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 Tyranny of Dragons Part 1: Hoard of the Dragon Queen designed by Wolfgang Baur and Steven Winter a Kobold Press production -Featuring-  Waador as ZedekiahAs a third-generation member of The Network, he has been raised in their environment and steeped in their traditions since birth, and firmly believes in its goals: specifically, to become an omnipresent and inescapable entity, wealthier and more powerful than any of its 'peers', and untouchable in both courts of law and in reality, through whatever combination of sword and sorcery is necessary.  slydingdoor as Janelle The elves were going to break her neck and the humans burn her, but then the princess testified on her behalf through tears that she had been hurt in the forest and lost her memories, that the witch had saved her life and nursed her back to health. Now, she remembered.  Kurieg as Ander BashaThe discipline of the paladin's lifestyle did little to hamper Ander's free spirit, or mend the mutual resentment between him and his brother. Once he came of age within the church, he applied for transfer to the furthest place he could get from his family's lands. Someplace where he could make a name for himself outside of his family's shadow.  Lothire as HagerTavern brawls threatened to become murder scenes when he failed to keep the rage in check, resulting in prison time. Even isolated, the bouts of rage would lash out at random. Ashamed of what he had become, he confessed this illness to his brother, but was surprised to find he too had developed an unusual effect of his own...  Ryuujin as JaredThe voice came to identify itself as a Dragon. It explained itself to the brothers, much to their disbelief, though it did come as the only feasible explanation for recent events in their lives. Boastfully the Dragon recounted its achievements and glories in places they have never heard of nor quite possibly will never see. -and special guest star Arivia as-  Alethra Kolagar, Paladin of Torm The campaign went reasonably well - the combined forces did not retake Murann, but did succeed in routing ogres and several cults of the Black Sun from the Small Teeth, reopening a land route to the duchy of Velen. The knights themselves did not fair so well, several of them falling to depravity and leaving Torm's service, while others lost track of what Alethra saw as their mission, instead concentrating on their personal glories and vices. -with ongoing discussion at- #hoard on synirc ~Archives of Candlekeep~ Episode 1: Greenest in Flames Episode 2: Raider's Camp Episode 3: Dragon Hatchery Episodes 4-5: On the Road Episode 6: Castle Naerytar  The world of Faerûn is ever filled with rumors of war. Whispers tell of mighty cities and distant nations in turmoil, of cults resurgent, even of the return of fallen gods. Yet some places seem safe from war, hidden away or too small to be noticed. Tucked away in the grasslands is a quiet town called simply Greenest. It's a way-point, an isolated stopover on a trade route connecting more important locations. It's also your destination. "Whooa!" shouts the caravan master, and your wagon comes to a halt. About a mile in the distance black smoke rises into the air. Soon enough you find the cause: an inn burned to the ground, with no sign of victims or inhabitants. The ride from Berdusk has been filled with such stops. "I don't know what's going on here, but stay on your guard. I have a bad feeling about this..." The caravan lurches forward once again. With any luck, within a few hours you'll be at journey's end, warming your feet by a cozy fire and enjoying an ale in peaceful Greenest.  Disclaimer: The following adventure contains chromatic dragons. We cannot be held liable for characters who are incinerated, dissolved, frozen, poisoned, or electrocuted. ritorix fucked around with this message at 11:51 on Feb 21, 2015 |
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Aug 24, 2014 22:41
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Episode 1: Greenest in Flames Night falls on your southern-bound caravan, but tonight the moon is not the only thing illuminating the sky. Greenest is burning.  "Hold! HOLD!"The caravan halts by the shouted order of Presmer Gerost, leader of this little expedition. The fat old man is sweating and shouting orders, trying to get his caravan turned back around and out of danger. He wants no part of whatever is happening in Greenest.  "Help!!" Without warning, several people dart out of the bushes on the side of the road. A woman bearing a round shield on her back and a broken spear assists a limping man. Three small children remain close by their sides. "Get back!" shouts Presmer. He appears to care more for his profits than whatever trouble these people are in. The family stops, the woman circles around clutching her broken weapon and the children hide behind her. Their trouble was about to come crashing down on all of you. A number of kobolds rush out of the bushes, daggers in hand. These craven reptilians are more common in dungeons; to see them attacking a surface city is strange indeed. The woman readies what is left of her spear, determined to protect her family, whether or not someone intercedes.
