Baghotir is fascinated, watching Roberts work. Great stuff!
Following Venn's advice, he'll take the more difficult route, and avoid the uncertain painted boards. He won't go too far though - just far enough to get the group this side of the difficulty.
He'll have his hammer out, but down - being as non threatening as he can bristling with weapons and armor.
As per slack... We follow the Spectre.
The hallway widens out into a bare fifty-foot-square chamber. An enormous rotting, walking ogre corpse shambles about. It clutches a large morningstar, dragging it on the stone floor. Two human-sized emaciated, bald humanoids with wicked looking claws look up at you. They hiss and laugh, smacking their lips and waggling long, disgusting tongues at you.
"Well look here! And I thought we'd not get dinner today, either!"
The stench coming from these two makes you all gag as bile rises in your throats.
Standing directly in the exit on the southern wall, effectively blocking it, is a large crystal statue of a minotaur.
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!
ROUND 1
1. Embers GO!
2. Ghasts
3. Ogre Zombie
4. Baghotir
5. Caelius
6. Alisanne
7. Belwick
8. Spectre
9. Venn
The ghasts, unable to control their hunger, charge heedlessly ahead of the other undead in the room...
,
The Fairy Pirate avoids the swipe, but Venn feels pure evil find a gap in his armor.
Venn takes and needs to make a DC10 Constitution Save or be paralyzed for 10 Rounds. The Save can be repeated at the end of each round.
In addition, the stench from these things is horrid, and both Venn and Embers needs to DC10 Con Save on their next turns or be POISONED.
The ogre takes the Ready action...
ROUND 1
1. Embers HIT
2. Ghasts One HIT
3. Ogre Zombie READY
4. Baghotir
5. Caelius
6. Alisanne
7. Belwick
8. Spectre
9. Venn
Condition: None.
- - -
Baghotir pleads, "Somebody fall back in front, and let me in there, won't you?"
For now, he sheathes his hammer and casts Sacred Flame on one of the ghasts.
Dex 15
... MISS, Baghotir.
"Spirit, you have been sending some very mixed signals. I think it needs to stop."
Belwick retrieves a piece of sulfur and a small lump of bat guano from his component pouch. He squeezes the two together, rolling them into a pellet. With a flourish he tosses the pellet into the air and shouts, "Kelenta!"
The bead-shaped pellet emits a low roar as it streaks out into the chamber. With a final gesture from Belwick it blossoms into an explosion of flame.
The nobleman then makes a telepathic command to Hobart, asking it to aid Venn by providing a distraction.
, , ,
Spectre takes half, but all the others take the full fireball! KABOOM!
Stay with me, Bimz.
Alisanne then plays a fast and lively tune on her flute, at which eldritch flames erupt around the ghasts and giant.
Venn, bring the pain!
If a creature has a Bardic Inspiration die from you and casts a spell that restores hit points or deals damage, the creature can roll that die and choose a target affected by the spell. Add the number rolled as a bonus to the hit points regained or the damage dealt. The Bardic Inspiration die is then lost.
When granting a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, you summon a Mote of Potential that orbits within 5 ft. of the creature.
Ability Check. The Bardic Inspiration die can be rolled again - choose which roll to use.
Attack Roll. The target and each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 ft. of it must succeed on a CON saving throw (DC: 14) or take thunder damage equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die.
Saving Throw. The creature using the Bardic Inspiration die gains temporary hit points equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die +4
, ,
Three failures. All targets are lit up with Faerie Fire.
"Step aside!" Caelius leans inot his shield as he tries to shove the undead back and open the room up.
But he gets stuck behind Embers.
HP 40/40
AC 17 (+2 (19) w/ Shield) (14 w/o armor)
Short Rest Die 4/4
Action Surge 0/1
Superiority Die (D8; Disarming Attack, Sweeping Attack, Menacing Attack): 2/4
ROUND 1
1. Embers HIT
2. Ghasts One HIT
3. Ogre Zombie READY
4. Baghotir SACRED FLAME
5. Caelius SHOVE
6. Alisanne FAERIE FIRE, INSPIRE
7. Belwick FIREBALL
8. Spectre DOUBLE MOVE
9. Venn Con Save then Con Save then GO!
The spectre starts flying towards the party, then moves north through the wall. A few seconds later, it emerges behind Belwick!
