Precarious lives up to its name, at least to all appearances. The bases of the towers in this part of Dura might once have sat directly upon the plateau that supports the rest of Sharn, but no longer. It would appear that enough weathering and erosion has occurred beneath them over the centuries that it was necessary to build buttresses beneath them, curving out from the cliffs, and under the titanic towers. It's disconcerting, and most people prefer not to think about the forces involved and what would happen if those supports ever gave way.

There are advantages, though. The towers that make up Precarious - and, above it, Tumbledown and Overlook in Middle and Upper Dura - now stand directly above the newer sections of Cliffside, which enables magical and mechanical conveyances on the undersides of the towers to move goods (and brave people) directly to and from the waterfront district.

---

The party made it to Precarious a few days ago. There are inns in this district, just like most places in the city, but it was easy enough and cheaper to use their own supplies and get some kip in a less-traveled hall or corner, and probably attracted less attention. It also kept the group hungry for their own space.

It's not hard to find a space in the city to call one's own. There's enough space in Sharn for every inhabitant to live in a palace of rooms. The trick is finding rooms that are safe, comfortable, practical and convenient. The party managed, well, parts of some of those.

The space consists of three levels, though it’s nowhere near the full diameter of the tower. The highest level has several spaces that work out well as personal quarters. Below those is a relatively open space. The bottom space is also made up of several rooms, but these are currently crowded with detritus: old furniture, chunks of masonry, broken tools, and plenty of rats, both alive and in some state of mummification. Still, no one else appears to be claiming that volume.

Through the middle of the space is a central shaft, leading to a well at the bottom and opening above into it’s unclear what. Not the sky, but some apparently endless source of moisture. Water drips down from it constantly, though never more than a moderate rainfall. It’s not pure water and it smells a bit, but it’s not sewage either. The well, Sietnyas finds, could offer a rapid and unexpected means of escape, even for the dragonborn.

Outside of this space is… more tower. Each level has doorways leading to passages that radiate away. Echoes and smells filter into the space. The space is at the edge of Precarious and Lower Dura, so most of those impressions are those of civilization: talking, animal sounds, work odors. These pathways make it hard to secure the place, but also fairly easy for someone to detect anyone or anything approaching.

Precarious isn’t known for its food, but what food can be found is simple and hearty, with the occasional exotic item that has found its way up from the docks. However, even this option begins to drain the group’s funds faster than they’re being replenished. The party is enjoying their last meal before they’re going to have to start bringing money or other arrangements their way.

---

Status:
District: Precarious
Ward: Lower Dura, near Cliffside.
Party: Eating out.

Sietnyas had followed his nose. There were still plenty of rats near home, though the mummified ones needed a fair bit of gnawing, but even kobolds like a change of culinary scenery sometimes, and this place had an interesting and appetizing smell he couldn't identify. Something new!

He saw signs associating the establishment with House Ghallanda. That ought to augur well.  But no visible halfling staff. Strange. The smell... something peppery, and underneath, a scent he couldn't describe. Was it a fish? Fish did not come down to his people very often; he had no idea what they smelled like. He stood up on his chair, sniffing. Yes, over there - he was going to have what that shifter was having.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 2):

Dragged away from the latest attempt at some artifice, Frug is still not fully at the restaurant. His stomach has arrived though, so his companions were on to something. When was the last time I stepped away from this new work space, Frug wondered? Days blur together when there’s no light to see day from night and creative pursuits lead to loss of time too.
Yes food! Sietnyas seems to have a plan, I will have what he has! I don’t have the same apatite as a Dragonborn, so that will do. There’s some talk about needing money.
“Well this is quite a lovely establishment that you’ve brought us to Sietnyas. Are you a toddler? Have a seat sir, what will people think. We don’t need to be standing out or up now.” He cuts himself short of asking Drake to help Sietnyas place himself properly and doesn’t reach for his staff.
Frugs mind drifts back to the seeker that he was working on before they left. There’s that problem of teaching it what to seek…

Sietnyas sat down reluctantly. Beyond the food, he'd been curious what the shifter was doing with that - it had looked like a map.

"Maybe we have to scrape for a bit. But better, if hard times come, to have something good to remember. Spend too much time just eking by and maybe you turn into a mummy like the rats. Feast or famine sharpens the fangs," he explained.

"We have a place. Not bad, though I wonder where the water's coming from. Anyhow, now we need to find out what's going on around here," he said.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 2):

Drake follows Frug and Sietnyas

‘ Is this the standard we have set ourselves?’ The stench of rats and detritus dill his nose. He does have a smile when Frug struggles and gingerly sits in the rickety stool ensuring it supports his weight.

‘Do we dare to order the special?’ Drake looks around slowly taking in the surroundings and the other clientele trying to establish if there maybe any useful contacts.

In reply to Drake (msg # 5):

“Remind me when we get back to work out something for the smell.” Frug responds. “If the special save some silvers towards ales, I am all for that. We could brew our own ales… I think I know the main process and could make it work. It would improve the smell for a few hours…”
Frug continues with ideas for making the place more homey for everyone, but rarely stays on any one thread for long. He often drifts back to talking about the food.

Tuur was decently pleased. The ability to move about, confined and secure resting areas, and overlook suited him well.
Sleeping in damp cold areas, was not a strange sensation to him.
Eyeing frug Tuur couldn't help but smile.
"You see opportunity in the most curious of scenarios..its a becoming aspect"
Tuur was shy on compliments but gave them sparsely before taking a quick stroll around to find good vantage points, and overlook points in case someone would dare creep up on the place.
It may come in handy eventually. They weren't exactly making friends constantly...

Froodle looks around, yes it’s damp and there seems to be moisture coming in from above, but he’s stayed in less comfortable inns and had to pay coin for those. Can’t complain if it’s free, he thinks, it leaves more silver pieces for food.

His mind turning to his stomach again he begins to take more note of the different aromas that permeate the air around him. He knows this city is not known for great food, but he can’t deny some of the smells are strange, almost exotic.

He looks around to suggest to the others that maybe they should try out one of the local eating establishments, perhaps see how strong the influence of the claw is in the immediate vicinity, when he just catches the sight of Tuur and Frug heading outside and no-one else around.

He bounds after them and catches up as they arrive at a restaurant to also find Sietnyas and Frug there too.

He admonishes himself for being the last to arrive but decides to make up for it by being the first to order.

While Drake asks the question about whether to order the special, Froodle has no doubts. Of course the answer is yes, what better way to understand what the local cuisine has to offer?
He shouts across an order, hoping that one of the staff will hear then turns to the rest of the party, who seem deep in thought and says, “So, did anyone bring any coin? Or are we going to be washing up?”

May of the folk out and about in the district at this time of day are merchants or people capable of moving the wares of merchants from place to place, or the people in charge of thsoe people. Sharn imports copious amounts of food and livestock. There's space enough for the livestock, but since pastureland is at a premium most of them are in for a short trip to someone's table. So, much of what is moving from warehouse to warehouse or to other parts of the district (or in some cases to another district) consists of crates, barrels, bushels, casks, demijohns and all other manner of food packaging.

But there's no shortage of other goods, mostly in the form of raw materials. These are bound for mundane craftspeople, and those magewrights not adept enough to conjure their own. Clay, fabric, wood, metal, stone, hides. Some of these are odder than others, but one suspects that the really strange substances are moved more discreetly than on the streets of Lower Dura during the busiest part of the day.

So, it's not surprising to see a sizeable crate being toted down the street toward the eating establishment in which the party find themselves. It's on the back of a doughty yet subdued warforged, who is trailing behing a gnome who is scanning a sheet of parchment and looking around at the various doorways on the street. When his glittering midnight orbs find the aforementioned establishment, a look of relief floods his face. He snaps his fingers to get the attention of the porter, but the warforged seems to have already determined the right direction and redirected his momentum that way.

When he gets close, the gnome starts scanning people, rather than buildings. It doesn't take him long to find the party. He waves a dismissive hand by way of telling the warforged to set down the crate, and then says, from outside the restaurant, "Pardon me, but I'm looking for a Master, eh, Frug, and, uh, associates? I believe that's you, um, fellows. I have a rather unique description here. Anyway, there's a rather urgent delivery for you. It's from a Master Crivens."

---

Status:
District: Precarious in Lower Dura.
Party: In restaurant, mid meal
Gnome and porter: Outside food place, on street.
Street: Fairly busy with warehouse business.
Restaurant: Doing steady business.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 9):

Frug looks at the crate with curiosity. Taking a big breath in he looks to the others and slowly starts to move toward the gnome. He waits until he is close enough to not have to raise his voice, “Well who are you now? What do you have there?” He looks between the warforged, gnome and crate, but doesn’t complete the distance.

"I have a few coins, if need be" Sietnyas said hesitantly. Two dragonborn might be able to eat quite a lot. Choosing from the menu, however, was interrupted by a gnome. He at least knew Crivens was associated with them, but Sietnyas didn't trust gnomes bearing gifts - and even if they were what they said they were, others were looking for them as well. He surreptitiously readied his dagger and did a quick scan of the place to see if anyone was paying attention to them; if none seemed unusually interested, he returned to watch the delivery crew, curious what was in the crate.

The gnome seems unimpressed at seeing another of his kind. He clearly regards this as an impertinent pair of questions. His face contorts as he prevents himself from making a sort of derision. "I'm a delivery agent, and this is a delivery. For you."


There is someone watching the party, several buildings away and several stories up. In addition to being distant, they're fairly well concealed in a hood, and scarf.

Just then, the warforged starts backing away from the crate, the crystal-like discs of its eyes flashing in fear. The movement catches the gnome's attention. "Hey, you ain't done yet. If they don't take delivery, or they want it moved, you'll be needed. Hey! Get back here!"

That's when the crate, which had begun rocking slightly of its own accord, falls to one side. What was once the top bursts open, and pair of rusty-looking gauntlets falls out onto the street, along with a quantity of dirty straw. The gauntlets twitch slightly and a vapor rises from them. Something in the box, covered with the straw, twitches.

---

23:05, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Specter, rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Initiative, +8 (Dex 15).
23:06, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling claw swarm, rolled 25 using 1d20+7.  Intiative, +7 (Dex 16).
23:08, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling gauntlets, rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Intiative, +5 (Dex 18).

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: Init 25 (53/53; 20/16/17/14; +9, 1d8+5+immob) Inside box. Total cover from PCs.
Sietnyas: Init 23 (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs.
Specter: Init 23 (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Outside box. Partial cover from PCs.
Tuur: Init 15 (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: Init 14 (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Near box.
Crawling gauntlets (10): Init 10 (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg)
Drake:
Froodle:

Tuur eyes the delivery and likes none of it, his hands resting on his scabbards in concern and determination to not be caught flatfooted.

The second it busts open and he notices something twitching he rises, grasps his weapons and takes cover nearby, close but out of direct range of any shrapnel or debris that might fly around, but close enough to pounce at any threat.

Tuur will not attack without cause, but will ready himself with weapons and take cover(gaining concealment if needed), and be in charge distance if possible).
13:48, Today: Tuur rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  initiative.
13:48, Today: Tuur rolled 14 using 1d20+9.  Perception.

The hooded figure occupies Sietnyas' attention, and he is not so quick to catch that something is happening with the crate closer at hand...

OOC: perception of 9 :-(

Frug looks at the box open and prepares to fade away. Quick to scope the immediate scene for a table and chairs or some other cover that isn’t in the mix of the crowd. Obviously this isn’t from who they said it would be. The thought of blasting the gnome passes with haste, as it’s clear enough that he doesn’t know what he was delivering and there’s some more pressing concerns.

Frug: readied reaction gnome racial feat fade away. If hit he reacts and becomes invisible.

Drake is always twitchy when a warforged is near but not twitchy enough.

He observes the crate opening and spends a heartbeat puzzling at the contents .. then he realises in his reptilian brain it’s time for action. He quickly stands knocking the table aside readying his weapons and rolling his shoulders

‘Bah the food wasn’t that good anyway’ he announces

Drake rolls 14 on a D20+1 initiative

In reply to Drake (msg # 16)
Frug trying to get a read on all of those around

Frug rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Insight.

In reply to Frug (msg # 17):

No need to roll.

The other gnome still doesn't realize what's going on.
The warforged realized there was a problem just before it arose.
The people in the area are still figuring out what's what.

Is there anything more specific or useful you were after

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 18):

I’m thinking that Frug would be trying to see if there’s any possibility of the bystanders flowing in a specific direction. I made the roll because of the surprise round stuff?

Froodle tries to take in the scene around him, looking up briefly from the strange soup that has arrived.

Froodle rolls 6 on d20+3 for initiative and 12 on d20+2 for insight

It seems the catering has somewhat taken his attention from the matter in hand, though even in his distracted state he thinks there is something not quite right in the gnome's approach
This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Wed 09 Feb 2022.

In reply to Frug (msg # 19):

Oh, duh, sorry. I thought it was separate from that.

The rustling in the box turns into a sudden flurry of movement. Straw flies everywhere and a monstrosity roils out onto the stones of the tower platform: a scuttling horde of disembodied hands, crawling like crabs or spiders or slugs and clearly up to no good. It scratches and flaps its way toward the restaurant, guided by who knows what senses.

Sietnyas is caught off guard, possibly still thinking that Crivens sent this box for them. The eladrin does have an odd sense of humor.

The rusted-looking gauntlets suddenly rise into the air. The vapor seeping from them appears now to be some kind of oozing ectoplasm: it surrounds the guantlets and extends out from them, forming arms and a vague body. There's the barest suggestion of a face and it is one twisted into a mask of pure hatred. The air is still this deep inside the city, but it's still possible to feel the chill of the grave emanating from this thing.

With a voice like the lid of a coffin squeaking open it sneers "Bustling city life... well not for much longer." And then it vanishes, though its chill is still present.

Tuur is up!

---

Surprise round:
Crawling claw swarm:
Move out of box and to doorway of restaurant. There are side entrances, and windows that can be used.
Sietnyas: Surprised.
Specter:
Standard: Invisibility. Specter is invisible until it attacks or is hit by an attack.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: (53/53; 20/16/17/14; +9, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Blocking main exit of restaurant.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs. Surprised.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Near box.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant.
Crawling gauntlets (10): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg)
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant.

Tuur pounched at the svarm trying to sway their way, but the nature of the foe he was facing confused the otherwise poised and attentive man causing his strikes to be weak and superficial. He cursed, and eyed around to see if he had put himself in a bad spot, that he could not recover from. He had to stand ground for now, if the foe even acknowledged his poor attempt that is...

Minor: Hunters quarry against Crawling Claw swarm
Standard: Twin strike. Hits for 2 and 1 damage, for 3 total.
Free: Elven Reroll, Still a miss!
15:51, Today: Tuur rolled 2,1 using 1d6,1d6.  damage.
15:51, Today: Tuur rolled 11,25 using 1d20+9,1d20+8.  Twin strike attk.
15:54, Today: Tuur rolled 12 using 1d20+9. Reroll.

Drake is fairly ready for something coming out of the box as it meets his expectations of a Warforged being around


1D20+2= 13

Frug quickly realized that he would need to have the haste of an elf to keep a good range and his wisdom told him to find cover. The bright radiant light that came from his staff went wide and just brought a glimpse of light into this darkened situation. There was something to dive behind, but Frug isn’t sure if it’s a table or a crate because he doesn’t know if he is in or out of the restaurant. He does know that he needed to get away from those claws and spectral gloves.

Standard: Frug rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Avenging Light versus Fort 16 Claw Swarm
Move: 5 squares towards cover.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: (50/53; 20/16/17/14; +9, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Blocking main exit of restaurant.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs. Surprised.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant.
Crawling gauntlets (10): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg)
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant.
</quote>

Luckily due to his combat readiness Drake recognises the immediacy of the situation and seeing the crawling claw swarm blocking the doorway he shouts ‘Defend yourselves’ to his associates.

He quickly aims his fiery dragon breath towards the crawling claw swarm, the crawling gauntlets and unknowingly also in the direction of the Spector whilst avoiding any associates. It burns the swarm as the fire splashes on it leaving them
Scarred and smoking but still very much active.

Although the direction of the breath is right at the insubstantial Spector the flame is parted by an upright post and harmlessly passes either side of him. The flame reaches the crawling gauntlets but hits the box at the last minute and diverts away from them.

Drake readies himself for the coming onslaught

Surprise round
Standard Action Dragonbreath close burst 3
Crawling Claw Swarm 1D20+5 =18 v 17 Reflex HIT
Spector 1D20+5 =7 -5 = 2 v 16 Reflex Miss
Crawling gauntlets 1D20+5 = 15 v 18 Reflex Miss

Damage 1D6 +1 =6


Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 44/53; 20/16/17/14; +9, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Blocking main exit of restaurant.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs. Surprised.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (10): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg)
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant.
</quote>
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Thu 17 Feb 2022.

Some of the mob (handful? grip?) of claws completely wither under Drake's onslaught.

At that moment, though, more claws scurry out of the crate. These appear to be independent of the main swarm and most seem clad in rusted gauntlets. With incredible speed, these spread out in small groups and begin menacing nearby townsfolk, trapping them on the platform.

What will Froodle do?

---

Swarm is vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks, so it took extra damage from the dragon breath

Crawling guantlets:
Move: Spread out (speed 8) in two groups of 3 and one group of 4. A creature that starts its turn next to three claws is immobilized until the end of its next turn. As far as I can tell, each group can  immobilize a number of bystanders no greater than its number -1.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 39/53; 20/16/17/14; +9, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Blocking main exit of restaurant.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs. Surprised.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (10): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to left of restaurant, holding 2 people. 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, holding 3 people. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant.

Froodle looks up from his soup, well, that delivery package contained a surprise!

He catches a glimpse of Drake’s breath lightly browning the creatures that came from the crate, noting that the crawling claw swarm seemed to burn a little more than the flame might in fact suggest.

He decided that as the crawling claw was swarm was blocking the doorway to the restaurant, there is only one way to go – yes, thinks Froodle, why go around when you can go through!

In an effort to clear a path he breaths fire at the crawling swarm. While unsure if the swarm is in fact sentient enough to understand, he tries to do it in such a way that the swarm will head towards him rather than anyone else (using combat challenge).

Minor - Froodle breaths dragon breath (fire) at the crawling claw swarm rolling 18 on d20+6 (str mod 4 +2) vs reflex (17)  HIT!

Froodle rolls 6 on d6+2 (con mod 2) damage plus 5 vulnerable to area attack (blast 3) for 11 points of damage.


Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 28/53; 20/16/17/14; +9, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Blocking main exit of restaurant. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs. Surprised.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (10): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to left of restaurant, holding 2 people. 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, holding 3 people. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant.

The swarm of claws is not particularly bright, but it makes decisions quickly. It scurries up to the fighter and sends a wave of grasping, scratching talons against him, prying at his armor and flesh. For now, this is merely an irritation.

Sietnyas is now convinced that this isn't what is supposed to be happening.

---

Crawling claw swarm:
Move: Move adjacent to Froodle.
Standard: 21:40, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling claw swarm, rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Swarm of claws +9 vs. Reflex 15 of Froodle. Miss.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 28/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In restaurant, near other PCs.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (10): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to left of restaurant, holding 2 people. 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, holding 3 people. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

Well, that package was probably not from Crivens.  The dragonborn looked to be well on the way to dealing with the swarm and clearing a way out. Frug could  support them. The ghostlike thing was up to something - but maybe best to help some of the trapped patrons.

