DDEP 10-01: Terror in Ten Towns (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

He is not drunk. Spring eladrins tend to be on love with life. Eladron demeaonor will cjange as theybtake on tbe aspect of the seasons.

Roger that.

After studying the dancing Eladrin for several seconds, Mell concludes, "You know, I think I'm wrong about him being drunk. This seems to be his spring mood. I guess we'll be in for more surprises when he changes to his summer and autumn appearances."

Gideon watches silently as he prepares his mind for the upcoming journey.

Seems kind of cruel to me to bring all these plants to life when in this darkness and cold they have no chance to survive... but maybe they are only figments and not real plants anyway... but they are pretty.

Haha, I am getting Pee-Wee's Big Adventure vibes... Next Roddy will be dancing to Tequila!

Tell Em Largd Marge senf ya

Having listened to Turq and Umikh tell the tale of the ogres and giants several times, Baldrick seems lost in thought, chewing on one end of his mustache.
"Hang on a minute..." and he rushes out the door of the pub, forgetting to bother with cloak and hat.

About ten minutes later, he rushes back in clutching the duergar map: "This is where you went? Seems like maybe only a half... maybe full day walk from there to this Sunblight spot -- were you thinking to head there next? Or should we look into this murder in Lonelywood business first? Much as I've enjoyed working over a forge again, I'd hate to miss out on a chance to explore into the mountains a bit."

We barely made it out of that giant-infested area, if'n when we do go back, we needs ta not be seen. Umikh things about how un-stealthy he is, Maybe there's a different way altogether? But lemme see that map, where's this miss's business takin' place at?

Flexible on which path to take first, thinking maybe Mell's goliath?

Huh? Turq looks over at the map, Where'd ya get this?

"Eh? Poor ol' Baldrick's made quite a collection of the stuff you've left behind," he says with a wink.

"Got it off those grå dverger... er, the beardless ones. From the ferry?"

Map Description

Ah, breezey! That was so long ago... I done forgot all about that one!

"Aw, it's only been a coupla weeks. Sure feels like that all happened over a year ago, though!

”Eager though I am to seek this Goliath and his companions,” put in Mell thoughtfully, ”I think the two issues to be examined here are timeliness and importance. Is there anything big at stake if we do not do one thing sooner rather than later, and is there any reason to believe we might not be able to do either thing if we delay to do the other? Importance seems to me to trump timeliness.”

“I see a risk of not being able to question the goliaths reported to be in this area if we delay, but I cannot say that anything big is at stake if we fail, other than my personal desire for justice being delayed.. About Sunblight, I cannot answer either question. Do any of the rest of you have any insight on that matter?

Mell desires justice, but would set it aside if something big were at stake at Sunblight.

The eladrin stops his dance, orders a mug of mead and sits down with the group, turning the chair around so that his arms are over the head of the chair So what are we going to do?

It has been a fair afternoon of reconnections and new meetings. Laughter and beverages were had. Unfortuneatly, this is not a time of peace. This is a time of darkness and turmoil. The party is soon to be reminded of that.

Rodalas, with only the lightest evidence of persperation from all of his froliking, joins the party. He seems ready to ask a question, but just as he does so a massive crash of exploding timbers, a blast of winter air, and bright light errupts from the roof and side of the mead hall. Screams of suprise and cries of pain erupt all around you.

As the blastwave and suprise disorientation fade, a major portion of the mead hall has collapsed and you can see outside. Scorch marks mar the ground but they seem not to be caused by intense heat but some other form of energy.

The dim light of daytime outside has yet to fade, but the vision is limited further by flurries. Please roll inititative so I can determine the order of your actions as we play through this next scene. You can post your first actions with your initiative roll as well.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 reflex save
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Initiative

DEX Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4; Damage, piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 (expression in spoiler didn't take)
Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Wood and stone shards tear through the elf's flesh as he failed to make his way to cover from the blast.

What was that sound, just before the blast? Avendryl thinks to himself, trying to remember if he had encountered anything of the like in his previous studies.

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Already wounded slightly, the mage brings up a protective spell.

On my initiative count, casting Mage Armor

DEX SAVE: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7; damage,piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Completely caught off guard by the blast, the edge of a falling beam from the ceiling strikes Mell's back. Ouch, that hurt!!

Noticing that the scorch marks outside the hall do not seem to be from the heat, Mell tries to identify the energy type...

Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

but it doesn't seem familiar to her at all.

Not sure if she'll need it, she unshoulders her quarterstaff and casts Shillelagh on it, looking about for whatever threat was responsible for this.

Perception, if needed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Oh wow -- Paizo did not alert me of a new post!

