Carmen nods in agreement with Victor.
“ We should see what it was protecting, if anything. There's as much chance it has attacked and defeated adventurers as anything else, and there could be riches to be found.”
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

Such a majestic - and violent - beast, it was saddening that it had to be killed in this way. If only Nutcracker had been a better scout and saw the signs he possibly could have avoided this. But it may have been for the better. Whatever was in the cave would ultimately decide if this was benevolent or tragic.

With the danger passed, it would be a good time to set up camp for the night and they could make it to the grounds tomorrow. He could occupy his mind finding food and water while the camp was being set.

Wendel follows the others in their decision making. He agrees with Victor about the potential waste but has nothing to offer as a solution. As for exploring the den, they might as well if they were to both learn more and potentially find a place to settle in.

Having finished cleaning off his weapons, Victor stands and moves towards the cave's mouth.

"Alright then, the body can wait. Let's check this is clear first."

He lights the lantern hanging from his belt and leads the way inside.

The cave doesn't go very deep, but it opens up a bit past the mouth. There's just enough room that you could line your tents against the back wall, and be completely covered in darkness. In the lantern light, you see no signs of humanoid victims. The creature likely made this its den sometime after the hunting party last passed through.

Seeing that the cave had nothing worthwhile having, Carmen did her best to assess how the group were faring. "We could probably do with a bit of rest, but I'm mindful of tracking the hunting party and giving them aid as soon as we can. Are you all fit and ready to burn the midnight oil?" she asks.

With the cave shown to be nothing more than a small location that would fit their tents and no surprises, Nutcracker dropped off his tent and set out to track down food and water for the night. "I beg yer pardon," came Smith's voice, "a tent," now it was Jessop. "Please." That last one wasn't a voice from around these parts, nor was it the usual contrabass. Someone from another part of the world or on the boat?

OOC: Using 'Wanderer' background feature to find food and water for 5 for the night.
Depositing tent for camp assembly. If y'all would be so kind. =D
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

"I'm as concerned about the cold of the night as its darkness, so I'd rather camp for the night and keep going in the morning." Chelsie sets down her things and stretches her muscles after a long day of traveling.

"But should we start a fire, or might that be too much of a beacon to whatever's taken those hunters?"

OOC: I'm not keen to regain exhaustion! Not until there's a more urgent reason, anyway. Also, I assume we need to set up watches, and Chelsie's not picky about which shift to take.

Victor moves to set up Nutcracker's tent along with his own, talking with the others while he does so.

"Exhausting ourselves in the cold and dark is not wise until we have more information. A fire just outside for whoever is on watch is a good idea, Chelsie, the warmth will be needed and while a number of us can see in the dark being able to see further is better."

He looks up from fiddling with the tent canvas, "Once I am finished with this I will take the first watch, if there is anything out there that might be drawn to fire then I will be able to deal with it in my armour or wake you all if needed. I just need to know who I am waking up when I am done and will need their help in doffing my chainmail."

"I don't mind which watch you place me on, but a woman needs her beauty sleep you know." says Carmen, clearly looking to avoid the dreaded graveyard shift. "Maybe if I take the last few hours of watch duty? I hear that dawn in these parts is a beauty to behold."

She doesn't seem at all fazed by the groups decision to stay. "I do hope those lost hunters aren't chilled to the bone already...."

Victor nods, "First or last watch is best so that we aren't getting in and out of heavy armour multiple times. As for the hunters, well, they have been out in the woods for quite some time by now, hopefully they will have found somewhere to protect themselves from the elements."

OOC: With 5 of us we can do 1 hour and 40 minutes of watch each with a little overlap to cover the 8 hours of a long rest. Whoever is taking over from Victor or waking Carmen will probably be asked to help them out/into their armour.
1st: Victor, 2nd: Wendel, 3rd: Chelsie, 4th: The Nuts, 5th: Carmen
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Mon 12 Apr 2021.

As Nutcracker returns with the food, you all hear wingbeats. Above you, you see a monstrous creature: It has a vaguely human face, but with rows of sharp teeth, the body of a white tiger, and the wings of a dragon. A mane of spines runs from its head to the tip of its long, powerful tail. It says, "lay down your weapons and surrender, and I'll kill you quickly!"

Initiative
Monster 21

Victor turns to face the interloper and moves forward, holding his greatsword at the ready.

"Before you try to kill us, tell me, did you kill the hunters that came this way two weeks ago?"

---

HP: 25/25 | THP: 0 | AC: 16 | Spd: 30ft. | Lay On Hands 15/15 | Divine Sense 4/4 | S1 2/3 | Sear 1/1 | Chan Div 0/1 | Resist Fire | Immune Disease |

Victor will move forward 30ft towards the creature then take the Dodge action.

21:22, Today: Victor Iusticia rolled 14 using 1d20.  Initiative.

I'm assuming we didn't get a short rest in while The Nuts was grabbing food.

