[5E] Kill Bargle (Inactive)

Game Master Branding Opportunity

"I hope they are not going to warn Bargle. That would be most unfortunate!"

"He not stupid, but killing Aleena was mistake, we will follow that. He knows we come I think."

The big brute of a warrior gets his sword and shield ready at the back.

Mandraiv creeps down the staircase which opens into a large room ahead of him. It is filled with all kinds of garbage and reeks quite terribly. The warlock can hear the skittering of small creatures or insects in front of him, crawling around in the refuse. There must be thousands of them in here ...

You each get one round of actions before ...

Is the Armor of Agathys spell on Mandraiv still active?

Mandraiv says to the group, "Back up the stairs, fast."

Mandraiv moves back up the stairs, trying to get everybody else to go back up as well.

Oh oh. A barbarian's nightmare.

Oso puts the sword away and lights a torch quickly. His mouth is a thin line of concentration, since he has met a swarm before and the taste is still there.

Aredhel's eyes go wide upon hearing Mandraiv's command, and she immediately obeys, turning and hustling back upstairs.

Seeing the others rushing back up the stairs, Imsh follows suit.

"What is it? What did you see?"

Is the Armor of Agathys spell on Mandraiv still active?

Yes.

Mandraiv replies, "Some sort of vermin or insect swarm. If we're lucky it will stay down there. If not, better to try to bottle it up in the stairway somehow."

Despite Mandraiv's fervent wishes, the insects have sensed prey and rush up the stairs en massed to devour anything in their path!

Aredhel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Artius: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Imsh: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Mandraiv: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Oso: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Insects: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Aredhel, and Oso, you both get to act before the insects come swarming up into the room you are all in.

With a 16 Init., should Imsh go before the bugs as well?

Are there rafters or chandeliers or the like that Aredhel can leap up and grab onto?

Oso lobs his torch near the top of the stairs and calls for oil. Then he lights another torch and waits nearby.

"Give oil on torch. Quick!"

Are there rafters or chandeliers or the like that Aredhel can leap up and grab onto?

Yes, there are rafters. A good Dexterity (Acrobatics) check should get you up there.

With a 16 Init., should Imsh go before the bugs as well?

Oops, yes.

LOL..no problem!

With a gesture and a short prayer, Imsh fires a folt of holy flame at the creepy-crawlies.

Dex save or take 1d8 ⇒ 8 damage

Imsh fires a bolt of holy flame at the insects headed up the stairs, dex save vs. DC 13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16, but the bolt goes wide and only manages to scorch a few of the insects on the edge of the swarm. Meanwhile, Oso throws down his lit torch, hoping that one of his companions will light it afire with some oil.

I'll wait for Aredhel before posting the insects' actions (although you can guess what they will be). If I'm reading Imsh's spell correctly, on a successful save there is no effect, correct? It doesn't say anything about half damage.

Aredhel tries to get a glimpse of the swarm so as to judge what kind of insects are coming their way - if they're winged, there will be no point in trying for the rafters.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Not being able to tell, she decides to leap up regardless, reaching for the rafters so as to haul herself aloft and out of the way of whatever manner of insects are boiling up the stairwell.

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

The insects, that seem to be largely of the crawling kind, with a few winged representatives, suge up the stairwell, washing over Oso's torch like a wave. A few of them die to the torch's flame, but not enough to effect any serious damage. They swarm up and over the barbarian, crawling up as high as his waist, as they devour him with their tiny pincers. Luckily, Oso has spent years toughening his skin through combat, and the insects' attack only leave a few welts.

swarm#1 attack on Oso: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9, damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 1) = 9

More insects swarm over Mandraiv, colliding visibly with his magical armor whose cold sends hundreds of them to their death. (5 cold damage to swarm#2)

swarm attack on Mandraiv: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19, damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 2) = 10

Mandraiv, Imsh, and Artius each get an opportunity attack against one of the swarms.

Swarm#1: Full, Swarm#2: 5

If I understand the spell correctly the swarm that bit me would take 10 points of cold damage as the spell was cast using a 2nd level slot. Regardless, the bite attack would drain all my temporary hit points leaving me unharmed but deactivating the spell.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

For his action this turn Mandraiv will move out of the stairwell and down the hallway a bit, exiting the swarm. He will then cast an eldritch blast at swarm number 2.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

If I understand the spell correctly the swarm that bit me would take 10 points of cold damage as the spell was cast using a 2nd level slot. Regardless, the bite attack would drain all my temporary hit points leaving me unharmed but deactivating the spell.

OK, I didn't know you had cast it from a second level slot.

As the swarming insects surge forward, Artius gives ground slightly, stabbing ineffectually at the onslaught of bugs with his short sword.

Opportunity Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The swarm blasts apart at the force of Mandraiv's eldritch bolt, but still seems to have enough staying power to remain cohesive.

EDIT: Artius swings at the swarm, but his blade only seems to find the space between the insects.

Mandraiv and Imsh get an opportunity attack against one of the swarms, while all of them plus Oso has his regular actions.

? Shouldn't the bugs go again before I do?

? Shouldn't the bugs go again before I do?

Yes. That was a poor cut and paste job.

Imsh takes his flail and smashes the swarm before him!

AoO
Attack-melee: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Imsh's swing would have connected, had the half-orc not overlooked a small pebble on the floor. Instead, his swing throws him off balance, and he nearly collided with the wall.

