This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The second hound snaps but misses Grahl by a wide margin. The first has much more luck, landing a solid snapping bite on Chazrael (Chazrael take 11). Arbon swings for Hound 1 but misses slightly as it rushes passed. Chazrael in response buries his weapon deep in its chest wriggling it about (hound 1 takes 8). Onyx fires another eldritch blast but it crashes with the floor, barely missing everyone and the hounds, the magical energy difficult to aim in such tight and quarters. Finally Grahl heaves back and slams hound 2, carving deep into its fore body and exiting out the side (hound 2 takes 10).
Hound 2 reforms once again as the weapon leaves its body. It leaps up at Grahl in desperation!
105
Hound 1 continues its assault on Chazrael, locked onto his forearm!
Frustrated with his repeated misses, Onyx sneered at his target. "Filthy beast, you want to take us? May the gods strike you down!" Another blast of magic leapt from his outstretched hand toward the creature.
ACTION: Fire another Eldritch Blast at Hound #1 - Attack = 7, Damage (with Hex) = 13
Arbon swings his mace upwards as he attempts to hit the hound (1) in the throat, yelling as he does "You filthy beast! How about you try taking a bite out of something a little bigger!"
With the hound leaping towards Grahl he raises his axe and spins to move to the side of the leaping hound while using the axehandle to deflect the creature. Continueing the spinning motion Grahl ends with his back turned to the hound and facing the mirror. He looks to see if the reflection would show the hounds position.
He then turns swinging his axe wide toward the creature.
Movement: Only to move around the hound as it leaps forward (still engaged with it)
Hound 2 leaps and misses horribly landing at Grahls feet. Hound 1 in a similar fashion is unable to find its footing and misses Chazreal. Chazrael capitalizes on this, striking deep and true, His sword becoming a perfect executioner stake through the skull. (h1 -10 health)
Onyx fires at about the same time misses as gravity brings down the sword, taking the beast with it. It nearly misses Chazraels arm as it crosses over the leather wrapped forearm into the wall behind it. When Chazrael looks over to Onyx with a “you almost shot me!” look, Arbon yells and leaps high into the air, hammering hard driving the sword in to the floor beneath, crushing the skull. (h1 -9 health)
Grahl kicks the second beast off him into the brazier and its back bends hard around it. (h2 -7 health)
Hound 2 stands, but the first does not. The final beast does not seem to notice. It gets back up, and makes the same futile attempt. When it leaps, its back gives out, and the the body slides vertically through the air, just passed Grahl, right towards Onyx with an Open jaw.
As the hound leaps Grahl prepares himself for the attack but sees the beast fly towards Onyx. This only fuels Grahls anger as the beast does not continue its dual with him.
Grahl will move after the hound and swing his axe in a chopping motion trying to land it onto the beast and slam it to the ground. If it hits he will keep pressure on his axe to keep the hound down and then drag his axe backwards to drag the hound back towards Grahl. You no run! Face Grahl!
Movement: following the hound as far as needed to re-engage
Arbon takes a deep breath before turning to the group. "How is everyone feeling? Onyx, Grahl? You both were bitten. I can heal you if you need?" He holds up a hand and inspects it, feeling his skills and power improve. Arbon then turns to the others once again, "Well, do we wish to continue on? Or does anyone want to take a moment?"
Onyx was about to answer when suddenly he stopped, his face blank.
(( Just communication with his patron here as he levels up; feel free to skip: ))
Onyx suddenly found himself floating in a white, endless void. It took him a second to realize that he'd been here before. This was where his patron, Ralimgam, usually met with him to communicate. It was essentially just a mind-state.
Sure enough, Ralimgam soon appeared, a blue djinn floating above Onyx, larger than usual, and looking down with a smile.
"Congratulations on your successes, so far," he said, his unusually deep voice booming through the white nothingness as he spoke.
"Thank you," said Onyx with a bow. Then, "does this mean you're here to further improve my magics?"
The patron grinned as he crossed his arms and mischeviously stroked his chin. "I am," he replied, "and in fact, you've finally earned your own Book of Shadows."
