Storm King's Thunder / Dragon Heist [5e AL] (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

Eerie cocks his head for a moment at Kella's response, "Eerie was wrong? Jess eet happen.." He then resumes his close proximity, "Eet it sad you do not like whispers. They and giggles are best part, the rest is much worse. Maybe during processs you tell more of Snail?"

I imagine, at this point Eerie looks exactly as his avatar picture, staring at Kella.

Also Kella begins hearing giggles to accompany the whispers.

"Oh! That is why we keep him around." Kella gets no help from Sliver.

You find that Snail is approximately the equivalent of a mafia underboss in the Zhentarim. He runs business out of Daggerford and is looking to open a new headquarters in Nightstone.

It has not been more than 15 minutes, when Dalron and Snow hear it first, then everyone else (you are a perceptive bunch!)... the sounds of Orcish war drums! It is a ways off, but it is steadily getting louder...

"We need to close the draw bridge now!"

Using his healing kit on Snow.

heal: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"That should make you feel better. Anyone else hurt?"

@Dalron, you heal that total + Snow's max HD (4) so total 9 hp.

well that's even better

Nice! Thanks.

"No. We need to run. Hiding in the tower will only mean we're trapped while the orcs work out a way to get to us. We should try to get to the townsfolk. Keep them safe and keep moving."

Looking around and seeing how bad the town is. He Takes a deep breath.
"You are right silver, this town is in no shape to repel attackers. We need to get to the towns folk and get them to safety."

Looking over to Kaelen

"How far are the caves that the town folk would be hidden in?"

Oghren does some quick looting before looking for the caves. "Lets see if any was caring some paperwork or other usable items before we head out."

There's still the general store. Food and blankets will probably be needed.

Good call, supplies on the way out and to the townsfolk. What should we do with her? Pointing to Kella.

As May passes by Eerie she puts her hand out, pauses a moment, then pats him on the back. Well done today.

For the briefest of moments, May's mind is flooded with a cacophony of verbal noise. From the maniacal giggles to screams of torture and everything scary/creepy in between. The touch causes Eerie to recoil in surprise as the hungry, creepy facial expression he had is replaced by baffled surprise. Though the surprise does not leave, the voices do. Eerie remains standing frozen and shocked.

The voices in Kella's head stop as well.

The guards tell you that the caves are hours to the North, but they also suggest that if you raise the drawbridge, maybe they will not be able to make it in?

As you all loot the Zhentarim agents, you find that the thugs each had 11 gp (66 total), Xolbrin had a gold ring with the Zhentarim winged snake symbol emblazoned upon it that you could sell for 25 gp, 4 pp, 13 gp, and five 100 gp gemstones. (I will compile all of these and split it up for your next logsheet entry.)

Also, the Zhent lieutenant has a vial in his hand that it looked like he was about to drink when he was shot down. A quick arcana check from May or Eeerie tells you that it is a potion of invulnerability. May and Eeerie can identify it and can tell you what it does, so everyone may look at the spoiler, just did it to save space.

Aukan and Sliver, please make me a History check.

EDIT: Kella also has a hand crossbow and short sword that is up for grabs, as well as 8 gp and 5 sp.

In response to May's question, Kella shakes her head, I would rather take my chances in here than on the run out in the open!

"But we can't trust you. You'll betray us and let the orcs get at us. If we stay, we'll have to kill you. You should run now."

”Furtherrr prrroof that patience on the side of the Zhentatim would have been useful.“ the monk says contemplatively. To everyone else, ”Let us draw the brrridge. If they cannot see inside they will not know how undefended it is. Perrrhaps we can sneak away while they devise a plan of siege. “

You think I would be able to barter successfully with orcs? Have you even MET an orc? Kella looks frantic, I wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw it! Look, tie me up if you have to! You let me out there and I will die for sure!

As you move to the gates, and the stronger of you begin to raise the drawbridge, others head up the tower and look out in the direction of the drums. The bulk of the army is still quite a ways off, but Snow's keen eyes catch a scouting party off a half-mile South for the town.

You would estimate that you have maybe an hour, so you may take a short rest, if you need.

First we need to decide on Kella's fate. Sliver is all for releasing her to her fate without any weapons. "She betrayed us once. I'd rather not give her the chance to do so again."

Sliver will gather up all the arrows he can find and secure them at the top of the tower.

Didn't see that history check.

History: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Sliver finds a full quiver in the general store and takes it up to the tower.

That is enough, based on your background and class.

Sliver knows two things. First, this is the Ear Seeker tribe, a tribe of orcs that like to make necklaces of elf ears. Second, this tribe often wars with your cousins in Ardeep forest to the South and possibly is coming from a skirmish with them.

Aukan may have a little more to add, if he makes his History check as well.

Sliver will also collect the zhents' weapons. He'll place the crossbows and bolts for the guard towers at the town entrance. He'll take a scimitar for himself.

Technically, the only lootable weapons are Kella's, but you guys can use all those for the session, basically until I give you the next logsheet entry. Kelly's hand crossbow and short sword were in the treasure listing.

That's what I meant.

Dalron looks around for healing supplies, knowing that in a fight someone will get hurt.

Snow observes the distance of the army and then sees the scouting party. With a sense of urgency she looks to the others, ”We need a fast grrroup of us that can get to that parrrty. If the parrrty does not rrreturn and without knowledge, they may move on.”

are they mounted?

As for Kella, ”She’s not stupid. She will help us as long as it is in herrr best interrrest. We may need herrr if this comes to a seige. Bind herrr and let us dispatch this scouting parrrty.

@Dalron, you can get a healer's kit from the general store.

@Sliver, just wanted to clarify, for those newer to AL.

@Snow, they are on foot. There are 4 of them.

So wait are we fleeing for the caves or holing up in the tower? Or taking out the scouts and then fleeing (or staying)?!

sorry, been traveling.
Earlier
Xolbrin runs from Aukan, who howls in rage and prepares to charge after him...and then May and Silver finish the Zhent. Aukan looks displeased.

This one shed my blood. This was my victory to finish. he grumbles.

History!: 1d20 ⇒ 7

This is a GOOD thing friends! We have, maybe an hour to prepare for glorious battle.

Against an entire army?! This is foolish.

@Aukan, something about the drum beat strikes you as familiar, but you can't put your finger on it...

Maybe, just maybe if we take out the scouts the army may think that there is a larger force in the area and we might make the army flee the area if it looks like it was a dragon or something else took out the scouts. That way the suffering would be kept at a minimum.
What does everyone think?

Eerie stands mouth agape staring in confusion at May.

"They have sent ambassadors. The least we can do is go out and meet with them. Orc, meet my arrow." Sliver goes out to try and ambush the scouts.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Suvival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Mayberry looks at the others and shakes her head. Well this had better work or we're orcish dinner. She does one of those double takes when she notices Eerie staring, like trying to figure out what he's looking at and then realizes it's her. Takes her a second but she puts it together. Quietly, Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, but what you did with that spell was really effective and clearly took something out of you. She pauses, considering. Do the voices really never stop for you? Don't they, um, bother you?

As May is not exactly stealthy or a hunter, she waits to see what the non-Silver folks are going to do.

Snow agrees with the others and begins the process of lowering the drawbridge. ”Whateverrr happens, we must move quickly and not let any of the scouts escape. “

Once the bridge is down and everyone is ready, assuming that happens in relatively short order, Snow head out. how far away is the scouting party? If they are within 80 ftshe will move directly toward them. If not, a more subtle approach may be needed.

Stealth if needed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Yes friend Snow in the Valley! No escape! No surrender! WAKPA WE! Aukan is all smiles now as he heads off for more glorious battle.

Stealth is not something I do, but I can try.

Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 5
at disadvantage Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 5

The dice gods have spoken

Dalron trots a long, his armor smacking against his shield and pack, making almost a drum beat with every step.

stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Mayberry does not want to be orc vittles, and manages to be quite stealthy behind Snow. Finger of death at the ready.

Eerie's surprise changed to an abashed expression as he fumbles with his words, clearly flustered. "N..no..ee..eet not ups..set me. I..I just not have receive praise. Th...thank jou," he says, the 'thank you' is clearly foreign coming out of his mouth. He relaxes a little as he continues, obviously more comfortable with the next subject matter, "Jess. Voices not go away. Eef I focus on some, others tend to abate. So I focus on laughter, they are favorite."

Originally Eerie does not appear interested in joining the ani-scouting party. But, as soon as May joins the party Eerie follows with a strange determination.

Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 5

His determination clearly taking up more of his concentration than not being seen.

Deciding it best to not split up the group, Oghren joins the rest of the clankers in the ambush! "Want me to play as bait, so you quieter folk can flank them?"

disadvantage
Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Blasted twigs: 1d20 ⇒ 10

To sort of back up a smidge, May would have been her usual friendly self to Eerie after he responded. She would have pointed out that focusing on the laughing voices explains why he is always grinning and laughing himself. I picture her as one of those touch-feely types so I'll remember to write out when she does that. She warms up to people easily, even the odd ones.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 May doesn't really notice why Eerie changed his mind about scout-hunting.

Once or twice she looks back at the noisy folks with that "really?" look, like she's soooo good at this stealth thing herself (and not just lucky). May's becoming more confident about this gameplan the closer we creep towards those orc scouts.

By the time you all decide to head out, the scouting party is about a quarter mile away (~1300 feet). So it would be better for you to head with stealth.

As you cross the bridge, the less stealthy moving far from the rest of the group, it is not long before you all hear the whooping of the orcs as they sprint toward the group!

They are still a way's off, if anyone would like to make preparations... You estimate 5 rounds, before they are upon you!

When initiative becomes important:

Snow & May -> Sliver -> Orcs -> Oghren -> Eeerie -> Aukan -> Dalron

At the sound of the charging orcs, Oghren thinks it's time to egg them on!

"You returned late home that night
Evidence all around you from the flight
You see your family’s blood spilled on the ground
There’s no trace of the Orcs to be found

Spill the blood"

Oghren, Aukan's warcry of "WakpaWe" literally means "river of blood" or "spilling blood" in Lakota Sioux.
Aukan sings along with Oghren, he doesn't know the words, but the song enlivens him!

COME AND FACE ME ORC! COME AND FACE MY AXE! he screams

On of you may make an Intimidation check aided by the other (with advantage).

Intimidation Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

@Oghren, in 5e, you no longer need to roll for the Help action! Just give the other advantage. I will accept your die roll as one of Aukan's two rolls (since you are helping him.)

Dalron thumps his shield to the beat of Oghren's song.