With such minimal information about this new threat, it was clear that it had to start with scouting. About all Victor knew about the Evermoor was that it was notorious for trolls. How much of that was rumors and tall tales, though, he couldn't say.

Hopefully they could remedy that at Yartar. It would be a straight run up the TriBoar Trail yo the city. There still wasn't much trade using the Trail, yet.

Time to make whatever plans and preparations they could before setting out... and to see who would be joining him.

Selgar looks Victor Harkness over and decides that living long enough to show age as a military man must mean he can handle himself. He nods with approval. The brawny black tabaxi begins thinking over the Evermoor and the Highwoods, trying to remember if he knew those lands at all through experience or tales from travelers.

Without much to go on, Victor couldn't expect many of them to rally around him.

"Yartar is a large crowded city," he began explaining to the others. "A kill box for any large attack force. No doubt that's what's causing the Waterbearer concern."

"Like the Orcs down here, some troll lord's making a power grab."

"Still, seems like too much of a coincidence. I'll have to send a message to the Lord's Alliance to look into it."

"Anyone need any supplies here? We can pick up additional supplies in Yartar. It's just a straight run up the trail to Yartar... about a day without any encounters."

"Any suggestions? Any questions?"

"We haven't used many of our personal supplies while fighting Orcs," Theirastra says as as she joins the group.

"Yartar doesn't sound like a very nice place. I'll try not to slip into Summer mode. Could produce that kill box if I get angry."

"Trolls! Yuch! Filthy nasty things. Not Fey.... so eliminate them, I say!"

"Scout Kassan reporting for duty, Sir!" the Warforged Rogue says as he joins the others.

"If there's a threat in the Evermoor, we'll find it and crush it! I'm no expert, of course, but it is starting to look like the forces of evil are rousing their strength in the area."

"Is this the opening gambit in a new invasion?"

"Now that's something you don't see everyday--a flying ship with a ring of fire around it," Willem comments so nonchalantly that he makes it sound like it is something you see everyday.

"Mithra is just on a short mission to save her friend, Nemeia, and I fear I wouldn't fare too well on the deck of a flying ship without my trusty steed, Draxus."

"Feet on the ground, that's the ticket for me."

"Yartar sounds like a fine little town to raise a bit of hell in. Do we want to risk reaching it before dark? We could push the horses a bit... maybe get there just after dark. Or make camp just outside the city"

Victor thought about it, then said, "Probably best we don't risk running into trolls with tired horses. Plus, I find that many cities frown on armed folk trying to enter at night. Then again, camping in troll country... the horses would be little more than live bait. But if those of you with night vision take turns keeping an eye out during the night, we should be fine."

Selgar stiffens and his ears sweep back. His voice is sonorous yet quiet, with precise diction.

"I would be happier not sleeping in a box of wood or stone, no matter how big. I would rather see, hear, smell my enemies coming and be able to move than be stuck in a trap. And I am one who can see nearly as well in the dark as in the light. I will watch as needed."

He again tries to conjure up any memories of useful information about the area...

01:24, Today: Selgar rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2.  Survival or Nature roll, the bonuses are the same.

...and nearly forgets what moors and woods are, let alone Ever and High ones.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:34, Fri 07 Apr 2023.

"Well I, for one, would prefer to sleep in a real bed and with shelter" counters Lureene. "We can benefit from the watchful eyes of the city guard as well, so we don't have to keep watch ourselves. I say we make it to the city and see if they let us in. If not, it`s likely safer to camp near the city than in the middle of nowhere anyway. The last thing we want is to be stuck riding pell-mell from a pack of angry trolls in the middle of the night."

"Yes, we can keep watch at night," Theirastra responds. "Even Willem has the Goggles of Night."

With flute once again in hand, Theirastra plays a lively little tune to get them moving. No adventure sitting around on their duffs!

She dances a bit as she goes, making her studded leather armor look like it was made from green leaves with acorns as the studs.

With GM's permission...

As the group moved out of the castle ruins and headed northeast up the TriBoar Trail, it seemed to Theirastra that their numbers were woefully small for such an ominous 'mission'. Of course, it could always turn out to be nothing but a wolfpack having moved into the area.

She had no problem taking the lead, dancing up the trail as if she hadn't a care in the world. She glanced back now and then to see if their 'great and powerful' wizard decided to join them. Same for the 'fighting warlock'. Most definitely combat heavy!

Be careful what you wish for!

For all of its 'bad' reputation, Yartar was still not visible, audible or smellable... not even to her Eladrin senses. She was starting to wonder when that would happen.

There still wasn't enough trade between Yartar and Phandalin to expect to encounter anyone else on the trail, so as the afternoon sun dipped into the western horizon, it was somewhat of a surprise when a 'mad' donkey pulling a small wagon came screaming down the trail at them.

Poor donkey! He wasn't mad, of course, but terrified!

Less than a hundred yards behind him came the pursuing beastie...

