Mola skitters along the floor toward the entrance of the room. He determines the female orc returns along the same path for a short while. The sound of her boots upon the cave floor grows softer for ten or twelve seconds before stopping altogether.
Gwin steps forward and greets the three captives in common language. In a timbre far more serious than her party is accustomed, but maintaining an undertone of warmth and kindness she says, Hello there. By the stunned look on your faces I can see we are unexpected. Trust me, entering an orc stronghold wasn't on my list of things to do, either. I am Gwinlynn Karmadark of the Dalelands by way of East Rift. Looking at the wood elf she continues, We are here specifically to speak to your companions, but as you are a stranger to us, please, what is your name? And to the entire captive group she asks, How is it that you've come into the bondage of the Tribe of the Hand? And what does your captor speak of, this Naraga's Law? Please know, if you're dishonest, I will be able to tell. I'm sure my companions will have more questions, but that is a good place to begin.
And with those final few words, the cleric raises her right hand above her and rotates it in a wide circle three times.
"Greetings, Gwinlynn,"replies the elf in a clear voice that belies her difficult circumstances. "I am Aralea of the Misty Forest..."--she pauses and moves her head slightly to the left as if to give herself a better view of the entrance to the room--"...and I do not yet understand how I came to be here."
"Sorcery!" shrieks the first male human. "That is how!" His voice and face exude a mixture of fear and bewilderment.
"Sorcery," repeats the man's brother in a tone far more subdued. His eyes dart toward the entrance of the room.
The first male crawls toward his brother and shrieks again, "Tell them, Finnegas! Tell them!" Tears roll down his cheeks, and he stifles a sob.
"Quiet, Ferrian," Finnegasreplies. "My brother and I awoke here days ago. Like Aralea, we have no memory of traveling here...or ever thinking of traveling here. Our last clear memory is..."
Ferrian interrupts, with the voice of a madman, "THE DAMNED HOOVES, FINNEGAS! THE CREATURE WITH THE DAMNED HOOVES! NOT ORCS! NOT US! NOT THE FILTHY ORCS! NOT US! PROBABLY HER! SHE IS THE ONE!" As he screams the word her, he points at Aralea. Tears continue to roll down his cheeks as he picks up a small rock and flings it across the room.
Finnegas and Aralea watch the entrance to the room closely as Ferrian shouts.
"Yes, Ferrian, it is not our fault that we are here. And possibly not the fault of the orcs. Possibly it is Aralea, but I do not know," responds Finnegascalmly. "My brother believes he saw a creature with hooves in this room a few hours after Aralea was brought here. He awoke, and as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he saw a man...a creature...something with two massive legs, dark fur, and hoofed feet. Ferrian was lying on the floor with his head beneath his blanket; so, he saw very little. We don't know."
Aralea lifts her blanket to reveal her bare legs. "No hooves here, Ferrian."
Her words serve only to exacerbate Ferrian's mood, who growls, "Curuni!" (Elvish for witch).
"Naraga's law.." continues Finnegas, "...Naraga is the one who led you here..."--once again his eyes dart toward the room's entrance.
"Naraga's law is quite simple, Gwin," interrupts Aralea. "The law is this: never attempt to escape."
"LIAR!" screams Ferrian. "THAT'S NOT ALL! THERE'S MORE!"
"Please, Ferrian, don't say..." interrupts Finnegas who then leaps on his brother in an attempt to subdue and quiet him.
"Quiet, Ferrian!" shouts Aralea.
Finnegas manages to silence his brother, and all three prisoners look fearfully toward the opening to the room.
Rixtonfollows quietly through the Hand's labyrinthine hideout. Once imprisoned, he places his hands on his hips with a satisfied smirk. "Well, that is excellent progress, I must say."
He looks around the "room" while the trio of prisoners provide their various responses. "Let's back up a bit. First of all, there is no need to be racist," Rixton says in a loud, clear voice, his back to the other prisoners. "Araleamay or may not have hooves but it is beside the point. Araleadid not bring you here. The Hand brought you here..."
