(4) The Ritual Isle

silifi
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silifi
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(4) The Ritual Isle

#1 Post by silifi »

Mid Morning, Unknown Day and Year (High Summer)

The group approaches the circle of standing stones cautiously. Kordrak, holding an ear to the air, can hear some sounds of wildlife, but it seems to him unusually subdued, the birds chirping in a confused manner, as though they too felt the strange shift in the air. Few bugs can be heard buzzing and he notices no movements of small creatures in this area.

Additionally, others notice that off in the distance, maybe two or three miles northeast, a pale, purplish light can be faintly seen, crackling in and out of sight every few seconds.

Approaching the five stones, they discover that the black stone table was not originally black at all, but instead a slab of red granite, about the size of a man, covered in black soot. On the surrounding ground they discover the remains of various animals - lambs, deer, birds, all picked clean but showing the signs (heat fissures, discoloration) of having been burnt as sacrifices, perhaps not so long ago.

Caradoc examines the stones for sigils in hopes of finding a clue. The standing stones are unadorned, but at the side of the table he discovers the Ogham symbols of Huath (Fire) and Eamhancholl (Cleansing). Cían sees this as well, and knows that these symbols are often used on druidic sacrificial altars.

As the group continues to mull around, looking for signs of something, Kordrak hears a high pitched trilling sound from beneath his feet. With little warning, Akrisios, who faces the inside of the circle, is attacked by two small, black creatures, one stinging the back of his neck with its scorpion like tail, (2 damage, death save required) and the other thrashing at his backpack, seeming to try to rip something loose.

Within moments of this attack, more of the black creatures burst from the ground where Kordrak heard the trilling sounds, and they get their first good look at the things - they appear to be the same species as the winged demons that attacked the ship so many nights ago - but these are much smaller, scarcely more than a foot in height, with only inchoate, likely useless small wings on their backs.

At least a dozen of the creatures now surround them from all angles, poised to attack, their blank "faces" seemingly fixated on Akrisios.
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Will need a death save from Akrisios. Actions?

Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 14/18 FA 3 AC 4
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 20/24 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 10/27 FA 4 AC 6
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 14/14 FA 1 AC 9
Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 30/33 FA 4 AC 5
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 23/23 FA 3 AC 4
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Karaunios
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#2 Post by Karaunios »

Caradoc starts singing an encouraging war song. He goes around the altar to position himself next to Kordrak and attack one of the little fiends with his sword.

Attack with Long Sword: To Hit [1d20]=17; Damage [1d8]=8
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#3 Post by Rex »

Zosime

Zosime attacks one with no one from the party near it with her bow.

Short Bow [1d20+1]=19+1=20 to hit [1d6]=1 damage
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#4 Post by kalstone »

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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#5 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Initially quite concerned about the pale purplish light they spotted, Grom tries to keep his distance from any of the sprouting monsters.

If any come to sting him, he uses his staff to defend himself. Attack w/ Staff [1d20]=12 Dam [1d6]=1

If the creatures continue to bunch up, leaving him alone, the Mage will use his magic to put as large a grouping as possible to Sleep.
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#6 Post by Edeldhur »

Kordrak

@silifi - are these animals by any chance? :D
Karaunios wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 7:05 amCaradoc starts singing an encouraging war song. He goes around the altar to position himself next to Kordrak and attack one of the little fiends with his sword.
Karaunios, remind me the effects of your war song? :)

With a snarl, Kordrak smashes the nearest creature, then steps back in line with Caradoc, shield at the ready - "Don't let them surround us" - he grunts.

Morning Star attack [1d20+5]=12+5=17 Damage [1d8+1]=1+1=2
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#7 Post by shaidar »

Cian

Cian casts Faerie Fire, trying to catch as many of the creatures around Akrisios as possible.
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#8 Post by silifi »

OGRE MAGE wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 1:35 pm Initially quite concerned about the pale purplish light they spotted, Grom tries to keep his distance from any of the sprouting monsters.

If any come to sting him, he uses his staff to defend himself. Attack w/ Staff [1d20]=12 Dam [1d6]=1

If the creatures continue to bunch up, leaving him alone, the Mage will use his magic to put as large a grouping as possible to Sleep.
Give me a roll for the number of targets hit by the sleep spell.
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#9 Post by Darithe »

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Grae

Grae immediately sees the seriousness of the situation, so she readies her Morningstar. She moves to protect Zosime by attacking the one nearest to her.

