A Monstrous Night Below IC

[JNAProductions]

"Just stand down!" Celia implores, as her daggers continue to snicker-snack, this time with some effect.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid is afraid that the farmer may not be bluffing. He might be able to kill both Sundew and Calia.

“Your behavior is exasperating, but we will vanquish you.”

He casts the same spell he did before, waving the small thin leg bone as a wand.

“Hawaken!”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Uh oh, I don't think either Celia or Sundew took any healing spells.

Action:cast chill touch (1d20+6)[7], for (1d8)[5]
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement: stays in the air
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

The man's hardiness proves once again hard to overcome. However, with blood flowing from his knife wound and his weapon still... a farm implement, he scowls and throws it on the ground.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

We are out of initiative.
It may behoove someone to make a medicine check of some kind.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid looks down on the farmer, his wand still pointed directly at him.

"Abandon this locality, and tergiversate your position in this situation as you abdicate...Run away"

Assuming the farmer is not too close, Xorgid flies down to help Sundew and looks to Celia, "Please aggregate the arrows from the unconscious marauders so they will be ineffectual at perforating us with their projectiles when they subsequently reanimate."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Medicine: (1d20)[18]

Action:stabilize Sundew
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement: flies to Sundew
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

The clobbered Sundew lies on the ground, their be-arrowed leg deflated and oozing, their head left deformed by their blow to the head.

As Xorgid might put it, the amorphous physiology of a mimic affords its prospective physician an unusual freedom of tissue manipulation; one can practically invert its deep and superficial features and expect the patient to survive the process, assuming naturally that it is sufficiently sedated and anaesthetized.

As Sundew would put it, it hurts and it sucks, but we can probably deal with it.

Spoiler

Show

I still need to roll 2 death saves, right? I am scared because the army of natural 1s remains a threat, but here goes:

(1d20)[1]
(1d20)[8]

Edit: I always forget that my phone will not let me type single nor double quotes without throwing in random escape characters.

[Xihirli]

As Xorgid flies down to his dying friend, Carlanis runs for it, sprinting west.
Xorgid feels the amorphous mass losing its life and stilling, but his acute knowledge of physiology guides him in stemming "bleeding" in the ranger. There’s a close call, and for a second it seems like Sundew is lost… before they draw one labored breath.
Relief floods their friends, though Sundew remains unconscious.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

They will wake up in (1d4)[3] hours.

[JNAProductions]

"Air and night, is he okay?" Celia asks Xorgid. "I can help, if you need me to-but we should probably disarm those archers before they awaken too."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

If Xorgid needs no help (which I don't think he should) Celia will rush to the archers to disarm them.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Once Sundew is stabilized, Xorgid flies over to the sleeping archers to help Celia collect their weapons. After the weapons are collected, he then draws his dagger and waits for Celia.

"We should exterminate one of these transgressors, and then interrogate the supplementary one."

If Celia agrees, he'll attack the same one as her with his dagger.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

: Attack: (1d20+5)[17], Advantage: (1d20+5)[24], Damage with auto crit (2d4+3)[7]

Action: wait for Celia, then attack at the same time
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object: take weapons from sleeping archers
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[JNAProductions]

"No! We don't know why they attacked, who they are, or anything like that!" she says. "If we have time, we can bind them, but I don't want anyone to die if we can avoid it."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid puts his dagger away without stabbing the archer. While he cares little for these men who attacked us, and calculates that we would be safer if one of them were dead, he has learned to trust Celia's judgement on these matters. He knows she is kind and good, so he likes to follow her lead.

"I acquiesce to your assessment of the situation."

Instead, he collects their bows, arrows, and any other weapons they have, then flies over and picks up the farmer's tool, and carries all of the weapons into the forest to hide them.

"I will assemble their weapons, while you restrain the prisoners."

If there is time, he looks for the poison they used, and gives it to Celia.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

:

Action: collect weapons
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement: to farmer's tool and then the woods
Object: take weapons from sleeping archers
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

It’s right about then, as Xorgid is flying away with their weapons but no poison, that the two archers start awake.
Celia was not a particularly intimidating figure, when it came down to it.
But with their weapons gone, and Celia’s daggers (and speed) fairly visible, neither archer made an attempt to run.

"They’re going to torture us," one said. "And bring us to their Devil leader."
"They’re fey, fool. They’re going to serve us live to the Baba, since our meat tastes better that way."

[JNAProductions]

"So, ah, good news! Neither of those," Celia says. "We're actually here to deliver a package, and just happened upon this altercation. We are NOT going to eat you, or sell your souls, or anything like that!" She smiles at them. "If you want to tell us why you and those farmers have a beef with one another, maybe we can figure out a way to resolve this without bloodshed. I doubt it'll be easy, but we can at least try."

"Oh, also!" she adds. "Do you have an antidote for that poison you use? Might help get Sundew back up."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid hangs their bows and quivers high in the nearby trees, keeping en eye out below in case Celia needs help. Once the weapons are secure, he floats over and lands a short distance away from the trio.

"We intended no endangerment upon our arrival, so why did you assault us? Why did the farmer only want me to surrender?"

He still holds his wand in his hand, ready to use it if needed.

"Cooperate and you will survive. But if I have to debilitate you again, this time I'll exterminate you in your sleep."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

:

Action: stow weapons on branches
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement: back to the ground
Object: stow weapons
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

"Do your worst, you’re just the monsters Carlanis warned us about!"
"I am not with him, I’ll tell you everything. Do your worst to him please."
"Coward!"
"So," the archer who thought you were devils and missed explains, "This was a trap set for you. Carlanis wanted us to pretend to be bandits, then you’d move next to him and his disguised soldiers to join against your common enemy, and BAM! He’d strike."
"He told us all about your horrible tricks, monsters!" The more resolute archer insists.
"How you’re coming to terrorize Haranshire and feed us all to your hideous mistress."
"I definitely heard they were devils."
"Ridiculous, look at this one! Does she look like a devil to you?"
"The flying one does!"

