[Game Thread] Chapter Two: Through the Dark

[Disaster Master]

Rugadh Faoi Rugadh Faoi Rugadh Faoi was following Nienna at a safe distance through the darkness when she heard a lumbering sound from where she had jumped off the ledge. Turning around, she saw Qalo and Begon moving through the cavern as well. Although she didn't like Nienna's plan, its chances of success were not worse than the chances of any other plan discussed so far. And her companions might have just ruined the plan. If they couldn't risk anything, it was fighting the giant. And even if they won a fight, it would not guarantee that the woman they intended to save would remain unharmed during this fight. The dark elf was angry with herself. Had she stayed on the ledge, she would have been able to discourage Begon from doing something imprudent. If they only had waited until the giant had been lured away. Now it was too late. Rugadh Faoi could only hope that the giant was too busy talking to the voice in his head and to the woman in his clutches that he didn't care about Begon's noise. Hoping to distract the giant, she conjured dancing lights using her innate drow magic to illuminate the naked druid as the druid approached the colossal humanoid. If the giant had some sense of sense of beauty, the sight of Nienna as Corellon had created her, bathed in silvery light, would surely fascinate him, she hoped. The drow continued to remain in the shadows and to follow Nienna.

Stat Block   Rugadh Faoi Chinniúint CG Female dark elf bard 1 Armor Class 13 Hit Points 7/7 Speed 30 ft Str 7 Dex 17 Con 9 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 18 Saving throws Dex +5, Cha +6 Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +6, Insight +4, Perception +4, Persuasion +6, Stealth +5 Senses darkvision 120 ft. passive Perception 14 Languages Undercommon, Elvish, Common, Goblin Spellcasting Cantrips (DC 14, +6) minor illusion, vicious mockery 1st level (2 slots) dissonant whispers, healing word, hideous laughter, thunderwave Rapier +5 (1d8+3 piercing) Dagger +5 (1d4+3 piercing) Crossbow, hand +5 (1d6+3 piercing)

Character Sheet

[girlplay]

In the arms of a mad man Was there something wrong with her? The giant was beginning to make sense. That worried her more than her current predicament - well, not really. But it was pretty sad to see the giant break down and cry out of frustration. "Hey," she said, keeping her voice gentle and trying to sound sympathetic. "Don't be upset. I'll be alright," the words sounded hollow to her even as she said them and she regrouped mentally to try again. "Maybe what you need is a little rest to clear your mind and then try again. Or, if you like, we can go visit the Land of Dreams and you can see the trees and... other things for yourself. Maybe that will answer some of... the Voices questions."

 

Elsha Cleric: level 2 HP: 17 AC: 14 Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha 14(+2) 14(+2) 14(+2) 11(+0) 14(+2) 14(+2) Initiative: +2 Proficiency bonus: +2 Speed: 30 feet Passive perception: 12 Saving throws modifier Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Constitution +2 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +4 Charisma +4

[Jeffkevlar]

Nienna’s Gambit The Giant continued to weep as the woman in his arms tried to mollify him. It did not take long, however, for the glimmering light approaching across the cavern to catch both of their eyes. It was a strange sight, there in the Underdark: an elf, already golden with her yellow hair, now glowing with flickering lights striding across the stone floor, without a stitch of clothing. This place was used to darker sights. The Giant shook his head, as if he could not believe his eyes, and grunted. Rugadh was able to keep to the darkness while maintaining her spell, unnoticed. Meanwhile the rest of the group crept forward, attempting to be silent, with carried results. The woman heard one of them and looked over but the Giant seemed enraptured by the elf. "You shine," he said a voice like a stone being dragged through gravel, "like the sun of the dreams. Are you real? Do you have answers?" He stood and dropped the woman without looking at her. "Are you a sign? Have you been sent to me?" He took a step towards Nienna. "You must have been sent to me to lead me!" He began to stride quickly towards her, determined to follow and catch her.

OOC Heads. It worked. Trinity, we will follow up in your private thread your escape from him, disaster too if you follow. The rest of you can continue here.

[Disaster Master]

OOC Rugadh Faoi has to actively move her dancing lights with Nienna, which is one reason for her to follow.

