Dragon's Egg - Act II

[SeverinR]

The feathered female tries to keep us elves in front, but I am quick, and flank her, she either faces me or Ankari, she cannot do both. (Move first then attacked)
"You played the music, let me show you the dance moves! Take this to heart!" I jab with the sword.

Can't get off the 12's

 

[Keitsumah]

When the blade slices into me a choked gasp is wrenched from my throat, and I stumble back. Crimson spills out onto my hands, and I stare down in shock. Cold creeps into my body, and my limbs start to shake as a pool of blood clouds the water.

The moment Batos scents it, he goes balistic. His hackles rise to the utmost, and the rune on his forhead glows too brightly to look directly at. He seems to swell in size and his eyes take on that look that only a predator can hold. One that says that despite all odds, they will kill.

He circles around me, not even snarling, just quietly padding in circles, watching the harpy and waiting for his next chance to rip its throat out.

 

[Keitsumah]

"Batos." I hiss, and the wolf glances at me. "Now. Combo . . attack."

Grittign my teeth, I yank my staff out of its sheath and Batos alighns himself next to me, and we charge the harpy.

[1d20+3] = 12+3 = 15

Batos launches himself at the harpy, and my staff swings down in an arc opposite to his movement to clap the beast beween our attacks.

[1d6+0]= 4 (keit's hit)

[1d8+3]= 10 (Batos's bite)

(Ignore both if its not this turn)

 

[Keitsumah]

(woops forgot Bato's chance roll! silly me! here it is..)

[1d20+3]= 15

 

[Steerpike]

((New map. For those wondering about the lower harpy, I used a die roll to determine her orientation, but only gave her a ten percent chance of turning to Aliron, since Ankari has been harming her. As it happens, the ten percent won out)).

 

[Steerpike]

As the battle plays out in the wet cavern, Cadell supports Darin, keeping the dwarf from drowning, and calls out to Rydh to help. Rydh splashes through the water to Cadell, finding the dwarf in a state of near-death. Reaching out with his hand, Rydh directs the familiar warmth and power of his healing spell into the dwarf. The gash in Darin's neck stops bleeding and the wound closes before your eyes. The dwarf has lost a great deal of blood, however, the water around Cadell coming away red with it. Even healed, the dwarf does not regain consciousness.

Mauve taunts the harpy she brought down with her rope and prepares herself to avoid any attack. The creature angrily shrugs off the rope, but before she can attack Baldhart charges into her from the side, slicing into the creature and driving her against the wall. The harpy's breath is expelled in a gasp and though she remains standing her eyes unfocus briefly and she is momentarily too dazed to act. Just then, Matthew rushes in from the side and grabs the harpy in an enormous bear hug, attempting to keep the foe constrained in a grapple. The creature shakes her head as her senses slowly start to return.

Keitsumah and Batos are also trying to get at the creature. Batos runs through Baldhart's legs and comes at the creature from another side, getting in a good bite and tearing a chunk of flesh from the harpy's leg. Keitsumah has her staff poised to strike when she rushes over, but has to pull back at the last minute. The Knight is grappling the creature, attempting to force it into submission, and there is no way to strike without a grave risk of hitting him instead.

Algernon begins a booming song, his deep voices echoing loudly throughout the cavern. His singing is as loud as that of the harpy, if not quite as beautiful.

The second harpy is warily positioned between Ankari and Aliron. A second of indecision, and Ankari takes advantage of the situation to fire an arrow into the harpy's torso. The creature sucks her breath in painfully, but then turns toward Aliron as he makes his move. Aliron's thrust misses and the creature beats it's massive wings as it leaps at Aliron, trying to get its taloned-legs out in front of it to attack:

Harpy Attack [1d20+3] = 3+3 = 6

Harpy Attack [1d20+3] = 10+3 = 13

Aliron is able to avoid both attacks, and the harpy screams in frustration, the reek of her breath reaching his nose.

 

[Ireth]

I sigh as Darin's wound closes, but he does not wake. My companions seem to be holding their own against the harpies; I remain at Darin's side, supporting him and praying no enemies turn toward me. I look up at the ledge ahead and to my right, eyeing the black shapes huddling there. Please don't attack... I doubt I can fight them and keep Darin from drowning at the same time, assuming Rydh does not take my sword.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I watch the naked woman before me, bound and stuggling on the floor as her flesh is torn by blades and fangs. My heart sinks as I raise my blade, hoping to end the pain of this pitiful enemy.

I glance back for a moment. Darin--alive? If not for Mauve, Rydh would still be entranced, and--! And now it's up to me and this poor, wounded young elf to permanently silence the songbird.

And what of those figures perched on top of the ledge? Children? Would I see the bodies of little girls with wings up there? Are they too young to harm us? Do we starve them by killing the harpies that are old enough to fly? Are these creatures inherently evil, or just like animals who hunt to survive? No matter. I can neither slay children nor knowingly leave them for dead, no matter what they'll grow up to be.

I hold my blade overhead momentarily, just long enough to look my target in the eye and say,

"If you have children in your nest, I will leave them fresh lizard meat. But I cannot leave you to teach them your siren song."

Despite Sir Matthew's tackle, I thrust my blade and pray my aim is true…

18 #hit

14 #damage
((I guess when you have a Valkyrie with you, prayers get answered!

Oh… that's 18 to-hit, not 22. I added the 1 to-hit and 3 STR, and out of habit, added the +4 like I used to for my level 1 STR checks. I roll +1+3 or +2+3+4 now. There is no +1+3+4 for Baldy anymore. Sorry for the confusion.))

 

[Nihal]

"Well." They managed to hold our most dangerous foe, the problem is they're on my way.

We should take this one down first, but I don't think I would be able to attack it even if I had my spear...

I cast a glance to the other harpy when it screams, taking my decision. I rush to the elf woman, yanking my spear from her sheath and speaking coldly, "It's MY spear." I still can't believe they handed out my spear to a suspicious stranger, but it's a question for another time.

Time to make some more experiments. I aim at the smaller harpy and charge.

20 #hit
((Charge if the distance allows + flanking, still without situational modifiers. YES, another natural 20!))

3 #damage - Rawr!

 

[Keitsumah]

I whirl around at the voice and dodge aside just as Mauve grabs the spear from my staff sheath. Well, I certainly know it's not mine. No need to get mad.

Shrugging, i wince as it only aggravates my wound. Gritting my teeth, i stumbled away from the fighting. Batos noticed my action and splashed after me, soaked until his fur is a mess of grey and red splotches, and the ropy scars on his shoulder stand out sharply. Whining, he rubbed his head up against my hip, and i smiled weakly. "I'll be okay, Batos. But i need to get out of the way. You can still help."

Glancing around, i spot Cadell holding up a dwarf, and another man is beside them. He doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger, but the dwarf could still drown if Cadell dropped him.

"Drag." I command, making it to a rock and climbing up on top of it. The rune on Batos's forehead shimmers and he hesitates only for a moment before running towards Cadell and Rhyd.

The wolf barked as he came up to Cadell, skidding to a halt and sniffing Darin before the command clicked in his head, and he laid down in the water, his head just above the surface as he wedged himself under the dwarf to keep his head from lolling back. He snorted once, as if it was insulting to have to put himself through this, but he was clearly not going to go against what his master had told him to do.

 

[SeverinR]

I guess my job is to keep her attention or trim her plumage, cause I ain't hitting.

"How well do your babies sing? They will sing so sweet just before the dog eats them!!" I scream at her.

Piss her off, and she will ignore Ankari's attacks, I just hope my agility is god enough to dodge her attacks.

Never thought Aliron would be taunting to keep an attack on him.

 

[Ravana]

Now that Algernon is sure others have noticed the possibility of additional threats coming from the ledge, he seeks a more productive way to bring things to a close.

Hmm. Harpy's facing slightly away from me. Harpy's got two wings. Got two shoulders. I got two hammers. I could hammer in the morning. I could hammer— He terminates that thread of thought before it derails his present song.

Naah. Too hard to reach both shoulders at once. Just do the one. He times his charge to coincide with the verse: "I started to roar like thunder." It seems appropriate. Red-haired knuckles meet above his head as the two hammers are laid parallel to one another, then are brought down as one.

((+2 for charge, -2 arbitrary penalty for using both hands at once. Seemed more appropriate than making two rolls, since he's only doing one thing. Suppose I should've added +1 for flank attack, too, so make that a 19. Or less, if it seems the penalty ought to be steeper.))

 

[Sparkie]

He's not waking. I need to heal-

Out of nowhere comes the wolf. It uses its body to support Darin, lending aid to Cadell and I. Strange. No matter. Once again I cast...

Rydh casts Cure Light Wounds on Darin, heals 4 HP.

 

[Ankari]

The bird's back is turned to me. ((I should simply fall forward and hold two arrows in my hands. How can I miss, right? Oh wait, I forgot about how vengeful dice can be.))

Longbow Attack: [1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8 (I took a scary shadow to the left as the target!))

((Slay that shadow!!))

Arrow Damage: [1d8+3] = 5+3 = 8 (You're not seeing double, folks. My D20 = D8 roll!)

 

[SeverinR]

{Seeing the arrow glance off the ceiling, I know now who's feathers will be trimmed.}

"Ankari! Send one up her Arse! Would you, please!"
Might as well go for broke...
"When you die, your babies are plucked!" I say licking my lips "I get the baby wishbone!" I yell to the group.

I wonder if they speak my language.
Guess I'll know in a second.

 

[Steerpike]

((New Map))

 

[Steerpike]

The harpy engaged by Matthew and Baldhart slings the Knight off of her, causing him to stumble back a step. As she does so, Baldhart is speaking, but if the creature understands the words, she gives no indication of it. Baldhart thrusts with her sword, the blade punching low in the creature's abdomen on her right side, deep enough that the tip pushes through the skin of the creature's back and comes out the other side before Baldhart draws the sword back, leaving thick blood running from the wound. The creature shrieks in pain, and leaps at Baldhart, bringing its dagger down in a vicious arc while at the same time slashing with one taloned leg:

Harpy Dagger Attack [1d20+3] = 13+3 = 16
Harpy Claw Attack [1d20+3] = 1+3 = 4

Baldhart manages to sidestep the claw, but the creature's wicked blade catches her across the hip, the blade digging a bone-deep furrow as it moves downward.

Harpy Dagger Damage (correct) [1d4+3] = 4+3 = 7

((-7 Hp to Baldhart))

Keitsumah calls to Batos as Mauve runs to her to get her spear. Keitsumah turns to help Mauve get the spear free, then Mauve rushes toward the harpy being fought by Ankari and Aliron.

((Mauve can't run to Keit, get the spear free, and run down and attack all in the same round so I placed her on the map where she ends up))

Once the spear has been taken, Keitsumah climbs onto one of the rock formations protruding from the water, still feeling the sharp pain of the harpy's attack. Batos splashes through the water until he reaches Darin, the uses his head to support the dwarf in the water.

Cadell is still holding Darin when the wolf arrives to lend aid. The creature is smaller than the one that bit Cadell's hand off, though quite similar in form. Seeing that the dwarf is still unconscious, Rydh sends forth another wave of his healing energy. The dwarf's wounds are visibly healed even further, and for a moment it seems that is all that will happen. Then Darin's body twitches, a choking cough issues from his throat, and he rolls onto his side (still supported by Cadell) and coughs a lungful of fluid back into the stagnant water.

Aliron taunts the harpy in front of him, but concentrates his energy on avoid any blow from the creature ((will treat Aliron as evading; +4 AC)). Mauve arrives at the creature's side just as Ankari looses his wayward arrow. The arrow clatters harmlessly off the ceiling, breaking in two, the pieces falling into the water.

Algernon arrives with his throwing hammers clamped together in his strong hands. He brings them down as one, pounding the creature across the wings and shoulders:

Algernon Hammer Damage [1d6+4] = 2+4 = 6

The harpy's expression quickly turns to one of panick at the number of foes surrounding her. She beats her powerful wings and pushes off of the ground, swiping at Aliron with a claw as she goes:

Harpy Attack [1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21
Harpy Claw Damage [1d4] = 3

Even with all of his efforts turned to defense, the claws strike Aliron, two of the creatures talons puncturing exposed skin along Aliron's face and neck. The creature is clearly attempt to fly once more, and its wing raise for a forceful stroke that will propel it higher into the air.

((Everyone around this harpy with melee weapons can get one more attack in before it is out of range)).

 

[Ireth]

I smile in relief as Darin stirs and coughs. Coughing means breathing, and breathing means life. Even so, I do not let him go just yet. He may still be unsteady.

"Can you stand?" I ask, watching him closely. "You can just nod or shake your head."

 

[Sparkie]

As I cast, I shiver inadvertently. Something's different this time. I don't know if it's the spell, or something with the life energy flow, or what it is really. All I know is that I feel a wave of cold shoot through me as I let flow the magic.

For a split second I wonder if the spell worked. Darin doesn't move, and the wintry breeze through my soul gives me cause for doubt. But Darin eventually stirs, and my apprehensions are allayed. With our dwarven ally stable for now, I draw Cadell's sword from the sheath on his hip. I turn and run to Baldhart's right side, thrusting this borrowed blade at the bat-woman's ribs...

http://www.unseenservant.com/Default.asp?do=showone&id=11773

http://www.unseenservant.com/Default.asp?do=showone&id=11774

 

[Nihal]

((Since my attack was pushed to this roll, being on the same target etc, reusing the roll.))


With my beloved spear in hands I sprint in the cold water... The damn cold, stinky water in which I'm covered!

Argh, I have no more dry, clean clothes!

The harpy starts to raise it's wings when close in, and I see an opportunity there. I lower myself as I finish my charge and bound slightly, using the momentum to thrust upwards and under the cover its wings.




((+ flanking = 21?))


((+ charge for sure now = 5))