Grog watched the dragon flying away. The fighter in him was pissed and hungry or revenge. But at his core, he was more relieved than he would ever willingly admit aloud. Death had come for him, and he hadn't even heard a beating of its wings. He blow out a brutal breath out through his nose, both blood and residual bits of acid flying out as he did so.

"Need a crossbow," he said it to no one but himself. He had always considered ranged weapons to be the path of weakness, but the reality of this situation showed him that not having one at all was the very definition of stupidity. Such a massive beast, capable of so much destruction in so short a time, and to top it all of the damn thing could fly.

Grog continued to maintain his position, staying out of the dragon's view as best he could, silently hoping that the beast really was going to flee, and cursing himself a coward for not taunting the thing to come back and face him.

Move: as needed to stay out of sight
Action: Hide (Stealth 18)

20:38, Today: Grog rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Stealth. – [roll=1644201535.35462.356431]

Lenelle's initial instinct was to immediately get to the healing...yet the imminent threat was concluded, and there was now what there had not been: time.

Instead, she cast her eyes heavenward -- at the retreating enemy.  Took aim, realized it might be an unlikely shot -- and tried anyway.

A shaft of celestial radiance seared from her fingertips, and arced upward -- off target, until it was corrected, as happened sometimes.  The same Upper planar beneficence that had recently aided Joshua:

Lenelle Toreth rolled 16 using 1d20+7. (lower of 2d20) guiding bolt. (as lvl 3)
Lenelle Toreth rolled 4 using 2d4.  favored by the gods. (if needed)
Total attack roll = 20
Lenelle Toreth rolled 19 using 6d6.  guiding bolt damage.

If struck, the next attack at dragon will be normal, due to advantage canceling disadvantage due to the residual glow

Lenelle then scanned the field, making certain everyone could stand and walk under their own power.   If not, she began making her way to them, swiftly to perform a healing.  (next turn)

If not needed immediately, she ran to Joshua, saying "C'mon! The others are right! We need to find cover!" 

If relevant:  Lenelle Toreth rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Stealth
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

Tara considered unleashing a spell... but no, the beast was too far away now, and she might need all her power should it return.  Still, she kept the Fae Spirit she'd summoned on hand for the moment-- it wouldn't do any harm to keep it on hand.

She instead hurried to Sprinkle, trying to remain out of sight and under cover.

"Are you all right?" she gasped.  Her own wounds were bad enough, but she could still stand, she could still fight.  It would do...

...she sent Gwyll to be a sentry in the night, though.  The owl spirit might give them enough warning if the beast returned.

[Outside the House of The Sun Father, after the battle]

Gwyl immediately obeyed his mistress and took flight. The owl soared past the invisible Nimbus with a hoot that seemed intentional. Did Familiars communicate with each other as they did their masters? Off the bird flew, soon vanishing into the night. Within a minute, Tara received a silent message from her mystical servant.

On the ground, Joshua exhaled a sigh of consummate relief. He shook a little from nerves, gladly following Lenelle’s instructions that time. “I’m gonna see about Sundos & Sister Mercy. The dragon hit them, too.”

Telric watched the beast flap away. He gripped his staff tightly, and growled as he headed over to the others. "Everyone ok? Sprinkle?" He pointed his staff at the woman, and a crystal emerged from the end, bathing her in healing light. Unlike what the construct following him around, this actually repaired damage to Sprinkels flesh rather than just protecting and sustaining her like Higgin's glow.

"I have to see what Higgins can do for the others who got a taste of the dragon's breath. Unlike my healing, Higgins can continuous give lesser protection. My staff might run low soon." He said, making sure to heal Tara as well.

Then he and his small construct followed Joshua to see what healing they could offer to the civilians hurt by the acid.

OOC-casting cure wounds on Tara and Sprinkle.

23:28, Today: Telric Televentor rolled 12 using 2d8+2.  Cure wounds Tara.

23:28, Today: Telric Televentor rolled 8 using 2d8+2.  Cure wounds sprinkle.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

The genasi healer got touched by celestial power when she was concentrating on saving the minotaur and gasped, the magic of the sorceress bringing immediate relief from her acid burns. Then her own spell tool hold and the cow headed warrior took off to hide. Events went crazy for a while, with arrows and sword strikes from Frostbyte injuring the fearsome dragon, that retaliated by almost disemboweling the elf and throwing her sister away. All that occuring as she was getting up, still reeling from her injuries and the energy she expended to save the warrior's life.

But there was more she could do, as she casted a spell to try to avenge her sister, dark clouds condensing around the dragon, as the noise of water crashing on the shore was heard.