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Aug 24, 2014 23:48
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Tutorial post! Down here we have an initiative block. If you see a  next to your name, we need some sort of action or roll from you right now. The game is waiting on you. In the block below, we need rolls from all of you. Creatures acting on the same initiative will go from left to right. That's why you see 8 kobolds all in a line. They all go at the same time. We don't know your rolls yet, so you will either act before or after those kobolds. Roll initiative! You can roll on Orokos, use an IRC dicebot, or whatever. Just make sure you copy/paste or link the roll, like so:  kobold init: 1d20+2 13 civilian init: 1d20 5If you beat the kobolds' initiative of 13, take your turn right now! If you didn't beat it, post your results, but you will have to wait. Once the kobolds all go, it will be all of the players' turns again as init loops back to everyone. Some fights will have a tactical battle map, some will not. In this case there isn't one, so you can assume you can get into position (or were already getting there, pre-init) and can intercede as you wish. If you need clarification it's best to ask in IRC. Since this is your first post, make sure you have your character name at the top and make the name a link to your character sheet. Get to it! 13: 05:      ritorix fucked around with this message at 00:05 on Aug 25, 2014 |
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Aug 24, 2014 23:50
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Hager [Info/Quicklook] HP: 13/13 (1HD) | AC: 14 | Rages: 1(2) Initiative: 1#1d20+2 22 edit: Seated near the front of the caravan, Hager watches the event unfold. When the Kobolds spill out after the people, Hager smirks, "Bet you didn't see this coming, Dragon." The voice in his mind is strangely quiet at the comment. Leaping from the caravan, his well-sized Greatsword draws out of its scabbard while making a mad dash at the Kobolds, blowing past the woman with nary a thought. A grin takes his face as his muscles tighten. The earlier agitations mount upon him now, spurring him into a focused rage, his gaze locked onto the scaley hides of the Kobolds with all other thoughts and considerations pushed from his mind. With one wide swing one Kobold is felled, threatening another. Attacking: 1#1d20+5 15 Rage engaged. 15 probably hits. Minimum damage (2d6+3+2rage) is 7, which probably kills. Which probably missed, but I don't get anyways as Rage is a bonus action. Rage grants: advantage on STR checks and saves, +2 damage, Resistance to slash/bludgeoning/piercing damage. Lothire fucked around with this message at 00:44 on Aug 25, 2014 |
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Aug 24, 2014 23:56
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Ander Basha HP 11/11|AC 16 Initiative: 1d20+1 10
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Aug 25, 2014 00:01
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Janelle Initiative: 1d20+3 11 Nel hopes the kids keep on running, otherwise the parents might die in vain. 10/10 HP; 17 AC; 1d8 HD; Healing Word, Entangle, Goodberry, Thunderwave
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Aug 25, 2014 00:15
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I'll roll init for Jared in case we get to skip him and go right to kobolds. jared init: 1d20+2 17. He'll go first. Now that we have init for everyone, this is what it will look like. Jared will go next, followed by kobolds, followed by everyone. Init is only rolled once per fight.  -raging
ritorix fucked around with this message at 01:06 on Aug 25, 2014 |
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Aug 25, 2014 01:04
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Jared HP: 10/10 (1HD) | AC: 13 | Spells: 1/1 The Dragon goes quiet, and the brothers are the first to react. Hager rushes forward and crushes a kobold, while the purple in Jared's eyes intensifies. He looks upon the kobolds, and those near enough, hear a voice in their heads. The voice does not speak in any given language, it is simply understood. [Mind-to-Kobolds: "Quake in fear puny mortals for your doom is at hand!"] The purple in Jared's eyes seems to glow, he takes a short sharp breath and reaches out. A blast of purple light stretches from his open hand and toward one of the kobolds, blasting it apart. I initially missed that Ritorix rolled initiative for Jared, and rolled it myself, getting 17. Which was weird. Eldritch Blast vs AC of Kobold 1d20+5 14 I assume that hits, because really kobolds, for 1d10 7 force damage. Also going to assume that kills a kobold.
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Aug 25, 2014 06:35
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 A pair of kobolds charges the woman, slicing at her with their nasty little daggers. 2 kobolds vs woman: 1d20+4 14 1d4+2 5 2d20k1+4 24 1d4+2 5, and a crit. Overkill. One slices into her leg, causing her to lose her balance. The other comes up from behind, slicing open her throat. Her children scream and rush for the caravan. Her husband, injured and unable to fight, merely stares in shock at his dead wife. "Stay back! Keep them away! Turn this drat wagon around!!!"Desperately trying to turn the wagons amidst the sudden chaos, one of the wheels of the rear wagon gets stuck in the mud on the side of the road. This caravan isn't going anywhere. Your fellow passengers begin to panic. Meanwhile, Hager is approached by a pair of cautious kobolds. They try to flank around him, first one going then the other, but Hager is able to keep his footing and avoid injury. 2 kobolds vs Hager: 1d20+4 9 2d20k1+4 7 2#1d4+2 5 4. All misses. Suddenly a pair of sling stones fly past the kobolds battling Hager. They are aimed at your caravan master Presmer, the one shouting orders. A rock nails him on the side of the head. Blood splatters the lead wagon as he slumps over, motionless and likely dead. 2 kobold slings vs Presmer: 2#1d20+4 8 18 2#1d4+2 6 6. Hit for 6. He goes down. -AC12, 5HP -raging
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Aug 25, 2014 06:56
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Janelle Nel takes a knee while she readies her sling and ironwood acorn, beckoning the children to keep on running. "Come on, kids! Eyes on me!" Is what she says, because if she were to say "don't look behind you," they would. sling attack; damage: 1d20+5 12 1d4+3 5. Right on the money.
