Technically, the village of Phandalin is farther away than Cragmaw, but this group will have to travel through the forest for about a third of the way, so travel may slow down at that point.

That's why Mithra rallied everyone for this group and got them traveling about 15 minutes after the first group.

This group consists of:
- Biff
- Ero
- Kassan
- Lureene
- Manaen
- Nyssia
- Star of the Morning
- Thressa
- Victor
- Viridovix

Without truly knowing what the defenses and occupants of the Castle are, it was guessed that the fighting there might be more intense and more close-quarters.

It should only take about one day to get there, even on foot albeit with a bit of a hustle, but that'll get you there around twilight.

Until you reach the Triboar Trail, and even for the short distance on the Trail, you can travel two abreast. Once you enter the forest, that probably won't be practical.

So, you need to set up a traveling order... who's first, who's last, etc.

The trip towards Cragmaw was a quiet, reflective one for Nyssia, focusing n what had happened since meeting this group. She had faced hoards of orcs, various dangers....not to mentioned be irritated by Ero. But in saying that, she had found a purpose, had found treasure and found people she related to.

...and had some fun to boot.

As she walked, one of the front scouts, she moved with a trained eye and quietness.

---

<OOC: Leading up to the castle, Nyssia will be out front as a scout - moving quietly when close to the castle>

”We should have some travelling songs”, says Lureene, ”At least until stealth becomes important.” She marches in the middle of the group, ready to help wheresoever peril may show itself.

"If someone else sturdy would like to form our rearguard, I think I'll be far more useful at the van, now. With Nyssia scouting, I suspect we won't be surprised from the front," He hadn't traveled with Nyssia for long, but she seemed to be quite perceptive,"... and anyone who doesn't like my singing, you can go back there, too!" he added with a hearty laugh, and broke into a song about 300 Chessentans who valiantly died defending a bottleneck from an invading Amnian army to give their allies time to prepare a counterattack.

Biff unslings his longbow, the height of a man, and nocks and arrow. He nods and slows his pace to takes up position in the rear.

"I can just drop this as needed if things get up close and personal. Really, I think holding entices folks get within arms reach, then it's over for them, haha. Old wrestler's trick."

Manaen handed Nyssia a stone flask that was shaped to look like a turtle shell, one of the first experiments with the alchemy books. Within was a few quarts of Keoish Brandy. Sort of his thanks for her early acceptance of him.

"I may look like the angry bastard of a dragon and a turtle, but once they get through the shell I am just gooie insides. Someplace in the center or forward of center. Shadows are needed for my main offense, otherwise I am more research and utility magic."

A lively boisterous group to be sure, with some very astute go getter's.  Seeing the petite gnome bard scoot ahead Kassan follow's off after her, just to her opposite flank and ten paces behind, moving in his deep grey almost black fine wool gentlemen's attire.  Like a morning mist disappearing amongst the woods, Kassan moved assisting in the forward scouting.

Nyssia looked at Manaen and nodded with a smile. "Most people think my kind as pushover's or a joke, inless it comes to technology. People tend to underestimate me on my size and the fact i'm a woman." She snorted "Those who live never do that again. My point is Shelldon, I don't judge people by what they are - just by what they do."

She points at Ero. "...thats why i think he's a pompous git with a stick up his ass - because he has! But magic users like you - i have fun with." She turns put takes a sip ofg the flask, and coughs a little. "WOA....that would eat the scalers from a black dragon." She sniffed and smiled, nodding again as she trotted forward.

She nodded to Kassan, him taking left, Her right.

Star of the Morning looks around with a little bit of wonder in his eyes.  The scrubland is not much like his home in the rainforest.  It is way too dry, and not green enough.  He remembers hearing of other areas, like deserts, that are even less green and suppresses a small shudder.

Hello my friends.  I would be happy to help with the scouting and can easily head up any trees to get a better view ahead if needed. Thank you all for your kindness at my sudden appearance.  It was a most refreshing little scuffle with those orcs.

Star will range around the group using is faster base movement (40') -- and when opportunities arise, will climb up any handy trees to take a look around (20' climb speed)

---

edited to account for the updated description
This message was last edited by the player at 22:39, Thu 24 Feb 2022.

Is anyone in this group making use of the Traveling Disk spells? Only Ero and Manaen can cast it.


Some of you have been on this path before. It wends between low hills, leading to and from the east-west Triboar Trail to Old Owl Well and slightly beyond to Wyvern Tor.

There are a few scattered solitary trees and an occasional copse of trees, but the main forest is off to the east and you soon leave that behind. There are no streams, small lakes or ponds to fish in, and small game is scarce probably due to the presence of the Orcs. Foraging for nuts and berries is the best option, maybe supplemented by a squirrel or a game fowl.

With a bit of hustle, you reach the Triboar Trail just after noon. The Trail veers southwest about this point, and the forest is on your right. You can enter the forest at any time but it's about 10 miles to reach the closest point to the Castle. It'll take about 2 hours to hustle there.

There have been no signs of Orcs or goblins, no people at all. Travel on the Triboar Trails is sporadic at the best of times in the past few years, and anyone doing so these days are liable to have been attacked by Orcs.

”I’m serious about the songs” says Lureene on a tone that is not particularly serious at all. ”This road is rather boring… though I’d rather that than a horde of Orcs, Beshaba and Tymora be merciful for I misspoke.”

Walking along the left side of the trail, Kassan's cane floats just to his side held in his mage hand legerdemain as someone mentions they have come onto the Triboar Trails.  Not familiar at all as to the destination other then a brief mention of it by Mithra and Williem, he pauses and momentarily waits for.

Kassan will follow Nyssia's lead into the woods if we choose to enter the woods here.
 On that note, did we give our DM a proper marching order?
From what I Can tell it is something like this Front to Back

Nyssia
Kassan

Victor
Manaen    Star of the Morning on a circular flank position due to high movement
Lereene

Biff(Rear Guard)

Not sure about these three, could be in the middle with the main group?
- Ero
- Thressa
- Viridovix

I do not mean to speak out of turn

My guess is that Viridovix would be alongside Victor until they enter the forest and then he'd move behind Victor.

Thressa would do the same with Lureene, slipping behind Lureene when they enter the forest because she;s more of a melee combatant than Thressa is.

Ero would probably do the same with Manaen, sliding behind the Tortle upon entering the forest to take advantage of Manaen's armor.


As the group nears the potential entry point into the forest, it's about mid afternoon. Nyssia and Kassan are looking for any signs of Orc presence, as in was this the route the Orcs took to get to the Castle, but also looking for a good entry point for themselves.

It's not particularly thick forest but the overhead canopy does create a twilight effect amid the underbrush.


It's within this dimly lit area that both Nyssia and Kassan spot several pairs of baleful eyes staring back at them. Just as they start to turn back to warn the others, the pack of wolves spring out of the underbrush.

As the wolves spring from the surrounding foliage, Kassan moves towards Nyssia.  His usually green glowing eyes about the circumference of a gold coin now narrow to pin pricks.  Kassan's movement changes also into a rhythmic motion like that of a dancer(Mr.Right Movie).  With grace he moves about the forest floor angling support Nyssia.

"Your threat level is minimum canine creature, cease your current attack or face reprisal."


21:05, Today: Kassan rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Cane Sword Attack .
21:08, Today: Kassan rolled 10 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 6.  Damage. 6
21:09, Today: Kassan rolled 7 using 1d8 with rolls of 7.  Booming Blade.

Nyssia saw the eyes and had a dagger in her hand in an instant, cursing she didn't have her crossbow, or even her lute on hand.  She however muttered a soft, haunting tune and the dagger's blade took a slight purple hue almost like a shadow passed over the blade.

She then threw the dagger at the wolf, the blade sinking into the wolves body. Seconds after she reached over and removed the new lute, determined to try some of it's powers.

---

<OOC: Bonus Action - Psychic Blade (Bardic Inspiration)

Action - Throw Dagger at the wolf.

Nyssia rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  attack - dagger.
Nyssia rolled 4 using 1d4+2 with rolls of 2.  damage - dagger.
Nyssia rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,3.  psychic blade.

Misc Action - Get Lute for next round.>

Mana trundled up next to Nyssia She didn't really need his help but the faster the wolves went down the faster he could get back to his thoughts. He rumbled something that echoed off his shell and gripped his jaw pulling it down just a bit. Over her side, so she wouldn't be hit he exhaled a small cloud of poison.

Poison spray
DC 14 con save
2 ponts of poison damage. =(

Assuming that he can see and reach a wolf, Victor swings twice. Unaccustomed to his new strength, his swings  are a bit clumsy.

Attack 1: Miss (Nat 1)
Attack 2: Hit AC 14 for 17 damage.

20:42, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 14,17 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 2,6.

20:42, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 13,12 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 1,1.  Defender attack, damage (+0 bonus set to AC).

If he can't get into melee, but can get within 60', he'll miss with Ray of Frost, instead ;P

The irregular 'edge' of the forest is only about 60 feet on average from the Trail, so Nyssia and Kassan would have been scouting just slightly ahead. Everyone else would have been watching the forest, too, as it was clearly a place where Orcs could spring an ambush from.

A second before the wolves attack, Nyssia realizes that the glowing red eyes aren't really glowing... it's that eerie light reflection from animals' eyes emphasized in this instance by the setting sun behind you. Then it registers that wolves don't have RED eyes... but worgs do!

Indeed, when they spring out of the bush, it's clear from their size and somewhat distorted features that these are the more vicious wolf cousins... the kind that Orcs are known to have as 'pets' and sometimes to ride.

They are fast, easily reach Nyssia and Kassan to attack, and Victor doesn't have to worry about getting into melee because they come to him! And Viridiovix.

Nyssia hits Worg #1, though it doesn't seem to faze him.

Kassan hits Worg #2, which doesn't faze it either. Knowing the damage from Booming Blade will only take effect if the worg moves 5 feet, Kassan merely steps back 5 feet. If it moves after Kassan next round, it will then take the thunder damage.

Victor just manages to hit Worg #3 with his second attack, but only seems to faze the worg slightly.

Manaen targets the closest worg, which is the one attacking Viridovix.

There are six worgs in the pack. Two attack Nyssia and Kassan, two attack Victor and Viridovix, one attacks Lureene (probably because she was just closer than Thressa), and the sixth one passes up the hard-shelled Tortle in favor of the meatier Biff! Fortunately for Biff, that worg can't quite reach him this round.

They probably didn't spot Ero behind Manaen, and Star is out on the opposite flank, nearly out of sight but certainly out of reach in this round.

12:17, Today: StarMaster rolled 10,10,9,22,10 using 1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8 ((2,2,1,14,2)).

What a horrible set of rolls! I think the dice roller is broke again... three 2's out of 5 rolls? That's ridiculous! Next round, maybe it'll be three 20's!

Worg #1 misses Nyssia, perhaps confused by the lute and not quite what he's supposed to bite. After all, worgs aren't very smart.

Worg #2 misses Kassan, possibly because he's not sure what part of the metal man is edible.

Worg #3 loses his footing for a second on the loose dirt along the edge of the trail and bites empty air attacking Victor.

Worg #4, however, manages to reach Viridovix and bites him for 10 points of damage. Viridovix needs to make a DC 13 Strength check or be knocked prone.

Worg #5 misses Lureene, perhaps momentarily undecided between Lureene and Thressa.

Worg #6 heads for Biff, but can't quite reach him this round.

Ero looks up from his book.  "Worgs.  Wonderful."  He slips his book into his pack then casts a quick Mage Armor spell onto himself.

"Who needs assistance?" he asks.

Victor attacks twice again, using his blades magic for defense. If the Worg falls, he moves next to the nearest ally being attacked by a worg. If the worg attacks the ally, he will react with another attack

AC is 22 until next turn
Action: Attack 1: Hit AC 19 for 10
Attack 2: Hit AC 15 for 15
Reaction: Sentinel (If an adejacent enemy attacks an ally, hit AC 28 for 12.)

15:06, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 28,12 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 19,4.

15:03, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 15,15 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 6,7.

15:03, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 19,10 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 10,2.  Defender attack, damage (+3 bonus set to AC).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Mon 28 Feb 2022.

Star of the Morning hears the noise and rushes over to meet the threat.
Is that the sound of dogs I hear. They will rue they day they met me!

I full move to the sound of combat and attack the closest worg I can reach. I will make an unarmed strike, then spend 1 ki point to take a flurry of blows (2 more unarmed strikes)

Primary attack likely misses (9)

Flurry of blows: likely 1 hit (17 and 9) for 2 pts of damage.


18:58, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 14,6 using 1d20+5,1d4+3 ((9,3)).

18:59, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 22,5,14,5 using 1d20+5,1d4+3,1d20+5,1d4+3 ((17,2,9,2)).

In another strange dance like display Kassan disengages from the large canine like creature, gliding to engage the one that Nyssia is with in a flank position.  Slicing at it's hind quarters tendons hoping to hamstring and cause serious mobility problems for it.  "The situation is optimal for us Nyssia, the enemy shall be exterminated shortly."


19:31, Today: Kassan rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  attack roll.
19:32, Today: Kassan rolled 10 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 6.  Damage from Sword.
19:32, Today: Kassan rolled 9 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,3.  Sneak Atk Dmg.
19:34, Today: Kassan rolled 2 using 1d8 with rolls of 2.  Booming Blade. Should it end up moving away.

The worgs were on them before his Danger Sense kicked in, but he wouldn't have had time to react even if it had. The surprise, such as it was, was enough for his Rage to kick in. Although he only took half damage from the worg's bite, its impact threatened to drive him to the ground.

16:49, Today: Viridovix rolled 15,9 using 1d20+6,1d20+6 ((9,3)).

Staggered, but not knocked prone, he shifts into a Reckless Attack with his great axe and goes into a Frenzy.

17:08, Today: Viridovix rolled 27,12,10 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d12+7 ((20,5,3)).

With Advantage (though not needed), but the damage isn't great. If the worg's still standing next round, I'll get him then!

"Watch out, doggie! I'm comin' for you!" he shouts at the worg.

Nyssia smiled at the wolves hesitation, and took advantage of her new instrument, strumming it quickly as she sung in a loud faast tempoed song.

"Blinded by the light
The gnome and the turtles are gonna kick your ass in this fight!"

<OOC: In the style of blinded by the light, by Bruce Springsteen>

The lute had a purple glow as two bolts shot out hitting the worgs attacking herself and Manaen right in the face. The gnome smiled as she winked at the Tortle.

---

<OOC: Action - Cast Blindness on worg's attacking Nyssia and Manaen (Cast at 3rd level)

Con dc 14 save or be blinded.

Bonus Action - None>

"Lady's wrath smite you", calls out Lureene, as she once again calls upon the golden ghostly hammer. Then she attacks the worg facing her from two different directions, striking first with the magic hammer, then with her mace.

OOC:
Bonus action: cast Spiritual Weapon

22:48, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 21,13 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 13,8.  Spiritual hammer attack.

22:49, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 9,9 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 3,6. -- the dice roller was slow and I rolled twice, but this is (sadly ;) the one that came out first.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Wed 02 Mar 2022.

Seeing as there was so much more road to go it would be unwise to just start dumping more and more spells. So as Viri was engaged with the same doggo Mana started moving around to get into a flanking position. He spun around trying to hit the thing with some of the spikes of his body but there was little chance of hitting.


22:08, Today: Manaen rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  HA YAH.

No one around Ero requests help, and only Viridovix has been injured in the worgs' initial attack.


Victor again attacks the worg in front of him. His first attack hits, but the second one misses. With Viridovix next to him, fighting another worg, Victor is able to strike that one on the flank. Neither worg goes down.


Star of the Morning was out on the opposite flank towards the rear, so at the sounds of battle, it was easier and faster for him to head around the back of the group on the chance that he'd be able to flank whatever it was attacking the group.

That puts him next to Biff as the worg closes to attack. Star hits once for 5 points of damage. To no one's surprise, the worg doesn't fall down, back off, retreat or even hesitate.


Kassan disengages from the worg that's attacking him and moves to flank the worg that Nyssia is fighting. Although the tactic is mostly successful, the objective isn't quite achieved. While he does 19 points of damage, he leaves himself open for an attack from behind by the second worg.


