[Game Thread] Act 1 Scene 7 Leg 1 of the Amazing Race

[savoylen]

Cohort 23 locates their marker easily. Fin touched the marker and it instantly transformed into a scroll.

ROADBLOCK Who is counting?

So far, no other teams have arrived at their markers that you can see.

[savoylen]

Two other cohorts arrive in the biblioplex - The Cohort 1Shades followed by the Cohort 24Tribolts.

The tiny assistant with the XXIII labeled on its little chest, is still standing there, holding one side of the scroll.

[savoylen]

Its impossible to tell from your location but from the hoops and hollers, some team just just located one of their markers.

[MontageManiac]

Malleus Livius Silvanus Mal stands there stupified and reads over the scroll again. He looks on the half-empty shelf to see if there are some books there, and counts them. He asks the assistant, quietly, "Is there a librarian we have to see?" Mal looks for his familiar and orders it to seek out the sound of the hoot and hollering, but stay out of sight and listen for a bit. Then come back to report what they discover or discuss. OOC Malleus Livius Silvanus Male Half-Elf Wizard Actions Move: Standard: Bonus: Rolls: Dice Mal investigation to count books: 1d20+4 (19)+4 Total = 23 Dice Familiar perception: 2d20+3kh1 (3, 8 (keeping 8) )+3 Total = 11 Dice Familiar stealth: 1d20+3 (3)+3 Total = 6   Sheet Level 1 Wizard medium Half-Elf, neutral good Armor Class 12 (15 w/ Mage Armor) Hit Points 5/8 Speed 30' Hit Dice 1d6 Initiative +2 Condition Normal Inspiration No Proficiency Bonus +2 Str 8 (-1) | Dex 15 (+2) | Con 15 (+2) | Int 18 (+4) | Wis 11 (+0) | Cha 13 (+1) Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +2 Skill Proficiencies Acrobatics +4, Arcana +6, Athletics +1, History +6, Perception +2, Persuasion +3 Passive Perception 12 Passive Investigation 14 Passive Insight 10 Racial Traits You can see in darkness (shades of grey) to up 60’Darkvision, You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.Fey Ancestry, You gain proficiency in Perception and Athletics.Skill Versatility Features: Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover - up to a combined level of 1, and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.Arcane Recovery   Spells Spell Level Spell Slots Prepared Spells Cantrips Infinite Green-Flame Blade, Mending, Ray of Frost Level 1 1/2 Find Familiar, Identify, Mage Armor, Shield, Silvery Barbs, Sleep

[savoylen]

"Is there a librarian we have to see?"

"There is no need to see an librarian related to your Roadblock," The miniature assistant answered.

As Mal looks over the even partially empty self, he realizes it will easily take a full minute or more to count all those books with any accuracy. Mal begins counting and the owl leaves to do recon.

[Mindsiege]

Rhondrarondura Running as an elk was a pretty new and pretty revelatory experience for Rhondrarondura. She knew that she mustn't allow herself to get distracted by the sensation of being an animal, but it was still fairly curious to function so differently than she had before. Feeling the excitement of having a strong body that could run faster and longer than all those surrounding her, the shapeshifted Melia carried Thron and accompanied her cohort under Malleus's leadership as his owl guided the party straight to their assistant and the marker which had been left with it. Fenmaer swiftly touched the marker and it transformed into a scroll which read to all the students with the question of who would count. Who is counting? The half-elven wizard took the question literally and began searching for a librarian and then counting the books. Is that how a roadblock words? It wasn't really explained in the rules... Should we have asked beforehand? Should we ask the assistant now? But even as the druidic being wondered about these things inside of her head, as an elk she didn't have any capacity for speech. She could have changed back into her sylvan form, but somehow she felt like the cohort might still need her to be an elk and she didn't feel powerful enough to change her shape too many times within a short timespan. Or maybe the scroll wants us to nominate one of our own who is the best that can count? A roadblock is something that has to be lifted out of the way, but what does it mean in this context? I feel like the scroll should explain this to us more. The elk looked from left to right between the members of cohort 23. It was pretty odd behavior for an elk and slightly reminiscent of how Rhondra usually tended to be. The Melia felt a little frantic that they were losing time as more cohorts found their assistant and their cohort didn't fully know how they were meant to solve their roadblock.