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Aug 25, 2014 07:20
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Hager [Info/Quicklook] HP: 13/13 (1HD) | AC: 14 | Rages: 1(2) There is but one active thought in his mind, a thought he struggles to maintain when the rage takes over. Focus. This powerful rage is not his own, but something gained when the Dragon chose to merge into the brother's very beings. If this thought wavers, his focus breaks and the rage of a dragon floods in. A terrible scene he works hard to prevent. The death of the woman and caravan driver are well beyond his sight, too busy struggling to stay afloat in a sea of aggression. As a kobold climbs his back and tries to do harm, Hager snatches it by the neck and throws it harshly to the ground, but the wily creature rolls away unharmed. Attacking: 1#1d20+5 9 Missed.
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Aug 25, 2014 07:21
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Jared HP: 10/10 (1HD) | AC: 13 | Spells: 1/1 Jared would wince as the woman dies, and the caravan master is hit and possibly killed. He would, but it is taking all his focus to contain the power filling himself. He drags his hand through the air, purple light leaking from it and leaving a path in its wake. Then he points at the kobold that had killed the woman, and whispers "no" though the sound is reinforced in the kobold's mind. Another blast of eldritch energy is unleashed as the purple light streaks forth toward the kobold. It connects again, but this time does not obliterate the kobold as it had before. Eldritch Blast vs AC of Kobold 1d20+5 17 for 1d10 2 force damage.
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Aug 25, 2014 07:32
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-3/5HP -AC12, 5HP -raging
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Aug 25, 2014 13:28
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Ander Basha HP 11/11|AC 16 The trip to Greenest had been uneventful, almost boring, but Ander was hoping for a game of cards, not this kind of slaughter. He dashed to the fore, placing himself between the civilians and the maurading Kobolds just as two sling bullets wizzed past his head and ended the life of the caravan master. "Lathander! Give me the strength to protect these people!" Greatsword vs AC @ Kobold: 1d20+5 9 Miss Lathander why you gotta let a man down.
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Aug 25, 2014 14:58
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Zedekiah pre:Initiative - 10 Zedekiah had parked himself in the passenger seat of the lead caravan for the past several hours, sitting with his legs up in a reclining position and slowly making his way through a black leather-bound book with the words 'Fighting Man' labeled on the front in silver filigree, with smaller text reading 'by Manshoon' peeking out towards the bottom of the spine. He had taken up roost in that seat on the front wagon earlier in the day, when the group paused to investigate the smoldering remains of what once appeared to have been an inn. He was a little bit frustrated at the slow pace with which he was making his way through the book, on account of reading it one-handed, though it was an unfortunate necessity as caution demanded he keep his other arm strapped to his shield for the remainder of the journey. However, he was presently using the shield as a wall to rest against, so it wasn't a total loss. It had been obvious to him for several days that this journey was in for a rude awakening, as the charred inn had hardly been the first funeral pyre they had encountered since the caravan had set out from Berdusk. He had tried to caution his employer that these were not good signs, and that the caravan might want to consider taking a road less traveled yet still-populated, but such suggestions had fallen on deaf ears: though due to stubbornness, greed, or stupidity, he could not tell. In truth he assumed it was a mixture of the three. As a result of those previous conversations, he found it more than a little amusing that their esteemed employer was only now considering turning back, with the nearby sight of what he could only assume was their destination - Greenest - lighting up the night sky as someone proceeded to burn it to the ground. Rolling his eyes at the scene, predictable as it was, he slipped his book into the satchel at his side while lifting his legs slightly and rotating ninety degrees until they were hanging over the side of the wagon. At the time of the attack... As the vehicle came to a halt, he slipped onto the ground with a loud 'thud' as the two hundred pounds of muscle, and two hundred additional pounds of armor, weaponry, and other equipment he had strapped to himself reestablished contact with terra firma. Running a hand through his hair while taking in the scene, he took a final count of the enemy before retrieving his longsword from beneath his seat in the wagon behind him. There seemed to be about eight of the creatures, which he imagined they presumed were good odds. He suspected they were going to soon reconsider, as he saw the hulking form of Hager leap into the fray and almost immediately cleave one of the kobolds in half, while several of his other comrades-in-arms also appeared to be in the process of taking action. When the screams for help began, it became clear that his employer seemed to be under the impression that not getting involved might spare his cargo, or his life for that matter. Holding back the urge to roll his eyes again, he commented to the man, "Sir, get back in the wagon and take cover. I'll buy you time to escape, if you intend to flee. No need to worry about leaving me behind, I'll catch up." It sounded like brave self-sacrifice on the surface, of course - that was all part of the customer service you got when you paid Zhentarim prices. The truth was