If that is a hint, I can cast that (an illusory odor masker to be exact). The limits in terms of square footage seem daunting tho depending on big the buggers were.
Ghan will keep his Spirit Wolf pack until it expires (1 hour from casting.)
It appeared that nobody needed healing , so he congratulates the party.
Ghan mentions that he can cast Barkskin on somebody once per combat.
(He has to concentrate on it, so can only offer it to one other party member at a time.)
The effect is to ensure the recipient has effectively Chain Mail (AC16) for 1 hour.
It works with any existing armour. (If you already have AC16 or better, there’s no benefit.
If the party would like, he can cast Waterbreathing on everyone at the start of the day.
(It would take 20 minutes and include mounts and companions; as his spell limit is 20.)
Finally he is relieved when Felareth lifts 500 lbs using a spell - Ghan had visions of the hobbit simply picking up a huge Warg and holding it above his head!
One aspect of prestidigitation is the following
• You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot.
There are at least two of you with this cantrip.
Then done deal.
If my watch is thus over will meditate and recharge my spells.
Any interest in tracking the wargs come morning? Or just get on with your journey? Wargs are not known for treasures and you are past the homes of men.
Sir Thoroncir says, “Well done, my friends, in overcoming this first hazard on our venture into the north. My thanks for all you have done, and done so well.” He will stand guard while the others move the warg bodies.
He suggests we continue our journey rather than track the wargs come morning.
I agree with Thoroncir. Our job is not to hunt wargs. We have a job to do, we should get on with it.
I also agree. Let’s not chase this red herring at the expense of our goal.
Ghan also agrees with Thoroncir.
He adds that in daylight Windwing will see any Wargs if they approach over clear ground.
Ghan recharges his spells and repeats his offers of a full party Waterbreathing before we depart and a single Barkskin just before .the next combat.
Gilraen, “I would greatly appreciate the Water Breathing, it is a great precaution. Thank you my friend”
Looking at this party, the barkskin might be best use for one of Ghân’s animal friends.
Player | Character | Class-subclass | Race | Sex | AC | hp | dv | Init | roll | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NAF1138 | Gwaelur | Fighter - BattleMaster | Khazad Dwarf | M | 19/23 | 70 | 120’ | +2 | The Tank | |
Glee | Ghân-buri-Ghân | Druid - Shepherd | Wose | M | 20 | 60’ | +3 | Healer & Support | ||
kenobi_65 | Ceol | Paladin - Ancients | Rohirrim | M | 17 | 0 | +2 | Holy Knight | ||
Hoopy_Frood | Bitur son of Bofur | Artificer - Battle Smith | Khazad Dwarf | M | 18/21 | 60’ | +2 | Skillster & Brick | ||
John_DiFool | Hejren | Wizard -Divination | Wood Elf | F | 14/17* | 120’ | +4 | Artillery | ||
Elendil_s_Heir | Thoroncir | Fighter- Cavalier | Dúnedain | M | 17/20 | 0 | +3 adv | Leader/Protector | ||
NPC Renee | Gilraen Telcontar | Cleric - Life of Estë | Dúnedain (½ Elf) | F | 16** | 60’ | +4 | The Princess/Healer | ||
MHaye | Felareth Took | BardLore3 Clknow Olorin Wiz | Hobbit | M | 17 | 48 | 0 | +3 | JOT Spellster |
Gilraen also says, “I too feel we should move on and get to our goal.”
After 5 days from Wovell, the party makes it to about 30 miles away from their goal but this is now the hardest part of the trek. Up and down hills and steadily rising in altitude. It is getting colder as you go.
Thankfully Aithorn the Kestrel Familiar of Hejren and Windwing the Golden Eagle friend of Ghân keep the party on a steady trail as direct as possible in this harsh terrain.
Early during the night watch; a deep dusk sits oppressively over the party and impending snow is in the air. Ghân warns the party it will be a wet snow about 3am and to expect a thunderstorm with it.
Watch normally consists of Thoroncir, Felareth & Ceol.
Everyone would still have the +8 temp hit points from the Inspiring Leader (Thoroncir) and Water Breathing is still operating. (Note: Temp Hit points do not stack. You can’t have 8 from the Inspiring Leader and another 4 from a spell.)
Ghân learns from the local wildlife that a fearsome Cold Drake lives nearly. A burrowing one that is a fairly slow flyer. Deathly pale white in color except for its yellowish eyes, claws and horns.
Thoroncir says, “Friend Ghân, please ask them the best route to avoid the Cold Drake and still make the best possible progress on our journey.”
When warned of the winter storm by Ghân, Ceol will help to make sure that the animals have sufficient shelter, as well as the rest of the party.
“I agree with you, friend Thoroncir. If we can give the drake a wide berth, all the better. I’ve not ever fought a drake, but if the tales I have heard are true, we’d be wise to not seek out a confrontation with it.”
Thoroncir will assist Ceol in preparing for the storm. Do the local animals also know of any safe shelter nearby, such as an unoccupied cave, large rocky overhang, or thick woods which would serve as a canopy against wet snow?
When he has a private moment with Gilraen, he asks, “How do you fare, my lady? Are you warm enough, under the circumstances? May I do anything for you?”
Gilraen is wrapped tightly in her Cloak of Lothlórien, and nearly impossible to see in this light even when near her. She has Missy sharing her hood. “It is I that should be checking with you and the others, in this cloak weaved in the Golden Woods, the cold is locked out and I am most comfortable. I wish there was more I could do to help.”
Ghan has thought carefully about the Drake.
The key point is: do its hunting grounds include our route to and from the Trolls?
If so, then there is a danger we could be ambushed (perhaps with Trolls chasing us as well.)
In this case it would be much better to attack the Drake now, with advantage of surprise and whilst we are fully healthy.
Then the next questions are:
- can any of us offer protection from the Wyrm’s (presumably cold-based) attacks?
- can we attack it if it flies overhead?
On the second point, Ghan can summon spirit flying creatures to do some damage…
However, if the Drake does not come this way, then we can avoid a dangerous encounter.
(Ghan will question as many animals as possible to learn about the Monster’s hunting grounds.)
"We do not want to be caught between two perils. If we cannot find a route that avoids the Drake’s hunting grounds we may have no option but to fight it, in which case it is better to fight at a time and place of our choosing.
"If we have to fight, and it takes to the air, I can give one of our number the ability to fly for ten minutes. I’m not sure who would be best to take the aerial fight to the drake - Sir Thoroncir, Ceol or perhaps Gwaelur would like to take his axe to the beast?
“Those with bows could pepper it with arrows if it stays low, and my sling can reach very far. Alternatively those with spell capacity could use magic to try and affect it.”
Checking with many local animals, a few lured out with a Goodberry reward. The Drake is local to where you are. Very local, you are in its hunting range. Ghân learns the Drake is a huge beast but far from Dragon size. It doesn’t fly much apparently. You are camping within 2 miles and downslope of its lair. The Cold Drake is a wormish dragon-like monster.
One of the skillsters should be organizing the Historians & Arcana people into a pair of skill checks, see my post in the setup thread pease.
Any nearby safe shelter, as Thoroncir suggested Ghan ask the local animals?
As to shelter, the best the smallish animals can come up with it a couple of nice mostly dry wooded ravines. It should shelter somewhat from the snow and wind and be easier to defend.
The History & Arcana checks go well with the party pooling their information. No need to use the inspirations and didn’t even need the Portent (15).
Cold Drake : hd 10d10 ac17 40’; 40’ fly; burrow 20’ Evil
s18 d10 c18 i8 w12 ch12
immune:Cold;
Speak: Common; Draconic
cr6 xp2300
Blindsight30’, Darkvision120’ , Passive Precept:14 Percept +4; Stealth +3 Adv in snow
Bite +7/2d10+4+2d8 cold
Claws: +7/2d6+4;
Frost Breath: 30’ cone 10d8 dc15 Con recharge on a 5-6
This type of draconic creature tends to live underground in tight tunnel complexes. They’re not usually strong flying and use it mostly to pounce. They are most likely to attack from beneath or downhill running, rather than flying in.
The are related to the great dragons and might be the breeding stock or a less successful creation. They are far less dangerous and terrible and not very bright.