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kingdomsofrain2026-01-17 02:26 pm
onefellswoop) wrote in kingdomsofrain2026-01-17 02:26 pm
shitlords!
placeholder title above! hmmmm
1) Prelude: Ill-Natured Shrubbery.
2) The Party Gathers: If a Tree Burns in the Forest...
3) Death House Pt. 1: Family, If You Wish It.
4) Death House Pt. 2: Onward and Downward.
5) Awich: The Dead All Know, The Dead All Go.
6) Awich: Investigations.
7) Awich: After the Battle.
8) Loch Bien: Complications, Concerns, Frogs.
1) Prelude: Ill-Natured Shrubbery.
2) The Party Gathers: If a Tree Burns in the Forest...
3) Death House Pt. 1: Family, If You Wish It.
4) Death House Pt. 2: Onward and Downward.
5) Awich: The Dead All Know, The Dead All Go.
6) Awich: Investigations.
7) Awich: After the Battle.
8) Loch Bien: Complications, Concerns, Frogs.
no subject
[d4, r: odds; The hand crossbow misfires, but seems to be in working order still.]
Rin takes their movement and attempts to use their bonus action to hide.
[STEALTH: 2; with disadv]
<.>
Rin attempts to hide sort of behind a chair? Just kinda. Half. Hid. He can see you, Rin.
So we're to Fae, who is going to try to take another stab at this asshole here. He will not go, and in fact will miss spectacularly, with an 8. He can't move but he can summon the wolf as a bonus action.
Mr. One Remaining Hit Point Dildo makes his saving throw with a nat 20 and takes no damage from wolf’s summoning.
Sen is up, Fae is mad.
Sen's going to come around the corner and shoot the guy again. Crits for 17 points of damage. While the thug is turning to look at Rin and starts to open his mouth to say something about their stealth, an arrow hits square in the eye. And down he goes.
And he's going to move towards Rin from there.
Onto the thugs. Rin's focus has been on the guy at the "bar", so they didn't quite notice this guy about to rush them. He's taking a swing at Rin with his mace, hits for 5 points bludgeoning damage.
[note: Rin is going to point at this motherfucker and cast Hellish Rebuke. Dude saves, takes 8 points fire damage.]
Mr. One Point Wonder has been too busy to shout, but #11 there comes up and sees a goddamn flaming wolf and starts shouting, "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! READY YOURSELVES!" Bringing the others converging towards Fae and Dima.
Sen has been spotted by #6, who is going to fire off a light crossbow. The bolt goes whizzing past Sen's ear, causing him to belatedly duck and shout, "HEY!"
And #4 is going to make the same attempt on Fae, which hits at 17. Fae takes a crossbow bolt to the shoulder and jerks backward with a shout of alarm and pain; he taaakes 5 points of piercing damage.
[note: Dima fucking shouting 'FAE' thanks. ;.;]
And last attacker is One Point Wonder. He's going to try and stab Fae in the side, and misses.
So we're at the Golems and Nerys; the golems need to move, so they'll be doing that. That one's going to jump down into that recesses area with a THUMP and start towards Dima. F R I END ?
Nerys is back in stealth, so he's going to try and start towards 11.
<.>
Dima's going to go for the one-hit wonder with Chill Touch— And misses.
Liv is going to use this stealth advantage while she has it and move to make an attack with talons onnnn the one that tried to hit Sen. She’ll multi-attack, going beak attack for the first, then she'll hit with talons. Beak hits for 10 points. Talons hit for 11 points.
[dm: Liv. How do you want to do this? You deserve a Moment because you literally took out a guy ALONE. ...while fae, dima, and the wolf wrestled with some asshole.]
Liviana’s divebombing out of nowheRe to jam her beak into the guy's left eye. And while giving a twist in that eye socket, takes her talons to his neck in a sharp slash. She is angry also.
[dm: The thug screams, the sound turning into a sort of choked, wet, gurgling noise as he falls.
Sen is shouting "WHAT THE FUCK SORT OF BIRD IS THAT?!”]
Liv takes off overhead.
<.>
Rin’s going to attempt Mind Sliver on the jerk who attacked them. Said jerk saves, and Rin is real ready to start biting people. They're going to very, very loudly curse in Infernal, use bonus action to Disengage, and move.
And Curio is going to pull the Curio trick that Rin has I believe never yet seen. They go full-size Jerbeen mode, and take a shot with their hand crossbow, hitting for 11 points.
[note: All right; 10's still up but looking pretty rough. And everyone is very unclear what happened.
Sen over here all what is this, pet show day?]
Curio would actually like to just try to bonus action Hide behind Rin— They do not roll well for this, and so Curio literally does what Rin just did. They are HALF standing behind Rin. Tail and back half clearly discernible.
<.>
Fae is mad he keeps missing his weapon attacks and is just going to try and break this fucker's neck. Rolls a 19.
Fae drops his rapier in disgust, grabs the thug by the sides of the head, and twists until there's an audible crack. He gives the body a shove out of the way, picks up his rapier again, and just as a not really anything, is spitting on the corpse.
[note: Dima having a moment nbd nbd nbd]
And he's going to start for #11, Stopping there letting the fucker come to him.
The wolf is also going to attack 11. The wolf from a spot beside and hovering near Fae is going to make a ranged Flame Seed attack, hits for 7 points.
Sen’s up! Going for the hat trick and shooting 10 with his shortbow. Hits for 4 points, which eliminates 10 from the board, thank you everyone who was instrumental in what the fucking that guy.
