In reply to DM (msg # 14):

"Ahhhhhh!" Travic cried out, blasting two blasts of sand and rock from his ring. Both utterly missing the horrible creature.

ooc-23:59, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Eldritch blast 2.

23:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  Eldritch blast 1.

23:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Wisdom save.

Onyxclaw had a slightly smug smile on his face using the magic that was now open to him....until it screeched and came for him.

The sound was like an echo in his head, reminding him of how he came to gain the power - the fear he had at such overwhelming power that could snuff his life out.

When he looked up, he didn't have time to react.

....the cloaker enveloped him.

Onyxclaw felt panic well up and struggles to fight his way out, but he was small and not physically strong.

He was in trouble.

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 8 using 1d20+2 - Wisdom save

Onyxclaw rolled 0 using 1d20-1.  Strength check.

Typical - it aims for the small weak kobold!>

Post is PM for now, waiting for Jhank.

Jhank sees the Kobold struggling and uncurls her body, rushing at a surprising amount of speed for her size and aiming for the base of the monster's head with her dagger, her blade skidding off to the side and missing her kill strike, ''piece of shit!'' she growled.

18:04, Today: Jhank rolled 1 using 1d20 ((1)). Attack
18:05, Today: Jhank rolled 1 using 1d4 ((1)). Piercing damage
18:11, Today: Jhank rolled 8 using 1d20 ((8)). Dexterity Save
8+6=14 total for dex save (ooc not sure if I was supposed to make this, but everyone else was so I followed suit, bear with me I'm still learning.)

No worries Jhank, no dex save was needed, you already failed your wisdom save. You get to try again every round. Everyone Wisdom DC13 or you're still frightened, which gives disadvantage.

Devon's strikes are true, but it is unclear if the cloaker is stunned.

Everyone else seems to be getting their bearings with their new found power, the cloaker is balled up right in front of you, easy to hit, but it is terrifying how it pulls Onyxclaw around as he struggles for breath.

Then a second cloaker flaps into the room and plummets into Devon, the obvious choice as he is punching the crap out of this cloaker's mate. Devon ducks and weaves, so cloaker 2 flies 20 feet into the air and creates two duplicates of itself. Devon you can AOO. Everyone roll atk and dmg as normal, i will then roll to see if it hits a duplicate or the real one


ROUND 3
Cloaker 1 AC14, hp-50
Cloaker 2 AC14, 2 duplicates

Onyxclaw squeals with every hit, struggling to escape, but with the lack of air, his strength waned.

---

<OOC: Ouch!

Onyxclaw rolled 2 using 1d20-1 (strength check)

>

Reaction: Punch Cloaker 2
10:07, Today: Devan Crier rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  Attack of Opportunity
10:08, Today: Devan Crier rolled 10 using 1d6+5.  Dmg


Devan managed to dodge the attack from the second cloaker, but he saw an opportunity to deliver a karate chop on its back right before it had time to duplicate illusory doubles. He connected the hit with a rousing success.

Action: Punch with Stunning Strike DC 13
10:14, Today: Devan Crier rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Stunning Strike.
10:15, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Dmg

Bonus Action: Punch Miss
10:17, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Punch


He would go and unleash a barrage of punches on that second Cloaker and it's duplicates but Devan heard the squealing sound of his companion and decided to keep up with pressure blocking the creature. He goes for another round of jabs but miss the second barrage when he noticed something peculiar,"Hmm, interesting, looks like I'm not only punching this monster but it seems I'm also punching you, Onyx. Hm, what a conundrum, whatever shall I do." he says while raising his fist and is pretty much ready to make the kobold a punching bag,"What to do, what to do, such a moral dilemma."

Devan I'm going to apply your actions to cloaker 1, because cloaker 2 is 20' up in the air, you cannot reach it, unless you can fly or something cool that I wasn't expecting :)

Seeing the dreadful monster wrapped about Onyxclaw like a deadly pita wrap, Andromeda cried, “Unhand him!  Better said, uncloak him!”  She searched for any sign of scale or claw to heal but found none, so instead she brandished the celestial jewel.  There came a blinding flash of radiance as a beam of pure starlight erupted from the gemstone to strike the cloaking monstrosity!

---

• Natural 1 on Perception fails to spot a cloaked kobold!
• Cast Guiding Bolt via Star Map on Cloaker1.  If Devan failed to stun it then I miss with 12 vs. AC, but if it is stunned then advantage makes it a hit vs. 14 AC for 11 radiant!
  • If this hit then next attack is made with advantage!

