In the Kingdom of Mal's (https://imgur.com/a/RR8Nv) capital city, Malton, the peacekeeping force is known as The Shield and Blade of Mal. Your character is a young recruit nearing graduation from the training academy--Whetstone.
During your character's years in Whetstone he/she has been trained by many, including most notably Dregg the master combatant, Stein the master magician, and Crumbleton the master tactician / headmaster. Regrettably, your character has at some point in his/her training fallen out of favor of at least one of your instructors (include how this came about in your backstory).
Our story opens with your character on the eve of his/her final exam with commencement scheduled for later in the day.
Backstory: (Include why he/she has joined The Shield and Blade of Mal, how he/she angered one or more instructors, and any other noteworthy events in his/her young life.)
Backstory: McHammer the has been...the Ex-Entertainer...the one-hit-wonder, is what the world calls him now. Even though he has not had any work as an entertainer in some time he still thrives in front of an audience, but there hasn't been an audience in quite some time. Almost out of money, and with a baby on the way his wife has been starting to get on him to give up his music career and start doing a real mans work. She nagged him to join the Shield and Blade of Mal to make sure there will be ends meat on the table. McHammer begrudgingly accepted, but only because he thought the prestige and exposure could be a good way back to high he once had as an entertainer.
Training at Whetstone came easy to McHammer. In his entertainment life, he always had to learn new choreography and translating that to combat came naturally. Although, his relationship with master Dregg soured during the final year at the academy, as McHammers constant rhyming drove Dregg crazy as he thought McHammer wasn't taking his training seriously enough. As a follower of the Lord of Lyrical Grooves, Rhymenocerous, MChammer has sworn to uphold his gods ideals and rhyme whenever possible.
Backstory: Bizzlecork was born and raised amongst his goblin brethren in caves below Mal. He always had a distaste for the murderous and evil ways of the goblin clans. When his clan was slain by a crew of bugbears that it had considered allies while he was scouting the surface, Bizzlecork realized that lives of violence and deception were likely to end in violence and deception.
With his clan dead, Bizzlecork was alone. He surfaced from the cave system and travelled to nearby Malton. There were no laws against his presence in the city, but most other citizens were cold to the goblin. After a few days of pan-handling with little to show for it, he decided to pursue a job. The very first flyer he found on a community board was recruiting for The Shield and Blade of Mal. With room and board provided while training, it was an ideal route.
Crumbleton was the only encouraging figure in Whetstone but as the headmaster, his encouragement went a long way. The rest of the faculty, though, we're incredibly distrustful of Bizzlecork, judging him more harshly than seemed fair compared to his peers. Perhaps it was the kindness of the headmaster when it was needed most, or perhaps it was witnessing the brutal life and death of his evil diety worshipping clan, but Bizzlecork slowly gravitated to worship of Pelor, god of the sun and healing, during the years of education in Whetstone.
Brizzlecork is hopeful that graduation will bring more tolerance of his race as he'll wear the full garb of an official Shield and Blade and work toward the betterment of the Kingdom.
Backstory: Ukarsh was separated from his family so young that he does not remember them. Till he turned 10 he grew up on the streets of Eastwatch. At the age of 10 he was saved by a monk from a bunch of rough tough street rats called the Woof Woof Gang. They absolutely hate Tabaxi. As one of the street rats went to strike him he closed his eyes. When he opened them a goliath monk stood before him. His name was Graak and he took Ukarsh to live with the monks in the west near the shield peaks on the coast.
The journey there was a tough one. Graak kept him safe from multitudes of enemies. They did not take the main roads because Graak did not like to be around people. They arrived 2 months later. Ukarsh lived in the monastery from age 10 to 14. The coastal monastery was attacked by pirates many of his friends were killed in the raid. Graak and a few others fought to the death. Ukarsh under Graak's orders found a barrel to hide in. He was then brought onto the ship.
When the crew mates eventually opened the barrel 4 days later. Ukarsh had deeply centered himself. He sprung out of the barrel and attacked every pirate in sight. He managed to put seven of them down until he was grasped by a grip unbreakable. It was a Dwarf pirate captain named Iron Gut. He was particularly large for a dwarf. Iron Gut laughed and decided to allow Ukarsh to join them under their flag. For 6 long years they pillaged and plundered the Xoric Ocean. Until one dawn they woke up to a massive ship that they had only heard rumors of.
