"I sense strangeness in the air." Pavel says

OOC: Sacrificing spell slot for Primal Awareness "Is it a dragon, undead, fiend, aberration or celestial?"

Pavel reaches through his connection to nature, searching outward for signs of creatures that did not belong or who posed a peculiar threat. There was a faint hint of elementals present somewhere within a one mile radius of the group, but nothing else.

Akyra suggested that everyone proceed forward, second-guessing her thoughts toward wyvern as it seemed the creature had four legs rather than only two. Pavel's guess of a gryphon was a bit more fitting, but...it was too far to tell.

Nevertheless, the group pushed on toward the windmill. Guesses were good, but they would know more certainly if they could get close enough for a better view.

As minutes passed, pushing through the last mile, hills of varying height, along with the windmill itself, continued to impede your view of the beast. When you finally crested a hill some 125 feet away or so, you finally caught a good sight of the windmill on the next hill. The hill itself was probably 30 feet high. It looked like the door to the windmill was on the eastern side, and the beast was trying to break through it.

You saw the rear end of it first, giving more credit to Pavel's suggestion. Then the wings flexed outward and into your view, leathery rather than feathered, ruling out a gryphon all together. You could hear shouting in the common tongue, deep and masculine. Then the creature pulled up to stand on its hind legs and you caught a glimpse of its face. Most of the body looked almost lion-like, save the spines jutting out here and there, but it's face was almost that of a human male. It's bright yellow eyes stood out to you, even at this distance, almost like sunlight shining off of a gold coin.

That's when the creature caught sight of your group, and when it unfurled its tail behind it, revealing a number of long spikes.

You don't necessarily have to fight this creature, that choice is yours to make. However, go ahead and roll initiative as part of your next post, along with what you wish to do.

If you do want to enter combat straight away, go ahead and post your actions like you would in a normal round. You are all 125 feet away from windmill, and about 145 ft away from the creature. History, Nature, or Survival checks of 14+ will tell you what the creature is. 18+ will give you some information on what it can do.

"It is a Lammasu." Sakamoto proclaims, softly. "They are intelligent, wise and adhere to an admirable code of laws. It is best not to fight them, and, perhaps, we may even be able to treat with them."

That said, Sakamoto does raise the hood of his cloak, and looks to secret himself away. "Of course, other courses of action are also available."

Today: Sakamoto rolled 20 using 1d20+3, rerolling all ones ((INITIATIVE)).

Sakamoto will hold his action with the following roll. If the creature begins to attack, or the party decides to attack, only then will he take his action to hide.
Today: Sakamoto rolled 16 using 1d20+7, rerolling all ones ((STEALTH)).

Ariadne, still pondering the possibility of meeting that dragon again, was distracted at first, but the sight of the beast at the windmill definitely got her full attention.
She crept forward, shaking her head at the halfling's proclamation.
"No, no, that's no Lammasu.  This is the wrong environment for them, I think. No, I remember an elven ranger talking about one over a card game in a tavern years ago.  It's a manticore.  It certainly matches his description.  He was a bit drunk, so he was vague on the details, but I gather that they're very dangerous."


OOC:

02:02, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  initiative.

02:01, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  stealth.

02:01, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  survival.

02:01, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  nature.

02:01, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 14 using 1d20.  history.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Thu 05 Aug 2021.

Akyra looked at the beast, taking her axe from her hip and adjusting her shield. “Whatever it is, it doesn’t look friendly.” She almost had an excited gleam in her eye as she looked at it.

“And whatever it is, there’s someone trapped in there. We gotta get them out of there.”

---

OOC: Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Iniative.

Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Survival check.

Initiative: 21 (natty 20)

BonThot will use the Glassteel staff to raise his AC to 15. Then he will move into range of the beast and fire off a total of four missiles using one 2nd level spell slot. Range for Magic missile is 120'. BonThot will move close enough to be in range.

Total of 15 points of damage to the beast.

Pavel decides to protect the sorcerer.

Ariadne glared with annoyance at the sorcerer
"Can you at least wait until the rest of us are ready!??!  We're supposed to be a team here!"
She looked moved closer to the beast, getting ready.

OOC:  moved 30 feet closer

"Come now, lass. I'm just leading the way. There's a lot more where that came from!"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Fri 06 Aug 2021.

In reply to BonThot (msg # 26):

Ariadne rolled her eyes.
"At least wait until we're in range, so we don't waste time!
You basically gave the monster fair warning about us."

"True, but I put a few bolts in his ass too, and get to stand here firing more magic missiles as you guys move closer. I call that a win win!"

The dragonborn looked at the two. "Stop sniping at each other and get your heads where they need to be. You can argue this later."

the cleric strode forward, banging the shield with her new axe. "C'mere....does kitty want to play?"

PM - while I work on the larger post

In reply to Psynister (msg # 30):

Movement fron the Creature caught Ariadne's sharp eye, and she called out.
"Be careful!  The drunken ranger spoke of the manticore shooting spines from its tail!  I thought it barroom nonsense at the time,  but looking at the beast now, i think it may be true!"

