[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

When Sylvia first saw the contents of the scroll she was confused, but thankfully all of the writing seemed to change into english, or at the very least, something she could read and repeat. So she did, and she saw the blue path ahead. She blinked at the sight, and she realized that the scroll was slowly crumbling. She answered Shortfang with a nod, "Yeah! Let's hurry!" She was surprised to hear that Shortfang was able to see the blue path too, but she didn't have much time to think about it.

She started running, following the blue path, hoping to reach Green Eyes before the scroll completely crumbles and they lose the spell. She had a guess that if they lost the spell, then they'll lose the path and they'll be back to square 1.

[Lucius Cypher]

Thanks to the scroll guiding your path, you're easily able to navigate the narrow and confusing sewer tunnels until you're lead to a door. As you approach you could hear a commotion on the other side, as well as the splashing of water. Shortfang stops the party and sends Syfr up to look ahead, and grits his teeth. "Trogs. And Green Eyes but... Green Eyes don't look good. Trogs pull him out of water. He not moving... No wait... Green Eyes live! He breathing! But he hurt. Trogs have spears in him. Got to stop them. But... There one big trog, with big sword. Shortfang not like..."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia stopped at Shortfang's direction, and she listened to what he had to say. So there was a bigger troglodyte with a sword, and they were going after Green Eyes. She had a feeling that simply going up to the bigger one and attacking him might not be a wise idea. She recalled that she still has a couple of Alchemist Fires from Ferric, and she asked Shortfang as she pulled one of them out of her backpack, "How close are they to each other? Maybe we can take care of all of the trogs at once..." The only issue was that they needed to make sure that they didn't hit Green Eyes with the Alchemist's Fire.

[Lucius Cypher]

"Very close." Shortfang says quietly. "They surround Green Eyes. Look like they pulling him from water... Dunno why, but don't like. Big one sharpen sword. He... I think he wanna kill Green Eyes!" Shortfang says with gritted teeth as he readied his crossbow. Everyone else prepared for battle as well. "If what Shortfang says is true, the trog's aren't going to be expecting us. This is as good a chance as any for us to try and get a sneak attack on them." Pylia mentions. Shortfang holds up his fingers, notably he only has eight in total. "One... Two... Four... Eight trogs, with big one. We have high ground, stairs go down, but not far drop. Ten feet... Trogs climb, if they rush."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded at the information and quickly thought of what to do. Not only did she intend to use the surprise attack to their advantage, but she also hoped to use the height to their advantage as well. If they didn't act soon, then Green Eyes would die. So she answered the group, "OK. Let's do this: Buddy, you go in first. I'll go in behind you and use the Alchemists' Fire and see if I can hit the trogs. The three of us should be able to use the height to our advantage, while you can engage them in melee,"

She prepared herself to rush in and throw the Alchemists' Fire once Buddy opens the door, and she told the group, "On three. One...Two...Three!"

[Lucius Cypher]

Buddy nodded at your idea, and takes the lead. On your signal he bursts through with your following shortly behind him. You could see eight of the troglodytes surrounding a huge crocodile who was laying on his side, bleeding out into the water. His breathing was very light and it looked like the biggest of the troglodytes was about to chop off the beast's head when you arrived. All at once everyone attacked; you hurled your bottle of alchemist fire into the face of one of the trogs, lighting him aflame. Shortfang commanded Syfr to fly into the face of one of the troglodytes, distracting him enough for Shortfang to land a crossbow bolt right into the monster's chest. Just a few more inches closer and that would've gone through the beast's heart. Pylia targeted the big one, summoning a holy fire to come down onto him, however he was ready for action and was able to dodge the attack. This big one's movements were more precise and practiced than the trogs you've seen before; this one was not only bigger and stronger, but more intelligent as well.

Not that it would particularly bother Pylia. She went right up to your side and laid a hand on your shoulder, surrounding you with a protective aura once more. "Sylvia and I will take care of the big one, you two keep the little ones off of us!" Almost as if to awnser her challenge, the large troglodyte began walking up the stairs, dragging his sword across the ground. The blade did not look crude or damaged as one might expect from a trog; it actually looked very ornate, with a notably gleam to it. "Watch out for that one Sylvia, he's not mere beast!"