23:10, Today: Andromeda rolled 11 using 4d6.  Guiding Bolt damage.
23:10, Today: Andromeda rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Guiding Bolt (advantage?).
23:09, Today: Andromeda rolled 12 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 5.  Guiding Bolt.
23:07, Today: Andromeda rolled 8 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 26):

He focuses on the  cloaker, trying to force it off its victim. Then he screams "Die! Die! Die!" to the Cloaker. Despite not being terrorfied by its unnatural keening wail, he seems pretty scared all by himself. However, the ring blasts out two very accurate attacks of sand and rock that slams into the already damaged creature.

OOC:

Bonus action 1st.
Using tk to shove cloaker 1, making it release target. Not a to hit roll, but it must make a strength save dc 16 or be shoved 5 feet.

Two EBs of 25 hit for a total of 23 damage.

07:59, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 13 using 1d10+5.  EB 2 damage.

07:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 10 using 1d10+8.  Blast damage with Genie Bonus.

07:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  EB 2 Cloaker 1.

07:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  EB Cloaker 1.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:36, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Jhank was getting angrier by the second, making her no longer afraid, just enraged. Once again aiming for the Cloaker wrapped around Onyx, this time lodging her dagger in the base of its neck, muttering profanities in Draconic the whole time.


09:38, Today: Jhank rolled 16 using 1d20 ((16)). for wisdom, finally!
09:41, Today: Jhank rolled 10 using 1d20 ((10)). for attack
09:43, Today: Jhank rolled 4 using 1d4 ((4)). 4+3 total for piercing damage
10+7=17 total damage

Devan smacks cloaker 2 as it flies away from him, then it stays up in the air 20' high.

He attempts to stun cloaker 1 but it seems the monster is incredibly tough and is not stunned, though the punch still deals damage and Devan can see the thing is wearing out.

Andromeda's guiding bolt just barely misses as the cloaker writhes and wriggles, dragging Onyxclaw around on the crystal cave floor.

Travic's telekinesis isn't powerful enough, the large aberration doesn't even budge. But eldritch blasts burn large hole's in the cloaker's leathery flaps.

Jhank, finally pissed off enough, slams her daggers and cuts open the cloaker to pull Onyxclaw out. He is unconscious, and not breathing!!!!

The second cloaker screams three times at the death of it's mate, the three cloakers that are one begin to flee!!!! They are 30' high and 30' to the east of the group. If you don't bring it down it will escape the area.

---

ROUND 4
Cloaker 1 DEAD
Cloaker 2 AC14, hp-10 2 duplicates
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:06, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Jhank managed to slay the terrifying cloaker at last, causing it to spit out a limp and seemingly lifeless kobold friend!  Andromeda moved to stand over Onyxclaw and cried out, "Now is not your time, friend.  Arise!"  Her voiced conjured wisps of twinkling starlight to descend upon the kobold and breathe life back into his tiny lungs.

Standing over her fallen comrade, Andromeda extended the long and luminous whip from the celestial jewel, spinning it around her in a wide arc.  "Not so fast, monster!"  The magical lash snapped out at the retreating cloaker, coiled about it and reeled it back in toward danger!  That was the hope at least, assuming she'd selected the correct duplicate.

---

• Cast Healing Word on Onyxclaw to restore 6 HP
• Thorn Whip (range 30 ft) hits 23 AC vs. Cloaker2 (or does it?) for 9 piercing damage and pull it 10 feet closer to us!  Now 20 feet up from the ground.

13:01, Today: Andromeda rolled 9 using 2d6.  Thorn Whip damage.
13:00, Today: Andromeda rolled 23 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 16.  Thorn Whip attack.
13:00, Today: Andromeda rolled 6 using 1d4+4.  Healing Word.

Onyxlaw panicked in the darkness of the beast, pain from it and every hit aimed at it seemed to transfer pain to him. He wanted to run, to scream, but he had no air.

....then darkness.

He opened his eyes to a void, floating in a cold nothingness that was familiar to him - he had been here once before when he met it.

You still have much to learn, worm. He heard the voice in his head, and turned by sheer will. His gaze came around to the shadow, seemingly blooting out the area, the only way to distern any features (if you'd call them that) was light gasses that made the void different shades.

The kobold closed his eyes and bowed. "Master....i"

The entity interupted with a spike of mental pain, causing the kobold to flinch. You have much to learn, and if you don't your soul will be mine sooner than you want....Either way, you are mine reguardless.