a bit more complex than that, though: if he didn't take the initiative and put himself between the wagons and the reptilian assailants, he might have found himself receiving an unfortunate order to let the kobolds rampage through the woman and children, which obviously wouldn't have done much to dissuade them from marching upon the caravan afterwards. He would have had to deal with the creatures one way or the other, he knew, and by inserting himself into the melee before an order could be given to the contrary, it became less likely that such a command would ever materialize. The likeliness of such a demand ever being made reduced to record lows when the caravan master took several rocks to the head, collapsing to the ground with a thud only moments later, however. Zedekiah winced at that end result, though it wasn't clear if the man was dead or not. Calling out to the healer, he inquired, "Janelle, is there anything you can do for Mr. Gerost?" He also frowned as the kobolds clearly gutted the woman who was endeavoring to defend her children, surprised at the speed of the little creatures. Roaring over the din of the brewing battle to draw their attention, he proclaimed to the kobolds in well-practiced draconic, "If you're foe: you should run. Or hide." Leveling his gaze at the remaining kobolds, he gave them a wink, as if to emphasize 'that means you, by the way.' He then proceeded to take several sure-footed steps forward, inserting himself between the kobolds and the children, and then directly into the melee without any regard for the threat the pathetic little creatures might have been able to present, slashing a killing blow across the throat of the one that Jared had singed with his recent warning shot. pre:Move: Approach the kobold gang.
Action: Attack vs. Injured Kobold
Hit - 20
Damage - 4 slashing
HP - 13 / 13
AC - 20Waador fucked around with this message at 21:07 on Aug 25, 2014 |
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Aug 25, 2014 16:51
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Janelle Zedekiah posted:
Damnation Zed don't make the kids look at him or they could lose it! Nel tut tuts loudly to drown out his voice so they don't hear him then replies, "Busy!" She's doing something more important than giving a coward another chance to get shot in the head. If he and Jared really cared about keeping people safe they should put more effort into wiping out the enemy, one of which is almost still standing after their combined attack. Ah the folly of men, firing flashy lasers and swinging shining swords when a simple acorn will do. At least Saltport's heavy armor might let him buy the children more time to escape without having to sacrifice himself like the mother. 10/10 HP; 17 AC; 1d8 HD; Healing Word, Entangle, Goodberry, Thunderwave slydingdoor fucked around with this message at 01:46 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 25, 2014 17:31
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With the kobold that knifed the woman dead, its surviving ally turns and runs from Zed as fast as it can. The pair fighting Hager are a bit braver, circling around the raging man and slicing into him. They do little more than draw a bit of blood and enrage him further. 2 kobolds vs Hager: 1d20+4 18 2d20k1+4 22 2#1d4+2 3 3. 2 total damage after rage resists. In the back row, the slingers fire at the new target, the imposing Zedekiah. Their stones strike him square in the chest. A chest that was covered in a thick plate of steel. The rocks bounce off harmlessly. The pair of kobolds look at each other, look back at Zed, then turn and flee. 2 kobolds vs Zed: 2#1d20+4 7 10 2#1d4+2 5 6. Both miss, then the kobolds run into the bushes. }fighting Hager-AC12, 5HP }cover from the bushes-AC14, 5HP -raging-11/13HP
ritorix fucked around with this message at 02:16 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 02:05
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Janelle The druid puts another ironwood acorn between the eyes of a kobold, hopefully her allies would help her clear the way for the wildman to give chase before his ran out of enemies to slay and decided on children instead. Just like that ancient "hero." sling attack; damage: 1d20+5 21 1d4+3 5 Killing one of the kobolds on Hager. slydingdoor fucked around with this message at 02:23 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 02:10
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Ander Basha HP 11/11|AC 16 While Hagar is doing a pretty good job distracting some of the Kobolds, there are still two hiding behind the bushes. Now that just wouldn't do. "Hiding will do you no good before the Light of the Sun!" With one swift blow Ander cuts both of the Kobolds, and their hiding place, down. Greatsword vs AC @ Kobold: 1d20+5 17 Hit 2d6+3 8 Bonus: GWM vs Kobold 2: 1d20+5 14 Hit 2d6+3 9
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Aug 26, 2014 02:35
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(draconic) "You will die, die, die! All your treasure is ours!!" That just came out of the sole surviving kobold. You've never heard of the little creatures being whipped into such a frenzy. Hearing spoken draconic seems to trigger something in the brothers... The voice within booms louder than ever: "LENNITHON COMES!" Meanwhile, your impending victory has done nothing for the civilians of the caravan. Some are helping the children onto wagons that will not be able to travel anytime soon. Others are looking about, trying to think of the best way to go: into the bushes, with kobolds? Down the road where you passed burned-out inns? Towards Greenest?! There doesn't seem to be a safe place in any direction. -fighting Hager-AC12, 5HP -raging-11/13HP
ritorix fucked around with this message at 02:52 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 02:44