Nyssia takes advantage of the worg's uncertainty and uses her lute to cast a purple bolt at the worg that was attacking her and another worg. None were attacking Manaen, so it was probably the one attacking Viridovix as the closest. Otherwise it would have been the one attacking Lureene which meant it was passing through melee... and she may not have had line of sight to it.

14:22, Today: StarMaster rolled 22,13 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 ((17,8)). Worg saves... The one in front of her does not seem to be affected by the bolt, but the other one pauses for a moment to swipe a paw over its eyes.


Lureene misses with her mace attack, but the Spiritual Hammer easily hits. Not unexpectedly, the worg does not fall down.


Manaen tried to hit the worg fighting Viridovix with one of his body spikes, but just couldn't get into position quickly enough to hit.


Biff waits for the worg to get within range.


Thressa also holds her action as there is too much close melee going on.


The worgs keep attacking...

14:41, Today: StarMaster rolled 27,24,22,11,10,26 using 1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8 ((19,16,14,3,2,18)).

Worg #1 bites Nyssia for 11 points of damage.

Worg #2 bites Kassan for 12 points of damage.

Worg #3 just barely manages to bite Victor for 11 points of damage.

All 3 of you need to make a DC 13 Strength save or be knocked prone.

Worg #4 misses Viridovix this time, maybe because his shout was distracting or maybe because it's blind, though its hearing and sense of smell are still sufficient to get it to attack.

Worg #5 still misses Lureene, probably confused by the Spiritual Hammer attacking it from behind.

Worg #6 bites Biff for 14 points of damage. He has to make a DC 13 Strength save or be knocked prone. However, since he was holding his action, he can make an attack against the worg before this. It'd probably take a critical hit to kill the worg, though.


At the end of Round 2, Worg #1 is seriously hurting, Worg #6 hasn't been hit yet (?) and the other 4 worgs have taken some damage.

She wasn't sure anyone really needed her help since the worgs were outnumbered, but she quickly realized that the worgs were considerably tougher than the Orcs they'd been beating on.

Too much melee in front of her to risk a spell in that direction, so she turned to the worg behind her as it closed on Biff.

She cast Eldritch Blast at it.

15:12, Today: Thressa Wildflamme rolled 25,11 using 1d20+7,2d10 ((18,9,2)).

That went better than expected. Take that, you nasty creature!

Victor grunted in pain, and continued fighting defensively.

Action: Attack 1: Hit AC 28 for 9 damage.
Attack 2: Hit AC 23 for 11 damage.
Reaction: If warcaster is applicable, use greenflame blade for the reaction, adding 4 fire damage to initial target, 8 to the other adjacent wolf. If not, just attack. Hit AC 11 for 8 damage.

06:31, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 4,8 using 1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 4,6.  greenflame blade bonus damage.
06:26, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 11,10 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 2,2.
06:26, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 23,11 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 14,3.
06:26, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 28,9 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 19,1.  Defender attack, damage (+3 bonus set to AC).

OOC: Sorry, been busy. Can I retcon a rage along with a ready action? I will proceed as if the answer is yes ;)

Biff sets himself, unsure of how he is going to fight a wolf, oblivious to the bow and arrow in his hand, which he tosses aside as the worgs close in on his allies.

As the sixth worg lunges at him he attempts to step into it with a low right cross. Buff misjudges the creature's speed during its final lunge, throwing himself into it's jaws.

Readied action: 9 (crit miss)

Strength check: 13

He attempts to recover, and barely manages to keep from being pulled down. He again attempts to... punch? the beast.

Attack: 16 (14 + 2 battle master precision strike )
Damage: 9

Bonus action if hit: Grapple opposed check, 24

Nyssia winced at the bite, the magic not working on her wolf. She looked at the wolf and started to sing a low tone as she frowned at the wolf.  The tone went high as she looked at teh wolf, holding her lute and her arm

---

<OOC: Action - Casts Dissonate Whisper at the wolf

Nyssia rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,2.

Wisdom save dc 14 or take 9 damage and must use its reaction to move as far from me as possible. Save takes 4 damage and no movement

Bonus action - none>

Ero notices a worg is about to eat the big-nosed halfling.  Not wanting the worg to suffer horrible death by severe indigestion, he decides to be merciful and tosses off a Firebolt.  The lance of flame hits spectacularly well and the air is filled with the stench of burning hair and flesh.

"You're welcome," Ero says with a smirk.

Critical hit for 28 points of damage on Nyssia's worg.

08:37, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 28 using 4d10, rerolling ones with rolls of 9,5,{1}8,6.  damage.

08:34, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.

Lureene strikes again at the Worg facing her, determine to free herself quickly so she could tend to her friends' wounds.


23:56, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 23,13 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 15,8.  Spiritual hammer attack.

23:55, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 20,4 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 14,1.  Mace attack.

Viridovix continues to attack the worg he's fighting, reluctant to call for help, but unhappy that he needs it! Some ray struck the worg, though, and now it's acting a bit strange. It's still attacking. If the stories he's heard are true, it'll attack until it's dead! Well, he can oblige that!

14:57, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Viridovix, rolled 17,11,8 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d12+7 ((10,4,1)).

Attacking with Advantage, he manages to hit but only does 8 points of damage. It's not as much as the worg will do to him if it hits, so if this keeps up, Vir won't survive the battle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:04, Mon 07 Mar 2022.

Star of the Morning continues attacking the worg on Biff. With his flanking position, he gets Advantage, and manages to hit twice for 10 points of damage.

Still unthreatened by a worg, the Warlock takes the opportunity to unleash another Eldritch Blast at the worg threatening Biff.

15:13, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Thressa Wildflamme, rolled 22,6,18,4 using 1d20+7,1d10,1d20+7,1d10 ((15,6,11,4)).

Two bolts lash out at the worg, though they only do moderate damage. Still, with the three of them attacking the worg, it shouldn't last long!

Biff tried a grapple, but always seems to pick the wrong target! He almost got the worg in his grip, but the four legs gave the beast too much stability.


As the worg dragged Nyssia to the ground with its vise-like jaws, she was just barely able to strum out a dissonant whisper.

14:32, Today: StarMaster rolled 27,4 using 1d20+7,1d20+2 ((20,2)). Opposed grapple check from Biff's worg and Wisdom save vs. Nyssia's spell.

Just as the worg biting Nyssia began to flee, Ero's bolt struck the creature and engulfed it in flames. When the flames died out, there was nothing left but a charcoal briquet!

Victor's Warcaster ability does come into play and he does extra flame damage to his target and to Viridovix's worg.

Biff then tries to grapple the worg again. This time he's successful, and he manages to wrangle the beast off its feet, doing 12 points of damage in the process.

14:51, Today: StarMaster rolled 14 using 1d20+7 ((7)). Worg's opposed Strength check to avoid the grapple. It fails, and now it's dead!

15:56, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Biff, rolled 1,11 using 1d8,1d4+7 ((1,4)). Attack and grapple.

There are still 4 worgs left.

15:58, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,27,25,11,20 using 1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8 ((1,19,17,3,12)).

Worg #1 is DEAD! Crispy crittered!

Worg #2 misses Kassan... probably because the sight and smell of the burnt worg not too far away.

Worg #3 still manages to bite Victor for 12 points of damage.

Worg #4 misses Viridovix because it's at Disadvantage being blind and all that.

Worg #5 manages to bite Lureene for 10 points of damage.

Worg #6 is DEAD--strangled by Biff's lethal grapple!
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:00, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

Nyssia winced at her arm as she stood, but as bad as that pain was, being 'saved' by the pompus elf was worse in her eyes. She stood, allowing a sour look to Ero "Don't get cocky elf!".

Her focus went back to the wolves and again and focused on the wolf facing the cleric. she frowned, putting all the frustration of ero into her words as she pushed magic into her insult. "Hey.....flebag! You the runt of the litter or you just a puny little pup?"

---

<OOC: Action - Casts Vicious Mockery

Nyssia rolled 2 using 2d4 with rolls of 1,1.

What the.....This dice roller hates me! <Sigh>

Wisdom save 14 or take 2 damae and have disadvantage on next attack

Bonus action - None>

Victor continues his assault, hoping to finish of the nearest worgs before they bite anybody else.

Action: Attack 1: Hit AC 24 for 18 damage.
Attack 2: Hit AC 22 for 19 damage.
Reaction: Greenflame blade, hitting AC 22 for 23 damage, and adjacent worg (if any) for 6


16:43, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 22,23,6 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 10,4,8;4.  greenflame blade attack, damage to target 1, damage to target 2.
16:40, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 22,19 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 10,8.
16:40, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 24,18 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 12,7.  Defender attack, damage (+0 bonus set to AC).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Tue 08 Mar 2022.

Parrying the worgs bite, Kassan lunges back attempting to pierce it's eye with his weapon.  "Systems recalibration required, you will make a nice rug fuzzy dog."



18:40, Today: Kassan rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  attack roll. misses I believe

Ero ignore the halfling's remark and chooses his next target.  "Rrringspot, vonza, twoza," he points at each wolf in sequence.  "Zig, zag, zav!"

A flash of flame streaks toward the wolf menacing that foppish newcomer with the cane.  This time, it hits where the wolf isn't.  Ero clearly wasn't expecting -- what's his name again?  Kazam, Kasseem? -- that man to retreat.

A critical miss to follow my critical hit.  Everything must balance out it seems.

18:19, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1.  Firebolt.

Manaen keeps trying to flank with Viridovix. Not that the warrior needed any help. No Mana needed the help to fight, clearly.


20:16, Today: Manaen rolled 7 using 1d4+4 with rolls of 3.  claw.

20:16, Today: Manaen rolled 25 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 19.  advantage.

20:16, Today: Manaen rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1.  Attack!

still using movement to remain in a flanking position. And claws be out.

Lureene lets out a groan of pain, but then grits her teeth, blocks off the Worg with her shield, and tries to finish it off.



20:18, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 24,5 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 18,2.  Mace attack.


20:19, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 9,11 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 1,6.  Spiritual hammer attack.

Just because the worg he was fighting was blind didn't mean it wasn't still dangerous! Viridovix swings at it again with his great axe.

22:29, Today: Viridovix rolled 14,14,9 using 1d20+6,1d20+6,1d12+6 ((8,8,3)).

"What's wrong with you, man?" Viridovix chides himself as his attack misses. "You can't even hit a blind doggie!"

Having strangled one worg to death, Biff sprang to his feet and looked for another target.

There are two worgs in easy reach--one's fighting Viridovix and one's fighting Lureene. He hardly knows the Cleric but she seems quite competent at dealing with one worg. Viridovix, on the other hand, seems to be struggling with the blind one.

"Too much like me!" he grumbles and tries to grapple that worg. He has advantage both from raging and from the worg being blind.

22:44, Today: Biff rolled 20,20,6 using 1d20+8,1d20+8,1d4+2 ((12,12,4)). Now that's a strange roll. Vir rolled two 8s and I roll two 12s.

Pretty sure that's a hit.

22:49, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Biff, rolled 14,13 using 1d20+7,1d20+7 ((7,6)). Opposed Strength check with the worg or he's grappled. Biff has Advantage. Still might not be enough.

Although surprised that Biff was able to strangle one of the worgs, Thressa still isn't threatened by any of the worgs, so she unleashes another Eldritch Blast at the worg, this time at the one attacking Viridovix... with both bolts!

15:13, Today: Thressa Wildflamme rolled 23,8,15,7 using 1d20+7,1d10,1d20+7,1d10 ((16,8,8,7)).

Both bolts strike the worg for a combined damage of 15 points.

"Much better this time! Die, wretched beast!" she snarls at the worg.

Nyssia cast another spell at the worg fighting Lureene and does 2 points of damage. At fails its Wisdom save and at Disadvantage on its next attack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Victor's first attack against the worg he's been fighting hits and kills it, so his second attack gets directed at the worg Kassan is fighting.

Unfortunately, there's no other worg close enough to get struck by the blade's green flame.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kassan attacks the worg again, but misses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ero's Firebolt spell targets the worg Kassan is dancing with... and misses!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Manaen once again tries to attack the blind worg that Viridovix is fighting... and this time manages to hit for 7 points of damage. His timing couldn't be better, as that's enough to kill the worg.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lureene manages to hit her worg with her mace for 5 points of damage, but her spiritual weapon misses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Biff manages to hit the blind worg but can't manage the grapple, not only because it's got four legs and is very stable but because it's now getting a lot of attention. Doesn't matter, though, as Manaen's attack killed it.

23:39, Today: StarMaster rolled 27,18 using 1d20+7,1d20+7 ((20,11)). Worg Strength attack with Disadvantage because it's blind. Still beats Biff's check.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thressa's Eldritch Blast softened up the worg just enough so that Manaen's attack was able to finish it off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viridovix again attacked the worg on him, but once again missed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Star of the Morning had been attacking the worg that Biff was fighting, and after Biff strangled it and moved to another worg, Star wasn't quite fast enough to keep up with the shift to another worg, which was quickly dispatched by Thressa and Manaen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


There are only two worgs left--one fighting Lureene and one fighting Kassan and Victor.

23:57, Today: StarMaster rolled 18,12,12,10 using 1d20+8,2d6+3,1d20+8,2d6+3 ((10,6,3,4,3,4)).

00:01, Today: StarMaster rolled 24, ((16)). Worg attack against Lureene. Worg has Disadvantage on his attack due to Nyssia's spell.

That should be a hit on Lureene for 12 points of damage.

23:57, Today: StarMaster rolled 12,10 using 1d20+8,2d6+3 ((10,6,3)). Worg attack against Victor because Victor's the one that hit it.

The worg misses Victor.

Star of the Morning looks around and is impressed.  He has found a pack that will serve him well. And he has much to learn.


After looking around with some astonishment at the speed that the worgs are being dealt with, Star of the Morning races to the closest remaining worg to help dispatch it.  He will make a full attack.


10:32, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 7,7,6,6 using 1d20+5,1d4+3,1d20+5,1d4+3 with rolls of 2,4,1,3.  unarmed strike, damage, bonus attack, damage.


His astonishment at what has happened has definitely flummoxed him and caused him to miss his attacks.

Victor continued swinging, moving to support Lureene if the worg in front of him died before the one threatening her.



Action: Attack 1 hits AC 26 for 12 damage. Attack 2 hits AC 22 for 12 damage.
Reaction: Greenflame blade hits AC 33 for 25 damage.
Move: Next to Lureene if the worg Victor faces dies.
12:57, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 31,25,5 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+1 with rolls of 19,8,6;4.  greenflame blade attack, damage to target 1, damage to target 2.

12:56, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 22,12 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 10,1.  Defender attack, damage (+0 bonus set to AC).

12:56, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 26,12 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 14,1.  Defender attack, damage (+0 bonus set to AC).

Biff, filled with battlerage bellows a great roar of frustration for not being able to subdue the worg attempts to heave it over his head and slam it down on the worg attacking Lureene.

Strength check to pick up worg (interact with object?): 24

Move action to get within range.

Improvised weapon attack (proficient): 14
(man, these attack rolls, that's with a battle master die)

Damage if hit: 1dworg+7

Seeing that the others have everything well in hand, Ero pulls out his book and goes back to reading.

Lureene winced and stumbled back; it was clear that among the ones who would need healing was her! But she pressed on, knowing that she had to get this worg out of her face so she could tend to her party's wounds.

OOC: 19:17, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 24,8 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 18,5.  Mace attack.

19:17, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 28,7 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 20,2.  Spiritual hammer attack.

That's a critical hit! An extra d8 of damage:
19:20, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Critical hit extra die (spiritual hammer).

Total 15 damage for the hammer, 23 for both attacks.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

Nyssia frowned as she looked at Ero, again doing his own thing. Tak8ng another of her daggers, she threw it towards the nearest word, missing the beast. "ERO....Get off your ass and help.!"

---

<OOC: Action - Throw Dagger

Nyssia rolled 6 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 1.  Attack - dagger

Damn!

Bonus Action- none>

This round about looked to be very well in hand. So as opposed to throwing spells at wargs he thought would be dead very soon, Manaen primed a prestidigitation spell so confetti will rain a bit over the victors once the last two had fallen.

