Galtheon glances at Okkar and nods, "One things certain: even if it goes well, we're going to need another night just to recover. Everyone'll have to put their best effort in."
"Don't suppose you could persuade the lad to join us could you? If we die, he's likely dead meat."
“If we die he would probably be turning back just like the elf woman did, to leave this whole messy business empty handed,” Okkar murmurs, still taking care to keep his voice quiet. “We need every blade arm we can get on our side, no doubt. I will try to signal him and hope he understands.”
Okkar crawls to the edge of the cliff the group ascended and makes arm motions, hoping the Barbarian will notice his summons and understand it, and take it to heart. “I can’t make the boy ever a fight he doesn’t believe in, but drawing the line at harpies protecting their roost isn’t what I would have expected from a Seren Barbarian. We will see.”
OOC: I will allow time for the player of Nanoc to decide if he wants to omit the character for in- character or schedule reasons, and then we can proceed. A bit of a delay but I should probably be asleep as it is.
[DM, Is the position where Nanoc is looking after the horses a relatively safe one in terms of possible predators? Base 20 roll: 8 +2 for Survival, +4 for Perception.
Also, how long would it take him (and what rolls would he need to make) for him to join the rest?
He has been quietly cursing Okkar for joining in this silly escapade and may be changing his mind based on the answer to the above rolls and questions.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Centre silence on the throne...hopefully the other harpies try song...
Pray...
@DM: Does the terrain offer any useful option here - eg. cover near the throne, using the throne for cover etc? Is this even a slightly plausible plan?
Where is the throne and the harpies in relation to the mountainside?
Thinking maybe the silence could break the spell on anyone moving to the harpies if they stay on the mountainside to cast spells...
))
The “throne” and the “nest” are mechanically four squares of difficult terrain. The nest appears flammable. There are jutting rocks every 10 feet in the larger area you are approaching from that can provide half-cover, but you can share a square with said cover. Surprise is definitely an option assuming proper stealth.
The two large boulders noted could actually be dislodged and set to roll against the harpy queen but the only feasible method would be a block and tackle, or the use of a portable ram, otherwise the feat would require strength beyond that of anyone in the party. It would involve a tool check in an appropriate tool to set up the leverage - proficiencies added justifiably to the tool check would be carpentry, construction, something if along those lines (pitch it to me if you’re unsure), otherwise a straight intelligence check followed by a strength check. Stealth rolls would also need to be completed for whoever is attempting to rig the block and tackle, as well as if someone uses a ram.
DC for setting block and tackle is 10 Int check, which could add a tool proficiency if noted (assuming anyone has one, or that the party has a block and tackle), followed by a DC 10 Strength check, with advantage due to leverage. Using a portable ram (assuming anyone has one of those) is a DC 16 Strength check, with advantage from the tool, but there is no means to do so silently (without magic), and even if within silence they could notice the Boulder nudge, but not roll, if the first attempt does not succeed.
Note also that with stealth melee characters could get within range to close with the harpy, with a successful stealth check, and could time with concealed ranged characters to attack at once.
If anyone has any creative ideas that involve other spells or abilities feel free to run them by me. That’s the entirety of the scenario and the terrain as I’ve conceived it.
Passive perception 15 plus notes it seems the harpy have similar plans, as the “nest” does contain a portable ram and a block and tackle among other loot, but to obtain theirs to use against them would involve multiple difficult stealth checks to sneak to, and from, the throne/nest area, while stealing bulky items from the nest.
A nature check can now reveal additional information on the standard harpies. Having fought several before you may have a better understanding of their characteristics.
(( DM: Need a ruling on Hunter's Mark; it's divination and not attack, so I assume it affects the caster, not the target. Does this mean it can be safely cast while at a good distance, before we engage in melee, and without much chance of the target knowing? This is distinct from Hex which in an enchantment and 'places a curse' upon a creature...so I guess the latter may be detectable. ))
1. The DM had mentioned successful stealthy melee attacks and ranged attacks (ie. Magic Missle) at one would be a good idea
2. Going along Galtheon's Plan B, I can cast shatter and hopefully do some damage on all the harpies including the leader. But since that creates a loud ringing noise Evan would have to cast silence right after to avoid the luring song that will most likely happen since they will know of our presence after my spell is cast. I would not want to cast it with people in the party within that sphere.
OOC: I would hope to rest after this encounter with the harpies as I'm pretty sure the spell casters will need it before we continue on. Also, I think the ring should probably go to a person who will be going into melee more. My hopes is that the harpies loot will bring more "protection" to the other members of the party.
Could be our signal to attack, or the distraction if the stealthy melees (probably Nanoc and Galtheon) get spotted...it might even loosen the boulders...but trying to hit an agile flying creature with a rolling boulder seems optimistic.
