Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Ireth]

I take a deep breath through the nose, folding my arms and holding Ankari's gaze. "If you must know, I did not come here willingly, but was ordered to by my queen. I had no wish to go to sea, nor indeed leave my homeland or my lover, yet Her Majesty insisted. Even so, I choose to stay and fight with the rest of our company, and that is what is important. Not our reasons for being here. So hold your tongue, Ankari. I do not wish for any of us to be enemies, but you seem determined to make them of us."

 

[Ravana]

((Note: The reptiles attack as soon as the boat reaches the place shown in the map.…))

Algernon pushes hard, muscles straining to get the boat to shore as fast as possible once it rounds the bend. A group of the smaller reptiles rise from behind the rubble and barrels the instant the boat is fully in view, loosing arrows from the short bows they wield.…

Algernon continues to put all of his strength into paddling. You anticipate that a few precious seconds remain before you will hit the shore.…

…which never happens.

The instant he sees five trogs pop up, Algernon follows the one suggestion of Aliron's he considered good (and which he intended to do even without it being suggested): we don't try taking on a large group of them. His oar slashes the water across the back of the canoe, spinning it to starboard—the shorter way around, since it had yet to straighten out to begin with—then driving it back the way we came with all the strength his barbarian instincts can manage.

This has the added benefit of putting his back to the archers… across which his shield is slung.

As soon as he has the bow of the canoe pointed the direction he wants, he yells to Baldhart "Row!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

The moment I feel the boat begin to slow, I shout, "Land this damn thing NOW or I swim!"

((Mauve is in the water… no way would Baldy abandon her. No way can Algernon make a U-turn faster than Baldy can react. If Algernon does not stay the course, Baldy swims as far as she can, and underwater hoping arrows can't hit her while she's under.))

 

[Ravana]

((The boat's turning.))

•

[balance redacted—inappropriate OOC commentary]

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

*SPLASH*

Sorry, Aliron… I was hoping to heal you.


((Unfortunately, the unexpected events cancelled Baldhart's planned action to gradually step forward - to not rock the boat - and heal Aliron. For Algernon to do a U-turn, Baldhart would react immediately to that, and no longer have time to even reach for her pouch. Any failure for Algernon to comply with her demand can only be met with a jump the moment the boat stops progressing. It can't be instant.

Hopefully, Baldy's close enough to shore to be underwater now, but able to attack on the turn after. I guess I'll find out soon…!))


I use the weight of my gear to keep me under, as I approach the far-right lizard that Nod shot at.


((I can hold breath for 3 turns without a check, right? I should be able to get to shore by then.))


Why do cowards always panic when we can easily win?

 

[Ankari]

"You speak with two tongues, and sometimes they knot. Were you ordered, or did you chose? Does it matter?" I touch the area where the pendant kisses my chest. These companions are a fragile lot. "I do not wish to make enemies of anyone, nor do I wish to sow discord between anyone. I state what is obvious to everyone'e eyes. You are weighed down by thoughts, and they heavy hand pulls at the other end, staggering you.

You remind me of a man who sees a great tree atop a mountain. He wishes to cut it down to fashion a boat in advance of a coming flood. As the flood waters lap against his feet, he despairs at the distance of that tree. Meanwhile, he stands in a copse of lesser trees around him.

Meaning, deal with the matters at hand. When you have escaped the flood, climb to your mountain and do as you please."

 

[Ireth]

"Is that not exactly what I have been saying all along? It does not matter!" I can barely contain my frustration. "I am here now, and I will remain here until my task is done, or I die in the attempt to achieve it. But it will be that much easier if we can act in harmony, and your blunt words are impeding that very thing. I would advise you to keep silent for once, and perhaps you will be the better for it."

I turn away to keep watch over the tunnel entrance, quietly grinding my teeth and hoping the argument has not drawn attention from anything lurking out of sight.

 

[Ankari]

"What your lips say and what your face reveals are two different things. Before you can ask others to act in harmony, you must will your heart and mind to do so."

 

[Ireth]

I ignore Ankari, not wanting to get into another argument. This one was already too many. I breathe slowly, willing myself to calm down.

 

[Ankari]

The abrupt sounds punching the still air push all concerns for the knight aside. I nock an arrow to my bow and settle into the quiet place in my mind all hunters possess. "Our companions did not fare well. Prepare to provide cover."

