting to disrupt the arcane energies powering the statue…

(Casting Dispel Magic at 4th level)

He then uses his bonus action to heal Wakka again for 6hp…

Genren takes two more hits with his shortswords staying light on his feet preparing to dodge if needed..

Attack 1: Attack: 25 Damage: 9

Attack 2: Attack: 18 Damage: 6

Sneak Attack: 16

• Tallow hurls another Fire Bolt but the flames seem to glance off of the statue without causing any real damage (just missed the AC17 natural armor!)
• Genren makes two more attacks but is also not able to cause any damage...
• Manfred attempts to dispel the powerful magics involved in creating this thing, then sends some more healing love to Wakka. (@JorvikDave - make an ability check using your spellcasting ability.) 
• Wakka lets his training and conditioning take over, settling into a deadly dance and scoring two solid hits. 

Round 5: Statue(-124) :: Tallow(-29) :: Genren(-14) :: Manfred(-22) :: Wakka(+12)

• The Statue is pretty beat up, with gashes and dents, a missing arm and a damaged one. (But I will wait on Manfred's roll to see if it's finished or gets one more round to attack!!)

(Spellcasting Roll: 12)

Success! Between Wakka's desperate blows and Manfred unraveling the strands of magic holding what was left of the statue, the party finally defeats the cultists. The storms gathering above the inn dissipate immediately, returning the calm and peaceful weather to the area. In sacks stored in the basement, the party finds 500 gp, 5 potions of greater healing a spell scroll of call lightning, and a ring of water walking. You also find a map with a sketch of the Sword Coast between Waterdeep and Neverwinter. Dozens of points are highlighted on the map, and a single word is written in one of the margins - Velleen.

Cray Onderquill, the gnome you found on the second floor, helps you examine the map and declares, "There is some alteration magic on this parchment...there is probably a coded message hidden here - and you need the right key, or lenses, to decipher it."

Martisha Vinetalker, owner of the Wayside Inn, is grateful for your assistance and ending this threat to the surrounding area as well as to her establishment. She promises you free lodging whenever you are passing through.

Emmalou stands her ground outside the Inn ready for the storms and ill omens to return. She also is grateful for your aid and saving her Inn.

Genren sheaths his weapons giving both his short swords a little twirl before holstering them. Stretching his back out wide he kicks the stone statue for good measure.   "Is everyone alright? That one was definitely a tough fight.... Wakka, you took quite the beating, perhaps we should each take a potion and you can have the extra hehe.  I'm not too partial to the other items so feel free to decide that for the group.(I'm assuming we'd divide the gold equally as well, not sure if there's any rent or guild fees in this campaign that we need to consider)" 

He glances over the map and listens in on what Cray has to say about the code. "I wonder are these targets or safe houses perhaps? We could see if there's someone back in town who might be able to decipher the code. My former troop wouldn't be much help since we were mostly warriors of sorts, but I'm sure there's someone..." 

Before anything, Manfred quickly moves over to Wakka, strumming his lute to bring forth soothing waves of sound, washing over Wakka's wounded body with life-giving vigour. (30hp healing).

Only then does he take a deep breath, letting it out in a very long sigh.. 'That was too close Wakka, we almost lost you there...'

…

After a little while recovering his composure, Manfred scopes out the treasure. 'Can I suggest we take 100gp each, and leave 100 for Martisha to help with restoring the inn? We can give the scroll to the guild for its cut.' he pauses to examine the ring, his mind ticking along.. 'I think one of you should wear this. We've been contending with a cult of storm and wave. I think we'd be foolish to assume we won't encounter them on or near water in the future...'

(Assuming you're ready to move on... Normally, the Guild takes a 10% cut of the total value of coins/gems/valuables found, and any unused magic items are kept in the Guild Armory. The 100gp donation to Martisha is approved and counts as your Guild cut. Please let me know who keeps which magic items.)