 

Actions Movement: - Action: - Bonus Action: - Reaction: - Notes: - Rolls:

Stat Block Rhondrarondura | Druid (Circle of Spores) | Level 2 HP: 15/15| HD: 2/2d8 | AC: 16/14 | Prof Bonus: +2 | PP: 14 | INI: +1 | Speed: 30 ft Attributes & Saves: Str 7 (-2), Dex 12 (+1), Con 14 (+2), Int 11 (+0), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 7 (-2) Skill proficiencies: Animal Handling (+4), Insight (+4), Nature (+2), Perception (+4), Stealth (+3), Survival (+4) Other proficiencies: Common, Elvish, Sylvan, DraconicLanguages | Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids will not wear armor or use shields made of metal)Armor Proficiencies | Clubs, daggers, darts, javelins, maces, quarterstaffs, scimitars, sickles, slings, spearsWeapon Proficiencies | Herbalism kitTool Proficiencies Racial abilities: You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.Hold Breath | You have tough, bark-like skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.Natural Armor Class abilities: You know Druidic, the secret language of druids. You can speak the language and use it to leave hidden messages. You and others who know this language automatically spot such a message. Others spot the message's presence with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check but can't decipher it without magic.Druidic | Starting at 2nd level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape of a beast that you have seen before. You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a short or long rest. Your druid level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table. At 2nd level, for example, you can transform into any beast that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower that doesn't have a flying or swimming speed. Beast Shapes Level Max. CR Limitations Example 2nd 1/4 No flying or swimming speed Wolf 4nd 1/2 No flying speed Crocodile 8nd 1   Giant eagle You can stay in a beast shape for a number of hours equal to half your druid level (rounded down). You then revert to your normal form unless you expend another use of this feature. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die. While you are transformed, the following rules apply: Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the creature. If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the bonus in its stat block is higher than yours, use the creature's bonus instead of yours. If the creature has any legendary or lair actions, you can't use them. When you transform, you assume the beast's hit points and Hit Dice. When you revert to your normal form, you return to the number of hit points you had before you transformed. However, if you revert as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to your normal form, For example, if you take 10 damage in animal form and have only 1 hit point left, you revert and take 9 damage. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce your normal form to 0 hit points, you aren't knocked unconscious. You can't cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form. Transforming doesn't break your concentration on a spell you've already cast, however, or prevent you from taking actions that are part of a spell, such as Call Lightning, that you've already cast. You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. However, you can't use any of your special senses, such as darkvision, unless your new form also has that sense. You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature's shape and size. Your equipment doesn't change size or shape to match the new form, and any equipment that the new form can't wear must either fall to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form. Wild Shape (1/2) | At 2nd level, you gain the ability to summon a spirit that assumes an animal form: as an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to cast the Find Familiar spell, without material components. When you cast the spell in this way, the familiar is a fey instead of a beast, and the familiar disappears after a number of hours equal to half your druid level.Wild Companion | Starting at 2nd level, you are surrounded by invisible, necrotic spores that are harmless until you unleash them on a creature nearby. When a creature you can see moves into a space within 10 feet of you or starts its turn there, you can use your reaction to deal 1d4 necrotic damage to that creature unless it succeeds on a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. The necrotic damage increases to 1d6 at 6th level, 1d8 at 10th level, and 1d10 at 14th level.Halo of Spores | Also at 2nd level, you gain the ability to channel magic into your spores. As an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to awaken those spores, rather than transforming into a beast form, and you gain 4 temporary hit points for each level you have in this class. While this feature is active, you gain the following benefits: When you deal your Halo of Spores damage, roll the damage die a second time and add it to the total. Your melee weapon attacks deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to any target they hit. These benefits last for 10 minutes, until you lose all these temporary hit points. or until you use your Wild Shape again.Symbiotic Entity Feats & Background: Your mannerisms and knowledge of fey customs are recognized by natives of the Feywild, who see you as one of their own. Because of this, friendly Fey creatures are inclined to come to your aid if you are lost or need help in the Feywild.Feywild Connection Equipment: Shillelagh: Attack bonus (+4), magical bludgeoning damage (1d8+2)Quarterstaff (druidic focus) | Wooden shield | Goodberries 0/10 Spellcasting: Spell DC (12) ¦ Spell Attackbonus (+4) Cantrips: Chill Touch, Shillelagh, Thorn Whip Level 1 Spells (3/3): Entangle, Goodberry, Speak with Animals

[Yoshimi]

KiM Not thinking of any better idea than Val's, KiM asks the assistant, "Are we intended to count all the books in this room?" Just in case, they start helping to count.

