laid back apocalypse

"Alright Orric, whatever this thing is, it's a slippery foe. Stay on the dock and shoot at any large aquatic beast that rears its head- unless it's a crocodile, that would be our resident druid. I don't think he'd take kindly to being shot at."

Ready a crossbow attack for Orric.

Reghys meanwhile would do their best to help their friends back onto the quay and out of the water, or if they would be unable to reach that far, help in securing the ships that already made landfall.

Orric gets out of the boat and onto the landing while Reghys offers a helping hand for others to get out of their boats or water.

Xalkas and Berd currently remain in the boat(boat 1) Reghys and Orric just stepped out of. Away from the shore in their own boat(boat 2) is Ebele, Hawke and Nayreen.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

The monstrosity moves beneath the water. From either side the water raises high, rushing off two large pinchers which come down onto the boats. 

On Boat 1 (12/12hp)
Attack: 13 Damage: 14 

On Boat 2 (12/12hp)
Attack: 16 Damage: 8 

The first claw comes down between Reghys and Xalkas, completely obliterating the first half of their boat. Xalkas and Berd would have to act quickly to get onto shore or they will sink into the water.

As for the second boat, the claw completely obliterates it, sending Ebele, Hawke and Nayreen into the dark stream along with sharp chunks of splintered wood.

(of course rolls boogered on my edit… First was 10hp and the other was a crit.)

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Roll Call: T’chal, Xalkas and Hawke

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker scrambles backwards suddenly, splashing water everywhere as he sees the boats he was JUST on get smashed by giant claws. AAARRHH!! WATER IS EVIL!!!!  He scrabbles away and eventually gets to his feet, pulling his crossbow off his back.  He fires a crossbow bolt at whatever bit of claw he can see....or if he can't see any, he will READY his shot, to fire at the first bit of monster to emerge above water. 

Attack with magical crossbow: 17 Damage: 12

Anya meanwhile looks with a bit of distaste at the tiefling, his tied off bat wings tucked against his back as he scrabbles backwards and aims his crossbow. Looking surprisingly calm under pressure, the woman jumps forward and reaches for Nayreen, "Nayreen....grab my hand!"  She attempts to pull her friend ashore. Athletics if required:  22

Thuk!

It was just the tip, but T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's bolt burrowed into the claw. Something beneath the water screeched in fury.

Meanwhile, Anya's as cool as a cucumber amongst the chaos that surrounds her at the waters edge. Spotting Nayreen emerging from beneath the only intact boat and gasping for a breath, Anya swiftly acts and reaches for her, wrapping a strong arm around her waist. Meeting no resistance from her teammate, Anya hoists her out of the dark river to safety.

Map Update

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Roll Call: Xalkas and Hawke

(Happy Holidays [again]! Please continue to enjoy your time with loved ones. Take your time, or if you'd like to message me with a general idea of what your character would do for botting, I'd be happy to take this round for you. I'll create Nayreen and any of the other remaining assistants within the coming day or so. Cherri: If you find yourself inspired to do anything with Nayreen, please feel free to write for her or share your thoughts with me. Otherwise I'll assume writing for her while things settle :) For this round I'm assuming she's using her movement and getting to safety.)

(*walks in a few weeks late with Starbucks* Happy Holidays my loves <3 Sorry for being MIA for so long! I'm still going to be relatively busy these upcoming weeks, but I'll do my best to stay involved and on top of things in the RP world. Thank you Ixi for all the botting <3 For right now, if you don't mind, please keep control of Nayreen! I'll let you know if I want to do anything with her in the future though c:)

I don't think an SR was rolled for Hawke, so here's the roll! 8

Hawke expected this boat ride to be smooth sailing, but with this group of adventurers? No way! Whatever it was that had been giving them trouble was adamant on wrecking their boats and maybe grabbing one of them as a tasty meal. Like Hells he was going to let that happen!

With his head out of the water, the druid scans the water to take account of who was still in the water and who was in the most danger (in his opinion). His gaze then locks onto Ebele. "I gotcha, Belle! Watch your feet!" Hawke takes a deep breath and dives in, shifting into a crocodile once again and swims under her (using action to disengage if need be!), rising her up, similar to that time before at the docks, before taking her to safety.

(Just to make it easier for you jhgfjr
Bonus Action - Wild Shape
Action - Disengage from creature
Movement - Get to Ebele and get her to the boat/dock area where everyone else is (not sure if the area to the left is a wall or not-- sorry! Let me know if I need to explain more!)

