(@Ori: This being only the second time that you sent Gravy out and remembering that the first time was also controversial, you stating that you regret this second time most of all is saying quite something!)
(@Lerus: I know! Its a trend I most certainly buck.)
Doozey cried out in pain, but this time held on to his focus. "Now... that's what.. talking... about... But not enough!" He feigns a strike at the Jaguar, only to come in stabbing out once more at the Weremutt. Though in his weakened state, the rapier doesn't piercing nearly as deeply as he would have prefered it to.
"Don't just stand there! Either reveal yourself too, handler, or get the guards!" He barks at the jaguar keeper. If not in hopes of revealing the nature of the man, then at least changing his fortune, even if by only so much. Regardless, a gamble is made.
Action(Doozey): (Lethal)Rapier - Attack: 14 Damage: 8 silvered Piercing and lightning on marked Mutt(BC-11).
Bonus Action(Doozey): Cast (1st level)Hunter's Mark on WereMutt(AZ-13, if previous mark is slain.).
Movement(Doozey): To BB-13. (the long way to avoid entering melee with WereMutt in AZ-13 if target is slain).
Future Reaction(Biscuit): If any OA is provoked - Rip and Tear.
(Lethal)Bite - Attack: 14 Damage: 6 non-magical piercing. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
THE MEETING
DM's Screen:
4
Moneus burst back into the warehouse {Z-13}, using the door that CRAP originally used. His entrance is laden in profanity, but at some point he collects himself enough to say: "...For old time's sake, Utar. Don't make me regret this."
The tiefling produces two ethereal daggers from his intricately decorated bracer and hurls them at the Grick.
-> Ethereal Dagger vs Grick: Attack: 25 Damage: 7 magical piercing. (This attack roll is supposed to be a 26 instead.)
Though Utar closed some of his wounds, Graxx's blood loss is clearly taking a toll. His swings are simply not carrying enough force in them to break the Grick's natural armor. The barbarian breathes heavily as his slashes continue to have no effect.
Neya descends gracefully but also finds most of her attacks not up to par. The one punch that hits soft tissue is enough to make the creature wiggle in pain some more, but it still stands. (Grick Alpha #1 takes 11 magical bludgeoning damage.)
Gravy has now opened a small hole in the window pane he has been attacking.
Abet hits its body with his greatclub and Ilim slaps a tentacle that got too close, but it is Grewalt who gets the kill. With a bash of its crossbow, he caves the Grick's beak in. (Grick Alpha #1 takes 11 radiant damage and is DEFEATED.)
Moneus sighs as the creature hits the floor: "You guys are good, though I think the big fellow over there has seen better battles."
The animal handler reacts to Doozey's cry simply by crossing his arms and looking around as if checking whether the area is clear.
Doozey tries to stab the nearest mutt again and manages to catch his mark with his blade this time. That said, the thin silver blade does not sink as deep as he was hoping. (Weremutt #1 takes 8 piecing and lightning damage.)
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 10Damage: 4 piercing.
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 17 Damage: 3 piercing.
It takes both of them, but Biscuit's legs finally give and he hits the ground. (Biscuit takes 3 piercing damage and is now unconscious, incapacitated, and prone. He also needs to start rolling DEATH saving throws from Doozey's next turn.)
Doozey does not have a lot of time to watch out for his beast companion. The remaining mutt comes for another bite, invigorated by the jaguar's presence:
Reaction: Blood Maledict - Blood Curse of the Fallen Puppet, granting Biscuit a reactionary attack before it falls unconscious.
(@Lerus: I don't know if you want the original AO rolls, or a new one. But just in case, here's a new rolls for it.)
(Lethal)Bite - Attack: 13 Damage: 5 non-magical piercing Weremutt(AZ-13) If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Thoughtlessly, Doozey reached out to biscuit, and in that moment connected to his spirit. Both Biscuit's and Doozey's eyes turn cloudy and white, and as one, their face twists into a vicious scowl. Before the weremutt can blink, the Tundra mastiff is upon it, tearing into its neck before truly succumbing to his wounds.