 

Rolls:

 

Character Information Name: KiM FortiTude Race: Warforged Background: Outlander Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good

Character Build Starting Stats (with racial mods): STR 18 (+4) | DEX 16 (+3) | CON 18 (+4)| INT 10 (+0) | WIS 14 (+2) | CHA 14 (+2) Level Source Feature 1 Warforged Con + 2, Any other + 1 (Str) 1 Warforged Speed: 30 1 Warforged Constructed Resilience (advantage on save vs. poison; resistance to poison; no need for food, drink, breathe; immunity to disease; no need to sleep, immune from sleep) 1 Warforged Sentry's Rest: Long rest requires 6 hours of being inert, can still see and hear 1 Warforged Integrated Protection: +1 to AC, 1 hour to get in or out of armor with which proficient, armor can't be forcibly removed 1 Warforged Specialized Design.: one skill (Nature) and one tool (Herbalism Kit) 1 Warforged Language: Common, Halfling 1 Outlander Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival 1 Outlander Musical Instrument Proficiencies: Drum 1 Outlander Language: Goblin 1 Outlander Wanderer: Excellent memory for maps and geography, can always recall the general layout of terrain, can find food and fresh water for self and up to 5 others each day. 1 Outlander Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal, a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 10gp 1 Barbarian Rage: 2/day 1 Barbarian Unarmored Defense: AC 10 + DEX Modifier + CON Modifier 1 Barbarian Hit Points: 1d12+CON modifier 1 Barbarian Armor Proficiency: Light, Medium, Shields 1 Barbarian Weapon Proficienty: Simple weapons, Martial Weapons 1 Barbarian Save: STR CON 1 Barbarian Skills: Perception, Intimidation 2 Barbarian Reckless Attack: Can use a reckless attack on first turn, gaining advantage with melee attack but giving foes advantage against me 2 Barbarian Danger Sense: Advantage on Dex Saves against effects I can see

[savoylen]

The assistant looks to Val and answers, "No." It looks back at the scroll it is patricianly holding and points to the only thing written below the heading Roadblock. It reads, "Who is counting?"

[Yoshimi]

KiM KiM replies, "I see that. It says 'Who is counting?" They turn to the rest of the team. "So is this a riddle and if so what's the answer, friends? Prismari?" They continue, "Or perhaps the letters must be rearranged." The warforged's eyes turn pale blue and there is a slight whirring noise. In a calm voice they suggest, "Touching winos?" KiM looks speculatively at Astra.

 

Rolls:

 

Character Information Name: KiM FortiTude Race: Warforged Background: Outlander Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good

Character Build Starting Stats (with racial mods): STR 18 (+4) | DEX 16 (+3) | CON 18 (+4)| INT 10 (+0) | WIS 14 (+2) | CHA 14 (+2) Level Source Feature 1 Warforged Con + 2, Any other + 1 (Str) 1 Warforged Speed: 30 1 Warforged Constructed Resilience (advantage on save vs. poison; resistance to poison; no need for food, drink, breathe; immunity to disease; no need to sleep, immune from sleep) 1 Warforged Sentry's Rest: Long rest requires 6 hours of being inert, can still see and hear 1 Warforged Integrated Protection: +1 to AC, 1 hour to get in or out of armor with which proficient, armor can't be forcibly removed 1 Warforged Specialized Design.: one skill (Nature) and one tool (Herbalism Kit) 1 Warforged Language: Common, Halfling 1 Outlander Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival 1 Outlander Musical Instrument Proficiencies: Drum 1 Outlander Language: Goblin 1 Outlander Wanderer: Excellent memory for maps and geography, can always recall the general layout of terrain, can find food and fresh water for self and up to 5 others each day. 1 Outlander Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal, a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 10gp 1 Barbarian Rage: 2/day 1 Barbarian Unarmored Defense: AC 10 + DEX Modifier + CON Modifier 1 Barbarian Hit Points: 1d12+CON modifier 1 Barbarian Armor Proficiency: Light, Medium, Shields 1 Barbarian Weapon Proficienty: Simple weapons, Martial Weapons 1 Barbarian Save: STR CON 1 Barbarian Skills: Perception, Intimidation 2 Barbarian Reckless Attack: Can use a reckless attack on first turn, gaining advantage with melee attack but giving foes advantage against me 2 Barbarian Danger Sense: Advantage on Dex Saves against effects I can see

