[IC] The Crucible

[Azktor]

Kyra

Kyra rushes toward the other foe glad that Shaena lighted a torch so he could be seem. She advances with shield on hand bashing him with it first, followed by another swing of her axe.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: 20 feet to get near the other enemy.
Bonus: Shove the enemy using the shield
-> Kyra's Athletics (1d20+5)[11] vs enemy Athletics or Acrobatics (1d20)[8] to make it Prone
Attack:(1d20+5)[6] A [/roll]1d20+5[/roll]
Damage: (1d8+3)[11]

[Armored Walrus]

Kyra's bull rush with her shield knocks the scarecrow down, and she follows up with a strong downward swing of her battleaxe. Straw bursts through the gaping hole in the creature's chest as she withdraws the moon-shaped blade.

Undaunted, it gets back on its feet and tries its frightening trick one more time, this time turns its horrifying gaze on Kyra.

Spoiler: OOC

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Wis save for Kyra (1d20+1)[4]

Horror grips the barbarian as she sees, within the hellish gaze, a vision of her father advancing on her, axe in hand, "You are no true Ambershield" he says with a look of disgust, and swings the axe at her head. Kyra is paralyzed with fear.

[kladams707]

Shaena watches as the one in melee goes down only to find Kyra frozen in terror with the other. She follows Mohander's lead and stands beside him as she unleashes another blast of force at the scarecrow still standing.

Spoiler

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Move 25 ft next to Mohander
Action: Eldritch blast

attack: (1d20+5)[19]
damage: (1d10)[4]

[miinstrel]

Mohan Bringing his crossbow up from the loading position, he sees the barbarian take a solid swing and then... Why isn't she moving? "You okay up there, Kyra?" he calls out as he steadies his breathing and fires another bolt at the beast. Spoiler: OOC Show Holding until Atas or Issy enter melee since Kyra isn't threatening currently. Attack: (1d20+6)[25] Dmg: (1d8+4)[8] + Sneak (1d6)[2]

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Taken with the adrenaline of this sudden battle, Issy stands over the remains of the scarecrow she had just finished off and lets out an uncharacteristic yell as she looks toward the sky. Seeing the other scarecrow at the edge of the light, she runs full speed over and brings her flail down on this second creature. Spoiler: OOC Show Attack roll: (d20+6)[21] and a second roll for advantage if applicable: (d20+6)[18] Damage: (d8+4)[11] Issy's temporary AC: 11

[Theoboldi]

Atas

As he watches the scarecrow being torn apart by Iselshera in front of him, there's something almost disappointed to the elf's features. He had hoped to face a little bit more of their attention. Alas, it seems like this battle is only going to be target practice for him. Especially since Shaena appears to have overheard his command in the heat of the battle.

With a rough grunt, he falls into a sprint. Better to take action than to waste time repeating himself. He rushes past Kyra, posed to attack the monster that has her rattled. First, he stabs at it with his staff, before letting go of the weapon with one hand and letting it rake across the burlap skin with a claw-like strike.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: 25 feet
Quarterstaff Attack: (1d20+4)[10] for (1d8+2)[8] damage.
Martial Arts Bonus Action Attack: (1d20+4)[18] for (1d4+2)[5] damage.

[Azktor]

Kyra

Out of nowhere Kyra sees this creature sending it's gaze toward her, she tries to swing her axe once agai, but her arm don't obey, she them tries to raises her shield to defende herself, and yet again nothing happens.

When she sees her father talking those words to her she becomes scared for a second, that was one of her biggest fear - not be accepted by her father and her clan - she shouts to her scarecrow "You are not my father, my father may be a brutal in combat, but he were always kind to me and my brother! Get out of my mind creature!" she still unable to move a muscle, looks like what is happening to her is more than just that mental image.

[Armored Walrus]

Taking advantage of Kyra's paralysis, the scarecrow lashes at her throat and rakes its claws across, causing a gushing wound. Kyra sinks bonelessly to the ground; that wound could be fatal if not seen to shortly. It slashes at Atas with its other hand, trying to force the elf back while it tries to move away and find cover.

The alert wood elf attempts to make the construct pay for its movement:

Spoiler: OOC

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OoA (1d20+4)[8] damage (1d8+2)[7] crit? (1d8)[6]

but slips beyond his range quickly, and ducks behind one of the large rocks that rings the party's campground.

