(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

Neurotic · Thursday at 9:37 AM

Lidgar said:
Seeing and hearing the stirge nests, Bjorn dipped his head back under water and headed back to the others.

Ah, no wonder Bill became agitated. Little guy loved hunting those in the beehive caves back home, he thought to himself as he swam.

The water barely rippled as Bjorn-frog emerged from the water near the party. His croaks were barely intelligible, but the party had enough experience now to make out what he was saying.

"Many stirges. Swift waters. Bring fire."

Bill danced in small circles as Bjorn spoke, clearly excited at the prospect of acquiring his favorite snack.

OOC: Fun fact, I only recently discovered that 5.5 Druids can now speak in animal form. I kind of enjoy roleplaying the communication difficulties though, so will make Bjorn's speech in wildshape more halting/limited.

Team - Fusion
"Or maybe we could not poke the nest and go around?" Lorent says "I don't have any fireballs lying around. Can we sneak past? Do we even have an idea what is behind them? Actually, Bjorn, can you talk to them and let them inside the complex to root out cultists? The confusion alone would be worth it, nothing to say about if they split, they'll be easier to manage and some of them will be fed."

Lidgar · Thursday at 4:41 PM

Team Fusion - Bjorn

Bjorn considered the words of Lorent. Alas, he knew stirges well, including that they were not natural beasts that he could speak to, nor reason with.

However, he also knew that he and Bill were able to sneak past them on more than one occasion at the hives back home, so sneaking past was a possibility.

Bjorn turned to Lorent and croaked "Yes sneak. Stay right. Stay quiet. No paddle. Let drift."

He then turned to Aywin, "Svetlana scout? Beyond falls."

VLAD the Destroyer · Monday at 5:43 PM

Darius nods.

"Sneaking is probably the best option. Unless someone can throw a fireball up there. But that probably isn't the best idea with the hydra still sleeping nearby.

FitzTheRuke · Monday at 7:19 PM

Team Caves

Bardaby The Beast considered Merrick's words for a long beat before replying, "You would have to buy out my contract."

The cultists at the scrying pool began to object, and Siobhan appeared to be angry, but Bardaby held up his hand and continued, "But I'm afraid that it would cost you five thousand gold up front, and another two thousand per tenday, for six months. Wyrmspeaker Silakul has shown me that he has these funds on-hand. Do you?"

His men had pulled back to a defensive position, and were shaken, but steady. Many faces showed that they hoped that the negotiations would continue successfully.

One of the Cultists peered into the scrying pool, while the others looked from Bardaby to the invaders, preparing themselves for all Hells to break loose.

OOC:

They're all dodging, if anyone attacks. Ready to defend themselves, at any rate. Tensions are high, perhaps on a tipping point.

GM:

TEAM CAVES
Encounter: Scrying Vault
Time: ~18:15 on 4 Tarsakh 1483DR

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain None
Cover Walls.
Hazards None
Visibility Bright (Glowing Glass)

(PCs)
Merrick AC:15/17* HP:25/53 HD:0/4 PP:12 Rg 1/3 InH:0/4 Jump 0/1 C: Jump
Shamal AC:18 HP:32/40 EXH:1 HD:1/4 PP:14 SSdc13 0/3 Bhaal 1/3 CD:0/2 DS:0/1 HI:0/1 LoH:0/20
Torhak AC:15 HP:24/40 HD:4/4 PP:16.DV180 SSdc12 3/3 DA:1/2 HM:2/3
Urgan AC:15(12) HP:26/26 THP:2/2 HD:4/4 PP11.DV60 SSdc14 2/4 1/3 ArcRec 0/1 AR:1/2 MgArm:to 22:10
(NPCs)
Scamp AC:11 HP:5/5 PP:13.DV60 Spd.50'
Ironthorn AC:13 HP:13/13 Res.P/Lning Regen:3/R HD:3/3 PP:15.DV60 MoO:2/2

(BGs)
Bardaby AC:16 HP:72 PP:12
Cult Priest AC:14 HP:55 PP:13*
Cult Fanatic AC:13 HP:33ea PP:12
-CF1 33/33 CF2 33/33
Mercenary Unit AC:15 HP:27/64 PP:11
Merc Guard AC:15 HP:12 PP:11
Siobhan AC:17* HP:43/57 PP:11

GM:

Begin Round Three

Kobold Stew · Monday at 11:27 PM

Urgan knows there is no way they can get the amount of cash that the leader of this group is talking about, and that there is no way that they can take them all. In his mind, their hope of success, or at least escape, is to cripple Bardaby alone, and hope that his sudden collapse will be enough to prevent anyone else from attacking.

Urgan's voice echoes throughout the chamber, for all to hear. Slow monosyllables, so there is no understanding. "You seek mere cash? Fool. This will be your doom. All of you." The pool of poison that had been at the mercenaries' feet has disappeared. Urgan has made his voice reverberate throughout the chamber, as he yet again attempts to cast Phantasmal Force, this time on Bardaby.

If the spell connects, then Bardaby will begin to vomit up gold coins onto the floor around him. It will feel like they are tearing his esophagus, and (Urgan hopes) he will crumble to his knees as vomit and gold pour from his mouth. He will imagine they are coming from inside him, and he'll be unable to speak, and though only he and Urgan will see them, it should look to others like he has been suddenly incapacitated.

The spell better work, Urgan hopes.

OOC:

Bonus Action: Minor illusion for a booming resonating voice (Illusionist ability; poison illusion disappears for those noticing).
Action Phantasmal force, DC 14 Int save or 2d8=8 damage for round 3.

Urgan is looking for a quick effect, so that everyone else sees a clear connection between the threats and the response.

Slots left: 2x level 1. (this was his last level-2 slot).

Hey team -- I hope this is alright; the amounts he was asking are just too astronomical. Maybe others will flee or surrender? I guess we'll see... Too bad heroic inspriation can't be used on others' saves.