Chapter I: Escape from Elturgard

PureChance · November 9, 2023

Moon Elf Rogue

AC: 14 (Leather) | HP: 17/17 () | HD: 2/2 | Speed: 30 ft. | Initiative: +3
Senses: Passive Perception 12, Insight 14, Investigation 10. Darkvision 60ft.
Str: 10 (+0) | Dex: 17 (+3) | ConSave: +2: 14 (+2) | Int: 10 (+0) | Wis: 10 (+0) | Cha: 14 (+2)
Languages: Common, Elven, Chondathan, Illuskan, Draconic, Thieves' Cant

Keryn puzzles over the rest of the room - he doesn't outright dismiss Silvia's suggestion given he's no better idea, and as Gaerzil demonstrates it's easy enough to test anyway. "Maybe the font is as defunct as the rest of this old temple - an old place to cleanse yourself and present an offering of coin rather than some architectural trigger," he suggests as they continue to have little luck, "Maybe Hravin's right about just pushing certainly the footprints didn't lead anywhere else." It's clear from his rather cursory investigation he doesn't really believe the solution lies elsewhere.

OOC

Action: Any secret levers?

Bonus Action: -

Movement: -

Reaction: Absorb Elements if triggered

Object Interaction: -

Actions & Resources

Actions:

Rapier . Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 3 piercing damage.

Booming Blade . Melee Weapon Attack: +1d8 Thunder damage if creature moves.

Dagger [2] . Thrown/Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4 + 3 piercing damage.

Shortbow . Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing damage.

Bonus Actions:

Cunning Action . Your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Reactions:

Absorb Elements 1/1

Class Features:

Sneak Attack . Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. You don't need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn't incapacitated, and you don't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Edited November 9, 2023 by PureChance (see edit history)

Gregorotto · November 9, 2023

As Silvia moves in to help, they each of them have different ideas of what to do. The divine soul of a woman suggests putting a weapon into the basin, which Hravin complies with as Keryn looks for a lever. Nothing changes and no lever is found, before the obvious occurs to Hravin: just try the handle! Working together with Gaerzil, the duo go to the door, looking out for traps, and find nothing standing out. At least, not quickly enough: the click occurs as soon as Hravin pulls the handle.

The doors open and rocks come tumbling out in all directions, burying Hravin and Gaerzil both in rubble that spreads from them: it goes beside Keryn, hitting the basin and knocking a hole in the wall: there was a secret door that was the whole time.

If only it hadn't come at the cost of Gaerzil and Hravin's health!

Out of Character

Initiative
Party

Gaerzil and Hravin: Roll a Dexterity saving throw, DC 12, or take 2d6 (you roll) bludgeoning damage). You take half if you succeed.

PureChance · November 10, 2023

Keryn Donnathlascen

Moon Elf Rogue

AC: 14 (Leather) | HP: 17/17 () | HD: 2/2 | Speed: 30 ft. | Initiative: +3
Senses: Passive Perception 12, Insight 14, Investigation 10. Darkvision 60ft.
Str: 10 (+0) | Dex: 17 (+3) | ConSave: +2: 14 (+2) | Int: 10 (+0) | Wis: 10 (+0) | Cha: 14 (+2)
Languages: Common, Elven, Chondathan, Illuskan, Draconic, Thieves' Cant

Keryn winces as the rocks come down. At least the wizard was quick enough to get out the way. They really should have been able to work out the riddle though, himself included. That the old priests were greedy should come as no great surprise, and he'd almost got there with the offering of gold but dismissed it as likely defunct. Evidence that if you didn't practice a skill it didn't progress. "You're ok?" he inquires perfunctorily, quietly although the clatter of collapse probably rendered that irrelevant. Actually, the Tiefling would probably be thrilled to get touched up by Silvia again he realises with a sigh, and steps catlike through the new door to explore - ready with both rapier and retreat as required.

OOC

Action: -

Bonus Action: Disengage and step back in needed

Movement: -

Reaction: Absorb Elements if triggered

Object Interaction: -

Actions & Resources

Actions:

Rapier . Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 3 piercing damage.

Booming Blade . Melee Weapon Attack: +1d8 Thunder damage if creature moves.

Dagger [2] . Thrown/Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4 + 3 piercing damage.

Shortbow . Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing damage.