Thugs are up. Thug 4 is coming at Sen with a shortsword, hits for 3 points. 11 is going to make for Fae and multiattack with shortsword and dagger, fucks his roll. He swings at Fae, who kind of :/ at him and leans back out of range as the sword swishes by harmlessly and embeds itself in the crumbling masonry. 11 will be trying to pull that free now.
Golems take their movement.
<.>
Nerys! Is going to go for the one between Dima and the golem. Hits for 21 points.
And down goes the thug.
Dima's going to cast Mind Spike on 11 over there. 11 saves, takes 8 points.
[dm: The thug's still standing, but he releases his stuck sword and grasps his head with a cry of pain, falling backward from Dima, Fae, and the Wolf. Not retreating - just stumbled.]
Dima trying very hard not to just. Gaze. At Fae tbh.
And Liv's going to get in on this guy. Talons hit for 9.
[dm: And that'll be him out.]
Rin's taking a crossbow shot, hits for 8 points.
Curio is going to follow Rin's lead 100% here, readying their crossbow—
<.>
Sen calling out while trying to hold 4 at arm's length, “IS THAT THING ON OUR SIDE?”
<.>
Rin shouting back 'SEN THIS IS CURIO! :D!' Absolutely BEAMING at Curio right now. they have no idea what's happening but they're here for it?
<.>
Sen: "...Growth spurt?"
<.>
Curio takes their crossbow shot, hits for 12 points.
[dm: Curio. How do you want to do this?]
Curio is going to hop up on a table, aim the crossbow, and call to (or Message?) Sen, "Kind of :D!"
And, "Watch out though!"
Before shooting a bolt into the guy's ribcage right between the ribs.
<.>
4, who was likewise pretty baffled by this entity, barely has time to react to tthe bolt coming his way; he jerks away from Sen, but this only exposes his chest further to the oncoming attack, and it rips through him, through the open doorway, past Nerys, and embeds in the far wall.
The thug falls to his knees, still staring at Curio, then slumps over.
I believe Fae is going to suggest everyone regroup in the tavern area; the golems can guard the two "back" stairways and they'll see anyone coming through the "front" two. Maybe barricade one to bottleneck them.
<.>
As soon as the final guy in the current area died, Rin and Curio kind of jumped at one another. Rin holding Curio, Curio hanging on Rin's neck. Both saying hello to each other just :D!!!
Before Curio presumably shrunk back to jerboa size and needs their nap.
Rin's so excited Curio's so excited!
And! Also of course! After, Rin turned to leap hug Sen.
<.>
Sen is going to hang on tight
Fae is going to slump down against a wall and pull the bolt out of his shoulder. The wolf will hang out around him.
<.>
Dima absolutely running over, kneeling besides him, hand on his good shoulder. And Liv's going to fly down to Dima's shoulder and would like to Healing Word Fae thanks.
<.>
Fae's going to wave that off; save it for when he's hurt bad.
<.>
Dima and Liv both giving him a look oh hmmmmm.
But. They will accept this. Only because they know this shit's not over.
<.>
Fae leans his head back against the wall, then lolls it to look at Dima with a complicated smile. "Want to play doctor?"
Then, "Could just bandage me up if you're worried."
<.>
Dima. Might. Have blushed just a little. (It doesn't help that he is absolutely replaying that necksnap.)
He's also going to tear a piece off his old cloak and use it to bandage Fae's wound thank yoU.
Not not lingering a little on every touch.
[MED, d: 19]
Meanwhile, Rin is going to bandage Sen.
<.>
RIN HOLD STILL LET SEN CHECK THAT CONCUSSION.
And Fae regains 2 hp.
Fae is currently blushing himself, and Dima has managed to elicit a soft, puzzled smile.
<.>
Oh.
Well.
Shit.
Dima has the smallest, smallest version of the trashman doofy, stricken smile right now. Feels like he's done more good with that bandage than with anything else tbh ;.;
Meanwhile, Sen checked Rin’s head very well, and they’ve regained 4 hp. Rin is going to wrap a bandage around Sen’s slash wound, and then put a kiss on their palm, put their palm to the bandage— Then kiss Sen on the cheek.
<.>
Sen regains 4 hp!
And. If Dima's going to remain with him, Fae's going to give him a little tug to sit beside him.
[note: Dima absolutely going to take that sit thank you ;.;]
Nerys, meanwhile, is cleaning gore off his rapier and ignoring all of this.
Nerys eventually comments, "I think I may suggest a permanent installation here. We're going to all the trouble of fighting off a small mob, there's no sense in abandoning the property, is there?"
<.>
Dima, who is absolutely holding Faolan's hand at this point, is going to look over, curious. "You might draw more of this— Particular variant of onlooker. Though I expect you have ways to plan for that."
<.>
"I'm sure something can be arranged. A likewise permanent ward deterring violence." He smiles his youthful, blithe smile, and continues, "The question is, what manner of person would be interested in being tethered to this place. Not permanently, but oh, in a managerial sense. Personally, I'm fond of my position as adjudicator, and there is the issue many of our host have: they are bound by the dark moon. No, we would need someone alive, I think."
If a palpable silence follows, he looks around and sheathes his rapier. "It could be a very nice tavern with some elbow grease. Nice taverns bring nice shops. A little undead haven in the woods."
<.>
Dima is not precisely sure where Nerys might be going with this, and he throws a slightly puzzled look to Faolan, then a longer look at Sen.
