DDEX 1-2 Secrets of Sokol Keep [5e Adventurers League] (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

Ander steps up to one of the armors, keeping it in its alcove. His strong swing sends a spray of barnacles and shell flying!

As Yarroth and Ceidith wail ineffectually on the armor that the young merchant-warrior struck, hoping to drop it quickly!

Initiative Order:
Kairon
Ander X
Yarroth X
Largo
Ceidith X
Suit of Armor 1 -6 hp
Suit of Armor 2
Raina (pending)

Knowledge Arcane: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Does Kairon recognize the enchantment or type of creature that these things are?

Kairon steps back from the suits of armor and places his palm forward calling forth an blast of eldritch energy to strike the closest animation.

Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
EDIT the attack roll is actually 1 less.
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10 Force Damage

Largo unslings his crossbow as he closes ranks with his companions, too startled to make a quip.

Light crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage (piercing): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Kairon's bolt of crimson energy deflects off the armor's pauldron and Largo's crossbow bolt ricochets off as well!

The armor trapped in the alcove takes a pair of swings at Ander, in response to the damage it took.

Slam attack 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Slam attack 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Ander gets hit for 5 hp, but manages to angle his armor so that the second hit glances off!

The second suit moves up and takes two swings at Kairon!

Slam attack 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Slam attack 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

The armor bashes the young warlock once, Kairon, if you would like, you may use your hellish rebuke. twice and he drops to the floor, dying.

EDIT: Then Raina, seeing the approaching armor turns her attention upon it, invoking a spell! Con save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 But aside from a pop and a slight rocking of the helmet, it seems to have no effect on the animated suit of armor.

Initiative Order: Round 2
Kairon (unconscious)
Ander
Yarroth
Largo
Ceidith
Suit of Armor 1 -6 hp
Suit of Armor 2
Raina

Growling in frustration and anger, Yarroth again attempts to strike the armor with his swords.

Attack-melee: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Attack-melee: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Why does the dice roller want us all to die.... lol. These are the worst rolls yet!

Sorry, guys. This is bad!

Not your fault...just sometimes the die roller wants to have characters sacrificed to it's evilness.

I'll be casting Thunderwave or Ice Knife next. When they move next, please let me know how far apart they are from each other and whether I can hit one or both without hitting anyone else.

ice knife has a 5' radius around the target, thunderwave is a 15' cube

Seeing an ally go down, Ander swears and pushes himself to fight harder.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15, Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Then, Action Surge!
Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20, Damage w/ Distracting Strike: 1d10 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (7) = 14

Assuming the second one hits, the next ally to attack the same target before my next turn gets advantage on their attack roll.

Oh, and if somehow the first attack dropped my enemy, I'll move and direct the second attack against the other one. Rawr!

Raina, are you able to see the map? If not, I will have to come up with another way.

Ander swings two incredibly fast strikes at the armored suit, the first only succeeding in knocking off a spray of calcified growth, but the second breaks off another chunk, this time from the breastplate! The suit still stands, but it looks rocked!

Yarroth, you have advantage on the first of your two attacks!

Initiative Order: Round 2
Kairon (unconscious)
Ander X
Yarroth
Largo
Ceidith
Suit of Armor 1 -20 hp
Suit of Armor 2
Raina

Dang, a 15 misses? Yikes, that's rough at this level. Good thing I've got three more dice and the Precision Attack maneuver.

Yeah it is brutal! You are basically fighting two suits of plate armor. Plus two attacks per round makes it more brutal.

ok, advantage roll for attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Well that is a little better...better than two 1's...

Yarroth's first blade stabs true, causing the armor to shudder, but his second strike fails to penetrate the armored plates. The suit rattles, a little unstable, but yet stands!

Initiative Order: Round 2
Kairon (unconscious)
Ander X
Yarroth X
Largo
Ceidith
Suit of Armor 1 -29 hp
Suit of Armor 2
Raina

I completely forgot about the map. That helps! Ok, change of plans.

Raina casts Healing Word (bonus action) on Kairon, then Frostbites the Suit of Armor.

healing word: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Suit of Armor next to Kairon had to make a DC 13 Con Save or take 1d6 ⇒ 3 cold damage and disadvantage on next attack.

