Author Topic: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast  (Read 4094835 times)

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1185 on: April 24, 2026, 03:57:46 pm »
Mormesk dodges the rays and casts Greater Hedged Imprisonment.
A skeletal judge appears from the negative plane sitting at a regal wooden desk engraved with macabre scenes of skeleton warriors and angels caught in epic battle. The spectator is restrained by spectral chains that glint in the cave lights that line the walls. The judge seems to be looking over dark ethereal paperwork and points a long boney finger at the Spectator. Though he says nothing audible, it's clear a conversation is occurring between them on another plane.
The judge pounds a ornate ebony gavel and both the judge and the Spectator are instantly teleported out of the material plane. Yulya can instantly tell that the barrier the Spectator has been maintaining is down. This means too that Nezzner has a chance to escape.
Alice watches with awe
Whoa, so cool!



You get a communication from Mormesk, "I presume you can handle this situation, I shall return soon to collect my payment as we previously agreed." He disappears without a trace.
Certainly Mr. Mormesk, I don't like unfinished business!
Though Alice is disappointed by Mormesk's disappearance, she's also glad she's not forced to fight the spectator - or even Mormesk himself.

Nezzner is taken down on the third attempt and as Alice holds him he says in frustration, "This is outrageous!" His struggles are moot.
The only outrageous thing is that you are still alive! But fret not, we shall correct this insolence immediately!
Alice focuses on keeping Nezzner restrained. She again spends 1 Ki point on Flurry of blows and attempts to shove him prone as a bonus action. If that works, Alice attempts to strike the staff out of Nezzner's hand. If she has one more attack left, Alice switches to her Shortsword and tries to cut off Nezzner's last ring.

You are left with the flaming skulls, the Bulette, and Nezzner who could still be a challenge.
Alice glaces South to the flaming skull
Nice skull!
I still wanna be your friend! And that Spectator's. So pls don't fireball me!

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1186 on: April 27, 2026, 02:25:03 am »
Alice fixates Nezzner and prioritizes keeping him from using somatic or verbal commands. She tries stretching out his arms for Cat to cut off his rings.
Cat catches him and enters rage again, gaining 4 temporary hitpoints. Following Yulya's order, she attempts to cut off Nezzner's rings with a heavy strike of her Greatsword, flanking with Alice.
With a focused and deft heavy blow Cat manages to lop off three of his rings. As the fingers separate from his body, you see one of them clearly attempting to heal before it falls helplessly to the ground, another instantly disappears to an unknown location using greater teleport, a third clings to life for a few moments before finally giving up the ring. As you can clearly see, he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve.
Cat keeps focused on Nezzner but is aware of the skulls. Depending on her movement, if Yulya is within range, she gives her temp HP. If not then to Alice. Cat makes a sweeping strike with her greatsword. Depending on what Alice achieves, or better what he's got left, Cat targets Nezzner's staff, ring, and amulet, as well as the flaming skull.


Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1187 on: April 28, 2026, 02:51:57 pm »
Totally ignored Yulya helplessly watches the fight between Mormesk and the Spectator while Nezzner is able to do Nezzner things without facing resistance

The spectator's flaming skulls move to get a clear shot at Mormesk and fire rays of lightning bolt and fire bolt.
Mormesk dodges the rays and casts Greater Hedged Imprisonment.
A skeletal judge  appears from the negative plane sitting at a regal wooden desk engraved with macabre scenes of skeleton warriors and angels caught in epic battle. The spectator is restrained by spectral chains that glint in the cave lights that line the walls. The judge seems to be looking over dark ethereal paperwork and points a long boney finger at the Spectator. Though he says nothing audible, it's clear a conversation is occurring between them on another plane.
The judge pounds a ornate ebony gavel and both the judge and the Spectator are instantly teleported out of the material plane. Yulya can instantly tell that the barrier the Spectator has been maintaining is down. This means too that Nezzner has a chance to escape.
Yulya has never witnessed such high-tier magic and is just glad none of her party was the target. With the Spectator and his barrier gone there are 2 huge obstacles out of the way and Mormesk appears to have some reason left in his undead skull.  But Yulya wonders how the flaming skulls can still be active with their master gone.