Sietnyas scrambled toward the left group of gauntlets, took a breath, and tumbled through through them, his dagger flashing in wild arcs. He ended up near the middle of the restaurant, grinning, scraps of leather and metal still falling to the ground.

OOC: Move to engage left gauntlet group. Acrobat's Blade Trick to attack. Three hits, dispatching the gauntlets. Shift 3 toward middle of restaurant.

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 28/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Near box. Invisible.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, holding 3 people. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

"More where those came from...." grates a voice. The three people being attacked by the group of four claws look around in terror as the air around them grows cold. The vaporous form of the specter reappears in the air between them, slashing with its numbing claws. All three luckless merchants shriek and fall lifeless to the ground, their limbs contorted and their hands twisted into claws.

"See?"

The cries of the specters victims echo through the artificial caverns of the district, and panic begins to spread among everyone else. What will Tuur do about this?

---

Specter:
Move: fly to group of 3 people.
Standard: 18:33, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Specter, rolled 27,11,24 using 1d20+9,1d20+9,1d20+9.  Spectral barrage (with CA) +9 vs. Will 8 of bystanders. 3 hits.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 28/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, outside restaurant.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

Tuur took a deep breath, with quick steps he made grounds and advanced on the spectre trying to sway from harming bystanders. He did not know if it would work, but he wanted to try at least to divert attention.
With quick steps, he extended his blades at the beast, and did his best to strike the foe!
A quick succession of blows extended and struck at the foe, and while it could have made more of an impact, it would draw its attention for sure!

Minor: Offhand strike for 8 damage, hits!
Standard: Twinstrike vs Spectre - both hit, 2 and 4 damage.
Move: To spectre.

11:05, Today: Tuur rolled 8 using 1d6+4.
11:05, Today: Tuur rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  offhand strike.
11:04, Today: Tuur rolled 2,4 using 1d6+1,1d6.
11:04, Today: Tuur rolled 25,21 using 1d20+9,1d20+8.  Twin strike vs Spectre.

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 28/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, outside restaurant.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16), aside spectre.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

Seeing Froodle with surrounded by hands, Frug figures that’s as good of place as any to start picking away at these hands getting in our business.

Frug rolled 15 using 1d8+9.  Thunder damage from thundering armor +5 for vulnerable to area attacks.
15:21, Today: Frug rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Thundering Armor burst off Froodle at claw swarm fortitude 16.

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 13/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (30/30 (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, outside restaurant.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16), aside spectre.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Inside restaurant ready
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter. All about 1 move from the crate.
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).
</quote>

Drake observes the field of battle and grins as the adrenaline surges through his dragonic veins. Froodle although amidst a swarm of claws appears to be holding his own. The Spector appearing makes him a better target for justice to be served.

‘Make way good people of Sharn’ roars Drake as he fixes his eyes on the Spector. Drake moves forwards swinging the Frost long sword just so, and as the weapon connects he invokes his god shouting ‘Bahamut’ and the weapon cuts far deeper than it otherwise would. The shouting of the gods name rollls across the nearby space striking the Spector and the crawling gauntlets and they feel Drakes Divine Sanction upon them.

Free action Talk to crowd
Move Action close to visible Spector avoiding Opportunity attacks
Valorous Smite Encounter power to now visible Spector

1D20+9 24 v 16 AC = HIT

Due to hit Drake invokes Frost Sword Daily Power Free Action +1D8 extra cold damage target slowed until end of next turn
Damage is 2D8 + 2 + 1D8 + 4 (CHA) = 24 Spector takes half damage so 12


Spector and  All crawling gauntlets as within 3 squares subject to divine sanction
( 10 damage each first time each round an attack by them doesn’t include Drake as a target)

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 13/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (18/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, outside restaurant.BLOODIED Divine Sanctioned by Drake SLOWED
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16), aside spectre.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Stood next to Spector and 4 Gauntlets
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, holding 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 02 Mar 2022.

The specter makes a guttural hiss as the blades slice through it, and the radiant power sears it. It snaps its vaporous fingers, somehow and points at Drake. The nearby gauntlets somehow get the message and leap at Drake. The things are savage and their armor is barbed and vicious. Drake's armor offers him little defense.

The claws in the swarm leap at Froodle, but Frug's thunder must have addled them too much for the moment. It's Froodle's chance to respond!

---

Crawling gauntlets:
Three grabbing at the two townsfolk: stay there, keeping them immobilized.
Four near the specter:
Each attacks Drake, before shifting (they can shift up to 8) to be able to immobilize Tuur and Drake.
19:49, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling gauntlets, rolled 18,23,21,25 using 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d20+5,1d20+5.  Four jumping claw attacks, +5 vs. Reflex 14 of Drake. Four hits, 6 damage for 24 damage.

Froodle:
Start of turn: 20:06, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling claw swarm, rolled 10 using 1d20+9.  Swarm of claws +9 vs. Reflex 15 of Froodle. Miss.

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 13/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (11/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, Tuur and Drake, outside restaurant.BLOODIED Divine Sanctioned by Drake SLOWED
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to three gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (8/32; 21/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). BLOODIED. Adjacent to three gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, surrounding Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

As Froodle readies his axe, raising it to strike through the crawling swarm of claws he feels the claws reach for him, as if anticipating the coming strike. Fortunately their lashings cause no harm and Froodle is able to swing a giant cleaving axe through them.

Froodle rolls 23 using d20+8 against AC of 20  HIT!
Froodle rolls 12 using d10+4 for damage which amounts to 6 damage
Froodle maintains the mark on the claw swarm


Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (11/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, Tuur and Drake, outside restaurant.BLOODIED Divine Sanctioned by Drake SLOWED
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to three gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (8/32; 21/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). BLOODIED. Adjacent to three gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, surrounding Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

The swarm reforms, driven to a frenzy by the dragonborn's attacks. The prove about as effective as a pile of hands that hasn't been animated by foul magic.

Sietnyas has a chance to get in some shots!

---

Crawling claw swarm.
Standard: 20:33, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Swarm of claws, rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  Swarm of claws +9 vs. Reflex 15 of Froodle. Miss.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In middle of restaurant.
Specter: (11/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 4 claws, Tuur and Drake, outside restaurant.BLOODIED Divine Sanctioned by Drake SLOWED
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to three gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (8/32; 21/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). BLOODIED. Adjacent to three gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (7): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 4 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, surrounding Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

The gauntlets were tearing Drake apart - and the specter was visible now, and nearby... Sietnyas gestured in the bystanders' direction, pointing toward the remaining group of gauntlets holding patrons at bay.

"Pelt them with stuff - plates, forks! Knock over some tables for cover!," he suggested.

He didn't have time to see if he was very persuasive, scuttling around the swarm, under a table, over a chair, his tail splashing in someone's soup. It seemed a distraction - as he went by, he snatched up the map-like thing the shifter had been looking at. He stopped near Drake, and his dagger glittered, shifted, multiplied, and a barrage of brilliant blades launched at the specter and gauntlets. 2 of the gauntlets are slashed to pieces, and the specter hissed and flinched its head back.

---

Address patrons (free)
Move to near Drake.
Minor - Quick Fingers to surreptitiously grab the map-like thing he had noticed earlier. Thievery check of 24.
Standard: 17:15, Today: Sietnyas rolled 16,26,23,17 using d20+11,d20+11,d20+11,d20+11.  Blinding Barrage vs 3 gauntlets and spectre.

1 miss, 2 hits against gauntlets (killing them), hit against spectre (doing 5 damage halved to 2 and blinding it until end of next turn).

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) near Drake
Specter: (9/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 2 claws, Tuur, Drake, and Sietnyas, outside restaurant.BLOODIED Divine Sanctioned by Drake, SLOWED, BLINDED until end of Sietnyas' turn.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (8/32; 21/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). BLOODIED. Adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (5): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 2 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, next to Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

The specter sputters for a moment, wavering like a candle flame in a non-existant wind. The middle of its face doesn't quite re-form, but it manages to rasp, "I can't see you... but that hardly matters...." With that it whirls into a storm of necrotic energy. Its gauntlets can be seen spinning through this maelstrom, making it even more lethal.

The attack catches Drake, tugging and battering his very soul and bringing him to the ground. Tuur is relatively unscathed, but the injury to his ally is a call to action! The gauntlets that had been threatening to hinder him are trying to regroup after Sietnyas's attack, but are angling his way now that Drake is down.

The people to which Sietnyas called look around in panic for a moment before sighting the little guide. They look around for things to use, but they seem unsure.

---

Specter:
Start of turn: 19:20, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Spe, rolled 5 using 1d6.  Roll to recharge spectral barrage, 5, 6. Recharged.
Standard: 20:28, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Specter, rolled 10,22 using 1d20+7,1d20+7.  Spectral barrage vs. Will 14 and 14 of Tuur and Drake. Hit and miss.
20:30, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Specter, rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Spectral barrage damage 2d6+2 (+2 against bloodied targets). 9+2 = 11 necrotic damage to Drake.
Move: None.

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) near Drake
Specter: (9/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 2 claws, Tuur, Drake, and Sietnyas, outside restaurant. BLOODIED. Divine Sanctioned by Drake, SLOWED, BLINDED until end of Sietnyas' turn.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (-3/32; 21/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). DYING. Adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (5): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 2 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, next to Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

The foe near him was a concern, so in efforts to bring it down, Tuur took all he had and struck at the spectre, and cursed out loud, as the foe was not budging.

Minor: Hunters quarry on spectre.
Standard: Twin strike, hit once, 7 damage + 6 damage(quarry). 3+3=6 damage as it is halved.

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) near Drake
Specter: (3/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 2 claws, Tuur, Drake, and Sietnyas, outside restaurant. BLOODIED. Divine Sanctioned by Drake, SLOWED, BLINDED until end of Sietnyas' turn.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (-3/32; 21/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). DYING. Adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (5): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 2 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, next to Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21 (22 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 07:55, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

It quickly turned into a focus around Drake when he dropped and that needed to be resolved.Releasing the mechanical mouse infusion delivery system to Drake was a minor response.
The dance begins, as Frug spins with sword swipes in 360 degrees, with a big finishing slash in the area of the Specter. Within mere moments of the dance beginning radiant blades appear in the battle around Drake. Swishing and swirling, most of the blades become radiant armor over Drake, Tuur, and Sietnyas.Crawling Gauntlets had a reflexive response that kept them from the blades, but the finishing slash lands on the Spector hard!.


Move to close the gap and get within 5 squares of Drake.
Minor: Curative infusion on Drake, gains surge value 8+5, without spending a surge.
Standard: Astral Blades of Fire
Frug rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Blades of Astral Fire vs Crawling Gauntlet A Reflex 18. MISS
Frug rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Blades of Astral Fire vs Crawling Gauntlet A Reflex 18. MISS
Frug rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Blades of Astral Fire vs Specter Reflex 16. HIT
Frug rolled 13 using 1d10+5.  Radiant damage to Spector

---

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake
Specter: (0/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 2 claws, Tuur, Drake, and Sietnyas, outside restaurant. BLOODIED. Divine Sanctioned by Drake, SLOWED, BLINDED until end of Sietnyas' turn. DEAD
Tuur: (31/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (13/32; 21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) Next to Spector (in aura, -2 defenses). DYING. Adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (5): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 2 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, next to Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).

Drake feels the hard floor against his back, he opens his eyes and frowns as he tries to understand what just happened. He can’t seem to fathom why he’s on the floor on his back staring at the dimly lit space between the overcrowded towers above him. Then his memory snaps into place and the recollection of the crawling gauntlets attacking him. He can see Frug and senses that he’s just saved his life and he is aware of Sietnyas nearby protecting him. He nods to them both and slowly stands back up.

The situation has significantly changed since he fell unconscious with the Spector a frozen puddle on the floor and two fewer crawling gauntlets.

Gaining his wits battle is still in the air and he can feel the Dragonborn fury fill his veins due to his blood loss. Time to strike back

Drake aims his frost sword at the nearest crawling gauntlet using his bolstering strike invoking Bahamuts name in his revenge. The frost sword bites into the gauntlet cleaving it in two. Bahamut rewards the strike with some protection.

Realising he must regain some composure to continue the battle he prays to Bahamut and reinforces his resolve to face the enemy Bahamut further rewards Drake for his Virtue.

Drake puts in some extra effort and focusses on his wounds and his own well-being to continue the fight.

Move : Stand up
Minor : Virtue  gains 8 THP
As using a healing surge he gains Virtuous Recovery FEAT which is  resist all for his WIS mod (+2) till start of next turn

Dragon fury +1 to attack roll as bloodied racial feature
Standard: At Will Bolstering Strike
1D20+ 9+1 as bloodied rolled 12 so 22 v 17 AC HIT  - Drake receives

Damage 1D10 + Cha(+4)  + 1 rolled 3 = 8 damage

Action Point used : Second wind healing surge value 8 hp returned and +2 to
All defenses  till start of next turn


Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake
Specter: (0/30) (insub); 16/16/16/17; +7 vs Reflex, 1d6+2(4) necro) Aura 2. Spectral barrage recharging. Visible. Near 2 claws, Tuur, Drake, and Sietnyas, outside restaurant. DEAD. Divine Sanctioned by Drake, SLOWED, BLINDED until end of Sietnyas' turn. DEAD
Tuur: (31/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Next to spectre (in aura, -2 defenses), adjacent to 2 gauntlets.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+8 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn Next to dead Spector Adjacent to 1 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (4): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) 3 to right of restaurant, immobilizing 2 people. 1 on the far side of the open crate, near specter, next to Tuur and Drake. All about 1 move from the crate. All gauntlets Divine Sanctioned by Drake
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn).
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 08:50, Sun 13 Mar 2022.

The specter's gauntlets fall to the ground as it disincorporates. They are rimed with frost, but seem like they'd be safe to use.

The claws attacking the poor citizens disengage and launch themselves at the three who took down the specter. Perhaps they sense some weakness, or opportunity. They can't be very bright. But they're good at what they do and are able to rake the three nastily, and hinder their movment.

What will Froodle do? That is, what will he do after the claws leap at him, and entangle his legs?

---

Crawling gauntlets:
Move: Those who aren't adjacent to Tuur, Drake and Sietnyas use digit slide to shift 8 adjacent to them.
Standard: 21:32, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling gauntlets, rolled 19,20,11,17 using 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d20+7,1d20+7.  Jumping claw vs. Reflex of Sietnyas, Tuur and Drake (x2, with CA). Hit Sietnyas, Tuur, and Drake. 6 damage each.

Start of Froodle's turn: Crawling claw swarm attacks Froodle.
21:38, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling claw swarm, rolled 21 using 1d20+9.  Swarm of claws, +9 vs. Reflex 15 of Froodle. Hit.
21:39, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling claw swarm, rolled 13 using 1d8+5.  Swarm of claws damage, 1d8+5.

Status:
City street in Precarious, Lower Dura.
Brightly lit with numerous well-kept lanterns.
Restaurant is in side of tower wall. Lets out into a wide platform which wraps partway around tower and is shared by other businesses. About 30 feet from wall to edge.
Numerous ramps and bridges extend from platform to other platforms and towers.
More bridges and platforms above.
Most towers are warehouse spaces.
Stairs go between levels.
Fairly busy with people doing warehouse-type business.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Tuur: (25/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+2 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (4): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (27/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn.

Froodle looks down at his legs, feeling the claws grabbing at them impeding his movement. He takes careful aim with his battleaxe to swipe the numerous crawling claws away.

Froodle rolls 13 using sure strike d20+10 vs AC20  MISS!

He lets out a guttural roar, maintaining the challenge to these annoying claws

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Tuur: (25/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+2 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (4): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (27/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn.

The swarm of claws is ragged. It had almost appeared to be ready to disperse, but in an almost awe-inspiring display of solidarity they regroup and try to overwhelm their lifelong nemesis, Froodle.

For a moment, they cover him. It would be comical, if it weren't a horde of disembodied extremities trying to shred warm, living flesh. He is held in place. The same is true of Sietnyas who is dealing with some claws himself.

---

Crawling claw swarm:
Standard: Swarm of claws, +9 vs. Reflex 15 of Froodle.
21:09, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Crawling claw swarm, rolled 8 using 1d8+5.  Swarm of claws damage, 1d8+5. Froodle is, if he weren't already, immobilized.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets. Immobilized until start of nex turn.
Tuur: (25/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+2 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (4): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (19/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls)

Every time he moved the gauntlets grabbed him. Sietnyas barked at them in frustration, which did no more harm than his dagger did and was much less dramatic than Froodle's roar. On the other hand, at least the specter's gauntlets were nearby. Maybe they controlled the things? He batted them up into his free hand with his tail, and put them on, in between swiping ineffectively at his assailants.

Maybe Tuur could take down a few!

---

Standard: Riposte Strike vs gauntlet, +11 vs. AC 17.
12:28, Today: Sietnyas rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Riposte Strike vs gauntlet.
Minor (and Move as Minor) to grab and put on the specter's gauntlets.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets. Immobilized until start of nex turn.
Tuur: (25/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+2 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (4): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (19/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls)

The townsfolk who had been trapped by the claws pick themselves up and hurry to get inside somewhere. They are met at a doorway by a couple of larger folk who have armed themselves with old weapons and heavy tools. These guard the entrance, and look toward the conflict. Seeing it well in hand, if one will pardon the expression, they hold back.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets. Immobilized until start of nex turn.
Tuur: (25/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+2 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (4): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (19/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls)

Tuur took a look around.
He needed to limit the opponents quickly.
He struck at two of the gauntlets, striking heavy and hard and destroying them!

Standard: twin strike vs 2 gauntlets. Hits both and destroys them!
11:52, Today: Tuur rolled 27,26 using 1d20+9,1d20+9.  Twin strike.

Crawling claw swarm: 7/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. BLOODIED.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (+5 until Frug)/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets. Immobilized until start of nex turn.
Tuur: (25/31; 18 (+5 until Frug)/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+8 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (2): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (19/40; 21/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls)

As Tuur dispatches some hands, the radiant energy shielding others fades. Froodle and the swarm have Frug’s attention, so he spins a gear at the base of his staff and makes a shield shape while the gear spins. A gear shape appears on Froodle’s chest and back, with an atmospheric distortion thundering out and blasting down the claw swarm. Frug keeps his eyes wide, but doesn’t make any movement

Frug rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Thundering armor vs crawling claw swarm fort 16.
02
Frug rolled 8 using 1d8+4.  Thunder damage .

Crawling claw swarm: -1/53; 20/16/17/14; +9 vs Reflex, 1d8+5+immob) Aura 1. Adjacent to Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Vulnerable 5 to close or area attacks. Dead
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17/14/17/12) near Drake. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets. Immobilized until start of nex turn.
Tuur: (25/31; 18/13/16/16) Adjacent to 3 gauntlets
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 4 squares away from box behind a box or table (not sure if he was inside or out of the restaurant)
Drake: (21/32+8 thp) +2resist all till start of next turn  21(+5 until Frug)/15/14/16) +2 to
All defences till  start of next turn. Adjacent to 3 gauntlets.
Crawling gauntlets (2): (1/1; 17/17/18/13; +5 vs. Reflex, 6 dmg) All four near Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas, potentially immobilizing them.
Froodle: (19/40; 21(+1 until Frug)/17/15/12) Inside restaurant. Marking swarm, in swarm's aura (attacked at start of turn). Immobilized until start of next turn. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:08, Mon 28 Mar 2022.