Unsure of the result of her magic on the wyrm, she watched it take flight... there would be a second round. Vaguely, she heard the others tell everyone to take cover, and it seemed a sensible precaution.

Tempest! Get up and hide!

As she was turning to do the same thing, she almost collided with the small wizard, her voice full of concern. She smiled briefly and taking the woman's arm, she brought her to the nearest cover she could find for both of them, as healing energies from Telric's staff bathed both of them. She nodded her thanks to the artificer, as water came out of her hands to cover the wizard's injuries.

I'll be fine, Lenelle healed me. But you look like you need some care yourself! Come, let's hide!

OOC

Sprinkle casts Toll the dead on the dragon, DC 15 Wis for 13 damage

Today: Sprinkle rolled 9 using 1d12.  Toll the dead damage extra die. (forgot it raises at level 5)

23:34, Today: Sprinkle rolled 4 using 1d12.  Toll the dead damage.

Move to cover with Tara, while healing her Today: Sprinkle rolled 10 using 2d8+3.  Sprinkle cure wound at level 2. –

If Telric can cast 2 spells in a round, so can I ;-)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

Beijor again flourished his sword before deftly returning it to its scabbard.

"Fare the well, Benign Bluntfang!" He cried out in a loud voice. "Fly back to your mudpit and hide your face in shame! And thank you for showing both, but I can't decide what's uglier, your face or your ass!"

Quiet only a moment, he spoke a lilting rhyme and his wounds began closing.

"Oh thinny," he then said with bitter disappointment as he looked at what acid and dragon claws did to his shirt. "And I had just liberated this from the Duke's wardrobe. Ugh!"

---

OOC:
Turns out Beijor's dodging got him out of one claw attack, and Telric's temp HP dealt with most of the other.

Cast Healing Word
23:43, Today: Beijor rolled 10 using 3d4+3.  Healing Word, 3rd level spell slot.

Lenelle nodded to Joshua.  "They should be somewhere around here?  I don't believe they were hit as badly as some of the others, and both are considerable healers. And Telric appears to have tended to Tara and Sprinkle."

She cast a glance Beijor's direction, laughing faintly as the elf bemoaned the state of his shirt.   And then toward the approaching Telric, with his...whatever it was?

"What in all the word is that?" she whispered to Josh, eyeing the construct.

"...I think we'll both need to fix our clothes," Tara sighed.  "Or replace them.  Well, a small harm compared to what else that beast has done.  Do you have a place to stay in town yet?"

Her normal shyness was less in evidence now; at the moment, fear and excitement at the dragon had driven out lesser fears entirely.

"My familiar's watching for the dragon," she continued, "and the Fey Spirit I called is on watch as well.  I hope that will suffice, for our safety."

Complete irrational fear washed over Simon. Worse even than when the lightning bolts nearly killed him in the swamp.

If save is successful: Simon sends blast of eldritch energy at the retreating dragon. [Telepathy: Nimbus, follow the dragon, but don't let it see you. Come back and tell me where it went.]

---

Simon rolled 13 using for WIS save vs dragonfear.

Simon rolled 19 with Eldritch Blast.
Damage: 7 force + 6 necrotic + 2 thunder = 15 total.

Tempest groaned as she held her sword in one hand, her side in the other. She saw the dragon take fights and snorted. ~Typical....i got some good hits in too~ she thought to herself. When sheheard her sister, she had a slight sigh of relief as she staggered up slowly, wincing. "Keep your gills on guppy - i was just thrown like barnacle out of a whales blowhole."

She jogs over to sprinkle and Tara, wincing all the way, looking at the bard. "Before long i'm gonna punch him in the face, i know it." She muttered.

---

<OOC: Moves over to cover with Sprinkle and Tara, sword ready>

Sskith did not feel any of the relief or joy in victory that the others expressed. He knew only too well how good a Dragon's night eyes were, from generations of stories. Even now the thing could be overhead, looking to pick off a straggler. He cocked his head to the side from where he crouched, listening over the shouts of the others for the beat of wings. At his side, his Echo copied the motion, a second set of ears to pierce through the night.





Ooc: perception roll w/ advantage due to my Echo helping, 21

10:28, Today: Seth Sskith rolled 12 using 1d20+5 ((7)).
10:29, Today: Seth Sskith rolled 21 using 1d20+5 ((16)).

"Thank you," sighed Tara in relief as the pain lessened.  This dress was going to need some serious repair work, though... Well, no help for that.  And now Sprinkle's sister was here... they hadn't really met.

"Ah, hello," she said to Tempest.  "I'm Tara Inkfingers.  I'm trying to keep watch for the dragon..."

