Not Fit For Man Nor Beast!

[hedgeknight]

If I know him, he's leaving this thread open in case Bannor's player shows back up and because there's so much going on in this world. So we can probably move on. What do you think? Mr. eDM, any input?

In the immortal words of Pinhead...

pinhead.jpg (11.23 KiB) Viewed 1895 times

So, I will be moving this forward...as soon as I have time to post. So freaking busy at work and then exhausted at night. I appreciate your patience.

[DaveRollingDice]

Your post tickled me, DM, and then gave me an epiphany.
A MOMENT IN GAME SESSION AS EXPLAINED THROUGH EMOJIS
Wait . . .

such sights[/quote] . . . Monster coming? My attack roll fails? I know! We'll use fire. Nothing could go wrong. Something went wrong.

[hedgeknight]

"Deadly this is, with experiments cautious be." Lesh holds the jar carefully but does not offer it to Willow yet. "The shaman also of change speaks." Lesh tells Willow of Chayton's earlier words which echo Willow's own concerns. He also tells both men that the man with red hair and beard had been around the cemetery several times mostly at night before pausing to allow Chayton to speak.
Chayton says Willow's name a couple of times and introduces Brocair.
Willow grunts and reaches for the jar of mummy dust. "Changes happen all the time. Best ride it out with the wind," the Halfling apothecary grumbles, holding the jar of dust up to peer at it. "The human you speak of is Gideon, and he's a mean sumbitch. Best stay out of his way. He's a follower of the Dead Three, and you know as well as me, folks stay away from that mess if they know what's good fer 'em."
Willow's last words are barely a whisper. Lesh knows about the Dead Three, the gods Bhaal, Bane, Myrkul...mortals who attained godhood and then were slain during the Time of Troubles. Some say the Dead Three are back in mortal form and roam the shadows of Baldur's Gate influencing the weak minded with their demigod powers.

Willow gives Chayton a curious look and asks, "What brings a barbarian shaman to the city of Baldur's Gate anyway?"
When Lesh tells Willow about Chayton's mission for Dusthawk Hill, the Halfling grunts again and says, "Rumor is a pack of werewolves has claimed the hill as their own. Perhaps they be the source of the evil goings ons over there."

Willow sighs demonstratively and pockets the jar of mummy dust. He then produces a metal flask and hands it to Lesh. "Rub this oil over your face and chest and no arrow or bolt will be able to harm you. Use it wisely for you only have enough for two applications."
Willow then offers Lesh and Chayton a smirk and a smile. "Be safe, friends. I go."

[Tell]

Lesh ask the shaman if he wants to go to Dusthawk Hill now, perhaps through the Basilisk Gate and avoiding Tumbledown? (OOC: The idea being to scout around but not randomly attack a bunch of werewolves.)

[DaveRollingDice]

Hi, guys. A bit under a pile of "to do" tasks, but I will post by late this evening. Sorry about the delay.

[Tell]

Assuming they travel to Dusthawk Hill, Lesh tells the Druid of a new creature seem around the hill. It appears to be a large rabbit or hare but with the curled horns of a ram. First impressions are that they fiercely defend their territory and their young. They run quite fast and a strike from one of these easily broke the shin bone of a human traveling over the hill. Locals have started calling them “jack ramits” or “ram hares.” OOC: I'm not really trying to go anywhere with this just a bit of color.

[DaveRollingDice]

"Changes happen all the time. Best ride it out with the wind," the Halfling apothecary grumbles, holding the jar of dust up to peer at it. "The human you speak of is Gideon, and he's a mean sumbitch. Best stay out of his way. He's a follower of the Dead Three, and you know as well as me, folks stay away from that mess if they know what's good fer 'em."

Bannor Oathheart is possibly on this man’s trail. This unsettles the wildling. Yet, he offered to help and gave Searcher Oathheart instructions on how to contact him if needed. He will have to trust Oathheart's decision and "ride it out with the wind" as Willow said.

Willow gives Chayton a curious look and asks, "What brings a barbarian shaman to the city of Baldur's Gate anyway?"
When Lesh tells Willow about Chayton's mission for Dusthawk Hill, the Halfling grunts again and says, "Rumor is a pack of werewolves has claimed the hill as their own. Perhaps they be the source of the evil goings ons over there."

