Session XLVII : By the gods' blessings Report

General Summary

Before the Storm hits

John & Nalan's escapades

With Nalan lying stabilized but unconscious on the back of Rafael de Scorpión's horse, John decides he has no other option than attacking the rider, downing the horse swiftly with two arrows. Rafael screams you son of a bitch and calls his man to aim for the guerilla elf. John takes multiple salvos, first attempting to hide, then running down the hill downing a portion of exquisite wine and their superior healing potion. He manages to reach the outskirts of the Conflux Mountain and makes a run for the approaching army of the Ban Grond Alliance.
Meanwhile, Nalan is dragged by Rafael into the Skyward Fort and descends the dungeon stairs in the north-western roofed tower. There Rafael offers to aid his friends if he tells them where they are hiding, assuring Nalan awaits nothing but dead at the hands of the Butcher of Fezzan. Nalan refuses and spits in the magnificent curly chest hair of Rafael who starts taking his leave as he hears two very loud metal clunks descending the stairs. Gireon approaches the in rags covered Nalan asking him what his name is. Nalan responds with his name Nalan to which Gireon responds "Well terrorist, I hope you'll enjoy this" and he rams a solid lyrium crystal into his left shoulder. As Nalan refuses to answer Gireon's questions, he decides to return to the battlefield leaving Nalan in the care of the crucible knights, but not before taking great interest in Sanguine's Rose.

The Kill Squad
As Gireon resurfaces he goes to the keep's balcony to speak to his men. Balin Thornbow decides to take a closer look, taking close aim on Gireon.

My fellow Uthramians. Today we shall be tested in battle and I tell you, this will not be an easy fight. The enemy outnumbers us and is approaching with haste. But remember we are disciplined, their ranks of greenskins and foul Westforks are no match for our lines. We do not need to fear, for we are fear itself! I promise you, obey my commands, hold your lines and we will arise victorious at the end of the day, to return all these riches to Xu and live a good life. To victory!!

— Gireon Uthram

While tempted to take action, Balin decides it's better to keep to their plan and returns to their hiding spot.

And so the long day starts

Approach on the slopes

John reaches the Alliance's army covered in arrows and makes his way to Captain Lennard Rye. There, he tells of their skirmishes in the fort how many of their actions succeeded with a bitter taste. He shares at least one of the ballista's of the plateau gate is destroyed with a weakened gate, the Uthramian's summoning circle largely devastated and Balin awaiting the approach of the Alliance before sending the fortress's main gate to ruins. Rye impressed with the amount of arrows sticking from John, calls for Isadora to heal John for a decent portion. The army then approaches the zig-zag as the battle commences.
Zulk the Wise leads the first assault with many goblins charging the roads. They are met however with a booming surprise as the first rank of goblins are blown to pieces by hidden lyrium bombs. While demoralizing the vanguard temporarily, they continue their assault on the mountain as arrows are raining down on them. The goblins take the first tower by storm, while the second is taken by the use of a Troglodyte stench grenade, causing vomiting Uthramians to run from the tower. As one of the goblins' trolls makes way to the gate, he is hit by the one still operating ballista, causing him to splatter multiple goblins with his rolling corpse. As the goblins start climbing the plateau gate, Zulk riding his pet troll approaches the gate to ram it to pieces. Once opened, Zulk ingests one of his mighty elixirs and breathes fire upon the The Scorpions and Shades awaiting them on the other side. Zulk pierces a hole through the chokepoint as the The Night's Watch soldiers secure their position. The Alliance regroups here outside the range of the fortress's defenses.

A Catch of Breath

Oswald Fleetfeet emerges from his long slumber to perceive their army in the distance. He asks Balin to quickly catch him up with everything that has happened. A bit dazzled, Oswald continues his lower rest hours to fully complete his Long Rest.
Meanwhile, Nalan casts the Command "Betray" on the crucible knights after which the Crucible Channeler strikes the knight once with his mace. The knight bids his companion to get a hold of himself as darkness erupts around Nalan who is invaded by a Shadow Demon who enters as smoke through Nalan's mouth. The Channeler not to happy with Nalan's actions, decides to destroy Nalan's left-arm. Each time Nalan starts showing signs of fainting, the Channeler heals him back up and continues crumbling his arm. This injury causes Nalan to need superior healing before being able to use his arm effectively again. The Channeler then continues to Suggest Nalan multiple times, but to no avail. While Nalan is definitely affected by the demon, the Channeler and the lyrium crystal within him, he remains in control of his body and thoughts through many succeeded Saves.
Aard prepares his Bugbear shocktroops to scale the walls of the fortress with ladders, as John asks him to hold their attack until Balin's move. Although not too happy, Aard agrees and he and his bugbears start devouring the enemies' corpses in a ritual to keep their berserk going. John then spots a giant approaching from the distant north-east and quickly jumps to the conclusion this must be Rosar. John decides it's more important to keep Rosar away from Aard and decides to make his way to her.