Calm decends on the platform and the rest of the nearby volume, with its ramps, stairs and bridges. Citizens who had taken cover now peek out from behind it or use the opportunity to run for a new hiding spot. No one seems interested in approaching the adventurers or the site where the undead encounter took place - except for one figure: the warforged who had carried the crate to its present location.

Its hands are up in a placating gesture. It is adorned in simple work clothes that are designed to provide some protection against impact, and padding for loads, rather than for fashion. It keeps a respectful distance and calls out to the combatants. "Please, my apologies." Its voice is clear and confident, not that of a cowed worker. "I had no idea what was in that container. I have reason to believe my employer also did not. He vanished quickly as some of his kind are able to do, but I sensed no guile from him. I believe he was as surprised as anyone." Its right biceps undergoes a strange change at that moment: a small compartment opens and with a shrug the living construct tosses its contents - a small pouch - into its hand.

"I believe my employer dropped this. It may have been an accident, or perhaps he didn't wish to be blamed for taking money to deliver such a dangerous package. I hope that you will take it, in recompense." It tosses the pouch a few feet away and it lands with a jingle, opening slightly and spilling forth the top of a pile of gold and silver coins. "I am sorry for the deaths and harm, and I will help here as best I can."

---

The party can take a short rest.
The pouch contains 30 gp and 300 sp for a total of 60 gp.
What does the party do for the next few minutes? In a day or so, I'll offer a few clear options about what the party can do to interfere with or investigate the Emerald Claw.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 50):
Walking out from his cover, Frug looks at the Warforged with compassion. “He’s got a good starting point for us! Let’s clean up the mess we were given to make and then we should enjoy the meal we came here for.” After a short pause Frug offers, “Are there any in need of medical and divine attention? Please allow me to help you if you were injured.” He scans the remaining crowd for injured or dying. Knowing that his crew will need some attention, he refuels his curative admixture, with a bit of his blood and some magic wound into the mouselike delivering mechanism.

Spend 1 healing surge.

Sietnyas was relieved the creatures were dealt with. He grimaced dubiously at the warforged's explanation, not sure whether to believe him, and kicked a gauntlet to be sure it wasn't still animated.

Frug could deal with any injured bystanders. Sietnyas, meanwhile, tried to catch a glimpse of Whoever it had been he thought had been watching them earlier - were they still around?

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 52):

Frug can see that Sietnyas is looking for clues and hoping that he can draw the attention of any onlookers while Sietnyas scouts

The reactions of the citizens are highly varied: relief, suspicion, anger, curiosity, gratitude, cooperation. None of it is very intense though, perhaps because everyone is still recovering from The Last War, when the possibility of dangerous horrors was just a part of everyday life, and perhaps because they live in Sharn, where dangerous horrors still lurk in the less populous areas of the city, to say nothing of the halls of political power.

A local healer shows up, a short human who makes a show of displaying his House Jorasco license. He hands out calmatives to those who can pay a few coppers or who have a house contract stamp in their identification papeers. He frowns at Frug's healing artifice, and assures his customers and potential customers that his products are guaranteed, not fly-by-night.

The observer that Sietnyas observed has moved off. There's every reason to believe that he observed the entire encounter. Chances are he, she, or it was an agent of the Emerald Claw or was looking to get paid for information about the Claw's enemies.

The bodies of the specter's victims are a more complicated matter. House Jorasco can work miracles, but they tend to focus on the living as can pay; no one in the Lower districts is likely to have a house contract that has a chance of undoing death. Further, people killed by another undead have been known to come back themselves. Several towns people are advancing on the corpses with tools designed to at least keep the bodies from walking around. The warforged had thought to guard the bodies, but isn't interested in standing up to armed people intent on anti-undead procedures.

Fortunately, someone has managed to find a priest of some sort. He's a portly half-elf who doesn't look like he spends much time in a church, given that he's dressed more for warehouse district business, possibly some kind of bookkeeping. Still, he has a symbol of the Sovereign Host that he's waving energetically. "Alright, alright, that won't be necessary. There's a small chapel near here, just help me carry these poor people there. Uh, we'll just need to relocate some boxes and whatnot...."

Naturally, some folk are disturbed that their place of business would be the site of an attack by undead and there are mutterings about "ne'er-do-well adventuring types," but most who acknowledge the party seem grateful, and a few are interested in making your acquaintance, and talking further. It seems as though some further opportunities might be in the offing.

---

The ertwhile priest declines offers of help from the party, but indicates that he would like to speak with them later.

Status:
Party is in Lower Dura, in Precarious.

"Someone was watching us before. But they're gone," Sietnyas told the others. "Couldn't really see much of them, just a hood and a scarf." He helped a little with the cleanup, but with rising frustration. People watching corpses to see they weren't undead monsters made it too dangerous to loot the bodies properly.

The warforged was still about, so he took it out on them. "What exactly were your instructions for delivering that crate?" he asked. "We didn't know we were going to be here ahead of time. Nobody else should have known."

Once done with him, he chatted with patrons and staff. Occasionally he prompted people about the fellow with a scarf to see if anyone recognized them - a scarf might not be exactly uncommon, but it was all the distinguishing marks he had.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 55):

Drake began picking up the tables and chairs around them helping to straighten things out
And bring some normality back to the area.

He helped up the locals from where they were cowering and watched the ministrations of the healer as he treated the wounded. He’d also noticed the hooded figure and decided to examine the open crate for any clues.

Lastly he pondered his period of unconsciousness and the grip of death he’d felt.

The living construct is impassive as it, with surprising deftness, helps the body carriers navigate toward a stairway. "Indeed it appears suspicious. Would that I could help you further in this. My kind do not tend to be treated with much trust, and one of us being involved in an attack like this makes it worse. If I encounter my employer again and can lay my hands upon him, I will let you ask him your questions. After I ask him mine. After I let him wonder if I will bother asking anything."


No one in the vicinity offers much to go on. But the city stretches up and away. And down and away. And away and away. There are eyes everywhere, it's just a matter of finding the right ones.

Within a few hours of the party's victory over the undead delivery, they're contacted by someone who would like to trade valuables for services. More specifically, theirs for yours. But there's more than that to the bargain.

For one thing, the patron is a "lord" of House Tarkanan, the notorious gang that has come to power in recent years through the use of so-called "aberrant" dragonmarks. For another, part of what's on offer is the gang turning down future contracts against the members of the party.

He arranged to meet the party in rundown but not yet entirely disused section of Precarious. Why he doesn't advertise his affiliation, he is known to some, and there dragonmarked houses would like to hinder any of House Tarkanan's efforts.

"I understand if you have no particular love for my house, or wish to avoid aiding an enemy of the other houses, but there are a few reasons why we thought you might be willing to help. As I said, we would consider you off-limits for a time. Secondly, the job involves the rescue of some innocents. Finally, the group you would be rescuing them from is the Emerald Claw.

"I am given to understand that the Claw bears you ill will. Placation is unlikely to change that, even if you were to consider it, which I doubt. So, you could further inconvenience them by rescuing the people they have taken.

"We have a general idea of where to find them, but our forces are undertaking other vital tasks at the moment, and time is of the essence."

He offers a reward equivalent to 250 gp, plus 100 gp for every one of the kidnapped people the party can bring safely into the care of House Tarkanan. The house is willing to put a portion of that towards some potions of healing, which it would provide in advance.

This agent is willing to provide more information if necessary, but he is impatient to get the mission under way.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 58):

Cost of healing potions 50 gp?
Distance from location of captives to house Tarkanan location? Are we leaving Precarious?

In reply to Frug (msg # 59):

Yes, 50 gp each and House Tarkanan will provide up to three.

No, you'll stay in Precarious. The location is not far. It's within the can district, just on the outskirts.

"Not saying yes yet. But maybe, anyway? Anything about the captives, and the Claw guards, would help," Sietnyas suggests. "How many of each? They going to kill them, or sell them, or what? Show us the way, and you can tell us while we go, if your feet want to scurry." Apparently, a kobold term for being in a rush.

Meanwhile, he tries to figure out what the map he... borrowed was. Likely something to check up on later, rather than now, but you never knew.

"We believe that four people were taken. A tiefling man, a human woman, a half-elf girl, and a half-orc boy. We don't know their intentions, but our fear is that these people have manifested," he pauses, preparing for your reaction, "so-called 'aberrant' dragonmarks. We of House Tarkanan are well aware of the danger such marks can pose - though the 'legitimate' marks are the cause of much more suffering in the world. But the danger is primarily due to a lack of training and control, particularly when subject to stress. So, it's conceivable that the terrorists might be hoping to turn these people into weapons of some kind. I shudder to think.

"If you can rescue them, my house can take care of them, teach them to use their mark only in need. And, well, monitor them to keep them from becoming a danger to the populace.

"Regardless, the Emerald Claw means neither them, nor you, nor this city any good. Act now."

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 62):

Drake sees an opportunity to do some good and deliver a blow to the Emerald Claw.

“ What could go wrong …. Go to a place we have no idea the layout, find and rescue people who are guarded by an unknown number of guards, armed with weapons … let’s go!! “

"Guess we have to scout a bit to find out about guards," Sietnyas said. He pondered. "How did you find out the captives were being kept here?"

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 64):

He says something vague about his sources and how they've been piecing things together about this particular Emerald Claw base. But it wasn't until people with aberrant marks disappeared that everything made terrible sense, calling for immediate intervention.

The pay for this isn't amazing, though it should mean that the party doesn't really have to worry about their mundane needs for a while.

Froodle takes in the conversation, looking the agent up and down with a sense of mistrust. In his experience, little is as it first seems. That said, encounters with the Emerald Claw or their servants have at least given a source of enemy that he can now strike a blow against, which makes him feel more comfortable.

Froodle grunts, he got to finish his soup and the idea of a fight is always best on a full stomach.

“Shall we let this man show us the way then?” he says to the others. “Though maybe we should avail ourselves of the potions on offer up front – some of you may need them” he chuckles to himself, running the haft of his axe over a razor sharp part of his armour.

"K'takkt", Sietnyas agrees. Their employer was keeping secrets. Maybe just protecting an inside contact, maybe something else. He keeps a close watch on him as they go along, wanting to see if he signaled anyone - or there was someone about to signal to!

The agent directs you to the location of the Emerald Claw operation. It's well outside the unofficial boundaries of Precarious, yet no one would mistake it as being part of any other district. As a result, the tower is almost certainly not utilized for any wholesome goings on, at least not until it rises to the Middle level of the city. All the same, the Emerald Claw probably isn't the only sort of nastiness that has taken root in the structure.

The start of the levels occupied by the Claw are slightly below the level at which the party finds itself, near enough that it's possible to get some sense of the force that's guarding the main and most obvious entrance to the tower, one with a wide, solid, branching bridge connecting it to several other towers.

The force appears to be substantial: at least a half dozen human forms mill around, in and out of sight. Most walk as though wearing armor under their greatcoats. Two are hooded and carry staffs that they don't appear to need for walking. None of their movements seem random or idle; rather, they appear to be on high alert.

This is only the most obvious entrance to the tower. Anyone who lives in Sharn knows that its towers are riddled with entrances and other openings. The Claw certainly knows this too, but it's unlikely to have every other ingress to heavily watched and guarded. That said, merely getting inside the tower won't be enough, because the Claw is doubtless guarding internal routes as well.

---

The agent supplied you with a potion of healing and the location of a Tarkanan-guarded safehouse to which the party should bring those they are able to rescue. I'll post more in OOC shortly.

Status:
Party in "wild" zone of city, outside of the inhabited areas of Precarious.
Agent has departed after telling you how to find the tower.
Party on overlook several levels up from nearest main entrance to the target tower.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Sun 15 May 2022.

"Looks like they expect someone to come for the captives," Sietnyas says. "Going in the front is no good. Split into two groups, one look for a way in above, one below?" he suggests.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 69):

‘Hmm’ Drake rubs the scales on his chin as he considers this.

‘Splitting the party?  I’d prefer to  stay together, safety in number's, that’s where our strength lies, let’s pick a direction and search together ?’ Suggests Drake

In reply to Drake (msg # 70):

“Let’s get in from above as quickly as possible. We’re here to save people! Splitting up could cost lives, and not just those of the people we’re going in to save.“, Frug bluntly makes his point and starts walking in a direction where he thinks that there might be a way in. It’s obvious that he doesn’t have a plan, but wants to go about the rescuing business.

Crossing over to the other tower is a good place to start - in theory. The space between towers in Sharn is so full of various kinds bridges, ramps and stairways that one usually can't see terribly far in any direction, but most were constructed without reference to any kind of overall plan, and often seem like they were built for some specialized and now long-forgotten purpose, with "get people from one tower to another quickly and conveniently" standing as only a secondary or tertiary concern. In other words, finding a path over to the tower would be tricky enough, but finding one that the Emerald Claw hasn't guarded the other end of will be ever harder.

---

I'd like Frug to roll Perception or Streetwise as the party moves along the paths between towers. I'd like to make this a group check, per the DMG, so once Frug rolls, please roll an aid another check (DC 11) using the same skill.

Frug's decisive action pays off. He and Sietnyas find a curving path that anyone else might have taken to be a sluice for rainwater, built as it must have been for the business pursuits or travel of smaller folk.

The narrow path, which sways rather noticeably until Drake and Froodle learn to stop marching in step, leads from the shadowy space between the towers into the even darker shadows of the tower itself. The magically sustained light sources found in settled areas of the city are not to be found here; it even seems as though someone has gone out of their way to smash any magical lanterns or torches throughout the nearby levels of this tower. It's not hard to guess who that might have been.

Hardly any of the towers of the city were laid out by actual madmen, but when the original purposes of the construction are forgotten, the rooms and hallways can seem like a maze. The wider thoroughfares probably lead in useful directions - as well as to Emerald Claw guard emplacements.

---

In general, it would help infiltrate this tower, and avoid the most heavily guarded routes, if the party understood the original purpose of these levels of the tower, or what later purposes they were put to, before arriving at this current abandoned state. More in the OOC post.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 73):

Drake scouts around trying to make sense of the structure and it’s uses to find a way in. As he does so he spots a very worn area of the tower. Steps with deep depressions in the centre, a handrail nearby with patina glimmering in semi light. Many hands and feet have traversed this area, trips repeated over and over, people trudging, stepping on the same stair using the same part of the rail over and again.

This doesn’t appear to be a high born area, more a servants route perhaps, unadorned, simple, a daily ascension from a water source below to the upper levels.
As Drake looks down the steps he can imagine the air is moist coming from the lower area but not close, a brief whiff of water on the wind perhaps. The steps appear forgotten, passing from memory and use as whomever serviced this area was no longer required to complete their daily pilgrimage. Hmm pilgrimage …. Maybe the tower was an area for prayer, a temple with servants to keep the upper levels provided for. Drake looked up through the gloom to see if his theory could be confirmed, but it’s too hard to make out the upper levels. No holy symbols can be seen from this far down, to confirm  or negate his guess.

However upon closer inspection of the patina on the rail a symbol lies there , outlined, touched by many hands as the people passed the sign. A simple reminder of the purpose for their daily task.

‘Could this have been a temple?’ He asks his associates
This message was last edited by the player at 08:22, Thu 19 May 2022.

Froodle followed Frug’s lead. What is this path he and Sietnyas have found? It certainly wasn’t built for the likes of Dragonborn to traverse on a regular basis.

Once he’d sorted out his heavy footedness though, he and Drake were able to walk without swaying too much. He pondered the situation and delightfully thought out loud “Well at least if we are having trouble walking here, it won’t be guarded by many, or anything big at least!”

He wanders around looking for a way into the tower. He hears Drake mutter something about religion, though to be fair the only god Froodle worships is food. He begins to sniff the damp air, could he smell his way to a kitchen? Kitchens always need ways in for food and water to be delivered and would link to all important areas – everyone has to eat. But then he thinks, for that very same reason it would be likely to have people or creatures there, so there would be no element of surprise.

Maybe the steps Drake has found are a place to start? As he continues to search he finds a small opening, damp and slippery, much like the rest of Sharn it seems, he tries to see through the darkness but it is impenetrable. He doesn’t want to make any kind of light yet so tries to smell the air and listen. It smells damp inside, with no discernible sound. He picks up a small stone and throws it in. Almost instantly he hears it hit something solid. A wall, not far inside. He wonders, has he just found an old alcove? Cover for a sentry to escape the weather?

Anyway, it doesn’t look like anyone has passed through the archway for a while, moss growing around the entranceway has not been disturbed. He can’t be sure if there is another exit but he’s not going to venture in without anyone else.

Unwilling to venture further into darkness alone, Froodle wanders back over to Drake to see if he can help with any religious knowledge. He surprises himself, seeing some familiarity in the symbol that might help Drake discern some meaning from it.

Froodle rolls 18 (including +1 for skill) while attempting to aid Drake's religion roll

Edit
Taking into account the darkness around (-2), Froodle rolled 16 to aid religion (18 if aiding history)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:00, Sat 21 May 2022.

Also, please subject yourself to a -2 penalty to skill and ability checks, including aid another, for this part of the quest, unless there's enough light present for you to have normal vision. That is, bright light (as from a sunrod) for normal vision or dim light (as from a candle) for low-light vision. So, basically, a sunrod.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 77):

Frug spends some time exploring the area and hears the mention of this being a holy place in the past. He hops right to describing the possibilities for various symbols of the pantheons while contemplating the use that each would have for this and how they would make the rest of the building.
Frug rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Religion +9-2 for no light source or a history would be +2 with the penalty Frug would have a 6 on history.

"A temple?" Sietnyas says. "What sort of temple has a ... a drain? What kinda stuff did they need to drain?"

He sniffs at the opening Froodle found and peers in it. "I think I can fit fine, if you want me to see what's in there. Can see okay too. It turns just ahead."

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 79):

Drake searches his memory to see if he’s ever heard of a temple of this kind.

Hmm he does have a vague recollection

Drake rolls history D20+2 =14
+2 from Froodle -2 due to visibility = 14 success just

The steps lead down to a dank chamber. In the center of the chamber is some sort of stonework, from which emanates the scent of mold and water and the sounds of dripping and gurgling. The chamber is roughly rounded, and there are doorways in the wall leading to other stairways which will lead to other parts of the tower.

This must have been, at one time, a central water source for the temple area where the party first found this potential route. The other doorways might lead to other temples, to the same or different religions, though there's every chance that the spaces have been repurposed into, say, restaurants. This water source is in very bad shape, though. It must have been an almost unidentifiable combination of fountain, pump, and cistern; time, neglect, abuse, theft and filth have made even more of a mess of it. The remains of plumbing jut from the top of it, and from the ceiling above it, like gnarled fingers reaching toward each other. The extensive statuary and carvings have been defaced, and chunks of masonry have been removed.

Something lingers, however. In his explorations, his following of sacred paths, his tracing of holy carvings, Drake has awakened a presence. Perhaps it is responding to his own connection with the divine. From the fountain/bath/well comes a burbling whisper: "My... apologies... supplicant... I am the last... of the spirits... of the well.. and have... little to give... yet take all you wish.... with the blessing of nature... and the gods...."