Doozey snaps to after, shaking his head. "Brother..." He murmurs, opening his eyes once more to see the fallen Mastiff. Through their connection, he could still 'feel' life there. So he turned to the jaguar keeper. '... I thought so'He sighed, and then looked up to 'monster' towering well above him now; intimidating in every way. And yet, he did not quake in fear. Not yet, at least.
"White, Black, and then Grey. From these things I must, never stray. I am the Hunter, the darkness my Prey. Forevermore I shall be, until my dying day!"
The moment the intoning ending he lashed out sharply, stabbing and likely killing the one he'd already marked before turning to glare up at the jaguar.
"The center is White. My soul, the light. Black is my Blood. My will, the knife. Live in the Grey. This Oath, their Nightmare. Never forget 'o Hunter. That this is the way."
He adds, circling about and all but daring the mutt try and strike at his back. He didn't care. His only concern in that moment was the jaguar before him, challenging them in a defiant glare into their eyes.
"That is the Creed that I adhere to. That I must to the end. So try and take my life, if you so wish. But for having lead these young astray... for twisting the gift of the change as you and yours have... Give me reason why I should spare the rest, or give me death."
Action(Doozey): (Lethal)Rapier - Attack: 21 Damage: 15 silvered Piercing and lightning on marked Mutt(BC-11).
Bonus Action(Doozey): Cast (1st level)Hunter's Mark on Werejaguar.
Movement(Doozey): To BA-12.
Biscuit Death Save(DC 10+):11. (Success=1, Failure=0)
Utar claps the tiefling on the shoulder as he passes him, "I'm glad you came back my friend."
Kneeling by Graxx, Utar searches through his pack, "This living beacon of fury is Graxx." Passing him a greater healing potion, he stands, and indicates Neya, "And the blur of fists and feet is Neya. We've been running together for a while now."
Biscuit goes down biting, becoming unconscious while performing his attack and pinning the weremutt beneath his body {AZ-13}. (Weremutt #3 takes 5 piercing damage and is now prone.)
Doozey then does a 6-second rendition of his creed while putting his blade through another mutt's throat. After the blade slids back out, the hunter transfers his magical mark to the now fully revealed Werejaguar. (Weremutt #1 takes 15 piercing and lightning damage and is DEFEATED.)
The stoutling then moves a bit closer to his beast {BA-12} as Biscuit's chest rises and falls. (DEATH saving throws - successes: 1, failures: 0.)
The pinned mutt pushes Biscuit off and back a few feet {AY-12}, standing back on its fours afterwards. Its surviving brethren approaches the beast master and attacks in conjunction with the jaguar humanoid:
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 24 Damage: 9 piercing.
Focused on deflecting the hybrid's swipes, Doozey opens himself up to a bite to the thigh. It must have lacerated some veins judging by the amount of blood pouring out of both the stoutling's leg and the weremutt's maw. (Doozey takes 9 piercing damage.)
-> Doozey's concentration check {DC 10}: 21
A few feet away, the handler pull out a piece of paper and a chunk of charcoal from its pockets, and begins scribbling.
Moneus smiles as Utar pats his back. "The Utar I know would have never betrayed us. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I had left."
Responding to Graxx, he adds: "That said. I couldn't have been absolutely certain until I had met with you." He nods at Neya and Graxx:"And you two as well." He points at the dead Gricks: "So, I brought some protection. The Welcomers run an underground fighting pit. The bets are a good source of alternate revenue now that we are scaling down on petty thievery. We capture monsters like these for the fights, and there are plenty of Gricks available in underground caves in this area. If you are looking for coin and have the time, you might want to give it a shot. From what I have seen here, the three of you would do just fine down there." He turns to Graxx again: "We can even let you borrow another weapon, if that halberd doesn't suit you anymore."
