The pause before the voice continues is very telling.

Then Prove It

The doors behind you start to close and a burbling noise is heard from within the four Gargoyles.

Roll Initiative everyone and please take initial positioning actions--you have about one round before the baddies show up
THEATER OF THE MIND

Room is 60x50. 10ft Alter centered on the North Wall (with everyone kneeling before it) Gargoyles at NE, NW, SE and SW corners--all of which are making noise.

Jerris stands, his spiked club in hand, and he turns to the south west.

00:25, Today: Jerris Dashield rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.   Ugh.

Seth stood and drew his longsword. He took a few steps from the altar, spinning his sword, moving just far enough to get every corner of the room in range of his divine senses.

19:36, Today: Seth rolled 17 using 1d20-1.  Initiative.

Seth may use the rest of his movement based on what he senses in the room. Checking to see if there's consecrated or desecrated gargoyles to distinguish 'good' from 'evil' targets.

Ekmas rises with shield raised in one hand and the other reaching to cast a spell, turning to gauge the approach of the nearest as he discreetly put Ila between himself and anything coming. Or as best he could. "I knew those things were trouble!" He grumbled, irritably reviewing his options.



02:38, Today: Ekmas rolled 2 using 1d20.  Initiative. Yay.

Of course it wasn't going to be that easy. The moment the voice spoke again, Beata was on her feet and moving towards the center of the room. Best to make the gargoyles come to her, and maybe reveal what they were capable of before she had to start dealing with it.

15:01, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  initiative.

Drawing an arrow and readying it in his bow Nicodemus move to cover the others backs. Listening as best he can to the sound coming from the gargoyles in an attempt to discern what was happening.

OOC:19:35, Today: Nicodemus Thrask rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.
19:39, Today: Nicodemus Thrask rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Perception.

Wary, Aien rises and steps back quickly from the altar. He moves back across the room to where the now-closed door is, sticking to the middle of the wall, equidistant from the two gargoyles there.

Move to middle of south wall, assuming "south" is where the party entered the chamber. Sticking near the door is possible, though preferring the middle of wall if the door is significantly offset.

02:18, Today: Aien Lurieth rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

Rising somewhat slower to her feet, Ila eyed the four gargoyles bitterly and then grunted. This was going to be unpleasant by the sound of that voice. Still, couldn't be that hard. She'd seen what passed for graduates years before. She pressed her back against the northern face of the altar and was glad of Ekmas between her and at least one other of the sources of problems. Considering the situation slowly, she regarded the floor for any bulky objects.

23:34, Today: Ilakhal Strongdrifter rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

The gargoyles' mouths fill slowly with liquid as the room grows uncomfortably warm. Molten rock, or metal or something--the liquid burbles as it drips and pools from the fonts from whence it came glowing an angry red.  And slowly mishapen little imps form from the magma.

---

The Monsters got a 15 so they go first.  Thankfully they take a turn to manifest so you can take actions

--Mephits (NE:22/22 NW:22/22 SE:22/22 SW:22/22)
24 Beata
17 Seth
11 Aein
08 Ilakhal
06 Nicodemus
05 Jerris
02 Ekmas

THEATER OF THE MIND: The Mephits are at each of the four corners of the room--so technically you're surrounded.

Beata took a moment, watching the creatures form. The fact that they were made of fire wasn't entirely appealing, especially considering she had a tendency to work with her hands during combat. But this was a part of the whole test or whatever, and if she could get through this she could go drink on someone else's gold tonight.

Bolstered by that thought, Beata headed towards one of the mephits, determined not to let it get the jump on her. Hit first, ask questions later. She swung with her sword, and then ducked back in order to kick out, hoping that using her boot might save her from getting burned.

OOC: Beata is heading to the NE mephit and attacking! I rolled pretty decently for a change, too!
23:42, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  unarmed attack.
23:43, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 5 using 1d4+4.  unarmed damage.

23:42, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  shortsword attack.
23:42, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 6 using 1d6+4.  shortsword damage.

Jerris taps his morningstar lightly on the floor a few times, before raising and moving towards the forming creature to the Southwest.  Raising his spiked club, he awaits it's full formation before he tries to bash it in the head.

00:05, Today: Jerris Dashield rolled 5 using 1d8+3.  Morningstar damage.

00:05, Today: Jerris Dashield rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Morningstar strike. 

As Beata passed him by on the way to her attack, Seth launched himself after her.

