Age of Ashes (Team Alseta)

Game Master Delta Arena

Netkin

Unfortunately, you are still too far way from Ellaeaanda to give her or hand her the potion as you are about 10-12.5ft away. You could toss the potion if Ellaeaanda is willing to use a reaction to catch it, or you can change your actions for the turn.

Elaeaanda

Oh, this is an interesting turn of events! Although, perhaps not for the exact reason you were expecting.

You hurl the torch with all your strength. It clashes against the floor and bounces for a little bit, ending at the other end of the vaultway, leaving your side of the room in complete darkness.

Everyone who doesn't have darkvision is now Blinded and Hidden from the darkness.

Cerrus and Resa still have their turns, and Netkin as well, if you want to change your actions due to the distance from Ellaeaanda.

The quick turn of events means Resa doesn't have much time to react, but react she does, if a bit slowly. Once the lights go out, she could determine those birds did not see clearly in the dark, not like her and her other friends could, at least some of them. Taking the time to move behind the red one, she would flank with Ardoinel, taking her dagger out. While the others couldn't see it, Ardoinel could see she was starting to blame herself for this, and for Ellaeaanda going down.

The remaster did actually change some things for me, including my race, but mostly, I get martial weapons now as a rogue. My starknife is more useful! Yay!

Starknife to hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Starknife damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Starknife to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Starknife damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Why must everyone always stand between the bomber and the foes? Netkin whines internally. His small size doesn't help. He can't even make out the birds with Ardoinel in the way.

"'Scuse me... Pardon... Just passing through..." he mumbles, carefully walking around one of the birds and past Resa.

Finally satisfied with his position, he slowly moves his dominant hand to his alchemist's kit.

Which is exactly when a torch flies over the birds' heads, and whatever few light remained utterly disappeared.

From the darkness, a cry of protest rises. "Oh, come on!"

Changing 1st Interact with Stride; Second Interact to draw his Dagger

With the torch down the hall, Cerrus can't see the hand in front of his face. He waits to see if Elaeaanda's hunch is correct and the birds chase the light.

Delay

Resa

You make your way behind the bird and try to strike it, but the long tail feathers are enough of a distraction that you fail to land your strikes with the starknife.

Did you change any of your feats?

Netkin

Taking advantage of your smaller body, you squeeze yourself past everyone to make your way into the vaultway, on the other side of the birds.

Emperor Bird (Cyan)

The emperor bird does not follow the light. Instead, it starts to wave its wings around in a wonderful display that only Ardoinel and Resa are able to see.

Ardoinel’s Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Ardoinel seems to be a little distracted by the display. You are Dazzled for 1 round.

Resa’s Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
duration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Resa, on the other hand, seems completely absorbed by the display, losing track of the bird due to the wavering of its feathers. You are Dazzled for 3 rounds.

Then, having seen the dwarf approach before the lights went away, the bird tries to peck him.

The emperor bird seems a little off in its attack, but it still manages to draw blood with its beak.

Cerrus

Do you want to take your turn before the other bird?

Knowing that one of the birds was just between Ardoinel and Resa, and hearing Ardoinel's grunt that must have been from a bird's attack, Cerrus tries to connect with the bird despite being limited by the darkness.

◆ Strike

Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 15

Cerrus' swing just slashing at the air, so he changes tactics. He moves toward the torch to retrieve it.

◆◆ Stride towards the torch

"Such a shame to harm such beautiful creatures..." Ardoinel murmurs as the bird's display captivates him...before crying out in shock as it takes advantage of the distraction to peck at him. "GAH! But harm them we must..."

Cerrus

You swing towards where you last saw the emperor birds, but you slash only air.

I have moved you back since movement counts as difficult terrain due to blindness. But you are now in Dim Light and no longer Blinded.

Emperor Bird (Red)

Even through the darkness, the emperor bird lashes out with its tail feathers, striking against Resa and Ardoinel.

The first tail feather cracks like a whip, but it goes towards an area where Ardoinel is not found.

slashing damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Resa, closer to the tail, is not so luck, and the tail feathers cut her on their way back.

Uncertain of the damage it has caused or the danger it’s in, in flies back towards one of the archways.