I wonder if Evan could cast Bless prior, concentrate on it to help the stealthy ones, then when shatter goes off, swap to Silence on the throne; sounds dramatic -- an unearthly roar as the ground shakes followed by total silence.
Once shatter hits, Galtheon and Nanoc attack with swords, while Taravan moves into the silence, and the monk...speedily...runs in as well (or does something else). Hopefully Okkar will have some contribution too. Galtheon and Nanoc will need to be near the nest (10'-15' away?) to be able to make the distance ove difficult terrain and be withing 5' of the big one. [[ Quick mental sum, 20'x20', she's in centre (10' from edge); need to get within 5', so 5' movement in nest costs 10' of our movement. Galtheon needs to be within 25' to attack, presumably Nanoc 20' ]]
At the end of the suprise round everyone should be in Silence...and in subsequent rounds perhaps the casters can leave briefly to cast, judging their departure based on the location of the singer (so they walk back into silence).
Most likely tactic of Big One in round 2 is disengage and fly up. How do we deal with that?
(( ooc: I just realized, Silence is 20' RADIUS, so centre should be near junction of nest and mountainside -- in the event that shatter causes whole nest to collapse, we will still have a silent area to stand on, with cover ))
OOC: In the chance that I don’t see posts tomorrow regarding when we start the encounter, if the group decides we want to use shatter as a signal and people in the party are not in the sphere area, Taraven will cast shatter and wants to get the leader and as many harpies in the sphere area. They will have to roll a constitution save (13), fails take full damage and the ones that make the save take half damage. I will roll for damage now (15
If the group thinks we should try mage hand on the boulder, DM or someone please roll what is necessary.
Once we begin our rounds and I haven’t come on to post, Taraven will take cover behind one of the stones and make sure she is at least within 60 feet to cast Ray of Frost during her turn to damage and slow down the harpies from flying up. Once again DM or someone roll for that if I am not able to post during the heat of the battle.
(( ooc: if plausible, you may want to shelter in rocks, on mountainside, inside silence, outside nest...then if you want to risk the song and cast, move away from the nest -- keeping the silence between you and the singer -- make a save (if necessary), cast, and move back...if you fail the save, then you will move back to silence. If the singer leaves the nest to go to the mountainside, then they have to avoid the sphere themselves so...hopefully...it wont be an issue
@Taraven: if someone else restrains her somehow, is there a better damage spell you'd use? ))
As long as I can cast what is needed inside silence, I would definitely want to be behind cover, come out and cast, then go back behind cover.
I do have 4 1st level spell slots for Magic Missile So I would use that if she is restrained and someone can roll that for me if I can’t post.
Also, if for some reason and only if the leader attacks me and hits, I would want to use my last 2nd level spell slot (if I used shatter) to cast Hellish Rebuke as a reaction (Dex Save 13). And someone can roll damage for me if I can’t post as well.
[OOC: While waiting for my questions to be answered by the referee, I have been monitoring the conversation and I have a couple of observations to make regarding choices of magic and tactics.
Mage Hand isn't strong enough to use on the boulder, but it might be worthwhile thinking about using Shatter on the supports of that boulder to cause it to roll down and possibly destroy the nest. It is unlikely that this will kill any of the harpies because they will be able to fly out of the way of the boulder, but with their nest destroyed, they might choose to relocate.
Because of their flight ability, you can't contain the harpies in this situation, so I see Silence as being of limited use here because once it is cast it can't be moved. Ear plugs make a lot more sense and don't cost a 2nd level spell slot.
Taraven, Magic Missile doesn't require a to-hit roll, so that is guaranteed damage with a good minimum roll (see below as to why I think this is Taraven's best spell to use.)
My suggested plan:
Planning to take out the leader and hoping the rest of them flee and leave the area is, in my opinion, the best tactic. However, I would be very wary about doing it using a melee attack. Not only does a failed Stealth roll made while sneaking up run a great risk of spoiling the previous plan completely. The chance of a harpy causing one of the melee combatants to fall off the edge is just too high (the fall would most likely be fatal and the chance to save them using Feather Fall would be very low because they will fall out of sight very quickly).
Instead, I would recommend all the attackers using ranged weapons and focus firing on the leader with the hope of a quick kill and the rest of the harpies not having the heart to continue the fight once their overbearing leader is dead.
Tactics:
The whole plan (and previous proposed plans) is dependent on the party staying hidden and attacking with surprise, which is more likely to happen at range. See here to see how, if this lucky circumstance occurs, all attacks—even ranged attacks—are done with Advantage—a big plus to his plan, if it can be carried off.
