(OOC: controlling mounts - let’s say that continuing the same movement maneuver as the prior round requires no action, and this includes slight turns to avoid obstacles. Major turns, jumps, twists, etc, would require an action and a control roll. For dashing, so far the “Chase” rules we used before haven’t come into effect. If they do, I’ll let you know. For now, no “double-dashes.”)
(OOC: Noted - Ednyss’ first attack against M6, not M1.)
Round 1 Results
Auger’s twin blasts both strike as he passes between and below the flyers, damaging both with the bright force beams, and sending them careening 10’ in opposite directions. But their neighbors quickly angle their wingtips and drop or rise a foot or two in mid-air to avoid collisions, and the two blasted creatures regain their orientation and their dust clouds grow again to propel them up and onwards.
Ednyss’ guiding bolt shines and engulfs M6 in an outline of yellow-orange radiance, overwhelming the creature, which explodes in death, sending sizzling lava-like fragments in all directions. The other flyers react, not in fear or anger, but with great interest and excitement, and you hear a squealing, exhilarated crescendo in their croaking interchanges.
As Varielky coaxes the four tawekki forward in tandem, Benita breaks hard left, up the sand dune embankment. She pulls briskly on her right rein and blows her whistle furiously, while cutting left and pushing off with her legs exactly as she reaches the top of the dune, springing upwards in a corkscrew, and, hangs beneath her airborne board, now 15’ above the dune, and slams it into one of the creatures, knocking it out of the air to thump into the sand. Benita finishes her maneuver and lands on the near slope, reversing her reins and closing with the party again.
The flyers pass quickly overhead and disappear to left and right over the peaks of intervening dunes, their excitement still obvious. The creature Benita wounded picks itself up and joins the other flyers.
You continue onwards, maintaining speed, seeing only the tip of a wing or an eye peek over dunes to either side as the creatures slowly move ahead of you once again -- their appearance too fleeting to target while they overtake you. A minute has passed when they once again bank over the dunes and come around to face you head on. You may act first in this second game of chicken. They come in lower this time, only 10’ above the sand.
Seeing himself with only limited opportunities to strike, Auger senses that timing is key. He waits and waits and when the moment is right, as the flying creatures come into range he reaches into the Sea of Stars, sending the air briefly away from their area and then quickly releasing it, the air returns in a thunderous clap.
Auger
Action: Casts Shatter centered on M7 (or space T12), hopefully catching M5 and M8 in the process.
Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a DC17 CON saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw. Damage: 7
Move: Optimally the Move/Dash action for the Tawekkis should happen after the strike.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Ednyss sends another wave of necrotic energy at one of the now injured flyers. As the energy washes over the creature, Ednyss pivots hard to the left and slips behind Auger and Varielky's boards so that he can pass under the injured group instead of the healthy one. Ednyss follows up by summoning his spectral shield near another flyer and attempts to bat it out of the air with the spiritual weapon.
Action: Cast Toll the Dead M7 must make a DC 17 Wisdom Saving Throw or take 9 Necrotic Damage
(That's more or less what I thought, though Varielky probably would try to cut them down, or grab them, rather than knock them down.)
"Just don't exhaust yourselves. There's no telling what we'll face where were headed. It was enough to stop the Azhvuv - remember?" Varielky shouts to the others, then continues to focus on the road, as well as to avoid any attacks, if any are made against her.
Auger’s shatter spell smashes M8, which, hurt by Benita in the prior face-off, explodes, sending lava-hot flesh in all directions. The other creatures squeal in interested excitement. M5 and M7 evade the brunt of the attack yet M5, which Auger smashed before with a force bolt, is in bad shape. he warlock’s left foot pulls free of its loose binding, and it will take an action to try to fasten it tightly (DEX vs DC 10 to succeed). Meanwhile, Auger pulls firmly on Varielky’s belt to keep his balance, and the double-wide board threatens to lose its cohesion and swerves left then right.