It was the Dread Pirate Roberts! When the crew finally realized what was going on they were already boarded. Everyone on board was slaughtered accept Ukarsh. The last thing he saw was Iron Gut getting knocked into the ocean. As he watched a scimitar came up at his face and scarred his right eye in a half-mood shape. As he went to swing back a barrel rolling knocked him into the ocean. He clung to that barrel for eight days and nights until he washed up just south of westwatch on the shore.
He goes into westwatch from time to time but still lives just south away from people. occasinally going to the shore to meditate and dream of the day when he finds the Dread Pirate Roberts.
Characteristics: All White except a black outline around the ears. Bright green eyes. Half-moon scar down the right eye. Always wearing a black and red scarf that Ukarsh found after washing up on the shore. He believes it to be Iron Gut's.
Backstory: Esteban being Aasimar with Silver Dragon Blood flowing through his veins was extremely magical at a young age. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was very young, and while his father worked a lot and could be gone for days on end. His Village of Cullfield raised him. Village’s elders helped train Esteban and show him how to control his magic. Sadly, one day, men came to this village requesting treasure and gold. Since they had none, the village was slaughtered. Sensing Esteban's magic and is Draconic heritage, he was taken by the Cult of the Dragon. There he was manipulated and forced to do horrible things for longer then he can remember. He finally one day escaped. Esteban is not even sure how himself. He sometimes wonders if he was let go. He now wanders, wondering if the evil he saw and assisted is part of him, or if he can forge his own path. Who makes his choices?
After wandering for years on end, he decided to join The Shield and Blade of Mal trying to make sense of it all and in hopes of solving his past and possibly finding his father again. At the academy, Stein, Esteban’s favorite instructor kept Esteban on a short leash, being able to sense the darkness in the Aasimar. He pushed him harder than the other students and kept his eye always a gaze on him. Even in his sleep, he felt like he was near.
You wake up early in the recruit barracks, prepared (or as prepared as you're going to get) to take your final exam. Very little has been told to you regarding the nature of the exam, but you know that your assignment of duty following graduation could depend largely upon your performance today.
You approach the exam hall at the assigned time. Stein, the master magician of Whetstone, is waiting at the door. Once you have all gathered, the magician says “You are the final four to be tested. Your exams await you. Choose a seat and proceed. There is no hard time limit, but the speed with which you complete the exam will be considered when calculating your grade. Myself and the other master instructors will be witnessing from the balcony. Refreshments are in the room, provided for you to partake in once you have finished your tests. Gods speed.”
Stein then opens the exam room door. (Map) There are four desks spaced around the room with pencils and written exams waiting upon each desk. In the room’s center there is a long table with food and drink. There's an ice bucket with bottled beverages, a bowl of steaming vegetable stew, and a large lantern that's lighting the room. Dregg and Crumbleton are looking down upon the group from the balcony, Stein joining them from a side door as you're assessing the room.
Choose a seat. Your test begins.
Anxious to complete the test, Bizzlecork trots over to the seat farthest into the room on the left side. Once you've each picked a desk and sat down, you all look at the test in front of you.
The questions read:
1.) If you were to slash a bandit with a magical saber that causes 6d12 damage, what is the average damage that the bandit is expected to suffer?
a.) 30
b.) 39
c.) 24
d.) 36
2.) Which of the below options is of a damage type unique to the other three?
a.) Rapier
b.) Warhammer
c.) Morningstar
d.) Shortbow
3.) What damage type would be sufficient to prevent a troll from regenerating?
a.) Acid
b.) Bludgeoning
c.) Poison
d.) Necrotic
(Enter your answers and any additional actions as a forum post.)
Knowing of Stein's constant testing of Esteban, he does a Perception check to see if anything seems suspicious about this room and arcana check on the armor.
Perception: 9
Arcana:6
He sits down (assuming nothing is found suspicious) at the desk farthest from Bizzlecork and puts down the following answers.
Esteban, with his Perception check, notices nothing amiss in the room. As he's looking intently at the armor at the far end of the room, the ice in the beverage bucket has melted just enough that it shifts just a bit as ice in a bucket sometimes does, startling Esteban. His Arcana check of the armor provides no insight positive or negative regarding any magical auras.