Onyx just smiled, pleased that he'd gotten this far. He knew what the grimoire was, and already had his plans for it.
"Unfortunately...."
The warlock's eyebrows creased. "Sir?"
Almost in a teasing manner, Ralimgam rolled his eyes and waved a hand, continuing, "well, the rituals. In order to grant you those, I'll need to take back the boost to your Eldritch Blast. Limitations on power, and all that. It'll only be temporary. Sorry." The grin made the apology feel more like taunting.
"But... well... I suppose I can handle that." Some of the minutia of his contract had spelled out limits in strange terms and measurements that Onyx hadn't quite understood. He quickly put it out of his mind. "But I've been rethinking the rituals I wanted anyway."
"Oh? Ah, yes, the familar spell. You've not yet found a brass brazier, eh?"
"No, but... you know what. It'll happen. I've wanted a familiar for quite some time, and since I don't think I'll run across that spell down here anywhere, I'd better just get it straight from you. And leave the other one as well. I found something that... appears to be a suitable spell component, but even if not, I MUST keep that one. We are going to NEED to identify the magical items we come across down here. So... yeah. I'll keep them both."
Onyx closed his eyes. "Ready for the knowledge transfer."
"Excellent! The book I'll leave inside your vessel. So then..."
With that, the djinn raised a hand toward Onyx, and swirls of glowing white motes began to appear, spinning around the warlock. Faster and faster, more and more numerous, until within seconds he found himself surrounding by a near-blinding glow of light. Then....
Just as suddenly, the warlock blinked and seemed to come back to his senses. Seeing quizzical looks, he grinned and shrugged. "Sorry. Patron intercession. Ah... yes, good sir. I think I would appreciate a bit of healing, if you could."
With rage still filled in his eyes he sees the hound is dead. Calming down he hears Arbon ask if he needs healing, Grahl shakes his head Grahl no hurt bad.A little pain only reminded him of his battle, a good thing.
He sits down on both knees next to the body of the hound. He puts his axe next to himself on the ground and digs into the wounds of the hound with a hand, covering it in its blood. He starts using a bloody finger to smear some lines of blood on his face. Using it as warpaint.
He starts speaking some orcish
Grahl honor Gruumsh with blood of beast, slain in great dual.
He continues putting both hands into the wounds of the hound and using it to create markings on his own body. No fine lines are made as the blooddrops run down on his body on several spots but the markings are there all the same.
More orcish
Grahl be tool for your wrath. Guide Grahl to bloody victory.
He picks up his axe and stands, he tilts his head as if streching his neck muscles and takes a deep breath.
Grahl ready.He says looking around where they can go next.
The brazier's fires remained burning in the carnage of the small room. Looking up, the window has disappeared. Looking back down, the bodies of the demons lay scattered about in shredded forms. Blood cakes each wall and blade, and the mirror fades once again.
The tunnel forward is clear and there is a much more open room ahead.
Crossing through, you have a sense that these are precautionary measures.There are runes scattered about the walls of the tunnel that appear to be containment spells. Those hounds were placed here, and locked inside that mirror tunnel for a reason.
In the room you have come to, there are four large statues, two, very deep, fog covered pits, and a very narrow walk way to the other side in the middle of them.
Another tunnel entrance lies just beyond it.
Statues:
On this side of the opening, to the left is a dog and to the right is a stag.
On the other side of the opening, to the left is a goat, and to the right is a bear.
(( This took place just before we all went forward. Also, Onyx grabbed one of the braziers on the way out as well, dumping and stamping out the contents as he did. :D ))
"Thank you, Arbon," said Onyx as the healing energies remedied his wounds.
The warlock opened his mouth to announce that he was ready, but stopped. He really wanted to get his hands on his Book of Shadows first, and have it on him. Unfortunately, he'd have to enter his vessel to do so, in front of everyone else. Closing his mouth, Onyx thought, "Well, now's as good a time as any."
"I'll be right back," he announced to his companions, with a smile, but without explanation. He closed his eyes and rotated one hand as if quickly rubbing the surface of a small sphere, and then instantly--no sound, no flash of light, no indicator at all--he vanished. A second later, the sound of his ring hitting the floor could be heard.