Rixtonturns around quickly, casting his eyes on Finnegas. "...after you attacked them and lost. Frankly I am surprised you have both your hands still. And your lives, for that matter."
The rogue looks to Ferrian. "And yes, magic of some sort is involved. But come on, man. This one just cast a spell to impose truth on you lot. She is no witch for that. Get yourself together."
Rixtonlooks from Ferrianto Finnegasto Aralea. "I only have one question. It is perhaps the most important one," he says with a serious intensity. "When do we eat?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Just in case: Insight 17 and Investigation 24. Looking for indication of hooved footprints and insight against the elf to see if she seems overly confident or suspicious)
"So many questions, so little time. So, let's start at the beginning with a simple one: Why did you attack the Hands? It's not like Harpers to attack unprovoked."
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Ferrian stares blankly at Rixton and speaks calmly, seemingly willing to heed the advice to calm down."The Hand brought us here, yes. But how did we come anywhere near them? And you say we attacked them. The Hand says the same. For what it's worth, stranger..."--he looks at Jheric--"...we have no memory of doing so."
"True," agrees Finnegas. "With all that I am, and with all that I have, I swear I've done no such thing. We live, and have both hands, because they seek to ransom us. They believe someone will pay for our freedom."
In response to Rixton's query about eating, Ferrian, obviously annoyed, chimes, "When Naraga deems it."
Aralea then seizes the opportunity to address Jheric. "Their tale mirrors my own: accused of attacking the Hand; having no recollection of doing anything of the sort; suddenly coming awake or conscious and being here. I am no Harper, however."
Jheric sees no indication of footprints created by a creature with hooves. Additionally, he senses that Aralea is being forthright.
Rixtonsighs in exasperation. "I can obviously eat whenever I'd like, Naraga be damned." he says, plopping his pack unceremoniously on the dirt floor and pointing to a pack of rations. "More importantly is how often you are visited for meals."
The rogue begins pacing around the room. "And to your other point, you may not have done it but your bodies certainly did on someone's behalf. The how we do not know, but it was you, most certainly. One of you left a message hurriedly before leaving town quickly, perhaps with some violence, and without formal contact with the Harpers."
Rixtonscratches the message into the dirt:
HM G'FATHER TREE EVIL FP
"You then joined up with the Tree Ghost Tribe of the High Forest and assaulted the Hand. Again, we do not know why but only that you did."
Rixtonstops pacing and looks at the brothers. "Our first task is to pay your ransom, if we can agree on one that will suffice. We did not come with anything they would reasonably accept in trade. So we will have to fetch something or do something in exchange for your freedom, I suspect," he says. With a final sigh, he comes back to his point. "And if we know how much they care about you as prisoners, we can ascertain how much they value you in trade."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Rixton utters his last sentence, the sound of a ringing bell reaches the ears of everyone in the room. Finnegas immediately says, "Not again..."
Ferrianand Aralea simultaneously say, "Oh, no..."
You turn to see what might be causing the sound, and why such a thing would trouble the prisoners. Your mind momentarily struggles to comprehend how a large portion of the cave wall can be moving...seemingly coming alive...but that is exactly what is happening. You have heard tales and seen drawings of monstrosities like the roper that disguise themselves as rock formations to ensure they will surprise their victims. Now one stands before you; its presence becoming more menacing as its tendrils begin to uncoil and make their way toward you...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bandits, bruisers, and attack dogs...all things where it's good to have a reliable way out. He spits a quick word, then puffs out of the roper's tendril in a cloud of smoke and reappears nearby (Misty Step to 18). "Not so fast..." He clapped his arms before him and spread them wide. Three motes of flame hang before him momentarily before firing at the Roper.