Ednyss’toll the dead assaults M7, with the result that the outer edges of the creature’s body blacken as if from mold, but it flies on, squawking weakly. The war cleric’s radiant shield appears in the air and smashes M5, which ricochets upwards and bursts into a shower of lava-hot morsels which plop down just behind Ednyss as he passes. The other flyers give a croaking cheer.
Varielky has her hands full steering the two boards under her while Auger’s hold on her belt as his left foot flies free of its binding threatens to tip her over (roll control again to hold steady).
Benita slaloms on her board, evading attacks.
The remaining creatures bear straight down on each of you, inhaling deeply and at the last moment, blowing out a cone of scalding hot sand from their leathery beaks. (OOC: I rolled your DEX 10 saves, twice. The first time didn’t show up before I calculated the results, so you guys are lucky!). You all manage to close your eyes and bury your faces in your shoulders or raise a gloved hand to shield your eyes from being blinded for one minute by the scalding hot emission.
The flyers immediately pull up into a steep climb then roll and follow you, with three of them clustered 5’ above Varielky and Auger, and one each above Ednyss and Benita, their sharp talons reaching forward and threatening to push you off your boards or slash your upper bodies. Thus, you are now all engaged in melee as the tawekki surge forward and you gain distance on the giant, now almost one half mile behind you.
"I'm coming loose!" Auger yells and with the sand quickly passing under him and his precarious position with Varielky in jeopardy, he works to simply put his foot back in the binding with one hand while madly holding on to Varielky's belt with the other. (DEX Save: 7)
Seeing three of bird-things upon them he adds, "Strike with caution, they appear to explode upon death!"
Control Roll: 11 (advantage because it's the first roll since she made the stunt of joining with Auger). If she's still up...
Varielky can't just drive and nothing more. She has to do something. A crazy idea comes to her. It might not work, but she's struggling to keep steady with Auger this way anyhow. She waits for a moment where the ground in front of her has nothing she needs to manoeuvre around, and then she acts.
OOC: I guess there are like a thousand ways this can go wrong, but here are her intentions:
Varielky brings all reins to one hand. She might not be able to control the Tawekki this way, but if she can manage to not fall for just a few seconds, that is all she'll need. Once her hand is free, she quickly reaches backwards, trying to hold Auger's leg while he tries to fasten the loose binding. Then, after a moment, when she feels she must use her hand again to steer the Tawekki - hopefully after Auger managed to bind his leg - Varielky leaves his leg and reaches for the reins again. As she does that, however, she makes a wide arc with her hand. As she does that, she makes the motion of clenching a sword, to summon the sword, which suddenly strikes at the birds around her, which she hopes will get frightened by the sudden appearance of a sword. Then, sort of reluctantly letting go of the sword, which falls to the sands, Varielky takes hold of the reins with both hands again.
I'm not really sure what will it take to do the manoeuvre with the reins. If it takes an action, Varielky will do it instead of attacking. Otherwise, this is how I hope it works:
No Action?/Free Action: Bring the reins together on one hand. If a Control roll is needed: 22. Action: Help Auger bind his leg. If, for some reason, she needs an Athletics roll to grab his leg (sort of like grappling, I guess): 17. Action Surge: Attack the birds around, using Menacing Attack manoeuvre for each strike. The sword materializes in her hand with no action, if I remember correctly. Attack vs M2: 20 Damage: 19. If it hits and they're alive, they must succeed a DC 15 Wis save or be frightened of Varielky until the end of her next turn. Attack vs M3: 28 Damage: 14. If it hits and they're alive, they must succeed a DC 15 Wis save or be frightened of Varielky until the end of her next turn. No Action/Free Action/Action that replaces the attacks: Grab the reins with both hands again, ready to continue driving the conjoined boards.
Ednyss realizes that his spiritual weapon is too far away to aid him with his own attacker, so he commands it to attack the one flyer that Varielky wasn't able to hit, and then focuses his energy to send a death toll at the flyer that is above his own board. As he does so, he slows down and tries to maneuver behind Varielky and Auger so that should one of them fall off, the dwarf might be able to catch them on his own board, or maybe even help them get back on their own board.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Round 3 Results
Auger tries and fails to fasten his bindings, and is wrenched backwards, taking 2 damage as one arm falls into the sand and is jammed between the two boards.
