Iron Crisis Pt3 IC

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 19 HP: 43/56 SR: 1/2 d8 Spells: 1st: 0/4 2nd: 1/3 3rd: 1/3 4th: 0/1, Divine Power: 2nd 0/2 First Impression: armored with a shield strapped to her side, bloodied, tired and sick-looking Conditions: Light [1h],Slimy Doom [Con reduced to 13] Oh, I never thought you are controlled. You are just such a poor judge of character. she hisses at her sister. The words about Melian echo in her mind, and a split second she thinks of Aintas. Surely he could manage himself, right? Expiciat humanido! she shouts, glowing Glyphs trying to wrap around Vyvian. Don't let her get in your face. Her blade is fierce. she warns everyone. Spoiler Show Hold Person at Vyvian (1d20)[6] Wisdom save

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 24/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin | Imp Form A sickening feeling fills Sam's spirit as he listens to Vyvian's words. Her surrender to the dark - the implication that their other siblings may already be among her victims. Normally swift to act, his feet remain rooted to the floor in a moment of stunned silence. Grepha, on the other hand, takes off from his shoulder with eyes like ice. She is gladdened that the dwarf is here to deliver the finishing blow. Sensing opportunity in Senna's spell of choice, she says coldly, "If you are so taken with your father's blades, Vyvian, let us see how you enjoy their sting. Being covered in ye deserved karma, be severed." Clutching a fist together around a small fragment of glass, she invokes a cloud of shadowy blades that whip through the air in a whirlwind around the traitorous wench. Spoiler: Actions Show Grepha flies 3 W and 3 up. Casts Cloud of Daggers on Vyvian's space. (4d4)[11] slashing damage for her first turn 'entering' the space

[Amnestic]

Vyvian finds herself locked in place by Senna's spell, unable to even muster a retort, made all the worse when a spinning cloud of blades appears floating around her, threatening to cut her to ribbons. The Darkmaster figuratively leaps to his ally's defense, gesturing towards Senna. A black hole opens up beneath her feet, snatching her from the party, and deposits her brutally into the pile of body parts to the south. A second gesture sees a number of them knit themselves together, scrabbling to their feet to feast on the cleric that has fallen into their midst. Each of them drips with a sickly acid that scorches flesh and stone alike, and will no doubt have terrible effects on your armour should they land a proper blow.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Save failed vs. Hold Person.
Cloud of Daggers goes up.

The Darkmaster's legendary action teleports Senna to the southside, and summons raises three more undead.

Grok and Leaf are up.

Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 8 AC: 20 HP: 80/86 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 2/8d10, Conditions: none Seeing the magic take the apparently traitorous elf, Grok rushes in immediately, his boots thundering on the floor as he moves. At least until he finishes his charge rather abruptly, suddenly appearing right besides the paralyzed elf, his Glaive swinging up to take full advantage of her vulnerability. Spoiler: OOC Show Move: Head towards Vyvian. Swift: Misty Step. Action: Attack twice. (1d20+9)[11] (1d20+9)[16] Attack 1 (1d10+6)[10] X2 Crit (1d20+9)[19] (1d20+9)[26] Attack 1 (1d10+6)[9] X2 Crit If Vivian still seems fairly healthy after the first crit, smite on the second. (2d8)[8] X2 Crit

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Rogue 8 AC: 17 HP: (55)/(55) 63 PP: 18 PIv: 15 PIs: 14 HD: 1/8d8 Conditions: slimy doom -2 CON Restrain: 1/3 Dawn

Aergid Silver Dragon Wyrmling AC 17, HP 45 /45 PP: 14 PIv: 11 PIs: 12 Bite +6 1d10+4 Breath 15' cone 4d8 DC13 Con Recharge 5-6 Paralyzing 15' cone DC13 Con paralyzed 1 minute

Leaf moves forward just enough to shoot a magical fire arrow at Vyvian. He hides again and retreats to his previous location.

Aergid unfolds his wings and flies towards Vyvian and the Darkmaster. When he gets there, he breathes a cone of cold upon the two, trying to freeze them.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Leaf - move up, attack, hide, move back.