Bonus Actions:

Cunning Action . Your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Reactions:

Absorb Elements 1/1

Class Features:

Sneak Attack . Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. You don't need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn't incapacitated, and you don't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Kavonde · November 10, 2023

Gaerzil | HP 9/12 | AC 16 | Initiative +3 | Passive Perception 11
Spell Slots: 1st Level 2/3
Active Effects: Mage Armor

Gaerzil senses the danger coming just in time to avoid serious injury. He dives out of the way of the falling debris, mostly clearing it but still taking a heavy blow to his right shoulder. He lies there amidst the dust and rubble for several seconds before remembering that Hravin was beside him.

After helping the monk to his feet, Gaerzil whispers a few words and casts prestidigitation, scouring the debris from both of them and forming neat little piles of dust around their feet.

That done, he looks over at Keryn, then at the now-revealed secret entrance beside him. "Nothing broken, I think. And it seems we've found the way in. Well done, us." He gives the pile of rubble a considering look. "Odd that our quarry didn't trigger this trap. Surely if we failed to notice it, common ruffians would have fallen prey to it. I'm beginning to suspect we've been misled."

OOC

Over on Discord, Gaery rolled an 18 on his Dexterity save, reducing the 7 damage he rolled to 3.

Edited November 10, 2023 by Kavonde (see edit history)

Kyoh · November 13, 2023

Gwen rushes into the entry room when she hears the thundering of rocks. She barges in with her shield and axe held aloft, only to find Gaerzil and Hravin pulling themselves out from under a small landslide. "Oh for the love of..." Gwen sighs. She leaves them alone and they immediately start setting off traps! "Well whoever is here will definitely have heard that," she mutters as she goes to help Gaerzil and Hravin out of the rubble. "Are you both alright?"

Once it's clear that the two men are okay, Gwen immediately goes to stand in the revealed secret entrance, shield held up just in case the bandits come that way...

dwargstof · November 13, 2023

Name: Hravin Snaefoss | Race/Class: Human Monk | HP: 08/11 AC: 15 PP: 12 Ki: 0

"Oh, we're fine, thankfully," Hravin replied, rubbing his badly bruised thigh, "no thanks to my impatience. Stumped by a silly riddle. Apologies, Gaerzil." He stood with the aid of his new companions, and took a few steps to walk off the developing ache. Looking from the rubble to the door, he absently recalled an old bardic verse aloud, "Every door has a gatekeeper, indeed. Caution will inform the next one I simply try to open, no doubt."

Stable, he peers through the now open hidden door by the basin as he retreives his offered dart.

OOC

Welp! Hravin takes damage, gets up, and has a look through the secret door.

Action: dart = ready

Bonus:

Movement: move back to basin with Gwen

Dice on Discord:

1. Dex Save = 22
2. Damage = 3

Edited November 13, 2023 by dwargstof (see edit history)

SithShrink · November 13, 2023

Grug (Goliath Barbarian) Level: 2

AC: 14 | HP: 11/22 | Initiative: +1 | Passive Perception: 14 | DM Inspiration:

Hrm…Grug out of it for little while and everyone gets delusions of grandeur.” Grug assists his clan mates with regaining their feet. He then looks over Hravin’s head. “Anything in there clanmate Hravin?”

Mechanics

Main Hand: Battle Axe
Off Hand:

Action: Level up
Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here.
Move: Your movement goes here.
Manipulate:

Gregorotto · November 13, 2023

As the dust settles from the trapped door, it becomes plain Hravin and Gaerzil are not particularly worse for wear. But the sound of the trap was particularly loud, preceding the cloud of dust that assaults Gwen, Kilros, Silvia, and Grug outside the strange temple; but soon it also becomes apparent there is a secret door around the basin, visible and with Keryn's help opened. Hravin and Gwen take initiative and look in first, seeing only a passage and at its end, a curve to a set of stairs, headed downward. Neither monk nor former Hellrider need to spend much time listening to hear the rushed chanting beyond, in a harsh tongue. Everyone can hear in the echoes that the tongue is rushed, as if hurried by something: but only Gaerzil and Kilros understand it.

"Exaudi preces nostras, Domine Ferre,
et mittat nuncium infernalem ad auxilium quaerendum;
Responde nostram quaestionem, tibi servire volumus;
ut res in hoc misero mundo
Dispater obsecramus;
et in nomine tuo oramus!"

Beyond the chanting is a great cry, a sickening sound as something wretches and flails against stone: there is something meaty beyond.

Out of Character

Initiative
PartyKeryn-13
Gaerzil-12
Silvia-20
Kilros-13
Gwen-10
Hravin-6

Alright, how do we proceed? If you've rolled Stealth since the trap went off, keep that roll or reroll at your leisure. I need marching orders, I need weapons and readied actions, and I need Perception checks. To those who can understand Infernal, I need a Religion check to identify the titles and names mentioned in the prayer; to those who don't know Infernal, you may roll with disadvantage since you could conceivably get enough from the Infernal to decipher at least who the prayer is to.