Rolls and Info

Pylia (24/24) = 22
Trog Boss (51/59) = 16
Sylvia (21/21) = 10
Trog Group 1 (A: 13/13) (B: 13/13) (C: 2/13) (D: 11/13) (E: 13/13) (F: 13/13) (G: 13/13)
Shortfang (26/26) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Buddy (31/31) = 6

Buddy readies an action to hack down the first Trog that comes near him.

Trog Boss Dex Save vs Pylia's Radiant Flame DC 13 = 17

Shortfang Crossbow Shot vs Trog C = 10/17
Crossbow Damage = 11

Sylvia Alchemist fire vs Trog D = 11
Fire Damage = 2

Top of the round!

Trog Boss Dex Save vs Pylia's Radiant Flame DC 13 = 12
Radiant Damage = 8
Pylia casts Shield of Faith (+2 AC) onto Sylvia.

The trog boss moves up the stairs, shouting something in his language while readying for your approach!

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia looked to Pylia gratefully as she laid her hand on her shoulder, silently thanking her for the protection. She looked back to the trog boss, and she answered Pylia, "Will do! Let's get him!" She then charged forwards and attempted to strike the beast with her quarterstaff before attempting to kick the beast and send him tumbling down the stairs.

Sylvia's turn

Sylvia moves into melee with the big guy.

Quarterstaff Attack to hit: 15
Unarmed Strike to hit: 11

Quarterstaff Damage: 7
Unarmed Damage: 5

[Lucius Cypher]

As you rushed towards the big trog, he spay out a blast of acid from his mouth. It was disgusting and painful as the toxic chemicals burned through your clothing and your skin, though fortunately you managed to avoid the bulk of the blast and only ended up getting some of it on your shoulder. Your staff struck him square in the jaw before he got a chance to pull back, however your follow up kick was quickly blocked by his sword. He snarled at you as he called his minions forward, who began to swarm both you and your party members. A few rushed the walls, climbing up to try and attack Buddy and Shortfang. Buddy tried to take a swipe at one but missed as the creature recoiled, still burning from your alchemist fire. Three more came to assist their leader, trying to surround you.

Things weren't looking good for the party, but when did it ever? Right after Buddy missed his attack, Shortfang aimed his crossbow right into the face of the Trog still climbing the wall, releasing a bolt into it's eye and causing the creature to tumble to his death. Just as another trog cleared the wall and was getting ready to attack Shortfang, he drew his shortsword and quickly stabbed the monster through the stomach, his blade coming out the back. "Don't think Shortfang don't see you! You die too!" Buddy took a swing at one of the trogs that managed to get around him, however the beast ducked underneath the blow. His friend wasn't so lucky; Buddy's pommel dug into the trog's leg, causing a bleeding wound as the creature just got into position to attack.

Seeing your surrounded, Pylia rushed to be by your side. One of the trogs tried to grab her, however she batted his attack away while she smashed her club right into the skull of a trog that managed to run behind you, one that Shortfang had already shot. This killed the trog and gave you an opening as the trog boss opened up his attack on you. His swung his sword twice with great swiftness, his first strike aimed at your staff. With a single powerful blow he sundered your staff in half, rendering it into two useless sticks, while his follow up slash went from your hip to your shoulder, right across the body. Or it would have, had you not flinched back at just the right moment, causing his sword to merely cut through one of your sleeves and fail to touch flesh. He tries to follow up with a bite attack, however he misses widely, chomping empty air.

Rolls and Info

Pylia (24/24) = 22
Trog Boss (44/59) = 16
Sylvia (15/21) = 10
Trog Group 1 (A: 13/13) (B: 13/13) (C: Dead) (D: Dead) (E: 8/13) (F: 13/13) (G: 4/13)
Shortfang (26/26) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Buddy (31/31) = 6

Trog Boss's Acid Breath Attack (Dex DC 14 for half) = 13 reduced to 6.