Attack with Elven Accuracy: (1d20+13)[22], (1d20+13)[21], (1d20+13)[20]
Damage: (1d6+8)[12]
Fire damage (1d6)[6]
Sneak attack: (4d6)[10]

Hide (1d20+11)[12], (1d20+11)[14] (they have disadvantage to see him due to his cloak)

Aergid
Fly 50' towards Vyvian, ending 1 square N and 2 east but 15' in the air, breathes on Vyvian and the Darkmaster, then moves 10' east.
Cold Breath (4d8)[21] cold damage, DC13 CON save for half
Vyvian (1d20)[13], Darkmaster (1d20)[20]
Recharge 5-6 (1d6)[4]

Spoiler: notes

Show

Commander Scar, Flaming Fist
Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League
Ragefest, wizard
Abela, nymph
Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust.
Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother
Halbazzar Drin, owner of Sorcerous Sundries
Vivian/Ninian, sister to the others

[Amnestic]

The speed of Grok's running and teleporting assault means that when his glaive swings down the first time it slices only leather instead of flesh. When the second string curves back up, imbued with deadly magic, the Darkmaster flicks a finger. The blade passes through Vyvian's gut and out the other side as if passing through air. Behind your foes, one of the undead is bisected, as if the glaivestrike had cut it instead. It collapses in pieces, immediately felled by the blow.

They're not able to muster the same against Leaf's shot, which pierces through to the paralyzed rogue, nor against the wave of icy breath that washes over them, though neither of your foes seem that affected by it, even if one of them is locked in place. The spellcaster retaliates with yet more dark magic - flames that burn black against the unnatural green lights of the tomb. First comes a wave, one that washes over Grok and Aergid with a deadly scorch, though both bat away the worst of it before it can truly latch hold. He follows up, tossing bolts of yet more darkness at his foes - one at Grok, that dissipates against his armour, and the other against Grepha that lands true, the shadowy fire scorching.

Spoiler: Map

Show

The Darkmaster uses his reaction on Grok's critical strike to redirect the damage to one of the undead, immediately killing it. The other attack does indeed miss.
Leaf's arrow shot hits (no more reactions to redirect) but both saves are made vs. cold breath, so half-damage.

Grok and Aergid both make their ConSave vs. Wave of Shadowflame, so they take 4 necrotic and 8 fire. They're both then Vulnerable to Fire.
He then misses Grok with his Shadowflame Bolt, but hits Grepha, dealing 15 necrotic and 4 fire.

Damage numbers given before resistances/immunities, as usual.

Caelyn and Sam are up.

Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 9/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin, Bardic Inspiration (Grok) | Imp Form Dark fire washes over Grepha, and she covers her face with her arms. The flames do not burn, but where they touch her flesh it dries up and turns gray. Flapping her wings to clear away the dusty smell of flaky imp flesh falling away, she looks down at Sam. Get it together. We need you in this. He's still torn, feeling at once despair at Vyvian's fall, at her taunts - and yet also a sense of panic seeing his sister in the midst of his allies' assault. The sister he'd snuck around the keep with, playing pranks and poking into places they weren't supposed to go. Here she is, poking into places she isn't supposed to go again... And then there's the part that keeps spinning around her twisted words, replaying them over and over. Trying to forcibly burn them into his head. Sam shakes his thoughts loose, as Grepha's mental voice comes through his haze of emotions. "I - what do I do?!" he calls out, aimless. "If the two of you have anything left to make some things explode, preferably the kind with a fire elemental between us and the dead, that would be fantastic!" Nervously bringing his hands together, Sam tries to control his breathing and focuses on a point on the pillar just beyond one of the undead. Carefully, don't want to hit Grok. Yes. He could hit Vyvian, but he would hit Grok too, he can't do that. Rationalizations guide the form of the magic until the point in space erupts into a conflagration of flame. It's only at this point that Sam turns to look at Caelyn, and in the process realizes that Senna has vanished. Looking around the room in a panic, he spots her at the back corner and starts rushing towards her. Sliding into cover behind a slab of stone, he calls out, "Grok, do - just do what you have to! I've got your back!" Spoiler: Actions Show Sam casts Fireball at a point on the pillar near the top left undead. Should hit both upper undead, plus the Darkmaster, but not Vyvian or Grok. (8d6)[36] fire damage, Dex saves vs DC 14 for half: (1d20)[12] Darkmaster (1d20)[9] Top Left Undead (1d20)[20] Top Right Undead Bonus action Bardic Inspiration to Grok. Move 1 S, 1 SE, 2 S, 2 SE to the space diagonally NE of one of the pillars for cover.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 46/59 PP: 18 PIv: 10 PIs: 18 Conditions: Concentrating on: 0 / 8 d8 HD Spell Slots- 3/4 1st, 1/3 2nd, 2/3 3rd, 0/2 4th 0/2 Wildshape Caelyn began to dash southwards, trying to get the best angle on their foes she could. Cinders danced off of her in a trail behind her. Her bloodlust was singing, the call of her father's murderous bloodline pumping through her with each breath, each heartbeat, each step. Flitters of sparks rained from the corners of her eyes. The idea that Vyvian had hurt her family was so sacrilidgous that it made Caelee light up like a forest fire. But with more resolve then she'd shown in the past, the wildfire druid kept herself on task. It just so happened that that task was obliterating this darkmaster that had been thwarting blows and sending Senna halfway across the room. Her movement served to get her closer to her youngest sister in case she needed saving from the undead she'd been trapped with. Planting her feet, Caelyn stamped her staff, causing a fresh rain of cinders to puff up around her. Then she spun in a circle, hurling an orb of fire at this undead master. Hit or miss, the ground beneath it and Vyvian shattered and broke, threatening to knock both of them down.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move 35 feet south. Invoking elements. Refreshing a 3rd level slot for a finisher fireball for later. Fire missile attack against the Darkmaster- (1d20+8)[17] for (8d8)[1][4][2][4][6][7][1][1](26) (rerolling 1's for 10 more damage). Then a 10 foot radius of earth under Vyvian and the Darkmaster erupts, requiring a DC 16 Strength save (DM- (1d20)[7] V-(1d20)[15]) or be knocked prone. The entire 10 ft radius becomes difficult terrain.

