DDEX 01-08: Tales Trees Tell [5e Adventurers League] (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

"Very well. I hope he's good looking," Alysha says, brushing her hair back.

Upon hearing the commotion outside, Rakish gets up from the table and heads out.

Seeing what's been done, he heads for the Rangers house.

Raeva goes with the group to find the ranger. He wonders what elves use bone?

"My dearest lady, am I not enough eye candy for you? What truly voracious appetite you must have!" pronounces Shoun as they walk, before slipping her a wink.

Krissina tries her best to comfort the man as he awakens. Trying to calm his broken mind with gentle song. Sadly it seems he is too far gone.
"May have been better to let him die, than live in his broken mind where nightmares repeat."
As Alysha mentions the pin Krissina picks it up and tucks it away grimly. Sometimes such things have power, the Fey in particular often resonated with poetic justice.

"To the Ranger, then. there were more men sent into this forest, perhaps we can spare at least some of them this fate."

You get some directions to the various places from Hupe and find that Serelis, the half-elven ranger, has a cabin on the edge, well, just inside the edge of the Quivering Wood, and as such, the townsfolk rarely go there, considering it off-limits. The half-elf just shows up in town from time to time to check up on Kabel Hill's residents.

It is easy enough to find the path, once you get close enough. Anyone trained in Survival easily finds that it is an animal run, narrow and twisting through the forest. It goes on for just under a mile before the narrow, twisting path opens at last into a small glade, with a picturesque babbling stream tumbles past a cabin built of natural timbers and sod roofing. The only sign of occupancy is the small garden along the far side of the cabin, with a number of herbs and vegetables growing in neat rows. A tall scarecrow stands overlooking a half-elf tending garden...

Noticing you approach, he stopped working and props his elbow on the end of his shovel, I take it that they have not returned yet?

The sound of concern is easily evident in his voice as he asks this question...

"One did, but not in a fit state to speak of it, we'd like to find the others before a similar fate befalls them." Krissina's voice is cold, lacking the usual amusement and warmth in tone.

One? Who? Serelis looks relieved, until he sees Krissina's cold demeanor, Tell me what happened...

He stops you, shudders a bit as a cold wind runs through the trees, Let us go into the house. It will be much warmer in there. You can taste some of my life's work, the best hard cider that you will taste this side of the Stonajow.

Krissina follows Serelis into his home, casting her mind back "Rerk was the man, he was strung up outside the Inn, his letter pinned to his chest."

Serelis flinches at Krissina's description, Rerk did not deserve that.

He hands each of you a steaming mug of hot hard cider before continuing, Near two tenday ago, the residents of Kabel's Hill approached me about leading a small group into the Quivering Forest to treat with the elves of Greenhall. The elves, I told them, should be the least of their concern, but they wouldn't have it.

He takes a seat amongst you at his meager dinner table, I cautioned them against entering the forest, insisting that the fey would not react favorably to their intrusion. Again, they disregarded my warning.

I did not want them going in ill-prepared, so I armed them with a sword each, a tenday's worth of rations, a good cloak to keep them warm, and a warning that this would end in tragedy. As unsurprised as I am, I am still heartbroken for them and their families.

The least? Rakish inquires.

Serelis hesitates, There are darker things in the forest than the elves. The superstitious folk that they are, they think that the elves control this place...

"Surely this Halvin was not the first to wander into the Quivering forest, thinking they could obtain gifts from the elves? What do you know of this fellow?

And what else should we be concerned about in the forest?" Alysha asks.

Draco keeps the pin out of sight and on him and mentions nothing about the man, if the ranger wasn't already informed. Would you come with us into the forest? Draco asks politely.

Halvin? The sheer threat of the fey of Quivering Forest was enough to keep those townfolk away. Halvin, he was a wildcard, the half-elf shakes his head.

Turning to regard Draco's question, he asks quietly, You still intend to go in there?

Serelis sighs, Be wary of everything in there. The fey are never what they seem...