---

Status:
Party is inside the tower that contains the Claw facility.
Currently in roundish room, containing an ancient water source, housing a weak water spirit.
Stairs lead out of the room in several directions, and any might lead to a less-well guarded route.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 81):

Frug takes a glass container from his pack and removes a stopper from it. He goes to the well and fills it up. Putting the jar back in his pack in a place he could easily reach. “Much appreciated, spirit of the wall.” He turns back to the party and asks, does anyone have an orientation for which way the areas that were guarded heavier was in relation to here?”

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 81):

Drake acknowledges the well spirit ‘ Good day well spirit, you may be the last but your perseverance illustrates your strength of character protecting this place when all others have waned’

Drake takes water from the well and drinks deeply after filling up his water bladder‘ Well spirit, . Is there anything we can do for you to strengthen your resolve and in turn we receive  your assistance . We seek a less guarded pathway to the Emerald claw stronghold as we are trying to locate some prisoners held there. Could you advise the safest pathway? Or indicate the stairway to take?’

Drake runs his fingers across the well’s surface to better connect with spirit. Whilst observing each stairway in turn. He notices the many ways the water runs from the chamber like finger tendrils reaching along the various passages. Drake notices one pathway which appears less dilapidated than the others, another has an algae covered channel along the side of the steps where water has taken its own route out of the chamber.

"The way in they were guarding is about 50 tails down, facing that way," Sietnyas said. He at least thinks he has a good spatial sense.

He clambered around the bits of pipes and machinery, intrigued. The spirit's voice didn't seem to surprise him at all. "Do you want the broken parts fixed?" he asked. "I bet I could fix them. I might need some pieces. Or maybe I could take some bits apart and use them in other places." He seems intent on doing just that.

"Oh. Right. The captives. We could fix everything after we got them out. They're not too far below you ... I wonder what this bit does?" A few loose and interesting parts have already found their way into his backpack.

Froodle looks at each of the doorways leading off from the chamber, trying to see if he can discern any meaningful difference that might give a clue as to where the stairs lead.

He walks over to one at random, leaning in to listen for any sound while taking care not to clang on the damp walls with his axe, holding his shield arm at almost some impossible angle behind him to reach in as far as he can without actually stepping beyond a couple of steps.
He’s sure he can hear something. Given the state of the place could it be rats? he thinks. Then again, was there a whisper of speech in there? Impossible to tell without getting closer, something he’s not yet willing to try. Right now he thinks no-one knows they are there, while there’s nothing that beats an armour clad dragonborn clanging up stairs to negate an element of surprise.

He withdraws from the steps and calls to the others, “What do you make of this? I can hear something up these stairs”, turning round to see the others in conversation.

The spirit chuckles softly, or maybe it's some muddy bubbles being dislodged somewhere in the workings. Then it begins to whisper. It's not difficult to make out, as long as one follows the voice as it comes first from a broken pipe, then from a clogged spigot. No, it's not hard to make out.

But it is challenging to understand. It's a mishmash of holy poetry and primal metaphors. This spirit must have been an extremely minor one, brought here, along with others, to help make this fountain functional. It's not terribly intelligent, but it seems to know things about this tower. Unfortunately, it can only put them in terms of what it understands: earth, stone, water, erosion, evaporation. That, combined with what might be references to Arawai and Boldrei, is all the guidance this fragile spirit can offer, and it points to only one of the two passages.

---

Drake, if you lead the party down one of the passages, roll DC 14 Nature. I'd said that you can aid yourself using Religion, but instead I'd rather have others Aid, as usual. Aiders can roll Nature or Religion, regardless of what Drake chooses.

Drake turns to  Froodle and says “The spirit says this way, I have a good feeling about it”

Drake follows then spirits indicated pathway, he can understand why it’s wetter than the others and is likely somewhere that the spirit can sense due to its links to the water well. As Drake descends the passageway, it turns steeply downward and winds back upon itself, although it seems little used it appears In good order.

Sietnyas advice regarding how far down the group needs to descend seems to match where the passageway leads.

Drake listens and can hear some voices below, muffled by the moss growing along the tunnel as the water flowed along this pathway.

Nature roll D20+2 = 17vDC14 = Success

The spirit's odd references to things like "rivers of broken stone" and advice such as "follow Boldrei's breath" somehow strike a chord with Drake. The path along which he leads the party proceeds in a widening spiral, ever downward. It lets out onto a tremendous opening in the side of the tower. The floor is flat and the wall curves overhead to make a cavity that almost resembles an enormous mouth. It's hard to believe that such a void could exist in the side of the structure, but Sharn is full of unlikely architecture, and the party is low enough now that the base of the tower is much, much larger than this space.

Beyond the opening, the party can mostly darkness, but inevitably their lines of sight encounter tower walls. Looking up and down, though, the group can see no bridges or other routes connecting this tower to any other. Even if the adventurers had known of this location, it would have been difficult to reach it without flight. Not impossible to come by in Sharn, but finding a skycoach pilot that would risk coming here would have been a time-consuming and costly endeavor.

The party is alone in this space, but it is clear that others have lived here before, and possibly still do. Scrap lumber and sheets of ratty fabric, lashed with string and strips of cloth or moldy leather form lowly but functional dwellings along the curve of the wall, and chunks of rock have been positioned into a couple of fire circles, currently quite cold.

In many ways, this is Sietnyas's kind of place, and he notices something the others wouldn't think to look for.

---

See OOC, in a few minutes after I post this.

Sietnyas notices some crude signs at most of the passage entrances, painted with something that showed up better to darkvision. He passed by each, pointing them out. "This one's too faded... 'Bad water' ... 'Go this way' ... 'Stay quiet'," he read. He read the last almost cheerfully. "Got to be this way," he said. "They'd want to avoid the soldiers in the Claw lair, so this must come close! Maybe there's a way to spy on them somewhere."

OOC: 25 on a Dungeoneering check

The route Sietnyas interprets from the squatter marks does indeed lead the party away from the main guardposts for the facility. There's no getting around them entirely, though, as the unfortunate squatters learned.

The path is narrow and does not seem to have been used recently. It leads to an opening in the side wall of another temple-like area. The opposite wall is about 40 feet away. The ceiling is high and vaulted and almost lost in shadow. To the right of the party's entrance is one end of a long room, leading to an opening that is partially blocked by two large  wooden doors that have mostly fallen off their hinges. They have been hacked at, and suffered from fire, but are still intact, if not functional as doors.

To the left the room stretches sixty feet to what must have been the center of whatever worship once happened here. A wide and short set of steps leads up to an altar, where a small guard force loiters. There's one Emerald Claw warrior, who seems to be in charge of an armed and armored animated skeleton and two zombies that appear to the raised corpses of two squatters. It's possible, though, that the one who is actually in charge is the figure in robes, leaning on a stout staff, behind the altar. The undead cluster more around that figure.

The hall is rather well lit, with new-looking torches burning in old-looking sconces, two braziers burning on the altar, and glowing sunrod strapped to the head of each of the zombies. The skeleton's eyes house green sparks, so darkness probably doesn't hinder it anyway.

The floor is dusty, but otherwise bare of large objects.

The living members of this force seem bored and annoyed by each other, the undead (in the soldier's case) and each other. But between the patient skeleton, and the humans' fanatic nature, they're unlikely to be caught off guard.

---

Status:
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs), two sunrods.
Party just outside Emerald Claw guard post, 5 squares from platform.
Cover: Superior cover offered by altar and braziers. Partial cover offered by staying adjacent to walls of room.
Two humans, two zombies, one skeleton.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:39, Sat 04 June 2022.

"Can't really sneak past them. Fight them, or maybe some sort of distraction? I wonder what's behind those blocked doors?" Sietnyas suggested.

"I don't like the look of that guy with the staff," he added.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 91):

“I’d favour a straight fight, as I’m not exactly sneaky eh Froodle?” Nudging Froodles growling stomach with his scaly elbow

“If anyone else can sneak closer I could get ready to close and fight them if you’re discovered?”

"You're right Drake" replies Froodle, keeping his voice as low as it can go for a lump of a dragonborn. "I'm happy to mix it up with them, sneaking is not my style anyway" he chuckles, talking to himself as much as the others.

Froodle checks his axe over, wondering if this time it will actually serve him properly or slip in his hands as it seems to do so often. He tells himself he must find a magic one, one day. His shield is tightly fastened as ever as he marvels at the razor sharp edges of his armour covering vital organs, just willing a foe to land a decent enough blow so his armour can slice them too.

He's ready to go, but isn't so rash that he won't wait for Sietnyas or Frug to do something sneaky first.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Wed 08 June 2022.

In reply to Froodle (msg # 93):

Drake looks towards the others to see if they’re going to do any sneaky stuff. As a result he waits a little too long before he acts.

But maybe that’s a good thing as the others can do their thing first before he implements his plan. He grips his frost long sword and prepares for the honour ahead.

Initiate 1d20+1 = 6

Earlier that day:
"According to the report, the group that has been interfering with us consists of two dragonborn warriors - savages no doubt, but not worth underestimating - a misguided human and two smaller... things. Act quickly, if you see them and do not let them interfere with our work here."
"Yes, sir!"

---

All Emerald Claw forces are currently receiving a +2 bonus to initiative, due to bits and pieces of intelligence the organization has gained about the adventurers.

19:16, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Squatter zombies, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Squatter zombie initiative, +0.
19:16, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw Sergeant, rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Emerald Claw Sergeant initiative, +8.
19:17, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw skeleton, rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Emerald Claw Skeleton initiative, +9.
19:18, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw necromancer, rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Emerald Claw Necromancer initiative, +5.

Froodle eyes the group ahead, concentrating on the Emerald claw sergeant, maybe he will prove to be a worthy adversary. He sees Drake look sideways, giving Froodle a slight edge in moving forward, but clearly the enemy ahead are more than ready for him and have anticipated his move.

Froodle rolls 8 for initiative on D20+3

He wasn't about to catch them napping, but Sietnyas might be able to get close enough before they spotted him to get a good knife throw at the staff- wielder. "I'm going to try to get a good shot at the guy by the altar. Let's take him out first," he suggested. He waited for a moment when at least a few of them didn't seem to be looking in his direction, tossed a pebble past them for a brief distraction, and scuttled across the floor laterally, bent surprisingly low to the floor, aiming to get far enough he might have an unobstructed shot at his target.

OOC : Stealth check of 22, with -5 for moving; initiative of 14

Frug rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Initiative while noticing a necromancer in with this emerald claw group. Dark magic is just darned wrong, taking a corpse and not letting it rest after the soul departs. Just wrong in so many levels. Frug is caught up in his dislike for the dark arts, so much that he’s determined that the necromancer finds their end today.
A prayer to Onatar quickly snaps Frug back to the reality of the situation, there’s captives that need saving. He clears the dark thoughts from his mind, where did those thoughts of needing to kill come from, that can be considered later.
Frug begins to twist the gears on his staff as he looks for a position that will be best to fill his role in the group.

The party moves into the hall. The guards react with surprising swiftness.

"Of all the luck," says the living soldier. "Form up, bonesacks! No one gets past us." He moves to the top few stairs, and the skeleton, barely seeming to need any encouragement, moves in front of him. It looks quick.

The necromancer takes cover behind the alter and begins gesturing to call forth dangerous energies. "In the name of Lady Vol, keep them back!" he says.

---

EC Sergeant:
Move: Walk to middle top of stairs.
Standard: Ready melee basic attack with flail against first target that gets close enough.

EC skeleton:
Move: Walk to middle of bottom steps of stairs, granting partial cover to sergeant.
Standard: Ready melee basic attack with sword against first target that gets close enough.

EC necromancer:
Move: Take superior cover behind altar.
Standard: Ready ray of enfeeblement (+9 vs. Fort, 1d10+4 necrotic+weak) against first target that he sees in the room.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (44/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5)) from altar.
EC Skeleton: (53/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Readied action.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In room, near left wall. Hidden 22 Stealth.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14)
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12)
Zombies (2): (1/1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16)
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16)

09:38, Today: Tuur rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  initiative.

Tuur kept low and behind the group. He agreed with the mindset of taking out the foul wielder of the dark arts first, acknowledging the soldiers as a wall, nothing more.

Drawing out his bow, he aimed at the Necromancer, hoping to aid the distraction, but also aware he might draw the ire of the foe by doing so.
Two shots fired, one misses but the other hits perfectly square in the chest of the foe with a thud. Well, if nothing else it should distract the necromancer...

<sup>Minor: Quarry vs Necromancer.
Standard: Twin strike vs Necromancer. Hits one, 7+1=8 damage.
Move: To be able to have LOS to necromancer and able to shoot arrows at him.

Rolls:
09:46, Today: Tuur rolled 29,11 using 1d20+9,1d20+9.  Twin strike.
09:47, Today: Tuur rolled 1 using 1d6.</sup>

---

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (44/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5)) from altar.
EC Skeleton: (53/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Readied action.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In room, near left wall. Hidden 22 Stealth.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14)
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12)
Zombies (2): (1/1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16)
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer.

"There!" screeches the deathmage. A green flame kindles at the tip of his staff and then leaps toward the ranger. The flame splashes against Tuur, and dissipates, but suddenly his muscles burn as if he's been shooting arrows for hours. He can barely pull his bowstring, and his shot, though dead on target, merely grazes the spellcaster.

---

Necromancer:
Readied Action: 21:09, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw necromancer, rolled 24 using 1d20+9.  Ray of enfeeblement +9 vs. 13 Fortitude of Tuur. Hit.
21:10, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw necromancer, rolled 8 using 1d10+4.  Ray of enfeeblement damage, 1d10+4 necrotic. 8 necrotic damage, and Tuur is weakened until the end of the necromancer's next turn.

This would have happened before Tuur's shots, as a reaction to him moving into the room, so I have halved the damage he dealt.

Sietnyas is up.

---

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Skeleton: (53/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) In room, near left wall. Hidden 22 Stealth.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
Zombies (2): (1/1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:19, Tue 14 June 2022.

He hadn't been quick enough to catch the necromancer napping; they were going to have to take care of him the hard way. He could flush him out of that hiding spot for Tuur, perhaps... but first, there were those zombies to deal with.

Sietnyas accelerated and rushed the stage, skittering a bit as he barely leapt up, and continued into the first zombie - an underhand stab dropped it in a heap.

OOC: Move and charge. Athletics check of 13 to make it onto the stage. Basic attack vs zombie hits.

15:13, Today: Sietnyas rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  charge attack vs zombie.
15:11, Today: Sietnyas rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Athletics check to jump onto stage.


Frug is up

---

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Skeleton: (53/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Near altar.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
Zombie : (1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.

Froodle watches as the Emerald Claw take up their defensive positions. He can see that perhaps the main threat comes from the enemy holding the staff, but the skeletons now stand in the way. Not being one for subtlety, he moves forward then charges the skeleton at the bottom of the stairs.

As he swings his axe high he realizes that this bag of bones has in fact anticipated his move and stabs him with the rusted point of his longsword first, cutting through Froodle’s exposed armour. The wound is not sufficient to affect his aim, but still seems to weaken the strength of the blow, causing him to not cut as deep as he would like, as he yelps and grunts at the unexpected wound.

The skeleton and Froodle both remain standing, locked in focus on each other, each marking the other, knowing battle has ensued.

EC skeleton attacks with readied action rolls 27 with a basic longsword attack with d20+11 vs Froodle AC 21  HIT!
EC skeleton rolls 8 on d8+2 damage

Froodle rolls 27 on d20+9 (includes +1 for charge) HIT!
Froodle rolls 7 damage on d10+4 with his battleaxe


Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Near altar.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
EC Skeleton: (46/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Froodle. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton. Marking skeleton.
Zombie : (1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.

The reanimated squatter trundles over to Sietnyas, to scratch and flail at him. As pathetic as it is, one has to grant that it is at least determined.

Frug and Drake are seeing their allies make progress, but at some cost. What will they do to turn the tide?

---

09:22, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Zombie rotter, rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Slam (with charge), +5 vs. AC 17 of Sietnyas. 5 damage.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
Sietnyas: (25/30; 17/14/17/12) Near altar, engaged with zombie.
EC Skeleton: (46/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Froodle. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton. Marking skeleton.
Zombie : (1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar. Engaged with Sietnyas.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.

Drake sees the battle unfold ahead of him.

He mutters to Bahamut to gird him through the coming battle gaining a blanket of protection from the god.

Then he moves forward and then with a roar which sound like stones crashing down a mountainside he charges forward to aid Froodle attacking the blocking Skeleton.

Just at the perfect time upon reaching the Skeleton he unleashes a swing. The swing is accurate but the momentum has restricted the full swing of the sword. It clatters into the skeleton shattering its collar bone. ‘It’s me you’ll face fiend’ Drake shouts focusing Bahamuts anger on the abomination.

Minor : Virtue granting 8THP
Move : closes 5 squares towards the stairs
Standard : Charge +1 to attack and uses Ardent Strike which allows attack during the charge.

1D20+11 v AC 19 = 20 HIT

Damage
1D8+ 4 =8 HP Also Skeleton is subject to my sacred sanction.
Until mark ends target takes radiant damage (6hp) if it doesn’t include me as the target. Marking the Skeleton.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
Sietnyas: (25/30; 17/14/17/12) Near altar, engaged with zombie.
EC Skeleton: (38/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Drake divine sanction. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
Zombie : (1; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar. Engaged with Sietnyas.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14): TBD, starting at least 5 squares from stage.
Drake: (32/32(+8thp); 21/15/14/16): : Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marking skeleton.
</quote>

Frug trying to follow the action, is delayed as he tries to take aim at the necromancer. He gets it together when he sees Sietnyas flying onto the stage. While turning the gears on his staff, Frug draws a shield shape around Sietnyas. Completing the shape, Frug draws in his arms to his chest and swiftly opens them wide!
The atmosphere is distorted between Frug and Sietnyas, with the sound of thunder shaking the undeath from the corpse in front of Sietnyas, unanimated and falling to the floor.
Tentatively Frug moves forward towards the stage.


Standard Thundering Armor on Sietnyas secondary on zombie rolled 13 using 1d20+4 versus fort 11 = Thunder damage takes out the minion.
Move: three towards stage

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Top middle of stairs. Partial cover (-2) from skeleton. Readied action.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back, LOS to necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
Sietnyas: (25/30; 17(18 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar, engaged with zombie.
EC Skeleton: (38/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Drake divine sanction. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
Zombie : (0; 11/11/7/8; +4, 5 dmg) Near altar. On ground next to Sietnyas. UNANIMATED
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) about 2 squares from stage. Keeping away from the skeleton, but ready to move toward the necromancer when there’s a clear shot. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+8thp); 21/15/14/16): : Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marking skeleton.

The sergeant moves in toward Froodle, blocking the fighter's movement up the stairs. "You fools can't stop us!" he shouts. "We control this city and we gain allies every day!" He takes a swing at Froodle that would have caused the dragonborn definite concern if it had connected.

The necromancer sees that his undead protectors have been knocked down and casts his numbing fire upon Sietnyas. It hits the rogue dead center, almost knocking him flat. He's not the cackling kind of necromancer, so he sneers, satisfied.

What will Tuur do?

---

Sergeant:
Move: Walk 1 to engage Froodle, blocking Froodle's path up stairs.
Standard: 12:00, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Sergeant, rolled 18 using 1d20+9.  Flail, +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.