Shortfang's Crossbow vs Trog D = 14
Crossbow Damage = 9

Shortfang's Shortsword vs Trog G = Nat 20
Crit Shortsword = 9

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Trog F = 10

Buddy's Urgrosh Stab vs Trog E = 20
Stab Damage = 5

Trog's Attack of Opportunity vs Pylia = 17

Pylia's Warclub vs Trog C = 21
Warclub Damage = 7

Trog Boss Sword vs Sylvia = 23
Sundering Damage = 13
Trog Boss Sword vs Sylvia = 24
Lucky Reroll = 13
Trog Boss Bite vs Sylvia = 7

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Maybe Sylvia should have planned out her attack much more carefully...Just being burned with acid was one thing, but now she just lost her staff, her most powerful means of offense as of now. She was now surrounded by the trogs. "Shit..." Sylvia swore under her breath as she looked at the sticks in her hands. Thankfully, Pylia was there to help her out and finish off the trog that had gone up behind her. She nodded to Pylia in thanks, before focusing on the big guy once more. She glared at him while tossing the useless sticks aside. She aimed a kick to the solar plexus before getting into a stance that would allow her to dodge attacks easily.

Sylvia's turn

Unarmed Strike to Big Trog: 11
Damage: 5

Bonus action to spend a ki point for Patient Defense.

[Lucius Cypher]

The trogs, now in position, all began to lash out at the party with claw and fangs. Pylia took a thrashing from one trog as his claws sunk deep into her arms, however she didn't lose her focus at all, managing to keep it's teeth away from her as she roared out in a vicious, bestial like language. Tossing the trog back she smashed her club right into the jaw of the beast. But unlike what usually happens, Pylia didn't merely shatter this creature's face; her warclub was charged with some strange dark energy as the trog was vaporized by some dark festering energy, leaving nothing behind but his loincloth and a coin pouch. "We're culling them one-by-one! Victory is in sight!" She shouts triumphantly as Buddy and Shortfang deal with the trogs on their end. He even commanded Syfr to go and assist you and distract the big one.

Meanwhile you were easily able to avoid the combined assault from the trog and their leader. Though they lashed out with all their fury, sometimes getting very close, they were still inches away from scratching you. However just as the biggun finished his second slash, Pylia moved in to try and attack his blindside. That's when you saw him turn his head directly to Pylia just as she had her arm raised, and he took a big bite into her arm. "GAAAAAAH!" Pylia shouted in pain as she lose concentration on her spell. You could see the protective aura that once floated around you fall, and the trog standing nearby looked towards Pylia thinking her to be an easy target now that his boss had managed to harm the priestess. It was at that moment Syfr finally arrived and tried to cover the big trog's face, creating an opening to attack him while he was distracted.

Rolls and Info

Pylia (6/24) = 22
Trog Boss (44/59) = 16
Sylvia (15/21) = 10
Trog Group 1 (A: 13/13) (B: Dead) (C: Dead) (D: Dead) (E: 2/13) (F: Dead) (G: Dead)
Shortfang (18/26) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Buddy (23/31) = 6

Trog A Claw vs Sylvia = 10/7
Trog A Claw vs Sylvia = 17/19
Trog A Bite vs Sylvia = 19/7

Trog B Claw vs Pylia = 19
Claw Damage = 6
Pylia's Concentration Check = 15
Trog B Claw vs Pylia = 21
Claw Damage = 5
Pylia's Concentration Check = 13
Trog B Bite vs Pylia = 12

Trog E Claw vs Buddy = 20
Claw Damage = 5
Trog E Claw vs Buddy = 23
Claw Damage = 3
Trog E Bite vs Buddy = 13

Trog F Claw vs Buddy = 13
Trog F Claw vs Buddy = 6
Trog F Claw vs Buddy = 16

Trog G Claw vs Shortfang = 7
Trog G Claw vs Shortfang = 23
Claw Damage = 5
Trog G Bite vs Shortfang = 21
Bite Damage = 3