(Casting Scorching Ray: 23 for 7 fire damage, 8 for 8 fire damage, 11 for 6 fire damage)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mola, in spider form, sighs a spider sigh of frustration as his plans for scouting go up in smoke. He reverts to his normal form (bonus action), and presses the palms of his hands together, forms one into a fist, and extends it at the roper. A flaming sphere appears in square 11, slamming into the roper, causing 10 fire damage on a failed DEX 15 save, or half on a success. The chamber's flooded with bright light.
"I'm Mola. Was a spider. Not anymore. Is this what's been eating you?"
Rixton calmly draws his hand axe and studies the roper. He specifically looks for joints where tentacles attach to the body. He spies what looks like a soft spot created by Jheric or Mola's flames and he hurls the axe at the creature.
Insightful fighting: 12 vs. the roper's Deception roll.
Attack: 28 Damage: 14
If Insightful fighting succeeds, sneak attack damage: 9 and another 9 for the critical hit.
As soon as Gwin realizes what's happening and what they're up against, she scowls. A roper?!?!? And here I was concerned over being surrounded by a bunch of zealot orcs. Standing her ground in front of the prisoners she faces the roper straight on. Quickly passing a hand over her eyes she utters, Eyes that see, hear my plea. Cloud and enshroud as sight doth flee.
Jheric only momentarily feels the constricting grip of the monstrosity's eerie tentacle. After rematerializing a short distance away, he sends three bursts of fire at the roper, two of which ricochet harmlessly off the creatures stone-like body. One, however, catches the roper squarely in its cavernous mouth.
DEX save for roper vs. Mola's attack: 3
Wholly unaware of Mola's presence, the roper absorbs the full brunt of the druid's fiery attack--an attack that blinds the monster to Rixton's approaching blade, which plunges deep into roper's flesh. Gwin realizes almost immediately that her spell has failed to affect its target. Moving slightly toward the center of the room, the roper once again sends four tendrils flying through the crowded room...
Tendril attack versus Gwin: 8
Tendril attack versus Jheric: 19 (once again grappled)
Tendril attack versus Mola: 11
Tendril attack versus Rixton: 9
Mola ducks out of harm's way, but as he does so he becomes aware of Naraga's presence. With her are two male orcs.
The prisoners take no action. All players may act, in any order. The roper and orcs will follow. Here's an updated map:
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rixtonunslings his bow and nocks an arrow all in one smooth motion. As the roper has swiveled away from him to protect its weakness, the rogue instead waits until its attention shifts to Jheric in its grasp and fires.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mola turns around at the sound of Naraga and the others. "Naraga! Friends! This isn't an escape attempt. This is pest removal -- did you know your wall has a mouth and tentacles? No wonder your guests look so unhappy."
He turns back and says,"never try to squeeze a rock with fire, am I right, Gwin?", grinning, firing off a produce flame and using a bonus action to back the flaming sphere up 5 feet and them slam it into the roper again for 7 fire damage on another failed save.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Thinking and weighing options as quickly as he can, Jheric opts for an alternative to direct bombardment. His crystal flashes to life in a brilliant golden and he points to the wall behind the Roper (space #9). With his other hand, he cups his mouth and appears to scream, but his voice stays silent. Instead, a piercing ring, like the held tone of a bell magnified to the sound of an army, rips from the wall and lingers a moment. Jheric remains unscathed, a shimmering, transparent halo wreathing his head, but the Roper is not so lucky.
(Casting Shatter: DC 15 CON save or take 9 Thunder damage, half on success. 10' radius, so using Sculpt Spell to cause my space to be unaffected. Not sure if the Roper is technically stone, but it rolls at Disadvantage if so.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gwin did not expect such a large and lumbering creature to evade the trajectory of her spell. Undeterred she lifts her hand in a manner reminiscent of their adventures with the trolls. With fist clenched, her gaze upon the roper turns steely. Seek your target, fast and true she whispers as a flash of brilliant light streaks toward the tentacled creature.
