D&D 5E [IC] hafrogman's Hoard of the Dragon Queen

[kuey1975]

Carad spent the hour while his team mates rested puttering around the keep. He first visited the armory and immediately felt sorry for the soldiers defending the keep, seeing the equipment they had. He then went to the basement to collect a few flasks of oil, before wandering randomly around the keep. Anyone who knew elves could see signs of impatience beneath his placid exterior. Carad wanted to get back out into the town for anyone else who might need help, but he knew he would not get far without his team. After the unfortunate encounter with the rats, he had been lucky to escape without a scrape but his teammates were not as lucky, and despite his established role in combat to provide supporting fire, he still felt guilty that he had let his commander and his fellow scout take the beating at the frontline. Finally wandering back to the top of the keep, he gazed down at the smoldering town below, waiting as patiently as he could.

 

[Steve Gorak]

Jeni tried to rest, even though her mind was racing. She had to fight conflicting feelings of despair and revenge. She quietly accompanied Carad to the armory. Even if he was plane-touched, she could see through his mask and knew that he wanted to act. She too was eager to go outside of the keep, but she had no more spells, and wouldn't until their group would rest for a longer period of time. This wasn't likely to happen anytime soon, implying that they would be less capable in helping the town.

She grabbed three oil flasks and some cloth in the armory and proceeded to wrap strips of cloth around the necks of the flasks. at least I can light these up with my magic she thought to herself as she prepared for the events in this most unpredictable night.

 

[hafrogman]

Jeni watches over the interrogation of the cultist, hungry for revenge. It's a cold and empty experience though, doing little to assuage her anger. The cultist is reticent, but the Governor and Sergeant eventually extract some information from him.

The 'Cult of the Dragon' as they call themselves is raiding towns and settlements, gathering 'a great hoard that will usher in the reign of the Queen of Dragons'. Combined with information from the kobolds captured earlier, you now know that the Cult has a large, semi-mobile encampment to the southeast. In addition to the human leader of this raid, the camp answers to two half-dragons, but they were unable to get names out of the captives.

Lastly ... the camp was built around a cave, a cave which currently houses a clutch of dragon eggs.

With this information rolling around in their heads, the group settles down for a fitful rest. The night stretches on, but eventually the temporary lull is broken and a massive flash is followed by a thunderous crack. It take's Carad's eyes a moment to recover, but he is soon able to see the glowing stone where lightning struck the tower. Guards lie dead or injured around a smoking char mark. From the skies, the mounting feeling of dread abruptly sharpens as a predatory shape drops out of the cloud cover. A massive blue dragon glares down at the keep, circling with undisguised menace.

OOC: One short rest later. Dragon! Initiative, please. I assume most of you were inside, but can easily get to the courtyard, walls or tower within a round. Carad was already outside, so ... Will save, please.

 

[Steve Gorak]

Upon hearing the crackling sound, Jeni grabs her bow and heads where she knew Carad was. She could barely believe her eyes, and felt her heart beat faster as she saw the wyrm.

OOC: initiative: [roll0] will save:[roll1] Fey Ancestry: Advantage vs Charm (if applicable) [roll2]

 

[Forged Fury]

The boom of thunder snapped Morgan awake. She felt a lot better, but knew she would need a much longer rest to fully recover herself. Noticing cries of anguish from outside, she grabbed her gear and dashed outside.

OOC: Initiative: [roll0] Will Save: [roll1]

 

[kuey1975]

"No, not again!" Carad exclaimed to himself, recalling the disastrous dragon attack that wiped out most of the Black Tide. Shaking his head to clear the spots, he whips up his bow, wondering at the futility of shooting arrows at such a well-armored creature. He hoped that his teammates would arrive quickly.

"Get down below!" he shouted at the guards. Then, sending to Scree, "Stay away from this. Patrol the surroundings and warn me if the raiders are using this opportunity to strike!"

OOC: Initiative: [roll0] Will Save: [roll1] Will Save (fey ancestry adv): [roll2] (if relevant) [MENTION=8858]hafrogman[/MENTION], any possible hiding places for Carad?

 

[Spartain104]

Venn leaps to the top of the tower beside Carad, his mind a whirl of thoughts. Its not long before the shape dives from the clouds, clearly intent on slaying them all. Venn's eyes light with rage and he prepares his spells, blue mist flowing from his eyes and hands.

OOC: [roll0] [roll1] [roll2] I too have fey ancestry if that applies.

 

[hafrogman]

Jeni rushes out onto the tower top, bow in hand to join Carad.

OOC: Initiative - Jeni - 23 Carad - 21 Morgan - 17 Hunter - [roll0] Dragon - [roll1] Venn - 10 Carad placed himself at the top of the keep, so cover is sparse, as the dragon can see over the crenelations from this angle. You could spend a couple of rounds (or one if you do nothing else) getting down into the courtyard to find cover inside the walls or among the few structures. Technically, only Carad needed to make a will save at this time, but thank you all for failing preemptively. Fey ancestry does not apply. Carad is frightened (disadvantage on ability checks and attacks). At the END of each round, you can save again, or it'll last one minute. [MENTION=6800384]kuey1975[/MENTION] you are now free to act. Morgan, Hunter and Venn will be coming outside this round.

 

[kuey1975]

As the all too familiar feeling of dread spread over him, Carad gritted his teeth to focus past the fear but he could not stop his hands from trembling as he fired an arrow at the blue streak.

Before Carad realised it though, he had turned tail and fled towards the stairway, running past Jeni. He got a hold on himself in time before he had started leaving the scene, but he nonetheless dashed down a few steps, trying to find some corner to hide where the stairs led to the lower floor. He pulled his focus inwards, trying push past the sense of dread in his heart.

OOC: Attack: [roll0] Attack w disadv: [roll1] Dmg (if hit): [roll2] Carad is basically going to go down the stairs to just before the next floor, and using Cunning Action to hide from the dragon's view, if DM allows for it. Stealth rolls with disadv for frightened? Stealth: [roll3] Stealth w disadv: [roll4] Will saving throw: [roll5]

 

[hafrogman]

Carad's arrow goes wide, but the act of firing seems to break the tension in him and although he still feels the terror emanating from the dragon, he knows he will be able to push through.

Morgan and Hunter rush out face the dragon as well, joining their comrades outside. Several of the guardsmen try and pelt the dragon with spears, but at this distance, they have little hope of penetrating the creature's hide. The dragon keeps his distance, but his roar of defiance puts a chill down everyone's spine.

Venn joins the others on the walls.

OOC: Initiative - Jeni - 23 Carad - 21 Morgan - 17 Hunter - 16 Dragon - 10 Venn - 10 Dragon - [roll0] Carad is no longer frightened (and is immune to this dragon's frightful presence for 24 hours) Jeni, Morgan and Hunter are now frightened and may save at the end of their next turn. Jeni, Carad, Morgan and Hunter are up.