[The Dark Star]

The Amazing Race is off! The group heads on to this thing called a roadblock and the thing says, who is counting? Okrem began to think a little bit and wondered for a moment. "Well, we are in a library right? I wonder if it's a title of a book, like Sir Bradley counting birds. Or a, math related book?" He asked, giving the group some input as to what the scroll could be about. Mechanical Information:   STR: 14 DEX: 8 CON: 14 INT: 12 WIS: 16 CHA: 10 Level | Source | Feature 1 | Tortle | Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1 1 | Tortle | Your base walking speed is 30 feet 1 | Tortle | Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike 1 | Tortle | You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time. Tortles aren't natural swimmers, but they can remain underwater for some time before needing to come up for air. 1 | Tortle | Due to your shell and the shape of your body, you are ill-suited to wearing armor. Your shell provides ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield's bonus as normal 1 | Tortle | You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to AC, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and can't increase, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws, you can't take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell 1 | Tortle | You gain proficiency in the Survival skill. Tortles have finely honed survival instincts 1 | Tortle | You can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan 1 | Courtier | Skill Proficiencies - Insight, Persuasion 1 | Courtier | Languages - Elvish, Undercommon 1 | Courtier | Equipment - A set of fine clothes and a pouch containing 5gp 1 | Courtier | Court Functionary - Your knowledge of how bureaucracies function lets you gain access to the records and inner workings of any noble court or government you encounter. You know who the movers and shakers are, whom to go to for the favors you seek, and what the current intrigues of interest in the group are. 1 | Cleric | 10 HP 1 | Cleric | Proficiencies - Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields / Weapons: Simple weapons / Skills: Medicine, Religion 1 | Cleric | Saving Throws - Wisdom, Charisma 1 | Cleric | Equipment - Warhammer, Chainmail, Quarterstaff, Priest’s Pack, Shield, Holy Symbol (Dream Catcher) 1 | Cleric | Cantrips - Guidance, Spare the Dying, Toll the Dead 1 | Cleric | Spell Slots - 2 1st Level / Known Spells - Cure Wounds, Bane, Ceremony, Healing Word 1 | Cleric | Wisdom based spells / DC 13 / Spell Attack +5 1 | Twilight Domain | Gained spells - Faerie Fire, Sleep 1 | Twilight Domain | You gain proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor 1 | Twilight Domain | Starting at 1st level, You can see through the deepest gloom. You have darkvision out to a range of 300 feet. In that radius, you can see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. As an action, you can magically share the darkvision of this feature with willing creatures you can see within 10 feet of you, up to a number of creatures equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of one creature). The shared darkvision lasts for 1 hour. Once you share it, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest, unless you expend a spell slot of any level to share it again 1 | Twilight Domain | At 1st level, the night has taught you to be vigilant. As an action, you give one creature you touch (including possibly yourself) advantage on the next initiative roll the creature makes. This benefit ends immediately after the roll or if you use this feature again 2 | Twilight Domain | Channel Divinity (Turn Undead) 2/2 As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer, forcing each undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there's nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action. 2 | Twilight Domain | Channel Divinity As an action, you create a 30-foot aura centered on you that is full of dim light. When a creature ends its turn in the aura, you can choose one of the following effects on it. Grant it temporary HP equal to 1d6 + your cleric level. End one effect causing them to be charmed or frightened. Harness Divine Power (Optional): You can choose to use your channel divinity to regain an expended spell slot. The level of the slot must be no greater than half of your proficiency bonus (rounded down). If you use your channel divinity in this way, that expended use is not regained until you take a long rest.   Currency: 14 GP 4 SP 8 CP Equipment: Weapon-Warhammer-Versatile-1d8/1d10-Bludgeoning-2lbs. Weapon-Quarterstaff-Versatile-1d6/1d8-Bludgeoning-4lbs. Armor-Natural-17AC Armor-Shield-+2AC-6lbs. Holy Symbol-Dream Catcher Priest's Pack: Backpack, a Blanket, 10 Candles, a Tinderbox, an alms box, 2 blocks of incense, a censer, vestments, 2 days of Rations, a Waterskin 25 gp worth of Silver Powder 2 Books Common Clothes   Spare the Dying-VS-Touch-Instant-You touch a living creature that has 0 hit points. The creature becomes stable. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs. Toll The Dead-VS-1 Action-60 ft.-Instant-You point at one creature you can see within range, and the sound of a dolorous bell fills the air around it for a moment. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage. If the target is missing any of its hit points, it instead takes 1d12 necrotic damage. At Higher Levels. The spell’s damage increases by one die when you reach 5th level (2d8 or 2d12), 11th level (3d8 or 3d12), and 17th level (4d8 or 4d12). Guidance-VS-1 Action-Willing Creature-Concentration 1 min.-You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends. Cure Wounds-VS-1 Action-Touch-Instant-A creature you touch regains a number of hit points equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the Healing increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st. Bane-VSM (A drop of blood)-1 Action-30 ft.-3 creatures-Concentration 1 min.-Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st. Ceremony-VSM (25 gp worth of powdered silver, which the spell consumes)-1 Hour-Touch-Instant-Atonement. You touch one willing creature whose alignment has changed, and you make a DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) check. On a successful check, you restore the target to its original alignment. Bless Water. You touch one vial of water and cause it to become holy water. Coming of Age. You touch one humanoid who is a young adult. For the next 24 hours, whenever the target makes an ability check, it can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the ability check. A creature can benefit from this rite only once. Dedication. You touch one humanoid who wishes to be dedicated to your god’s service. For the next 24 hours, whenever the target makes a saving throw, it can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the save. A creature can benefit from this rite only once. Funeral Rite. You touch one corpse, and for the next 7 days, the target can’t become undead by any means short of a Wish spell. Wedding. You touch adult humanoids willing to be bonded together in marriage. For the next 7 days, each target gains a +2 bonus to AC while they are within 30 feet of each other. A creature can benefit from this rite again only if widowed. Healing Word-V-1 Bonus Action-Creature of Choice-60 ft.-Instant-A creature of your choice that you can see within range regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the Healing increases by 1d4 for each slot level above 1st.   Level 1 = 10 HP Level 2 = 5+2=7, New total 17   Link to Character Sheet

