[IC] Illistera - The Great Divide

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

Bren pointedly notices the flash of annoyance. In his mind, this confirms her as the ringleader of this particular one ring circus. He makes a show of pondering the group of companions.

"You are up to something..." he muses. "I must be allowed to chronicle whatever story is about to arise from this little - gathering. These two can vouch for me." He gestures at the two dragonborn.

[miinstrel]

Before any vouching can occur, the six of you and the other tavern patrons hear the hope-draining sound of the bell above the front gate that's only used for a very particular emergency: there's a Titan approaching. A moment of silence falls across the bar before the muffled panic from outside builds as people rush toward the city center. Within the tavern, drinks and plates spill, leaving a soggy slippery mess across parts of the floor. Some duck under tables, others join the chaos outside, the noise buffeting their movement like a strong wind.

It's an unusual time for an attack... the new moon is just two days away which means the Titan is probably weak... relatively, anyway. Even so, at their weakest they pose a threat to even skilled warriors.

Any who step outside have a clear view to the wall as the crowds start to thin. A block to the north, the large front gate is closed (though could be opened easily enough by some of the guards). Stairs to one side lead to the top of the 30' wall, and a few men have assembled along its parapets loading crossbows when there's a deafening *THUD* and they stagger trying to catch their balance. Best you can tell something huge and heavy just struck the wall from the outside. "FIRE AT WILL!" you hear one of the guards shout, followed by the thin whoosh of bolts.

Spoiler: Kalinara

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Given how near the new moon is, the Huntsmen aren't quite as mobilized for an attack as they might otherwise be. You are closer to the wall than the headquarters by several blocks and are unsure where the other 5 are at the moment.

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

With the amount of time Bren spends in the Flit, he's been on the walls during a titan attack many times - even taken some potshots with his great bow. It's been a long time since he's been this close to the action, though. Given the company he's in, he feels compelled to move out of the tavern with anyone else who investigates, muttering, "Phisbe, I think I'm going to need you" as he goes. The shadowy form of the pixie appears, trailing behind him with eyes shining and tiny hand eagerly gripping its bow.

[Toxic Mind]

Vistra

Vistra's hand idly plays over the hilt of her sword, a stylized golden spindle with three threads etched into the metal. Say what you will, she thought to herself, the Lady never lets life become boring. Vistra stands, sword and shield at the ready. "It appears we are called. Help those who we can along the way, but most importantly stay together. If we get separated in this madness there is little chance we'll ever find each other."

[atlastrembles]

Aurix

Aurix manages to get a single syllable out in response to Bren and Valistra's questions before the bells start tolling. His mouth snaps shut, nearly biting his own tongue in the process, and his eyes go wide. He freezes for a moment, unsure of what to do, watching the chaos unfold around him. Mutt nips at his hand, bringing him back to the moment and he scoops up the little pseudodragon, dropping him onto his shoulder where its little claws dig in comfortingly. The weight of his new companion gives him confidence - a physical reminder of Bahamut's power and trust in him - and he takes a deep breath before following Val and the others out into the streets.

Seeing the guards on the walls release their crossbows, Aurix's eyes go wide. He hadn't seen a Titan up close before and he was both sick and excited with boiling curiousity warring with an animalistic fear inside of him. Val's presence and Vistra' calm urgency steady him, however, and he nods at the martial woman's instructions. He lifts his hands which start glowing with a brightish white nimbus of light and he looks at Val and Bren. We'll share a drink after this is over, right?

[Armored Walrus]

Aurix

We'll share a drink after this is over, right?

Bren

Bren gives Aurix a grim thumbs up and, in response to Vistra's directions, steps closer to her with eyes on the walls. "Shall we all head up?"

[ProudGrognard]

Groth

Groth gets up with surprising quickmess when he hears the bell. He is about to dash out when Vistra and the rest speak. He is now very, deadly serious.

"More than one drink, yes."

Looking he realizes that he only has a dagger with him and curses suddenly and loudly in orcish. He looks around and tries to calculate where he can get a weapon and how much of a delay it would be.

