A Candlekeep Mystery (IC)

[FitzTheRuke]

While Hawthorne helped Broun to his feet, the largest gnoll snapped its jaws at Kaliban and tried to strike him with an axe, but the gnome held firm behind his shield. Bloodied to a frenzy, the gnoll howled, which was matched by the others.

Ethian traded blows with the gnoll in near him, though protected by the magical twilight the elf didn't even feel a scratch. The gnoll, on the other hand, snarled in pain.

Broun was unsteady on his feet, but he insisted that he could make it to Shedrick, who moved from behind one rock to a closer one, waving for Broun to join him in cover. Hawthorne reluctantly left him and crept behind the tents. When he found a good position, he took aim and fired his crossbow, which struck the lead gnoll in the side of the neck. The thing's howl turned into a choked gurgle and it fell to the ground at Kaliban's feet.

OOC: Kaliban did 20 to Gnoll1, who missed Kaliban; Ethian did 10 to G5, who got him back for 4. (Though I guess that's still just THP); Broun dashed (with 1/2 speed); Hawthorne did 14 & killed G1. @KahlessNestor Ruz needs to go! Spoiler: Rolls Gnoll1 vs Kaliban Axe: 1D20+5 = [1]+5 = 6 Miss Bite: 1D20+5 = [8]+5 = 13 Miss.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Ruznami Warmaker
Road
Day 1/Afternoon
Round 2

Ruznami paused for a moment, his adrenaline spiking, as he faced a charging hyena and a thrown spear pierced one of his duplicates through the chest. Why did he ever leave the library! But his magics didn’t fail him, so he tugged at his reluctant dwarven courage and swung his warhammer at the hyena, magic infusing the head of the hammer. Unfortunately, the unpracticed dwarf completely whiffed the blow and nearly fell over himself.

Warhammer 2H: 1D20+4 = [4]+4 = 8
1D10+2 = [5]+2 = 7

Archimedes hooted and swept down at the hyena to help out his master.

***

Help from Archimedes next turn
Mirror Image: 2 duplicates (AC 12, target on a 8+)(9r)
Twilight Sanctuary: 7 thp/r w/in 30’ of Ethian
Arcane Ward: 11/11 hp
Detect Magic (98r)
Comprehend Languages (598r)

Spoiler: Actions and Rolls

Save:
Move:
Free Object Interaction:
Action: Cast Booming blade (Archimedes does fly by attack for Help on the hyena)
Bonus Action:
Reaction: Opportunity Attack, Absorb Elements, Shield
Concentration:
Conditions:
Inspiration:

Spoiler: Mini Stats

Ruznami
Initiative: +2
Perception: +0
Speed: 25
AC: 15
HP: 26+7thp/26 HD: 4/4d6+2

Archimedes (Owl familiar)
Initiative: +1
Perception: +3 Advantage, Darkvision 120
Speed: 60 (fly); 5 (walk)
AC: 11
HP: 1

Prepared Spells
Cantrips: Blade Ward, Booming Blade, Fire Bolt, Lightning Lure
1) 4/4 Absorb Elements, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil and Good, Shield
2) 3/3 Arcane Lock, Mirror Image, Scorching Ray
Rituals
(1)Alarm, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Find Familiar, Identify
Spellbook
(1) Absorb Elements, Alarm, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Find Familiar, Identify, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil and Good, Shield
(2) Arcane Lock, Mirror Image, Scorching Ray

Spoiler: Party

Hawthorne Grandview - male Human rogue inquisitive
Kaliban - male deep gnome psi-warrior

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The hyena leaped past the illusionary dwarves to snap its sharp teeth at Ruznami, though the mysterious shadows of Ethian's magic protected him from any serious harm.

One of the howling gnolls yelled something in their high-pitched tongue (which Ruznami, with his ritual going, understood to be, "Kill the elf first! He smells of the gods!"

Another gnoll rushed to Ethian and thrust a spear at him, while yet another pulled and fired an arrow, which passed harmlessly by his ear as Ethian tipped his head to one side. The spear thrust got him, but the point did not go deep.

Over to the east, a gnoll brought back and hitched a horse to a post. He seemed about to go after another horse, but spotted Kaliban standing next to the body of the largest gnoll. Instead, he unshouldered a longbow and began to pull...