Guiding Bolt: Attack: 13 If successful, radiant damage: 17
And before the last of the flashing light fades away, Gwin produces a mirror from within her cloak. For a split-second Jheric catches the final flicker of the spell's light in his eye as it ricochets from the mirror. Gwin has wrapped him in Sanctuary.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Saves for roper: DEX vs. Mola's attack 8 | CON vs. Jheric's attack 15
Rixton's aim is true; his arrow pierces the roper just below its mouth. After taking his shot, Rixton turns his attention to the orcs; he can see that the two male orcs have their javelins at the ready and seem to be moving into position for an attack.
The roper again sustains full damage from Mola's sphere of flame, but the druid's second attack fails to hit its target, but the intense noise created by Jheric causes the monster to recoil in pain momentarily. It moves just enough to cause Gwin's blast of energy to miss its target and smash into the cave wall, sending a shower of rock fragment through the room.
It is obvious to each of you that the roper has very little life remaining. It is also obvious to Nagara and the two orcs, who deem they must join the fray.
The roper reels Jheric in, pulling the wizard toward its grotesque, teeth-filled maw (Bite attack: 19 | 21 piercing damage, if successful). It then lashes out with four tendrils, this time choosing to do so at one of the prisoners...
Tendril attack versus Gwin: 26(grappled and restrained)
Tendril attack versus Rixton: 21(grappled and restrained)
Tendril attack versus Mola: 13
Tendril attack versus Finnegas: 8(grappled and restrained)
Naraga, considering the unrestrained Mola to be her greatest threat, utters a few words and thrusts her right hand toward the druid, sending a guiding bolt directly at him (Ranged spell attack: 13 | 12 radiant damage, if successful).
The two male orcs rush into the room (granting an opportunity attack for Mola) and try to pierce their foes restrained by the roper.
Orc 1, javelin attack on Rixton: Melee attack: 21 | 9 piercing damage, if successful
Orc 2, javelin attack on Gwin: Melee attack: 15 | 6 piercing damage, if successful
Opportunity attack for Mola versus one of the orcs that charged past him into the room. If Mola kills one of the orcs, then one of the javelin attacks will not occur. I will roll to see which one that will be, if necessary. Jheric must make a death saving throw. All players may act, in any order.
Mola watches the orcs dart past. "Where are you off to?"he says, lashing out with his old, pitted battleaxe.
Attack: 18 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
He's also pivoting and dancing around the tendrils as they try to grab him, and is dismayed to see so many others grabbed. He uses his bonus action once again to ram the roper for 8 fire damage, hoping to stop it within 5 feet of the orcs, and not near one of his companions or a prisoner.
Wincing at Jheric becoming a snack, he tries to end the threat, his non-axe hand twisting and forming a large spike of ice (ice knife) in the air that darts toward the back of the roper (square 10). He aims it to land far enough away from his friends so they avoid the ice shrapnel (it seems like, from the map, this is possible, but if it's not, he won't cast it, and would instead go with produce flame)
Attack: 22 Damage: 4 (+7 to attack works for both ice knife and produce flame, 1d10 piercing damage and then 2d6 3 cold damage to targets within 5 feet.... or 2d8 6 fire damage if produce flame)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DEX save for roper versus flaming sphere: 7 and for orc #1: 7
Mola swings his axe at the first orc that sprints past him, but the blade catches only air. The flaming sphere once again proves to be effective, however. The roper absorbs its full fiery damage, and the first orc is also burned by it. Lastly, Mola watches as his ice knife shatters against the wall of the cave, sending razor-sharp fragments through the air...
DEX save for roper versus ice knife shards: 10
...which embed themselves in the roper's back. The roper shudders and emits an other-worldly groan from its mouth as it begins to fall like a felled tree. The cave is filled with an almost deafening thud as the monstrosity smashes into the ground.
Jheric is no longer grappled/restrained. He, along with Rixton and Gwin, may act. The prisoners and the orcs will follow. Updated map:
Mola skitters along the floor toward the entrance of the room. He determines the female orc returns along the same path for a short while. The sound of her boots upon the cave floor grows softer for ten or twelve seconds before stopping altogether.
