Iron Crisis Pt3 IC

[Amnestic]

Aldeth doesn't pay for your food and drinks at the inn, should you order any. Though you're offering him help, it's clearly for mutual benefit, and perhaps he's still a bit sore about the events in Cloakwood.

As the hour draws closer, he pays his tab, and you're lead (back) to the Merchant's League building. Perhaps in preparation for battle, or just owing to the pomp he mentioned, Aldeth dons a set of studded leather and places a rapier and dagger at his hip. The interior opens into a tiny reception room with a desk, two chairs, and a small waiting bench. A guard stands at attention at the back door that leads further in. The clerk sat at the desk makes a few (bored, barely interested) inquiries with Aldeth about your identities, before waving you through. For how bland the exterior was, the interior is anything but. Plush red and gold carpets line the floors, a chandelier hangs overhead flickering with magical lighting, and ornately carved wooden tables with matching chairs for conducting business at. The walls are lined with bookshelves and storage units, each packed to the brim with tomes of what you can be sure are incredibly boring documents of money changing hands.

Still, despite the rich setting, you can't help but notice how quiet and dead the building is. Outside of your group, there seems to be no one else around. From above, you hear the lilting sounds of piano playing. You're lead by Aldeth up a set of stairs into the second floor of the estate.

However it normally is decorated, it currently is decked out for a party...of which there are very few actual attendants. Along two walls are shelves of alcoholic beverages, with a full bar that could seat three dozen people at once, and three bartenders currently staffing it. On the far wall you spot the piano being played. Tables and chairs enough to seat almost 80 more people make up the rest of the arrangements, but of those currently here only a scant fourteen are filled, making the room look decidedly empty. Casual small talk bubbles up beneath the piano notes, but while you're still taking in the room a man approaches you, dressed in splint mail with weapons at this belt.

"Brandilar, one of our guards, he's also mentioned thinking this party is strange, so I believe him trustworthy." Aldeth mutters to you - and you note the only guard on the floor. He greets Aldeth amiably, and after a brief hushed discussion, Aldeth turns back to you, his voice equally low. "We should probably mingle rather than staying as a group - my brother hasn't arrived yet, you might get a chance to talk to others before he arrives."

Spoiler: OOC

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Rather than play out individual conversations back and forth, party should choose who they want to talk to from those who are available, and then make a Charisma (Investigation) check to see what you can suss out from their words, if anything. If both people choose the same location, they'll get advantage (stacking) on their check, using the highest modifier...but they may miss out on other information!

Alternatively, you could try doing something other than chatting to people and choose a relevant skill for doing so.

People you can speak to:
At the Bar-
A rotund, dwarven man, who looks like a merchant from his clothing.
A beautiful crimson-haired woman, dressed for a ball - arguably over-dressed for this event.
One of the three bar staff.

At Tables-
Table 1: A trio of two middle aged human merchants who might well be twins, alongside a blond haired woman that is probably romantically involved with one, given how she's clutching to his arm.
Table 2: A pair of merchants who seem to be discussing nothing at all, and are just staring off into the middle distance.
Table 3: A sad looking man with a dirty face and commoner's clothing, being berated by another merchant.
Table 4: A quartet of merchants who seem to already be deep in their drinks, given how poor their motor skills are - food and drink is being spilled everywhere.

Or the piano player.

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 3/3 Dawn Leaf nods at Aldeth's suggestion and looks to the others, "Yes. Let's split up." He barely waits for a response before heading over to talk to the beautiful woman. If he has to talk to someone anyway, it might as well be someone he can flirt with. Maybe this could lead to something more interesting tonight than the fall of the Merchant's League. He sits next to her and orders a drink. At an appropriate time, he breaks the ice and then offers to buy her one too. "I love your dress. That's fine craftsmanship. Who made it? Can I get you a drink?" He proceeds to ask her name, her connections to the Merchant League, and if she knows any of the others in the room. He introduces himself and tells her his story, claiming to be a hunting friend of Aldeth, and representing a potential investor in the League. Spoiler: OOC Show Persuasion: (1d20+4)[19] Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people. Ragefest, wizard Abela, nymph Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust. Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 77/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: none At the Inn, Grok eats a light meal, attempting to keep Aldeth at ease, before he departs for a few minutes to polish his armor, and make sure it was appropriate attire for a party, and that no remains of the recent adventure were to be found on it's shining surface. Thus properly prepared, he is ready for the swanky party. Inside the luxurious, but somehow run down Merchant's League headquarters, the armored dwarf takes in the scenery, and the lack of people within. Clearly, something was off. However, despite that, someone had clearly decorated for a party, leaving a small number of merchants, a guard, and his current companions around to fill a space designed for three times that number of people. With a directive to split up and be merry, Grok, seeing a fellow dwarf, approaches him. "Humans, am I right? Making a party of the littlest things, and missing all the parts of a good party." With that said, he gives one of the bartenders a significant look, and glances at his empty hands. Spoiler: OOC Show Attempting to see if anything is off about the rotund dwarven man. (1d20+3)[13] Investigation