As she readied her first swing on the mephit he feinted a step to the left only to juke to the right, circling behind the creature in an attempt to disorient and evade its defences.

Seth pivoted on the ball of his foot and lunged just as Beata attacked the creature, sending the mephit stumbling back directly into his longsword thrust.

Woo hoo! Critical!

20:50, Today: Seth rolled 25 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 20.  Attacking with longsword.
20:51, Today: Seth rolled 10 using 2d8+3 with rolls of 4,3.  Longsword damage (critical).

Also, note positioning. Not sure if there's room to put that mephit between Seth and Beata, but that's Seth's plan if it's possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

Still wounded, Aien is reluctant to enter into hand-to-hand combat with these things. They look like they will burn anyone who comes close, and Aien opts for caution.

He takes out his crossbow and slips a bolt into place, then fires it at the mephit in the southwest corner of the room, off to his left, before following in, moving closer to the creature, but staying out of its reach.

Shoot SW mephit then move to within ten feet of it.

15:49, Today: Aien Lurieth rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Crossbow attack.
15:50, Today: Aien Lurieth rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage (if relevant...).

Ila grunted angrily as the impish creatures manifested from out of lava. She bit her lip as she considered the arcane knowledge she wielded and guessed it would do little. Finally, sighing, she thumped the butt of her spear on the stone floor, gave Ekmas a grin, then charged.

---

Move: charge NW mephit
Bonus: n/a
Object Interaction: ready spear
Action: attack NW mephit

10:54, Today: Ilakhal Strongdrifter rolled 5 using 1d8+2.  damage.
10:54, Today: Ilakhal Strongdrifter rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  spear attack.

Ekmas watched his companions dash off, thinking rapidly as they launched their attacks. The Firbolg made his decision and chased after Seth and Beata as they landed vicious blows, unashamedly swinging for the low-hanging fruit of injured prey... and perhaps getting too greedy. He cursed and invoked a trick of Firbolg magic to abruptly disappear, leaving Seth and Beata to face any retribution from the cornered creature.


Move: charge NE mephit
Object Interaction: ready Quarterstaff
Action: attack NE mephit

03:42, Today: Ekmas rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Quarterstaff attack.

Bonus: Hidden Step

With all of the creatures occupied save one Nicodemus decides to give the lonely little fellow his full attention. Loading is crossbow e takes aim and fires on the mephit in the southeast corner of the room.

OOC:
Move: Remain near the alter.
Object Interaction: Crossbow
Action: Attack SE Mephit
11:33, Today: Nicodemus Thrask rolled 9 using 1d8+4.  Damage.
11:33, Today: Nicodemus Thrask rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Crossbow attack.

The acolytes spring into action, spreading themselves to cover multiple demons at once.

Beata, Seth and Ekmas charge to the northeast, scoring several solid blows on the living fire monster.  Looking wary, it tries to disengage, only to be brought low by a further swing of Seth's Sword.

...which causes it to EXPLODE, catching all three heroes in its death throes.

Meanwhile in the southwest, Jerris and Aein attempt a similar trick with its monster, only to discover the living fire can also breathe fire

To the northwest, Ilakhal fights her demon by herself, trading blow for blow.

In the wake of all this fire...Nicodemus does the sensible thing and tries to stay as far away from everyone as possible while still contributing.

Truly a daunting task their predecessors demand of them...

---

Everyone hits their targets...except Ekmas

ROUND 2
NE Mephit--Moves out of melee for breath attack
--GHOSTING SETH--Opportunity Attack-->Kills Mephit
--Mephit EXPLODES--
Seth Dex saves--Fails--takes 7 3 Fire Damage (because Tiefling).
Beata and Ekmas must do likewise. (DC 11, 7 fire if fail, 3 if succeed)

NW Mephit--Claws at Ila. Hits.  Ila takes 2 fire, 2 slashing (4 total)
22:37, Today: DM Kandagger rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Mephit Claw attack.

SE "East" Mephit moves North toward Seth/Beata/Ekmas, gets about halfway there.

