Grog looked frustrated as he drew his melee weapon.  He positioned himself between the CrocOrGater and the rest of his party.

((Should the enemy end his turn 30' from Grog, he will activate his Stone Rune in an attempt to stun it.  What that does is written on Grog's character sheet, and it would kick in on the enemy's turn after all the spellcasters fling their spells at it.  The 'attack of opportunity' would likely not kick in due to the 'Gater' being very likely to have a 10' reach himself... as would Azatch I assume given the two size category increases.  A very nice potion.))

Sundos stood near the river. He pointed at Azatch and said, "Mighty Lord of Light, give your protection to that brave warrior."

Cast Shield of Faith on Azatch.
Azatch has a bonus of +2 AC.


12:55, Today: Sundos Brightblood rolled 18 using 1d20 ((18)). Init

Azatch nods a thanks at Sundos and says to him and the others, "Kill the croc, keep me alive*."

He then braces himself for another bestial transformation. A low growl, made deeper by his increased size, reverberates in his chest (not unlike a croc, akshully), which grows into a might roar. At the same time, his skin looks to form a scaly texture (also not unlike the croc). He hunches forward as his spine begins to elongate growing a powerful spiked tail.

He waits to intercept the croc.

OOC: Bonus action: rage; Tail
          Action: ready action - Grapple (that's right, my plan it literally to wrestle a croc)

Athletics check w/ adv: 21 (Both rage and potion of growth give me advantage to strength checks, I wouldn't hate it if you made one of those apply a +5 instead)

Boy it would be nice if we could get Grog's OA in, if possible. Azatch would position himself in the most advantageous way possible to try and make this happen.

*Also, note to healers, feel free to heal me after I go down to 0 hp, if it comes to that, the giant growth doesn't require concentration, and I can burn more rages.

The halfling nodded as Azatch tossed her to a dry patch of land, the nimble halfling rolling and coming to a knee with her shortbow in hand. She calmly draws two arrows, placing one in her mouth. She takes aim and fires. Before the first hits, she fires the second arrow.

<OOC: Action - Attack croc with shortbow

Skye Keenshadow rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  attack - shortbow.
Skye Keenshadow rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  damage - shortbow. (If it hits)

Skye Keenshadow rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Dread ambusher attack.>

When the enormous crocodile swam closer to Azatch, the rest of the party smoothly coordinated a defense of their giant-sized companion. Like a champion athlete of the great games, Cela hurled her javelin with pinpoint accuracy! The tip penetrated a weak spot near the beast’s neck, and the javelin jutted out like a long thorn.

Lenelle calmed herself once Azatch set her on solid ground. Reaching within herself, she once again summoned the guiding bolts of celestial light that served her well in the fight against the Lizardmen. The bolt struck the giant crocodile in a burst of shimmering sparks! The great reptile bellowed, and the spot where Lenelle struck it illuminated the newest wound. Her companions would have an easier time hitting the thing now!

Grog utilized his own mystical talent, invoking the Stone Rune to slow the crocodile. The spell wasn’t instantaneous, but would take effect in less than half a minute.

Simon conjured a triple beam of fire that struck the spot that Lenelle illuminated. Two of the scorching rays hit, eliciting a pained yowl that unnerved those who heard it. Although Simon felt disappointed over not inflicting more damage, his attack sufficiently supplemented Cela & Lenelle’s earlier hits.

Ever thoughtful of others, Sundos cast a protective spell over Azatch. Pelor’s Might would help shield the Barbarian against the crocodile’s worst attacks.

Not one to be left out of a good fight, Skye joined the fray! The Halfling Ranger coolly sighted the thrashing beast with her short bow. She released her arrow, which struck the crocodile’s side as it turned toward Azatch. Another thorn now stood out from the reptilian hide.

Emboldened by his new stature, the Barbarian worked himself into a rage! Once again, the tail appeared, ready to thrash any foe. He greeted the crocodile with a defiant roar and open arms! Rushing toward the beast with a great splash, Azatch grappled the Giant Crocodile! Unfortunately, that put his within uncomfortably close reach of the crocodile’s maw. The teeth bit painfully into Azatch’s side, but the cleric’s spell protected him from the beast’s equally deadly tail. (OOC: 30 bite damage to Azatch! YIKES! )

Before the beast could act again, though, Grog’s Stone Rune took effect! The crocodile’s maw relaxed, as the magic put the beast into a stupor...


OOC:

22:49, Today: The Dungeonmaster rolled 30 using 3d10+5.  Bite damage.
22:48, Today: The Dungeonmaster rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  Croc tail attack.
22:48, Today: The Dungeonmaster rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Croc bite attack.
22:44, Today: The Dungeonmaster rolled 10 using 1d20.  Wisdom save for Croc.

I’ll give Azatch the grapple, and Grog’s Rune remains in effect until the Croc makes a successful Saving Throw.


The Giant Crocodile is Wounded. The party dealt 33 damage!


 
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:29, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

Simon tries his workhorse spell, Fiery Force, but, warm as it is, it packs little force.

