D&D 5E (IC) Scourge of Daggerford

[FitzTheRuke]

Taking their questions in turn, Theggar replied, "I am hardly the mastermind of this operation. I just do what I am told to do. The gnolls will murder on their own - I do not control their actions. But to answer you, there are several keys, some literal, others not so much, to various portals in this area. I have been gathering them and giving them to others who are working toward the same goals. To wit: I did not open the portal on the elven estate, though I know of it. That was the elf-lord's sister, though perhaps she was working under the influence of... another."

He paused as if he was going to utter the name but then thought better of it and went on, "I take it that she was unsuccessful? I have been here, and have not been privy to all the things going on elsewhere."

 

[MetaVoid]

Taking their questions in turn, Theggar replied, "I am hardly the mastermind of this operation.

"Who is? The mastermind? You don't get to know if they were not successful or we're the only survivors or anything in between."

 

[JustinCase]

"Don't be tellin' 'im too much," Helgrim warns gruffly, realizing that the Thayan is trying to gain information even while supposedly negotiating for his life. All this talk seems suspicious to the old dwarf, and doesn't fit the idea of someone desperate for a way out.

"Them gnolls di'n't kill ye," he muses. "So ye're in their camp and could've stopped 'em from killin' my people from -- "

The dwarf stops himself abruptly, taking his own advice about not revealing too much. His eyes narrow, focusing on the Red Wizard, and his axe and shield are raised, ready to start the fight anew.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Well, Sing-Axe himself is the mastermind, of course - but there are many agents that outrank me. There is Bahzkah, the spirit-wraith; Nadir the skin-dresser; Pancheska the alluring. Five Red Wizards are my equals." declared Theggar, humbly. When Helgrim spoke up, he insisted, "I do not command the Gnolls - they follow Noryeghu the War-Chief and the white shaman. It is a delicate act to survive very long in their presence, let alone to keep anyone else alive."

He looked at Morgan when saying the last part, hoping that the doctor felt the desire to return the favour.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Dr. Morgan Wells - Mini-sheet

Dr. Morgan Wells Race: Human HP: 25/32 AC: 12/15(Mage Armour)	Pass Perc: 11 Pass Inv: 17 Pass Ins: 11	Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ][ ] [ ] 2nd [X] [ ] [ ] 3rd [ ] [ ] [ ]
Arcane Ward: 0/16	Initiative: +2	Spell Save DC: 15
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 10+0 DEX: 14 + 2 CON: 12 + 1 INT: 18+4(+7) WIS: 12 +1(+4) CHA:12 +1	Spoiler: Skills Arcana:10 History: 7 Investigation:7 Medicine: 4 Persuasion: 4 Religion: 7	Spoiler: Spells Cantrips Control Flames, Chill touch, Shape water, Shocking grasp Memorized spells 1st Grease, Mage Armour, Prot. Evil, Shield 2nd Arcane Lock, Invisibility, Web 3rd Counterspell, Dispel Magic, Slow

---

Morgan didn't know much about what Sing-Axe was but it was obvious that the rest of his rescuers had already run into some of the Titan's agents.1 What would they decide to do with Theggar when this was all done? Just being a Thayan Wizard was, in itself, a reason for the death penalty.

Not that Morgan condoned Necromancy or any of the despicable things Thayan's were reputed to do but he was feeling uncomfortable at the prospect of watching someone be executed in the field, with no trial. It would be dangerous and onerous to try to bring Theggar to Duke Maldwyn and he wasn't sure anyone would want that responsibility. Morgan didn't want it.

"I'm not convinced that claiming to walk a fine line with the gnolls absolves you of the damage they've caused. Tolerating their murderous rampages while benefiting from their presence says a lot about you - and the titan you're trying to bring to here. Bringing a titan that condones mass slaughter would hardly be a boon to Toril and the mortal races."

Tucking his book under his arm, Morgan stands up and takes a step towards the door,

"Duke Maldwyn and his agents will decide your fate. For now, you are going to have to relinquish all your spellcasting foci, robes, your spell books, research notes and any magical items you have. The cot in the storage room isn't as uncomfortable as it looks. Which reminds me: I'll need the key. When we're done here, we will take you back to Daggerford."

Morgan had no idea if the group would agree to this - they hadn't had any time to talk about it. In fact, he wasn't sure Theggar would agree either.2

---

Spoiler: OOC

I kind of wanted to ask more about the other agents but maybe we want to move forward?