It takes both of Victor's attacks to finish off the worg that he and Kassan were fighting, and by the time he turns back to help Lureene, she and Biff have finished off the other worg.

Only Biff's frustrated adrenaline surge let's him pick up the 600-pound+ worg and slam it down on top of the worg fighting Lureene. It's unclear if it does much damage but it does flatten the other worg to the ground and would have prevented it from attacking Lureene again. Perhaps it being prone facilitated Lureene's critical hit on the worg that finally ended it.


Now that all the worg's are dead, there's a sense of relief that the battle is over.

As far as anyone knows, only the bugs find a worg edible. If not outright poisonous, they have a really horrible stringy taste to them. Not even carrion birds will eat a dead worg. Or so the stories go.

As for the pelts, while perhaps not totally worthless, no one has yet figured out a good use for the coarse, wiry fur. It doesn't even make good armor because the inside surface can't be cleaned or smoothed enough not to be irritating.

Ero doesn't even bother to look at Nyssia when he replies.  "Why?  They're all dead.  Why waste my talents on a foregone conclusion?"

Nyssia snorts at Ero as she goes about looking for any dangers and retrieves her dagger. "Because, you pointy eared twit...people were still in danger. sure no one died....no thanks to you and that swollen elven head, but one shot can mean life ir death."

She faced him, clearly irritated. "Maybe remember others when your facing death and someone may just save YOUR scrawny ass." she snorted again and looked at the group. "We best move....the smell will attract other things"

Sheathing his blade, Kassan ignores the bickering of the fellow party members.  "Nyssia is correct in that this will attract others, if these were pets of these Orcs they may come looking for them."

The gnome nodded at the warforged wisdom. "You and i will scout ahead...again you one side, me the other" She brushed off the dirt and muttering something unheard under her breath, set to move forward.

"Hard to imagine what would be attracted to such a smell, but whatever it is, I'll gladly leave before finding out!" says Victor, as he gives the scouts a head start.

Ero snorts.  "I saw they had the situation was well in hand so I stood back and let them do what they do best: kill things.  I surmise you have just a fraction of the faith in our compatriots' capabilities than I do.  How truly disappointing."

"Now why don't you make yourself useful and fetch water or something."

Ero sighs, shakes his head, and turns the page of his book.

Lureene calls upon the Lady to heal herself with a whispered entreaty. Then she looks at Ero and arches a delicate eyebrow. "Better safe than sorry, I should think. There is little cause for taking chances." She turns to the rest of the party. "Who might be in need of healing? Victor, you did take a few bites?"

OOC: Cure Wounds on self. Out of combat, so Max of 1d8 + 5 + 3 = 16 healing.

"Yes, ma'am. Deep ones, even." Victor said with the nonchalant tone of someone for whom life-threatening injuries are just part of the job.

OOC: Does second wind get maximized out of battle, too?

Nodding to Nyssia, Kassan pauses when the one called Lureene asks if someone may need healing.


"I could use some of your magics please, I miss calculated the trajectory of one of the creatures attacks."

With that done he moves into the shadows and takes up the forward recon with Nyssia

OOC: repeating from the OOC thread, yes, Second Wind is maximum out of combat.


As Nyssia and Kassan move ahead again to scout, with that Perception roll, it's all Kassan can do not to keep running into trees!

Somewhere there's a path that leads to Cragmaw Castle, but that's the route that's likely the most watched and guarded, which is why the group is moving through the forest. It's a shorter route, and occasionally turns into difficult terrain, but it's less likely to draw attention to them until they are at least in position to observe the castle.

After penetrating the forest for about 2 of the 6 miles to the castle, Nyssia spots the two creatures at nearly the same time as they spot her. Even as they start charging towards her, she is able to identify them as forest trolls... rare, but not unknown in these woods.

Victor will go ahead and use his second wind, so Lureene can heal Kassan.

Nyssia walked on, one dagger in hand, party looking, but also partly fuming about the worg ambush. When she pushed a branch back to see a troll, her eyes widened. "Oh shit." She muttered. Her instincts kicked in as she sung a tune, aiming at the lead one, suggesting his team mate was an enemy, and he should tackle him and pin him to the ground.

Then she spoke "Assess and elbows people - trolls!"

---

<OOC: Action - Casts suggestion to one of the trolls with the suggestion to tackle the other and hold him on the ground.

DC 14 wisdom>

Lureene once again calls upon the Lady Firehair, this time to heal Kassan.


OOC: Kassan will recover 16 hitpoints - hopefully before we're back in combat!

Biff hurls a javelin at the nearest troll, then moves up to the front of the group, arms out wide to receive the trolls in the embrace of combat.

Action: Throw Javelin
Bonus Action: Rage
Move action: move to front

Attack: 24
Damage: 8 (piercing)

Manaen had to play this one smart. Fire was going to be required so he started with prestidigitation to ignite a small flame. when the time came he could use control flame to make the fire much larger as needed. But setting up was really all he could do for the moment.

Victor will use Greenflame blade, preferably on a troll that's next to another troll.

Action: Greenflame blade hitting AC18 for 22 damage, and 9 fire to secondary target, if any.

Reaction: If opportunity attack is provoked, Greenflame blade hitting AC20 for 16 damage, and 3 fire to secondary target, if any.

22:12, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 20,16,3 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 8,2,3;1.  greenflame blade attack, damage to target 1, damage to target 2.

22:12, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 18,22,9 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 6,5,6;7.  greenflame blade attack, damage to target 1, damage to target 2.

Rubbing his forehead after hitting his head again and picking up his Top Hat, Kassan's attention becomes razor sharp as Nyssia calls out trolls.  Approaching the nearest troll Kassan slides in low and attempts to hamstring it.  Not sure how close they are to the castle this combat must end quickly or it will draw to much attention.


21:18, Today: Kassan rolled 13 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 7.  Atk Roll .
21:22, Today: Kassan rolled 7 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 3.  Dmg Sword.

Lureene heals Kassan way before the group encounters the trolls.


Even as Nyssa casts Suggestion at one of the trolls, she realizes that it will only work if the troll can understand Common. Apparently it can't, as she senses that the spell didn't work.


Upon seeing the trolls, Biff throws a javelin at one of them and hits.


As the trolls are moving to attack and so is Victor, he has no problem engaging the first troll. He attacks and hits. Green flame arcs over to the second troll. However, no opportunity attack presents itself. Although its the same troll Biff hit, the damage isn't enough to take it down.


Manaen is able to complete his prep work.


Kassan attempts to slide under the second troll's attack and make a hamstring attack on its leg, but he's not able to succeed at the attack.


Ero, Lureene and Star of the Morning haven't quite gotten within range of the trolls, especially since Victor and Kassan rushed to engage the trolls.


The first troll attacks Victor in retaliation.

00:06, Today: StarMaster rolled 21,4,11,6,21,8 using 1d20+6,1d6+3,1d20+6,2d6+3,1d20+6,2d6+3 ((15,1,5,1,2,15,4,1)).

It manages to bite Victor for 4 points of damage, misses with its first claw attack, and hits with its second claw for 8 points of damage.


Having put himself in the front line, Kassan is attacked by the second troll.

00:11, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,4,11,12,20,12 using 1d20+6,1d6+3,1d20+6,2d6+3,1d20+6,2d6+3 ((3,1,5,5,4,14,4,5)).

Fortunately, the troll only hits with one claw and does 12 points of damage.


Because Victor engaged the troll that Nyssia was attempting to affect, its focus is on Victor instead of Nyssia, so she'll have Advantage on her next action directed at the troll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:06, Tue 05 Apr 2022.

Nyssia cursed her own stupidity, realising too late that the trolls, stupid beasts that they were, didn't understand common, and her spell fell on deaf ears. She reached around and grabbed the new lute, playing a unusual tune towards the troll attacking Kassan.

---

<OOC: Casts Dissonate Whisper (1st level) on troll attacking Kassan

Nyssia rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,5.  dissonate whisper damage.

Wisdom 14 save or take 14 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you.

On a successful save, the target takes 7 Psychic damage and doesn’t have to move away.

Bonus Action - None>

Ero usually ignores the little halfling girl, but he caught the word trolls.  With a sigh he puts his book away and briskly walks toward the ruckus.  No reason to rush, he thinks.  Let the fighters get their hacks in at the trolls and then he can cauterize the beasts' wounds before they can heal.

Once he is close enough, Ero flings a firebolt at the troll attacking Victor.  His aim is even better than he expected as he catches the troll full in the chest.

Assuming I'm now in range.

Hit 21 for 17 damage.

10:56, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 17 using 2d10, rerolling ones with rolls of 8,9.
10:55, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  Firebolt.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 73):

Weaving as the troll swings wildly at him Kassan, dances smoothly to the side as the first swing misses. As the second one comes in Kassan calls out to the troll how ugly he is potentially causing him to miss.  Thrusting his sword into the exposed armpit of the troll Kassan takes a step back using his skills and cunning action to disengage from the beast. Forcing the troll to advance on him if the troll wished to continue it's attack, as he enhanced the strike with booming blade.


19:30, Today: Kassan rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  Atk  .
19:32, Today: Kassan rolled 8 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 3.  Dmg Sword.
19:33, Today: Kassan rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.  Booming Blade.

Star of the Morning hears the cry of Trolls and his blood starts to race.  At last, another opponent to test his skills again.

He will move at top speed to engage the trolls (movement is now 50' base).

Upon reaching the trolls, he will expend 1 ki point to execute a flurry of blows (2 unarmed strikes as a bonus action) against the second troll.

He must have been too excited, as only the first blow struck a troll (18) for 3 damage.

If he has any movement left, he will attempt to draw the troll away from Victor by moving away.  (He has mobile feat now, and movement will not trigger any opportunity attacks from anyone I attack, regardless of hit or miss)


14:12, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 23,6,10,7,14,5 using 1d20+5,1d4+3,1d20+5,1d4+3,1d20+5,1d4+3 with rolls of 18,3,5,4,9,2.  unarmed strike, damage, then flurry of blows with damage.

Lureene elected to stay out of range of the trolls for the time being, concerned that she would need to keep her energies later for healing. And so she called upon the Lady Firehair to bring fiery radiance down upon the troll fighting Kassan, figuring that he was more vulnerable than Victor.

OOC: Cast Sacred Flame. The troll must make a Dexterity save (DC 16) or take 2d8 damage:

00:46, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 12 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,8.  Sacred Flame damage.3
This message was last edited by the player at 05:48, Sat 02 Apr 2022.

Victor once again causes green fire to leap from his blade as he swings at his foe!

Action: Cast Greenflame blade, hitting AC 20 for 20 damage, and doing 6 to secondary target (if any)
If no other enemies in range, move up to 30' toward nearest enemy.
Reaction (if applicable): Cast Greenflame blade, hitting AC 23 for 22 damage, and doing 8 to secondary target (if any)

15:44, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 20,20,6 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 8,3,6;4.  greenflame blade attack, damage to target 1, damage to target 2.

Biff moves to the nearest troll and attempts to pummel it with his knuckleduster, attempting to knock the monster to the ground, attempting to grapple the large monstrosity.

Attack: 26
Damage: 25

Trip DC: 16 strength save or be knocked prone

Bonus action: Grapple
opposed grapple athletics check: 15

ROLLS
Biff rolled 15 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 5,7.  grapple athletics check (adv).
Biff rolled 7 using 1d8 with rolls of 7.  superiority die.
Biff rolled 18 using 1d8+1d4+9 with rolls of 7,2.  Damage.
Biff rolled 26 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 18.  Punch a troll.

Nyssia: Casts Dissonate Whisper on Troll #2 who fails its Wisdom save badly, due in part to Kassan's silvery barbs. It takes 14 points of damage and moves away from Nyssia and, incidentally, away from Kassan.


Ero: Casts Firebolt at Troll #1 and does 17 damage to it. What little bits of forest detritus (leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc.) remain on it after Victor's green flame attack burst into flame for a moment before burning completely out. It's not really enough to do any extra damage to it.


Kassan: As a reaction to Nyssia's spellcasting, Kassan casts his own Silvery Barbs spell, forcing Troll #2 to reroll its Wisdom save... on the off chance that it makes the first roll. It doesn't. Trolls aren't particularly noted for their Wisdom. As it moves away, he manages to follow and attack for 9 points of damage.


Star of the Morning: He easily pursues Troll #2 and attacks with a flurry of blows, landing only one for 3 points of damage. Victor is fighting Troll #1, and since Troll #2 is already fleeing from Nyssia (who's over by Victor), Star isn't sure if his ploy of drawing the troll away works or not.


Lureene: Casts Sacred Flame on Troll #2 for 12 points of damage. Between it fleeing from Nyssia's spell and Star and Kassan attacking it, it fails its Dexterity save as it's at a serious Disadvantage.


Victor: Attacks Troll #1 again, with more splash arcing to Troll #2. Without any nearby opponent with which to make an opportunity attack, he then moves to attack Troll #2, reaching him just before he gets out of range. Delivering more damage to it, another arc splashes back onto Troll #1.


Biff: Victor's move leaves Troll #1 wide open for Biff to attack and grapple it. He hits it easily enough, but the troll's rough, bark-like skin doesn't let him get a good hold. The wood trolls may look skinny but they are strong and wiry.

01:26, Today: StarMaster rolled 8 using 1d20+3 ((5)). Despite its strength, it falls to Biff's trip attack.

12:19, Today: StarMaster rolled 23 using 1d20+3 ((20)).
01:36, Today: StarMaster rolled 9 using 1d20+6 ((3)). Disadvantage roll to resist grapple because he's prone. He's now grappled.


Manaen, Thressa, and Viridovix, seeing that the others seem to have the situation well in hand, plus the battle was getting a bit crowded, decide to stay in reserve. Also, they keep an eye out in case more trolls appear, or the noise attacks any Orcs in the area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the round, Biff has managed to trip and grapple Troll #1 (while Nyssia watches from nearby). Kassan, Star of the Morning and Victor are pursuing and attacking Troll #2 as it flees from Nyssia. It's hard to tell what condition each of the trolls is in because of the odd skin texture, though it's obvious that some of the wounds are healing up even as you look. Still, the two trolls seem to have been seriously hurt. There may not be much left in them at the moment, but that'll change if and when they regenerate.


Troll #1 still manages to attack Biff in return.

12:28, Today: StarMaster rolled 13,7,13,10,23,10 using 1d20+6,1d6+3,1d20+6,2d6+3,1d20+5,2d6+3 ((7,4,7,5,2,18,1,6)). It only manages to hit Biff with one claw for 10 points of damage (minus Resistance).


Troll #2 has three targets to choose from, and decides that the burning man is the serious threat, so attacks Victor.

12:32, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,5,16,9,14,11 using 1d20+6,1d6+3,1d20+6,2d6+3,1d20+5,2d6+3 ((3,2,10,2,4,9,4,4)). Alas, none of his attacks manage to get past Victor's armor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:43, Wed 06 Apr 2022.

Nyssia, seeing Biff take down his troll, changed tactics and drawing her dagger, She runs up and strikes the Troll hard as she hums low, the vibration making her blade glow with a purple light

---

<OOC: Movement - To Troll #1

Bonus Action - BArdic Inspiration (Psychic Blade)

Action - Attack With Dagger

Nyssia rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Attack - Dagger.

Nyssia rolled 6 using 1d4+2 with rolls of 4.  Damage - Dagger.
Nyssia rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,4.  Psychic blade.

Total Damage - 17 (6 piercing, 11 psychic)>

Kassan presses his attack, the sword glancing harmlessly to side of the troll.


19:06, Today: Kassan rolled 9 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 2.  attack roll. MISS

Biff drags the Troll toward the other troll for Victor's 1-2 flame-blading. Then keeps punching on his grappled troll.

Attack: 27
Damage: 13

With no one in critical danger yet, Lureene decided the best way to prevent more injury was to defeat the trolls as quickly as possible, and so she called upon Sune Firehair's sacred radiance yet again.

OOC: Cast Sacred Flame. The troll must make a Dexterity save (DC 16) or take 2d8 damage:


21:26, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 15 using 2d8 ((7,8)).

