It's early summer. The snows have melted and the weather is warm...at least the weather outside the dark forest. Here it is dark and cool during the day. Fianna and Loane both look at Chen, wondering if he's eating random, potentially poisonous berries and nuts, or something he brought with him.
Toc adds, "You shouldn't eat stuff from here, it'll have a strange affect on you."
Sergeant Coon shrugs, "Very well, you lot are leadin us back in to get Roz. And you're going to be the vanguard." He turns to his men, "22nd! Listen up! We're not leavin Roz behind. The demon is dead. Now all we have to tend with is a few orcs and drow, maybe some ettercaps, and maybe a dr....g....n." He mumbles the last word.
"What's that boss? I missed that last bit!" says a woman soldier.
Sergeant Coon scowls, "A Dragon! Ok Lace?!"
The soldier with the broken Lute speaks, "Hey, Lace....we're facin a dragon...you want to be with a man before we go to our deaths?" He grins a lewd grin.
Another soldier speaks up, "Well, Lute's clearly not refer to 'imself cause he ain't no man...."
Grins and laughs bounce between the soldiers.
Lace looks to Lute, "I'm think I'd rather be with this one over 'ere, she's got a competent look about her, I bet she knows how to play the strings better 'an you." She leers at Loane and makes an obscene gesture with her hand.
Sergeant Cowl barks, "Enough you foul mouthed idiots. These fine powerful folk are going to be vanguard. We're trailing support. For now, they give you a command, you follow it unless it countermans one of mine. Got it?" He glares at a man who is glaring at Toc and looks like he's about to say something, "Ya Rack...even the elf. You follow his orders or you get strung up for insubordination. I know, that's a big word for your little brain, but ask Kyle what it means after. Stay quiet, stay alive. You see anything suspicious, you tell me, SilverMark, or Wrath. If shit goes sideways, we head straight south this time and don't stop till you hit the road to Harrowdale. We meet at the bridge over the Duathamper. Any questions?"
Lute raises his hand. The Sergeant says, "Any non-bullcrap questions?" Lute lowers his hand.
He nods to the group, "Lead away then."
Fianna mutters a spell, and FinFin shimmers and appears to turn into a bug before flying up into the trees. Toc shakes his head, "If the enemy is using animals to spy on us, there's almost no way for us to know. It'll depend if there are any shaman among the orc or drow, which there probably are. But...luckily they'll have to move back and forth to send messages to their master, so if we don't move in a straight line we should be harder to keep tabs on. Also...." a hawk appears on his arm, which he sends into the air, "...we can have our own animals watching for strangely behaved ones."
Does anyone do anything else before you start moving? How far ahead of the 22nd do you guys stay? Everyone roll stealth and perception.
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Considering the fact I have more balls than half the men I've met..." Loane remarks, letting the comment die as the Sergeant gives his orders. She remains quiet for the rest of it, giving Chen one last look to see if he was still eating. When they head out, Loane will try to be at the front of the group unless anyone suggests otherwise. She tries to point out any spots to avoid stepping to the others if she can.
Stealth: 34 Perception: 19
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The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
"How exactly is the amount of balls relevant," Fianna asks herself, puzzled. She never did notice them being overly instrumental in anything in nature, but perhaps people used them differently. She gave a shrug and moved on.
Fianna will also try to be near the front of the scouting party, but the back front. Close enough to convey any information she gleams from FinFin about their approach and the area ahead but not being the sneakiest she will be a few feet back.
Fianna would have suggested the 22nd be as far back as possible without losing sight of us. Perhaps their best scouts could be a linchpin of sorts, so as to trail us and relay messages back to the main 22nd... It's hard for a whole regiment to be sneaky.
Chen stops mid-chew and glances back and forth between everyone with eyes wide. Turning away, he empties the contents of his mouth into his hand and wipes it on his tunic.