Nalan's torturing

When Gireon returns to Nalan's dungeon, Nalan manages to fool the Commander that he has fallen for the channeler's Suggestion spell. Gireon orders the Crucible Knights to follow Nalan as Gireon takes his leave. Nalan then leads the knights to the eastern square tower to a stock room. Although he attempts to act suprised that his friends are no longer here, the knight has had enough of it and carries him to the top of the tower. He assures a crowd is watching before Nalan is being thrown off the tower. Nalan saves himself through casting Lay on Hands just before impact. The knight then comes down to pick him up and prepares to throw him off the tower oncemore..
Meanwhile, Oswald & Balin decide it is time to come into action with Oswald casting Invisibility on both of them. Balin then begins making his way to the Courtyard's main gate as Oswald devotes himself to save his human friend Nalan. As Nalan is being thrown off the tower for a second time he casts Feather Fall on Nalan, forgetting this makes both him and Balin suddenly visible. Oswald & Nalan then make way to the tower as the knight has started descending it. Oswald uses his Chronomancy to temporarily freeze the knight in time allowing Oswald & Nalan to pass him, with Nalan taking hold of the knight's Crucible Shield.

Elden Ring

Crucible Shield

Armor (Shield)

Rare Conjuration Requires Attunement

A shield cast from Voidstone by the master Uthramian crafstmen of Sargoth, the crucible knights wearing these shields are a most dreaded sight on the battlefield for the vanguard, and feared for its aggressive capabilities in duel.

The Crucible Shield is cursed with Missile Attraction, is cast from Voidstone and allows users proficient in Advanced Weapons to use its Riposte Bash.




Curse of Missile Attraction

• Any Ranged weapon attack made to a target within 10 ft. of you, causes the attack to now be redirected at you.


• You gain Resistance to damage from Ranged Weapon Attacks.


• You are unwilling to part with the shield due to its inherent attraction.


• If the curse is Removed, all properties listed above are lost.

Voidstone Shield
Upon a Critical Success Saving Throw (Save >20 & successful) against Fire damage, the wielder gains Fire Resistance for 1 minute.


Riposte Bash
Upon successfully blocking a melee weapon attack, the wielder can use its Reaction to make a Goring Bash (Strength-based attack, dmg = 1d8 + STR mod bludgeoning damage + 1d4 piercing damage. If the wielder has the Feat Shield Master, the targetted creature must upon a hit succeed a Strength Saving Throw (DC = 8 + STR_MOD + PB) or be knocked Prone.

Type	AC	STR Req.	Stealth Dis.
Shield		16+	Yes

A booming escape

While Nalan & Oswald flee for their lives on the walls, Balin makes his way to the gate with the Lyrium bomb crafted from the Xivilai heart. Although no longer covered by Oswald's Invisibility spell, he uses the distraction caused by his fellow adventurers to his advantage. He runs to the fortress's gate to drop the bomb below. A massive explosion erupts, launching most of the gatehouse with Balin to be launched high into the sky. Apart from the gatehouse, the demons that amassed at the rear of the gate are suddenly met with a huge amount of force causing most of them to cripple by the 46 damage dealt. During his flight, Balin manages to maneuvers himself effectively to not end up below the entire pile of rubble, but only a bit. He finds himself on the eastern side of the wall climbing out of the rubble in search of breathable air.
Meanwhile, John has managed to persuade Rosar to stave off her attack for a moment. The two discuss the situation with Aard and ultimately decide it's best for John to ride on Rosar's shoulder into battle.
Oswald & Nalan scale the walls with Nalan attracting all surrounding Uthramian ranged offense, including a Flame Strike from the Crucible Channeler. With the Crucible Knight following in quick pursuit, the adventurers decide they have no other option but to jump over the walls in the hope Oswald's magic will save their fall.Unfortunately, the massive amounts of damage have caused Nalan to be nearing the gates of death with 2 failed death saves, and with the Crucible Knight & Channeler in close pursuit the Invisible Oswald utters the words:

Pavor I need your help. Can you save Nalan? What is your price? I will do anything

— Oswald Fleetfeet

Campaign

The Island of Runaar

Protagonists

Nalan

Oswald Fleetfeet

TN halfling(gnome) (cloistered scholar)
wizard 5

26 / 26 HP

STR
8

DEX
15

CON
13

INT
19

WIS
16

CHA
10

John Doe

Lawful Neutral Wood Elf (Inheritor)
Ranger 6

63 / 63 HP

STR
9

DEX
18

CON
14

INT
18

WIS
16

CHA
13

Report Date

13 Nov 2022