Necromancer:
Standard: 12:03, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Necromancer, rolled 30 using 1d20+10.  Ray of Enfeeblement +9 vs. Fortitude 14 of Sietnyas. Critical.
12:04, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Necromancer, rolled 6 using 1d6.  Staff of resilience critical. 14 necrotic damage and 6 additional damage.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (53/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance. Engaged with Froodle.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back.
Sietnyas: (05/30; 17(18 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer). BLOODIED.
EC Skeleton: (38/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Drake divine sanction. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton and sergeant at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) about 2 squares from stage. Keeping away from the skeleton, but ready to move toward the necromancer when there’s a clear shot. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+8thp); 21/15/14/16): : Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marking skeleton.

Tuur advance, with heavy steps. Getting to the necromancer was not easy, so he accepted that taken down the sergeant might be a worthwile step.
He moved close, to flank and struck heavily at the sergeant!

Free: Keep quarry on necromancer.
Minor: Offhand strike, missing.
Standard: Jaws of the wolf on sergeant. Hit on both! 11+8 damage.
Move: 7 squares worth of movement which is hopefully enough to get to sergeant and flank.

Rolls:
11:23, Today: Tuur rolled 11,8 using 2d6+5,2d6+4.
11:22, Today: Tuur rolled 24,20 using 1d20+9,1d20+9.  jaws of the wo

Daily used: Jaws of the wolf, Encounter used: Offhand strike.

---

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (34/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance. Engaged with Froodle.
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), far back.
Sietnyas: (05/30; 17(18 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer). BLOODIED.
EC Skeleton: (38/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Drake divine sanction. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton and sergeant at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) about 2 squares from stage. Keeping away from the skeleton, but ready to move toward the necromancer when there’s a clear shot. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+8thp); 21/15/14/16): : Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marking skeleton.

Sietnyas shook himself off and hissed at the wizard. At least now - what was Tuur up to? They had the wizard cornered; they needed two... "Frug! Help with this one!" he called, scuttling around the altar to close quarters with the wizard, and striking ineffectively with his dagger whilst grabbing at his robes...

OOC:
Action point: second wind
Move: around altar, adjacent to necromancer.
Standard: Riposte Strike on necromancer, misses on a 12
Minor: Quick Fingers, 27 on Thievery check to lift anything interesting and not in hand from the necromancer. Keys? Amulet? Belt pouch?

Encounter used: Quick Fingers

---

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (34/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance. Engaged with Froodle and Tuur
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar. Engaged with Sietnyas
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), engaged with sergeant.
Sietnyas: (12/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Engaged with necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer). BLOODIED.
EC Skeleton: (38/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Drake divine sanction. Marking Froodle.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton and sergeant at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) about 2 squares from stage. Keeping away from the skeleton, but ready to move toward the necromancer when there’s a clear shot. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+8thp); 21/15/14/16): : Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marking skeleton.

Sietnyas's excursion into the foul spellcaster's pocket brings up a piece of thin cloth, stained nearly black, wrapped around two fingers, each from a different type of humanoid creatures, both from different positions on a hand, one nearly mummified, and one exceedingly fresh.

The skeleton shifts to the side of its holy foe and whirls its weapon the way only a fleshless body can. Drake isn't quite prepared for this, but the heavens are watching over him and he suffers no noticeable harm, except hindrance by his foe.

Froodle faces a fanatic foe! Finish him!

---

Move: Shift one, away from Froodle and sergeant, adjacent to Drake.
Standard: 20:53, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Skeleton, rolled 21 using 1d20+11.  Longsword +11 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Hit.
20:54, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Skeleton, rolled 7 using 1d8+2.  Longsword damage, 1d8+2. Drake is marked.

---

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (34/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance. Engaged with Froodle and Tuur
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar. Engaged with Sietnyas
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), engaged with sergeant.
Sietnyas: (12/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Engaged with necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer). BLOODIED.
EC Skeleton: (38/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Drake divine sanction. Marking Drake.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with skeleton and sergeant at bottom of the stairs.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) about 2 squares from stage. Keeping away from the skeleton, but ready to move toward the necromancer when there’s a clear shot. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marking skeleton. Marked by skeleton.

Froodle watches as the skeleton he engaged shifts away to strike at Drake. He sniggers a gruff daragonborn sneer. They had marked each other and now the bag of bones scuttles off to fight someone else. Well, “not so fast, where do you think you are going?” “Have you no backbone?” He chuckles at his own joke as all can see the skeleton does indeed have one.

The great dragonborn aims a blow with his axe at the skeleton sergeant, finding his mark with a crack of bones, then shifts into the space previously vacated by the skeleton, allowing a follow up attack on the skeleton that tried to move away, connecting clearly on the backbone that he had joked about, he couldn't have got a sweeter hit if he'd taken time to aim.

Punishment given, and a triumphant challenge issued, he returns to face the skeleton sergeant again, flanking with Tuur.

Standard – flanking attack encounter power
Froodle rolled 25 on d20+10 (additional +2 from Tuur flanking) using passing attack on the skeleton sergeant vs AC 20  HIT!

Froodle maintains his combat challenge on the skeleton sergeant (free)

Froodle rolled 13 on d10+4 damage on the skeleton sergeant

Froodle shifted as part of the flanking attack

Froodle rolled 20 on d20+8 using the passing attack secondary attack on the skeleton vs AC 19  HIT!

Froodle rolled 14 on d10+4 damage on the skeleton

Froodle again dares the skeleton to face him alone (combat challenge) (free)

Move

Shift back to original position to flank the skeleton sergeant with Tuur again


Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance unless into space vacated by skeleton. Engaged with Froodle and Tuur  Flanked by Froodle and Tuur BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (40/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar. Engaged with Sietnyas
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), engaged with sergeant.
Sietnyas: (12/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Engaged with necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer). BLOODIED.
EC Skeleton: (24/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Froodle. Marking Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with sergeant at bottom of the stairs. Flanking sergeant with Tuur. Marking sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) about 2 squares from stage. Keeping away from the skeleton, but ready to move toward the necromancer when there’s a clear shot. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:37, Sun 26 June 2022.

Hearing Sietnyas call out, Frug finds his way around the melee. With the goal of keeping Sietnyas within his range Frug hustles to a point that’s strategic and safe (a gnome can hope). Not being able to see the necromancer keeps Frug from harnessing the divine energy and he focuses instead on his magical machinery in his staff to make thunder to shield Seitnyas and strike out toward the necromancer.

The shockwave seems to have done the work, with a ghastly groan coming from behind the alter.  It’s going to be taking a bit longer to take that creep down.

As the thoughts of a takedown go through Frugs mind, his heart brings his focus to Sietnyas and his struggle to stay in the fight. Taking his curative infusion out, Frug sends healing towards his companion.

Move: Getting on stage in range of Seitnyas.
Standard: Thundering Armor Seitnyas get +1 to AC until Frug.
Frug rolled 7 using 1d8+4.  Thunder damage to the necromancer .
Frug rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Vs 15 fortitude of necromancer thundering armor burst from Sietnyas .
Minor: Curative Infusion on Seitnyas for Surge 7+5

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance unless into space vacated by skeleton. Engaged with Froodle and Tuur  Flanked by Froodle and Tuur BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (33/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar. Engaged with Sietnyas
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), engaged with sergeant.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Engaged with necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
EC Skeleton: (24/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Marked by Froodle. Marking Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with sergeant at bottom of the stairs. Flanking sergeant with Tuur. Marking sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage at least 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs. Marked by skeleton.
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 07:10, Mon 27 June 2022.

Drake is keen to assist his colleagues who are on the platform
But is frustrated by the abomination of nature in front of him.

Drake decides it’s time to clear the way.

He steps to his right putting himself diagonally across from Tuur flanking the skeleton.

Swinging the frost sword towards the skeleton’s abominable  existence. Just as the sword strikes home Drake invokes Bahamuts name to aid his arm.

The sword hits home breaking some of its bones. The power of the strike affects both the skeleton and the sergeant placing his divine sanction on the two of them.

Move : shift 1 square east to flank the skeleton with Tuur
Standard action: Valorous strike 1d20 +11 v AC 19 = 21
Damage 2D8+6 = 15
Divine sanction on sergeant and skeleton  as within 3 squares of target.


Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Bottom of stairs, blocking Froodle's advance unless into space vacated by skeleton. Engaged with Froodle and Tuur  Flanked by Froodle and Tuur.Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (33/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Superior cover (-5) from altar. Engaged with Sietnyas
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16), engaged with sergeant.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Engaged with necromancer. Weakened UEONT(Necromancer).
EC Skeleton: (09/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): Engaged with sergeant at bottom of the stairs. Flanking sergeant with Tuur. Marking sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage at least 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and Sergeant
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:09, Wed 29 June 2022.

The Emerald Claw warrior is more than happy enough to turn his attention to Drake. The sergeant bats Froodle's attack aside and moves to face the paladin, forcing Drake to defend himself from a flail strike.

The necromancer reaches one hand in his cloak, a look of sick glee on his face. Apparently what he was trying to find there, in the pocket Sietnyas just picked, is now missing. The spellcaster's glee turns to rage and he backs up to blast the thief with more of the rotting fire. Whether it was the lack of that extra something from his missing fetish, or his rage breaking his focus, the spell has no noticeable effect on Sietnyas, though the fingers he stole tremble a little at the wash of necrotic energy.

What will Tuur do now?

---

Sergeant:
Move: Shift adjacent to Drake, to middle of stairs.
Standard: 20:20, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Sergeant, rolled 19 using 1d20+9.  Flail +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.

Necromancer:
Move: Shift one away from Sietnyas.
Standard: 20:48, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Necromancer, rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Ray of enfeeblement +9 vs. Fortitude 16 of Sietnyas.
20:48, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Necromancer, rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Ray of enfeeblement +9 vs. Fortitude 16 of Sietnyas. Miss.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (33/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (09/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, near sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.

Tur saw a chance to remove the skeleton from the equation.
With ferocity he struck twice at the foe trying to cut it down!
A few weak strikes landed however and he cursed himself.
Within him he prayed to the light and last second spun the blade upwards inflicting damage.
The skeleton, somehow, remained animated....just.

Rolls:
2+6 damage to skeleton!
09:41, Today: Tuur rolled 6 using 1d6.
09:41, Today: Tuur rolled 27 using 1d20+10.  Elven reroll.
09:39, Today: Tuur rolled 2 using 1d6+1.
09:39, Today: Tuur rolled 16,19 using 1d20+11,1d20+10.  Twin strike w/CA.

Daily used: Jaws of the wolf.
Encounter used: Offhand strike. Elven Reroll.


Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (33/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 19(20 until Frug)/16/19/14) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (01/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, near sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.

Sietnyas wasn't sure if he wanted these creepy fingers - but at least the necromancer wasn't pleased about it. Good enough! He followed up the necromancer, harrying him, slashing at his legs and getting annoyingly underfoot. "Surround him! Surround him!" he called.

Ooc:
Riposte Strike vs necromancer hits doing 21 damage.
19:23, Today: Sietnyas rolled 11,10 using 1d4+7,2d6+3.  Damage.
19:21, Today: Sietnyas rolled 20 using 1d20+11.  Riposte Strike vs necromancer.

---

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (12/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas. Riposte Strike effect - if he melee attacks Sietnyas (and is adjacent) Sietnyas gets a basic attack as an immediate interrupt.BLOODIED
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (18 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (01/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, near sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (32/32(+1thp); 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.

The skeleton is heedless of the mewlings from the injured necromancer. Rather, it rattles to the side of the paladin and wields its sword with the endurance of the undead. Its attack shatters the last of the divine glow surrounding Drake.

Froodle is up!

---

Skeleton:
Move: Shift out of flank.
Standard: 21:07, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Skeleton, rolled 26 using 1d20+11.  Longsword +11 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Hit.
21:08, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Skeleton, rolled 6 using 1d8+2.  Longsword damage, 1d8+2. Drake marked by skeleton.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (12/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas. Riposte Strike effect - if he melee attacks Sietnyas (and is adjacent) Sietnyas gets a basic attack as an immediate interrupt.BLOODIED
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (18 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (01/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, near sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.

Froodle grins, watching the actions of his friends he can sniff impending victory.
He knows these are just entrance guards and tougher tests will come later but any victory deserves a feast.

The sergeant and skeleton have moved away from him, apparently keen to fight against a character of religion so he moves between them, forgoing the chance of flanking for the chance to hit both. He can see the skeleton is now barely animated and intends to finish the abomination off with a follow through of his axe from the sergeant.
However, his aim is off and he misses the sergeant, causing his axe to also fall short of the skeleton.

Move
Froodle moves between the skeleton and sergeant

Standard
Froodle rolls 18 on d20+8 using cleave against the sergeant AC20  MISS!


Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake and Froodle. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (12/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas. Riposte Strike effect - if he melee attacks Sietnyas (and is adjacent) Sietnyas gets a basic attack as an immediate interrupt.BLOODIED
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (18 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (01/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Also engaged by Froodle. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, between the sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.

“It’s time for creative life to help you out!” Frug is making a series of meticulous slashes, as he says this. As he ends his slashing a bright series of striking radiant light strikes at the Necromancer. The light does not fade, but reforms around Sietnyas and he has a temporary bit of glowing armor.

Standard Blades of Astral Fire
Frug rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Blades of Astral Fire vs Reflex 15 Necromancer
Frug rolled 12 using 1d10+5.  Radiant damage to the Necromancer.
Seitnyas gains +4AC until the end of Frugs next turn



Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake and Froodle. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (0/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas. Riposte Strike effect - if he melee attacks Sietnyas (and is adjacent) Sietnyas gets a basic attack as an immediate interrupt.<Black>DEAD</Black>
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (21 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (01/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Also engaged by Froodle. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, between the sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.
</quote>

"Die accursed!" screams the deathmage as he starts to develop the first tan of his life, right before the first fatal sunburn of his life. His staff jabs at Sietnyas, but glances off of a radiant shield before clattering to the floor.

---

Fanatic
Immediate reaction: 20:37, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Necromancer, rolled 13 using 1d20+10.  Staff of resilience +10 vs AC 21 of Sietnyas. Miss.

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake and Froodle. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (0/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas. Riposte Strike effect - if he melee attacks Sietnyas (and is adjacent) Sietnyas gets a basic attack as an immediate interrupt.DEAD
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (21 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (01/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. Flanked by Tuur and Drake. Also engaged by Froodle. Divine sanctioned by Drake. BLOODIED
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, between the sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16): Engaged with skeleton at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur. Marked by skeleton. Divine sanction on skeleton and sergeant.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:44, Fri 01 July 2022.

Drake is sickened by the abomination he is tangling with he shouts an encouraging “well done Frug” as he sees the necromancer is vanquished.

“Your turn abomination” announces Drake to the skeleton. He aims right of the skeleton draws in a breath and releases a firery roar releasing his dragons breath. Such is his disgust for the skeleton he releases his fire breath perfectly. The withering fire melts the bones of the Skelton and it collapses on the floor in a puddle of cooked marrow.

Drake moves around the base of the stairs to flank the Sergeant with Tuur.

The he unleashes a vicious strike towards the Sgt, unfortunately over enthusiastically from his recent success with the skeleton his blow misses the Sgt by a hairs breadth.

Minor: dragon breath 1D20+5 v 19 AC = 25 critical
Damage 1D6+1 =7

Move to flank Sgt with Tuur

Standard action Ardent strike
1 D20 +12  v Ac 20 = 18 Miss

Room: 40 feet (8 squares) across, a bit more than 60 feet (12 squares) long.
Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Light: Bright at ground level. Torches, two braziers (on either side of stairs, can grant cover), two sunrods.
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake and Froodle. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: (0/44; 16/15/16/17; +10, 1d6+3+5 THP) Partial cover (-2) from altar. Near Sietnyas. Riposte Strike effect - if he melee attacks Sietnyas (and is adjacent) Sietnyas gets a basic attack as an immediate interrupt.DEAD
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (21 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: (0/53; 19/16/17/16; +11, 1d8+2+mark) Bottom middle of stairs. DEAD
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, between the sergeant and skeleton.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16): Engaged with Sgt at bottom of the stairs flanking with Tuur.
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 10:04, Fri 01 July 2022.

"You go to your doom, you fools," says the sergeant, almost sympathetically. "The Claw is united, and the people of this city squabble among themselves for bits of gold." He steps away from Drake to go toe-to-toe with Tuur, causing the ranger to duck a spinning flail.

---

Move: Shift 1 away from Drake, and adjacent to Tuur.
Standard: 10:24, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Sergeant, rolled 14 using 1d20+9.  Flail +9 vs. AC 18 of Tuur.

Stairs: 3 squares side to side, 2 squares end to end (DC 13/26), 3 foot rise (DC 13)
Stage: Room narrows to 25 ft (5 squares) across, 15 feet (3 squares) long.
Altar: High enough to grant superior cover.

EC Sergeant: (21/53; 20/16/18/16; +9, 1d10+2+ally shift) Middle of stairs. Engaged with Drake and Froodle. BLOODIED
EC Necromancer: DEAD
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with sergeant at bottom of stairs.
Sietnyas: (24/30; 17 (21 until Frug)/14/17/12) Near altar. Near necromancer.
EC Skeleton: DEAD
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12): At bottom of the stairs, adjacent to sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) on stage no more than 5 squares from Sietnyas. Staying out of melee. If he takes damage he will Fade Away becoming invisible until he attacks.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16): Near sergeant at bottom of the stairs.

Sietnyas narrows his eyes and bares his teeth at the Claw soldier. He scuttles forward, weaving and sliding low, stabbing deep into the sergeant's thigh past a greave, where only leather protected him. He struck some vital spot; the soldier's face immediately went grey, and he fell after a final retaliatory blow of his flail.

Sietnyas winces and tests his shoulder; only bruised, it seemed. "We're all doomed. But some sooner than others," he addressed the fallen soldier.

"Let's clear this up a bit and get going," he suggested. "They might have some nice stuff, at least."

---

OOC
Move to flank sergeant.
Standard: 07:49, Today: Sietnyas rolled 33 using 1d20+13.  Piercing Strike with flank vs Sergeant. (Critical, 26+1d6 damage)
07:55, Today: Sietnyas rolled 26 using 1d20+9.  Fanatic attack on Sietnyas (AC 21).
07:56, Today: Sietnyas rolled 7 using 1d10+2.  Flail damage.

---

EC Sergeant: DEAD
EC Necromancer: DEAD
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16)
Sietnyas: (17/30; 17 (21 until Frug)/14/17/12)
EC Skeleton: DEAD
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12)
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14)
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16)

The undead and the sergeant possess nothing of interest. Frug quickly identifies necromancer's staff as possessing the power to bolster one's physical reserves. Either the necromancer hadn't been aware of this, or hadn't had a chance to make use of it.

At the back of the platform is an entry into deeper sections of the tower. You can hear a faint rattle of chains, and the whimpering of a child.

---

It's a staff of resilience, intended for Frug.

Sietnyas drags the dead Claw members out of sight inside. It might delay an alarm being raised for a bit if someone came by, and wasn't too attentive. "Hey - he's got a crossbow, anyway," he noticed.  But the sound of a child from deeper inside drags his ears reluctantly around from his scavenging. He frowned. There might be stuff still to gather, and they really should rest...

"Want me to snoop that out?" he whispered to the others. "See if there's more guards?" Though if there were, wouldn't they have come to help?

