A large owlbear, somewhat larger than the one you fought and killed, stands in the small road near the edge of the village. Villagers cower in fear, and one is clutching her side and backing away in fear, claws having torn her shirt and cut deep into her. She staggers, and the owlbear sniffs and appears ready to go in for the kill when it picks up a new scent. It turns, looks at Magnum, and charges.
Roll initiative.
(Would Silent have remained in the house, or gone immediately with Magnum to investigate?)
Magnum sits in the makeshift classroom his father Lawrence put together from a spare study on the Darrington Estate. Lawrence Darrington is a man of middle years, having gone gray long ago. When Magnum isn’t working with Taryon in his lab, or submitting to that woman wizard’s various tests, he is in here with Lawrence. Learning about the world.
Today’s subject is Arcane Chimerism.
“Magnum, tell me about the common owlbear.”
“Owlbears occupy no space in the genealogy of taxa, being the product of arcane experiments. They are the most common variety of so-called monster that might be encountered in the wild.”
“True. I appreciate the use of so-called, but why monster?”
“I couldn’t think of another word that suited them.”
“Perhaps animal would suffice. After all, while they were created using arcane science, they currently occupy an ecological niche, do they not?”
“This text classifies them as monstrosities.”
“That text is a manual for people who are in the business of hunting and fighting creatures for money. It is accurate in its observations, but it uses problematic language. Now, what else do you know about owlbears?”
“Their origins are unclear. It is believed by the Arcana Pansophical that they date back to the Age of Arcanum given how readily they can be found throughout Exandria.”
“Excellent.”
Magnum pauses for quite some time.
“Magnum? What’s wrong?” Lawrence was adept at reading Magnum’s non-verbal behavior. His expressionless face proved difficult for most, but not for Lawrence.
“Am I a monster?”
“No.” Lawrence sat down next to Magnum. He looked and saw that the section of the manual of ‘monsters’ was open to a section about golems. “Ah.”
“I’m a construct, like these.”
“You were constructed by your parents. Not by wizards hoping to use you as a guard or footsoldier.”
“But…”
“You are not like anything else in the world and I’m not just speaking to your intelligence and will. You are my son. You are loved.”
“She doesn’t love me,” Magnum says as he gestures outside. No doubt reference the wizard woman from the Arcana Pansophical. She was an old associate of Tary’s form his adventuring days. Lawrence felt nothing but cold towards her.
“She isn’t your mother. She is afraid. That's all. Of what you can do or become because she does not understand what you are. While I respect her opinion on arcane matters, she can pound sand as far as you’re concerned.” Lawrence tipped Magnum’s chin up. “I know you’re feeling odd and alone, but I want you to know you’re not.”
Magnum nodded. If he could smile he would. Lawrence was his favorite parent.
(OOC: Only read if you want to experience a flashback for Magnum.)
Gran has also followed you out. Emi is peeking through the window but keeping out of harm's way. The owlbear is about forty feet away right now.
Round One Gran Magnum Silent Large Owlbear
Gran mutters Let it come to us, and away from those silly sods. She waves to indicate the other villages, and then raises her fist, ready to attack as soon as the creature is within range.
(OOC: Assuming the owlbear is still standing after that hit and isn't doing anything else unexpected, Silent is going to use his bonus action to Teleport and swap places with his floating Echo. As he starts falling he will attempt a plunging attack, holding the greatsword straight down like a pogo stick - he is completely convinced that this will be a super-effective move. Not sure how this will work, let me know if any checks or other rolls would be necessary.)
(The owlbear is not even bloodied yet. What you suggest is a straight attack roll. The plunging attack is great flavour, but mechanically it's a normal attack. It will look really cool if it works.)
It looks really cool. Your massive greatsword skewers the owlbear, and though it is able to twist and pull itself free, it's clear you've hurt it a lot. There's a mighty screech of fury as it redoubles its attack on Silent - the Silent who just fell from the sky:
Attack: 18 Damage: 19
Still with disadvantage right? The other roll is 11
Magnum activates his Defensive field and runs outside.
A large owlbear, somewhat larger than the one you fought and killed, stands in the small road near the edge of the village. Villagers cower in fear, and one is clutching her side and backing away in fear, claws having torn her shirt and cut deep into her. She staggers, and the owlbear sniffs and appears ready to go in for the kill when it picks up a new scent. It turns, looks at Magnum, and charges.
Roll initiative.
(Would Silent have remained in the house, or gone immediately with Magnum to investigate?)
Initiative - 18
(OOC: Assuming Silent heard the roar and didn't trip on the doormat, he would've been right behind Magnum so I'll roll initiative)
Initiative 14
11 20
FLASHBACK:
Magnum sits in the makeshift classroom his father Lawrence put together from a spare study on the Darrington Estate. Lawrence Darrington is a man of middle years, having gone gray long ago. When Magnum isn’t working with Taryon in his lab, or submitting to that woman wizard’s various tests, he is in here with Lawrence. Learning about the world.
Today’s subject is Arcane Chimerism.
“Magnum, tell me about the common owlbear.”