DEX save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

As the wall and roof explode into timbers, Baldrick, standing on his chair to better see and chat about the map with his friends, tips over backwards, rolls into a ball under a nearby table, and disappears from sight.

Invisibility

Dex save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 Is is save for none?

What in the Halls of the Silver King?, Turq curses as he snatches up his axe and unshoulders his shield! With surprising speed, he is rushing toward the opening in the collapsed wall!

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

[dice=Dex save]1d20+2 Is is save for none?

correct. Save for no damage.

With almost preternatural grace, the eladrin is able to avoid the damage as the walls explode.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 DEX Save

Gideon senses something afoot and turns... directly into the rain of shrapnel. 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 Damage

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Initiative

He then rises to his feet. "What is it? Is everybody Okay"?

He glances around to room to see if anyone is near to dying before casting some protective magic upon himself (Shield of Faith), and either healing someone near death, or joining the others in investigating the source of the painful deluge.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Dam: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
HP 55/64

Umikh took a board to the noggin, knocked the ale right out of his hand! He sprawled on the floor, trying to figure out what happened. Roof gone, wall gone, people screaming. Why would the roof be gone? He stands up, slightly dazed, and looks for Turq and Baldrick, sure that our friendly elf and goblin dodged all of this mess.

I'm thinking it will take at least a round or two to discover what that was, so am playing it off like he's dazed, plus fantastic rolling as usual (bit o' sarcasm). If someone approaches him though, they'll find out how fast his longsword can swing.

khitt 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Avendryl 21
Gideon 21
bad guy 1 1d20 ⇒ 20
Turq 16
Baldrick 16
Mell 14
bad guy 2 1d20 ⇒ 14
Umikh 11
Rodalas 5

Dex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Khat Dex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Khitt, his guard down and relaxed, was taken by suprise by the sudden chaos and explosion. Shards of tables and wall pepper him and Khatt. The trained ranger doesn't take long to regain his faculties however and leaps to his feat. Khitt grabs his bow and quick and with a quick glance over his companions to make sure no one was dead or dying, he bolts to the caved in opening that was once a wall.

With a quick scan of the area, his gaze goes toward the sky. Those close enough to him may have heard him curse under his breath just before he yells back into the mead hall. "It's a dragon! It's circling for another pass!' With that, the goblin and his feline companion disappear out of sight as they run further into town, assumingly to find a vantage point of attack.

the opening attack on the building was a surprise round, therefor we drop into initiative at this point. Before the creature can make another pass on Good Mead, Khitt, Gideon, and Avendryl are able to perform their actions.

Avendryl quickly summons protective magics around his person and moves to the missing section of mead hall to consider the source of damage. It is a form of radiant energy often used by celestials and divine magic, but that doesn't make sense with Khitt's claim of a dragon.

Gideon stands and takes note of himself and those around him. Seeing a nearby patron on the ground unmoving he kneels down and places his hand on them calling to Lathander for healing spare the dying since you are casting another non cantrip spell. Unfortunately, the poor soul did not make it through the initial explosion and Lathander's light could not revive them. Bowing his head sadly, the cleric rises like the sun and prepares himself to combat this bringer of death with another prayer for protection in the coming battle.

Everyone hears THRUMMMMMMMMM and another blast of exploding building. Followed by more screams. This time however, the mead hall was not the target and those inside surmise that the destructive creature must have struck another building here in Good Mead.

Mell pulls out her quarterstaff calling on primal magics to transform the staff into a magical club. She then moves next to Turq to see what is going on. Scanning the area, she sees the creature flying away, but in here observations, she finds the creature to be quite odd in its flight. It doesn't seem to fly like a dragon would. Stiffer, less fluid than that of a living breathing creature. No, Mell cannot agree with Khitt's assertion that this is a dragon, though it definitely resembles one.

Ducking for cover beneath the table quickly, Turq straps on his shield and then runs toward the outside to find out what is going on. As he reaches the edge of the building he sees two completely collapsed structures to his right. It appears to be someone's homes and a line of the destructive energy traced right across both buildings. Citizens of Good Mead are running too and fro unsure of where to hide from this threat. The warrior looks to the sky where some of the people are pointing and he sees the shadow of a huge creature with wings in the sky flying away from the town and turning into a banking pattern.

As the wall and roof explode into timbers, Baldrick, standing on his chair to better see and chat about the map with his friends, tips over backwards, rolls into a ball under a nearby table, and disappears from sight.

Umikh follows the lead of Turq and Mell, drawing his weapon and rushing to the opening only to catch sight of all that they did.