His space stood empty for several seconds, and then just as suddenly, just as quietly, Onyx reappeared. Only this time, he had a large leather-bound book under an arm. Kneeling down to pick up his ring and place it back on his hand, he stood, and explained:
"My patron's power lets me access the interior of my vessel--in this case, a demiplane inside my ring. He left me a present there, of sorts; I'm eager to make use of it."
Without a further word, he opened the grimoire and began flipping through it, finding the expected spells written within, along with a generous number of empty pages, the entirety of his warlock contract at the very front, and a few other sections related to djinn warlocks and what sorts of powers they can invoke. (The largest section being a list of all the invocations he could currently use at this level, although he's still limited to only changing them upon leveling-up, of course.) He was so pleased with the book that it took another minute before he realized everyone seemed to be waiting.
"Oh!" he said suddenly, snapping the book shut. "I'm ready whenever you all are. But, let me know when we are ready to take a break. I can identify some of our magical findings now."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Onyx disappears Grahls facial expression turns to shock, not having seen anything like this before. More tricks Grahl says as he starts turning around looking for possible unseen attackers.
When he reappears and starts reading his book Grahl notices his return and quickly marches up to him to push him into the wall of the mirror hallway, Grahls forearm pushes across Onyx's chest trying to pin him there while using his other hand to hold his axeblade to Onyx's throat.
Demon no trick Grahl, you illusion.He stares to what seems to be an image of Onyx, after the recent illusions however Grahl is sure he caught a slipup that gave away the latest illusion.
He looks to the others Grahl see magic, demon not real. Looking to see if others had seen it as well.
Turning his eyes back onto Onyx. His hold not very strong on him, doubting if he really is pinning anything to the wall at all.
Where you take human! Speak!
If needed: Grapple for atletics to hold Onyx to the wall 18
The second hound snaps but misses Grahl by a wide margin. The first has much more luck, landing a solid snapping bite on Chazrael (Chazrael take 11). Arbon swings for Hound 1 but misses slightly as it rushes passed. Chazrael in response buries his weapon deep in its chest wriggling it about (hound 1 takes 8). Onyx fires another eldritch blast but it crashes with the floor, barely missing everyone and the hounds, the magical energy difficult to aim in such tight and quarters. Finally Grahl heaves back and slams hound 2, carving deep into its fore body and exiting out the side (hound 2 takes 10).
Hound 2 reforms once again as the weapon leaves its body. It leaps up at Grahl in desperation!
10 5
Hound 1 continues its assault on Chazrael, locked onto his forearm!
6 6
(Turn 3!)
Chazrael swings once more at the Hellhound
Attack: 15 Damage: 10
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Frustrated with his repeated misses, Onyx sneered at his target. "Filthy beast, you want to take us? May the gods strike you down!" Another blast of magic leapt from his outstretched hand toward the creature.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Arbon swings his mace upwards as he attempts to hit the hound (1) in the throat, yelling as he does "You filthy beast! How about you try taking a bite out of something a little bigger!"
Mace Attack: 22 Damage: 9
With the hound leaping towards Grahl he raises his axe and spins to move to the side of the leaping hound while using the axehandle to deflect the creature. Continueing the spinning motion Grahl ends with his back turned to the hound and facing the mirror. He looks to see if the reflection would show the hounds position.
He then turns swinging his axe wide toward the creature.
Hound 2 leaps and misses horribly landing at Grahls feet. Hound 1 in a similar fashion is unable to find its footing and misses Chazreal. Chazrael capitalizes on this, striking deep and true, His sword becoming a perfect executioner stake through the skull. (h1 -10 health)
Onyx fires at about the same time misses as gravity brings down the sword, taking the beast with it. It nearly misses Chazraels arm as it crosses over the leather wrapped forearm into the wall behind it. When Chazrael looks over to Onyx with a “you almost shot me!” look, Arbon yells and leaps high into the air, hammering hard driving the sword in to the floor beneath, crushing the skull. (h1 -9 health)
Grahl kicks the second beast off him into the brazier and its back bends hard around it. (h2 -7 health)
Hound 2 stands, but the first does not. The final beast does not seem to notice. It gets back up, and makes the same futile attempt. When it leaps, its back gives out, and the the body slides vertically through the air, just passed Grahl, right towards Onyx with an Open jaw.