Then, clearing his throat, "You are aiming toward a point, yes? Given present circumstances, directness might not go amiss."
Rin, who is currently very likely sitting on Sen's lap, is looking around, thinking, then looking at Nerys with cautious interest. "I don't know; I like the sound of it." A little haven, yeah; like a little home for the undead, or anyone out here in the middle of 'people don't much care for your ilk' country.
<.>
Faolan has been listening quietly while staring at Dmitri's hand in his own. (Or rather, at the rings.) Before Nerys can reply, he says softly, "He's offering you a place here."
As though the word's strange to him, he amends, "Us. He's offering - us. A place."
Nerys clasps his hands behind his back and smiles approvingly. "There you are. Obviously, nothing's assured until we clear out the vermin, but think on it. If not you, then I'll look for other takers -"
Sen, who is holding Rin on his lap and pleased with this situation's occurence despite recent revelations about himself and who hears Rin's approval, interrupts with, "We'll take it."
Nerys turns an unimpressed look on him. "'Vermin' includes Moloch, Seddum."
<.>
The glance Dmitri shoots Nerys is wary; not certain why the offer's been extended; feeling as though he's missed some crucial point. It's not the worst idea; it's also not a viable idea, not for Dima; he can only keep away from Morovsk for so long, and every day he's absent means a further piling up of duties.
But.
But wouldn't Dima like it? To have some role connected to the Market?
To— Whatever may or may not come out of this month, to have at least this connection to Faolan; to have this with Faolan?
Looking at Faolan, Dima's expression turns toward approval, appreciation. Letting the way Faolan said 'us' settle into his chest; letting himself think maybe, maybe, there could be a life here, as well as in Morovsk. And he's smiling again at Faolan, running the fingers of his free hand slowly, light along Faolan's unwounded shoulder.
Softly, to Faolan: "It's a wonderful idea."
And to Nerys: "Forgive my momentary obtuseness. Of course we will."
Rin's smiling at Sen, tracing their forefinger along his jaw and humming to themself, thinking how much fun it could be, and how they've never really, really had one place to return to, to think of like a home, and if Sen's in it with them, isn't it just— Maybe, actually perfect?
Except there's that last thing Nerys said.
Except there's been all of this kind of sort of sideways talk about 'Moloch' and about Seddum, and Seddum's Sen of course Rin understands that, it's just... Everything else that's cloudy.
The look they throw Nerys is sharp, a silent 'how dare you speak to Sen like that >:o,' and a verbal, "Well we'll just take care of everything then!"
And, turning to Sen, voice quieter, uncertain, "What is it about Moloch?"
Dima, hearing all of this and offering what might almost, almost be a sympathetic glance, consults with Liviana, who flies upward to find a perch with the best vantage, to help the golems keep watch.
<.>
Faolan wants to believe in it. He wants to believe the smile Dmitri is giving him and the possibility of this could-be-home.
He could be happy with the undead; the living were never very enjoyable. He could be happy with Dmitri, with Rose and Thorn, with the thieves -
It's too much to hope for. (A month from now, he'll know what kind of man Dmitri Voronin is; he'll prove he's just like the rest -)
He caresses the backs of his fingers down Dima's cheek when Liviana has gone, then returns his attention to Nerys and the thieves.
Sen has an arm wrapped around Rin's waist and is giving Nerys an insolent little smirk. "Oh, Pretty Rin. What it is about Moloch is exactly what Nerys says: it's vermin.
"No, I'll amend that. It's a fucking parasite, and I'll wager you every gold piece I ever see that our good benefactor here knows it, don't you, Nerys? Trying to pawn it off on me so it stops eating you out of house and home?"
"Parasite it may be, but you agreed to a symbiotic relationship with it, and then you broke your contract -"
Sen leans forward abruptly, a finger out in emphasis and anger clear on his face; Nerys, though a good eight feet away, jumps back. Remembering he's holding Rin on his lap, Sen slowly leans back and settles his hand on their knee. Assuming a light tone, he replies, "I'm not debating this with you. When you produce my little "demon" -" air quotes with one hand "- we'll have it out at that time. Me, you, and the prevaricating little shit."
With a note of disgust in his voice, he echoes, “Contract.”
[PERC, liv: 22]
While the humanoids below are bickering or canoodling, Liv is able to see from her perch at least 10 life forms gathering into formation not that far away.
So. The party does not have the element of surprise, they have disadvantage on stealth rolls, and at least ten people are preparing to take them out.
<.>
no subject
He's rising, drawing Fae with him and moving over toward the bar to share what Liv has just told him, indicating that it looks really, really not good.
<.>
All right; the party gathers at the bar and begins to quietly discuss options; Nerys is going to right now send the golems walking around the exterior of the space so they'll be useful when attack time comes.
[note: Dima's going to ask Nerys if there is anyone else who could lend a hand.
PERS, d: 23]
Sen is going to suggest giving Rin a boost up to the top of the wall so they can peer over and see where these aggressors are.
[note: Rin accepts the boost!]
Nerys, meanwhile, looks uncomfortable with Dima’s request. He ponders this for a moment, then hums as though he's had an idea.
<.>
Dima giving Nerys The Most Intense trashman stare right now. Taps his finger on the bar sharply. "Yes?"
<.>
Nerys smiles, but not at Dima.
Sen, from underneath Rin, groans loudly.