"I can't see them!" Ebele would chime back while treading water. She wouldn't panic when she'd feel a hearty croc rise between her legs and lift her from the water. The monk would be led over, eventually finding footing on the landing.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Roll call: Xalkas, Reghys and Kerric!

Reghys suddenly has a flash of inspiration and grabs into their bag and pulls out the driftglobe and quickly looks around for a large pebble, before muttering the command word and casting daylight through the driftglobe and onto the pebble, before throwing that into the water, hopefully illuminating the waters and the beast from below. Having done so, they turn to Orric:"Keep that thing in your sights, but only shoot if you get a clear shot, no use injuring our own!" They then shout to all remaining non-aquatic allies in the water: "Try to reach us and come out of the water! That...thing is most dangerous in its own domain!" Looking to the crocodile, they add: "I believe, it's feeding time for you!"

Kerric:

OOC:  This post assumes XB have gotten off the vulnerable boat and onto the landing.  If they have not , Kerric may do something else.

”Everyone ashore!” calls the elven warrior, following his own advice and scrambling up onto the landing.  Drawing his elven curved blade, he stands at the edge of the landing and holds his sword at the ready, prepared to slice any claws coming towards his allies.

Readied Action to Attack:

Xalkas and Berd do their best to get off the boat and make their way to shore. (Using all movement and dash action is necessary. If an action is still available, both will take the dodge action)

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Berd outstretches his arm and raises his middle finger, indicating he was initiating Objective 2. "Keep Master Paper Gnome Safe." He scoops Xalkas up, hoisting him over his shoulder and makes a beeline for drier land. Big baddy beast bolsters big boy Berd. Brute bursts, busting by boat bits and bosom buddy Lathna, bringing bookworm to the back.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Collecting herself at the waters edge, Ebele felt very much like a drenched lab rat. In an unfamiliar surrounding, she was fairly confused and disoriented from what just happened. The blonde felt some irritation begin to bubble to the surface. Bringing her hands to her face, she wanted nothing more but to rip away her disadvantage. Breathe Belle... She'd hear the words in her head, whether she imagined them being said to her or not, the monk listened. Stealing a moment to herself, Ebele would breathe to try and center herself. Whether it was nudged her way or not, she felt something lapping at the waters edge, hitting her heel. Turning herself around, she'd pick it up.

Feeling the familiarity of the wood in her hands, Ebele would recognize it to her staff. She'd harden and refocus. With a few warm up twirls and twists of her staff, she'd fall into a stance. The furrowing of her brow and crease of her forehead showed she was determined. "Alright." The blonde would crack her neck side to side and raise her staff high into the air, "Here fishy fishy!" And brings it down, slamming it onto the water to create a loud spank and splash, hoping to bait the creature her way.

Master Baiter!?
Trying to taunt using

Action: Persuasion 22 vs Insight: 1
Bonus Action (1 ki): Patient Defense - Dodge

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Reghys takes the opportunity to pull a page out of Hawke's book, they search for a perfect pebble! Once found, they'd whisper sweet nothings that'd light up it's life. Indeed it was bright and vibrant! Almost relieving when the satyr would toss it into the dark depths of the river. The rock would sink to the bottom, successfully lighting up a section of the water below. Although a bit distorted by the turbulent water, it illuminates the beast within, casting a dramatic shadow at the same time, giving it an added sinister feel.

(How Chuul is he, eh?)
(Successful roll would still apply to recognize the beast.)

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Kerric can comfortably confirm, all comrades close and counted. Crawke included. Therefore the elven warrior prepares to unleash a series of attacks against the incoming threat.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

The water churns as the mass abruptly lurches forward. At the first sight of the claws closing in within his range, Kerric releases his readied attacks. Large pincer claws break the surface of the water first, charging ahead to lash out at some of the scattering prey.

(Determined by Ebele's baiting: Success > Failure)

On Ebele > Anya
Attack: 23 Damage: 16 
     Attack DA if on Ebele: 22

On Kerric > Lathna
Attack: 8 Damage: 9

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Roll Call: Everyone!
(Still rolling it out based off of initiatives unless actions are specified as readied etc.)

Kerric/Lathna:

Gritting his teeth and blocking the massive claw coming in at him with an angled blade to lessen the impact, Kerric shudders at the power of this overgrown lobster.  Calling to Lathna, he says, "What is that thing?  Shoot it if you have a clear shot!"