AB: Tail Lash**, Stride*

Alak

Sorry, I forgot Alak’s turn and initiative. From now on he's going to go after the birds.

Seeing an opening in the position, Alak advances on the emperor birds and swings his greatsword against one of them.

He swings in the right direction, but he is still unable to connect the hit against the bird.

AB: Stride*x2, Strike*

You can all take your turns

Ardoinel rises to his feet, murmuring a spell as his sword swings upwards, limned in arcane light. That light shifts and expands into the form of a massive dragon's claw outlining his arm and sword, tearing into the emperor bird in a vicious uppercut!

◆◆ Cast A Spell: Gouging Claw

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Slashing Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10 +2 persistent bleed damage

Then he raises his shield to prepare for the bird's next peck.

◆ Raise a Shield

Netkin hears Resa gasp in pain. With his free hand, he retrieves the healing potion he previously offered Ellaeaanda, and feels around in the darkness until he locates the tiefling. "Here, Resa! Heal yourself!" He presses the potion against her thigh.

Interact (Potion) x2
Ready: Attack if Bird moves to peck him

Cerrus continues to make his way to the torch, stows his tome in a jacket pocket, and grabs the torch off the ground. Then he waves the torch in the air. "Oh, birds! The fires over here."

◆ Stride
◆ Interact to stow tome
◆ Interact to pick up torch

“The darkness is a shield,” Ellaeaanda counsels the others upon hearing Resa’s painful cry, “for those who embrace it.” The nearby sounds of battle and presence of warm bodies makes it clear that they are not using the birds’ blindness to their full advantage. For a moment, she muses on the creatures’ defenses, then draws her whip and lashes out into the darkness, flailing hopefully but in vain. But unlike her companions, she then backs out of the way and retreats into the tunnel, ensuring that any retributive attack would strike nothing but air.

Expeditious Inspection to Recall Knowledge (free), Interact* (draw whip), Strike*, Stride*

Ardoinel

Your vision is still waving in your eyes, distorting what you say, and you swing where the bird had been, but not where it is.

As you raise your shield, you try to refocus, and your eyes settle once more.

You are no longer Dazzled.

Netkin

It seems like the potion will see some use after all.

Cerrus

Whether the birds react to your waving the torch, you are unable to see from where you are, as they are still in darkness.

Ellaeaanda

There is nothing about the bird that would suggest to you any weaknesses or resistances, in spite of its awe inspiring plumage, it looks like a normal bird.

Your whip cracks against the stone, but fails to reach its target.

If you really want to make sure of that, you could also Sneak, since you count as Hidden thanks to darkness.

I will wait until tomorrow for Resa’s turn before taking mine.

With the remaster some feats did change due to the forced update, but nothing battlewise I think? Also, with the condition can I even do anything besides drink the potion?

@Resa: my understanding of the Dazzled condition is that you can still take all your normal actions. But you'd need to roll a DC 5 flat check to target a creature.

Dazzled & Concealed

Cerrus is correct, Dazzled just makes it so everything is Concealed from having a blurry vision. Concealed just imposes the DC 5 flat check to target.

flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Resa is stumbling some, but with her vision clear in the dark, she takes the potion, blood running from her deep wounds.

Putting this here so combat is easier to come back to when Delta Arena in back. Just finished round 2 or 3.

Initiative:
Cerrus: 20
Emperor Birds: 20
Ellaeaanda: 18
Ardoinel: 10
Netkin: 9
Resa: 8

Resa

The image of your target is still waving in your vision, distorted by the hypnotic movements of the bird’s feathers, but you still manage to aim the attack at your target.

You succeeded at the concealed flat check if you want to strike at the emperor bird. Also, are you drinking the potion to heal, or are you just receiving it?

Resa

We can retro fit the remainder of your turn when you take it.

Emperor bird (Red)

Coming out of the shadows, and towards the light, the bird flies.

AB: Stride* x3

Emperor bird (Cyan)

Surrounded by three people, the emperor bird lashes out, trying desperately to defend itself.

One of its tail feathers cuts Alak, but the other feather swings wide off of Ardoinel.

It then flies towards one of the corridors, feeling protected by the walls on either side.