Bizzlecork finishes the three questions very speedily. He would be the first to admit to not being the sharpest of students, but he's studied extensively for the exam. Once done with the three first questions he glances around the room.
Perception: 21
He is clearly startled by something, saying "Did... Did anyone else see that?", pointing at the drinks, stew, and lantern clustered in the center of the table.
McHammer sits down, humming a song to himself. He notices that the test is multiple choice, making the test that much easier for him. He yells up to Dregg, "Yo Dregg, this test ain't like the rest, I was getting pretty queasy but this test seems easy!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
You each complete the first page of questions. Moments after you've marked your answers, the page glows as Stein marks your quizzes magically from above.
Bizzlecork’s page is magically marked with three green check marks which prompts him to smile proudly and glance around the room to see if anyone has taken note of his success. No one has.
Esteban’s and McHammer’s pages also bear three green check marks.
Ukarsh’s page, though, shows three red Xs.
The vegetable stew forms a slow steam bubble that lazily pops with a wet blub. The lantern must be burning dirty oil because its flame has begun exuding a string of black smoke. Also, the ice bucket is leaking water down on to the dirty floor under the table.
You turn over the page to reveal the next set of questions.
4.) The Kingdom of Mal was formed by King Malton I after centuries of the Maltic coasts being uninhabitable due to rampant pirate activity. How did King Malton I overcome this obstacle?
a.) He established the city of Malton in a secluded bay, away from the pirates’ usual routes
b.) He agreed to pay a protection tax to the pirates in the area
c.) He was himself the greatest of the pirates roaming the peninsula
d.) He hired a formidable naval mercenary force that systematically destroyed the pirate threat
You each comb your memory for some hint of the answer.
History check (DC 15) (Anyone rolling 15 or higher will get a hint via text):
Bizzlecork: 2
Esteban: 15
McHammer: 15
Ukarsh: 14
Bizzlecork is the only one that thinks he might know the answer.
5.) What is the preferred language of the Drow (Dark Elves)?
a.) Elven
b.) Common
c.) Draconic
d.) Undercommon
6.) Which listed creature is native of the Feywild?
a.) Green Dragon
b.) Satyr
c.) Beholder
d.) Mephit
Bizzlecork finishes his questions quickly and again looks toward the table. Perception check: 4
Whatever he thought he saw earlier must have just been an odd flicker from the lantern.
(Enter your answers and any additional actions as a forum post.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Esteban's mage hand approaches the lantern so he can give it a little investigative jingle-jangle, the lantern's flame itself reaches out of the lantern and gives the mage hand a swift slap. There is then a bright flare as a small, flaming, molten figure hops gingerly from the lantern and on to the tabletop. It seems hostile.
The creature is quite beat up. The cold damage from Esteban took a lot out of him. His flames are flickering weakly, exposing a stony core that is starting to darken as it's cooling slightly.
McHammer's hammer glances off the creature, causing damage but a disappointing amount of it.
The flaming monster darts forward, between McHammer and Bizzlecork. As they are turning to follow it with their eyes, the creature's firey stone claw lashes out at McHammer.
To hit: 10
Damage: 2 slashing damage, 1 fire damage
Were McHammer some weakling caster, the attack may have hit. Instead, the claw rakes ineffectively across McHammer's shield.
In the Kingdom of Mal's (https://imgur.com/a/RR8Nv) capital city, Malton, the peacekeeping force is known as The Shield and Blade of Mal. Your character is a young recruit nearing graduation from the training academy--Whetstone.
During your character's years in Whetstone he/she has been trained by many, including most notably Dregg the master combatant, Stein the master magician, and Crumbleton the master tactician / headmaster. Regrettably, your character has at some point in his/her training fallen out of favor of at least one of your instructors (include how this came about in your backstory).
Our story opens with your character on the eve of his/her final exam with commencement scheduled for later in the day.
Post your characters! Info to be included:
Name:
Race:
Class:
Backstory: (Include why he/she has joined The Shield and Blade of Mal, how he/she angered one or more instructors, and any other noteworthy events in his/her young life.)