Spoiler: OOC

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Kyra took 17 points of damage on one strike (auto crit when paralyzed) so she is down. I'll need a death save from Kyra this round unless someone gets her up. Party is up.

[miinstrel]

Mohan It moved with a blur, but Mohander wasn't about to let the demon escape, certainly not after sending one of his companions to the ground. Rushing to the nearest rock and crashing against it with the momentum, he levels his crossbow at the thing and fires one more bolt into the night, praying it strikes true. Spoiler: OOC Show Attack: (1d20+6)[25] Damage: (1d8+4)[11]

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Though he wavers for a moment, every instinct he has screaming at Atas to stop and keep Kyra from bleeding out, he forces himself to empty his mind and focus on the escaping scarecrow. Whatever this monster is, if he lets it escape now it may be back soon.

Iselshira can take care of Kyra. Someone with bandages can take care of Kyra. He is fast. He needs to at least attempt to chase the monster.

His imperfect training leaving him a little shaky, Atas chases after the scarecrow, using his superior wood elf speed. Instead of striking, he attempts to grab the creature with one empty hand, following it up with a swift knee to the stomach. With the added force of his run, it might just pierce the burlap.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: To wherever the scarecrow is. Not sure where that is, since I can't see it, but I imagine it did not move further than 35 feet?
Grapple Attempt: (1d20)[6]
Martial Arts Bonus Action Attack: (1d20+4)[24] for (1d4+2)[3] damage.

[Theoboldi]

Spoiler: Bonus Critical Damage

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Yeah. Seems like Atas is cripplingly overspecialised in his ability to hurt people by punching them.

(1d4)[4]

[kladams707]

Shaena tries to pursue the scarecrow until it is back within view and within light. She fires another blast at the construct.

Spoiler

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Move: I think I moved her in a way to get it in the light and see it around the rock.

Action: Eldritch blast

attack: (1d20+5)[16]
damage: (1d10)[7]

[Armored Walrus]

You hear the crunch of the scarecrow's footsteps moving away from you, and doggedly pursue it. Mohander looses another bolt just before Atas rounds the rock and drives a knee into the straw-filled torso. Straw crackles beneath the blow, and the force holding the form together weakens slightly. Just as Atas steps back from his strike, a purple-black bolt crackles past him, impacting solidly between the fiery eyes of the scarecrow, and blasting it apart.

The night goes still, save for your heavy breathing, and the soft patter of the continuous rain. Kyra's blood continues to seep into the dust beneath her.

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Iselshera looks around as things quiet down, her chest heaving from the exertion of the small combat. She finally notices Kyra lying in her own blood as the others ran past her. "Let me guess....leave the healing to the paladin, right?" Issy rolls her eyes as she walks over and kneels next to her fallen comrade. She closes her eyes for a moment, then lays the palm of her hand upon Kyra's head. The paladin gathers her energy and pushes it into Kyra, and the blood moving out of her throat begins to slow, and her breathing stabilizes. Issy shakes her head. "I...I haven't been that great at healing yet. I've seen some who can bring someone back from the brink of death to full power...but that is not me. I've done what I can to stabilize her and make sure she won't die, but I must save some of my energies in case it is needed again." She pauses a moment to look around at the group, as if expecting someone to make a comment about how she should do better, then she turns back toward her belongings and begins to pack her things up and examine her armor. She stops after a few moments as something strikes her. She pulls her blonde hair out of her eyes and tucks it behind her left ear. "Should we burn them? Who knows what type of magic animated these fiends...maybe we should make sure they won't come back to haunt us later." Spoiler: OOC Show Sorry, my Lay on Hands is only 5 points per long rest. Just gonna get Kyra for one point right now in case I need to keep others from death saves over the next few days. This is tough. I've never played a game that only allows one long rest per 3+ days.

[kladams707]

Shaena largely ignore's Issy's remark. Instead, she pulls out a piece of parchment and ink and begins taking notes, standing over one of the now inactive constructs. Scarecrow-like in appearance. Uses disturbing visage to paralyze. Mundane weapons less effective.