While casting frostbite, she tries to make it obvious she's the one casting. Hey, you big dumb walking coral reef, over here! Raina calls out, trying to get the Suit of Armor to get away from Kairon. She steps back about 20 feet hoping to draw it away.

Ceidith strikes the armor again in desperation

Attk 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
dmg, if hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Attk 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Dmg, if hit: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4

Did Kairon's knowledge check reveal anything?
Intellgience (Arcana?): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

The bard grunts in alarm. Gripping his crossbow by the stock, he seizes a small brass horn from a loop at his side.

This works. Usually. Can they hear us, or...

"Go for the... joints!"

Give a Bardic Inspiration die (1d6) to Ander.

Largo inhales deeply. He brings the horn to his lips, set into a practiced embouchure. His fingers trickle across the valves of the horn as a discordant melody fills the chamber.

Cast Tasha's hideous laughter (DC 13 Wis) on the 2nd suit, unless Int check reveals an immunity or something.

Ceidith, again, swings twice at the moving suit! The first clangs ineffectual against its side, but the second slips between the plates and strikes some resistance.

A moment later, the suit of armor falls apart, immobile on the floor...

One suit of armor left!

I believe I was only hit once and would still be consious. My ac is 14 so a 10 would miss. With Raina's heal I will be full HPs again.

Hellish Rebuke: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 1) = 10 Fire Damage, Reflex for Half

Round 2 Attack
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Force Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Round 3 Attack
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Force Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Well that was under whelming.

Stepping back away from the Animations Kairon confirms the details about the animated armored that the group has deduced on thier own by this point.

@Kairon: That was weird. I could have sworn the first one was higher. Maybe I accidentally looked at the first set. My bad. Also, because the armor is right in your face, you will have disadvantage on all ranged attacks that you make. As neither of them hit it does not matter for round 2 (I'll take both rolls for Round 2), but you may change your mind for Round 3 if you like.

@Largo: Knowing what you know, will you make an attack or cast a different spell?

The suit of armor, after striking Kairon, bursts into flame! Dex Save: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Initiative Order: Round 2
Kairon X -5 hp
Ander X -5 hp
Yarroth X
Largo
Ceidith X
Suit of Armor 1 Dead
Suit of Armor 2 -10 hp
Raina

EDIT: @Kairon: How are you stepping away? There is no 5-foot step anymore. Round 3, you may take the Disengage action to get away with not Attack of Opportunity, but if you use your movement to move away now, it will get a free swing.

DM: I'll make another attack instead of casting the spell. Still giving the inspiration die to Ander.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Good shot!

Largo's crossbow quarrel sinks deep in the breastplate of the animated armor. It rocks back but continues forward.

It circles around Kairon, and swings again.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Kairon crumples under the weight of hit (-5 hp), then the armor turns its helm toward Largo and moves toward him, taking a swing at him as well!

Slam 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The halfling dances out of the way!

Raina casts healing word and Kairon comes to consciousness, then taunts the construct as she sends another coldsnap at it!

Con save DC 13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Again, it seems to weather the freezing burst!

Initiative Order: Round 2
Kairon -3 hp
Ander -5 hp
Yarroth
Largo
Ceidith
Suit of Armor 1 Dead
Suit of Armor 2 -14 hp
Raina

Back to the top! Remember, Ander that you have a d6 inspiration die to spend if your hit is close.

Well that's certainly one way to get the armor to move away from me lol

Ander advances on the remaining foe and takes a swing.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9, Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Dang, even the B.I. won't get me there.

"Immune to enchantments?" Largo huffs. Taking a hand off his crossbow, he yanks a short blade from a sheath at his thigh.

"Let's try Plan C!"

Take hand off crossbow (never drew horn if not casting). Draw dagger, attack.

Dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage (slashing): 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Ceidith turns around and strikes at the second suit of armor
attk roll 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
dmg, if hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
attk roll 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
dmg, if hit: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + (4) = 10

Die Already!

Yarroth move to the second set of armor and slashes at it with his swords.

Attack-melee: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Attack-melee: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Critical damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Ander's swing deflects off the armor's pauldron!

Yarroth's first attack fails to find purchase on the heavy armor, but his second blade slips between the seams!

Largo, piles on, stabbing the armor in the back!