“Owlbears occupy no space in the genealogy of taxa, being the product of arcane experiments. They are the most common variety of so-called monster that might be encountered in the wild.”
“True. I appreciate the use of so-called, but why monster?”
“I couldn’t think of another word that suited them.”
“Perhaps animal would suffice. After all, while they were created using arcane science, they currently occupy an ecological niche, do they not?”
“This text classifies them as monstrosities.”
“That text is a manual for people who are in the business of hunting and fighting creatures for money. It is accurate in its observations, but it uses problematic language. Now, what else do you know about owlbears?”
“Their origins are unclear. It is believed by the Arcana Pansophical that they date back to the Age of Arcanum given how readily they can be found throughout Exandria.”
“Excellent.”
Magnum pauses for quite some time.
“Magnum? What’s wrong?” Lawrence was adept at reading Magnum’s non-verbal behavior. His expressionless face proved difficult for most, but not for Lawrence.
“Am I a monster?”
“No.” Lawrence sat down next to Magnum. He looked and saw that the section of the manual of ‘monsters’ was open to a section about golems. “Ah.”
“I’m a construct, like these.”
“You were constructed by your parents. Not by wizards hoping to use you as a guard or footsoldier.”
“But…”
“You are not like anything else in the world and I’m not just speaking to your intelligence and will. You are my son. You are loved.”
“She doesn’t love me,” Magnum says as he gestures outside. No doubt reference the wizard woman from the Arcana Pansophical. She was an old associate of Tary’s form his adventuring days. Lawrence felt nothing but cold towards her.
“She isn’t your mother. She is afraid. That's all. Of what you can do or become because she does not understand what you are. While I respect her opinion on arcane matters, she can pound sand as far as you’re concerned.” Lawrence tipped Magnum’s chin up. “I know you’re feeling odd and alone, but I want you to know you’re not.”
Magnum nodded. If he could smile he would. Lawrence was his favorite parent.
(OOC: Only read if you want to experience a flashback for Magnum.)
Gran has also followed you out. Emi is peeking through the window but keeping out of harm's way. The owlbear is about forty feet away right now.
Round One
Gran
Magnum
Silent
Large Owlbear
Gran mutters Let it come to us, and away from those silly sods. She waves to indicate the other villages, and then raises her fist, ready to attack as soon as the creature is within range.
Magnum is up.
Alright then. Let's piss it off a bit to make sure.
Magnum fires a Magic Missile at the Owlbear. All three motes of arcane force spring from his hand and collide with the owlbear.
Damage - 8
Thud thud thud. Three somewhat forceful hits. It certainly doesn't look happy.
Silent is up.
Silent will mimic Gran, drawing his still-bloody sword and readying a strike as soon as the owlbear enters his range.
He will also manifest an Echo as a bonus action, situating it 15 ft. above his own head.
The owlbear races up, dashing towards you and seemingly honing in on Silent.
Silent, make your attack.
Attack 20 Damage: 13
Gran also makes her attacks, fists flying: Attack: 14 Damage: 3
The owlbear is tough but is taking a solid amount of damage already.
Round Two
Gran
Magnum
Silent
Large Owlbear
Gran circles around to flank with Silent:
Attack: 21 Damage: 2
It's a little thump, but it's a hit.
Magnum is up. You can position yourself next to Silent to flank with Gran if you wish.
Most of the fearful hiding townsfolk are fixated on the massive owlbear, but they have also noticed the massive half-orc hanging in the air.
Magnum positions himself with Silent so that he's flanking the owlbear and punches it with his Thunder Gauntlet.
Attack: 24 Damage: 11
(OOC: Assuming the owlbear is still standing after that hit and isn't doing anything else unexpected, Silent is going to use his bonus action to Teleport and swap places with his floating Echo. As he starts falling he will attempt a plunging attack, holding the greatsword straight down like a pogo stick - he is completely convinced that this will be a super-effective move. Not sure how this will work, let me know if any checks or other rolls would be necessary.)
(The owlbear is not even bloodied yet. What you suggest is a straight attack roll. The plunging attack is great flavour, but mechanically it's a normal attack. It will look really cool if it works.)
(OOC: Sounds good :D)
Attack 19 Damage: 14
It looks really cool. Your massive greatsword skewers the owlbear, and though it is able to twist and pull itself free, it's clear you've hurt it a lot. There's a mighty screech of fury as it redoubles its attack on Silent - the Silent who just fell from the sky:
Attack: 18 Damage: 19
Still with disadvantage right? The other roll is 11
So not a hit. The claw swipes, but goes wide.
The beak, therefore, stabs at Magnum instead:
Attack: 10 Damage: 10
Equally futilely.
Round Three
Gran
Magnum
Silent
Large Owlbear
Gran's fists fly:
Attack: 20 Damage: 1
And her fist connects. Just a little. She's grinning with the adrenaline though, and one lone voice down the street gives a strangled cheer.
Magnum is up.
Magnum punches the owlbear in its face with his Thunder Guantlet.
Attack: 23 Damage: 10