OOC: Hyena bites Ruz for 6; G2 Hitches horse; G3 spears Ethian for 4; G4 misses Ethian. Spoiler: Rolls Hyena vs RuzBite: 1D20+2 = [18]+2 = 20 for 1D6 = [6] = 6 But does it attack an MI? Check: 1D20 = [3] = 3 No! It goes for Ruz. Gnolls vs Ethian G3 Spear: 1D20+4 = [19]+4 = 23 for 1D8+2 = [2]+2 = 4 G4 Bow: 1D20+3 = [8]+3 = 11 miss

 

[FitzTheRuke]

GM: Encounter: Black Dragon Agents vs Gnolls

Spoiler: Map of Gnoll Hill Camp

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain: Bushes, Shrubs, Rocks, Wooden Posts. Hazzard: Fire Pit
Visibility: Bright (It's daytime)

Spoiler: Allies

Name * AC * HP * Hit Dice * PasPrc * Spells * (Notes)
(PCs)
Hawthorne AC14 HP 31/31 THP 7/7 HD 4/4 PP17 PInv17 PIns15
Kaliban AC18* HP 35/35 THP 7/7 HD 4/4 PP10* SED 4/4 (d6's)
Ethian AC19* HP 26/27 THP 0/7 HD 4/4 PP16* PIns16 SS 4/4 3/3 CD 1/1
Argenti AC14 HP 31/31 THP 7/7 HD 4/4 PP13 SS 1/2
Ruznami AC15 HP 26/26 THP 7/7 AW10/10 HD 4/4 PP10* PInv15 SS 4/4 3/3
---RuzMirror AC12 2/3 Images (Target8+)
(NPCs)
Broun AC11 HP 1/18 PP12* (Exhaustion 4)
Shedrick AC13 HP 16/16 THP 7/7 PP11 (has a Healing Potion)

Spoiler: Enemies

Hyena AC11 HP 9/9 PP13*
Gnoll1(Boss) (dead)
Gnolls AC14 HP 22ea PP10*
G2 22/22; G3 15/22; G4 22/22 G5 12/22

GM: End Round Two; Begin Round Three

 

[Leatherhead]

With a grunt, Argenti hurls another glowing green stone at the snarling gnoll next to Ethian. The stone lands itself in the gnoll's gaping maw, sending teeth flying from a dislocated jaw, and shatters as the gnoll falls over.

"That should teach you some manners!"

OOC: Maintaining Concentration on Pass Without Trace. Argenti does not know Hawthorne's current position, so she has no reason to drop the spell yet. Attacking G5 with Eldritch Blast. Eldritch Blast: 1D20+6 = [15]+6 = 21 Eldritch Blast Damage 2 is bludgeoning the rest is force: 1D10+4+2 = [7]+4+2 = 13

 

[DEFCON 1]

As the gnoll boss drops from his crossbow bolt, Hawthorne smirks and says under his breath "That's right. Take that, you villain."

He turns back and see the shuffling form of Broun making his way back towards his footman, and with his head turned he picks up the sounds of spellcasting from around the tent. Hawthorne silently darts around the tent counter-clockwise, pulling out another crossbow bolt and locking it into place in his weapon, then settling in between the canvas tent wall and a large tree it was built against. He leans out and sees ahead of him to the south and sees Ethian squaring off against two gnolls... but suddenly a blast of force flies out from the rocks and smashes into one of them, dropping the beast to the ground. "Holy..." Hawthorne whispers to himself impressed... but seeing that Ethian isn't out of the metaphorical woods yet, he raises his crossbow, aims at the second gnoll that is slightly blocked by the elf, and fires at it from the shadow of the tree.

OOC: Stealth check: [11] + 4 + 10 (PoT) = 24 Crossbow attack on G3 who is behind Partial Cover (Ethian) w/Advantage (Hidden): 16/10: [16] + 4 = 20 Damage: [5] + 2 + 10 (SA) = 17 piercing damage

 

[Steve Gorak]

Ethian retorts with a righteous anger, as he swings his sword imbued with battle magics "I am indeed with the gods, and they will judge you for your actions!"