Chayton mulls over these words. Chayton is up for going to Dusthawk Hill when convenient, BUT NOT at night. He will wait for daylight and communicates as much.

Willow sighs demonstratively and pockets the jar of mummy dust. He then produces a metal flask and hands it to Lesh. "Rub this oil over your face and chest and no arrow or bolt will be able to harm you. Use it wisely for you only have enough for two applications."
Willow then offers Lesh and Chayton a smirk and a smile. "Be safe, friends. I go."

Chayton nods in parting as Willow leaves them.

Chayton listens to Lesh describe the comingling of a rabbit and ram. “Such aberrations . . . the mingling of an owl and bear . . . it is not Nature’s way . . . but such thorned ideas owe to the seed of Man’s darker thoughts. There is ever a wizard who thinks he knows better . . . and is the root of such things.” OOC: I wasn’t expecting a jackalope OR a jackrammit.

If time permits, the druid will consult the oracle bones later, investigating the bones of each animal in his set of runic-carved bones to see what each can tell him.

OOC: I am open to ideas, fellers. What time of day is it? Does Chayton have lodging?

[hedgeknight]

It is currently around 1:00 pm in the afternoon.
No, Chayton doesn't have lodgings for the night.
But do not go anywhere...I have a post coming in this thread...give me a few...

The Elfsong Tavern, 1:00 PM, Cool with scattered showers



Lesh and Chayton see Willow out of their private meeting room (the small square near the bottom right corner) and step back out into the common area of the tavern. There are a lot more patrons here than there were a few minutes ago and, it appears, a change in staff. Alan Alyth is still slinging drinks and welcoming those who enter, while two young men take orders, deliver drinks, and joke with the patrons. In the shadows by the doorway are two bouncers...well, one hulking creature who is definitely part ogre, and female at that. The other is just a suit of armor...weird how you didn't notice these when you first entered the tavern over an hour ago.
There are a couple of tables with folks playing some type of game with dice, while others are busy playing cards, or just talking. Upstairs, you can hear the occasional shout or cheer and the two young servers are running their legs off up and down the stairs with orders.
Eight motley humans saunter into the tavern. The leader is a brawny man with a cloudy right eye, cruel sneer, and a pirate's swagger. The others are an unsavory, rowdy bunch who act as if they own the place.




"We're looking for an old friend of ours," says the dead-eyed man to one of the young men who stops taking orders long enough to welcome the newcomers. The man sniffs the air. "Goes by the name 'Tarina,' or so I'm told. Loves to cheat at Baldur's Bones."
Several patrons stop whatever they are doing, looking up at the man. Alan Alyth quickly walks up to the group and says, "Now gentlemen, we want no trouble in here today."
The brawny man with the dead-eye ignores the half-elf barkeep and says loudly, "A pint of ale to anyone who can tell me the whereabouts of Tarina!"
Several tavern patrons are quick to accept his offer and things begin to get loud and potentially deadly.

[Tell]

Lesh does a history check to see if he knows anyone by that name. Two Bonus: [1d20+2]=7+2=9

[hedgeknight]

Lesh does a history check to see if he knows anyone by that name. Two Bonus: [1d20+2]=7+2=9

Lesh thinks back to his time spent in Baldur's Gate as he tries to remember the dead-eyed man. He's seen a lot of dead eyes from dead men, and women, and children too. Working at the hospital and the cemetery...seeing dead people is an every-day experience. But...he doesn't know this particular man.

Several of the patrons are pointing to the stairs. Lesh and Chayton hear a lot of them say, "Varina's favorite place is the upstairs game room. If she's in here, that's where you'll find her."

[Tell]

Lesh gestures at Chayton and pushes his way forward to the dead eyed man and says, "Varina upstairs may be. Escort you I can."

Persuasion check: No Bonus: [1d20+0]=15+0=15

I'm hoping we can go with this guy in case there is any trouble.

