Ufeza changes his mind and quickly rejoins the others, scaling down the walls as he goes. He then whispers to the group, "I didn't find any other way in up there. I couldn't get a good look at that figure behind the altar, either. Right now, our only path forward is the main entrance unless there's a door or something along the base that we haven't found yet."
"Or we could all get up there and fire through the small windows" says Luther, aware there may be a tactical advantage to be gained from Ufeza's skillful scouting.
"I don't think I'd have any trouble getting up there with my spells and shaping ability, but what's the footing like once we are? Would we be able to fight at the windows or have to move elsewhere if a battle ensued?" Zephyra squints in the direction of the tree cursing momentarily her limited sight within the darkened environs but knowing that she could shift if needed into something that would suffer less so in that fashion.
"I can shoot a few hundred feet, but not accurately. It's a large room, so I don't know how effective we could be doing so. We would have great cover, though. And it would likely take a while for anyone in the temple to make their way out and up. As for fighting, the pyramid is stepped all the way up, so there are flat surfaces, but with the branches covering the exterior we would still need to watch our footing. Through it seems like branches are everywhere in and out. This chanting has been going on for a while, though, and whether those pods were innocents being drained or cultists being transformed, we may not want to wait so long we find out which." Ufeza says as he begins checking that his equipment is secured and available for a fight.
Atop the stepped hill, the temple building is a 70 by 70 feet square. On its back stands a 110 feet tower. There is a single main entrance, the wooden double doors are half open and it would be almost impossible to close them completely with all the vines growing all over the place.
Inside, the altar room is supported by multiple columns. The small windows are near the roof, its main purpose to allow ventilation inside. From the outside it would be possible to shoot inside but, given that you would have to maintain your balance among the roots and vines, shooting a bow would be at disadvantage (this does not apply to crossbows, as those can be rested on the windowsill and shot with a single hand).
The chanting voices coming from inside do not vary in tone or volume, they just keep a steady rhythm. The light inside is dim and the flashes keep coming at random intervals as if not affected by the chant.
Zephyra secures her quarterstaff to her back and follows Luther to the side of the temple. Never being one who liked being on the ground, she grasps the vines and climbs along with him to the next window over touching him lightly with guidance .
Thariv nods at the suggestion that they climb and fire away through narrow windows from on high. It seems like a wise enough plan to him.
He methodically works his way up the vines and handholds and footholds provided by the building, drawing as best he can on his experience on the rigging of many a ship. He then looks for a window that provides good access and aim at the enemies within.
Ufeza follows his companions up the side of the temple, adding as needed. He also quietly recommends each take a look in to see what they can see for themselves.
The four of you climb the temple walls using the vines and roots covering everything until you are near the rooftop and can peek inside through the small windows.
The figures around the altar continue their monotonous chant, oblivious to your presence. Two stand at each side of the altar and a fifth one stands alone between the altar and the huge figure propped against the back wall. Taking a moment to look, you notice that the motionless figure behind the altar is constructed from the bodies of dead elves, roped together in place by a multitude of vines.
The humanoid closest to the altar raises both arms and the figure behind him begins to shake. It lifts an arm as thick as Luther's chest and moves as if to scream, but keeps completely silent.
If you want to attack from your position outside, it would be time to roll for initiative.
Zephyra nods, "Yes, who to go after first? I may be able to make them glow, more visible targets?"
Once she has her selected target, she takes her concentration away from Luther's guidance and refocuses it into a Faerie Fire on the alter area to include the leader (or whomever the group selects) and as many of the others involved in the ritual when it's her turn. (Provides advantage for attacks so hopefully countering an aforementioned disadvantage caused by their positions at the windows.)
Range of the spell is 60' - is she close enough to pull this off? Her turn is after Thariv and Ufeza unless they chose to take [action]ready[/actions] until she completes her spell?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"On it" says Luther in reply to Ufeza, loosing an arrow at the figure leading the ceremony.
Attack: 24 Damage: 7 piercing.
If the arrow hits, Luther will enchant the hit with a Shadow Arrow; the target must pass a DC12 WIS save or be unable to see further that 5ft until the start of Luther's next turn.
Ufeza changes his mind and quickly rejoins the others, scaling down the walls as he goes. He then whispers to the group, "I didn't find any other way in up there. I couldn't get a good look at that figure behind the altar, either. Right now, our only path forward is the main entrance unless there's a door or something along the base that we haven't found yet."
"Or we could all get up there and fire through the small windows" says Luther, aware there may be a tactical advantage to be gained from Ufeza's skillful scouting.