[LinguaManiac]

Zar the Escapee Zar wanted to pitch his head back and laugh fit to shake the underdark. The audacity of those two. Or the stupidity. Either way, it was unlikely he would be killed now. His companion in her skinny reminded him indeed that he was, in fact, quite alive. Zar himself kept with the other men and one eye on the naked elf (to make sure she was safe, you understand). Dice Stealth Check: d20+8 (3)+8 Total = 11 Skirting along the edges of the cave, he stayed just outside of any light or sight in the cavern, hoping he could get close enough to the other woman to get her out of there if this hair-brained scheme actually worked and hoping more, with every glance over at his naked companion, that his last glance wouldn’t be the last glance, his last time seeing her bare. … Alive… Seeing her alive. He thought this as the thundering footsteps moved past where he stood.

Stat Block   Zar Dundragon, Escapee, Level One Rogue HP: 19/19; AC: 15 Initiative: +4; Passive Perception 18, Speed 30ft Weapons: +6 to hit, 1d6+4 piercing damage, finesse, light, thrown (20ft/60ft)Makeshift Dagger, +6 to hit, 1d8+4 piercing damage, finesseRapier, +6 to hit, 1d6+4 piercing damage, range 80ft/320ft, ammunition:20Shortbow, +6 to hit, 1d6+4 piercing damage, finesse, light, thrown (20ft/60ft)Dagger. Features and Abilities: Light ArmorArmor Proficiency, Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, ShortswordsWeapon Profiency, "You have created a second Identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy." PHB 128False Identity, "At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves' tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.//At 6th level, you can choose two more of your proficiencies (in skills or with thieves' tools) to gain this benefit." PHB 96 (Stealth and Perception) Expertise, +1d6 once per turn, finesse or ranged, with advantage or with another enemy w/in 5ft. Sneak Attack, "During your rogue training you learned thieves' cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and codes that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only another creature that knows thieves' cant understands such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly. In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a thieves' guild, whether loot is nearby or whether the people in an area are easy marks or will provide a safe house for thieves on the run." PHB 96.Thieves' Cant,

[MrCeeJ]

Onward Qalo Fortunately for the group, the giant seemed to fall for the ruse and release the girl, who appeared to be looking in Qalo's direction. I suppose this is where we determine if she truly needed saving, he thought and turned to the remaining group once they were near the passage on the far side of the cavern. "I'll try to do this delicately. One of you be ready to help her if she struggles. We don't know what kind of condition she is in." With a swiftness, and making sure the giant's back was turned, the mage Cast Lightilluminated the ring on his finger and then extinguished it. He repeated this a few times, in an attempt to signal the girl. The best they could hope for was that the girl would think they were a safer option than her hulking captor.

 

Movements and Actions Initiative: Movement: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Rolls: Rolled 20 for Stealth. Active Spells/Effects: Mage Armor (8 hour duration), Arcane Ward (Lasts until next Long Rest)

 

Stats and Features Qalo (Level 2 Wizard) HP: 14/14, Arcane Ward: 7/7, Hit Die: 2/2d6 AC: 15 (With Mage Armor Active) Speed: 30', Passive Perception: 11 Saving Throws: Str 0, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +5, Wis +3, Cha -1 Equipment: Fire Bolt (+5 to hit, 1d10 fire damage, 120 ft.), Chromatic Orb (+5 to hit, 3d8, 90 ft.), Magic Missile (3d4+3, 120 ft.) Spellcasting: Spell Slots - Level 1 Slots (2/3), Spell DC 13, Spell Attack +5, Spells - Fire Bolt, Mage Hand, Light, Chromatic Orb, Magic Missile, Feather Fall, Mage Armor, Disguise Self, Comprehend Languages (Ritual), Alarm (Ritual), Identify (Ritual) Special Abilities / Feats: Arcane Recovery (1/day), Arcane Ward, Resilient (CON)

[girlplay]

Free at last! Free at last. I'm free at last! The young woman who had been up until this moment being held in the arm of a giant had turned to look at the glowing Elven woman and apparently been rather surprised by the sight herself. When she hit the ground, she didn't land all that gracefully because she hadn't prepared for it. But the sudden realization that she was finally free of the giant's hold was a welcome truth indeed. She picked herself up and began running. At first she didn't have any direction in mind but then a flickering light gave her... well, it was a direction. Towards what remained a mystery but at least it was away from her captor.