Most importantly, this might also gain a surprise round against the enemy. Doing this at range is a lot easier to do without sending in the melee characters, and if lucky, the party might get two rounds of ranged attacks against the Harpy leader.
Taraven uses Magic Missile at second level for as many attacks as he can (average damage: 14, which is not too shabby).
Evan can casts Bless, which I know he has, on three characters who need to make to-hit rolls increasing their chance to exceed the Harpy leader's max. DC of 17 (presuming the armour isn't magical). He can then use non-concentration spells of his own, perhaps area effect or saving throw based, to join in with the ranged attacks.
If/when the plan does awry, everyone is together and not near the edge of the cliff, which is probably the best defence against both physical attacks and the Harpy's luring cry, and the Bless will still be working giving the ranged attackers the chance to keep shooting at the leader.
“If we die he would probably be turning back just like the elf woman did, to leave this whole messy business empty handed,” Okkar murmurs, still taking care to keep his voice quiet. “We need every blade arm we can get on our side, no doubt. I will try to signal him and hope he understands.”
Okkar crawls to the edge of the cliff the group ascended and makes arm motions, hoping the Barbarian will notice his summons and understand it, and take it to heart. “I can’t make the boy ever a fight he doesn’t believe in, but drawing the line at harpies protecting their roost isn’t what I would have expected from a Seren Barbarian. We will see.”
OOC: I will allow time for the player of Nanoc to decide if he wants to omit the character for in- character or schedule reasons, and then we can proceed. A bit of a delay but I should probably be asleep as it is.
[DM, Is the position where Nanoc is looking after the horses a relatively safe one in terms of possible predators? Base 20 roll: 8 +2 for Survival, +4 for Perception.
Also, how long would it take him (and what rolls would he need to make) for him to join the rest?
He has been quietly cursing Okkar for joining in this silly escapade and may be changing his mind based on the answer to the above rolls and questions.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
(( ooc: cool, no problems...I'm impressed you kept going! ))
The “throne” and the “nest” are mechanically four squares of difficult terrain. The nest appears flammable. There are jutting rocks every 10 feet in the larger area you are approaching from that can provide half-cover, but you can share a square with said cover. Surprise is definitely an option assuming proper stealth.
The two large boulders noted could actually be dislodged and set to roll against the harpy queen but the only feasible method would be a block and tackle, or the use of a portable ram, otherwise the feat would require strength beyond that of anyone in the party. It would involve a tool check in an appropriate tool to set up the leverage - proficiencies added justifiably to the tool check would be carpentry, construction, something if along those lines (pitch it to me if you’re unsure), otherwise a straight intelligence check followed by a strength check. Stealth rolls would also need to be completed for whoever is attempting to rig the block and tackle, as well as if someone uses a ram.
DC for setting block and tackle is 10 Int check, which could add a tool proficiency if noted (assuming anyone has one, or that the party has a block and tackle), followed by a DC 10 Strength check, with advantage due to leverage. Using a portable ram (assuming anyone has one of those) is a DC 16 Strength check, with advantage from the tool, but there is no means to do so silently (without magic), and even if within silence they could notice the Boulder nudge, but not roll, if the first attempt does not succeed.
Note also that with stealth melee characters could get within range to close with the harpy, with a successful stealth check, and could time with concealed ranged characters to attack at once.
If anyone has any creative ideas that involve other spells or abilities feel free to run them by me. That’s the entirety of the scenario and the terrain as I’ve conceived it.
Passive perception 15 plus notes it seems the harpy have similar plans, as the “nest” does contain a portable ram and a block and tackle among other loot, but to obtain theirs to use against them would involve multiple difficult stealth checks to sneak to, and from, the throne/nest area, while stealing bulky items from the nest.
[DM, Just checking you saw my previous post about safety of the horses, etc.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Nature Check 8
OOC: Just catching up.
(( DM: Need a ruling on Hunter's Mark; it's divination and not attack, so I assume it affects the caster, not the target. Does this mean it can be safely cast while at a good distance, before we engage in melee, and without much chance of the target knowing? This is distinct from Hex which in an enchantment and 'places a curse' upon a creature...so I guess the latter may be detectable. ))
(( Nature: 6 ))
As far as a plan of attack, I have 2 things...
1. The DM had mentioned successful stealthy melee attacks and ranged attacks (ie. Magic Missle) at one would be a good idea
2. Going along Galtheon's Plan B, I can cast shatter and hopefully do some damage on all the harpies including the leader. But since that creates a loud ringing noise Evan would have to cast silence right after to avoid the luring song that will most likely happen since they will know of our presence after my spell is cast. I would not want to cast it with people in the party within that sphere.
OOC: I would hope to rest after this encounter with the harpies as I'm pretty sure the spell casters will need it before we continue on. Also, I think the ring should probably go to a person who will be going into melee more. My hopes is that the harpies loot will bring more "protection" to the other members of the party.
