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[D&D ?E] The Vastness Beyond - End Times

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Posts

  • fadingathedgesfadingathedges Registered User regular
    Alzav bows slightly to the man who had swept in and dispatched the last undead. "Thank you, stranger. I am Alzav, of the People of the Grasses. I am injured, but upright, for now." @Zomro A heal wouldn't hurt, but it's up to you if you want to save the resource for the moment. "Do you know the others here, as well?"

    The masked man approaches from the south. "Fortune favors you, hidden one. Come for? To see what . . . to see what is, I suppose." Alzav's smile is practiced.

  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    kime wrote: »
    Edit: lollll, apparently Arthur is very distracting

    He's got that boyish charm. The kind where you want to place a hand on each side of his face....and then just shake and shake until he explains what the hell he was thinking

    Arthur looks out towards the water as Kirina responds. "Oh. Wet. Right." It seems to darken his spirits for a moment but they rebound quickly. "Still, there's more adventure to be found." He smiles as he looks out into the distance.

    He paused a moment, lost in thought, "Oh right. Alone. Came here alone." He turns back to look up. "Read plenty about it before I did though. Some great books, though none will be as accurate as mine" He gestures to the book he is holding. "And You? Any of them familiar?"

    "Not from before coming... here. I spoke with a couple before the undead started to get restless, but that's it."

    Kirina looks around. Someone had spoken to her telepathically before, but she hasn't recognized the voice yet.

    "Well," she raises her voice to address the group, all gathered below. "At least for now, shall we move forward together? It looks like there's only one way out, so we'll all be headed the same direction anyways. Once we leave the valley.... then we can go our separate ways, or stay around there if you'd like. Here is just... cramped. Like a hole we're all stuck in."

    Battle.net ID: kime#1822
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  • nightmarennynightmarenny Registered User regular
    you're totally fine, Zomro. It felt in character and perfectly fine.

    I'm sorry for being gone so much, folks. The last few days have been very busy. I'll be more involved starting tomorrow. Until then I don't want to delay anything so I'll roll acrobatics to cross the river so when you all traverse the river it can involve me.


    Simon introduces himself to any near him. He is curt but clearly trying to be polite. He will meet your eye but often looks off into the distance or the space beyond you as if afraid of what he will see.

    Geth roll 1d20+1 for acrobatics

    acrobatics:
    1d20+1 5 [1d20=4]

    Quire.jpg
  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    Geth roll 1d20+4 Acrobatics (Gruush)

    Acrobatics (Gruush):
    1d20+4 15 [1d20=11]

  • AustinP0027AustinP0027 Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    "Yes. Together, we can leave together, it'll be fun!" Arthur says loudly heading towards the river. He'll wait for the rest to join, but then try to carefully traverse the river if he can.

    ♫ I'm ridin' on a dolphin, doin' flips and shit... ♫

    Geth, roll 1d20+2 for Acrobatics

    Acrobatics:
    1d20+2 22 [1d20=20]

    AustinP0027 on
  • ZomroZomro Registered User regular
    you're totally fine, Zomro. It felt in character and perfectly fine.

    Cool. Admittedly, I can be a bit self conscious at times.

    Solomon lays his hands over Alzav's wound. A soft, warm light emanates from Solomon's hands and the wound begins to heal. It does not completely close, but there is improvement. "That should at least ease the pain."

    I'll use Lay on Hands to heal Alzav for 4 HP. I'll leave 1 HP as an emergency heal in case someone gets knocked out

    Solomon looks to the odd masked man. "Why am I here? That's a simple question with a complicated answer. For brevity's sake, I will say that I am here because my honor demands it." He glances back towards the outcropping where the old knight once sat, "That was quite the clever strategy back there. An unorthodox tactic, but quite effective nonetheless."

    Solomon turns his gaze to the river (creek?),"I agree with the young lady, we should probably move on. And I would suggest that, at least for the time being, we stay together. We might be strangers, but I don't believe it a coincidence that we arrived here together. Whatever our individual reasons for being here are, there is strength in numbers and we could all benefit from a helping hand."

    I think it'd be safe to say that we're all introduced, at least as far as names go. That is, unless someone wants to give a fake name or something

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    I’m off to bed, it’s dark on my side of the globe. Be sure to roll to see how you fair on your short trip out of here.

  • fadingathedgesfadingathedges Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    "Thank you - that feels much better. Yes, let's press forward." A few of the others tentatively move into the muddy embankment. "We'll do better if we help each other - a chain perhaps? Here, take my hand as you stretch - yes, there."

    Azlav will offer assistance so folks can roll with advantage.

    What are those ducks on the map? Actual ducks? Undead ducks?


    Geth roll 1d20+2 for Acrobatics
    Geth roll 1d20+2 for Advantage if I can get an assist

    Acrobatics:
    1d20+2 11 [1d20=9]
    Advantage if I can get an assist:
    1d20+2 5 [1d20=3]

    fadingathedges on
  • ZomroZomro Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    Geth roll 1d20-1 for Acrobatics

    "My knees aren't quite what they used to be."

    Acrobatics:
    1d20-1 3 [1d20=4]

    Zomro on
  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    Kirina has no desire to swim across. Among other things, her robes take forever to dry.

    She reaches and takes Azlav's hand as she goes across. She whispers to him, "that was you before, yes? Speaking in my mind? That's a valuable trick. Could you teach it to me sometime?"

    The ducks were "various small birds nest in thin trees along the river bank, with larger ones out towards the lake." Kirina saw 'em last page from her vantage point. Presumably harmless, but shruuuug.

    Kirina casts Guidance on herself too before crossing, for some divine luck. As she gets ahead, she occasionally finds a good handhold, to reach back and help Azlav behind her.

    Assuming I don't fall....

    Let's see if I can get this roll done properly.


    Geth roll 2d20k1+1d4-1 for Acrobatics check with Advantage with Guidance

    Acrobatics check with Advantage with Guidance:
    2d20k1+1d4-1 13 [2d20k1=[10], 6] [1d4=4]

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  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    If possible, Gruush will assist anyone who looks like they're struggling a bit on the way over

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Simon & Gruush

    Simon is the first to brave the path ahead, disturbing the birds—bluejays, ducks, pheasants—as he suddenly slides noisily into the river. Gruush suddenly grabs him under one arm and heaves him back to the edge. Was he so close behind him, or can this man sprint silently? Just a pair of flooded boots and a soaking up to your waist Simon, no worries.

    They both make it to the floodplain beyond the valley.



    Arthur

    Rather than stick to the crumbling, muddy edge, you manage to skip your way across rocks that barely break the surface and hop over large branches that loom over the running water. On your way you spot 1 gold coin lodged between a couple of pebbles, and nab it for yourself.

    You follow Simon and Gruush out of the valley, landing on a pile of smooth stones. You’re yet to get wet despite the conditions around you.



    Alzav, Kirina & Solomon

    One recently injured, one much older all of a sudden when faced with a balancing act. To their backs, the helpful guidance of Kirina.

    Together they steady each other for a time, inching along the water’s edge. With a yelp Solomon suddenly falls, catches himself, falls some more, and all but runs into the river. He resurfaces blade first, then slowly leans forward until he has face planted. He drifts off after the others like an abandoned longboat.

    Alzav and Kirina fair well enough, but neither are dry by the time they reach the floodplain.

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    Adventurers

    On your feet in (not you Arthur) ankle deep water, you begin to feel the extra weight to your movements. The entirety of this area is difficult terrain, save for a few deep green spots of high land!

    Solomon! All your javelins have come loose and are 5 feet from you. It will take an action to gather them back up!

    All around you is a shallow lake. To the east, another crudely built platform, unguarded. The platform is built into a rock that sharply rises off to the north, about 50 feet at the tip.
    utkw9c12xchb.jpeg

    To the north-east, a grand belfry with a single humongous brass bell. The tall double doors are ajar. It looks long abandoned, for river reeds and tidal dirt have pushed their way inside.
    tcngpsy2sbyq.jpeg

    Your eyes are drawn to three trees, roots exposed and branches climbing high into the morning sunlight, wind and rain rustling the leaves. Something is behind the tree. Something big. So big you’re aghast it was not the first thing you noticed.

    It is… a heron.

    7pos4ywdi8ej.jpeg

    It stands now to its full height. Well above the trees. It appraises you all with a keen eye. Then it swiftly flicks its long head around, revealing a scarred side pitted with what appear to be green gemstones. It strolls out from behind the trees and plunges its long neck into the water. A moment passes… and then it pulls something up into its beak.

    A sunbeam, bright white, blinding. Water drips. Water lilies fall from it. A longsword of colossal scale.

    Fenwing takes flight!

    bus4qaghovdg.jpeg

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWl5wJuE-MU&list=PLKzg0DeoAjD_At5zpYwtKVwy1DtPoRnz_&index=61

    4nkpb1vddp0z.jpeg

    Endless_Serpents on
  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Initiative Order

    Don’t roll please. Fenwing is going first, home turf rules and all that.
    1. Fenwing
    2. Arthur
    3. Kirina
    4. Gruush
    5. Alzav
    6. Simon
    7. Solomon

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    Fenwing

    The majesty of the heron, Fenwing, is matches only by its elegance. It swoops towards you, skimming the lake with a single feather, causing a cascade of water to rush along with it. A delicate tear falls from its good eye, creating a ripple that resounds like the note of a fine flute. The sound seems to hang in the air.

    Then it turns, banks, rises and turns—it is heading straight for you!

    hz1j66as6ren.jpeg

    Fenwing is currently 10 feet above the water.

    Oh hey, this is the opening fight. Hope you’re not all fighted out.

    That was Fenwing’s full turn by the way, what do you do on yours?

    Endless_Serpents on
  • nightmarennynightmarenny Registered User regular
    Oh boy! Well, it wouldn't be a dark souls if a giant thing didn't try to kill us moments after starting. Let's hope this goes better.

    At the sight of the horrifying and magnificent bird Simon gives thanks for his luck. Yes, he had a crossbow but he was far more comfortable with a weapon for fighting direct. He pulls the ball and chain he took from the undead and stumbles up to dry land preparing to make this Fenwing creature think twice about getting too close.

    "Arthur? Might you have any spells to bind a flying beast?"

    On my turn Simon puts away his greatsword and pulls out the ball and chain. He attempts to move to the raised dry area if he can. then, depending on if chaning weapons count is an action or a free action he may ready an action to attack Fenwing when it enters Simon's range.

    Quire.jpg
  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    @nightmarenny
    I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say you had the ball and chain in your hands. If you picked it up you’ve really got no option but to wield it, it’s too big to put away.

    o9qe2xr4410i.jpeg

    Simon

    You make it next to Arthur, boots spurting water with every step. You let some of the chain fall through your hand and begin to swing it, each full circle sounding more and more deadly.

  • nightmarennynightmarenny Registered User regular
    Oh boo. Suppose I may have to discard it after this fight then. Can't say I'm not allured by the idea of going full 3.5 spiked chain fighter though.

    Quire.jpg
  • AustinP0027AustinP0027 Registered User regular
    Arthur is patiently waiting for the others on land as some moves and draws their attention. His eyes go wide and he stands motionless as Simon joins him. "Bind it? I'm, no, I don't have anything prepared that will do that." He fumbles through his spell book, flipping the pages quickly. "I can try to weaken it, open it up for harm."

    He finds the right page, glances over it and look up, focusing on the heron. A word escapes his lips, and a silver energy spots towards their aggressor.

    Casting mind sliver. It needs to make an Int save, DC 13. On fail, it takes 1d6 dmg and must subtract a d4 from its next save attempt before end of my next turn.

    Geth, roll 1d6 for Fail Dmg

    Fail Dmg:
    1d6 1 [1d6=1]

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Geth roll 1d20-1 for Bird Save

    Bird Save:
    1d20-1 16 [1d20=17]

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Arthur

    Either you presently lack the will, or Fenwing has shrugged off the sting of such spells many times before.

  • AustinP0027AustinP0027 Registered User regular
    Good to see that -1, bad that Geth wanted to reward the boss still

  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    OK, so morning coffee thoughts:

    - Gruush has fifty feet of rope in his Burglar's Pack...this guy wouldn't be nearly so dangerous if we could pin him down somehow, and should he manage to take flight with the Rogue still attached, it's hopefully a fall from height into a few feet of water, rather than messily splattered to pieces along some rocks?

    - That fifty foot vertical spire is literally begging for someone to do a plunging attack off it. If that someone happened to be Gruush, he could add in Sneak Attack damage and really make it sting

    - Either way, Gruush and his 8 HP aren't going anywhere near this giant thing and it's giant sword unless it's distracted or doesn't see him, so disappearing again is gonna probably be priority one, if it's a possibility out here on the water with a giant flier after us

    - Could Gruush travel x1 NE, x2 E through the difficult terrain, making an action to Hide underwater at some point whenever the Heron loses sight of him (or barring that, Hiding underneath that ladder before he ascends it next turn?) Idea will be to sneak to the top of that rock as fast and quiet as possible

    mrpaku on
  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    8 HP? How much did you get hurt last fight? Don't forget your AC is added to your HP

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  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    kime wrote: »
    8 HP? How much did you get hurt last fight? Don't forget your AC is added to your HP

    Didn't get touched yet, 8 HP is just what a Rogue with my lousy Constitution starts with. Add in the AC how now? I've got Hide Armor, but I thought that was for just flavor

  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    House Rules in the OP:

    Heavy Metal:
    You’re wondering about Armour Class, right? In this game whatever your AC would be, it is now a bonus amount added to your maximum HP. Any troubles, simply ask.

    We are beefy level one adventurers

    kime on
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  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    kime wrote: »
    House Rules in the OP:

    Heavy Metal:
    You’re wondering about Armour Class, right? In this game whatever your AC would be, it is now a bonus amount added to your maximum HP. Any troubles, simply ask.

    We are beefy level one adventurers

    Oh wow, no idea how I missed that...20 HP feels a whole helluva lot better than 8 HP, that's for damn sure. Thanks kime!

    So yeah, now I'm definitely thinking Gruush up the spire. Obviously, I'd be dependent on everyone on the ground to somehow get that thing within plunge attack range. Thoughts?

  • AustinP0027AustinP0027 Registered User regular
    I think we'd either all need to move over that way, or someone needs to piss it off enough that it chases them that way.

    So....one of you big beefy types go ham and try to drag it over that way.

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Gruush

    To hide would be exceptionally difficult, but not impossible, you wager. You’ll need a good solid distraction from the others first, a hard strike or some spellcraft enough to provoke all its attention.

  • ZomroZomro Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    As the quiver of javelins comes untied and drifts into the water, Solomon curses, "Damn it!" He scrambles quicky to collect the fallen weapons, as they will be needed against this winged foe.

    Action to grab my javelins, gonna need them. I really thought there was a different term for whatever you carry javelins in, but Google searching just comes up with quiver.

    He moves towards the nearby patch of land and prepares to jump into the fray.

    IIRC, in 5E, moving into difficult terrain costs extra movement but moving from a space of difficult terrain to normal terrain is regular. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, of course. I would like to move to the square SW of the patch of ground, that way moving next turn onto the land should be regular movement and then I can get a 10ft running start to jump towards the middle piece and circumvent some of the water.

    Zomro on
  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    That's a big bird.... Kirina is not going to move over to dry land yet, as it's both closer to the GIANT HERON and brings her right next to two other people, and that sword looks long enough to hit several people at once.

    Instead, she readies her magic, preparing. As soon as the Heron is within 10 feet of any of her current companions, Kirina will shout out "DROP!" laced with the magic of Command.

    So assuming it approaches near enough to anyone before Kirina's next turn, it'll have to make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be forced to drop the blade it's carrying and end its turn. Assuming it speaks Common well enough to understand, which is the big hope here :D

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  • fadingathedgesfadingathedges Registered User regular
    Wow! Ok - do I have an understanding of what this focus is / how it works? It lets me cast magic missile, and is otherwise a normal focus, right?

    Alzav will a far as he can E by SE, keeping back from the group as well, for the moment.

    I'm going to Improvise™ an action!


    As he moves through the water, Alzav listens to the strange note hanging in the air. He unslings a long, narrow lute from his back, plucking a few strings to find the right note, then, steadying himself, plays. A single powerful chord, at first harmonic with the note from the heron's tear, at first, but then Alzav adds vibrato to the chord's fingering, pushing against the clear note. He strums again, louder, changing the chord a step, supplanting it's song with his own. He strums again, louder still, the same note as the tear this time, but under his control. Then he presses his hand to the fret, silencing the instrument.

    I don't know what I'm doing! If you need it:

    Geth roll 1d20+3 for Perform

    Perform:
    1d20+3 13 [1d20=10]

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    Alzav

    A spell casting focus is a means to cast spells without requiring material components, which I’m not going to keep a close eye on anyways. If you ever find a unique spell that requires an expensive component like a diamond you won’t be able to cast it with just a focus.

    The sound reacts to your melody! The ripples grow stronger, yet stronger, then a rushing plume of white water blasts skyward, followed by a thunderous wave spreading out in a circle. The water rolls over the party’s waists, but it barely pushes them back by the time it hits them.

    Your impromptu performance has disrupted Fenwing’s delayed thunder-wave spell!

    Gruush

    None of your companions have struck Fenwing (before Simon’s readied action), which has allowed it to maintain a sweeping view from the sky. Make your move, but know the difficulty of hiding in such an open area in daylight.



    Fenwing

    The immense avian authority swoops towards Arthur, driving the blade in a flourishing arc, cutting the young wizard across the chest and catching Simon on the upswing!

    Fenwing soars higher still, beginning what might well be a 360 degree loop! Hang on... perhaps they’re open to a readied attack while they fight to rise vertically.

    Arthur, you suffer 9 damage.
    Simon, you suffer 9 damage.



    Geth roll 1d20+1 for Bird Save
    Geth roll 2d6+2 for Cleave

    Bird Save:
    1d20+1 20 [1d20=19]
    Cleave:
    2d6+2 9 [2d6=5, 2]

    Endless_Serpents on
  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    ..........there was a thunderwave spell incoming? Haha nice job!

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  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    atog859z11ee.jpeg

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    kime wrote: »
    ..........there was a thunderwave spell incoming? Haha nice job!

    Anyone that got within 5 feet of the square I marked with ripples would have set it off!

  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Kirina

    Something tells you Fenwing can understand you, but has long stopped listening to others. You doubt it can speak.

    This is an arch-beast. Once a source of great religious significance to ancient, long gone cultures. Legends say there is one for each animal, or a pair for each, or that there can only be one of each kind alive at any given time—it varies from place to place. You know one story in particular as a poem:
    When the world was young / before the first gold found
    The black fox gangling / carried sweetlings ‘round
    Upon a quiet hill / she’d set them to the ground
    Her body a long shadow / tall as a burial mound
    “O’ children will you remember me as for death I am bound?”

    There is nothing like Fenwing alive outside the Vastness. There aren’t even fossils like this, as far as you know.

  • kimekime Queen of Blades Registered User regular
    Back to our turns now yeah?

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  • Endless_SerpentsEndless_Serpents Registered User regular
    Simon has a readied ball and chain bash on the cards, but absolutely, go for it.

  • nightmarennynightmarenny Registered User regular
    edited April 2022
    As the Heron king approaches he and Arthur, Simon spares a to test. He looks into the water beneath the giant bird to confirm its reflection and shadow. "Must be real, then" he says with consternation. His hallucinations were trouble most of the time but he thought he'd take them over the real thing in this case. The moment the creature gets in range of the huge ball and chain he hurls it right at center mass.

    Geth roll 1d8+3 for my readied action

    I'm hearing that we want to pull towards a possible sneak attack? I could try to latch the Ball-and-Chain to Fenwing and try to pull it that way? I'd expect a giant bird to be deceptively light but who knows. Also I'm not sure I'd survive the attempt.

    my readied action:
    1d8+3 6 [1d8=3]

    nightmarenny on
    Quire.jpg
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