Rodalas nibly avoids any of debris from the building explosion, but the shear surprise of it slows the Eladrin's normally lightning quick reaction time. He follows suit of the goblin and draws his bow moving out of the building with the others.

end of opening round, back to the top with Khitt. Everyone can post their actions now as well. If your action is time sensitive or fluid, just mention that and we can handle it.
Khitt -6
Khatt -6
Umikh -9
Gideon -8
Mell -10
Avendryl -5

Was he and the ranger the only ones to make the save? What color is the dragon? Is this the same one that we saw as we were scouting?

Running out into darkness, the elf allows his vision to scan the skies for the dragon that attacked the village. As the dragon comes around to make another attack he sets his mark and fires at the beast As he fires he yells out Get the women, children and elderly under cover

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

He then will disengage to take cover in a building. If he can he would like to hide
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 stealth

Was he and the ranger the only ones to make the save?

Baldrick, Turq, and Rodalas made the save.

Seeing no enemy entering the tavern, and instead his friends rushing out, Baldrick snags his own gear and follows suit.

Assuming he can see an enemy, he will cast True Strike

Mell calls, ”That thing isn’t a living creature. It resembles a dragon, but isn’t a real one. Could it be man-made?”

Now outside the mead hall, she takes another look around. Does she see anyone who looks out of place or is maybe controlling or otherwise in league with the fake dragon? If so, how far away are they? She needs a range of 120 feet for either of her strongest combat spells

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16. Bah! Can she use Passive Perception instead?

If she sees someone controlling the dragon and they’re within 120 feet of her, she’ll cast Call Lightning on them. If they’re farther than 120 feet, she’ll move toward them until within range.

If she doesn’t see anyone, she’ll hold action until the dragon is within 120 feet and cast Call Lightning against it.
Call Lightning damage: 3d10 ⇒ (8, 9, 5) = 22

These options are in order of preference - attack anyone controlling the dragon first, move toward this person if they are out of range, and attack the dragon itself if she doesn’t see anyone. And yes, I know I only get one of them. :). Let me know if anything is not clear.

Was he and the ranger the only ones to make the save? What color is the dragon? Is this the same one that we saw as we were scouting?

Baldrick answered the first question, the dragon is black in color, and the shape of the dragon does indeed resemble the one you and Khitt spied on you reconnaissance mission.

Umikh may have a bow stashed with his pack, but that dragon, or whatever it is, is too fast and way too distant. He looks around for someone to help, or maybe like Mell said, someone controlling....something.

Uhhhhh, perception?1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Sigh, it's gonna be one of those battles.

The game map under my portal it is up to date. It’s not exact but gets us pretty close. The yellow lines are areas of radiant damage and destroyed structures.

Gideon looks for a spot to take at least partial cover from as the wounds he took begin to burn. He also tries to send any other scrambling people to take cover. He then turns towards the creature... whatever it is, and waits for it to come closer.

Hold Action until the creature gets within about 120' then cast "Dispel Magic"

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Overcome 3rd level spells ( Well... worth a try. )

Honey, get any survivors to cover! We'll try to draw the beastie off!

Avendryl tries his best to find a bit of cover and waits for the dragon to come back in range of his magic.

Fireball on the dragon when within 150 ft. DC 16 for half. Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 5, 4, 2, 4, 6) = 30

Khitts shortbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25Khitts shortbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
piercing+favored foe: 1d6 + 7 + 1d4 + 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (3) + (1) + 7 = 20
Bonus Action Hide: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Those of you watching the dragon approach see two arrows from between a couple of buildings ahead of you. Both points, piercing the dragons black… hide?

Avendryl and Gideon both have the same idea of directing Magic toward the creature. Gideon’s magic, disruptive. Avendryl’s, destructive.

sorry Gideon, no effect
Reflex vs Fireball w adv: 1d20 ⇒ 1

After being blasted, head on by the ball of fire, the Beast seems to follow the arc of the spell to close in on its caster and dives toward Avendryl.

Crashing down onto of some young trees you were using for cover, the creatures glowing eyes stare at the lot of you for a moment before launching into a flurry of physical attacks.
Random Target: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Turq, I need you to roll a WIS saving throw please.