OOC:
20:36, Today: Simon rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  eldritch Blast at +2 hit.
23:16, Today: Simon rolled 4 using 1d10+2.  Eldritch Blast plus genie's wrath.
23:15, Today: Simon rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  Advantage roll for Attack.

4 damage. 2 each force and fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

Azatch's goal was to keep the beast occupied, but he was now finding that it had the same idea. So, the barbarian was surprised by the sudden relaxing of the jaws, but wasn't going to look a gift croc in the mouth, he held his grip and lashed the croc recklessly with his tail.

"Rawr!"

Att: 21
Dam: 13 +4 for enlarged (forgot to roll earlier)

Azatch rolled 13 using 1d8+6.  tail whip damage.
Azatch rolled 21 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  tail whip.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Sun 18 Apr 2021.

Traill was a little surprised by the subdued behaviour of the croc, but she had no reaction, purely focused on what needed to be done. She drew an arrow, and aiming down the sight of the shaft, sent it flying to the softer flesh under the croc's underside where it was softer.

<OOC: Attacks using shortbow


Skye Keenshadow rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  attack - shortbow.
Skye Keenshadow rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  damage - shortbow.>

This thing was, by far, the most gruesome menace she'd beheld since leaving home.  Had she'd been left in the water to confront it, her life would've ended with a single snap of its jaws.

Enlarged, Azatch was best suited of any of them to face it --  but even he couldn't take another bite like that!   Her magic could impact the mind as well as matter, and she reckoned this thing didn't have much of one...

Lenelle's hand traced a smooth, repetitive pattern, as she uttered arcane syllables.   The image took form within her imagination first. Certainly, she'd be freaked by it. The thing they fought-?   Only one way to know!

Casting Phantasmal Force
DC 13; intelligence save 

This was the illusion the spell sought to weave within the colossal croc's brain:   The waters stirred nearby -- something big, bulky moved beneath them.  Till the surface erupted, and the massive head of a croc-like like creature, bellowing its rage and bloodlust. Its ebon hide was thick and knobby, eyes glaring hotly red, razor sharp teeth, larger than those of the real reptile, whose throat it was going for...

Only the target can see the phantasm.

Cela does not want to fight it from the water, even if she is more skilled up close.  She throws a dart towards the creature.


14:45, Today: Cela rolled 10,4 using d20+5,d4+3.  throw dart.

Not wanting to stop praying to keep the barbarian protected, Sundos readied his crossbow. But the shot was badly aimed.

using

Cela maintained her distance, opting for ranged attacks on the Giant Crocodile that beset their party. She plucked out a dart, hurling the small missile into the water five feet away from the creature’s tail. Changing her own tactics, Lenelle cast a spell that attacked the mind instead of the body. She traced the mystic sigils, conjuring a fearsome illusion that reached even the primitive mind of the crocodile. The crocodile saw a scaled nightmare burst from the river that looked more like a rapacious dinosaur than any swamp-bred crocodile! The Phantasmal Force elicited the fear that Lenelle sought...but also had an effect that she hadn’t anticipated in the making!

Grog acted in concert with the giant-sized Azatch, flanking the crocodile from the rear! As Azatch grappled the lizard’s massive upper body, Grog swung his glaive at the flanks and leg. The thick hide turned the first swing, but Grog dug deep into the leg with his Glaive!

Once again, Simon lashed out with his own brand of Witch-fire, but only singed the crocodile as it splashed into the river and doused the flames as Lenelle’s spell stirred the creature from Grog’s stupor! Sundos fired his crossbow and missed. The fabled “Luck of The Shire” held for Skye, though, as another arrow unerringly struck the crocodile’s head!

However, the multiple attacks on the Giant Crocodile only added to the panic induced by Lenelle. It thrashed blindly as it overcame the power of the Minotaur’s rune! Although Azatch still held the crocodile’s snout, the bloodied beast slammed Grog hard with its tail! (OOC: 13 damage, Grog!)

OOC:


00:48, Today: The Dungeonmaster rolled 13 using 2d8+5.  Damage.
00:48, Today: The Dungeonmaster rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Croc tail attack .
00:22, Today: The Dungeonmaster, on behalf of Grog, rolled 10 using 1d10+3.  Glaive damage .
00:20, Today: The Dungeonmaster, on behalf of Grog, rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Attack with Glaive (Advantage).
00:20, Today: The Dungeonmaster, on behalf of Grog, rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Attack with Glaive.

The Giant Crocodile is Bloodied now, and looking pretty rough.

Grog, make a Strength check vs, DC 16, or be knocked prone in the river!


This message was last edited by the GM at 04:55, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Lenelle Toreth rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Lenelle cursed herself for interfering with Grog's rune magic, as the minotaur was hammered by a tail that was more like a tree trunk.   There was nothing for it.  No choice but to keep going:

She held the illusion --  striving to make certain the croc would consider it the greatest threat, and direct its bite at the phantom, not Azatch, if it should break free.   She was also able to spare enough attention to cast another spell - a number of force-darts flashed from her fingers.

