D&D 5E The Kalarian Precipice - Chapter Three

[Metea]

Metea: The Lair

The arrival of the second demon would force Metea to move a bit, as she did not want to be so exposed! Not when it was so close. Luckily, Otiroth seemed to have a similar idea.

Their comrades who were better at direct combat were tied up at the moment dealing with the larger demon, and wanting them to turn their back on the creature was not the best idea. Not at the moment, at least!

But Metea would not be entirely idle. Her illusion now stood on its own, so she would send a crackling bolt of energy at the smaller demon.

<Spellcasting: Eldritch blast. 25 to hit, 15 damage>

 

[Carthum One-Tusk]

Carthum One-Tusk: The Lair

On some level, Carthum should have not been surprised. The demons had called for reinforcements before- why should this big brute be any different? Perhaps it had just been a blind hope.

The creature had teleported behind them- which meant near Metea! Perhaps that distraction and sudden fear for his sister's safety was enough to throw off what should have been a solid swing, or perhaps the demon simply was still lighter on his feet than they might've hoped.

<To hit: 14>

 

[97mg]

The Lair

Carthum 21
Critter 1 Big 16 (-50hp)
Critter 2 Small 16 (-28hp)
Critter 3 Small 16
Annit 14 (-5hp)
Dain 13
Otiroth 11
Jeovanna 6
Metea 2

Bleeding and angry, the largest enemy might have been expected to teleport out of here, but alas something was preventing it! With nowhere to go, trapped behind three disgusting humanoids, it lashes out vengefully at Jeovanna. So close its pincers come, just glancing off her!

Behind, where the sorcerer and warlock back away from the small addition to the threat-level, yellow eyes survey the scene and charge for the nearest unwelcome guest. Annit cops a pincer to an arm, trying to fend the tiny beast off, but it slashes wildly and her blood begins to trickle to the floor. "Yoowch!" Some inner strength saves the thief though, from the fear and terror which now seeks to overcome her.

It is time for a rogue's cunning. Light on her feet, Annit leaps backwards to disengage, and from close range sends her arrow flying in. The shaft resonates with a twannng as it hits the beast square in the chest. Another squeal joins the sounds of pain for the gruesome local inhabitants.

"For real?" She mutters under her breath. Another small one has just charged in from the crevice across the way...

<Big critter selected Jeovanna at random. 13 to hit (at disadvantage) = Miss. Small critter attack Annit = 14. Damage = 5. Passes DC 11 Con check with 17. Annit uses cunning action to disengage. Attack = 25. Damage = 6.

By now it would be obvious that at certain light levels, some variants of these creatures can not teleport and suffer from some random form of disadvantage. Carthum's light and the various burning torches are bright for 20ft, enough to saturate the large enemy. I believe Dain and Annit are also using torches. Correct me if I'm wrong! Also, Otiroth's dancer will fade out on his next round.

Because you are now familiar with the creatures, you no longer require a DC11 Wisdom check for fright when in melee range.>

 

[daindarkspring]

Dain - The Lair

Filth was flying now, and the foul screams of the creatures seemed to rain down from everywhere. Still clutching his torch in his left hand, it crackled and sputtered loudly as he ripped it around so that his sword arm could come in for another attack.

Behind him, he was dimly aware of more creatures coming, and the pop and sizzle of mystical attacks. They were beset on all sides! The sound of Annit being wounded reached him, through the madness of sounds, and his teeth gritted together.

There is no way to run from this. We fight our way through...that is the tale of it. And with Essithea watching, I will strengthen my resolve. I can still feel her guiding my blade against this monstrosity!

<18 to hit, 9 damage>

 

[Otiroth]

Otiroth: The Lair

They were, indeed, becoming a bit cornered. The demons were approaching from all sides, and one small one threatened to back up its larger comrade, which would twist the odds quite in the little demon's favor.

Otiroth pointed one finger at the newly-arrived demon, and a beam of bluish-white light leapt from his fingertip to strike the newcomer.

Could it not be said that intense cold also burned?

<Spellcasting: Ray of Frost. 22 to hit, 3 damage. On a successful hit, target's speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of Otiroth's next turn>

 

[Jeovanna]

Jeovanna: The Lair

Control. Maintain control.

DIE

Jeovanna's blade was slick with vile blood, and her resolve was strong. She was not sick, she was not mad. She could get through this battle without going berserk!

Another fierce swipe, intent on pairing the injury on the demon's belly with an uglier brother.

Control. This was about control. Battle always was.

<To hit: 19. Damage 10.>

 

[Metea]

Metea: The Lair

Look, sure. It was all well and good, helping out the others, but there was a demon *right there*, and Metea was fairly sure at least that demon now knew where they were. Her illusion wasn't infallible, and watching a bunch of bolts streaking out of it probably gave the game up.

So Metea would focus on the demon closest to her and Annit, thank you very much!

Of course- it would have to be another eldritch blast. It tasted sweet, and arched from her fingers with a sort of familiarity that was becoming warm and friendly.

So dear. So lovely.

<Eldritch blast on Critter 2: 24 to hit, 7 damage>

 

[97mg]

The Lair

Carthum 21
Critter 1 Big 16 (-69hp) DEAD
Critter 2 Small 16 (-35hp) DEAD
Critter 3 Small 16 (-3hp) ~slowed~
Annit 14 (-5hp)
Dain 13
Otiroth 11
Jeovanna 6
Metea 2


What a violent bloody battering the beasts were taking! Dain's powerful swing and Jeovanna's belly-carving see the large one's end. It squeals a final time, falling into a mass of red dislodged meat.

The issuer of Annit's earlier injury too is dipatched, fancifully overcome by Metea's crackling dance of pure pain-inducing energy.

One left, and even this newest arrival was not spared. Otiroth's chilling beam hits from range, and as a layer of frost appears upon the being's skin and hair, it is clear that it won't be rushing into battle overly fast. Its demise seems... inevitable...

 

[Carthum One-Tusk]

Carthum One-Tusk: The Lair

"Do you fear the light, demon?"

Carthum was beginning to figure it out- that it was not only the mystical light of his shield, but potentially the torchlight as well.

Still... his heart still burned with light!

"Sacred flame!" He would turn his glowing shield on the demon as it began to slow, and radiant light would descend upon the demon- not true flame, but the radiance of Suru's light!

<Spellcasting: Sacred Flame. 6 damage, if the demon does not succeed on a dex saving throw>

 

[97mg]

The Lair

Carthum's plan is solid! But perhaps the heat of battle or worry about the creature's captives has got to him. The final little beast despite being half-frozen, manages to wiggle out of the way of the incoming holy radiance. It looks to the party with a final yellowed glare, and then scuttles off back down its crevice.

Annit lifts her bow, hoping for a lucky shot at the escaping beast, but it is too late. With her wound such as it is, chasing down the enemy would be rather unwise.

With one hand she grips her opposing forearm and applies pressure, doing her best to slow the ever-dripping blood. Not a mortal wound by any accounts, but down here with filth, moss and fungas-a-plenty, she would be wise limit its exposure to the unknown influences of this horrible place.

"Hope it doesn't come back, with more family," she says, leaving the option of pursuit to her friends. Chasing beasts through narrow tunnels could be a fine way to get lost... or worse. Then again, the idea that this thing could crackle in and slit a throat when a guard was down... that wasn't attractive either.

<Critter is dashing (double move) 20ft down the crevice.>