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 124):

Frug sees the staff and that it’s got some form of an enchantment to it. From a quick divine and arcane test, Frug thinks he’ll give it a chance to see his work travel through it. Old staff attached to bag, staff of resilience equipped.

OOC:
If we’re taking a short rest, I could use a healing surge to recharge my encounter healing power Restorative Infusion.

In reply to Frug (msg # 126):
After establishing there isn’t much to take from the corpses. Drake sits down next to remains of the Sgt and skeleton to take a short rest and says to sietnyas “ if you want to scout ahead I could do with a few minutes, before we move on”

Upon doing so he picks up the skull of the skeleton and studies it impassively shaking his head at the abomination of nature in its reanimation.

Whilst waiting he will expend a healing surge.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Wed 13 July 2022.

Sietnyas carefully sneaks ahead, lightless, to see where the cries were coming from. Was that their target, or something else?

The opening behind the altar leads a bit downward, past rooms that might once have served as preparation areas for whatever ceremonies took place in the main temple. No sound comes from any of these, and they appear to contain only junk and detritus. Anything or anyone that might have once lived there must have been dealt with by the Emerald Claw.

Eventually, the passage leads to a grand, if dusty, spiral staircase. This winds its way down to the floor of a large circular room, with a number of passages leading away from it. The room is empty except for a dirty and miserable child, sitting on the stone floor. She is very still, but is whimpering softly. A few feet from her stands a rusty-looking clockwork device. It's about six feet tall and its most prominent feature is a transparent globe that appears to be filled with a flashing stormcloud, in miniature.

Voices echo out of the other passages, but very indistinctly, especially given the soft thundering of the eldritch machine.

While Sietnyas scouts ahead, Froodle joins Drake for a little sit down, utilising a healing surge by way of rest.

That machine looked interesting, but the child felt wrong. If she was one of the captives, how did she get out? Sietnyas hesitated, considering trying to talk to her from out of sight, or perhaps sneaking by her. No, best to be safe. He listened a little while to see if she said anything interesting; there didn't seem to be any immediate need for hurry. Then he crept back to the rest.

"I think this is the place. There looks like a bunch of rooms downstairs, and sounds like some people there. But there's a weird machine at the entrance, and a kid that doesn't feel right."

OOC: Short rest for Sietnyas too.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 131):

“If everyone is feeling well enough,we should get down there. Seitnyas, can you scout the doorways or rooms on the edges, as I look to the child and try to ease whatever emotions it’s experiencing? It may be something completely wrong, but I want to go in with a mindset of helping those in need and being prepared for the worst. Froodle can you stay near me and Drake keep your eyes on the path Seitnyas takes, with the idea of being ready for any danger and not all clumped together?” Frug makes some crude dust map with his staff in the floor to illustrate the plan…

In reply to Frug (msg # 132):

Drake stands up form hits rest and rolls his huge shoulders.

‘I’ll follow Sietnyas and keep an eye out. Did the child see you when you went in ?’

Drake readies his frost sword and shield

"It's not far," Sietnyas says, leading them to the staircase. "Hard not to bunch up on the stair, though. Some of us might go down on a rope, maybe? She gave no sign she noticed me before. If she's human she couldn't even see far enough, I'd guess." He motions for quiet as they get near the stair, and finds a rope and grapnel in his pack, waggling it to see if you wanted him to go down another way.

Froodle eyes the rope

"I'm happy to climb down that rope if it'll hold my weight but I'm not so sure about Frug. Maybe we should take the stairs"

"Don't worry Frug, I'm with you"

Froodle, now rested, walks over to Frug, axe and shield ready, prepared for the next step in their journey.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Mon 25 July 2022.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 134):

Drake looks at the rope and grapnel.

‘Hmm not for me thanks … I’m happy with the stairs’

Tuur eyed the rope.
"I have climbed a bit in my day, granted on trees and vines, but I am lighter than you Froodle, no disrespect, so if you want, I would be willing to give it an attempt?"

Tuur eyed it, a few times to check for rot, weak strings and such, to assure himself that it was at least, safe for now.

"Hey. I've got good stuff," Sietnyas complains. "Oh! That's where I put it." He stops to retrieve something stuck on one of the grapnel prongs - a rather dessicated... fish, it looks like?

"Stair group first." He eyes a good spot for Tuur and him to descend, hoping to not be immediately in sight of anyone watching the stair.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 138):

“Great, these stairs are more my pace. Mind you, I have had a scurry around a rope. This is a wonderful plan to not get hit all at once. I appreciate that you are going to be near, but I will stay back a bit to use my abilities as needed. Once I get down, I’m heading towards the child.” With a deep breath, Frug prepares for the decent…

In reply to Frug (msg # 139):

Drake looks at Frug and Froodle and begins to descend the stairs as stealthily as he can, focusing with every step slowly lifting and placing his barge sized feet on each stair. Drake grins at his sneaky efforts believing he sounds like a mouse when actually he instead sounds as stealthy as a tombstone being dropped on a dockside.

Stealth
1D20-4 =0

In reply to Drake (msg # 140):

Frug follows Drake, at a bit of a distance, with effort to keep stable and stealthy. That is until he notices that it was not going to matter. Drake is making such great effort and practice is good, so maybe feedback can wait and Frug looks to observe to moments where Drake doesn’t make much sound.
As the stairs take their time behind Drake, Frug makes the choice to not risk rolling an ankle and uses his staff to steady his descent. At the bottom Frug sees the obvious signs of danger in the orb and mechanism near the child.
After a pause and contemplation, Frug makes a clear choice. “Hello there youngsters!” He starts in a clear voice that can be heard, but it’s a cautious volume to be safe. He continues, “Would you like some help getting out from there? We’re here on a bit of a rescue mission and you seem to be in need of that, but it’s going to take some careful work and we’re the types to confirm before we start at it. Measure thrice, so it’s a clean cut on once you make it and such…” There’s a bit more about planning things out, in a philosophical and religious sense that Frug will continue on about, as he has gone off on quite the nervous tangent

The girl looks rather unimpressed with Frug. She's clearly not a frequent churchgoer, and she's already taller than the gnome. She shakes her head at his approach and points a closely held finger at the storming orb. When he starts talking, she puts her finger to her lips, annoyedly. When she does so, it's possible to see a jagged mark on the back of her hand. It almost looks like a bloodless whipscar and seems to wind up her arm, underneath her grimy shift. It is a dragonmark, but anyone who has even heard of dragonmarks would say that this one doesn't look all that wholesome, and anyone who has heard of dragonmarks would guess that this isn't one of the twelve marks that are worn by the great houses. It is, in fact, an aberrant mark.

At Frug's suggestion of help, she shrugs and indicates the eldritch device again, still keeping her hand close to her body. Then she slowly reaches her arm out in a direction away from the device. The crackling of the device intensifies slightly, and a greenish glow starts to appear around the tip of the girls finger. She retracts the digit and the humming and the glow subside.

There are seven exits from this room, more or less evenly spaced. These each lead about thirty feet where they branch off into more passageways, indicating that the complex is almost a web of hallways. Voices echo throughout, and will be difficult to make out what they're saying, much less track them through the maze.

---

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
In room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Voices echoing through halls.
Dim light from eldritch machine.

 Frug rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Insight to pick up what the half elf is putting down. Does Frug stop talking? Yes he does, but his thoughts on the situation continue. He looks in the direction the girl points and tries to determine what the door nearest it is.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
In room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Voices echoing through halls.
Dim light from eldritch machine.

Sietnyas sets his grapnel and clambers down ahead of Tuur. He crouches, well away from the device, eyeing it warily.

"Hard to disable it if we can't get close," he says softly. He hefts his dagger, peering for anything on the device that looked fragile. "Maybe we can break it? Cut its power somehow? Has to get sparks from somewhere."

Could they perhaps bypass it? If he can't see anything breakable on it, maybe there was a way to get around.

Tuur nodded at Sietnyas.

"Unless it comes from within. Like..magic or similar. Then we have a different headache on our hand. Lets look around the outer limits of it, maybe a line in the ground?"

Tuur let his eyes wanders on the ground and roof of the room for anything sticking out.
He had little hopes of finding anything, but it was worth a try anyways..

The eldritch device was clearly charged up to zap anything that entered the prickly zone around it. But it was old and its workings were fairly exposed. And it might be possible to disperse its supply of energy.

Until it's dealt with, though, the child won't willingly leave her spot in its aura.

None of the Emerald Claw members appears to be coming any closer to this room for now, but that might change.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 146):

Drake having stealthily entered the room like a cannon going off surveys what’s in front of him. Taking out his hand crossbow he aims it towards the central spheres explosed parts and looking at Frug with a toothy smile and a shrug of his shoulders

He raises a scaly eyebrow and asks Frug ‘I could always try and shoot it?’

Froodle looks at Drake, shrugs his rather large shoulders and swings his battleaxe idly by his side.
"I like your thinking" he says "but his is probably a job for the brains in the party"

"I wonder if it's possible to get behind it somehow?"

"Another option is we see how often it can harm us. Maybe one or two of us (nodding to Drake) provide cover by approaching it while the more mechanically minded among us try to fiddle with it's parts? Sort of overwhelming it?"

"I think I can maybe shut it down. If you're worried those sparks can get out, I guess we could just go around it. Slower to get the others out if it's blocking the stair, but it's not impossible," Sietnyas offered.

"How many of you are in here? Any that can't do a little climbing?" he asked the girl in a low voice. But that would still leave the girl in front of them, who seemed trapped by it. "Don't suppose you know another way around this thing?"

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 149):

“Shoot it! Hope it doesn’t arc back at your armor, but maybe I can rush in to see if there’s magics to shut down after.” Frug seems like he doesn’t care much other than helping the kid

She holds up three fingers, and then shrugs. She apparently doesn't know if any of them can climb.

She seems to get an idea. Without reaching so far that she'll get zapped by the device, she indicates two of the openings that lead out of the room. They on the same side of the chamber, but not adjacent. These would seem to be ways by which others had been taken from this room.

---

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Voices echoing through halls.
Dim light from eldritch machine.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 151):
“This is why I’m here, to save the kid! If you aren’t going to take the shot, I will just go in.”

Frug, being frustrated with everyone’s hesitation makes his move and runs straight for the device. He figures that he’ll be able to take some lightning and get to unworking the machinery and magic once he’s there.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Voices echoing through halls.
Dim light from eldritch machine.

Froodle watches Frug with admiration.

"A brave soul should should have back up" he calls as he follows Frug up to the device.

Froodle is unsure what Frug is going to do when he gets there, but he'll leave that up to him to figure out, "he must have something in mind", he thinks, he hopes.

Anyway, Froodle deliberately puts himself in harms way, holding his shield out front, hoping rather than expecting any discharged bolts of energy will be attracted to it rather than his flesh.

Froodle hopes to provide a more attractive target than Frug, allowing his companion to concentrate on working his magic.

As she realizes what Frug is about to do, the girl's eyes go wide before she snaps them shuit and clamps her hands over her softly pointed ears. The hairs on Frug's own ears stand on end when he gets within ten feet of the device and with a pop it launches a bolt of lightning at him.

Maybe it's Ontar's blessing, or blind luck, but the finger of lightning can actually be seen to change course and blast into Froodle, gaining in power as it does so, and raking him with deadly energy.

---

Stormspire: 17:27, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspire, rolled 8 using 1d20+7.  Lightning strike +7 vs. Reflex 15 of Frug. Miss.
17:31, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspire, rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Lightning strike +7 vs. Reflex 15 of Froodle. Hit.
17:32, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspire, rolled 15 using 1d10+5.  Lightning strike 1d10+5 lightning damage.

Froodle takes 15 lightning damage.

Status:
Frug and Froodle are in the aura. They can decide where, as they can only be struck once per move. Moving the girl will cause her to be struck, and any damage will seriously injure her.
Everyone else is outside the aura, in the large room.

"Hey!" Sietnyas compained, not expecting Frug's and Froodle's immediate entry.

He blinked at the lightning. "It got stronger when Froodle went in. Get out, or maybe... I don't know!" he said, exasperated.

He hesitated to enter, and instead offered advice. "That brush thing that goes round and round, that's what I was going to mess with." Instinctively, it seemed the part of the machine that felt responsible.

Should he break it or not, he wondered. He held up his dagger, decided not to, and instead watched carefully so he could better predict the thing's behaviour, maybe give warnings or more advice.

Tuur bounces forward, intent to, despite Sietnyas advise to see if his presence to assist them in halting the device or stopping the immediate effects. At the very least with enough bodies around, the machine would have to do many things at once, and perhaps that would present openings they could capitalize on.

10:06, Today: Tuur rolled 14 using 1d20+9.  Athletics to avoid aura.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 154):

Drake jumps at the discharge as he observes Frug. And Froodle move forward.

Being startled Drake pulls the crossbows trigger the bolt flies high and wide through the aura of the sphere and out the other side clanging off the far wall.

‘Oops’ says Drake

1D20 +4 = 10 = Miss

Froodle feels the sting of the electric charge, but is pleased to have taken the heat from Frug.

He crouches down, placing his shield aloft to cover as much of his mass as possible. He can do no more while he allows Frug to do his work.

Froodle takes up a position of total defence (standard), aiming to grant +2 to his defences should there be another lightning strike at him. Then figuring he needs to move to grant Frug the necessary cover, he inches forward allowing Frug to get to the working parts of the machine.

He calls back to Sietnyas “I’m in now, too late to come back”, then sees Tuur weave and Drake rush in too. Maybe by moving slowly Froodle will provide enough of a target?

In reply to Froodle (msg # 158):
Frug runs under the lightning and makes his way to the device. “My gratitude Froodle! Good eye on this brush Sietnyas!” Taking a probe from a pocket, he jams it in to stop the brush from spinning and using some picks in his other had to loosen up the gears. At the same time as working out the mechanisms, Frug begins to inspect for the approach of the magical aspects to the device. Hoping to disable this device and move forward with the rescue…

08:05, Today: Frug rolled 22 using 1d20+8.  Thievery against lightning machine with aid from Sietnyas .

Raw physical strength doesn't seem to be enough in and of itself to avoid the bolts, and one darts at Tuur, making contact with his body and arcing through it into the floor.

Frug makes it to the side of the machine, Froodle looming over him. The gnomes efforts are rewarded with a definite sense of a weakening in the device's aura. There are other areas he might sabotage, but they will be difficult to reach unless he risks moving again.

---

Stormspike: 15:59, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspike, rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Attack +9 vs. Reflex 16 of Tuur. Hit.
16:00, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspike, rolled 12 using 1d10+5.  Attack damage, 1d10+5. 12 lightning damage.

Status:
Frug: In aura, adjacent to device. Partial cover from Froodle.
Froodle: Total defense, covering Frug. +2 bonus to next Thievery check to avoid attack.
Tuur: In aura.
Drake: Outside of aura.
Sietnyas: Outside of aura.
Stormspike: -1 to damage rolls (1d10+4). Weakened until after it makes an attack or someone fails in an attempt to interfere with it.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 160):

Frug, getting close in on this situation starts to see where and how the machine and magic are working together. Enough with this spot he decides and takes quite precise steps to the next place he sees an opportunity for artifice to play a roll. At this point, he sees that taking a bit more of a earthy substance or conjuring the essence of it, could mess with the air flows that make the lightning blast. It’s weird to see that a machine could run on air, but when dust starts to muddy up the gears…

Frug rolled 25 using 1d20+11.  Arcana vs lightning device

Sietnyas peered closely at Frug's efforts. The brush thing wasn't moving any more; that should be good. But then the gnome went off to work on - what? That didn't - no, wait, that vent-like thing; it was connected to all the sparkmaking somehow! "There! There!" he said, pointing, but Frug was busy.

Bugger! He paused for a second, then dashed inside. With a few seconds work, the vent now had very little air moving through it, and not at all toward where it had been flowing originally.

Okay, and.... sparks liked metal, right? He quickly jammed a crossbow quarrel between two metal parts that occasionally had sparks dancing on them. That ought to do something!

---

OOC: Made two checks, using up Quick Fingers to do one as a minor action.

14:47, Today: Sietnyas rolled 16 using 1d20+12.  Thievery - strategic crossbow quarrel.
14:44, Today: Sietnyas rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  Thievery - mess with the air vent.
14:43, Today: Sietnyas rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Acrobatics - avoid lightning.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Sat 17 Sept 2022.

The artifice reacts poorly to the various efforts to gum up its works. The storm inside the glass sphere seems like it's starting to thin out, though the sphere itself has begun to glow green on its outer surface.

There's one more open access point into the device's interior, and if that doesn't shut it down something else will have to be tried, or another access point found.

---

Status:
Frug: In aura, adjacent to device.
Froodle: Total defense, covering Frug. +2 bonus to next Thievery check to avoid attack.
Tuur: In aura.
Drake: Outside of aura.
Sietnyas: In aura, adjacent to device.
Stormspike: -4 to damage rolls (1d10+1). Weakened until after it makes an attack or someone fails in an attempt to interfere with it.

Frug makes another move and gets a small jolt for it. He reaches another intake and calls upon his arcane energies to muster up the elemental energy that will disable the artifice, but it doesn’t come together as well as he wants. That jolt must has been the cause of this lack of control over the arcane…
“Flugk eng contraption!” Is a strange phrase that seems kind of off as Frug hears himself say it.

Artifice Trap rolled 22 using 1d20+9.  Frug moved vs reflex.
Artifice Trap rolled 6 using 1d10+1.  Weakened lightning damage.

Frug rolled 16 using 1d20+11.  Aracana vs machine .

---

Status:
Frug: 24/27 HP In aura, adjacent to device.
Froodle: Total defense, covering Frug. +2 bonus to next Thievery check to avoid attack.
Tuur: In aura.
Drake: Outside of aura.
Sietnyas: In aura, adjacent to device.
Stormspike: -4 to damage rolls (1d10+1). Weakened until after it makes an attack or someone fails in an attempt to interfere with it.
</quote>

Tuur took time to investigate the ground, tired of being zapped and scared to move and worried it could curse harm to others as well.
In a futile attempt he tried to diver the spikes and the machinery to shoot away, but realized that he had a lapse in understanding.


10:59, Today: Tuur rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Dungeoneering - divert energy.
Failure!

---

Status:
Frug: 24/27 HP In aura, adjacent to device.
Froodle: Total defense, covering Frug. +2 bonus to next Thievery check to avoid attack.
Tuur: In aura.
Drake: Outside of aura.
Sietnyas: In aura, adjacent to device.
Stormspike: -4 to damage rolls (1d10+1). Weakened until after it makes an attack or someone fails in an attempt to interfere with it.

"It's getting kinda tetchy," Sietnyas warned, as the machine strobed ominously. "Be careful with it!"

He looked for the right time to try to get to the last panel. It looked like it needed a little bit of time to recharge after it zapped, so he saw a chance when a bolt arced Tuur's way, and tumbled across.  There was a gear wheel that looked just the right size... Scrambling in his pack he picked out a little piece of the well machinery he had saved earlier and slipped it between two gears so they didn't engage properly, but only spun...

---

OOC:
20:01, Today: Sietnyas rolled 14 using 1d20+12.  Thievery - mess with a gear.
20:00, Today: Sietnyas rolled 24 using 1d20+10.  Acrobatics - avoid lightning.

The spike whips out a thin lash of lightning, which grounds itself through Tuur. It's extremely weak, but the dome of the device immediately brightens as it begins to renew its strength.