PureChance · November 13, 2023

Keryn Donnathlascen

Moon Elf Rogue

AC: 14 (Leather) | HP: 17/17 () | HD: 2/2 | Speed: 30 ft. | Initiative: +3
Senses: Passive Perception 12, Insight 14, Investigation 10. Darkvision 60ft.
Str: 10 (+0) | Dex: 17 (+3) | ConSave: +2: 14 (+2) | Int: 10 (+0) | Wis: 10 (+0) | Cha: 14 (+2)
Languages: Common, Elven, Chondathan, Illuskan, Draconic, Thieves' Cant

Sticking to the shadows, Keryn stretches his body to the maximum keeping every toned move under perfect precision as he creeps closer. He doesn't understand much of the chanting, but he catches the tone - hurried. Which means there is still a chance to stop whatever's happening. 'Bandits indeed,' he thinks, drawing his rapier as his elven eyes search for targets to strike.

OOC

Action: -

Bonus Action: Stealth 25 from Discord

Movement: -

Reaction: Absorb Elements if triggered

Object Interaction: -

Actions & Resources

Actions:

Rapier . Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 3 piercing damage.

Booming Blade . Melee Weapon Attack: +1d8 Thunder damage if creature moves.

Dagger [2] . Thrown/Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4 + 3 piercing damage.

Shortbow . Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing damage.

Bonus Actions:

Cunning Action . Your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Reactions:

Absorb Elements 1/1

Class Features:

Sneak Attack . Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. You don't need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn't incapacitated, and you don't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Edited November 15, 2023 by PureChance (see edit history)

Kavonde · November 13, 2023

Gaerzil | HP 9/12 | AC 16 | Initiative +3 | Passive Perception 11
Spell Slots: 1st Level 2/3
Active Effects: Mage Armor

Gaerzil holds up a hand for the others to stop and quiet down while he listens to the chanting. "They're cultists of Dispater, the master of the second Hell. They're trying to ask some sort of question; I think they're hoping to learn what happened to Elturel. Dispater's no ally to Zariel, so we've no particular reason to come to blows. Let's proceed--carefully--and see if we can't get some useful intelligence out of their little ritual."

He begins creeping down the stairs as stealthily as he can... which turns out to be not very, as he almost immediately kicks a loose hunk of rock that goes clattering loudly all the way down the stairs. Clack, clack, clack-clack, clack, clack, clunk. He grimaces, looking around to see how many of his companions noticed that, then continues as if nothing were amiss.

The Artful Dodger doesn't say anything, but he can somehow sense the fey spirit's eyes rolling.

OOC

Over on Discord, rolled a 23 for Religion to identify the names mentioned in the chanting, and a significantly less impressive 8 for Stealth.

Edited November 13, 2023 by Kavonde (see edit history)

dwargstof · November 14, 2023

Name: Hravin Snaefoss | Race/Class: Human Monk | HP: 08/11 AC: 15 PP: 12 Ki: 0

The creeping voices seem to claw their way up the stairs to Hravin's ears, but the language was not one he had any intimate familiarity with. Sure enough, Gaerzil filled him in while he took a cue from Keryn and made an effort to keep quiet, whispering a silent prayer to Denier for all the good that it would do. The throat of Hell is no place for a scribe.

He nodded in agreement to Gaerzil, not daring to speak...although the tumbling trap they had just set off was certain to have raised some alarms, but with any luck, the cultists would believe whatever intruder to be dead and buried, literally. The dull ache in his leg punctiated this last thought as he turned to look behind him and nod to Grug. Should a fight pitch, one would could not want for much with a Goliath on your side.

Hravin's mace felt good in his hands, but it had been awhile. He hoped he remembered how to use it, if the time came...

Reflexively, Hravin winced at the tumbling stone..and proceeded to stumble due to the pain in his leg, bumping Gaerzil, and sending more stones clattering down.

Life choices are called into question.

OOC

Hravin does his best to be quiet, readies his mace, and follows Gaerzil like a drunk elephant.

Action: ready to try and dodge any incoming attack

Bonus:

Movement: descend with Gaerzil

Discord Dice:

1. Stealth Check = 4

Edited November 14, 2023 by dwargstof
added dice (see edit history)

Kyoh · November 14, 2023

Gwen nods at Gaerzil's translation. "Not your ordinary bandits then," she mutters. "Well, we best put a stop to whatever it is they're doing. They may not be allied with those responsible for today, but if they're friends of fiends, they're not going to get much sympathy from me."

