[5e] Curse of Strahd - UA playtest IC

[Ramsus]

Beiro Firbolg Samurai of The Emerald Enclave HP: 50/52 Conditions: -- Beiro gives a nod and echoes Tarquin, "Safe travels."

[Kwaj]

Sand casts an uneasy glance at the birds gathered around. ”It seems we are not to reach Gulthias unopposed,” he murmurs to the others, low enough that the Barovians will not hear.

[BtripleM]

Tarquin

he's not the only one can do a bit of spyin'

Tarquin leans back into his perch on the cart."Might drop ou' a bit. Goin' to take a gander meself" he says, pointing at the owl above his head.

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Tarquin will spend the rest of this leg of the journey looking through the owl's senses,.the only means he has of focusing on the here and now

[tieren]

Tarquin leans back to a restful position and closes his eyes.

He opens them and he is in a tree, no wait, he sees himself down in the wagon, he is sensing the world through his Owl's keen senses acutely aware of sights and sounds he would never have noticed in his own body.

He takes flight from the branch and patrols a bit in front of and behind the party as it makes preparations to get under way again. As he circles back to the rear of their position he notices something strange.

One of the refugees leaving with the other wagon, glanced back to see if anyone was watching, then shifted. It changed from a young lady into a thing that looks a lot like a Kenku, A humanoid figure covered in jet black feathers and a large black beak protruding from its face.

A moment later it shifts again, shrinking in size, all of its clothes and gear melding into the new form of a perfectly normal looking raven. It then takes flight ad rushes on ahead of the other wagon along the road the party had just traversed heading back toward Vallaki.

[BtripleM]

Tarquin

"Master Davian. Did you know one of your people is a raven?" He says serenely, not taking his eyes from the bird.

[tieren]

Aye, me son Elvir has flown ahead to inform my brother at the Blue Water Inn about the attacking and the coming of the women and children.

The farmers, walking beside the wagon full of resting adventurers, looks back up over his shoulder to see if the matter of fact answer is sufficient for them. He needs their help and doesn't want to give them the wrong impression of the curse. He decides its best to explain further.

For generations my family has been cursed with lycanthropy, we are wereravens. I know what you're thinking but before you go poking us with silver or anything know we mean no harm to anyone, other than the Devil Strahd. And you don't have to worry about any ravens in these parts working for Strahd, they work for us.

[Ramsus]

Beiro Firbolg Samurai of The Emerald Enclave HP: 50/52 Conditions: -- Beiro frowns deeply at this, but does nothing. There are too many unnatural things in this place to kill ones who could be allies.

[BtripleM]

Tarquin
HP = 32/38, AC = (15)
Portent - 2, 10
Conditions - Cruising in an owl

The wizard only half hears the answer as his owl swoops back down to the wagon, and curses himself for not carrying any silver.

"I'll trust what you say Master Davian, as I don't remember remeberin' to avoid any birds. Safe as houses with you I'm sure.
Sorry if I don' talk so much as we head on down the road. I'll be keepin' me eyes'n'ears through owly here; probably won't hear much anyone next to me says. Anyone wants me attnetion can either wave at the bird or prod me"

[tieren]

You plod along the road to the winery at the pace the ox can tolerate. While traveling Davian tells you a bit about the history of the Winery.

The winery had existed long before the arrival of Strahd and before the land became cursed. A powerful druid long ago created three magic seeds, each the size of a large pinecone, and buried them in the fields of the vineyard.

Each seed protected a different field and supported the growth of different grapes, so there used to be three different types of wine made there.

Even after the coming of the mists the vineyard continued to be fruitful.

Hundreds of years ago, one of the seeds was found and stolen. We don't know by whom or where it maybe now, but that field withered and died and nothing will grow there, which reduced us to 2 products.

About a month ago, the witch Baba Lysaga, sent her scarecrows to raid us and in the fighting she located and stole the second seed, and causing that field to wither, we fear without its return we will lose the second line of grapes forever.

Now the damnable druids from Yesterhill have learned of the existance of the seeds and want it for some ritual they are preparing on Yesterhill. Our eyes and ears (the ravens) near there report they are constructing some huge monument to Strahd of Wood, stone and mud.

If they find and take the last seed, there may never be wine in Barovia again, imagine what that will do to the already horrid morale of the people here.

.....

After about an hour you come to a crossroads, Davian explains the road to the northwest leads to the ton of Krezk, and the one to the Southwest leads to the winery.

Just as you reach the intersection you are met by a female walking from Krezk heading towards you.

[Deadlykire]

Nix
?? ??
HP: ??/??
Conditions: ??

The woman walks with her head up and shoulders squared. The hood of her cloak is pulled up, obscuring her face slightly. A few strands of platinum hair drift out from beneath it. What isn't hidden, are the two large weapons she has. A large sword dangles from her side, almost scraping the ground in its scabbard. There is also a large, sharp blade attached to a solid wooden pole that protrudes up from between her shoulders. Her purposeful pace slows as she spots the caravan. She carefully eyes the group, and notices some seem to carry weapons. She stops her walk near the crossroads and takes the pole-arm in hand. She stands waiting, her stance more sentinel then aggressor, as she watches the group approach the crossroads.