Varielky grasps four reins in one strong hand, and, her legs aching from controlling the four tawekki, two boards, and herself and Auger, she takes 4 damage as she feels her muscles strain and tear with effort. But she grabs Auger, pulls him up, and he is back on his feet, yet the binding is still loose, when the moment comes that Varielky is forced to turn forward to steer the tawekki away from a depression in the sand. As she does so, striking out with her red-steel blade with disadvantage at the strange birds, she still manages to slay two of them. However, they burst in death, and bits of their hot lava flesh splatter her and Auger’s face, then run into their eyes, threatening to blind you both. Varielky sees it coming and turns her head, but Auger, one arm flailing, is taken by surprise, and is blinded for 1 minute by the hot, grainy blood. (A blinded creature can repeat the saving throw on each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.)
Ednyss’ floating shield smashes into M4, which explodes too, and this one blinds Varielky as she turns away from the two flyers exploding in front of her. (A blinded creature can repeat the saving throw on each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.) The dwarf then brings his board up beside Varielky and Auger to help steady them, and manages to keep them from falling
Benita takes both reins in one hand, squats on her board, and springs up while whipping her rapier out of its scabbard and around, slicing one wing off of M7, and it flops down and explodes behind her. She manages to avoid the scalding lava-like flesh and maintains her balance, and closes on the other side of Varielky and Auger, holding up Auger.
Miraculously, no one falls of of their boards, even after having been blinded.
The remaining flyers, M1 and M3, land near the fallen ones, you see over your shoulders, and do a strange, joyful whooping dance, and then slowly lift off and wing away, back in the direction you came. The giant is no longer visible, and you have escaped from the desert creatures. A minute later, Auger and Varielky succeed in wiping the scalding blood from their faces, and their vision returns. You take a break after another few minutes, once you are sure you are not being pursued, switch back to one board per person, and continue on.
____
After another hour of travel, you see a tall red-stone arch peek over the farthest dunes, farther south than you had expected, but it is hard to keep your bearings based only on the sun.
As you approach, you see an oasis, a lake perhaps 300’ feet across, with a red-stone arch in its center. Palm trees and other plant life grow abundantly around the perimeter, and you see a pair of camels drink from the oasis then walk quietly away.
You find a nook in the underbrush where you can stow your boards, and tie the tawekki with long ropes attached to their harnesses. Benita tells you that they are docile and will remain in place, but will come no closer to the water.
Carefully and stealthily approaching the oasis, you stop at the water’s edge, hidden from view, and see that there is a large opening in the rock-face, 10’ above the surface of the water, and out of it pours a steady stream of clear water. Standing at the edge of the entrance is a human in desert garb - dun-colored sewn pants, an off-white kaftan, and brown scarves over head and face, holding a heavy crossbow, while a glaive leans against the wall nearby. He seems to be on guard, and every minute or so carefully scans his surroundings, but seems to have missed your approach.
An ancient, enormous giant’s skull, seemingly composed of calcified stone, rests partially exposed above the surface of the water. (To keep us on track, I will reveal that it is completely inert and merely a decorative detail of the landscape. It does however provide some cover from the eyes of the guard.)
If you would like to take a short rest before approaching the oasis, you may. You arrive at the oasis just before noon, or just before 1 bell if you take a short rest.
Ednyss will use Harness Divine Power to Expend Channel Divinity and Regain a Level 2 Spell slot Ednyss recovers his Channel Divinity after the Short Rest
Approach:
"The guard is within range of some of my spells. But do we want to try a peaceful approach first?" Ednyss turns to quietly ask the others.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: A short rest seems like a good idea for Auger and perhaps Varielky. Short Rest: 1 hit die: 7)
During the rest
Auger turns to the team, "Your physical feats truly are masterful. I thank you all for helping me. I doubt I would have lived through that on my own. Now if we can hold a moment we can perhaps learn something of Strewn."