[Amnestic]

Flame adds to flame, scorching the Darkmaster with severe burns, obliterating one of his pet undead, and critically damaging another. Flames wash over him, and it's only made worse when the shaking beneath his feet thrusts him to the ground. Vyvian shakes free of Senna's spell, perhaps aided by the rumbling beneath her feet, though not fast enough to dodge away from Grepha's own sharpened 'restraint' that slice at skin and armour alike. "Yes, that's right! Give in to your instincts! Burn them to ash! Fight and bleed and die!" Vyvian laughs, as if it were a game you were playing outside the tavern in the dusty paths of Candlekeep.

But you are not children anymore.

The undead make their move, approaching their closest foes. Three surround Senna, swinging arms of acid that splash against armour and shield. She evades two, but the third catches her on the back, searing its liquid against her protection. To the north, the remaining two - still glimmering with shadowy power, slam their arms into Sam and Grok with brutal, crushing force. The attacks are clumsy, but empowered by the darkness they still knock the wind from both of them.

Though the silent spellcaster has been flung from his feet and seared by spell, the magical carousel he has arranged continues. Darkness drains from the zombies that strike at you, running through the ground and then bursting from the walls to grab at those nearby. Grok manages to fight off the grasping shadowlimbs, but Sam, Leaf, and Senna are less lucky. Their movements are locked in place, their actions hindered as they struggle against the dark magics.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Top left and Darkmaster fail their saves vs. Sam's fireball, the other succeeds, though is clearly extremely close to not being (un)alive anymore.
Caelyn's 17 hits the Darkmaster, and he's also knocked prone. Vyvian stays standing (albeit barely).

Grepha maintains her concentration, so when Vyvian's turn is up she takes the 11 slashing damage.
Vyvian rolls a 20 (18+2) on her wis save at the end of the turn to end Hold Person, but it still eats her turn to do so.
The three undead attack Senna to the south; the first two miss, one hits for 9 acid. Senna's AC is reduced by 1 until an action is taken to wipe off the acid.
The two remaining undead attack Sam and Grok. One crits Sam for 18 bludgeoning. The other hits Grok for 15 bludgeoning.

The Darkmaster's Lair action activates (even if he is prone). Leaf, Sam, and Senna are all restrained, with Grok making the save. The restrain can be ended with a DC14 athletics or acrobatics check, though you note that activating this lair action drained the dark magic from the empowered undead; you could deduce that the restrain will go away on its own when he uses the next lair action, potentially.

Grepha and Senna are up.


Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 (-1) HP: 34/56 SR: 1/2 d8 Spells: 1st: 0/4 2nd: 1/3 3rd: 1/3 4th: 0/1, Divine Power: 2nd 0/2 First Impression: armored with a shield strapped to her side, bloodied, tired and sick-looking Conditions: Light [1h],Slimy Doom [Con reduced to 13] The Deneirite's holy glyph glows. Aspera mortuus! she shouts trying to rid herself of the undead. What are you doing? Kill the master, we cannot give into Bhaal's promises. Spoiler Show Turn Undead Wisdom Saves (3d20)[1][15][20](36) in order NW, NE, SE.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 9/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin, Bardic Inspiration (Grok), Restrained: Shadow Limbs | Imp Form, Armor of Agathys (10) Wrapped in coiling shadows in his position, Sam struggles to get enough freedom of movement to cast his spells. "Why are you so eager to go into the dark place, Vyvian?!" she shouts at his mad sister. "Life isn't meaningless! His power over us can still be fought!" Grepha, slumping in her position in the air, bares her teeth and glares at the dark mage. Taking wing into cover in preparation to circle he and Vyvian from behind, she conjures a gleaming, jagged armor of ice over her body. Spoiler: Actions Show Grepha moves 5 SW and casts Armor of Agathys at 2nd level on herself.