[BtripleM]

Tarquin
HP 32/38, AC 15
Conditions - none

Nix sees a pale man in dark clothes twitch on the cart and spin to face her, his purple-blue eyes oddly unfocused and intense.

"You!... wait... I had a dream... a platinum sentinel on a cross! You're caaaaaaalled....... something.
Dammit." .

Tarquin slaps the side of the cart."Stop, stop. I think she helps us"

[Deadlykire]

Nix
?? ??
HP: ??/??
Conditions: ??

The woman lowers her blade towards the ground as she looks up. She eases her hood back to reveal a pale, feminine face. Her hair is pulled back, only the few wisps free. It is the same platinum color, except for a vibrant purple streak that starts at the left side of her head, near her forehead. Her eyes are a bright amethyst and her face is tanned as if she spent all of her time in the sun.

"Interesting dream." Her voice is a deep contralto, bordering on a tenor. She barely talks above a whisper, just enough for the words to reach the ears of her intended listeners.

She allows her eyes to scan the cart and caravan. She points to Tarquin and Beiro with the point of the blade, "I've helped others like you before. They are dead now. I admit a longing for that time, but first," she motions to the rest of the caravan, "I am on a task to help others like them. So perhaps fate has intertwined us so you may help me, freeing me of my debt and allowing me to return to my former life. May I approach?" She lifts an eyebrow questioningly.

[Ramsus]

Beiro Firbolg Samurai of The Emerald Enclave HP: 50/52 Conditions: -- Beiro gives an affirmative grunt and a nod. When Nix is in more conversational distance he says, "Well met. I am Beiro."

[Deadlykire]

Nix
?? ??
HP: ??/??
Conditions: ??

The woman approaches carefully, hand never leaving the shaft. She takes care to leave it pointed down, and her grip loosens just slightly. She walks up and approaches the horses. She pats them and brushes her hand along their sides gently to calm them. She rests a hand on the back of the horse.

"I am called Nix. I travel this way and beyond to punish one who has transgressed against the living. I would be glad for your aid in the matter. To where are you escorting these folks? And do you intend on staying with them after?"

[BtripleM]

Tarquin
HP 32/38, AC 15
Portent 2, 10

"We are escortin' Master Davian and companions to their winery, to aid in whatever way we can to keep them, and a shipment due to the blue water, safe"

There's a twinkle in Tarquin's eyes now, as he looks down to Nix. "After that... now that's a question ain't it?When I dreamt of you I thought I was bettin' on an 'horse.
Fact the sentinel is 'ere means the future could be interestin'. You want straight talk? We intend to stand against the gate keeper o' this place. These fine folks are bigger on details"

[Deadlykire]

Nix
Aasmir ??
HP: ??/??
Conditions: ??

"My errand lies beyond in Yesterhill. Time is of the essence, as lives hang in the balance." Nix looks around the folks gathered. "I do not wish to delay you, or myself, further. Perhaps we can talk as we travel? I've lost many friends to the gate keeper of this strange realm. I'd be happy to aid in his downfall, but that is a mighty task. I've focused on helping the good people here stranded under his rule, hoping to weaken his strength through small acts." Nix points up the road from the direction she came, "The folks there were ones who gave me aid when my friends perished. Now their food has been taken from them. Perhaps as punishment, or because this realm is a cruel place that encourages such things. I intend to find out which and correct the problem." Nix snaps the blade up quickly before smoothly returning it to her back, "And enact my justice on the wicked of course."

[tieren]

You continue down the South west branch of the roadway while discussing your stories to this point and you come to realize that you re all interested in stopping the rot druids of Yesterhill.

After about 30 minutes of the road winding ever more in a southerly direction. The well traveled and clear road gives way to a much more crude path, barely wide enough for the wagon and you frequently need to pull bak limbs to keep them from blocking the ox.

For that first 30 minutes the minor blight attacks continued, nothing that you couldn't easily dispatch, but try on your bodies and spirits.

However, since reaching more overgrown cart path there haven't been any blight attacks, even though the terrain would favor them here with the dense overgrowth.

You are growing a bit uneasy, you know this would be the ideal spot for an ambush

[Everyone Roll perception]

Spoiler: DM stealth check

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(1d20+1)[17]

[Deadlykire]

(1d20+1)[6] (I think it is just the +1 from Wisdom)

[tieren]

Suddenly from all around you, you hear the high laughter of hyenas as gnolls erupt from the dense underbrush all around you.

6 of them surround the wagon, wielding spears and shields and wearing crude hide armor.

3 of them surround Davian and his son and son in law, wielding no weapons and wearing hide armor. While unarmed these 3 seem larger and more fierce than the 6 around the wagon.

One wearing a filthy chain shirt appears in the fore front, It is wielding a longbow, but has a spear strapped to its back.

Nix and Tarquin are taken by surprise at the sudden ambush.