Shortfang's Shortsword vs Trog G = 7/16
Shortsword Damage = 6
Shortfang Scimitar vs Trog F = 12/21
Scimitar Damage = 3

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Trog F = 15
Urgrosh Damage = 11
Buddy's Urgrosh Stab = 19
Stab Damage = 6

Pylia's Inflict Wounds vs Trog B = 14
Inflict Wounds Damage = 24

Trog Boss Sword vs Sylvia = 13/10
Trog Boss Sword vs Sylvia = 17/18
Trog Boss Bite vs Pylia = 22
Bite Damage = 7
Pylia's Concentration Check = 7

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was surprised to hear Pylia shout in some bestial language and then just vaporize the thing with her club with dark energy. She focused on dodging the attacks, but when Pylia had her arm bitten and she shouted in pain, she called out her name in worry and concern "PYLIA!!!"

She could see that the trogs thought that Pylia was an easier target now, and that Syfr had come in to distract the bigger trog. She shouted at both of the trogs, "YOU LEAVE PYLIA ALONE!" She then decided to make herself look like the threat, and took the opportunity Syfr was giving her. She channeled her ki again, and struck the larger trog, not once, not twice, but three times. Each strike was aimed at the face, the legs, and solar plexus once more. She hoped that not only would she get their attention and be able to protect Pylia, but also that Shortfang and Buddy would hear and they would come to help...soon.

Sylvia's Turn

Sylvia uses her action to do an unarmed strike, and her bonus action to use a ki point for Flurry of Blows on the Trog boss.

Unarmed Strike 1: 22
Advantage: 11
Damage: 6

Unarmed Strike 2: 6
Advantage: 24
Damage: 5

Unarmed Strike 3: 14
Advantage: 11
Damage: 4

[Lucius Cypher]

All three of your blows struck their mark on the beast of a trog, causing the beast to spit out blood as your strikes leave notable wounds on his body and forcing him to let go of Pylia. The trog tried to continue attacking Pylia, however even as wounded as she was she was able to fend off the monster with her shield, pushing him away from her so she could get some breathing space. Shortfang and Buddy make quick work of the last trog they were fighting, with Shortfang sliding in with his crossbow in hand and send a bolt that tore through the bigger trog's shoulder. "Shortfang here! No fear!" Meanwhile Buddy slowly walked up towards the two trogolodytes, letting go of his urgrosh to point towards the two monsters. He said nothing, and he didn't seem to be doing anything, yet this simple act seemed to cause the two troglodytes shake in fear as the robot menaced them.

While the Trog was distracted by Buddy's intimidating presence, Pylia raised her club over her head and smashed it into the back of his head, staggering the monster. Panting she quickly took out one of her healing potions and drank it down, just in time as the bigger Troglodyte slashed his sword at her, cutting Pylia across the cheek. He tried to follow it up with another slash, however Pylia easily managed to parry this blow. Stepping back, the bigger trog then took a sudden bite at you, however in doing so he saw Buddy, and that caused the bite to go off course and snap right above your head, leaving his throat exposed. Meanwhile Syfr flew right in front of the trog boss's face, cawing and swinging his talons at the monster's face to distract him.

Rolls and Info

Pylia (8/24) = 22
Trog Boss (27/59) = 16
Sylvia (15/21) = 10
Trog Group 1 (A: 5/13) (B: Dead) (C: Dead) (D: Dead) (E: Dead) (F: Dead) (G: Dead)
Shortfang (18/26) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Buddy (23/31) = 6

Trog A Claw vs Pylia = 7
Trog A Claw vs Pylia = 7
Trog A Bite vs Pylia = 7

Trog E Claw vs Shortfang = 7
Trog E Claw vs Shortfang = 7
Trog E Bite vs Shortfang = 7

