Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Steerpike]

The weapon strikes the dwarf a solid blow, sending up shimmering sparks of golden light and causing the dwarf to shift his feet to maintain his balance.


Calexa smirks, taking her attention away from the conjured weapon and fingering the hilts of her swords meaningfully as her eyes narrow at Baldhart.

((That'll do it, I think. Have at it! ))

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I hear someone approach me from behind, and feel the familiar warmth of healing magic. The arrow still protrudes from my thigh, but the skin and muscle have healed around it; thankfully it no longer hurts, but I can only imagine how much removing it now will hurt. I flash Keit a brief smile of thanks, then dodge the next oncoming blow and attack my foe again.

((That's the right bonuses/penalties, yeah? +1 to-hit, -1 for gauntlet, no +2?))

I cannot recall the last time I did so poorly in a fight. What is wrong with me?

Líadan

I do not flinch as the arrows fly past me, but nock another of my own and take aim at the lizard furthest to my left ((far right on the map)), praying yet again to my god.

Another miss! It must be a sign. From now on I will focus on healing rather than fighting, if I am not myself struck down before I can.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Looks like we're beat, Nissa.

You fought well, Baldy. Not a bad way to earn your wings, is it?

Not bad for me, but the others lose their lives as well. Nissa, I'm prepared to die now. But if there's a chance I can save everyone, it's the right thing to do, isn't it?

You'll sacrifice yourself and have the others flee?

Not that. She won't let us flee. And I'll die before I beg or surrender, but there's no shame in admitting defeat.

I grab Tommen and put my sword to his throat.

((The following assumes the grab worked.))

I return Calexa's smirk.

"Call off your lizards, Calexa. For Tommen."

I can end him faster than she or her army can act, and she knows it!

 

[SeverinR]

I change targets as Baldhart is to close to Tommen, so I shoot the end lizard on the side I can see unobstructed.

night arrowshot [1d20+7] = 7+7 = 14

arrow damage [1d8] = 7

[[good call, not sure if 14 would have hit Tommen, almost sure it hits the lizard and will probably be one less bolt shooting lizard.]]

 

[Nihal]

The battle unfolds around me in a crazy pace. I take the opportunity to slip away from the enemies, clumsy twisting away if any of them attempt to catch me with their claws or worse, weapons.


((At least it's not a natural 1?))

The glistening of an armor right in the fringe of my field of vision reveals the human knight's proximity and I retreat into his direction, eying the lizards warily, hoping to catch any blow that follows me. If only I can make it safely to his back, I'll have the cover of a shield and some obstacles between me and the lizards to provide some time to figure what the hell I'm supposed to do now.

 

[Ireth]

Matthew

Chaos reigns, and it is not kind to us. Slowly but surely we are losing strength, losing ground. I doubt Keit and Liadan will have enough magic between them to deal with the damage we are being dealt.

I have a clear shot at the lizard to Mauve's left ((her right on the map)). I lunge at it with my spear and shield high--

--and miss the thing completely.

I shake my head. For the sake of my god, I cannot back down.

"Let's finish them!"

((Steerpike, please make sure to factor in the appropriate CHA bonus (which I don't know), since Matthew's bio in the info thread doesn't give any indication of his stats at all, and he hasn't posted in the update thread yet!))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart (out of body)

My heart fails me… I was too late to save them. I watch from above, seeing the lizards in a horseshoe shape around us, most attacks failing to strike their targets, and the snake woman with her two—no—three weapons among the few that won't miss. Maybe we could’ve won, but I didn’t want to bet Branwen’s life on it. It's no longer up to me now.

Funny, my body didn’t slump over. How am I holding Tommen up, then? Nissa, is my corpse leaning on him? Uh… Nissa?

Oh…




Nissa (controlling Baldhart’s body)

Good. Got the heart pumping. Still have a strong grip on the hostage, and wow—what an arm! This could be fun, but if Calexa complies, I'll do what Baldy intended… if I can make sense of those last few thoughts.

 

[Steerpike]

((New Map!))

 

[Steerpike]

As the battle continues to rage, Branwen releases Líadan's leg and crouches, elbows propped on her knees, eyes wide.

Cadell remains locked in single combat with his foe, but try as he might he can't seem to find an opening through the flurry of the creature's axe.

Líadan looses an arrow at a lizard to her left, but it sails over the beast and disappears into the darkness of the cavern beyond.

Baldhart reaches out to grab Tommen, her powerful arm closing like a vise. He tries to break free of her hold:

[1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17

Tommen is strong, but it is not enough. He can't manage to force Baldhart's grip open.

Aliron changes targets and fires at one of the smaller lizards. The arrow catches the hapless creature in the side of the skull just as it is preparing for another shot. The lizard goes down in a heap.

Mauve attempts to slip away from the battle, but the large lizard next to her regains its senses and lashes out with its axe:

[1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17

[1d8+2] = 4+2 = 6

The blow is jarring, catching Mauve across the upper shoulder and digging down into her torso. She stumbles back before falling, and the lizard takes a step, ready to bring its fearsome axe down again.

((6 HP to Mauve))

Matthew dashes around Mauve, shield up and a cry on his lips, interrupting the lizard's progress. He lunges with his spear, and the surprised lizard makes a hasty dodge to avoid the blow, hissing in frustration at being unable to close with Mauve, who lies on the ground, bleeding.

The large reptile fighting Darin attacks with his axe:

[1d20+2] = 11+2 = 13

But the dwarf deflects the blow with his shield, trying to keep one eye on the strange glowing hammer as it falls toward him again by some invisible hand:

[1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12

The dwarf's shield is on the wrong side to block the blow, but he turns his shoulder with it, the hammer glancing off of his armor without doing any harm.

The smaller lizard nearest Matthew fires a quick bolt at the knight:

[1d20+1] = 8+1 = 9

Matthew's shield serves him well, deflecting the bolt aside. The lizard's companion whirls, looking for the source of Aliron's arrow. He spies Aliron hiding amongst the rocks, and though the rocks provide good cover the lizard fires a bolt anyway:

[1d20+1] = 20+1 = 21

By the hand of whatever slithering god the lizards pray too in the depths of their dim minds, the bolt flies true and before Aliron can duck out of the way the bolt catches him in the shoulder.

[1d6] = 6

It is a solid blow.

((6 HP to Aliron))

Cadell's lizard seems less amused than before as he strikes out yet again with his axe:

[1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7

The stalemate continues, elf and lizard exchanging blows but neither harming the other.

Batos and the lizard he fights also exchange attacks, with the faster wolf leaping in first with another bite:

Batos Bite [1d20] = 20

The wolf is fierce, the blood in its mouth from a previous attack fueling its animal instincts.

Batos Damage [1d8+3] = 2+3 = 5

The lizard hisses in pain as the wolf's jaws clamp onto its side. Though weakened, he is not yet out of the fight, and he brings his axe crashing down toward Batos' back:

[1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6

The pain is too great for the lizard to focus properly, and even though the wolf is chewing into his side, the creature can't get an effective shot in.

Ankari takes aim and fires at Calexa once more:

Ankari Shot [1d20+3] = 2+3 = 5

The shot is no better than the last attempt, and Calexa gives no evidence of having seen it.

Of the final two smaller lizards, one hears the cries of pain of the lizard practically being eaten alive by Batos and rounds on the pair, firing its bolt at the wolf:

[1d20+1] = 4+1 = 5

The shot is terrible, missing the wolf and striking the large reptile instead:

[1d6] = 5

With a final, agonizing hiss the large reptile goes down. The smaller lizard gulps and hastily begins reloading its crossbow.

The other smaller lizard stays on target, it's bolt loosed at Ankari:

[1d20+1] = 17+1 = 18

Another accurate shot. Perhaps this creature is a markman among lizards.

[1d6] = 1

Luckily, Ankari sees the bolt flashing through the air from the corner of his eye and manages to twist his body at the last second. Thought the bolt still hits, it is not as bad as it might have been.

Calexa frowns at Baldhart but wastes no time moving forward to strike with her sword. Tommen twists his head around, saying "Forgive me, Calexa. I pray it was enough." And then Calexa's blade is there, punching at the barbarian even as Nissa-Baldhart says "Say hi to Baldhart for me" and draws her blade along Tommen's throat.

[1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17

Calexa's blade bites into Baldhart's shoulder, and the reptile-witch flashes a smile at the barbarian.

[1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7

((7 HP to Baldhart

That should do it. Remember that while the lizard Batos is fighting is shown on the map, that creature was actually killed by friendly fire))

 

[Nihal]

The lizard facing me reacts in the instant I retreat as if he was awaiting a signal. I turn my head slightly, seeing the knight closing in, almost losing my footing. It took only a half second. The impact of the axe on my shoulder sends waves of pain to my arm and back, followed by numbness. The axe works its way through my chest, forcing a funny noise out of my mouth and pushing me back.

Crap.

I fall on my back, gasping and attempting to make the world stop spinning while the blurry form of what would be the lizard approaches to finish me, being shadowed then by another blurry form. I don't get to see what happens next—agony finally extinguishes the light.

((FYI: 0 MP and -2 HP, what would make her unconscious. Weee!
She was wearing the necklace they found, but I don't think it helps there. xD))

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

Mauve goes down, and the lizard closes in on her. I can't heal her until that monster is out of the way.

One good shot, Oercus, can you give me that? One shot!

((Mistyped the +2 for being a devout of Oercus, so that's a 16.))

With any luck, the lizard will at least be distracted by the pain enough to let me heal the girl. I rush forth and lay my hand on her shoulder, murmuring a spell.

((I hope I'm allowed to do two things per turn! If so, Liadan is down to 7 MP.))

Cadell

My foe and I are locked in a stalemate; I cannot afford to be distracted by what's happening around me, lest I slip and be injured again. I bare my teeth in a snarl and strike at the lizard again.

Curses snarl through my thoughts. How long can we hold out like this?

You're allowed to give up, you know. There's no Code binding you anymore.

I shake off the voice in my head. Code or no Code, I cannot and will not surrender.

 

[Ireth]

Matthew

Liadan fires at the lizard I am defending Mauve from, but the arrow doesn't seem to do much damage to its scaly hide. I raise my spear again and lunge, hoping to bring it down in her stead.

 

[Ankari]

Desperation is a trait of the wounded animal. Arrows fall like rain,and our foe is something beyond our ability. A witch-kin of Aslaug-know-delusional-goddess. In her struggle to ward off the taint, she has become something similar.

Gods. Symbols. Hope.

I pull the medallion from under my leathers and wrap it in around my fist. If there are higher powers in this world, then this witch-kin violates the god who has claimed this northern mud pit. Symbols mean nothing and something. Today, I hope, it is the latter.

I pull the axe from its loop and charge this serpent demon. As I close the distance, I think of Catli. My sacrifice for a the hope she represents. A fitting bargain.

(attack)

(damage)

 

[Keitsumah]

Batos rips into his enemies, unstoppable even as several blows are aimed at him but miss pathetically. The wolf's eyes are filled with bloodlust, and his need to kill has overridden every other instinct, even that of self-preservation. When the lizard falls, blood spatering the ground, Batos leaps for the next one:

Batos Leap[1d20+0] = 19+0 = 19

The lizard has no chance, and ends up being tackled, Batos chomps down with a vicious snarl:

Batos Bite[1d8+3] = 8+3 = 11
((Don't mess with this puppy! *evil cackle*))

Blood spurts, and through the link I feel his own bloodlust flood me. My body thrums with power, the need to fight and kill. The monster rises up above us, and abomination, and my heart pounds somewhere in my ears. I cannot attack her with a spell, but maybe i can distract her long enough to help the others.

Raising my hands over my head, words flow from my lips, the adrenaline rush from my combined link with Batos creating an excited tone to my words.

Light[1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21

A blindingly bright light takes form near the serpent's head, and my legs threaten to give way beneath me as so much power escapes at once. Brighter . . . brighter . . . I pray it is enough to blind the creature, even for a few seconds. It might be enough fro one of my new friends to strike a fatal blow.

 

[Steerpike]

((Here's the new map))

 

[Steerpike]

((OK, I think I got everyone!))

Mauve lays on the ground, unconscious and bleeding, Matthew standing next to her in a defensive position. He jabs at the large reptile with his spear, driving the tip deep into the creature's abdomen, then pulling it free to unleash a gout of black blood.

The lizard hisses, and is immediately struck by Liadan's arrow, which digs into the muscle of its upper left arm.

Liadan's Damage [1d6] = 4

The lizard does not fall, though its legs buckle for a moment. It gathers its strength and lashes at Matthew with its axe:

Attacks Matthew [1d20+2] = 7+2 = 9

The blow is ineffectual, Matthew knocking it aside with his shield. The defensive maneuver opens him up to the crossbow bolts of the small lizards to his left.

Fires at Matthew [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14

Fires at Matthew [1d20+1] = 17+1 = 18

Matthew turns his shield in the direction of the fire. The first bolt glances off the top of his shield, shattering the bolt. The second whispers just above the rim and embeds itself beneath Matthew's collar bone.

Damage to Matthew [1d6] = 4

((4 HP to Matthew))

Liadan is already kneeling next to Mauve, beginning the words of a healing spell.

Cadell are his foe seemed locked in an endless struggle, skill against skill, an even match of ability and strength. Cadell's blow is deflected by the lizards's axe. The lizard counters:

Attacks Cadell [1d20+2] = 9+2 = 11

And again Cadell's shield is too fast. The lizard hisses in frustration.

Batos leaps at one of the smaller lizards, who backpedals fearfully. It's no use. The wolf bears the hapless creatures to the ground and crushes its throat with his jaws. The lizards nearest Batos fumbles with his crossbow and fires at the wolf:

At Batos [1d20+1] = 6+1 = 7

In its fear, the lizard's aim is off and the bolt bounces off the ground nears the wolf's feet.

Ankari switches to his axes and rushes at Calexa, sprinting deftly around Cadell and his foe to launch an attack at the great serpent witch. His axe strikes home, cutting through the scales of her hide to draw rich, red blood. Calxea hisses and looks down, eyes narrowing at Ankari.

Baldhart, too, is there, leaping over Tommen's corpse to drive her swords at Calexa:

Baldhart Attack [1d20+4] = 20+4 = 24

Baldhart Damage [2d6+3] = 5+3 = 8

Calexa shrieks at this second attack, which punches through her thick skin. She draws back with her sword, ready to attack Baldhart.

There is an eruption of light near Calexa's face, coming at the end of a quick muttering of magical words by Keitsumah.

WIS Check [1d20+5] = 14+5 = 19

Calexa is no stranger to magic, however, and the light neither blinds nor confounds her. She brings her sword in a wide arc at the barbarian:

Sword Attack at Baldhart [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6

Baldhart is too fast, and she dodges the blow.

Darin continues in melee with his own enemy, the dwarf wounded but having lost none of his strength or determination. He swings his hammer at the creature:

Darin's Attack [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7

The lizard turns the blow aside and counters with an attack of own:

Attacks Darin [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22

Damage to Darin [1d8+2] = 4+2 = 6

The axe hits Darin, seeming to stagger the dwarf for a split second. The mysterious glowing hammer slams down toward the dwarf again:

Hammer Attacks Darin [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6

But Darin recovers his senses just in time to avoid it.

Meanwhile, a Liadan moved forward to help Mauve, Branwen remained hunched where she was, singing softly to herself and watching the battle with wide eyes.

Aliron stays well hidden behind the cover of rocks, assessing his wounds from the previous lizard attack.

 

[Ireth]

Matthew

A shocked grunt of pain escapes me as a crossbow bolt from one of the smaller lizards pierces my shoulder, just below my collarbone. I do my best to force back the pain, a prayer to Tyr on my lips as I attack the larger lizard in front of me. It is already bleeding from my spear; maybe another blow or two will bring it down, gods willing.

Luck is not with me today, it seems.

Cadell

I continue in my futile dance with the remaining lizard, each of us dodging and deflecting the others' blows. Sooner or later something has to give.

Finally! My blade finds flesh and bites deep, and a grim smile rises to my lips. Maybe now I can get to Calexa and help the others finish her off.

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I remain kneeling next to Mauve, focused on healing her wounds. The battle rages on around me; I hear evidence that others are hurt, but I cannot turn away from Mauve to help them yet.

[spellcast roll from previous Liadan post - 1d8 = 6]

 

[SeverinR]

Time to engage, Silently and swiftly
Over the rocks, I charge to the back of the distracted Celexa.
[If possible I will charge and deliver a backstab.]
+4 to hit backstab, double damage will be what I post, add charge bonus if it is possible.

The Unseen Servant
25 to hit without charge bonus. (+4+1(elf using lg sword) +1 (lvl)

<a href=http://unseenservant.com/Default.asp?do=showone&id=13321>arrow damage [1d8] = 5</a>
arrow damage [1d8] = 5
10 damage(+charge if any)

"Oh, wait...you weren't talking to us, when you said 'Leave none alive'?" I laugh as I twist the blade and rip the it from the wound.

*************
A glint of steel, a flash of light
You know you're not going home tonight
Be it jack or switch, doctor's or mind
Nowhere to run, everywhere you'll find
You can't escape from the bed you've made
When your time has come,
You'll accept the blade!
...And the blade is MINE! Twisted sister-under the blade(except for Aliron's additional last line)

"Beat that Ranger! Lets show this beast an Elven beat down!"
"Darin, this is the desecrator of your ancestors graves! Lets see your vengence!"

 

[SeverinR]

oops, rolled macro for arrow damage rather then lg sword damage, they are the same so ignore the arrow damage label.