Quick notices that Maristella is looking unsure and uncomfortable prying around in someones head. He pushed himself up with his staff, and makes his way over to her, places a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"See what he knows about he cult, about the lizard people, what this place is for, the dragons that are near by, the Lich, what his next move would be, why did the Dragonborn stay back while the rest of the cult headed father North."
"Just find out all the info you can about the Cult, you can do this, we believe in you!!"
Quick gives her shoulder a friendly squeeze then goes on about clean up the mess they made.
yes, Thank you. Where is the cult headed? who is the elf they speak of? what does he know of the lich? Where are the lizard people bringing the goods?
The man's mind, still addled with the death of his brother, is a mess. Mari is able to glean that there is an elf that lives in an old castle quite a ways west in the Mere of Dead Men. If she saw him, she woul dbe able to recognize him from this man's thoughts. The lizards take the goods there, but there eventual purpose is unknown to this man. He also knows nothing of any lich.
***
After discovering what the cultist new about the castle in the swamp, you spoke with the man that hired you who agreed that it would be a good idea to investigate where these goods were being taken. Following the tunnel, you came upon a trail that led into the swamp. After taking the canoes you found at the empty camp, you made your way to the castle, encountering strange lights, giant spiders and traps along the way. You took some time to check out the area before turning back to destroy one of the patrols.
Now you rest, deciding your next move...
***
At last meeting you had attempted to sow chaos into the ranks of the lizardmen and ended up forming a temporary alliance with them against the cult and the bullywugs that occupy the castle. Now you find yourself in the main courtyard amongst a battle between the two forces.
Initiative order is thus:
Bullies - Nat 20
Me - 21
Maristella - 18
Sorin - 15
Lothirian - 13
Lizards at 5
So Bullies turn..BOO...BOO-URNS!!!
Deciding that the rest of you are more of a threat than the lizardmen, the bullywugs attack your party. The first one fights with Quick and lands a solid blow with his spear, while the second lays into Lothirian with rage. Another one throws his spear at Maristella, but only manages to catch the inner keep wall with it while the last one continues to fight against the ever tightening thorn halo on its head.
Quick is looking pretty beat up.
He steels himself, increase his grip on his staff, although the blood from himself and his enemies is make the staff harder to grip he manages to find a good hold and, brings it down on the Bullywug who just speared him.
Success so he shall plant his staff and launch a kick at the same one.
He spins his staff over his head, strikes a pose and, stares down the one attacking Lothirian.
As if inspired by the years of hard training at the temple, and being in the courtyard surrounded by enemies, Quick unleashes a flurry of power at the unfortunate bullywug, leaving it a bloody, gurgling mess on the hard ground...
Bullywug 1 Bite at Quick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Bullywug 1 Spear at Quick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Bullywug 1 Spear Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Bullywug 2 Bite at Lothirian: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Bullywug 2 Bite Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bullywug 2 Spear at Lothirian: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Bullywug 2 Spear Damage Critical: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10
Bullywug 3 Spear Throw at Maristella: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Bullywug 4 Save Against Crown of Madness: 1d20 ⇒ 18Deciding that the rest of you are more of a threat than the lizardmen, the bullywugs attack your party. The first one fights with Quick and lands a solid blow with his spear, while the second lays into Lothirian with rage. Another one throws his spear at Maristella, but only manages to catch the inner keep wall with it while the last one continues to fight against the ever tightening thorn halo on its head.
[/ooc]
Bullywug 4 would still have to make an attack at a fellow Bullywog before he can make a save vs. crown of madness, as the save comes at the end of the turn, after his attack action...
Well, as it's a sustained spell, my action (in the previous round) was to hold the crown in place. That way when the Bullywugs had their turn to act, #4 would still be afflicted and make an attack against a teammate. Then he gets a save (which was successful) and come my turn I'll do something else.
The final bullywug attacks one of its clan mates, but then realizes the error of its ways as it shakes off Sorin's spell.
***
After defeating the bullywugs in the courtyard, your party assaulted the castle proper. In an unfortunate turnaround, some of your team went down against the defenses of the Cult. This resulted in the death of Lothirian. Sorin, determined to finish the mission, rallied the remaining troops and went after Drammor Borngray, the elven wizard and faced him in a duel. When the duel was over, neither participant could be found.
