Tests and Trials OOC

[thinkslogically]

I'm playing Ves that she doesn't know anything that she hasn't experienced directly and fairly obviously. So no, she won't know, but I do

[Rodgeir]

If you want to all just sort through the junk pile we can skip the investigation rolls. It will take half a day to do a thorough job however and it will be dark outside before you are done. That probably doesn't matter but just so you know!

[thinkslogically]

Nah, it's just junk. I'd like Joe to take a quick look at it, but there's no point wasting time on mouldy crap right now, especially if this place isn't safe yet (based on the runes and recent activity)

[NotStickFigures]

Jaq won't be so quick to dismiss going through the stuff...he wants at least a few baubles from ruins to take home.

[Arch Lich Burns]

True, while Joe is ritually casting comprehend languages she can check and see if there are magic items and point them out.

[spiderwrangler]

She'd have to do that first. Or recast it and do it after. Besides difficulty in not interrupting ritual to point out magic, casting a ritual spell takes concentration, so would lose detect.

[Dlover]

I suppose we might as well dig around for the ten minutes it takes to cast the ritual, at least.

Edit: AGAIN I read and respond to one of OOC or IC when the other was what I needed to read first. >.>

[NotStickFigures]

If we can all get back to the room opposite the bone alter...the empty room, we can all get attacks in and won't be stuck in the hallway. Any better thoughts?

[Dlover]

Seems wise. Firing past an ally imposes some form of cover, right? If it were a swarm then I'd say use the narrow hallway to our advantage, but since it's just two and one big one it would be better to make use of the room.

[Rodgeir]

It does provide cover, how much depends on angle.

[thinkslogically]

Yeah, let's fall back and use the doorway as a choke point.

[Rodgeir]

After tomorrow I am going to be in and around Budapest and Vienna so I won't be able to update the map and will probably be slower to update. Probably not going to be a problem though!

[NotStickFigures]

Dlover, I am assuming that maybe the big shadow is far too strong for Lurn to be able to turn it??
Rodgier, how close is the big shadow to the doorways of the adjoining rooms?

[Dlover]

Oh shit, I forgot my Channel Divinity refreshed on a short rest. So, the question becomes: Do we want to force it to flee until someone hits it, or do we want to give it Vulnerability to one hit?

Turn Undead would make it flee at full speed for ten turns - assuming it *is* undead and fails a DC 15 will save - or until it gets hit, which would temporarily drive it back. The alternative is one hit is treated as though the thing has Vulnerability to all its damage, which may or may not override weaknesses or immunities.

One bigger hit may not be enough, whereas Turn Undead ends when we hit it... So, here's an idea. We keep going with the fighting retreat, and when we get as far as Triss can go I use Turn Undead, spend a bunch of turns forcing it back, and then fighting retreat again. What do we think?

[spiderwrangler]

Kroshav isn't much help either way, I don't think I have ANYTHING in the tank, am currently only working with +1 STR modifier, and have only 3HP. Were he up and functional, a divine smite off of a Path to the Grave might be in order, but as it stands, I think the best damage output for that is if Jaq can land a sneak attack on it with his bow? Possibly one of Ves's radiant beams?

[Dlover]

Yeah, that's another thing. We don't have any super attacks that I can buff up. If it negates resistance or immunity it'd be quadrupling damage or just making it effective, but it's still just one hit. If we can manage ranged attacks and slowing it down the idea of delaying as long as we can and then using Turn Undead to push it back as far as possible would basically give us an extra ten turns before it overwhelms the space Triss can stand in, so we can get a good few extra attacks in after that. Even if all of our front fighters are put out of commission like Kroshav, the extra turns for our ranged fighters may help.

And Spider, it only drained your Strength, right? How's Kroshav's Dex? Could get the light crossbow from Jolly. 1d8+Dex damage, and Piercing seems to work well, since Jaq's attacks are effective.

But y'know what would be *really* effective right now? Magic Stone. If we survive this, Magic Adept for that and Shillelagh are sounding more and more appealing. I mean, cantrip options for producing Magical weapons for range or melee? That sounds real nice right about now.

[spiderwrangler]

Dex is 10. He's a big beefy boy, not going to be doing much acrobatics or stealthiness.

[Dlover]

Welp, you're still better with your Javelins, then, I suppose... Or do those use dex too? Ah well.

[spiderwrangler]

Javelins are strength. Better chance to hit, and damage averages out to the same vs switching for crossbow. Only benefit to crossbow is range.

[Rodgeir]

Rodgier, how close is the big shadow to the doorways of the adjoining rooms?

20 ft to reach the rooms.

@Dlover Lurn knows that shadows are undead but this isn't exactly a textbook shadow though it seems very similar in most ways.

[Dlover]

It's entirely possible that this is some sort of magical darkness instead of an undead, yeah. Hell, I don't know for sure what the big one is, I'm just guessing it's like some agglomeration of Shadows. But our best chance is hoping that it is an undead.

Then again, it's showing signs of damage, so maybe thing's aren't so bad. Path To the Grave works on any creature, so pairing that with... Probably either Ves or Joe's attack? That could do pretty well.

[Rodgeir]

Oh and everyone is level 4.

I wrote it but never hit submit I guess. Roll me some HP, same as last time roll or the average.

[Dlover]

Lurn level 4 HP: 1D8+5 = [2]+5 = 7 6
Absolutely hit the wrong button, it's +4 instead of +5. Also, ouch, rough roll. So I guess I'm only getting the 5 average +4 to 9.

Hitting level 4, Lurn gets one more level 2 spell slot, and learns a new cantrip. Then there's the ability increase or feat... I'm leaning toward Magic Initiate, but it's something I'll have to consider. Same for the cantrip, I'll have to consider it.

At the moment, I'm thinking of taking my new cantrip as either Resistance or Sacred Flame. Resistance would up my buffing potential, but Sacred Flame offers me an attack that doesn't have a wisdom save (even though it does have a dex save), and means I have attack cantrips for both Necrotic and Radiant damage.

Now, thing is, if I take Magic Initiate and pick up Shillelagh and Magic Stone, they'd both give me alternative damage types too. Which is why I'm not just thinking Sacred Flame is the straight up best option. Any thoughts?

Apart from that, gaining a level gives me an extra space for a prepared spell. If only I had the items I'd consider Augury to get some info on delving into this place, but since I lack those... I don't know. Sanctuary, maybe? Anyone know of useful first or second level cleric spells?

[Rodgeir]

Oh, and let me know ASI or feat (no Magic the gathering or Unearthed arcana).

[NotStickFigures]

Hit point level 4: 1D8 = [3] = 3
So, 5HP for average.

Heh, and I see my sneak attack should have been 2d6 for all of level 3 already. I had forgotten that and been shorting myself. Now I'll remember. Maybe.

I'll have to do the rest when I get home and in front of books, but I think all I might get at 4th level is ASI.