[savoylen]

The Biblioplex gets quite a bit nosier as most of the other groups seem to have arrived and are locating their markers.Fin asks if he should go 'recon' a bit on the other groups to see if they have come up with the solution to move forward.

[MontageManiac]

Malleus Livius Silvanus Mal smacks his forehead as he’s counting, and turns to the assistant. "I will count!" Turning to Fin, Mal holds up a hand "20 feet together, no? Leave my familiar to it. Let us try and progress together." OOC Malleus Livius Silvanus Male Half-Elf Wizard Actions Move: Standard: Bonus: Rolls:   Sheet Level 1 Wizard medium Half-Elf, neutral good Armor Class 12 (15 w/ Mage Armor) Hit Points 5/8 Speed 30' Hit Dice 1d6 Initiative +2 Condition Normal Inspiration No Proficiency Bonus +2 Str 8 (-1) | Dex 15 (+2) | Con 15 (+2) | Int 18 (+4) | Wis 11 (+0) | Cha 13 (+1) Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +2 Skill Proficiencies Acrobatics +4, Arcana +6, Athletics +1, History +6, Perception +2, Persuasion +3 Passive Perception 12 Passive Investigation 14 Passive Insight 10 Racial Traits You can see in darkness (shades of grey) to up 60’Darkvision, You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.Fey Ancestry, You gain proficiency in Perception and Athletics.Skill Versatility Features: Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover - up to a combined level of 1, and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.Arcane Recovery   Spells Spell Level Spell Slots Prepared Spells Cantrips Infinite Green-Flame Blade, Mending, Ray of Frost Level 1 1/2 Find Familiar, Identify, Mage Armor, Shield, Silvery Barbs, Sleep

[savoylen]

As soon as Mal says "I will count" the scroll transforms and the details of the task appear.