[hedgeknight]

The dead-eyed fellow frowns and wrinkles his face in suspicion.
"A fraggin' lizard man! What in the hells? This town gets weirder by the day!"

The fellow's friends laugh and jeer and then the man says to Lesh, "Lead on, Lizard! I'll follow ya!"



Taking the stairs leads up to the second floor where a loud voices and drunken singing fill the air. At the top of the stairs is a large windowless room. Lit lanterns hang from the rafters and rugs cover the wooden floor to help dampen the noise from the drunken patrons gathered around two large tables, eating and drinking and playing Baldur's Bones (see the People, Places, & Things thread).
At the head of the closest table to the stairs sits a woman.



She turns toward the stairs as Lesh (and Chayton?) appear, following closely by Dead-Eye and his crew. With a rough laugh, Dead-Eye draws steel and says, "Yer a damn dead sight for sore eyes, Tarina!"
She laughs and responds, "You should know something about dead eyes, eh Captain?"

With a snarl, he points his sword at her. "Today you die, thief! After her!"
And with that, Dead-Eye and his men charge toward Tarina with the intent to kill!

[Tell]

Lesh raises his spiked shield and steps between the dead-eyed man and the table. "Here not fight!" He then casts Hold Person on the leader. As soon as this is done he will draw his sword. "So many for one come, why her do you fear?"

Hold Person: [1d20+5]=14+5=19

Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (of 13) or be paralyzed for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the spell ends on the target.

OOS: How many of them are there? What are the shaman, hawk, and Tarina doing? Just in case I rolled initiative too.

Initiative: [1d20+3]=1+3=4

[DaveRollingDice]

Unvoiced Thoughts in Green

The day was all too much for the wildling. *Man,* he thought, almost spitting out the word, as the thought came to him. Seeker Oathheart had kept information from him and was now following a man who was considered dangerous. And here were more men, who appeared less than reliable. And others seemed willing to point them in the direction of the one they sought for the price of a liquid draught. Chayton watched them follow Lesh up the stairs and went up behind the men. Something seemed amiss in the air that had ushered these men into the tavern.

*What was he still doing here?,* the wildling mused. Perhaps he had interpreted the signs wrong. He stepped into the doorway and saw the woman turn. Her hat was adorned with shells, leaves, and even a bird’s skull. The one-eyed man called her a thief, and perhaps she was. Yet, Chayton was trusting in the charms that dangled from that hat like runes to him. He placed both hands on the staff, while with a shrug of his shoulder, he murmured to Brocair in a low whistle, the Speech of the World’s Making, “Suilean gu h-ard” (OOC: “Eyes above” in Primordial; Chayton’s use of the language is accented by what used to be called Auran, so he imitates the wind, bird calls, etc. and it is mixed with words here and there). The hawk pushed off the wildling’s shoulder and sought a rafter or perch out of reach. He would watch out for Chayton and warn him or attack if need be, if something came behind his human brother.

“Droigheann de neach-siubhail,” he muttered, as his hands found the thin red thread and the small sprig of mistletoe he had tied there. Others used a shamrock, but Chayton’s aunt the village witch had always favored the red cord and rowan wood. (OOC: Wayfarer’s Thorn in Primordial). He reached out with his mind and shaped the image of a thorn in his mind and the thin, red strand seemed to move and canter in the air like a foal taking its first unsteady steps. At the end, a small jade thorn of flame appeared. (OOC: Cast Green Flame Blade for the whopping 1 point of damage it will do – hardly seems like that should take an action, but it does; as a bonus action, cast shillelagh.) His hands danced along with the floating red cord. “Docha De nadur” (OOC: Nature’s might” in Primordial to cast Shillelagh)

Chayton casts Shillelagh and Green Flame Blade, and will try to attack, hopefully by surprise on the first strike, if possible.

Initiative for Chayton:[1d20+2]=17+2=19

Brocair's Initiative: [1d20+3]=11+3=14
Brocair has ADVANTAGE on Percep skills that rely on SIGHT; passive percep is 14

To hit with Shillelagh: [1d20+6]=9+6=15, damage: [1d8+4]=5+4=9

[PLEASE ADD 1 point of damage to another enemy within 5 feet from Green Flame Blade :p. 178 PHB for Wisdom as spellcasting ability +4 + Prof bonus of +2; +1 Green-Fire Blade damage to someone else WITHIN 5 feet]




After he attacks (whether this round or the next), he will call to the trusting, literal minded Lesh, “It would seem they were not friends.”

