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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.
9) Loch Bien + Onward: Things Go Very, Very Wrong.
10) Through Forest, Into Mysos.
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.
9) Loch Bien + Onward: Things Go Very, Very Wrong.
10) Through Forest, Into Mysos.
no subject
In the morning, the party gathers, packs up (Fae now wearing a ring that draws a smirking look from Sen) and begins their trek towards the mountain pass.
As they make their way along long-overgrown paths, the trees become coniferous and dense at the base of the mountain range, but the party can see that as they climb higher, the trees thin out to rocks and low brush. The mountains themselves rise high enough that their peaks are capped with snow.
And with that: is there anything anyone would like to do before they leave the open forest behind?
<.>
[q: Are there any noticeable marks/features of the land ahead that they might keep half an eye on while traveling? Just to keep extra track on direction.
a: So far as they can see, the path is pretty obvious despite being overgrown with weeds and brush. If there's any difficulty, they can't see it here. They are definitely wanting to head south.]
In that case, I don't believe Dima, Rin, or Liv have any further forest business.
Dima did enjoy watching Fae prepare his spells, and quite enjoyed Fae watching hiM.
And currently, Dima keeps looking at that ring on Fae's finger, then catching Fae's eyes with a patented doofy trash staggered by his love look.
And in terms of forward progression, Liv is going to continue her habit of keeping an eye from the sky, periodically returning to settle on Dima's shoulder.
Curio - in their little hooded Curio cloak - is currently sitting on Rin's shoulder because they also want to see whats happening!
<.>
In that case, Faolan takes the lead as they continue on into the mountains.
Travel continues this way for several hours, their pace slowed by the rough terrain. And for shits and giggles, I'd like everyone to make an athletics check.
[ATH
s: 6
f: 19
d: 13
r: 8
l: 16]
So. Sen, Rin, and Dima, make a dex saving throw.
[DEX
s: 18
d: 19
r: 19]
As they begin to emerge from the trees and the path turns rockier, all three of them manage to loosen some stones that give way, creating a small, very localized avalanche. It's easy enough for them all to jump aside and no one sustains injury.
Faolan is looking back at all three of them with a mixture of horror and bafflement.
<.>
Rin scowls at the rocks and calls out, "Not nice, rocks!"
Dima looks like he might become irritated at himself until he looks at Fae and suddenly, somehow, the rocks do not matter at all.
<.>
Sen has the same consternated look he's worn since moving away from the river; it's clear he's not accustomed to hiking.
[q: Is this tiny avalanche followed by any sounds or movements nearby? Or. Rin and Liv are both checking to decide whether they've drawn anything's attention.
a: No, literally it was just rocks they themselves dislodged. But. Do make perception checks. In fact, everyone should.
PERC
s: 23
f: 23
d: 24
r: 21
l: 12 (liv saw a shiny rock among the dislodging :>)]
After Rin's pronouncement, everyone (with the exception of Liv) hears a sort of grinding sound like the shifting of boulders.
And.
Everyone roll initiative pls.
[INIT
f: 21
r: 22
d/l: 6
sen: 22]
From about 20 feet up the rise to the party's left, a rather large boulder has dislodged and is rolling downhill at them. Before Rin's turn, everyone make a dexterity save, as the party is in a little bowling pin group.
[DEX
r: crit fail/5
d: nat 20/23
l: 20
s, f: passed!]
So; everyone except rin manages to leap out of the way of this oncoming boulder (?). I need Rin to make a Strength saving throw
[STR, r: 5]
Rin isn't injured, but they are knocked down and considered prone for their turn.
And the boulder begins to unfold itself, revealing arms, legs, and a head.
<.>
Rin will then use their action to get up, then attempt to hide behind a tree. They crit fail their roll to stealth, but hey, tree cover!
[dm: So: Rin smooshes themself between the tree and the rockface in an effort to hide from the lie rock]
<.>
Sen is going to ...have a moment of relief that Rin's okay, and then cast the sentacle. It appears beside the rock, but does absolutely no damage.
Annd he is going to try Eldritch Blast, having zero idea what it does. Hits for 7 points ay aY. Then moves to back up around an outcropping, and that’ll be it for his turn.