Carmen saw the beast and wondered what it might be. She hadn't seen such a thing lately. However, she stood close enough to Victor to be of aid, but far enough away in case it had some sort of breath weapon. Holding her energies, she held off attacking until it was obvious that the creature would not parley.

HP: 22/22 | AC: 18 | Spd: 30ft. | Hexblade's Curse 1/1 (SR)| Divine Soul 1/1
Action: Eldritch Blast critically hits for 17 damage (readied action for if the beast attacks | Move:  Step forward to be with Victor  | Bonus: N/A
21:46, Today: Carmen Diaz rolled 17 using 2d20+3.  Critical Hit damage. – [roll=1618235161.86465.352983]
21:45, Today: Carmen Diaz rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Readied action - Eldritch Blast. – [roll=1618235116.89724.352983]
21:42, Today: Carmen Diaz rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Adventure initiative. – [roll=1618234979.81817.352983]

"Interesting offer, but we have a counteroffer. We've just slain this massive beast that lies before you; spare us and you may have it for a meal. Or else..." And with that, Chelsie once again conjures a sphere of flame, as a barrier and a warning. "We may prove more trouble than it's worth."

She holds the sphere in place—a show of strength to back up their standing to negotiate.

Initiative: 18
Persuasion: 7 (that would be Intimidation 5 if I picked the wrong skill).
Action: Cast flaming sphere, placing it at maybe F4 (Victor and Carmen can pass by as long as they don't end their turns within 5 ft. of it).
Movement: F2
Concentration: Flaming sphere round 1 of 10.

OOC: By my reckoning, the owlbear carcass should still be around E9–F10. I'm aware the sphere is less than ideal against a flying creature, but I'm trying to use it for area denial rather than straight damage. Maybe the intimidating sphere can give me advantage? ...
08:51, Today: Chelsie Primrose rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
09:07, Today: Chelsie Primrose rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Persuasion.

Having been glad to find food for everyone for the night despite the constant winter conditions, Nutcracker's mood was quickly soured when some abomination of a creature swooped in and demanded they die. Seeing those spines reminded him of the devil they fought in the cave the other night, so the ranger took cover behind a nearby tree and made ready to take a shot at the thing; again with a bee escort.

OOC: Moving to take cover behind the nearest tree with a vantage of the creature.
Initiative: 16  Concentration on Favored Foe.

14:03, Today: Nutcracker rolled 4,2,3 using 1d8+3,1d6,1d4.  Damage if Hit.
14:01, Today: Nutcracker rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Bow vs Creature.
13:59, Today: Nutcracker rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Wendel, hearing the commotion outside the cave moves to get a good look and immediately gets ready to fight whatever this thing is. The others all seem keen on trying to negotiate with it or scare it away and honestly that sounds like a good idea. He waits to see exactly what might happen

As he does so he sends a thought to his new friend who finally reveals themself. A tiny creature seemingly made of sand and shadow peaks up and out of Wendel's pocket where he had put the rock he'd taken to carrying around. It's face, if you can call it a face, seems like an empty mask with neo-primordial sigils scrawled across it. Nimbly it climbs up to a good vantage point on Wendel's shoulder getting a good solid grip on his hair with one hand. It tilts its tiny head and looks at the thing threatening it's big friend.

Wendel Initiative: 5

Gritt Initiative: 22
Action: Exit stone
Move: climb up to Wendel's shoulder

Wendel rolled 5,22 using D20+3,d20+5.  Initiative, Gritt Initiative.

Gritt climbs out of Wendel's pocket to see what's going on.
The monster waits for an answer.
Chelsie offers up the owlbear carcass, and conjures a flaming sphere.
Nutcracker takes cover under a tree, and readies to fire an arrow.
Victor moved toward the creature and prepared to dodge.
Carmen moves parallel to Victor, and readies a blast, should the monster attack.
Wendel waits to see what happens.
The monster replies to Chelsie, "Slow death it is then!" and fires three tail spikes at Victor! The first two miss, while the third hits for 12 piercing damage.
Nutcracker and Carmen are ready, and fire at the monster. Nutcracker misses by a hair, but Carmen strikes true! After firing, it flies upward, and away a bit.

Initiative

Chelsie 18
Nutcracker 16
Victor 14
Carmen 8
Wendel 5
Gritt 22
Monster 21

The monster is 125 feet off the ground. It has taken 17 damage.

Carmen wasn't concerned for Victor, she knew he was a hardy soul. She expected the monster to retaliate by deliberately waiting for a time to attack. She readied herself for an impending flurry from the monster, hoping to have another excellent hit like her last.