Auger summons Py to his pocket dimension and then brings him to the team where they rest. Assuming Py arrives, Auger asks, "How is Strewn Py? Did you find him? Will we be able to win his freedom? Answer for all to hear."
Approaching the arch
Auger says to the others, "This guard is well-placed. Even if I made any of us invisible, the water could still signal an approach. Its conceivable I could hide my own movements in the water if it is shallow, while invisible, but it would be chancy. At any rate I can send Py in to see what is going on. What do you all think?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Well, seems like you both chose short rest. Hope it won't make us late...)
Before starting the short rest, Varielky will use her Second Wind to heal (minimum heal is more than enough to bring her to max HP). She must be ready in case something happens during the rest. Fortunately, the rest seems to have passed peacefully.
When they see the guard, Varielky stops moving. She's not the best at hiding, normally, but it seems this place where she's standing is a good hiding spot from the guard. "I'd say an arrow to the head would make the most efficient solution, but I don't suppose any of you brought a bow with you, just in case?" Not that Varielky was an amazing archer, but she trained with bows a little, in the past. "I usually hate such tactics, but if the guard calls others, it will make it all much more complicated. I've also learnt my lessons during the attack on the Orcs' camp. I don't think you should tire yourself with magic either. We shouldn't attack if we're not sure we can take him out in a single strike." She studies the area, thinking of a plan. "Perhaps we can climb the rock, then walk on top of it, climb down and reach the guard?" There's a worried look on her face. Something else is bothering her, but she doesn't say it.
"At any rate I can send Py in to see what is going on, but I would have to take an hour to carve some wood into the proper form. What do you all think?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: If we were taking a short rest, could Auger have cast the spell then? I'm not sure how casting times + resting work... But we did spend an hour taking a short rest so this way we wouldn't have to waste twice as much time.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(OOC: If we were taking a short rest, could Auger have cast the spell then?
Auger would not be able to simultaneously short rest and cast find familiar. “A Short Rest is a period of downtime, at least 1 hour long, during which a character does nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, and tending to wounds.”
Py’s simply crafted form comes to life, and the fey alyasub flutters its wings, stretches its body, and looks around to take in its location.
‘Hello, master,’ it sends. When asked about the Poppy Citadel, it responds, ‘I circled the exterior, and tried to enter the ground-level back doors, for there were many people rushing in and out, bringing in food and supplies for a feast, it seemed. I waited for someone to come through, and before the door could shut, I invisibly glided within. But at that moment, my form was destroyed. I think by magic. I wonder if the palace is guarded by magical wards, such as we saw in Hyewush.’
When sent to invisibly scout out the arch, Py returns after fifteen minutes, and describes this view of the interior. I have simplified compass directions vis-a-vis north/south. Some notes on the interior:
-The waterfall originates from nothing. It seems to flow over the lip of the flat cave floor from some kind of spring, but there is no spring. One would guess it is an illusion.
-Underneath the waterfall is concealed a ladder to a rowboat which is tied to a steel ring fastened to the edge of the cave floor.
-The blue orb gives off a subtle magical light.
-The south (back) wall of the cave contains wide, heavy double-doors. Py is not strong enough to move them.
-You are not sure, but you think there was a change of guard while you retreated from the lake’s edge to gather your energies.
-I was mistaken in my prior post: the guard was not wearing armor, and the current guard, whether or not a different person, for he is dressed and equipped just the same, likewise. I have corrected the post.
How deep is the water? LOOKS TO BE 20’ DEEP AT THE CENTER.
Do we think we can wade through it or will we be swimming across? SWIM
The cave entrance. If we somehow got above it can we drop down into the entrance area? THE OPENING IS 20’ HIGH, THE TOP OF THE ROCK, ANOTHER 20’. BENITA THINKS SHE COULD, PROBABLY, WITHOUT BREAKING ANY BONES BUT MIGHT HURT.
And while Py was in the cave, how noisy was the (illusionary?) waterfall? Will activities in the cave transfer sound very well? EXACTLY LIKE A 10’ WATERFALL. NOT A LOT OF SOUND: FLAT WHITE NOISE.