Hearing the plan, Chen suggests: Do you think that pack of orcs is still searching for us? Perhaps we should find and eliminate them first, rather than having to face them together with all the others. Perhaps even the dragon, if it's still abroad.
Stealth: 23
Perception: 18
Chen starts preparing himself mentally for battle, taking slow and deep breaths to stay calm and not lose his cool.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Stealth: 20
Perception: 24
Jahren watches the latest tear in the weave with great interest, making mental note of the remark about 30ft. He doesn't mind expending magic to close them, but would not want to permanently lose the aid of his or anyone else's magic items. He also checks the body of the dead flying demon imposter for magic items or anything else of interest.
The bard readies himself to move with the group, staying near the back and trying to ensure he can see back to the 22nd from time to time. He considers the use of invisibility or other magic to conceal them, but knows they may have a long trek ahead, well beyond the duration of many of his spells.
Toc says to Chen, "I'll have my hawk fly about searching for the orcs. If we can defeat them early, that's a good plan, but I fear they are part of the same force and have likely returned to the ruins."
The group presses on through the dark woods, with Loane well ahead of the rest of the group. Dragon flies dart about. Birds flit in the treetops. Squirrels, rats, and mice scamper amidst the bush and grass. Oversized spiders hang near the tree tops while small creeks sport toads and lizards. If indeed the enemy can use animals to spy on you, it would be near impossible to know.
FinFin, disguised as a large flying bug makes a formidable scout, zipping through the tree tops and getting a good view ahead of Loane.
The group walks for over two hours, going careful and slow as they return to the black tree, and then past it towards the ruins of the Old Elven Court. You reach near the ruins when FinFin and Loane both spot the drow, once again in amongst the trees, guarding the perimeter. As the rest of the group comes close, you count five...no....Mirica has counted another, six Drow sitting upon perches up in the nooks of trees...watching silently in your direction.
FinFin zips off past the outer watches, and flies past the strange barrier of the old city and into the ruins. Similar to last time, there are a number of drow around, as well as the orc forces that had pursued you. No green dragon is visible. In the remains of a building with it's windows covered in makeshift wooden bars, along with a doorway in the front and one in the back, and with two drow at the rear, and four at the front (though the front faces towards an open square full of enemies anyway...) FinFin spots Roz, looking a bit battered and relieved of his gear, sitting and conscious. The two story ruin is open to the sky however, though the interior looks too difficult for an average person to scale. (not to mention the Drow guards would likely hear any attempt and do something about it.)
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Jahren considers his own experience to guide him on whether or not they are likely to be able to detect magic, see through invisibility, have a magical barrier up, etc. and asks Toc his opinion. In most places he could just fly in on his carpet while invisible and pluck Roz out of there, but this foe seems to be very capable.
If the party is to move in together, he offers to conceal them again with magic (Pass Without Trace) and suggests Toc or someone watch for magical alarms and traps at the same time.
Regarding the 22nd, he could at least help them slip by the perimeter scouts so they'd be in a position to help if the party runs into trouble.
Having detect magic on all the time is a chore, unless they have some arcane artifact that allows is. They are not too common though. If they're on guard and have two spell casters who can ritual cast, it's possible they're there just casting it over and over again all day long. That would be something. But, either way, it only functions within 30 feet. If you're flying above they wouldn't see you.
As for seeing through invisibility, unless they've got some demon that can do it, or a familiar such as a bat flying around (that you'd see and hear and has limited ability), you're probably pretty safe on that front.
Magical barriers? Well, those are MUCH harder to come by, and are generally visible.
So, in Jahren's experience, and Toc agrees, a flying invisible opponent is tough to deal with. Of course, if you make noise, all bets are off.
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Jahren asks Toc if he could make the bard and his carpet invisible so that Jahren could concentrate on other magic for the rescue attempt, but more important asks the party if they prefer the solo rescue effort or a group effort to sneak in and take out the guards around Roz.