When Maristella and Quick came to, they saw that Sorin was missing and attended the funeral pyre of Lothirian, only to watch him rise again, but as something very different. After a brief discussion, they decided to go after Sorin. After turning the castle upside down, they found their way to a portal that led... somewhere. You are currently in combat with the remaining guard, a troll...
Initiative order:
Top of the fourth Round
Quick Foot of the Staff
Drakes - DEAD
Maristella
Lothirian
Troll
I shall wait to see if anything happens otherwise I shall attack said troll!!
Quick focuses on the final enemy, grip his staff tight and launches an attack as the trolls chest...
Doubt that hits...but if it did he will follow up with kick to the knee
And spending a Ki point (1 left) a sweeping of the legs hoping to knock the big guy down.
Troll must make a dexterity save against a DC of 14.
Though fast, Quick's staff strikes the troll only strong enough to annoy it as it brings its thick arms up to defend.
I take aim with my magic bow at the troll
dooom...
Lothirian the Risen, Knight of Unfinished Business strikes at the Troll, releasing a bellowing yell in an attempt to intimidate the troll into cowering and succumbing to the oncoming flurry.
Maristella fires her bow again and the shot goes wide as Lothirian crashes into the troll, great sword in hand. His weapon carves a chunk out of the beast, but it isn't enough to bring him down. You watch as the wound begins to close rapidly. Not long though as the troll returns the favor, biting into Lothirian's shoulder. It doesn't look at all fazed by the Risen Knight.
Quick is determined to loosen that bite and a few teeth. He spins around and swings his staff down upon the eyes of the troll.
Feeling that hit connect he uses a kick to knock it off Lothirian, then attempts to sweep it's leg. Spending Ki point 1 left.
He must make a Dex saving throw vs. 14 or be knocked prone.
Quick then moves between Lothirian and the troll, sets the staff on the shoulder, and motions for the troll to get back up.
(Stella remembers that fire is helpful against trolls)
FIREBOLT!
(hopefully that hits)
fire!
Lothirian puts his hand on the shoulder of Quick whom has so bravely placed himself in harm's way between him and the troll giving Quick 10 HP to gird him for the remaining battle.
Sensing Maristella has a good idea, Lothirian uses his remaining energy to tie a torch to the end of his glaive with a bit of rope and light it on fire making his weapon info a rudimentary flaming weapon.
Quick launches a fierce attack against the troll, sending it stumbling backwards off of its feet, right into Maristella's bolt of flame. This gives Lothirian enough time to patch Quick up and then begin to tie a torch to the end of his glaive.
The troll rises to its feet, roaring a challenge and running towards Maristella.
As you sit in your cage, you watch as Dralmorrar Borngray speaks to an image in front of you. The image is of a Black Dragonborn, who you have identified as Rezmir.
"Yes, my lord, they have gone through the portal and are at her lodge now."
"Excellent! With Talis out of the way, we will be able to continue our plans unchecked by naive ambition. Make sure that either she dies or they do. If either survive, finish the job."
"As you wish, my lord."
Borngray bows and the image vanishes. "If only the arrogant scalebreath would realize his 'plans' are too bold and will be crushed if he isn't more subtle. Now, to see about my guest."
He walks over to you. "Well, have you had enough time to think over my offer?"
See the troll rushing towards Stella, quick places the staff on the ground and vaults into the troll with a yell and a kick.
Oowww...my back...you guys got this right??
FIRE!!!!
Take that!
"My answer is no. You conspire with Rezmir, who incidentally is going after my friends... You challenged me to an honor duel when you were fully rested and ready for battle despite the fact that I was already bloodied from hours upon hours of combat. You negotiate with me in an attempt to win me over, all the while I am trapped in this magical cave."
Sorin looks down at his tattoos and a mournful look overtakes his visage. "I have done many a terrible thing in my past. I even promised my soul to an Erinye in an attempt to gain more power. I've made a great many strides to turn away from the killer I once was."
He then looks directly at Borngray. "You have no honor. Your actions belie your words, and I will not besmirch my honor to join the likes of you."
With that, Sorin starts to focus all his magical energies inward. Drawing upon his arcane techniques, the power granted to him by Eris, his bloodline, and any other force that will take notice. Turning himself into living bomb of magical energy that will explode and take Borngray with him to hell...
Sensing the troll is charging Maristella, Lothirian takes a wild swing with his glaive before it moves away.
edit:I used the wrong stats, 1 should be added to each of those.
