[5e] Fighting some wizards in Athkatla

[J-H]

PCs

Pyrophilios:
Praiodan Lowanger, Vengeance Paladin
Phexian Lowanger, Swashbuckler
Igordragonian:
Skroog Bronzehorn, Creation Bard
Hergolla Bronzehorn, Life Cleric

[J-H]

Welcome!
Please go ahead and decide which party roles the two of you want to fill. Each of you will be making and running 2 4th level characters in a stereotypical D&D band of four (arcanist, beatstick, skilled, healer-ish). This could be a warlock, paladin, rogue, and druid, or a wizard, fighter, rogue, and cleric, or whatever, as long as it reflects the generally accepted adventuring party approach.

4th level
27 point buy
PHB races, no drow, vuman, tiefling, or dragonborn. No Tasha's optional race rules.
Feats are OK.
PHB/XGTE/Tasha's subclasses and spells are all fine.
Start with any mundane gear you'd like (including full plate), a +1 something for each character (ring/armor/weapon), and two uncommon items subject to approval (if you dump Str and grab gauntlets of Ogre Power, that would not be approved).

Since we're not using DND beyond, a couple of houserules:
1) Hexblade medium armor proficiency, as well as CHA to-hit and damage with the Blade pact weapon, move from the Hexblade patron to the Blade pact boon.
Blade pact gains proficiency with ONE martial melee weapon only. This makes Blade boon viable for non-Hexblade patrons, and moves any CHA-dependent dips to requiring 3 levels instead of 1.
Hexblade is still the only Warlock with native access to martial weapons (versatility) or shields.
2) Sorcerers get 2 thematically appropriate spells known added to their list automatically, at spell levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as with Aberrant Mind and Clockwork subclasses.
3) Rangers get their Proficiency Bonus added to damage rolls against their favored enemies, starting at level 1. The level 20 capstone applies to all attack rolls against their favored enemies, not just once per turn.
4) If you go to 0 or get insta-killed (bypassing 0 hp) and raised, you gain 1 level of exhaustion.
5) Berserker barbarians get Frenzy once per day with no consequence; the exhaustion penalties only get added with a 2nd and beyond Frenzy.
6) Eldritch Knights may change the Evocation school out for one other school of their choice. (Notable picks: Necromancy for debuffs, Illusion for miss chances, Transmutation for self-buffs)



I think that's it. I have to head out for work and won't be back until some time this evening to answer questions if I overlooked anything important, sorry.

[J-H]

Magic items for igor

Bard, Skroog
Instrument of the Bards, Fochlucan Bandore or Mac-fuirmidh cittern, you pick.
Wand of Magic Missiles, 7 charges
Cleric, Hergolla
Stone of Good Luck
Gem of Brightness

You can swap the wand and luckstone between the characters if you'd like.

[J-H]

Rayic Geythras

The scenario:
You have been tasked with killing a Cowled Wizard, Rayic Geythras. His normal home is a warded against scrying, but he is has been staying, at times, in home in the Docks district. Since this is a temporary residence as part of his investigation, it is less well-protected. It's a townhome-type structure, tall and narrow, backing up to a cliffside, and adjacent to two structures the party will not have access to. There are windows on each floor. There's a small front courtyard with a 7' stone wall and wooden gate. The gate seems to need repair, as he's been leaving it open when home.

The windows are all locked, with no exterior lock to pick, and have curtains on the inside. You could break them open or cut the glass, but it might be noisy. You do have a magic license, and may cast arcane magic within the city without drawing undue attention - as long as you're not fireballing random passers-by, of course.

You could strike while he is entering, leaving, or elsewhere, but doing so would likely bring in the city guard or Cowled Wizard reinforcements, so you've already decided to attack him in this residence.

It's mid-afternoon in the docks district of Athkatla. You can hear the grunts and clatters of stevedores offloading ships at the oceanside below, but you're a level or two up and away from the warehouses. There's light foot traffic as the four of you approach his house, but nothing that appears suspicious.