"It's under attack by something much worse than you, in its head!"  Lenelle called out to Azatch.    So he could strategize accordingly.

Ok, I've gone over the rules --  and what they say, is that you may maintain concentration on a previously cast spell, and do anything else you'd normally do in a round, including attack, *except* cast another concentration spell.  And the one I'm casting is not a concentration spell.     

Lenelle Toreth rolled 7 using 2d6.  psychic damage. phantasmal force; from this round + last round
Bonus action - convert 3 sorc points to 2nd level slot
Action - cast MM as 2nd level spell
Lenelle Toreth rolled 12 using 4d4+4.  magic missile.

= 19 points total damage to croc

This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Simon's Swamp Stirrer stirs the swamp.

OOC:
12:36, Today: Simon rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Eldritch Blast.

Cela throws another dart from the shoreline to the creature.


15:56, Today: Cela rolled 20,7 using d20+5,d4+3.

Cela took the time to properly aim her next dart. She hurled the dart into the crocodile’s right eye, half-blinding the tumultuous beast! Lenelle managed the difficult task of maintaining her terrifying illusion while she prepared another spell. Magic Missiles flew with supernatural accuracy, lobbing devastating blasts into the crocodile. Perhaps the trauma of the attacks, combined with the trauma of the illusory super-predator, finally forced the crocodile’s heart to give out. The “Titan of The Vast Swamp” slumped dead in Azatch’s arms, it’s tail falling limply into the water. As if signaling their ordeal’s end, Simon’s Eldritch Blast stirred the river water with a rousing “Victory Ripple”.

The party was safe again...for the moment, as fast they knew...


Combat Ended, Good Job!

Sundos quickly loaded his crossbow again. Then there was silence from the river. The fight had ended. He let out a sigh of relief.

Sundos walked over to Grog and placed is hand on his arms. With a smile and a command to be healed, he cast Cure Wounds and healed Grog 9 hp.

Sundos met Azatch at the water's edge. "Well fought. You did very well!" Then then put his hand on the half orc's arm. "Azatch, warrior, protector, I command you to be healed and call upon Pelor's power and grace. Receive his blessings."

Cast Cure Wounds on Azatch, healed 7 hp.

OOC
15:32, Today: Sundos Brightblood rolled 7 using 1d8+6.  Heal Azatch.
15:32, Today: Sundos Brightblood rolled 9 using 1d8+6.  Heal Grog.

Azatch breathes heavily as he comes down from his adrenaline rush and his body reverts to it's normal configuration, but not it's normal size. He nods to gratefully to Sundos, but forstalls any other offers of healing, "That bite looked worse than it was. I'm fine with that bit of healing, thank you." (The damage was halved due to rage, I am now at 34/42, which is plenty).

Azatch drags the beast onto the riverbank to have a look at it.

OOC: How long 'til we get to town?

“HOOO-EEE! You all killed the Giant Croc in less time than it takes a Halfling to piss a thimble of whiskey!” The speaker stepped from the woods, giving a long whistle in admiration for their deed. He looked to be in his early twenties, with dirty blond hair shaved on the sides. The clothes he wore looked simple, the garb of a low-born hunter or fisher. He held a spear in one hand and carried it like someone who had minimal skill in wielding it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

In reply to Local Yokel (msg # 218):

Simon looks at Skye and shudders.

Grog will get himself up from the river, and proceed to dragging the croc out of the river.  Once out, he'll offer Sundos a smile and a nod in thanks, then proceed to removing the critter's head, and figure out how to fasten it to his bag where it would be nice and obvious.  The "Local Yokel" will be ignored by Grog in the meantime.

Lenelle could only gape at the sheer size of the corpse, as the minotaur dragged it out of the river.

"I just pray that isn't the baby, so we don't have to face its mother."   She wondered how many more there might be.   For the moment, she didn't want to know, trying to calm down, and slow her still pounding heart.

After Grog cut off the head, Azatch began dragging the croc toward town.

"C'mon. I don't know how long this potion will last, I intend to get this as near to two as possible before it does. Probably be able to sell the skin. And some other bits."

Regardless of whether anyone follows, Azatch starts moving. He figured that nobody would be dumb enough to challenge him, looking the way he did.

OOC: Enlarge will last 1 hour (1d4; rolled 1)

Lenelle glanced toward the barbarian, frowning.   She little liked the idea of having to travel the rest of the way with the croc's now headless cadaver.    But there was no way she was going to say anything.  Not because of his size - but because of what he'd risked.  He'd well earned any profits.

So she began walking too.   Though not behind the corpse. "Thank you for getting me out of there," she said to Azatch.

“Were you all going to Deadwater?” The stranger asked almost excitedly, his eyes fixed on the Half-Orc who currently looked more like a Hill Giant than a humanoid. He watched Azatch drag the giant crocodile as if it were a deer carcass in what the group might wish were mute awe. “I can guide you all there! Really. You’ll need me or they won’t let you through the gate!”
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Tue 20 Apr 2021.