Shortfang's Shortsword vs Trog E = 20/18
Shortsword Damage = 7

Shortfang's Hand Crossbow vs Trog Boss = 16/19
Crossbow Damage = 2

Trog Boss Wisdom Save vs Buddy's Conquering Presence = 10
Trog Wisdom Save vs Buddy's Conquering Presence = 3

Pylia's Warclub bs Trog A = 19
Warclub Damage = 8
Potion of Healing = 10

Trog Boss Sword vs Pylia = 20/22
Sword Damage = 8
Trog Boss Sword vs Pylia = 23/13
Trog Bite Bite vs Sylvia = 11/25
Wisdom Save vs Conquering Presence = 7

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was glad that Shortfang and Buddy were able to join the fray against the bigger trog. Now they were going to win for sure! She was still worried for Pylia, but thankfully she downed a healing potion. She wasn't sure what Buddy did, but she could see that whatever he did, the trogs were afraid of him now, even the big one! And that fear gave her the chance to strike. She first struck the bottom of the jaw with the heel of her palm, before striking the trog's nerves in the neck again, just as she had done so with the leading Iron Hammer Bandit before.

Sylvia's Turn

Using her action to make an unarmed strike to the big trog, and the bonus action to make another unarmed strike.

Unarmed Strike 1: 15
Advantage: 7
Damage: 5

Unarmed Strike 2: 24
Advantage: 7
Damage: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

Your blows caused the biggest trog to stumble, the wounds he sustained were starting to overcome him, as well as the fear he was feeling from Buddy's presence. However right after you struck him, the other trog managed to scratch you with his claws, though compared to everything else it was minor damage, and you avoided the rest of his onslaught with ease. With a bolt to the neck followed by a sword through the ear, Shortfang took down that trog and pulled him away from you, just as Buddy walked over to the the kneeling trog. He looked to you with a nod before his weapon was filled with a radiant energy, and he smashed his axe right into the upper chest of the troglodyte boss, cleaving his sword arm clean off and tearing a considerable amount of his flesh as well, tossing the body down the staircase. With all of the troglodytes killed, the battle was over, but there was still much work to be done.

Pylia picked up her club as she stitched up her arm. "Ugh... I'd like to treat our wounds, but Green Eyes over there looks worse than us! We have to check on him fast!"

Rolls and Info

Pylia (8/24) = 22
Trog Boss (-5/59) = 16
Sylvia (12/21) = 10
Trog Group 1 (A: Dead) (B: Dead) (C: Dead) (D: Dead) (E: Dead) (F: Dead) (G: Dead)
Shortfang (18/26) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Buddy (23/31) = 6

Trog A Claw vs Sylvia = 6/11
Trog A Claw vs Sylvia = 18/18
Claw Damage = 3
Trog A Bite vs Sylvia = 14/12

Shortfang's Hand Crossbow vs Trog A = 24/17
Crossbow Damage = 4
Shortfang's Off-hand Shortsword = 16/Nat 20
Crit Shortsword = 4

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Trog Boss = 24
Urgrosh Damage + Lvl 1 Smite = 21

Combat is over!

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia caught her breath after the battle ended. She nodded a thanks to Buddy after he finished off the trog boss. When Pylia made her comment, she answered Pylia, "I agree! And I don't think that sewage around him is helping at all!" She then activated her Satyr Stance so that she can easily make her way through it and she said to Pylia, "I can give him the root that'll make him sleepy and try and lead him over to you so you can heal him..."

She then realized something and she asked Pylia, "Unless...you think making him sleepy would increase his chances of dying?"

[Lucius Cypher]

Pylia gritted her teeth. "It's a possibility. The medicine would sedate him if he was furious, but right now he's wounded. I can treat the wounds so he's stabilized, but... But we'll need to use magic to heal him, and even then afterwards there's no guarantee he'll be calm with us, considering that he was dying moments ago." Pylia gets to work preventing Green Eyes from bleeding out, carefully removing the spears as to not aggravate his wounds and apply some medicine onto his body which would help heal the healing process, though it would take time they might not have. Shortfang stepped up. "Shortfang still have one goodberry. That heal Green Eyes right? And Shortfang kinda know how riders control sewer dragons! Use meat! We use trog meat, show Green Eyes we friendly, is good, then we no need sleepy medicine, yeah?" Buddy examined Green Eyes as well, writing a quick note for everyone. "I can heal him."