Gwin steps forward and greets the three captives in common language. In a timbre far more serious than her party is accustomed, but maintaining an undertone of warmth and kindness she says, Hello there. By the stunned look on your faces I can see we are unexpected. Trust me, entering an orc stronghold wasn't on my list of things to do, either. I am Gwinlynn Karmadark of the Dalelands by way of East Rift. Looking at the wood elf she continues, We are here specifically to speak to your companions, but as you are a stranger to us, please, what is your name? And to the entire captive group she asks, How is it that you've come into the bondage of the Tribe of the Hand? And what does your captor speak of, this Naraga's Law? Please know, if you're dishonest, I will be able to tell. I'm sure my companions will have more questions, but that is a good place to begin.
And with those final few words, the cleric raises her right hand above her and rotates it in a wide circle three times.
Zone of Truth
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
CHA saving throws: 1st human male: 9 | 2nd human male: 13 | female wood elf: 22
NOTE: According to the spell's definition, only Gwin knows which individual(s) did or did not succeed on the saving throw.
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Greetings, Gwinlynn," replies the elf in a clear voice that belies her difficult circumstances. "I am Aralea of the Misty Forest..."--she pauses and moves her head slightly to the left as if to give herself a better view of the entrance to the room--"...and I do not yet understand how I came to be here."
"Sorcery!" shrieks the first male human. "That is how!" His voice and face exude a mixture of fear and bewilderment.
"Sorcery," repeats the man's brother in a tone far more subdued. His eyes dart toward the entrance of the room.
The first male crawls toward his brother and shrieks again, "Tell them, Finnegas! Tell them!" Tears roll down his cheeks, and he stifles a sob.
"Quiet, Ferrian," Finnegas replies. "My brother and I awoke here days ago. Like Aralea, we have no memory of traveling here...or ever thinking of traveling here. Our last clear memory is..."
Ferrian interrupts, with the voice of a madman, "THE DAMNED HOOVES, FINNEGAS! THE CREATURE WITH THE DAMNED HOOVES! NOT ORCS! NOT US! NOT THE FILTHY ORCS! NOT US! PROBABLY HER! SHE IS THE ONE!" As he screams the word her, he points at Aralea. Tears continue to roll down his cheeks as he picks up a small rock and flings it across the room.
Finnegas and Aralea watch the entrance to the room closely as Ferrian shouts.
"Yes, Ferrian, it is not our fault that we are here. And possibly not the fault of the orcs. Possibly it is Aralea, but I do not know," responds Finnegas calmly. "My brother believes he saw a creature with hooves in this room a few hours after Aralea was brought here. He awoke, and as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he saw a man...a creature...something with two massive legs, dark fur, and hoofed feet. Ferrian was lying on the floor with his head beneath his blanket; so, he saw very little. We don't know."
Aralea lifts her blanket to reveal her bare legs. "No hooves here, Ferrian."
Her words serve only to exacerbate Ferrian's mood, who growls, "Curuni!" (Elvish for witch).
"Naraga's law.." continues Finnegas, "...Naraga is the one who led you here..."--once again his eyes dart toward the room's entrance.
"Naraga's law is quite simple, Gwin," interrupts Aralea. "The law is this: never attempt to escape."
"LIAR!" screams Ferrian. "THAT'S NOT ALL! THERE'S MORE!"
"Please, Ferrian, don't say..." interrupts Finnegas who then leaps on his brother in an attempt to subdue and quiet him.
"Quiet, Ferrian!" shouts Aralea.
Finnegas manages to silence his brother, and all three prisoners look fearfully toward the opening to the room.
Rixton follows quietly through the Hand's labyrinthine hideout. Once imprisoned, he places his hands on his hips with a satisfied smirk. "Well, that is excellent progress, I must say."
He looks around the "room" while the trio of prisoners provide their various responses. "Let's back up a bit. First of all, there is no need to be racist," Rixton says in a loud, clear voice, his back to the other prisoners. "Aralea may or may not have hooves but it is beside the point. Aralea did not bring you here. The Hand brought you here..."