The kobold looked almost sheepish and scared, knowing full well what could happen if this being wanted to....shred his mind and soul without a thought. There was a silence, and before Onyxclaw could speak, the voice came back, calmer, sweeter.

I could have left you to die here, but i saw your mind, your spirit, and reconised a hunger. I knew i could help you, in my benovlence. So i gifted you a piece of me. the voice had pride in its voice, but the kobold knew it was not for him - it praised its own choice. The kobold (wisely) stayed silent.

You have been gifted something rare - the potion has poened the portal between us wider - where a trickle of magic came throughh, now a arcane torent can be felt. I commend your willingness to test your power, and glad you desire it.....but in your haste, you failed to learn what you need the most.

The air between the entity and Onyxclaw grew cold, and it seemed the stars flew past at a rapid pace. I have seen the rise and fall of worlds, the very birth of your world. Even the ones's the pitiful two legs on that rock of yours call 'gods', those who sent me here. But i know what is needed for me to esacpe.

I have the power now, to break free, but i ask, what is the point if i have not the strength to fight? The the kobold had a confused look as he thought, then something dawned on him.

Strength

Yes, little one. You have the power now, if only temporarily, but you also must learn your place and how to use it. Patience. You must learn to not be impulsive and know your place.

The kobold nodded as he thought of the lesson. "Yes master....patience. I think i understand."

Thge voice in his mind had approval of the answer. Good....your answer told me the truth. If you had have said you understand, i woulde have known you lied, and would rectify my error in using you. Tghe fact that you know what you must consider means you are using your mind - your most powerful tool.

A bright light shon from behind Onyxclaw, and he felt a warmth as he was pulled back. Your freinds call you back. Remember my words. I could have you now, but what point would that be? Gain strength and I will. Learn patience.

The kobold felt a pull as he came back

---

As Onyxclaw lay on the floor, limp and unconsious, several puncture marks on his tiny frame, a black ooze seemed to seep from him. His too big cloak  was tattered even more to the point of being virtually destroyed.

Andromeda went to him and felt his cold body, casting the healing magic, he was still for a moment.

Then he flung his eyes open with a look of fear, gasping and flailing his arms around, confused.

"I UNDERSTAND MASTER.....PATIENCE!" he called out, his eyes darting around.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

anyone near Onyxclaw notices a pool of an otherworldly oil surrounding him, bubbling away dissolving as it collides with this world’s atmospheric pressure.

It was most clearly not the cloaker’s blood.

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

"You better flap away! You...horrible...flappy...thing!" Travic called out, sending more eldritch blasts at the retreating creature.

ooc: two hits...maybe...doing a total of 24 damage.

17:19, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 15 using 1d10+5.  Eb damage on c2.

17:19, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 9 using 1d10+8.  Eb damage on c2.

17:19, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Eb 2 on c2.

17:18, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  Eb 1 on c2.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

"What the.." Devan says when he sees the otherworldly oil dissolve,"... Your carrying some strange materials their Mr. Onyxclaw, I think I've got the headlines now. 'Otherworldly Cobtraband - Is Their A Cartel Hidden In This Dungeon?'" he says with his usual personality, then looks toward the Cloaker,"Hmm, that things out of boxing range, maybe I can.." he says, looking toward his bag for a specific item,"Ah, here we go!" he says, pulling out a dart set,"I'd thought we'd be able to play some darts as a downtime activity, fighting works as well." he says, pulling out two darts and tossing it at the Cloaker.

Action: Two Dart Attacks
(Forgot I got an Extra Attack, my bad)
Dart 1 Hit
06:25, Today: Devan Crier rolled 18 using 1d20+8.  Dart 1.
06:26, Today: Devan Crier rolled 8 using 1d4+5.  Dmg.

Dart 2 whiffs
06:25, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Dart 2.


The first hit directly towards one of the cloakers but the second didn't hit close to the mark and landed on the ceiling.

''Uh...you kinda bust a leak there,'' Jhank watches the oil disperse before dissolving in the atmosphere, she quickly turns her attention to the frightening flippy flapper floating far afield, not wanting to think too long on the fact of a co-worker had become an environmental hazard.
Jhank winds up an arm, throwing a dagger at the Cloaker farthest right, and unleashes her second one right after that, aiming at the next to the left.
16:44, Today: Jhank rolled 3 using 1d20 ((3)). 3+6=9 to hit for farthest right
16:46, Today: Jhank rolled 9 using 1d20 ((9)). 9+6= 15 to hit middle one

Andromeda had guessed correctly, thank the stars. The thorn whip pulled the beast down a bit, and the other two quickly imitated the actions to keep everyone guessing.