It hadn't attacked again, at least.  And after the mighty spell Mistress Blackmoor had used, perhaps it wouldn't.

[Outside the House of The Sun Father, after the battle]

Joshua’s eyes bulged at the Fey defender who towered over them in a mass of thorns and cold ire. “Looks like Witchcraft to me…but Sheila and Tara saved us with it, so I’m not complaining.” When he could tear his eyes away from the bizarre creature, Joshua walked over to where Sundos helped Mercion stand. “Thank you, Brother Joshua.”

The Clerics swayed at their first steps, but remained on their feet. Mercion held up her hand. “A moment, please.” When she surveyed the temple grounds, she gasped at the sorry state of her allies. “The Dragon didn’t wait for us to find him. All this carnage in just one attack. Thank Pelor you all drove him away. To think what further tragedy you spared us all…!”

 Mercion nodded slowly, eyes closed as she prayed. “Loving Sun Father, even in this dark hour, your Light prevailed through these amazing people. I humbly ask that you shed your blessed Light and preserve their lives!” As the Priestess prayed, a cone of sunlight broke through the night sky and surrounded her! As she repeated her prayer, a soft light flowed around everyone wounded by the Dragon: Sundos, Grog, Sprinkle, Tempest, Tara, Telric, & Beijor. If Lenelle’s healing light displayed the rosy hues of Dawn, then Mercion showed the dazzling light of the noontime sun. A bright light almost unbearable to look at directly. The wounded heroes felt even more of their burns and cuts melt away as the holy light shined. Miraculously, giving healing seemed to impart it upon Mercion, whose own wounds looked less grievous.

When the light faded, Sundos stepped a pace or two away. “Who else needs healing? Mercion & I will minister to any who need our aid.”

OOC:
Mercion gives all injured heroes 5 HP apiece with her “Preserve Life” trait.


While the Priests offered their help, Sheila slowly shuffled over toward Tara. She appeared exhausted after her spell, but downplayed it with a reassuring smile for everyone. “You all comported yourselves as true heroes. You sent that horrid beast flying off in fear for its life.” Sheila laughed, but it broke into a ragged cough. She waved away anyone who tried to fuss over her. “No, no. I’m fine. This is but a moment’s inconvenience that always follows this kind of magic-working.

Speaking of Magic, you cast quite the impressive spell, Tara.” Sheila regarded Tara approvingly, perhaps also with pride. “Conjuring the Fey? I see you grow well-versed in the Hag’s Grimoire.” There may have been a little concern in the pause that followed. However, the old woman didn’t give voice to it if any existed. “Why not, then? Take the power they used for Evil and do Good instead. Well done, child! It was one thing to hear of your battles…but quite another when I witness the daring deeds of you and your companions firsthand!”

Nearby, Simon fought to beat down the fear the Dragon triggered within him. His deep breaths soon helped him regain self-control. Off in the swamp, his new Familiar pursued Baleful Blackfang unseen. The Warlock sensed from his Familiar that they might be finished with the Dragon. Al least, for that night.

Likewise, Echo helped Seth secure the perimeter. The small creature mimicked his master as he struck a watchful pose. They scanned the woods and grounds, but saw nothing else of the Dragon. Seth felt he works have sensed the creature if he dared return. All around, everyone scrambled to help the wounded and recover from the  ambush.

"Thank you, Mistress Blackmoor," said Tara, bowing her head.  After a short time, the Fey spirit she'd summoned dissolved into mist-- the power only lasted so long, sadly.

Still... next time, if they faced the dragon again, she had a plan-- if she only had the time, she could strike a truly devastating blow... If.

But for now, well, there was the matter of how those around her would react to the hints of her past, the training with her stepmother.  She hoped that they wouldn't be upset.

Especially Sprinkle.  That might break her heart...

The cleric smiled when her sister came to her and she presented her to Tara.

This is Tempest, my sister... but you already deduced that. That was truly foolhardy, to face a dragon without your shield! You could have been killed! You guppy brain!

Even as she was berating her sibling, Sprinkle had again water flowing from her hand to heal the warrior, and it showed that she cared a lot about the other Genasi.

Have you seen your armor? I'll have to repair it again! My, those teeth marks are bigger than the shark ones you usually come back with, don't they?

She turned to Tara, looking at her acid damaged clothing.

I can repair this too, the fabric is not too damaged. I've seen worse from a barracuda's frenzy. If you'll confide your robe to me? We don't have a place to stay yet, would you have some recommendations?

She smiled to Tara, as the glorious sunlight washed over them, then the dread haired woman came to talk to the wizard, to congratulate her on her spell casting, and the cleric introduced herself and her sister. Then her stomach grumbled.