Fae’s up, and he’s going to summon his wolf! The Lie Rock makes its dex saving throw and takes no damage from the wolf's appearance, and Fae will draw his sword just to have that shit ready to go, though he can't ignite it yet.
Fae is going to make a run for Dima and cast Barkskin on him, bringing his AC up to 16.
[note: puppy proteccs ;.;!]
His wildfire spirit casts Flame Seed, hits the Lie Rock for 6 points, and it's going to stay on the rock.
<.>
Dima’s going to cast Mind Spike on the Lie Rock. The creature fails its save and takes the full 13 points.
[dm: The creature makes a howling sound, agonized, and hits itself in the head as though it can knock the pain away, then turns to look at Dima.]
For movement, Dima does not want to leave Fae alone but will do the wise thing and withdraw fifteen feet.
[dm: The Lie Rock is now out of Dima's line of sight.
note: dima’s player is worrieD.]
Liv is going to cast Shield of Faith on Faolan, giving him +2 to AC either for 10 minutes, or until her Concentration is broken.
[note: protecc the puppy!! whose AC is now 15 >:o!]
<.>
The creature is going to go for the one thing it can see, and advances on Fae. It tries to swing out one arm to make a slam attack, but faolan manages to just duck out of the way. Barely.
And it's going to turn and, seeing Dima, ball up and start rolling at him. Dima needs to make a strength saving throw as it slams into him.
[STR, d: 19]
Dima manages to stay upright and suffers no damage, but he is now face to face with an angry rock. And that’ll bring us to Rin.
<.>
Rin moves, tries to take a crossbow shot— And crit fails again.
[dm: The bow twangs and the bolt breaks in two instead of shooting.]
Rin curses. Loudly and in Infernal. They use their bonus action and Dash to move away 15 ft; back behind the tree they go!
<.>
Sen's going to move back towards the fun, and as he still can't see the rock, he's going to use his bonus action to give Rin a little inspiration. And he's going to cast magic stone. Because what the fuck else is there to do. So he squats, picks up three pebbles, and casts the cantrip; he can't toss them to anyone, but he's got a handful of little rock bombs now.
And bringing us to Fae, he'll send the wolf to Dima's side, as it thankfully has Hover. He'll have it cast Fiery Teleportation because thaT IS HIS FIANCE, bringing Dima back 15 ft. The Lie Rock makes its saving throw so takes no damage, but! Mission accomplished!
For his own part of the turn, Fae’s going to try casting Call Lightning. The creature fails its saving throw and takes 11 points damage. And Fae will tell everyone to make RANGED attacks right now, because the spell stays.
[q: can dima gauge whether the terrain impacts the creature’s speed?
dm: I will say from watching it, when it's walking it appears to be hampered by the terrain; when it's rolling, it doesn't appear to have any trouble.
q: and rock lie is clearly not a humanoid yy?
a: oh it's clearly a rock
NAT check, does anyone know what the creature is
f, s, d, l: no idea, not passed
r: 18]
Rin, knowing well the lies of things (especially tomatoes), recalls they've heard stories of creatures in the mountains that look like boulders but aren't. They recall that it's very difficult to harm these creatures with arrows, swords, or other melee weapons. Annnd they are immune to things like paralyzation.
[note: following Fae’s instruction to keep attacks ranged, Rin shouts this info to the party.]
<.>
no subject
Oh but the spell DOES make a real loud noise! Which. Dima is now second guessing. Thinking about earlier tiny avalanche.
O o p s?
[dm: Yeah so about that.
There's an unpleasant sort of rumbling, grinding noise from the rockface around them.
Liv’s up.]
Dima iS going to back up some, while cursing at himself under his breath. And ofc giving Fae's hand a squeeze as he withdraws.
Liviana is going to use her turn to try to assess what the fuck Dima might have just caused/what seems to be going on wrt potential actual-rock danger.
[INV, l: 13
dm: Liv can see some pebbles seem to have shaken loose, but really can't assess the situation well.]
She Tried.
And since she can see everyone except rocklie from where she is, she'll stay put, ending her turn.