(OOC: controlling mounts - let’s say that continuing the same movement maneuver as the prior round requires no action, and this includes slight turns to avoid obstacles. Major turns, jumps, twists, etc, would require an action and a control roll. For dashing, so far the “Chase” rules we used before haven’t come into effect. If they do, I’ll let you know. For now, no “double-dashes.”)
(OOC: Noted - Ednyss’ first attack against M6, not M1.)
Round 1 Results
Auger’s twin blasts both strike as he passes between and below the flyers, damaging both with the bright force beams, and sending them careening 10’ in opposite directions. But their neighbors quickly angle their wingtips and drop or rise a foot or two in mid-air to avoid collisions, and the two blasted creatures regain their orientation and their dust clouds grow again to propel them up and onwards.
Ednyss’ guiding bolt shines and engulfs M6 in an outline of yellow-orange radiance, overwhelming the creature, which explodes in death, sending sizzling lava-like fragments in all directions. The other flyers react, not in fear or anger, but with great interest and excitement, and you hear a squealing, exhilarated crescendo in their croaking interchanges.
As Varielky coaxes the four tawekki forward in tandem, Benita breaks hard left, up the sand dune embankment. She pulls briskly on her right rein and blows her whistle furiously, while cutting left and pushing off with her legs exactly as she reaches the top of the dune, springing upwards in a corkscrew, and, hangs beneath her airborne board, now 15’ above the dune, and slams it into one of the creatures, knocking it out of the air to thump into the sand. Benita finishes her maneuver and lands on the near slope, reversing her reins and closing with the party again.
The flyers pass quickly overhead and disappear to left and right over the peaks of intervening dunes, their excitement still obvious. The creature Benita wounded picks itself up and joins the other flyers.
You continue onwards, maintaining speed, seeing only the tip of a wing or an eye peek over dunes to either side as the creatures slowly move ahead of you once again -- their appearance too fleeting to target while they overtake you. A minute has passed when they once again bank over the dunes and come around to face you head on. You may act first in this second game of chicken. They come in lower this time, only 10’ above the sand.
You are now situated like so.
Please Post your Round 2 Actions.
(Any flyers remaining alive will be able to attack before you pass under them.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Seeing himself with only limited opportunities to strike, Auger senses that timing is key. He waits and waits and when the moment is right, as the flying creatures come into range he reaches into the Sea of Stars, sending the air briefly away from their area and then quickly releasing it, the air returns in a thunderous clap.
Auger
Action: Casts Shatter centered on M7 (or space T12), hopefully catching M5 and M8 in the process.
Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a DC17 CON saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw. Damage: 7
Move: Optimally the Move/Dash action for the Tawekkis should happen after the strike.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Ednyss sends another wave of necrotic energy at one of the now injured flyers. As the energy washes over the creature, Ednyss pivots hard to the left and slips behind Auger and Varielky's boards so that he can pass under the injured group instead of the healthy one. Ednyss follows up by summoning his spectral shield near another flyer and attempts to bat it out of the air with the spiritual weapon.
Action: Cast Toll the Dead
M7 must make a DC 17 Wisdom Saving Throw or take 9 Necrotic Damage
Bonus Action: Cast Spiritual Weapon (Located at 13Q)
(Against M5) Attack: 12 Damage: 12
Move: After Action this Turn (Control Mount: 17)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(That's more or less what I thought, though Varielky probably would try to cut them down, or grab them, rather than knock them down.)
"Just don't exhaust yourselves. There's no telling what we'll face where were headed. It was enough to stop the Azhvuv - remember?" Varielky shouts to the others, then continues to focus on the road, as well as to avoid any attacks, if any are made against her.