Link to character sheet (copy and paste the URL)
Name: McHammer
Race: Hill Dwarf
Class: Paladin
Backstory: McHammer the has been...the Ex-Entertainer...the one-hit-wonder, is what the world calls him now. Even though he has not had any work as an entertainer in some time he still thrives in front of an audience, but there hasn't been an audience in quite some time. Almost out of money, and with a baby on the way his wife has been starting to get on him to give up his music career and start doing a real mans work. She nagged him to join the Shield and Blade of Mal to make sure there will be ends meat on the table. McHammer begrudgingly accepted, but only because he thought the prestige and exposure could be a good way back to high he once had as an entertainer.
Training at Whetstone came easy to McHammer. In his entertainment life, he always had to learn new choreography and translating that to combat came naturally. Although, his relationship with master Dregg soured during the final year at the academy, as McHammers constant rhyming drove Dregg crazy as he thought McHammer wasn't taking his training seriously enough. As a follower of the Lord of Lyrical Grooves, Rhymenocerous, MChammer has sworn to uphold his gods ideals and rhyme whenever possible.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/CaptainHobbyist/characters/694597
As for your NPC companion...
Name: Bizzlecork Humbledunk
Race: Goblin
Class: Cleric
Backstory: Bizzlecork was born and raised amongst his goblin brethren in caves below Mal. He always had a distaste for the murderous and evil ways of the goblin clans. When his clan was slain by a crew of bugbears that it had considered allies while he was scouting the surface, Bizzlecork realized that lives of violence and deception were likely to end in violence and deception.
With his clan dead, Bizzlecork was alone. He surfaced from the cave system and travelled to nearby Malton. There were no laws against his presence in the city, but most other citizens were cold to the goblin. After a few days of pan-handling with little to show for it, he decided to pursue a job. The very first flyer he found on a community board was recruiting for The Shield and Blade of Mal. With room and board provided while training, it was an ideal route.
Crumbleton was the only encouraging figure in Whetstone but as the headmaster, his encouragement went a long way. The rest of the faculty, though, we're incredibly distrustful of Bizzlecork, judging him more harshly than seemed fair compared to his peers. Perhaps it was the kindness of the headmaster when it was needed most, or perhaps it was witnessing the brutal life and death of his evil diety worshipping clan, but Bizzlecork slowly gravitated to worship of Pelor, god of the sun and healing, during the years of education in Whetstone.
Brizzlecork is hopeful that graduation will bring more tolerance of his race as he'll wear the full garb of an official Shield and Blade and work toward the betterment of the Kingdom.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/TheJosiah/characters/718759
Name: Ukarsh(translation to English Bob)
Race: Tabaxi(kitten humanoid)
Class: Monk(Iron Fist)
Backstory: Ukarsh was separated from his family so young that he does not remember them. Till he turned 10 he grew up on the streets of Eastwatch. At the age of 10 he was saved by a monk from a bunch of rough tough street rats called the Woof Woof Gang. They absolutely hate Tabaxi. As one of the street rats went to strike him he closed his eyes. When he opened them a goliath monk stood before him. His name was Graak and he took Ukarsh to live with the monks in the west near the shield peaks on the coast.
The journey there was a tough one. Graak kept him safe from multitudes of enemies. They did not take the main roads because Graak did not like to be around people. They arrived 2 months later. Ukarsh lived in the monastery from age 10 to 14. The coastal monastery was attacked by pirates many of his friends were killed in the raid. Graak and a few others fought to the death. Ukarsh under Graak's orders found a barrel to hide in. He was then brought onto the ship.
When the crew mates eventually opened the barrel 4 days later. Ukarsh had deeply centered himself. He sprung out of the barrel and attacked every pirate in sight. He managed to put seven of them down until he was grasped by a grip unbreakable. It was a Dwarf pirate captain named Iron Gut. He was particularly large for a dwarf. Iron Gut laughed and decided to allow Ukarsh to join them under their flag. For 6 long years they pillaged and plundered the Xoric Ocean. Until one dawn they woke up to a massive ship that they had only heard rumors of.
It was the Dread Pirate Roberts! When the crew finally realized what was going on they were already boarded. Everyone on board was slaughtered accept Ukarsh. The last thing he saw was Iron Gut getting knocked into the ocean. As he watched a scimitar came up at his face and scarred his right eye in a half-mood shape. As he went to swing back a barrel rolling knocked him into the ocean. He clung to that barrel for eight days and nights until he washed up just south of westwatch on the shore.