Rixton turns around quickly, casting his eyes on Finnegas. "...after you attacked them and lost. Frankly I am surprised you have both your hands still. And your lives, for that matter."
The rogue looks to Ferrian. "And yes, magic of some sort is involved. But come on, man. This one just cast a spell to impose truth on you lot. She is no witch for that. Get yourself together."
Rixton looks from Ferrian to Finnegas to Aralea. "I only have one question. It is perhaps the most important one," he says with a serious intensity. "When do we eat?"
(Just in case: Insight 17 and Investigation 24. Looking for indication of hooved footprints and insight against the elf to see if she seems overly confident or suspicious)
"So many questions, so little time. So, let's start at the beginning with a simple one: Why did you attack the Hands? It's not like Harpers to attack unprovoked."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Ferrian stares blankly at Rixton and speaks calmly, seemingly willing to heed the advice to calm down. "The Hand brought us here, yes. But how did we come anywhere near them? And you say we attacked them. The Hand says the same. For what it's worth, stranger..."--he looks at Jheric--"...we have no memory of doing so."
"True," agrees Finnegas. "With all that I am, and with all that I have, I swear I've done no such thing. We live, and have both hands, because they seek to ransom us. They believe someone will pay for our freedom."
In response to Rixton's query about eating, Ferrian, obviously annoyed, chimes, "When Naraga deems it."
Aralea then seizes the opportunity to address Jheric. "Their tale mirrors my own: accused of attacking the Hand; having no recollection of doing anything of the sort; suddenly coming awake or conscious and being here. I am no Harper, however."
Jheric sees no indication of footprints created by a creature with hooves. Additionally, he senses that Aralea is being forthright.
Rixton sighs in exasperation. "I can obviously eat whenever I'd like, Naraga be damned." he says, plopping his pack unceremoniously on the dirt floor and pointing to a pack of rations. "More importantly is how often you are visited for meals."
The rogue begins pacing around the room. "And to your other point, you may not have done it but your bodies certainly did on someone's behalf. The how we do not know, but it was you, most certainly. One of you left a message hurriedly before leaving town quickly, perhaps with some violence, and without formal contact with the Harpers."
Rixton scratches the message into the dirt:
HM G'FATHER TREE EVIL FP
"You then joined up with the Tree Ghost Tribe of the High Forest and assaulted the Hand. Again, we do not know why but only that you did."
Rixton stops pacing and looks at the brothers. "Our first task is to pay your ransom, if we can agree on one that will suffice. We did not come with anything they would reasonably accept in trade. So we will have to fetch something or do something in exchange for your freedom, I suspect," he says. With a final sigh, he comes back to his point. "And if we know how much they care about you as prisoners, we can ascertain how much they value you in trade."
As Rixton utters his last sentence, the sound of a ringing bell reaches the ears of everyone in the room. Finnegas immediately says, "Not again..."
Ferrian and Aralea simultaneously say, "Oh, no..."
You turn to see what might be causing the sound, and why such a thing would trouble the prisoners. Your mind momentarily struggles to comprehend how a large portion of the cave wall can be moving...seemingly coming alive...but that is exactly what is happening. You have heard tales and seen drawings of monstrosities like the roper that disguise themselves as rock formations to ensure they will surprise their victims. Now one stands before you; its presence becoming more menacing as its tendrils begin to uncoil and make their way toward you...
Initiative: Roper: 1 | Gwin: 17 | Jheric: 22 | Mola: 7 | Rixton: 10 | Prisoners: 4
(Rixton's roll is actually a 19, making the average a 10.5 for the group)
The roper moves forward only slightly, knowing it has more than enough reach to accomplish its task...
Gwin and Rixton elude the monster's initial attempt to grab them; Jheric, however, finds himself grappled and restrained.