You get a communication from Mormesk, "I presume you can handle this situation, I shall return soon to collect my payment as we previously agreed." He disappears without a trace.
Yulya sighs and shakes her head.
Dont let Nezzner escape! Focus everything on him!

Alice fixates Nezzner and prioritizes keeping him from using somatic or verbal commands. She tries stretching out his arms for Cat to cut off his rings.
With a focused and deft heavy blow Cat manages to lop off three of his rings. As the fingers separate from his body, you see one of them clearly attempting to heal before it falls helplessly to the ground, another instantly disappears to an unknown location using greater teleport, a third clings to life for a few moments before finally giving up the ring. As you can clearly see, he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve.
With enough leeway to dodge, but at the disadvantage of Alice's grapple, Nezzner defies logic and avoids all damage from Yulya's attack!
Yulya clenches her fists
Impossible!


Yulya twins BANE (3 targets 30ft) with INFLICT WOUNDS amplifies it with the goblin staff and casts it on the two skulls and Nezzner.

Finding herself trapped between a zombie bulette and flaming skulls she nervously looks around in all directions to find some cover. Yulya remembers M3gan brought the girls to safety - but where? Yulya searches the area for a hidden passage or escapeway. If she finds none she retreats 30ft southwest seeking cover in a niche


Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1188 on: April 28, 2026, 06:37:11 pm »
[Round 2]

Bulette uses thrash.

M3gan Panther and the Bulette Zombie continue to clash, locked in mortal combat, she holds him at bay but its thrashing keeps her barely holding, countering its thrashing, but unable to get an attack in.

Alice glances South to the flaming skull
Nice skull! I still wanna be your friend! And that Spectator's. So pls don't fireball me!



In the off chance they do understand you, they're not in the mood to parlay.

Alice focuses on keeping Nezzner restrained. She again spends 1 Ki point on Flurry of blows and attempts to shove him prone as a bonus action. If that works, Alice attempts to strike the staff out of Nezzner's hand. If she has one more attack left, Alice switches to her Shortsword and tries to cut off Nezzner's last ring.

[AC12 vs Flurry of Blows (he is already prone and grappled) Disarm, Equip Short Sword, Focused Attack 1d20+3+2d4+2=13,16]

To his utter dismay, he is relieved of another finger with ring attached and his staff.

[Grapple vs DC15 1d20+2=11]

Despite his best attempt, he cannot free himself from Alice's grip. However, since she changed her focus he was able to use his amulet.

[In case you didn't notice, he didn't make his move last time after grappled because of course he couldn't do much with Alice keeping him from magic using.]

In a brilliant flash of light both Nezzner and Alice disappear.

[To be continued...]

[HIDDEN ROLLS][Embolding Bond has expired due to loss of one of the bonded.]

Temporarily confused by the loss of their master the Flaming skulls are delayed just enough to give Cat initiative over them.

Cat keeps focused on Nezzner but is aware of the skulls. She gives Yulya [2d6=9 THP]. Cat starts her  sweeping strike but to her dismay Nezzner disappears with Alice without a trace leaving her only one of the skulls to strike.

[HIT vs AC13 1d20+4+1+2+1d4=CM]

With a serious blow to her ego, Cat whiffs the strike and misses the skull entirely.

[ARCANA 1d20+5=9]

Yulya doesn't know what he did other than use his amulet but she can't sense his magic any longer, just like the Spectator, he's just gone and Alice with him. She realizes she's just lost her focus on Nezzner and twins BANE (2 targets 30ft) with INFLICT WOUNDS, amplifies it with the goblin staff, and casts it on the two skulls.

Yulya is shocked, apparently, to find out that these abominations are actually undead, unlike the ghouls, and Inflict Wounds uses necrotic damage which actually heals undead due to it's negative energy. Though Bane does work, she wastes 1MP and 1SP in the process, leaving the two in otherwise pristine condition.



[CHA vs DC16 1d20=9,9]

At the very least, they are affected by Bane.

Finding herself trapped between a zombie bulette and flaming skulls she nervously looks around in all directions to find some cover. Yulya remembers M3gan brought the girls to safety - but where? Yulya searches the area for a hidden passage or escapeway, she retreats 30ft southwest seeking cover in a niche.

The flaming skulls look at each other in confusion once again.



[Did you know, Flaming skulls are immune to Fire? It figures right?]

Flaming Skull1 and Flaming Skull2 both cast Fireball.



[DEX vs DC13 1d20+1+1d4(A)=(12,CR),(10,CR)]

Incredibly, remarkably, impossibly, Cat once again, owing in part to her advantage in dexterity, stands in the midst of flames, not just 1 but 2 fireballs, and by the grace of Cat God she is completely unscathed. 

The flaming skulls are noticeably shocked.





[Alice is not on the field of battle, so no action is required from her. Make your moves.]

« Last Edit: April 28, 2026, 09:50:51 pm by Joy »

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1189 on: May 04, 2026, 03:18:50 pm »
In a brilliant flash of light both Nezzner and Alice disappear.
Yulya doesn't know what he did other than use his amulet but she can't sense his magic any longer, just like the Spectator, he's just gone and Alice with him.
Yulya looks around in confusion then glances over to M3gan
Nonono thats not good - not good at all! Where did they go?

Yulya is shocked, apparently, to find out that these abominations are actually undead, unlike the ghouls, and Inflict Wounds uses necrotic damage which actually heals undead due to it's negative energy. Though Bane does work, she wastes 1MP and 1SP in the process, leaving the two in otherwise pristine condition.

I should have used Create Water amplified by the Focus instead!

At the very least, they are affected by Bane. And Cat is miraculously spared by the fireballs
Yulya realizes Cat wont make it a second time. In order to separate the skulls  she hesitantly approaches 30ft and casts Turn Undead on the 2 skulls. They should be within 30ft. If one skull is not turned, Yulya combines Create Water boosted on a LV2 spellslot with Sacred Flame and casts Holy Water on the non-turned skull.

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1190 on: May 05, 2026, 09:44:46 am »
In a brilliant flash of light both Nezzner and Alice disappear.
N-Nya?
Cat is confused by the disappearance of her main enemy together with Alice

Cat starts her  sweeping strike but to her dismay Nezzner disappears with Alice without a trace leaving her only one of the skulls to strike.
With a serious blow to her ego, Cat whiffs the strike and misses the skull entirely.


Flaming Skull1 and Flaming Skull2 both cast Fireball.
Incredibly, remarkably, impossibly, Cat once again, owing in part to her advantage in dexterity, stands in the midst of flames, not just 1 but 2 fireballs, and by the grace of Cat God she is completely unscathed. 
The flaming skulls are noticeably shocked.
Cat looks at her body in similar astonishment,  surprised she remained unharmed. But there is no time to ponder. Cat again gives Yulya temp HP. If a skull is not turned, Cat will try to flank with Yulya and hit it with a heavy strike of her greatsword. If both skulls are turned, Cat shoots the zombie bulette with a jagged crossbow bolt

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1191 on: May 05, 2026, 03:01:28 pm »
[Round 3]

Yulya gains [2d6=10 THP]

Yulya attempts to turn the undead skulls. [WIS vs DC15 1d20=10,10]

Her holy magic fills the room with divine light, and both skulls are frightened by the light. They disengage and move unerringly away at full dash into the next room.

Cat gets her favorite weapon, the crossbow, and fires it at a creature with high physical resistance and very high AC, even though she has a magic bow that would at least ignore the resistance and have a much better chance of hitting.

[HIT vs AC22 1d20+1+2+1d4=20]

The bolt careens off the thick hide of the zombie bulette.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hC3uyQdQKM

[Hidden Rolls]

Once again M3gan Panther just manages to keep the bulette zombie distracted, neither her nor it can land any strikes.



...

[The following is relayed by Alice upon her return.]

Alice finds herself in a brilliant and beautiful field, literal ethereal beauty surrounds her. Trees rustle in the wind, grass sways in rhythmic fashion, and the sky is a beautiful dark blue, so dark that pinpoints of stars can be seen even in full daylight. The sun however is absent, somehow light is filtered and falling in a bright yellow hue but there doesn't seem to be any source.



She finds herself in a body that doesn't quite feel right, it's not her in a way. Standing next to her is a tall beautiful drow with all his fingers intact, she can only barely recognize him as Nezzner.



Sitting at a table near the two, in the middle of the field, under a bright yellow umbrella and sipping tea are two very young catgirls, one that could almost pass as Ashley but much younger and another SheShe but also very young, finally there is an elf with a very powerful aura sitting with them.



Alice remembers the feeling of his aura as Corellon, Ashley's stand-in god for the Raven Queen.

The dark haired girl stares at Alice and Nezzner then points to Nezzner. Corellon turns and upon seeing the drow, he stands without a word, whips around with a shining elven longsword in his hand and relieves the drow of his head.

The lifeless body of the drow falls to the ground and a shadowy wisp of grey mist rises from it. It's all so very dreamlike as, without waring, a whirling funnel cloud comes down in the field next to them and a vortex forms; a loud cackling is heard.

The little dark-haired catgirl covers her ears and closes her eyes tight.

Alice recognizes something about the dark energy vortex from witnessing Ashley's summons spawn and die so many times, and concludes it must be a portal to the negative plane. The grey wisp is sucked into it and the portal collapses--it's gone before she can react.

The little blonde catgirl jumps off her chair, takes the head and hands it to Alice.

Corellon bows to Alice respectfully then says, "now is not your time, you must return."

[Interactions required, Yulya and Cat require moves, Alice's reactions are appreciated here before she returns.]
« Last Edit: May 05, 2026, 04:30:07 pm by Joy »

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1192 on: Yesterday at 06:59:14 am »
Cat gets her favorite weapon, the crossbow, and fires it at a creature with high physical resistance and very high AC, even though she has a magic bow that would at least ignore the resistance and have a much better chance of hitting.

The bolt careens off the thick hide of the zombie bulette.
Cat licks her paw to cover up yet another blunder.


But since Yulya drove off both skulls, it's not a major issue. Cat still wonders what's wrong with this crossbow.


She shrugs ans switches to her longbow, shooting a honed arrow at the bulette. Then she approaches 60ft with Feline agility to enter melee next round. And she gives M3gan temp. HP.

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1193 on: Yesterday at 11:59:48 am »
Yulya attempts to turn the undead skulls. [WIS vs DC15 1d20=10,10]
Her holy magic fills the room with divine light, and both skulls are frightened by the light. They disengage and move unerringly away at full dash into the next room.
Yulya cant believe this simple spell worked out so well. She speaks a prayer to Eldath and SheShe and turns her attention to the zombie bulette casting Sacred Flame on it. Amplified by the goblin staff. Then she moves 30 ft east to keep track of the fleeing skulls.


Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1194 on: Yesterday at 04:28:27 pm »
Alice finds herself in a brilliant and beautiful field, literal ethereal beauty surrounds her. Trees rustle in the wind, grass sways in rhythmic fashion, and the sky is a beautiful dark blue, so dark that pinpoints of stars can be seen even in full daylight. The sun however is absent, somehow light is filtered and falling in a bright yellow hue but there doesn't seem to be any source.
Having assumed Nezzner would either teleport her into the broom closet or straight into the Negative Plane full of eldritch horrors, this comes as a surprise. Finding herself in a sufficiently warm and pleasant environment for the first time since she came to this planet, Alice hugs a tree and lets out a sigh or relaxation.
Haa, finally! I hate cold and caves! This is how it should be! Is this what humans call paradise? Is Ashley slacking off here somewhere?



She finds herself in a body that doesn't quite feel right, it's not her in a way. Standing next to her is a tall beautiful drow with all his fingers intact, she can only barely recognize him as Nezzner.
Alice's eyes narrow for a moment, staring up to Nezzner's ears, but this dream-like scenery is not to be sulled by conflict. Alice observes and waits how things play out, expecting Nezzner to give an explanation, justifying his actions.

Sitting at a table near the two, in the middle of the field, under a bright yellow umbrella and sipping tea are two very young catgirls, one that could almost pass as Ashley but much younger and another SheShe but also very young, finally there is an elf with a very powerful aura sitting with them.
Alice wonders if Ashley is indeed sipping tea with the gods here while her friends fight for their lives in a cold cave, but keeps quiet.

Alice remembers the feeling of his aura as Corellon, Ashley's stand-in god for the Raven Queen.
Being absolutely magic-deaf in her normal Living Metal form, Alice is surprised by herself - but attributes this to her weak body in this form that is much similar to biological life and thus receptive to magic.

Do I know this guy?
How odd, just like when we encountered the dragon at first...
But this aura does not appear hostile. Yet Alice knows nothing about Corellon or any other local gods and their intentions or relationships.

The dark haired girl stares at Alice and Nezzner then points to Nezzner. Corellon turns and upon seeing the drow, he stands without a word, whips around with a shining elven longsword in his hand and relieves the drow of his head.
Alice is startled by this unexpected turn of events and stumbles backwards a few steps
Whoa what the hell?

The lifeless body of the drow falls to the ground and a shadowy wisp of grey mist rises from it. It's all so very dreamlike as, without warning, a whirling funnel cloud comes down in the field next to them and a vortex forms; a loud cackling is heard.
Alice recognizes something about the dark energy vortex from witnessing Ashley's summons spawn and die so many times, and concludes it must be a portal to the negative plane. The grey wisp is sucked into it and the portal collapses--it's gone before she can react.
Having seen the effect of the Negative Plane spilling into Real Space and turning it into a hell on earth before, Alice is terrified, Just like when Freya opened a portal to Orcas. While Alice has no idea what is going on with Nezzner's body, she attributes the closing of the portal to Corellon's power.

The little blonde catgirl jumps off her chair, takes the head and hands it to Alice.
Still trying to make sense of what happened, Alice hesitantly takes the head and eyes it suspiciously from all sides.
Uhh, thank you very much! I need to give this head to Mormesk so he will let us go so thank you for saving it... he's not gonna become an undead like this, right?

Alice searches her pockets but realizes she's not wearing her own clothes and has nothing on her.
I'm sorry I can't even give you a candy in return. But if you visit me in the material plane, I have collected a lot of ears, you an have some in exchange!

Corellon bows to Alice respectfully then says, "now is not your time, you must return."
Alice stares at the god with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Even though I brought such peril to your world, you still treat me with kindness and respect? Alice shall not forget this! Wherever I went before, I was either seen as a monster to be hunted with torches and pitchforks, or a valuable specimen to be captured and experimented on. This is a good world. And yet...

Alice looks at Nezzner's head again with an unexpected feeling of sadness.
This man - what was he even about? What was he trying to achieve there? I feel whatever his plan was, it was utterly foolish and a huge waste of his talent...

Alice turns to Corellon, pointing at Nezzner's head.
I appreciate your help, but I am afraid there is still far greater danger to this world than this strange man. My ship! I never planned to land it here, the Mechatherial Candygoddess confessed to crashing it on purpose. Don't ask me why. But regardless of that, I need to get it back and have it repair itself or it will eventually bring doom to this world one way or another. You cannot seal it with magic forever, that would just postpone the problem. And if you teleport it to the Negative Plane it will fall into the hands of demons like Orcas. If it stays here for too long it will attract the attention of either its former or its current owners who will come looking for it. And believe me, you don't want to meet either. Only when I leave this world, it will be safe again. Reasonably at least. I'm sorry for the trouble but I had never expected there was someone powerful enough to crash my ship on this - uh - remote world. But in exchange, I will help you remove any pests while I'm here...

Upon returning, Corellon's words echo in her head
"now is not your time"

What did he mean? When's my time supposed to be? I can't die, don't have a soul either. Or do I in this despicable body? I'm not making any contracts with gods, they're all crazy...

Alice is left deep in thought but strengthens her resolve to get her old form back as soon as possible.
And my ship! The owl guy still has my ship goddamned!
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 04:34:45 pm by Alice »

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1195 on: Yesterday at 08:28:41 pm »
[The Ethereal Plane]

In the land of the dead, a place all neutral or good mortal souls first visit on their journey to reincarnation or other realms, Alice is there by other means. Whether you have a soul or not, entering this realm is an act of god or magic, and in this case the necklace, now spilled out on the ground.

The blond catgirl returns to her chair and the two catgirls laugh mischievously to each other as they return to sipping their tea and picking at their tea cakes.

Uhh, thank you very much! I need to give this head to Mormesk so he will let us go so thank you for saving it... he's not gonna become an undead like this, right?

Corellon tilts his head and chuckles at the notion, considering the question a joke in any case.

I'm sorry I can't even give you a candy in return. But if you visit me in the material plane, I have collected a lot of ears, you an have some in exchange!

"We have no need for such things here," Is all he says, speaking for everyone.

Even though I brought such peril to your world, you still treat me with kindness and respect? Alice shall not forget this! Wherever I went before, I was either seen as a monster to be hunted with torches and pitchforks, or a valuable specimen to be captured and experimented on.

He tsks consolingly.

I am afraid there is still far greater danger to this world than this strange man. My ship! I never planned to land it here, the Mechatherial Candygoddess confessed to crashing it on purpose. Don't ask me why. But regardless of that, I need to get it back and have it repair itself or it will eventually bring doom to this world one way or another.



Pondering your words he listens to your concerns then waves them away, "The vessel is no longer a threat."



Before Alice can protest, her and Nezzner's head are surrounded by blinding light and she suddenly finds herself once again plunged in the depths of a rocky tomb of death and torture. The air bites at her like sharpened ice daggers; if there is a hell, she has found it. At least after all her heroism and hard toil, her prize is finally granted: two perfectly intact ears perched on either side of the head of this troublesome drow fool.

[Round 4]

M3gan Panther is about to give up when she sees, finally, that attention is being given to her and this monster who has thwarted her advances. So again she simply parries the beast, keeping it pinned with everything she has.

Cat switches to her longbow, shooting a honed arrow at the bulette. Then she approaches 60ft with Feline agility to enter melee next round. And she gives M3gan [2d6=10] temp HP.

[Hit vs AC22 1d20+1d4+1+2+1=CR][DMG 1d8+1+1=6x2=12 magic piercing]

Cat's arrow hits the bulette zombie squarely piercing it's thick stony hide, she can tell it's not long for this world as it thrashes violently.

She speaks a prayer to Eldath and SheShe and turns her attention to the zombie bulette casting Sacred Flame on it. Amplified by the goblin staff. Then she moves 30 ft east to keep track of the fleeing skulls.

[Sacred Flame DEX vs DC15 1d20+2=19]

The violently thrashing bulette zombie refuses to be caught in the light.

She's woefully slow to catch the dashing skulls as they split up, one going north while the other goes south. She's lost track of them.

Alice suddenly appears right where she was standing, at her feet three fingers and two rings still lay. She is holding the severed head of Nezzner and has a dream-like story to tell.

Yulya nearly walks right into her, surprised by her sudden reappearance.

[Make your moves]