 

[Ireth]

I turn back and look out to the water, my hand moving to the hilt of my sword as I shove Ankari's spiteful words out of my mind. What matters now is keeping my friends alive, if I may.

 

[Steerpike]

((New map. Don't act until I get the narrative up. Just to help understand what is going on - the canoe was previously moving as fast as you could take it toward the shore. To turn in this enclosed area without taking the thing into an arc that slams it into a wall, it has to be pretty near stopped, then pivoted. It can be done with weight toward the back of the canoe (I've done it before, though even then there was a bit of an arc the boat traveled). I'm going to say the canoe moves five feet forward before Algernon can bring it to as near enough a stop he needs to turn the boat around. That's probably generous, but Algernon is strong. Baldhart and Mauve are overboard, so the bulk of the weight in the boat is now at the back, which helps Algernon pivot the craft. This all has to happen within about six seconds, so the map shows where the canoe is now, with Algernon having more or less stopped it's forward momentum and got the thing facing in the other direction.

I'll go back through and see who had the light. If not explicitly stated, I'll just make a ruling. Also, remember that there are two light sources on the shore. They're not shown on the map, which was already crowded, but there are two large, rough stones giving off a white light)).

 

[Steerpike]

((There was mention of a torch, but not who had it. Seems Mauve is the most likely candidate, so I'm going to improvise a bit to see where it ends up. By the way - where is Mauve's staff?)).

The Fight

A bit of chaos ensues as the party comes under attack. Mauve leaps overboard almost instantly, handing her torch quickly to Baldhart, who has to readjust her grip on her weapon to take it and keep the boat from going up in flames. Mauve disappears under the surface for a moment, then resurfaces, with the dagger in hand, mouthing the words of the transformation spell.

Baldhart shuffles the torch to her weapon hand as she starts to open her pouch to get at some berries for Aliron. Just as she does so, the canoe's momentum drops noticeably, Algernon's muscles straining as he brings the craft to a near-stop in just seconds and begins to turn in the direction the party came. Baldhart's eyes flick toward Mauve and she reconsiders the berries. Moving to the edge, Baldhart hands the torch to the nearest available member. Nodrick is sizing up one of the lizards with his own bow, so Baldhart slaps the torch into Aliron's hand and hurls herself into the drink.

The weight of Baldhart's armor drops her like a stone. She hits the bottom of the lake a few seconds later and, using her own incredible strength, makes for the shore. Her speed is not great, weighed down as she is, but she is able to make progress and realizes she will have no trouble holding her breath until she reaches the rocky shore where the lizard ambush waits.

Nodrick gets his arrow off, the missile hurtling through the dim cavern. It looks to be fairly well on-target, but instead of striking the reptile it strikes the mound of rocks behind which the creature is crouched.

Aliron finds himself with a torch in one hand and an arrow in one leg. The rotation of the boat now puts him more distant to the reptiles. He grabs the shaft of the arrow and, judging it has not gone deep enough to have to be pushed through, yanks the missile from his thigh.

The two left-most lizards fire at the party again, this time taking aim at Algernon, who is the most visible target due to the movement of the boat.

Reptile Attack [1d20+1] = 19+1 = 20


Reptile Attack [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12

The first arrow strikes Algernon in the shoulder. This gets his attention and he is able to bring the oar up to block the second arrow, the missile striking the wood with a thud and staying there.

Reptile Damage [1d6] = 4

((Algernon -4 HP from the one arrow)).

The remaining lizards hold their fire, their glittering eyes focused on the water where Baldhart and Mauve disappeared and they peer from behind their cover. ((Baldhart is the only one who doesn't see what the lizards are doing)).

Meanwhile, At the Rest of the Group

Darin listens to the group in silence, appearing thoughtful as Cadell speaks.

"We have long lived with the Taint here in the north. It is growing worse as time passes. Many of my kind would retreat to our underground homes and leave it for the surface dwellers to deal with. Others, such as myself, prefer to confront it head on, wary that once it stretched its reach across the surface it would seek us below ground, and we would have no allies."

"What you do, here, helping to end this curse even though these lands are not your own...it is a good thing. I care not why you came, only what you do now."

