"We actually have a spare staff, but it is currently attuned to evil. If you can find a way to re-attune it to yourself you are welcome to take it." says Sala.

~~~~~~~~~~ DRUID'S GROVE: Mithra, Nemeia, Cinnabar, Prizzard, Xar'ach ~~~~~~~~~~


It's only about an hour from the castle that you discover the kamadan aren't getting it all their own way.

You run across a Kamadan corpse. The leopard-sized and -colored body looks like it was attacked and mauled by a bear... probably around 24 hours ago.

Now, of course, you can see that each shoulder of the kamadan also has three snakes attached, all as dead as the main body. A quick search of the area does not produce a bear corpse. All indications are that it recovered from whatever poison there may have been and then just wandered off.

Although there's no path or trail to follow, Cinnabar is now close enough to sense the grove on her own. It turns out to be a small grove of only 21 alder trees... just enough for one Druid to attend, though there's clearly no Druid attending these trees any more. The grove isn't quite overgrown yet, but could clearly use some attention.

At this time of day, the kamadan are just laying around like their distant cousins, the leopard, would be doing. Probably means they are nocturnal.

Only five kamadan can be spotted. They probably sense you are there, but until you do something to threaten them, they seem content to ignore you.

Cinnabar also detects some sort of taint to the grove now.

Cinnabar pulls up short of the grove, looks around a bit, then goes back to talk to anyone who didn't want to sneak up on a bunch of big cats.

”They may be cunning, but they still think like animals, and we need to avoid setting these trees on fire or it defeats the purpose of being here, so instead of lightning I am going to bring a bunch of owls to harass them.  If you can stick to ranged attacks as much as possible that would be best.”

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:07, Sat 08 Apr 2023.

In reply to Cinnabar (msg # 20):

Crossbow in hand, Xar’ach nods, ”Range is always my first choice.”

"I have some limited ranged options remaining. I assume there is venom, what else should we be wary of?"

"I noticed your quiver seemed to be a bit empty," Mithra whispered to Prizzard. "I'm carrying a triple quiver but can't hit a barn. I'd really appreciate it if you'd take some of them off my hands."

"Anyway, I'd rather not have to fight them all. What if we just charge them... try to drive the far ones outside the grove?"

Without taking her attention of the cats Cinnabar takes a little bit of time to address her allies concerns.

”If you run out of ranged weapons I can provide you with rocks to throw that are about the same as arrows up close.  If you charge them they will charge you, if we can keep them distracted by diving birds while we pelt them with arrows for a while there will be fewer of them when they figure out who to charge.”

"I bow to your superior wisdom in this case, assuming you can provide these diving birds," Mithra  replied. "So you think we should just attack them from range until we kill them?"

"If that's what we need to do... not very good at that."

"On your mark, Cinnabar..."

"Thank you! I'll make good use of them." Prizzard gladly fills his regular quiver is allowed

While the others are deliberating Cinnabar picks up a handful of tiny pebbles and selects three of them apart along with a few quiet words and hands the now Magic Stones off to Prizzard.

”If that is settled then, here start with these stones for the initial ambush I will join you with more.”

She then casts an only slightly more complected spell, still likely fast enough to use in a fight although it clearly holds more of her concentration.  A few seconds later when she is done eight large owls spring into existence thirty feet closer to the cat like creatures, and thirty feet in the air.  For their part the owls don't wait long and swoop down to claw at the closest cat in a long line that arcs back up into the air after passing by, all without leaving the cats an opportunity to attack them in turn.

He nodded in understanding, ”I’ll keep that in mind but doubt I’d need to resort to rocks.”

About this time, the realization that Xar’ach doesn’t carry a quiver, yet always seems to have a bolt ready, strikes home.

Using available cover, he maneuvers until he is within range and then fires as the owls begin their attack. Three bolts wing toward the second nearest cat.

07:49, Today: Xar'ach rolled 20,24,15 using d20+10,d20+10,3d6+1d4+6 with rolls of 10,14,1,3,1,4.  1st bolt (Favored Foe) with advantage.
07:50, Today: Xar'ach rolled 11,22,22 using d20+10,d20+10,3d6+1d8+6 with rolls of 1,12,3,3,2,8.  2nd bolt (Dread Ambusher) with advantage.
07:50, Today: Xar'ach rolled 26,14,13 using d20+10,d20+10,3d6+6 with rolls of 16,4,2,1,4.  3rd bolt (Crosssbow Expert) with advantage.

It wasn't her style of fighting but then she wasn't really here for the fight. If the kamadan's could be driven away, all the better. If not... sometimes hard decisions needed to be made, which is why she wasn't such a great leader.

When the owls attacked, Mithra took careful aim not to hit one and let loose with two arrows at one of the kamadans.