[JNAProductions]

"Nah, Xorgid's not a devil. Totally different plane," Celia comments. "We're not here to cause any harm though! We were hired to deliver a chest to Tauster, in Thurmaster. I know we look a little... Er, odd, let's say! But we're really not here to hurt anyone."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid slightly lowers his wand, still annoyed that these men attacked us.

"Is Carlanis your boss? Why did he want just me? We are not here to terrorize anyone, and I am not a devil. I am an aberration fashioned on the astral plane to acquire information for omnipotent celestials. Alas, one of them tired of me and banished me here. I worship Oghma, the god of knowledge, and mean you no violence."

He attempts to smile at the men but it doesn't do much for his appearance, so he resumes his usual scowl.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

:

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

"What do you mean, he wanted just you?" The mean one challenges.
"Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about. And not just because of the big words."
"I still think you're here to kill us all."
"I am not with him. Please let me go," the friendly one requests.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid grows a little impatient with the prisoners. His wings start to flutter and he lets out a small huff, shaking his head since he thinks the prisoners are holding back some important information.

"Carlanis demanded that I surrender, but made no such appeal of my friends. Why? Who does he work for? We will release you both once you have cooperated and told us the truth."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Insight (1d20+2)[18]

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

They don't know what you're talking about, and I believe were asleep during the events you're describing.

"First I've heard of this," the friendly one says.
"Maybe just because you could fly away, and your friends couldn't?" The grumpy one suggests.

[JNAProductions]

Celia sighs. "We will let you up, if you promise to not attack us or run away. All we want to do, right now, is deliver a chest to some wizard in Thurmaster. And make sure Sundew gets the attention he needs."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid is still frustrated that the prisoners refuse to answer his questions. He forces himself to think about his words and not just use the ones he learned from books, but try to model his language after Celia and Sundew. He speaks slowly as he picks his words carefully.

"Until you inform us why you attacked us, we can't release you. Otherwise, I believe you will gather your friends and attack us again. Who does Carlanis work for? Why did you attack us?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

"I told you! Carlanis told us you were a band of invading monsters!" Friendly insists.
"What do you mean, who is he working for? Why would he have to be working for anyone?"

Spoiler: With your 18 Insight

Show

Carlanis seems to have kept everything on a very strict need-to-know basis.
These guys just don’t need to know a lot.

"I know where we stashed our supplies and stuff! We have more poison if you want it!"

[JNAProductions]

Ever-optimistic, Celia says "Take us to Carlanis. We'll talk to him, and clear up the misunderstanding, okay?"

"These folk probably aren't the only ones who are afraid," she says to the others, turning to face them. "If we can clear up misconceptions with their... Leader, I guess? Voice of authority? Trusted elder? I think it'd go a long way towards making sure we can move safely."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid nods his head as Celia talks to the prisoners.

"Yes. We should talk to Carlanis. But maybe we should wait until tomorrow to give Sundew time to recuperate. He is alive, but in no condition to help us. For now, we should bind the prisoners."

He pulls out some rope, and offers it to Celia so she can tie up the two men for the night.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[JNAProductions]

"Okay," she says to Xorgid, and then turns back to the archers. "I'm going to bind your hands, but I'll leave your legs free. We shouldn't be in any danger... Okay, you shouldn't be in any danger, not so sure about us three-but just in case there's a wolf or bear or something that gets hungry and curious, I'll leave your legs free so you can at least run. We are gonna keep an eye on you."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Not gonna roll for this, unless you feel it's needed, Xi.

Celia's gonna take her time and thoroughly bind their hands, but as mentioned, leaving their legs free.

Edit: And I'm good to wait the three hours for Sundew to wake up and let Dr. Guns continue playing. :P

[Xihirli]

"I don't... know where he's going," the friendly one says.
"Did he leave?" The other asks, as the two of them were asleep during Carlanis's escape.

They don't dare try to escape as their wrists are bound, though.

[Xihirli]

Sundew awakens three hours later next to a puddle of Carlanis's blood. It smells... fishy.
The two archers are disarmed with their hands tied together, and their companions have found their stash of items. Sundew feels horrible, but at least alive.

Spoiler: Loot

Show

In the stash, there are 5 days' rations, some backpacks, seven silver coins, and two vials of poison that deal 2d8 poison damage on a DC 14 CON save, injury.

[JNAProductions]

During the wait, Celia has been alternating between chatting to the friendly prisoner, pacing around, and standing anxiously near Sundew. She's in the midst of the first when Sundew finally awakens. "Er, sorry! Friend in need!" she tells the archer, and scoots next to Sundew. "How do you feel? You doing alright? Anything bleeding? Internal pain?"

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

"Blurgh." Sundew stirs and tries to sit up. "'ve felt better. Not sure why I'm smelling fish? How 'bout you two? 'd you get the other guy?"

They roll their shoulders in an attempt to be less of a puddle, and then tentatively try to stand up, but their left 'pod is just not cooperating. "Nn. Sorry, that must've been a pain to stitch up. I should've known something was up. Almost feels like that trap was baited just for me."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 2 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid takes the poison, but gives the men back their food, silver, and backpack.

"Here. Keep these. We have no desire to confiscate your things. Once we have departed, you can climb the trees and gather your weapons. I believe Sundew needs further repose, but subsequently let's search for Carlanis."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I suggest a short rest for Sundew. If 2 hit dice are enough, we can press on, otherwise we may need to long rest.

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show