DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3R - Things that go Bump in the Night

[[ Bern will nod his willingness ]]

[It's a dash from Arus as he closes in on the front doors to the stables.]

DM

Lily remains unconscious where she was unceremoniously tossed against a wall by the troll wanting to eat the horse she was trying to guard. She's clinging to life...

Lily Death Saving Throw
AquaDyne rolled 1d20 and got 20
Regains 1 HP!

But it's her lucky day, as she awakens! She looks wide-eyed at the trolls and has learned her lesson... she struggles to her feet and runs as fast as she can to the door, opening it as she passes through.

[Speed 20; uses 10 movement to stand, using dash to add 20 movement; moves 30 to get through the door. Has 1 of 2 available HP.]

Seeing the party rushing down the hallway, she gives them vital information, clearly scared... yet relieved to be alive. "Trolls! Four of 'em! Attacking the horses!" She huddles up against the wall to stay out of the way of the party as they approach. She's clearly hurt, and scared... but alive.

DM

The trolls who have entered the horse stalls are too hungry to care about the small and crunchy human child fleeing the room, and ignore her exit. They also don't like their food moving on their plate, and set about to immobilizing it.

Troll 1 Bite + 2x Claw Horse (AC10)
AquaDyne rolled 1d20+7,1d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4 and got 19, 7, 22, 15, 22, 9

Troll 2 Bite + 2x Claw Horse (AC10)
AquaDyne rolled 1d20+7,1d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4 and got 20, 5, 18, 12, 9, 13

Both trolls' bite and first of two claw attacks end their targets' lives.

The troll previously hit by Kriv's fire bolt is nursing his wounds, but is hungry enough to ignore the pain for now, breaking down the door into another horse's stall.

Finally, the troll guarding what used to be a doorway is the target of Kriv's second firebolt, which hits just enough to singe some troll skin. He remains in place, but picks up the remaining door piece from the ground to use as an improvised shield since his previous attempt to use it as a weapon failed gloriously. He shouts a challenge to the attackers in trollspeak. Those in the party who understand the Giant language can pick out maybe 2 or 3 of the words as "puny" and "snack" and "run".

[OOC: using the troll's action to pick up the door, applying "half cover" rule: +2 bonus to AC (15->17) and Dexterity saving throws.]

Davroar

Lily looks as though she was hurt so he stops and quickly says, "Lily, remember me? I healed the horse. Be still and let me check you."

Davroar will quickly assess her condition and see that she is going to live he quickly says, "Go hide behind the bar. Don't go outside ok?"

Davroar Examine Lily Medicine skill
Dugan rolled 1d20+7 and got 11

DM

Davroar's assessment shows that Lily is stable and safe to move on her own. Nothing's broken, but she'll have a lot of bruises later from blunt force trauma. [OOC: She has 1HP of 2 total; abstract that as you will.]

Aubric

Aubric had been racing to try to save the girl, having heard her scream cut short, and was relieved to see her on her own two feet. Noting that Davroar is speaking to her and has indicated healing skill, he turns his attention toward combat. Four trolls. He looks through the open door and sees one of the trolls, but not the other three. He sees an empty stall across from where he is, deciding to sprint there and eyeball the battlefield en route.

But before he goes, he quickly turns around to offer some assistance to the three others racing right behind him, who he hopes will be taking care of more of the combat duties.

Bless
1st-Level Enchantment (as 1st level)

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a sprinkling of holy water)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You bless up to three creatures of your choice within range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the atta⁠ck roll or saving throw.

After reaching his spot, he calls back to the others. "Three trolls in horse stalls and one at the other doorway!"

Zhu

The first thing she does (as a Bonus Action) is to finish the plan and use her Fey Step to teleport Bern into the second story of the stable. Then, moving at an angle to get a better line of sight, she cast a spell to affect three of the monsters.

(OOC - Should be able to place a 40 foot cube in the midst of the three trolls at the bottom to get all 3 of them. DC 15 Wisdom Save each.)