Then, Ceidith slides in with two attacks and after the first hit slides in under the shoulder, the rogue's second swing sends the helmet flying across the chamber! It is fairly clear the Ceidith's first hit seemed to disperse the last of the enchantment.

The threat seems to have been neutralized. What would you like to do?

Raina checks on everyone to make sure they're ok and no one is seriously injured.

Ceidith walks up to the disembodied head and kneels down, picking it up. Damn things... Started to think I had to sell my swords...

Boot-steadied, the halfling yanks his dagger out of the back of the de-animated construct. He sheaths it, and hefts his crossbow.

Largo will check out the remains of the armor and surroundings for any clues about the whereabouts of the missing guards and Sokol kid.

Int (Investigation): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Assuming you will share the information readily, whether verbally or in your movements of the investigation...

The halfling looks about, at the armor, seems to find nothing of note in terms of finding the missing guards, other than the tracks that lead through the mud of this room...

The tunnel continues West.

Rest, or continue?

Continue

Seeing that everyone is ok, or at least not at deaths door, Raina continues following the tracks.

Map is updated.

The floor levels out in this 40-foot diameter circular chamber. Despite the water that fills the room up to your shins, it is easy to notice the sinkhole that has opened up in the middle. The bottom is impossible to see because of the sheer amount of sediment that has accumulated here. Some simple deduction leads you to believe that the sides of the sinkhole are gently sloped, but covered in a thick coat of slick algae.

The only other feature in this room is a narrow hole near the top of the left wall and the door of beaten brass on the far wall.

As your light spills into the room, you can see a smear of a dark substance on the handle. As you get nearer, you become more certain that the substance is blood...

Also as you enter the room, you find that the slick algae is going to make traversing it difficult.

It will take a Dexterity check to make it across. If you can come up with something to help you across, I will give you advantage.

Raina casts Shape Water, attempting to move the slick algae off the path. If the water surrounding the algae doesn't suffice, she tries pouring some water from a wineskin to help brush the algae aside.

I like it. A Dex check will still be necessary, but I will lower the DC. How much area does it cover?

5' area per casting. But if it actually removes the algae a decent amount, it may lower the DC long enough for everyone to get past this skill challenge. It's a cantrip, so I can cast it multiple times.

Awesome idea Raina!! Kudos!

As Raina somewhat clears the path, Yarroth heads off across the room.

DEX save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Would this be a DEX save, blank DEX check, or DEX (Acrobatics)?

Nodding affirmatively at Raina for her good idea Kairon attempts to cross the room.

Dex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

dex check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Glaring up at his taller companions, Largo hoists his pack above his head and prepares to venture into the murky water. After a moment, he sets it back down, and begins digging through his equipment. He curses, and stands back up.

"We could use some rope here, on further consideration."

Back in Phlan, hitching my mule. That's where I left it.

5' area per casting. But if it actually removes the algae a decent amount, it may lower the DC long enough for everyone to get past this skill challenge. It's a cantrip, so I can cast it multiple times.

I will say that you are able to scrub the area, in this case, mostly scouring the area. But without taking a good hour or so, you are not going to get it all.

Would this be a DEX save, blank DEX check, or DEX (Acrobatics)?

Acrobatics will work.

Raina, Yarroth, and Kairon make it across fairly easily, but find that the door seems to be stuck!

EDIT: @Largo, throwing the rope across to the three that are at the other end, if they tie it to the door handle, you can take advantage on the roll.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

If someone can actually provide the rope, otherwise the 1st roll is his check.

Waiting on Ceidith to roll, but while we are doing that, does someone want to try to unjam the door? It will take a Strength check.

dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Ceidith wades into the water with a sigh, but not before picking up the metal head of the animation. I believe I have some rope. He reaches into his pack and pulls some out

Advantage (Ceidith): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Ceidith tosses the rope to the others and begins to make his way across. With the worst of luck, the rogue hits a slippery patch of algae that Raina was not able to get and slides into the sinkhole!

As he slides into the pool, several rough rocks jutting up from the ground below the water's surface tear at Ceidith's skin! Ceidith takes 4 hp damage.

Using the rope, he is able to pull himself up to the brass door and the rest of the group.

Just waiting on a Strength check to get the door unstuck.