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Zedekiah 13 HP // 20 AC He shook his head slowly as the reptilian 'archers' scampered away into the bushes, wondering why they even bothered to get out of bed in the morning. He was nearly done the process of preparing a witty statement to wound their pride before they disappeared from earshot when Ander bravely pounced upon the shrubbery they had fled into, cleaving both of them in half in a single fluid motion. Sighing, he mentally shelved his clever remark for a lucky kobold he was certain would happen upon him before the night was over. Looking down once more to confirm what he already knew, he again frowned at the lifeless body of the woman, whose children would now find themselves without a mother. If only he - or anyone - had acted a fraction of a moment sooner, he mused. Lifting his gaze and taking stock of the situation, it seemed that only one kobold remained standing, and it was also obvious that he was about to be simultaneously carved into pieces by Hager and incinerated by his brother, Jared. Not sensing a need for overkill, and not wanting to deprive Hager of his well-earned victory in combat meritorious, he spun on his heel and returned to the caravan where their employer was busy bleeding to death. Even from afar, it was obvious that the rock had carved the man's head open, leaving an impressively deep wound. Nonetheless he continued his approach, having resolved to do what he could for the man: or at least grant him the opportunity for someone to hear his dying words. pre:Move: Approach Presmer Gerost
Action: First Aid
Medicine - 1Waador fucked around with this message at 03:22 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 03:17
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Hager [Info/Quicklook] HP: 11/13 (1HD) | AC: 14 | Rages: 1(2) Had he been of more rational mind, he would have likely thanked the Druid for her well placed rock, or cared about the new cuts in his body. Sadly right now math isn't one of his strong suits, nor are feelings. Instead a thing with scales was still moving and that was simply unacceptable. Attacking: 1#1d20+5 25 you know I'm rolling because how many times does a guy get to crit you know? Damage: 1#4d6+5 17 The Kobold screams mean nothing to Hager, even if he knew the language. With one arm he grabs hold of the creatures neck before it can dodge, and squeezes with traumatic ferocity while bringing his weapon high in the other. Before his arm can fall, that which has never happened before now erupts in his mind. Clear and dominating, overriding the rage that had been his fuel and barrier from the Dragon's voice since the start of the fight. The words of the Dragon erupt, then fade in an echo, but his mind does not resume its rage. His grin slips away as his face twists into one of overwhelming fear. His voice cracks and wavers, primal sounds escaping his mouth. His focus gone, but rather than rampaging as he had done in the past, the man uses the pummel of his large blade and smashes relentlessly into the kobolds long-ago mashed face. He cannot stop.
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Aug 26, 2014 03:21
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Presmer is out cold. Whatever last words he has will be taken to the grave. His pulse slows and weakens, and soon the man will meet his makers. With the kobolds slain, the civilians gather around Zedekiah. There are a dozen or so, including the traumatized children. Some shout for help (help carrying their goods!), others ask if everyone are ok, others for orders or direction. It is chaos. And through it all Hager continues to smash the final kobold, a macabre scene that everyone does their best to not stare at too closely. The injured man that brought these kobolds here remains at the side of his fallen wife. There is no helping her now. He sobs quietly at her side. Nell's keen ears are able to pick out the words amidst his grief: "My sweet Linan. I couldn't help you. We should have listened to you, gone to the keep. I'm so sorry..." Poor Presmer is at two failed death saves and about to die, if you care to assist the greedy bastard. In total there are 9 adult civilians and the three children. One is injured - the husband that came through the bushes. He will have to be carried or left behind. -11/13HP
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Aug 26, 2014 03:37
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Janelle After sending the children to Zed, Nel rushes over to the caravan driver with an open healer's kit. He has swelling of the head, and not the egotistical kind. A trephine is produced, and a coin shaped bone is bored from his skull, and pressed into his pocket to be replaced by a graft procedure when he recovered. The druid gives some scared people a task to focus them: watching the man's vitals and such. Naturally, the man's hard head wears out the tool, which will need to be replaced. The limping man, though, would not be able to replace what his hard head had lost. Nel approaches him hiding her scorn, "She saved you, can't you still get to this keep?" 10/10 HP; 17 AC; 1d8 HD; Healing Word, Entangle, Goodberry, Thunderwave; 9/10 Healkit slydingdoor fucked around with this message at 03:52 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 03:50
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Ander Basha HP 11/11|AC 16|Daily healing remaining:4 Ander watches with a mixture of morbid fascination and horror as Nel... performs... "I know you are none to fond of the man but you didn't have to break open his skull. It is possible to get satisfaction and be helpful, observe." A quiet moment of contemplation is all Ander needs to call the light of Lathander to his right hand, which is quickly and harshly brought across the cheek of the greedy Caravaner. Lay on hands for 1 "Wake up, mister Presmer, your wagons are fouled and there's a hole in your skull."
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Aug 26, 2014 03:57
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Zedekiah 13 HP // 20 AC He looked plaintively at both Janelle and Ander, silently beseeching one or both of them to do something to save the man's life. He had been of the opinion that the man was an idiot for several days now, and recently enlightened to the fact that he was no small monster as well, given his willingness to let a woman die to try to protect his precious cargo from a raid. Still, Zedekiah had a feeling that more than enough people had already died tonight, making it poor form indeed to let another slip away when they could yet be saved. When Janelle finally intervened, and began to remove additional pieces of the man's skull in a laborious medical procedure, he raised an eyebrow to Ander - a literal hand of god - as if to inquire as to why the man had to suffer likely significant brain damage instead of enjoying a small amount of divine healing. He thought better of saying anything, though, after reflecting upon his previous assertion that the man was a monster, and admitting to himself that he might not disagree with the paladin's choice. To his surprise, the paladin began to apply divine aid shortly thereafter, leaving him second-guessing his previous assumption.
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Aug 26, 2014 04:01
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The limping man stands, avoids meeting the gaze of his nearby children, and addresses Nell. "Yes, I can...I could lead us there. I'm Cuth. The keep was still defended when we fled. But the town is under attack! These little demons and worse. Fanged lizards the size of dogs. Men with not a shred of mercy. It is chaos!" He wipes the tears away, ready to lead, but his injury will slow you all if you follow him. "Ouch! What the - what happened to me? My wagons! I demand you--whoooa" Presmer winces in pain and stumbles on his feet. He'll live but he probably won't be barking many more orders tonight.Your civilian count is at 13 with Presmer. You are on the outskirts of the town. There's a keep at the center. The whole place is under attack and you have these vulnerable folk with you, so up to you all how to proceed.
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Aug 26, 2014 04:05
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Zedekiah 13 HP // 20 AC Addressing the man - Cuth, apparently - he inquires, "What sort of garb are these attackers wearing? This caravan was moving, among other things, bolts of cloth and dye. We could put together a ramshackle disguise of makeshift robes for the lot of us in a few moments, if we could cobble together something that resembles their own outfits." He admitted, belatedly, "It likely wouldn't fool anyone we run into up close, but from a hundred yards away, in the middle of the night, lookouts directing the assault might well mistake us for reinforcements." Waador fucked around with this message at 04:13 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 04:11
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Ander Basha HP 11/11|AC 16|Daily healing remaining:4 Ander shoves his finger roughly into Prester's chest. "You will be demanding nothing of us today. Your wagons are ruined because you tried to run instead of help, the rest of your problems can find similar blame. If you want to salvage anything of this then you will need the help of the people in Greenest." He points at the town with his Greatsword, which considering it is a heavy length of metal is somewhat impressive. "Unfortunately it appears to be on fire. I would suggest you stay here and convalesce while the rest of us go and do what's right." Ander shoulders his blade as he looks around at the gathered warriors. "Any objections?"
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Aug 26, 2014 04:13
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"The raiders are mostly in black and purple. If you have the materials, we could cloak everyone here. It just might work." "No! Don't leave me!! I'm coming too! Take the cloth if you must." Greenest  Scale is probably in yards, not feet! You approach from the arrow on the north-eastern road. Further up that road is your caravan. Major features: 1) The keep, located on a central hill overlooking the town and surrounding lands. 2) A stream. 3) A temple on a hill. 4) A mill, what passes for heavy industry around here. Everything else is housing and places of business.
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Aug 26, 2014 04:23
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Zedekiah 13 HP // 20 AC Directing his gaze to the original civilian members of the caravan, he simply tells them, "You heard the man. Black and purple outfits. Now." Thinking on the subject for a moment, he adds, "And make as many as you can. We might run into additional innocents before we find relative safety."
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Aug 26, 2014 04:41
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Hager [Info/Quicklook] HP: 11/13 (1HD) | AC: 14 | Rages: 1(2) It's hard to say if it was Jared's voice or the Dragon's that pierces his mind and resets his senses. Like waking from a nightmare, it takes him some time before he realizes his hand holds onto a very, very dead Kobold. Tossing it aside, he stands while shaking off a layer or two of confusion and sheathing his sword. He doesn't well grasp the situation, not until he shares a glance with his brother. Jared knows his thoughts - stable and once more his own, save for the question rolling in his mind, "What did the dragon mean? Who the hell is Lennithon?" If the Dragon is listening, perhaps he will respond, but its attitude seems to have changed from rambling to ponderous and less chatty. The others seem to have the situation well in hand, thankful for him and his brother to have been coupled with strong-hearted companions. He remembers charging past the woman, hoping to stave off the Kobolds himself. His failure is evident now, a weight he is not unfamiliar with. At least she died on her feet. The hide around his left shoulder is torn, small trickle of blood. A minor irritation is all. When Ander lays out a strategy and Zedekiah approves, Hager raises a fist. "Hear hear. Let me carry the wounded man, he's in no condition to move." Instinct causes him to flex his raised arm, but his muscles are strangely less bulky than they were moments ago in the fight. More in line with a well trained soldier or labor-man now.
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Aug 26, 2014 04:44
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Jared HP: 10/10 (1HD) | AC: 13 | Spells: 1/1 Jared trembles at the great voice within his mind, his very soul shaken. It is a moment before he can call out to his brother, to calm him, but already the kobold that is the focus for Hager's wrath is a bloody mess. [Mind-to-Hager:"Perhaps Lennithon is some evil dragon that is worshipped by this dragon cult we were warned about." He looks to the kobolds, or what remains of the kobolds, and wishes one had survived for interrogation. He turns to the others, particularly the civilians, and though he is reluctant to bring up anything he hears in his mind he decides to ask them all the same. "I don't suppose any of you have heard the name Lennithon before?"
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Aug 26, 2014 05:03
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 A rumbling roar fills the air. Looking up, silhouetted by moonlight you see the shape of a massive flying dragon. It wheels low over the keep that rises above the center of town, then swoops lazily down over the town and flies north. Then it turns east and swoops overhead, far too close to your caravan for comfort. The beast doesn't stop - maybe it didn't notice or doesn't care - but the effect that it has is real. "Sweet merciful Waukeen! We are all dead men!"Your fellows in the caravan panic. They were nearly finished assembling disguises, but the sight of this - a dragon - fills them with dread. Half of them simply dive for cover, others freeze in their tracks, and you hear a few sobs. Only the children and Cuth seem unaffected. Perhaps they have seen enough of the night's horrors. Zedekiah recognizes the beast as Lennithon, rumored to lair in the Sunset Mountains far north-east of here. It was said to have plagued Iriabor about a decade ago, raiding and pillaging until it saked its lust for wealth. Villagers there still fear thunderstorms as a reminder of the beast. Something else recognized Lennithon, too. Hager and Jared know what they face. Sight of the dragon subjects you all to its aura of fear. It's a DC17 Wisdom save; fail and you are frightened for a minute. Since we aren't in combat, you can use the results to flavor your reaction. Technically the save is repeated each turn until you shake it off, but that won't matter much here, so don't roll more than once. Most importantly, once you master your fear of the beast, you are immune to this fear effect for the rest of the night.
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Aug 26, 2014 05:05
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Jared HP: 10/10 (1HD) | AC: 13 | Spells: 1/1 Jared hears the roar and spots the blue terror and all within range hear a voice in their mind, ["Lennithon."] a voice mixed with rage and fear. A voice that sounds surprisingly familiar. Meanwhile Jared trembles, perhaps in rage, perhaps in fear, but he does not seem to be doing anything except watching the dragon fly, like a hawk. Wis Save 1d20+2 15
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Aug 26, 2014 05:11
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Zedekiah 13 HP // 20 AC At the mention of the name 'Lennithon', Zedekiah's gaze immediately shifts towards Jared. He seems about to say something, but is interrupted by the thunderous roar announcing the arrival of the beast. pre:Knowledge (history) - 19 vs. 'Lennithon' Wisdom save - 12 vs. dragon fear • A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight. • The creature can’t willingly move closer to the source of its fear. His mind was reeling from the implications of the presence of the beast on the battlefield. Ten kobolds, a hundred of them, perhaps even a thousand were a problem he was equipped to deal with. Besting a dragon was another matter entirely, though he admitted to himself that it was preferable to do so above-ground rather than in the creature's own lair ...at least in some ways. The logical course of action was to turn around immediately, he knew: trudge on foot towards Baldur's Gate, or perhaps Candlekeep. Either location was laden with heroes fifty times over who were capable of slapping the upstart dragon back to his mountain home. That would take weeks, though, and would come with its own dangers. Plus, their entourage contained a paladin of Lathander: creatures notorious for their inability to feel fear. Which was brain damage, he assumed. One look at the man all but confirmed his intent to charge into the city and save as many innocent lives as possible. Sighing inwardly, Zedekiah resigned himself to slaying a dragon tonight, whether he liked it or not. At least he had the benefit of several hours to figure out a way to do so, he mused, muttering a prayer of thanks to the Red Knight. Looking to the others - particularly the civilians, now cowering in fear beneath the wagons and behind rocks - he stepped up to the challenge, at least for the moment. Orating in an effort to inspire them onwards to survive, he explained, "Yes, it's a dragon. Yes, it is powerful. But look at it closely: it isn't roosting atop the keep, savaging the defenders with its talons and tail." He slammed his own steel armor with a gauntlet-covered hand for effect, continuing, "It has a thick hide, like steel, but if you fire a thousand arrows at a dragon it will die, just as I would." Hazarding a guess, he suggested, "That creature doesn't yet know the defenses of the keep, and is keeping its distance until those defenses are dealt with by its weaker - but expendable - followers. The keep remains safer than we are out here, exposed, and with the right planning, that dragon might well be slain before the rise of the sun." He explains, emboldened by familiar dogma, "War is won by those with the best planning, strategy, and tactics, regardless of the apparent odds. Seek out your opponent's weaknesses and recognize your own; avoid an opponent's strengths and play to your own. That is how this night will be won." Approaching the wagon, he extends a hand underneath, silently offering to help the men cowering beneath it to rise back to their feet. Waador fucked around with this message at 21:07 on Aug 26, 2014 |
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Aug 26, 2014 05:48
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Hager [Info/Quicklook] HP: 11/13 (1HD) | AC: 14 | Rages: 1(2) Fear save: 1#1d20+1 13 The roar of the beast causes Hager to turn to the sky with mouth agape. At the same time that the name rings in all their minds, his legs become locked in place. "D-drat.. That's a big bastard." Zedekiah's speech doesn't help much. For whatever reason his legs are not moving and don't for some time. Resorting to punching himself in the thighs finally gets them moving again (after the requisite time has passed of course). He turns his attention to his brother, who looks to be recovering from similar shock. Lightly bumping his shoulder into Jared, "'Ay. You with me? Things are getting real lively around here." When Jared confirms, Hager moves to take up his part in the strategy. Will acquire a pair of clothes as per the plan and carry the man, waiting for the rest to lead on.
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Aug 26, 2014 06:32
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Janelle Nel jumps back like a startled cat and disappears into the tall grass for a moment. She hears Zed babbling nonsense like the caravan driver did before he got shot in the head. This was a war now, is the gist of it. Well she didn't know a lot about war except from the warriors that exiled her for witchcraft, and that soured her on their advice. Still, she'd overheard that you should change your angle if the first one gets scouted. Just because the dragon left without attacking didn't mean it won't send in more minions, and if these people were still hanging out here when they arrived, it wouldn't be pretty. She creeps back to the party and gives her input, "It's in charge and probably knows we're here. We need to pack up whatever we need from the wagons and move, in case it sends another force to finish what the first one started. At least it probably didn't see us busting out the enemy colors, and something that big probably won't expect us to go toward it." wis save: 1d20+5 14 Stealth: 1d20+5 21 10/10 HP; 17 AC; 1d8 HD; Healing Word, Entangle, Goodberry, Thunderwave; 9/10 Healkit
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Aug 26, 2014 07:00
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Ander Basha HP 11/11|AC 16|Daily healing remaining:4 Save vs Dragon: 1d20+2 15 Ander stops mid stride as the dragon roars overhead, the fact that his gauntleted hands are twitching would be imperceptible but for the slight clanking sound his right hand is making against his holy symbol as he quietly sings an off-key version of the Song of Morning. He comes out of his fearful reverie to in time to hear most of Zedikah's 'rousing' speech. "Zed is right, you'll be safest at the keep, it's more defensible than just standing out here so everyone gather your things and let's get going."
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Aug 26, 2014 16:47
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| # ? Apr 16, 2024 13:31 |
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With their courage returned, the 'cultists' are ready to follow Zedekiah and the others into the burning town. In the flame-flickered light you might look like just another group of raiders intent on destroying the town. The children might even pass as kobolds. Might. If discovered, the majority of your band can't survive a fight. Quickly traveling down the road, you pass a disturbing scene at the edge of town. A tavern of some sort - the sign is burned past recognition - is under assault. The thatched roof is on fire but not burning very well, only sending up a thick black cloud of smoke into the night. You can hear a few screams from within. At the door are four kobolds, their daggers jabbed into one side of the door, and two taller figures directing them as they attempt to pry open the doors. Are they human? You can't tell from here, though they wear black and purple cloaks as Cuth described earlier. Risking a confrontation with them could put your vulnerable charges at risk; leaving the tavern to its fate may not sit well on your conscience. What do you do?
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Aug 26, 2014 23:26
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