[Game Thread] The Road to Xullhaven - Part 5

[Admin Bhelogan]

Garrick Stonehelm

The gnome didn't seem too pleased with the reaction of whom he perceived to be mercenaries at his offer to join the upcoming battle. Aaric had a little insight into the conflict between the city-states, as Oren huddled his crew together. "The Grakobian and Zarahenian City States are ruled by two cousins, both worshiped as Gods by their people. It's probably one of those situations where they have been at war so long, that they don't remember what started it anymore. Since they are independent factions, they are left to sort out their own mess so long as it doesn't interfere with any imperial affairs. Usually, their conflicts are not blown into all-out combat, but things have escalated over the last few months. It might be worth hearing out Garrick though. Mercenaries are in the business of money, they wouldn't have signed on, or be staying around if this was purely a suicide mission for them."


Captian Stonhelm waited, wearing a grumpy expression that could rival any dwarf, as he waited to get the groups attention again. Since Kerin had been the most blunt, it was him that the Captain addressed. "Ok, maybe I misjudged you lot. Let me better explain the situation. This isn't he first time we have had an Avatar on the battlefield, and it probably won't be the last, from either side. Not until this conflict is over, which I suspect won't happen until one side or the other overthrows their own king. Anyway, the frontline of battle has been going back and forth for a few months, and this is the second time we are crossing the Thoroughfare. The Zarahenian mercenaries are blocking the eastern entrance to this stretch of the road, while we have the west side, making sure we don't get any cross-traffic caught in the skirmish. We can't let any non-combatants enter, until the frontline moves. That might only take a few days, but last time it took two weeks. Very civil of us, eh?"

"Anyway, yes, the Avatars. Have you ever seen a Titan? Or a Storm Giant? Yes, those mighty tall beggars. They look kind of like that, and are just as terrifying. Nobody is going to go toe-to-toe with one of them. When summoned, the Avatars work like the spearhead of an army, pushing forward to move the frontline towards their enemies. Those on the other side, keep their distance and pelt them with ranged weapons and magic until the Avatar is destroyed. It takes a while though. They move slow, but are hard to bring down. I've heard a rumor that the Kings have to sacrifice large numbers of people to siphon off the amount of magic they need to conjure one up. Right, sidetracking again. So, basically, you have two options. You can go way around, either north or south of the City States. Or, you can agree to sign up with us, on our contract, and help us take down the Avatar, keeping a safe distance of course. It will still take some time, but you'll get through faster, and make a few coins while you're at it. See? That sounds a little better, doesn't it? "

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft ”Sacrificing people?” Adelaide asked, shifting her weight forward in the saddle, her expression souring as she looked down on the gnome. ”Can’t say I like the idea of that one bit. Might be worth taking one down just to spite the…” Adelaide trailed off before she went on to say anything truly offensive, or perhaps criminal, becoming acutely aware that her hand was gripping her sword hilt. She looked around at the others, softening her expression before turning back to face the mercenaries ahead of them, eventually looking to Kerwin, their ‘leader’. ”Well boss,” her tone is a little less serious than the first time she’d said it, ”still thinking the long way ‘round? Or do you want to fight a giant to save some time?”

 

Actions Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | 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 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | 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, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[mountainbound]

"On our contract," Garrick's words echo through Oren's mind, as if opening a window into some hidden chamber. The warlock remembers staring into a firepit, several years ago. He was the only soldier who survived an ogre attack on his outpost. He was alone for over a year, a lone soldier in a wilderness outpost, deep in the domain of creatures bizarre and hideous. Day after day he chopped wood to keep the outpost fire alive, and night after night he stayed up, watching it burn, periodically watching out on the rampart for signs of ogre or troll.

It was in the course of those long winter nights that he learned the meaning of terror. Not that he wasn't terrified another tribe of ogres might decide to tear down the walls of the outpost. He was. But more terrifying was being alone with the fire. In those long, dark hours, Oren remembers it used to whisper to him, tell him things.

