A Candlekeep Mystery (IC)

[FitzTheRuke]

Hawthorne followed Ruznami down the stairs, frustrated that the dwarf moved so slowly. Having passed the landing, the dwarf mage suddenly sent three small balls of fire hurtling over the heads of Argenti and Crock Jon, as the latter crossed the foyer to catch the fleeing creature.

Two of them struck the creature, who wailed in pain and anguish as Shedrick ducked past it, rushing back into the house. The third went out the front door and scorched its way along the damp grass under the old tree. "Aah!" called Shedrick, "Please don't burn me, sir!"

Crock Jon, Ethian, and Kaliban surrounded the creature and the half-orc brawler wrapped his big arms around it, lifting it off its feet in a bear-hug. He hefted it into the daylight, and held it tight. The thing struggled in vain, making loud screeching noises.

OOC: It can't possibly beat a 24 grapple. Ruz did 11 damage to it. Argenti can still act for round 2, as well as 3, if she has anything she wants to do other than watch.

GM: Encounter: Black Dragon Agents vs Meenlock

Spoiler: Map of Mayor's House

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain: Stairs and Furniture
Visibility: Inside Dim; Outside Bright (It's daytime)

Spoiler: Allies

Name * AC * HP * Hit Dice * PasPrc * Spells * (Notes)
(PCs)
Argenti AC14 HP 31/31 THP 0/7 HD 4/4 PP13 SS 2/2
Crock Jon AC14 HP 36/36 THP 0/7 HD 4/4 PP12* SD 4/4
Ethian AC19* HP 27/27 THP 0/7 HD 4/4 PP16* PIns16 SS 4/4 3/3 CD 0/1
Hawthorne AC14 HP 31/31 THP 0/7 HD 4/4 PP17 PInv17 PIns15
Kaliban AC18* HP 35/35 THP 0/7 HD 4/4 PP10* PED 4/4 (d6's)
Ruznami AC15 HP 26/26 THP 0/7 AW10/10 HD 4/4 PP10* PInv15 SS 4/4 2/3
(NPCs)
Shedrick AC13 HP 10/16 THP 0/7 PP12

Spoiler: Enemies

Meenlock AC15 HP 20/31 PP14*

GM: End Round Two; Begin Round Three

 

[Kobold Stew]

Crock Jon squeezes tight, as the creature's unearthly howls let loose into articulate speech. He tries to punch, but its squirming challenges him while he holds on.

OOC: Fighting style: 1d4=1 point damage to grappled foe. No move. Action: Attack (punch): 1d20+6=13, damage = 1d8+4=11 (if advantage from Ethian, no difference; apologies for the separate links; having trouble with the roller)

 

[Leatherhead]

Argenti furrows her brow at the creature, attacking the help is just bad manners.

"Malus." The genasi condemns it while casting an evil eye, before casting one of her glowing green stones at it. "Hya!"

"Do you need more assistance with that?" She asks coldly, readying to strike.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, I got sick. Casting Hex on the creature, so that it's dexterity checks are at an automatic disadvantage. Casting Eldritch Blast Eldritch Blast: 1D20+6 = [2]+6 = 8 1D10+4+2+1D6 = [6]+4+2+[2] = 14 Ready an action to cast again, in case the creature tries anything else.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Ruznami Warmaker
Vermellion
Day 24/Morning
Round 3

Ruznami rushed down the stairs and pulled his warhammer as he approached the creature held by Crock John. He swung at the creature to try and put it down.

***

Spoiler: Actions and Rolls

Save:
Move: to I9
Free Object Interaction:
Action: Attack Meenlock
Warhammer: 1D20+4 = [7]+4 = 11
1D8+2 = [3]+2 = 5
Bonus Action:
Reaction: Opportunity Attack, Absorb Elements, Shield

• Opportunity Attack:

Concentration:
Conditions:
Inspiration:

Spoiler: Mini Stats

Ruznami
Initiative: +2
Perception: +0
Speed: 25
AC: 15
HP: 26/26 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: Goals

Leave flowers on the grave of Lukas Grosvenor’s wife Lorna.
Look for Lorna’s necklace in the hollow tree.

Spoiler: Party

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

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Hey now, hey now! Let's not go overboard, people! No need for senseless killing, we did invade its domicile after all. If Crock Jon has it restrained we don't want to aggravate or frighten it any further, especially if it can manipulate or project emotion like Ethian said upstairs."

He walks across the the main hall of the house to the front door, taking a moment to place a hand on Shedrick's shoulder and look into the lad's eyes. "You all right, Shedrick? Bit of a fright there, eh?" He gives the shoulder a squeeze of support, then continues on outside the house to where the creature is being held by Crock Jon. Hawthorne walks right up to it and says with a loud and strong voice "Now... let's see who you REALLY are!" while reaching his hand up to the creature's neck as though to grab the base of a mask.

He then suddenly stops and turns to the rest of the group with a slight smile. "Kidding. Just kidding."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Hawthorne's joke reflected a mystery-comedy puppet show that was popular in Baldur's Gate, where the "ghost" was revealed in the end to have been the Grand Duke's gardener, much to the surprise and delight of the audience. It had been so popular, that it had spawned knock-offs, homages, and pastiches, all more ridiculous than the last. Shedrick, who had been shaken and frightened a moment before, burst out in laughter, then replied bravely, "I'll be all right, sir!"

Crock Jon held the creature fast. It tried to pinch at him, but he had its arms held awkwardly, and he stepped into the sunlight, where the thing couldn't bend shadows to escape. It twisted its head, trying to shade its strange eyes from the light while making piteous yet bone-chilling wails.

OOC: It does have a fear aura. Anyone starting their turn within 10 feet must make a dc11 wisdom save or be frightened. Crock Jon at least should roll that save. Argenti can probably shoot it again (it did try to attack, miserably) and @Steve Gorak Ethian and @VLAD the Destroyer Kaliban have yet to act this round (They should both roll the save first). Anyone who feels that their character would have "gotten" Hawthorne's joke, can have advantage on the roll.

 

[Kobold Stew]

"Aah!"

Crock Jon feels flies on the creature he holds bury into his skin, or so he imagines. His muscles lock up, but he holds on tight.

OOC: Wis save: 1d20=8 fail. But looking at the Frightened condition, I think he can hold on still: can't move closer (check) and disadvantage on ability checks (including attempts to maintain the grapple from now on, unless there is Help.). Does that seem right?

 

[Steve Gorak]

OOC: wis save 18, success

Ethian pushes back the magical fear emanating from the creature. The compassion he initially felt is being replaced by anger. “Why don’t you yield!” He states in anger as he continues to assist Crock with thr grapple

OOC: help action

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Kaliban continues to stay near Crock Jon and the restrained creature. He feels the waves of fear emanating from the creature and stays cautious ready to intervene if it attempts attack their group again.

OOC: Wisdom save: 1d20 19 Held action to attack if the thing breaks free and attacks again. Readied Rapier strike on Meenlock.: 1d20+5 10 1d8+3 11

 

[Leatherhead]

Argenti sees Hawthorn go for the creature's neck, and takes that as a signal to press the attack. The glowing green rock grazes just past the creatures head immediately after Hawthorn says he was kidding.

"Kidding?" The confused genasi asks.

OOC: Eldritch Blast: 1D20+6 = [8]+6 = 14 1D10+4+2+1D6 = [3]+4+2+[3] = 12