Varielky
Aug 11
Edn 20
Var 15
Round 2 Results
Auger’s shatter spell smashes M8, which, hurt by Benita in the prior face-off, explodes, sending lava-hot flesh in all directions. The other creatures squeal in interested excitement. M5 and M7 evade the brunt of the attack yet M5, which Auger smashed before with a force bolt, is in bad shape. he warlock’s left foot pulls free of its loose binding, and it will take an action to try to fasten it tightly (DEX vs DC 10 to succeed). Meanwhile, Auger pulls firmly on Varielky’s belt to keep his balance, and the double-wide board threatens to lose its cohesion and swerves left then right.
Ednyss’ toll the dead assaults M7, with the result that the outer edges of the creature’s body blacken as if from mold, but it flies on, squawking weakly. The war cleric’s radiant shield appears in the air and smashes M5, which ricochets upwards and bursts into a shower of lava-hot morsels which plop down just behind Ednyss as he passes. The other flyers give a croaking cheer.
Varielky has her hands full steering the two boards under her while Auger’s hold on her belt as his left foot flies free of its binding threatens to tip her over (roll control again to hold steady).
Benita slaloms on her board, evading attacks.
The remaining creatures bear straight down on each of you, inhaling deeply and at the last moment, blowing out a cone of scalding hot sand from their leathery beaks. (OOC: I rolled your DEX 10 saves, twice. The first time didn’t show up before I calculated the results, so you guys are lucky!). You all manage to close your eyes and bury your faces in your shoulders or raise a gloved hand to shield your eyes from being blinded for one minute by the scalding hot emission.
The flyers immediately pull up into a steep climb then roll and follow you, with three of them clustered 5’ above Varielky and Auger, and one each above Ednyss and Benita, their sharp talons reaching forward and threatening to push you off your boards or slash your upper bodies. Thus, you are now all engaged in melee as the tawekki surge forward and you gain distance on the giant, now almost one half mile behind you.
You are now situated like so.
Please post Round 3 actions.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"I'm coming loose!" Auger yells and with the sand quickly passing under him and his precarious position with Varielky in jeopardy, he works to simply put his foot back in the binding with one hand while madly holding on to Varielky's belt with the other. (DEX Save: 7)
Seeing three of bird-things upon them he adds, "Strike with caution, they appear to explode upon death!"
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Control Roll: 11 (advantage because it's the first roll since she made the stunt of joining with Auger).
If she's still up...
Varielky can't just drive and nothing more. She has to do something. A crazy idea comes to her. It might not work, but she's struggling to keep steady with Auger this way anyhow. She waits for a moment where the ground in front of her has nothing she needs to manoeuvre around, and then she acts.
OOC: I guess there are like a thousand ways this can go wrong, but here are her intentions:
Varielky brings all reins to one hand. She might not be able to control the Tawekki this way, but if she can manage to not fall for just a few seconds, that is all she'll need. Once her hand is free, she quickly reaches backwards, trying to hold Auger's leg while he tries to fasten the loose binding. Then, after a moment, when she feels she must use her hand again to steer the Tawekki - hopefully after Auger managed to bind his leg - Varielky leaves his leg and reaches for the reins again. As she does that, however, she makes a wide arc with her hand. As she does that, she makes the motion of clenching a sword, to summon the sword, which suddenly strikes at the birds around her, which she hopes will get frightened by the sudden appearance of a sword. Then, sort of reluctantly letting go of the sword, which falls to the sands, Varielky takes hold of the reins with both hands again.
Varielky
Ednyss realizes that his spiritual weapon is too far away to aid him with his own attacker, so he commands it to attack the one flyer that Varielky wasn't able to hit, and then focuses his energy to send a death toll at the flyer that is above his own board. As he does so, he slows down and tries to maneuver behind Varielky and Auger so that should one of them fall off, the dwarf might be able to catch them on his own board, or maybe even help them get back on their own board.
Bonus Action: Command Spiritual Weapon
(Against M4) Attack: 15 Damage: 9
Action: Cast Toll the Dead
M1 must make a DC17 Wisdom Save or take 8 Necrotic Damage
Move: Behind Auger and Varielky, and following them (Control Mount: 30)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Round 3 Results
Auger tries and fails to fasten his bindings, and is wrenched backwards, taking 2 damage as one arm falls into the sand and is jammed between the two boards.