(("On went the party through the deep dark wood. A dragon saw the party, and the party looked good." Sorry, could not resist))
Mirica was totally fine with the solo-rescue plan: "Mass-assault can not be made quiet and the last thing we want is to attract attention of the whole camp. If you can make it quiet by yourself - all the better. Just warn the guy, so he knew it's help and not invisible demons snatching him up."
Jahren hops upon his flying carpet. Toc mutters a few arcane words and Jahren and his carpet vanish. He flies forward, silently gliding past the Drow with only the faintest of breezes in his wake. He moves further on, passing the strange area with rocks, arrows, and other bits of garbage lining the ground. He moves in, seeing the orc forces spread out around the main square. A large lagoon sits still and dark to one side. Drow also sit about. He spots the 'jail' quickly, silently floating over the stone cube that is 20 feet square, and descends 40 feet to the ground. A thin layer of web covers the top that is barely visible in the gloom except for the faintest sparkle.
?
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
FinFin will scout the area ahead of Jahren and relay anything important to Fianna who would relay it to Toc. FinFIn'll would definitely scout out the thin layer of web that is covering the top (assuming he noticed it) and inspect the area to see if perhaps it is some kind of alarm system...
If nothing in particular is discovered about the web, Fianna will ask Toc if perhaps FinFIn should disrupt the web before Jahren gets too close? The pseudo dragon could act as a distraction if disrupting the web does trigger something... (If Toc is in contact with Jahren he could ask his opinion.)
Jahren was also going to Detect Magic while approaching, which is why he asked Toc for the other spell. (Oh and did we warn Rose, or should Jahren be leery of surprising him?)
Jahren studies the spiderweb for a moment and, knowing the nature of spiders, doesn't dare touch a single thread for fear of setting off a silent alarm to such a creature. The bard makes sure no one is inside with Roz and, leaving his invisible carpet hovering above the building, uses Dimension Door to teleport down right next to Roz. No longer invisible since he cast a spell, he cups a hand around Roz's ear and whispers "we're going to teleport to above the building, and fall on my carpet." "Just be ready to grab hold and don't be alarmed." Jahren takes a breath and looks around for anything magical including Roz's gear before dismissing his Detect Magic spell. He then teleports them back above the web and the carpet, leaving them visibly exposed for a second or three. As quickly as he can, he casts his own upcast Invisibility spell on both himself and Roz, relying on Toc to continue concentrating on the carpet itself. Whispering a word of elven to the carpet, the pair speeds off back towards the group, if all goes well, that is.
(Alternate versions include taking the carpet with him while teleporting, and/or having to cast Invis. on the carpet again as well upon their exit. I figure Jahren would be well practiced with this kind of thing by now, where as I'm a bit shaky on the carpet's ability to hover invisibly without Jahren around, etc.)
(OOC: So, the carpet can be left hovering by itself in the air. However the invisibility spell is cast upon you, and not the carpet, since it only works on "creatures". But like any piece of equipment, if it leaves the presence of its invisible owner, it would become visible. But also I'd say since you cast a spell, the entire spell ends, including on any equipment. So, that leaves you with the situation of taking it with you, rather than leaving a carpet flying and visible in the air, or just leaving it visibly there. Either way, Toc realizes his spell has ended, the tendrils of magic coming apart in his mind. So, you then cast dimension door, falling onto your carpet (which is fine)....and then cast invisibility....leaving you visible and flying in the air for a terrible 6 seconds. Both spells require a verbal component, so, even though you whisper them, you also do have to make some noise when you cast the spell. So, roll stealth, 2 times.)
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
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It's early summer. The snows have melted and the weather is warm...at least the weather outside the dark forest. Here it is dark and cool during the day. Fianna and Loane both look at Chen, wondering if he's eating random, potentially poisonous berries and nuts, or something he brought with him.
Toc adds, "You shouldn't eat stuff from here, it'll have a strange affect on you."