He begins to pace around the warehouse a bit, inspecting some barrels in the process: "I was not scared of the bird. It simply startled me into releasing my insurance policy a bit prematurely. But now that is dealt with, we can return to the topic at hand."Graxx sits on the corner and readies himself for a quick boost of energy if needed.
Moneus continues: "I... I know were Litta is. If you are serious about dealing with this assassin, I can lead you and your friends to her and we can then plan our next step. Do you agree or do you have a suggested alternate approach?"
At this point, Gravy finally breaks through the window and perches on Neya's shoulder. It opens its beak, and you hear the following message uttered in Doozey's own voice: "No Luck. Trail has gone cold in recommended locations. Considering alternatives. Be advised and be safe. Possibility of association considered. Mind the beasts."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Biscuit Death Save(DC 10+):10. (Success=1, Failure=1)
Doozey the serious bite nearly crippling him, Doozey continued to struggle on, and eventually nearly ripping himself apart further to free himself. An off-kilter swipe of the rapier thankfully does enough, though he stood now on legs ready to buckle at a moment's notice.
After quickly sizing up the situation, Doozey took his chances leaping back on his one remotely good leg, shield arm presented in the motion to catch whatever strike might come. Then with teeth gritted from the all the same rough landing, he spins on a heel, sweeping the rapier about in a feinting maneuver while the other hand fished out a potion from pouch.
Though brought to his lips, he bit down, ripping off the cork, only to force feed the potion to Biscuit in a surprise move. "Brother! Find Friends. Find them quick." He barks as the hound is coming to, before again his own the movement, likely needing to feint another strike at approaching mutt, before having to dance from one spot to the next, yelling out "Come on then, ya Monsters!", tauntingly to keep all eyes on him as Biscuit scrambles to his feet and takes off.
Movement(Doozey): To AZ-12.
Action(Doozey): Use Greater Healing Potion on Biscuit, restoring 11 HP.
Movement(Doozey-Continued): To AY-11, provoking AO from Wild Mutt(AZ-13). Then back to BB-12.
(@Lerus: So, some stipulations for all this movement. If Doozey is not hit or dealt less than 6 damage by Jaguar initially, he'll provoke the AO from the 1st wild mutt in order.)
"That was the voice of one more of our number. A ranger of considerable skill. He wasn't with us because he was investigating the smaller wooded areas in town to try to find the home base of a pack of some weremutts he and I had the displeasure of encountering earlier today." Neya explains. "In fact, he was insistent on going alone in that endeavor."
"Sounds like he's done for now. Perhaps we should rejoin with him, first?"
(Moneus goes next.)
(@Lerus: I know! Its a trend I most certainly buck.)
Doozey cried out in pain, but this time held on to his focus. "Now... that's what.. talking... about... But not enough!" He feigns a strike at the Jaguar, only to come in stabbing out once more at the Weremutt. Though in his weakened state, the rapier doesn't piercing nearly as deeply as he would have prefered it to.
"Don't just stand there! Either reveal yourself too, handler, or get the guards!" He barks at the jaguar keeper. If not in hopes of revealing the nature of the man, then at least changing his fortune, even if by only so much. Regardless, a gamble is made.
Action(Doozey): (Lethal)Rapier - Attack: 14 Damage: 8 silvered Piercing and lightning on marked Mutt(BC-11).
Bonus Action(Doozey): Cast (1st level)Hunter's Mark on WereMutt(AZ-13, if previous mark is slain.).
Movement(Doozey): To BB-13. (the long way to avoid entering melee with WereMutt in AZ-13 if target is slain).
Action(Biscuit): Take Instinctive Defensive Maneuver.
Future Reaction(Biscuit): If any OA is provoked - Rip and Tear.
(Lethal)Bite - Attack: 14 Damage: 6 non-magical piercing. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
THE MEETING
DM's Screen:
4
Moneus burst back into the warehouse {Z-13}, using the door that CRAP originally used. His entrance is laden in profanity, but at some point he collects himself enough to say: "...For old time's sake, Utar. Don't make me regret this."
