Rissa heals most of Snagger's wounds. The cavern is dark and quiet.

Next round.

With no sign of the other trolls in the darkness, Lucien grasps the edges of his cloak and rises off the ground. He moves a little ways away from the rest of the group and then projects himself into his familiar so that he can see with it's eyes. A moment later he comes back to himself and calls out. "They're just waiting and watching. Something isn't right, that's for sure."

Move: Grab my cloak and fly into the air and slightly away from the rest of the group.
Action: Look through my familiar's eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Sun 11 June 2023.

"Waiting? For what?" Lathan asks. "Can you check on the other trolls, the ones in the cave we passed? We don't want them to sneak up on us from behind."

"Near the water?"

Rissa asked, scowling.

"Do trolls lay eggs in the water? That sounds like they are protecting something. None of this makes sense."

What would the trolls possibly be protecting that was more important than dealing with the threat? She didn't know, and there were too many options racing through her mind. Maybe there was something in the water that was important to them, or perhaps.

"Are Mind Flayers aquatic? Could one of them be directing them from the water? We need to engage with the Trolls, but I don't think we should get close to that pond."

Lucien nods to Lathan. "I'll have my familiar check on them, that's a good idea." He sends a mental command to his familiar to fly back the way the party had come to check on the other group of trolls. Meanwhile, he commands the illusory version of himself to move forward towards the trolls waiting by the water while he attempts to disappear into the features of the cavern ceiling.

Familiar Action: Fly back the way we came to check on the other trolls.
Action: Move the illusory Lucien forward 30ft.
Bonus Action: Hide (26).
Move: Fly forward, trying to stay hidden up above.

Lucien Nailo rolled 26 using 2d20+10, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 4,16.  Stealth w/advantage.

"If they are so convinced that they are safe beside the pool or have some kind of trap set for us, we could also just leave them there and go after the other ones." suggest Jinx. "Let's see what more Lucien can find out."

"I think we'd better find out what they are doing, Jinx," Alisandra says. "Let's get within range of detect magic, at least, and see if it's magic or just prayer or something? Not that I can cast detect magic, mind you, but I'd really like to not leave some horrible demon they conjure behind us..."

"Maybe they just like water, because it puts out fire?"

Sometime the most obvious answer has some value. Not always, sadly.

"I've no talent for detecting sorceries."

Rissa said, the words a reminder of how much there was of magic that she did not know. The day had been humbling for her, watching others wield magic of their own power that she needed the staff to even attempt to conjure. It further hardened her resolve, one more skill for her to master in her pursuit of the ultimate sorcery. She would not countenance failure.

"When the familiars tell us more, we will move."

They were waiting? That was definitely not typical behavior of trolls…Rissa’s assessment of there potentially being young involved would make more sense of the actions but then again, as Heldig suggested, it could be a much simpler solution. “I do not have that spell prepared admittedly,” Lorrain gave a lopsided grin as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. He also noted that he should probably summon a familiar when they all finally take a rest.

From his position above the action, Lucien makes it seem as though the illusory version of himself is retreating while dodging the trolls attacks. He tries to lure the trolls into range of Rissa's darkvision.

Action: Manipulate the illusion so it looks like it's dodging and retreating from the trolls.

As Lucien and the illusory Lucien retreat, the three trolls follow, eventually coming into Rissa's range of vision in the dark.

"Whatever you did, it's working. They are following."

Rissa hissed, preparing for when the Trolls stepped into range of the other's lesser sight.

"I hope you've more fire."

She added, as cold wind began to condense around the tip of her frozen staff.

Action: Hold an Action until they are 55ft. away, then unleash a Cone of Cold. 5 of 10 charges used.

DC 14 Con save for half of 34

16:30, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 34 using 8d8 ((5,1,3,7,2,5,3,8)).

The bard once again takes a defensive position, prepared to parry the trolls’ attacks.

OOC:

Free Action: taunt trolls in orcish obscenities.
Move Action:  take position in battle line.
Action: Dodge

Lucien, hearing Rissa's shout, continues to manipulate his illusion from above.

Action: continue to manipulate the illusion.

Taking his place, Heldig calls upon the echo of impending death, and sends it the way of the trolls.



(Gonna need a little help getting this right, been awhile.)

Action: After the cone of cold goes off, Toll the Dead, on the nearest damaged troll (2d12 dmg)
        18:33, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 15 using 2d12.  Toll the Dead.

Move action: Take my place in line.