As the group discussed the different things that the creature might be, and how they may want to approach it, <purple>BonThot stepped forward and unleashed a stream of magical darts of force. They flew through the air with great speed, slamming into the creature with perfect accuracy.

Sakamoto and Ariadne tried using terrain to their advantage to cut off the manticore's line of sight.

Time was barely on their side, as they got to their spots just before the Manticore roared in response to the magic missiles.

BonThot's spell will start actual combat, so anyone who hasn't posted an action, do so now. This is roughly the starting position from the moment BonThot cast his Magic Missile spell. He won initiative, so that's basically the start of round 1.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:41, Sat 07 Aug 2021.

Ariadne moved forward and began chanting the language of the Natural Order, calling to the grass and roots of the ground to reach up and grasp her enemy.

OOC:  Move 30 feet, then cast Entangle on the manticore.

Even as Ariadne steppe forward, the dragonborn, her ebony scales a contrast to her silver armor, walked by her side, axe and shield in hand. Even as the druid calls fourth her spell, the cleric enacts her own, a shimmering axe much the same as the new axe windfall in shape appeared in a white/silver color.

...it seemed Bahamut approved of her new weapon of choice.

The Dragonborn mentally commanded and the axe swung a swipe at the beasts flank

---

OOC: Movement - move 30 feet to within 60 feet of beast

Action - Defensive stand

Bonus action - Cast Spiritual weapon

Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  attack - Spiritual weapon.
Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 10 using 1d8+2.  damage - spiritual weapon.

Pavel unlimbers his bow and prepares to pepper the manticore.

OOC:
23:59, Today: Pavel Marsk rolled 6 using 1d8+2.  Bow damage on Manticore.

23:59, Today: Pavel Marsk rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Bow attack on manticore.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Sat 07 Aug 2021.

Sakamoto's stature hinders any sort of expeditious approach to either the windmill or the monster. Still he moves as fast as he can towards the side of the windmill furthest from the Manticore. Perhaps he can find a way in, or a way to flank the monster eventually...

[OOC: Action(s): Move and Dash to get to the point of the windmill just to the left of the U3 label - unless a point of ingress presents itself before then. -Ken]

BonThot sent his missiles to snipe the monstrosity from afar, and all four darts thudded into the creature's side eliciting a sound like a cross between a man's yell and an animal's roar. (15 damage to the Manticore)

Sakamoto moved swiftly and silently up the hill, on the far side of the windmill, hoping to flank the creature.

The Manticore swung his tail in BonThot's direction, and seconds later you hear the whistling-whoosh as three spikes came flying. The first was deflected by the staff's magic, but the second found its mark. The third flew between the sorcerer's legs, stabbing into the dirt somewhere behind him. It then landed in the ground behind the ruined wall for some cover while it observed these new opponents. (BonThot takes 4 Piercing damage)
15:09, Today: Psynister, for the NPC Manticore, rolled 13,6,23,4,7,5 using d20+5,d8+3,d20+5,d8+3,d20+5,d8+3.  Tail Spike x3.

Ariadne moved forward and summoned vines from the earth. Though you cannot see much of the manticore from it being behind a low wall, another frustrated cry could be heard, giving you the impression it likely stuck. (Manticore is Restrained - 0 speed, adv on attacks, disadv on dex saves)
16:49, Today: Psynister, for the NPC Manticore, rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Strength Save.

Pavel drew out his bow and loosed an arrow. Had the manticore been able to fly, that arrow would have caught nothing but hillside. Thanks to Ariadne's grappling plants, however, it was held perfectly in place for the arrow to find its mark. (manticore takes 6 damage)
16:57, Today: Psynister, on behalf of Pavel Marsk, rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Advantage.

Akyra summoned a platinum axe in the shape of Windfall above the manticore, and swung it down on the restrained monstrosity. It cried out one more, in pain and frustration. (10 damage to the manticore)
16:53, Today: Psynister, on behalf of Akyra Clethtinthiallor, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Advantage.

Round 2 - Fight!

Ariadne runs forward, to get closer to the monster so she can use her more powerful spells

OOC:  make a 60 foot dash

BonThot creeps forward a little bit, but doesn't waste any time before he looses four more magic missiles.


20:33, Today: BonThot rolled 18 using 4d4+4 ((4,3,3,4)).

Akyra, smiling rushes forward along side Ariadne, again willing the axe to hit the beast, but with her excitement and movement, misjudged the swing

---

OOC: Movement - 30 Feet
Action - Dash 30 feet
Bonus action - Attack with spiritual weapon

Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  spiritual weapon attack.

Next to the windmill, Sakamoto notes a window high up off the ground. He plots a course, using hand and footholds and acrobatically launches himself up the side of the vertical tower. Quickly and easily, he finds himself inside the windmill...

Today: Sakamoto rolled 23 using 1d20+5, rerolling all ones ((Acrobatics)).