Ero flicks another Firebolt at the first troll but a sudden twist by his target causes the bolt to miss by mere inches.

06:49, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 13 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 7.  Firebolt.

At this point being ready to burn the bodies was starting to become an issue for everyone else. So Manaen lifted one hand and tossed a few transparent turtle shells, green of course, for one of the trolls to help it along to its soon-to-be end.

19:15, Today: Secret Roll: Manaen rolled 9 using 3d4+3 with rolls of 3,1,2.  Magic missle.

Victor continues his fiery onslaught.

Action: Cast greenflame blade hitting AC20 for 22 damage (14 slashing, 8 fire) and dealing 4 fire damage to the other troll if possible.
Reaction (if triggered:) Cast greenflame blade hitting AC26 for 24 damage (16 slashing, 8 fire) and dealing 4 fire damage to the other troll if possible.

18:06, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 20,22,4 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 8,3,8;2.  greenflame blade attack, damage to target 1, damage to target 2.

18:06, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 26,24,4 using 1d20+12,1d8+11+1d8,1d8+2 with rolls of 14,5,8;2.

OOC: Let's get this show back on the road! Lost track of what round it is, but let's just go with Round 3.


Nyssia: moves to attack Troll #1 and casts Psychic Blade on it as she strikes with her dagger. Easily hits. It definitely felt that.


Kassan: attacks again, but misses this time.


Biff: manages to drag the struggling Troll back closer to its companion even as he continues punching it.

12:19, Today: StarMaster rolled 10 using 1d20+3 ((7)) for Troll #2 to break the grapple. It fails.


Lureene: Casts Sacred Flame on Troll #2 for 12 points of damage. Between it fleeing from Nyssia's spell and Star and Kassan attacking it, it fails its Dexterity save as it's at a serious Disadvantage.


Ero: Casts Firebolt at Troll #1 and does 17 damage to it. What little bits of forest detritus (leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc.) remain on it after Victor's green flame attack burst into flame for a moment before burning completely out. It's not really enough to do any extra damage to it.


Manaen, realizing these Forest Trolls are a bit tougher than he thought, casts a "Turtle Shell" spell at Troll #2 since only Biff has been targeting it, plus the fact that he doesn't have to worry about hitting Biff with the spell.


Victor attacks Troll #1 again, with more splash arcing to Troll #2, who Biff has dragged back close enough for that to happen. The combined attack and fire are enough to kill that troll, and once it's dead, its regeneration ceases. Victor is then able to attack Troll #2 with his reaction. He'd normally have Advantage attacking the prone Troll, but he'd also be at a Disadvantage for attacking just one of the persons in the grapple, so the two cancel out. So, he has no problem hitting and delivering more damage to Troll #2 anyway. However, there's no longer any additional target for the splash.


Star of the Morning, Thressa, and Viridovix, seeing that the others seem to have the situation well in hand, plus the battle was getting a bit crowded, decide to stay in reserve. Also, they keep an eye out in case more trolls appear, or the noise attacks any Orcs in the area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the round, Troll #1 is dead, and Biff is still grappling with Troll #2


Troll #2 still manages to attack Biff in return. Although it has Disadvantage because it's grappled, it still manages to bite Biff for 7 points of damage.

12:39, Today: StarMaster rolled 18,18,17,22,23,13 using 1d20+6,1d20+6,1d20+6,1d20+6,1d20+6,1d20+6
((12,12,11,16,17,7)).

Those keeping watch don't see or hear any signs of other creatures in the area, particularly there are no signs of Orcs, but if there were, it'd be a swarm of them springing out from behind the bushes and trees!

Now that its alone, outnumbered, and wounded, Victor will focus on bringing this troll down, then worry about burning it once its unconscious.

Action: Attack troll, hitting AC 16 for 18 damage.
Action: Attack troll, hitting AC 20 for 14 damage.
Reaction (if Applicable:) Attack troll, hitting AC 27 for 18 damage.

00:50, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 27,18 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 15,7.

00:50, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 20,14 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 8,3.

00:50, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 16,18 using 1d20+12,1d8+11 with rolls of 4,7.  Defender attack, damage (+0 bonus set to AC).

Withdrawing her dagger from the troll (And it now had no purple glow), she held some satisfaction at it's death. She looked at the second troll, and with Biff she ran over, her dagger thrusting in, but as she almost hit it, biff moved it, causing the dagger to miss

---

<OOC: Movement - To Troll #2

Action - Attack with Dagger

Nyssia rolled 10 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 5.  Attack - Dagger.

Bonus Action - None>

Satisfied his target won't be getting up again, Ero attacks the second troll. HIs shot goes wide, though.

18:45, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 11 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 5.  Firebolt.

Lureene elects not to ask the Lady to call down flame into the growing crowd around the troll. Instead she stands ready to heal her comrades should the troll's last gasps of defiance prove the adage about a cornered beast.

Victor's massive 50 points of damage coupled with Nyssia's 10 points of damage are more than enough to kill the second troll.

Once dead, of course, it no longer can regenerate, so neither fire nor acid need to be applied to it.

Nyssia breathed heavily as teh trolls lay there, dead. She wanted to make sure it was gone. Closing her eyes, she sighed as calmed her breathing. "I damn hate trolls!" she muttered.

She looked around. "Everyone ok?"

Victor walked over to Nyssia, and offered her a handkerchief that was woefully inadequate for the job at hand, and said "All fingers and toes accounted for here. Got a few of the troll's too!" Victor said with a booming laugh, as he reached as if to grab something out of her hair. "Good to press on if the rest of you are."

Ero walks over to the nearest troll.  He kneels down and pokes at it with the point of his knife.  "Does anyone have an empty container?  Troll blood is a salubrious commodity when prepared properly."

Nyssia smiled at Victor's joke, shak9ing her head at the warrior. "Just a few small scratches. I'll be ok - bure before long i may need a spell." She looked at Ero and shook her head. "Sorry - no vials here." Her usual scathing comments towards the elf were gone (for now), knowing well that what he said was true enough.

"Lets get moving - i want to find a place to camp before dark."

Victor raised his voice to get everyone's attention, "If anyone's gonna drink a potion before we move, or already has an empty bottle or the like, bring it here and collect some of the troll's blood. To the right folk, it's worth good coin!"

Kassan spends sometime inspecting the trolls, poking at them with his sword.  Curiosity done he stands up ready to scout ahead again.  A low whistle and deep gray great horned owl flies over head and into the woods.

"We can empty a waterskin if all else fails. We're not like to run out of water before we reach civilization. You'll excuse me, however, if I leave the pouring of the blood to others... Is anyone in need of healing?"

Victor takes his own advice, and quaffs a potion of greater healing. He then pours some water in the potion vial, swishes it around a bit, drinks it, and repeats until satisfied that the vial is clean, before filling the vial with troll blood. "Must remember not to drink this. Not like to be pleasant."


06:16, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 15 using 4d4+4 with rolls of 2,4,4,1.  potion of greater healing.

No one is quite sure if the trolls will be scavenged by the denizens of the forest, but then there are lots of things that people wouldn't eat that bugs do.

In any case, it's advisable to move away from the dead trolls before making camp. Also, it's not advisable to make a campfire since you might be close enough to the castle for someone to see the light of the fire even through the trees of the forest. And, if the wind shifts, it could carry the smoke to the castle. The Orcs would like nothing more than an excuse to go on a night excursion.

Kassan's owl easily makes its way amid the trees, mostly flying beneath the branches until a gap in the canopy lets it soar up into the darkening sky. It spots the castle only half a mile away and soon returns to report that to Kassan in whatever way it can communicate.

Catching the faint scent of grass, as opposed to the scruff and underbrush of the forest, he says, "This way."

He leads the group to a clearing about 60 yards away. Only 20 feet in diameter, it has an old stone-ringed campfire in the center.

"Unless we want to cook something, we shouldn't need a campfire," he explains. "On the other hand, for the next hour or so, we'll get a wind off the mountains blowing toward the coast which'll be away from the castle. After that, we'll start to get an offshore breeze."

"If you set up your newfound tent, Ero, we should still put two people on watch outside the tent at all times."

"Wizards are not savages, dwarf," an indignant Ero replies.  "Of course we'll cook.  The tent has a hot stone inside.  We can cook on that without creating even a wisp of smoke."

The wizard unpacks and sets the tent up.

"Before tomorrow, we magic wielders should discuss what spells to take so that we complement each other.  Tomorrow will be a formidable task.  We should prepare accordingly."

Victor says, "I'll take a morning watch. As for magic, my selection is limited, and can't be changed from day to day: I can allow a small group of us to fall great distances unharmed, put enemies to sleep, create a small burst of thunder to give myself some breathing room, deflect attacks, and fire magic projectiles that never miss. I can cast three spells before I'm out of juice for the day."

OOC: Feather Fall, Sleep, Thunderwave, Shield, Magic Missile. 3 slots per day. The Feather Fall is from Magic Initiate, so I can cast it once without using a slot.

"Who you calling a Dwarf, you beanpole!" Viridovix snaps back at Ero.

I don't recall you telling any of us about this hot stone. I guess it's making sure you don't burn the food! That'd attract the Orcs faster than burning wood."

"I'm good for any watch."

Nyssia looked at Viridovix with a smile. Ero had a abrasive attitude, and had a way of irritating people with his arrogance. Nyssia herself had issues with this, but she had faced such before, and would again. In truth, he was good at what he did (though she'd never admit that), but he needed a personality.

Nyssia let their 'discussion' go without any additional words, but answered Ero. "Normally my spells are limited to charm and illusion based spells, but i can replicate spells like dispel magic and fear. With this new lute, my skills have opened up widely to include flight, invisibility and protection spells"

"A fine find that was", said Lureene to Nyssia. "And in your hands it will find great use."

"As for me, the Lady in her grace may grant me the use of many spells", she continued, "and though of course some portion of these are for the succor and care of wounds and ailments, I could call upon her to aid us in filling any gaps that we might find. Though I must admit to some predilection for that hammer spell." She grinned.

Thressa shrugs.
" As for me I want a less massive weapon. "

Thressa holds her great axe in front of her.


" I am sure Aumanator will provide. "

"You want a smaller weapon than the great axe?" Viridovix said, confused a bit by her words.

"What are you looking for? A sword? A hammer? A mace? Or do you want something more exotic--like a whip? No, no, I'm not making fun of you. I'm serious."

"There were lots of weapons on the walls back in those caves. None of those appealed to you? Or are you talking about a magic weapon? Maybe we can find one in the castle to suit you."

Once the tent is set up, spell discussions can be held inside. For those that haven't been inside the tent before, it's much larger on the inside than on the outside. The style is a higher middle area with side walls, rather than the roof slanting all the way down to the ground.

The difference is that there are four side rooms that are clearly NOT part of the actual tent. The two on the left are sleeping areas while the two on the right are a galley and a loo. The side sleeping areas can easily accommodate two people each, but the main area can easily sleep another 8.

As it turns out, nothing happens during the night watch, so the actual watch order isn't significant.

About dawn, however, whoever is on watch still or anyone who's up early hears noise off to the east. After a minute or so, it sounds like something moving through the forest underbrush... a lot of somethings. People... troops... Orcs? They seem to be moving towards the castle.

Victor goes into the tent to let everyone know.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Sun 22 May 2022.

Nyssia, relaxing with a meal hears Victor and groans, grabbing her daggers, she goes outside to scout the area. She looks at Victor. "Get everyone out and hidden quickly, and by brandobaris, if Evo talks, gag him!"

She disappeared into teh tree's to see how long they had.

---

<OOC: Nyssia will scout for the sounds.

Nyssia rolled 17 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 14.  perception roll.
Nyssia rolled 25 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 17.  stealth roll.>

Nyssia quickly determines that the Orcs aren't heading in your direction, and they aren't likely to see you unless you do something to get their attention.

There are 17 of them with 3 worgs, one of which is being ridden by the probable leader.

She is able to get close enough to see the symbol painted on their shields--a skull with an ax buried in it. This calls her attention to the fact that these Orcs all seem to be carrying battle axes.

Nyssia quickly returns to the others. "Orcs - at least 17 of them. Three worgs. One big ass ugly brute is riding one....Guessing he's a clan leader."

She looked around. "They had the insignia of an axe burried in a skull - All of them had axes as well."

"Damn!" Viridovix swears at Nyssia's report.

"We're not ready to attack them! It'd be better if we could stop them now before they join the castle Orcs! It's going to make it that much hard to ferret them out."

"I don't suppose any of you spellcasters have big spells that will affect a dozen Orcs or so at once?"

" hmm, sword, I like hammers and axes. But a one handed sword at this point would be nice."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:06, Mon 23 May 2022.

Ero takes a sip of his tea.  "I don't see what the predicament is.  Simply corral the rabble and I'll incinerate them all with a fireball."

"Oh, that's just brilliant, Ero!" Manaen says. "We'll just politely ask the Orcs to all stand around in a group so we can paint their portrait, and then, BOOM! You hit them with a fireball! Brilliant."

"And if we miss some of them, we'll just ask the rest to do the same thing."

"If, on the other hand, the Orcs are unreasonably rude and refuse to cooperate with Ero's brilliant fireball plan, might I suggest that half of us stay outside and deal with the Orcs that are already there or that attempt to flee from the other half of us that flush them out from the inside?"

Nyssia glared at Ero and his arrogance, but smiled moments later when Manaen spoke. "Oh, i like him" She muttered

Thressa attempts Eldritch Blasts an Orc.
" May the Light of Aumanator burn righteously through you. Note to self aim better. "





21:21, Today: Thressa Wildflamme rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1.  Eldritch Blast.

21:20, Today: Thressa Wildflamme rolled 1 using 1d10 with rolls of 1.  Eldritch Blast Damage.

Alas, the others were just talking and making plans. There are no Orcs within sight or range for Thressa to blast.

It sure seems we can't all get along properly.  How do we think we will be able to storm this castle? Star of the Morning says in disgust looking around at his compatriots.

We need to sit down and come up with a plan we can all agree on and stop squabbling.  I would much prefer sharpening my claws in some orc hide than fighting with you all.

" yes let's go after these orcs. "

She slowly walks toward the orcs.

"I believe Manaen has the right of it. Despite the merits of Ero's plan, it might be best to see if we can fight them in smaller numbers, so as to not risk being overwhelmed. Herding orcs I'll wager is not unlike herding cats. I'm sure the mighty Ero can manage a second fireball should we need it."

Victor says, "No problem. You all stay out of sight, I'll walk forward until they notice me, hopefully separating the worgs from the others. I'll try to draw them to where the others can't see them, and we should have them dead before the other catch up. If, instead, they stick together and surround me, then Ero can throw his fireball. If I'm caught in the blast, this ring I got will protect me. If they don't give chase, they only saw me. If I get close enough, I'll harass them with cantrips."

Biff walks up with Victor and fires an arrow from his longbow at the orcs.

Then shrugs at Victor, "We want them to notice, right?"

Att: 10 if within 150'; 7 (natural 1) if between 151'-600'

Nyssia looked at the group and sighed. Of course they want to hunt the orcs! she thought to herself. She sighed as she looked around. "Sure - lets take on more orcs! But maybe i can help. I have s0me magic that won't - you know, burn a lot of them to death, but i have one that can make them really sick. Enough to stop them fighting."

"I can make them stop fighting, too." Biff cracks his knuckles.

Ero gestures toward Victor.  "See?  A man with a tactical mind.  The lot of you could learn from him."

"Those raiders or whatever are probably heading into the castle, meaning we'll have a score more to combat if we go in while they're present.  But if we can inveigle them to leave and can keep them out long enough to get control of the castle gate, we can simply immolate them on their return.

"Since those boar-toothed beasts aren't likely to let us traipse in through the front gate, we should probably think about going over the wall.  Therefore, this is what we should consider.  First, we send out scouts to get the general lay of the battlements.  I have access to both Fly and Invisibility spells, so we could even put someone up on the wall get map the inner court.  Once that is done, we determine a spot that is fairly isolated yet close enough to the gatehouse that we can get over the wall, down to the gatehouse, and destroy the gate mechanism.  Their raiders are on the outside, we're on the inside."

The wizard crosses his arms and smugly says, "Simple."

The gate isn't the only way into the castle. Both Ero and Lureene have been there before. It was a group of 7 towers that had mostly crumbled, connected by a perimeter wall. All that's left is the first floor. There is also a large opening at the back of the castle where the wall has collapsed.

It doesn't seem likely that the Orcs will have rebuilt this section... they may not have even been there long enough to do it anyway.

They are bound to have guards there, and it's not unreasonable to think that they even use that gap as an entrance and exit.

Nyssia looked at Ero with a half smile. "Despite the fact he's a egotistical windbag, the elf has a point. The front is too obvious a place. Like him, i have the ability to fly and turn invisible as well, so two of us scouting up high can save time. I'm happy to be one - i can move quietly. Maybe someone who's tactically minded could also....victor maybe"

"I do like the idea of having an idea of the lay of the land, and I especially like the idea of holding the orc's own fortress against them. Let the rest of us stand at the ready in case something does go wrong with the scouting, unlikely as it may seem."

Victor says, "Moving quietly is beyond me, I'm afraid, but if I'm invisible, and in the sky, maybe the orcs won't hear me over their own noise. Nyssia, if you need to concentrate to remain airborne, you might want to remain within 20 yards of me. Within that range, I can slow your fall. Of course, even if they notice me, I doubt you have to worry about being heard."

Nyssia and Victor cast Fly and Invisible on themselves and head off to scout the castle ruins.

As Lureene and Ero explained, there had once been 7 circular towers built in a sort of skewed rectangle and they'd been connected by a wall. Some sections of the wall were short, some long. All of the towers have collapsed down to just the first floor, and the longest section of wall at the back has collapsed, possible from some sort of breaching action, though it's been so long it's hard to tell.

A lot of the debris from the collapses has been removed from the central courtyard, though it appears as if most of it was just piled against the remaining walls, possibly in an effort to sheer them up. Whenever this was done, it wasn't recent. There just aren't enough Orcs to have done all that clearing within the last week, which is probably all the length of time they've been here.

There's a large campfire set up in the middle of the courtyard. It seems to be attended by 2 or 3 Orcs constantly.

There are two Orc guards at the rear wall breach, and there are two Orc guards at the door of the largest tower.

After that, it looks like there might be a dozen or so Orcs camped in each tower. There are maybe another dozen camped in the courtyard. These are the ones that have the six worgs.

Every so often, an Orc or two exits a tower and walks across the courtyard. Sometimes, the Orc goes to the campfire with a pot which he fills from the large community pot over the fire.

There are no signs of women or children, and, based on the banners, there appear to be seven different tribes represented here.

Seven different tribes?  Perhaps with some stealth we can instigate some mischief and get them to fight amongst themselves! Does anyone have any ideas?

Let's shoot at them a few times from far away, and see if we can draw them out. I bet they are crap for range. Maybe someone can sneak at the same time, so it can be a distraction, too.

"They all eat from the same pot. If someone sneaks in there and puts something in it to weaken or incapacitate, their numbers are less of a problem. Though some may find that distasteful... especially the orcs!" Victor said, laughing as his own terrible pun.

"Distasteful, but effective", opines Lureene. "If we have a proper 'something' for this plan, and I don't know that we do. I wonder, however, if we might not merge this idea with Star's -- make them believe one tribe is trying to poison the others and have them fight amongst themselves?"

Nyssia listens to the plan, consern on her face, but then smiles. "I have a plan....it could be crazy, but if it works, damn." She looks at Ero. "Can you remove a tower quietly - silence spell on them?"

She holds up a finger. "If he and i take a tower each, two people with a silence spell, and get them down quick, we will be in a prime spot. We get someone down near the fire, even an illusion to get a few of the orcs out. Between pointy's fireball, and my stinking cloud we can take out a lot of them quickly. My cloud spell can cover 90 feet and though it won't kill them, they'll be so sick they can't move."

She looks at the others. "You take the other towers and leave him and me to the courtyard, then we may have a chance to take them out quickly"

"A good plan if it works", says Lureene, "But if I'm understanding it correctly, you'll be very isolated if anything goes wrong. The rest of us need to be ready to rescue you quickly if need be." She grins. "But if it works, damn."

Nyssia smiled. "I'm not without a few tricks there Lur.....and i'm sure Ero can deal ok. Hell, his ego can knock a dragon from the sky."

"Those all sound like great plans," Viridovix finally spoke up after listening to everyone's ideas.

"What if we used them all? They're all about dividing and conquering, right? I'll lead the group that attacks through the back breach. Who else wants to go with me?"

"I'm in, let's go!"

Victor says, "I'll attack the front alone after Sulaanin and Nyssia are done silencing the nearest towers. Once I've gathered a crowd, he can fireball. Sulaanin, if you have to choose between hitting me too, or leaving one or two undamaged orcs, hit me." He then looks at Viridovix, "When you hear the fireball, you guys go in through the back, and do your thing."

"Just remember, the Orcs are going to attack the village tomorrow," Viridovix reminds everyone.

"Considering the distance they have to travel, I'd say they'll head out tonight. So, we need to attack now. It'll take us a few minutes to get into position, which'll give the Orcs to settle in for the morning. Then we'll give them a rude awakening! Ha-ha-ha!"

With that, he heads out, gesturing to Biff to join him, and works on circling around to the back side of the castle. He decides to head to the south of the castle; it's the long way around, but he hopes there'll be less chance of them getting spotted.

As the rest leave to circle around the back of the camp, Victor addresses Ero and Nyssia. "Sulaanin, Nyssia, you two will need to signal me when the towers are silent. Then I will rush the courtyard from the front."

Nyssia nods, and looks at Star, who was roughly the same size as her. "Care to join me?" She says with a playful smile.

With teh plan in action, she moved close to the tower she was going to attack.

"Don't fail in this venture," Ero grumbles at Nyssia.  "If you get yourself into trouble, don't expect me to get you out."

I can't find a weight limit for the spell, but we should at least be able to carry Star between us, right?

In reply to Nyssia (msg # 149):

"I would love to join you.  It's time to teach these orcs better manners!" replies Star of the Morning. "Want to race?"

I'm under 160 lbs. if that helps

Are we talking a weight limit for Dimension Door? If you are taking an object along with you, then the weight is limited by what you can normally carry but doesn't include what you are currently carrying. So if your weight limit is 100 lbs. and you are already carrying 90 lbs., that doesn't matter--you can still take 100 lbs. along with you since you aren't actually carrying it... just sort of dragging it along with you.

On the other hand, you can take one other person with you as long as he's your size or smaller and only carrying what his normal weight limit is.

Somewhat oddly, the 'front' door is actually on the west side.

The two largest towers are on the north side. The Orc leader seems to be in the large tower in the northeast since that's the one that has a guard at the door. The tower is only two stories high. There's a partial breach into the lower level of this tower as it's near the major breach in the 'rear' wall.

The second large tower also has a major breach in the wall, but some effort was made to patch up the gaping hole.

There's a smaller tower between the two, and there may have been a sixth tower also in the same area, but it seems to have completely collapsed.

So, the plan is this:

Biff and Viridovix
Attack through the back breach.

There are two Orcs on guard here as it appears the breach is too large to patch up easily, though some effort has been made to narrow it. The breach leads directly into the 'courtyard', which wasn't always meant to be that. It's just that many of the interior walls have collapsed or been knocked down. This is where the worgs are sleeping.

At this hour of the morning, there's no breeze so the worgs probably won't get your scent until after the battle commences.


Nyssa and Star of the Morning
The two will Dimension Door to top of one tower.

This is the tower at the far back corner on the left. In order to get close, you probably needed to circle around with Biff and Viridovix. Once you've cast Silence on the tower, Biff and Viridovix will charge the breach. Hopefully, Viridovix battle cry will carry across the courtyard and out the front doors to signal Victor to attack.


Ero and Kassan
These two will Dimension Door to the top of the second large tower.

There were no guards positioned atop this tower but there were probably a dozen camped inside.


Victor with Lureene, Thressa, and Manaen
Victor will lead the assault on the front of the castle.

The doors that once barred entrance are still laying on the ground, broken and shattered. There apparently wasn't enough left of them to even attempt to block the way.

As you circled around to get in position, you have no problem spotting the two Orc guards positioned just inside the open doorway. Either they were missed on the scouting mission or else they've been added since then.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ero has no difficulty in timing his assault with Nyssa. Both cast Silence on their respective towers and then Dimension Door to the top of it.

As soon as Nyssa and Star of the Morning disappear, Viridovix and Biff charge forward.

Yay! The battle begins!

As soon as Nyssa and Star vanish, Viridovix springs up out of the bushes he was hiding behind and gestures to Biff to follow as he charges forward.

His Dread Helm makes his eyes glow red as he lets out a bellowing wordless battle cry!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Just to keep the Orcs honest, he chucks a pair of javelins at the Orc guards as he runs.

10:46, Today: Viridovix rolled 10,5,10,10 using 1d20+7,1d6+4,1d20+7,1D6+4 ((3,1,3,6)). Javelin attacks! Pfui. I'm not even sure they hit the ground!

As soon as he gets the signal, Victor charges forward, as fast as his legs can carry him. If he reaches the two guards, he'll jump over them, assuming enough clearance.

(He can make a 9 foot vertical running jump, normally. Could he clear an orcs melee range with a good athletics check?)If he receives any attacks, he will cast shield, bringing his AC to 27 with the AC bonus from his sword.

Thressa moves closer so hopefully she can shoot an Orc with a Eldritch Blast and then run into melee.

Ero takes a moment to peek over the parapet.  He makes a mental note on where the orcs are and where the heaviest grouping is before ducking back down.

He does his best to mime to Kassan to open the trapdoor to the tower stairs and keep watch for any possible counter-attack.

Once he determines Kassan understand what he's trying to relay, he goes back to spying on the orcs below.  Unable to hear anything due to the Silence spell -- something that has turned out to be a hindrance since the tower wound up being unguarded -- he watched the orcs and waits for them to show a reaction to what will no doubt be a cacophony of an assault.  He wonders for a moment if humans are capable of doing anything in silence.  He tosses the thought away after a near instantaneous answer of "no."

Upon the orcs reacting to the commotion, he launches his Fireball into the thick of the crowd.  No doubt he'll once again bring the battle to a near close before it even has a chance to start.

Fireball into the heaviest concentration of orcs as soon as Ero sees a reaction to the two assaults.

Thressa, with glaive in hand, follows Victor toward the front.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Sat 09 July 2022.

Biff thinks, I guess it's time to shout and gives a primal yell. He takes a few steps and leaps over the debris that is attempting to impede his movement, "Bastard rubble!"

He comes down with a flying punch with his knuckleduster, onto the orc that was savaged by two very threatening javelins.

Bonus action: Rage

Move: run/jump up to 20'
Athletics jump: 24
Athletics land: 24

Action: attack orc guard
Attack: 15
Damage: 17

Lureene follows with Victor's charge but feeling unable to duplicate his acrobatics, declines to try and instead meets the orcs so that they are outflanked by the two of them. As she does, she prepares her spiritual weapon spell.

Arriving at the top of the tower, Star of the Morning looks quickly around for any orcs.  If anything is there, he will attack.  Otherwise, he will head towards the door and quietly try to enter.

Biff and Viridovix attacking through the back breach.

Viridovix's two javelins indeed miss the Orcs, but since they didn't know they weren't going to hit until too late, they still try to duck out of the way. That's just enough time to let Biff and Viridovix close the distance.

Although Viridovix charged forward first, Biff's bounding leap clears the rubble and puts him just ahead of Viridovix. He lands close enough to one of the Orcs to strike out with his knuckleduster-clad fist. Wearing only hide armor, the Orc isn't quick enough to avoid the hit.  Biff's tremendous strength fells the Orc with just one punch!

Viridovix swings his great axe at the second Orc, but was eying the worgs more than paying attention to his opponent. He misses!


Nyssa and Star of the Morning Dim Door to top of the southeast tower.

Nyssa cast her Silence spell on the tower and then the two of them teleported to the top. There are no Orcs on guard duty there, probably because it's too early. Since they wouldn't be able to see far in the darkness and didn't anticipate anyone 'flying' in, there wasn't any point in posting useless guards on top of the tower.

The door on the roof is a trapdoor in the floor by the edge that gives access to the interior. As Star moves over to it, Nyssa moves to the edge of the parapet and peers down at the courtyard just as Viridovix and Biff charge in through the northeast breach.

She also spots the sleeping worgs... out in the open in the courtyard, now roused by the battle cries. Unfortunately, the worgs will reach Biff and Viridovix before any Orcs dash out of the towers. There are no other Orcs in sight, but she does spot the central campfire, cold now and unattended.

Star reaches the trap door and attempts to open it. It lifts up easily enough; apparently it wasn't bolted from the inside like it should have been. Naturally, it's dark down the stairs. With the silence in effect, Star can't hear anything from down the stairs either.


Ero and Kassan Dim Door to the top of the second large tower to the northeast.

There are still no guards here, which makes sense in retrospect since, in the darkness, not even the Orcs would be able see anyone moving through the forest. In silence, Ero points Kassan at the trap door to keep watch while Ero peeks over the edge of the parapet to the courtyard below. Although he can't hear the battle cries, he can see Biff and Viridovix charge through the breach, apparently shouting.

There is no assembly of Orcs yet; apparently they are all inside the towers to sleep during the daylight hours. However, there are four worgs in the courtyard, having been asleep but now woken up by the battle cries. They'll probably reach Biff and Viridovix before any sleeping Orcs rouse themselves and rush out to see what the commotion is.


Victor with Lureene, Thressa, and Manaen assault the front of the castle.

The doors that once barred entrance are still laying on the ground, broken and shattered. There apparently wasn't enough left of them to even attempt to block the way.

As Victor charges forward towards the two Orcs, Thressa casts Eldritch Blast at the Orcs on  guard. She had to decide whether to target one Orc with both blasts or split the blasts between the two. Feeling the chances were better at hitting one Orc with each blast, that's what she did.

09:08, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Thressa Wildflamme, rolled 10,3,20,5 using 1d20+6,1d10,1d20+6,1d20 ((4,3,14,5)).

She missed the first Orc with a blast, but nailed the second one for 20 points! (Max damage for a roll of 20 and x2 for the Critical Hit), killing it.

This makes Victor's leap over the Orcs easier as there's only one to avoid, plus Lureene and Manaen are charging him, too, with Thressa quickly following.

Manaen decided to cast a Chromatic Orb from his walking stick at the remaining Orc guard, using 'thunder' as the energy type. This fit with the current plan, which was to make a lot of noise to get the Orcs to come out of hiding, even though it went against his normal reticence for combat.

09:30, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Manaen, rolled 22,10 using 1d20+6,3d8 ((16,1,5,4)).

It could have taken out the Orc... but didn't quite do it, leaving it up to Lureene to finish him off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The worgs, like most canines, are instantly alert at the unusual sounds. While they don't bark, they do growl at the intruders (Biff and Viridovix) and move to attack. Then the thunder from the front gate sounds, distracting them for a moment before two of them turn to deal with those intruders, easily spotting Victor.

Meanwhile, at the rear breach, the second Orc guard attacks Viridovix.

09:43, Today: StarMaster rolled 23,15 using 1d20+5,1d12+3 ((18,12)).

Ouch! That's going to hurt!

There's a brief lull in the battle at this point as everyone takes in the scene and decides what to do next.

Broson, out looking for his missing Uncle Ordun who, in turn, had been looking for some lost Dwarven relic supposedly lost in the area centuries ago, had stumbled upon signs of Orcs in the area. While this concerned him, he still hadn't run into any. As near as he could tell, they'd been just a small scouting group, no more 5-6. But there were several of them if his interpretation of the signs was correct. Now THAT was worrisome... more so for his uncle than himself.

It followed, though, that if there were that many... clearly constituting a war band, they might take his uncle prisoner if they ran across him... both for information and for amusement.

While Orcs could be stealthy on occasion, none of these seemed to be concerned about covering their tracks--yet another indication it was a war band.