Lathna considers Kerric's question, then takes a few more steps away from the creature and fires her crossbow at it (If she is in its range, she will instead disengage and move to an advantageous location for a shot next round).

Nature to identify:  18

Crossbow (if applicable): Attack: 9 Damage: 9

Meanwhile, Kerric stands directly in front of the creature and guards his allies, slashing twice with his gleaming Elven Curved Blade and preparing to parry should one of its claws connect with him.

Elven Curved Blade Attack:  Attack: 15 Damage: 9 

Elven Curved Blade Attack:  Attack: 22 Damage: 14 

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker looks at the horrific watery terror with wide eyes. Nature: 13  

"I don't know, but shoot it, shoot it until it dies or runs away!" 

He fires another crossbow bolt at the massive claw as he tries to get further back away from the water. 

Attack: 11 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Anya stands nearby. It looks like she'd prefer to be up next to Kerric but glances at the tiefling that is supposed to be teaching her and decides to do as she's told...for now.  She also fires a crossbow bolt at the thing.

Attack: 9 Damage: 6

After ensuring Belle was safely grounded, and getting some very encouraging words from Reghys, Crawke brings his attention to the now illuminated crab! ... thing! 

Nature: 15

Without thinking too much into it though, the druid tries to strike the creature with his jaws of steel!

Attack: 15 Damage: 5
Bardic on attack roll: 6
If hit, the target is grappled (escape DC 12), and until the grapple ends, the target is also restrained!

Having completely missed it's targets, the monstrous aberration screeches in furry. Slippery suckers keep escaping it's grips! With half of it's form visible above water and still clearly below, the Argent Alliance begin their barrage.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker pierces the beast with his bolt and Anya follows up with one just as impressive for an assistant.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Meanwhile Hawke hooks around to try biting it in the ass! It was a hard one. But with a little wiggle of inspiration from Reghys, Crawke crunches through. Hmm. Tastes like Chuul!

ST(DC12): 9

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Lathna moves to a safe distance, firing off a shot that just catches a weakpoint in the creatures natural armour. Kerric cuts in next.

Initiative
E | RO | KL | C | TA | XB | HN

Roll Call: Xalkas and Reghys
Pending: Kerric may roll advantage on the first attack if it fails it's ST and is restrained by Hawke.

Kerric:

Advantage on first attack:  24

Reghys, regaining confidence in their own plans seeing that the daylight spell did the trick that faerie fire failed to do, they top Orric on the shoulder,  "Watch this! Gets'em every time", before stepping closer to the water's edge.

"Hey Ugly! If anything, T is the master of claw-ses!"

"You're so ugly we're all happy you never got the confidence to get out of your shell!"

Xalkas racks his brain trying to recall any information he can about the creature before him. Then…

Nature: 12

A shimmering green arrow streaks towards this large overgrown crab and bursts in a spray of acid. Acid Arrow

Attack: 12 Damage: 12 (plus 5 acid damage at the end of its turn on a hit. If it doesn’t hit, it still takes half on the initial 4d4 acid damage. Assuming I read it correctly)

Xalkas turns to Berd and gives him “the bird”. Berd understands the assignment and charges the crustacean with a yell, (BA: Rage) short swords drawn. He swings with one of the blades at the creature.

Attack: 23 Damage: 9

Xalkas easily identifies the creature, securing himself the most accurate of attacks. The gnome releases a green arrow that pierces the chuul at a critical point in its neck, showering it in acid. It barely has time to rear in pain as it's lifespan is cut, causing its monstrous carcass to fall back into the stream with a dramatic splash.

Initiative Over

Berd stands at the edge of the water, breathing heavily, as the rush of combat begins to subside. Xalkas peers around him into the water where the creature feel with quite a splash.

”Do you think there’s anymore of those things in there?” He inquires timidly, despite having slain the beast. Or at least he thinks he has…

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker looks at the large expanse of water before them, "Yes, undoubtedly.  Pull that last boat up so we don't get stranded down here."   He points at Anya who slings her crossbow carefully and then heads to the water to pull the boat up onto the landing.

Meanwhile the Tiefling, glancing at the water with distrust, begins taking off his clothes. He goes about switching to a dry pair of clothes where he can, and otherwise uses a bit of magic to dry and clean his clothing off.  He checks on his other gear, drying and cleaning it before making a note in his ledgers.  

He glances at Anya, "Good job, way to uh, keep your head and such."  

He glances down the passage behind him.