Venn freezes at the worst possible time. He doesn't throw up either, but it's hard to tell if it's because he resisted the stench, or his muscles don't work.
"You can run...." A quick spell to mark the foe before him
"But you can't hide." and a massive swing of the greatsword:
for for 21 DMG if hit
"and I will destroy you."
for for 18 DMG if hit
Venn chokes down the bile rising at the stench, and cuts both ghasts to ribbons! Severed ghast covers the floor, the wall, Embers and Venn.
Embers darts out, her enthusiasm renews as she sees she can, in fact, attack the Ogre again.
The Ogre, heedless of the Faerie Fire, shambles in and swings at Venn.
, it connects and Venn feels ... Like he's been hit by a tree. A spikey tree.
ROUND 2
1. Embers HIT
3. Ogre Zombie HIT
4. Baghotir GO
5. Caelius GO
6. Alisanne GO
7. Belwick GO
8. Spectre TBD
9. Venn TBD
Hit no crit.
Startled by the spectre's appearance, Alisanne shouts out a quick Command.
HALT!,
Alisanne's spell has no effect! The creature turns ghostly, furious eyes on her and Belwick!
Condition: None.
- - -
Still unsure if the spectre is a hostile, but knowing the ogre zombie is, he charges in the hole conveniently made, he believes, for him!
He attacks the most wounded ghast, or the northern one if he's uncertain.
or
A HIT! Baghotir strikes meat and bone, hearing the latter snap!
Caelius keeps trying to shove past, but much to his surprise an undead behemoth stands in his path, straining his muscles further.
HP 40/40
AC 17 (+2 (19) w/ Shield) (14 w/o armor)
Short Rest Die 4/4
Action Surge 0/1
Superiority Die (D8; Disarming Attack, Sweeping Attack, Menacing Attack): 2/4
Belwick sends a telepathic command to Hobart, who flies towards the spectre and flaps its wings before flying away.
The nobleman follows this up with a whispered word, disappearing from the shade's reach and leaving a path for Caelius to engage.
He also gestures at the spectre with a pointed finger and weaves another spell. A bolt of fire bursts from the tip of his index finger, lancing towards them.
OR
Belwick's firebolt is resisted--this is a creature who is only energy at this point, YET... The Magic nearly erases it from existence. It clings to un-life and... It comes for Belwick.
... Belwick is JUST able to avoid the life draining grasp of the grave!
ROUND 2
1. Embers HIT
3. Ogre Zombie HIT
4. Baghotir HIT
5. Caelius SHOVE/FAIL
6. Alisanne CAST SPELL
7. Belwick FIREBOLT
8. Spectre MISS
9. Venn GO
"Give Kyuss my regards. The name is Venn." His own name is more a seething exhale as he swings his magical greatsword.
for
MISS
Venn Brings down the Ogre Zombie!
Venn leaps over the body so quickly that he steps on it before it fully slumps to the ground. "Remember my name spectre, and tell'em who sent you to hell."
for
Roberts doesn't get the chance. Venn's enchanted blade severs this poor soul's hold on it's un-life. The party stands victorious... For now.
Each Adventurer earns 258 Experience Points!
Aside from a rusty ancient morningstar there is no treasure to speak of.
This chamber is bare, except for the large crystal Minotaur blocking the exit to the south.
"Well, all right! Little weasels didn't stand a chance!" he kicks the ogre.
He'll go take a look at the statue, and try to see if there's a way to shift it.
The party enters the chamber, led by Baghotir who intends on examining the statue and... OH NO IT'S ALIVE! ALLLIIIIIIIVVVVVEEEE!
Ahem. Initiative.
The Minotaur, completely inert until Baghotir makes it about halfway over to it, comes to life and moves right to him with clear, murderous intent.
MISS
, and BAGHOTIR STANDS READY and either blocks or sidesteps all the attacks!
That was Round 1. The entire party was surprised.
ROUND 2!