Broson recalled that there had been an Orc incursion in the area a hundred years or so ago, but they'd been driven out. Now they seemed to be back. Still, there wasn't really anything in the area that they could be interest in... not that he was aware of. And Neverwinter was way too big and well-fortified for the Orcs to assault. Then again, Orcs weren't always smart.

Following the tracks seemed a better course of action than just aimlessly wandering around the forest, at least until he learned a bit more, and that soon enough led him to the ruins of the old castle. Now that was a surprise. Oh, wait. Yes, he'd heard of Cragmaw Castle. It had fallen to the Orcs the last time. Seemed as if they were using it again.

Just as he got close enough to assess its condition and occupancy, it was attacked! Not by an army, which is what he would have expected (though maybe not preferred), but by a group of adventurers. Admittedly, he only saw a few charge in through the breach in the rear wall, but he heard the sounds of others.

How dare they have all the fun?! Besides, his uncle could well be inside.

”Lady Firehair forgive you for your hideousness inside and out, and forgive me for what I must do.” The priestess charged in on the remaining orc and slammed it with her mace. Then she invoked her spiritual weapon and struck with this, too.

OOC: melee attack and cast spiritual weapon as a bonus action

19:06, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 10,9 using D20+6,6+3 ((4)).

I typoed the damage roll but I’m not going to hit with this…

Spiritual weapon:

19:09, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 25,10 using D20+8,d6+5 ((17,5))

Nyssia took the empty scene in, dropping the silence spell to look at Star. "Seems their asleep" she whispered, looking over the side, she saw the worgs starting to stir and get aggitated. She smiled as she again cast the silence spell, this time on the worgs themselves so as their calls would not wake the orcs.

---

<OOC: Casts Silence on the worgs.  I will make sure i don't have any friends targeted>

Ero motions to Kassan.  "Lead on.  I'll be right behind you in a second."  He takes a moment to cast Mage Armor onto himself.  One can never be too careful.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:19, Sat 30 July 2022.

Because the Orcs were mostly sleeping, and the forest was close enough to the castle, everyone pretty much got a surprise round over the Orcs.

The two at the front gate are dispatched before they can react and sound the alarm.

While Biff took out one of the Orcs at the back breach, Viridovix hasn't been able to deal with the other Orc.

And, while the thunderclap at the front gate could have alerted the Orcs, it's a normal enough act of nature that it doesn't seem to have concerned any of them.


So Thressa took out one of the Orc guards at the front gate.

Manaen's Chromatic Orb spell softened up the other Orc so that Lureene could finish it off.

Victor, meanwhile has charged through the front gate completely ignoring the two guards. The central courtyard isn't quite as open as he was expecting since it seems most of it is full of rubble. The two doors leading to it aren't closed but they don't look in great shape anyway. As he clears the second door, he spots the worgs. Two of them have been alerted by the thunderclap and are... investigating.

With no wind, they can't get Victor's scent at the moment, so they don't know if he's friend or foe. That gives him the initiative for the next round.


Viridovix's efforts against the second Orc guard at the breach have proven less than effective. At first inclined to believe he and his comrade can handle these two intruders (since there's only two!), but then he sees his buddy go down. Now he shouts out a warning... silently. He's been caught in the edge of Nyssia's Silence spell she cast on the worgs.

Keeping his sword on defense, Victor moved in to attack. If he could reach a worg this turn, he would swing at it, twice, otherwise he attacked the nearest orc (other than the one nearest Lureene.)

AC is currently 22. He will use shield if an enemy rolls higher than 17 to hit him (before modifiers)
Action: Attack hitting AC 27 for 13 damage, then AC 17 for 15 damage.

16:10, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 17,15 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 8,7.

16:10, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 27,13 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 18,5.  Defender attack, damage (+3 bonus set to AC).

The heavily armored Dwarf emerges from the woods like a shambling anvil and takes in the skill of the rapid raid. Clanking Waraxe against shield he says "Lady Truesilver, thank ye fer this lovely rumble!" and his faith manifests as a silver sigil on his shield. Wasting no time he charges into the castle to stand beside the knight fighting the Wargs. His axe arcs to land with a wet thud, strangely silent... Caught off guard by the lack of noise he gives the knight a thumbs up and gets ready for the enemies counter attack.

Brosons AC is 22 with shield of faith. His charge was a critcal hit 27 followed by 13 points of damage.

In reply to Nyssia (msg # 165):

Star of the Morning looks over at Nyssia and whispers Shall we find us some orcs?.  He then proceeds down as silently as possible, ready to engage as necessary.


07:58, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 15 using 1d20+5 ((10)). Stealth roll

The Gnome smiled at the Tabaxi with a wink. "Try stay quiet - don't what them bastards sneaking up on us." As quiet as a whisper, dagger in hand, she followed after the tabaxi.  "You see movement, freeze. Say nothing, do nothing." She whispered

---

<OOC: Nyssia rolled 25 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 17.  stealth check.>
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:11, Fri 29 July 2022.

In reply to Nyssia (msg # 171):

Star of the Morning looks back at the halfling and shakes his head in agreement.  He also grumbles quietly to himself "I can't believe that little halfling is more silent than I...my ancestors will be ashamed of me....".  He then returns his eyes to the doorway and proceeds to climb down the stairs. He smiles to himself, glad he has no need of any lights....

Lureene swept foward after Victor, called upon the Lady Firehair for strength, then struck with mace and spiritual hammer at the nearest orc.



18:47, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 20,6 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 14,3.  Mace attack.

18:47, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 19,6 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 11,1.  Spiritual hammer attack.

Biff turns to the other orc guard, swinging a haymaker which connects with a sickening crunch, knocking the orc to the ground, though most of the attack's energy seemed to go into re-arranging the guard's skull.

Action
Knuckleduster attack: 29 (critical)
Damage: 24

Biff looks for another foe while driving deeper into the breach.

Move: 30' in the castle stronghold, or climbing a wall to nearest orc.

(Athletics check if needed for climb: 20, non-natural)

Biff and Viridovix

The remaining Orc guard swung at Viridovix but missed, partly because his footing is a bit unstable and he's a bit intimidated by Biff's attack on the other guard. Before Viridovix can attack back, Biff lands another knuckleduster punch that kills the Orc.

As Biff moves into the courtyard another 30 feet and looks around for his next target, the two worgs arrive. Their move puts them 20 feet away from Biff and a bit farther away from Viridovix. They were coming to see what the disturbance was, but hadn't picked up a scent yet. Now they've got the scent of dead Orcs and can sort of put 2 and 2 together to realize that Viridovix and Biff are the ENEMY! They are preparing to attack now!

If Biff tries climbing, he's not going to be able to get high enough to get out of reach of the worgs in one round.


Nyssa and Star of the Morning

Star creeps down the stairs as they spiral down the inside wall to the second level. About half way down, Star spots a dozen sleeping Orcs. Although there's no longer any silence in effect, there also hasn't been any noise since Nyssia dropped it.

Nyssia is right behind Star and can see the same thing.

The stairs reach a landing on this level (the second floor) but continue on down, presumably to the ground floor.


Ero and Kassan

Over on the other tower in the northeast, Kassan has cautiously opened the trapdoor in the roof. At this early hour, there's still not enough light to significantly alert any Orcs below... or else they just pull blankets over their heads to block it out.

The tower is slightly larger than the southeast tower, but the stairs still spiral downward against the inside wall.

Stealthily descending the stairs, Kassan spots a dozen Orcs sleeping around the perimeter.


Victor with Lureene, Thressa, Manaen, and newcomer Broson

With the two Orc guards at what was once the main gate dead, the four of you are unrestricted to the interior of the castle and the makeshift courtyard. However, as Victor continues forward, he quickly spots the two worgs advancing on him.

While the brief battle at the main gate wasn't particularly noisy, it also wasn't quiet, which was enough to get the attention of the other two worgs that were closest to the main gate. As soon as they see what caused the noise, they charge forward at a run and meet Victor head on.

Victor still has the initiative because he's already expecting attacks while the worgs have to get into position. He easily strikes the lead worg with both his attacks and the combined damage slays it!

Having been joined by a newcomer--a Dwarven Fighter by the looks of him--Victor doesn't have to worry about the second worg. That worg attacks Broson... but misses.

20:14, Today: StarMaster rolled 12,10 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 ((7,3,4)).

The noise of combat seems to have finally attracted some attention from the other Orcs. Although they still don't know what's causing the commotion, two peek their heads out to the north and another peeks out from the south.

The armoured Dwarf ducks low under the Worgs snapping jaws and steps in close. Softly he runs his fingers through the wolves fur and with a sigh says "Bad puppy." Silvery mist is drawn from the beast to dissipate in the air as his goddess punishes the foe of her faithful.

Broson cast inflict wounds, gets 23 to hit and inflicts 15 necrotic damage.

Continuing to let his Defender's magic protect him, Victor swung twice more, at the nearest foes.

AC is currently 22. He will use shield if an enemy rolls higher than 17 to hit him (before modifiers)
Action: Attack hitting AC 27 for 16 damage, then AC 22 for 12 damage.
Move: As necessary to reach targets. If his first attack kills the worg, he will move toward the nearest orc.

15:57, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 22,12 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 13,4.

15:57, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 27,16 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 18,8.  Defender attack, damage (+3 bonus set to AC).

"Well met, friend!" calls out Lureene, as she follows after Victor once again, and moves to assist the dwarf with the worg. She strikes with her mace as her spiritual hammer swings from above.

OOC:


21:42, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 19,6 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 13,3.  Mace attack.

21:42, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 15,11 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 7,6.  Spiritual hammer attack.

Ero nudges Kassan out of the way.  "I'll handle this."  He casually flicks a Fireball into the group of sleeping orcs.

36 damage or 18 on save.  And a special thank-you to Elemental Adept.

07:04, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 36 using 8d6, rerolling ones with rolls of 3,5,4,{1}6,3,{1}6,5,{1}4.  Fireball damage, save vs DEX for half.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:38, Mon 15 Aug 2022.

Nyssia pauses and looks down, mouthing an obscenity and looks at the tabaxi, shrugging. She had spells to incapacitate a large group, but not kill....and there were more than she thought here. she leaned in and whispered to the tabaxi. "They wake up and we have a big problem."

In reply to Nyssia (msg # 181):

Star of the Morning whispers back "I agree.  We could try going past them, but I dislike leaving any enemies at our back.  Do you have anything that can be of help here?"

The gnome looked at the tabaxi with a shrug. "My magic is used to help others in combat or influence people. Unfortunatly i'm not that fool Ero who could wave his poncy elven hand and make a fireball."

She looked at the group and sniffed. "...and i don't like the idea of them at our backs." she returned her gaze to the tabaxi. "Short of sneaking up and slitting their throats, i'm out of ideas.....and i'm no assassin. If we could trap them here?"

The tabaxi looks back and whispers Let's continue past them and see if there is some door or something we can jam behind us further down.

Nyssia winces at the suggestion, but lets out a silent sigh and nods. she starts to make her way, then knocks a loose rock, sending it down the steps. The gnome paused, as if a statue, mouthing a swear word more at her own folley.

---

<OOC: Nyssia rolled 10 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 2.  stealth check.

careful star....we may have some waking friends!>

Thressa stays in  the back and remains alert. "Yes, most probably."

Biff and Viridovix

Biff's intent to climb wasn't to get out of the reach of the worg but to gain a height advantage to attack it. He has no problem getting about 8 feet up the ruined wall. The worg's charge gets him to Biff before Biff is quite in position, and it leaps up to bite Biff.

18:56, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,10 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 ((4,4,3)). Worg #1 attack.

Even though the worg has a more stable footing with four legs, the loose rubble of the ruins still shift under foot and its leap just doesn't carry it high enough.

Viridovix just moves to confront the other worg. His efforts so far haven't been very impressive. The worg makes an unexpected leap at the last second, catching Viridovix off-guard.

19:01, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,8 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 ((4,3,2)). Worg #2 attack.

Once again, the unstable footing shifts under the worg's feet and his leap falls short.


Nyssa and Star of the Morning

Without any means to take out a large group of Orcs, Nyssia and Star of the Morning decide to sneak past the sleeping Orcs. Unfortunately Nyssia manages to kick a loose stone that clatters on the stairs for a moment. While the noise seems louder in the enclosed space and echoes for a moment, it doesn't seem to have alerted the Orcs.

17:56, Today: StarMaster rolled 4 using 2d20, dropping the highest dice only ((4,15)). Perception check with Disadvantage.

The enclosed space worked to your advantage in terms of the Orcs because it blocked out most of the light, lulling the Orcs into a false sense of security and putting them to sleep. The noise just wasn't enough to wake them up.

Sneaking down to the next lower level which would be ground level, the two of you do not spot anything that could have been a door. If there had been something here once, it's long gone... probably broken up for use as firewood years ago.

Unfortunately, ground level almost repeats the above scene. There are only 7 sleeping Orcs, but there are three that are awake. Two appear to be playing some bizarre Orc game using bones. One picks up the bones and then throws them back down. Based on some undecipherable result, one of them hits the other upside the head and then they repeat the process with the other one throwing the bones.

The third awake Orc is leaning over a table that's littered with papers. He seems to be larger than the other Orcs.


Ero and Kassan

When Kassan spots the dozen sleeping Orcs and quietly informs Ero, the Elf Wizard decides to cast a Fireball down into the room.

17:41, Today: StarMaster rolled 2 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only ((1,9)). Orc Dexterity saving throw vs. Fireball, disadvantaged because they are all sleeping. That rolled 1 pretty much says none of them save....

Unfortunately, Ero slightly miscalculated. The fireball fills the room below and though it doesn't expand upward due to the confined space, Ero and Kassan are only about 15 feet above the floor, so the 20-foot diameter fireball does catch them in its area. Both of you have to make a Dexterity saving throw with Advantage or actually get caught in it.


Victor with Lureene, Thressa, Manaen, and newcomer Broson

When the worg missed Broson, it gave the Dwarf a chance to touch attack it with an Inflict Wounds spell. It's a devastating touch, but not enough to kill the worg. It's more than the worg was expecting from something it didn't really see or understand. That's enough to get it to turn and flee.

It doesn't get far, though, as Lureene's spiritual mace smashes into it and finishes it off.

Meanwhile, Victor has moved to attack the few Orcs that have been roused by the noise. Two swings by Victor kills two Orcs as they had to move into position before they could attack... and Victor met them with deadly blows.

The two Orcs following attack Victor, charging forward on momentum before it registers that their two buddies have already been killed.

17:24, Today: StarMaster rolled 21,11 using 1d20+5,1d12+3 ((16,8)).

The third Orc swings its battleaxe at Victor and... almost hits him!

17:26, Today: StarMaster rolled 22,13 using 1d20+6,1d12+3 ((16,10)).

The fourth Orc was able to take advantage of the third one's near miss... and would have hit Victor, but Victor raised his Shield spell at the last second and divert the hit.

Thressa and Manaan remain alert at the back, mostly because there are no other Orcs nearby... yet.

"SMASH ORCS!" he yelled out, thinking that was something the others would expect him to say since 'smash worgs' seemed silly. He swung his greataxe at the worg.

12:28, Today: Viridovix rolled 22,7 using 1d20+6,1d12+4 ((16,3)).

He hit the beastie, no problem there, but he was going to need a bigger axe to take it down!

Victor swings twice more at the orcs in front of him.

AC is currently 22. He will use shield if an enemy rolls higher than 17 to hit him (before modifiers)
Action: Attack hitting AC 28 for 14 damage, then AC 15 for 16 damage.
Move: As necessary to reach targets. If he kills all adjacent orcs, he will move farther into the castle.

11:09, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 15,16 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 6,8.

11:09, Today: Victor Harkness rolled 28,14 using 1d20+9,1d8+8 with rolls of 19,6.  Defender attack, damage (+3 bonus set to AC).
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Mon 26 Sept 2022.

Nyssia pauses at the bottom, her face paling and her mouth silently whispering an obscenity. She looks at Star and places a hand on her, channeling the shadow energy, turing them invisible. "Move and open the door quietly.  When you do, i'll make the place quiet and we run." she whispered.