Slow
3rd-level (as 3) transmutation
Zhuirentel Elendaril
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a drop of molasses)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You alter time around up to six creatures of your choice in a 40-foot cube within range. Each target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be affected by this spell for the duration.
An affected target’s speed is halved, it takes a −2 penalty to AC and Dexterity saving throws, and it can’t use reactions. On its turn, it can use either an action or a bonus action, not both. Regardless of the creature’s abilities or magic items, it can’t make more than one melee or ranged attack during its turn.
If the creature attempts to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action, roll a d20. On an 11 or higher, the spell doesn’t take effect until the creature’s next turn, and the creature must use its action on that turn to complete the spell. If it can’t, the spell is wasted.
A creature affected by this spell makes another Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turn. On a successful save, the effect ends for it.
vsTroll
DC 15 Wisdom saving throw

DM

Zhu's clever plan to put an eye-in-the sky has multiple benefits. Bern is obviously set up to take pot-shots at melee-only targets from the safety of the loft walkway. But Bern also can serve as targeting assistance. Up until his relocation, the outdoor party was only aware of the two outdoor trolls and some more unknown threats inside. Bern is able to quickly convey enough targeting information for Zhu to choose the three targets and an ideal center point for her spell.

Troll 2, Troll 3, Troll 4 Wisdom save DC15
AquaDyne rolled 1d20-1,1d20-1,1d20-1 and got 8, 17, 14

The troll that was wise enough to run inside after getting hit by Kriv's firebolt is wise enough to avoid the spell's affect, but the troll in the doorway and the one on the west side are impacted.

Jaliera

Seeing Lily alive is a joy. She trusts Davroar to help her where needed and follows Aubic looking for a target for her bow, her intention to shoot and then hide. Trolls are big!

She lines up her arrow now that she has a target. And watches as it hits. Aware of Pavel at her side, she ducks down behind the doorway and hides.

Jaliera Shoot, bless, Damage, Hide
Gypsy rolled 1d20+7,1d4,1d6+4,1d20+10 and got 24, 2, 9, 14

So that's 26 to hit, 9 damage and 14 to hide.

Pavel

Seeing that the stable girl is being helped, Pavel runs up to the door next to Jaliera. Gauging where an enemy is by wheree she is shooting. He is already casting a spell as he comes up to the doorway. Seeing the troll she shot at he casts.


Pavel Cast Fire Bolt
Miales rolled 1d20+4,1d4 and got 11, 2

13 to hit

(In Case)
Pavel Fire Bolt Damage
Miales rolled 2d10 and got 7

DM

Jaliera's bolt hits true. Wiser creatures may have figured out where the bolt came from, but the troll isn't that perceptive and she easily hides behind the door frame.

Pavel also approaches the doorway, close enough to see the closest troll through the opening. Unfortunately, his mote of fire misses the troll, hitting the door to the adjacent stall instead. The wood briefly glows red, but fades quickly to a star-shaped char mark. A wisp of smoke curls upward from the point of impact.

Sindar

He moves forward, and with a quick flick of his right wrist, twin bolts of green eldritch energy launch toward the one troll he can see.

OOC: For when he can use his init. 11 and 8 to hit, 8 is a nat 1 roll, don't think damage matters.
Sindar Eldritch Blast
Pandemonium rolled 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d10,1d10 and got 11, 8, 9, 8

Maybe I should have tossed out another inspiration.

Kriv

The Dragonborn moved up and aimed more fire at the troll in the doorway, heedless of the makeshift shield. If it got in the way, the intent was to catch it on fire.

It didn't.


Bonus action Dash 30. Move 30.

Kriv fire bolt at nearest troll, damage
AJ rolled 1d20+6,2d10 and got 25, 8

DM

Kriv's firebolt hits nearly on target, despite the troll's best attempts to block it. Perhaps punching a hole in the door before trying to use it as a shield would have been a better plan.

Sindar follows up with a non-fiery attempt, with less accuracy. The first blast lands harmlessly on the stone wall of the stables. The second... literally couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, sailing over the roof and fading harmlessly into the night sky. A child awakened by all the commotion does appreciate the free firework show outside his window.

Zindra
Her prey was in the threshhold of the barn. Her bow aimed right at the filthy troll. Her arrows flew.

Zindra Arrow #1, hit and damage if it hits
Neptune rolled 1d20+8,1d8+3 and got 18, 10

Zindra Arrow #2, hit and damage if it hits
Neptune rolled 1d20+8,1d8+3 and got 14, 7

Zindra Hunter's mark damage
Neptune rolled 1d6 and got 2

OOC: Extra attack. if only 1st one hits: 12 points damage. If both arrows hit, 19 points of damage. Assuming target is not done. If it has died, will move Hunter's mark when she sees another troll. I moved Zindra on the map.

DM

Zindra's first arrow hits the troll squarely in the chest. The creature attempts to move to avoid the second shot, but thanks to Zhu's Slow spell, it fails to move enough. However, its choice to use the door as a shield proves helpful as the arrow impales itself in the door. The troll is still very much alive, and still loudly calling the attacking party various expletives in trollspeak.

<Bern>

He has a good vantage and uses that to assess his 'target'. The troll on the right ... attacking a horse ... seemed like a good target. He aims and fires ...

[[ Bern: shoot troll MikeD rolled d20+9,d8+4 and got 12, 5 ... if he gets the second shot: Bern second shot (if appicable) MikeD rolled d20+9,d8+4 and got 18, 6 ]]

DM

OOC: Looking at Bern's DnDBeyond sheet to try to sort out these attacks.
1. Not sure where the +9 comes from. I see +8 for the longbow with 2 attacks, and a +2 bonus for Archery fighting style(+3 dex +3 proficieny +2 fighting style), so I think it should be +10. So adding +1m to subtracting 1 from the d20s.
2. Not sure where the +4 comes from. I see 1d8+3 for the longbow, so subtracting 1 from the damage.
So I'm changing these results to 11,4 and 17,5 in my tracking.

From the perspective of trying to save a still-alive horse, Bern's choice seems sound. Unfortunately, his chosen target is unaffected by the Slow spell and is moving just enough that the first shot misses. The second shot, however, hits the troll squarely in his shoulder.

Lily

The stable girl doesn't have to be told twice to go and hide, nodding to Davroar's instructions and running as fast as she can down the hallway. While Jaliera's arrows and Pavel's fire might be exciting to watch, she's had enough excitement for one evening, and leaves defending horses from trolls to the experts.

Troll 1 - Dig

The troll closest to the hallway, who happens to be named Dig, had previously removed the small screaming obstacle to his supper, and was happily settling in for his midnight snack when he felt the impact of Jaliera's arrow in his left shoulder. He turns to see who would dare interrupt him but Jaliera has cleverly hid and he doesn't see her.

But another foe presents himself, throwing fire in his direction. Dig doesn't like fire. Dig doesn't like people throwing fire. Dig decides to try to stop the fire-throwing.

Dig runs, lumbering, across the stables hallway, able to get just in reach of Pavel, completely unaware of the hidden rogue on his flank.

And as he runs, an amazing thing happens. He pulls the arrow out of his shoulder and the wound seems to magically heal itself, the green skin regenerating to the point where it doesn't look like he was hurt at all.

And then, Dig attacks the only human he's in reach of that he can see. He uses his three best weapons, his mouth and two claws. Teach that interloping adventurer some manners!

Troll 1 Bite + 2x Claw Pavel
AquaDyne rolled 1d20+7,1d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4 and got 18, 10, 8, 7, 25, 13
(first claw was nat 1, automatic miss)

Dig forgets to drop the arrow with his left hand and his claw attempt fails gloriously... Jaliera can even feel the wind from the miss.

However, his teeth and right arm are rather effective in injuring the puny human. [OOC: 10 piercing damage, 13 slashing damage = -23 HP]

Troll 2 - Zoktik

Free so far from any interruptions, the second of the original two trolls in the stable is enjoying the fine taste of horsemeat. He hasn't noticed Bern starting to take potshots at the group nor the drama to his north, and doesn't really even notice that the last 6 seconds only seemed like 3 seconds to him.

Troll 2 Wisdom save DC15
AquaDyne rolled 1d20-1 and got 19
Nat 20, not that it matters.

But time returns to normal for him (not that he noticed) and he munches away.

And like a wolf who will bite you if you interrupt its meal, he remains watchful of anyone interfering with his supper. (Ready action: melee vs. any enemy in range)

Troll 3 - Rer

Rer still hasn't killed his dinner, and getting hit by Bern's arrow was a brief distraction.

But he yanks that arrow out of his shoulder, the green skin magically closing up behind it. Even the burn marks from Kriv's fire bolt that was the initiation of combat seems to have started healing itself, although only partially so far.

Seeing Bern out of reach to attack, he turns back to the very-much-alive creature next to him, dispatching the horse.

Troll 3 Bite + 2x Claw Horse (AC10)
AquaDyne rolled 1d20+7,1d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4,1d20+7,2d6+4 and got 14, 9, 22, 11, 17, 14

Trolls: 3. Horses 0.