"We're looking for an old friend of ours," says the dead-eyed man

"Varina upstairs may be. Escort you I can."

For the life of me, I had a heap of trouble figuring out how to insert a roll / macro. I know I did it weeks ago. Now, I have looked on the site. I can't figure it out. I lucked into it. The search button is not yielding the answers I need. Please, help if you know how to make this easier - I may have it now, but it took a while. Thanks.

[hedgeknight]

The Elfsong Tavern, 1:10 PM, Cool with scattered showers outside...Heating up inside!

At the top of the stairs where the large game room spreads out, tempers flare, steel is drawn, and mystic runes of power are invoked! Seeing the imminent threat, Lesh attempts to stop it...by casting a spell upon Dead-Eye!

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The leader of the thugs suddenly stops talking, stops moving, stops everything...held in place by those mystic words.
Save vs. Hold Person (13): [1d20]=12 Dammit to hell!

Lesh steps back and draws his sword, raising his spiked shield. "So many for one come, why her do you fear?"
"These pansies fear anything they cannot eat, drink, kill, or fuck," Tarina replies, standing up, drawing a rapier.

There are five of the filthy bandits and they blink a few times, waiting for Dead-Eye to respond. But he does not, try though he might. Instead, the hawk takes flight off Chayton's shoulder, while the shaman summons his own brand of magic, the kind his aunt taught him. A greenish flame envelopes his staff, further imbuing it with power. And it is with that staff that he cracks one of the bandits in the side of the head!
The man staggers and falls back into another of the crew, who likewise cries out in pain and pushes the addled man away from him. "Get 'em! They're with that bitch!" roars one of the men.

The four men rush toward Lesh and Chayton, pairing off against the Lizard Man and the Shaman. Chayton ducks and parries the blades of his two attackers, not giving up an ounce of his flesh to these thugs.
Lesh blocks one attack, but the other man twists and rakes his sword across Lesh's ribcage, opening a deep wound (6 pts).
The rest of the room spreads out, the patrons cheering and hooting as they place bets on the outcome...

Pirate Attack on Lesh: [1d20+3]=4+3=7 [1d20+3]=16+3=19
Sword damage: [1d6+1]=5+1=6
Pirate Attack on Chayton: [1d20+3]=1+3=4 [1d20+3]=2+3=5
Pirate Group Initiative: [1d20]=4

Lesh > down 6 hp
Pirate 1 > down 10 hp
Dead-Eye > currently held in place
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Alright fellers, you're first fight! And Lesh is already spurting blood!
I need two rounds of actions for Lesh and 2nd round actions for Chayton.
David, when you make a roll with the dice roller, several codes will pop up and out to the far right is a Copy option. Just click that and then paste into your post.

[DaveRollingDice]

Chayton drew the Wayfarer’s Thorn staff parallel to the ground in a sweeping motion as he spread his feet and planted them firmly to call forth a spirit. “Spiorad de ghàidhlig,” the wildling intoned, ending in more of a growl than words (OOC: Primordial for “Spirit of the bear;” Invoke Spirit Totem: Bear Spirit as a bonus action to give +8 temporary hit points to Lesh, Chayton, Brocair, and the lady in the hat). Was it Chayton’s imagination, or did he hear the floorboards creak as the wooden boards seemed to shift and settle? He knew the creature summoned had no mass, but he smiled as from his periphery, the misty form of a bear lumbered two steps forward. Chayton wasn’t sure how many of the others could see it (perhaps a few thought it was just an effect of strong drink), but he sensed the bear’s spirit and he could feel the power of the bear flow into him, bolstering him.