She pauses and looks up in time to see Kyra up and about. Ah, good you're up. What happened back there. Seems it froze you somehow the halfling asks with no judgement in her tone but rather out of sheer curiosity.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Atas takes a moment to calm his breath once the battle is over, adrenaline still surging through his body. Despite having only fought for little less then a minute, he still feels as though after a good workout. And this time, he wasn't even really in any sort of danger! Who knows how good this training may become if things become even more intense?

Finally, his body calms back down, and an odd chill goes through his bones. Without the adrenaline distracting him from it, the chill of the night becomes a lot more noticeable again. As such, he quickly returns to the fireside, stopping on the way to help bring Kyra back to her knees.

"I'm sorry I did not stop to help. " he says Iselshera, explaining himself. "But our enemy was running away and I could not risk it returning."

When she offers the idea of burning the monsters' remains, he nods firmly in agreement, immediately going to gather their remains. "A good idea. Surely it can't harm to be safe and burn their bodies." As he gathers them up, he also takes a moment to search them, wondering if perhaps they are carrying anything of note on them?

[Armored Walrus]

Gathering the scattered, soggy straw and ragged cloth, Atas begins carrying it all to the ashes of your previous fire. He inspects the remains as he does so, and is rewarded with a dusky red gem found stuffed in the packed, rotting straw of each construct's head.

Spoiler: OOC

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Investigation check for Atas (1d20)[10]

He rubs the faded shirt, and burlap head thoughtfully between his fingers, but the fabric is too old and sodden for him to discern anything more about your foes. He tosses them in a heap on the remains of your grass fire, and plunges Shaena's torch into the middle. In spite of the rain, the fire flares up in his face, briefly giving off a foul, oily smoke that leaves a cringe-inducing residue on the hand he raised to shield his eyes.

Sleep is hard to come by after the fire dies down again; Each member of the party shuffling around the ring of stones you chose for your campsite, or lying fitfully on the ground. Finally, the first grey light of dawn reveals the rocks around you, and makes the puddles that have formed in your scuffed bootprints - all that remains of last night's terror - gleam shyly.

[Azktor]

Kyra

Kyra awakes with the help of the Issy, first think she does is put her hand into her axe ready to charge once again and say "Is the thing still alive?!?" she looks over to Atas that he got it "Damn, looks like I lose all the fun here." her body is all sore, she have a nasty scar - probably a permanent one - but she don't seem to care.

She gets up and start helping the others around saying "Thank you Issy! Those creatures...they can get into your mind somehow, I was unable to move a single muscle, I wonder what those are?" She looks at Shaena, since she is the smart one around.

---

Kyra awakes feeling much better, her body respond very well to that nasty injury. She awakes full of dispostion ready to put her rage into some other monster. "Let's move on, there might be more of those creatures in here ready to lurk us again!"

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm spending my Hit Dice: (1d12+3)[13]
Also, this roleplay happened before Kyra went to sleep.

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Issy is just finishing buckling her belt in to place as Kyra urges haste. She nods in agreement. "Yes, I say we should put some miles in today. Does it seem odd that creatures of straw came at us at night, when we would be most likely to have fire readily available? I wonder if they can only come out at night?" She watches the remains of the straw men burn as she slides her left hand into it's protective gauntlet and attaches her weapons to their respective harnesses and sheaths.

[kladams707]

Kyra

Kyra awakes with the help of the Issy, first think she does is put her hand into her axe ready to charge once again and say "Is the thing still alive?!?" she looks over to Atas that he got it "Damn, looks like I lose all the fun here." her body is all sore, she have a nasty scar - probably a permanent one - but she don't seem to care.

She gets up and start helping the others around saying "Thank you Issy! Those creatures...they can get into your mind somehow, I was unable to move a single muscle, I wonder what those are?" She looks at Shaena, since she is the smart one around.

---

Kyra awakes feeling much better, her body respond very well to that nasty injury. She awakes full of dispostion ready to put her rage into some other monster. "Let's move on, there might be more of those creatures in here ready to lurk us again!"

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm spending my Hit Dice: [roll0]
Also, this roleplay happened before Kyra went to sleep.

Shaena shrugs. Scarecrows. Best I got, despite all the books I've read. How they do what they do no idea.

---

Shaena slept pretty well, not having the ahd the same close calls the others did. After everyone has prepped for the day, she asks So, which way shall we go now?