He is interrupted by a loud thud as the door shudders, as if under a heavy blow!

The second impact knocks the door off its hinges as the scarecrow, animated with a jagged tear across its face giving it a twisted sneer, lumbers in! It blurs for a split second, and a second one seems to step out of the first as if it was one standing before the other!

Almost immediately, the window shutters burst open and several masses of writhing vines creep through, coalescing into vaguely humanoid shapes!

Initiative:
Alysha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Draco: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Krissina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Raeva: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Rakish: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Shoun: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Bad Guys: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Shoun and Rakish can go first, then Krissina and Alysha will go simultaneous with the bad guys, then the rest of you can go. Post willy-nilly and I will sort 'em out! (i.e. - Post your actions regardless of your location in the order, and I will put them in a semblance of order.)

Rakish roars and charges the scarecrow. As he charges, he drops into a slide, popping up at the last moment slamming his shoulder into the scarecrow.

Shove, opposed Athletics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Shove is my Athletes vs their Athletics OR Acrobatics. If successful, advantage on next attack, and the same for others until it gets up; costs 1/2 movement to stand.

After he is back on his feet, he uses his momentum to bring the axe down through the scarecrow straight into the floor.

Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Advantage?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

This axe does double damage to plants and trees. Does the scarecrow count? It is made of wood? :)

Edit: And oh my that's perfect! If it fails, it explains the Nat 1! :)

"Well, that is rude," Alysha says, casting Mage Armor on herself.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

The scarecrow manages to keep its feet and fends off Rakish' attack!

With the cramped cabin, everyone is able to reach any target. There are two scarecrows and four blights.

@Rakish, the scarecrows, no. The blights, ABSOLUTELY!

Doesn't it just do max damage against plant creatures, rather than double damage? That is the axe from LMoP, right?

Yes, having the LMOP game and having just dming it recently it deals max damage to plants.
Draco moves into melee with the closest plant and will swing with his lightbringer. played LMop with this character about a year ago
hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (9) = 15 dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 magical blunt.

You're right. It is max damage. I must have transcribed it wrong when I wrote I down. Heck, it's even on my log sheet correctly, I just wrote it wrong in my attack stat block.

Shoun waits until someone engages an enemy in melee then fires off a bolt of fire at their target, following up by aiding their next attack against the creature.

Attacking and using my bonus action to add other the same target. Will move to make sure they're within 30' if needed.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage Roll: 1d10 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + (3, 4) = 14

Raeva casts Firebolt at the scarecrow.

Fire Bolt
To Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 To Hurt: 1d10 ⇒ 5

If Krissina can catch 2 or more in a Thunderwave (without hitting a party member) she will do that (for dmg: 2d10 ⇒ (7, 4) = 11 and push back 10' - 1/2 on save and no push) If it's too confined she'll engage a blight in melee Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Shoun, at the point that you are acting, Rakish is the only one engaged so far, with the scarecrows mad of mostly straw...

Initiative:
Rakish: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Shoun: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Bad Guys: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Alysha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Krissina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Raeva: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Draco: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Krissina steps forward, just as two of the needle blights let fly at her and one lets loose at Alysha, and conjures a clap of thunder! BTW, thunderwave uses d8s. ;) 2d8 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Blight 1 Needle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Disadvantage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Blight 2 Needle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Disadvantage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Blight 3 Needle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Disadvantage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Two of the blights are blown apart and hit the wall, collapsing into piles of unmoving vine! The other one loses some cohesion, but manages to pull itself together! As they were able to loose their needles at the same time that they were blown away, the thunderwave threw all the needles off course and they embed themselves in the walls!

Needle blights 2 & 3 are dead! Needler 1 is wounded -7 hp. Needle blight 4 is untouched.

Scarecrow 1 stands up and wails on Rakish!

Scarecrow 1 claw 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Scarecrow 1 claw 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

But Rakish parries them easily!

The second scarecrow moves toward Rakish, who is right in front of them!

Scarecrow 2 claw 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Scarecrow 2 claw 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Rakish ducks the first blow but gets slashed by the second! Rakish takes 6 hp and 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 is assaulted by visions of nightmarish creatures and a cackling that chills him to the bone! Rakish is frightened of Scarecrow 2 until the end of its next turn. Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while Scarecrow 2 is alive.

Botting Alysha.

Alysha moves to a corner and points a bony finger at the scarecrow that struck Rakish and summons up a ray of frost! 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 1d8 ⇒ 7

Scarecrow 2 is -7 hp. Scarecrow 1 is untouched. Oop, almost forgot Needle blight 4!

Needle blight 4 scratches at Draco with its claws, but merely scratches ineffectually on his shield!

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Assuming that Draco is using his shield, that would be a miss.

Raeva draws a bead on the scarecrow that clawed at Rakish, hitting it square on the back and it seems particularly effective!!!

Scarecrow takes 10 hp from Raeva's firebolt bringing it to -17 hp!

In retaliation, Draco brings his Lightbringer down upon the needler before him! Needle blight 4 now has -5 hp from max.

Enemy status:
Scarecrow 1 (at full hp)
Scarecrow 2 (-17 hp)
Needle blight 1 (-7 hp)
Needle blights 2 & 3 (dead)
Needle blight 4 (-5 hp)

Rakish & Shoun up next!

Rakish responds to fear with anger, and as such launches into Scarecrow 2 with full fury.

Any OA for this is acceptable.

Hew: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Dis: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Lightbringer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Dis: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

AS Hex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Dis: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Initiative:
Rakish: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Shoun: 1d20 ⇒ 18 <=
Bad Guys: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Alysha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Krissina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Raeva: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Draco: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Enemy status:
Scarecrow 1 (at full hp)
Scarecrow 2 (-17 hp)
Needle blight 1 (-7 hp)
Needle blights 2 & 3 (dead)
Needle blight 4 (-5 hp)

Attack of Opportunity, it right up on you.

Rakish swings wildly, a flurry upon the scarecrow that hit him!

-7 hp more to Scarecrow 2! Sorry, man, that disadvantage hurt. But because this response is character driven, I will award inspiration to Rakish.

Shoun will again use fire on one of the Scarecrows attacking Rakish, while simultaneously granting Draco assistance with his target, calling out it's tendency to lean to the left just before it attacks.

Taking a bonus action to aid Draco, then shooting more fire at the one on Rakish.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage Roll: 1d10 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + (4, 4) = 10

Nice! Master of Tactics ability? Had to actually look that one up! Okay!

Scarecrow 2 goes up in flames briefly and falls, smoldering on the floor for a few seconds before it lays quietly, smoking...

Scarecrow 1 swings at Rakish again!

Scarecrow 1 claw 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Scarecrow 1 claw 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Ducking, Rakish dodges the first easily, then seeing the other coming close, he raises his shield just in time!

Needle blight 1 scratches fiercely at Krissina!

Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Ha ha! The needler's thorny claws scrape across the tiefling bard's leather cuirass!

Needle blight 4 leaps on Draco, trying to scratch his eyes out! But the claws, again, scratch ineffectually on the cleric's shield!

Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Initiative:
Rakish: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Shoun: 1d20 ⇒ 18 <=
Bad Guys: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Alysha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Krissina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Raeva: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Draco: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Enemy status:
Scarecrow 1 (at full hp)
Scarecrow 2 (dead)
Needle blight 1 (-7 hp)
Needle blights 2 & 3 (dead)
Needle blight 4 (-5 hp)

Everyone may go, and I will sort them out!

Ya, I read the ability and had to take mastermind.

Watching the previous Scarecrow fall, Shoun will continue to support Rakish with his ranged fire will also offering Draco whatever suggestions he can.

I don't know if he rolled with it last round, but this round Draco will definitely have advantage.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage Roll: 1d10 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + (1, 4) = 12

Oh yeah, I knew it would hurt. But it was just so fitting.

