DMDM's Adventures in Mirkwood

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

Okay, botting Finraeth. Wisdom save: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Daaaang. Okay, Finraeth is ABSOLUTELY not affected by this creepy music! In fact, it just gets him riled up!

You already have Inspiration so I'll just give you a floating +2 bonus that can be applied to one roll, in this scene or combat only.

Faem + Amalina: Everything is hopeless and pointless. Life is horrible and you're so very tired. Why bother? Why bother with anything? -- You have Disadvantage on skill checks and your movement is halved -- basically, Exhaustion 2, although the effect is mental rather than physical. Also, you cannot initiate combat, though you may defend yourself if attacked.

Veig: A great weight lies upon your limbs and upon your heart. Still, a faint flame of defiance burns deep within. Same as above BUT you retain the ability to initiate combat. Not clear if this is a dwarf thing, a warrior thing, or something else altogether.

Radegund: No effect.

Finraeth: See post above.

"Mayhap you wish to reconsider..." says Dagmar softly, beneath the music. She and the two other men are moving slowly, carefully forward, while Harper stays a bit behind.

Veig feels despair - and burning rage at this insult. It is all that propels him forward, mattock first, and drives the point towards the chest of the "bard".

Battle fury now 0/2. Spend inspiration to counter disadvantage for this attack

Mattock vs bard: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

You do realize you're going to eat a couple of Reaction attacks / AoOs from the front line before you can reach Harper, right?

Still good to go?

This is pointless. I don't care about this woodman or any of these people. I've made a big mistake - why did I think any of this was a good idea. I better just go home.

Without a word to anyone, Faem turns away and begins to walk in the opposite direction, following the river west.

...yes.

Okay, attacks on Veig! First, the two henchmen:

1d20 ⇒ 11 ooh, just misses
1d20 ⇒ 3

And the leader:

1d20 ⇒ 5 She is startled by Veig's reaction and doesn't even come close!

Veig breaks through and hits the Harper for 7 points of damage!

"DROP...THE..HARP.", Veig growls, his rage and despair struggling for dominance.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Radegund's jaw drops as she realizes that these men are willingly wielding dark magic.

But...but...shooting a fellow Man?!?

With a hunter's grace, she lifts her bow and notches an arrow, aiming at the Harper.

"That THING is cursed with Shadow. I know not why you'd use it intentionally but know this: We offered you hospitality in Rhosgobel, and a chance to make your case with our elders. You replied with dark magic.

"I have no desire to shoot my fellow Men. Listen to the Dwarf. If you don't drop the harp now, I'll have no choice but to shoot. Will you choose peace, or bloodshed?"

Ready action to fire at the Harper. Will do so if he doesn't put it down OR if others move to attack us.

Great Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Quick rules questions: how does nonlethal damage work in 5e? And you only get 1 AoO, right? So if Finraeth follows Veig, he won't provoke any AoO, is that right?

Seeing the others take action against the foul use of dark magic, Amalina feels a tiny spark within herself fight back against the oppression she feels...just enough for her to speak.

"Odo...get that harp!" and gesturing to the musical instrument the so-called Harper was strumming.

Ok, not too sure how to handle this...is it an attack or a contest of strength to see if the great hound can wrest the harp from the man or not?

5e doesn't have nonlethal damage as such. Rather, at the moment when you'd drop an opponent to 0 hp, you can choose to knock them unconscious instead. Like a lot of things about 5e, it trades complexity and realism for ease of play.

Whatever response Dagmar was hoping to create with the harp - fear, despair, hopelessness - it has had the opposite effect on the Elf. He glares at her with a fury of the Firstborn: "Trafficker in vile sorcery! Thy shade is no match for the powers of light."

Striding past her, leaving her and her men trailing in his wake, he moves with the Dwarf up to the Harper. "I do regret this, friend." he tells the man as he strikes at him with the flat of his broadsword, aiming to subdue rather than to kill.

Broadsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

well THAT'S no use. Good thing I have Inspiration

Broadsword, Advantage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Going to use that DMDM-granted +2 to this roll, for 7 Damage in total. Hope that's enough to drop him!

Looking back at the fast-retreating Hobbit, he calls softly to her: "Stay, friend! While the darkness of the Shadow can seem bleak indeed, be assured that it is as naught in the light of the ordinary virtues: kindness, compassion, friendship - all qualities the which thou hast in abundance, I trow, else wouldst thou have risked all to save another whom thou knewest not?"

Ok, not too sure how to handle this...is it an attack or a contest of strength to see if the great hound can wrest the harp from the man or not?

I'd say both -- an attack to grab the harp; that does no damage, but then if it succeeds there's a contest of strength.

Good thing everyone used up their reactions on Veig...

[dice=Broadsword, Advantage]d20+4
[dice=Damage]d8+2 Going to use that DMDM-granted +2 to this roll, for 7 Damage in total. Hope that's enough to drop him!

The Harper is injured! However...

Finraeth tries to keep the others informed. "This harper should have fallen, but the shade, the which I have told thee of before, doth somehow bear him up in support - and I have no means of knowing how to dispel this sorcery."