HP: 22/22 | AC: 18 | Spd: 30ft. | Hexblade's Curse 1/1 (SR)| Divine Soul 1/1
Action: Eldritch Blast hits AC 21 for 6 damage (range 120') | Move:  N/A  | Bonus: N/A
19:12, Today: Carmen Diaz rolled 6 using 1d10+3.  Damage. – [roll=1618398766.51478.352983]
19:12, Today: Carmen Diaz rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast (readied). – [roll=1618398754.42365.352983]

I see what you're doing....exactly 1 square out of range of my blasts even if I were underneath. I shall not try to work on pythagoras theory tonight :)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

"Answer me! Did you kill others here two weeks ago?" the tiefling calls up at the thing, pulling the spine out from where it was embedded and tossing it aside. It is unclear if he thinks the monstrosity will answer or if he is merely trying to keep it's attention on him.

Stepping behind a nearby tree, Victor makes a gesture like tracing a circle in the air, "[Language unknown: Hopewaro]."

---

HP: 13/25 | THP: 0 | AC: 16 | Spd: 30ft. | Lay On Hands 15/15 | Divine Sense 4/4 | S1 1/3 | Sear 1/1 | Chan Div 0/1 | Resist Fire | Immune Disease |

Victor will move to F8 for some partial cover behind the tree then cast Bless on Carmen, Chelsie and Nutcracker.
Concentrating on: Bless

Seeing her tactic fail, the monster happy to attack from range, and her party dispersed, Chelsie lets her flaming sphere drop. She directs a wave of celestial energy towards her damaged companion, moves behind a tree for cover, and prepares to fire a blast of energy at their insistent enemy.

Action: Ready an eldritch blast for when the creature appears to be at their closest point (probably turning to go back up, or stopping), which will miss (even with bless, it hits AC 8 for 13 force damage).
Bonus Action: Use Healing Light to heal Victor for 8 HP.
Movement: Move to D5.

OOC: Another attack roll lower than the damage roll. I figure my range will be less obvious if I don't hit it the moment it's in range.
07:40, Today: Chelsie Primrose rolled 8 using 2d6.  Healing Light.
07:42, Today: Chelsie Primrose rolled 7,13 using 1d20+5,1d10+3.  Eldritch Blast attack, damage.
07:59, Today: Chelsie Primrose rolled 1 using 1d4.  Bless to attack roll.

This thing was going to be a problem. Very single-minded and very not wanting to answer Victor. As it took to the sky, Nutcracker moved up a bit closer behind another tree and took another shot, also with a bee escort, that managed to connect this time with the divine aid provided. This time, instead of their stingers, the bees were attempting to push the creature by ramming into it.

OOC: Move to I 04
Bow hits with Favored Foe for 10 Piercing Damage
Creature must make DC 10 STR Save or be moved towards Victor by 15 feet
Concentration on Favored Foe 2/10
15:32, Today: Nutcracker rolled 7,3 using 1d8+3,d4.  Bow & Favored Damage.
15:30, Today: Nutcracker rolled 4 using 1d4.  Bless.
13:21, Today: Nutcracker rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Bow vs Creature.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

Wendel grips his fist tight and gets ready to attack. Gritt for it's part pats wendel on the top of his head with it's free hand and makes a strange sound.


Ready action: Eldritch Blast AC 12 for 8 force damage and 2 Bludgeoning.
 Trigger: When it looks like it's about to attack again. (Effect hoping to achieve: push it 10ft with repelling Blast to throw off it's aim) (probably won't hit)

Gritt action: Resistance on Wendel. Adds a d4 on next save.

Chelsie heals Victor, readies a blast for when the monster gets close, and moves behind a tree.
Nutcracker fires a shot with his bow, striking the creature, while the bees in its wake try, but fail push the monster back.
Victor repeats his question, and Blesses some of his teammates, while moving behind a tree.
Carmen moves parallel to Victor, and readies a blast, should the monster attack.
Wendel readies to blast when the creature attacks.
The monster replies to Victor "Probably, fiend-spawn! I kill so many. None as ugly as you, though!" and moves forward. As it does, the three warlocks launch their blasts, but only Carmen hits. It fires three more tail spikes at Victor! The first hits for 5 piercing damage, the second hits the tree, and the third falls short! After firing, it flies upward, once more
Initiative

Chelsie 18
Nutcracker 16
Victor 14
Carmen 8
Wendel 5
Gritt 22
Monster 21

The monster is 125 feet off the ground. It has taken 33 damage.

"That's hurtful, coming from you! Have you seen yourself? Ugly and cowardly, no wonder you are all alone!"" the paladin calls out from where he is behind the tree, trying to gauge which angle the next volley will come from.

He plucks the spike from his flesh before again casting casting his blessing upon his allies "[Language unknown: Stimanthenti]."

---

HP: 16/25 | THP: 0 | AC: 16 | Spd: 30ft. | Lay On Hands 15/15 | Divine Sense 4/4 | S1 0/3 | Sear 1/1 | Chan Div 0/1 | Resist Fire | Immune Disease |
12:59, Today: Victor Iusticia rolled 8 using 1d20+1.  Concentration: Bless.
Action: Recast Bless on Carmen, Nutcracker and Chelsie
Concentrating on: New Bless