Rolls and Info

Pylia (8/24)
Sylvia (12/21)
Shortfang (18/26) | Syfr (1/1)
Buddy (23/31)

Pylia's medicine check = 13

Shortfang's Animal Handling = 11

Buddy's Animal handling = 10

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia listened to everyone and she answered them, "We can try that," She was surprised to see what Buddy wrote, and she answered "Really? Cool, ok then!" She then told everyone with a plan in mind, "OK, let's try this. Pylia, Buddy, you guys heal Green Eyes. Shortfang, you and I can try and use the trog meat to show Green Eyes that we're friends and get him to come back with us," She then got to work, using her hunting knife from Cassari to get some meat from the dead trog's bodies for her and Shortfang for Green Eyes.

[Lucius Cypher]

Everyone quickly got to work preparing to help Green Eyes. Pylia and Buddy were in position to heal Green Eyes, pulling him out of the sewage water. You and Shortfang chopped up the bigger trog into crocodile sized meat chunks. Shortfang also procured that sword the trog boss used. "Could be important!" Shortfang explained. Once you had all the items together, Pylia and Buddy healed the corocdile with their magic. The results were... Messy.

Almost immediately Green Eyes started flailing around, forcing Pylia and Buddy to back away. He fortunately didn't seem to try and attack you all, however he was backing off towards the water again. Shortfang picked up a piece of meat and tried to get his attention; there was no guarantee that Green Eyes would go back to the Sewer Dragons on his own without them. So Shortfang tossed the meat in front of Green Eyes, and with your help you and Shortfang create a large enough pile that it would distract Green Eyes and allow him to eat in relative peace. But now was the hard part.

"Okay so... We gotta take Green Eyes back to Sewer Dragon. But uh... Dunno how. Shortfang no Dragon Rider. Maybe... Maybe we give food?" Pylia looked over to the trog corpse and shook her head. "Even if we use every bit of trog meat, there's no way he'll fit through some of the halls we had to take getting here. He has to swim out, but the question is could we track him down after he leaves?" Buddy writes his thoughts out as "Ride him?" Almost as if he thinks that's possible. Shortfang was very hesitant. "Shortfang no rider... Not sure if Green Eyes want to..."

Rolls and Info

Pylia (8/24)
Sylvia (12/21)
Shortfang (18/26) | Syfr (1/1)
Buddy (23/31)

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia shook her head and she commented, "I'm not sure if any of us riding on Green Eyes is a good idea right now," She took a few good moments to think about what to do. She asked her friends, "What if...two of us followed Green Eyes, and the other two headed back the way we came. The two who follow Green Eyes can leave a breadcrumb trail and we can communicate with each other with Syfr and Shortfang's telepathy trick, and with that we can meet up again and hopefully have a better chance of getting Green Eyes to go back to the Sewer Dragons..."

She then wondered, "Or...do you think Green Eyes would go back to the Sewer Dragons on his own...?"

She had no idea and she was trying to figure this out just as much as her friends were.

[Lucius Cypher]

The group was having a hard time thinking of an idea, and with Green Eyes quickly eating his food they wouldn't have much time to think. They'd have to go with your plan for now. "Okay, Syfr follow Green Eyes." Shortfang says as he takes out some of his rations, which included actual hardtack bread. "Syfr leave bread crumbs! I climb Buddy, we follow. Take meat! Lure Green Eye to Swamp Dragon, and dragon riders can take care. Good plan yeah?" Pylia looked to Shortfang and shrugged. "It's... Risky, but that's all we can rely on for now. I just hope we can get back safely. I'm only good for one more spell and I'm saving that for emergency healing." As Pylia says this, she goes over to you and lifts one of your tattered robing up, using her magic to fix it. "Are we ready?"