The tiefling produces two ethereal daggers from his intricately decorated bracer and hurls them at the Grick.
-> Ethereal Dagger vs Grick: Attack: 25 Damage: 7 magical piercing. (This attack roll is supposed to be a 26 instead.)
-> Ethereal Dagger vs Grick: Attack: 15 Damage: 7 magical piercing.
Edit: That first attack technically uses up Utar's help, so here's an advantage roll: 25
Both daggers dig deep into the creature before fading into nothingness. (Grick Alpha #1 takes 14 magical piercing damage.)
(Graxx and Neya are up next.)
Neya, seeing that the gang now has a greater advantage, drops down next to the remaining grick (using Slow fall) and attacks.
Unarmed Attack: 10 Damage: 10
Extra Unarmed Attack: 26 Damage: 11
Bonus Attack: 12 Damage: 8
Extended Signature
Graxx grits his teeth as he tries to fight through the pain.
Graxx will attack the remainig Grick with reckless swings like any great weapon master would.
Attack: 12 Damage: 21
Attack: 11 Damage: 21
Divine Radiant to first hit: 8
THE MEETING
Though Utar closed some of his wounds, Graxx's blood loss is clearly taking a toll. His swings are simply not carrying enough force in them to break the Grick's natural armor. The barbarian breathes heavily as his slashes continue to have no effect.
Neya descends gracefully but also finds most of her attacks not up to par. The one punch that hits soft tissue is enough to make the creature wiggle in pain some more, but it still stands. (Grick Alpha #1 takes 11 magical bludgeoning damage.)
Gravy has now opened a small hole in the window pane he has been attacking.
(Grick goes next.)
THE MEETING
The Grick recognizes Graxx's difficulties but, before it can attack, Utar's old party comes to the rescue:
-> Grick Alphas' WIS saving throws {DC 14}: 12, Damage: 12 radiant.
Abet hits its body with his greatclub and Ilim slaps a tentacle that got too close, but it is Grewalt who gets the kill. With a bash of its crossbow, he caves the Grick's beak in. (Grick Alpha #1 takes 11 radiant damage and is DEFEATED.)
Moneus sighs as the creature hits the floor: "You guys are good, though I think the big fellow over there has seen better battles."
YOU ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. DO AS YOU WILL.
PODOL PLAZA
The animal handler reacts to Doozey's cry simply by crossing his arms and looking around as if checking whether the area is clear.
Doozey tries to stab the nearest mutt again and manages to catch his mark with his blade this time. That said, the thin silver blade does not sink as deep as he was hoping. (Weremutt #1 takes 8 piecing and lightning damage.)
Biscuit remains committed to his strategy.
(Enemies go next.)
PODOL PLAZA
Two of the mutts try to put down the mastiff:
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 10
Damage: 4 piercing.-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 17 Damage: 3 piercing.
It takes both of them, but Biscuit's legs finally give and he hits the ground. (Biscuit takes 3 piercing damage and is now unconscious, incapacitated, and prone. He also needs to start rolling DEATH saving throws from Doozey's next turn.)
Doozey does not have a lot of time to watch out for his beast companion. The remaining mutt comes for another bite, invigorated by the jaguar's presence:
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 8
Damage: 4 piercing.The jaguar takes a moment to stand on its two hind legs and assume a jaguar-humanoid hybrid form, becoming even more menacing than before.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 5
(Doozey goes next.)
Reaction: Blood Maledict - Blood Curse of the Fallen Puppet, granting Biscuit a reactionary attack before it falls unconscious.
(@Lerus: I don't know if you want the original AO rolls, or a new one. But just in case, here's a new rolls for it.)
(Lethal)Bite - Attack: 13 Damage: 5 non-magical piercing Weremutt(AZ-13) If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Thoughtlessly, Doozey reached out to biscuit, and in that moment connected to his spirit. Both Biscuit's and Doozey's eyes turn cloudy and white, and as one, their face twists into a vicious scowl. Before the weremutt can blink, the Tundra mastiff is upon it, tearing into its neck before truly succumbing to his wounds.