"I don't think I'd have any trouble getting up there with my spells and shaping ability, but what's the footing like once we are? Would we be able to fight at the windows or have to move elsewhere if a battle ensued?" Zephyra squints in the direction of the tree cursing momentarily her limited sight within the darkened environs but knowing that she could shift if needed into something that would suffer less so in that fashion.
"I can shoot a few hundred feet, but not accurately. It's a large room, so I don't know how effective we could be doing so. We would have great cover, though. And it would likely take a while for anyone in the temple to make their way out and up. As for fighting, the pyramid is stepped all the way up, so there are flat surfaces, but with the branches covering the exterior we would still need to watch our footing. Through it seems like branches are everywhere in and out. This chanting has been going on for a while, though, and whether those pods were innocents being drained or cultists being transformed, we may not want to wait so long we find out which." Ufeza says as he begins checking that his equipment is secured and available for a fight.
"OK, I'll get up there and take a spot" says Luther, grabbing his bow and trying to climb to one of the windows.
Acrobatics 12 (or one less if it has to be Athletics)
Atop the stepped hill, the temple building is a 70 by 70 feet square. On its back stands a 110 feet tower. There is a single main entrance, the wooden double doors are half open and it would be almost impossible to close them completely with all the vines growing all over the place.
Inside, the altar room is supported by multiple columns. The small windows are near the roof, its main purpose to allow ventilation inside. From the outside it would be possible to shoot inside but, given that you would have to maintain your balance among the roots and vines, shooting a bow would be at disadvantage (this does not apply to crossbows, as those can be rested on the windowsill and shot with a single hand).
The chanting voices coming from inside do not vary in tone or volume, they just keep a steady rhythm. The light inside is dim and the flashes keep coming at random intervals as if not affected by the chant.
Zephyra secures her quarterstaff to her back and follows Luther to the side of the temple. Never being one who liked being on the ground, she grasps the vines and climbs along with him to the next window over touching him lightly with guidance .
Thariv nods at the suggestion that they climb and fire away through narrow windows from on high. It seems like a wise enough plan to him.
He methodically works his way up the vines and handholds and footholds provided by the building, drawing as best he can on his experience on the rigging of many a ship. He then looks for a window that provides good access and aim at the enemies within.
Ufeza follows his companions up the side of the temple, adding as needed. He also quietly recommends each take a look in to see what they can see for themselves.
The four of you climb the temple walls using the vines and roots covering everything until you are near the rooftop and can peek inside through the small windows.
The figures around the altar continue their monotonous chant, oblivious to your presence. Two stand at each side of the altar and a fifth one stands alone between the altar and the huge figure propped against the back wall. Taking a moment to look, you notice that the motionless figure behind the altar is constructed from the bodies of dead elves, roped together in place by a multitude of vines.
The humanoid closest to the altar raises both arms and the figure behind him begins to shake. It lifts an arm as thick as Luther's chest and moves as if to scream, but keeps completely silent.
If you want to attack from your position outside, it would be time to roll for initiative.
V: 20
C: 4
F: 9
Luther initiative 5
Initiative: 22
Zephyra's Initiative 20
Still concentrating on the Guidance she gave to Luther, Zephyra considers her next action as Ufeza makes his move.
Thariv initiative 21
(Seldim: From Ufeza's vantage point, who would seem to be the one actually running the ritual?)
Ufeaza looks at the others and whispers, "Ready?"
Zephyra nods, "Yes, who to go after first? I may be able to make them glow, more visible targets?"
Once she has her selected target, she takes her concentration away from Luther's guidance and refocuses it into a Faerie Fire on the alter area to include the leader (or whomever the group selects) and as many of the others involved in the ritual when it's her turn. (Provides advantage for attacks so hopefully countering an aforementioned disadvantage caused by their positions at the windows.)
Range of the spell is 60' - is she close enough to pull this off? Her turn is after Thariv and Ufeza unless they chose to take [action]ready[/actions] until she completes her spell?
"I say we hit the guy running the ritual, see if we can disrupt it."
"On it" says Luther in reply to Ufeza, loosing an arrow at the figure leading the ceremony.
Attack: 24 Damage: 7 piercing.
If the arrow hits, Luther will enchant the hit with a Shadow Arrow; the target must pass a DC12 WIS save or be unable to see further that 5ft until the start of Luther's next turn.
Ufeza waits until Zephyra casts her spell, then fires his crossbow:
Attack: 20 Damage: 6
Disadvantage attack if the figure makes his Dex save: 21