He goes into westwatch from time to time but still lives just south away from people. occasinally going to the shore to meditate and dream of the day when he finds the Dread Pirate Roberts.
Characteristics: All White except a black outline around the ears. Bright green eyes. Half-moon scar down the right eye. Always wearing a black and red scarf that Ukarsh found after washing up on the shore. He believes it to be Iron Gut's.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/AndrewJK/characters/714895
Name: Esteban
Race: Aasimar
Class: Sorcerer (Silver Draconic Bloodline)
Backstory: Esteban being Aasimar with Silver Dragon Blood flowing through his veins was extremely magical at a young age. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was very young, and while his father worked a lot and could be gone for days on end. His Village of Cullfield raised him. Village’s elders helped train Esteban and show him how to control his magic. Sadly, one day, men came to this village requesting treasure and gold. Since they had none, the village was slaughtered. Sensing Esteban's magic and is Draconic heritage, he was taken by the Cult of the Dragon. There he was manipulated and forced to do horrible things for longer then he can remember. He finally one day escaped. Esteban is not even sure how himself. He sometimes wonders if he was let go. He now wanders, wondering if the evil he saw and assisted is part of him, or if he can forge his own path. Who makes his choices?
After wandering for years on end, he decided to join The Shield and Blade of Mal trying to make sense of it all and in hopes of solving his past and possibly finding his father again. At the academy, Stein, Esteban’s favorite instructor kept Esteban on a short leash, being able to sense the darkness in the Aasimar. He pushed him harder than the other students and kept his eye always a gaze on him. Even in his sleep, he felt like he was near.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/Danith/characters/512287
You wake up early in the recruit barracks, prepared (or as prepared as you're going to get) to take your final exam. Very little has been told to you regarding the nature of the exam, but you know that your assignment of duty following graduation could depend largely upon your performance today.
You approach the exam hall at the assigned time. Stein, the master magician of Whetstone, is waiting at the door. Once you have all gathered, the magician says “You are the final four to be tested. Your exams await you. Choose a seat and proceed. There is no hard time limit, but the speed with which you complete the exam will be considered when calculating your grade. Myself and the other master instructors will be witnessing from the balcony. Refreshments are in the room, provided for you to partake in once you have finished your tests. Gods speed.”
Stein then opens the exam room door. (Map) There are four desks spaced around the room with pencils and written exams waiting upon each desk. In the room’s center there is a long table with food and drink. There's an ice bucket with bottled beverages, a bowl of steaming vegetable stew, and a large lantern that's lighting the room. Dregg and Crumbleton are looking down upon the group from the balcony, Stein joining them from a side door as you're assessing the room.
Choose a seat. Your test begins.
Anxious to complete the test, Bizzlecork trots over to the seat farthest into the room on the left side. Once you've each picked a desk and sat down, you all look at the test in front of you.
The questions read:
1.) If you were to slash a bandit with a magical saber that causes 6d12 damage, what is the average damage that the bandit is expected to suffer?
a.) 30
b.) 39
c.) 24
d.) 36
2.) Which of the below options is of a damage type unique to the other three?
a.) Rapier
b.) Warhammer
c.) Morningstar
d.) Shortbow
3.) What damage type would be sufficient to prevent a troll from regenerating?
a.) Acid
b.) Bludgeoning
c.) Poison
d.) Necrotic
(Enter your answers and any additional actions as a forum post.)
Knowing of Stein's constant testing of Esteban, he does a Perception check to see if anything seems suspicious about this room and arcana check on the armor.
Perception: 9
Arcana:6
He sits down (assuming nothing is found suspicious) at the desk farthest from Bizzlecork and puts down the following answers.
1)B
2)B
3)A
Esteban, with his Perception check, notices nothing amiss in the room. As he's looking intently at the armor at the far end of the room, the ice in the beverage bucket has melted just enough that it shifts just a bit as ice in a bucket sometimes does, startling Esteban. His Arcana check of the armor provides no insight positive or negative regarding any magical auras.
Bizzlecork finishes the three questions very speedily. He would be the first to admit to not being the sharpest of students, but he's studied extensively for the exam. Once done with the three first questions he glances around the room.
Perception: 21
He is clearly startled by something, saying "Did... Did anyone else see that?", pointing at the drinks, stew, and lantern clustered in the center of the table.
