DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3O - A Journey of a Thousand Years begins with a single step

Vordana

Before they set off to the ruins Vordana instructed Flycatcher to watch the road and surrounding area in case the bandits used the ruins for a site. She then observed the party as they inspected the mural. Having no real anecdotes or knowledge of the place. Once the party looked at the stone that could be removed she thought out loud.

"Now we finally have need for that brute."

Her rolls for the usual suspects but shouldn't be a factor in anything... yeah that bad.

Jaliera

"I could try using Mage Hand again?" she offers.

Zhu

"Probably safest approach", she nods agreement with Jaliera's suggestion.

<Bern>

He was ... sort of listening. But most of his attention was focused on making sure that there were no 'incoming threats'.

DM

The mural remains bathed in the soft glow of the mid-morning sun, the creatures on the mural intent on the game board and not on the nearby adventurers as they discuss their strategy.

Because, after all, they're a painting.

And while most of the party is focused on the final frame of the mural at this time, Vordana may recognize the construct shown in the fourth and fifth panes as something she has seen painted on similar murals or other artwork in her long history of travels.

Davroar

Other than being a fairly impressive looking mural, it does not keep his attention for more than a couple of minutes. Like Bern he will walk along the ruins edge keeping a eye out for any trouble.

Arus

He takes the opportunity to dismount and stretch his legs, but like Bern is more intent on the surrounds at present.

Zhu

Once Jaliera uses her Mage Hand to remove the symbol, if nothing untoward happens, she will reach out and carefully take it from the hand.

DM

Jaliera's mage hand reaches for the rune-inscribed stone to attempt to remove it from its place on the wall. It moves slightly but is far too heavy for the hand to manipulate beyond nudging the stone slightly.

But that's the least of the party's worries. Perhaps there's a reason this ancient rune still remains here after thousands of years. No doubt it's been discovered before... and other parties have experienced what this party will soon discover.

The final pane of the mural begins to shift and shimmer, its colors deepening and taking on an almost three-dimensional quality. The once-static scene of the Wah-ree game which ended the Thousand Year War now seems to comes alive, as if the party is standing there observing the very events it depicts.

From a dark corner of the mural where the sun hasn't quite reached, a massive silhouette starts to materialize, its form gradually becoming clearer and more distinct. Towering over everyone present, its colossal wingspan extending from wall to wall, the illusion of a fearsome dragon comes to life. Its scales glimmer with an otherworldly iridescence, catching the ambient light and casting eerie reflections onto the ruined castle walls.

The dragon's eyes, orbs of searing amber, fixate on the party, one by one. As its gaze locks onto each of the nearby adventurers, an overwhelming sensation of dread washes over each one, a primal instinct that triggers a surge of fear deep within their hearts. The illusion is uncanny in its realism, as each party member can almost feel the heat of the dragon's fiery breath on their skin and hear the echoing rumble of its growl.

The illusionary dragon slowly unfurls its wings, sending gusts of wind that rattle the loose stones around you. It lets out a haunting roar, its sound a blend of the fiercest storms and the most terrible roars of nature. With each beat of its mighty wings, the ground trembles beneath you, and the intensity of your fear seems to grow with every passing second. It's as if the ancient conflict between dragons and giants has been resurrected before you, and you are mere mortals caught in the midst of this cosmic struggle.

OOC: For anyone within line of sight of the mural, make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. Sindar and Vordana, see OOC thread for possible advantage.

On success, you recognize this as an illusion.

On failure, you are frightened:
- You have disadvantage on ability checks while in line of sight of the illusion.
- You can not willingly move closer to the illusion (rune stone).
- Take actions as you would normally do on a 6-second turn in combat, although I'm not doing any initiative order. If you choose to remain within line of sight, there may be additional impacts.

For those whose attention is directed outward (Bern, Davroar, Arus), they don't notice a darn thing. No rattling stones. No wind. No stinky hot dragon breath or rumbling growl. No threats approaching from outside, either, for what it's worth.

Zhu

Her eyes widen and she begins to back away.

Wisdom saving throw
Zhuirentel Elendaril
6
Nope

Jaliera

She sees the dragon come to life, watches in horror as it takes a breath and breathes out fire!