With scarecrow 2 down, the fear subsides in Rakish, and with it the anger. He takes a breath, and swings at the other Scarecrow with a bit more tactical awareness.

Hew: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Inspiration: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Lightbringer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Raeva next targets the blight attacking Krissina.

Fire Bolt
To Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 To Hurt: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Of course Draco has his shield out as he isn't expecting to cast spells right now, especially burning hands
He swings at the nearest plant or scarecrow hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (20) = 26 dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 angered at the fact that he was almost hurt.
extra crit dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

So they do, don't know what I was thinking there. However it seems d8s are better than d10s anyway!

Krissina stabs at the needly-thing with her rapier (either the one her or the other if that's down) Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Alysha summons a barrage of magic missiles at the Scarecrow. They appear as crows that tear at the construct.
"Now these crows are something to be afraid of..."

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 3 = 13

Initiative:
Rakish: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Shoun: 1d20 ⇒ 18 <=
Bad Guys: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Alysha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Krissina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Raeva: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Draco: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Alysha reaches into her component pouch and produces three black feathers. She fans them out, and flings them like darts! In flight, they grow and form into black raven-shaped bolts of force, shredding the scarecrow, leaving tufts of straw shooting out like a spray of blood!

Krissina's rapier pierces whatever heart was holding this bundle of vines together and it collapses in a heap!

Seeing that Krissina's blight has fallen to her blade, Raeva turns his firebolt on the scarecrow! The protruding straw flares up and dies out quickly!

Draco, furious, lashes out with Lightbringer its light causing Rakish' sister weapon to gleam brightly as if responding to each other's presence! With a flash of light, the impact of Draco's mace reduces the blight into a pile of vines!

Shoun's firebolt flies wide, scoring the ceiling above the scarecrow, but he calls out to Rakish, The construct! It's open on its left flank!

Rakish, you do not need to expend the inspiration, since that was your first attack, Shoun gave you advantage.

In response, Hew digs in deep, and Rakish' Lightbringer finishes the job, taking the scarecrow's head from its shoulders!

Combat over!

Serelis looks frozen in fear... He knows something, but you fear that he will not enter the forest now...

Raeva considers him for a moment. "Were they after us or after you?"

The half-elf looks at Raeva, still obviously in shock, then speaks in a quiet voice, She knows... somehow, she knows...

Maybe she didn't take kindly to us healing that man. Like his punishment was suppose to be death and we inter-veined. Either way it is over. Hopefully we can work out a peaceful resolution.

Rakish posts himself outside, awaiting the group. He provides protection and serves as a lookout while the rest talk inside. Those who know him, know this is how he normally acts.

Draco will join him. So, to the barn now? We have cattle to investigate

"I honestly don't know whether you'll be safer sticking with us or hiding here. Choice is yours." Krissina searches his face for more answers, but doubts he has any.

"Well done folks. Glad we live to survive another day."

Turning to Serelis, Shoun says "The lovely lady is quite correct. You may be safe here, but you may now be a target as well."

He is obviously is shaken but then he begins packing, I'm going to leave, and you should too. Don't go in the forest, I beg of you. Please do not anger her further! It will just end poorly... I feel for the lost townsfolk, really I do, but this is a battle that I cannot win, and I am not confident that you can either...

He looks around at the carnage surrounding him, then shakes his head, At least, not reasonably certain...

--

Rakish, you are not outside for even a minute, when a little bird flits to your shoulder...

Rakish grunts in agreement.

This will be a challenge, but he will endeavour to try.

"Could you please stop talking in such a vague way? Who are you talking about? What is her name? Why would she be angry if we sought her out in the forest? Why are you so gorram scared?"

"Fear is the path to failure. Fear leads to self-doubt, and self-doubt erodes ability. Please name the person behind this so we can resolve things peacefully."

"If you do not join us, we might be twice as lost. At least if you help us you give us a chance to find the poor souls in the forest," Alysha says.

persuasion: 1d20 ⇒ 7