Sergeant Coon shrugs, "Very well, you lot are leadin us back in to get Roz. And you're going to be the vanguard." He turns to his men, "22nd! Listen up! We're not leavin Roz behind. The demon is dead. Now all we have to tend with is a few orcs and drow, maybe some ettercaps, and maybe a dr....g....n." He mumbles the last word.
"What's that boss? I missed that last bit!" says a woman soldier.
Sergeant Coon scowls, "A Dragon! Ok Lace?!"
The soldier with the broken Lute speaks, "Hey, Lace....we're facin a dragon...you want to be with a man before we go to our deaths?" He grins a lewd grin.
Another soldier speaks up, "Well, Lute's clearly not refer to 'imself cause he ain't no man...."
Grins and laughs bounce between the soldiers.
Lace looks to Lute, "I'm think I'd rather be with this one over 'ere, she's got a competent look about her, I bet she knows how to play the strings better 'an you." She leers at Loane and makes an obscene gesture with her hand.
Sergeant Cowl barks, "Enough you foul mouthed idiots. These fine powerful folk are going to be vanguard. We're trailing support. For now, they give you a command, you follow it unless it countermans one of mine. Got it?" He glares at a man who is glaring at Toc and looks like he's about to say something, "Ya Rack...even the elf. You follow his orders or you get strung up for insubordination. I know, that's a big word for your little brain, but ask Kyle what it means after. Stay quiet, stay alive. You see anything suspicious, you tell me, SilverMark, or Wrath. If shit goes sideways, we head straight south this time and don't stop till you hit the road to Harrowdale. We meet at the bridge over the Duathamper. Any questions?"
Lute raises his hand. The Sergeant says, "Any non-bullcrap questions?" Lute lowers his hand.
He nods to the group, "Lead away then."
Fianna mutters a spell, and FinFin shimmers and appears to turn into a bug before flying up into the trees. Toc shakes his head, "If the enemy is using animals to spy on us, there's almost no way for us to know. It'll depend if there are any shaman among the orc or drow, which there probably are. But...luckily they'll have to move back and forth to send messages to their master, so if we don't move in a straight line we should be harder to keep tabs on. Also...." a hawk appears on his arm, which he sends into the air, "...we can have our own animals watching for strangely behaved ones."
Does anyone do anything else before you start moving? How far ahead of the 22nd do you guys stay? Everyone roll stealth and perception.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"Considering the fact I have more balls than half the men I've met..." Loane remarks, letting the comment die as the Sergeant gives his orders. She remains quiet for the rest of it, giving Chen one last look to see if he was still eating. When they head out, Loane will try to be at the front of the group unless anyone suggests otherwise. She tries to point out any spots to avoid stepping to the others if she can.
Stealth: 34
Perception: 19
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Mirica adjusted her shield, backpack, and moved after the scouts.
Stealth: 16
Perception: 30
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"How exactly is the amount of balls relevant," Fianna asks herself, puzzled. She never did notice them being overly instrumental in anything in nature, but perhaps people used them differently. She gave a shrug and moved on.
Fianna will also try to be near the front of the scouting party, but the back front. Close enough to convey any information she gleams from FinFin about their approach and the area ahead but not being the sneakiest she will be a few feet back.
Fianna would have suggested the 22nd be as far back as possible without losing sight of us. Perhaps their best scouts could be a linchpin of sorts, so as to trail us and relay messages back to the main 22nd... It's hard for a whole regiment to be sneaky.
Stealth: 15
Perception: 26
Chen stops mid-chew and glances back and forth between everyone with eyes wide. Turning away, he empties the contents of his mouth into his hand and wipes it on his tunic.
Hearing the plan, Chen suggests: Do you think that pack of orcs is still searching for us? Perhaps we should find and eliminate them first, rather than having to face them together with all the others. Perhaps even the dragon, if it's still abroad.