Nerys won't be facilitating this reunion just yet; he's sending Moloch with the other golems. Moloch appears to be inhabiting a fresh-er golem.
Rin considers setting a snare, butaAt the moment, there's nowhere to the right of the tavern that isn't being watched, so it'll be difficult to set one in that direction.
Nerys and Rin successfully go stealth mode, despite disadvantage on roll! And! Because Fae’s got Pass Without Trace, Fae, Sen, Dima, and Liv all manage to stealth as well.
The wolf will not be attempting stealth and will in fact head up to pace the top of the wall.
Rin and Sen scheme a possible distraction tactic. For Rin’s part, they decide that once they're in A Determined Position, they’ll be creating a loud sound of falling rock smash originating 30 ft away from them, at a point where no one else in the party will be. When Rin does this, Sen will cast Minor Illusion to make a dropped weapon (alas, cannot make a running away gnome!) appear where the sounds come from, like someone slipped, dropped their weapon.
Sen gives inspiration to Dima and to Fae. He’ll hold onto his third one for the moment until Dima needs it again— Which, yes, Sen does say out loud. Dima flips him off. While offering a very gracious bow of his head. (New shithead secret handshake unlocked!)
Nerys has acquired two daggers from somewhere in the tavern and is outfitting himself with them for throwing purposes. Otherwise, he has his rapier.
Liv’s glance for any open fires turns up nothing.
And!
Everyone roll initiative.
[ INIT order
Fae: 19
Nerys: 16
Sen: 15
Rin: 10
Dima: 9
Thugs: 8
Indir, Loras, Bly: 7
Golems: 6]
Fae is going to start stealthing out and around towards 14. Annnnd I think he's going to stay stealthed right now.
<.>
Nerys jumps from the wolf’s wall and, maintaining stealth, leaps to the next, continues his movement.
[note: Too bad he was stealthed ;.; The wolf saw it!]
Nerys gave wolf a nod on his way by! And is going to hold his place and wait for shit to Kick Off.
<.>
Sen is going to hold his turn and follow Rin's lead this round.
<.>
Rin does a jump downward. They’re still planning to maybe cast Thaumaturgy but will hold it for the moment, and for now they're going to engage Dodge Mode as their bonus action, juuust in case.
<.>
Sen joins Rin!
<.>
Dima and Liv move into position. And! Dima's Messaging Faolan just one Message: [ I'm right here, Fae. ]
<.>
Fae messages back with a gentle, warm tone, [ I know. ]
And that'll bring us to the thugs' turn. 15 and 8 are both going to attempt to attack the wolf. 8 takes aim with a crossbow and hits for 5 points of damage. 15 attemps the same with a shortbow— And hits. For another 5 points.
Seeing this, Fae cries out in anger and pain, drawing a lot of attention to himself.
14 comes around the corner and rushes him, swinging a mace. Misses. And Fae now has evERYONE'S attention.
Loras calls out, "You two stay on him. The rest of you, find the others."
The golems are up. One of them comes thudding up past Dima and Fae, spilling mud as it shambles. That one is going to swing an arm at the thug and try to get in a hit; hits for 12 points bludgeoning damage. The golem draws its arm up and swings hard, slamming the thug down the nearby stairs annnd thug did not make the DEX saving throw, so he is now prone.
Back to a very angry, not-stealthed Fae. Fae is going to move toward Nerys and cast Flaming Sphere right on top of that fucker 15. 15 fails his DEX saving throw, takes 7 points fire damage. And as a bonus action, Fae moves the sphere to Loras, who takes 3 points.
Fae is now commanding the wolf to attack 8, hits for 7 points fire damage. And Fae is sending wolf down off the wall.
<.>
Nerys is going to jump down and rapier attack the prone shithead. Nerys crits, just kind of obliterating the guy's face, then uses his bonus action to Hide.
<.>
Sen just kind of [ Seems like that's our diversion. ]
<.>
Rin: [ Game is ON! ]
<.>
Sen moves and casts Dissonant Whispers on Indir. Indir fails the saving throw and takes 16 points of psychic damage. He's still up, but he begins screaming, clutching his head, and then begins to try and flee in the opposite direction.
As Indir flees, Sen will shout, ”YOU FUCKED UP.”
Note also, Indir fled right into that fucking fireball, taking 4 damage there.
<.>
Rin Messaging Sen just a very enthusiastic [ SHIT YES SEN! ]
Shortbow attack on 8! Hits for 10 damage. And Rin is going to draw back and make an attempt at Hiding— Which they manage, though 16 is looking Right At Them.
[dm: Rin melts away before 16's eyes.]
They're gonna flash their eyes black while they're doing this. Just for funsies.
[INT, r: 6; 16 spits after them and mutters about rogues]
Dima’s up!
[q: How’s Indir the Scared looking?
a: Indir is looking scared and a little burnt.]
Dima takes his movement and casts Burning Hands. Indir fails his saving throw and takes 16 points damage.
[dm: Indir’s looking a little like he's rethinking some Decisions he made.]
Liv wants to heal wolf because Dima wants wolf not to be blinked out, but! Time to attack one of the fucks that hurt wolf >:o! She’ll take 35 feet of movement, and coming out of stealth mode she's multi attacking with talons first, hits for 12 points. Goes for the beak attack, and murders this man who’d had all of 1 hit point left. :>
<.>
Onto the douches! The one that knows Rin's stealthing will be putting his back to a corner. 8 is going to take aim at Dima with his light crossbow, hits for 7 points.
[note: Dima Felt That.]
Annnd Indir is going to take a run at Fae. Because FIREBALL??? Takes a two-handed swing with a maul and OH NO FUCKING CRITS?? Fae takes holy shit 20 points of bludgeoning damage.
[note: DIMA ABSOLUTELY SHOUTING FAE HOLY FUCK. Liv crying out right along with him.]
Loras is going to start towards Sen.
And the golems are up. Our winner here is going to take a big fucking slam at Indir; hits for 15 points, and Indir is knocked prone.
Back up to Fae, who is angry and also in pain. So now he's just pissed, and he's drawing his new scimitar and whispering a word to it; the weapon erupts into a blaze of flaming light. He's going to make an attack with that, and FUCK YEAH HE CRITS. Does 22 total damage.
Indir, struggling to stop the world from spinning, tries to get up and falls back; Faolan steps a foot on his shoulder, pins him down into the ground, and holds the edge of the weapon at Indir's throat. Indir begins to plead, but before he can get a word out, Faolan swings, decapitating him.
The flame immediately cauterizes the wound, so there's that.
As a bonus action, Fae is going to pick up Indir's head and tie it to his belt. By the hair. He points across the river at Bly and shouts, "You're next!"
He's also moving the flaming sphere to Bly and 9 and 12. Bly takes 8 damage, 9 takes 9, 12 takes 2.
<.>
Nerys is going to go stealth mode, and is going to noT draw attention to himself. He'll use his Cunning Action to Dodge.
[note: Nerys has a spell called Shade Step; it’s like Misty Step, can use it to teleport up to 30 feet. Something he picked up from the dead, just, traveling through shadow.]
<.>
Sen is up so he's going to cast Dissonant Whispers on Loras because "Why are you coming over here, fuck off.” Loras makes the save, takes 6 damage. And Sen's just going to move BEHIND the golem thanks.
<.>
Rin’s going to take a shot at Loras with their shortbow, hitting for 4 points. They are becoming annoyed with the minimal damage they’re doing, but and they're going to use the last 10 ft of their movement and go for Dodge. And throw Sen a wink and a kiss.
Dima is currently equal parts Alert To Everything He Can See Because Holy Shit and also WORRIED ABOUT FAE and also FAE THAT WAS ATTRACTIVE. But he is going to maintain his self-possession and—
[q: 8's looking rough yy?
a: Yup.]
Dima is going to attempT Chill Touch on 8. Hits for 5 points necrotic damage, aaaand 8 is ouT. Uses his movement and ends up quite close to Fae.
[note: Fae is looking rough. But! A lot of it isn’t his blood!]
Liv absolutely received a message about where to direct Healing Word, and is going to cast it on Fae as a Bonus Action, healing Fae for 5 points.
[note: Fae mouthing thank you even though he really doesn't know where Liv is.]
Liv sees this! ;.; And! She's going in to attack Bly. Multiattack beginning with beak for 9 points. Talons hit for 11 points. And Liv uses the rest of her movement to fly a bit off.
<.>
no subject
[note: Rin Messages 16 [ Wow go piss your pants coward. ]
16 salutes with his middle finger.
Loras is going to make for RIn and Multiattack. Both attacks miss.
[note: Rin. Grins. With far too many sharp teeth.]
Loras makes a very angry snarling noise as the second one misses. Annnd Bly is directing 9 to shoot that "fucking bird.” 9 misses. 12 takes a shot at Liv, and hits for 3 points.
[note: She takes it in stride >:C!! Dima is not PLEASED. And is hissing under his breath something about tearing every last one of these fucks to pieces.]
Bly is going to snatch 9's crossbow and take aim, hits for 6 points.
FAE IS NOT PLEASED.
[note: Dima has now progressed to loudly, LOUDLY SNARLING THAT HE “WILL FUCKING FLAY YOU SHITS ALIVE AND FEED YOU TO YOUR MASTER.”]
And all three of the thugs are moving away from the sphere.
Golems up! Moloch is going to do a bit of a rampage here and dash. Makes a slam attack on 9 and crits, so that guy's basically mashed potots. Moloch swings both fists inward at 9's head and smashes it like a fucking watermelon. And then almost carefully throws the body away from the river.
Golem by Fae is going to move toward the bridge. The other golem is going for Loras— And rolls a crit fail. As the golem attempts to swing an arm to slam Loras, the arm. Falls. Off. These are not the FRESHEST golems. And it looks so hurt that this happened.
Sen calls out, "It's all right, you have a second one!"
The golem nods bravely. But that does end their turn.
Which brings us to an infuriated Faolan. He’s going to move 5 feet, Misty Step 30, move five more and attack Bly. He swings his flaming scimitar at Bly for a total of 14 damage. With his offhand, he swipes at Bly with his dagger, hits for another 4 points. Which ends his turn.
<.>
Nerys coming out of stealth to attempt a hit on Bly with the rapier, hits for 23 points. That is it for Bly, and Nerys is going to Shade Step out of there.
<.>
Sen is going to cast Tasha's Hideous Laughter on Loras— Who rolls a 20 on his save.
<.>
Rin Messages Sen that this guy just doesn't have a sense of humor. >:c
And Rin is going to begin by using their bonus action to Disengage. They’ll move away from Loras and take a shot with their shortbow. With Inspiration from Sen, they hit for 10 points. Rin will be blowing Sen an air kiss and using the rest of their movement, the ned.
Dima is livid. And also far, far away—
[note: The wolf is going to, at Fae's command, teleport Dima 15 feet closer. (!!Fae and wolf thank you!)]
Dima fixes sight on 12 aka the fuck who shot Liv, and on one hand, Dima knows Dima is low on spell slots. But. On the other. He. Is. Livid.
He does know there are more fucks around somewheRE, and Liv is telling him to shhh, shh. So Dima will do the smarteR thing, and cast Chill Touch on 12. Hits for 8 points with Inspiration, and Dima snarls aloud, “Feel it eat your flesh, shitheel.” A nice little creepy hand is now clinging to 12!
Liv goes multiattack. Beak hits for 9, talons hit for 11, and that fucker is down.
<.>
Thugs up. Loras is going to make an attack on the golem. First hits for 5 points, second is a crit and hits for 10 points. And Loras is going to disengage.
Golems are up, and this one's mad and is going to run at Loras. Swing its not-attached arm by the wrist and try to bludgeon him with it— Annnnd misses.
[note: Rin calls out that it was a great try!!]
Moloch is noticing the flaming sphere and Fae's sword. All three of the golems will be refusing to move towards that.
Fae is going to make an attack on 7 there, hits for 20 points. Second attack with the dagger hits for 3 points. And as a bonus action, he's moving the flaming sphere. 7 and 16 both fail their saving throws; 16 takes 9 points damage, 7 takes 8 and is fuckin dead.
<.>
Nerys goes stealth more with his very nice Expertise bonus.
[dm: He just winks the fuck out of existence.]
Stealths up to 13 with his rapier, hits for 25 damage. And since I don't thiiink he's bonus actioned? He'll Shade Step the fuck away.
<.>
Sen will give it a shot with one more Dissonant Whispers. “O LORAS YOU FUCKED UUUUP.”
Loras takes 9 points. Sen is maD.
...BUT also Sen is seeing a golem staring at him that he doesn't recognize and shouting, “WELL? COME FUCK THIS GUY UP, YOU SHIT.”
As he says that, the golem slumps. Sen momentarily stiffens, then makes a gagging sound, and as a bonus action, is going to make a melee attack on Loras.
A ten foot tentacle rises from the ground, water swelling through the mud at its base. It slams down on Loras, hits for 7 points of damage and slows Loras.
<.>
RIN IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SEN. SOMETHING JUST HAPPENED?
[note: SEN DID STUPID THINGS WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG SEN. But he can make tentacles.]
Rin’s going to dart a look over make sure Sen is??? Standing?? Not disintegrating???
And they’re going to run closeR to Sen at least and take their shot at Loras with the shortbow, hitting for 8 damage. With that, Rin’s going to engage Dodge.
[note: Sen is now shouting, "A LITTLE HELP HERE???”]
Dima casts Chill Touch on Loras, hits for 5 damage and a clingy little hand— And that does it for Loras.
Dima. Looking at Sen. "Is that better." Blink.
Before immediately looking for Fae.
<.>
Sen, a Golem, Rin, and a tentacle are standing around Loras's body. Staring at Dima. Giving the shithead salute.
<.>
Dima returns that middle finger to the group, though his focus is on looking over at Fae.
<.>
The golem starts to fold back the fingers of its disembodied arm.
And holds it up.
With a two-finger salute.
[note: Rin now wants this golem to tend bar thanks. Sen wants to keep it too. ;.; That golem will absolutely be offered a position. Which, as it is one of the fighting pits golems, it would like.]
<.>
Liv goes for a multiattack on 16; both hits miss. She’ll take her flight off and away.
<.>
The remaining thugs are up, and both of them will begin converging on Fae. Both have multiattack. Both miss with their first attack, then hit with their second for a total of 5 points damage. Fae did succeed on saving throws against the shield bashes, but is down to 15 hit points.
The golems are still avoiding the fire.
That'll bring us to Fae and the wolf. Fae attacks 16 for 9 points, then another 2 points with his offhand dagger. As a bonus action, he moves the flame sphere.
The wolf is going to use fiery teleportation to get him out of there. 16 fails the save and takes 8 points, 13 succeeds and takes 1 point.
<.>
Nerys goes in for a rapier attack on 13. Hits for— Plenty, and 13’s out. Nerys Shade Steps the fuck away/
<.>
Sen is going to try and make his way up to the fight somehow. He'll use a bonus action to send that tentacle across as a present for 16.
[note: Dima just giving him A Look.]
The Sentacle hits, and that'll be it for 16; the Sentacle wraps around his throat and kind of swings him off his feet, then slams him into the ground.
The board is now clear of everyone but! The boss!
no subject
Everyone makes their way across the river towards the structure that seems to have once been a temple. The golems still hang back, pacing the river's edge and watching Fae's scimitar with fear.
Fae calls out, "If anyone else is here, show yourselves. We don't want to kill you. We're just looking for the girls."
<.>
Rin is currently resisting a very strong impulse to shout something lewd in Calabra's voice. They're also walking close with Sen just. Keeping an eye on him because Sen u okay??
<.>
Sen has a hand on Rin's arm to reassure them, but he also keeps having odd twitching movements; his eyes glow and then return to normal and his face spasms until he snaps, "Stop that!"
From behind the ruined temple's walls, there's a sound of laughter, ugly and low. The meek-mannered valet they met in the tavern emerges, his footfalls heavy. Visento is armored as a gladiator, with studded leather and a heavy sword and shield. Though prepared for combat, he sneers down at the group and calls back, "It's just you and me, I'm afraid."
With that, his smile becomes a snarl of bared teeth; he pounds his sword's guard against his shield, then lets out a roar that echoes through the ruins.
[WIS saving throw
d: 5
r: 20
liv: 20
f: 16
s: 18
golems 1 + 2: fail
nerys: fail]
Dima, Liv, and Nerys are all currently Frightened. The golems turn tail and flee.
And with that, everyone roll initiative.
[INIT
d: 14
r: 19
f: 20
s: 14
nerys: 7
visento: 8]
Fae begins by casting Entangle right on top of Visento. Grasping vines and weeds sprout from the rubble and begin to snake their way at the manservant— Who does succeed on his saving throw, but he is in Difficult Terrain, which will affect his movement. And Fae is going to start moving that way.
The wolf casts Flame Seed; misses. And that'll be their turn because Fae is telling it to stay on Dima.
<.>
Rin takes a shortbow shot, misses. Uses their bonus action to Dodge.
Dima shakes off the fear effect. He doesn't know what came over him; what it was that allowed fear to sink its claws deep. It doesn't linger long, though, and with a look to Faolan's wolf, he feels his agitation settle, then turns to stare down Visento.
Speaking with sharp enunciation, "You. All of you. Have calculated very fucking poorly."
And Dima is going to cast Mind Spike. Visento makes the save and takes 8 damage.
[note: Dima is now out of spell slots. The DM points out here that there are corpses with weapons scattered around. Checking would require either going to each corpse and checking, or rolling a perception check and then going to X corpse.
PERC, d: nat 1
dm: From where he's standing, he can't tell what those two bodies have. He'll have to go check each one.]
Liv shakes off her fear. Goes in for multiattack. First would hit, but Visento uses his reaction to Parry, raising his AC and warding off the attack. Second attack misses. And Liv flies off.
<.>
Brings us to Sen, who, seeing what just happened, is going to cast Dissonant Whispers. Visento makes the save, takes 5 damage.
And onto Visento, who uses his movement to approach Fae and multiattack. Sword hits for 5 points, shield bash hits for 3 points, and Fae is knocked prone.
Standing over Fae, Visento lets out another roar, triumphant and primal.
[WIS saving throw—
r: 14
d: …5 again
liv: …nat 1]
Everyone is now frightened. Except the wolf, so there’s that.
<.>
Nerys doesn’t shake fear; he has had A Very Long Day, alas.
He does use Shade Step to blip out of Visento’s sight, and uses this opportunity to Hide and go stealth mode.
<.>
Fae is going to use his action to stand, then use his bonus action to Misty Step away. And using his movement, he's going to back up just a little more.
The wolf is staying on Dima and Fae is ordering it to Dodge unless Dima needs teleporting.
<.>
Rin shakes their fear, and is going to cast Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, sending Sen a backward air high-five as they attempt it.
[dm: Visento fails the save, and is now on the ground, prone, and alternating between laughing and snarling angrily. And Frightened is now removed from everyone.]
Rin does find thiS pretty funny tbh. They call out, “Thanks, Vinnie!” and engage Dodge.
Dima, while he’s not frightened and can approach, is going in for Burning Hands.
[note: FAE IS SHOUTING AT HIM DON'T GET CLOSE DIMA.
Sen is shouting at him as well, but it's hard to hear over Visento]
Look Dima will back up as much as he can after, but he is frustrated. And with Burning Hands— Wulp. He went in there and hit with all of 7 damage. Dima maybe is going to have Some Regrets. But right now. It feels nice to burn something.
[dm: As Visento takes fire damage from Dima's spell, Tasha's Laughter ends. He's still prone but no longer laughing. And he is stARING at Dima.]
Dima still does not Regret. Yet.
And he will back up those five feet.
Liv’s going in for another multiattack attempt. She misses with both. Liv and Dima both Off Any Game They Ever Had.
<.>
Sen’s up. And he's taking the opportunity to shout, "I TOLD YOU NOT TO HURT HIM YET"
[note: He's getting a backwards-flipped finger.]
He's going to use a level 2 spell slot for Dissonant Whispers. Visento finally fails his fucking save, and takes 18 damage.
Sen moves the Sentacle; it misses.
It sure is Visento’s turn now. He's going to use his action to get up. And he's going to use his wonderful bonus action to start pounding his shield and roaring.
[WIS saving throw—
f: fail
s: fail
n: succeed!
d: 15
liv: 10
r: 12]
Dima passes; Liv and Rin do not. Sen, Liv, and Rin need to attempt to put 60 ft between them and Visento. And so they do.
[note: Rin is upset their laughter ended. :c]
<.>
Nerys, in his stealth zone, is going to move, use Shade Step, and attempt a rapier attack. Hits for 34 points piercing damage.
<.>
Fae remains Frightened, oh no. He can’t do anything from this distance, but would like to have the wolf use Fiery Teleportation to get Dima away from Visento—
But Dima. Unfortunately is in I Am Angry mode. Which in this case means he wants to stay.
Fae is not happy with this. But that’ll end his turn.
<.>
Rin shakes off their fear. They move and take a shot with the shortbow; they miss. Rin will stay where they are and Dodge.
Onto Dima!
[dm: He is staring down a very big man with a sword.]
He is going to KEEP staring down this very big man with a sword. I do not argue that this is a gooD thing he is doing. But. It is a Dima thing.
