(5E) Odyssey of the Dragonlords - By Supreme Being (Inactive)

Game Master scranford

"Be careful, this hag seems quite a powerful enemy" Aristeides warns. According to what has been said and what he has studied, a creature capable of such lasting summons must wield impressive power.

He turns to the rest of the group, those who will follow the scouts with him. "Since it seems the hag will have some soldiers escorting her, I'll try to put most of them to sleep. Nothing assured, though."

After stacking the bodies, Coronus spends his time resting looking around the temple. Maybe for clues, but more to memorialize it. It is the Temple of Versi after all. He realizes that he starting to make history.
Investigation: 1d20 ⇒ 5

After the rest, he straps on his shield emblazoned with the the lidless eye of Sydon with the tail of a comet and readies to follow Lysander.

"Does anyone know much about hags? Will the sivered dory be more effective?" Lysander cleans the blood off his dory and loosens his sword in his scabbard, prepared for any eventuality.

Aristeides tries to recall something that allows Lysander a small hint to his doubt.

Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

None of you can recall any evidence of silver affecting Hags in any special way. A complete and exhaustive search of the temple area reveals nothing beyond what is seen. Only the chambers of the Acolytes, which is beyond the double doors on the left have not been searched. After finishing clean-up this is where the remaining acolytes and Proteus will await your results. If there were indeed only 8 soldiers, they are all accounted for... Including the one sleeping by the front... if he's still there that is.

As Novyn trips the lock on the door to the grotto, the others gather around. The door is opened to reveal a long stairway heading down to another door.

If you want to provide a marching order it would be good, or I'll just place people at random as I did when entering the temple.

Kaia gets up and continues following.

I think Mateo and Novyn were going to be up fron, but Lysander would want to be as close to them as possible to provide shileding for the others.

Totes fine with me

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 No dim light penalty

The cursed thief crept forward, her soft leather sandals making no sound at all as she crossed over the marble of the temple...

I am good with the party setup. Mateo will back up Novyn for anything traditionally thief-like, so feel free to have me give advantage to theives' tools rolls or whatnot if it'll work out okay.

Mateo took alongside Novyn down the hallway once the large doors were open.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The two of them were like shadows moving in the flesh, it was almost uncomfortable for the rest of the party how eerily quiet their two scouts could become when patience, skill, and luck all came together. Mateo couldn't keep a smirk off of his face. Who knew that one that was doomed and one that was cursed would work together so well.

The stairs lead down about 30 feet beneath the ground level of the temple. The air is oppressively damp, and the light from flickering torches at the top and bottom of the stairs cause shadows to jump and flicker as the party moves down the stairs. At the bottom of the steps they turn 90 degrees to the left, and end in a closed door. The door is a strong oak door with Sydon's face carved into it.

The corridor is only wide enough for one person at a time to descend without squeezing. (4-5 feet).

Novyn

Actions?

Novyn flashes the sign for trap to Mateo and approaches cautiously. She takes out a slender wire from her hair and inserts it around the door jamb probing for hidden triggers...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Investigation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

As Novyn moves to check the door for any traps, the party is horrified to see the face on the door lurch into life and take a bite at the woman.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Bite
1d8 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (2) = 9 bite / acid damage,

But the flickering of the light in the tunnel seemed to confuse the sentient door as well, and it's mouth only snapped shut on air, with a fine mist of acid spraying from it's wooden lips. The door melts into an amorphous blob threatening the party.

Lysander: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Novyn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Mateo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Coronus: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Aristeides: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Kaia: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Enemy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Initiaves
> Everybody but Lysander
>Enemy
>Lysander.

Novyn and Mateo are in "close" range. Everyone else is in "Near" range. This is difficult terrain due to being on stairs. You can move through a friendly square, but it's double movement, and you must end up in an unoccupied square.

Novyn ducked suddenly at the door's snapping response and carried the momentum into a tremendous backflip carrying her to safety with a hasty retreat.

Moving all the way back through everyone to the rear with 90 ft of movement if that's enough. Double Dash with Cunning Action. Busting out the gastraphetes as she goes.

I'm assuming you're taking the "Withdraw" action so no AOO?

If I can still make it behind everyone, sure I'll Disengage/Dash instead of double Dash.

Aristeides' heart nearly jumps out of his chest when the door suddenly attacks. Recomposing his soul, he immediately launches a fiery bolt. With the projectile at mid flight, he realises a fire bolt might be appropriate to destroy a "wooden door".

Fire Bolt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Mateo nearly stumbles back into the wall as the door tries its very best to take a bite out of Novyn. Drawing out his xiphos, the Odyssean looks back at the others with a nod.

"If anyone wants to come up here and fight alongside with me, it would be greatly appreciated." The half-elf says, focusing on his defense for now. With one of the others nearby, he could begin trying to find out a core area to strike to destabilize this horrendous blob.

I am going to take the "Dodge" action, giving the enemy disadvantage on attacks against me and giving me advantage on Dexterity saves.

Kaia put an arrow into the door. She was continuing to run on instinct alone; thankfully, there was nothing wrong with her aim.