Lorrain softly chuckled at Rissa's words. "While I cannot speak for the others, I have plenty..." He began those soft chants, his spellbook in one hand and the other moving through the intricacies of spellcasting. He rubbed his index and middle finger with his thumb followed and paused for a moment before blowing something unseen from his hand towards the trolls. The invisible strands became a little more visible as the webbing took form, soon covering the ground at the trolls' feet.

---

Action: Hold my action until the trolls are roughly 55 ft in range and then casting Web. Dex Save DC 14. Not trying to mess with Rissa's spell. :)
Bonus: None
Move: Taking a position near Rissa.

Jinx moves her flamethrower in a good location at the entrance of the cave and waits for the trolls to come into range.  ""I'll burn them after you freeze them." she tells Rissa.  And she gets ready to cast a spell.


OOC:
Wait for the right moment to burn the trolls and cast a spell

Bonus action: move the flamethrower and burn the trolls.
Move action: position herself to see the trolls approach and be able to act
Action: cast Faerie fire at the trolls once in range

13:46, Today: Jinx rolled 6 using 2d8 with rolls of 1,5.  Flamethrower damage.
13:46, Today: Jinx rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Lathan waits for Rissa to blast the trolls, then focuses on one of them and fires two arrows at it.

Switch Hunter's Mark to the next troll. Attack 1 hits AC 19 for 11 damage. Attack 2 hits AC 24 for 18 damage.

19:13, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
19:12, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
19:12, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
19:12, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
19:12, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
19:12, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Attack.
19:12, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Attack.
19:11, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 15 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Initiative.

When the trolls pursuing Lucien's illusion spot the party, Rissa blasts them with a cone of cold. Heldig then tolls the dead against the closest troll. Jinx engulfs all three of the trolls in a blast from her flamethrower. She then casts faerie fire but only catches one of the trolls in the magical illumination. Lathan shoots two arrows into the closest troll, dropping it. Lorrain casts web around the remaining two trolls as everyone falls into their battle positions.

Next round.

Troll 4: dead
Troll 5: injured (-23 hp; faerie fire)
Troll 6: injured (-40 hp)

Confident that the party now has the upper hand, Lucien allows the illusion to become static as he descends to ground on the trolls flank and pulls out his bow. His arrow flies out of the darkness and strikes one of the trolls. Meanwhile, his familiar flies in a distracts the troll to provide an opening for one of the group.

Move: Land somewhere off to the trolls side.
Action: Attack against Troll 6 hits AC 21 for 16 damage (assuming advantage for attacking from stealth).
Familiar Action: Use Help for someone else attacking Troll 6.

Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,12.  Longbow attack w/advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 9,7 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Alisandra continues to try to entice the trolls to attack her with her guard up.

OOC:

Don't know if Persuade skill can help here as we don't share a language, but she's giving her all.

Move Action: Stay properly positioned to block trolls' attacks.
Action: Dodge
Free Action: taunt trolls in Orcish

"Jinx, burn that one!"

Rissa called, pointing at the Troll that Lucien's arrows were striking. She followed her own advice, Hexing it with shadows before retreating back into the darkness outside of the creature's sight. Then she hurled two bolts of darkness at it, hoping to take it down quickly.

Move: Retreat out of their LOS
Bonus: Hex
Action: Eldritch Blast
-Hit on a 20 for 9 force and 5 necrotic
-Hit on a 22 for 10 force and 6 necrotic

16:11, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 16 using 1d10+3+1d6 ((7,6)).
16:11, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 14 using 1d10+3+1d6 ((6,5)).
16:10, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 22 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  EB 2. –
16:10, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 20 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  EB 1.

As soon as his target falls, Lathan switches his focus to the illuminated troll and fires two arrows at it.

Switch Hunter's Mark to Troll 5. Attack 1 hits AC 16 for 7 damage. Attack 2 hits AC 21 for 13 damage.

09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
09:41, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
09:41, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
09:41, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 21 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.
09:40, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 16 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.

"Ah, there they are! Let's finish it", says Jinx as she casts a fire bolt at one of the trolls.


OOC
Action: Fire bolt on the troll - preferably the faerie fire one, the other one if the first is dead.
Move action: carefully remind ~50' from the trolls
Bonus action: move the flame thrower and burn the trolls - both if possible, the most damage one if not.

16:14, Today: Jinx rolled 3 using 2d8 with rolls of 1,2.  Flamethrower damage.
16:14, Today: Jinx rolled 12 using 2d10 with rolls of 4,8.  Fire bolt damage - critical.
16:13, Today: Jinx rolled 7 using 2d10 with rolls of 6,1.  Fire bolt damage.
16:11, Today: Jinx rolled 27 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 15,20.  Fire bolt attack w/ Advantage.