Artagel had stared wonderingly at the strange appearance in the sky and found himself nodding in agreement to Willem.

He hurried after the group making for Yartar.

"Since I seem to be the only one not to be able to see in the dark I'd better take first or last watch."

---

I don't have a horse
If this group needs fast horse travel I may have to change?

...Behind him came the pursuing beastie...

A DRAGON!

At first appearance, that's what it was. The six legs, rhino-like horn jutting from its nose, young (for a dragon) appearance, side-shuffling movement, and malevolent pale green eyes with strange dark sparkles quickly identified it as a dracolisk--part dragon, part basilisk. It was still a large creature though just barely larger than a horse.

Its movement and rather short wings probably means it can't fly yet, and its streaky black hide indicates it's of the black dragon variety--it breathes acid!

Farther back up the trail from whence the creature came you can see what looks like a body sprawled to the side of the trail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Sat 08 Apr 2023.

Artagel gulped at the sight of the creature. Still, he had the sense of mind to ready his bow and shoot and arrow straight at its ugly head. Then he nimbly moved aside.

---

Attack: ranged; hit AC25 for 10 damage
Move: 40ft

rolled 15 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 11.  DEX.
Initiative

rolled 10 using 1d8+4.  Longbow, pierce damage.

rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  Longbow Attack
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:12, Sat 08 Apr 2023.

20:42, Today: Selgar rolled 22 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 19,19.  Initiative with advantage from rapier of warning.

As soon as the monstrous chimera is in sight Selgar lets out a bellowing roar and charges at the dracolisk. As he runs he sheathes his left arm in the hollow carapace of a small red bulette and draws a nearly straight fang about two feet long with a handle affixed to the root. The now-savage tabaxi holds the weapon above his head in a reverse grip, ready to strike.

OOC: Not sure where the DM would stand on donning the "shield" and being able to attack in the same turn or if we could consider them already equipped as they travel. I'll roll an attack anyway and it can be for the next time he'd be able to.

Rage, Feline Agility to close distance if necessary

20:53, Today: Selgar rolled 8,21,14 using d20+6,d20+6,1d8+4+2+1d6+1d6+1 with rolls of 2,15,2,1,4.  Reckless rage attack, sneak attack, divine fury

21 to hit, 14 damage. 10 piercing, 4 radiant if it matters

As Selgar jabs the fang into the creature a flash of white light bursts from the wound. The calm, well-spoken ally is gone and a feral jaguar seems to have taken his place.

"I'd almost rather have the trolls!" Lureene calls out. "Lady Firehair, bring aid and succor to my allies", she adds, calling upon the Power.

OOC: Lureene will cast Bless on Selgar, Artagel and Victor. This gives them one +d4 to an attack roll or saving throw done before the spell ends (like, I dunno, versus petrification)

At the same time, she made a swinging gesture with her left hand, and in response, a ghostly hammer of semitransparent golden light appeared and struck at the creature. She carefully stayed out of range as she struck, all too aware that if the party fell prey to the Dracolisk's vile magicks, she was their best hope of recovery -- though she feared such powers would be beyond her regardless...

OOC: Spiritual Weapon is a bonus action.

22:16, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 10,8 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 2,3.  Spiritual hammer attack.

As the dracolisk charged forward, Artagel hit it with a piercing arrow before the Tethyrian Battlemaster moved to engage it in melee.

Selgar, however, had moved to meet it beast-to-beast, easily hitting it. A radiant burst accompanies his attack.

The twin attack brought a halt to its chase of the cart and the donkey.

Lureene's Spiritual Weapon missed with her attack.

Theirastra intercepted the donkey to calm it.

Victor and Kassan were slow to react, while Nyssia and Portia  brought up the rear.


The multiple attacks against it caused the dracolisk a bit of confusion, but it still manages to bite Artagel for 14 points of damage.

That left Selgar as the target for its two fore-claws, both of which hit but only do 10 points each (halved because Selgar is already raging).

Unfortunately, both Artagel and Selgar have to make a DC 16 Fortitude save against the creatures petrifying gaze. They do have Advantage thanks to Selgar's radiant damage.

02:14, Today: StarMaster rolled 22,20,25 using 1d20+16,1d20+16,1d20+16 ((6,4,9)).

03:00, Today: Selgar rolled 21,22,1 using 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d4 with rolls of 16,17,1.  Con save, advantage, bless. Result: 23

After yowling in pain at the clawed strikes Selgar meets the dracolisk's gaze with no ill effect, snarls, and stabs back. Having Artagel also engaged helps him find an opening without risking himself as much, but it isn't immediately clear whether he is able to pierce the monster's hide or not.

03:07, Today: Selgar rolled 11,20 using d20+6,1d8+4+2+1d6+1d6+1 with rolls of 5,6,3,4.
03:09, Today: Selgar rolled 4 using 1d4 with rolls of 4. Almost forgot the Bless!