Stealth: 23
Perception: 18
Chen starts preparing himself mentally for battle, taking slow and deep breaths to stay calm and not lose his cool.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Stealth: 20
Perception: 24
Jahren watches the latest tear in the weave with great interest, making mental note of the remark about 30ft. He doesn't mind expending magic to close them, but would not want to permanently lose the aid of his or anyone else's magic items. He also checks the body of the dead flying demon imposter for magic items or anything else of interest.
The bard readies himself to move with the group, staying near the back and trying to ensure he can see back to the 22nd from time to time. He considers the use of invisibility or other magic to conceal them, but knows they may have a long trek ahead, well beyond the duration of many of his spells.
(sorry, busy week at work)
Toc says to Chen, "I'll have my hawk fly about searching for the orcs. If we can defeat them early, that's a good plan, but I fear they are part of the same force and have likely returned to the ruins."
The group presses on through the dark woods, with Loane well ahead of the rest of the group. Dragon flies dart about. Birds flit in the treetops. Squirrels, rats, and mice scamper amidst the bush and grass. Oversized spiders hang near the tree tops while small creeks sport toads and lizards. If indeed the enemy can use animals to spy on you, it would be near impossible to know.
FinFin, disguised as a large flying bug makes a formidable scout, zipping through the tree tops and getting a good view ahead of Loane.
The group walks for over two hours, going careful and slow as they return to the black tree, and then past it towards the ruins of the Old Elven Court. You reach near the ruins when FinFin and Loane both spot the drow, once again in amongst the trees, guarding the perimeter. As the rest of the group comes close, you count five...no....Mirica has counted another, six Drow sitting upon perches up in the nooks of trees...watching silently in your direction.
FinFin zips off past the outer watches, and flies past the strange barrier of the old city and into the ruins. Similar to last time, there are a number of drow around, as well as the orc forces that had pursued you. No green dragon is visible. In the remains of a building with it's windows covered in makeshift wooden bars, along with a doorway in the front and one in the back, and with two drow at the rear, and four at the front (though the front faces towards an open square full of enemies anyway...) FinFin spots Roz, looking a bit battered and relieved of his gear, sitting and conscious. The two story ruin is open to the sky however, though the interior looks too difficult for an average person to scale. (not to mention the Drow guards would likely hear any attempt and do something about it.)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Jahren considers his own experience to guide him on whether or not they are likely to be able to detect magic, see through invisibility, have a magical barrier up, etc. and asks Toc his opinion. In most places he could just fly in on his carpet while invisible and pluck Roz out of there, but this foe seems to be very capable.
If the party is to move in together, he offers to conceal them again with magic (Pass Without Trace) and suggests Toc or someone watch for magical alarms and traps at the same time.
Regarding the 22nd, he could at least help them slip by the perimeter scouts so they'd be in a position to help if the party runs into trouble.
Having detect magic on all the time is a chore, unless they have some arcane artifact that allows is. They are not too common though. If they're on guard and have two spell casters who can ritual cast, it's possible they're there just casting it over and over again all day long. That would be something. But, either way, it only functions within 30 feet. If you're flying above they wouldn't see you.
As for seeing through invisibility, unless they've got some demon that can do it, or a familiar such as a bat flying around (that you'd see and hear and has limited ability), you're probably pretty safe on that front.
Magical barriers? Well, those are MUCH harder to come by, and are generally visible.
So, in Jahren's experience, and Toc agrees, a flying invisible opponent is tough to deal with. Of course, if you make noise, all bets are off.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Jahren asks Toc if he could make the bard and his carpet invisible so that Jahren could concentrate on other magic for the rescue attempt, but more important asks the party if they prefer the solo rescue effort or a group effort to sneak in and take out the guards around Roz.