15 6
(round 4)
Eyes widened, Onyx can barely let out a squeak as he raises his hand defensively... just as the hound snaps down on it! (6 damage taken)
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Arbon moves in quickly to strike the remaining hound with an upward arc of his mace.
Mace Attack: 20 Damage: 7
As the hound leaps Grahl prepares himself for the attack but sees the beast fly towards Onyx. This only fuels Grahls anger as the beast does not continue its dual with him.
Grahl will move after the hound and swing his axe in a chopping motion trying to land it onto the beast and slam it to the ground. If it hits he will keep pressure on his axe to keep the hound down and then drag his axe backwards to drag the hound back towards Grahl. You no run! Face Grahl!
Chazrael will drop his sword and draw his bow and fire an arrow at the Hell Hound.
Attack: 23 Damage: 8
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Arbon then jumped in to slam the beast, knocking it to the floor. (Hound 2 -8)
Arbon takes a deep breath before turning to the group. "How is everyone feeling? Onyx, Grahl? You both were bitten. I can heal you if you need?" He holds up a hand and inspects it, feeling his skills and power improve. Arbon then turns to the others once again, "Well, do we wish to continue on? Or does anyone want to take a moment?"
Onyx was about to answer when suddenly he stopped, his face blank.
(( Just communication with his patron here as he levels up; feel free to skip: ))
Sure enough, Ralimgam soon appeared, a blue djinn floating above Onyx, larger than usual, and looking down with a smile.
"Congratulations on your successes, so far," he said, his unusually deep voice booming through the white nothingness as he spoke.
"Thank you," said Onyx with a bow. Then, "does this mean you're here to further improve my magics?"
The patron grinned as he crossed his arms and mischeviously stroked his chin. "I am," he replied, "and in fact, you've finally earned your own Book of Shadows."
Onyx just smiled, pleased that he'd gotten this far. He knew what the grimoire was, and already had his plans for it.
"Unfortunately...."
The warlock's eyebrows creased. "Sir?"
Almost in a teasing manner, Ralimgam rolled his eyes and waved a hand, continuing, "well, the rituals. In order to grant you those, I'll need to take back the boost to your Eldritch Blast. Limitations on power, and all that. It'll only be temporary. Sorry." The grin made the apology feel more like taunting.
"But... well... I suppose I can handle that." Some of the minutia of his contract had spelled out limits in strange terms and measurements that Onyx hadn't quite understood. He quickly put it out of his mind. "But I've been rethinking the rituals I wanted anyway."
"Oh? Ah, yes, the familar spell. You've not yet found a brass brazier, eh?"
"No, but... you know what. It'll happen. I've wanted a familiar for quite some time, and since I don't think I'll run across that spell down here anywhere, I'd better just get it straight from you. And leave the other one as well. I found something that... appears to be a suitable spell component, but even if not, I MUST keep that one. We are going to NEED to identify the magical items we come across down here. So... yeah. I'll keep them both."
Onyx closed his eyes. "Ready for the knowledge transfer."
"Excellent! The book I'll leave inside your vessel. So then..."
With that, the djinn raised a hand toward Onyx, and swirls of glowing white motes began to appear, spinning around the warlock. Faster and faster, more and more numerous, until within seconds he found himself surrounding by a near-blinding glow of light. Then....
Just as suddenly, the warlock blinked and seemed to come back to his senses. Seeing quizzical looks, he grinned and shrugged. "Sorry. Patron intercession. Ah... yes, good sir. I think I would appreciate a bit of healing, if you could."
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Arbon nods and walks over to Onyx, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Recover". (Casting Cure Wounds for 7 healing).
With rage still filled in his eyes he sees the hound is dead. Calming down he hears Arbon ask if he needs healing, Grahl shakes his head Grahl no hurt bad. A little pain only reminded him of his battle, a good thing.
He sits down on both knees next to the body of the hound. He puts his axe next to himself on the ground and digs into the wounds of the hound with a hand, covering it in its blood. He starts using a bloody finger to smear some lines of blood on his face. Using it as warpaint.