AB: Tail Lash**, Stride*

Alak

Alak raises his greatsword, chases the emperor bird and brings down his blade with all his strength against it.

Alak's swords falls on the emperor bird, drawing blood in the process.

AB: Stride*, Vicious Swing**

You can all take your turns. Resa you can finish last turn and take this turn as well.

[ooc] Sorry, thought I posted]

Resa takes the potion and drinks it down, hoping to ease some of the pain she was feeling. None of this was pleasant to her, and she was quickly becoming not a fan of birds.

Afterwards though she would move to get closer to the cyan bird, and swings at it twice hoping to finish it. She believes this one has been hit, but she wasn't sure.

to hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Cerrus continues waving around the torch. "Good, one bird took the bait." Cerrus moves forward slightly, then swings his sword twice at the bird. Cerrus' first attack slashes across the birds body, followed by a stabbing thrust aimed for its heart.

◆ Step
◆ Strike #1
◆ Strike #2

Since Cerrus stowed his tome, he doesn't have +2 damage from Implement's Empowerment. +2 damage from Personal Antithesis does apply.

Strike #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Slashing dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Strike #2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Piercing dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Now that the red-feathered bird has flown into the torchlight where she can see it, Ellaeaanda takes its measure.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 1

But with Ardoinel in the way, cloaked by gloomy shadows, she foresees nothing but the disaster of an arrow in his back. Instead she moves closer to the light, swapping her whip for her longbow in preparation.

*Devise a Stratagem, *Stride, *Interact (swap whip for longbow)

Ardoinel, seeing Cerrus take off after the retreating bird, pushes past Alak and Ellaeaanda to join him.

◆ Stride 20 ft.
◆ Stride 20 ft.

Catching up to the bird, he hacks at it with his sword!

◆ Strike

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Resa

healing: 1d8 ⇒ 4

You swing your starknife with all the unpleasantness you feel behind it. The blow is not enough to fell the emperor bird, but it is enough to make it squawk in pain.

Unfortunately, the flapping of its wings is distracting enough that you miss your second swing.

Cerrus

With your knowledge of the bird, and the ability to see it through the torchlight, you swing your blade at it, cutting its wing and grounding it before you pierce it through its heart. The bird then falls dead to the ground.

Ellaeaanda

Ardoinel is save from a misplaced arrow, and the light of the torchlight seems welcoming as you approach.

Ardoinel

With cerrus having taken down the red bird, would you like to retake your turn?

I’ll wait for Ardoinel and Netkin to take their turns.

Since there's always somebody in the way and the light is too dim to risk throwing a bomb, Netkin moves closer to the bird and stabs blindly in the dark.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Stride, Strike

REWIND!

Ardoinel, seeing the first bird fall, turns his attention to the other one. He moves to join Resa in battling it, but sees he doesn't have a clear view of it.

◆ Step

"Can't get to it..." he mutters.

I can't target a spell around the corner, right?

The bird would have cover, but you can still target it.

Ardoinel shapes some more metal shards and shoots them at the bird, trying hard to maintain focus, so they do not not to nick Resa on the way!

◆◆ Cast a Spell, Needle Darts

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage (Piercing): 3d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 9

Netkin

hidden: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Unfortunately, the stab really is blind, and it pierces only the air in front of Netkin.

Ardoinel

Thanks to the angle of the corner, you are able to get a clear view of the emperor bird, and you launch your needle darts against it. They pierce through it, one in the wing, and two on the body.

Emperor Bird

Scared and under attack, the bird swings its whip-like tail against those who have hurt it.

Unfortunately for the heroes of breachill, the tail manage to reach them both and cut them badly.

before it retreats a little further into the hallway.

AB: Tail Lash**, Stride*

Alak

Stepping over the unconcious elf and the unconcious dwarf, Alak advances against the emperor bird to deliver a blow with all his might.

Unfortunately the blow goes awry and cuts only air.

AB: Stride*, Vicious Swing**

You can all take your turns. I think Resa and Ardoinel are down, but the bird is trapped behind Alak right now.

Ardoinel gasps as he's lashed by the bird and collapses to the floor.

Believe that puts me at Dying 1.

Recovery Check: 1d20 ⇒ 16

And a 16 beats the DC 11 flat check, reducing my Dying value to 0. Whew!