(("On went the party through the deep dark wood. A dragon saw the party, and the party looked good." Sorry, could not resist))
Mirica was totally fine with the solo-rescue plan: "Mass-assault can not be made quiet and the last thing we want is to attract attention of the whole camp. If you can make it quiet by yourself - all the better. Just warn the guy, so he knew it's help and not invisible demons snatching him up."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Toc nods, "Certainly, no problem. And we can send the man a message so he knows we're coming."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Jahren hops upon his flying carpet. Toc mutters a few arcane words and Jahren and his carpet vanish. He flies forward, silently gliding past the Drow with only the faintest of breezes in his wake. He moves further on, passing the strange area with rocks, arrows, and other bits of garbage lining the ground. He moves in, seeing the orc forces spread out around the main square. A large lagoon sits still and dark to one side. Drow also sit about. He spots the 'jail' quickly, silently floating over the stone cube that is 20 feet square, and descends 40 feet to the ground. A thin layer of web covers the top that is barely visible in the gloom except for the faintest sparkle.
?
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
FinFin will scout the area ahead of Jahren and relay anything important to Fianna who would relay it to Toc. FinFIn'll would definitely scout out the thin layer of web that is covering the top (assuming he noticed it) and inspect the area to see if perhaps it is some kind of alarm system...
If nothing in particular is discovered about the web, Fianna will ask Toc if perhaps FinFIn should disrupt the web before Jahren gets too close? The pseudo dragon could act as a distraction if disrupting the web does trigger something... (If Toc is in contact with Jahren he could ask his opinion.)
FinFin looks at the web. Roll Perception.
Toc is not in regular contact with Jahren, though could cast a sending spell if they needed to.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
FinFin perception: 20 (w/advantage as I assume it relies on sight, hearing and/or smell...)
Jahren was also going to Detect Magic while approaching, which is why he asked Toc for the other spell. (Oh and did we warn Rose, or should Jahren be leery of surprising him?)
Roz has been warned via a spell from SilverMark. Jahren has detect magic on. There's no particular magical auras within 30 feet of where he is.
FinFin, sees some spider webs leading from the top down the side of the building, and an Ettercap nearby hanging out, touching the webs.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
(Thanks DM!)
Jahren studies the spiderweb for a moment and, knowing the nature of spiders, doesn't dare touch a single thread for fear of setting off a silent alarm to such a creature. The bard makes sure no one is inside with Roz and, leaving his invisible carpet hovering above the building, uses Dimension Door to teleport down right next to Roz. No longer invisible since he cast a spell, he cups a hand around Roz's ear and whispers "we're going to teleport to above the building, and fall on my carpet." "Just be ready to grab hold and don't be alarmed." Jahren takes a breath and looks around for anything magical including Roz's gear before dismissing his Detect Magic spell. He then teleports them back above the web and the carpet, leaving them visibly exposed for a second or three. As quickly as he can, he casts his own upcast Invisibility spell on both himself and Roz, relying on Toc to continue concentrating on the carpet itself. Whispering a word of elven to the carpet, the pair speeds off back towards the group, if all goes well, that is.
(Alternate versions include taking the carpet with him while teleporting, and/or having to cast Invis. on the carpet again as well upon their exit. I figure Jahren would be well practiced with this kind of thing by now, where as I'm a bit shaky on the carpet's ability to hover invisibly without Jahren around, etc.)
(OOC: So, the carpet can be left hovering by itself in the air. However the invisibility spell is cast upon you, and not the carpet, since it only works on "creatures". But like any piece of equipment, if it leaves the presence of its invisible owner, it would become visible. But also I'd say since you cast a spell, the entire spell ends, including on any equipment. So, that leaves you with the situation of taking it with you, rather than leaving a carpet flying and visible in the air, or just leaving it visibly there. Either way, Toc realizes his spell has ended, the tendrils of magic coming apart in his mind. So, you then cast dimension door, falling onto your carpet (which is fine)....and then cast invisibility....leaving you visible and flying in the air for a terrible 6 seconds. Both spells require a verbal component, so, even though you whisper them, you also do have to make some noise when you cast the spell. So, roll stealth, 2 times.)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.