[Amnestic]

The undead surrounding Senna receive a burst of holy light that seeks to turn them on their heels, but only one seems to fall victim to the spell, the others maintaining enough sense of purpose to continue their menacing of the poor surrounded cleric.

While Grepha moves away, the Darkmaster flings a bolt of shadowflame at Aergid in the air, scorching its scales and adding burns to burns. Though severely injured, the dragon's spirit maintains its form - albeit barely.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Only the top left undead fails its save vs. Turn Undead, the other two succeed (though only just, in one of their cases).
Grepha moves and armours up.

The Darkmaster's teleport isn't available again yet, so instead its LA blasts Aergid with another Shadowflame bolt, dealing 23 necrotic and 4 fire - with Fire vulnerability that goes to 8. I believe that lives the dragon spirit on 2/45, with the previous damage. Hanging in there!

Grok and Leaf are up. As a reminder, Leaf is restrained by the lair action. The restrain can be ended with a DC14 athletics or acrobatics check, though you note that activating this lair action drained the dark magic from the empowered undead; you could deduce that the restrain will go away on its own when he uses the next lair action, potentially.


Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 8 AC: 20 HP: 57/86 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 8/8d10, Conditions: none Impaling one of the zombies coming for him, dropping the singed, burning hulk to the ground, Grok doesn't manage to move fast enough to avoid the crushing impact of the second, staggering him for a moment Practically in Vivian's face, Grok takes the opportunity granted by her focus on the knives to headbutt her, trying to send her into the ground, before trying to grab one of her limbs and drag her body through the knives some more. Spoiler: OOC Show Using weapons? Who needs weapons! Time for some fisticuffs to take advantage of the nifty cloud of daggers! First, Shove, to knock prone, opposed by either her athletics or acrobatics. (1d20+8)[27] Grok's Athletics (1d20)[19] Vivian's opposition. Then, Grapple. (1d20+8)[26] Grok's Athletics (1d20)[18] Vivian's opposition. If Grok's roll on either is bad, use Sam's Inspiration: (1d6)[4] For his move(Assuming the grapple succeeds), he steps back five feet, then forwards five feet, basically forcing her to reenter the cloud of daggers on his turn, resulting in her taking (4d4)[8] bonus slashing damage for entering it for the first time on a turn. Also, for bonus fun, if both the shove and the grapple succeed, she can't actually stand from prone, having no move speed.

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Rogue 8 AC: 17 HP: (55)/(55) 63 PP: 18 PIv: 15 PIs: 14 HD: 1/8d8 Conditions: slimy doom -2 CON Restrain: 1/3 Dawn

Aergid Silver Dragon Wyrmling AC 17, HP 2 /45 PP: 14 PIv: 11 PIs: 12 Bite +6 1d10+4 Breath 15' cone 4d8 DC13 Con Recharge 5-6 Paralyzing 15' cone DC13 Con paralyzed 1 minute

Leaf tries to extricate himself from the writhing tentacles that erupted from the wall and caught him by surprise. He then moves forward as much as he needs to in order to avoid being trapped again.

Aergid flies over and tries to bite Vivan.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Leaf Acrobatics check (1d20+11)[24]
BA Hide (1d20+11)[30], (1d20+11)[16] (they have disadvantage to see him due to his cloak)

Aergid ends up south of Vivian.
Bite (1d20+6)[12], Damage (1d10+4)[14]
Recharge 5-6 (1d6)[2]

Spoiler: notes

Show

Commander Scar, Flaming Fist
Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League
Ragefest, wizard
Abela, nymph
Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust.
Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother
Halbazzar Drin, owner of Sorcerous Sundries
Vivian/Ninian, sister to the others

[Amnestic]

When Grok reaches for Vyvian she spins on the spot, kicking his hand aside, but the second grab, guided by Sam's...guidance, manages to latch on. He tugs her from the blades, only to shove her straight back into them again, Grepha's spell cutting at her skin once more. The nearby undead attempts a retaliation, but to no avail. While Leaf frees themselves of the shadowy limbs, the Darkmaster unleashes another trio of blasts, at the party. One slams into Aergid, burning them to spectral cinders. Another flies past Caelyn wide, slamming only into cold stone. A third slams into Grok's chest head-on, but it's not enough to break the grip he has on Vyvian.