She screams! Loudly. Then turns and runs blindly away

Zindra

As the dragon came to life, the scout cries out "Dragon" as she prepares to defend herself from it's fiery breath.
Zindra Wisdom save
Neptune rolled 1d20+2 and got 5
I see lots of fails so far

[[ do I need to roll surprise or something? ]]

OOC: No. I'm trying to avoid slowing down RP here (slower than it already is ) by introducing initiative and turns, when there's not really combat (any attacks against the imaginary dragon would automatically fail).

For Bern, just RP how you would react when the rest of your party calls out "Dragon!" and Jaliera (so far) runs screaming out of the ruins.

This is intended to be a puzzle, not combat, but the "let's just stand here facing our fear" may have some negative consequences associated with it. Is the risk worth the reward?

Sindar

He steps back involuntarily when the dragon appears. As it starts to do its bluster and wing shake routine, the half-elf squints one eye. "Nice try," he comments loud enough to be heard by those close by. If he has a chance to say anything else, he says "its fake, don't be alarmed."

He will prepare to counter its effects though to help his friends.

20 (Crit) on Wis Save. Will prepare to Countercharm when he can.
Sindar Save vs Dragon
Pandemonium rolled 1d20 and got 20

<Bern>

The commotion behind him causes him to turn back to the group to see what is up.

[[ Does he 'see' the dragon? Can he tell that it is not real ... or do I need to roll ? ]]

[[ Just making sure of 'sight lines' and all that <g> ]]

Vordana

"Meep!!!" And runs toward the road.


Vordana Wisdom Save
Miales rolled 1d20 and got 10

Sindar

He began to sing, starting loud enough to be heard over the sounds of the illusion.

(Verse 1) "In the shadows, darkness dancing in the light, An illusionary dragon, casting fearful fright, But I see through the mist, the falsehood in its eyes, With courage as my armor, no deceit shall rise.

(Chorus) Oh, illusionary dragon, your tricks won't hold us tight. We stand united, fearless, in the face of your false might. With friends by my side, we're an unbreakable chain. In the warmth of our bond, your illusions are in vain.

(Verse 2) My friends, they're my shield, their love a shining guide, Your illusory flames, they cannot divide; we'll unravel your mirage, reveal the truth within, With hope as our weapon, your lies cannot win.

(Chorus) Oh, illusionary dragon, your tricks won't hold us tight. We stand united, fearless, in the face of your false might. With friends by my side, we're an unbreakable chain. In the warmth of our bond, your illusions are in vain.

(Bridge) So roar, roar, roar all you like, Your shadowy spectacle, a fading blight, We'll sing our song of friendship strong, And prove your illusion, oh dragon, wrong.

(Chorus) Oh, illusionary dragon, your tricks won't hold us tight. We stand united, fearless, in the face of your false might. With friends by my side, we're an unbreakable chain, In the warmth of our bond, your illusions are in vain."

Kriv

Kriv Will save
AJ rolled 1d20-1 and got 13

Kriv wordlessly held the Glassstaff before him, ready to ward off any hostile happenstance. This wouldn't be the first full dragon he had faced, he knew the terrifying risks they posed.

OOC: As a Halfling, Vordana has "Brave" which confers advantage on saving rolls against being frightened. Roll agin (but feel free to run away anyway!)

Davroar

Admiring a couple of large bumble bees servicing a small cluster of wild yellow flowers growing between two large flat stones from the other side of the ruins, Jaliera's scream snaps his attention to see her running away. Without thinking he breaks out into a sprint to intercept her as his heart leaps into his throat as to what might have caused her to run away. Between deep breaths he calls, "Jaliera! Jaliera, stop! What's... wrong!"

DM

Sindar manages to keep his wits about him, and breaks into an inspiring song extolling the tricks of the illusory dragon.

The song is enough that those who have fled outside the room where the mural resides can hear it and recover from their fear.

OOC: If you've left the room, another DC16 wisdom save, with advantage thanks to Sindar. On success you're no longer frightened and could go back into the room if you wished.

For those who have chosen to remain and face down their imaginary foe, the song is enough to cast just enough doubt that there are no further impacts, but they can still see the illusion and are still distracted enough by their original fright to be at disadvantage should they actually try to do anything other than stand there looking brave in the face of (in their mind) flapping wings, rattling rocks, and dragon breath that smells of burnt adventurer.