"Where do you think you're going?" Lothirian inquires. Not willing to allow our fair bard to be accosted by such a beast, Lothirian abandons his efforts and charges the troll, speaking words of vengeance as he moves in to strike.
Continuing his charge, Lothirian uses his bonus action to also attack with the opposite end.
As the troll charges Maristella, a fast thinking Lothirian lashes out with his glaive, cutting a gash in the back of the troll's leg, causing it stumble forward. Quick's leap flies over the stumbling troll and lands him in a pile of poison ivy.
The troll is about to laugh when a burst of flame catches him in the face where Lothirian is twirling his glaive. The end results are grisly to say the least. Then there is the smell of charred trollflesh...
Recovering from your fight with the troll and drakes, you take a fast breath but don't have much time to think when a blast of hot air and the stench of sulfur overpowers even the burnt troll. A portal opens in the sky above you and a woman with dark red skin dressed in a tattered black dress that only barely covers her steps out into the air. Her arms are open as if waiting for something, black hair blowing in the powerful swirling wind. The heat rises and you can feel yourselves start to sweat despite it being a cool autumn day where you are. Suddenly you see a body floating up towards her outstretched arms. It is without clothing but covered in glowing runes. As you watch, she cradles the body and its head turns towards you. You recognize Sorin's face instantly. You aren't given much time to speak as the woman takes her prize and turns to reenter where she had come from. As the portal closes, you realize you must have been holding your breath the entire time as you feel suddenly heavy and exhale strongly.
Quick pops out of the patch as quickly as possible and looks around to make sure the trolls aren't rising up and says to his compatriots, "let's check the house unless someone has a way to track where she went?"
Quick tries to remember anything that may have help track them, items in the back ground of the portal, item they had, was Sorin breathing, did she look familiar at all. Then search the trolls body for a charm of anything that might allow entry into the house.
Stella notices Quick is looking a little beat up and places a hand on his shoulder.
Casts Cure wounds as a second level spell
Hang in there.
***
The road to Parnast isn't long, especially after you leave the confines of the woods and head into the foothills of the Graypeak Mountains. Quick's itching has finally stopped, though the rash might remain for days. The muddy paths that you have had to travel though helped and the divine inspiration of your help the temple of Bahamut brightened the day some. Even with the loss of Sorin, you were determined to press on. Swedgin seemed happy to help as well, though somewhat begrudgingly. That said, the four hour trip goes relatively smoothly.
When you reach Parnast, you first notice its size. It is almost embarrassingly small for a village. Barely twenty buildings in all by your count. A tavern, stable, and a shrine all pale in comparison to what really catches your eye. In a ravine next to the village is a massive castle made of pure ice. Though most of it is covered in mists, you notice that one of its towers is partially collapsed and that by the front gate, two very large statues stand. It is easy to tell that this castle was not made for those of human size.
As you enter the village, the inhabitants shy away from you, as if afraid of something.
how long are we planning on staying in parnast
I'm going to say not long. Get full provisions, maybe some magic items like potions. See if any Harper activity is here.
During the short ride Quick shall tell the tales of his fallen compatriots.
How Darwin was a master of stealth and his amazing powers of attacking people once hidden.
Also, of Sorin and his way of Illusion. He was able to make a building seem crime sceney and, how when he would defeat an enemy, he would become stronger and fight even harder.
He will mention how Sorin was in the Harpers as well.
He will also tell Swedgin about their quest. He will also mention what the group has found out so far to check any info Hagvor has and to compare notes!
***
After a long and deadly battle in the town of Parnast, you found yourselves on board a castle made of ice flying high in the sky. Maristella was offered a chance at leadership and with the help of Swedgin and Quick, made a resounding rebuttal. She is still looking for her wand and bow and Quick has also lost his staff. Lothirian and Hagvar found their way to the castle on the back of a wyvern that has since returned to its roost. When Lothirian finds the rest of the party, he has to tell them that Hagvar was frozen by a dragon and is still in its lair. As night falls, the mists in the courtyard become thick and the party must decide what to do next...
***
Another sad day in the journals of our story. In a fight with Rath Modar, a very powerful Red Wizard of Thay, Maristella lost her life. Quick beat him to within an inch of his life, but when they returned to the room, his body was gone. Forging on, you have made a pact with the cloud giant Blagothkus to assist him in removing the dragon and the rest of the cult from his castle and he has promised that his ogres no longer accost you. On top of that, he has given you gifts to help you fight the dragon and now you seek out the beast, vengeance in your hearts and minds...