Spoiler: Map

Show

The proning misses (she's got a +10 mod due to +4 dex and expertise) but thanks to the inspiration the grapple works; moving back and forth does provoke an OA from the zombo, but it misses.
Leaf frees themself from the restrain.

The Darkmaster's turn is 3 shadowflame bolts. One misses Caelyn (nat 1), the other two hit Aergid (now dead) and Grok (14 necrotic, 4 fire - the vulnerability ended at the start of the Darkmaster's turn, so standard resistance applies).

Also Spore reminded me that Senna is Destroying low CR undead, so the Turned zombie is actually Exploded.

Caelyn and Sam (restrained) are up.


Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 9/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin, Restrained: Shadow Limbs | Imp Form, Armor of Agathys (10) Tugging against the shadows restraining him, Sam peers past the two pillars at Vyvian being tossed around inside the storm of daggers. Though his heart is torn, he bares his teeth and hisses out a strained incantation, trying to keep her from fighting back and wounding Grok - he knows how deadly those daggers can be. Spoiler: Actions Show (1d20+2)[11] Acrobatics attempt to attempt to get free of the restraints, in case they do something nasty before going away And bonus action Mind Thrust on Vyvian for (3d6)[8] psychic damage, and limiting her to one action/move/bonus (1d20)[16] DC 14 Int save for half and negating the disable In the off chance he manages to get free, he moves 6 S behind the next small pillar

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 46/59 PP: 18 PIv: 10 PIs: 18 Conditions: Concentrating on: 0 / 8 d8 HD Spell Slots- 3/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 1/3 3rd, 0/2 4th 0/2 Wildshape Moving in at an angle, Caelyn begins to get closer, knowing that she had to bring an end to this before the fight could get any worse. Moving diagonally, she slid in adjacent to the zombie, then exhales a breath of flame from her palms across it, Vyvian, and the Darkmaster in a wave of deadly fury.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move 25 feet south west, then five feet west to get adjacent to the zombie. Then using a 3rd level burning hands to force a reflex save from all three enemies in the zone. Three saves (3d20)[19][7][13](39) at DC 16 to avoid (5d6)[1][1][2][3][2](9) fire damage, rerolling 1's (15 damage after rerolls. Probably should have just thrown a fireball haha.

[Amnestic]

Sam struggles against the grasping shadowlimbs, but their grip is latched tight, so tight that when he flings a spell at Vyvian it's done with only marginal accuracy, unable to properly latch into her mind.
"And why are you so eager to cling to your precious light? Did the sleepless nights mourning those you killed help? Did it make you happy?" She ducks away from the flames that Caelyn unleashes, even taking the brunt, her trained agility helps lessen the blow that the zombie takes full force.
"What's wrong with wanting to enjoy yourself? What's wrong with being happy!?"" She yells back at Sam, finally unsheathing her daggers. Their sheathes are familiar to her siblings - gifts from a day gone by - but the blades are new, engraved with gleaming runes. "You'll kill people and cry about it, I'll kill and laugh. Tell me how you're any better than I am!?" She stabbed one down, finding a gap in Grok's armour to deliver a venomous blow, then stabs again, this one lined with stronger ice.

Blades stuck deep, she yells out, eyes set on Grok's pain but attention clearly directed elsewhere. "I was never much for the tomes we kept but one line always stuck with me from one of the stories: If my motives met with your approval, would you no longer resent the outcome?" It's hard to tell how sincere the question is. The woman before you - barely more than a girl - is manic, bounding between desperation and glee.

To the south, the two remaining zombies assault Senna once more, acidic fists clattering against armour - one punches deep, leaving both a scar and a bruise in the metal. Moments later the limbs holding Sam and Senna finally retreat, leaving a lingering weight on your shoulders. The remaining undead receive a jolt of power in return, as the Darkmaster again empowers them with the energies of the place.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Sam doesn't manage to pull free, and Vyvian makes her save vs. Mind Thrust.
The Zombo fails his save vs. Burning Hands, the Darkmaster succeeds. Zombo is severely damaged, but not dead. Vyvian's Evasion means she also only takes half damage, despite failing her own save.

At the start of Vyvian's turn she takes 11 from Cloud of Stabbies.
Vyvian attacks Grok, and barely hits (12+8 for 20). She hits for 21 piercing damage (thanks to Sneak attack) and 2 cold damage. Grok makes his save vs. poison though, so he only takes 5 damage (before resistances). Finally, the cold damage drops his AC by 1 until an action is taken to defrost it with some vigorous rubbing. Taking fire damage also removes it.
She also hits with her bonus action attack on him 2 piercing and 5 cold. You note it seems to have healed Vyvian a little bit as well.

