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.