In any case, I'll make a few rolls:
1. Int to know about any of the names he mentioned:
Int Check about Names: 1D20+4 = [6]+4 = 10
Depending on the skill needed:
History: 17
Religion: 17
Arcana: 20
(I kind of set this character up to know lots of stuff. It's too bad about my crappy rolls!)
Edit: rolls weren't bad, I just miscalculated my bonus

2. Do you want another persuasion? Are you going to use the first roll (8)? Do I have advantage due to having lots of people want to murder him? If so, I'll roll again and you can take the best of the two rolls.
Persuasion: 1D20+4 = [9]+4 = 13

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Theggar frowned - it was becoming increasingly obvious to him that his easy-going act was not going to help him to get away. Suddenly there was a nearby howling of gnolls and his face brightened as he said, "Perhaps I will not need to surrender to you after all. That is the howl of Noryeghu, and may the gods have mercy on you."

By this time, Lionel had taken a ring of keys off of the wizard's desk (careful not to disturb the magic-looking things there - a rune-inscribed spell book; a copper cup; a white mortar with stone pestle and ground gray powder; a black ceramic bowl with a spindle-shaped lodestone. Instead, Lionel had found the correct key and was rummaging in a chest in the northwest corner.

Inside the chest were travel clothes; a small satchel containing a steel razor and strop; a silver mirror; and a copper toothpick set. Under the clothes, Lionel found a sack of onyx gems and an ebony coffer carved to look like a sleeping dragon, full of various coins. (Lionel guessed around two-hundred gold worth, give or take.)

In the hall, Grottur had plopped down into one of the worn stuffed chairs and had nearly fallen asleep. He snorted and grabbed his axe when the howling came from the north. Vairar was first to spot them - gnolls rushed down the covered passage that went from the north building to the south building, heading for them. A tall gnoll had that look that they had seen before on the Orc general and on Titus' face: one half of his face was cloaked in smoky shadow while the opposite eye burned with fire.

Behind him was a white-furred shaman, and she was surrounded by ghostly-looking hyenas. The "regular" gnoll rabble rushed forward toward them, lathered with foam in their insane zeal.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

GM: Encounter: Phylund Lodge Top Floor

Spoiler: Map

(General Features) Difficult Terrain: Table; Visibility: Dim (Braziers); Cover: Chairs, Table, Railing; Spells: Spirit Guardians

Spoiler: Allies

Name * AC * HP * Hit Dice * PasPrc * Spells * (Notes)
(PCs)
Escella AC14 HP 24/33 HD 3/6 PP18 SSdc13 3/4 1/3 2/2 SP 5/5 C:ER
Helgrim AC19 HP 47/58 HD 3/6 PP11* SDdc15 2/5d8 2W 1/1 AS 1/1
Lionel AC16 HP 49/51 HD 6/6 PP14
Lunn AC18* HP 30/71 HD 3/6 PP14* RGdc15 1/3 MA 3/3 BM 3/3
Morgan AC12(15) HP 25/32 HD 6/6 PP11 PI17 SSdc15 0/4 0/3 0/3 AW 0/16
Tommi AC14 HP 30/39 HD 6/6 PP17
Vairar AC18*(20*) HP 45/45 HD 4/6 PP13* SSdc14 4/4 3/3 2/3
(NPCs)
Oh-Six AC13(18) HP 22/22 HD 4/4 PP15(20)* SSdc13 1/3 fly60'
Grottur AC13 HP 16/19 PP13*

Spoiler: Enemies

Name * AC * HP * PP * (Notes)
(BGs) Upstairs
Red Wizard (Thegger) AC15 HP 58/58 PP12 BC2/2 MA1/2 Ho2/2 Inv2/2 Wb2/2 SU1/1
War Leader Noryeghu AC16 HP 90/90 PP14*
The White Shaman AC15 HP 65/65 PP14* SSdc12 5/6 C: SpGrds
Gnolls AC13 HP 22ea PP13*
-Gn1 22/22; Gn2 22/22; Gn3 22/22;

GM: Begin Round One!

 

[jmucchiello]

Escella launches two blasts at the wizard, just missing with one, the other landing square.

EB against wizard: 1D20+8 = [5]+8 = 13
1D10+3 = [1]+3 = 4
1D20+8 = [20]+8 = 28
1D10+3 = [4]+3 = 7
EB against wizard: 1D10 = [4] = 4 11 damage from crit

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Argh!" said Theggar Grynn as he did his best to defend himself against Escella's sudden onslaught, "Don't waste your efforts on me, you fools! Or you will surely be torn apart by gnolls!"

OOC: Escella critted Theggar for 11.

 

[jmucchiello]

"Either that or blasted in the back by a Thayan instigator," Escella says.