15:39, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 13,24,4,7 using 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d6+2,1d6+2 ((8,19,2,5)).

"Oh, wow! I hit one!" she exclaimed in surprise at her own success.

Was he only out for a stroll in the woods? Or was he looking for something... and just didn't know what?

Yikmo couldn't recall if he'd ever been down this path before--there were a lot of animal paths made by the lions and tigers and bears and wolves and... Who knew what else lurked and laired outside Neverwinter these days.

The path started spiraling inward to some central thicket or nest. He continued following it with anticipation of finding something amusing or fun... or dangerous! And, oh, of course it was the latter!

That central thicket somehow turned into a small grove! And Yikmo suddenly found himself eye-to-eye with a strange cat-like creature. It was the size and spotted coloration of a leopard but it had the heads of three snakes sprouting from each shoulder!

It seemed to be as surprised as you!


And then there were a flock of owls fluttering around the creature... and the other dozen similar creatures he could now see.

Upon disturbing the creatures, Yikmo jumps in surprise, causing his floppy and rather camp hat to fall off his head.

~I hope this doesn't end up in cat-astrophe! Better draw just in case.~

Yikmo drew his rapier nervously, pausing first only to pick up his hat. It had been a while since his last fight, and that was a practise bout against a training pell, which ended in a draw!

Yikmo has yet to realise that others are in the camp, so focused is he on the terrifying animals.

~Perhaps they can be tamed. All one needs in these situations is a calm and authoritative demeanour, or so I've heard.~

Yikmo starts gesturing with his sword:

"Here kitty kitty kitty, there's a good girl"

22:06, Today: Yikmo Vorin rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Fri 07 Apr 2023.

Prizzard throws stones. Magic saves ammo!

rolled 8,26,1,16,11,1 using d20+7,d20+7,1d6,d20+7,d20+7,1d6 with rolls of 1,19,1,9,4,1.  Magic Stones, ADV, no mod.

The misty haze that settled over the castle ruins was unexpected at that time of day, particularly since there hadn't been any change in the weather.

Ero thought it must have something to do with opening the crypt... perhaps some sort of centuries-old chilling miasma had escaped its long forgotten containment and swirled in the open air to produce the mist.

Lost in thought, he barely noticed the others had already moved out to save Nemeia from... herself? Barely seeing the animal path they followed, he passed a thicket and suddenly found himself face-to-face with a strange creature. Although it seemed as surprised as he was, its animal instincts kicked in first--it leaped to the attack!

13:32, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,10,14,4,24,5 using 1d20+7,1d6+7,1d20+7,1d6+3,1d20+7,1d6+3 ((2,3,7,1,17,2)). Bite, claw, claw.

13:36, Today: StarMaster rolled 13,18,19,4,11,7 using 1d20+3,1d20+3,1d20+3,1d20+3,1d20+3,1d20+3 ((10,15,16,1,8,4)). Snake bites.

13:37, Today: StarMaster rolled 6 using 2d6 ((4,2)). Kamadan frost breath; DC 15 DEX save for half damage.

It manages to hit Ero with one claw for 5 points of damage. Two of the six snake heads also hit, and Ero feels momentarily groggy but otherwise takes no damage.

Ero was lost in his usual thought: how did he wind up here?  At least this group was better than the one he thought he was shackled to.  Mithra and Prizzard were mostly competent.  Nemeia?  Since she's still sleeping on her horse she's obviously more liability than asset.  Two faces he doesn't recognize (where are all these people coming from?).  And that little girl.  Why is she still here?  Where are her parents?  We're adventurers, not nannies.

What were they doing out here anyway?  Something about Nemeia wanting a bath or something.  Women.

The wizard curses as a thorny branch tears a hole in his robes.  He turns back to the path only to be knocked down by...something.  Fire burns across his chest, the pain more than concealing the twin stabs of fangs.  He tries to push off the whatever but he struggles against its weight as everything spins around him.

"Get this thing off me!" he cries.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Sat 08 Apr 2023.

The kamadan had been aware of the group's approach so they weren't really surprised at the sudden appearance and attack of Cinnabar's conjured giant owls. The kamadan weren't grouped together either, so the swooping attacks were a bit less effective.

Two of the owls did manage to hit, though.


Xar'ach then fires 3 successive crossbow bolts at the second visible kamadan, hitting all three times... and killing it.


Mithra lets loose with a pair of arrows and actually manages to hit with one!


Stumbling onto the scene via the Druid's Grove magic, Yikmo seems totally unprepared for the encounter... and tries to make friends with the kamadan he suddenly finds himself face-to-face with.Had it been a normal leopard, his action might have at least confused it for a moment. Not with this creature--it instantly attacks!