The other zombie in the middle, injured, misses Caelyn with its own attack.
Two zombies attack Senna, one misses, the other hits for max - 9 acid damage, and reduces her AC by a further 1. Still just one action to negate the reductions though.

The limbs expire, but since Sam and Senna were still grappled a portion of their magic sticks around; their move speeds are reduced by 10ft.
Darkmaster uses their lair action to empower the remaining undead. Unfortunately initiative means they can't take advantage of that for a while.

Grepha and Senna are up.


Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 9/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin, Slowed 10 ft. | Imp Form, Armor of Agathys (10) The shadows finally pull away, but a phantom weight remains, throwing Sam down to one knee as he falls forward from the effort of his pulling suddenly meeting no resistance. He staggers back to his feet, glaring up at Vyvian. "Fighting to protect the innocent is not the same thing as murdering people for fun!" Circling around from behind on beating wings, Grepha closes in on the Darkmaster and divebombs him with a stinger outstretched, wreathed in some wisps of smokey green flame. "The only one whinging and crying like a brat here is you," she spitefully retorts at Vyvian. Spoiler: Actions Show Grepha Fly 4 S, 4 E Green Flame Sting (1d20+5)[21] to hit (1d4+3)[6] damage on hit, +(3d6)[10] poison with (1d20)[9] Con save vs DC 11 for half poison No fire jump but the cantrip makes it magic damage for resistances hopefully

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 17 (-2) HP: 25/56 SR: 1/2 d8 Spells: 1st: 0/4 2nd: 1/3 3rd: 1/3 4th: 0/1, Divine Power: 2nd 0/2 First Impression: armored with a shield strapped to her side, bloodied, tired and sick-looking Conditions: Light [1h], Spiritual Weapon [1/10], Slimy Doom [Con reduced to 13] Senna focusses on her divinity a second time after growling an almost feral sound as a result for being hit. As the zombies fall, Senna darts forward, acid still hissing on her armor fighting the enchantment as it destroys the material. She is focussing on the undead raising a divine weapon next to Vyvian that swings at the zombie for now. She is angry. It is seven to two! What fun will it be when you just drop into Bhaal's dark font of power! she says incredibly sarcastically. Spoiler Show Will save 1 and 12 vs turn undead number 2. Attack roll of Spiritual Weapon 11 after modifiers for 9 (it is a zombie, this MAY hit! Will move 20 ft north.

[Amnestic]

"Why not? They're dead all the same."

Grepha swoops in to strike at the Darkmaster, her stinger piercing through his guard, but she finds the venomous sting just doesn't go quite as deep as she'd have liked it to. Senna has more luck, her invocations destroying her closest foes, and her follow up spell cutting down the last one in the centre looming over Caelyn. For a moment it looks like the Darkmaster is going to cast Grepha to the (figurative) abyss, but she is an annoyance, not a threat. Instead he turns, and opens up a shadowy hole beneath Grok, just like the one that swallowed Senna. His grip on Vyvian breaks as he's pulled away, reappearing moments later in the pile of bodyparts to the north, right as two more undead rise to threaten him.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Grepha hits, though the poison gets saved against.
Destroy Undead blows up the last two south zombos, and spiritual weapon barely hits the last one in the middle to finish it off.

The Darkmaster's Legendary action teleport is available, and he snatches away Grok, breaking the grapple. Two more zombies appear in the north side with him.

Grok and Leaf are up.

Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 8 AC: 20 HP: 13/86 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 2/8d10, Conditions: none Abruptly finding himself somewhere far, far away from where he wanted to be, Grok swears. "Cheating bughumping swine!", before pulling the wand of magic missile, and unloading it into Vivian, advancing slowly forwards as the missiles fly. As the last one darts off into the distance, he quickly swaps over to a healing potion and chugs it with the ease of long practice, before reading his glaive once more. Spoiler: OOC Show Action: Magic Missiles! Using 6 charges. (8d4+8)[28] Move: 10 feet south, which should not provoke. bonus: Drink a healing potion: (2d4+2)[5]

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Rogue 8 AC: 17 HP: (55)/(55) 63 PP: 18 PIv: 15 PIs: 14 HD: 1/8d8 Conditions: slimy doom -2 CON Restrain: 1/3 Dawn

Aergid Silver Dragon Wyrmling AC 17, HP DEAD /45 PP: 14 PIv: 11 PIs: 12 Bite +6 1d10+4 Breath 15' cone 4d8 DC13 Con Recharge 5-6 Paralyzing 15' cone DC13 Con paralyzed 1 minute DEAD!!!!!