Doozey snaps to after, shaking his head. "Brother..." He murmurs, opening his eyes once more to see the fallen Mastiff. Through their connection, he could still 'feel' life there. So he turned to the jaguar keeper. '... I thought so' He sighed, and then looked up to 'monster' towering well above him now; intimidating in every way. And yet, he did not quake in fear. Not yet, at least.
"White, Black, and then Grey.
From these things I must, never stray.
I am the Hunter, the darkness my Prey.
Forevermore I shall be, until my dying day!"
The moment the intoning ending he lashed out sharply, stabbing and likely killing the one he'd already marked before turning to glare up at the jaguar.
"The center is White. My soul, the light.
Black is my Blood. My will, the knife.
Live in the Grey. This Oath, their Nightmare.
Never forget 'o Hunter. That this is the way."
He adds, circling about and all but daring the mutt try and strike at his back. He didn't care. His only concern in that moment was the jaguar before him, challenging them in a defiant glare into their eyes.
"That is the Creed that I adhere to. That I must to the end. So try and take my life, if you so wish. But for having lead these young astray... for twisting the gift of the change as you and yours have... Give me reason why I should spare the rest, or give me death."
Action(Doozey): (Lethal)Rapier - Attack: 21 Damage: 15 silvered Piercing and lightning on marked Mutt(BC-11).
Bonus Action(Doozey): Cast (1st level)Hunter's Mark on Werejaguar.
Movement(Doozey): To BA-12.
Biscuit Death Save(DC 10+): 11.
(Success=1, Failure=0)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx throws his halberd down and looks to Moneus.
"It's this blasted weapon! I went through the trouble of silvering it and everything!"
Graxx rage leaves him and the pain begins to take him.
"Those things did a number on me. If that cursed sword hadn't have been cursed and I had it those things would have stood a chance."
Graxx looks in questioningly at Moneus.
"And why'd you get scared by a little bird and unleash this things on us anyway?"
"Moneus always did know how to make an entrance."
Utar claps the tiefling on the shoulder as he passes him, "I'm glad you came back my friend."
Kneeling by Graxx, Utar searches through his pack, "This living beacon of fury is Graxx." Passing him a greater healing potion, he stands, and indicates Neya, "And the blur of fists and feet is Neya. We've been running together for a while now."
(OOC Greater potion of healing heals 4d4+4.)
PODOL PLAZA
-> Weremutt's STR saving throw {DC 11}: 4
Biscuit goes down biting, becoming unconscious while performing his attack and pinning the weremutt beneath his body {AZ-13}. (Weremutt #3 takes 5 piercing damage and is now prone.)
Doozey then does a 6-second rendition of his creed while putting his blade through another mutt's throat. After the blade slids back out, the hunter transfers his magical mark to the now fully revealed Werejaguar. (Weremutt #1 takes 15 piercing and lightning damage and is DEFEATED.)
The stoutling then moves a bit closer to his beast {BA-12} as Biscuit's chest rises and falls. (DEATH saving throws - successes: 1, failures: 0.)
(Enemies go next.)
PODOL PLAZA
-> Weremutt's STR saving throw {DC 11}: 14
The pinned mutt pushes Biscuit off and back a few feet {AY-12}, standing back on its fours afterwards. Its surviving brethren approaches the beast master and attacks in conjunction with the jaguar humanoid:
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 24 Damage: 9 piercing.
-> Claw vs. Doozey: Attack: 9
Damage: 11 piercing.-> Claw vs. Doozey: Attack: 11
Damage: 6 piercing.Focused on deflecting the hybrid's swipes, Doozey opens himself up to a bite to the thigh. It must have lacerated some veins judging by the amount of blood pouring out of both the stoutling's leg and the weremutt's maw. (Doozey takes 9 piercing damage.)