[Theoboldi]

Kyra awakes with the help of the Issy, first think she does is put her hand into her axe ready to charge once again and say "Is the thing still alive?!?" she looks over to Atas that he got it "Damn, looks like I lose all the fun here." her body is all sore, she have a nasty scar - probably a permanent one - but she don't seem to care.

"Be glad you survived that blow." Atas said with a somewhat jealous smile. "You'll be stronger for it. I barely managed to get any good strikes in.

---

Shaena slept pretty well, not having the ahd the same close calls the others did. After everyone has prepped for the day, she asks So, which way shall we go now?

"We've come all the way to the badlands." Atas says, a hand raised to block the sun from shining into his eyes as he looks around. "I say we keep with the original plan and explore. Perhaps we may even find where these infernal creatures came from."

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin A glint of excitement shows in Issy's eyes. "An entire town of magical scarecrows? Wouldn't that be something to report? I suppose we're not so lucky, though." She looks off in the distance as she continues, "My guess would be one or a few magical creatures who can animate these. Someone who thinks we may be a threat. Or sent them just in case we're a threat. If that's the case, though....how did they discover us so quickly? We've literally been out here only a day."

[miinstrel]

Mohan As if this entire land didn't have enough of a vile sense about it, someone was animating evil scarecrows and letting them loose. No wonder folks didn't wander far from Hardholm. "You were right to give chase, Atas. Heaven forbid it bring back more to plague us this morning." While the others gathered the final few hours of rest before the dawn, Mohander redoubled his watch efforts, pacing quietly around the camp and peering into the dark grass, annoyed at himself for having underestimated these wilds on his first shift. As the camp is packed up, the wood elf replies to Iselshera, "They must be free roaming. No one could know who we're working for just yet, could they? I shudder to think if someone capable of bringing creatures like that into the world has their sights set on us... Best we keep moving toward the badlands. I expect it will be harder for anything to ambush on that flat, barren land."

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Iselshera gives a worried look to the landscape. In answer to Mohan's question, she raises her arms in a shrug. "I don't know. I'll try and get a better look at them with my Divine Sight if we see them again...maybe at least learn a little about what we're working with." She shakes her head as if in disbelief. "Never seen anything like that before, and I get around."

[Armored Walrus]

Spoiler: Rolls

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Navigation (Atas): (1d20+6)[14], Herbalism (Mo): (1d20+5)[6], Foraging (Issy): (1d20+2)[19]

You while away the grey pre-dawn hours conversing about your recent encounter and trying to make sense of the night's ambush. Rain continues to patter down around you, adding a bleak glumness to your cold meal of leftover venison, tough, twice-baked biscuits and dried fruit.

You march only about a half mile, winding among the stony hills, before Atas holds up his hand to signal a stop. Multiple tracks made by human-sized boots cross your line of travel, nearly perpendicular to your current, southward direction. A few more hours and the rain would have washed them away, but for now the prints are plain, rainwater pooling in the widening depressions.

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Issy looks at the boot tracks, then to the others. "I don't claim to know much about tracking. My skills and knowledge are of a bit different path. Does anyone think these look like they could be the footprints of those creatures, or do they look like something else?"

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Atas gets down to his knees, giving the still fresh prints a good look-over. Though luckily they are fairly recent, the stony floor and the dusty air mean that their quality isn't the greatest, making identification a difficult tasks. Still, his trained eyes pick up what clues they can.

"No. They are too firm to be made by creatures of straw. These had to have been humanoids of some sort, about your size. In a small group, maybe like ours. Maybe a few more.

It's hard to tell which way they've went. We could try and scout after them, but it might be a futile endeavour with these tracks. I doubt finding them will do much to aid our mission, either."

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Iselshera looks unconvinced by Atas. She gestures at the prints. "These mean there are people out here who may know what the dangers are. Places we should avoid...or maybe know of some places we should look into. If we find them, they could save us a lot of time."

[miinstrel]

Mohan "It would be good to know who else is venturing this far from Hardholm. Atrius will want to know if others are looking for these same focal points he has us searching for. If it grows too difficult to follow we can always turn around," Mohander offers.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

The wood elf squints his eyes for a moment, unsure about his allies' wishes.

"We can try and follow them east, I suppose. Even if they didn't go in that direction, at least we won't be walking back towards Hardholm. Maybe we'll even find what they were exploring.

If they were indeed explorers."