Assuming Mola is still in spider form. All players may act, in any order. Here's a map:
Bandits, bruisers, and attack dogs...all things where it's good to have a reliable way out. He spits a quick word, then puffs out of the roper's tendril in a cloud of smoke and reappears nearby (Misty Step to 18). "Not so fast..." He clapped his arms before him and spread them wide. Three motes of flame hang before him momentarily before firing at the Roper.
(Casting Scorching Ray: 23 for 7 fire damage, 8 for 8 fire damage, 11 for 6 fire damage)
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Mola, in spider form, sighs a spider sigh of frustration as his plans for scouting go up in smoke. He reverts to his normal form (bonus action), and presses the palms of his hands together, forms one into a fist, and extends it at the roper. A flaming sphere appears in square 11, slamming into the roper, causing 10 fire damage on a failed DEX 15 save, or half on a success. The chamber's flooded with bright light.
"I'm Mola. Was a spider. Not anymore. Is this what's been eating you?"
Rixton calmly draws his hand axe and studies the roper. He specifically looks for joints where tentacles attach to the body. He spies what looks like a soft spot created by Jheric or Mola's flames and he hurls the axe at the creature.
Insightful fighting: 12 vs. the roper's Deception roll.
Attack: 28 Damage: 14
If Insightful fighting succeeds, sneak attack damage: 9 and another 9 for the critical hit.
As soon as Gwin realizes what's happening and what they're up against, she scowls. A roper?!?!? And here I was concerned over being surrounded by a bunch of zealot orcs. Standing her ground in front of the prisoners she faces the roper straight on. Quickly passing a hand over her eyes she utters, Eyes that see, hear my plea. Cloud and enshroud as sight doth flee.
Blindness/Deafness
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Rolls for roper: Deception -1 | CON save 17
Jheric only momentarily feels the constricting grip of the monstrosity's eerie tentacle. After rematerializing a short distance away, he sends three bursts of fire at the roper, two of which ricochet harmlessly off the creatures stone-like body. One, however, catches the roper squarely in its cavernous mouth.
DEX save for roper vs. Mola's attack: 3
Wholly unaware of Mola's presence, the roper absorbs the full brunt of the druid's fiery attack--an attack that blinds the monster to Rixton's approaching blade, which plunges deep into roper's flesh. Gwin realizes almost immediately that her spell has failed to affect its target. Moving slightly toward the center of the room, the roper once again sends four tendrils flying through the crowded room...
Mola ducks out of harm's way, but as he does so he becomes aware of Naraga's presence. With her are two male orcs.
The prisoners take no action. All players may act, in any order. The roper and orcs will follow. Here's an updated map:
Rixton unslings his bow and nocks an arrow all in one smooth motion. As the roper has swiveled away from him to protect its weakness, the rogue instead waits until its attention shifts to Jheric in its grasp and fires.
Shortbow Attack: 19 Damage: 14 (includes sneak attack for Jheric's proximity).
Bonus action: Eye for detail.
Rixton will make an investigation check for clues about the orcs appearing at this time: 27
Mola turns around at the sound of Naraga and the others. "Naraga! Friends! This isn't an escape attempt. This is pest removal -- did you know your wall has a mouth and tentacles? No wonder your guests look so unhappy."
He turns back and says, "never try to squeeze a rock with fire, am I right, Gwin?", grinning, firing off a produce flame and using a bonus action to back the flaming sphere up 5 feet and them slam it into the roper again for 7 fire damage on another failed save.
Produce flame Attack: 21 Damage: 16
Thinking and weighing options as quickly as he can, Jheric opts for an alternative to direct bombardment. His crystal flashes to life in a brilliant golden and he points to the wall behind the Roper (space #9). With his other hand, he cups his mouth and appears to scream, but his voice stays silent. Instead, a piercing ring, like the held tone of a bell magnified to the sound of an army, rips from the wall and lingers a moment. Jheric remains unscathed, a shimmering, transparent halo wreathing his head, but the Roper is not so lucky.