In a flash he recalls a woman with eyes of fire giving him a contract, which he signed in blood. Lucky for him he now knows who that woman was, and better yet he knows that the King of the Mountain Throne had negated that contract. But was he in another contract now? Did he make another deal? He had powers, there was no doubt. With a gasp he realizes something that never occurred to him before. He was still in a contract... albeit one with a more suitable master. And he had friends now, who served the same power. But still.

The warlock shakes his head vigorously. "Sorry. No. I won't sign. No more contracts, I've had enough of them." He shivers involuntarily, remembering the complete desolation of the Abyss, and the price for leaving. "No more contracts."

[tomplum]

Kerwin Powell Well, the others were certainly all in on this ruse that Kerwin was somehow a decision maker all of a sudden. Hiking up his undergarments beneath his robe, he stepped forward and said in as stern a voice as he could Dice deception: 1d20+4 (9)+4 Total = 13 muster, "No contracts...but we'll advance forward as you suggest and assist as we can." Of course, Kerwin meant none of this and had no intention of going toe to toe with some sacrifice devouring avatar or even participating in some city state political theater.   Movement: none Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Free Action: Conditions: Rolls:   Kerwin Powell | 7th-Level Transmutation Wizard | 5'3" 190 lbs. Variant Human HP: 51/51 | AC: 9 | Initiative: +4 | Spell Slots: 3/4 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 1/1 Spell DC: 15 Spell Attack Bonus: +7 Weapons: +2 to hit, 1d6-1 B, Versatile (1d8)Quarterstaff This small bag of tea extract smells of rosemary and ginger. It may be used to make one cup of tea, with a flavor that most would find repugnant. The tea itself though, has amazing healing qualities, and can completely restore the health of the drinker over a short rest.Herbal Tea 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, Evocation cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: V, S Duration: Instantaneous You cause numbing frost to form on one creature that you can see within range. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 1d6 cold damage, and it has disadvantage on the next weapon attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. At Higher Levels. The spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).Frostbite, 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, 3rd-lvl abjuration Casting Time: 1 minute Range: 10 feet Target: A 10-foot-radius, 20-foot-tall cylinder centered on a point on the ground that you can see within range Components: V S M (Holy water or powdered silver and iron worth at least 100 gp, which the spell consumes) Duration: 1 hour You create a 10-foot-radius, 20-foot-tall cylinder of magical energy centered on a point on the ground that you can see within range. Glowing runes appear wherever the cylinder intersects with the floor or other surface. Choose one or more of the following types of creatures: celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, or undead. The circle affects a creature of the chosen type in the following ways: The creature can’t willingly enter the cylinder by nonmagical means. If the creature tries to use teleportation or interplanar travel to do so, it must first succeed on a Charisma saving throw. The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls against targets within the cylinder. Targets within the cylinder can’t be charmed, frightened, or possessed by the creature. When you cast this spell, you can elect to cause its magic to operate in the reverse direction, preventing a creature of the specified type from leaving the cylinder and protecting targets outside it. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the Duration increases by 1 hour for each slot level above 3rd.Magic Circle, 3rd-level evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S, M (niter, sulfur, and pine tar formed into a bead) Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes You create six tiny meteors in your space. They float in the air and orbit you for the spell’s duration. When you cast the spell — and as a bonus action on each of your turns thereafter — you can expend one or two of the meteors, sending them streaking toward a point or points you choose within 120 feet of you. Once a meteor reaches its destination or impacts against a solid surface, the meteor explodes. Each creature within 5 feet of the point where the meteor explodes must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the number of meteors created increases by two for each slot level above 3rd.Melf's Minute Meteors 4th-Level Spells Known: 4th-level conjuration Casting Time: 1 action Range: 90 feet Components: V, S, M (a pickled tentacle and an eyeball in a platinum inlaid vial worth at least 400 gp) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour You call forth an aberrant spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. This corporeal form uses the Aberrant Spirit stat block. When you cast the spell, choose Beholderkin, Slaad, or Star Spawn. The creature resembles an aberration of that kind, which determines certain traits in its stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or when the spell ends. The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it take the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, use the higher level wherever the spell's level appears on the stat block. Aberrant Spirit Medium aberration Armor Class: 11 + the level of the spell (natural armor) Hit Points: 40 + 10 for each spell level above 4th Speed: 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover) (Beholderkin only) STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 6 (−2) Damage Immunities: psychic Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages: Deep Speech, understands the languages you speak Challenge: — Proficiency Bonus: equals your bonus Regeneration (Slaad Only). The aberration regains 5 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. Whispering Aura (Star Spawn Only). At the start of each of the aberration’s turns, each creature within 5 feet of the aberration must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or take 2d6 psychic damage, provided that the aberration isn’t incapacitated. Actions Multiattack. The aberration makes a number of attacks equal to half this spell’s level (rounded down). Claws (Slaad Only). Melee Weapon Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d10 + 3 + the spell’s level slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it can’t regain hit points until the start of the aberration’s next turn. Eye Ray (Beholderkin Only). Ranged Spell Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, range 150 ft., one creature. Hit: 1d8 + 3 + the spell’s level psychic damage. Psychic Slam (Star Spawn Only). Melee Spell Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 1d8 + 3 + the spell’s level psychic damageSummon Abberation 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, Melf's Minute Meteors Spells Prepared if Expecting Trouble: Enemies Abound, Haste, Counterspell, Mirror Image, Rope Trick, Sleep, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Shield, Magic Missile, Melf's Minute Meteors, Conjure Aberration

