BookTenTiger
He / Him
Last night I threw a few "swarms of crustaceans" (insect swarms) and a huge Chuul at the group as they sailed across a foggy, driftwood-strewn lake.
I expected the huge Chuul, known locally as the Driftwood Giant, to be the most interesting part of the combat.
Instead, a single crab stole the show.
After the Giant Chuul ran off (it will return to hound them as they search for treasure on a lake island), the crab swarms jumped overboard. Our Goliath Barbarian got an opportunity attack on one swarm and, due to his Sentinel feat, prevented it from leaving.
All four party members surrounded the swarm. It was quickly reduced to 1 hit point, and I think I'm in the norm in that I describe a 1 hp swarm as one remaining critter.
The characters could not kill this crab!
It rolled incredibly well on Wisdom saving throws (with a 7 Wisdom!). 1s were rolled on attacks. It dodged, it ducked, it scuttled sideways.
Finally the crab took the Disengage action so it could join its crustaceans brethren overboard. Ah, but the Goliath Barbarian reminded me: Sentinel! He got another opportunity attack. He swung his greataxe down and... Missed!
The crab leapt into the water and waved with a claw as it sunk down into the depths...
It just shows, you never know what part of an encounter or an adventure is going to create a great story.
I expected the huge Chuul, known locally as the Driftwood Giant, to be the most interesting part of the combat.
Instead, a single crab stole the show.
After the Giant Chuul ran off (it will return to hound them as they search for treasure on a lake island), the crab swarms jumped overboard. Our Goliath Barbarian got an opportunity attack on one swarm and, due to his Sentinel feat, prevented it from leaving.
All four party members surrounded the swarm. It was quickly reduced to 1 hit point, and I think I'm in the norm in that I describe a 1 hp swarm as one remaining critter.
The characters could not kill this crab!
It rolled incredibly well on Wisdom saving throws (with a 7 Wisdom!). 1s were rolled on attacks. It dodged, it ducked, it scuttled sideways.
Finally the crab took the Disengage action so it could join its crustaceans brethren overboard. Ah, but the Goliath Barbarian reminded me: Sentinel! He got another opportunity attack. He swung his greataxe down and... Missed!
The crab leapt into the water and waved with a claw as it sunk down into the depths...
It just shows, you never know what part of an encounter or an adventure is going to create a great story.