 

RUN! at full speed; no looking back.

 

Elsha Cleric: level 2 HP: 17 AC: 14 Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha 14(+2) 14(+2) 14(+2) 11(+0) 14(+2) 14(+2) Initiative: +2 Proficiency bonus: +2 Speed: 30 feet Passive perception: 12 Saving throws modifier Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Constitution +2 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +4 Charisma +4

[LinguaManiac]

Zar the Escapee As the woman's feet pattered on the ground towards them, it occurred to Zar that she might not prefer running at heavily armed men any more than away from one absent-minded giant. Peeling himself from the wall as of yet untouched by the wizard's light, Zar stood in the front part of the radiance, so that he would be the first one she saw. Though his face was scarred and his body dirty as sin, he stood far shorter and slighter than the others and probably looked the least dangerous. To accentuate his innocuousness, he put his hands up, palms out. The universal sign of 'I am not armed (at least not yet) and I mean you no harm (assume you don't mean harm to me)' Hopefully she would read the supertext and not the sub.

Stat Block   Zar Dundragon, Escapee, Level One Rogue HP: 19/19; AC: 15 Initiative: +4; Passive Perception 18, Speed 30ft Weapons: +6 to hit, 1d6+4 piercing damage, finesse, light, thrown (20ft/60ft)Makeshift Dagger, +6 to hit, 1d8+4 piercing damage, finesseRapier, +6 to hit, 1d6+4 piercing damage, range 80ft/320ft, ammunition:20Shortbow, +6 to hit, 1d6+4 piercing damage, finesse, light, thrown (20ft/60ft)Dagger. Features and Abilities: Light ArmorArmor Proficiency, Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, ShortswordsWeapon Profiency, "You have created a second Identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy." PHB 128False Identity, "At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves' tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.//At 6th level, you can choose two more of your proficiencies (in skills or with thieves' tools) to gain this benefit." PHB 96 (Stealth and Perception) Expertise, +1d6 once per turn, finesse or ranged, with advantage or with another enemy w/in 5ft. Sneak Attack, "During your rogue training you learned thieves' cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and codes that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only another creature that knows thieves' cant understands such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly. In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a thieves' guild, whether loot is nearby or whether the people in an area are easy marks or will provide a safe house for thieves on the run." PHB 96.Thieves' Cant,

[Begon Ugo]

Begon Ugo As Zar moved forward to meet the fleeing girl, Begon did the exact opposite. The last thing they needed was for the poor creature to come face to face with a massive orc in the underdark. She just might chose staying with the addled giant. Begon slunk back into the shadows as best he could away from any light. He would rely on his companions to introduce him to the girl

OOC   Move Action: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Interaction: Contingencies: Notes:   Begon Ugo, LVL2, Half-Orc, Barbarian Features::At 2nd level, you gain an uncanny sense of when things nearby aren't as they should be, giving you an edge when you dodge away from danger. You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that you can see, such as traps and Spells. To gain this benefit, you can't be Blinded, Deafened, or Incapacitated.danger sense, Starting at 2nd level, you can throw aside all concern for defense to Attack with fierce desperation. When you make your first Attack on Your Turn, you can decide to Attackrecklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon Attack rolls using Strengthduring this turn, but Attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn. Thanks to your orc blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim Conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You cant discern color in Darkness, only shades of gray. Reckless Attack, When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You cant use this feature again until you finish a Long Rest.Darkvision, When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon Attack, you can roll one of the weapons damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.Relentless Endurance, In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On Your Turn, you can enter a rage as a Bonus Action. While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren't wearing heavy armor: You have advantage on Strength Checks and Strength saving throws. When you make a melee weapon Attack using Strength, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. This bonus increases as you level. You have Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. If you are able to cast Spells, you can't cast them or concentrate on them while raging. Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked Unconscious or if Your Turn ends and you haven't attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on Your Turn as a Bonus Action. Once you have raged the maximum number of times for your barbarian level, you must finish a Long Rest before you can rage again. You may rage 2 times at 1st level, 3 at 3rd, 4 at 6th, 5 at 12th, and 6 at 17th. Savage Attacks, While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a Shield and still gain this benefit.Rage HP: 25/25, AC: 14 , Vision: Darkvision Init: +1 Speed: 30, Passive Perception: 12, Saves: STR +5, DEX +1, CON +5, INT -1, WIS +1, CHA -1 Equipped: +5, 1d12+3 slashingUnarmored Defense Carried/Unequipped: +5, 1d6+3 slashing, 20/60GreatAxe [tt=Javelin]+3, 1d6+1 piercingHandaxe x2