Unleashing its full fury at the Bladesinger, it bites for 5 points of damage, hits with one claw for 4 points of damage, and 3 of the snake heads deliver another 3 points of damage... along with its sleep venom. DC 16 CON save or fall asleep.

And then the kamadan breathes a cone of frost at Yikmo for 8 points of cold damage--DC 13 DEX save for half.


Prizzard launches a pair of magic stones at the next cat, hitting with both but each only delivering one point of damage.


Another stumbling wizard enters the scene in the form of Ero. The kamadan attacks, hitting with one claw for 5 points, but two snake heads bite for a point each. Fortunately, the Dagger of Venom he carries makes him immune to the sleep venom of the snake bites. He is knocked to the ground, though.


=========================================================================================

Fully agitated now, the kamadan react as Cinnabar predicted--they attack back rather than flee. However, it'll take a round for them to cover the distance to engage their tormentors in melee.

Also as Cinnabar had informed them, the center of the Druid's Grove held a pool of healing waters no doubt fed by an underground spring.

The unconscious Nemeia still sat motionless on Mithra's horse, yet glancing in the direction of the pool one might have caught a glimpse of her reflection in the water fighting a small... large... medium... shiny metallic red dragon. Nary a ripple disturbed the still surface of the pool to indicate the titanic struggle that seemed to be going on.

Prizzard tossed the last stone poorly, his focus was on the downed Ero as he was mentally timing summoning his bow, drawing, and loosing at the heart of the beast.

rolled 10,8,17,15 using d20+8,d6+5,d20+2,d8+14 with rolls of 2,3,15,1.  Stone, Sharpshooter Arrow.


Edit: He couldn't let Mithra run ahead alone, he ran to join her and will cast Shield when a kamadan comes for him.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:14, Tue 11 Apr 2023.

Xar’ach launched his next two bolts at the nearest threat.

10:48, Today: Xar'ach rolled 24,12,24,11 using d20+10,d6+6,d20+10,d6+6 with rolls of 14,6,14,5.  Bolt, Bolt.

Blinking for a moment as Prizzard uses up all the stones so quickly Cinnabar charges up another batch of three of them and leaves him two, using one herself to throw at the nearest cat before she turns to flee away it in an effort to buy a little more time for the birds to do their thing. The owls continue to dive bomb the cats, faster, more agile, and very nearly the same size.

18:21, Today: Yikmo Vorin rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  DEX Save .

18:19, Today: Yikmo Vorin rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  Con Save .

Yikmo soon discovered that the scary cat would not be tamed by his confident demeanour. After being bitten, clawed and poisoned, Yikmo recovers his wits just enough to avoid the worst of the icy blast the Kamadan breaths his way.

Unfortunately at this point Yikmo begins to succumb to the poison and falls promptly asleep in a heap on the ground, and no doubt due to said poison, begins to moan quietly in his sleep.


"Not the gnomes, too many gnomes. They won't all fit!"

This scrawny teenager seems to have no place on the field of battle!

Ero disappears in a puff of white smoke, only two reappear thirty feet back.  As he struggles to his feet, he sees his rent top soaked with blood.

"I'm bleeding!" he screams.

Benign transport back behind whatever front line we have.

Seven years in this game, and this is the first time Ero has taken damage.  It's going to take a bit for him to adjust....
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Mon 10 Apr 2023.

Although these strange cat-creatures now charged forward eve while being attacked by the owls, Mithra was able to launch two more arrows at them.

02:54, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 17,7,4,4 using 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d6+2,1d6+2 ((12,2,2,2)).

Both arrows miss their target, further adding to Mithra's woeful record with her bow.

That's when she spots the kid... some foppish teenager out here in the woods (where'd he come from?) trying to make nice with a kamadan. It didn't go well.

"Oh, hell!" she swore to herself. With a glance at the still motionless Nemeia atop Mithra's own horse, Mithra charged forward to rescue the kid.

Utilizing her Action Surge this round, she manages to reach the cat before it can maul the kid.

03:04, Today: Mithra Stormraven rolled 29,20 using 1d20+9,1d8+14 ((20,6)).


This was more her style! She laid into the kamadan with enough of her own ferociousness to drive it back.

"You stupid kid! That's a man-eating monster trying to make you its supper! Get out of here!" she screamed at the newcomer. Even as she did so, though, she couldn't help but notice the spiral path that led to the Druid's Grove pool of enchanted water.

That drew her gaze to the water where she saw the reflection of Nemeia's 'inner/mental' battle with a metal dragon! Its gleaming metallic jaws clamped down on her neck and shoulder even as she brought up a strange metal bar to defend herself!

And yet Nemeia still sat motionless on the horse...