Varielky grasps four reins in one strong hand, and, her legs aching from controlling the four tawekki, two boards, and herself and Auger, she takes 4 damage as she feels her muscles strain and tear with effort. But she grabs Auger, pulls him up, and he is back on his feet, yet the binding is still loose, when the moment comes that Varielky is forced to turn forward to steer the tawekki away from a depression in the sand. As she does so, striking out with her red-steel blade with disadvantage at the strange birds, she still manages to slay two of them. However, they burst in death, and bits of their hot lava flesh splatter her and Auger’s face, then run into their eyes, threatening to blind you both. Varielky sees it coming and turns her head, but Auger, one arm flailing, is taken by surprise, and is blinded for 1 minute by the hot, grainy blood. (A blinded creature can repeat the saving throw on each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.)
Ednyss’ floating shield smashes into M4, which explodes too, and this one blinds Varielky as she turns away from the two flyers exploding in front of her. (A blinded creature can repeat the saving throw on each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.) The dwarf then brings his board up beside Varielky and Auger to help steady them, and manages to keep them from falling
Benita takes both reins in one hand, squats on her board, and springs up while whipping her rapier out of its scabbard and around, slicing one wing off of M7, and it flops down and explodes behind her. She manages to avoid the scalding lava-like flesh and maintains her balance, and closes on the other side of Varielky and Auger, holding up Auger.
Miraculously, no one falls of of their boards, even after having been blinded.
The remaining flyers, M1 and M3, land near the fallen ones, you see over your shoulders, and do a strange, joyful whooping dance, and then slowly lift off and wing away, back in the direction you came. The giant is no longer visible, and you have escaped from the desert creatures. A minute later, Auger and Varielky succeed in wiping the scalding blood from their faces, and their vision returns. You take a break after another few minutes, once you are sure you are not being pursued, switch back to one board per person, and continue on.
____
After another hour of travel, you see a tall red-stone arch peek over the farthest dunes, farther south than you had expected, but it is hard to keep your bearings based only on the sun.
As you approach, you see an oasis, a lake perhaps 300’ feet across, with a red-stone arch in its center. Palm trees and other plant life grow abundantly around the perimeter, and you see a pair of camels drink from the oasis then walk quietly away.
You find a nook in the underbrush where you can stow your boards, and tie the tawekki with long ropes attached to their harnesses. Benita tells you that they are docile and will remain in place, but will come no closer to the water.
Carefully and stealthily approaching the oasis, you stop at the water’s edge, hidden from view, and see that there is a large opening in the rock-face, 10’ above the surface of the water, and out of it pours a steady stream of clear water. Standing at the edge of the entrance is a human in desert garb - dun-colored sewn pants, an off-white kaftan, and brown scarves over head and face, holding a heavy crossbow, while a glaive leans against the wall nearby. He seems to be on guard, and every minute or so carefully scans his surroundings, but seems to have missed your approach.
An ancient, enormous giant’s skull, seemingly composed of calcified stone, rests partially exposed above the surface of the water. (To keep us on track, I will reveal that it is completely inert and merely a decorative detail of the landscape. It does however provide some cover from the eyes of the guard.)
You are now situated like so.
If you would like to take a short rest before approaching the oasis, you may. You arrive at the oasis just before noon, or just before 1 bell if you take a short rest.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Short Rest:
Ednyss will use Harness Divine Power to Expend Channel Divinity and Regain a Level 2 Spell slot
Ednyss recovers his Channel Divinity after the Short Rest
Approach:
"The guard is within range of some of my spells. But do we want to try a peaceful approach first?" Ednyss turns to quietly ask the others.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(OOC: A short rest seems like a good idea for Auger and perhaps Varielky. Short Rest: 1 hit die: 7)
During the rest
Auger turns to the team, "Your physical feats truly are masterful. I thank you all for helping me. I doubt I would have lived through that on my own. Now if we can hold a moment we can perhaps learn something of Strewn."