<.>
Brings us to the rock, which is going to stomp five feet to the left and start another rolling attack; moving downhill, it gets 60 total feet. It rolls directly at Fae, then Dima, then rebounds off the outcropping and hits Sen.
Fae, Dima, and Sen all fail their saving throws and are knocked prone.
Next, the creature is going to say something in a strange, grinding, earthy language; it raised its hands and stomps first one foot, then the other. And from the rises on either side, two boulders begin to shift and rock, then unfurl.
[dm: initiatives for these new combatants will be 10 and 5.]
And onto top of the next round!
<.>
Rin uses their bonus action to Dash, then takes a crossbow shot at Lie Rock #1. They hit, and with its resistance, Lie Rock #1 takes 8 damage.
[dm: Okay! The creature staggers and seems injured ? now; it turns toward Rin - as do the other two - and bellows furiously.
And, CON saving throw: 22. HMMMM.]
Rin uses the rest of their movement from Dash, and ends their turn.
<.>
Sen's up, and he's got this fucking handful of magic rocks
…Also he’s prone. But. He’s going to throw a rock anyway. The pebble he's flinging up at the creature bounces off harmlessly. And but it does stop focusing on Rin.
Sen’s also going to have the sentacle take a swat at the creature; it hits for 4 points.
[dm: CON save: 16]
Fae’s up! He's going to drop concentration on the lightning because it's useless over where there remain no rock creatures.
[note: ;.; rip lightning you were really cool ;.;]
And Fae’s going to attack one of those other ones before it can roll at Sen. He casts Scorching Ray, and in fact aims one ray at each of the fuckers. The first misses; the second and third hit for 8 points each
[dm: CON save, 19]
Next Fae’s going to send his wolf to Sen and get his noodle ass out of there.
Onto New Friend Rock 1! It's going to roll at Fae, and reaching him, use its slam attack. Hits for— Holy shit 20 points bludgeoning damage, and Fae is knocked prone??! He’s down to 32 hp.
[dm: forgot fae was prone before, so he took extra damage for that miss on my part.
also. moving onto dima and liv’s turn, dima is prone, but I'll allow him a puppy uppy
note: bless u for this ;.;.; dima will always love a puppy uppy thank yoU.]
<.>
And. Dima is going to use his movement to stand, and will cast Slow, targeting all three rock-shits and hoping that some of the spell's effects might work. The rock creatures all fail their saves and are slowed. >:o
Liv is hitting Fae with a level 2 Healing Word, giving 9 points health for Faolan. She’ll fly upward, and the Dima-Liv turns ends.
<.>
Rock Friend #2 makes a rolling attack at Fae, who just happens to be in its line of sight. Hits for 15 points damage, and since Fae’s already prone, he’s just… continuation of prone.
Bringing us to OG Lie Rock. The creature balls itself up as though preparing for another attack, but rather than rolling towards anyone, rolls itself 30 ft downhill.
And that'll do it for that one. Rin’s up!
<.>
They're going to huff a very annoyed sound through their nose and take a shot at the rock-lie nearest to them. They hit, and with resistance, the creature takes 10 damage. Rin uses their bonus action to Dodge, uses their movement to get a little closer to the party, and closes their turn by calling out “Hey shitheel >:o” to the one they shot.
<.>
That brings us to Sen, who is using his movement to get up as he didn't get up before being teleported. He's going to reposition the sentacle, which misses its attempted hit.
Then Sen swears loudly and tells Fae to get out of the way; Sen will hold his action for now, with the trigger for his action being Fae moving.
And as that brings us to Fae's turn, he's going to get himself teleported out of there. Uphill.
And because I didn't move the wolf first, that'll do it for its turn.
Fae is going to cast Scorching Ray again, now as a level 3 spell. Three rays hit; one misses. The fucker that kept hitting him takes 16 points of fire damage, and the other one takes 10.
[q: since that one time, have any of the friendos seemed to react when other friendos were wounded?
a: only the og lie rock seems to be having a reaction.]
Sen’s going to use his action now to cast Thunderwave at level 3. Both Rock Friends fail their saves; one takes 13 damage, one takes 17, and both are pushed 10 ft back, one of them being shoved back against the rockface.
Onto one of the Rock Friends! Which will be backing up and climbing the rocks. It can only move about 10 feet, and does so, uphill.
<.>
Dima is going to cast Misty Step, moving up and away where he has a sightline on OG Lie Rock. From there, he’ll cast Chill Touch on OG Lie Rock. Go tiny hand of death, go! The spells hits for 9 points necrotic damage.
[dm: How do you want to do this?]
Dima, reappearing upon the rocks beside Liviana, is going to look over at Faolan and cant his head, smiling just a little because yes he is worried about Fae but! Fae is up away from danger right now, and Dima is ALSO up away from danger!
He'll turn, see the fucKing rock that started this all, then conjure a skeletal hand - lined with blue-bright necromantic energy - and fire it at the fucker.
The hand dives, fingers curling, curling into a fist, and connects with a minor spray of that same energy. Driving a crater into the creature's chest— Minor, yes, but apparently enough.
Swiftly, the little hand returns to Dima, who lets it land upon his own palm as it fades.
He will, of course, immediately turn his attention in Fae's direction VERY CONCERNED ABOUT PUPPY.
<.>
The rock staggers left, then right, then falls to the ground; it's almost anticlimactic after that spellwork.
Behind Dima, the other two creatures abruptly stop moving; they both drop lifelessly to the ground.
Fae is holding his ribs but standing on his own outcropping; with a rueful little smile, he waves across at Dima. Then slowly, he lowers himself to sit; the wolf leans against him, its flames half-engulfing him harmlessly.
Sen looks around for Rin as the tentacle dissipates, then looks up at the two rises where Fae and Dima stand; assuming those two creatures were his own doing, he calls up, "You're welcome."
<.>
Liv is heading over to hit Fae with another healing word and she will accept no arguments on this, giving 6 points healing.
<.>
Fae is going to suggest they go ahead and make camp as the day is getting on a bit, and it gets dark in the mountains early.
[note: fae is getting no arguments from anyoneeee]
He’ll recommend a particular location where they have the rise to their backs and can see down both directions of the path.
<.>
Also no arguments from anyone, and Rin and Dima both appreciate the trees.
As does Liv, who might do some perching near the top so she can keep an eye out while conserving flight energy.
[dm: oh is dima going to harvest anything? or loot?]
Dima is absolutely going to attempt some harvesting, starting with OG Lie Rock fucker, and will take a look for loot while he's at it.
He will do this only aftER checking in with and doing some bandaging on Fae (which also includes telling Fae how well he did and how thrilling his magic was to witness).
[dm: The OG Lie Rock is the only one that is actually a being; the other two were awakened boulders. So! Make an Arcana check.
ARC, d: …nat 1 fml kjnkjh]
<.>
no subject
[note: rin also, though they're more interested in looting and also in scowling at the lie rocks >:C they roll a 7 for Arcana and are of no help!]
Sen is himself not helpful. But Fae pokes amidst the rubble and, after whispering a few words, reveals a small glowing ball of yellow light; Dima would recognize this as earth elemental essence.
Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much else to loot.
<.>
Rin will curse the rock-lies for their lack of loot, and will begin a diatribe against the lie of a lie rocks. Maybe someday they will have their own Rin Theory of Form-Lies nod.
[q: Would Dima know whether there is a way to mm. Contain or carry or harness/use this essence?
a: Dima would know an enchanted vial of some kind would be helpful for this.
q: can. dima. attempt to enchant a vial?
a: He can certainly try.]
Dima— Considers attempting to enchant a vial. But before he does! Since Fae seemed to maybe know some things about Wythall's gemstone. Dima will ask Fae if he knows whether that might serve the purpose. Slash/plus Dima will also ask himself if he knows.
[ARC
d: 20
f: 20
!! arcana-checking mates!]
<.>
Between the two of them, they figure that yes, the essence could be stored in the gemstone. It would need a ritual to cleanse it first - 10 minutes or so to attune it to the purpose - before the essence could be added.
Dima may only get two shots at this, because, as he would know, there's a rate of decay.
SO. One more arcana check, and Sen will give some inspiration.
[ARC, d: 21 w/ insp thank u sennn]
Oh yeah, he manages without any trouble.