15 to hit for 20 potential damage. 15 piercing, 5 radiant

"Avert your eyes!" The apparent sprawled body up the trail suddenly calls out. The voice seems to grate against itself like a stick across stone.

SCRAP, having finally shaken off the effects of the creature's gaze while it is now distracted, begins to rise. The marble-exterior Warforged places one hand onto the ground to support his move to crouching and finally standing as his hands come off the ground. No longer lying down he stands quite tall and as he starts to approach his size becomes even more apparent. "It will turn you to stone. And not the good kind." More grating of stick and stone sounds from him, some of it his voice and some of it the parts of his person where the effects of the creature's gaze were only just fading away.

"If you help me kill this thing I will give you the best deals you'll ever have seen for the best wares you have ever... Seen..." Seeming to lose confidence in his attempt at a sales pitch in the middle of the fight his slow yet steady movement toward the group starts to build towards a run. "Ah good you have already calmed Captain Illusion. It would have been a great loss, my cart. Did you perhaps hear the bells?" The continued grating of voice approximation now starts to sound in rhythm with his running steps toward the dracolisk.

Just closing the distance for now, an actual turn will come later!

Finding himself unexpectantly already in melee Artagel dropped his bow and drew his new scimitar and slashed at the monster...

---

Actually I moved aside, meaning I did not intend to engage in melee.
Even if I did, with Selgar's speed burst I doubt I could have reached the beast.
Whatever, let's roll with it rather than change.
What is the Fortitude Save? A CON?
rolled 14 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 8.  Saving Throw (CON).
I'll use the Bless to add 1d4:
rolled 3 using 1d4 with rolls of 3.  Bless bonus.
I take it that 14 damage does not include the magic item, so I take off 13 damage.

rolled 3 using 1d6.  Sneak Attack Damage.
rolled 8 using 1d6+6.  Scimitar slashing damage.
Total Damage 11

Bonus Action: Attack
rolled 19 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 10.  Scimitar Attack.

Action: Attack
rolled 12 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 3.  Scimitar Attack
rolled 1 using 1d4 with rolls of 1.  Edited attack roll due to Bless
Still a miss likely, won't roll for damage
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Wed 12 Apr 2023.

Lureene's ghostly hammer continues to strike at the creature while she stays safely away.

23:04, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 18,7 using 1d20+8,1d8+5 with rolls of 10,2.  Spiritual Weapon attack.

As she does so, she also calls the Lady's light down upon the Dracolisk.

Cast Sacred Flame on the dracolisk. It must make a Dexterity save or take 1d8 damage.

23:12, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 2 using 1d8 with rolls of 2.  Sacred flame damage.

I have been playing too much bard lately, and thought Bless was Inspiration -- but you get to apply the Bless d4 to any saving throw and attack roll, not just one.

Theirastra would look towards the fight from where she'd intercepted the donkey, then growled low suddenly stepped into that direction vanishing and magically appearing next to the dracolisk. As she did so flames would envelope it, then she would cast Green-Flame Blade upon her longsword and slash the beast! "It is time that you die now."

[OOC: Bonus Action: Fey Step to the creature. It will take 2 Fire damage when she appears next to it since she see's it and it's within 5' of her.
Action: Cast Green-Flame Blade on Longsword and strike the Dracolisk.
01:01, Today: Theirastra Nailo rolled 22,12,2 using 1d20+6,1d8+4,1d8 with rolls of 16,8,2.  Green-Flame Blade Longsword attack.
HIT AC: 22
DAMAGE 1: 12 Slashing
DAMAGE 2: 2 Fire

Not to bad a turn. 2 fire from Fey Stepping in, 12 from sword slash, 2 fire from spell. 16 total.]

Nyssia, still confused by teh vision that plagued her of the otehr place knew well most of her magic couldn't help against a undead dragon. She strummed her lute, singing a soft song of protection, feeling the energy flow through her as she touched the closest person...the male Tethyrian.

Even as she did, she sang a song, feeling the magic flow towards the bladesinger....an elven song she once heard of the eldarin

---

<OOC: movement - towards Artagel
Action - Cast protection from Good/evil on Artagel

Undead have disadvantage on attack rolls against him, can't be charmed, frightened, or possessed.

Bonus Action - Bardic Inspiration for Theirastra (1D8)>

Victor averts his eyes from the creature and swings his Defender, forgoing its defensive bonus in favor of offense. Green fire envelopes the blade, but it doesn't help him hit a foe he isn't looking at. He swings again!


Action: Victor casts greenflame blade, natural 1 to hit!
Bonus: Victor attacks with his sword (thanks to War Magic), hitting AC 30 for 17 damage.

19:45, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 32 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 20.  defender attack, disadvantage roll.

19:44, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 30,17 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 18,6.  defender attack, damage (nothing transfered to AC).

19:43, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 13 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 1.  Greenflame blade attack, disadvantage roll.

19:43, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 32,13,5 using 1d20+12,1d8+11,1d8 with rolls of 20,2,5.  Greenflame blade attack, damage, fire damage.