The wound is thankfully shallow enough that he isn't bleeding out.

Unfortunately it puts you at dying 2, dying 1 with the recovery check, since it was a critical hit.

Unable to see what’s happening with the remaining bird, but hearing the continuing sounds of combat and the thud-thud of two bodies hitting the ground, Ellaeaanda swiftly runs ahead to retrieve her torch.

*Stride x2, *Interact (pick up torch)

Resa gasp softly as the tail slices into her, and suddenly she feels weak. She goes to take a step towards the next bird, but with blurry eyes she stumbles a bit more, collapsing to the the ground. Her last thoughts of the friends she had left behind, and now she understood. It seems it just was not her fortune to live a happy life.

Recovery Check: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Unfortunately it puts you at dying 2, dying 1 with the recovery check, since it was a critical hit.

Oh, right. Forgot that part. Thanks for the correction! >_<

Netkin is all too happy to let Alak do the heavy work.

He drops his dagger at his feet, and forages for his alchemist's toolkit. With slightly shaky hands he wills to be still, he creates a healing elixir.

Interact x1, Quick Alchemy (Minor Elixir of Life)

I don't know if Dropping a Weapon still counts as a free action, but if I have a 3rd action to use, Netkin will make Ardoinel drink the elixir within this round for HP: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

@Ellaeaanda, you might want to retcon your turn. You would have been able to see that Cerrus had picked up the torch you threw.

Cerrus pulls his sword out of the fallen bird and looks back towards the rest of the party. He sees Ardoinel and Resa lying on the ground, Netkin kneeling down to help one of them, and Alak nowhere in sight.

"Oh, no. I'm coming to help." Cerrus runs the length of the hallway back to the group and stops near his fallen friends. With Netkin helping Ardoinel, Cerrus tries to staunch Resa's wounds.

@Delta, Cerrus is attempting to aid Resa's next recovery check. Not sure if that's a roll.

@Cerrus: Sorry, I totally forgot what happened from a few weeks ago. Thank you for correcting me!
@Delta: Please ignore my previous post; I’d like to retcon my turn now that I realize Cerrus is already carrying the torch.

With Cerrus comes torchlight to reveal the crumpled bodies of Ardoinel and Resa on the floor. Unlike the others, Ellaeaanda’s demeanor is cool and unperturbed at the distressing sight—after all, the dwarf will easily recover with Netkin’s aid, while an expert glance immediately tells her that Resa, despite her unconscious condition, is in no immediate danger. Instead, she focuses her attention on the bird that seems intent on continuing to attack.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 1

With Alak in the way, she foresees another arrow in an ally's back, so she stays her bow.

*Devise a Stratagem, *Recall Knowledge x2

Netkin

Dropping items is still free.

You give the potion to Ardoinel, waking him up and stopping the worst of his injuries.

Ardoinel

You are awake now, but you are Prone, Wounded 1, and your weapon is on the ground.

Cerrus

You reach Resa only to realize that she stable, her breathing breathing is steady, and her blood loss is not serious.

Resa

Hold that fortune still, you are still surrounded by friends. You lose the dying condition and are now Wounded 1, but you are still unconcious.

Ellaeaanda

You have identified no particular weaknesses or resistance the birds might have, but you have noticed that it is not a particularly resilient creature. Fortitude is the weakest. You are unsure which of the other two is stronger.

Emperor Bird

Noticing the light illuminating the facing forces, the emperor bird begins to make its feathers dance in the light.

Ardoinel’s will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Cerrus’ will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Ellaeaanda’s will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Cerrus and Ellaeaanda, you are Dazzled for 1 round.

Ardoinel and Alak are Dazzled for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.

It then launches itself against Alak to pierce him with its beak.

The bird's beak goes into Alak and tears into him, causing significant damage to him.

AB: Dazzling Display**, Strike

Alak

Alak responds in kind with a mighty swing of his blade meant to threaten the bird.

And, having missed, he swings again.

With the same result.

AB: Intimidating Strike**, Strike*

You can all take your turns.

Ardoinel breathes as he's healed and awakens.

"Thank Torag and Yuelral and thank you, Netkin," he says.