With that, she hid as she hoped the tabaxi moved quickly

---

<OOC: Casts invisibility on Star then hides!

Nyssia rolled 27 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 19.  stealth check.>

Star of the Morning looks at Nyssia as she makes herself invisible and nods back.  I will attempt to stealth quietly to the door.

---

OOC: If the walls look climbable and are relatively high, I will actually climb up as close to the ceiling before moving towards to the door in the hopes that even if I make a noise, no one will think to look up! Claws do come in handy.

16:37, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 20 using 1d20+5 ((15)).

The Dwarven cleric will push the Warg away as it falls to the spiritual weapon and glance around. Seeing the half elven cleric he will bow "Milady Firehair, a genuine pleasure!" Following after the knight as fast as his stout legs will shuffle he'll call "Weel then, tha's a lovely bit a Orc boppin! May the mother bless ye an yer aim remain true as silver!"

Broson will cast bless on himself, Victor and Lureene giving a bonus D4 to any attack rolls and saving throws they make for the next ten rounds. He will also move 25 ft following Victor.

"Same to you, friend, but introductions later!", Lureene calls out to Broson. As she does, she sweeps towards Victor to help him finish off his orcs.

OOC: Lureene will help Victor with the orcs as needed, otherwise will follow him along and fight any enemies that appear.

00:13, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 16,6 using 1d20+1d4+6,1d6+3 with rolls of 9,1;3.  Mace attack.

00:14, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 21,11 using 1d20+1d4+8,1d8+5 with rolls of 9,4;6.  Spiritual Weapon.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Sat 01 Oct 2022.

Seeing as he watches the fireball expand to fill the room, Ero realizes he miscalculated, for the room was smaller than he figured.  "Duck!"  He turns and ducks, letting his robes catch the brunt of the flames.

Save vs 15

07:04, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 10 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 7.
07:03, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  Save vs DEX.

Seeing that the worg had almost been able to reach him, Biff decided that 8 feet up would have to be enough, and leapt off the wall to deliver a 'death from above' blow to the worg.

09:31, Today: Biff rolled 14,13 using 1d20+9,1d8+9 ((5,1,4)).

Even with Advantage from height, he just barely manages to land on the worg and smash it, but that's not nearly enough damage to kill it.

The worg can bite back now. That's going to hurt!

Biff and Viridovix

With neither worg dead yet, both get to attack back.

09:49, Today: StarMaster rolled 19,6 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 ((14,2,1)).

That's just barely a bite on Biff but for only 6 points.


The second worg attacks Viridovix and manages to bite him for 9 points of damage.

</b>09:51, Today: StarMaster rolled 24,9 using 1d20+5,2d6+3 ((19,4,2)).</b>


Nyssa and Star of the Morning

After Nyssa casts Invisibility on Star of the Morning, Star is able to climb up the old stone wall relatively easily and make his way to the door while Nyssa hides. When he gets to the door, he has no problem opening it, but the result isn't what he expects.

The big Orc at the table turns not at the sound but at the light that comes in... clearly wanting to know who is entering. That's when the sounds of the battle outside finally penetrate.

"What the frell!?" the Orc chief yells out as he moves over to the sleeping Orcs and kicks the nearest one. "Get up, you lazy rats! We're under attack!"

Star is invisible and on the wall above the door, so there's no chance of any Orc running into him as they rush out the door.

The chief, on the other hand, starts heading up the stairs... where Nyssa is hiding. Tucked into the corner where the stairs jut from the wall, she looks just like a cloak that had been dropped there, and the Orc chief pays no attention to her as he runs up the stairs.


Ero and Kassan

Having just fried a dozen Orcs (and himself and Kassan), Ero can see that this is the ground floor of the tower, and that there's a breech in the north side of the tower, so there isn't much point in going through the door there. Outside is what passes for the courtyard, and the two of you can see Biff and Viridovix in battle with two worgs.


Victor with Lureene, Thressa, Manaen, and newcomer Broson

Victor strikes one of the two Orcs left, but it's a bit tougher than expected. It doesn't go down with just one blow--it takes a second hit to finish it off.

Lureene moves in position to deal with the second Orc, and her mace-spiritual weapon combination attack easily kills it.

Broson casts Bless on himself, Victor and Lureene then just as more Orcs begin pouring out of the surrounding towers, finally roused by the sounds of battle.

Four had come out of the southwest tower; those are the ones that Victor and Lureene had dealt with.

Four more now rush out of one of the north central towers into the courtyard and another four come out of the other central tower. They are close to the worgs, but apparently decide the worgs can deal with Biff and Viridovix, so they rush to attack Victor, Lureene and Broson.

A dozen Orcs now rush out of the northwest tower, coming out just behind Thressa and Manaen.

A moment later, an alarm is sounded, and a lot more Orcs rush out of the northeast tower!

Broson will watch the Orcs appear and while you can't see his grin from under his helmet you can feel it. "Young knight an lady, ye be chargin in? I'd say stand strong, let them come to us, an when they break on us I have ways ter strike em down."

Thressa holds her ground.

" ugh,the flames of Aumantor will burn the filth away. "

Nyssia held her breath as the chief went past her, hoping no one else would go out. She sighed when they all left out the door, but also smiled as she looked up. "ok you bastard....lets see what you can do." she muttered to herself.

She snuck up the stairs after the orc, hoping the tabaxi was safe, but she needed her focus for this spell. She reached into a spell pouch and began a soft hum, the spell taking hold he looked at the orc. "Why are you attacking us...we are your allies, your secret weapon. You sent us to find the true enemy, and we did - outside is a group of nasty kobolds. Send your troops out to kill them all! Lead them to victory."

---

<OOC: Action - Cast Suggestion on orc commander.

Wisdom save dc 14 or be magically influeneced to command and lead the orcs to leave the keep>

Unfazed by his slight miscalculation, Ero decides on launching a second Fireball.  He pulls a bead off his necklace and hurls it at the orcs streaming out of the northeast tower.

Necklace of Fireballs II, 16d6 damage vs DC 15
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Tue 18 Oct 2022.

Silently, Star of the Morning watches the orcs stream out underneath him.  He looks up towards Nyssia to make sure she is ok and is relieved to watch the commander stroll right by her.  Hearing Nyssia command the orc to rally his troops and send them outside, he decides to wait where he is, then drop down on the commander himself as he finally exits the building.


08:27, Today: Star of the Morning rolled 12,5,6,5,6,5 using 1d20+5,1d4+3,1d20+5,1d4+3,1d20+5,1d4+3 with rolls of 7,2,1,2,1,2.  unarmed strike, flurry of blows.

When the commander passes under him, he will drop and attack, spending a ki point to initiate a flurry of blows.  If any flurry of blows attack connects, he will spend an additional ki point to use the open hand technique and attempt to know him prone, fall prone if it fails a DEX saving throw (DC 12)


Sadly, Star of the Morning misjudges his drop and lands awkwardly in front of the commander.

OOC: wow, that was some crappy rolling

Thressa following along trying to stay out of combat as her voices distract her.

Lureene nodded to Borson. "Aye, and best to do it in a spot where we might not be easily surrounded. Along a wall, perhaps, to block at least one side from this horde."

Wether charge, hold or withdraw, its most important we do so together."

"Best to keep our momentum. Crush them before they have a chance to regroup," says Victor.

"Right then, tis a good thing us Dwarves are natural sprinters!"

===== Biff and Viridovix =====


Both worgs were injured, and Biff and Viridovix each manage to hit a worg and that's enough to kill it.

A lot of Orcs rushed out of the tower next to the opening the two of them had come through. They rush Biff and Viridovix because that's all they see... at the moment. They don't seem to be intimidated by the fact that the two worgs fall down.


===== Nyssa and Star of the Morning =====


Fortunately, Nyssa has Advantage because the Orc Chief didn't know she was there, which translates as Disadvantage for the Orc. His second roll fails, and he falls victim to Nyssa's Suggestion spell.

"Get up, you lazy bastards!" he shouts at the sleeping Orcs on the next level up. "Those damn treacherous kobolds are attacking! Get your asses out there and kill them!"

He spends the next two rounds rousing all the Orcs here and rushing them down the stairs. They rush right past Nyssa, partly because she isn't a kobold and partly because the Chief is pushing them forward.

The Chief, of course, ignores Nyssa, too, and he rushes down the stairs after all the Orcs.

When he gets to the doorway, bringing up the rear as it were, he's now subject to Star's attack. Star, being invisible, definitely has Advantage. In either case, the Chief is knocked prone.

21:31, Today: StarMaster rolled 15,10,16 using 1d20,1d20+1,1d20+1 ((15,9,15)). Orc Saves.

Although he takes damage, it isn't enough to kill him.


===== Ero and Kassan =====


The two of you can see a dozen Orcs or so pouring out of the castle's towers now. For a round or maybe two, they are all grouped together before they start spreading out, so Ero has a chance to hit a bunch of them with another fireball!

21:45, Today: StarMaster rolled 49 using 16d6 ((1,2,1,6,3,1,1,6,2,5, 3,3,4,4,3,4)). Fireball damage in 20-foot radius!

Even though the Orcs all saved for half damage, half damage is still enough to kill them, so Ero fries another dozen Orcs.

Two rounds later, another dozen Orcs come rushing out. The smoldering bodies of the other Orcs give them pause, though, as they pause momentarily to figure out where this deadly attack came from.


===== Victor with Lureene, Thressa, Manaen, and Broson =====


As Victor, Lureene and Broson rush forward to deal with the 8 Orcs that came out of the central towers, they have no problem seeing Biff and Viridovix dispatch the last two worgs, and a fireball crispy-fry the dozen Orcs that came out of the northeast tower.

Fortunately, Biff and Viridovix can now rush to attack those 8 Orcs.

Thressa and Manaen, however, are being attacked from behind by a dozen Orcs that came out of the northwest tower after the group passed through the ruined gate.

Although Broson had rushed forward along with Victor and Lureene to deal with the Orcs that came out of the central towers, he heard the commotion behind him. As he took up a stance near Victor, the dozen Orcs at the rear drew his attention... and his attack.

22:26, Today: StarMaster rolled 15,14 using 2d10+3,1d20+3 ((7,5,11)). Radiant damage and Orc save.

Unfortunately, Con is one of the Orcs' better Saves, so they only take 8 points of damage. However, the Radiance emanates from Broson who was 30 feet into courtyard by now. That put the dozen Orcs behind him as well as the 8 Orcs in front of him ALL within reach of the Radiance. All except one Orc who was bringing up the rear from the central towers.


Because Thressa and Manaen were moving forward, the dozen Orcs behind you had to catch up. Broson's spell is just enough to cause them to hesitate for a moment, giving the two of you the Initiative.

Victor and Lureene were rushing forward to meet the Orcs, and Biff and Viridovix also had to rush forward to reach them, so no attacks occur this round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:37, Wed 02 Nov 2022.

Broson will move to stand next to Thressa between her and the Orcs from the Northwest tower. "Watch out milady, more behind ye! Burn een hell yeh wee green sods!" While they reel from burst of light he will hold out a hand and release a small tornado of flame.

" Aye, let's burn them."

Thressa casts Flaming Sphere.


Reflex negates

Nearest Orc
18:17, Today: Thressa Wildflamme rolled 6 using 2d6.  Flaming Sphere.

Seeing the orcs' confusion, Ero gives a shrill whistle to direct their attention his way.  He smiles, waves, and tosses another bead from his necklace at them.

"The next batch of orcs is all yours," he says to Kassan with a smirk.

Necklace of Fireballs II, 16d6 damage vs DC 15

Biff and Viridovix are still closing on the Orcs so they didn't get a chance to attack this round.




Nyssa is still up at the top of the stairs.

Star of the Morning has just attacked the Orc Chief, knocking him prone but not killing him. Star's invisibility is now gone, so as the Orc Chief gets up, he can see Star.

"You stupid twit!" he shouts at Star. "Are you blind? I'm not a goblin! The goblins are outside! Get out there and kill them!"




When another dozen Orcs rush out of the tower, Ero is able to target them with another fireball bead. The smoldering bodies of the other Orcs gave them just enough warning to scatter a bit--Ero's fireball only catches 9 of them in the blast.

18:55, Today: StarMaster rolled 47 using 16d6 ((2,2,4,1,3,1,1,6,2,5,3,3,4,3,3,4)). Fireball damage in 20-foot radius!

Those 9 Orcs all save, but even half damage is enough to kill them.




Broson, hearing then seeing the Orcs behind them, turned and cast a spell at them... well, in a radius that caught the Orcs in front, too. The Radiant spell didn't kill any of the Orcs, but it did make them pause for a moment. That was enough to let Broson move to place himself between them and Thressa. That, in turn, gave Thressa a chance to cast her Flaming Sphere spell.

It only affects one target at a time, but she can move it from target to target each round. Her first target fails it's saving throw which, coupled with Broson's power, is enough to kill it.

Manaen shifts into a defensive stance and moves to prevent any of the Orcs from flanking Broson.

As Victor and Lureene are rushing forward to attack the Orcs that are rushing forward to attack them, the Orcs are brought up short for a moment by Broson's divine radiance.

This prevents Victor and Lureene from attacking this round... unless Lureene's spiritual weapon is still in play.

Biff was making him look bad!

So Viridovix charged forward at the Orcs with even more ferociousness... well, if that was even possible. He wanted to redouble his effort but that would mean he wasn't giving his all already.

"SMASH ORCS!" he shouted again even louder this time as he swung his greataxe at the first Orc he met.

19:56, Today: Viridovix rolled 7,14 using 1d20+6,1d12+4 ((1,10)).

What the frarg?!#@%!

He was too startled at his own clumsiness to shout that out loud as his axe slipped from his grip.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:36, Wed 16 Nov 2022.

Ero is disappointed at the result, but he understands it; dozens of burnt brethren corpses is enough to penetrate even an orc's thick skull.  No reason to waste valuable beads on diminishing returns.  Time to change strategy.

The wizard scans the battlefield for the thickest concentration of orcs.  Upon spotting it, he casts a new spell.  Glistening ruby threads form in the air and drift down into the mass of orcs, entangling them.

He then glances over to Kassan.  "Are you awaiting a special invitation from Tempus himself?  Get in there!"

Web onto the thickest grouping of orcs.

"I was waiting for you to cast your spell so that I did not get caught in its effect," Kassan replied.

He also wasn't much of a combatant. He moved forward in an effort to place himself in a strategic position to flank an Orc when one of his allies engaged the Orc. He was also concerned about the lightning strikes. Someone was using a spell to attack the Orcs, but Kassan didn't know if it was one of his allies or just someone else that didn't like Orcs.

Odds were it was an ally.

Nyssia curses under her breath and looks down, calling out. "Star - let him go.....he's one of ours."  She walked down placing a hand on his arm. "He's off to fight the goblins outside the keep." She emphases outside with eyes open.

She looks around. "Lets see what the otehrs are doing."

Thressa moves the sphere to the next Orc and burns him as well.


12:16, Today: Thressa Wildflamme rolled 4 using 2d6 with rolls of 3,1.  Flaming Sphere.

Lureene rushed forward alongside Victor, and sent her spiritual hammer forward to get an early hit in at the orcs.

OOC: 00:41, Today: Lureene Raventree rolled 14,9 using d20+8,d8+5 with rolls of 6,4.  Spiritual hammer attack.

Star of the Morning looks up at Nyssia and blinks slowly. Oh... I see.  Ok and let's the Orc commander continue outside.  He then waves Nyssia over and says Let's go join the fun outside  He waits for her to arrive, takes her arm in his and walks out with her together to survey the scene

The heavily armoured Dwarf lets loose a burst of flame at the nearest orcs.

With all the Orcs flushed out of the towers, they are pretty much caught in a pincer movement, although that was kind of the original intent.

The Orcs were now in three groups: the group to the west being dealt with by Thressa, Broson, and Manaen; the Orcs in the center confronting Victor, Lureene, Biff, and Viridovix; and the eastern group of Orcs being dealt with by Ero, Kassan, Nyssa, and Star of the Morning.