ROADBLOCK FOR Malleus Livius Silvanus While the remaining part of your cohort wait together at this marker, Malleus Livius Silvanus is to count the number of red leather-bound books located along the stairwell between the first and second levels of the Biblioplex WITHOUT touching the stairs themselves. For the purposes of this task, Malleus Livius Silvanus may not have outside help or the use of arcane powers including familiars to view the books in question though Malleus Livius Silvanus may have outside help to gain access to the second floor. Malleus Livius Silvanus, once you have your count, return to this spot and speak correctly to the assistant in order receive your next clue.

There are a few squeals of excitement on the other side of the stacks followed by the sound of running feet. Evidently, one or more teams are already on the move!

[savoylen]

 

For purposes of this task, the character's player should describe how the character would go about all of the task, including any needed skill checks along the narrative in a single post.

Though the length doesn't matter, the details of the attempt and mechanics will determine the order of successes and the position of the cohort as they leave for the next leg of the race.

No pressure!

Good luck - Savoy

[MontageManiac]

Malleus Livius Silvanus Sighing, Mal draws his dagger, takes a deep breath, and nods to the group, "I’ll try and keep us ahead…" and runs off towards the stairwell. The rules, as written, and most relevant as follows: Mal must count the number of red leather-bound books located ALONG the stairwell between the first and second levels, WITHOUT touching the STAIRS themselves. For the purposes of this task, Mal may not have outside help or the use of arcane powers including familiars to VIEW the books in question, but he may have OUTSIDE help to gain access to the second floor. Twirling the dagger around in his hand, Mal was chasing after the front runners, likely 24 and maybe 1 or whoever else made it in. Mal knew they were at a bit of a disadvantage, likely their initial placing, as they were the furthest away from the stairs. But he had to make up for that disadvantage somehow, and while he was loathe to burn through too many resources too soon, this seemed like as good a time as any. So first, he would make every ounce of use out of this first… performance. Feeling the rhythm of his mother’s people beat within his breast, he listened to his memories of the pipes, the tanned drums, and the screeching wail of drones as the piercing notes sent birds fleeing from the boughs of nearby trees. His mother told him of an ancient tradition of swordsman from their cherished past. While wizardry was much a practice of theory, calculation, and numeration to determine the arcane laws that governed the worlds, it was also a fundamental force of beauty. While he knew he was not original, he hoped Prismari recognized that one can at least be unique. Bladesong activate with bonus action!As the song from his memories coalesced with the use of magic, he could hear the dagger thrum within his hand, and just as he was 15 feet away from his cohort, they too could hear the music growing in volume from their self-chosen roadblock challenger. As if picked up with the tempo, Mal using dash for action to move a total of 80 feet this round which gets Mal from mid-book rack to just around the corner in view of the Western Staircase I believe according to the map.launched forward with a little boost of arcane speed. The rules stated arcane powers could not be used to VIEW the books in question, and said nothing about getting there, or ascending the stairs. "Axes flash, broadsword swing, Shining armor’s piercing ring Horses run with polished shield, Fight those bastards ‘til they yield" Mal’s voice rang out amongst the stacks, the music emitting from his blade unerring, arcanely enchanting, and Dice Performance check to distract the other contestants from their counting to try and trip them up: 1d20+3 (9)+3 Total = 12 pristine in its sounds. Rushing with his quickened pace, Mal checked towards both stairwells leading up to the second floor, searching for the one thing he hoped, prayed he would find: a Dice Perception check to see whether they're on the Western side, or Eastern side with greater than 10 being on Western side: 1d20+2 (2)+2 Total = 4 2nd year Prismari student on the Western side of the stairwell. Blasted luck, Mal could only see a 2nd year travelling up the further Eastern staircase. "Midnight mare and blood red roan, Fight to keep this land your own Sound the horn and call the cry, How many of them can 23 make die!" Undeterred and powering through, 80' dash across the grounds towards Eastern stairway, aiming for the 2nd