Chapter 4 > Thundertree

[coil23]

Aslaan

Nodding, Aslaan moves ahead to take point, arrow nocked, watchful ahead and to the sides. He moves quietly forward, careful to walk so as not to get too close to any buildings or blind spots. He tries to maintain sight lines to give him plenty of warning of approaching trouble.

[hedgeknight]

Ioriston drops hints of what might make the dragon act in such a way, giving Kelton enough reason to move forward up the track leading toward the misty forest. Aslaan, still mumbling about the loss of his horse, quickly moves ahead to take point, bow in hand, arrow ready.
(Do Gerland and Kael come with? If so, what do they do with the horses and wagon?)

The track leads right up to the forest, disappears into the greenish fog...within Aslaan spies the first of the ruins on the right side of the track. Peering intently, he thinks it might have once been a farmhouse. The fog shifts and a few feet further and to the left stands a small house that looks to be in better condition that the ruined farmhouse.

Ioriston and Kelton catch up and the trio sees another small building appear out of the vegetation about twenty yards farther to their right.

A shadowy darkness begins to descend upon the ruined town as the sun sinks ever lower...

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton is happy to wait for the others to tie off the horses and join with the group.

We will need to be quick about this, the sun is setting fast. Let's stay alert and keep each other in a line of sight.

He will poke his head into the small house to see if he can spot anything.

[hedgeknight]

This small house appears to be in better condition than the ruined and dilapidated structures nearby. The doors are reinforced with heavy iron bands, and thick shutters protect the windows.
Kelton tries the door and finds it won't open; perhaps it is locked or barred on the inside?

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton will bang on the door.

Hello? Is it possible that someone actually still lives in here?

[hedgeknight]

Kelton hears shuffling behind the door and then a voice answers, "It is indeed possible. But it depends on who's asking? Who sent you? Don't you know it is dangerous to be around here?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Dangerous? Are you referring to the dragon or the undead?

[hedgeknight]

"Both! And if you stay around long enough, you shall get acquainted with them. Again, who are you and why are you here?"

Gerland steps forward and says, "We are from Phandalin. Sent by Lady Dendrar > she said we could find a druid here by name of Reidoth. Can you tell us where he might be?"

There are a few moments of silence and then you can hear the bar being lifted from the door...which then opens. Standing in the doorway is a gaunt, white-bearded fellow in ragged robes. He leans on a staff and on his right arm rests a beautiful hawk.

"I am called Reidoth the Elder." He looks over each of you carefully and then says, "Why are you looking for me?"

[coil23]

Aslaan

Aslaan stops and keeps a look out all around while the others talk with the elder.

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton

We seek information about Cragmaw Castle! We have reason to believe that a friend of ours was captured and is being held there.

We also seek the Dendrar heirloom.

We also need to get through these old buildings to reach the dragon on the other end of town.

[hedgeknight]

Reidoth the druid perks up a bit at the mention of Cragmaw Castle. "I can tell ya exactly where it lies in the wood. Been by it a few times; dangerous place. Goblins are getting stronger. As for the Dendrar family heirloom, I know nothing about that. The Dendrars used to have a shop in the village, as I recall."

At the mention of your group actually looking for the dragon, Reidoth pales...if that is possible. "By the Oak Father, why would you wish to find the dragon? She'll have all of you for supper!"

[wordoftheoracle]

Ioriston perks up: What can you tell us of the dragon? Is there any reason that the dragon would fear the undead?

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton nods his head at the druid.

Well, she already ate one of our horses as an appetizer, so hopefully she isn't too hungry anymore. She told us that she would let us pass through her woods if we could only make it through to her on the other end of this town before dark.

Should we just try to avoid her altogether instead? Or, perhaps you would like to join up with us? I bet you would be one heck of a guide out here, sir.

[hedgeknight]

"The dragon fear the undead? Can't think of a reason." Reidoth muses, stroking his long beard. "As for avoiding her, isn't it best to avoid all dragons?"

Kelton looks at Ioriston and shrugs...and then a wave of heat washes over him along with Kael's screams of agony! A ray of fire burns a hole in the side of the shingles about two feet from Kelton's head, and another ray burns a furrow in the roof. But the warrior wheels to see Kael struck by two my scorching rays of fire, engulfing him in flames!Scorching Ray: [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20, [2d6] = 8
Scorching Ray: [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14, [2d6] = 9

As his companions wheel around, spears fly from the misty shadows as men emerge from the shadows, firing crossbows.

dragon cultist.jpg (47.12 KiB) Viewed 310 times

One bolt rips through Kelton's clothing, grazing his ribcage. A second bolt strikes Aslaan in the stomach, doubling him over with pain. Crossbow: [1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15, [1d8] = 4

A third bolt drives into Ioriston's back, slamming him against the wall of the cabin. Crossbow: [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16, [1d8] = 4

A fourth bolt catches Kael in the upper back, right between his shoulders as he flails about trying to put the flames out on this clothes. He pitches forward, face down, unmoving...and burning! Crossbow: [1d20+1] = 19+1 = 20, [1d8] = 8

Actions!

Aslaan > down 4 hp
Ioriston > down 4 hp
Kael > down 25 hp > dying and on fire!