[Bounty Hunter]

Valmora Level 3 Bard AC : 14 DC : 14 Spd : 30 Init : +3 Current HP 21 / 21 Hit Die 3 / 3 Inspiration 1 / 1 Bardic Insp 2 / 2 Spell Slots 4 / 4 2 / 2

Another polite hand shake and things seemed to be coming together quite perfectly; she'd hadn't quite expected things to fall into place so quickly. Less than a dozen paces away her mother still carried the letter in which she announced her intent to set out and bring change to the world and yet here she was being recruited into some sort of task force. The hopeful young dragonborn had figured there would be a lot more begging for work and convincing people to join her but it seems the gods must be smiling down upon her. A bell rings in the distance. No. The bell rings in the distance. Finnean's changes from it's typical, comfortable, bustle to a strange, jarring, chaos and people being to rise and scatter. The sound of wooden chair legs scrapping haphazardly across the floorboards fills the air, interrupted by panicked voices, breaking glass, and the solemn gongs of the distant warning bell. Valmora eyes dart around for a brief moment taking it all in but she moves quickly to get up and away from their table and clear room for the others to follow. Her next action is to scramble to where her sword and shield had been tucked away for what she presumed would be a low key evening of drinks and dice. Shield at the ready and sword hastily looped into its spot at her hip, she heads outside with the others from her newfound little taskforce.

[darkmoonrise312]

As the new initiates started to join the conversation, and this new man interrupted their gathering, reality came crashing down with the simple sound of a bell. The bell.

I knew this quiet was too good to be true. But still, it’s almost the new moon. It’s attacking at its weakest. But as any Hunter should know, a weakened creature has the most to fight for.

As the resident Huntsman, Kalinara was the most qualified to fight this threat, but even then, Vistra’s leadership abilities shined through. “As the captain said, you stay together. You get separated, don’t play the hero; run. Weapons front, magic in back. Let’s get to this, lives are on the line.” This all said as she made her way toward the altercation with the new task force alongside her.

She turned to see others scrambling their weapons, and noticed that Groth only had a dagger on him. Pulling her twin axes from her side, she offered on to the half-orc. “Arm yourself, friend. I’ll buy you all a pint if we live.”

[miinstrel]

Spoiler: Valmora

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As you leave the tavern you look for your mother's familiar face and find it ushering a few people into the kitchen, presumably to use the back door to avoid the crowds. Even in the chaos she's caring for someone. Looking back across the room you catch her eye and see... fear. Not of the Titan. But that you're walking out the front door and she knows you're going to turn left toward the gate instead of right toward safety. With am almost imperceptible nod she turns and leaves with a quiver in her lip.

As you ready yourselves and start making your way forward there's another unseen *THUD* followed by scrabbling against the stone, but the guards hold their position. Mud licks at your heels, and after a few moments you're the only ones in the streets save two guards with shields standing in the alcove behind the gate pressed against the stone wall unsure of what to do.

The three up top... wait... weren't there four a moment ago? Well the ones above with crossbows unleash another volley downward.

Your group arrives at the closed gate. The stairs leading to the rampart are twenty feet to your left. Where are you going?

Spoiler: Perception DC 15

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Instinctively watching the action as you approach, your keen eyes caught the slightest flicker of movement. A grayish lump wrapped itself around the arm of one of the guards and yanked him over the edge.

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

Bren grips his longbow and nods his head up the stairs, questioningly.

[Toxic Mind]

Vistra

"Its going for the guards. And its fast." First to the fray, last from the battle. It was more than a motto, it was a creed, a way of life for Vistra. She readies her shield in front of her and heads up the stairs first. The more fire they could put on the beast from range, the better chance that it wouldn't breach the wall. The damage could be contained. There was no thought for her own safety - she wouldn't allow others to suffer while she stood by.

[ProudGrognard]

Groth

Grateful for the weapon, Groth nods and bars his teeth.


Kord, never go out without weapons, silly curr!

He followed the others to the fray. As he passes a fleeing guard, he almost absentmindedly commandeers a true greataxe. Truly armed, he roars he delight to the heavens.


At the parapet, he looks at the guards and at the crossbowmen. Groth understands why the must wait, but he can't do anything from here.

"We need eyes up there, yes! Someone take point!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Groth missed the check. If someone is at the parapet, can he melee with the Titan? Or is it only through the gait?

[miinstrel]

Those of you heading skyward crest the wall a few moments later to find assorted melee arms lain upon the uneven stone in favor of ranged implements. Peering over the wall you first see a small crater about 15 feet across where the dirt has been disturbed, as though the very earth spat this monstrosity out refusing to digest it upon its imminent demise.

A step further provides a view of the base of the wall, and looking back up at you are the two small eyes of what must have once been a hulking, plated, four-legged figure. Now, the bony exterior is almost molting, and the leathery legs, gashed and sore, seem about ready to break away under its weight. An occasional bolt sticks out from its armored hide, but you'd imagine it's so thick they don't phase it much.

It's massive front claws rest a few feet up the wall allowing it to crane its imperceptible neck to look your direction. You watch as the maw unhinges and chomps, much like a crocodile's, on the sturdy breastplate and steel boots of the poor soul that currently calls its mouth home - the larger worked steel bits seem to be giving it some digestive trouble.

"Oh god..." one of the men to your right quakes as he fumbles to get another bolt loaded.

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

Bren bolts up the stairs after Vistra, absently checking his bowstring. He slides his quiver around on his belt, revealing it from where it had been hidden under his cloak. Grasping a few in one hand, a couple of the shafts begin to glow with a pale, white light.

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d4)[2] special arrows ready. I'm ready for initiative! :)

[Toxic Mind]

Vistra

"Courage, friends. This is our home, and no monster will take it from us." Vistra says, more to the guardsmen than to her group. They seemed to be holding together well.

Spoiler: Check?

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Not sure if that would fall under Military Rank from Soldier Background, or perhaps some sort of Persuasion/Intimidate to help them keep their nerve.
(1d20+3)[14]

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

Bren draws fletching to cheek and takes careful aim at one of the beady eyes. Releasing his breath smoothly, he lets the arrow fly.

Spoiler: OOC

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Here goes! Using a special arrow: (1d20+6)[16] damage? (1d8+2)[9] piercing (1d8)[1] radiant. Con save (DC 13) if shapechanger? Pixie will fire as well if that's possible. (1d20+5)[12] damage (1d10)[6] poison.

[miinstrel]

The shaky guard nods to Vistra with unsure eyes that nevertheless give way to resolution. Bren's arrow finds purchase between two of the plates and the creature shifts uncomfortably, dropping its feet off the wall as it continues swallowing.

Spoiler: OOC

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Some of the party has stated they're atop the wall. The creature is at its base 30' down outside the city.

INITIATIVE
Valmora: (1d20+4)[16] <<<--- We Are Here
Vistra: (1d20-1)[12]
Titan: 12
Kalinara: (1d20+1)[9]
Bren: (1d20+2)[9]
Groth: (1d20+1)[4]
Aurix: (1d20+1)[4]
Guards: 1

[Toxic Mind]

Vistra

There was no point in jumping down on the thing, she'd likely just break her leg and be an easy target. But what Vistra could do was wait for one of the tendrils again, protect the people with ranged weapons. She readies her sword, shield and more importantly her eyes, putting her body between the titan and the others behind her.

Spoiler: Actions

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Readied Action to: Chop Grabby Tendril, or Use it as a free ride down. Ideally #2 if such a thing is possible. Vistra is poopoo at acrobatics but good at athletics, so maybe a switch of tactics.

[Bounty Hunter]

Valmora Level 3 Bard AC : 14 DC : 14 Spd : 30 Init : +3 Current HP 21 / 21 Hit Die 3 / 3 Inspiration 1 / 1 Bardic Insp 2 / 2 Spell Slots 4 / 4 2 / 2

Valmora plods through the streets with the others toward the shuddering wall and front gate. She hazards a quick glance here and there to see if there were any others like their group who were heading to assist but assumed most of the foot traffic would be heading the opposite direction. Once they reach the wall, she'll follow the others up the stairs to the battlements where the guards were already at blows with whatever lay beyond. Atop the wall, she blocks her shield into a defensive stance and approaches the edge cautiously to better scout the situation. Eying the crater, she turns her attention to the grotesque thing below currently trying to chew through solid steel armor. 'Sickening' She thinks to herself, but there was no time for shock and awe--the situation demanded action. She quickly begins to summon the magiks of a spell: Spoiler: Actions Show Busy at work but don't want the game waiting on me. Just gonna try to Vicious Mockery the titan. WIS DC : 14 Damage : (1d4)[4] + Disadvantage on attacks

[ProudGrognard]

Groth, (HP35/35, AC14, Rage)

Groth looks over the parapet. He can hear the Titan eating the unlucky guard. His compatriots, perhaps wisely, have fanned out and are waiting for the monstrosity to act again.

But Groth can hear the guard been eaten, and his blood starts to boil and tingle. The Holy Breath will be upon him soon. A growl he did not know was holding escapes his mouth. With barely restrained fury, he says

"I am going out."

Groth starts to run, towards the gate and then past it, to the Titan. As he does, he shouts.

"Kordu Gewu!"

Spoiler: OOC actions

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Groth takes as many actions as necessary to reach the titan and attack it. He is raging and will use Reckless attack. Thus, he has advantage on all attacks and resistance to physical damage and all attacks have advantage against him.

Atk (1d20+5)[10] or (1d20+5)[17]
Dmg (1d12+5)[8] + (1d6+2)[4] radiant

[darkmoonrise312]

Kalinara (HP28/28, AC16)

Before initiative
Kalinara handed the handax to Groth as the ran for the wall. The new taskforce ran up the stairs leading to the guardpost where 4 guards shot hurriedly at the beast. Unfortunately before they could arrive, one of the guards was grabbed by some amorphous aspect of the creature. That's one soul too many Kalinara worried. As she reached the top, she chastised herself for leaving her bow at home as she peered down at the Titan. It seemed like it was weakened from its time it spent not attacking the city, but never should one underestimate a Titan. Somehow, the man who had intruded on their conversation had been the first of the taskforce to injure the creature, showing his prowess.

Initiative
"Is é mo cheist duit, beidh tú marbh." The powerful words Primordial echoed on Kalinara's voice as she marked the Titan as her query. With little regard for her own wellbeing, she launched herself off the wall, impaling her ax into the nearest tentacle about to strike the combatants atop the parapet. Gravity brought her down hard, dragging the blade through the tentacle's flesh the entire way, decreasing her speed. As she slammed into the head of the beast, she used as much of her momentum to rip the blade from the tentacle and smite the beast's body itself.

Spoiler: actions

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Casting of Hunter's Mark.
Firstly, acrobatics check for the blade slide down the tentacle: (1d20+1)[4]
Attack roll with the handaxe: [roll]1d20+4[/roll]
Damage: (1d6)[6] slashing from Handaxe + (1d6)[4] slashing from Hunter's Mark +2 from Favored enemy +2 from Strength

[miinstrel]

Vistra's tactical instincts take control as Valmora follows her lead, but not all are as measured. Groth rushes back down the steps, shouting "Open the gate!" at the two soldiers below. They work the crank and open the door just enough for Groth to step through. As large as it seemed from above, it's bigger at this angle and the deterioration of its hide more visible in the slanted rays of the late day sun. You twist the grip of the axe as you begin your charge seemingly unnoticed.

No tentacles immediately in sight, this thing could almost be a natural being. With a lurch the monster sucks its meal down and settles onto its back legs in contentment for a moment. A violent retching sound purges this feeling as the creature's mouth bursts open again sending a boot flying with a CLANG against the wall, forced out by two impossibly long, fleshy, gray tongues. One slaps against the stone as it feebly attempts to reel in another guard. The other streaks toward Vistra, wrapping around her shield and arm, tension threatening to hoist her away as she senses it's about to retract.

Kali immediately springs to action attempting to ride the tendril down, but it's oozy surface proves more difficult to cut into than expected and your momentum sends you over the edge, tumbling through the air for a moment before your reflexes kick in. You push off from the wall halfway down, controlling your movement, and land with a hard roll across the ground a few feet from the creature.

The guards unleash a trio of bolts, 1 sticking in the thing's open mouth, the other two bouncing harmlessly off its plating.

Spoiler: Groth

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It'll take your full turn to get out there going down the steps. You can keep this roll for next turn or reroll, your choice.

Spoiler: OOC

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INITIATIVE
Valmora: 16 <<<--- is up
Vistra: 12 <<<--- is up
Titan: 12
Kalinara: 9
Bren: 9
Groth: 4
Aurix: 4 <<< --- is up
Guards: 1

ROUND SUMMARY
Titan: took 10 damage from Bren + 4 from Valmora + 5 from guard. Disadv on first attack against guard (18 & 4).
Vistra: Grappled & may take readied action before turn if desired
Kali: takes 5 falling damage (reduced 1 die for an Acro check I rolled)

Spoiler: Map

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Can everyone access Google Sheets easily during the day if I were to put the map on there? I can easily take a screenshot and post like this, just saves a couple minutes if you're able to see it online.

[Bounty Hunter]

Valmora Level 3 Bard AC : 14 DC : 14 Spd : 30 Init : +3 Current HP 21 / 21 Hit Die 3 / 3 Inspiration 1 / 1 Bardic Insp 1 / 2 Spell Slots 4 / 4 2 / 2

"Sword and board not much use up here..." Valmora curses; wishing she'd had time to retrieve her longbow and quiver of arrows in the panic. She weaves another spell and launches it at the titan below and turns before even seeing if it has an effect. "Lets not hold anything back Lady Vistra. Time to show what this little taskforce can do..." The words were more than just combat-chatter though, she wove magic into them to boon their new defacto leader. Finally, she checks the wall to see if the guards might have additional bows and arrows that she could borrow for the time being. And if she were to find any, she makes haste to stow her gear and scoop one up. Spoiler: Actions Show Viscious Mockery vs Titan WIS DC : 14 Damage : (1d4)[1] + Disadvantage on first attack If there is a bow nearby : Stow my current weapons and move to it so I can pick it up next turn. If there is not a bow nearby : Stay where I am currently. Bonus Action : Bardic Inspiration given to Vistra Vistra gains Combat Bardic Inspiration

[Toxic Mind]

Vistra

She grins at Valmora, showing teeth. It was an almost feral display. "I am no Lady" she says and then jumps. Vistra could have held the tendril, could have opposed the creature's strength with her own. But sometimes the most surprising thing for an opponent was seeing their foe go with the attack, rather than directly fighting it. No need to jump when she could simply allow the creature to bring her to it.

Spoiler: Actions

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If it tries to eat Vistra, she will spend her attack stabbing it in its dumb mouth.
Hit:(1d20+5)[24] Damage:(1d8+3)[11]
If its attack roll is above a 14 I will be adding the Bardic Inspiration (1d6)[3] to Vistra's AC.

[miinstrel]

Valmora sees a loaded crossbow lying on the ground 10' south of her position, possibly held by the guard before he was pulled over the ledge to an unfortunate fate. Aurix unleashes a small burst of radiant energy, but it glances off the armored hide leaving only minor scorch marks. As Vistra leaps off the ledge the creature's tongue goes slack for a moment, unprepared for its prey to come so willingly. The unexpected move loosened the tongue's grip on Vistra's arm, and as it recoils into the creature's mouth it slips off, pulling her balance forward and causing her to land hard on the ground before it, but not before driving her sword into the edge of the creature's jaw.

In response it rears back with a shriek and brings its full weight to bear forward against Vistra, the giant mouth nearly closing around her sword arm, but she pulls out of the way just in time.

Spoiler: OOC

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Titan attack vs Vistra: (1d20+7)[20]

INITIATIVE
Valmora: 16
Vistra: 12
Titan: 12
Kalinara: 9 <<<--- is up
Bren: 9 <<<--- is up
Groth: 4 <<<--- is up
Aurix: 4 <<<--- is up
Guards: 1

ACTION SUMMARY
Aurix: cast Sacred Flame
Vistra: Took 8 falling damage
Valmora: Titan failed its save
Titan: Took Val's 1, Vistra's 19 (+(1d6)[2] from falling), and Aurix's (1d8)[4] halved for passing the save.

Combat Map

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

Reaching for his second glowing arrow, Bren draws and looses again, followed by his pixie.

Spoiler: OOC

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Longbow Attack w glowing arrow: (1d20+6)[13] (dis)advantage? (1d20+6)[7] Damage (1d8+2)[8] + (1d8)[1] radiant: crit? (2d8)[7]
Pixie Attack; (1d20+5)[11] (dis)advantage? (1d20+5)[6], Damage (1d10)[8] poison, Crit? (1d10)[3]

[darkmoonrise312]

Kalinara (HP23/28, AC16)

Kali tucks and rolls as she hits the ground, hard. She was lucky; an error like that could get a hunter killed. Chastising herself and gritting through the pain, she picked herself up and stared at the Titan, the beast she is sworn to fight. With a war cry she charged the beast, aiming her blade for its seemingly weaker underside and legs. As she gripped her ax, the blade took on a bluish tinge as the power of the elements swirled into it as it made contact with the creature's hide.

Spoiler: Actions

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Movement: stand and run toward the Titan
Bonus action: Planar Warrior. Changes all damage to force and adds 1d8 damage to the attack against one enemy
Action: Attack with hand ax. (1d20+4)[11]
Damage: All force: (1d6)[2] handax + (1d6)[2] Hunters Mark + (1d8)[8] Planar Warrior +4 Strength/Favored Enemy

[atlastrembles]

Aurix

Seeing his companions leap valiantly into battle, Aurix reaches deep inside himself and finds the light that resides there - an almost tangible thing lodged in the centre of his chest and the source of his connection with Bahamut. He wouldn't let his fellow citizens face this beast alone, their bravery the only thing protecting them from the maw of this aberration. He focuses on the light and his scaled hands begin glowing. They tingle with the collected energy as Mutt races around his shoulders and up on top of his head. Mutt lets out a defiant roar/squeak of mini-dragon defiance as Aurix yells out his own battlecry, sending a thick beam of light surging down towards the Titan.

FOR THE DRAGON'S LIGHT!

Guiding Bolt Attack - (1d20+5)[8]
Guiding Bolt Damage if Hit - (5d6)[20] - and if hit, next attack on the Titan has advantage.

[Armored Walrus]

Bren

Bren shoots Aurix and Valmora an approving grin. It's been too long since he involved himself in events directly. He might even be enjoying this.