D&D 5E (2014) [D&D 5E] Tattered Memories: An Adventure in Tethyr (COMPLETE)

[Forged Fury]

"I'd guess good enough, but I don't plan to test it. Like it or not, the quarantine is the right decision. I'd be surprised if Amn or Calimshan didn't consider it an act of war if Tethyr didn't do something to lock down an outbreak of plague on the Trade Way. Either way, that paper is the law of the land and I aim to keep it."

Greycastle steepled his fingers. "Maybe it would help if you knew a little more about what's going on here. A week ago, Mosstone had about 2,000 townsfolk. Today, it's down to around 1,500. One in four people if the town have died so far. A group of woodsmen were the first to show any signs of being sick, but they chalked it up to spoiled food from the Nymph. They were dead by the following day. We hoped that it was something that they picked up in the woods, but if that's the case, it's got a hold here now. Men, women, and kids, the plague didn't care. With everything going to the Abyss, I told the old lawkeeper that I'd head to Kirgard to see about getting some help. By the time I got back here, the lawkeeper was dead. By the next morning, a company of soldiers from Kirgard had set up shop outside the town. The only thing that seems like it's going right is what Vials has been..."

A loud knocking interrupted Greycastle's explanation.

“Lawkeeper! Come quick! There’s a fight at the Nymph! Janelle needs your help!” a high pitched voice shouted.

Sighing heavily, Greycastle picked up a lightly padded truncheon against the wall and headed for the door. Pausing, he looked back at Brue, giving her scars and muscled arms a second look. Grabbing another truncheon and a bandanna from next to the door, he tossed them to the woman. “Coming? I may need your help, especially if these fools are deep into their cups. The bandanna is for your face, better safe than sorry.”

 

[CanadienneBacon]

[section]Unless it's not a lawful order, Brue thought. She kept private that thought, though.

The deeper Greycastle got into his explication of Tethyr politics, the harder Brue leaned in with interest. She'd just opened her mouth to ask a question when the sharp rap on the door interrupted her train of thought.

She quirked an eyebrow in surprise at being handed a bandana, but accepted the cloth anyway, tying it across her face so that only her eyes showed. Then she pulled up her hood. As Greycastle dug out two cudgels, Brue stuffed her boots on her feet. At the last, she straighted up tall, at the ready. I've been a fight before, she reminded herself, frowning. [/section]

 

[Forged Fury]

Bursting out the door with Greycastle, Brue caught sight of a short figure wearing a cloak and bandanna similar to her own. Passing the figure without a word, the paladin dashed west toward the tavern, only a few houses down. The thunderstorm was now in full swing, with bolts of lightning cracking across the sky. The stroboscopic effect of the lightning briefly casting Mosstone in a sinister light.

As the trio arrived at the entrance to the Mossy Nymph, they could hear shouts and breaking pottery from inside the tavern. Without a second glance at the document hammered to the entrance, Greycastle shouldered the door open and bellowed, “What’s going on here?” A few of the combatants at the edge of the fight disengaged at the authoritarian tone, but the heart of the melee continued apace. While most of the fighting was limited to fisticuffs, a few clubs and daggers were at hand. "Have it your way..." With that, the paladin dove into the melee.

GM: Combat! By your quick assessment, there appear to be about eight people fighting in the tavern, now nine with Greycastle jumping into the fray. Before we move on, do you want to do maps or try theater of the mind? I can do either, although maps are obviously going to take longer to put together. Just let me know. In your response, also give me a 1d20 roll for initiative.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

[section]The rain was heavy, but to Brue it felt good to have a sense of purpose. She strode after Greycastle, not minding her sodden cloak, breeches, and tunic. The flash of lightning that illuminated the Nymph made her jump, though. Give me mud, earth, even water, she thought, but lightning is wicked and fickle. Brue followed after Greycastle through the door into the tavern. She blinked at the light, not used to it after Greycastle's dim cottage and the storm-darkened sky. And then blinked again as Greycastle flung himself into the fray.

Brue waited a beat, selecting a combatant who was slower and heavily into the thick of the fracas. An instigator. I'm looking for an instigator, Brue mused. She didn't have long to wait before someone stood out. When she found her mark, a smirk fit itself into the curl of her upper lip. You'll do. [/section]

OOC: Theater of the mind seems appropriate here. I'm easy either way, though.

[roll0]

 

[CanadienneBacon]

[roll0]

 

[Forged Fury]

The melee had laid waste to the inside of the tavern. Tables and chairs were flipped over and clay jugs were smashed against the floor. Several townsfolk stood on the edge of the fracas, most begging the combatants to stop although a few seemed to be placing wagers. Nearly everyone wore a bandanna across the lower portion of their face, covering nose and mouth. A middle-aged woman stood behind the bar with a crossbow cocked, although she didn't look like she had any desire to use it.

In the closest clump of combatants, Brue spied an unsavory looking man wielding a dagger; his face and body unwashed, with dark bags underneath his eyes. As the only combatant with a dagger in hand, he seemed to be out for blood. Eyes steeled with resolve, the woman entered the melee.

OOC: OK, the next post will be GM text, with a bunch of rolls to account for the actions during combat. After that post, I'll sum it up IC and we'll move on to the second round.

 

[Forged Fury]

GM: Initiative Greycastle: 10 Group A (T1, T2, T3, T4): 8 Group B (T5, T6, T7, T8): 19 Combat Greycastle: 1 T1: 4 vs. T8 7 (Club) T2: 3 (Dagger) vs. T7: 9 (Hit) T3: 19 (Hit) & T4: 2 (Club) vs. T5: 1 & T6: 13 (Hit) There are basically three melees. Two 1 vs. 1 and a larger 2 vs. 2. Greycastle is engaged with T1 & T8. Brue is currently engaged with T2 & T7. Until all of the combatants are taken down in a given melee in which you are engaged, you will be subject to Opportunity Attacks if you try to leave without disengaging.

 

[Forged Fury]

OOC: Well, that clearly didn't work. I'm going to roll with an online roller instead and replace the above with the rolls. Also, go ahead and roll a damage die as well whenever you attack. The truncheon does 1d4 damage. The only difference between it and a club is that you automatically take the non-lethal option when reducing an enemy to 0 hit points and it does not trigger massive damage death, no matter how much damage is done. Go ahead and roll a 1d4 when you get the chance. Surprisingly, a 6 does indeed hit. Granted, they aren't wearing armor, so maybe not a big surprise.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

[roll0]

 

[Forged Fury]

Round 1

Greycastle charged into a knot of two brawlers. Crashing into them, his sudden appearance spoiled the aim of all three men. Scowling, the paladin raised his truncheon, giving his club-wielding opponent a dirty look.

In the middle of the room, the scrum of four men continued to whirl. Sharp blows were landed by either side, but none of the men were felled. Grunts of anger and curses filled the tavern. A few new wagers were being made with the introduction of the lawkeeper and his companion.

Brue maneuvered next to the dagger-wielding assailant, her footwork avoided drawing any attacks from the drunk townsfolk. Her new opponent glanced in her direction briefly, his eyes going slightly wide at her appearance. Using the distraction, the unarmed man landed a sucker punch on her opponent's jaw. With the blow ringing his head, Brue smashed the truncheon into his temple, forcing him to drop his dagger and sending him reeling to the ground.

GM: Status Greycastle: 0/?? Brue: 0/?? T1: -4/?? T2: -11/?? (KO) T3: -4/?? T4: -5/?? T5: -5/?? T6: -4/?? T7: -4/?? T8: -4/??

GM: Character Sheet Update: You are Proficient in Light Armor and Simple Weapons.