Leaf moves forward slowly, still hiding, and shoots an arrow at Vivian while she is distracted by the swirling knives. He has no qualms about killing this girl who is trying to kill his new friends.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Stealth of 30 last round.
Move forward, ending 2 west and 4 south of current location
Attack with Elven Accuracy: (1d20+13)[19], (1d20+13)[27], (1d20+13)[20]
(if she's prone, then move the attack to the Darkmaster in order to still trigger sneak attack)
Damage: (1d6+8)[13]
Fire damage (1d6)[3]
Sneak attack: (4d6)[17]
then BA Hide (1d20+11)[24], (1d20+11)[19] (they have disadvantage to see him due to his cloak)

Spoiler: notes

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Commander Scar, Flaming Fist
Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League
Ragefest, wizard
Abela, nymph
Ramazith, wizard that Ragefest doesn't trust.
Aldeth Sashenstar, Dabron's brother
Halbazzar Drin, owner of Sorcerous Sundries
Vivian/Ninian, sister to the others

[Amnestic]

Grok's wand bursts a stream of magic bolts forth, ones that Vyvian has no defense against. Impact over impact strikes her, and she collapses within the cloud of blades, breathing...for now.

When Leaf's arrow goes through the Darkmaster's defences and strikes him deep in the chest, he moves around, aiming to track down the hidden tabaxi. Sure enough, the cat was right where he had been moments ago - concealed from sound but not from sight. Dark magic bursts forth, first a wave and then bolts of shadowflame. Though one of the bolts goes wide, the others scorch the sneakthief with obsidian embers, tearing at fur and soul in equal measure. Despite the spellcaster's injuries, he clearly believes that he can still bring death to you - or at least sees no other way out.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Grok downs Vyvian with the magic missile wand. She's now unconscious.
Leaf hits with his arrow shot on the Darkmaster, bloodying him.

The Darkmaster moves (provoking an OA from Grepha, though it won't change the turn), getting sight on Leaf, using his wave and then shadowflame bolts on him in quick succession.
Leaf takes 14 necrotic and 4 fire due to a failed consave, becoming vulnerable to Fire in the process. One of the two follow ups also hits him, for 12 necrotic and 4 fire (before Vuln, so 8?).

Caelyn and Sam are up.

Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 46/59 PP: 18 PIv: 10 PIs: 18 Conditions: Concentrating on: 0 / 8 d8 HD Spell Slots- 3/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 1/3 3rd, 0/2 4th 0/2 Wildshape Seeing Vyvian's body fall to the ground, Caelyn felt a strangled combination of feelings echo up through her body. Gripping her staff with white-knuckled fingers that dripped sparks of liquid flame, she twisted her grip and infused the wood with druidic energy. Turning, she gave an enraged cry and tried to smash the darkmaster with the staff, the head glowing red like an ember.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Bonus action shalalala, action smack darkmaster- (1d20+8)[17] to hit for (1d8+6)[12] damage.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 9/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin, Slowed 10 ft. | Imp Form, Armor of Agathys (10) His legs are frozen again, seeing Vyvian fall to the ground. Not just from the clinging shadows binding his legs. Torn between his heart arguing to save her, and his head knowing she'd made her choice - one that cements her as an enemy of good and justice. He could command Grepha to let go of the flying daggers and stabilize Vyvian. He should. In that moment, she is in the midst of jabbing her stinger at the Bhaal cultist moving towards him. "Grepha," he starts to say as he steps from behind the pillar and levels his arms at the Darkmaster. The next words struggle to come, replaced with an incantation that means to send the Darkmaster hurling over her body and through the field of flying blades. In the wake of his blasts, he finally strains out, "Keep her alive!" Grepha bares her teeth at the idiotic command, but complies - she releases her hold on the daggers. "If you insist." Internally, she hopes the paladin simply does away with the girl. Whenever Sam tries to take prisoners it becomes a headache. Spoiler: Actions Show Grepha Opportunity Sting (1d20+5)[15] to hit (1d4+3)[4] damage on hit, +(3d6)[10] poison with (1d20)[4] Con save vs DC 11 for half poison Sam Move 1 or 2 S, whichever gets a better angle to knockback where he wants Cast Eldritch Blast on Darkmaster, aiming to knock him through the blade (1d20+6)[19] Blast 1 (1d10)[5] force damage and 10 foot knockback (1d20+6)[18] Blast 1 (1d10)[1] force damage and 10 foot knockback, and (4d4)[8] slashing if he's successfully sent through the cloud of daggers After Sam's turn, Grepha ends concentration on cloud of daggers.