The gears Sietnyas has interfered with begin to spin at a furious rate. None of the other panels at ground level seem to have anything vulnerable about them. There might be something susceptible higher up, near the glowing sphere.

---

18:11, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspike, rolled 30 using 1d20+12.  Attack (with CA) +12 vs. Reflex of Tuur. Hit.
18:24, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stormspike, rolled 4 using 1d10+1.  Stormspire damage (weakened), 2d10+1. 2 damage.

---

Status:
Frug: 22/27 HP In aura, adjacent to device.
Froodle: Total defense, covering Frug. +2 bonus to next Thievery check to avoid attack.
Tuur: In aura.
Drake: Outside of aura.
Sietnyas: In aura, adjacent to device.
Stormspike: -5 to damage rolls (2d10).

Calming, Tuur toke his time and pace to maneuver up the spire to try and halt it.
He investigated it quickly and tried calmly to disable it, not fully understand if what he did was the right call.
Hanging at the top, he wrapped a leg around and tried to compose himself in the chaos around him.


11:01, Today: Tuur rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  disable - dungeoneering.
10:59, Today: Tuur rolled 21 using 1d20+9.  Climb.

Move: Climb up.
Standard: Disable.

---

Status:
Frug: 22/27 HP In aura, adjacent to device.
Froodle: Total defense, covering Frug. +2 bonus to next Thievery check to avoid attack.
Tuur: In aura. 16/32
Drake: Outside of aura.
Sietnyas: In aura, adjacent to device.
Stormspike: -5 to damage rolls (2d10).

The device sounds as though it's about to discharge right in Tuur's face. Right before it's too late, he finds two crystals that he'd always been told shouldn't be brought too close to each other and he bends one of their fittings to the side. The hum dies away. The storm in the sphere, calms, and seems to blow away, even though there couldn't actually be a breeze inside the glass. The glow of the mechanism subsides.

Everyone's hairs relax against their skin. Their metal accoutrements cease vibrating. The girl at the base of the device slowly opens her eyes and takes her hands off of her ears. She visibly relaxes and yawns. Her dragonmark begins to flicker.

Slowly, another sensation begins to spread outward from her.

---

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

"I think that did it?" Sietnyas said. "No more sparks, anyhow." He started to wander about the device to see if any of its bits were interesting. That globe, for one, though it looked a bit big to carry... "Who put this here, do you think?" he mused.

He came back to reality before too long. "Oh! The others. Those two, right?" he asked the girl, pointing the ways she had shown earlier. He picked the closest, and crept toward it to see what could be seen.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 170):

What Sietnyas and the others see through each doorway is a length of hallway, 25 to thirty feet long, which then branches into two other hallways. With the stormspike deactivated, the voices echoing through the network of hallways is easier to hear, but no easier to understand. They all do sound rather tense, but that's the Emerald Claw for you.

Froodle looks on, "Well done Tuur" he says. "The humming has stopped, I can hear voices"

He mulls this for a moment, leaving the girl for others to speak to further and goes to the nearest passageway to stand guard lest the source of the chattering should notice the machine has quietened.

Tuur eyed around and nodded.
Calmly he tried climbing down and catch up with the rest, but tried to keep low and calm, trying to make out what the sounds were and identify them.

Sietnyas pondered. You could hear everything down here; they probably had been noticed. Why weren't any remaining Claw folk trying to stop them? All non-combatant types? Or maybe there were more of these trappy things like the sparker, and they were waiting to see if they stopped the intruders.

"We're gonna try to get you all out, if we can," he whispered to the girl. "Might be trouble. Stay back for now, eh?"

The halls looked kinda mazy. Well, left is lucky; he padded toward the left corridor from the first tunnel, looking each way first, and wary of any traps and strange devices.

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 174):

“I am not completely sure how to make our way forward, but I will stay towards the back, as that’s where I am best if we come to combat, which seems likely!” Frug has wide curious eyes and open ears. A firm grip on that new staff and finally released his beard, realizing his nervous habit had kicked in.

She nods sleepily back at Sientnyas, then lies on the stone floor and appears to fall deeply asleep. Well, she's had a rough day.


The halls directly leading from the chamber are unoccupied and unmodified.

The hallway Sietnyas has chosen comes to a three way junction of similar corridors, in a sort of Y-shape. At the other end of each of the other two hallways stands a cloaked human with a crossbow. One of them raises their crossbow in Sientnyas's direction, and makes a chirruping sound. Clearly a signal of some kind. The other figure perks up.

---

Sientnyas: If you wish to your presence to remain an uncertain thing to these people, please make a DC 20 Stealth check. On a success, maybe you were just a flicker of the lights. On a failure, one of the guards definitely saw something.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Sietnyas: At Y-junction in corridor network.
Froodle: Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Tuur: At base of stormspike.
Drake, Frug: In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

Sietnyas tried to slink unnoticed toward the leftmost guard, but failed. He hissed and drew back his arm to launch his dagger as that guard signaled the other...

---

OOC:
18:12, Today: Sietnyas rolled 15 using 1d20+10 ((5)).

Initiative, I assume?

Frug (24/27; 16/13/14/14) Initiative 10….Assuming Initiative

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Sietnyas: At Y-junction in corridor network.
Froodle: Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Tuur: At base of stormspike.
Drake, Frug: In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up. Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

Tuur kept low and advances towards the rest of the group, concerned about the noises and possibility of combat.

Initiative: 8

Seeing Sietnyas move toward him, the hunter takes aim...

---

15:42, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Karrnwood hunters, rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Karrnwood hunter initiative, +7.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway from Sietnyas. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway.
Sietnyas: (17/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16) In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up.
Frug: Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group.
Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway from Sietnyas. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway.
Sietnyas: (17/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16) In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up.
Frug: Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group. INITIATIVE 10
Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.
</quote>

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway from Sietnyas. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. INITIATIVE: 19, Dex 18.
Froodle: (32/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16) In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up.
Frug: Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group. INITIATIVE 10
Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

Froodle rolled 15+3 for initiative 18

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway from Sietnyas. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. INITIATIVE: 19, Dex 18.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room. INITIATIVE: 18
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group. INITIATIVE 10
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
Drake: (27/32; 21/15/14/16) In large room with lightning machine, half-elf girl, and spiral staircase up.

Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

Drake wipes the drool from his scaley chin having been staring intently as he shouts ‘ Well done Tuur’
Drake rolled 9+1 initiative 10

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway from Sietnyas. INITIATIVE: 26, Dex 18.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) At far end of hallway.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. INITIATIVE: 19, Dex 18.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room. INITIATIVE: 18
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group. INITIATIVE 10
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Near one of the passageways out of the large room joining Froodle. INITIATIVE 10
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction..

Seven exits.
Karrnwood Rangers: At opposite ends of two hallways from Sietnyas.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Fri 18 Nov 2022.

Both of the crossbowmen move from the interesections they have been occupying and out of the line of sight of anyone at the junction or in the hallways. It's clear that they will discourage anyone trying to follow after them.

---

Green hunter:
Standard: Ready action to shoot enemy that enters junction.
Move: Walk 6 away from junction where first spotted. Gain +2 bonus to ranged attack rolls.
Tan hunter:
Standard: Ready action to shoot enemy that enters junction.
Move: Walk 6 away from junction where first spotted. Gain +2 bonus to ranged attack rolls.

Sietnyas is up! I'll post some further information out-of-character.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight. Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Near one of the passageways out of the large room joining Froodle.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.

Seven exits.
Voices echoing through halls.
Half-elf girl: Mark of Fatigue Aura 1: Creatures within the aura take a -1 penalty to skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and damage rolls and a -5 penalty to saving throws against unconsciousness.

Sietnyas didn't much like going where an enemy was waiting for them. "Maybe we can get around behind them by another corridor? Or someone has smoke or something?" he mused. "Or... after you?" he suggested to the dragonborn.

OOC: Heroically delay to let someone else draw fire.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight. Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. Delaying.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Near one of the passageways out of the large room joining Froodle.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.

Tuur nodded at Sietnyas.
"Unless we can beat them to the punch we have to hope for poor aim...not ideal to say the least. I am willing to risk it, but doubt it is clever."
He looked around willing to go, but also to allow anyone to act before him.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight. Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Tan hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. Delaying.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) Near one of the passageways out of the large room.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Near one of the passageways out of the large room joining Froodle.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.

Froodle watches as Sietnyas edges forward, but then hears some sort of call from a corridor beyond. A warning to others, “the claw will be ready for us” he mutters.

Deciding that speed is now of the essence he moves forward, answering the wish of Sietnyas, who does not wish to be first in the line of fire.

With his axe in one hand and his shield to the front, he moves forward past Tuur and Sietnyas, taking the corridor where the tan hunter had been spotted. His move takes him short of the end of the corridor so he stops momentarily, gathers his thoughts and decided on a plan of action.

Speed may well be of the essence here. He knows he is running blind into a dangerous situation, but he is a proud dragonborn, and this is what he is all about.

He moves into the junction and advances 10 feet towards the now visible tan hunter. He is barely surprised when a crossbow bolt hurtles towards him as he rounds the corner, striking him fully with great accuracy.

With a yell of pain and a grimace of determination he unleashes a breath of fire at the hunter, engulfing him briefly in scorching orange flame.

Finding extra resolve from a desire to kill this foe quickly he charges forward and buries his battleaxe into the side of the hunter.


Move: head from the main chamber, past the Y intersection where Sietnyas is and partially along the corridor where the tan hunter was seen.
Move: continue along the corridor to the intersection then move towards the tan hunter
Tan Hunter fires crossbow: Rolls 22 (13+7+2) on d20 vs AC21 – HIT
Tan hunter rolls 6 on d4+2 damage
Minor: dragonbreath at the tan hunter Froodle rolls 15 (9+4+2) on d20 vs reflex 13 – HIT
Froodle rolls 6 damage on 1d6+1
Action point: charge the tan hunter, moving adjacent and swinging his battleaxe in a basic attack. Battleaxe attack rolls 20 (15+4str +1charge) on d20 vs AC 15 - HIT
Froodle rolls 13 damage damage on d10+4



Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight. Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. Delaying.
Tan hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) holding crossbow – engaged with Froodle. Bloodied
Froodle: (34/40; 21/17/15/12) engaged with tan hunter. AP used
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) Toward back of group.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Near one of the passageways out of the large room joining Froodle.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Thu 24 Nov 2022.

Seeing Froodle take off towards the junction, Frug makes the choice to quickly follow and get to the junction. Hearing the twang of the bolt, Frug hits the corner just as Froodle let’s out the impressive breath weapon and charges in with his axe. Frug seeing it as a prime opportunity to join in, calls upon Onatar, with a fling of the new ashen staff radiant light rolls out.
The sphere hits the Tan Hunter, who the falls to the ground.

Move: move 5 squares to get to the intersection.
Standard: Frug rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Avenging light vs tan hunter fort 11. Frug rolled 15 using 1d10+6.  Radiant damage!

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight. Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA.
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. Delaying.
Tan hunter: (-2/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) holding crossbow – engaged with Froodle. Dead
Froodle: (34/40; 21/17/15/12) engaged with tan hunter. AP used
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Near one of the passageways out of the large room joining Froodle.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.

Observing Froodle move off along with Frug and Sietnyas hold back Drake decides to take action.  Hearing the twang of a bow, the belch of dragonbreath the swing and thud of axe into flesh and then Tuurs calling on Onatar Drake knows the battle is afoot.

Drake makes it to the corner and  takes in the carnage in front of him just as the body of the Tan hunter crumples to the floor. He looks quickly for the Green hunter just as the green hunter looses his taught bowstring. The arrow miraculously passes between his arm and body as he charges the green hunter. Perhaps the charge briefly distracted the hunter or it could’ve been the fall of his comrade in arms.

Drake swings with perfect timing the Frostsword seemingly an extension of his arm. Striking the hunter at just the right time for all his momentum to be transferred into the blow.

Move: move 5 squares to get to the intersection.

Green Hunter looses arrow 1D20 +13 = 18 v AC 21 = MISS

Standard: Charge and uses Ardent Strike At Will power on Green Hunter as basic attack 1D20 20 +11 v AC 15 = 31 critical HIT

Damage 1D8 +  4 + 1D6 = 18
Green hunter is also subject of Drakes divine sanction till the end of next turn.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight. Readied action to shoot any PC that enters a junction he can see. +2 bonus to RBA. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Two squares beyond Y-junction in corridor network. Delaying.
Tan hunter: (-2/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) holding crossbow – engaged with Froodle. Dead
Froodle: (34/40; 21/17/15/12) engaged with tan hunter. AP used
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 00:39, Sat 26 Nov 2022.

Sietnyas puzzled a bit deciding which of the dragonborn to follow, and eventually followed Drake. He scuttled around the corner and whipped a dagger at the hunter engaged with Drake, but the fellow ducked and it skimmed off his helmet before returning to his hand.

OOC
Move: move near hunter engaged with Drake.
Standard: Thrown dagger misses :-(
17:32, Today: Sietnyas rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Throw dagger at hunter.


Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction
Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake, near  green hunter
Tan hunter: (-2/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) holding crossbow – engaged with Froodle. Dead
Froodle: (34/40; 21/17/15/12) engaged with tan hunter. AP used
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:58, Mon 28 Nov 2022.

What had seemed like a scratch from the guard's crossbow now seems much more impressive, now that Froodle is close enough to see the ammunition the guard had been packing: the bolt tips are shaped to produce as much trauma as possible.

Two pairs of adventurers - Froodle and Frug, Drake and Sietnyas - are now separated, having pursued different targets down different halls. Each pair now finds itself in or near another intersection of three hallways. The other two each have two figures at the opposite ends: another crossbowman, dressed in a shade of green, and another member of the guard. Instead of bows, these carry blades, and are geared up in shades of brown.

---

20:00, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Tan archer, rolled 9 using 1d10+4.  Crossbow damage. 1d10+4.

Tuur is up!

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake, near  green hunter
Froodle: (31/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine SanctionDrake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. In front of fern hunter.
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. In front of laurel hunter.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. In front of jungle hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. In front of moss hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. Behind umber strider.
Laurel hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. Behind chestnut strider.
Jungle hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. Behind buff strider.
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. Behind walnut strider.

Tuur took heavy strides.
His long legs and hasty stride made him advance and close ranks quickly, and in his hands he held his blade, as he attempted to close on the first available target and to strike hard and heavy on them. Intent, he struck at the drake near the chestnut rider to even the numbers.


Free: Quarry on Drake.
Minor: Draw weapon.
Move: To Chestnut rider/Drake.
Standard: Twin strike vs Rider. Hit on one, 4+6 damage = 10 damage to Rider.


Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake, near  green hunter
Froodle: (31/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine SanctionDrake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Coming up hall toward junction.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. In front of fern hunter.
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. In front of laurel hunter.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. In front of jungle hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) End of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. In front of moss hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. Behind umber strider.
Laurel hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. Behind chestnut strider.
Jungle hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. Behind buff strider.
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) End of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. Behind walnut strider.
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 13:55, Fri 02 Dec 2022.

Drake seeing Tuur mistake him for an adversary rather than an ally turns his head and shouts ‘ NOT ME YOU FOOL IM ON YOUR SIDE’

The new sets of guards move in on the two groups of interlopers.

The strider in umber-colored gear charges up to Froodle from one side, longsword whirling. His fellow in chestnut runs up as well and Froodle is hard-pressed.

The hunters behind the two warriors move up their respective hallways as well, both aiming past their comrades at the dragonborn. Neither has much effect despite the steadiness of their determination.

Two hallways away, Drake, Sietnyas and Tuur are also under assault. The warriors in brown bring their Karrnathi longswords around on Drake, and their ineffective strikes are followed by shots from the hunters backing them up. Crossbow bolts whiz past the group into the walls of the junction.

Sietnyas is up!

---

Umber strider:
Move: Walk close enough to charge Froodle.
Standard: Charge Froodle. 21:00, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Umber strider, rolled 15 using 1d20+8.  Longsword (with charge) +8 vs. AC. 21 of Froodle. Miss.

Chestnut strider:
Move: Walk close enough to charge Froodle.
Standard: Charge Froodle. 21:03, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Chestnut., rolled 22 using 1d20+8.  Longsword (with charge) +8 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Hit.
21:05, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Chestnut., rolled 6 using 1d8+4.  Longsword damage, 1d8+4.

Fern hunter:
Move: Walk 4 toward Froodle/Frug junction.
Standard: 21:26, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Fern., rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.
Free: Fanatical accuracy. Re-roll. 21:28, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Fern., rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Laurel hunter:
Move: Walk 4 toward Froodle/Frug junction.
Standard: 21:25, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Laurel, rolled 19 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.
Free: Fanatical accuracy. Re-roll. 21:29, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Laurel, rolled 20 using 1d20+9. Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Buff strider:
Move: Walk close enough to charge Drake.
Standard: Charge Drake. 21:59, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Buff., rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Longsword +8 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.

Walnut strider:
Move: Walk close enough to charge Drake.
Standard: Charge Drake. 22:01, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Walnut, rolled 12 using 1d20+8.  Longsword +8 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.

Jungle hunter:
Move: Walk 4 toward Drake/Sietnyas/Tuur junction.
Standard: 22:03, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Jungle, rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.
Free: Fanatical accuracy. Re-roll. 22:04, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Jungle, rolled 27 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Hit.
22:05, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Jungle, rolled 11 using 1d10+4.  Crossbow damage, 1d10+4. 11 damage.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Moss hunter:
Move: Walk 4 toward Drake/Sietnyas/Tuur junction.
Standard: 22:07, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Moss, rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.
Free: Fanatical accuracy. Re-roll. 22:08, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Moss, rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake, near Green hunter
Froodle: (25/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders.
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry.
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

Sietnyas distinctly disliked the whizz of crossbow quarrels nearby, and hissed. He left the melee to Drake and Tuur and flicked his dagger through a brief opening in the tangle at one of the approaching hunters. It cut deep and returned to his hand.

OOC:
Throw dagger at Jungle hunter.
Stay behind the line for now.
15:36, Today: Sietnyas rolled 9,10 using d4+7,2d6+3.  damage vs Jungle hunter.
15:34, Today: Sietnyas rolled 29 using 1d20+11.  Throw dagger at Jungle hunter.

Froodle is next.

---

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (25/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders.
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry.
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

Froodle is in his element, attacks coming from all sides, swords and crossbow bolts alike.
“This is the time dragonborn were made for, his eyes flashing with the thought of glory” he utters to Frug. “you deal with the hunters, I’ll take care of these fools next to me”

Sadly for Froodle his bravado is again greater than his deeds.

Froodle swings his axe at the Umber strider using a passing attack, attempting to shift away in the process while swiping at the second enemy, but his footing lets him down and he remains rooted to the spot, still between the two striders.
Knowing he has combat superiority he decides to remain where he is. Though only one has been marked, let the other move on Frug at their peril!

Froodle steels himself for the next barrage.


Standard: Froodle uses passing attack encounter power and rolls 15 vs AC17 using d20+8  MISS
Free: Froodle issues a combat challenge to the Umber striker
Minor: Froodle uses his unstoppable daily utility power – gaining 2d6+con mod(2) temporary hit points – rolls 9 for total 11 thp

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (25(+11 temp)/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders.
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry.
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

Frug begins to summon the divine powers that manifest through him, as he prepares to respond to this new onslaught. He thinks that he should focus on working with Froodle, but that Dragonborn has other ideas. Unsure if it’s a desire for glory or good battle tactics, Frug makes a quick choice to trust that Froodle has the later in mind.
Taking his mounting divine energy, Frug moves forward to get a better shot at a hunter. The laurel hunter becomes his target and a bright light of radiant energy blasts the hunter. It lands! Frug continues to call up the divine energy and watches the melee and hunters, ready to fade away if needed

Move: closer to the melee to get a shot at the hunter, but still outside of melee
Standard: Frug rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Avenging Light vs fort laurel hunter and hitting the rolled 12 radiant damage using 1d10+6

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (25(+11 temp)/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry.
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Green Hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
</quote>

The hunter in green hastily reloads, then backs off from Drake and lets fly at point blank range. It skitters off of the dragonborn's heavy plate armor.

How does Drake respond to this?

---

Green hunter:
Minor: Reload crossbow.
Move: Shift one, behind Buff strider.
Standard: 19:51, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Green hunter, rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Crossbow +7 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (25(+11 temp)/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Green hunter: (14/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Behind Buff strider. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry.
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Walnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

Drake grins at the opportunity to prove his valor once again.  Knowing the party is split and therefore not ideal tactically Drake booms out ‘There’s three down this corridor’ quickly to alert Froodle and Frug of the situation.

He girds himself ready for the onslaught by giving a moments thought to Bahamut.

Then he lets out his Dragon Breath at the three closely grouped adversaries Green hunter walnut strider and Buff strider.

Buff strider gets hit by the flame as does the Green Hunter but it misses the walnut Strider just licking his armor

Now it’s time to weaken the strongest amongst his adversaries swinging the magic frost sword it bites deeply into the body of the Walnut strider a little prayer to Bahamut helps the blade sink deeper and cause a bigger wound.

Drake nods to himself and shouts ‘You three are mine’ to the three adversaries.


Minor Action : utility power Virtue spend a healing surge but get value as Thp = 8 thp

Also as spent a healing surge Feat Virtuous recovery also activated Resist All till start of next turn = WIZ resist All 2

Minor Action: Dragon Breath close blast 3 strength + 2 v reflex 1D20+2

Buff strider = 20 HIT damage 1D 6 + 1 = 3
Walnut strider = 10 miss
Green Hunter = 18 HIT damage 1 D6+1 = 3

Standard action = Valorous strike encounter power on Walnut Strider 1d20 + 9 CHA v AC rolled 10
= 19 HIT Due to the successful hit enemies in 3 square close burst are subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. So all three combatants Walnut strider Buff strider and green hunter are all affected.

Damage 2W+6 rolled 9 =15

Free Action frost longsword Daily extra 1D8 on hit = 2

Damage on walnut strider 17 hp




Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (25(+11 temp)/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Green hunter: (11/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Behind Buff strider. BLOODIED Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry. Subject to Drakes divine sanction
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) 8 THP resist all 2 until start of next turn. Engaged with Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter Subject to Drakes divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (22/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter Subject to Drakes divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 09:39, Thu 15 Dec 2022.

Tuur snarled at his foes with blades in hand.
In quick succession he struck twice at the green hunter and through many cuts, caused grave injuries to the foe!
As the foe likely could not stand from its wounds, Tuur spun on his heel and struck the walnut strider with a hidden blow!


Standard: Twin strike hits twice, 12 damage to green hunter.
Minor: Encounter power - offhand strike, hits Walnut strider for 9 damage!



Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (25(+11 temp)/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Green hunter: (00/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Behind Buff strider. Dead? Subject to Drakes Divine Sanction. Tuur's quarry. Subject to Drakes divine sanction
Drake: (21/32; 21/15/14/16) 8 THP resist all 2 until start of next turn. Engaged with Buff strider and Walnut strider in melee.
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter Subject to Drakes divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Adjacent to Green hunter Subject to Drakes divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Middle of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

Froodle's target presses his attack against the dragonborn. He gets under Froodle's defenses as his ally in the chestnut toned gear starts to edge around, both to flank the fighter and to get at Frug.

In the other intersection, the two swordsmen are only too happy to face off with Drake. They dodge to the side, trying to split his attention, and then strike with their swords, causing Drake's divine glow to fade just a little.

The hunters seem drawn to the biggest targets. The ones that can see Froodle loose at him and it's only providence that keeps him from being mortally injured.

---

Umber strider:
Standard: 23:28, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Umber strider, rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Longsword +7 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Hit.
23:28, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Umber strider, rolled 5 using 1d8+4.  Longsword damage, 1d8+4. 5 damage.

Chestnut strider:
Move: Shift 1, getting next to Froodle.
Standard: 23:34, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Chestnut strider, rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Longsword, +7 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss. The roll says "Buff" but that's a mistake.

Buff strider:
Move: Shift 1.
Standard: Readied action: Trigger: The other strider moves to flank. Action: Attack Drake.

Walnut strider:
Move: Shift 1 into flank with buff strider.
Buff strider: 22:15, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Buff strider, rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Longsword (with CA) +9 vs AC 21 of Drake. Hit.
22:17, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Buff strider, rolled 17 using 1d8+1d6+4.  Longsword damage (with CA). 2 resisted, 15 total.
Walnut strider: Standard: 22:21, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Walnut strider, rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Longsword (with CA) +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.

Fern hunter:
Standard: 22:33, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Fern hunter., rolled 26 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Hit.
22:33, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Fern hunter., rolled 7 using 1d10+4.  Crossbow damage, 1d10+4.
Move: Move away from fight. Maintain +2 bonus to ranged attack rolls.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Laurel hunter:
Standard: 22:35, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Laurel hunter, rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.
Move: Move away from fight. Maintain +2 bonus to ranged attack rolls.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Jungle hunter:
Standard: 01:26, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Jungle hunter, rolled 24 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow, +9 vs. 21 AC of Drake. Hit.
01:27, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Jungle hunter, rolled 12 using 1d10+4.  Crossbow damage, 1d10+4.
Move: Move away from fight. Maintain +2 bonus to ranged attack rolls.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Moss hunter:
Standard: 01:29, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Moss hunter, rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 21 of Drake. Miss.
Move: Move away from fight. Maintain +2 bonus to ranged attack rolls.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: 24/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Drake: (2/32; 21/15/14/16) Resist all 2 until start of next turn. Flanked by Buff strider and Walnut strider. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Circling around to flank.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: (13/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks. BLOODIED
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

"Back up, back up!" Sietnyas called to Drake and Tuur. "Don't let them surround you!" The corridor should be narrow enough to hold them. But at least he could cut down on the incoming crossbow fire, and maybe attract their fire on himself. Again he arced his dagger at the wounded crossbowman; it struck true, and the foe screamed and fell.

Sietnyas jumped about to be seen, grinning, waved the bloody dagger at the remaining crossbowman, and pointed it his way. "You're next!"

---

OOC:
standard - ranged basic vs Jungle hunter. -2 for cover from intervening foes and +2 for advantage from Cunning Stalker cancel.
move and/or minor to taunt Moss hunter.

19:29, Today: Sietnyas rolled 11,13 using d4+7,2d6+3.  Damage vs jungle hunter.
19:28, Today: Sietnyas rolled 22 using 1d20+11.  Throw dagger at Jungle hunter.

---

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: 24/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Drake: (2/32; 21/15/14/16) Resist all 2 until start of next turn. Flanked by Buff strider and Walnut strider. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (39/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Circling around to flank.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. DEAD
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.

Froodle stood, between the enemy and Frug.

He felt a little perturbed by the distinct lack of blood coming from either of the foes looking to encircle him.

He eyed the chestnut strider who had moved in and was clearly looking to gain a positional advantage. “Let him do that at his peril” he thought.

Froodle knew that if he managed to hit the enemy, he could issue a combat challenge that would mean any movement allowed him a further attack, with his inherent combat superiority giving him a better chance to hit and stop any movement to his rear.

All he had to do was hit them.

Froodle swung his not so trusty axe (he must find a better one someday) at the umber strider in a wide swing, looking to follow through into the flesh of the chestnut foe.
With a little surprise he hit with precision, following through as planned on the chestnut strider too.
“Let’s see what you’ve got now” he called to them


Standard: Froodle used cleave on the umber strider rolling 27 on d20+8 vs AC16 HIT!
Froodle rolled 11 on d10+4 vs the umber strider and caused 4 damage (str mod) to the chestnut strider.

Free: Combat challenge (mark) issued to both Umber and Chestnut striders

EDIT
Froodle marks the Umber strider and shift alongside him, away from the Chestnut strider, blocking the passageway (I read it as 2 squares wide). This would mean they could still flank me but they would both need to shift (or move if they prefer) to do so (opening up an opportunity attack on at least the Umber instead of the Chestnut).

Only the Umber striker is marked

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: 24/40; 21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut (marked) striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) At junction near Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes an damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage)
Drake: (2/32; 21/15/14/16) Resist all 2 until start of next turn. Flanked by Buff strider and Walnut strider. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (35/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Circling around to flank.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. DEAD
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnyas. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:42, Thu 05 Jan 2023.

In reply to Froodle (msg # 204):

Frug, seeing the striders moving to flank makes the choice to call upon the divine energy he has grown to know. Protecting Froodle is the key to winning our way through this battle. Slacking about with his staff, Frug continues that focus on Froodle and divine radiant energy shield his ally. That shield lashes out at the Striders. The Umber Strider is able to reflexively avoid the divine energy, but the Chestnut Strider gets hit hard.

Moving in a bit, Frug tosses the curative infusion he had readied at their last break. Froodle needs the energy Frug thinks, as he knows that he can fade away if he’s hit and that Froodle will not be going anywhere.

Standard Blades of Astral Fire (burst 1 within 10): 17 using 1d20+6.  Blades of astral fire vs 15 reflex Chestnut Strider, 9 using 1d20+6 Blades of astral fire vs 15 reflex Umber Strider, and 14 using 1d10+5  Radiant damage chestnut strider. All ally’s in burst, Froodle, gain +4AC bonus until end of Frugs next turn.
Move: get close to Froodle to give curative infusion, as the minor action.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (39/40; 25(until Frug)/21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber (marked) and Chestnut (marked) striders.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares from Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes any damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage) Used Curative infusion for encounter.
Drake: (2/32; 21/15/14/16) Resist all 2 until start of next turn. Flanked by Buff strider and Walnut strider. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (21/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Circling around to flank.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. DEAD
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnynas

For the sake of clarity after the edit on Froodle's turn I have reposted the current status block to include both Froodl'es and Frug's actions

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (39/40; 25(until Frug)/21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber strider. Blocking passageway alongside Umber. Two squares from Chestnut strider.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares from Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes any damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage) Used Curative infusion for encounter.
Drake: (2/32; 21/15/14/16) Resist all 2 until start of next turn. Flanked by Buff strider and Walnut strider. BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (23/31; 18/13/16/16) Quarry on green. Engaged with Green hunter, Buff strider and Walnut strider.
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (21/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Circling around to flank Froodle but not now adjacent.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. DEAD
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnynas

Drake feels faint, woozy, unsteady from the blood loss. He’s taken aback at the ferocity of the attacks He’s endured in such a brief time. A rare sentence for Drake to formulate comes from the Dragonborn ‘I need some healing help here’.

Drake notices the smile on the Buff and Walnut striders faces as they smell victory over their enemy.

But Drake isn’t out of the game yet. He senses his protection from Bahamut fade and decides attack is the best defence.

Due to his blood loss … it makes the Dragonborn angry … no not  angry furious and he feels energy surging down his sword arm.

Drake strikes at the Walnut strider which hits its mark. The blade bites deeply opening a huge rend in the Walnut strider who crumples and dies at Drakes feet. Bahamut rewards Drake for his endeavor. The Buff striders smile fades.

Teamwork is key and Drake can see Tuur is injured he reaches out and touches Tuur allowing Bahamut to flow through him healing his wounds.

Drake knows he is hanging on by a thread and digs deep to try and stem the bleeding that will be his downfall. Bahamut again rewards the Dragonborn for his self preservation.

Virtuous recovery fades at start of turn

Standard: Bolstering strike on Walnut Strider rolled 15 1d20+10 v AC 16 HIT damage rolled 7 on 1D8+ 5 Longsword damage Drake gets 2THP

Minor: lay on hands Drake expends a healing surge and healing hands for Tuur for healing surge value + 4. Drake receives resist All 2 virtuous recovery till start of next turn.

Move: shift to side of Buff strider

Action Point: Drake uses second wind and heals for 8 hp +2 all defences till start of next turn

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (39/40; 25(until Frug)/21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber strider. Blocking passageway alongside Umber. Two squares from Chestnut strider.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares from Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes any damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage) Used Curative infusion for encounter.
Drake: (10/32; 21/15/14/16) +2 All defences till next turn. Resist All 2 until start of next turn. 2THP Engaged with Buff strider BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with Buff strider. Healed by Drake.
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (21/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Circling around to flank Froodle but not now adjacent.
Buff strider: (36/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) DEAD
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. DEAD
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnynas
</quote>

Tuur shrugged off the wounds and went all in on the foe before him, trying to keep the momentum going. It was obvious that he had committed to the position he was in, so he left no space for any mistakes - rather focusing solely on the strider before him.

Minor: Quarry on Buff strider.
Standard: Twinstrike - hits twice, for 14 damage.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (39/40; 25(until Frug)/21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber strider. Blocking passageway alongside Umber. Two squares from Chestnut strider.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares from Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes any damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage) Used Curative infusion for encounter.
Drake: (10/32; 21/15/14/16) +2 All defences till next turn. Resist All 2 until start of next turn. 2THP Engaged with Buff strider BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with Buff strider. Healed by Drake.
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle.
Chestnut strider: (21/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Circling around to flank Froodle but not now adjacent.
Buff strider: (22/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Drake and Tuur. Flanking Drake. Subject to Drake's divine sanction.
Walnut strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) DEAD
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Jungle hunter: Far end of hallway to right of Drake and Sietnyas. DEAD
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Far end of hallway to left of Drake and Sietnynas

The umber strider looks a bit desperate, but still determined. He gives voice to a sound that's a cross between a bird whistle and a cricket chirp, and the other Karrnathi woodspeople seem to take notice. Then he lunges at Froodle with both of his blades, and both skitter off of the artifice that Frug has erected.

The chestnut strider snaps a salute to the umber one with his blade then moves away from the melee toward the fern-colored hunter. He reaches that intersection and repeats the odd signal, so that those in the other intersection can hear.

The buff strider sees Drake's divine defenses and decides not to both. He backs away, spits a foul epithet condemning all of the more wholesome divine forces, and then legs it down the same hall as the moss-dressed hunter.

The hunters targeting Froodle take his improved defenses as a test of their skill and let fly. One hits for effect, and gives off an exultant hoot, before both of them disappear down one of the two halls at their respective intersections.

The moss hunter also moves around a corner, but seems ready to target anyone that comes after him.

---

Umber strider:
Standard: Two-weapon rend. Attack with longsword and shortsword. +4 damage if both hit.
22:53, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Umber strider, rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  Longsword +7 vs. AC 25 of Froodle.
22:54, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Umber strider, rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Shortsword +7 vs. AC 25 of Froodle.

Chestnut strider:
Move: Move to end to hallway to right of Frug and Froodle.
Standard: Ready an action to use two-weapon rend on first target in range.

Buff strider:
Move: Shift 1 away from Drake and Tuur.
Standard: Move: Move to end of hallway to right of Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas.

Fern hunter:
Standard: 23:10, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Fern hunter, rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 25 of Froodle. Miss.
Minor: Reload crossbow.
Move: Move away from melee, out of sight around corner. +2 to ranged attacks.

Laurel hunter:
Standard: 23:13, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Laurel hunter, rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Crossbow +9 vs. AC 25 of Froodle. Hit.
23:13, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Laurel hunter, rolled 10 using 1d10+4.  Crossbow damage, 1d10+4.
Minor: Reload crossbow.
Move: Move away from melee, out of sight around corner. +2 to ranged attacks.

Moss hunter:
Move: Move away from melee, out of sight around around corner. +2 to ranged attacks.
Standard: Readied action: Trigger: an enemy moves into sight; Shoot crossbow at them.

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind Drake/Tuur
Froodle: (29/40; 25(until Frug)/21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber strider. Blocking passageway alongside Umber. Two squares from Chestnut strider.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares from Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes any damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage) Used Curative infusion for encounter.
Drake: (10/32; 21/15/14/16) +2 All defences till next turn. Resist All 2 until start of next turn. 2THP Engaged with Buff strider BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls).
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with Buff strider.
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Two-weapon rend<i> used.
Chestnut strider: (21/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. Readied action: Trigger, enemy moves adjacent; <i>two-weapon rend.
Buff strider: (22/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Subject to Drake's divine sanction. At end of hallway to right of Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas. Adjacent to buff strider.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight somewhere to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight somewhere to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight of Drake, Tuur and Sietneyas. Readied action: Trigger: enemy moves into sight; shoot them. Adjacent to buff strider.

The situation had certainly turned, though Drake looked worse for wear. Rather than retreat, it seemed now they would have to advance.

The enemy were making signals to each other, planning something... Sietnyas shrugged, and decided to go with the flow for now. He loped along the hall toward the retreating swordsman, moving to the side to stay out of sight of the crossbowman around the corner, and again let fly with his dagger, wounding him so he staggered slightly.  "Let's finish them!" he encouraged Tuur and Drake, and crouched, ready to edash into the fray in the wake of his allies.

---

OOC:

Move forward, throw dagger.

16:19, Today: Sietnyas rolled 9 using 1d4+6.  Thrown dagger damage vs buff strider.
16:18, Today: Sietnyas rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  Ranged basic vs buff strider.

Froodle is up!

---

Status:
Inside Emerald Claw facility.
Lower levels of a tower in Precarious.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Near buff strider, not engaged
Froodle: (29/40; 25(until Frug)/21/17/15/12) AP used. Engaged with Umber strider. Blocking passageway alongside Umber. Two squares from Chestnut strider.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 5 squares from Froodle and Umber and Chestnut striders. Frug will use Fade Away if he takes any damage and become invisible (in hopes of not taking more damage) Used Curative infusion for encounter.
Drake: (10/32; 21/15/14/16) +2 All defences till next turn. Resist All 2 until start of next turn. 2THP BLOODIED (+1 to attack rolls). far end of hall from buff strider
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) far end of hall from buff strider
Umber strider: (28/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Engaged with Froodle. Marked by Froodle. Two-weapon rend used.
Chestnut strider: (21/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) Far end of hallway to right of Froodle and Frug. Readied action: Trigger, enemy moves adjacent; two-weapon rend.
Buff strider: (13/39; 16/13/15/13; +7, 1d8+4) BLOODIED Subject to Drake's divine sanction. At end of hallway to right of Drake, Tuur and Sietnyas. Adjacent to moss hunter.
Fern hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight somewhere to right of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Laurel hunter: (20/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight somewhere to left of Froodle and Frug. +2 bonus to ranged attacks.
Moss hunter: (32/32; 15/11/13/12; +2, 1d4+2) Out of sight of Drake, Tuur and Sietneyas. Readied action: Trigger: enemy moves into sight; shoot them. Adjacent to buff strider.