Before the dragon arrived, there was talk of food and drink, I hope this offer is still on the table?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

Tempest looked at her sister with a frown. "Who you calling Guppy brain, squid ink? Besides, if i didn't face that oversized lizard it would have come an bitten into you. My armor is stronger than your's....softer than a jellyfish." Even as they berated each other, it was clear the feelings the two had for each other.

"Besides, i don't mind fixing armor - you know it calms me." Then when the offer for food came around, tempest again groaned. "Hungry again? Damn eat more than that reef shark you trued to keep as a pet."

“I am Sheila Blackmoor. Like Tara and her friends, you and your sister are welcome faces indeed.” Sheila put an arm around Tara and Sprinkle. “Yes, of course you may join us. Though I fear our intent has changed. Instead of a Wake, you will both likely be attending a War Council instead.”

"Yes, I have a place I'm staying," said Tara, eagerly.  "You can both stay there with me, if you like..."

...part of her would have preferred to have just the beautiful Sprinkle there, but no, no, they'd only just met.  And this was about more than... yearnings.  There was a dragon out there, among other threats!

"And we'll certainly get food," she continued, "but as Mistress Blackmore says, we'll be planning our battle with the dragon, as well."

Tempest looked at Tara, sheathing her sword, her gaze appraising as she looked at her

....looking at her sister.

She narrowed her eyes, but then spoke to Shelia. "A war council is something i know. Where we are from, i was taught by the best tactician of the sea elf race. Perhaps my input can serve to help."

She looked at Tara, her expression a little cold. "We thank you for the offer of accommodation little one, but a simple - what do you call them....imm will be fine for us. We do not want to impose."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:26, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

Sprinkle nodded at her sister's comment about the inn. Tara seemed disappointed but recovered nicely, as suddenly the image of a gray shark with lighter belly was swimming around Tempest.

But look at him! He was so pretty! I was 7, how could I know he would try to eat me? Anyway, I am hungry, we haven't eaten since early this morning!

Looking at Tara, she added, with an hint of amusement in her solid white eyes, as the shark turned and boobed in the air.

Don't you agree ? I'm sure you would take it as a pet too!

Just then, the shark opened his maw, showing rows of sharp teeth like it was ready to bite at her sister, before dissipating.

When talk of a war council excited Tempest, she just clapped her hands, like a little girl.

Oh, I like those too! I can create pictures now, instead of those little toys you play with! I want to help, but food first!

In reply to The Dungeonmaster (msg # 306):

Telric goes where Joshua leads, using Higgin's area effect protector cannon to heal what groups he can. The acid stream shot through the town, and many people where hit by heedless damage caused by the beast. His staff's energy nearly exhausted, and Higgins own power supply running down after a hour of use, he heads back to rejoin the others.

"I assume we are going to track that dammed thing down and end it once and for all, yes?" He asks the party, sounding both tired and angry after seeing all the damage the dragon had done. He does thank Mistress Blackmoor for her extra healing, even as Higgins proceeds to power down and fold itself up into a small disc. Telric once again puts away the construct into his bag of holding.

Sskith had rejoined the others only once he was sure that the Dragon had truly withdrawn to lick its wounds. He had been untouched by its breath, and thus had needed none of their healing magics. Instead he stood and watched, waiting for a moment to speak. They spoke of war councils, that was good, but some words would not wait.

"The Vutha are no foolssss."

And here he had thought that great winged beast might just be a Hatchling in the nest. Who was truly the fool here?

"It knowssss this village. Should we ssseeek to Hunt, what isss to stop it from returning here while the village is without its warriorsss and hunters?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

The bard had also noticed Tara's fae summoning, and it delighted him to see denizens of his home. "And why shouldn't a hag's cookbook help her do good? Hags are known by another name, after all. Let's see if we can't find this dark-haired dainty a stick with a star on the end and so earn the title of Fairy Godmother.

"If war it be, Blackmoor, let me herald its issue among bright lance and banner!"

Beijor joined the movement back towards the town, finding Bathsheba among the crowd and wrapping his arm around her in consolation as they walked. He leaned in close and whispered, "Be at peace, dearest. You sang a lament and it was beautiful, spiriting him to the line of his fathers where he will find rest in moonlit evergreen glades. You will sing again when this passing cloud has parted, and only the word of my Queen would prevent me accompanying you."

"Only Mercion and the village guard there is would be in the way, Seth... but it can't just come and go here at its leisure.  Not now.  Deadwater is still recovering from the hags and the dead.  This would become a ghost town if this continues."