Travic thinks he has the shot lined up on the correct cloaker but instead it poofs away when he hits it with his first blast. That narrows things down at least! His second shot poofs away the other duplicate.

Devan's first dart hits, as does Jhank's third and fourth daggers. I'm not keeping track of how many daggers Jhank has, but I'm glad she came prepared.

The cloaker screees and moans as it flaps away into the tunnels going east.

---

Combat over. 800XP each.
You can do one of these 3:
Anyone can harvest the dead cloaker to make two cloaker cloaks by spending an hour and a survival check of dc14. (this will be averaged out by however many people do this)
Anyone can harvest the crystals by spending an hour. No check required, roll d3-1
Anyone not harvesting can take a short rest.
You then move on to 4d.

---

4d. A 15-foot-high iron portcullis is embedded in the stone wall at the mouth of a long tunnel. Rough-hewn stairs just inside the tunnel climb to the top of the wall, which is enclosed by stone battlements. There are no guards stationed atop the wall or beyond the portcullis. The winch to raise the portcullis is inside the tunnel, just beyond the gate. The portcullis can also be lifted with a successful DC 25 Strength (Athletics) check.
(Puzzle time. How will you get to the winch on the other side of the gate??? Mage hand anyone???? Teleportation????)

Andromeda startled at this strange proclamation from the just-revived kobold.  She extended a hand to help him to his feet and said, "Welcome back, mister Claw.  Um, beg your pardon?  Were you speaking with somebody...?"

With the threat gone, Andromeda circled the corpse of the cloaker, observing it with interest.  "Hm!  I do believe this pelt would make a fine cloak or two.  I have not done a great deal of skinning and preparation of hides, but I did read a very good book on the subject!"  As the others rested, the druidess set to work skinning and dressing the carcass with all of the aptitude of someone who had only ever read a book on the subject.

OOC:  Spending an hour failing to harvest cloaker cloaks:

• 13:47, Today: Andromeda rolled 10 using 1d20+7.  Survival.

After time spent harvesting and recovering from the battle, Andromeda looked toward the path ahead.  She approached the tall portcullis and looked up to the battlements with hands on hips, remarking, "One wonders who constructed such fortifications in this place.  Dwarves, perhaps?  I wonder what it defends..."  She took a close look at the portcullis itself, searching for traps or any other interesting secrets it might hold before considering how they might get through it.

---

Perception to search the fortifications for traps:

• 14:04, Today: Andromeda rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

Also, is there a top of the wall that we might possibly go over, or is the gate the only way to the other side?

FYI to fellow players: Andromeda will offer Guidance to any skill checks, so you can add 1d4 to the results!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

Jhank set about mining some crystals, shinies tend to catch her eye, before joining the rest of the group to examine the gate. ''I can probably lift it,'' she offered, but hung back till the druid finished the trap check.
I rolled a 3 for the crystals.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

Devan writes down on his notepad the description of their now deceased foe,"Hmm, it's not an interesting beast to write home about, but it's a start. The beginning of legends being born and what not." he says to himself once again and walks toward the portcullis,"Hmm, however are we to get inside of this wall I wonder..." he says, checking his backpack for anything of use,"Ah, here we go.." he says as he pulls out a crowbar, he then walks toward Jhank,"Miss Jhank, so you say your strong enough to life that portcullis, and I have no doubt of it. You could be the strongest one of our group, so I'll give you this item to help you in your endeavors to lift heavy objects." he says, passing on the crowbar to her.

Which by the way involves giving adv on Str checks that involved lifting

Onyxclaw blinked at the druid, unsure of where he was for a moment, until he realised where he was. He sighed, closing his eyes, then looked at the druid. "No one.....dream"

He winced as he tried to get up, but instead chose to rest. The cloaker attack, though quick, had hurt him a lot.

He reached into his sachel and pulled out some kind of light coloured jerry and began eating...though his gaze went to the cloaker and the crystals

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw is torn, but he will have a short rest and spend 4 HD to heal 15 hp>
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

the wall goes all the way up into the cave ceiling. there are battlement slits that a person could fit through if you wanted to climb

At the wall, the kobold looked at the porticilus with a tilted head and the mechanism controling it. Muttering a small word, he held his hand out, manipulating it with an unseen hand.

<OOC: Will use mage hand on the mechanism to raise the porticilus (Even if a small way until someone can crawl under)