Auger summons Py to his pocket dimension and then brings him to the team where they rest. Assuming Py arrives, Auger asks, "How is Strewn Py? Did you find him? Will we be able to win his freedom? Answer for all to hear."
Approaching the arch
Auger says to the others, "This guard is well-placed. Even if I made any of us invisible, the water could still signal an approach. Its conceivable I could hide my own movements in the water if it is shallow, while invisible, but it would be chancy. At any rate I can send Py in to see what is going on. What do you all think?"
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Well, seems like you both chose short rest. Hope it won't make us late...)
Before starting the short rest, Varielky will use her Second Wind to heal (minimum heal is more than enough to bring her to max HP). She must be ready in case something happens during the rest. Fortunately, the rest seems to have passed peacefully.
When they see the guard, Varielky stops moving. She's not the best at hiding, normally, but it seems this place where she's standing is a good hiding spot from the guard. "I'd say an arrow to the head would make the most efficient solution, but I don't suppose any of you brought a bow with you, just in case?" Not that Varielky was an amazing archer, but she trained with bows a little, in the past. "I usually hate such tactics, but if the guard calls others, it will make it all much more complicated. I've also learnt my lessons during the attack on the Orcs' camp. I don't think you should tire yourself with magic either. We shouldn't attack if we're not sure we can take him out in a single strike." She studies the area, thinking of a plan. "Perhaps we can climb the rock, then walk on top of it, climb down and reach the guard?" There's a worried look on her face. Something else is bothering her, but she doesn't say it.
Varielky
When Auger reaches through the Sea of Stars to Py, there is no answer. The fey alyasub’s corporeal form must have been destroyed.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: Edit to final statement above.)
"At any rate I can send Py in to see what is going on, but I would have to take an hour to carve some wood into the proper form. What do you all think?"
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: If we were taking a short rest, could Auger have cast the spell then? I'm not sure how casting times + resting work... But we did spend an hour taking a short rest so this way we wouldn't have to waste twice as much time.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Auger would not be able to simultaneously short rest and cast find familiar.
“A Short Rest is a period of downtime, at least 1 hour long, during which a character does nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, and tending to wounds.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: Okay - Auger will instead use the hour break to ritual cast for Py to return)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
THE OASIS
POST #2
Py’s simply crafted form comes to life, and the fey alyasub flutters its wings, stretches its body, and looks around to take in its location.
‘Hello, master,’ it sends. When asked about the Poppy Citadel, it responds, ‘I circled the exterior, and tried to enter the ground-level back doors, for there were many people rushing in and out, bringing in food and supplies for a feast, it seemed. I waited for someone to come through, and before the door could shut, I invisibly glided within. But at that moment, my form was destroyed. I think by magic. I wonder if the palace is guarded by magical wards, such as we saw in Hyewush.’
When sent to invisibly scout out the arch, Py returns after fifteen minutes, and describes this view of the interior. I have simplified compass directions vis-a-vis north/south. Some notes on the interior:
-The waterfall originates from nothing. It seems to flow over the lip of the flat cave floor from some kind of spring, but there is no spring. One would guess it is an illusion.
-Underneath the waterfall is concealed a ladder to a rowboat which is tied to a steel ring fastened to the edge of the cave floor.
-The blue orb gives off a subtle magical light.
-The south (back) wall of the cave contains wide, heavy double-doors. Py is not strong enough to move them.
-You are not sure, but you think there was a change of guard while you retreated from the lake’s edge to gather your energies.
-I was mistaken in my prior post: the guard was not wearing armor, and the current guard, whether or not a different person, for he is dressed and equipped just the same, likewise. I have corrected the post.
Here is your current location, now including Py. I shifted you to a slightly better hiding spot.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: A few more environment questions:
How deep is the water? Do we think we can wade through it or will we be swimming across?
The cave entrance. If we somehow got above it can we drop down into the entrance area?
And while Py was in the cave, how noisy was the (illusionary?) waterfall? Will activities in the cave transfer sound very well?
EDIT: I also returned Auger to his pre-short rest state, down 4hp and with one use of Pact Magic)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer