Oak Runestone

If a character under this effect hits a monster with a Melee weapon, that monster may not fly for one round. Multiple Oak Runestone effects made in the same round do not stack, but if the monster is hit with the Oak Runestone effect every round, the monster continues to stay grounded for as long as the character(s) can continue to hit it with the Oak Runestone effect. If the monster is in flight while hit by the Oak Runestone effect, the monster immediately, yet gently floats to the ground. (I.e., the monster does not take falling damage.) Anyone being carried when the monster became grounded is released and also lands safely. (I.e., the former “passenger” is neither crushed by the monster nor takes falling damage.)

Bear in mind, the Oak Runestone effect can only affect Melee weapons, but most flying creatures cannot be hit with a standard Melee attack. Thus, the character wanting to use that effect may have to perform a Melee-for-Ranged attack.

Assuming no further Oak Runestone hits, the effect ends at the end of the character who inflicted it’s next turn. Here is one possible scenario to illustrate this timing:

• Round 1a: Monster wins initiative, attacks.
• Round 1b: On the party’s turn, a player successfully makes an Oak Runestone Melee-for-Ranged strike on the monster. The monster becomes grounded at the end of that the players’ turn, after all attacks have been resolved.
• Round 2a: Monster takes its turn, but it cannot fly.
• Round 2b: The party attacks the still grounded monster. After all attacks have been resolved, if:
  • the monster has not been struck with another Oak Runestone effect, it regains the ability to fly and may do so at the beginning of its turn on round 3.
  • the monster is struck with another Oak Runestone effect, it won’t regain the ability to fly until after the party’s turn on round 4–assuming it’s not hit with another Oak Runestone effect.

Runestones are single use items that are turned in to the coach prior to starting an adventure. The effects are added to your overall stats. One runestone may be used per adventure.