He moves over to Cadell as he speaks, pointing to the stump of Cadell's arm. "Is the pain lessened?" Darin rubs thoughfully at his beard. "I have seen an artificial hand made that will grip a sword like a vise, but that can be made to release it when not needed. You will fight with both hands again."

 

[Nihal]

((I think it's with Hiljikki, Rydh refused it.))

The water current changes. I don't know what is going on, Baldhart dropping inside the water instead of waiting the boat to reach the heralds trouble. The cold is momentarily gone.

I'll have to take the front if I wish her to survive.

White lights. Obstacles. That may work...

Swimming to the cave wall, I take big gulps of water and aim on the lizard behind the nearest rock. My webbed hands and feet make a nice job propelling me past Baldhart, and I leap out of the water, attempting to strike the lizard with my clawed hand.


((Oh, nice, another natural 1. How come I managed to roll two 1 for my latest two melee attacks?))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

The coward leaves women to fight and die alone. No wonder, Nissa. No wonder men are not admitted to where we go. I will never waver from Brynhild's path to ensure I get there.

You never have, Baldy. And you will get there. But this is not the battle in which you die.

My sentiments exactly.


* * *


Ready to catch whatever arrows haven't already been fired into Mauve, I emerge on the far right of the shore using the glowing rocks as my guide. This may provide me some cover… I strike the lizard by the white rocks as I emerge!

I thrust…

…a clean hit…

…I go for penetration!

Impale and lift…

…and let the corpse catch some arrows with my name on it before I tear the next lizard apart.

Now that Mauve has seen how I use my strength, maybe she can learn a new trick. Not a magic trick but one of might.

"Stab and Grab, Mauve!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nodrick

I look at the big lug. "Betraying Baldhart? You stole my idea." Subtle, Nod. "Oh, kidding. Yeah. I know you have a… plan. Right?"

I aim my crossbow at the lizard on the left. He's not very well hidden.

Going, going…

"Die!"

 

[SeverinR]

[[sorry I was not able to post earlier, but it doesn't look like anyone else could have done damage]]
[[I fire as soon as I see them, +2 more to hit if night time.]]




reaching for another arrow, I am hit twice, the thigh wound is deep and bleeding, rather then attempt another shot I lower myself to minimize the chance of getting hit again.
Once turned, I will be the person furthest from the arrows. Then I will try to stem the flow of blood.
I curse softly when in mid turn I hear the splash of someone falling in.
"Can someone grab who ever fell." I call out to the others. "I didn't think about the clumsy warriors, not being ready for the sharp turn."
"I think I gave a lizard more then what I got. Can anyone tell how bad my arrow hit? I was distracted."
"I don't think I could survive another good arrow hit like this one." I say softly holding a dressing around the arrow.
"Who fell in?"

 

[Ravana]

((By the way - where is Mauve's staff?))

((I think it's with Hiljikki, Rydh refused it.))

((That was my understanding as well. I PMed you asking about it a few days ago, Steerpike.))

 

[SeverinR]

[[Not to be the cowardly rogue, but I think the arrow would stay in, When I lowered myself I would probably dropped the bow in the cannoe, so I could take the torch if I was paying attention, if not I would probably drop it in the cannoe. ]]

"They are fighting?" I gasp, "five to two? or is there more?"
"We need to get the warriors across as soon as possible, leave me behind, I will hide. They won't be able to kill that many without help." Lifting to look where the rest of the party is, and against all my training I yell.
"Attacked, two are attacking the attackers. Warriors prepare! You must get across quickly."

 

[Ravana]

((I could take the torch if I was paying attention, if not I would probably drop it in the cannoe.))

((If you drop it in the canoe, Algernon will say "Pick it up or throw it away! No fire in the boat!"))

I look at the big lug. "Betraying Baldhart? You stole my idea." Subtle, Nod. "Oh, kidding. Yeah. I know you have a… plan. Right?"

"Yeah… but Baldhart's gone an' messed it up. Why'd she haveta go an' do that? An' people think I'm stupid."

He brings the canoe back around so that it faces the direction we came from. "Wish that fish-girl woulda just grabbed her an' hauled her back to us."

He sighs. "Now I dunno. Them doggletribes is kinda busy… you guys wanna shoot from here? Or what?"