His back feet swiftly moved forward in a leap, covering the distance to an opponent, as he swept the staff into a wing like motion, striking at one of the men in front of him.
To hit with Shillelagh: [1d20+6]=7+6=13, damage: [1d8+4]=7+4=11
Oh, keep in mind that the Green Flame Blade will hit another opponent within five feet of the guy I am attacking with a whopping -1hp attack to the secondary target. That is why I am describing it as a "thorn" of flame. Thank you kindly.


Above him, Brocair searched for a perch from which to survey the area and look for new attackers or for those who would try to get behind Chayton. (OOC: keep in mind, Chayton understands animals due to Speech of the Woods). Brocair will attack with a shriek if needed, or if he sees, Chayton is in danger. His wings will flare and flutter as he combats the attacker. Hawk is a brother to Chayton, but feel free to interpret it as needed, Mr. eDM. It is fine if he just observes and keeps a watch on their backs, too.

Brocair the hawk talons attack: [1d20+7]=20+7=27; slashing damage [1d4]=2
(Reroll since Advantage (take the better of the two)
Brocair the hawk talons attack: [1d20+7]=11+7=18; slashing damage [1d4]=3

OR if you decide he would attack with beak instead. . .

Brocair the hawk beak attack: [1d20+6]=12+6=18; piercing damage [1d4+4]=2+4=6
(Reroll since Advantage (take the better of the two)
Brocair the hawk beak attack: [1d20+6]=9+6=15; piercing damage [1d4+4]=4+4=8

Behind the Screen / Stuff for eDM:
Spirit Totem: As a bonus action, you can magically summon a spirit to a point you can see within 60 ft. that lasts for 1 minute (or until you're incapacitated). The spirit creates an aura in a 30-ft. radius around that point and can be moved up to 60 ft. as a bonus action. The spirit's aura effect depends on its type: Bear, Hawk, Unicorn / (probably would be a bison for Chayton if/when he ever uses this form)


Bear Spirit. The bear spirit grants you and your allies its might and endurance. Each creature of your choice in the aura when the spirit appears gains temporary hit points equal to 5 + your druid level. In addition, you and your allies gain advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws while in the aura.

BROCAIR: Pack Tactics. The hawk has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the hawk's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Brocair gets this advantage when he is within 5 feet of Chayton. [Chayton does NOT get this advantage himself.]

[Tell]

Lesh readies himself and raises his right arm high above his head intending to bring the wrath of his god down on Dead Eye's head but he senses movement in the corner of his eye. To late, a bandit with dirty blonde hair and a huge bulbous nose crashes into his exposed right side and the heavy swing goes wide of its mark splintering the floor as it hits only wood. Lesh emits a clicking growling sound "kaa-kaa-kaa" (think the sound the Predator species makes) and smashes his shield into the filthy bandit's face drawing sweet, sweet smelling blood from that big ol nose.

Macuahuitl: [1d20+4]=2+4=6, damage: [1d8+2]=6+2=8
Shield: [1d20+4]=8+4=12, damage: 3

He hears Chayton speaking ...words? off to his side. A sense of warmth covers his wound easing the discomfort in his back. Unexpectedly, he catches sight of a big fraking bear to his right (or left). He would swear before the Judge of the Damned was not there when he came in this room. Is he so tired that he missed seeing a damn bear? No wait it has no smell, this shaman, this Chayton, wields the same powers as his old master. Brocair sheriks as he pivots to strike again at this scum who dared interfere but his weapon is partially stuck in the floor. The upswing isn't a clean movement and the bandit Big Nose stumbles back just out of reach. In fury he lunges forward recklessly and bites at his foe. He teeth are long and sharp but he only manages to tear his opponent's weapon from his hand. He doesn't see but senses Chayton and Brocair are both in motion and smells more blood.

Macuahuitl: [1d20+4]=6+4=10, damage: [1d8+2]=3+2=5
Bite: [1d20+4]=5+4=9, damage: [1d6+2]=5+2=7

What of the girl he wonders...

[hedgeknight]

The Elfsong Tavern, 1:13 PM, Cool with scattered showers outside...bloodletting inside!

“Spiorad de ghàidhlig,” the wildling intoned, ending in more of a growl than words. The effect is powerful and frightening at the same time. Is that a shadowy figure looming over Chayton? What is this strange feeling that washes over Lesh and Tarina?