[Jeffkevlar]

A realization As the group watched the now freed woman approach, Stool spoke up using his rapport spores. Has anyone seen the big blond angry one?

[MrCeeJ]

Onward Qalo Not even turning to look, Qalo responded, "Who? You mean the zealot that was eager to deliver "justice" or some such nonsense? I'm sure he's around here somewhere." The mage suddenly stopped what he was doing and turned to the talking fungus. "You! Can you speak to the girl? If you can communicate to her before she gets here, we will have less to explain and more time to get out of here before the giant realizes its doll is gone."

 

Movements and Actions Initiative: Movement: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Rolls: Active Spells/Effects: Mage Armor (8 hour duration), Arcane Ward (Lasts until next Long Rest)

 

Stats and Features Qalo (Level 2 Wizard) HP: 14/14, Arcane Ward: 7/7, Hit Die: 2/2d6 AC: 15 (With Mage Armor Active) Speed: 30', Passive Perception: 11 Saving Throws: Str 0, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +5, Wis +3, Cha -1 Equipment: Fire Bolt (+5 to hit, 1d10 fire damage, 120 ft.), Chromatic Orb (+5 to hit, 3d8, 90 ft.), Magic Missile (3d4+3, 120 ft.) Spellcasting: Spell Slots - Level 1 Slots (2/3), Spell DC 13, Spell Attack +5, Spells - Fire Bolt, Mage Hand, Light, Chromatic Orb, Magic Missile, Feather Fall, Mage Armor, Disguise Self, Comprehend Languages (Ritual), Alarm (Ritual), Identify (Ritual) Special Abilities / Feats: Arcane Recovery (1/day), Arcane Ward, Resilient (CON)

[girlplay]

To safety? Elsha did pretty well for a woman running blindly into the darkness over uneven ground. But she kept her feet moving and left the giant and the nekkid Elven woman behind. Only when she neared the strangers ahead of her did she slow down. She moved into a walk about 30 feet from Zar and glanced back over her shoulder to look at what was happening with the giant and her probable savior. Panting slightly from the adrenaline-fueled dash, she commented to nobody in particular, "by the gods, I thought I was done for..." She motioned back toward the giant. "Who was that? Was she with you? Is the going to be alright?" The former giant-doll came complete with a suit of supple leather armor with steel studs all over it, a couple of close-in weapons, and a pack of supplies... and a holy symbol she wore prominently from a thin chain around her neck.

 

Elsha Cleric: level 2 HP: 17 AC: 14 Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha 14(+2) 14(+2) 14(+2) 11(+0) 14(+2) 14(+2) Initiative: +2 Proficiency bonus: +2 Speed: 30 feet Passive perception: 12 Saving throws modifier Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Constitution +2 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +4 Charisma +4

[MrCeeJ]

Onward Qalo Qalo looked beyond the woman, toward's their elf companions, then back to the newcomer. He offered a shrug and responded, "Hard to say if they'll survive, but I don't think we've seen the last of them. We've only just escaped captors of our own. What you see before you are more refugees, looking for a way out. You're welcome to join us, but it's best we not delay any longer." The mage turned to the remainder of the group and pointed towards the tunnel. "We should keep moving. You, drow, lead the way." Qalo Cast Lightilluminated his ring once more and set off into the darkened hall, waving for the girl to follow. "Care to tell us how you came to be the giant's pet?"