Attack: [1d20]=12+1
Damage: [1d8]=2+3+1
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#10 Post by Karaunios »

Edeldhur wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 5:16 pm Karaunios, remind me the effects of your war song? :)
Inspirit Allies
In the midst of battle, recite poems or sing verses that inspire allies to fight with enhanced ferocity:
- Allies gain +1 bonus “to hit” and damage in melee (not missile) combat
- Boon takes effect 2 rounds after the singing begins (i.e., on round 3 if the singing begins on round 1)
- Boon lasts as long as the bard continues performing, up to a maximum of 1 turn (10 minutes)

This ability can be used while engaged in battle, as long as the bard can continue to sing or recite; however, casting other spells or performing other similar actions is not possible. This ability can be used once per day for every three levels of experience:
- 1st to 3rd levels = ×1
- 4th to 6th levels = ×2
- 7th to 9th levels = ×3
- 10th to 12th levels = ×4
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#11 Post by silifi »

Mid Morning, Unknown Day and Year (High Summer)

One attacks Cían, but misses. Caradoc is attacked from atop the altar, but it misses as well. Caradoc responds with a vicious swipe of his sword, slaying the creature on the sacrificial altar, while he cheerfully sings a song of battle.

Kordrak fends off several attacks from the 4 who assault him, but falls victim to two separate strikes from their venomous tails (3 damage, 2 death saves required). Before he is struck, however, he is able to strike one with his morningstar, though he is not able to take it down completely.

Grae faces two of the creatures, but is able to avoid their blows, and dispatches one with her morningstar.

Another closes in on Zosime, but the cleric is able to fire a shot before it reaches her, wounding it just enough to force it to miss its tail strike.

Akrisios falls victim to the venom, collapsing to the ground. He is still breathing, but all feeling in his arms and legs has ceased and he is unable to move. Luckily, the creatures seem interested in harming him anymore, turning their attention to his backpack, pulling it off the paralyzed mountebank and rummaging through its contents. As they do, Cían casts a magical flame over them, illuminating them with a magical green aura. (-1 AC)

Finally, Grom casts a spell of sleep on those bunched on the northern end of the battlefield, causing 5 of the creatures to stop in their tracks and fall asleep.

Screenshot_20250225-104742.png
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Orange: sleeping
Green: Faerie Fire illuminated (-1 AC)


Will need 2 death saves from Kordrak. Other Actions?

Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 14/18 FA 3 AC 4
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 20/24 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 10/27 FA 4 AC 6
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 14/14 FA 1 AC 9
Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 30/33 FA 4 AC 5
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 23/23 FA 3 AC 4
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#12 Post by shaidar »

Cian

The druid moves over to Akrisios and casts Delay Poison on him.
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#13 Post by Edeldhur »

I had posted I would step back next to Caradoc. That move is not possible?
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#14 Post by OGRE MAGE »

I may have missed something obvious, but do we think we know what they are digging through his pack for? Is the book we found in there?

Seeing the others race to the aid of the fallen Legerdemainist, Grom thinks it best to eliminate some of the fallen enemies before they rise again. He rushes to the sleeping monsters to kill them in their slumber.

If Cian needs help dispatching the threat on him, he takes a swing at it on his way by.

Attack w/ Staff [1d20]=8 Dam [1d6]=6 :|
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#15 Post by silifi »

Edeldhur wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:12 pm I had posted I would step back next to Caradoc. That move is not possible?
My interpretation was that you were going to take a swing and then backpedal - since there was simultaneous initiative, they stung before you could backpedal - but if you make your saves, I'll pull you back in line with Caradoc. But in any case, they're all asleep.
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#16 Post by silifi »

OGRE MAGE wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:25 pm I may have missed something obvious, but do we think we know what they are digging through his pack for? Is the book we found in there?
Well, the books are being held by Caradoc and Cían... But you'll find out soon enough. :razz:
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#17 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Never trust a thief!!! :lol:
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#18 Post by Darithe »

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Grae

Grae will move to assist Zosime with the one attacking her.

Attack: [1d20]=18+1
Damage: [1d8]=5+3+1

Attack: [1d20]=9+1
Damage: [1d8]=1+3+1
Last edited by Darithe on Wed Feb 26, 2025 3:17 am, edited 6 times in total.
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silifi
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#19 Post by silifi »

Darithe wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 12:12 am Graeclose.jpg

Grae

Grae will move to assist Zosime with the one attacking her.

Attack: [1d20]=18+1 Damage: [1d8]=5+3+1
I think you should have another attack this round.
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Re: (4) The Ritual Isle

#20 Post by Rex »

Zosime

Zosime switches to her sword and attacks the one on her.

Bastard Sword 2-handed [1d20]=17 to hit [2d6]=10 damage
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