As has been happening a lot in this battle, Viridovix misses his attack only to set up Biff who then knocks the Orc down. With Viridovix losing his grip on his axe, it opens him up to an attack by two Orcs who hit him for a combined 18 points of damage.

Biff then finishes off one of the Orcs.

One more Orc steps up and hits Biff for 12 points of damage.

That leaves just two Orcs for Biff and Viridovix to deal with. Viridovix is able to retrieve his dropped axe and return the battle favor to Biff by killing that Orc.

Biff then finishes off the last of the Orcs from that group.



Having flushed out the Orcs and Orc Chief from the tower, Nyssa and Star step out to see what is happening. For the most part, all they see are a lot of smouldering Orc corpses. Then they spot the few Ors still standing that begin to fall by the efforts of the others.

That's when a shimmering web falls upon the last of the Orcs in the center.



Ero casts a Web spell at the remaining Orcs, managing to catch nearly all of the central group of Orcs except the Orc Chief.

The three that escaped his last fireball were engaged by Biff and Viridovix who made short work of them.



It was getting a bit tricky keeping track of which Orcs were left, though it was clear that none of the smouldering corpses were still alive.

Victor manages to kill one Orc before the Web falls onto the remaining 7 Orcs.

Lureene also finishes off another Orc with her spiritual weapon before the Web drops on them.

That leaves Victor to face off against the Orc Chief while Lureene finishes dealing with the webbed Orcs.



Between Thressa's flaming sphere and Broson's attacks, the Orc group to the west is quickly finished off.

Manaen spends his efforts making sure none of the Orcs escape out of the western gate.




All that's left is Victor fighting the Orc Chief. The Orc Chief isn't all that tough, but he fights with a ferocious tenacity. He's probably thinking that if he wins, the rest of Victor's allies will let him go... or maybe make him their chief.

It takes 6 rounds of combat before Victor is able to slay the Orc Chief, but he takes 58 points of damage himself in the effort.


With the battle ended, an almost eerie silence settles over the ruins of Cragmaw Castle.

Ero straightens his robes and rejoins his companions.  "Kassan and I killed oh, how many would you say, Kassan?  Twenty-five?  Thirty?  Somewhere around there.  When they're on fire, running around and screaming, it's hard to keep count.  How did the rest of you fare?"

Viridovix finally stops swinging when all the Orcs are dead. He leans against the nearest wall to catch his breath and survey the scene.

"That certainly could have gone worse," he commented to Biff.

"Next time, Ero, you can have all the Orcs!"

"Seriously... it's good having you on our side. Don't know if you would have been so lucky if we didn't have surprise on them."

He expected the lot of dead Orcs to start stinking before too long, but he's not sure what to do about that.

Nyssia strode out of the tower and heard the elf speak, and had a grimace on her face. "Great - now his head is gonna swell more." she muttered.

She got to the others and shrugged. "Congratulations....your ego is bigger than your body count elf. Maybe if you were more focused n keekping everyone safe and not winning.....but that will never happen,  because it's all about you and stroking your big head."

She crossed her arms and nodded to Viridovix. "Don't encourage him."

"You are both correct," the Warforged stated as he joined the others.

"Ero's abilities are very useful but I fear his hubris may wind up being his downfall. He will think he can defeat a foe that is more powerful than he at first thinks."

"The question now becomes: what do we do next?"

"We need to dispose of all these bodies. Fortunately, none of them are ours. Search the bodies for anything of value or usefulness. We should also check the Orc Chief's accommodations. There may be something there of concern."

He waits for at least one other to agree to his suggestions before he starts searching the bodies.

"It's not arrogance if one can deliver what he promises," Ero says with a smirk.  "And I delivered a score-and-a-half dead orcs."

"We should dump their bodies outside the walls.  It will keep the local animals' bellies full for the time being while serving as a warning to anything more intelligent that may be poking about.  Why don't the rest of you do that while Kassan and I set up the tent and start dinner.  I'm sure you will all be famished by the time you're done."

Having acted as rear guard and scout by keeping any of the Orcs from escaping out the west gate, Manaen had then made a quick perimeter check to see if they missed any Orcs.

He now returns to the interior of the castle ruins and joins up with the others.

"Perhaps we should do some healing first," he suggests. "For those of us that don't have spells like Ero, we've taken a few hits in the battle."

"Where do you propose to set up the tent, Ero? Out here in the courtyard amid all this rubble? Or perhaps in one of the still standing tower rooms?"

Nyssia glared at the elf with a snort. "Can't wait for the day that someone knocks you off your pedistal and on your ass - gonna be fun to watch." she muttered.


She looked at Manaen and nodded. "Maybe we make two teams.  One can clear the bodies from the place.  The other search for a place to rest - defensable and warm."

"There are a few other groups we could form, too," Victor says, "but if we guess wrong, it won't matter either way."

"Do you still have sufficient spells left, Ero, to defend yourself should you encounter unexpected opposition within the towers? I would send Viridovix with you just to be sure."

"The rest of us can begin hauling the dead Orcs and worgs out of here... getting healed as the opportunity presents itself. Other than Lureene, I am no longer sure who can heal us."

"Biff... you and I can drag the worg corpses out. Everyone else, search the bodies before you drag them out into the woods. I think to the west would be the best location."

Lureene nodded. "By the grace of the Lady Firehair, I hope I shall prove to be enough. Who finds themselves in need of healing?" She looked over the others for wounded, in case any of them decided to tough it out when they really shouldn't.

Ero gives Victor a dismissive wave.  "I have plenty of spells.  More than enough to handle any stragglers." He pauses a moment the adds, "Someone who speaks orcish could be useful though.  If there are stragglers, they're probably in hiding.  Considering what we did to their benefactors, they may realize that, while a frontal assault would be suicide, a knife in the throat while we sleep may be a suitable alternative.

"I think we should offer amnesty to any we find and let them go on their way.  Much as I'd hate to let them go where they can breed more of whatever foul races they may be, they'll at least tell others of what we easily accomplished here and warn those all around the dangers of opposing us."

As the group convenes Broson will channel divinity to slightly heal those who are wounded and then as people talk he will quietly offer to cast healing spells twice on people who appear wounded. When Victor has spoken he will pipe up "an please, if ye find any signs of a Dwarf, belongings, bones, mebbe even imprisoned an grumpy please let me know. I've come seeking ma great uncle who was last rumored to ave been exploring these lands." If there are no objections he will join the group searching the castle for lurking orcs and defensible locations and maybe his uncle.

"Ah, well, that'd still be me, Ero," Viridovix answers. "I speak Orcish. Haven't in a while, so I may be a bit rusty. It's kind of hard to have a conversation with an Orc when he's swinging a battle axe at your head."

"So where do you want to start first... looking for a campsite, I mean. The Orc Chief came out of that tower, I believe. So I'm guessing the Orcs weren't using it for the loo."

Dragging dead Orc bodies out into the woods to the west wasn't all the strenuous, particularly since you could rest or take a break as was needed, so the hour or so it took to do that still constitutes a Short Rest.

There was also sufficient healing ability to bring everyone back up to full hit points.

Meanwhile, Ero found a suitable site to set up the tent.

The pile of 'treasure' (aka loot) slowly accumulated.

All told, the pile includes:

137 javelins
35 daggers
75 battle axes
488 silver pieces
131 gold pieces
22 days worth of edible rations
around 70 days of rations that only an Orc would probably eat

All 102 Orcs were wearing poor quality (though still effective) smelly hide armor. The Orc Chief wore a mithral chain mail shirt.

None of the clothing the Orcs were wearing seems particularly usable, though if someone wanted a belt or something, one could be cleaned up and mended.

There should be several of you that can detect magic, and that's the following items:

5 rings
1 backpack (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions)
2 battle axes
7 daggers
2 javelins Of Lightning
1 pair of bracers
1 amulet (7-pointed star made of lapis lazuli)
1 rune-carved leather belt (found on the Orc War Chief)
1 studded leather armor, Dwarf sized (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions)
1 helmet (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions)
1 jar of ointment (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions)

Although not magical, a map was found among the Orc War Chief's possessions. It appears to be a 'dungeon' map; it's labeled CRYPT OF CRAGSTONE


After a Long Rest, you can progress a level.

Well, it seems that the cleanup was more work than the battle exclaimed Star of the Morning after finishing up with his efforts.
So, what we are planning to do next?  I am open to suggestions and have enjoyed my time in your company and look forward to further adventuring with you all.  I see that I can continue to learn more by helping you on your quests. I have learned so much already!

Nyssia, after the clean-up and gathering of items, was hot and sweaty. She looked at Star and nodded. "I'm not going anywhere." She managed a smile at Ero at that, but looked at the gear. "I think a good rest and some time to figure out what all this is may be the first thing. Clean up this place and we could use it as a base of operations."

Ero rolls his eyes and mutters, "wonderful," before returning to his sorting through the potentially magical treasures.

"Alright, who among you has the skill to discern enchanted items?  There seems to be quite a bit here and the more help I have, the faster it will go."

Broson will point to the studded leather, the helm and the rune carved belt. "Well met master mage, sadly mah studies focused on war an healing. If yeh may grant me a wee favor, please leave these til last an before selling them on give me an mine a chance to buy them first, I believe they belong to me uncle." Once the work is done he will ask to have a look at the map of the crypt and while he works moving bodies and searching the castle he will look for the entrance to a crypt.

If he gets the chance he will speak with the flame haired cleric. "Milady Firehair, hail! Forgive me if yeh find my question inappropriate but I'm driven to find me uncle - would you be blessed with the power to speak with the dead? I cannae yet perform a seance but would like to interrogate the green brutes leader."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Mon 02 Jan 2023.

"It is a spell the Lady Firehair may grant me, should I beseech her", replied Lureene. "Though it is not the most savory of spells, but as your cause is just, I am certain the Lady Sune will bless us and I will be glad to assist. Though I must ask..." She tilted her head slightly. "How do you intend to persuade the orc to answer truthfully? I would imagine he would be rather ill-disposed towards us... to use an understatement the size of Mount Waterdeep."

"aye, I've bin thinkin on that. As we get a handful o questions I think we make the first one how they want their corpses dealt with. Mebbe we make a deal ter honor some tradition in return for answers or threaten ter give their skulls ter my kin ter make chamber pots dependin on yer style. I'm lookin ter find out where to go ter get ter where they got my uncles gear an where to go ter get to the last place they know my uncles body was, an I'm no given up on findin him breathin but it would be a miracle at this point but I would nae put it past the crafty ol bugger. Might leave a question or two about if they have any treasure stashed away or anything else yer might want ter know about them."

Once the bodies are moved beyond the walls, Victor will set about helping get the camp set up, gathering firewood if necessary, etc. Though fully healed now, he had sustained considerable injuries in the fight against the Orc leader, and made a show of complaining about his aches and pains the entire time. "Can't wait till we're through with this here adventure, and I can sleep in a nice, warm feather bed. Keep this up, I might need to retire from my retirement! Ooh... a hot bath would be so nice right now. Maybe, we dump out the orc cookpot and use it. Of course. I prefer to come out of a bath cleaner than when I went in..."

"I would think we would not resort to needlessly desecrating the dead, even if they be foes", said Lureene sternly. "My 'style', as you would call it, would be more to induce than threaten. It is trial enough to disturb the dead, though for the sake of your uncle, I would be willing to try."

"Hah!" the Tortle Scribe responds to Victor's comment. "Sounds like a great spell! I'll have to work on that one. I'm sure we could all use it."

"Alas, Ero, I am afraid you and I are the only two who can identify magical properties of items. Shall we get to it, then?"

Manaen finds a clear and quiet spot to begin his Identify ritual and starts going through the items one at a time.

Pretty much making camp in the castle ruins, nothing disturbs the rest of the day nor the evening or the night so everyone can benefit from a Long Rest.


Broson searches through the ruins and has no problem identifying the smaller central 'tower' as the castle's chapel. Although nothing on the map indicates an entrance, he's pretty sure that it's probably hidden/buried under the ruins.


While Lureene casts Speak with Dead on the Orc War Chief's corpse, Ero and Manaen can identify the magic items inside the tent without having to worry about getting disturbed.

Ring #1: Animal Influence
Ring #2: Free Action
Ring #3: Protection +1
Ring #4: Poison Resistance
Ring #5: Swimming

Backpack (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions): Handy Haversack

Battle axe #1: +1
Battle axe #2: +1

Dagger #1: +1
Dagger #2: +1
Dagger #3: +2
Dagger #4: +1 Acid (does an extra d6 of acid damage on a successful hit)
Dagger #5: +1 Returning (returns next round when thrown)
Dagger #6: 'Slash' (Advantage on damage)
Dagger #7: Dagger of Venom (injects a poison on a hit)

2 Javelins Of Lightning
1 pair of Bracers Of Defense +2

1 amulet: Talisman of Communication (per Sending Stone) (has a 7-pointed lapis lazuli star)

1 rune-carved leather Belt (found on the Orc War Chief) of Dwarvenkind
1 studded leather armor, Dwarf sized (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions) +1
1 helmet (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions): Comprehend Languages

1 jar of ointment (found with the Orc War Chief's possessions): Keoghtom's Ointment


The spirit of the Orc War Chief laughs hideously upon being asked about Broson's uncle and seems to relish informing Lureene that they found him here in the ruins, defeated him easily, then after torturing him for awhile, threw him down the old well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:19, Tue 17 Jan 2023.

When Broson hears that his uncle might be down the well he will rush over to the Tabaxi monk. "Good sir, cannae beg a favor of ye? While I'm willing I'm nae skilled at climbing, With me anchorin' a rope would ye be willing to go down the well?" He will draw a rope from his backpack and tie it to his belt. "Lady fire hair, thank ye, I ken it was a nasty bit o business an I'm grateful. Do you know if any here have spells or abilities to safely scout the well ahead of our approach?"

"Interesting, interesting, interesting," comments the Warforged Rogue as the nature of the magic items are explained by the Wizard and Scribe.

"While I don't plan on going swimming any time soon, I would sink like a rock if I did, and while I do not believe I can drown, certainly the Ring of Swimming would be of benefit to me in such an event."

"I recall that two of those in the other group had talismans with a similar design. Might we be able to communicate with them using this one?"

Although not eavesdropping, he overhears Broson's request of the Tabaxi.

"I, too, can assist you, Broson. However, I do not recall seeing a well in the midst of the battle or clean-up. I do not think the Orcs were getting water from it. It may have dried up after all this time."

He then calls out to the others: "Did any of you spot signs of a well?"

"Biff and I both use javelins as our range weapons," Viridovix says, "so unless someone else wants them, we can each take one."

"I didn't think about it at the time, but when we were dragging a worg body out, we disturbed some rubble in the central courtyard that showed a low curved wall. Kind of looked like it could be a well."

"It's over there."

He points to a pile of rubble in what was passing for the courtyard.

In reply to Broson (msg # 244):

No idea about scouting, but a little bit of exploring sounds like a lot of fun.  I'll be happy to climb down and take a look. A little darkness shouldn't bother me either

Broson will head to the courtyard and will carefully clear the rubble.

"Ah, yes, Kassan!" Manaen agrees with the Warforged. "As I understand it, a normal Sending Stone is paired with only one other such stone. In this case, each of those points of the star is a different contact point. So, you could contact up to six other people. Whether you could contact all of them at the same time, though... that I don't know."

"In any case, it only works once per day. On the other hand, if the other end isn't in someone's possession, it won't work anyway."

"I believe Prizzard had one. Don't recall who else had one. So you could try to contact him. And you're limited to 25 words. And he can reply the same way."

Victor will help clear the rubble, then if it is, indeed, a well, cast light on a pebble and drop it in. As he works, he mentions to Kassan, "You don't think you can drown? That seems like the kind of thing you ought to figure out in safety rather than in while in danger. Why, if I had a squad of men who couldn't drown, the siege of Lord Wensham's fort in '78 would have gone so much better."

While the theirs speak of the well, Nyssia focuses on the magical items….mostly on the daggers. “If no one objects, I wouldn’t mind the ring that will keep me safe from movement. Also, being someone that favours daggers, one or two of them as well.”

She picks up a dagger and tests it’s weights, only to put it back, testing another.