He shakes his head. "'Tis most vexing."

Hmmmm, give what Finraeth shared, can I use my attack to try to assist in disarming the Harper? Perhaps I shoot his hand while Odo tries to tug at the harp?

Radegund: On your turn, you can. But first, a beatdown! Everybody's piling on Veig!

Pause to note: because this is theater of the mind, I'm not using the optional 5e flanking rule, where flanking gives advantage on attacks. If you guys really want to, I can -- but remember that while it'll be great if it's five of you attacking one big monster, it'll be a lot less great if it's five of you being mobbed by twenty goblins. If you have thoughts on this, let me know over on the Discussion page. Meanwhile, let's roll some attacks...

Attack! Attack!

1d20 ⇒ 10
1d20 ⇒ 6
1d20 ⇒ 11

Wait what

Not one hit?

Sheesh.

Seeing her new friend the Dwarf become the target of so many attacks, Faem regathers herself and levels her bow against the source of her sorrow, the harp! Attacking the instrument instead of the person holding it.

Short Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Sorry...been sick

Odo's Attack to get harp - 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Strength Test: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Whoa, whoa. Not quite so fast! "There are five of them, along with three large dogs". Those three attacks were from the mooks. Dagmar still gets a swing!

1d20 ⇒ 17 Aaand she hits! Veig takes 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 damage from the blow.

Dang! That's enough to drop him!

The dogs are guarding Harper... who, since he has taken damage equal to half his hp, must make a morale check. Fortunately, it's a very low DC, so let's get that out of the way: 1d20 ⇒ 2

...

Hff.

Okay, so: the music changes. It's suddenly all deep minor chords.

Harper... fades, like a man walking into a bank of fog. A darkness, deeper than simple night, swirls around him. Above you, the stars go dim. All four hounds cower and howl.

Harper steps away and is gone into the darkness.

"Harper, what are you doing? Get back here!" Dagmar glares at the impenetrable knot of shadow where the Harper stood until a moment ago. "We'll protect you! Get back here, you gutless string-picker!"

The changing of the music gives you a chance to lift the burden from your heart and your limbs. It's just a DC 10 Wisdom save to shake it off -- though you still have Disadvantage, as the dismal music lingers in your mind. If you make it, all effects are lifted.

Dagmar's strike would have dropped many by itself, let alone someone already wounded and filled with spider venom.

Veig, however, is not just someone. He does not fall, he barely even flinches.

As the harper tries to flee, Veig roars as he swings again!

"STAND AND FIGHT, YOU WRETCH!"

And the mattock tip rises - and falls!

Mattock vs Harper: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Damage with battle fury bonus: 2d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 + 2 = 11

Wisdom Save to shake effects, disadvantage, DC 10: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 51d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Hmm, okay.

Wisdom Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 So, saved.

Seems like we should've waited to act?? In this case, Faem will have attacked Dagmar for 4 damage.

Since I was unaffected by the music am assuming I don't need to make the save again. Am also assuming I get an AoO against Harper since I was in melee with him as well

As the Harper fades away, Finraeth strikes once more, again using the flat of his blade to try and drop the man to the ground.

Sword, AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

He then turns his ire on Dagmar, the leader of these wretches. "Stay thy sword and flee like the whipped cur thou in truth art, or stay to fight - and perish, unloved, unremembered and unsung; which is no more than thou deservest, villain!"

Sword v Dagmar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Dagmar's strike would have dropped many by itself, let alone someone already wounded and filled with spider venom.

Veig, however, is not just someone. He does not fall, he barely even flinches.

Alas, your swing goes wide. Wretched Harper! Curse those Spiders and their filthy poison!

Hmm, okay.

[dice=Wisdom Save]1d20+3;1d20+3 So, saved.

Seems like we should've waited to act?? In this case, Faem will have attacked Dagmar for 4 damage.

Okay! The halfling draws blood on Dagmar!

Since I was unaffected by the music am assuming I don't need to make the save again. Am also assuming I get an AoO against Harper since I was in melee with him as well

Yup!

As the Harper fades away, Finraeth strikes once more, again using the flat of his blade to try and drop the man to the ground.

You definitely hit him! There's a cry of pain.

And then he's gone, falling backwards into the darkness. The music continues.

"Stay thy sword and flee like the whipped cur thou in truth art, or stay to fight - and perish, unloved, unremembered and unsung; which is no more than thou deservest, villain!"

That's a /bit/ salty for someone who hasn't done anything more than press a legal claim. Harper's song was very creepy and disturbing, but it was a nonviolent way to resolve the dispute...

Anyway: your swing misses! Dagmar isn't wearing heavy armor, but she's very quick on her feet, and she dodges your blow.

"Dagmar, Men should not use such foul magics--and it appears that that harp's corruption has now carried him away, abandoning you and your men.

"Give up this fight and let us each go our way. Do not cause me to shed the blood of my fellow Woodmen."

She keeps her bow leveled at Dagmar, ready to shoot if Dagmar doesn't retreat.

Ready Action to shoot if Dagmar attempts any hostile action.