Dima's plan right now is to stand his ground and go full authoritative daddy trash
cold-eyed stare. Folding his hands behind his back, little head tilt. And give Visento The Full Bullshit. In an attempt to, god only knows, try to throw him off his game, scare hiM, or at least keep Visento's attention away from the people who haVe more at hand to use. So.
Dima stands, back straight, shoulders relaxed. Probably bleeding from a number of wounds. And speaks, "It's funny, isn't it.
"I know what your Master has planned with Kettering Wrothrun. What he's planning for Morovsk. Do you think my family hasn't been watching?
"Do you believe I don't know.
"Why on EARTH do you think I'm here?
"I know what he has planned for me— And I know what waits for you, Visento.
"My body may well end up at the bottom of a canal, but yours will be beside me, Torrio's dagger in your chest."
And that’s it. That’s Dima’s attempt.
Liviana is thinking about strangling him.
[INT, d: 13
visento: 5]
<.>
Visento doesn't blink at the name, but there's a moment where Dima's words strike through very, very hard; he falters, seeming to go a little slack in his stance; his head turns just slightly as though to say, How -
But then with renewed fervor, he raises his shield and bares his teeth; he doesn't roar, but he growls angrily, clearly thrown by this - and has disadvantage on his next attack.
[dm: You can take with you the knowledge that SOMETHING Dima said was accurate enough that it worked.]
<.>
Dima he will remain standing precisely where he is.
Liv is, to begin with, mentally shouTing at Dima for being a fucking dumbass. SHOUTING AT DIMA WHILE TRYING NOT TO BE SCARED.
Liviana does shake off her fear, and swoops o Sen, wing-brushing him with a cast of Guidance.
Liv thinking very loudly HELP THAT IDIOT. Realizing also that Sen. Is ALSO prone to Bad Decisions. But you work with what you have! And she'll move back a littttle bit and be done!
<.>
Sen shakes fear, and he is going to move in and cast Dissonant Whispers at level 2 again. Visento fails his save and takes 13 damage.
Sen relocates the sentacle, which does not hit.
And now it’s Visento.
First thing he's doing is attempting his roar, and instead of disadvantage for him, everyone else gets advantage.
[WIS saving throw—
s: succeeds
wolf: succeeds
nerys: fail
liv: 16
d: 19
r: 8
ROGUES SCARED! Nerys just cowering in the temple. Rin ZOOMING past Fae.]
Visento looking at Dima and grinning. JUST ME AND YOU NOW.
[note: Dima. Blinks back. Bring it. Who knows Visento; maybe Dima will enjoy it.]
Sword hits for 2 points. Shield attack hits for 6 points. Dima does make his saving throw and isn’t knocked prone.
[note: Dim’s bleeding profusely but still standing VisentO. MAY HAVE LOST THREE QUARTERS OF HIS HEALTH but Dima is Very Calm rn.]
<.>
Nerys remains Very Scared. And so remains very cowering. He does attempt and manage to Hide.
[dm: He is very well hidden.]
<.>
Fae shakes off his fear, and he is going to shout at Dmitri after watching him do this STUPID THING—
“IS THAT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ABANDON ME, TOO?”
<.>
Dima.
Very suddenly. Looks aghast.
Self-possession goNe just staring over at Faolan, suddenly processing what he-himself just did.
He’s going to be replaying all of that for a good while.
<.>
Fae is going to try to get closer, and he will use Scorching Ray. Crits on two of the rays, rolls a 17 for the third?!?!
He is not even remotely fucking around. And that’s 37 points total damage.
SO FAOLAN.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS OTHER THAN MAKING DIMA REGRET EVERYTHING.
Faolan takes a run up the platform, terrified after witnessing what just happened to Dmitri, and casts three rays of fire at Visento, whose attention is fixed on Dima; the gladiator has no time to react, and the force and heat of the rays quickly engulf him in flames.
The heat leaves very little of his flesh behind, and the speed of the assault gives him no time to do more than scream a single, pitiable note before he falls.
And Faolan lets his hands fall to his sides, his eyes on Dima. He looks like he might cry.
Faolan shakes his head and turns his attention to untying the head from his belt; he tosses it to the ground and steps off the platform.
<.>
Dima has registered Visento's disintegration— But only barely.
Mostly what he sees is Faolan. And what he feels is cold, and the seep of his own blood.
He tries to speak, to stop Faolan. Doesn't think far enough to Message, and what Dima does get out is a soft, strangled, “Fae—“
And, after a moment's mental stammer: [ Please. ]
Rin, meanwhile, suddenly very much NOT afraid and remembering how to be honest fucking funny it was when Visento fell down laughing, THEN remembering how not at all funny it was when something happened with Sen and that Moloch spirit whatever, is going to start dashing over to Sen.
Liv is going to fly down and give the wolf spirit a nudge of her beak before flitting over to Faolan, circling him, then landing near but not oN and not precisely looking at Dima.
Dima has eyes and mind for one point of focus, one very wounded Faolan, and notices approximately none of this.
<.>
[ XP awarded means everyone has reached level 5!
As for loot: Searching the bodies, Rin and Sen manage to find:
the light crossbow Dima ignored
a ring on Indir's hand
a stone embeded in Visento's sword
2 potions
a die carved from bone on Loras's corpse
a strange key on Bly's corpse
around 54 GP in various denominations
several weapons of varying types (mace, swords, maul, heavy crossbows, shields) ]