I also have Mage Hand
Would I be able to use that to dislodge the stones to try to roll against the leader? Would I be in range? This could be an idea as well.
((( ooc: ooooh. Shatter sounds very good!
Could be our signal to attack, or the distraction if the stealthy melees (probably Nanoc and Galtheon) get spotted...it might even loosen the boulders...but trying to hit an agile flying creature with a rolling boulder seems optimistic.
I wonder if Evan could cast Bless prior, concentrate on it to help the stealthy ones, then when shatter goes off, swap to Silence on the throne; sounds dramatic -- an unearthly roar as the ground shakes followed by total silence.
Once shatter hits, Galtheon and Nanoc attack with swords, while Taravan moves into the silence, and the monk...speedily...runs in as well (or does something else). Hopefully Okkar will have some contribution too. Galtheon and Nanoc will need to be near the nest (10'-15' away?) to be able to make the distance ove difficult terrain and be withing 5' of the big one. [[ Quick mental sum, 20'x20', she's in centre (10' from edge); need to get within 5', so 5' movement in nest costs 10' of our movement. Galtheon needs to be within 25' to attack, presumably Nanoc 20' ]]
At the end of the suprise round everyone should be in Silence...and in subsequent rounds perhaps the casters can leave briefly to cast, judging their departure based on the location of the singer (so they walk back into silence).
Most likely tactic of Big One in round 2 is disengage and fly up. How do we deal with that?
))
That sounds like a great idea. I want to make sure you and Nanoc will not be within that sphere and take damage from shatter.
As far as the flying up, just like our other encounter with the harpies, maybe Ray of Frost will come in handy to slow the big one down????
(( ooc: I just realized, Silence is 20' RADIUS, so centre should be near junction of nest and mountainside -- in the event that shatter causes whole nest to collapse, we will still have a silent area to stand on, with cover ))
OOC: In the chance that I don’t see posts tomorrow regarding when we start the encounter, if the group decides we want to use shatter as a signal and people in the party are not in the sphere area, Taraven will cast shatter and wants to get the leader and as many harpies in the sphere area. They will have to roll a constitution save (13), fails take full damage and the ones that make the save take half damage. I will roll for damage now (15
If the group thinks we should try mage hand on the boulder, DM or someone please roll what is necessary.
Once we begin our rounds and I haven’t come on to post, Taraven will take cover behind one of the stones and make sure she is at least within 60 feet to cast Ray of Frost during her turn to damage and slow down the harpies from flying up. Once again DM or someone roll for that if I am not able to post during the heat of the battle.
(( ooc: if plausible, you may want to shelter in rocks, on mountainside, inside silence, outside nest...then if you want to risk the song and cast, move away from the nest -- keeping the silence between you and the singer -- make a save (if necessary), cast, and move back...if you fail the save, then you will move back to silence. If the singer leaves the nest to go to the mountainside, then they have to avoid the sphere themselves so...hopefully...it wont be an issue
@Taraven: if someone else restrains her somehow, is there a better damage spell you'd use? ))
As long as I can cast what is needed inside silence, I would definitely want to be behind cover, come out and cast, then go back behind cover.
I do have 4 1st level spell slots for Magic Missile So I would use that if she is restrained and someone can roll that for me if I can’t post.
Also, if for some reason and only if the leader attacks me and hits, I would want to use my last 2nd level spell slot (if I used shatter) to cast Hellish Rebuke as a reaction (Dex Save 13). And someone can roll damage for me if I can’t post as well.
[OOC: While waiting for my questions to be answered by the referee, I have been monitoring the conversation and I have a couple of observations to make regarding choices of magic and tactics.
My suggested plan:
Planning to take out the leader and hoping the rest of them flee and leave the area is, in my opinion, the best tactic. However, I would be very wary about doing it using a melee attack. Not only does a failed Stealth roll made while sneaking up run a great risk of spoiling the previous plan completely. The chance of a harpy causing one of the melee combatants to fall off the edge is just too high (the fall would most likely be fatal and the chance to save them using Feather Fall would be very low because they will fall out of sight very quickly).
Instead, I would recommend all the attackers using ranged weapons and focus firing on the leader with the hope of a quick kill and the rest of the harpies not having the heart to continue the fight once their overbearing leader is dead.
Tactics:
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
(( Initial thoughts:
1. We don't have wax.
2. The ranged option may be a good fallback for if stealth fails.
3. Risks of being drawn off cliff are low if silence is up. See revised silence casting location
4. Destroying the nest offers no tactical advantage and may just piss them off.
5. Agree melee is risky
Edit:
6. I do find your argument about surprise and ranged compelling.
))