Oso feels the creature sreach his nether regions and so many horrible thoughts assail him. The native drops that torch in his haste to draw his sword. Then he gives it a mighty swing at the bulk around him recklessly attempting to drive them away.

Reckless attack - give and receive advantage on attacks.

longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24, longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24, damage to be halved: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Realizing the peril of her friends, Aredhel leaps down from the rafters, seeking to fall on the swarm closes to Mandraiv.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8
Great Weapon Fighting reroll of '1': 1d6 ⇒ 2

9 damage total dealt.

ROUND 2/3

Oso swings his mighty weapons against the swarming insects, but there are just too many of them for him to have much effect. The swarm covering Mandraiv, however, seems to be on the verge of losing its coherence, thanks his magical ministrations.

INITIATIVE:
ROUND 2
Artius
ROUND 3
Imsh: 16
Insects: 12
Mandraiv: 11
Artius: 6
ROUND 4
Aredhel: 20
Oso: 19

[ooc]I will wait for Artius and Imsh to post their round 2 and 3 actions, respectively, before posting the swarms' round 3.

DAMAGE TAKEN: Swarm#1: 3, Swarm#2: 19

Imsh again casts holy fire at the mass of bugs.

Dex save or take 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage

dex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Once again, Imsh's holy fire fails to immolate more than a few of the insects.

INITIATIVE REMAINING:
ROUND 2
Artius
ROUND 3
Insects: 12
Mandraiv: 11
Artius: 6
ROUND 4
Aredhel: 20
Oso: 19

DAMAGE TAKEN: Swarm#1: 3, Swarm#2: 19

Stepping up to the swarming insects once more, Artius swings his swords in long, low arcs, sweeping bugs aside as much as he's able with the short blades.

Attack action: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14;Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Bonus action: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8;Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"It's times like this I wish I was a wizard," he scowls. "Damn bugs! Kill a dozen of the creeps and a dozen more take their place."

ROUND 3

Artius swings at the bugs that had been pestering Mandraiv and is able to kill enough of them to cause at least one grouping to disperse.

The other swarm continues biting Oso, swarm#1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5,swarm#1 damage: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 1) = 4 but once again his tough skin proves impenetrable to the insects.

Mandraiv and Artius can post their Round 3 actions now, and Aredhel, Oso, and Imsh can post for Round 4.

DAMAGE TAKEN: Swarm#1: 3

ROUND 3

Artius swings at the bugs that had been pestering Mandraiv and is able to kill enough of them to cause at least one grouping to disperse.

The other swarm continues biting Oso, [dice=swarm#1]1d20+3,[dice=swarm#1 damage]4d4 but once again his tough skin proves impenetrable to the insects.

Mandraiv and Artius can post their Round 3 actions now, and Aredhel, Oso, and Imsh can post for Round 4.

DAMAGE TAKEN: Swarm#1: 3

Unfortunately being reckless means that the swarm has advantage on its attack. Go for it GM BrOp

swarm#1 advantage attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

You lucked out again, Oso! :)

Mandraiv breathes a sigh of relief and nods his thanks to Artius. Then he targets the swarm attacking Oso with an eldritch blast.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Oso keeps swinging his sword left and right, trying to sweep the worst away. He is frantic as the beasties start getting higher and higher up his thighs.

Longsword (reckless attack): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, Longsword (reckless attack): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8, Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Are we on round 4?

Aredhel lays about her with great, extravagant sweeps of her sword.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Crit Damage: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2, 2, 5) + 3 = 18
Great Weapon Fighting reroll: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

Total damage=21

Round Four

Imsh switch back to trying to squash the swarm with him flail.

Attack-melee: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I am going to be moving this weekend, but I will try to check in. If you need to, please just bot me...Imsh cannot seem to hit the broad side of a barn at the moment..lol

Between Oso, Aredhel, and even Imsh, the party scatters the insects before them, slaying enough of them that their strange communication breaks down, and they become simple insects again.

Combat is over! Just as an FYI, you are in the room marked "10" on the map.

Each of you spends the next few minutes digging and shaking out living and dead cockroaches, beetles, centipedes, and other harder-to-identify creatures from every pocket, sleeve, pant leg

Mandraiv says, "That didn't work out as well as I had hoped. So, do we want to try that approach again hoping that we got them all, or look for another route?"

Oso wipes himself clean with a loud laugh at the end. "They no like Garundi! Ha."

He grins as he starts picking away at his pants and boots, removing the biggest beetles first.

"I guess downstairs safe? Or mommy waits?"

Imsh shakes the bugs out of his gear and clothes while trying to stay alert.
"Well we might as well check it out now. I would hate to think we had to endure those pests for nothing! Oh, is anyone hurt?"

"Downstairs," agrees Aredhel grimly.

Mandraiv thinks, "Once more into the breach ..."

Mandraiv again heads down the stairs.

Wisdom (Perception) check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Dexterity (Stealth) check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

The party, led by the scouting Mandriav, descend back down to the refuse-filled room again. Trash from the kobold tribes lies thigh-high heaps around the chamber, still crawling with various insects and small rodents. Unlike before, the insects seem docile or skitter away at your approach. Small paths have been plowed through the trash to connect the stairs to closed door in the north and south walls.

Mandraiv checks out the door to the north to see if it might be trapped.

Wisdom (Perception) check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Then he checks to see if it is locked.

The door does not seem to be trapped or locked, and no unusual noises can be heard coming through it.

Mandraiv will open the door slightly and use a mirror to try to check out the room.

Wisdom ( Perception ) check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8