"Listen to Radegund. Stop this madness. The Harper is tainted with darkness and evil...can you not see that? Come away from him...join us as fellow Woodsmen!"

That's a /bit/ salty for someone who hasn't done anything more than press a legal claim. Harper's song was very creepy and disturbing, but it was a nonviolent way to resolve the dispute...

...If you think unleashing some sort of dark sorcery that made us all take a Will save is nothing more than pressing a legal claim, then I NEVER want to tangle with your lawyer.

...If you think unleashing some sort of dark sorcery that made us all take a Will save is nothing more than pressing a legal claim, then I NEVER want to tangle with your lawyer.

Actually, I am a lawyer.

Finraeth wrote:

...If you think unleashing some sort of dark sorcery that made us all take a Will save is nothing more than pressing a legal claim, then I NEVER want to tangle with your lawyer.

Actually, I am a lawyer.

Res ipsa loquitur.

Dagmar hesitates, obviously torn between her duty to her Lord and a reluctance to start a fight that was no part of her plan, and that she might not win...

[sfx: dice rolling offscreen]

"Finraeth, do you hear that? I'd swear that for a moment I heard tiny crystal polyhedrons clacking together."

Dagmar hesitates, obviously torn between her duty to her Lord and a reluctance to start a fight that was no part of her plan, and that she might not win...

[sfx: dice rolling offscreen]

Has the fight not already begun?

Has the fight not already begun?

It's funny you should say so. The dwarf took damage, but then he was attacking Harper. The elf swung at Dagmar and missed. You, on the other hand...

Dagmar waves to her minions and their snarling dogs. "Back! The Harper may be wandering lost in the forest....We will return to Lord Mogdred." She turns back to you. "None may say that Mogdred's servants drew first blood. Peace-bond have we kept, though you attacked us."

She turns to Amalina and Radegund. "You are Woodmen. Yet you protect a thief and an oath-breaker, and stand with dwarves and an elf against your fellow Men. Strange indeed have the ways of the Woodmen become."

Then she turns to Faem, and her eyes narrow. She raises her arm. Faem's arrow has made a long cut along the forearm; it's not serious, but her sleeve is drenched in blood. "We raised no blade save in defense of our own. But you, dwarf-child... you have drawn blood. Mark it well: blood-price there will be."

"Keep the arrow, wench, and remember me well!"

Once the humans leave Faem sets about remaking camp. A fire is immediately started, and following that, she organizes her fishing tackle and sets to river's edge to catch a late supper.

Survival, Fishing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Ye ally yourself with foul magic and approach in the dead of night? HAH!", spits Veig and says no more.

The dwarf glares at the other band until they are out of sight.

"We had best post sentries.", he mutters.

Insight: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Radegund stares, wondering: Does she really believe what she's saying? Does she not know that the harp summoned Dark Magic?

"Dagmar, tell yourself whate'er you need to, if it helps you sleep. We are Woodmen true, and offered hospitality in Rhosgobel while our elders and yours determined the fate of this man.

"You answered us with Foul Sorcery, more wicked than a poisoned blade."

. . . After . . .

After, she finds herself shaking. "I mislike seeing Men fight Men...and mislike the feel of that foul harp even more." A shiver washes over her.

When she sees Faem start making camp, the Magpie looks with shock. "What!? We're so close to Rhosgobel. Are you going to stay here in the Mirkwood for the night instead?

"Come, let me share my people's hospitality with you. Trust me, don't judge all Woodmen by the likes of Dagmar."

"If we are so close, then we may as well carry on a bit farther. Lest Dagmar and her band attempt ambush."

"Indeed...I would not want to remain here any longer than we must. Let us carry on to Rhosgobel and safety."

The healer checks on her charge before checking Odo for any damage. She still shudders at the sound of the evil harp and hopes to never hear such a sound again!

Faem shrugs.

Once it becomes clear that there is to be no combat, Finraeth sheathes his blade with obvious relief: he has no wish to shed the blood of Men.

He stares at Dagmar. "And I say to thee as I did before, that thou shouldst press thy claim before the Woodmen of Rhosgobel, who - doubtless - will hear thee fairly. But I would counsel thee to leave thy sorcery behind, for I doubt that the Brown Wizard would take to it any more kindly than I."

Persuasion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Insight: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Okay so: you're on the wrong side of the Dusky River. This is the Foreshore, a narrow strip that's been cleared. On the other side is Woodmen territory.

It's after midnight but still well before dawn. Your options:

1) Camp (either with a fire or without). In the morning there should be people around on the opposite shore, and you can call for help.

2) Try to cross. Someone can try swimming. The river is not that broad but it's cold and fast moving, so it's two consecutive DC 15 Athletics checks.

Yelling for help is also an option; you may attract attention from that side of the river. Of course, you may also attract attention from *this* side of the river.

Team Mogdred seems to have withdrawn -- for now.

What are you doing?

Faem pulls her catch from the fast moving water, knowing well how trout wait for bait fish in the current as it bends around large rocks. Then she sits by the fire and quickly guts the fish and stakes it above the flames to cook. She closes her eyes while she waits for the taller, smarter people to decide what to do.