Returning to Leilon, the party finds the Town Council at the Lathander Shrine. They seem to be worried and fretful — more so than usual. They confide in you that the weather was  particularly fierce there also - winds came out of nowhere and damaged buildings, and three people were struck by lightning! They also saw a massive lightning strike on Idol Island and think some of the shrines there were damaged. With the workers and townsfolk fully engaged repairing and rebuilding the town, the Council asks if you would investigate the island and do what you can to repair or restore the idols there. They offer you a chit, which allows you to withdraw certain tools and building materials from the general store set up in the Barge Yard, run by Hilved Earthbeam. (Idol Island rises from the marshes about 50 yards from Leilon. It contains the remains of crumbled statues of forgotten human nobles. The settlers claim to hear whispered voices on the island at night, inviting them to view their destinies. The superstitious folk are concerned that the the statues protect the town, and must be put right or their endeavors will be doomed...)

Also, a few people seem to have gone missing over the last couple of tendays. No one can say for sure, because the people who may be missing are visitors or travelers with no ties to Leilon. It’s possible that they simply left town, but some of them seemed to indicate that they were going to be around longer...

Part 1!

Wakka slumped to the ground as soon as the fighting ended; his body having managed to hold on just long enough.  As he felt Manfred's healing wash over him, he gave the halfling a grateful nod before replying to the both Manny & Genren.  "Much to close for comfort.  Even the dragon didn't bring me this close to the void..."  Closing his eyes, his mind momentarily drifted on his life accomplishments so far - and things he still needed to do - before he continued.  "You can have whatever you want.  The only thing I want is a bed... and maybe a barrel of something strong.  Actually make that two barrels." 

At some point in the very near future, after resting enough to recover some of his wits, Wakka would take a look at the map with the others.  "I wish I knew what that text said," he began, frowning, "But I'm a bit concerned by all these places marked on the map.  Think they planned more 'storms' in these places?  Whatever they mean, it can't be good..."   

• (Could Wakka potentially try an Investigation check to see if he can find any sort of clues/ information based on the markings on the map?)  

Part 2!

Giving Cray, Martisha & Emmalou a farewell once the group was ready to depart, Wakka followed the others on the short trip back to Leilon, ready for a well deserved rest.  His hopes were cut short though when the town asked them investigate the neighboring island.  Sighing internally as he unconsciously massaged one of the many sore points on his body, Wakka turned to the others and said, "Well, shall we?"  

Part 1: 

Genren squats down next to Wakka and pats him on the shoulder. "First drink back is on me then! Perhaps then some discussion on our tactics? We're still getting used to each other, but I'm equally comfortable in Melee as I am at range so I'm willing to support you from closer if need be." 

Part 2:

Upon leaving, Genren also bids farewell to those at the inn. Upon being looped in by the council, he lets out a big yawn followed by a stretch. "Perhaps I can send a message to my former battalion. They did send me as part of a cursory force and should at least be looped into what's going on if they haven't already.  Surely we need some additional manpower in the town, but yes, let's go take a peak. I fear no 'ghost stories or superstitions so I'm sure we'll be able to find the root of the issue." 

(If the town hasn't looped in the neverwinter soldiers, I'd send a quick note to my home base in Neverwinter so they can prepare for the worst and give them a status report. As well as to send some reinforcements if able)

Part 1

Tallow looked over the map.  He speaks Common, Elvish, Gnomish, Goblin.  Can he read the word written in the margin?

Part 2

"Let's go check the damage out on the island and then we can come back and get whatever supplies we need to make the repairs." 

Part 1

Manfred offers to help Wakka with the map... (Also, Arcana: 18)

Part 2

'I don't like the sound of this. We've been facing storms at every turn, cultists with some agenda that we don't yet understand. We should be prepared for trouble when we get to the island...' he looks over to the council 'Can you give us as many details about the missing people as you can? I'm worried about more sacrifices before we're done...'