Attack Roll w/Sharpshooter: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Coronus already doesn't like not being able to see the sky. And, he likes tunnels, even less. Not quite claustrophobia but close. The centaur had just started down the stairs when the leading scout flees past him. Uh, no. No. No. No.

With very little space to turnaround, be back his four-legged frame back of the stairs and into the temple.

Move. Out. Of. There.

Aristeides' heart nearly jumps out of his chest when the door suddenly attacks. Recomposing his soul, he immediately launches a fiery bolt. With the projectile at mid flight, he realises a fire bolt might be appropriate to destroy a "wooden door".

[dice=Fire Bolt]1d20+6
[dice=Damage]1d10

Your firebolt would have missed anyway, however the door (Creature) is not within you sight up the staircase.

Kaia put an arrow into the door. She was continuing to run on instinct alone; thankfully, there was nothing wrong with her aim.

[dice=Attack Roll w/Sharpshooter]1d20+3
[dice=Damage Roll]1d8+14

Your Arrow would have missed anyway, however the door (Creature) is not within you sight up the staircase. Also, what is the +14 to damage from?

@ Novyn>>: Novyn jumps aside as the door takes a bite at her, and nimbly dashes past the rest of the party, not stopping till she reaches the floor above.

@Mateo>>: Mateo stumbles a bit as Novyn dashes past him, but redies himself to defend from the door if necessary making room for any melee characters to join him.

@Aristiedes>> Aristiedes mistakes some of the shadows on the wall for an enemy, and fires off a firebolt which only scorches the wall.

@Coronus>>: Somewhat clumsily coronus scrambles back into the temple, not sure what he's running from, but if Novyn is that scared he should be too.

@Eaia>>: Kaia draws back her bow almost bending it double with the effort, but then realizes there is nothing in front of her to shoot at except for Mateo, Aristiedes, and Lysander.

Mateo notices that the door resumes it's shape in the doorway 5' in front of him and moves no more.

Lysander is up

There is 5' of space between where Mateo perches and the door. Behind Mateo on the step above him stands Lysander who is yet to act this round. Directly behind Lysander another couple of steps up is Aristiedes frowning at his last spell attempt. 25' from the turn to the door Kaia waits her bow at her side. Coronus, and Novyn stand in the corridor at the top of the steps.

Sharpshooter allows you to take -5 to hit to add +10 to damage.

Sharpshooter allows you to take -5 to hit to add +10 to damage.

Got ya. What are you shooting at?

I was shooting at the door, since (I think) it's the only enemy, but you said that I couldn't see it, so I'll move up to where I can see it and shoot at it (if I can move forward).

The ooze shifts back into a door and Mateo's eyebrow raises quite high in a look that is mixed with curiosity and confusion. He keeps his blade up, awaiting another attack before looking back at the others.

"It...it is a door again?" The scout murmurs back to the group before looking over the area around the door, studying around it. Maybe they didn't need to destroy this...ooze...door...thing. Maybe there was another way around?

This was the only way forward, correct? And I'll be looking over the walls and around the door. Perhaps there is a word that needs to be said or something else.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

@Kaia>> Kaia passes Novyn in the cramped stairway, somehow squeezing past a big Centaur itself trying to back out of the stairway. She positions herself in the only open area... directly in front of the door, and looses her arrow... which hits something hard in the door, and doesn’t as much as mar the surface.

Lysander up then RND: 2. NOTE: you currently can’t reach the door for melee purposes as Kaia is adjacent to it, and Mateo beside her.

Aristeides tries to calm down and think. "It seems we must wait until it comes back to ooze form..."

BUT I CAN THROW HYAHHH!

Kaia, 'Teo, fall back! Get behind my shield!" As if to emphasize the point, Lysander throws the spear in his hand at the door, then draws the sword at his waist.

Dory: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Piercing Damagen: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Obviously my "Theater of Mind" descriptions are not up to snuff, so I've posted a Tactical map in my profile. As you can see Lysander it's highly unlikely you could throw a spear and hit this door in the current situation... however since round one was a chaotic mess, I'm going to say that somehow during the migration of PC's you were able to sneak in and throw the spear.

@lysander>> Through Novyn's reatreat, and Kaia's advance somehow Lysander was able to throw his spear, with the point sticking into the door for a moment before drooping to the floor. Kaia and Mateo can see the frown on the face of the carving of Sydon on the door deepen a bit, and a small rivulet of blood streams from the cut made by the spear.

Party up! except for Lysander

With scarce resources available and no chance to see the target, Aristeides decides it's time for him to move to the end of the queue and let the strong ones best the door with pure brawn.

Kaia fires again and then moves back.

Attack Roll w/Sharpshooter: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

"Proteus! Proteus!" The centaur calls out to the head priest. "Do you know of a magical trap on the door at the bottom of the stairs? Do you know how to stop it?"

Kaia fires again and then moves back.

[dice=Attack Roll w/Sharpshooter]1d20+3
[dice=Damage Roll]1d8+14

Does Sharpshooter remove the attack with disadvantage from using a missile weapon adjacent to the enemy? If not you need to roll again with disadvantage. Also... where are you moving to? Your half move is 15' which doesn't put you in a vacant square. I guess since Aristiedes in withdrawing you could move to his square, but you won't have line of sight on the door for the next round.