Gwen winces when Gaerzil dislodges a stone that skips down the stairwell, followed by Hravin bumping into him loudly. She rolls her eye. "Guys, I think they already know we're here. Let's just get on with it." The fighter hefts her shield and axe and strides ahead. She doesn't go in shouting a battle cry or waving her axe around. If the cultists want to talk, she'll give them the opportunity. But if she gets a whiff of any hostility, she's ready to hew some limbs.

SithShrink · November 15, 2023

Grug (Goliath Barbarian) Level: 2

AC: 14 | HP: 11/22 | Initiative: +1 | Passive Perception: 14 | DM Inspiration:

The Goliath stepped gingerly through the rubble and into the hall. He reacts visibly with hunched shoulders and slightly bent knees to the sound of a pebble being kicked down the passage. He could only hope that the chanters, cultists clanmate Gaerzil said, were too busy singing their song to assume anything but after effects of the cave-in. Nonetheless, he halted in the shadows, grip on his axe tightening.

Mechanics

Main Hand: Battle Axe
Off Hand:

Action: sneaky sneaky
Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here.
Move: Your movement goes here.
Manipulate:

Gregorotto · November 15, 2023

Knowing what they're up against, the group decides it's better to get it over with and face the fire headstrong. Gwen leads, followed by the stealthy Keryn and surprisingly agile Grug, weapons drawn and ready to move in for a quick kill as needed: then comes Gaerzil and Hravin, the two learned men prepared for battle, with Silvia and Kilros taking up the back.

The chanting stops as soon as Gwen sets her foot on the stairs, so they pause: only to hear groaning that becomes screaming. The trio at the front rush headlong, shield, rapier, and axe at the ready as they rush in.

The chamber is illuminated in dim light, with two votive stands holding green and gold candles. Figures stand clad in the robes Vollis described stand before a slab, and it is there the curiosity begins. Atop the blood-soaked stone slab is a human, bound by chains and surrounded by humanoids wearing mottled green, gold, and black robes. One of them is in the process of carving a symbol in the man’s chest with a jagged knife, while the others chant in low, haunting tones. From Infernal, the lead cultist, a woman with deep auburn hair, raises her blood-stained dagger. Beneath the robes, each of the cultists are dressed in the clothes of day laborers and merchants, save the woman, who wears religious garb, though no holy symbol is visible.

"Dispater, send your messenger, that your enemies may be destroyed before you: take this willing sacrifice!"

The man on the slab writhes one last time, restrained by chains, before out of his chest, his torso, his stomach emerges a diminutive figure, purple and stained in viscera, bird-like and made of spines, a collar about its long neck and wings on its back. It hunches over, taking in the scene, setting glowing yellow eyes on Gwen. The creature's voice is like wet gravel. "The Iron Lord brokers no prisoners in this matter: rend flesh from bone, without mercy or recourse."

The battle begins.

Out of Character

Initiative
Party Except Gwen and Hravin

Cultists of Dispater & Devil
Gwen and HravinGwen-10
Hravin-6

Enemies
Bandit 1-12 AC, 11/11 HP
Bandit 2-12 AC, 11/11 HP
Bandit 3-12 AC, 11/11 HP
Cultist 1-12 AC, 9/9 HP
Cult Fanatic 1-13 AC, 33/33 HP
DevilDC 12 Religion to identify-13 AC, 22/22 HP, Resistances and ImmunitiesDamage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned

Begin Round 1!

DC 12 Religion to identify the devil's subtype. There will be no negotiating. Given the Stealths vs. the triggered trap, I elected to forego a Surprise condition for the first round. This is going to be a rough round of combat, if the module has anything to say about it.

Initiative is divided as such: Gwen and Hravin can't go until I post next, everyone else, go nuts. Going down the steps is easy, Silvia and Hravin are 5 feet from each other/beside each other.

I've provided the devil's resistances and immunities for the sake of damage calculation, but don't abuse this with metagaming (until someone beats that DC 12 Religion check).

Let's tango.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Gregorotto (see edit history)

SithShrink · November 17, 2023

Grug (Goliath Barbarian) Level: 2

AC: 14 | HP: 11/22 | Initiative: +1 | Passive Perception: 14 | DM Inspiration:

Seeing the horror being perpetrated before him, Greg leaps towards the first cultist, swinging his axe…

Mechanics

Main Hand: Battle Axe
Off Hand:

Action: sneaky sneaky
Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here.
Move: Your movement goes here.
Manipulate:

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Chapter I: Escape from Elturgard

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites