[Game Thread] Call of the Ancient - Part 4

[mountainbound]

Inspecting the cloak, Oren finds the black dragon scales glisten with a living sheen in the daylight. The warlock recalls taking the beast down and very nearly dying in the process. He gives Daybreak a smile and then whips the cloak over his shoulders, testing the feel. It felt good, and the knowledge that he was protected from acid was all the better. "Thank you again my friend," he says to Frath.

At the mention of the visitor, Oren makes his way to the church and is curious to see the potion seller also in attendance. He nods to Gallindan and Adelaide, and takes a seat to hear the senior paladin out. That the recent events were being recognized as a potentially much bigger deal was a relief, and Oren was doubly interested in the empty throne insignia that Marcus wore, but he did not like the zone of truth imposed.

He's about to say as much when Kerwin begins, delivering a cringe-worthy monologue about himself that was enlightening and comical, despite the situation. He sits back and listens to the others unfold different aspects of their time together, and the events in Treblefork.

When it's his turn, Oren says, "Marcus, that someone from the outside is concerned with the demon intrusions is welcome. I do not appreciate having to speak to you under the influence of magic however. Although you are known to my friends here, you are not known to me." Still sitting, he locks his stare on the other man, "I have seen evil in many guises, and have almost lost the entire population of Oakcrest to the deceptive forces of the underworld during my time here. Forgive me if I cannot simply give you my trust, for exactly the same reasons that you stated about me. Except that I am personally known to everyone here, and you are not." Smiling, he concludes, "Please, with all due respect, I would invite you to share your plan, or at least your reason for coming here and asking these questions. And tell me more about that holy symbol you wear if you don't mind. If we are to be allies, let us be so on a foundation of trust, not magic."

[Admin Bhelogan]

Marcus' Mission Marcus watched each attendant of this impromptu meeting, and as they spoke he peered deep into their eyes, as if reading their souls. His magical zone of truth would help ensure that it would be difficult to tell a lie, but Marcus was reading more into each person than just the words they were speaking. He was searching for something, any sliver of information that would lead him where his quest would direct. Kerwin went first. It was obvious that Marcus had a hard time keeping a straight face, every time Kerwin blurted out more than he had intended. At the end of his 'confession', Marcus finally broke into a full grin. "Kerwin, there is a difference between telling the truth, and bearing one's soul in a confessional. I do pray that the lives of any companions you may find yourself in the company of in the future do not find themselves in a situation where their lives depend on your ability to keep your mouth shut during an interrogation. Still, you have my respect for your honesty. I won't hinder your work here, so long as you promise to never try and pull one over on those of the Hooded Lantern." Kerwin may not have known much of the Hooded Lantern, but he was now getting a crash course in their work. Next Adelaide gave her very blunt account of events from the last few weeks. "I wish it were not so Adelaide, but I fear your talent for killing demons will be called upon more and more until a permanent solution is found." Gallindan then recounted the details of Tribblefork in greater detail than Adelaide has expressed, and he listened to every word. The account of the Incubus he had already heard prior from Abbot Urthwin, whom Marcus had encountered weeks ago in his travels. "Well, I am glad that Tribbelfork has been cleansed, and seems to be in the hands of those of our realm who would stand up and fight back. I applauded your work there, and am relieved to have one less destination to visit myself. There are certainly more incursions, and we may have yet a thread of another, here, in this very town." Marcus then turned his attention to Oren. His demeanor had been light-hearted with Kerwin, Adelaide, and Gillindan he treated as brothers in arms, but when Marcus turned to Oren he turned stoic. "Yes, Oren, let's speak of that symbol. The lonely throne on the mountain. Many of those of the Hooded Lantern use it as our symbol, a reminder of a god of justice, long since sealed from this world. But, recently there have been those who claim to have spoken to the lord of the mountain. They claim that he, or rather SHE" Marcus emphasized this point and paused for a second before continuing, "has reached out to them. Made deals with them, and granted them power. Those are the ones I am seeking out. Tell me Oren, are you a servant of this mistress? Are you the reason I am here?" The question came almost as a command to answer, and Marcus seemed tense, ready to take immediate action on whatever the response from Oren would be.

[mountainbound]

Oren takes the other's question very seriously and pauses some time before answering. "What you say resonates with my experience. I was assigned to this region as part of a military force stationed in a remote outpost. We were attacked by ogres and everyone was slaughtered except for me. I had to man our outpost alone for almost a year, and during that time I was contacted by an entity speaking to me through the fire. In retrospect I believe it was the goddess of the underworld Fierna attempting to lure me to her service." He pauses gauging Marcus' reactions. "But there was another call to service, very different from hers. I saw a throne high on a mountain top, it was empty but still power flowed to me from it. I ended up foiling Fierna's designs in the region, stopping her from poisoning the minds of the citizens of Oakcrest, thanks to the power of this nameless king -- or queen -- who should rightfully sit upon that throne. Until I met Gallindan, I knew nothing more about it."

[tomplum]

Kerwin Powell As Marcus began his interrogation of Oren, Kerwin immediately slid over a few inches away from the warlock. If what the interrogator were saying was true, what right did Oren have to question Kerwin. The alchemist whispered under his breath, but certainly loud enough to be heard, "I only peddle mundanely useful potions while this guy makes pacts with strange women in mountains and I'm the one who gets a hard time upon arriving in town..." Then Oren all but confirmed Marcus' suspicions that he had in fact been in contact with some extraplanar deity...and was drawing power from it. He claimed to have worked against his benefactor but the whole story left Kerwin with a nasty taste in his mouth. He spat on the floor and mumbled, "Still have my soul." The whole story about some nameless royalty and an empty throne was tantalizing, Kerwin had to admit as he awaited the decision to come down from Marcus on how he planned to make use of them.   Kerwin Powell | 6th-Level Transmutation Wizard | 5'3" 190 lbs. Variant Human HP: 44/44 | AC: 9 | Initiative: +4 | Spell Slots: 4/4 | 4/4 | 3/3 | Spell DC: 15 Weapons: +2 to hit, 1d6-1 B, Versatile (1d8)Quarterstaff Cantrips Known: Enchantment cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: S, M (a small amount of makeup applied to the face as this spell is cast) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute For the duration, you have advantage on all Charisma checks directed at one creature of your choice that isn’t hostile toward you. When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile toward you. A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.Friends, Transmutation cantrip Casting Time: 1 minute Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (two lodestones) Duration: Instantaneous This spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. As long as the break or tear is no larger than 1 foot in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the former damage. This spell can physically repair a magic item or construct, but the spell can’t restore magic to such an object.Mending, Transmutation cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: S Duration: Instantaneous or 1 hour You choose nonmagical flame that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube. You affect it in one of the following ways: You instantaneously expand the flame 5 feet in one direction, provided that wood or other fuel is present in the new location. You instantaneously extinguish the flames within the cube. You double or halve the area of bright light and dim light cast by the flame, change its color, or both. The change lasts for 1 hour. You cause simple shapes—such as the vague form of a creature, an inanimate object, or a location—to appear within the flames and animate as you like. The shapes last for 1 hour. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Control Flames, Transmutation cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 10 feet Components: V, S Duration: Up to 1 hour This spell is a minor magical trick that novice spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the following magical effects within range: You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor. You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire. You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot. You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour. You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour. You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of your next turn. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Prestidigitation 1st-Level Spells Known: 1st-level conjuration (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: V, S, M (a piece of string and a bit of wood) Duration: 1 hour This spell creates an invisible, mindless, shapeless, Medium force that performs simple tasks at your command until the spell ends. The servant springs into existence in an unoccupied space on the ground within range. It has AC 10, 1 hit point, and a Strength of 2, and it can’t attack. If it drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends. Once on each of your turns as a bonus action, you can mentally command the servant to move up to 15 feet and interact with an object. The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command, the servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it completes the task, then waits for your next command. If you command the servant to perform a task that would move it more than 60 feet away from you, the spell ends.Unseen Servant, 1st-level illusion Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 1 hour You make yourself – including your clothing, armor, weapons, and other belongings on your person – look different until the spell ends or until you use your action to dismiss it. You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller and can appear thin, fat, or in between. You can’t change your body type, so you must adopt a form that has the same basic arrangement of limbs. Otherwise, the extent of the illusion is up to you. The changes wrought by this spell fail to hold up to physical inspection. For example, if you use this spell to add a hat to your outfit, objects pass through the hat, and anyone who touches it would feel nothing or would feel your head and hair. If you use this spell to appear thinner than you are, the hand of someone who reaches out to touch you would bump into you while it was seemingly still in midair. To discern that you are disguised, a creature can use its action to inspect your appearance and must succeed on an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC.Disguise Self, 1st-level evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Components: V, S Duration: Instantaneous You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target. The darts all strike simultaneously and you can direct them to hit one creature or several. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one more dart for each slot level above 1st.Magic Missile, 1st-level enchantment Casting Time: 1 action Range: 90 feet Components: V, S, M (a pinch of fine sand, rose petals, or a cricket) Duration: 1 minute This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll 5d8, the total is how many hit points of creatures this spell can affect. Creatures within 20 feet of a point you choose within range are affected in ascending order of their current hit points (ignoring unconscious creatures). Starting with the creature that has the lowest current hit points, each creature affected by this spell falls unconscious until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage, or someone uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper awake. Subtract each creature’s hit points from the total before moving on to the creature with the next lowest hit points. A creature’s hit points must be equal to or less than the remaining total for that creature to be affected. Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t affected by this spell. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, roll an additional 2d8 for each slot level above 1st.Sleep, 1st-level abjuration (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet Components: V, S, M (a tiny bell and a piece of fine silver wire) Duration: 8 hours You set an alarm against unwanted intrusion. Choose a door, a window, or an area within range that is no larger than a 20-foot cube. Until the spell ends, an alarm alerts you whenever a tiny or larger creature touches or enters the warded area. When you cast the spell, you can designate creatures that won’t set off the alarm. You also choose whether the alarm is mental or audible. A mental alarm alerts you with a ping in your mind if you are within 1 mile of the warded area. This ping awakens you if you are sleeping. An audible alarm produces the sound of a hand bell for 10 seconds within 60 feet.Alarm, 1st-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: S Duration: Instantaneous Choose one object weighing 1 to 5 pounds within range that isn’t being worn or carried. The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground, stopping early if it impacts against a solid surface. If the object would strike a creature, that creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the object strikes the target and stops moving. When the object strikes something, the object and what it strikes each take 3d8 bludgeoning damage. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the maximum weight of objects that you can target with this spell increases by 5 pounds, and the damage increases by 1d8, for each slot level above 1st.Catapult, 1st-level abjuration Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 1 round An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.Shield, 1st-level evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self (30-foot line) Components: V, S, M (a bit of rotten food) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute A stream of acid emanates from you in a line 30 feet long and 5 feet wide in a direction you choose. Each creature in the line must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be covered in acid for the spell’s duration or until a creature uses its action to scrape or wash the acid off itself or another creature. A creature covered in the acid takes 2d4 acid damage at start of each of its turns. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 2d4 for each slot level above 1st.Tasha's Caustic Brew 2nd-Level Spell Known: 2nd-level divination Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a copper piece) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute For the duration, you can read the thoughts of certain creatures. When you cast the spell and as your action on each turn until the spell ends, you can focus your mind on any one creature that you can see within 30 feet of you. If the creature you choose has an Intelligence of 3 or lower or doesn’t speak any language, the creature is unaffected. You initially learn the surface thoughts of the creature—what is most on its mind in that moment. As an action, you can either shift your attention to another creature’s thoughts or attempt to probe deeper into the same creature’s mind. If you probe deeper, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. If it fails, you gain insight into its reasoning (if any), its emotional state, and something that loom s large in its mind (such as something it worries over, loves, or hates). If it succeeds, the spell ends. Either way, the target knows that you are probing into its mind, and unless you shift your attention to another creature’s thoughts, the creature can use its action on its turn to make an Intelligence check contested by your Intelligence check; if it succeeds, the spell ends. Questions verbally directed at the target creature naturally shape the course of its thoughts, so this spell is particularly effective as part of an interrogation. You can also use this spell to detect the presence of thinking creatures you can’t see. When you cast the spell or as your action during the duration, you can search for thoughts within 30 feet of you. The spell can penetrate barriers, but 2 feet of rock, 2 inches of any metal other than lead, or a thin sheet of lead blocks you. You can’t detect a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or lower or one that doesn’t speak any language. Once you detect the presence of a creature in this way, you can read its thoughts for the rest of the duration as described above, even if you can’t see it, but it must still be within range.Detect Thoughts, 2nd-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (powdered corn extract and a twisted loop of parchment) Duration: 1 hour You touch a length of rope that is up to 60 feet long. One end of the rope then rises into the air until the whole rope hangs perpendicular to the ground. At the upper end of the rope, an invisible entrance opens to an extradimensional space that lasts until the spell ends. The extradimensional space can be reached by climbing to the top of the rope. The space can hold as many as eight Medium or smaller creatures. The rope can be pulled into the space, making the rope disappear from view outside the space. Attacks and spells can’t cross through the entrance into or out of the extradimensional space, but those inside can see out of it as if through a 3-foot-by-5-foot window centered on the rope. Anything inside the extradimensional space drops out when the spell ends.Rope Trick, 2nd-level illusion Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 1 minute Three illusory duplicates of yourself appear in your space. Until the spell ends, the duplicates move with you and mimic your actions, shifting position so it’s impossible to track which image is real. You can use your action to dismiss the illusory duplicates. Each time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell’s duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets one of your duplicates. If you have three duplicates, you must roll a 6 or higher to change the attack’s target to a duplicate. With two duplicates, you must roll an 8 or higher. With one duplicate, you must roll an 11 or higher. A duplicate’s AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed. A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can’t see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.Mirror Image, 2nd-level abjuration Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (gold dust worth at least 25 gp, which the spell consumes) Duration: Until dispelled You touch a closed door, window, gate, chest, or other entryway, and it becomes locked for the duration. You and the creatures you designate when you cast this spell can open the object normally. You can also set a password that, when spoken within 5 feet of the object, suppresses this spell for 1 minute. Otherwise, it is impassable until it is broken or the spell is dispelled or suppressed. Casting knock on the object suppresses arcane lock for 10 minutes. While affected by this spell, the object is more difficult to break or force open; the DC to break it or pick any locks on it increases by 10.Arcane Lock 3rd-Level Spells Known: 3rd-level evocation (ritual) Casting Time: 1 minute Range: Self (10-foot-radius hemisphere) Components: V, S, M (a small crystal bead) Duration: 8 hours A 10-foot-radius immobile dome of force springs into existence around and above you and remains stationary for the duration. The spell ends if you leave its area. Nine creatures of Medium size or smaller can fit inside the dome with you. The spell fails if its area includes a larger creature or more than nine creatures. Creatures and objects within the dome when you cast this spell can move through it freely. All other creatures and objects are barred from passing through it. Spells and other magical effects can’t extend through the dome or be cast through it. The atmosphere inside the space is comfortable and dry, regardless of the weather outside. Until the spell ends, you can command the interior to become dimly lit or dark. The dome is opaque from the outside, of any color you choose, but it is transparent from the inside.Leomund's Tiny Hut, 3rd-level enchantment Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute You reach into the mind of one creature you can see and force it to make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature automatically succeeds if it is immune to being frightened. On a failed save, the target loses the ability to distinguish friend from foe, regarding all creatures it can see as enemies until the spell ends. Each time the target takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Whenever the affected creature chooses another creature as a target, it must choose the target at random from among the creatures it can see within range of the attack, spell, or other ability it’s using. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from the affected creature, the creature must make that attack if it is able to.Enemies Abound, 3rd-level abjuration Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell Range: 60 feet Components: S Duration: Instantaneous You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has no effect. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the interrupted spell has no effect if its level is less than or equal to the level of the spell slot you used.Counterspell, 3rd-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet Components: V, S, M (a shaving of licorice root) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Choose a willing creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, the target’s speed is doubled, it gains a +2 bonus to AC, it has advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and it gains an additional action on each of its turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action. When the spell ends, the target can’t move or take actions until after its next turn, as a wave of lethargy sweeps over it.Haste Features: Always on the lookout for danger, you gain the following benefits: You can’t be surprised while you are conscious. You gain a +5 bonus to initiative. Other creatures don’t gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you. Alert, Beginning when you select this school at 2nd level, the gold and time you must spend to copy a Transmutation spell into your spellbook is halved.Transmutation Savant, Starting at 2nd level when you select this school, you can temporarily alter the physical properties of one nonmagical object, changing it from one substance into another. You perform a special alchemical procedure on one object composed entirely of wood, stone (but not a gemstone), iron, copper, or silver, transforming it into a different one of those materials. For each 10 minutes you spend performing the procedure, you can transform up to 1 cubic foot of material. After 1 hour, or until you lose your concentration (as if you were concentrating on a spell), the material reverts to its original substance.Minor Alchemy, Starting at 6th level, you can spend 8 hours creating a transmuter's stone that stores transmutation magic. You can benefit from the stone yourself or give it to another creature. A creature gains a benefit of your choice as long as the stone is in the creature's possession. When you create the stone, choose the benefit from the following options: Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet An increase to speed of 10 feet while the creature is unencumbered Proficiency in Constitution saving throws Resistance to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage (your choice whenever you choose this benefit) Each time you cast a transmutation spell of 1st level or higher, you can change the effect of your stone if the stone is on your person. If you create a new transmuter's stone, the previous one ceases to function.Transmuter's Stone, You have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher. For example, if you're a 4th-level wizard, you can recover up to two levels worth of spell slots. You can recover either a 2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level spell slots.Arcane Recovery Spells Prepared for Normal Day: Enemies Abound, Haste, Detect Thoughts, Rope Trick, Mirror Image, Catapult, Disguise Self, Sleep, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Shield Spells Prepared if Expecting Trouble: Enemies Abound, Haste, Counterspell, Mirror Image, Rope Trick, Catapult, Sleep, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Shield, Magic Missile

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft Sidling up beside the irritated wizard, Adelaide was already baring a few inches of polished steel, her hand clenched around the hilt, ”Spit on my floor again. I dare you.” Demons. Dark gods. Royalty. Most of it was beyond Adelaide’s understanding because for all that she was involved in this mess, she didn’t really know what was at stake. Truthfully, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to understand it all, either. Understanding the machinations of some infernal dark creature was unlikely to make her feel better. She had questions of course, as anyone would, but refrained from asking any of them. Adelaide might be able to badger answers out of most people, most men, but she was certain that Marcus would not be among the people intimidated by a feisty woman only weeks removed from an unremarkable career as a barmaid.

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Bonus: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 6 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 52/52 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 2 Robe of Useful Items Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling; Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 30/30 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | Aura of Protection (+3, 10’ radius) | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 2/2 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Shield of Faith, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[Admin Bhelogan]

Marcus' Mission Marcus followed Oren's words, tracking what he said about hearing the voice in the flames. Gillindan and Adelaide could read into his body language, that he was very tense, and probably about ready to attack. However, the mention of another voice caught him off-guard. Then, the mention of foiling Fierena's plan caused him to relax, and breathe a sigh of relief. "If what you are saying is true Oren, and I have every reason to believe that you think you are telling the truth, then you would be a first." Marcus turned his attention to the two Paladins. "Can you vouch for what Oren is saying? Has he truly rejected the temptress, and foiled her plans in earnest? Are you sure he is not being deceived and had not been tainted by devilish powers?"

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft ”I believe him, I believe she joined the group after a lot of that.from what I have witnessed, sir.” It was a plain and simple, if qualified, statement. Adelaide was out of her depth here, and didn’t want to unintentionally get herself or Oren into trouble. She looked the older man straight in the eyes, her gaze unwavering as she spoke, ”I cannot speak to the intentions of gods and god-like beings, and I have never been one for games or strategy, but all of his actions seem to be opposed to the evil here. As to trusting what he has said, what does your magic say? Is that not its purpose?”

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Bonus: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 6 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 52/52 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 2 Robe of Useful Items Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling; Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 30/30 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | Aura of Protection (+3, 10’ radius) | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 2/2 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Shield of Faith, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[mountainbound]

Noting how tense Marcus had grown, Oren is relieved when Adelaide speaks up for him and puts the other more at ease. "Thank you," he says to the young paladin bravely speaking truth to power. Oren had no desire to test Marcus and merely wanted to move forward to learn what the Order of the Hooded Lantern might be able to offer to help curb the onslaught.

"Adelaide is right -- none of us can speak to the intentions of otherworldy beings, but there is one more piece of the puzzle you may be interested in. Fierna had designs on a young local woman, Isabella, who lives in this village. There is something special about her -- it was she who I rescued from the dragon as well. Then I travelled to the lower planes to rescue her again. The demon queen told me she thinks Oakcrest needs a new leader, and wanted to establish Isabella as a priestess. It was my intention, now that the business in Trebblefork is past, to check in on this young lady. Perhaps you would like to join me."

[zebedee]

Gallindan was slow to respond to Marcus. Invisible to the eye, he is deeply shaken by the idea that the Lord of the Mountain might be a woman. To be clear, this in and of itself wasn't distressing. It wasn't especially unusual for the gods of the elves to change gender, or to be of no particular gender. But what he had been taught about the Lord of the Mountain, for all of his adult life, was that the Ancient One was definitively male. Now, the Oath was more ancient than anyone could possibly imagine, from the dawn of civilization. Could the inherited story be wrong? Certainly. But since Gallindan had heard of this pact through the very same elves who could trace their arrival in the Feywild, could tell stories of Corellon's ambiguous gender... why was this what they got wrong? All his life, he had communed with his patron and assumed it was male. Did it matter? Probably not. But it was disconcerting, to say the least.

It was entirely possible that Marcus was simply referring to Fierna's impersonation of the Ancient One. He would have to ask. But in the meantime, he had been asked a question, and he belatedly fumbled to reply to it.

"Sorry to interrupt, and sorry for my delay in responding. Verily, I can vouch for Oren's rejection of the temptress. As Adelaide has said, all of his actions have been in opposing this evil, and he has been my steadfast ally in that quest. I have probed for infernal influence in Oren's presence on numerous occasions... and while I have found it disturbingly often, it has never come from him. He is as he appears to be, a force for good. Our lives have been in each other's hands much more often than either of us would like, and he has never let me down. Indeed, among the reasons we have returned to Oakcrest is to check in on this Isabella. If Fierna is to gain a foothold in this town, we believe she will try there next."

[Admin Bhelogan]

Marcus' Mission There seemed to be a level of trust Marcus had for the other members of the Hooded Lantern, even if they had never met prior to this experience. Content with their answers, Marcus grabbed a chair and sat with Oren, Gillindan, Adelaide, and even Kerwin now as if they were peers, rather than subjects of his interrogation. "I am both relieved to hear this, and honestly, a little terrified. I received divine inspiration to come to Oakcrest, to snuff out an evil presence here. Oren, you mention feeling the call of another coming from that Throne. We should spend some time investigating what that means. Perhaps if we can find where this true call is coming from, we can find a way to keep the devils and demons of the under plains from using that channel to entice mortals to do their will. But, that also means that we still have a threat, right here in Oakcrest to deal with. You mentioned that this young woman, Isabella, may be corrupted. If you suspected so, I would have to ask why she was not purged earlier. If you found her to not be under this demon queen's influence, is there another presence here that has been corrupted by their influence?" Marcus gave a moment for the others to ponder this question before moving on. "It seems we have a clear action to take care of first. Let us determine just how much of a treat this young woman is, if any. I assume you know which residence belongs to her family? You know this small town better than I do. Would it be safer to bring her here, or should we go to her home? If she is no threat, then whichever course would bring the least amount of intention to our actions would be preferred. If she is corrupted, she will have to be purged, which unfortunately tends to cause quite a commotion in a community."

[tomplum]

Kerwin Powell Kerwin hadn't put much thought into the people he had set out to take advantage of. Oakcrest was just another town to make some coin in. The fact that demons had invaded and cause havoc necessitating a culling was just an afterthought, or at least it had been. Now confronted with the real possibility of taking an active role in that battle, his mind began to think on the innocents affected by such conflict. His conscience, once a shriveled mass to be shoved in the corners of his mind, was front and center, and apparently squarely in the pit of his stomach. Talk of 'purging' people sent a shiver through the alchemist's spine and prompted a question to come to his lips. "Forgive my ignorance on such matters as until today I had lived my life blissfully unaware of the human cost of such wars but this talk of purging those who have been corrupted causes a thought to blossom in my mind." "I have spent my life turning wood to copper, imbuing properties of flame to twigs or causing a green cloth to turn purple if in the presence of incorporeal beings, could there be some alchemical solution to a person's corruption that might avoid their death in the process. Is this something I could be granted time to research if indeed we do learn that there is another soul unfortunate enough to have befallen such a curse?" "While I may not be some great swordsman or practitioner of divine magics or even one who bravely stands defiant before the charging hordes, I do believe my life's work could provide some benefits to this cause."   Kerwin Powell | 6th-Level Transmutation Wizard | 5'3" 190 lbs. Variant Human HP: 44/44 | AC: 9 | Initiative: +4 | Spell Slots: 4/4 | 4/4 | 3/3 | Spell DC: 15 Weapons: +2 to hit, 1d6-1 B, Versatile (1d8)Quarterstaff Cantrips Known: Enchantment cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: S, M (a small amount of makeup applied to the face as this spell is cast) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute For the duration, you have advantage on all Charisma checks directed at one creature of your choice that isn’t hostile toward you. When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile toward you. A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.Friends, Transmutation cantrip Casting Time: 1 minute Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (two lodestones) Duration: Instantaneous This spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. As long as the break or tear is no larger than 1 foot in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the former damage. This spell can physically repair a magic item or construct, but the spell can’t restore magic to such an object.Mending, Transmutation cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: S Duration: Instantaneous or 1 hour You choose nonmagical flame that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube. You affect it in one of the following ways: You instantaneously expand the flame 5 feet in one direction, provided that wood or other fuel is present in the new location. You instantaneously extinguish the flames within the cube. You double or halve the area of bright light and dim light cast by the flame, change its color, or both. The change lasts for 1 hour. You cause simple shapes—such as the vague form of a creature, an inanimate object, or a location—to appear within the flames and animate as you like. The shapes last for 1 hour. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Control Flames, Transmutation cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 10 feet Components: V, S Duration: Up to 1 hour This spell is a minor magical trick that novice spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the following magical effects within range: You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor. You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire. You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot. You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour. You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour. You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of your next turn. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Prestidigitation 1st-Level Spells Known: 1st-level conjuration (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: V, S, M (a piece of string and a bit of wood) Duration: 1 hour This spell creates an invisible, mindless, shapeless, Medium force that performs simple tasks at your command until the spell ends. The servant springs into existence in an unoccupied space on the ground within range. It has AC 10, 1 hit point, and a Strength of 2, and it can’t attack. If it drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends. Once on each of your turns as a bonus action, you can mentally command the servant to move up to 15 feet and interact with an object. The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command, the servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it completes the task, then waits for your next command. If you command the servant to perform a task that would move it more than 60 feet away from you, the spell ends.Unseen Servant, 1st-level illusion Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 1 hour You make yourself – including your clothing, armor, weapons, and other belongings on your person – look different until the spell ends or until you use your action to dismiss it. You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller and can appear thin, fat, or in between. You can’t change your body type, so you must adopt a form that has the same basic arrangement of limbs. Otherwise, the extent of the illusion is up to you. The changes wrought by this spell fail to hold up to physical inspection. For example, if you use this spell to add a hat to your outfit, objects pass through the hat, and anyone who touches it would feel nothing or would feel your head and hair. If you use this spell to appear thinner than you are, the hand of someone who reaches out to touch you would bump into you while it was seemingly still in midair. To discern that you are disguised, a creature can use its action to inspect your appearance and must succeed on an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC.Disguise Self, 1st-level evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Components: V, S Duration: Instantaneous You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target. The darts all strike simultaneously and you can direct them to hit one creature or several. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one more dart for each slot level above 1st.Magic Missile, 1st-level enchantment Casting Time: 1 action Range: 90 feet Components: V, S, M (a pinch of fine sand, rose petals, or a cricket) Duration: 1 minute This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll 5d8, the total is how many hit points of creatures this spell can affect. Creatures within 20 feet of a point you choose within range are affected in ascending order of their current hit points (ignoring unconscious creatures). Starting with the creature that has the lowest current hit points, each creature affected by this spell falls unconscious until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage, or someone uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper awake. Subtract each creature’s hit points from the total before moving on to the creature with the next lowest hit points. A creature’s hit points must be equal to or less than the remaining total for that creature to be affected. Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t affected by this spell. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, roll an additional 2d8 for each slot level above 1st.Sleep, 1st-level abjuration (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet Components: V, S, M (a tiny bell and a piece of fine silver wire) Duration: 8 hours You set an alarm against unwanted intrusion. Choose a door, a window, or an area within range that is no larger than a 20-foot cube. Until the spell ends, an alarm alerts you whenever a tiny or larger creature touches or enters the warded area. When you cast the spell, you can designate creatures that won’t set off the alarm. You also choose whether the alarm is mental or audible. A mental alarm alerts you with a ping in your mind if you are within 1 mile of the warded area. This ping awakens you if you are sleeping. An audible alarm produces the sound of a hand bell for 10 seconds within 60 feet.Alarm, 1st-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: S Duration: Instantaneous Choose one object weighing 1 to 5 pounds within range that isn’t being worn or carried. The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground, stopping early if it impacts against a solid surface. If the object would strike a creature, that creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the object strikes the target and stops moving. When the object strikes something, the object and what it strikes each take 3d8 bludgeoning damage. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the maximum weight of objects that you can target with this spell increases by 5 pounds, and the damage increases by 1d8, for each slot level above 1st.Catapult, 1st-level abjuration Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 1 round An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.Shield, 1st-level evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self (30-foot line) Components: V, S, M (a bit of rotten food) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute A stream of acid emanates from you in a line 30 feet long and 5 feet wide in a direction you choose. Each creature in the line must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be covered in acid for the spell’s duration or until a creature uses its action to scrape or wash the acid off itself or another creature. A creature covered in the acid takes 2d4 acid damage at start of each of its turns. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 2d4 for each slot level above 1st.Tasha's Caustic Brew 2nd-Level Spell Known: 2nd-level divination Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a copper piece) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute For the duration, you can read the thoughts of certain creatures. When you cast the spell and as your action on each turn until the spell ends, you can focus your mind on any one creature that you can see within 30 feet of you. If the creature you choose has an Intelligence of 3 or lower or doesn’t speak any language, the creature is unaffected. You initially learn the surface thoughts of the creature—what is most on its mind in that moment. As an action, you can either shift your attention to another creature’s thoughts or attempt to probe deeper into the same creature’s mind. If you probe deeper, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. If it fails, you gain insight into its reasoning (if any), its emotional state, and something that loom s large in its mind (such as something it worries over, loves, or hates). If it succeeds, the spell ends. Either way, the target knows that you are probing into its mind, and unless you shift your attention to another creature’s thoughts, the creature can use its action on its turn to make an Intelligence check contested by your Intelligence check; if it succeeds, the spell ends. Questions verbally directed at the target creature naturally shape the course of its thoughts, so this spell is particularly effective as part of an interrogation. You can also use this spell to detect the presence of thinking creatures you can’t see. When you cast the spell or as your action during the duration, you can search for thoughts within 30 feet of you. The spell can penetrate barriers, but 2 feet of rock, 2 inches of any metal other than lead, or a thin sheet of lead blocks you. You can’t detect a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or lower or one that doesn’t speak any language. Once you detect the presence of a creature in this way, you can read its thoughts for the rest of the duration as described above, even if you can’t see it, but it must still be within range.Detect Thoughts, 2nd-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (powdered corn extract and a twisted loop of parchment) Duration: 1 hour You touch a length of rope that is up to 60 feet long. One end of the rope then rises into the air until the whole rope hangs perpendicular to the ground. At the upper end of the rope, an invisible entrance opens to an extradimensional space that lasts until the spell ends. The extradimensional space can be reached by climbing to the top of the rope. The space can hold as many as eight Medium or smaller creatures. The rope can be pulled into the space, making the rope disappear from view outside the space. Attacks and spells can’t cross through the entrance into or out of the extradimensional space, but those inside can see out of it as if through a 3-foot-by-5-foot window centered on the rope. Anything inside the extradimensional space drops out when the spell ends.Rope Trick, 2nd-level illusion Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 1 minute Three illusory duplicates of yourself appear in your space. Until the spell ends, the duplicates move with you and mimic your actions, shifting position so it’s impossible to track which image is real. You can use your action to dismiss the illusory duplicates. Each time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell’s duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets one of your duplicates. If you have three duplicates, you must roll a 6 or higher to change the attack’s target to a duplicate. With two duplicates, you must roll an 8 or higher. With one duplicate, you must roll an 11 or higher. A duplicate’s AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed. A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can’t see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.Mirror Image, 2nd-level abjuration Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (gold dust worth at least 25 gp, which the spell consumes) Duration: Until dispelled You touch a closed door, window, gate, chest, or other entryway, and it becomes locked for the duration. You and the creatures you designate when you cast this spell can open the object normally. You can also set a password that, when spoken within 5 feet of the object, suppresses this spell for 1 minute. Otherwise, it is impassable until it is broken or the spell is dispelled or suppressed. Casting knock on the object suppresses arcane lock for 10 minutes. While affected by this spell, the object is more difficult to break or force open; the DC to break it or pick any locks on it increases by 10.Arcane Lock 3rd-Level Spells Known: 3rd-level evocation (ritual) Casting Time: 1 minute Range: Self (10-foot-radius hemisphere) Components: V, S, M (a small crystal bead) Duration: 8 hours A 10-foot-radius immobile dome of force springs into existence around and above you and remains stationary for the duration. The spell ends if you leave its area. Nine creatures of Medium size or smaller can fit inside the dome with you. The spell fails if its area includes a larger creature or more than nine creatures. Creatures and objects within the dome when you cast this spell can move through it freely. All other creatures and objects are barred from passing through it. Spells and other magical effects can’t extend through the dome or be cast through it. The atmosphere inside the space is comfortable and dry, regardless of the weather outside. Until the spell ends, you can command the interior to become dimly lit or dark. The dome is opaque from the outside, of any color you choose, but it is transparent from the inside.Leomund's Tiny Hut, 3rd-level enchantment Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute You reach into the mind of one creature you can see and force it to make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature automatically succeeds if it is immune to being frightened. On a failed save, the target loses the ability to distinguish friend from foe, regarding all creatures it can see as enemies until the spell ends. Each time the target takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Whenever the affected creature chooses another creature as a target, it must choose the target at random from among the creatures it can see within range of the attack, spell, or other ability it’s using. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from the affected creature, the creature must make that attack if it is able to.Enemies Abound, 3rd-level abjuration Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell Range: 60 feet Components: S Duration: Instantaneous You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has no effect. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the interrupted spell has no effect if its level is less than or equal to the level of the spell slot you used.Counterspell, 3rd-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet Components: V, S, M (a shaving of licorice root) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Choose a willing creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, the target’s speed is doubled, it gains a +2 bonus to AC, it has advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and it gains an additional action on each of its turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action. When the spell ends, the target can’t move or take actions until after its next turn, as a wave of lethargy sweeps over it.Haste Features: Always on the lookout for danger, you gain the following benefits: You can’t be surprised while you are conscious. You gain a +5 bonus to initiative. Other creatures don’t gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you. Alert, Beginning when you select this school at 2nd level, the gold and time you must spend to copy a Transmutation spell into your spellbook is halved.Transmutation Savant, Starting at 2nd level when you select this school, you can temporarily alter the physical properties of one nonmagical object, changing it from one substance into another. You perform a special alchemical procedure on one object composed entirely of wood, stone (but not a gemstone), iron, copper, or silver, transforming it into a different one of those materials. For each 10 minutes you spend performing the procedure, you can transform up to 1 cubic foot of material. After 1 hour, or until you lose your concentration (as if you were concentrating on a spell), the material reverts to its original substance.Minor Alchemy, Starting at 6th level, you can spend 8 hours creating a transmuter's stone that stores transmutation magic. You can benefit from the stone yourself or give it to another creature. A creature gains a benefit of your choice as long as the stone is in the creature's possession. When you create the stone, choose the benefit from the following options: Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet An increase to speed of 10 feet while the creature is unencumbered Proficiency in Constitution saving throws Resistance to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage (your choice whenever you choose this benefit) Each time you cast a transmutation spell of 1st level or higher, you can change the effect of your stone if the stone is on your person. If you create a new transmuter's stone, the previous one ceases to function.Transmuter's Stone, You have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher. For example, if you're a 4th-level wizard, you can recover up to two levels worth of spell slots. You can recover either a 2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level spell slots.Arcane Recovery Spells Prepared for Normal Day: Enemies Abound, Haste, Detect Thoughts, Rope Trick, Mirror Image, Catapult, Disguise Self, Sleep, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Shield Spells Prepared if Expecting Trouble: Enemies Abound, Haste, Counterspell, Mirror Image, Rope Trick, Catapult, Sleep, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Shield, Magic Missile

[mountainbound]

Oren can see the fervor begin to burn in Marcus at the idea that they might be getting closer to their mark. Having rescued Isabella from the depths of hell however, the warlock is not overly fond of the way the other throws around "purging" in reference to people. This isn't the time to quibble over what some might call semantics however.

"We know the town, but we don't know Isabella, nor whether it's truly Fierna or another power that is interested in her. This very church was almost corrupted by a demon." He shrugs, clearly out of his element. "I was going to suggest we seek her out, but then again, I am not of the religious persuasion, so I don't know which would give us the advantage. I'd defer to Gallindan and Adelaide."

The warlock smiles a bit listening to Kerwin make his pledge. "In this battle against evil, everyone has their role to play." The alchemist's words suddenly remind Oren of something. "There's not another person I know of who has been cursed, but there is another church, now that you mention it. It's a chapel in the forest, a place that was much contested by the otherworldly powers. If nothing else, I would suggest we keep Isabella away from there."

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft It is heartening to hear that the newcomer has some heart, and something resembling a spine, and Adelaide is forced to reconsider her harsh first impressions. She will not admit it out loud, but she would greatly appreciate a wizard accompanying them on their travels. Oren’s magic has proven powerful and reliable, but it is as much a mystery to him, it seems, as it is to Adelaide. Kerwin might put her on edge, but wizards were masters of their craft, and that expertise might save them all if it comes down to actually understanding magic. It couldn’t hurt to have someone around who can tell them when they’re being deceived about the true nature of this-or-that ritual to save the world. Talk of corruption and purging sets Adelaide on edge, for much the same reasons as it does Oren and Kerwin, but also for the length of steel hanging from her hip. It is not by their blades, or their hands, that the purging would be done, but by her own and she would prefer that to be a last resort. Too often were people ready to promote a final solution to a temporary problem, and it was worrisome here not least because it was being spoken of by a superior in her very own order. ”Perhaps a quarantine, instead of a purge, for those that might be corrupted,” she offered, hoping that an analogy to sickness might make her point effectively. ”While we deal with the true source of the problem.”

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Bonus: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 6 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 52/52 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 2 Robe of Useful Items Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 30/30 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | Aura of Protection (+3, 10’ radius) | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 2/2 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Shield of Faith, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[zebedee]

Much like the others, Gallindan is discomfited by the idea of "purging" Isabella. It's one thing to slay demons, but quite another to slay ordinary people who have fallen prey to those demons. "Surely our duty is to free Isabella of corruption, rather than to 'purge' her? To date, she has done no harm. She may never do harm. Of course we must assess the threat. But until we have done so, I will make no plans to purge anyone. And perhaps Kerwin is on to something. If he can craft a potion to unshackle her soul, surely we must pursue that option? Our calling is to spread light and hope, not to persecute those that the darkness has touched."

[Admin Bhelogan]

Marcus' Mission There was a conflict brewing inside Marcus, and it was visible to all in the room. His methods had always been seen as harsh by others, but he had never considered that there might be another way. If there in fact was, did that make him guilty of murdering people who were possible to save, instead of just purging evil? Kerwin had planted the seed though, and now it must be investigated. "Kerwin, I admit I am astonished at your humanity. But, I must be blunt. I do not believe that this corruption is like venom in a person that can be removed or makeup that can be washed off. It fundamentally changes who they are, who has control of them, and what they think, believe, and do. But, the truth is, I do not know for a fact that it isn't." It was clearly stated by the others though, that they wanted to find a solution that did not involve 'purging' the person from existence. "Very well then. Let us bring Isabelle here, and assess just how much of a threat she may be. So long as we can assure them she is not hurting anyone else, or about to sacrifice herself to open another portal, then we can pursue this experiment to determine if there is another way to remove the demonic corruption from her."

OODM I don't have an exact game plan for how this might play out, or work. So, for this post, I would like everyone to state what they are doing to make the chapel a safe place to quarantine Isabelle, or what they might be doing to research, or help Kerwin research how to use alchemy to 'cleanse' her. Include a relevant skill check to see how well this activity goes. For the sake of the narrative, if someone's actions hit it before I do, Isabelle is at home and found with her parents at death's door. In her new way of manipulating people out of guilt, she has convinced her parents that they should be punished for giving her up to the dragon, and have food withheld. They are terrified of her, and have not eaten in so long, and are so weak at this point that they can barely move.