McHammer sits down, humming a song to himself. He notices that the test is multiple choice, making the test that much easier for him. He yells up to Dregg, "Yo Dregg, this test ain't like the rest, I was getting pretty queasy but this test seems easy!"
He circles B, B, and then A...then winks at Dregg
Dregg, grumbles down to McHammer "There will be Shadowfell to pay if I catch you glancing at your peers' answers."
1. C
2. A
3.D
You each complete the first page of questions. Moments after you've marked your answers, the page glows as Stein marks your quizzes magically from above.
Bizzlecork’s page is magically marked with three green check marks which prompts him to smile proudly and glance around the room to see if anyone has taken note of his success. No one has.
Esteban’s and McHammer’s pages also bear three green check marks.
Ukarsh’s page, though, shows three red Xs.
The vegetable stew forms a slow steam bubble that lazily pops with a wet blub. The lantern must be burning dirty oil because its flame has begun exuding a string of black smoke. Also, the ice bucket is leaking water down on to the dirty floor under the table.
You turn over the page to reveal the next set of questions.
4.) The Kingdom of Mal was formed by King Malton I after centuries of the Maltic coasts being uninhabitable due to rampant pirate activity. How did King Malton I overcome this obstacle?
a.) He established the city of Malton in a secluded bay, away from the pirates’ usual routes
b.) He agreed to pay a protection tax to the pirates in the area
c.) He was himself the greatest of the pirates roaming the peninsula
d.) He hired a formidable naval mercenary force that systematically destroyed the pirate threat
You each comb your memory for some hint of the answer.
History check (DC 15) (Anyone rolling 15 or higher will get a hint via text):
Bizzlecork: 2
Esteban: 15
McHammer: 15
Ukarsh: 14
Bizzlecork is the only one that thinks he might know the answer.
5.) What is the preferred language of the Drow (Dark Elves)?
a.) Elven
b.) Common
c.) Draconic
d.) Undercommon
6.) Which listed creature is native of the Feywild?
a.) Green Dragon
b.) Satyr
c.) Beholder
d.) Mephit
Bizzlecork finishes his questions quickly and again looks toward the table. Perception check: 4
Whatever he thought he saw earlier must have just been an odd flicker from the lantern.
(Enter your answers and any additional actions as a forum post.)
4)D
5)A
6)B
Wondering about the items in the middle of the table, I cast Mage Hand and have it go touch, pick up, and slightly move each item.
As Esteban's mage hand approaches the lantern so he can give it a little investigative jingle-jangle, the lantern's flame itself reaches out of the lantern and gives the mage hand a swift slap. There is then a bright flare as a small, flaming, molten figure hops gingerly from the lantern and on to the tabletop. It seems hostile.
Now we enter round-based combat.
Initiative:
Flaming figure: 9
Bizzlecork: 7
Esteban: 9
McHammer: 2
Bizzlecork: 16
Order is:
Esteban, McHammer, Bizzlecork
Flaming figure
Ukarsh
*Shrugs and says, "I knew it"
Cast Ray of Frost on Flaming Figure
To Hit: 24
Damage: 7 Cold Damage
If hits, movement is lessened by 10 FT for it's next turn.
The creature being vulnerable to cold damage, what normally would have caused 7 damage actually harms it for 14 HP.
Seeing the flaming creature, Bizzlecork readies himself for combat, dashing forward and hopping on to the tabletop to confront the monster.
He focuses himself on the powers of his god, Pelor, and casts Sacred Flame at the creature.
The creature makes a DC 12 Dex save: 5
Damage upon hit: 7
The creature fails it's save, taking the Radiant damage.
The creature is quite beat up. The cold damage from Esteban took a lot out of him. His flames are flickering weakly, exposing a stony core that is starting to darken as it's cooling slightly.
McHammer grabs his warhammer and says " Well...I guess it's hammer time"
He swing his hammer at the exposed core
to hit: 6
damage: 4
McHammer's hammer glances off the creature, causing damage but a disappointing amount of it.
The flaming monster darts forward, between McHammer and Bizzlecork. As they are turning to follow it with their eyes, the creature's firey stone claw lashes out at McHammer.
To hit: 10
Damage: 2 slashing damage, 1 fire damage
Were McHammer some weakling caster, the attack may have hit. Instead, the claw rakes ineffectively across McHammer's shield.