[zebedee]

Gallindan The eladrin was deeply uncomfortable. He didn't want to agree to join a war that meant nothing to him, and would only slow down their quest. But dragging Kerwin's cart through the woods might slow them down even more. He didn't see another option. The long silence as his friends thought over the options suggested they also saw no good path forward. Unless they were having a silent conversation that he couldn't hear. And then out of nowhere, Kerwin suggested a third path. It wasn't at all clear that the gnome manning the guard post would go for this bold proposal, but it seemed by far the best option. Of course they would assist as needed as they advanced! How could they not? He patted Celebangolad on the neck and prepared to ride on.

OOC: Even better! If G doesn't know that we're not planning to help, he can't object. Excellent.

[Admin Bhelogan]

The gnome looked over the travelers with a scrutinous eye for a few moments, trying to figure out what they actually wanting to do. Clearly, they were not all in 100% agreement on being involved in the conflict, but had agreed to 'Assist' as they could. Stonhelm looked to Aaric. "Are they any good in a fight?"

Aaric almost had to laugh at the question. "I've seen these chaps take down demons and devils alike. If outnumbered by my own Knights of Neomosis three to one, I'd still bet on them to win."

This was a strong endorsement, one that Captain Stonhelm wouldn't take lightly. "Alright then, if that's true, I'll let you through. Help us where you can. Worst case scenario, if you do run off on your own, and get hurt, don't tell anyone that I was the one who let you through!". The Gnome seemed to get the jest that the party didn't want to fight, but also could hold their own. There would be little his small squad a the checkpoint could do to stop them if they chose to move through by force. And, maybe, just maybe, they would find themselves in a situation where these travelers would actually help out The Ironclad Vanguard. If nothing else, perhaps he could say they owed him a favor.


As the party ventured further down the Trade Winds Thoroughfare, a transformation overtook the atmosphere. What had once been a bustling and lively route of commerce was now found deserted and silent, bearing the signs of impending conflict. Every building or semblance of a settlement had been abandoned, and buildings were boarded up. The only sounds that broke the eerie silence were the distant calls of birds and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. Wooden barricades and hastily erected fortifications lined the streets, evidence of preparations for the looming conflict.

