(5.5e PBP) Red Wizards' Gambit (IC) Gr3

[Lidgar]

Halafast entered the Guardian Witch with Voadam and inhaled deeply. The smells were both exotic and familiar at the same time. Gazing through the smoke and din, he spotted a table that had some space and sat next to a young man with his large cat and a woman dressed his furs not unlike his own.

"Well met! I am Halafast and this is Voadam. Mind if we share your table?" Not waiting for an answer, he then settled his considerable bulk onto the bench and called out to a serving wench for a couple of ales and a cut of roast lamb for him and Voadam. Turning his attention back to the two others, he then took a double take at the "cat".

"Is that your spirit guide?" he asked the young man. "He must meet Waldo!" He then sported a grin and glance at his companion.

 

[Steve Gorak]

OOC: hey gang, fyi, only Aster's familiar Sphynx of Wonder (winged catlike creature that is size T - his familiar) is showing. His vestige (size S winged catike creature) is currently in a pocket dimension. In hindsight, I probably should have picked a different animal to make things simpler ;-)

Aster was about to answer Myra, but was pleased to see two new companions at the table and stopped short to greet them: "Well met Halafast and Voadam! I am Aster" pointing at the tiny sphynx of wonder, he adds "this is my friend and companion Maximilian, and I have just met Myra here. I was telling her that I came here to see if I could find more information about an ancient good called Asteroth. You two wouldn't know anything about him, would you?" Hesitating a bit, he adds "And would Waldo know anything about him by any chance?"

 

[Neurotic]

OOC: missed good chance for some comic relief with spirit being either a dog or a mouse...or tweety

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The Dedication Ceremony

A crowd formed around the new well and fountain, consisting of both reverent locals and enthusiastic foreigners. Children played, dodging between the legs of taller folk, laughing. While the weather was not ideal, it was not raining, and the cool wind that had been blowing from the lake stilled as a Rashemi woman strode through the crowd. She wore a mask of exquisite craftsmanship, with a colourful plumage that swept back over her braided hair. Her dress was similarly patterned and hand-knit in finely-woven wool. Despite its length and warmth, it was clear that she could move well, as she deftly hopped up onto the marble of the fountain and addressed the crowd in a voice that was clear and filled the square - nothing of the muffle that one would expect from the mask.

"I bid welcome to all. Today, we honour the work of our Master Stone-crafters! May the sprits guide them, always."

Two large Rashemaar pulled a tarp off of the statue in the centre of the fountain, revealing a masterfully carved Pegasus in white marble. They then removed a wooden plug and the fountain began to fill with water. The woman, who no one would mistake for anything other than a Wychlaren, one of the famed Rashemi Witches, waved her staff and the water swirled up and about before returning to the fountain. Children, and many foreigners, clapped, while most of the Rashemi bowed their heads in silent contemplation.

After a moment, she said, "We ask the blessing of the Pegasus! The spirits of Rashemen and the souls of its people are represented by these beasts: full of power, both natural and magical. Let these statues remind us of who we are and what we must always be. Glorious and Free!"

She was about to go on, but her voice was interrupted by a sudden shriek that was loud enough to ring the ears of most of the onlookers. Then, a man from near the back of the crowd stepped forward and scoffed, "Free!? Pshaw! You will kneel before your Thayan Masters!"

He doffed the hood of his cloak, revealing a bald head covered in arcane tattoos. As he did, the white marble of the Pegasus statue began to blacken and twist, and in its place was a bat-winged animate creature that looked like a cross between a bat and a griffon. It lashed out at the Wychlaren, who had been preparing defensive spells, and she was thrown into the crowd of panicking citizens.

OOC: I will return soon to post a combat map & "round-roller".

 

[Voadam]

OOC: hey gang, fyi, only Aster's familiar Sphynx of Wonder (winged catlike creature that is size T - his familiar) is showing. His vestige (size S winged catike creature) is currently in a pocket dimension. In hindsight, I probably should have picked a different animal to make things simpler ;-)

Aster was about to answer Myra, but was pleased to see two new companions at the table and stopped short to greet them: "Well met Halafast and Voadam! I am Aster" pointing at the tiny sphynx of wonder, he adds "this is my friend and companion Maximilian, and I have just met Myra here. I was telling her that I came here to see if I could find more information about an ancient good called Asteroth. You two wouldn't know anything about him, would you?" Hesitating a bit, he adds "And would Waldo know anything about him by any chance?"

"Well met kid. Asteroth? Eh, there are a lot of gods across the world, big to little. Is that the Star Horror, the Ultimate Chaos? No that was something close but not Asteroth. The southern fertility god? No that was something else A. The devil god? No, I don't think so. What kind of god was it? A man who ascended like the Captain of the Waves? A primal one like the Earth-Mother? A child of another god like The Beast? One of the Fey Archlords? A demon prince? Some nature spirit?" at that last he gestures at Waldo who nods sagely. He is about to go on when the cry from outside erupts. "Halafax! Be ready with that axe, sounds like trouble!" Rising swiftly he moves to the door, one hand going to the cutlass at his side, Waldo sinuously twisting to his side in a move most creatures with a spine would not be capable of.

 

[Lidgar]

Halafast jumped up from the table, crashing into the serving wench who was just bringing their order to the table. Lamb, wine, and ale exploded from her tray, splattering everywhere.

