Day 4 - The Final Battle
General Summary
After a long night the heroes awaken to the monks trying to enter and take them captive. They’re not here to talk. Soren’s alarm has gone off, warning everyone of the perimeter breach. The heroes have not broken Kayden’s rules, but the fight has come anyway.
The heroes will have to get by the monks, get Alistair’s Manticore, and finally confront Kayden. It sounds far easier than it is. The monks are trained warriors, they’ve dedicated their lives to being ready for the demon’s attack. Except, they don’t all seem to believe in Kayden’s approach. There may yet be hope.
Players are advised they may have 3 fights of escalating difficulty before they get a long rest to fully recover. Prepare to fight against enemies who’s primary abilities are fire-magic. Stealth may allow you to avoid one of the 3 fights (and thus conserve your resources).
Expect to fight:
Monks
Kayden
2 Unknown Enemies of Great Power
This session may run as late as Midnight. This being the final session before Christmas, IF we feel ambitious, we can try to wrap up the core of the final fight for this campaign in one massive sprint. Our next session after this will likely fall in January, depending on when people are able to free up from holiday chaos.
Please read up on Short Rests if you’re unfamiliar: [https://roleplayersrespite.com/short-rest-5e](https://roleplayersrespite.com/short-rest-5e). These will give you an opportunity to regain health.
REMEMBER TO UPDATE YOUR PREPARED SPELLS.
--
The heroes awaken to a surprise: they’re not under attack. Instead they’re under siege. Several of the warrior monks surround their fortified tavern, but none have dared try to break in. Perhaps they’re just going to starve the heroes out. At Soren’s urging, they create a minor illusion spell, the image of razor beak and the heroes launching from the roof and darting off over the edge of the island. It’s enough to draw the monks off and allow the heroes to flee.
Free of the siege, the heroes rush to the stables for their first major ally: the manticore. Upon approaching the heroes discover the manticore is stored in a burning barn. The back wall has collapsed altogether. Inside they find a demonic cat, Sethlok, tormenting the manticore. The poor creature is backed against a corner, horrified at the demon and the enclosing fire. It’s all too strange.
Alistair attempts to make a deal with Sethlok while the cat torments them. He’s not interested in a deal. He just wants the entire flying island to burn for his amusement. Amidst the negotiation, Alistair discovers their Manticore, isn’t a manticore. It’s the stable elf they met before, Jane. This explains a great deal. Why the manticore wasn’t aggressive. Why it hasn’t talked. Jane doesn’t know how to be a manticore. The discussion ends in a fight as the heroes attempt to kill Sethlok. In the battle to follow the demon cat is briefly incapacitated by the heroes, a stunning stab from Razor Beak and later Vines from Lori. Despite the bondage, the demon is still able to use limited magic. It is enough to get free after its taken a great deal of damage. (DM’s note: STILL not good at playing the enemies/adversaries. I’ll figure it out eventually!).
Sethlok leads the heroes on a chase to town, where they discover everything burning. There are other Bakanekos (demon cats) attacking the town. Monks are scattered, battling as best they can. In the run there, Sethlok has managed to heal slightly before the next round of battle begins. The heroes are battered and low on health before the demon makes another escape. This time he uses a wall of fire. Alistair could have given pursuit, but that would mean losing the group. He remains with the others.
The demon is found in the monk’s monestary once the heroes are able to give chase. There Kayden and two assisting monks are attempting to summon the Fire Phoenix in the hopes the great spirit will save them. Threyss guards the monks from the party. No one is willing to accept that the demon cat could be slain. Everyone except the party believes the demon is unkillable by them. They’ve been mislead by secret whispers, Sethlok manipulating the monks. They are in a panic, a frenzy. There’s nothing they can do.
Thistle attempts to attack the monks, but is unable to stop them. They are resolute in summoning the phoenix, nothing will stop them. Jane the manticore seems all too happy to attack and attempt to disable Threyss after what the monks have done to them. Alistair makes several attempts to persuade them, weakening their resolve, until at last Thistle and Amethyst kill the demon. It is enough to make Kayden stop in his ritual, shocked by the sight of their greatest nemesis, dead.
Threyss is unwilling to accept victory. He believes this is a trap and charges into the sacrificial ring to complete the summoning. In doing so, he sacrifices himself. There is an earth-shaking split as the Phoenix arrives, bursting through the monestary and going to ransack the town. The heroes are given a short rest to recover, they’ve been battered and beaten from a day of non-stop combat. Freshly healed, they give chase.
In the ensuing battles, Soren and Alistair are nearly taken out by the phoenix as it unleashes massive attacks against the party. The bird makes strikes from the sky, unleashes massive attacks of fire. Compared to the battle against Sethlok, the phoenix is a shorter and more easily beaten enemy.
The constant combat is enough for several in the party to level up:
Alistair
Lizzy
Amethyst
Back at the monastery, a decision is made for the fate of the town, and the monks. Kayden will be banished and spend his life sending resources to the town. The rest of the monks will live, though many will mourn the losses they brought upon themselves, the unnecessary death. The town is all but destroyed, but most of its people live. They will rebuild. Jane’s transformation is believed to be permanent. He offers the party is books, though they’ve already stolen them. There may be a cure somewhere among them.
The heroes are given gold, Alistair’s fire-resistance becomes permanent, and the others learn a permanent Absorb Elements spell (1 free use).
The heroes will have to get by the monks, get Alistair’s Manticore, and finally confront Kayden. It sounds far easier than it is. The monks are trained warriors, they’ve dedicated their lives to being ready for the demon’s attack. Except, they don’t all seem to believe in Kayden’s approach. There may yet be hope.
Players are advised they may have 3 fights of escalating difficulty before they get a long rest to fully recover. Prepare to fight against enemies who’s primary abilities are fire-magic. Stealth may allow you to avoid one of the 3 fights (and thus conserve your resources).
Expect to fight:
This session may run as late as Midnight. This being the final session before Christmas, IF we feel ambitious, we can try to wrap up the core of the final fight for this campaign in one massive sprint. Our next session after this will likely fall in January, depending on when people are able to free up from holiday chaos.
Please read up on Short Rests if you’re unfamiliar: [https://roleplayersrespite.com/short-rest-5e](https://roleplayersrespite.com/short-rest-5e). These will give you an opportunity to regain health.
REMEMBER TO UPDATE YOUR PREPARED SPELLS.
--
The heroes awaken to a surprise: they’re not under attack. Instead they’re under siege. Several of the warrior monks surround their fortified tavern, but none have dared try to break in. Perhaps they’re just going to starve the heroes out. At Soren’s urging, they create a minor illusion spell, the image of razor beak and the heroes launching from the roof and darting off over the edge of the island. It’s enough to draw the monks off and allow the heroes to flee.
Free of the siege, the heroes rush to the stables for their first major ally: the manticore. Upon approaching the heroes discover the manticore is stored in a burning barn. The back wall has collapsed altogether. Inside they find a demonic cat, Sethlok, tormenting the manticore. The poor creature is backed against a corner, horrified at the demon and the enclosing fire. It’s all too strange.
Alistair attempts to make a deal with Sethlok while the cat torments them. He’s not interested in a deal. He just wants the entire flying island to burn for his amusement. Amidst the negotiation, Alistair discovers their Manticore, isn’t a manticore. It’s the stable elf they met before, Jane. This explains a great deal. Why the manticore wasn’t aggressive. Why it hasn’t talked. Jane doesn’t know how to be a manticore. The discussion ends in a fight as the heroes attempt to kill Sethlok. In the battle to follow the demon cat is briefly incapacitated by the heroes, a stunning stab from Razor Beak and later Vines from Lori. Despite the bondage, the demon is still able to use limited magic. It is enough to get free after its taken a great deal of damage. (DM’s note: STILL not good at playing the enemies/adversaries. I’ll figure it out eventually!).
Sethlok leads the heroes on a chase to town, where they discover everything burning. There are other Bakanekos (demon cats) attacking the town. Monks are scattered, battling as best they can. In the run there, Sethlok has managed to heal slightly before the next round of battle begins. The heroes are battered and low on health before the demon makes another escape. This time he uses a wall of fire. Alistair could have given pursuit, but that would mean losing the group. He remains with the others.
The demon is found in the monk’s monestary once the heroes are able to give chase. There Kayden and two assisting monks are attempting to summon the Fire Phoenix in the hopes the great spirit will save them. Threyss guards the monks from the party. No one is willing to accept that the demon cat could be slain. Everyone except the party believes the demon is unkillable by them. They’ve been mislead by secret whispers, Sethlok manipulating the monks. They are in a panic, a frenzy. There’s nothing they can do.
Thistle attempts to attack the monks, but is unable to stop them. They are resolute in summoning the phoenix, nothing will stop them. Jane the manticore seems all too happy to attack and attempt to disable Threyss after what the monks have done to them. Alistair makes several attempts to persuade them, weakening their resolve, until at last Thistle and Amethyst kill the demon. It is enough to make Kayden stop in his ritual, shocked by the sight of their greatest nemesis, dead.
Threyss is unwilling to accept victory. He believes this is a trap and charges into the sacrificial ring to complete the summoning. In doing so, he sacrifices himself. There is an earth-shaking split as the Phoenix arrives, bursting through the monestary and going to ransack the town. The heroes are given a short rest to recover, they’ve been battered and beaten from a day of non-stop combat. Freshly healed, they give chase.
In the ensuing battles, Soren and Alistair are nearly taken out by the phoenix as it unleashes massive attacks against the party. The bird makes strikes from the sky, unleashes massive attacks of fire. Compared to the battle against Sethlok, the phoenix is a shorter and more easily beaten enemy.
The constant combat is enough for several in the party to level up:
Back at the monastery, a decision is made for the fate of the town, and the monks. Kayden will be banished and spend his life sending resources to the town. The rest of the monks will live, though many will mourn the losses they brought upon themselves, the unnecessary death. The town is all but destroyed, but most of its people live. They will rebuild. Jane’s transformation is believed to be permanent. He offers the party is books, though they’ve already stolen them. There may be a cure somewhere among them.
The heroes are given gold, Alistair’s fire-resistance becomes permanent, and the others learn a permanent Absorb Elements spell (1 free use).
Report Date
21 May 2024
Comments