For two days, the party traveled along the Trade Winds Thoroughfare, encountering an unsettling emptiness that seemed at odds with the usual lively atmosphere of the bustling trade route. The roads were devoid of the usual merchants and travelers, with no signs of life other than the occasional flutter of a bird or the distant rustling of leaves. Despite the eerie calm and emptiness, the party managed to find refuge in abandoned barns and stables along the way. These structures, unlike the boarded-up buildings, offered shelter without the need to break down barricades or force their way into bunkered-down establishments. It was as if the entire thoroughfare had been evacuated or abandoned in anticipation of impending conflict, leaving behind a surreal landscape of deserted streets and silent buildings.

On the third day of their journey, as unnatural storms began to gather ominously on the horizon and draw nearer, the party approached another customary stop for travelers: a tavern perched above a bridge that spanned a small but swift river beneath the Trade Winds Thoroughfare. In the distance, a continuous rumble echoed across the plains, reminiscent of thunder but with a relentless quality that hinted at something more. It was not the rumble of a storm, but the thunderous hoofbeats of a multitude of horses approaching rapidly. As the sky darkened with the impending tempest, the party caught sight of a colossal figure looming over the skyline, silhouetted against the encroaching storm. The ground trembled beneath the advancing hooves, and the air crackled with electric anticipation, setting an ominous tone for what lay ahead on the Trade Winds Thoroughfare.

As the party gazed in awe and trepidation, a colossal silhouette emerged against the darkening sky. It was the torso of the massive titan, its outline looming ominously over the landscape. The titan moved with deliberate slowness, each step sending tremors through the earth. Its colossal form was adorned with protruding bolts and arrows, embedded in its thick armor like a bristling hedgehog. These projectiles, fired from ballistae and archers in a desperate attempt to slow the titan's advance, served as stark reminders of the futility of mortal weapons against such a formidable foe.

The silhouette of the titan was a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying. As the fading light of day silhouetted its massive frame, the party could discern the intricate details of its colossal armor and the sheer scale of its presence. The titan's slow but relentless movement conveyed an inexorable sense of impending doom, casting a shadow over the land and heralding the approaching storm of battle.

Around the titan, the battlefield was a scene of chaos and desperation. An army, dwarfed by the titan's immense size, skirmished around its feet, their efforts to impede its progress futile against its unstoppable advance. The air was thick with the sounds of combat—shouts, clashes of weapons, and the ominous creaking of the titan's armor as it continued its inexorable march.

The battle was moving towards the small Tavern, built over the river. If the party stayed here for much longer, like it or not, they would be drawn into the conflict. In all of this chaos, Isabella watched with interest, seeing something that perhaps the others had missed. Or, it might have been something that she remembered, during the time of her possession by Fierna. "It seems like they are trying to kill the Avatar. But... wouldn't that only prolong the conflict? If they could bind him... like Fierna said had happened to the King of the Mountain, wouldn't that keep their enemy power in check?" The young girl was a little confused on what any of this meant, but she was trying to put some of the dots together.

[tomplum]

Kerwin Powell Kerwin liked the intent of the idea but shook his head in the negative. "Perhaps if I spent the next year trying to figure that out...still probably not. The spell I used to exorcise you, well, I can't fathom how to do it on such a scale as that. Don't suppose they'll drop it before it crosses the river? Nah, me neither." The alchemist began scanning the river banks, wondering if there were another place to ford its banks, "Aaric, how far are we from the next crossing in either direction?"   Movement: none Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Free Action: Conditions: Rolls:   Kerwin Powell | 7th-Level Transmutation Wizard | 5'3" 190 lbs. Variant Human HP: 51/51 | AC: 9 | Initiative: +4 | Spell Slots: 3/4 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 1/1 Spell DC: 15 Spell Attack Bonus: +7 Weapons: +2 to hit, 1d6-1 B, Versatile (1d8)Quarterstaff This small bag of tea extract smells of rosemary and ginger. It may be used to make one cup of tea, with a flavor that most would find repugnant. The tea itself though, has amazing healing qualities, and can completely restore the health of the drinker over a short rest.Herbal Tea 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, Evocation cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: V, S Duration: Instantaneous You cause numbing frost to form on one creature that you can see within range. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 1d6 cold damage, and it has disadvantage on the next weapon attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. At Higher Levels. The spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).Frostbite, 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, 3rd-lvl abjuration Casting Time: 1 minute Range: 10 feet Target: A 10-foot-radius, 20-foot-tall cylinder centered on a point on the ground that you can see within range Components: V S M (Holy water or powdered silver and iron worth at least 100 gp, which the spell consumes) Duration: 1 hour You create a 10-foot-radius, 20-foot-tall cylinder of magical energy centered on a point on the ground that you can see within range. Glowing runes appear wherever the cylinder intersects with the floor or other surface. Choose one or more of the following types of creatures: celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, or undead. The circle affects a creature of the chosen type in the following ways: The creature can’t willingly enter the cylinder by nonmagical means. If the creature tries to use teleportation or interplanar travel to do so, it must first succeed on a Charisma saving throw. The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls against targets within the cylinder. Targets within the cylinder can’t be charmed, frightened, or possessed by the creature. When you cast this spell, you can elect to cause its magic to operate in the reverse direction, preventing a creature of the specified type from leaving the cylinder and protecting targets outside it. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the Duration increases by 1 hour for each slot level above 3rd.Magic Circle, 3rd-level evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S, M (niter, sulfur, and pine tar formed into a bead) Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes You create six tiny meteors in your space. They float in the air and orbit you for the spell’s duration. When you cast the spell — and as a bonus action on each of your turns thereafter — you can expend one or two of the meteors, sending them streaking toward a point or points you choose within 120 feet of you. Once a meteor reaches its destination or impacts against a solid surface, the meteor explodes. Each creature within 5 feet of the point where the meteor explodes must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the number of meteors created increases by two for each slot level above 3rd.Melf's Minute Meteors 4th-Level Spells Known: 4th-level conjuration Casting Time: 1 action Range: 90 feet Components: V, S, M (a pickled tentacle and an eyeball in a platinum inlaid vial worth at least 400 gp) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour You call forth an aberrant spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. This corporeal form uses the Aberrant Spirit stat block. When you cast the spell, choose Beholderkin, Slaad, or Star Spawn. The creature resembles an aberration of that kind, which determines certain traits in its stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or when the spell ends. The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it take the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, use the higher level wherever the spell's level appears on the stat block. Aberrant Spirit Medium aberration Armor Class: 11 + the level of the spell (natural armor) Hit Points: 40 + 10 for each spell level above 4th Speed: 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover) (Beholderkin only) STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 6 (−2) Damage Immunities: psychic Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages: Deep Speech, understands the languages you speak Challenge: — Proficiency Bonus: equals your bonus Regeneration (Slaad Only). The aberration regains 5 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. Whispering Aura (Star Spawn Only). At the start of each of the aberration’s turns, each creature within 5 feet of the aberration must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or take 2d6 psychic damage, provided that the aberration isn’t incapacitated. Actions Multiattack. The aberration makes a number of attacks equal to half this spell’s level (rounded down). Claws (Slaad Only). Melee Weapon Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d10 + 3 + the spell’s level slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it can’t regain hit points until the start of the aberration’s next turn. Eye Ray (Beholderkin Only). Ranged Spell Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, range 150 ft., one creature. Hit: 1d8 + 3 + the spell’s level psychic damage. Psychic Slam (Star Spawn Only). Melee Spell Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 1d8 + 3 + the spell’s level psychic damageSummon Abberation 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, Melf's Minute Meteors Spells Prepared if Expecting Trouble: Enemies Abound, Haste, Counterspell, Mirror Image, Rope Trick, Sleep, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Shield, Magic Missile, Melf's Minute Meteors, Conjure Aberration

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft ”Well, that’s something you don’t see everyday,” Adelaide said as she stared at the titan in the distance. I hope. ”Alright, who’s leading the charge? Kerwin, I suppose. He is supposed to be the boss.” The young paladin grinned as she leaned forward in her saddle, motioning for the wizard to lead on, ”Or maybe we find someplace else to stay for the night?”