What do you do?
=> Party

[Pyrophilios]

Phexian took a hard look at the house: "Do you think we could just talk our way in? I mean, Praiodan still has his watch insignia. Make up some pretext to enter the house and distract him. Bam, Skroog hits him with that Laughter Spell, I start stabbing him, Praiodan lobbs his head off and Hergolla makes sure the whole thing is silenced and he can't get any spells in.
Sounds like a plan, eh?"

[igordragonian]

Skroog
'Barnacles on rotten pines! That might work! No fuss no trouble at all! Not worth even a song, damn Thautam.' he said with an excitment.

The ginger lady,
Herloga.
'Aye, and if the laughter spell thing won't work I will hold the poor bastard. Do you need my blessing, or ah better keep it to a moment of true need?'

[Pyrophilios]

The tall half-elven paladin replied: "Thank you, your blessing is very welcome. Be ready though for when all this goes sideways."

With that, Praiodan stepped forward to the front gate and from there to the front door and knocked, holding out his badge.

[igordragonian]

The dwarves have followed.
Skroog ready to add his charms for deception if needed.
Herloga hanging in the back, waiting for the action

[J-H]

A small panel in the door at about head height slides to the side. Behind it, you see a small, bluish-white face with large eyes and an extremely long nose. It seems to be bobbing up and down, perhaps flying. A high-pitched voice speaks.

"No, no visitors right now. Master Geythras is working! Leave a note in the mailbox."

Spoiler: Arcana DC 12

Show

If you pass this check, you're pretty sure it's an ice mephit.

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

Arcana
(1d20)[5]

Persuation+Bless
(1d20)[18]+5+(1d4)[1]

Praiodan presented his badge: "Your master quite certainly should receive us. I am from the city watch and I have important business with him. So open this door at once or I shall bloody well break it down."

[J-H]

The person on the other side of the door wrinkles its nose in an ugly and child-like sneer. "City watch? You watch cities? You tell people the time? Master says no open door without important words which you have not said."

It gives a shrill whistle, and another face, this one brown and vaguely dirty-looking, appears next to the first. "Trouble? Do we gets to do something besides cook and clean?"

[Pyrophilios]

"Open the door!"

This time, Praiodan put holy fervor into his voice, compelling the creature to open the door, targeting the newly arived grotesque.

Spoiler

Show

Casting Command

Wisdom save DC 13

[igordragonian]

(Do you think perfomance of creation could create a key?)

[J-H]

"Okay okay okay." The brown creature flies out of sight for a moment and you hear a loud click. The door slowly swings open, revealing a 30'x30' room, with stairs going up in the left rear (northwest) corner. A table is near the middle of the room, with most other furniture around the edges, including a china hutch, cloak rack, small water pool of some sort, and a kitchen area.

Occupying the room are six small creatures, each maybe the size of a halfling, flying on rapidly-fluttering wings. They are mephits, small elementals often bound as servants. Each is a different color and kind. The white one is in the process of smacking the dusty one, while the others are flying towards the door.

"Hey, who you?"
"Why let in?"

[Pyrophilios]

"We are here to speak to your master. Stay out of our way or reap the consequences."
Praiodan stepped into the house, before the creatures could close the door again, giving his brother the chance to slip in as well.

Unless attacked, Praiodan made his way towards the stairs, while his brother kept the door open for the other two to enter as well.

[igordragonian]

"Don'chya worry. Just a little chat'
Skroog say with soothing tone, and then start to play the pipes.

"D'a lads here, are quite inpatient. So let's just move along.."

[J-H]

Roll initiative :)

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

Initiative
Praiodan [roll]1d20[roll]
Phexian (1d20+4)[18]

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

Praiodan
(1d20)[15]

And while I'm at it, I can roll any attacks as well

Praiodan with his greatsword
(1d20)[18]+7, damage (2d6)[5]+5, if crit (2d6)[6]

Phexian with rapier
(1d20)[15]+7, damage (1d8)[5]+(2d6)[2]+5, if crit (2d6)[6]+(1d8)[3]

When the Attack came, Praiodan was ready. With a swift motion, he drew his sword and swung it at the closest opponent.

His brother had his rapier out as well and attacked the next available creature there he could hit a vulnerable spot.

[igordragonian]

Skroog release his bagpipes , looking at one of the mephits and laugh.

"Your Breath would put an otyugh off it's breakfast!!"

Herloga lift the burning needle symbol of her goddess.
"Feel my flames of love!"
-----

Spoiler: Intative and attacks

Show

Skroog's Intative-
(1d20)[7](7)+2

Viciouse Mockery
Wisdom Save 12.
At failure suffer disavantage on the attack next round and (1d4)[4](4) psychic damage.
(If it make sense in intative order, he will aim at the mephit that will most likely attack after him)


Herloga's intative (1d20)[16](16)


Sacred Flame-
Dex save 13 (1d8)[2](2) radiant flame

[J-H]

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

magma mephit 21
smoke mephit 20
Phexian 18
Herloga 16
Praiodan 15
mud mephit 14 Blind until smoke mephit goes again.
steam mephit 12
ice mephit 11
Skroog
dust mephit 4

As the party begins to force its way into the room, the mephits start to react.

The magma mephit flutters towards Praoidan, then blows a cone of flame at him and Phexian, incidentally scorching the carpet.
(2d6)[8] fire damage, Dex DC 11 half.

The smoke mephit flaps its wings, launching itself above the table beore breathing a cone of smoldering ash out at the first two intruders, incidentally catching the mud mephit in the area of effect.
Dex DC 10 or blind until end of the smoke mephit's next turn.
Mud mephit (1d20+1)[2]



=> All PCs except Skroog
If you've already rolled something, the roll stands but you need to confirm your target and movement

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

Disadvantage Attackroll, should either be blinded
Praiodan (1d20)[16]+6
Phexian (1d20)[5]+6

Both attacks hit the Mud Mephit (UM) to clear up that side and use the blindness

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

Forgot to include the actual saves

Praiodan Dex Save DC 11 (1d20)[14]
Phexian Dex Save DC 11 (1d20)[8]+6

Praiodan Dex Save DC 10 (1d20)[13]
Phexian Dex Save DC 10 (1d20)[2]+6

Assuming standard Mephit HP, the combined attacks bring down the Mud Mephit before it can act.

Phexian cursed as dust got into his eyes, but together with his brother they killed the first Mephit on the left in two efficient strikes.

[igordragonian]

Hergolla would stand near the ice mephit and was atracking him.
Skroog was mocking the steam mephit.

[J-H]

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

magma mephit 21
smoke mephit 20
Phexian 18
Hergolla 16
Praiodan 15
mud mephit 14 Blind until smoke mephit goes again.
steam mephit 12
ice mephit 11
Skroog
dust mephit 4

The swashbuckler and paladin both manage to close their eyes in time to avoid being blinded by the cloud of smoke, then counter-strike.
Phexian stabs the smoke mephit for 12 damage, and Praoidan follows up with a slash for 10 more damage, slaying the smoky elemental. The creature explodes in a cloud of smoke, leaving an area heavily obscured. The cloud will last for 1 minute.

Hergolla follows them into the room, casting a spell at the Ice Mephit... Sacred Flame, Dex DC 13 negates.
IM Dex save (1d20+1)[15] to prevent 2 damage. success

The mud mephit, blinded, flaps backwards towards the wall, screeching in anger.
=> Praoidan may make an Opportunity Attack. Advantage: Target blind. Disadvantage: Standing in smoky heavily obscured cloud. Result: Straight roll.

The steam mephit flutters forward and up, blowing a cone of hot steam at Hergolla & Skroog.
(1d8)[2] fire damage.
=> Dex DC 10 negates the damage.

Just as the air seems to get hot, it cools off again, as the Ice Mephit blasts the same two with a gust of freezing-cold air.
(2d4)[5] cold damage
=> Dex DC 10 halves the damage.

Steam Mephit wis save (1d20)[18] vs DC 12 or take 4 psychic damage. success

=> Go ahead and catch up on the OA & saves, then I'll run the rest of the mephit turn.

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

Praiodan AoO:

(1d20)[3]+7, damage (2d6)[11]+5, if crit (2d6)[9]

Praiodan used the backswing to attack the rereating mephit, but caught his sword on the low ceiling and missed.

[igordragonian]

Spoiler: Saving throw

Show

Dex
Skroog- (1d20)[14](14)+4

Herlogga (1d20)[19](19)

[igordragonian]

Dex save agaibst ice mephit
-
Skroog
(1d20)[12](12)+4


Herloga
(1d20)[4](4)

"Ah don't think so lad!" Hergola say as she dodge in harmony with Skroog.
Skroog groan
"Those fart elementals take my joke too well.'
While Skorg move away,and suffer bit of cold damage(2)
Hergola face the full damage, but ignore it. For now.

Herlogga. "Well, how about mah' hammer? Would you like that?' She roar, run forward swinging her warhammer at the Steam Mephit

Spoiler: Herloga's attack

Show

Warhammer+1

[rollv]1d20[/rollv]+5


Damage?[rollv]1d8[/rollv]+3

Skroog move to behind the humans, and tell another joke but putting behind it much more arcane power:"What do you call a dock where dwarven ships tie up? A dwharf!' At the ice mephit which have hurt them.

Spoiler: Tasha's Hideouse Laughter

Show

Wis save against 12

At fail
or fall prone, becoming incapacitated and unable to stand up for the duration.

[J-H]

Spoiler: init

Show

magma mephit 21
Phexian 18
Hergolla 16
Praiodan 15
mud mephit 14 Blind until smoke mephit goes again.
steam mephit 12
ice mephit 11
Skroog
dust mephit 4

The dust mephit blasts a cloud of particles at the bard and cleric right in front of it. Dex DC 10 or blind for 1 minute, recheck at the end of each turn.
Herg (1d20)[19]
Skroog (1d20)[13]
If Hergolla fails her save, the dust mephit will back up.

The magma mephit flutters back to the stairs, then casts Heat Metal on Hergolla, whose armor begins to grow hot.
=>Praiodan and Phexian can take AOOs on the Magma mephit, but with disadvantage.
She takes (2d8)[9] fire damage, and since she can't drop her armor, has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

=>Phexian, Praoidan, Hergolla's turn.

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

Show

AoO w/disadvantage
Praiodan: (1d20)[11]/(1d20)[17]+6, damage (2d6)[9]+5, if crit (2d6)[7]
Phexian: (1d20)[19]/(1d20)[15]+6, damage (1d8)[4]+5, if crit (1d8)[4]

That should take care of the magma mephit

Actions:
Both step out of the dust cloud:
Praiodan one field to the west to corner the mud mephit,
Phexian follows the steam mephit to the west and south

Praiodan: (1d20)[7]/+6, damage (2d6)[10]+5, if crit (2d6)[3]
Phexian: (1d20)[5]/+6, damage (1d8)[3]+5+(2d6)[10], if crit (1d8)[6]+(2d6)[5]

As the magma slinging little devil tried to flee, both brothers sliced at the vile creature and brought it down midflight.
Praiodan stormed out of the cloud with a fierce expression, swinging his oversized blade at the single mephit to his right, while Phexian decided to support the bard and cleric duo at the door, though holy fervor turned out to be more successful than opportunistic backstabbing, Phexian had to admit to himself as his blade missed by inches his foe's neck.