Does the Dazzled condition come before or after I pick up my sword?

Netkin glances at Alak, who seems to be in some difficulty with the emperor bird. I can't believe we've been through a graudalon, he thinks distractedly, and are struggling to get past a couple of peacocks.

"I-I'm afraid it's not over yet," he answers Ardoinel, anxiety clear in his voice. With the half-elf mostly out of danger, he crawls to Resa to make another Elixir and wake her up. Just to be on the safe side, he mixes a second bunch of reagents. Something is telling him that someone will need it soon.

Quick Alchemy (Minor Elixir of Life), Interact (make Resa drink) HP: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5, Quick Alchemy (Minor Elixir of Life)

Now that she can see the bird in its full resplendent glory , Ellaeaanda can understand why they are called emperor birds. Dazzled by its majestic feathers, she nonetheless puts away her whip and fits an arrow to her bowstring—the aggressive peafowl must be eliminated before it can lay low another of her companions.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Waiting and watching, she sees an instant when Alak leans right while the bird flutters left, and in that moment she looses her arrow.

Flat check (Dazzled): 1d20 ⇒ 16
Attack = 17+7-2 (volley) =22
Damage (P): 1d8 ⇒ 2 Strategic Strike damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

*Devise a Stratagem, *Interact (stow whip), *Strike (longbow)

Cerrus tries to find a way to get within melee range of the bird but finds the path full of allies and the bird. He pulls out a dagger and attempts to distract the bird on Alak's next attack by throwing the dagger.

◆ Exploit Vulnerability
◆ Swap longsword for dagger
◆ Aid by throwing dagger

Exploit Vulnerability: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Aid check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Ardoinel

Dazzled comes before picking your sword, but it doesn’t affect your ability to pick it up in any way.

Netkin

You mix up a second elixir and force it down Resa’s throat, waking her up from her slumber.

Quick Alchemy only lasts until the beginning of the next turn, so I wouldn’t be of much use to brew something with your last action. At least that is my understanding, someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

Resa

You are now awake but you are prone and not holding your weapons.

Ellaeaanda

Just as you foresaw, the arrow flies through and pierces through the emperor bird, making glistening blood fall from its wounds.

Cerrus

You swipe the blood of the other bird on the dagger before throwing it against the remaining one, reasoning that it would recognize the smell and cower. Personal antithesis are difficult to come up with.

Cerrus and Ellaeaanda, you are no longer Dazzled

I’ll wait for Ardoinel’s, sorry I didn’t reply sooner to the sword question, and Resa’s turns before taking mine. Netkin, if you want to take a different third action, feel free to do so as well.

GM: Sorry, you're correct! In this case, I will use the third action to drag Resa a little out of the way

Moving her to B1

Just wanna make sure I'm flavoring my text appropriately! ;)

Ardoinel hisses angrily as the bird's dazzling display catches him unawares and he covers his eyes with one hand as he starts groping around for his sword with the other. Once he finds it, he gets to his feet and raises his shield.

◆ Interact; retrieve sword.
◆ Stand.
◆ Raise a shield.

Netkin

As she is waking up, Netkin pulls Resa out of danger and away from the emperor bird.

Ardoinel

You stand, wounded, bracing your shield for an incoming attack.

I’ll wait until tomorrow for Resa’s turn before taking my turn.

Emperor Bird

Undeterred by the hellknight, the emperor bird continues its assault on him.

It launches an attack on Alak with its beak, which Alak dodges, before lashing out with its tail feathers against the hellknight and Ardoinel.

Alak parries the incoming strike just in time.

While Ardoinel has no trouble blocking it with his shield.

AB: Strike*, Tail Lash**

Alak

Alak tries once again to intimidate the emperor bird with his sword.

Desperate, he keeps pressing his attacks.

Unfortunately, the emperor bird is just too fast for Alak to strike.

AB: Intimidating Strike**, Strike*

Well, hopefully those are all my bad rolls for a while.

You can all take your turns

Resa picks up her weapons, and moves into flanking with the bird. She could not do much else besides that.

Netkin makes another one of his vials, and tosses it on Alak rather than just giving it to him.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Versatile Vial (Minor Elixir of Life); Strike for HP: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4