 

Movements and Actions Initiative: Movement: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Rolls: Active Spells/Effects: Mage Armor (8 hour duration), Arcane Ward (Lasts until next Long Rest)

 

Stats and Features Qalo (Level 2 Wizard) HP: 14/14, Arcane Ward: 7/7, Hit Die: 2/2d6 AC: 15 (With Mage Armor Active) Speed: 30', Passive Perception: 11 Saving Throws: Str 0, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +5, Wis +3, Cha -1 Equipment: Fire Bolt (+5 to hit, 1d10 fire damage, 120 ft.), Chromatic Orb (+5 to hit, 3d8, 90 ft.), Magic Missile (3d4+3, 120 ft.) Spellcasting: Spell Slots - Level 1 Slots (2/3), Spell DC 13, Spell Attack +5, Spells - Fire Bolt, Mage Hand, Light, Chromatic Orb, Magic Missile, Feather Fall, Mage Armor, Disguise Self, Comprehend Languages (Ritual), Alarm (Ritual), Identify (Ritual) Special Abilities / Feats: Arcane Recovery (1/day), Arcane Ward, Resilient (CON)

[Begon Ugo]

Begon Begon stayed in the deep shadows away from the fleeing woman while Qalo spoke to the girl. As they spoke the half-orc looked the girl over, noticing her armor, weapons, and what seemed to be a holy symbol around her neck. Begon stepped from the shadows towards the girl, his hands raised in a nonthreatening manner, "My name in Begon, as Qalo said...we are running for our lives from drow enslavers. They are not far behind." Begon peered back the way they had came. "We need to collect Rugadh and Nienna, the women who just saved your life," he growled,"and move!"

OOC   Move Action: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Interaction: Contingencies: Notes:   Begon Ugo, LVL2, Half-Orc, Barbarian Features::At 2nd level, you gain an uncanny sense of when things nearby aren't as they should be, giving you an edge when you dodge away from danger. You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that you can see, such as traps and Spells. To gain this benefit, you can't be Blinded, Deafened, or Incapacitated.danger sense, Starting at 2nd level, you can throw aside all concern for defense to Attack with fierce desperation. When you make your first Attack on Your Turn, you can decide to Attackrecklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon Attack rolls using Strengthduring this turn, but Attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn. Thanks to your orc blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim Conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You cant discern color in Darkness, only shades of gray. Reckless Attack, When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You cant use this feature again until you finish a Long Rest.Darkvision, When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon Attack, you can roll one of the weapons damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.Relentless Endurance, In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On Your Turn, you can enter a rage as a Bonus Action. While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren't wearing heavy armor: You have advantage on Strength Checks and Strength saving throws. When you make a melee weapon Attack using Strength, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. This bonus increases as you level. You have Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. If you are able to cast Spells, you can't cast them or concentrate on them while raging. Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked Unconscious or if Your Turn ends and you haven't attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on Your Turn as a Bonus Action. Once you have raged the maximum number of times for your barbarian level, you must finish a Long Rest before you can rage again. You may rage 2 times at 1st level, 3 at 3rd, 4 at 6th, 5 at 12th, and 6 at 17th. Savage Attacks, While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a Shield and still gain this benefit.Rage HP: 25/25, AC: 14 , Vision: Darkvision Init: +1 Speed: 30, Passive Perception: 12, Saves: STR +5, DEX +1, CON +5, INT -1, WIS +1, CHA -1 Equipped: +5, 1d12+3 slashingUnarmored Defense Carried/Unequipped: +5, 1d6+3 slashing, 20/60GreatAxe [tt=Javelin]+3, 1d6+1 piercingHandaxe x2

[Jeffkevlar]

New Companion Sarith strode to the front of the party, motioning Shuushar to join him. "We are still days from the Darklake. Unfortunately the fools who saved this human went down a passage that leads away from our destination. Let us hope that they are clever enough to make their way back to us because we cannot run after them if we wish to escape our enemies." Eldeth looked down the passage that Nienna had led the the Giant and shook her head sadly. "May the gods protect them," she murmered as she hiked her pack in her back. "May the gods lead them back to us..." "Just as I was starting to like that Drow," Jimjar said. "We could go after them but...it would be very unsafe. Who knows which tunnels they took after they left." Stool wobbled up beside the newcomer and sprayed a plume of spores on her. Hello, their small voice came into the woman’s mind, my name is Stool. I am trying to go home. Are you lost too?