[Amnestic]

Caelyn and Sam's double-pronged strike against the somehow still standing spellcaster, thrusting him back away from sight on Leaf. Injured though he is, he shows no signs of conceding even still, no matter how Vyvian's blood might pool beneath his feet. Possessed by Bhaal's essence though she may be, she's unable to revert her own impending murder.

The remaining undead menacing Grok strike from behind. While those that had struck at Senna were enchanted with acid, these bear the shadows. Necrotic energy pulses off them, dampening both life and life restoration, and they follow through with brutal strikes from behind. The first one slams into him, and proves too much after everything else he has been faced with. The dwarf falls, as the other follows up, striking critically against his back and brutalising the armour, flesh, and bone beneath. The aura of death hangs heavy on both sides.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Grepha OA hits
Caelyn hits
Sam also hits

Our resident spellcaster's AC? Not that high, turns out.

Vyvian rolls a 4 on her death save, racking up a single failure out of three.
The zombies this time around are shadow instead of acid infused. At the start of their turn their necrotic aura activates for 3 necrotic damage each to Grok (so 6 total) and reducing all healing he takes by 1/2 until the start of their next turn. They then attack him. The first one hits for 9, downing him. The second Crits him for 8 (max damage roll vs. min damage rolls be like...) racking up two failed death saves.

The Darkmaster is looking very weak. The zombos in the north are untouched.

The Darkmaster's grapple Lair Action activates again. Leaf makes his save this time, but Sam does not; he's once again Restrained.

Grepha and Senna are up.

Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 12 (Barkskin 16) HP: 47/62 | AC: 13 HP: 9/32 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 Barkskin, Slowed 10 ft., Restrained (Shadow Limbs) | Imp Form, Armor of Agathys (10) Shadows grab at Sam again, holding him in place. Grepha descends next to Vyvian and reluctantly taps her with a hand, with an expression like she'd been forced to touch a stinking, dead fish. Then she glances north to see Grok's looming demise. Kicking off of the ground, she flies towards the paladin. Though she makes sure to take cover behind some stones, conscious of the mage behind her. "Someone useful is in danger, if anyone cares to help," she verbally lashes the others with her tongue. Spoiler: Actions Show Grepha Move 1 E Cast (reluctantly) Spare the Dying on Vyvian Move 3 N, 3 NW, 1 N Sam Is Grabbed

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 17 (-2) HP: 25/56 SR: 1/2 d8 Spells: 1st: 0/4 2nd: 1/3 3rd: 0/3 4th: 0/1, Divine Power: 2nd 0/2 First Impression: armored with a shield strapped to her side, bloodied, tired and sick-looking Conditions: Light [1h], Spiritual Weapon [1/10], Slimy Doom [Con reduced to 13] The Deneirite hears omnious winds and a loud thud as if a filled armor dropped to the ground. She rushes further north only to encounter the darkmaster. Where is Grok? she almost shouts. Help him. she says as electricity crackles at her fingertips and over her blade. Sam is struggling against the shadows holding him back. Exilio magicum. she tries to banish the tendrils holding Sam back. Spoiler Show Attack roll of Spiritual Weapon 17 after modifiers for 9 force damage vs the Darkmaster. Dispel check of 9 to dispel the inky void. Basically a fail vs anything above 3rd level. Will move 20 ft north.

[Amnestic]

For better or worse, Vyvian's death is held at bay, for now. Senna's blazing spiritual weapon burns away at the Darkmaster's swiftly flagging life, but he retaliates against his nearest foe in Caelyn. His injuries seem to be catching up to him though, as he's unable to hit anywhere close to the elf, and when Senna's dispelling magic runs over the hands holding Sam, they vanish, leaving him free to move once more.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Senna dispels the grapplies from Sam, and hits with SW. Darkmaster is on 3 HP.

His Legendary action is attacking Caelyn...rolled a 10. Miss.

Grok's death save and Leaf are up.


Initiative Order:-
Darkmaster Lair Action (20)

Grepha: (1d20+5)[13]
Senna: (1d20)[13]

Darkmaster Legendary Action

Grok: (1d20)[12]
Leaf: (1d20)[10]

Darkmaster: (1d20)[10]

Caelyn: (1d20)[8]
Sam:(1d20+5)[7]

Vyvian: (1d20+1)[6]
UD: (1d20)[1]