@Proteus>>> "Coming! coming! I don't know what you're talking about. I know of no trap on the door".

Knowledge Arcana DC 15

As Kaia leaves the door for greener pastures... or steps or something a lumbering Pseudopod flings forth from the creature, swinging at the escaping archer.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Sticky Slam

1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Bludgeoning

Also, need an escape check per the below.

Adhesive (Object Form Only). The mimic adheres to anything that touches it. A Huge or smaller creature adhered to the mimic is also grappled by it (escape DC 13). Ability checks made to escape this grapple have disadvantage.

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"It's not a trap! It's an animated object!" Aristeides shouts, a light just shining in his mind. "Sadly, I have no way of dispelling it..." However, he thinks it's possible to defeat the door by just hitting hard at it.

"Animated object? Hmph. Burn it out. Yes, let's see how 'animated' it becomes while writhing in flames!" the rogue suggests, passing up the party conga line a pint of oil to pour on the door.

I nearly had the mental picture right, only detail I missed was the sharp turn to the left of the door at the end of the stairs.

Sorry, I missed that I was adj. to it. No, it doesn't negate the close firing penalty. Was the only space when I moved forward the one right next to it? At any rate, here's my attack roll with disadvantage.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

@Kaia>> You need to make a DC13 escape roll in order to leave the adjacent square, as it's appendage has used it's adhesive ability on you. Also note the 6-points of bludgeoning damage.

Acrobatics w/Disadvantage: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 81d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Mateo, hearing the call from Lysander and Astreides, looks back to the door just as the psuedopod reaches out and smacks into Kaia. With his xiphos drawn, the scout lashes out at the monster harshly.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

After stabbing at the thing, he would move backwards and away from the danger. Bobbing and weaving, he would avoid any strike coming from the mimic.

Mateo will take the Disengage action as a bonus action and move 30ft up the stairs to wherever there is space for him.

"Lysander, get down there and help her. I have your back." The Odyssean always worked better fighting alongside another, it let his blades sink in that much deeper.

@Kaia>> Kaia sinks one of her arrows deep into the door. The eyes of the carving on the door turn to her in anger. Imagine her surprise when a wood colored blob emerges from the door and strikes her. She is even more surprised when she finds herself unable to pull away from the sticky appendage.

@Aristiedes>> In a sudden burst of inspiration, Aristiedes identifies the nature of the door, and shouts his advice out. Don't know if you want to do anything this round or not.

@Novyn>> Novyn digs in her belongings for a pint of oil, and suggests that they pass it down to burn the door creature. She pushes it upon Aristiedes.

@Mateo>> Mateo strikes out at the door grappling Kaia, chipping off a portion of the wood... which oozes blood. He shouts for Lysander to attack the door, and moves back behind the warrior.

@Coronus>> Coronus shouts down the corridor for assistance from the chief "Acolyte" Proteus for help in disarming the trap... which confuses the acolyte greatly as he knows of no trap on the door... which he didn't even know existed.

@Mimic>>> The door grins looking Kaia in the face, and opens the mouth carved on the door to bite at the grappled warrior.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Wooden bite

1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Wooden piercing plus 1d8 ⇒ 1 Acid damage.
1d8 ⇒ 3 Critical Damage

Total 8 points piercing, and 1-point acid damage.

Lysander up... then the rest of the party.

Since he can't see the door from his current position, there's not much he can do this round other than passing the oil forward.

Lysander charges forward to be next to the stuck Kaia and chops down on the appendage.

Makhaira: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"We sure Fire will hurt it?"

@Lysander>> The brave warrior steps up to support his injured comrade, but finds that the care he takes to avoid hitting the young woman spoils his aim, and no damage is done. The door chuckles.

Party Up!

As Lysander doubted her plan she could only shake her head "If you'd instead like to wrestle its acidic pseudopods be my guest." waiting for some action to be taken in the cramped halls. The angle of the stairs made ranged support impossible.

If the door remained where it was only melee perhaps taking coordinated turns or fire over time would do, in the thief's calculations. So much she mumbled under her breath there at the top of the landing.

Mateo and I could Disengage/Melee attack every round if its too stupid to Ready an attack. But I think its too cramped now, and now also Kaia's stuck. Id still vote trying the fire if she can get out.
It shouldn't burn the solid white marble temple, right? :)

Kaia ceases moving and hangs limply in the creature's pseudopod.

Death Save: 1d20 ⇒ 9

"Coronus! Can you think you can pull Kaia off of that thing?" The hallway was blocked up and the fight was steadily in the thing's vantage. It seemed clever enough to stay where it was and it would require them forcing their way through if they were going to make any forward progress.

As silly as Novyn's plan is, it is the best one we got so far. We get Kaia off of the psuedopod and then the rogues alternate moving in and out against it while Lysander holds and acts like the big, tough fighter he is.

Aristeides stays alert in case any of his companions needs help, but he still can't see the door and thus his ability to fire at the door is of little use.