[wordoftheoracle]

WHAT TREACHERY IS THIS OLD MAN!!! Ioriston shrieks in disbelief as he hastily fires a full on magic missile at the closest combatant!

Magic Missile (first dart): [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2
Magic Missile (second dart): [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3
Magic Missile (third dart): [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

Ioriston feels hot from rage at this illogical ambush! These shadowy figures are clearly not undead and if the dragon wanted to kill us, there have been easier moments! The aspiring battlemage in Ioriston is beginning to flare up:

Let's make sure we leave one of these fiends alive so we can question him! Or at the very least flay the skin of his treacherous bones!
KNOWLEDGE THROUGH VICTORY!!!

Edit:
Initiative: [1d20+3] = 20+3 = 23
ALL THE INITIATIVE IS MINE!!!

[coil23]

Aslaan

Ashamed and furious at himself that he did not notice anything as lookout, Osprey brings up his bow and fires at the nearest attacker. As soon as he fires he takes a quick glance in all directions to gauge if this is a surrounding engagement while he pulls another arrow and nocks it.

initiative Initiative [1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8


To hit: [1d20+7] = 16+7 = 23, damage with longbow [1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton follows the lead of his new mentor. Magic suddenly begins to swirl around the fighters hands. He shoots 3 tiny missiles from his fingers towards any of the invaders that Loriston has already injured, hoping to take down one of the many new threats.

For a bonus action, the fighter pulls out his great ax and rushes the nearest attacking figure.

Magic Missile [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2 [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3 [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

Nice rolls. So much for the student showing up the master.

Sorry!!! Again!!! Initiative [1d20-1] = 8-1 = 7

[hedgeknight]

Cultists Melee Rd. 1
Initiative for Cultists: [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16
Initiative Order: Ioriston, the Master of Initiative (23), Cultists (16), Reidoth (12), Aslaan (8), Kelton (7)

*I will be in control of Kael the Brick for the duration of this melee.
Death save: [1d20] = 2

Shrieking at Reidoth in disbelief, Ioriston (the would-be battle mage) wheels and lets loose a volley of magical missiles at the closest foe (C1). The missiles strike the cultist in the chest and stomach, knocking the man to his knees...where he slowly and painfully reloads his crossbow. (8 dmg)

The other three cultists draw steel and attack. C2 rushes Ioriston, but in his haste to kill the wizard, the man slips and nearly falls as he attacks, missing by a mile.
C3 charges Aslaan as he readies his bow and delivers a deep thrust into the warrior's ribcage! Cultist attack: [1d20+3] = 13+3 = 16, [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5 Aslaan hisses in pain, draws quickly, and fires his arrow point blank into the cultist's stomach! (7 dmg)

C4 runs straight at Gerland and attacks the priest of Lathander. But Gerland's armor easily deflects the cultist's blade.

C1 cocks his crossbow and fires...missing Reidoth's head by about a foot. Reidoth releases the hawk on his arm and raises his staff. A long vine-like whip covered in thorns lashes out and wraps round the head and neck of the wounded crossbow-wielding cultist. With a jerk of his staff, the vine drags the man face first to where Reidoth is standing. Releasing the spell, Reidoth doesn't even smirk when he realizes the cultist is dead.

Following the lead of his new mentor, Kelton waggles his fingers and unleashes a barrage of magical missiles directly into the chest of the man attacking Ioriston. The cultist cries out in shock and pain as the missiles batter and burn him (7 dmg).

Gerland breaks off from his attack and rushes over to Kael's side. The cultist uses the opportunity to get a free attack on the priest, but Lathander is indeed smiling on him because his armor again protects him from injury.
"You are making this far too much of a habit my friend," Gerland says with a smile hoping the levity will help. He pulls a blanket from his pack and throws it on Kael, hoping to douse the flames crisping the warrior's flesh. After a few seconds, he manages to put out the fire...but with a wrench in his gut, he realizes it is too late to save his friend. Kael the Brick has succumbed to his wounds. Death save: [1d20] = 1 *A roll of "1" on death saves counts as 2 attempts and since he already failed one attempt, he dies.

Aslaan > down 9 hp
Ioriston > down 4 hp
Kael > dead
C1 > dead
C2 > down 7

[wordoftheoracle]

Thank you very much for the assist, my student! We shall teach them soundly that an ambush is an easy way to die!

Ioriston narrows his elven eyes and boldly points a finger at the ne'er-do-well behind his fallen comrade (C2) and lets loose a Ray of Frost.

You're next on my agenda, you treacherous coward!

Ray of Frost: [1d20+2] = 17+2 = 19

Ray of Frost Damage: [1d8+2] = 7+2 = 9

Stay your hand from burning out too early, Kelton! Though we study the infinite, we mages have finite but powerful responses in combat. Use your sword when you can and conserve your new ability! You are doing well!

Perhaps I spoke too hastily, friend Reidoth. After we dispatch these ruffians, we must talk.

[ybn1197]

Sorry. Still trying to catch up with RL and the games.

Gerland rushes over to Kael's side. "You are making this far too much of a habit my friend," he says with a smile hoping the levity will help. "Wise Lathandar, please spare the soul of this great warrior who seeks to eliminate your enemies."

Cast Spare the Dying cantrip: you touch a living creature that has 0 hit points. The creature becomes stable.