1. Alisanne
2. Baghotir
3. Embers
4. Crystal Minotaur
5. Belwick
6. Venn
7. Caelius
Alisanne plays a quick jig on her flute, conjuring eldritch flame to engulf the minotaur.
BRILLIANT LIGHT FLOODS THE ROOM AS THE FAERIE FIRE IS REFRACTED ALL AROUND!
Condition: None.
- - -
Baghotir rushes around the back of the thing, to draw it's attention and to setup a flank. He swings hard!
or
Though the great beast missed him, he's uneasy about the strength of those arms, so he swings again with his bonus action!
or
"Nice Faerie Fire!" Baghotir shouts as his blows connect.
The hammer strikes! Hitting and causing damage but with the first strike, shards of razor sharp crystal shrapnel shoot out and rip into your exposed skin!
Damage, no save or dodge!
Embers HITS.
The Crystal Minotaur turns back to Baghotir, unwilling or unable to drop its defenses and move away.
, and But the Dwarf is too tricky for the lumbering crystal creature to easily hit!
Faerie Fire continues to refract and pulse everywhere.
Rest of the Party can GO!
ROUND 2!
1. Alisanne FAERIE FIRE
2. Baghotir HIT, HIT
3. Embers, HIT
4. Crystal Minotaur MISS x 3!
5. Belwick GO
6. Venn GO
7. Caelius GO
With the crystal minotaur limned helpfully in dim light, Belwick repeats his spell from before and hurls fire magic at the construct.
OR
Caelius moves up opposite Baghotir as he sweeps his heavy blade across the crystalline surface. He squints his eyes as he is nearly blinding himself by the shiny disco-ball.
HP 49/49
AC 17 (+2 (19) w/ Shield) (14 w/o armor)
Short Rest Die 4/4
Action Surge 1/1
Superiority Die (D8; Disarming Attack, Sweeping Attack, Menacing Attack): 4/4
Belwick and Caelius both hit!
Caelius, that attack was at advantage, so you rolled 20 and 1. (take the 20 obvs). Make a second attack roll--you still have advantage. Roll twice and take the higher.
Crystal Shards fly in Caelius' face... damage, no save.
Venn is up!
Venn turns his attention to the strange crystalline monstrosity. Blade still wet with the gore of the undead, he fashions his Hunter's Mark for the minotaur:
for
for
Venn and Caelius batter the crystal minotaur with strike after strike. Crystal shards break off with every blow.
[ooc]Good and truly Bloodied.[/b]
ROUND 3
1. Alisanne TBD
2. Baghotir TBD
3. Embers, TBD
4. Crystal Minotaur TBD
5. Belwick TBD
6. Venn TBD
7. Caelius TBD
Condition: None.
- - -
Baghotir plants himself and tries to finish the creature with another blow, though he suspects it'll take more than that!
or
The crystal minotaur's weakness shows--it's slow. The relentless assault is too much for the construct. It is Embers who notices a fault line in the creature's chest and she darts toward it like a lance. It finds the flaw, and the force of the blow shatters the crystal beast. It crumbles, chunks of crystal scattering like leaves.
Each adventurer earns 383 Experience Points!
There is no treasure or anything else in this room, but with the Minotaur statue defeated, the way south is open. The passes wind, and you find yourselves at a crossroad... Two passages lead North, one south. A door, just to the north, leads west.
Map Updated.
"Odd spot for a door. Feels like a trap." Baghotir takes a look at the north door leading west.
He doesn't touch anything though, until the others catch up.
"Wait Baghotir. Give me a moment." Venn takes a moment and turns his greatsword into a support as he kneeels down. "Summoner, help me clear my mind so that I may be aware of others who owe debt to Kyuss."
Venn then clears his mind and spirit to extend a primeval awareness.... one that tells him if there are more undead within a mile...
"Wait Baghotir. Give me a moment." Venn takes a moment and turns his greatsword into a support as he kneeels down. "Summoner, help me clear my mind so that I may be aware of others who owe debt to Kyuss."
Venn then clears his mind and spirit to extend a primeval awareness.... one that tells him if there are more undead within a mile...
Venn... You sense the presence of The Un-Dead.