-> Doozey's concentration check {DC 10}: 21
A few feet away, the handler pull out a piece of paper and a chunk of charcoal from its pockets, and begins scribbling.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 6
Graxx takes the potion from Utar but does not yet drink it. However, Graxx will pop the cork off of it and just sit with it.
"Thank you my friend. I'm going to... Just rest a minute while you catch up with your friend here."
Graxx will keep his eyes on Moneus. At the first sign of hostility Graxx will drink the potion. If not hostility, action will not trigger.
Ready Potion Healing: 18
(Doozey goes next.)
THE MEETING
Moneus smiles as Utar pats his back. "The Utar I know would have never betrayed us. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I had left."
Responding to Graxx, he adds: "That said. I couldn't have been absolutely certain until I had met with you." He nods at Neya and Graxx: "And you two as well." He points at the dead Gricks: "So, I brought some protection. The Welcomers run an underground fighting pit. The bets are a good source of alternate revenue now that we are scaling down on petty thievery. We capture monsters like these for the fights, and there are plenty of Gricks available in underground caves in this area. If you are looking for coin and have the time, you might want to give it a shot. From what I have seen here, the three of you would do just fine down there." He turns to Graxx again: "We can even let you borrow another weapon, if that halberd doesn't suit you anymore."
He begins to pace around the warehouse a bit, inspecting some barrels in the process: "I was not scared of the bird. It simply startled me into releasing my insurance policy a bit prematurely. But now that is dealt with, we can return to the topic at hand." Graxx sits on the corner and readies himself for a quick boost of energy if needed.
Moneus continues: "I... I know were Litta is. If you are serious about dealing with this assassin, I can lead you and your friends to her and we can then plan our next step. Do you agree or do you have a suggested alternate approach?"
At this point, Gravy finally breaks through the window and perches on Neya's shoulder. It opens its beak, and you hear the following message uttered in Doozey's own voice: "No Luck. Trail has gone cold in recommended locations. Considering alternatives. Be advised and be safe. Possibility of association considered. Mind the beasts."
Biscuit Death Save(DC 10+): 10.
(Success=1, Failure=1)
Doozey the serious bite nearly crippling him, Doozey continued to struggle on, and eventually nearly ripping himself apart further to free himself. An off-kilter swipe of the rapier thankfully does enough, though he stood now on legs ready to buckle at a moment's notice.
After quickly sizing up the situation, Doozey took his chances leaping back on his one remotely good leg, shield arm presented in the motion to catch whatever strike might come. Then with teeth gritted from the all the same rough landing, he spins on a heel, sweeping the rapier about in a feinting maneuver while the other hand fished out a potion from pouch.
Though brought to his lips, he bit down, ripping off the cork, only to force feed the potion to Biscuit in a surprise move. "Brother! Find Friends. Find them quick." He barks as the hound is coming to, before again his own the movement, likely needing to feint another strike at approaching mutt, before having to dance from one spot to the next, yelling out "Come on then, ya Monsters!", tauntingly to keep all eyes on him as Biscuit scrambles to his feet and takes off.
Movement(Doozey): To AZ-12.
Action(Doozey): Use Greater Healing Potion on Biscuit, restoring 11 HP.
Movement(Doozey-Continued): To AY-11, provoking AO from Wild Mutt(AZ-13). Then back to BB-12.
(@Lerus: So, some stipulations for all this movement. If Doozey is not hit or dealt less than 6 damage by Jaguar initially, he'll provoke the AO from the 1st wild mutt in order.)
Action(Biscuit): Take Instinctive Defensive Maneuver.
Movement(Biscuit): Stand up, and AV-16(or as close as possible), risking AO.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"That was the voice of one more of our number. A ranger of considerable skill. He wasn't with us because he was investigating the smaller wooded areas in town to try to find the home base of a pack of some weremutts he and I had the displeasure of encountering earlier today." Neya explains. "In fact, he was insistent on going alone in that endeavor."
"Sounds like he's done for now. Perhaps we should rejoin with him, first?"
Extended Signature