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | 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 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | 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, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[mountainbound]

"Bind him..." Oren considers the prospect. He had found various histories in the dragon's hoard, and thoroughly read a book written by someone devoted to the nameless King of the Mountain. Perhaps there was a hint to be discovered, though the relentless march of the titan did little for the warlock's ability to focus.

Always considering the long game, Oren knows that it's only a matter of time before a being of that size and scale decides it wants more... more land, more followers, more war. "When we were in Trebblefork, we were able to defeat the demon horde by cutting off their portal to this world. If the avatar manifesting on this plane was doing so through the help of a similar portal, destroying that might effectively bind him."

He didn't need to add that he was no wizard and didn't know all that much about arcane matters -- that was well demonstrated. But he put the thought out there. "Captain Stonehelm mentioned the prospect of overthrowing the king on either side to bring an end to the avatars, and that a lot of people need to be sacrificed to summon the avatars. That would mean people on both sides probably have little love for their rulers, and may be willing to help a third party..."

Oren scratches his chin. Days ago when he heard about the battle, he had no idea the power of the beings involved. "I have no wish to get involved, but people are dying here and eventually this conflict will become a threat to the surrounding regions." The situation is far worse than Oren first thought and simply running away does not sit well with him.

OOC Kinda grasping at straws here. Arcana Dice Roll: 1d20+2 (10)+2 Total = 12

[Admin Bhelogan]

As the party watched from the bridge, and contemplated what they would do, the march of the Titan slowly arched towards the bridge and Inn. It would be a while until the conflict reached this point, but if not brought down, the Titan would arrive in a few hours at the latest.

Oren mentioned the portals. Daybreak was following the logic, but saw a problem with it. "The portal was connecting two plains of existence. In this case, the Kind and the Avatar are both on our plane, so there would be no portal. It must be a direct link between the two."

Isabella followed that train of thought, linking it to her earlier observation and Kerwin's thoughts of magical binding. "I don't think it would be a cleansing spell like that, to bind an Avatar. It would be a physical bond, like tying it down and locking it away somewhere, where it couldn't escape. It must take all of the King's consciousness to command the Avatar, and locking it away like that would leave him in a comatose state. Unable to escape"

Daybreak saw the potential in this, but also the danger. "So, if one were bound, what would the other King do? Destroy the other city-state? Then what? The conflict then would surely be focused outward. As is, terrible as it may be, these two nations are keeping each other in check. We see this in nature, in the woods. If the predators are removed, the herbivores reproduce uninhibited, eating everything until they starve themselves. They need that opposition to keep their numbers in check."

Aaric didn't quite follow all the logic of magic and nature, but he understood one thing. "The war also lines a lot of people's pockets. I imagine there are many who are not eager to see the conflict resolved, even if it is costing the people of the city-states dearly. Anyw, yes, another crossing. I don't think there is another bridge this size for hundreds of miles, but we only need one wide enough for our wagon. I think there is another a few miles north of there. It would probably put us in contact with forces from Zarahenian, but hey, at least we don't have a signed contract that proves we would be their enemies!"

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft ”I’ll leave the tactics and planning to my elders, but we should at least clear the tavern of people before that thing gets much closer. We haven’t seen anyone on the roads, but if they’re taking shelter anywhere…” she said as she gestured to the tavern, her horse turning about as the beast stamped its feet in agitation at the approaching doom, ”it’ll be in there. That thing will crush that place in a single step.”

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | 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 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | 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, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[zebedee]

Gallindan Gallindan had been standing and watching the avatar on the horizon. It was with a mixture of awe and fear that he tried to think through the metaphysics of it all. Religion check belowWho was this avatar? What were the consequences of it being let loose on this plane? He was distracted, and Sorry, all. Rough couple of weeks. I'm ok, hope to be more reliable going forward.uncharacteristically quiet. He also pondered how easy it seemed for all these gods and godlings to appear in the flesh, but the Ancient One remained bound. This left him deeply disturbed, and he was content to listen to the others plot their escape. Daybreak, in particular, seemed to carry his own thoughts to the rest of the group. But Adelaide's voice, as it so often did, interrupted his selfish contemplation. His head snapped up. "Adelaide is right. We need to clear this village. Or at least make them aware of the danger. We can probably outrun the avatar if Kerwin's horses can push themselves. But no human on foot can be sure of the same."

OOC: Dice Religion check: 1d20+3 (12)+3 Total = 15

[mountainbound]

Oren Kyre It did seem to be a no-win situation, at least with the limited resources and understanding the party was working with. Practically speaking, Adelaide had it right, they needed to save the lives they could. "I can go and alert the tavernfolk. Lux," Oren calls his imp familiar, who has long gone invisible, but not strayed far. Lux materializes in a treebranch not far away, but carefully out of sight of any unsuspecting villagers. The warlock continues, "Aaric just said there's another bridge to the north which may be under Zarahenian control. Go and scout it out. I don't like being caged by warring factions and want to be sure we know what we're getting ourselves into."

OOC Persuasion check if needed to get the tavern people moving. Plus Perception if there's anything to be learned or spotted.   Persuasion Dice Roll: 1d20+7 (9)+7 Total = 16 Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (9)+5 Total = 14

[Admin Bhelogan]

At his summons, Lux appeared on the nearby branch. He took a look at the lumbering titan on the horizon and gave a long whistle. "Ya know... Celebangolad is great and all, but I want to ride one of those into battle. Can I keep it?" Although the question was ridiculous, Lux was being honest in his desires. He had the soul of a world-conquering devil in him after all. "Ok, scout the bridge, I got it. Don't get yourself trampled by my noble steed before I get back."

The small village around this river-crossing tavern had been evacuated, and the place seemed to be empty. The battle with the Titan Avatar of the King of the Zarahenian City would certainly destroy most of the buildings when it passed through here, a cost the locals were probably familiar with after years of this war between the two nations. The tavern seemed to be empty to, until, upon further inspection from the outside, Oren thought he saw a pair of eyes peering out at him through a window. As soon as he saw it, they disappeared, and he heard a thump on the floor inside. Someone was watching them, and ducked for cover as soon as they thought they were spotted. That must have been very short, either a halfling, or a gnome, or perhaps a human child was inside. Attempts to call and persuade from the outside proved futile. Nobody answered or came out, but the sounds of scurrying to and fro gave away that there was more than now person hiding inside.

OODM tomplum has been offline for about a month now, so we will continue to move forward with Kerwin in the background for the time being. Made a small change to my previous post, and mountainbound, it is the Zarahenian who have the titan, and probably hold the bridge. The Grakobian forces are the ones fighting against the titan, and the ones Captain Garrick Stonehelm was trying to get you to sign a contract with. The tavern is empty now, except for a pack of orphaned kids, who also happen to make up the local 'thieve's guild' who are hiding inside. For your post, describe how your character is going to try and find, or convince the kids to come out of hiding and get them to safety. Roll a relevant skill check for your actions. You are free to invent any of the kids as NPCs here to fit your narrative.

[zebedee]

Gallindan The eladrin tore his gaze away from the titan on the horizon once again and saw Oren as his friend spied movement in the tavern. He strode over to take a closer look. He called out, "Whoever you are in there, we're not here to hurt you. You have to know it's too dangerous to stay here. Come out and let us help you find somewhere safer. This entire town is on the verge of being flattened, and you won't want to be here when it happens."

OOC: More IC text to come after I see the result of this roll. Dice persuasion: 1d20+6 (15)+6 Total = 21