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With a snarl buoyed by his totem, Chayton swipes his staff at the head of one of the pirates, connecting solidly and dropping the man like a stone! The "flame" from his staff leaps to the man's companion, and he too falls to the ground, writhing in death!
Another man steps over his dead companions to confront Chayton...and with a shriek, Brocair pivots midair and dives at the man, grabbing his face and plucking his right eye out of its socket! The man screams and falls to the floor, hands clutching his face.
The sound like that of a cane scraped over slat boards, "kaa-kaa-kaa" comes from Lesh as he swings and misses his target...but then blood sprays from the nose and mouth of his foe when he smashes the man face with his shield!

The woman, Tarina, pivots around Lesh and Chayton, slashing at Dead-Eye but the man with the busted face staggers into her and she misses. Cursing, she regains control and turns again toward the pirate captain...who suddenly comes out of his trance!
Save vs. Hold Person (13): [1d20]=20

Surveying the room with his one good eye, the captain growls, "What the frack is going on? Tarina! This is all on you!"

Actions!

Chayton (8 temp hp)
Lesh > down 6 hp (8 temp hp)
Pirate 1 > dead
Pirate 2 > dead
Pirate 3 > down 6 hp & missing an eye!
Pirate 4 > down 3 hp w/busted nose!
Pirate 5
Dead-Eye >
Tarina > (8 temp hp)

[Tell]

Hearing the captain's words, Lesh growls and turns back towards him, "You crew first attack." He attempts a lateral strike, left to right swing, at Dead-Eye but the captain parries it deftly. Lesh turns his wrist and steps forward smoothly trusting his weapon forward scoring a hit of the captain's left shoulder area. "Why here trouble you bring?" Seeing the captain stumble back Lesh takes one step back, makes a small circular movement ending with a short vertical slash, top - down, while saying, "Before the Judge truth speak." and casts Zone of Truth. A 30 foot diameter sphere of bright light envelopes and almost everyone in the room. While everyone recovers, Lesh addresses Dead-Eye, "Why you attack?" and then Tarina, "From him you steal?" (OOC: They both must make charisma saving throws against a spell DC of 13. If they fail they can't deliberately lie but if they succeed they can avoid answering the question but still not lie.)

Macuahuitl: [1d20+4]=1+4=5, damage: [1d8+2]=7+2=9
Macuahuitl: [1d20+4]=9+4=13, damage: [1d8+2]=8+2=10

Zone of Truth is a 2nd Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 60ft./15ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: 10 minutes
Attack/Save: CHA 13
Source: PHB, pg. 289
You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can't speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether each creature succeeds or fails on its saving throw. An affected creature is aware of the spell and can thus avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive in its answers as long as it remains within the boundaries of the truth.

[DaveRollingDice]

Surveying the room with his one good eye, the captain growls, "What the frack is going on? Tarina! This is all on you!"

Chayton recalls the pirate’s words from moments before.

"Today you die, thief! After her!"

The wildling hears the captain’s pitiful mewlings and wonders if this is all a set-up, a distraction of sorts. He nearly spits in anger with his disgust for men. It very well could be, but something about the woman in the hat leads him to trust her for a moment longer.
Chayton screeches like some wild bird. He chuffs and imitates the sound of a fierce wind. “Coimhead . . . bi faiceallach. . . dha cuid eile!” (OOC: Translation from Primordial: "Keep an eye out, Brother, for there may be more, to match the number of your talons"
-- 2 more men entered, after all)
He thinks back to how many entered the tavern.

Eight motley humans saunter into the tavern.

He snarls at the captain, “You have no honor . . . no responsibility. No claiming of your own actions. You are captain of nothing . . . least of all yourself. Come, and learn how falcons clear the fields of vermin!” The Wayfarer's Thorn staff cleaves through the air like a wing, preparing to buffet and strike.
Chayton holds his action, attacking the captain or any of the crew (but focus will be on the captain if possible) if they make any move to attack or flee.

To hit with Shillelagh: [1d20+6]=7+6=13, damage: [1d8+4]=8+4=12