Claw, claw, Tail, Wing: 4d20 ⇒ (4, 10, 20, 9) = 43
Targeting Avendryl twice, then Mell, then Rodalas.
Avendryl’s protective magic shields him the initial dragon blow but, its second slips through his defenses. Mell is smacked hard by the creature’s tail, while Rodalas is pummeled by the creatures wing. All of you are close enough now, the creature seems to be made a dark crystal.
Claw: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15
Critical Tail: 4d10 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 6) + 7 = 22
Wing: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12

Bruised hard by the tail swipe, Mell calls on powerful primal magic and clouds roil above the crystal one dragon. Lightning strikes out. DEX save w adv: 2d20 ⇒ (2, 9) = 11

[ooc]Baldric, Turq, and Umikh. I’ll give a chance to change your action since things have changed so much since creature has landed so close. Turq, refer to your spoiler first. Baldrick, I believe you are still invisible.

Rodalas, the attack you made still stands but Id assume you would disengage first which mean no hiding yet but at least you’re not based on the creature.

Khitt -6
Khatt -6
Avendryl -20
Gideon -8
Crystalline Dragon -75
Turq (to go)
Baldrick (to go)
Mell -32
bad guy 2
Umikh -9 (to go)
Rodalas -12

Greycastle, can you update the dragon’s location on the map? I have a thought for Mell’s action next round, but it depends where the dragon is.

Also, can we guess the range of the dragon’s claw/tail/wing attacks based on this round of combat?

There should be allies close to the dragon for the sneak attack correct? Did I notice if his initial arrow hit?

Greycastle, can you update the dragon’s location on the map? I have a thought for Mell’s action next round, but it depends where the dragon is.

Also, can we guess the range of the dragon’s claw/tail/wing attacks based on this round of combat?

its location is updated. it is currently base to base with Mell and Avendryl.

as for the range of it's attacks, Mell would wager that it has the ability attack at least 10ft.

*Edit* I did forget that Rodalas had disengaded initially to shoot his arrow. So I moved him back. That was one modification to the map. I also tightend up the spacing of the dragon and the two peopel it is based with. It's not the most ideal map, but we can work with it.

There should be allies close to the dragon for the sneak attack correct? Did I notice if his initial arrow hit?

Rodalas's initial arrow missed. But yes, he has allies in base to base contact.

Baldric, Turq, and Umikh. I’ll give a chance to change your action since things have changed so much since creature has landed so close. Turq, refer to your spoiler first. Baldrick, I believe you are still invisible.

Thanks for that -- I just cast Invisibility as an instinct, expecting the attackers were going to come into the Hall. I didn't really have a plan lol

I realize now that it has some very "Frodo falls off a table in Bree" vibes... :P

Oh right, speaking of casting a spell: Surge?: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Baldrick rushes out of the Hall, feeling confused -- where did a dragon come from?? But, his friends are hurt, and they probably know what's going on, so...

Running past the group, Baldrick tries to engage it from the side, feeling anger bubbling up inside him.
I'm not sure how far he can run on this map -- basically just looking to flank the creature on the left.

Bonus Action: Rage

Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

I'm not sure how far he can run on this map -- basically just looking to flank the creature on the left.

I've tried to keep the scale on the map close to accurate but... Gideon is pushing it to get to the dragon. The rest of you are within 30ft of movment. I went ahead and moved your icon as well to reflect your description.

Can I add to Mell’s action this round, since she’s after the dragon in initiative? I’d like to move her as part of her action to be outside the dragon’s claw/tail/wing attacks and cast Healing Word on herself as her bonus action? If so, Healing Word: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5.

Jeez, this combat is a pain, literally. Maximum damage to Mell with minimum healing. Of course.. lol

I see the dice are distributing the hate, lol.

HP 55/64

Umikh staggered after Turq and Baldrick, watched the dragon fly over and take a fireball to the face, then land and eff shtuff up. He runs over, sword drawn...

Longsword att: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 sigh
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Longsword att: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

...and he swings at the air where this thing's tail was, but manages to connect with the backswing.

What is the hells is this thing?! Do that fire bit again, he didn't seem to like that.

Am I up again?

Wis save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Woulda made it even if I hadn't taken the feat! Did that affect seem to come from the dragon?

Badly wounded by the claw strike, Avendryl disappears into a cloud of mist, appearing some thirty feet behind the dragon and unleashes a bolt of fire at the beast. After firing his cantrip, he moves to seek cover.

Misty Step (bonus), Firebolt (Action), Move for cover (Move)

Firebolt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage: 2d10 ⇒ (6, 9) = 15

The eladrin, seeing that the beast is preoccupied takes a shot at the creature
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

but misses.

He then disengages and runs another 30 ft away.

Regardless...

With a twirl, Turq brings up his axe and swings twice at the dragon!

+1 axe swing 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 If this hits, dragon is marked and has disadvantage to attack anyone but me. It has no effect if it uses an Area Effect attack.
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

+1 axe swing 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Then in a swift move, he slings his shield from his back and to the ready! Action Surge.