He starts speaking some orcish
Grahl honor Gruumsh with blood of beast, slain in great dual.
He continues putting both hands into the wounds of the hound and using it to create markings on his own body. No fine lines are made as the blooddrops run down on his body on several spots but the markings are there all the same.
More orcish
Grahl be tool for your wrath. Guide Grahl to bloody victory.
He picks up his axe and stands, he tilts his head as if streching his neck muscles and takes a deep breath.
Grahl ready. He says looking around where they can go next.
Chazrael goes to retrieve his arrows and puts them in his quiver. "I'm ready to go."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
The brazier's fires remained burning in the carnage of the small room. Looking up, the window has disappeared. Looking back down, the bodies of the demons lay scattered about in shredded forms. Blood cakes each wall and blade, and the mirror fades once again.
The tunnel forward is clear and there is a much more open room ahead.
Crossing through, you have a sense that these are precautionary measures.There are runes scattered about the walls of the tunnel that appear to be containment spells. Those hounds were placed here, and locked inside that mirror tunnel for a reason.
In the room you have come to, there are four large statues, two, very deep, fog covered pits, and a very narrow walk way to the other side in the middle of them.
Another tunnel entrance lies just beyond it.
Statues:
On this side of the opening, to the left is a dog and to the right is a stag.
On the other side of the opening, to the left is a goat, and to the right is a bear.
(( This took place just before we all went forward. Also, Onyx grabbed one of the braziers on the way out as well, dumping and stamping out the contents as he did. :D ))
"Thank you, Arbon," said Onyx as the healing energies remedied his wounds.
The warlock opened his mouth to announce that he was ready, but stopped. He really wanted to get his hands on his Book of Shadows first, and have it on him. Unfortunately, he'd have to enter his vessel to do so, in front of everyone else. Closing his mouth, Onyx thought, "Well, now's as good a time as any."
"I'll be right back," he announced to his companions, with a smile, but without explanation. He closed his eyes and rotated one hand as if quickly rubbing the surface of a small sphere, and then instantly--no sound, no flash of light, no indicator at all--he vanished. A second later, the sound of his ring hitting the floor could be heard.
His space stood empty for several seconds, and then just as suddenly, just as quietly, Onyx reappeared. Only this time, he had a large leather-bound book under an arm. Kneeling down to pick up his ring and place it back on his hand, he stood, and explained:
"My patron's power lets me access the interior of my vessel--in this case, a demiplane inside my ring. He left me a present there, of sorts; I'm eager to make use of it."
Without a further word, he opened the grimoire and began flipping through it, finding the expected spells written within, along with a generous number of empty pages, the entirety of his warlock contract at the very front, and a few other sections related to djinn warlocks and what sorts of powers they can invoke. (The largest section being a list of all the invocations he could currently use at this level, although he's still limited to only changing them upon leveling-up, of course.) He was so pleased with the book that it took another minute before he realized everyone seemed to be waiting.
"Oh!" he said suddenly, snapping the book shut. "I'm ready whenever you all are. But, let me know when we are ready to take a break. I can identify some of our magical findings now."
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Chazrael smiles as his eyes focus forward.
OOC: I went with Gloomstalker for my archetype so now Chazrael has dark vision courtesy of Umbral Sight.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
As Onyx disappears Grahls facial expression turns to shock, not having seen anything like this before. More tricks Grahl says as he starts turning around looking for possible unseen attackers.
When he reappears and starts reading his book Grahl notices his return and quickly marches up to him to push him into the wall of the mirror hallway, Grahls forearm pushes across Onyx's chest trying to pin him there while using his other hand to hold his axeblade to Onyx's throat.
Demon no trick Grahl, you illusion. He stares to what seems to be an image of Onyx, after the recent illusions however Grahl is sure he caught a slipup that gave away the latest illusion.
He looks to the others Grahl see magic, demon not real. Looking to see if others had seen it as well.
Turning his eyes back onto Onyx. His hold not very strong on him, doubting if he really is pinning anything to the wall at all.
Where you take human! Speak!