The three unarmed gnolls tear into the farmers with tooth and claw:

Spoiler: Fang attacks

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F1 (1d20+5)[17] (1d20+5)[18] (1d20+5)[15]
F2 (1d20+5)[23] (1d20+5)[14] (1d20+5)[6]
F3 (1d20+5)[6] (1d20+5)[23] (1d20+5)[10]

(bite, claw, claw)

You can see the monsters bite and claw at the farmers, who cry out in pain and surprise, but do not fall.

[It is sandu's turn]

[tieren]

Spoiler: Davian Con Saves

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(1d20)[11]
(1d20)[16]

The fangs of the first two bite into Davian's body...and he seems queasy for a moment [7 poison dmg].

[tieren]

Sandu stands in the front of the wagon and calls upon the spirits of the dead to manifest once more to hinder his enemies. Ghostly images of dead barovians rise from the ground and begin to circle around Sandu, the four closest gnolls are surrounded by them.

Spoiler: Damage

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(3d8)[10]

[tieren]

Gnolls 1 and 2 try to defend themselves from the grasping spirits [5 necrotic dmg each], as they disengage and dive away from the ghostly defenders and back into the underbrush on the north side of the road (disappearing from view).

Gnolls 5 and 6 are less successful at deflectingthe spirits' attacks [10 dmg each], and rather than running they howl in anger and stab at the standing cleric with their spears.

Spoiler: Gnoll Attacks

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G5 (1d20+4)[21]
G6 (1d20+4)[22]

onhit 5 piercing dmg

[tieren]

Both spear thrusts puncture Sandu's armor and draw blood from his leg and thigh [10 piercing dmg]

Gnolls 3 and 4 see the spirit guardians and hear the howls of their compatriots and disengage from the wagon and back up a bit. They can be seen dropping their spears and shields and preparing their long primitive bows,

The leader in the chain shirt sees what is happening back i the wagon and fires an arrow at Sandu as the spirits begin to rise.

Spoiler: Packlord attack

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(1d20+4)[14]
on hit 6 piercing attack

[tieren]

The packlord emits a low growl as his arrow flies over Sandu's head.

[it is Beiro's turn]

[Ramsus]

Beiro Firbolg Samurai of The Emerald Enclave HP: 50/52 Conditions: Fighting Spirit Beiro leaps off the wagon, trusting his companions can handle themselves, and goes to help their new associate and the civilians. Spoiler Show So moving from K5 to G4. Bonus action, Fighting Spirit. Using Action Surge. Attack 1 vs F3: (1d20+8)[17] advantage: (1d20+8)[24] damage: (1d8+6)[9] if crit: (1d8)[1] If both attack and advantage hit, target is knocked prone. Attack 2: (1d20+8)[13] advantage: (1d20+8)[28] damage: (1d8+6)[8] if crit: (1d8)[1] If both attack and advantage hit, target is knocked prone. Attack 3: (1d20+8)[20] advantage: (1d20+8)[26] damage: (1d8+6)[13] if crit: (1d8)[6] If both attack and advantage hit, target is knocked prone. Attack 4: (1d20+8)[18] advantage: (1d20+8)[17] damage: (1d8+6)[13] if crit: (1d8)[3] If both attack and advantage hit, target is knocked prone. If F3 dies, Beiro moves to E5 and attacks F2. If F2 also dies before he runs out of attacks..... well if he kills both in 1 attack each somehow he'll just hang onto action surge. Otherwise he'll use the remaining attack to throw a handaxe and I'll need to re-roll damage.

[Deadlykire]

Nix surveys the scene before her. Realizing there isn't much she can do in this moment she begins to chant and weave her hands in arcane patterns. Her eyes go black as her voice thunders forth. She reaches back towards the glaive and touches it. She then draws her hand forward, but instead of grasping the glaive a shadowy glaive is drawn forth from it. The tendrils of shadow drift off of it like a mist, while deep purple etchings travel along the shaft and into the blade. She walks through the spirits surrounding the wagon and towards the gnolls in the back. She walks between them and holds out the blade threateningly.

Spoiler: mechanics

Show

Action: Casting Pact Weapon with the form of a glaive
Bonus Action: None
Movement: 25' to R6. With the glaive it should allow me to threaten both R4 and R7.

[tieren]

Beiro bounds out of the wagon and strides up to the nearest opponent. He calls upon his fighting spirit and lays into the horrid thing with several vicious blows of his axe. Four times the axe fell and 4 times it struck true. The enemy fell to the ground [prone, not dead] with a yelp and the other two looked up from their quarries to look at Beiro standing behind their fallen comrade, swinging the bloodied axe. [42 slashing dmg]

Meanwhile Nix leaps out the back of the wagon, leaving the reach of the nearest gnoll that tries to stab him in mid-leap.

Spoiler: AoO

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(1d20+4)[16]

The gnolls misses Nix and he takes up position between the would be archers.

[tieren]

Izzek strikes out with his monstrous claw arm as the gnoll attempted to stab the leaping Nix.

Spoiler: Unarmed attack (claw)

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(1d20+2)[6]

but is unable to connect.

The three farmers collapse into piles of clothes and gear, then a black raven emerges from each and flies up into the surrounding trees.

[It is Tarquin's turn]

[LibraryOgre]

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