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 54/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 5 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 3/3 2nd, 3/3 3rd, 1/1 4th 2/2 Wildshape Caelyn nods to Sam. "I am capable of dispelling most magic, though I cannot pierce curses." She settles in to wait for the time for action, thinking over what else she can contribute to the fight.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Disguised (Elf) | Spider Form The Anniversary Party When they reach the League's headquarters, Sam has taken the appearance of a different sort of featherless biped. He seems to have based his appearance off of Melian's, with a more square fixture to his jaw and a figure based on his memories of Ender Sai. His elven disguise is dressed in a fine, but humble merchant's suit and a light brown cap. As he passes an eave, a spider threads down and hides beneath his illusion, peering out from the collar of his leather armor. In the banquet room, Sam is naturally drawn towards the servant (or so they seem) being berated by their master. Spurred by a sense of compassionate justice, he approaches their table. "Someone's intent on being the center of attention. Not feeling very festive?" he asks, trying to sound... posher? than normal. While he distracts the merchant from berating the commoner, and tries to needle out some information about his business here, Grepha watches quietly for tells - and for danger. Spoiler: Rolls Show (1d20+6)[21] Performance (1d20+6)[7] Adv if Grepha counts

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 54/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 5 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 3/3 2nd, 3/3 3rd, 1/1 4th 1/2 Wildshape Caelyn rode on Sam's other shoulder, tucked into his collar, also in spider form. She kept herself still, which wasn't all that hard for the spider. It just wished to scamper off Sam's shoulder and go find some insect to eat. But there wasn't the frantic need to run of the squirrel form, or the manic energy of the monkey she took the form of. She kept her eyes open, and what magnificent eyes they were! She could see so much more than normal without even turning her body! She would have to remember to discuss it with Grepha, no one else in the party would have the same perspective on it.

[Awful]

Entirely at a loss at a 'party', Anri didn't wander off on her own. Instead, she stuck with the Beard, tagging along behind him something like a lion-skin wrapped puppy and perching on a stool next to him.

The other elf had come as a bug, and honestly that seemed like far more of an interesting thing, but alas, such was beyond Anri's current capabilities.

"Humans," she agreed, not really knowing what she was agreeing to, but doing her best to help. She waited to be given alcohol.

[Amnestic]

Perhaps the woman is just the talkative sort in general, but she seems more than happy to speak to Leaf. She's an entertainer by nature, a filler of drinks paid to keep men company and look pretty on their arms at events. The League paid for her services for tonight, only for the event to be a bit more dead than she imagined. She takes to the conversation with vigor and legitimate interest, unabashedly asking questions and probing you for answers perhaps moreso than you do to her.

Spoiler: Insight DC16

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While she doesn't seem to be telling mistruths, her enthusiasm is the lie, all part of her job. There's a distinct sense that anything you tell her will be forgotten by tomorrow.

Grok and Anri find the dwarf's words a bit stilted, perhaps owing to the drink he's had, though if it is the drink to blame the barstaff are clearing it away quickly. He explains he's visiting from a neighbouring clanhold - Clan Forgebar - with the hopes of investing since the League is so powerful and flush with money. Attending this party is a way for him to make some connections.

Spoiler: History DC14

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Clan Forgebar was wiped out thirty years ago during a war with a neighbouring alliance of kobolds, goblins, and xvarts. The dwarves started it, so it was really their own fault.

Sam, along with his pair of hangers on, strike up a conversation with the berating merchant and his - it turns out - debtor. The explanation for why they brought a debtor to an anniversary party is muddled at best, and the merchant seems confused as to why you're even asking at all. The debtor seems equally confused by their situation, and just says they were told to come here at the time, and did so per the instruction.

Spoiler: Insight DC13

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The debtor is telling the truth, but the stilted words from the merchant are so muddled it's hard to tell if he's lying or simply soft-skulled.

Senna's own attempts at socially ingratiating herself with the others in the room flows...poorly. She attempts to strike up a conversation with the twin merchants and the wife(?), but one of them rebuts her flatly, and she finds no support apart from token etiquette-obligated apologies with little sincerity behind them.

Spoiler: OOC

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She rolled a 9 on her social investigation, RIP.

While you are each carrying you your respective conversations, two more people ascend the stairs - both dressed with similar finery to Aldeth. They approach him immediately, and begin a hushed discussion, though from Aldeth's expression it's not a pleasant one.

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 77/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: none Grok nods along with the dwarf. "Ah, Clan Forgebar. I've heard of them. A bit of an interesting history, but good to know that you're going well." As Grok continues the fairly pointless conversation with the not-dwarf, he tries to split his focus, and do two things at once. First, he draws upon his divine sense, hoping to get some idea of what was going on. Secondly, he surveys the room, trying to get a sense of how many people in the room were genuine, and how many were more like his dwarf "friend". Spoiler: OOC Show Using a second charge of divine sense, and trying to insight? (1d20)[12](Perception or Insight. Grok's wisdom skills are fairly similar.)

[Amnestic]

The dwarven companion doesn't seem to twig on that Grok has recognised the error, though Divine Sense fails to pick up anything extraplanar about anyone in the room, save Grepha - for better or worse everyone here seems to be of the Material. A cursory glance around the room once again indicates the strangeness of the two merchants staring into empty space, but it's hard to tell just how much of the others behaviour is due to drink or natural stiltedness.

"Enough, 'brother'!" Aldeth's voice grows louder, echoing through the room and bringing an end to the pianosong. All eyes turn to him. "Whoever you are, this farce has gone on long enough. You know as well as I do that this isn't my anniversary. What have you done to my brother?!"

The man beside him laughs - a low chuckle at first, then growing louder, higher pitched. It turns into a cackle, gleeful and superior. "Stu-STU-pid prima-MA-te! You could-could have been el-el-el-EL-evated! Did you think-THINK that your deception-tion-TION had gone-GONE unnoticed-d-d? Your so-so-so-so CALLED 'hunting frien-FRIEN-friends?" Another stilted unnatural laugh as the man hunches forward, its limbs elongating. Its skin sloughs off with its clothes, morphing into a twisted grey humanoid, its head hairless with engorged eyes. A doppleganger.

Screams erupt around you as more transform - two at the table of four, one at the table of two, the piano player, and the dwarf next to Grok and Anri. "Brandilar, to me!" Aldeth yells, pulling his rapier free.

"killKILLkikkilKILL them ALL!"

Spoiler: Map

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Anri, Grepha, Sam, and Leaf are up.

Brandilar will take his turn at the end of the initiative block.

Initiative:
Anri: [19]
Brandilar: [18]
Grepha: [18]
Sam: [17]
Leaf:[12]

DD: [10]

Grok:[9]
Senna: [4]
Caeyln:[4]
Aldeth: [4]

D: [4]

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 2/3 Dawn Leaf watches the transformation of all the doppelgängers. He is surprised but knows that this makes a lot of sense. He wonders what happened to the poor souls that are being impersonated. But he is quick about that. He makes sure the beautiful woman is not one of the infiltrators, as well as the bartender right next to him. He debates grabbing the woman and running off, sure that she would be enamored of a rescuer, which might lead to an interesting evening. But he knows his friends will need help, so he needs to make a decision. Help the woman. Or help his friends. He decides that his friends need his help more. He leaps up onto the bar, then over to the other side and ducks down behind it. He calls to the woman first. "Climb over the bar and hide back here." He then looks at the bartender next to him. "Protect her." In one swift motion he pops up and shoots at the doppelgänger piano player, before holding his arm out for the woman. "What's your name, darling?" Spoiler: OOC Show Leaf Object Interaction: equip longbow Move: over bar Bonus Action: hide Action: Attack doppelgänger to the south Hide (1d20+11)[18] (did not pull up his cloak) Attack (with Elven Accuracy): (1d20+12)[28], ((1d20+12)[32], (1d20+12)[13]) Damage: (1d8+7)[9] (reroll below = 15 total) Sneak attack: (2d6)[3][3](6) If Crit (1d8)[4] base + (1d8)[4] piercer + (2d6)[7] sneak attack Piercer reroll lowest d8 if roll 3 or less: (1d8)[8] If no d8 at 3 or less, reroll lowest d6 2 or less (1d6)[4] = 36 total if passive perception is > 17 then I only did 15 damage On hit, use one charge of bow. DC14 STR save or restrained until the end of my next turn. Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people. Ragefest, wizard Abela, nymph Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust. Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Disguised (Elf) | Spider Form The Anniversary Party Naturally, Sam had been ready. The nature of their visit already meant something untoward was going to happen, and the moment Aldeth started shouting the disguised half-dragon was already leaping into action. Quite literally. Breaking away from the table with the moneylender and his debtor, the 'elven merchant' steps onto the table where Senna fumbled talking to some other merchantfolk, and launches into the air. A flurry of air whips down, flapping their clothes and the feathers in their caps. Sam's wings, through invisible, still do their work. Aloft, he launches a pair of energy bolts to knock one of Aldeth's aggressors back and then ascends higher into the air, puffing from the effort. His eyes flash with mystical power, trying to assail the mind of the other assailant. Grepha whips out a web parachute and glides down on the current of Sam's wingbeats, landing next to his target to deliver a nasty bite. Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam Move 2 NW, 1 N, 1 NW onto the table. Take to the air 1 NE-up, flying just above the floor to the East of Senna. Cast EB on the doppel to the West of Aldeth. (1d20+6)[25] to hit (1d10)[7] damage and 10 knockback (1d20+6)[10] to hit (1d10)[4] damage and bonks him into the chair behind him if the first one also hit, for (1d4)[4] damage BA to cast Mind Thrust on the other doppel, North of Aldeth. (1d20)[5] Int save vs DC 14 to halve (3d6)[8] psychic damage and avoid the stagger Grepha Hops down to the floor and moves North to get to the West doppel, whether or not it gets knocked back. (1d20+5)[11] bite (1d4+3)[5] damage On hit, (1d20)[17] Con save vs DC 11 from target, to halve (3d6)[7] poison

[Awful]

"Anri" High Elf Eldritch Knight. Darkvision: 60ft Blindsight: 10ft AC: 17 HP: 72/72 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 7 / 7 d8 HD Second wind 1d10+7 1/1 Action surge 1/1 Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Anri had leaned her greataxe up against the bar. With a considering look as the nearby not-dwarf transformed, she reached out and plucked it into her grasp. With a click of her tongue to ignite the blade, she swung it once, twice, to begin the day's work.

Spoiler: OOC

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BA: ignite axe
Action: attack, two swings
(1d20+8)[24] to hit, (1d12+5)[9] slash, (2d6)[7] fire
(1d20+8)[26] to hit, (1d12+5)[6] slash, (2d6)[7] fire

[Amnestic]

Yelling and screams go up as more and more of the creatures transform from people into...monsters. Leaf hops the bar, but his attempt to hide himself goes unfulfilled, with the doppleganger seemingly keenly aware of his every move as if it could read his very thoughts. Awareness doesn't save it from being skewered by an arrow, nor from the magic from the projectile locking its limbs in place. Locked in place, the doppleganger shudders, and three identical copies of it appear in an overlapping shimmer of light, each taking another's place.

When Sam rushes away from his table, the obnoxious merchant swings at his back, his form shifting into that of a doppleganger as well. The maul-like fist slams into Sam, who keeps moving regardless, blasting away at those assaulting Aldeth. He manages to strike with one beam, but the second strikes only the floor, though the snare on the mind does seem to set in. His flight doesn't save him from being struck though, when one of those at his table transforms and leaps up, flailing at him and catching with a glancing blow.

Grepha skitters across the floor, but though spiders might make excellent spies they are not that fast. Anri doesn't have to suffer through moving though, igniting her axe and cleaving at the nearest doppleganger, dealing significant damage. In response, the two bartenders shift into their real forms and attempt to wrap both Grok and Anri in mind-killing spells, though they both manage to push past the visions.

Two more of the creatures flank Aldeth on both sides, laying into him with their distended limbs. The noble hunter manages to evade some of the blows, though not all. At the same time, Brandilar rushes towards the closest of the monsters, exchanging blows with it.

Spoiler: Map

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Leaf: Hide doesn't work, so there's no advantage, so no sneak attack. Hits for 15, but they fail their save vs. Restrain.
Sam: Moves and gets hit by a sneaky doppleganger OA for 13. First beam hits its target, and Mind Sliver save failed.
Grepha: Can't get into melee due to the knockback, but even if she could her attack missed.
Anri: Hits twice. The target is now bloodied.

Brandilar moves south and attacks the nearest enemy three times. He hits twice, for a total of 12.

The top Dread Doppleganger attacks Aldeth, and hits twice for 11.
The one at the table beside Sam transforms into its trueshape and attacks Sam, hitting once for 4.
The one at the table between Aldeth and Grok transforms, and attacks Aldeth, hitting twice for 12.
The one at the south table hits back at Brandilar, striking only once, for 9.

Two of the bartenders transform and cast Phantasmal Killer on Grok and Anri; both make their saves. No effect.

The restrained one at the piano casts Mirror Image on itself.

Grok and Caelyn (currently in spider form) are up. Senna and Aldeth (and the rest of the NPCs) will take their turns at the end of the initiative block.

Initiative:
Anri: [19]
Brandilar: [18]
Grepha: [18]
Sam: [17]
Leaf:[12]

DD: [10]

Grok:[9]
Senna: [4]
Caelyn:[4]
Aldeth: [4]

D: [4]

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 77/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: Concentrating Seeing the entire room go doppleganger, Grok curses. "By all the gods under the mountain! Everyone some sort of shape shifting monster? This will NOT stand!" Despite his words, he doesn't hesistate to bring his glaive into action, swinging the haft with brutal power into the doppleganger next to him, hoping to finish it quickly, before he rushes over to stand by Aldeth, seeking to protect the merchant with his faith and his glaive. Spoiler: OOC Show Action: Attack twice. Smite once. Hopefully. (1d20+9)[16] Attack 1 (1d10+6)[7] Damage + (2d8)[6] Smite (1d20+9)[25] Attack 2 (1d10+6)[16] Damage + (2d8)[4] Smite(If needed) Move: Adjacent to Aldeth. Bonus: Cast Shield of Faith on Aldeth. Reaction: If/when any dopple attacks Aldeth, Grok will stab them as viciously and as painfully as he can in an attempt to divert their wrath to him, rather than the lightly armored Aldeth.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 54/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 5 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/3 3rd, 1/1 4th 1/2 Wildshape As the fight began in earnest, a small spider descended off of Sam's shoulder and skittered it's way across to the tables on the west side of the building. Clambering up into the seats, an elf sprung up from the spider's form and raised a staff blazing like an enflamed ember. "By the light of the moon, BURN shapeshifter!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Movement to the west side of the building, hopefully up in some difficult terrain for safety. Bonus action revert to elf. Action upcast Moonbeam at level 3 hovering over the shapeshifter to Aldeth's NW. Save with disadvantage vs 15- (1d20)[7] or (1d20)[2], to half (3d10)[26] damage. If it fails it can't shift in the light.

[Amnestic]

Grok's glaive flashes out at the weakened doppleganger, and finds it lacking. With one strike he removes an arm, with the second he removes its head, leaving its body at Anri's feet as he rushes off to aid Aldeth. Senna and Caelyn both call up radiant light - Caelyn's in the form of the searing moon, Senna's in the form of glimmering candle spirits. Both together combine their spells to sear the skin away from one of the dopplegangers threatening Aldeth, just as Grok catches up to surround him in a shimmering field of magic. It moves away from the searing lights, and - together with its recently transformed ally - both strike at Grok together. The two at both sides of the dwarf slam their hands into his armour, but one of them seems to land especially hard and gets through.

The over-dressed woman's response to Leaf is cut short when the remaining bartender also transforms into a doppleganger, but the tabaxi is able to evade the swings, though such skills don't seem to inspire the beauty, who rushes beneath a table. Throughout the room more transform, striking at Brandilar and the other party goes. The 'angry' merchant unleashes two potent swings at the poor, terrified man, and do so with such viciousness that you hear a visceral neck snap and he falls dead. Another swings at the married woman, who is knocked to the ground unconscious. Her husband grabs at her, trying to drag her away as best he can.

Brandilar is surrounded on three sides, and threatened so he finds it difficult to properly mount a defense against slam after slam from the creatures.

Spoiler: Map

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Grok kills the weakened dopple with only one smite spent, and buffs Aldeth with Shield of Faith.
Caelyn casts Moonbeam. The normal doppleganger is up first. He fails the save at the start of his turn at takes 19 damage. I kept the 26 damage roll for the Dread Doppleganger, since that's the one you targeted first.

Senna steps away. The Dread Doppleganger misses with its OA. She upcasts a Spirit Guardians (4th), excluding any currently visible friendlies from the effect.
Aldeth uses Leadership. Every friendly within a 30ft radius of him gains +1d4 to attack and save rolls.

At the start of its turn, the visible doppleganger to the north of Aldeth takes 14 damage from Spirit Guardians (now Bloodied). It moves away from Aldeth, the Spirit Guardians, and Moonbeam. Aldeth chooses to hold his reaction.

More of them transform, including one within Spirit Guardians - but it is exempt from the spell due to Senna not knowing it was evil at the time. The two near Grok attack him, and hit once (25 roll, 6 nonmagical bludgeoning damage) out of four swings.

One next to Leaf transforms and attacks; he dodges.

The remaining two at Brandilar's table transform. Two gang up on him, and hit four times, for a total of 29. Brandilar is now bloodied. With an AC of 17 vs. +6 on their rolls, getting hit by all four was unlucky.

Two of the the others attack civilians, one downs the woman, the other hits and then crits the poor looking man, killing him outright.

The remaining merchant grabs his wife(?)'s bleeding, but still living, body and tries to drag it away (Disengaging to avoid OAs). The beautiful woman, surrounded on all sides by dopplegangers, dives beneath a nearby table for cover.

Anri, Brandilar, Grepha, Sam, and Leaf are up. As before, Brandilar will take his turn at the end of the block.

Initiative:
Anri: [19]
Brandilar: [18] BLOODIED
Grepha: [18]
Sam: [17]
Leaf:[12]

DD: [10]

Grok:[9]
Senna: [4]
Caelyn:[4]
Aldeth: [4] LEADERSHIP ACTIVE

D: [4]

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 2/3 Dawn Leaf ducks back behind the bar, unsure how the doppelgänger was so prepared for his last shot. But with all those mirror images, he'll leave that one for someone that can catch them all in a spell at once. Instead, he pops up over the bar and shoots at the injured one next to Brandilar. He then climbs up onto the table over the woman, calling down to her, assuming she's not in on the deception. "You should run, sweetheart. It's not safe in here." Spoiler: OOC Show Leaf Reaction: Scout move 15' west Bonus Action: hide dash if needed Move: stand on table over woman Action: Attack injured doppelgänger next to Brandilar Object Interaction: none Hide (1d20+11)[25] Attack with Elven Accuracy: (1d20+12)[17], (1d20+12)[26], (1d20+12)[14] - no hide Damage: (1d8+7)[14] Colossus if injured: (1d8)[7] Sneak attack: (2d6)[1][5](6) = change 1 to 2 = 7 = 28 total If Crit (1d8)[2] base + (1d8)[7] piercer + (1d8)[3] colossus + (2d6)[11] sneak attack Piercer reroll lowest d8 if roll 3 or less: (1d8)[1] If no d8 at 3 or less, reroll lowest d6 2 or less (1d6)[2] (added to SA above) Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people. Ragefest, wizard Abela, nymph Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust. Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 HP: 38/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Disguised (Elf) | Spider Form The Anniversary Party Kicking off of the doppelganger grabbing him from on the table, Sam takes a couple of clumsy over-correcting wingbeats on unseen wings that send him careening after Caelyn, bumping his head on the ceiling above her. "Oof!" He rubs the top of his head and surveys the room. The civilians are being cut down, so he launches two blasts at the one who struck down the defenseless woman. Grepha flinches at the nearness of the sacred moonlight. She does her best to harry and bite at the feet of the doppelganger without singing herself and revealing her true form, though the green flames and smoke drifting from her tiny fangs hints that she is anything but what she appears. Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam Corrected his quick reference AC with his leather armor back on, a whole +1 but it might make a difference woo. Bonus action to Tumble, Dash/Disengage movement to fly 1 E of Caelyn and as high as he can go. EB twice on the Dread Doppelganger that smacked the civilian lady. (1d20+6)[11] to hit Blast 1 +(1d4)[2] Aldeth bonus (1d10)[10] damage and pound him diagonally down into the ground for (1d4)[4] bump damage (1d20+6)[10] to hit Blast 2 +(1d4)[4] Aldeth bonus (1d10)[1] damage and pound him diagonally down into the ground for (1d4)[4] bump damage Grepha Green Flame Bite/Sting on the moonlit Doppel. (1d20+5)[25] to hit +(1d4)[3] Aldeth bonus (1d4+3)[5] damage +(1d8)[5] fire and (1d20)[8] DC 11 Con save to halve (3d6)[11] poison Critical Total: 10 piercing, 10 fire and 22 pre-halfing poison

[Awful]

"Anri" High Elf Eldritch Knight. Darkvision: 60ft Blindsight: 10ft AC: 17 HP: 72/72 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 7 / 7 d8 HD Second wind 1d10+7 1/1 Action surge 1/1 Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Holding her weapon aloft, Anri followed Grok as he charged to defend whats-his-name. She dragged a claw along the smouldering blade, and she brough a scorching golden slash into the for and followed it up with a hideously strong horizontal slash, aiming to cut the doppleganger clean in two.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move : As per discord, to the two enemies near Aldeth
BA: attack: crit for 27 slash + 6 fire
Action: GFB: 14 to hit, 14slash+18burn
9 fire damage leaps to adjacent enemy, no hit roll or save

[Amnestic]

Anri darts away from the body she left in her wake, and her crushing flame-strikes against the doppleganger first cut its chest, and then remove its head and a searing pair of slices. Not to be outdone by someone hundreds of times as large, the Grepha-Spider delivers a crushing bite to the nearest doppleganger, her venom immediately blackening the creature's grey skinned foot. It moves to run, but assailed by spirits at its side and radiant moonlight from above, it gets nowhere. It stumbles, then writhes, as it is burned beyond all recognition. They do not give up on taking down Aldeth though, as one attacks it from behind. Aldeth raises his blade to deflect one, while Shield of Faith safeguards him from another. The third lands though, and he's forced to cough up blood from the impact.

The malicious creature that had struck bloody the woman evades one of Sam's beams, though they other strikes it down into the ground. Out of its easy reach, the creature instead launches a barrage of blows against Caelyn, slamming its meaty fists into her.

Leaf's arrow flies past Brandilar, striking the already injured dread doppleganger. The warrior - bloodied and bruised - takes the opportunity to retreat, slipping away from the trio around him to the 'safety' of the spirits.

The two 'barmen' leap over from their positions, one to Anri, the other to Leaf, the latter of which finds himself flanked on both sides. They attack, striking both with painful gangly fists. The former-piano player, surrounded by his mirror images, leaves the tabaxi to his 'comrades' and instead incants a fearful spell to afflict Senna's mind, but her own training and Grok's safeguarding aura protect her from the magic.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Anri hits and then crits, killing off the nearest doppleganger in one turn, and slightly burning the adjacent dread.
Grepha crits the Dread Doppleganger for 42 total damage.
Sam misses with beam one, hits with beam 2.
Leaf gets an arrow into the injured one, hitting for 28.

Brandilar - bloodied - disengages from his position and retreats into the Spirit Guardians.

At the start of the DD's turns, the one in the spirit guardians makes his save (20) and then fails his moonbeam save. The combo damage finishes him off, stopping Grepha from any spider retaliation.
The other two DDs fail their saves vs. Spirit Guardians, taking 13 each.

One DD attacks Aldeth who uses his reaction to Parry. Combined with Shield of Faith he takes only one hit for 5, bloodying him.
One DD attacks Anri, hitting twice for 4 and 5 (9 total)
One exits the spirit guardians and goes for Caelyn. He hits for 7, 7, and 5 (19 total). Concentration not rolled.
Two attack Leaf. I seem to have stored up my attack rolls here in particular, since they hit for a combined six times total (8, 6, 5, 8, 5, 5) 37 total
One attacks Leaf (19 total). The injured one moves to give chase on Leaf, but can't reach, and Dodges instead
The final living DD tries to cast Phantasmal Killer on Senna, who makes her wis save only thanks to Grok's paladin aura.

Grok and Caelyn are up. Senna+Aldeth taking turns at end of initiative block.

Initiative:
Anri: [19]
Brandilar: [18] BLOODIED
Grepha: [18]
Sam: [17]
Leaf:[12]

DD: [10]

Grok:[9]
Senna: [4]
Caelyn:[4]
Aldeth: [4] BLOODIED, LEADERSHIP ACTIVE

D: [4]

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 77/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: none Seeing one of the shapeshifters going to attack Aldeth, Grok attempts to discourage it, swinging the butt of his glaive up between it's legs as it strikes at Aldeth. Moments later, he takes advantage of it exposing itself by attacking Aldeth by bringing the blade down, and trying to slice through the foul creature with brutal power. Spoiler: OOC Show Reaction: When the DD first attacks Aldeth, attempt to discourage it. (1d20+9)[14] + (1d4)[4] Attack (1d10+6)[7] Damage Action: Continue to attack the DD who is attacking Aldeth. (1d20+9)[24] + (1d4)[1] Attack (1d10+6)[11] Damage (1d20+9)[23] + (1d4)[4] Attack (1d10+6)[10] Damage Ongoing reactions: If it attacks Aldeth, attack it.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 35/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 5 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/3 3rd, 1/1 4th 0/2 Wildshape Recognizing the immediate threat of the lashing, smacking shapechanger, Caelyn turns to face it, even as her moonbeam winks out, distracted by the pain. She raises a hand and utters a summoning chant, shouting "Bokono!" at the end, and she summons the flame spirit next to herself, Sam, and the grey skinned foe, trusting her brother's fire resistance to spare him the worst of the summoning flare. "Sam, falling back! Come with us if you want!" Then she utters a command to Bokono, who rears and brightens as, in a flash of fire, he takes Caelyn and possibly Sam deeper into the far corner of the bar, putting more seats and wreckage between her and the enemies.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action summon Bokono one square south of Caelyn. DC 15 Dex save or take (2d6)[7] fire damage. Then order a fiery teleportation, moving her 15 feet to the north and putting Bokono between her and the southern foe. Anyone remaining within 5 feet (Sam and Doppler) needs another DC 15 save or take (1d6+3)[7] fire damage.

[Amnestic]

Grok's glaive carves off pieces of the dread doppleganger, but the twitching creature remains standing, lithely dodging around Aldeth's own attempts to contribute beyond inspiring others. Senna strides forward, away from her defensive position, bringing her glimmering lights with her to assail the dopplegangers and hopefully draw their attention. With a Commanding word she commands two of those who look to be threatening her allies to "Flee!" and - unlike their own spells - the dopplegangers fall victim to it.

With a burst of flame, Bokono appears and then teleports its master away, though only the initial explosion harms the doppleganger; it was prepared for the second, and deftly evades the flame.

The remaining copycat creatures spread out, some moving away from Senna and one rushing in. Two swing their fists against Grok and Senna, but find the thick armour plating resistant to their blows, and they fail to land any notable swings.

The barman rushes up to Leaf, eager to capture the elusive tabaxi, the others strike at the remaining civilians. One grabs a hold of the fallen blonde woman's head and cracks it into the floor, causing her to fall breathless. Her husband has no time to mourn, as a second one slams him to the ground with their own fists. Though the overdressed woman had taken shelter beneath the table, it proves insufficient to escape the doppleganger's attention. One kicks aside the table and - finding the woman prone - has easy prey in knocking her out with a slam of its own.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Grok hits with his reaction attack and both his normal attacks, bloodying the DD, though it's still up.

Senna moves forward to catch three of the dopplegangers in her spirit guardians. Unfortunately, at the start of their turn they all make their save, so only take 10 radiant each.
She then upcasts Command (2nd) on the Dread Doppleganger northeast of Anri and two south of Leaf to Flee. They both fail their saves. On their turn, they'll run away from Senna as far+fast as possible. They're marked with the thorny-heart symbol.

Aldeth attacks the nearest DD twice, but rolls poorly and misses with both.

The dopplegangers spread out. One attacks Senna twice, missing both.
One attacks Grok, missing both attacks.
One attacks the downed Wife, killing her.
One attacks the merchant dragging her, knocking him out.
One attacks the attractive lady, knocking her out.
One Dashes to get adjacent to Leaf.

A comparatively much worse turn for the enemy, at least where the party's concerned. The civilians might not feel the same way.

Anri, Grepha, Sam, Leaf are up.

Initiative:
Anri: [19]
Brandilar: [18] BLOODIED
Grepha: [18]
Sam: [17]
Leaf:[12]

DD: [10]

Grok:[9]
Senna: [4]
Caelyn:[4]
Aldeth: [4] BLOODIED, LEADERSHIP ACTIVE

D: [4]

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 41/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 2/3 Dawn Leaf uses his bow to fend off any attacks as he runs south, back towards the piano. At one point he runs on all fours like a three-legged cat, holding his bow in his other hand. He runs over and around tables and doppelgängers, weaving through them and leaving them behind, hoping someone follows him to draw them away from Senna. As he jumps over a table, he turns in the air, spinning back as he fires off an arrow at one of the doppelgängers, and then finishing the spin to land and continue in full gallop. Spoiler: OOC Show Leaf Reaction: will use scout reaction every turn if able Bonus Action: disengage Move: SSE as far as possible towards the piano, use feline agility to move 60' Action: Attack an injured doppelgänger next to an ally. Prefer the one next to Senna, but must be next to someone in order to use sneak attack, and injured to use colossus slayer Object Interaction: none Leaf Attack: (1d20+12)[28] Damage: (1d8+7)[13] Colossus if injured: (1d8)[4] Sneak attack: (2d6)[5][2](7) = 26 If Crit (1d8)[3] base + (1d8)[4] piercer + (1d8)[4] colossus + (2d6)[4] sneak attack Piercer reroll lowest d8 if roll 3 or less: (1d8)[1] If no d8 at 3 or less, reroll lowest d6 2 or less (1d6)[4] added to SA Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people. Ragefest, wizard Abela, nymph Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust. Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 HP: 38/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Disguised (Elf) | Spider Form Bokono's flames erupt below, and Sam swerves in the air, adjusting his angle to strafe them with more fire. His heart twangs at the civilians' deaths, but there's little he can do for them now. He releases another pair of energy bolts at the doppelganger between the restaurant booths, and calls out, "Hang in there, Aldeth!" Underfoot, Grepha scurries to the next foe, feeling energized by her burning venom's efficacy. It's a rush to feel so powerful again after being a mere imp for so long. She bares her fangs and bites down on another gangly gray foot. Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam Move 4 E, flying 15~ feet up 2 W of Brandilar. Cast Eldritch Blast on the doppelganger between the tables. (1d20+6)[7] to hit Blast 1 +(1d4)[1] Aldeth bonus (1d10)[6] force damage +(1d4)[4] bump damage into the floor (1d20+6)[12] to hit Blast 2 +(1d4)[3] Aldeth bonus (1d10)[6] force damage +(1d4)[4] bump damage into the floor Bonus action Warlock Healing Word on Aldeth, (2d4+3)[8] healing Grepha Move 1 SE. Green Flame Bite/Sting on the remaining doppelganger next to Aldeth. (1d20+5)[16] to hit +(1d4)[1] Aldeth bonus (1d4+3)[6] damage +(1d8)[4] fire and (1d20)[8] DC 11 Con save to halve (3d6)[7] poison

[Awful]

"Anri" High Elf Eldritch Knight. Darkvision: 60ft Blindsight: 10ft AC: 17 HP: 63/72 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 7 / 7 d8 HD Second wind 1d10+7 1/1 Action surge 1/1 Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Barely feeling the enemy punches, Anri scowled and returned fire with two vicious swipes of her own.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move : None
BA: attack: (1d20+8)[19] to hit, (1d12+5)[17] slash, (2d6)[9] fire
Action: GFB: (1d20+8)[11] to hit, (1d12+5)[6] slash, (2d6)[6] + (1d8+1)[8] fire damage
(1d12+5)[10] fire damage leaps to adjacent enemy, no hit roll or save, if applicable
Reaction: shield if struck

[Amnestic]

Leaf's tabaxi speeds allows him to leap and hop across the battlefield, swerving between enemies without reprise, and land a solid shot in the back of the doppleganger threatening Senna. Grepha teams up with Brandilar in an unusual partnership to end the life of the one still threatening Aldeth, a combination of necrotic poison and slicing blades bringing it down. When Anri swings her axe the first fiery cut is evaded, though the second lands. The creature flees, commanded by Senna, to hide in the furthest corner with one of its allies. Sam blasts the nearest dread doppleganger, but when it tries to reprise with a spell of its own Sam manages to shrug it off.

Another dread creature leaps into fill the space that its ally left, pummeling its arms against Anri. Another - the one with mirror images - pushes through the spirit guardians to strike at Senna, though only one of the attacks hits, and she holds fast on her spell.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Leaf hits for 26. The doppleganger beside Senna is now bloodied.
Sam misses once, hits with the other. The heal takes Aldeth out of bloodied.
Grepha hits their target and they fail their consave vs. poison.
Brandilar also hits the same target, finishing it off.
Anri hits with their BA but misses with Green Flame Blade.

When the target beside Anri flees due to Command, they also get a choice to use an opportunity attack.
One Dread Doppleganger fills the gap, and hits Anri 3 times for 5, 4, 9 (18 total). Assuming she didn't take the OA, she can shield to evade them all.
One takes damage from Spirit Guardians (save successful, 10 total) and moves to hit Senna. It hits once, for 9 (52/61). She makes her concentration save.
One casts Phantasmal Killer on Sam; he makes his save.

Grok/Caelyn are up.

Initiative:
Anri: [19]
Brandilar: [18] BLOODIED
Grepha: [18]
Sam: [17]
Leaf:[12]

DD: [10]

Grok:[9]
Senna: [4]
Caelyn:[4]
Aldeth: [4] LEADERSHIP ACTIVE

D: [4]

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 71/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: Concentrating Seeing the death of the various innocent civilians, Grok roars in fury, and continues to impale the dopplegangers who thought that keeping five feet away from a dwarf was enough to render them totally impotent. Spoiler: OOC Show Reaction: Stab the dread doppleganger who attacked Anri (1d20+9)[24] + (1d4)[1] Attack (1d10+6)[10] Damage Attack the first: Stab the dread doppleganger who attacked Anri (1d20+9)[10] + (1d4)[1] Attack (1d10+6)[9] Damage Attack the second: Stab the dread doppleganger who attacked Anri (1d20+9)[25] + (1d4)[4] Attack (1d10+6)[8] Damage

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 35/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 5 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/3 3rd, 1/1 4th 0/2 Wildshape Caelyn moves towards Brandilar, meaning to heal him in a few moments. She directs her beam of moonlight to head due east and burn the dobbleganger there to ash, while Bokono launches a flame seed at the nearest shapeshifter.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move the moonbeam a few squares right to target the dopple there. Move adjacent to Brandilar to make sure he doesn't get himself killed. Bokono shoots a seed- (1d20+7)[27] to hit and (1d6+4)[9] fire damage.

EDIT- 3 more damage for the fire crit. Rolled a 7 for the dopple's save to half 15 damage.