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

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Caves

Shamal took the Bhaalite Idol from Chief Urbone's outstretched hand. As he turned it to put it away, he noticed the flash of a green rune that flitted across its surface and was gone. In addition, the red gem on its base glowed slightly, and he felt an uncomfortable sensation, as if his normally limber joints were stiffening with age. The kobold chief showed no sign of malice - it wasn't any trick on his part. The aches seemed to be a part of bearing the thing, but the green rune had been something else. A ward?

He hadn't had much more than a brief moment to think on it, with his group gathered nearby, congratulating him with their eyes, when the mountain shook with a deep roar that was felt more than heard. Merrick had made some illusory sounds of dragons during the performance, and this was somehow both more real and less at the same time.

The kobolds' celebration turned quickly to a panic, and the Chief reached briefly for the Idol, as if he could somehow take back his betrayal of his Dragon Master by simply taking it back. He quickly gave up the notion and shouted, "He knows! He knows! Flee! Flee for your lives!"

The crowds of kobolds began to run, scattering in all directions, some winged ones flying haphazardly toward cracks in the cavern's ceiling. Scamp began to yip excitedly as the strange structure that he'd been quietly observing began to glow and made a loud popping noise.

There was a low growl and then a boney, clawed hand reached out of the transporter's archway. Then another, then a skulled head pushed its way out. Green smoke poured from the skull's nostril holes, over many sharp teeth.

The Dracolich Dretchroyaster had arrived.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

GM: TEAM CAVES Encounter: Kobold Village Time: ~16:25 on 4 Tarsakh 1483DR

Spoiler: Map

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain Huts.
Cover Huts, Walls.
Hazards Fighting Pit
Visibility Dim (Luminescent Fungus).

Spoiler: Allies

(PCs)
Merrick AC:15/17* HP:45/53 HD:4/4 PP:12 Rg 2/3 InH:1/4
Shamal AC:18 HP:25/40 HD:3/4 PP:14 SSdc13 3/3 CD:2/2 DS:0/1 HI:0/1 LoH:5/20
Torhak AC:15 HP:24/31 HD:3/3 PP:16.DV180 SSdc12 2/2
Urgan AC15(12) HP 26/26 HD 4/4 PP11 dkv SSdc14 4/4 3/3 ArcRec 0/1 AdrR 2/2 MgArm:to 22:10
(NPCs)
Scamp AC:11 HP:5/5 PP:13.DV60 Spd.50'
Various Kobolds (Unlikely to help fight)

Spoiler: Enemies

(BGs)
Dracolich AC:16 HP:148/148 PP17.DV120'

GM: Begin Round One

 

[Kobold Stew]

Team Caves -- Urgan

The sight of the appearing dracolich emerging from the teleporter, terrifying as it is, at the moment it was being discussed, causes an immediate and visceral response in both Urgan and Scamp. The Hyena bristles and growls, holding its ground as best it can.

Urgan looks at the emerging creature with a critical and skeptical eye. Depending on what his professional judgement determines, he will act.

OOC: Scamp: growls protectively. Good bye, Scamp. Urgan: Bonus action: Urgan Studies the emerging creature (Investigation +8, Arcana +8, History +6). This may determine if it's an illusion, or perhaps reveal other details. If he believes that this is a real creature, he will cast Phatasmal Force (DC 14 Intelligence check): urging the creature to believe that an Archangel of the Lord, Flaming sword in Hand, wings spread, hovers in front of him as a holy defender, driving it back. (cast level 2 spell, uses Concentration). He will then Move: Urgan retreats 30' to CY 18. If he does not believe it is a real creature, he will declare his belief loudly to all (and either Dodge or cast some other spell, depending on what he learns.)

 

[Leatherhead]

Spoiler: Copper: Team infiltrate

Copper AC:15 HP:31/31 HD:4/4 PP:14 CloudJ:2/2

"Can you belive the nerve on that guy?" Copper asks indignatly. "Who trys to sabatoge a new recruit like that? It's almost like they want this place to fall apart!"

While bending over to pick up and split the pot of ill-gotten gambling gains, Copper adjusts himself slightly to the left, and somehow pockets the keys directly off of the head guard's belt.

OOC: slight of hand for the keys: 1D20+8 = [20]+8 = 28

 

[Lidgar]

TEAM LAKE - Bjorn

Bill warned Bjorn through their telepathic connection that something came through the portal. Turning, he saw two mercenaries who were demanding their surrender.

Bjorn croaked in reply, and both he and Bill him moved to engage, with Bill acting as a distraction. The mercenary was too quick however, and Bjorn's ridged maw barely grazed him.

OOC: Bjorn and Bill move to H42. Bill will use the help action to give Bjorn advantage on his attack. Bite attack with advantage (help action by Bill): 2D20.HIGH(1)+4 = [10, 6]+4 = 14 1D6+2 = [3]+2 = 5 Just missed! Bjorn AC:17* HP:48/43(48) THP:12/12 HD:4/4 PP:15.DV SSdc13 4/4 3/3 WS:1/2 SC:2/2

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Lake

The now crowded banks of the underground lake made sloshing noises as everyone's bootsteps left deep, damp footprints in the muck. The cultists struggled to move out of the transportation chamber, with Aywin and Bjorn blocking much of their path free. One parried Aywin's pike with the butt of his crossbow, and he tried to get some distance by ducking out of the transporter and across the banks to the west, but there he met Loklafd, who held a spear and thrust it into his leg as Darius, who was behind the big northman, launched a quarrel at him, striking him in the shoulder. His medium-weight armor (a light chain under a heavy leather gambeson) saved his life, but the mercenary was injured, bloody.

The other did not manage to get free of the transporter, as he stabbed repeatedly at Bjorn, who wore the form of a giant frog. The frog mouth tried to swallow the mercenary, who was having none of that. As the two fought, Bill ran between his legs, making him stumble.

It was only that the Transporter was busy that stopped it from sending Bill away. In fact, it glowed again and made its popping noise, and two cultists appeared. The space inside the transporter was crowded, and one cultist stumbled out onto the slippery bank.

OOC: Bjorn took 10 from M1's stabs. Loklafd also did 10 to M2.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

GM: TEAM LAKE Encounter: Transportations in the Upper Lake Time: ~15:45 on 4 Tarsakh 1483DR

Spoiler: Map

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain Muddy Banks
Cover Transporter, Walls
Hazards Disadvantage on DEX Saves while standing on slippery mud.
Visibility Bright within 20ft of Darius, Dim within 40ft of Darius. Dark beyond.

Spoiler: Allies

(PCs)
Aywin AC:17 HP:38/33(38) THP:12/12 HD:4/4 PP:13.DV60 SSdc13 p2/2 w2/2 Sh:1/1 FF/Lv.1/1 LoH:5/5 Spd.35' Aid:to 22:10
Bjorn AC:17* HP:48/43(48) THP:2/12 HD:4/4 PP:15.DV SSdc13 4/4 3/3 WS:1/2 SC:2/2
Darius AC:15 HP:34/34 HD:4/4 PP:11 SSdc13 4/4 3/3 PED(d6):3/4 PM:2/2 MS:1/1 Lk:2/2
Shade-9 AC:16 HP:38/38 HD:3/3 PP:14.DV SSdc13 3/3 DA:2/3 HM:2/2 Lk:2/2
(NPCs)
Bill AC:13 HP:1/1 PP:13.DV60
Loklafd AC:15 HP:27/33 HD:2/4 PP:13
Svetlana AC:13 HP:21/21 HD:6/6 PP:11.DV120 Fly.40

Spoiler: Enemies

(BGs)
Mercenaries AC:15 HP: 27ea PP:11
-M1 27/27; M2 10/27
Cultists AC:13 HP: 12ea PP:12
-M1 12/12; M2 12/12

GM: Begin Round Two

 

[Neurotic]

Team Infiltrate - Lorent

"Old fart." sotto vocce in the voice of a fanatic next to him as Rowlow turned his back to lock the cell.