OOC: Move: none Action: cast booming blade on Gnoll 5. Attack with sword: natural! 20+5= 25; slashing damage: 11 + extra 1 from crit Gnoll is sheathed in booming energy until the start of the next turn. If he willingly moves 5 feet or more before then, he takes 1 thunder damage, and the booming blade spell ends.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Ruznami Warmaker
Road
Day 1/Afternoon
Round 2

The hyena snapped at Ruznami, and the dwarf was a little too slow in jumping back, but the cleric’s protective spell meant the beast only got a mouthful of shadows before it was distracted by Archimedes, and Ruznami swung his ensorcelled warhammer again. The hammer smashed into the hyena’s skull, and the animal crumpled.

Concentration check: 1D20+2 = [19]+2 = 21

***

Help from Archimedes next turn
Detect Magic (97r) - CONCENTRATION
Mirror Image: 2 duplicates (AC 12, target on a 8+)(9r)
Twilight Sanctuary: 7 thp/r w/in 30’ of Ethian
Arcane Ward: 11/11 hp
Comprehend Languages (597r)

Spoiler: Actions and Rolls

Save:
Move:
Free Object Interaction:
Action: Warhammer 2H: 1D20+4 = [18]+4 = 22
1D10+2 = [8]+2 = 10
Advantage from Help: Warhammer 2H: 1D20+4 = [10]+4 = 14
Booming Blade: 1D8 = [7] = 7
Bonus Action:
Reaction: Opportunity Attack, Absorb Elements, Shield
Concentration: Detect Magic
Conditions:
Inspiration:

Spoiler: Mini Stats

Ruznami
Initiative: +2
Perception: +0
Speed: 25
AC: 15
HP: 26+7thp/26 HD: 4/4d6+2

Archimedes (Owl familiar)
Initiative: +1
Perception: +3 Advantage, Darkvision 120
Speed: 60 (fly); 5 (walk)
AC: 11
HP: 1

Prepared Spells
Cantrips: Blade Ward, Booming Blade, Fire Bolt, Lightning Lure
1) 4/4 Absorb Elements, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil and Good, Shield
2) 3/3 Arcane Lock, Mirror Image, Scorching Ray
Rituals
(1)Alarm, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Find Familiar, Identify
Spellbook
(1) Absorb Elements, Alarm, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Find Familiar, Identify, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil and Good, Shield
(2) Arcane Lock, Mirror Image, Scorching Ray

Spoiler: Party

Hawthorne Grandview - male Human rogue inquisitive
Kaliban - male deep gnome psi-warrior

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

After seeing the decor inside the tent realizes that these gnolls would continue to terrorize people if left alive. He moves towards the next closest gnoll. Kaliban closes on the creature and prepares to strike. The gods did not favor him this time. The wind shifts and the smoke from the fire wahses over the two combatants. Kaliban's eyes water and his strike goes wide missing the gnoll. Cursing under his breath Kaliban raises his shield to defend himself from the expected counter attack.

OOC: Move to L13 Rapier strike at G4: 1d20+5 9 1d8+3 5

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Shedrick helped Broun as the two worked their way back to the cover of the rocks. Hawthorne crept behind the tents to take quiet, lethal aim at a gnoll who was surrounding Ethian, while Argenti struck down the other.

Finding himself free, Ethian pressed up the hill into the camp and struck a gnoll with his sword. The gnoll tried to back off while firing an arrow from her bow that went wild when the elf's magic cracked a painful noise that threw off her aim. She got a few steps away from the elf before running into Kaliban, who came threw the drifting smoke of the campfire and lunged at her.

From over where the horses had been, another gnoll came back into the camp, and put an arrow into the gnome's back. The arrow head was sharp and uncomfortable, but it had barely pierced the armour protecting Kaliban's back.

Down the hill, Ruznami mashed the hyena and he, along with two other dwarves, made their way through the shrubbery and started up the hill toward the fray.

OOC: Argenti dropped G5; Hawthorne dropped G3; so Ethian moved up & did 12 & 1 boom to G4, who backed off while missing Ethian & ran into Kaliban, who missed her; Ruz killed the Hyena & moved up. G2 shot Kaliban for 9. Spoiler: Rolls Gnoll Archers G2 Bow vs Kaliban: 1D20+3 = [16]+3 = 19 for 1D8+1 = [8]+1 = 9 G4 Bow vs Ethian: 1D20+3 = [2]+3 = 5 miss