Chapter 1: The Avernus Job [First Layer of Hell]

[Shurijo]

Sitting on the ground and exhausted, Jez speaks to the matter. "I became trapped shortly after our group entered into hell. I don't know of specifics, but I have also heard of the Mirror of Mephistar. I do believe it exists and if there is an emissary that is where you would find them."

Looking around, she takes a moment, and continues. "When I refused to give up the wayfinder, my group said they were going to ask the ferryman. I have read that if you pay them, they will take you as close to your destination as the river flows. They are one of the few beings that can navigate this plane and not become disoriented."

[RorytheRomulan]

"Hmm, then I guess we look for the Ferryman either way."

He surreptitiously poses with his hand on one of his pant pockets. Maybe the Ferryman can answer other, unrelated, questions.

[ManWithDoor]

The paladin nods seriously. "Well then, that seems to be the best lead we have so far. Sitting here doesn't seem to be improving matters, so we should be off. I shall return if the means of your release are found, Jez. Otherwise, you will know for a certainty that I am either captured as well, or dead." He goes back to his nightmare horse, preparing to depart swiftly. There doesn't seem to be anything beneficial to staying here any longer.

[Shurijo]

OOC

There will be 3 leg encounters between here and river

Encounter 1: rolled 1 (kobold scouts or equivalent)
Time for some fun

From the high ground, they locate the River Styx off in the distance. With the general direction, they head off towards the river hoping to find the Ferryman. The monodrone follows after the group and shows no sign of a threat or to assist.

After descending the hill, they see a flock of small animals running towards them. As they grow closer, they recognize the creatures as Abyssal Chickens. These carnivorous and temperamental bottom-feeders are native to the plane. Additionally, they are quite tasty as a few may have sampled in The Highway Tavern.

As the chickens approach, they beat their leathery wings together and begin to run faster and faster towards the group.

Abyssal Chicken

These were on the menu at the tavern, I believe a few may have sampled them. They taste like fatty chicken. They are about the size of a chicken as well. (tiny)

Map

The purple M is the monodrone, which can't speak with anyone

Initiative

Players, chickens

The group....

[RorytheRomulan]

"I'm gonna head into the shade. Don't worry, I'll be in the fight."

Ryld books north toward the dead tree, and then disappears into the shade.

He hides, using the power of his armor to seemingly fade from view into the darkness, and plants the blade of his rapier into the crag next to him. The ichor on the blade begins to slowly crawl to the ground and stick to it.

He waits for a chicken to close distance with the party before loosing a steel arrow.

actions

Move: 30 feet north behind the tree. Break line of sight with chickens and head into the shade, moving 5 feet west. Split movement.

Bonus: Hide with Shadow Stealth in the shady area.

Move: Continue Hiding, finishing movement 5 feet north-west, still in the dim light.

Free: Drop rapier. Two hands needed for the shortbow, and nowhere to store the grimy blade.

Hold Action: After the last chicken has finished their movement, shoot the nearest one. Prioritize a creature heading right for him.

NOTE: If that is NOT at least a dimly lit area in the northwest corner of the grid, opt instead to hold action to shoot the first chicken that enters range, without moving or hiding.

ooc

Also, I want to take a quick look at my rapier: is it probable that the ichor will actually eat into the blade if left on it for too long?

YES, first bit of action! Time to murderhobo!

[Shurijo]

OOC

Let's pretend the ichor only affects organics, so it won't eat into metal

[Vardaen]

Uncertain of the danger level of abyssal chickens Tome pauses. He speaks out loud as he considers, "I could roast them all in one stroke. A Fireball would remove their threat." He pauses, stock still, no emotion. "Considered a waste of resources."

His blue lines of magical energy instead grow brighter and brighter until the light connects with itself from each of the engraved lines forming around him a sort of magical armor. In his hand he now holds his Wand of the War Mage.

OOC

Draw Wand, Cast Mage Armor

My first instinct was to Fireball the the flock and have a nice BBQ, but I have no idea if that's a waste or not

[Othniel]

Morneth smiles and sprints forward to stand near the rocks ahead. Unwinding her chain sickle, she starts spinning it, waiting for a target to come near.

OOC

Move forward to the rocks closer to the abyssal chickens. Hold action to attack whichever one comes within range.

[ManWithDoor]

The paladin draws his saw-tooth edged longsword, and secures his shield in the other. He gets back on his mount, urging it to the front of the group. "This is not the most dignified encounter. If tales are ever told of our accomplishments, I suggest we exclude this event."

[Shurijo]

Ryld and Moreth move foward and take some cover behind the natural features of the landscape. As Tome draws his wand and casts a spell to protect himself, Log'thar and his nightmare ride forward.

The abyssal chickens rush forward. Some begin flying, but can only fly a short distance before landing. As the flock moves ahead, Ryld hidden in the shadows releases an arrow from his shortbow. The arrow skewers the chicken with a clean shot through and through.

combat

Ryld shortbow vs C3
d20+7=11+7=18 *hit* (vs ac 13)
sneak attack (have adv due to shadows)
dmg 1d6+4 + 4d6 = 5+4 + (4,6,4,4) = very much dead

Morneth waits for her prey to round the corner. Holding each end of her weapon, she slices at the chicken with her sickle and then swings the chain around to smash it against the ground killing it. As the creature suffers her wrath, she embraces the pain and becomes even more deadly.

combat

Morneth chain sickle vs
two-weapon style (if within 5ft I'll assume twf, if it's 10ft then you'll need to tell me which end you're attacking with)

sickle
d20+8 = 7 + 8 = 15 *hit* (vs ac 13)
dmg 1d6+5 = 2+5 = 7

chain
d20+8 = 10 + 8 = 18 *hit* (vs ac 13)
dmg 1d4+5 = 3+5 = 8

total dmg = 7 + 8 = 15 hp dead

10 or more dmg dealt, You gain advantage for next round.

Log'thar atop his nightmare steed stepped forward and waiting for the chickens. When they approach, the blue skinned orc swings his chainsword blade down and slices the abyssal chicken in half. The swords blade saws through the beast. The paladin's mount then raises it's hooves and stomps down upon another chicken.

combat

Log'thar mounted combat vs c1
1 handed (holding nightmare reigns with other hand)
d20+8 = 16+8 = 24 *hit*
dmg 1d8+5 +2d6 = 8+5 + (5,1) = 19 hp dead

Mount vs c4
d20+6 = 12+6 = hit
dmg 2d8+4 = 6,4 + 4 = 14 dead

The monodrone flies off to the side to watch the encounter.

health

C1 = dead
C2 = dead
C3 = dead
C4 = dead
C5 =
C6 =
C7 =

Map

The 50% transparent ones are corpses, so you can see where they moved/died at

With the flock nearly slaughter, the group facing off against the remaining chickens...

OOC

maybe not the best of first encounters, but I wanted to get a feel for the dice rolls and special weapons/abilities before we get into more deadly encounters - there's a lot of cool and crazy weapons/skills/abilities here