OOC: Insight DC 13 to recognize the effect as fake - maybe disadvantage if he heard it already? Other cultist too, I guess the one apparently talking hears Lorent speaking in his voice

To cover for his fellow fang, Lorent stands up and declares fairly loudly
"You're way too lenient with him. Cheating at cards shows greed, which makes him vulnerable to a bribe. Did he go at any point in the town or had contact with someone outside of our circle?"
"Lozant" moves a bit away from the table toward the table in the corner, using body language to indicate trust toward fanatic and caution toward the cultist on the stairs. Looking over the offering on the table he adds quick sentence in celestial
"Attack the veteran if the combat starts."
before continuing, showing one of the torture implements
"You should ask more pointed questions, don't you agree, colleagues?" he targets those cheated at the table with insinuation of harsher punishment if only they support him.


neurotic: 2D20H1 + 5#lorentactingasAcultist → 18(high 1 of 8; 13 = 13 + 5)#Lorent acting as a cultist Deception 18 to maintain the ruse
neurotic: D20 + 5#lorentpersuasionforcultiststojoinhim → 17(12 + 5)#Lorent persuasion for cultists to join him Persuasion 17

OOC: a bit of cautious walking with back never turned toward the cultist, sleight nod and eye-roll toward the fanatic as he passes by

 

[Hriston]

Spoiler: Terrin, Team Infiltrate

Terrin AC:15* HP:27/31 HD:4/4 PP:14 SSdc14 4/4 3/3 CD:2/2 Slp:1/1

Attempting to distract the veteran's attention away from both the cage containing the dark elf and the possibility of growing opposition to his actions among the cultists, Terrin reengages with him, feigning cooperation with his inquiry.

"I know what you're thinking, sir," he says to the veteran, clearing his throat preemptively, "I'm new here, and I haven't introduced myself properly. I came in on the supply run with Brogh the Blade. We go way back, and he asked me to join up with the Boys to fill an empty spot because he was down a few men. It was all cleared by Rawick. I would have thought they'd told you, or I would have said so myself."

As he speaks, he moves clockwise around the mercenary to draw his gaze away from the drow's cage.

"Brogh and Rawick should still be up at the gatehouse, chatting with Argyle. You can send one of these guys up there to check on my story, if you want," he says, indicating the other mercenaries in the room.

OOC: Charisma: 1D20+1 = [19]+1 = 20

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Merrick- Team CAVES!

Merrick Thorburn Race: Human	HP: 53/53 AC: 15/17(with shield)	Buffs:
Rage: 2/3	Inner Healing:1/4	HD: 3/3
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 16+3(+5) DEX: 13+1(+1) CON: 16+3(+5) INT: 8-1(+-1) WIS: 10+0(+0) CHA:11 +0(+0)	Spoiler: Skills Athletics+5 Intimidate: 2/5 Perception: 2/5 Performance 2 Stealth: 3/5 Survival: 2/5	Spoiler: Spells Daily: JUMP: 1/1 At will Thaumaturgy Message

this turn of events was unexpected indeed but it seemed that it was Merrick’s fate to be put in the path of the dracolich.

He could feel that familiar power suddenly course through his veins in response to the creature’s presence.

He moved to face it head on, drawing a javelin and timing his throw for when the undead dragon exited the teleporter.

Spoiler: OOC

Object interaction: draw javelin
Bonus action: rage
Action: ready for when the dragon exits.
Reaction: throw javelin and use push to shove it back through.

I’ll use reckless attack to get advantage
Attack: 2D20.HIGH(1)+5 = [9, 19]+5 = 24


Damage: piercing then radiant: 1D6+3 = [5]+3 = 8
1D6+2 = [6]+2 = 8


16 total

Just move Merrick to a position where he has a solid shot and isn’t clumped up with anyone else.