THE PLAYERS ARE UP

SW Mephit--Breath attack hitting Jerris and Aein (DC 11, 7 fire if fail, 3 if succeed)
--Mephits (NE:00/22 NW:17/22 SE:22/22 SW:02/22)--AC </= 13
24 Beata--In NE corner (Needs to make a DEX save), SE apporaching
17 Seth--08/11--In NE corner, SE apporaching
11 Aein--Near SW, (Need to make a DEX save)
08 Ilakhal--08/10--Engaged with NW
06 Nicodemus--Center of Room
05 Jerris--Engaged with SW (Need to make a DEX save)
02 Ekmas--In NE (Needs to make a DEX save), SE apporaching</Orange>

THEATER OF THE MIND: 3 Mephits remain.  One in each western corner, and along the middle of the east wall.  The room is now significantly more on fire.
</quote>

The party hears a loud thump as a large body hits the floor,caught by flame before Ekmas could cannily sneak away.


11:38, Today: Ekmas rolled 2 using 1d20.  Dex save.
11:42, Today: Ekmas rolled 14 using 1d20.  Death Save.

Ilakhal twitches and looks behind her at the fallen body of her companion. A grim look descends upon her face. It was all fun and games until someone died after all. Returning her attention to the mephit, she grins as its fire is a distant pain. She then levels the spear again to ram it home into the flaming body of the thing. "Someone spare a moment for the big fella? I think I got this one... Maybe."

For fun/profit, I should be at 7/10 hp. 2 slashing, 1/2 damage from fire due to draconic bloodline.

00:16, Today: Ilakhal Strongdrifter rolled 7 using 1d8+3.  damage.
00:16, Today: Ilakhal Strongdrifter rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  spear attack.

Hope that hits...

Jerris, unfoortunately, pretty much walks right into the fiery breath, not realizing the damnable thing could do that.  This, however, angers the young man.  He bellows in rage as he smashes down on the flaming creature with his spiked club.


Failed Dex Save.  Bonus action:  Rage

14:11, Today: Jerris Dashield rolled 10 using 1d8+5.  Morningstar damage.

14:10, Today: Jerris Dashield rolled 19 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Morningstar Attack Advantage Rage.

14:09, Today: Jerris Dashield rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Dex Save DC 11.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Fri 11 June 2021.

The explosion of fire admittedly took Beata by surprise, but she jumped backwards, managing to avoid the full brunt and just getting singed. Unfortunate, but at least she was still decently healthy. Not that the same could be said for the firbolg. Beata glanced around at the rest of the party, an eyebrow arched.

"Really?" she grumbled, after it seemed everyone else was doing their own things. "When did I get put in charge of wasting my potions on other people?" With an exaggerated sigh, Beata leaned over Ekmas and poured the potion down his throat. Honestly, if he hadn't owed her a round of drinks she might've just let him lie there.

With that done, Beata turned her attention towards the creatures. Jerris was just about to bring down the creature he was facing, and Ilkahal seemed to be doing fine against her opponent. Which left the third, already approaching. Beata narrowed her eyes and readied herself, not willing to leap right into the creature's way when she didn't have time to attack.


19:17, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  dex save.
19:18, Today: Beata Havenbringer rolled 7 using 2d4+2.  healing potion.

Nicodemus moves to the northeast putting a little more distance between himself and the Mephits. After the explosion and fire breath displays he would prefer to be out of the range of any of those. He then fires on the Mephit moving along the eastern wall.

OOC:
Move: Move toward the northeast, taking care to keep a respectable distance from Mephits.
Object Interaction: Crossbow
Action: Attack East Mephit
08:41, Today: Nicodemus Thrask rolled 11 using 1d8+4.  Damage.
08:40, Today: Nicodemus Thrask rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Crossbow att.

Ekmas came to with the taste of healing potion in his mouth and Beata's less-than-delighted visage scowling down at him. "My thanks." He told her, regaining his feet. "That's two I owe you now." The Firbolg wasn't in any hurry to close with more of the things either, and gestured at the one approaching from the Southeast.

Action, cast: Infestation on SE creature
CON save, DC 13.

On a failure ,it takes poison damage and moves 5 ft North... which is not particularly helpful.

18:09, Today: Ekmas rolled 1 using 1d4.  Direction.

18:09, Today: Ekmas rolled 6 using 1d6.  Poison Damage.

Aien's eyebrows lift as the fire spews towards where he stands, still beyond the mephit's reach - or so he thought.

He is caught on the wrong foot and the flames engulf him, dropping him to the floor unconscious for the second time already in the trial.

OOC: Joy.

Aien Lurieth rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Dex save DC 11.

Aien Lurieth rolled 19 using 1d20.  Death saving throw.

Ekmas sees Aien fall and, after releasing his attack,  yells at the cleric to "Rise!".

Ekmas casts Healing Word as a bonus action.

00:48, Today: Ekmas rolled 4 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word.