JBRam2002

D&D 5e -- The Lost Children

druid-conjured hentai forest

@0 Azzy 0

I know what my next band name will be.

Modular Pathfinder

Maiko | Monk of Perfection

---

Maiko's early morning meditation brought a measure of peace and beauty to the catgirl's attention. This small fishing village continued about its daily business despite the clamor and excitement of the tournament's crowds. Calls from the wharf sounded as the sunrise kissed the waves in New Harbour, and Maiko watched from her perch on the windowsill as the fishermen hauled in their morning catch. Today would be another good day.

But the morning meditation would end, and Maiko climbed down from her vantage point, almost regretfully turning away to join the others. She accepted the offer of tea from the paladin, grateful that so many were keeping her safe and free from the chains she once bore. A few pleasantries were exchanged, Ming's ritual was performed, and the party was off to the Tournament.

Maiko signed the contract after briefly glancing through its contents. Yes, these rules could in extreme circumstances prove to be troublesome, but it also ensured that everyone was on equal footing. No outside aid from healers would patch up combatants; no unexpected magical gear would interrupt combat. No, the rules were fair, and Maiko's signature was quickly affixed.

As they were led into the colosseum, Maiko wondered at the size of the Pavilion and its crowd. People from all over the world dotted the stands, although there was a sizable portion of Tian Xia natives ready to cheer on local favorites. The party was led into a small area fenced off from the fighting floor where they could prepare, and through the mesh, the monks awaited their turn on the opposite side of the arena. It was a shame that they would have to fight each other so soon, but such was the way of tournaments.

As the alchemist hurried in, Maiko paused for a moment, not recognizing the new mechanically-armored ally, but quickly realized who it was. "Doc!" she called out, giving him a hug. Unsurprisingly, it felt like hugging a metal cylinder, but the thought was important. She quickly stashed the potion in her satchel, along with the others, and pulled out a couple of her own. "Glad you could make it!" she added before she began her preparations. Maiko focused her ki through her body, hardening it like tree bark before she assumed her Dragon Stance. Next, she downed a potion that made her double in size (and one would assume fluffiness), followed by her shield potion as a shimmering arcane barrier formed around her. Finally, she pounded her fists together, sending sparks of electricity flowing.

"Let's do this!" she shouted in excitement.

Mechanics

Buffs:
Bless (from Ming) - gain +1 Atk / Saves vs fear for 10 minutes.
Barkskin (1 ki) - gain +4 armor for 100 minutes.
Enlarge Person (Potion) - increased size, 2d8 dmg for 8 rounds.
Shield (Potion) - gain +4 shield AC for 9 rounds.
Elemental Fury (1 ki) - gain +1d6 elec dmg for 5 rounds.
Dragon Stance - gain +2 vs sleep, paralysis, and stun. Ignore difficult terrain when you charge, run, or withdraw (can charge through allies). First unarmed strike each round gets 2x Str, others get 1.5x Str.

HP: 102/102, AC: 34, CMD: 34

[5e] Outrealms

Mila Zaseis | Harridan Tyke

---

Something didn't sit right with Mila about this merchant. Her excessive jolliness about this situation made Mila think maybe she knew something that should be shared with the class. When Harridan decided to take Anna to the forest line to discuss wares, that only made Mila more curious. To be fair, the saying said nothing about curiosity killing tieflings, and the tabaxi was staying back with the group. After the Valkyrie announced her intention to find a tree to make a fire with, Mila piped up. "I'll grab some kindling, then," she added, darting into the trees.

The tiefling didn't make it obvious what her real intentions were, of course, but after doubling back to where the merchant and halfling had disappeared to, she took her time to remain quiet. Where Mila was from, there was little more valuable than a secret, and even less that was worth stealing. As she approached, the halfling was casting an identify spell on the products, musing over a couple of magic rods. "Interesting items. I once knew someone with similar not too long ago. You do know why you were summoned, do you?"

"Well, I can certainly guess; teehee," Anna replied. "Though, I'm not much of a fighter; you know. It doesn't pay enough. But if you or your friends need anything, I'll be happy to sell at the right price. A girl's got to make her living, and one way or another I'll get out of here as well. Be it items, weapons, or food; I'll gladly sell you what I have; even if your currency is different than ours. Though If I'm going to have to supply food, I'll need to see what game there are around these parts."

Summoned... get out of here. Mila's ears perked up. These two definitely knew something, and were definitely hiding it. The halfling purchased the rods and began to head towards the camp, while Anna packed up her wares and headed deeper into the woods. Mila could only follow one of them, but only one of them had fought alongside them. The merchant had little reason to trust or reply to Mila, and it seemed that she knew how to take care of herself in a fight as well. No, there was only one real choice. As Harridan approached, Mila decided to step out from behind a tree. "So, why were we summoned, then?" she asked with a smile.

"Summoned? And why, goat girl, do you think so?"

Mila watched the halfling's expression, but was not rewarded with as much as a startled glance. Fine. We'll do it the hard way, if we have to, she thought in response. "The name is Mila. And I'm just repeating what I heard you say. So I'll ask it once more: Why were we summoned? I just want to get back as fast as possible." The tiefling's hand lightly rested on the hilt of her sword, and her smile remained, almost increasing in its intensity. A dangerous look that she had given her prey many times, and usually enough to get information out of someone before needing to resort to violence.

"Alright, Mila. The fastest way back home is through that building." Harridan waved an unknown rod in Mila's face, a scowl spreading. "As for why; we were summoned to survive. Apart from that, I don't really know, nor do I care. There is an exit, and we leave once everyone rests. Is that all, Goat Girl?"

"Just one more thing," Mila replied, seemingly unphased by the halfling's perturbance. "Why the secrecy? Shouldn't everyone know why we're here and how to leave? If it's a secret, I can keep it. Otherwise, I'll just share with everyone." Her hand remained at her hilt, although the light tension from before had relaxed. The halfling spoke from experience, and experience was a commodity everyone else seemed to be lacking. It would be a shame to waste it. "I'm not your enemy here, as far as I know. We should work together, not in secret."

"Tell them if you must. I just .... made some mistakes. But as long as we're heading in the right direction then there was nothing to worry about." Harridan brushed passed Mila, moving closer to camp. "I suggest we hurry. I don't know how much food Anna will be able to come up with, but our days might be limited without having to resort to eating those zombies."

Mila nodded and followed behind her. "If mistakes were made, perhaps sharing with the class might be useful. No need to repeat mistakes, right? And, if you've come back here, I suppose that means our witchy friend isn't gone forever, either. It might be a good idea to share what you've learned with us once we get back." She offered a smile, although this one seemed... kinder, softer. "If the goal is to survive, we can help each other, right? No need to make it harder on anyone."

"Not the kind of mistake I'd like to make public, dear." And with that she entered the camp. Gathering her bags and putting away both of the rods within her bag of holding.

Hmmm... could have gotten more information, but it's a start at least, Mila thought as she followed the halfling in. "So, it turns out that you don't need kindling with magical fire!" the tiefling added with an absentminded giggle as they entered the camp. "I still think we should head towards that tower some more, but I won't complain about a bit of a rest. Is there anything I can do to help?"

D&D 5e -- The Lost Children

@Guardian Angel Haruki

I'm pretty sure Jacoby would know whether the spell could do that or not.

@rush99999

Jacoby would typically know the wording of his spells and the limitations of them as stated in the spell. For Suggestion, here's the key phrasing:

You suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence or two) and magically influence a creature you can see within range that can hear and understand you. Creatures that can’t be charmed are immune to this effect. The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act ends the spell.

PHB

Letting go of someone is usually a reasonable request. In fact, you could word it in such a way to make it seem that not letting go would be more harmful than otherwise.

Modular Pathfinder

---

Ruby Phoenix Tournament - Day One

---

The night passes without incident as the party finds themselves drawn to sleep in some of the most comfortable beds they had ever felt. The morning soon breaks, and it seems as if all of New Harbor wakes before dawn. Even as the dull orange sun creeps slowly over the eastern horizon, the fishermen have already crowded into their boats. They move swiftly, like blackened silhouettes dancing against dawn’s watercolor pallet, eerily silent except for the shuffling of ropes and oars, and the caws of their trained cormorants. Marthysan greets the party when they rise, already awake and brewing his morning tea, and tells them they need to get going so they won’t be late for the opening exhibition. Finding their way to the Grand Pavilion poses no challenge, who find a steady stream of boats carrying contestants and observers who can afford passage across the bay to the seaside arena, while droves of locals follow the coastal path to the pavilion.

The Grand Pavilion and surrounding fairgrounds lie deep within the cove, and feature a massive and elaborate combat arena specifically constructed for the tournament. Scores of colorful tents cram the grounds spreading from the wood almost to the water. A line of spectators stretches from the Grand Pavilion, waiting to enter the arena. Contestants are given priority, and red- and orange-clad monks usher the eclectic collection of warriors and battlemages into the arena to stand before the Emissary.

Before they are allowed to enter the Grand Pavilion, however, the party must sign an entrance contract before an Abadaran cleric. On the contract, the PCs must write their team name, and the name of each member of the team. They must also each sign their names to the contests’ five simple rules, which are:

• The commands of the Emissary and his agents are to be obeyed at all times, and the Emissary's word is final. None shall take violent action against the Emissary or his agents.
• No contestant may leave Xielan Island until the conclusion of the tournament for any reason.
• Once a round has begun, no contestant may receive any aid, be it magical or mundane, from anyone not participating in the round as a contestant.
• Should any contestant yield to a foe and forfeit the battle, failure of other contestants to honor that forfeit will result in immediate disqualification.
• No contestant shall loot the body of a fallen foe.
• All contestants agree that there shall be no ties; only one team may be named the champions.

Once each member signs the entry contract (which is mandatory for participation), monks escort them to the fight stage, where they find many other contestants already assembled, each waiting patiently, and watching performer acrobats entertain the growing crowd as the audience files into the grandstands.

In the grandstands, a tenuous hush falls upon the immense and eager crowd. Moments later, the curtains part, revealing the Emissary flanked by the oni Kiang Zhen and the previous Ruby Phoenix Champion, the half-elf paladin Marthysan the Righteous. Behind the Emissary, like motionless statues, stand no less than a dozen qinggong monks—his mystic disciples and bodyguards. As all watch rapt, the Emissary rises and addresses the crowd.

“I am Sifu Xho Nuo—Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament and guardian of the legacy of Hao Jin, the once immortal sorceress in whose name you are gathered here to battle. To honor the Grandmaster’s legacy, I stand before you to carry out her final will: the thirty-first decennial Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Without further delay, we begin our first round of the contest. May the worthiest win!”

Upon his final words, the crowd erupts into clamorous applause, and the contestants scatter for their respective seats or positions throughout the pavilion. The PCs are escorted by a group of silent usher monks and directed to the center of the fight stage to face their first opponents, the most skilled martial artists of the famed Monastery of the Enduring Spirit in Quain. The party is given a minute to prepare for the combat, at which point the gates will open and the contest shall begin.

Beginner's DnD 5e Game - Group 2

The small crowd of commoners were led out into the wider room, past the bubbling fountain to the somewhat bloody mass of corpses that had been left after the party's attacks. Eight in total, seemingly with no pattern to who was captured. There was a mix of men and women, and although most were human, mirroring the largely human demographic of the city, there was a half-elf, an elf, and a dwarf among the captured. One of the men nearly fainted at the large amounts of blood pooling from the dragon's corpse, but the majority either looked away or were otherwise less affected. The old man continued his grumbling and griping as he was led from the cell, seemingly less than grateful to his liberators.

In his stead, the female elf spoke up, pulling back her hooded cloak to reveal her flaming red hair. "We were all grabbed from the streets," she replied to the bard's question. Most of us were grabbed from behind while walking alone in alleys, and a sack tossed over our heads. When we could see again, we were here with those fishmen guarding us. They took anything sharp or valuable from us, and we've been here since. It's hard to hear conversations over the noise from that fountain, but there was a lot of chanting going on."

The dwarf nodded and stepped forward, looking damp and sullen. "Aye, she speaks true. I was the first from almost a month ago, and I tried to pry up the grate, but couldn't get it open. Probably wouldn't of done us much good though; it smelled of sewage in there."

"We just gonna stand around jabbering, or are we going to get out of this shithole?!" cried the old man. "I've got a life to get back to, assuming they haven't held my funeral yet, the damn ingrates." He stepped forward to the boat that gently tapped against the bridge with the flow of the current and stepped down into it, no longer willing to wait.

"There is still more to explore," Eilina countered. "We coukd send someone back with the majority of the prisoners while the rest of us try to learn more, or we could just leave this to the authorities for later." It seemed as if she had no stake in it either way, but a gleam in her eye showed that she would likely volunteer to stay if that option was chosen.

[5e] Outrealms

Mila Zaseis

---

Mila's gaze scoured the aloof cleric as she was reminded by the priestesses that had raised her. The uptight followers of the Raven Queen rarely showed much emotion, and this tabaxi evidently was one of them. The undead foes had barely begun to tap into this cleric's abilities, and indeed, Mila had little chance to see what sort of cleric she actually was. Did she focus on healing? War? Death and destruction? No, she had simply annihilated the zombies with an ease that only a talented cleric could show.

Certainly impressive. But information would be more useful at this point.

"Dim, was it?" Mila replied with a winning smile. "Your patron must be the Raven Queen, from the way you took care of those undead. The Matron must be proud of her... cleric, I believe? I was raised in the Raven's Crest, so I know many of her teachings. It is good to see another of her number with us." There was little reason to ask her for more information at this point; she would share when she felt willing. However, an offer of camaraderie and shared history rarely was undesired.

Instead, the bard turned her attention to the unicorn and his master. "Snow? That is... unexpected. I would prefer to not be caught out in the cold. Reminds me too much of my heritage..." The chilledembrace of Levistus was not something she wished to experience again. "I suggest we find shelter. Perhaps someone in that tower has some answers, as no one here seems to. Who's with me?!" The bard began to stroll forward, humming a tune to the sound of her lyre.

[5e] Outrealms

Mila Zaseis

---

The lights had appeared before Mila had a chance to answer the question from the Halfling. "Murderous bard" wasn't normally how she described herself, but she had been called worse. She was about to respond, but they were interrupted by a hoard of zombies and a few newcomers. It seemed her defensive spell for the day had been mostly a waste, but she was feeling a bit more cautious after the witch's appearance. The zombies were quickly dispatched, leaving the tabaxi and merchant unharmed. "Good," Mila muttered quietly to herself.

However, the dwarf decided that it would be a good idea to try to hold the merchant down, and reached for her to hold her in place. The merchant was a bit more agile than she first appeared, deftly avoiding the grappling dwarf. Mila sighed quietly to herself before stepping forward. "Hey now, no need for that," she called out. "Unless she attacks us, why not let her run free?" Most likely, the merchant knew as little as the rest of them. "My name is Mila. We just arrived here ourselves..." The tiefling glanced between the two newcomers with some trepidation. "Do you two know what's going on?"

D&D 5e -- The Lost Children

@0 Azzy 0 It does not necessarily mean running through vine town. You can spend some of your movement to move around it like ihinka did.
As for hearing...I think Signod would definitely pick up on the sound of angry bear roars and screaming.

@Guardian Angel Haruki

Grrawr means "I love you" in bear.

D&D 5e -- The Lost Children

Bobbin posted! Safira is up, @ihinka!

Sorry for the short delay. I was weighing my options, but in the end, there was only one thing Bobbin would do.