And now! How does everyone want to set up the camp?
Fae, for his own part, is going to forgo any further healing spells and refuse them from anyone else, stating they need to save their spells in case something happens during the night. He can use some of his hit dice during a short rest.
<.>
Dima will accept this, so long as Fae permits him to bandage Puppy's wounds and fuss over him for the rest of the night.
<.>
Most of it's bludgeoning damage; he has some bad bruising and possibly a broken rib, but hit dice should handle that.
<.>
Dima is still going to fuss; this fact cannot be helped!
He wilL be telling Fae to take it easy for the rest of the night. Including by soft command if he must o dear.
[note: i believe a command may be 100% totally absolutely necessary]
Dima will gladly impose that command, and will praise Faolan for his obedience tO it.
Also and. Dima is going to ask Rin if he can keep the gemstone, since it now has the essence inside and he wants to examine it some. He offers them the finger bones from Sen's skeleton closet friend, the vial of Lorna's grave dirt, and the promise of a future gemstone. Rin, after careful consideration, accepts this, and immediately hurries over to Sen to reunite him with this minor remnant of his skelefriend.
Once camp has been situated, Dima will ritual cast Alarm in a twenty-foot cube, covering as much of the camp area as he's able. None of the party - familiars/pets included - can set it off, and anything else - tiny creatures on up - crossing the boundary will set off a mental alarm in Dima's mind.
note: Sen (and Fae) wants to know where the hell Dima keeps finding skeletons
note also: Dima would like to point out that he is simply very good at keeping track of skeletons so there.]
<.>
After a quick perception check of 20, Fae is going to single out a flock of birds and some other small animals in the nearby vicinity. He's going to ritual cast Speak with Animals to try and determine what Liv saw.
It's not an easy conversation; the birds are distractible and the small mouse-like creatures aren't very smart.
When he asks the birds what happens at night, then explains 'night' means 'no light', they tell him something large passes through the area. When he asks if it's dangerous, they say no, because it can't catch them.
He relays all this to the others as he's speaking with them.
He asks one more thing: is it his size or smaller or larger. They confirm that it's larger, and it's more than one it.
It’s the best he can contribute, other than disguising their camp with branches and covering their tracks.
[note: those are v good contributes! ;.;]
Though Dima has used Alarm, Sen would like to set up some good old-fashioned tripwires. Because some things can avoid magic.
<.>
Rin is going to check the trees and rocks around in search of places that might be good for keeping watch; they're looking for spots that can get a decent view of the area around that would also keep the watcher hidden.
Rin will also suggest splitting watches through the night, if they can stagger it so everyone can get the necessary rest.
[PERC, r: nat 20/32 total]
<.>
About 30 feet up the rock face, they find a ledge with boulders arranged perfectly so that someone crouching can't be seen from the ground. It requires a rope to access, but they have a bird's-eye-view of the path for a fair distance in both directions, as well as areas around the path that could be traversed by beasts.
[note: rin points this spot out to the party!]
Fae can't get up there, and Sen likely wouldn't be well-hidden in the spot, but it's perfect for Dima and Rin.
[note: Dima and Rin shall both plan on making use of it!]
Fae is going to volunteer for the first watch, regardless of Daddy's commands, and will argue that what Liv saw happened at nightfall; he can stay awake and cast Pass Without Trace so, if nothing else, the party stays hidden.
[q: How long can they expect night to last and expect to be camped?
a: The night probably lasts a good 8-10 hours; gets dark in the mountains, stays dark a good while. So I’ll err closer to 10 hours.
watch order is determined: Fae, Dima, Sen, Rin.]
I'm assuming Liv is kind of standing guard first while they eat and prepare to sleep?
[note: yes she is and will! she'll also stay up with fae through his watch and get her zzs after.]
Fae will ask the birds one more thing: to come tell him when the creature is passing through. Whether the birds’ll do it or not… Shrug!
<.>
Rin suggests offering snacks.
Snacks are a nice incentive they say.
[dm: well, they still have some berries. so maybe some of those will help
note: good point!]
Rin arranges the berries in a very (berry??) attractive fashion!
<.>