"Ah! My apologies!" cried Halafast as he sprang towards the front door with Voadam. He tore it open and sprinted around the corner towards the shouts, finding himself in the square with the fountain. "What in the nine hells is that!" he shouted as he halted, pointing at the beast with leathery wings while donning his shield and pulling out his axe.

Inside of him was a familiar stirring - the white wolf was close, waiting to be called.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Crowds of frightened people scattered toward the edges of the town square, in a mad rush that left stragglers to fend for themselves. It would only be moments before some poor sap would find himself rent in twain by the fell creature that was now standing upon the marble dais...

GM: Group: 3 Encounter: Dedication Ceremony in Immilmar Square Time: ~14:10 on 24 Leaffall 1501DR

Spoiler: Map

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain Benches, Commoners.
Cover Walls
Hazards Crowds
Visibility Bright Daylight.

Spoiler: Allies

(PCs)
Aster AC:15 HP:29/24 HD:3/3 Spd:30 PP:12 SSdc13:2/2 HF:2/2
Halafast AC:15(17) HP:41/41 HD:3/3 Spd:30 SSdc12 Rg:3/3
Myra AC:12(15) HP:20/20 HD:3/3 Spd:30 PP:11 SSdc13:4/4 2/2 SoP:3/3
Voadam AC:15 HP:28/28 HD:3/3 Spd:30 SSdc12:3/3 HReb:1/1
(NPCs)
Asteroth AC:16 HP:21/16 HD:3/3 Spd:5/f30 PP11.DV60 HTch:1/1
Maximilian AC:13 HP:35/30 HD:7/7 Spd:20/f40 PP11.DV60 BoI:2/2
Waldo AC:15 HP:30/30 HD:3/3 Spd:40/c40 PP:12
Commoners AC:10 HP:4ea PP10
Crowds AC:10 HP:40ea PP10
-Cr1:40 Cr2:40 Cr3:40
Rashemaar AC:13 HP:32ea PP:11
-R1:32; R2:32
Zorri (Whychlaren) AC:13 HP:50/66 HD:8/8 Spd:30 PP:13

Spoiler: Enemies

(BGs)
Darkenbeast AC:15 HP:60/60 PP:12.DV60
Thayan (Red Wizard) AC:12(15) HP:52/52 THP:11/11 PP:14

GM: Begin Round One

 

[Voadam]

"Alright you beastie. Over here! Hah! Over here." Voadam rushed forward shouting at the beast trying to goad it into focusing its attention on him rather than the crowds out in square. He focused in on the monstrosity and drew on the magic he had learned since his pact years ago with that fey lord. Fire erupted from his left hand, launching out at the beast. His right held the curved sea blade, ready for if the beast took the bait. His spirit otter moved right behind him leaping and tumbling ostentatiously, similarly trying to provoke a predator strike response from the darkenbeast.

Bonus action hunter's mark - Darkenbeast.
Move action to S10
Standard action firebolt at darkenbeast +5 to hit d12 fire +1d6 force.

Waldo Move to T10, Dodge.

 

[Steve Gorak]

With the pleasant conversation suddenly interrupted by the commotion outside, Aster grabs Maximilan and rushes through the door. "We must protect the townsfolk!" He instinctively cries out as he assesses the situation. He calls forth the powers of the forgotten flame, and lets go of Maximilian, as the winged cat suddenly grows in size and goes straight for the transmuted statue in the middle of the fountain and attacks the creature.

OOC: Aster item interaction: pick up Maximilian move to v6 action: cast battle familiar on Maximilian - flyer form Bonus action: none Maximilian battle familiar Move to P11 (40ft move, I assumed the water in the fountain was difficult terrain, and he should be able to reach the Darkenbeast) Action: rend: 23 attack, damage 12 force damage Spoiler: mini statblock Aster AC: 15, HP:29, PP: 10, warlock slots 1/2 Asteroth - currently in pocket dimension AC: 16, HP: 21, PP: 14, attack: +5, damage 1d6+6 radiant (60ft), healing touch 1/1 Maximilian (regular) AC: 13, HP: 35, PP: 11, attack +5, damage: 1d4+3 slashing + 2d6 radiant Maximilian (level 2 battle familiar) AC: 13, HP: 55 (transforms back into regular Maximilian after taking 20 pts of damage), PP: 11, attack +5, damage: 1d8+5 force damage Note that I corrected Aster's and Asteroth's PP in the RG and inserted the mini statblock

 

[Lidgar]

Not waiting for an answer, Halafast sprang forward with a primal roar. It was not the wolf spirit that embraced him this time though, but his old nemesis - the spirit of the cave bear that killed his father. No matter. Innocents were threatened, and this vile creation needed to be put down.

"Out of the way!" he shouted at the crowd as he ran towards the abomination. "Leave this to us!" He then leapt onto the low stone wall encircling the fountain and threw his hand axe at the beast.

OOC: I should have mentioned that Spirit of the Wolf gives everyone advantage on your attacks on creatures within five feet of Halafast. Decided not to do that here though as some of you already attacked and it's just two enemies at this point. Plus getting resistance to most damage is useful against spellcasters... Halafast moves to R10, leaping up onto the lip of the fountain. Let me know if that needs an athletics check - it's just a visual but I rolled one just in case. He then throws his handaxe at the Darkenbeast. Athletics check: 1D20+5 = [17]+5 = 22 Thrown handaxe while raging: 1D20+5 = [14]+5 = 19 1D6+5 = [2]+5 = 7 Halafast AC:15(17) HP:41/41 HD:3/3 Spd:30 SSdc12 Rg:2/3