year Prismari studentMal launched himself ahead again, instead of racing up the closest placement to the stairs above, he bolted across the floor, continuing to sing as he did, the euphoria of the arcane power rushing through him intoxicating beyond his own imagining. With a mental command, he bonus action to ask for familiar to "help" in stalling the 2nd yearasked for Hephaestia's aid, and the owl answered, careening from where she had gone earlier to scout, she launched herself up the stairway and flew around the Prismari 2nd year to prevent her from ascending the stairs further. Mal knew that part of the stairwells leading up, from his previous night's venturing, was in fact on the second floor, which 1st years were not allowed to enter. However, if a 2nd year vouched for a 1st, then perhaps allowances could technically be made. With the 2nd year distracted, Mal didn't give up whatever chance he had. "Follow orders as you're told, Make their yellow blood run cold Fight until you die or drop, A force like ours is hard to stop" Spurred on by the music, Mal continued to run, Hephaestia landing on the Prismari Student's shoulder and nudging her to turn around and look down towards the approaching Mal. Making it to the base of the stairs before the 3rd line of his next verse, Mal leapt from the ground and began to Dice Acrobatics check with advantage thanks to bladesinging: 2d20+4kh1 (5, 9 (keeping 9) )+4 Total = 13 dance up the steps of the stairwell's banister, using the ruts of each vertical bar in the stairwell to find footing, and facing the stacks and stacks of books along the wall, grabbing a Dice Investigation check to count the books: 1d20+4 (19)+4 Total = 23 count of each red leather-bound book, all while still singing to distract other contestants from their own counts. 1... 2... 3, 4... 5.... 6.... 7... Confident in his count, a little more than his difficult footing moving up along banisters rather than stair steps, he Dice Persuasion check: 1d20+3 (11)+3 Total = 14 reaches out a hand for the young woman that Heph had halted for him, and upon reaching the bridge point between crossing over into the 2nd floor from the first and grabbing his last count of the red leather-bound books. Whether it was the entrancing singing, or sheer absurdity of the image, the woman reached out and grabbed a hold of Mal's hand and he swiftly pulled her along as he danced along the banister, bending over to prevent herself from falling along the steps. While leaning down, before going into his next verse, Mal quickly says, "I hope to join Prismari, I promise you a metalsmithing work of my best skill if you aid in helping me access the 2nd floor." As Mal waits for the 2nd year female Dice Maybe advantage on that persuasion check to offer something he knows he can deliver on: 1d20+3 (1)+3 Total = 4 Dice Advantage on that roll for Heph on Student's shoulder cuddling into her neck softly, COME ON!: 1d20+3 (8)+3 Total = 11 Prismari student's response, he looks up and takes the chance to count the remaining books as they approach the top of the steps on the 2nd floor. There was little time to get a response, and Mal bit his lip and nodded, smiling to the woman, "It's ok, I hope to see you under better circumstances. Be well!" Launching himself from the bannister of the Eastern Stairwell once he arrived on the second floor, Mal bit his lip, unsure how he was going to make it through. He was sort of banking on the kindness of a Prismari student. With little other choice, he grabbed a hold of the shoulder of a woman sitting at the table, she wore the robes of a Silverquill, and hoped perhaps his Dice Performance check: 1d20+3 (19)+3 Total = 22 song had enough of an effect on the woman. When he turns her around, he blinks his eyes as her platinum hair flows around in slow-motion, and he feels his heart skip a beat. Softly, he says, urges: "Close your mind to stress and pain, Fight till you're no longer sane Let not one damn cur pass by, How many of them can 23 make die..." Placing a hand on her lower back, Mal begins to spin around with her, dancing through the initial room of the 2nd floor, "Apologies, I am First Year Malleus Livius Silvanus, I go by Mal. If you would be so kind as to help me get through this 2nd floor to the other stairwell entrance, I can promise you a metalsmithed object." With a sly smile and a wink, it was all the permission Mal needed, and his returning smile had him leading this platinum-haired beauty in a Again the 80' movement going across the ground to the next chamberdance through the room he entered, out through the double doors to the central reading chamber, and then lifted her up onto the tables, leading her through a complicated double step while his dagger sang in one