(Casting Shatter: DC 15 CON save or take 9 Thunder damage, half on success. 10' radius, so using Sculpt Spell to cause my space to be unaffected. Not sure if the Roper is technically stone, but it rolls at Disadvantage if so.)
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Gwin did not expect such a large and lumbering creature to evade the trajectory of her spell. Undeterred she lifts her hand in a manner reminiscent of their adventures with the trolls. With fist clenched, her gaze upon the roper turns steely. Seek your target, fast and true she whispers as a flash of brilliant light streaks toward the tentacled creature.
Guiding Bolt: Attack: 13 If successful, radiant damage: 17
And before the last of the flashing light fades away, Gwin produces a mirror from within her cloak. For a split-second Jheric catches the final flicker of the spell's light in his eye as it ricochets from the mirror. Gwin has wrapped him in Sanctuary.
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Saves for roper: DEX vs. Mola's attack 8 | CON vs. Jheric's attack 15
Rixton's aim is true; his arrow pierces the roper just below its mouth. After taking his shot, Rixton turns his attention to the orcs; he can see that the two male orcs have their javelins at the ready and seem to be moving into position for an attack.
The roper again sustains full damage from Mola's sphere of flame, but the druid's second attack fails to hit its target, but the intense noise created by Jheric causes the monster to recoil in pain momentarily. It moves just enough to cause Gwin's blast of energy to miss its target and smash into the cave wall, sending a shower of rock fragment through the room.
It is obvious to each of you that the roper has very little life remaining. It is also obvious to Nagara and the two orcs, who deem they must join the fray.
The roper reels Jheric in, pulling the wizard toward its grotesque, teeth-filled maw (Bite attack: 19 | 21 piercing damage, if successful). It then lashes out with four tendrils, this time choosing to do so at one of the prisoners...
Naraga, considering the unrestrained Mola to be her greatest threat, utters a few words and thrusts her right hand toward the druid, sending a guiding bolt directly at him (Ranged spell attack: 13 | 12 radiant damage, if successful).
The two male orcs rush into the room (granting an opportunity attack for Mola) and try to pierce their foes restrained by the roper.
Opportunity attack for Mola versus one of the orcs that charged past him into the room. If Mola kills one of the orcs, then one of the javelin attacks will not occur. I will roll to see which one that will be, if necessary. Jheric must make a death saving throw. All players may act, in any order.
Mola watches the orcs dart past. "Where are you off to?" he says, lashing out with his old, pitted battleaxe.
Attack: 18 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
He's also pivoting and dancing around the tendrils as they try to grab him, and is dismayed to see so many others grabbed. He uses his bonus action once again to ram the roper for 8 fire damage, hoping to stop it within 5 feet of the orcs, and not near one of his companions or a prisoner.
Wincing at Jheric becoming a snack, he tries to end the threat, his non-axe hand twisting and forming a large spike of ice (ice knife) in the air that darts toward the back of the roper (square 10). He aims it to land far enough away from his friends so they avoid the ice shrapnel (it seems like, from the map, this is possible, but if it's not, he won't cast it, and would instead go with produce flame)
Attack: 22 Damage: 4 (+7 to attack works for both ice knife and produce flame, 1d10 piercing damage and then 2d6 3 cold damage to targets within 5 feet.... or 2d8 6 fire damage if produce flame)
DEX save for roper versus flaming sphere: 7 and for orc #1: 7
Mola swings his axe at the first orc that sprints past him, but the blade catches only air. The flaming sphere once again proves to be effective, however. The roper absorbs its full fiery damage, and the first orc is also burned by it. Lastly, Mola watches as his ice knife shatters against the wall of the cave, sending razor-sharp fragments through the air...
DEX save for roper versus ice knife shards: 10
...which embed themselves in the roper's back. The roper shudders and emits an other-worldly groan from its mouth as it begins to fall like a felled tree. The cave is filled with an almost deafening thud as the monstrosity smashes into the ground.
Jheric is no longer grappled/restrained. He, along with Rixton and Gwin, may act. The prisoners and the orcs will follow. Updated map: