WR 5E Skulls and Shackles

Game Master wicked_raygun

The Pressganged continue through the watery caves, often swimming more than treading the water on foot. They find a small cavern with walls that display strangely ribbed markings. The water there is just shallow enough that it comes just past their hips.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Perception DIS: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 <-- pass
Treggor snarls as he peers into the water. "Swords out, dogs! There be undead under are feet!"
Can I attack them, or would it be easier to just move past them?

This is treated more like a trap than a combat encounter. And since Treggor spotted them...

The Pressganged draw their weapons and carefully butcher the trapped ghouls. It takes a minute of careful strikes, but the ghouls lie still under the metal bars. And just past the ghouls, they see a small chest. With greed in their hearts, the Pressganged dig up the chest and open it.

The lock is rusted, but broken easily. And inside they find a small bounty.

#Loot
• bag of 50 gp
• a pair of finely crafted leather bracers
• a beautifully-plumed peacock feather attached to a metal weight shaped like an anchor

Treggor passes out 10 gold to each sailor, keeping the last 10 for himself. He then hands the bracers to Shikyomaru with a hint of a smile. "Try these on, see if they don't fit yer style."
Lastly, he takes the feather token and hands it to Jack. "Ta keep yer hat on yer head." he says, dangling the anchor with an edge of humor.

Can any of you identify any magic in these items?

Shikyo straps the bracers on and nods thanks at Treggor

The Pressganged take stock of their new items and press on. If Shikyo's new bracers provide him any magical benefit, he cannot feel it yet.

The tunnel opens into a wider cavern decorated with hundreds of leering skeletal parts, wriggling with worms. Four dark circular openings exit the chamber. This area is shallow, making walking difficult, but possible.

In the center of the cavern the Pressganged spots a purple, seven-armed octopoid monstrosity the size of a horse. Its tentacles are lined with sharp hooks. And it stares back at the Pressganged with cold, blue, hate-filled eyes.

It says something in a terrible, belch-like language that grates on the ears and seems to make the very air vibrate with malice.

It them rushes the Pressganged.

Round 1

Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Tentacle Monster: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Bold are up. There is currently no map, since I can't make one. So we'll be doing this theater of the mind. There's plenty of space to move around the monster, but all movement is in difficult terrain. The creature is about 20 feet from you.

To identify the Tentacle Monster.

Round 1, Arcane Archer-Magic Arrow

Dieredon pulls an arrow from his quiver and it is charged with magical energy as it is drawn to his bow. He steps back 15 feet, careful to keep his footing, and fires at the beast.

LB Att: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
LB Dam: 1d8 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 3 + (2, 5) = 17

Shikyo glides off to one side, focusing on defense until he can strike from an opportune angle. Shikyo draws his Wakizashi and it gleams in the reflecting light of the water.

Moving at an angle to circle the monster so that Shikyo can attack once its engaged with someone else.

Shikyo moves into an advantageous position, poised to strike, while Dieredon unleashes a magical barrage that clearly hurts the octopoid-monster. It roars in response.

Mad Jack is up.

Kn:Arcarna: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
"Dat be a Devil fish and nae mistake! Beware o' it's tentacles n' poisonous maw!" shouted Jack.

Does Jack have sufficient movement to engage them in melee this round? If so...
Not wanting to get too close, Jack uncoils his whip as he wades closer. He then lashes out with it, but the tip bites with a crack into water not monster!
Whip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

I need a magic item that gives me +15 rages per day because dang.

Mad Jack attacks with his whip, but he can't land a solid hit. Shikyo waits for a better opening.

Mad Jack was able to make an attack using the reach of the whip, but he's not within 5 feet, so Shikyo won't be able to get his sneak attack just yet.

The Octopoid Monstrosity tries to bite down on the ninja, and smack the paladin with his frighteningly long tentacle.

Bite vs Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22; hit!
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14

Shikyomaru CON Save DC 13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Shikyo swoons from the pain of the poisonous maw, but luckily avoids the worst of it.

Tentacle vs. Mad Jack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Mad Jack feels the sudden, terrifying strength of the monster's tentacle wrap around him and squeeze.

Round 1 to 2

Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Tentacle Monster: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

All are up. Mad Jack is grappled and has HP 4/28. Shikyomaru is at HP 10/24.

Treggor moves up to the creature, drawing his second sword. Both blades stab forward with brutish violence.
Reckless Shortsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 <--
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Reckless Shortsword TWF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 <--
Advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage TWF: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 5

I'l say that Shikyo and Treggor are flanking.

Shikyomaru (shortsword) vs. Tentacle Monster w/ADV: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Shikyomaru (shortsword) vs. Tentacle Monster w/ADV: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14; Miss

Furious Treggor moves in and slices the monstrosity with reckless abandon. This gives Shikyo the opening he needs, but the wound in his arm flares at the exact wrong moment, and his attack doesn't land.

Everyone but Treggor is still up. That attack from Shikyo was a readied action and doesn't count as his new turn.

For sneak attack purposes, we just have to both be threatening & adjacent (although reckless attack gives me sneak all by my lonesome). If there's a further concept of flanking in 5e, I don't remember reading it.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Flanking is an optional rule in the DMG. It just gives each player advantage on their attacks.

Oh okay, cool.

Round 2

Dieredon steps back another 15 feet and fires another regular arrow at the beast.

LB Att: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
LB Dam: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

GM I didn't update jack's HP in the tag line from from the short rest (kinda forgot about it sorry, and I wasn't totally sure how the rules for that work). I think he healed 17 hp from the short rest so he should be on 21 hp now.

"Errrkk!" Jack tries to curse the devil fish but nothing but splutter comes out. Dropping the whip he tries to gut it with his sword but he just doesn't have the reach the thing is holding him at tentacle's length!
Shortsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Shikyo lashes out with blade and fist!

Blade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Damge: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (6) = 12
Fist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

As far as I know you can apply sneak attack damage to any successful hit rather than having to specify an attack beforehand.

Correct, but only once per turn, I believe.

A wounded but still deadly efficient Shikyomaru ends the tentacled monster with a barrage of violence worth of applause. The creature simply slumps over--dead.

Combat over. Nothing to be found here, so I'll save you some time.

Gingerly rubbing his neck, Jack retrieved his whip while muttering, "Dis island be full o' bad hoodoo an no mistake."

I guess we move deeper into the cave now?

Shikyo grabs his wounded side. A potion. he says as he grabs the healing potion he took from the dead Alfonso.

Healing: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7

HP 17/24

There are two ways to go: left or right? You could also simply find another place to rest if you want to give that a shot.

Resting won't help me at this point. What's our timetable look like?

Shikyo grabs the healing potion he took from the dead Alfonso.

You already used that one.

Oh, well hell. Throwing Stars it is!

HP 10/24

Noting there were only two possible directions they could go, Jack quipped, "I rekon' we should go right, cos it's da right way ta go!" He glanced around an asked, "Well shall we?"

Grizzle snorts. "Sems a good 'nuff reson as ana.'" He says. "Lead on, Mad Jack!"

Right, it is! Lead on.

"Okie doke." replies Jack who then does a totally unnecessary forward flip before sauntering down the right hand exit.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Shikyo creeps forward as well, standing well enough away that he melds into the shadows.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

I am hiding this one...someone PM me if you are around when, and if, it gains momentum again.