hand, positioned against her lower back in such a way as to be safe from harming this woman. They danced across the tables, over books, and down chairs, bursting through the double doors into the room which was a mirror of the one they just came through, spotting the top of the stairs where he saw some of his competitors make it through to cross around the other side, surprised to see him dancing into the room and distracted yet again by this absurd performance. Leaning down and kissing the back of the 2nd year's hand, Mal winked at the Silverquill woman and Dice Acrobatics check: 2d20+4kh1 (13, 19 (keeping 19) )+4 Total = 23 leapt up onto the banister where many others had just come from, and went counter to the flow, traversing down the Western Stairwell, remembering suddenly that he had to Dice Investigation check: 1d20+4 (19)+4 Total = 23 count the red leather-bound books on this side of the stairwell, pulling his enraptured stare from the woman he'd just danced on the 2nd floor with. "Guard your women and children well, Send these cohorts back to hell We'll teach them the ways of war, They won't come after 23 any more!" It was... amazing. It was as though each book lit up as he glanced through the shelves, continuing his count: 8... 9... 10, 11, 12, it's a series I guess, 13... 14... 15... was that last one about metallurgy and imbuing metals with, oh I'll be back for you! 16... 17... 18... 19... 20... 21, 22... I'll be damned... 23. As he looked through the book shelves, the footwork that Mal had found on the 2nd floor rather than the Eastern Bannister was present as he hopped down the bannister, avoiding other students struggling with the task and offered them a little pat on the rump as he hopped down on light feet and full heart, a touch of platinum if not gold left on his mind. Feet to ground, Hephaestia landed upon his shoulder and nudged his cheek as the race was still continuing. "Use your shield and use your head, Fight 'til every one is dead Raise the flag up to the sky, How many cohorts can 23 make die!" Rushing his continued pace, Mal found himself nearly out of breath as he arrived at the entrance to the bookshelf. Running the final 25 feet to their Prismari assistant, Mal finished singing: "Dawn has broke, the time has come, Move your feet to am arching drum We'll win the war and pay the toll, We'll fight as one in heart and soul" Leaning down, standing exactly as he had before, he speaks to the assistant quietly to avoid other cohorts from hearing, "23 red leather-bound books lining only the stairwell between the first and second floors, done without touching the stairs, and gaining proper permission from a Silverquill 2nd year to be allowed on the 2nd floor." The music slowly fades from Mal's dagger as he takes a breather, his brow dripping with sweat, and he sheaths the blade and smiles like an enthusiastic school boy to his cohort. His friends. "Hope that performance satisfied. I don't know if I have another in me." OOC Malleus Livius Silvanus Male Half-Elf Wizard Actions Move: Standard: Bonus: Rolls Summary: Performance check to distract other participants and make them lose count: 12 Acrobatics going up Bannister instead of steps on Eastern stairs: 13 Investigation check to count the Red Leather-Bound books on Eastern Side: 23 Persuasion check to get Prismari 2nd Year to help Mal get onto 2nd Floor: 14 Persuasion (potentially with advantage) to get Prismari student's help to pass along 2nd floor: 4/11 Performance check to get Silverquill Student to help guide me through 2nd floor: 22 Acrobatics to go down other banister: 23 Investigation on this side of the stairwell: 23 (come on, so many 23s, it was meant to be!)   Sheet Level 1 Wizard medium Half-Elf, neutral good Armor Class 12 (15 w/ Mage Armor) Hit Points 5/8 Speed 30' Hit Dice 1d6 Initiative +2 Condition Normal Inspiration No Proficiency Bonus +2 Str 8 (-1) | Dex 15 (+2) | Con 15 (+2) | Int 18 (+4) | Wis 11 (+0) | Cha 13 (+1) Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +2 Skill Proficiencies Acrobatics +4, Arcana +6, Athletics +1, History +6, Perception +2, Persuasion +3 Passive Perception 12 Passive Investigation 14 Passive Insight 10 Racial Traits You can see in darkness (shades of grey) to up 60’Darkvision, You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.Fey Ancestry, You gain proficiency in Perception and Athletics.Skill Versatility Features: Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover - up to a combined level of 1, and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.Arcane Recovery   Spells Spell Level Spell Slots Prepared Spells Cantrips Infinite Green-Flame Blade, Mending, Ray of Frost Level 1 1/2 Find Familiar, Identify, Mage Armor, Shield, Silvery Barbs, Sleep