Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Ankari]

One more arrow left. The battle along the ledge seems under control, but what else could I do with a single arrow? One fish demon has yet to suffer the attention of She Wolf and Big Dog. The image of the two barking at one another over who deserves the right to kill the fish demon earns a chuckle. Best to put the creature out of it's misery from afar.



The screams of women and children shatter my concentration. Ah, good. Gisla is frozen like a deer surrounded by wolves. What Baldhart sees in the woman is beyond me. Her ineptitude is plain in her inaction.

Three of my company bend over the wounded wolf. How does an animal earn the attention of three potential defenders? I whistle to catch their attention. "Someone run toward the temple and make sure the humans don't kill their saviors. Don't worry about bloodying your hands. We'll take care of it."

I shoulder the bow and prepare to climb down.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Just as I open my mouth to suggest to Keit and Liadan that we help the others, Ankari feels the need to butt in. I sigh and speak once he is done. "I'll go to the village, Liadan, I think you would be of most help at the cliffs with your arrows and healing, Keit, you should stay with Batos."

As Liadan hurries off to the cliffs, I look around, seeing no sign of Llucheden. She must have run to safety as soon as I dismounted. I sigh and whistle for her, tapping one foot. As soon as she gets here, I'll ride for the village.

 

[Nihal]

((She was close but I don't know if she started to move in the other round, I was awaiting the information before the break; Nor did I received the PM with the range of this spell or do I know how much time she would take to do everything, so push actions to future turns if needed.))

Villagers swarm near the temple like bees, giving me no other choice than the docks. I resign myself to the fate of fighting near my so called companions, and to them I run.

"You don't want to stay in my way." With a mocking grin I push the ranger to the side and grab the rope before he's ready to climb down. Once, when I was a child, I slid down a rope for a short distance. I still remember the burning sensation on my bare hands. I wonder if those gloves will do anything for me.

A jump over the edge takes me several feet down, and I close my hands before sliding way too far and over the crawling fish demons, trusting the enchanted slippers to finish breaking the fall.



((I have no idea if it'll work. If it does, Ankari will have the rope free to climb anyway, and for now—if she was already moving the previous turn—or the next turn the following happens: ))

Any ledge protruding from the rock wall will do. Not that I need it, but one must keep the appearances and pretend that she can't simply walk on the wall. I turn to the enemies below, judging the distance between them, me and the idiots on this bloody cave entrance. I adjust myself if needed. Hopefully I'll not injure the morons at the cave. Not that badly.

"Well, It was not for lack of warning. OOOOI!" I wave and start.

The spell rolls comfortably on my tongue, my hands trace the intricate design on the air. My stomach sinks with expectative. Is now the time I shall further test the corruption?


((No, it's not, CL 13. ))


((Ouch.))

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
leaving the one in the room for Bressel, Aliron moves quickly, aims at one that backed out of the room.
normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 16+6 = 22 ;damage[1d8] = 4
Striking the fish that was busy beating at the flames.

Bressel

Charges the only fish in the room, swinging low to avoid Nissa, looking to take the legs from under the frog.

great axe to hit [1d20+3] = 12+3 = 15 ;damage: [1d12+3] = 6+3 = 9 (str)
Striking hard the axe sinks deeply.

 

[Keitsumah]

I nod in agreement. I only have enough magic for the entangle spell, and I am not much use in combat anyways. Batos was the one who took care of that department, and now he's out cold.

I slip the flute from my pocket and clamber up into the first fork of the tree's branches. "Cadell -if i spy anything else coming I'll blow this!" I call down, waving the flute.

 

[Steerpike]

((New Map))

 

[Steerpike]

Oil still burns in the room beneath Arendal, issuing black smoke that rises to gather near the ceiling. Nissa rushes an oil-covered fish demon, torch extended, but the creature sees her approach at the last minute and manages to dodge the flame. It is not so lucky when it comes to Bressel's axe, however, and the heavy head of the axe bites deep and fells the hapless demon.

Aliron follows in Bressel's wake, stopping when he is lined up with the fish demon at the far end of the hallway. He fires, and his arrow strikes the fish demon's flank and embeds itself there. The creature doubles forward with a groan, then drags itself on its hands and knees out of sight along the corridor.

The pool of oil continues to burn, flames low and bright between Aliron and the retreating demon.

A movement to Aliron's right catches his eye. One of Arendal's milita men stands halfway down the stairs, eyes wide. His sword is sheathed and he cradles flasks of oil in his arms.

On the ledge, Baldhart grabs the fish demon who attacked Ghendra, sweeping the creature up into an iron grip. There is a pop of bone and cartilage as the creature writhes. Baldhart flings the creature into its comrade, knocking the second creature against the rocky wall of the ledge. The creature doubles over, the fish demon Baldhart threw laying atop it.

With a characteristic hiss of rage, the second fish demon sweeps its comrade aside, sending the other fish demon tumbling down the rocky cliffs and causing other fish demons ascending the rocks to scramble out of the way of the falling mass. Though still on its knees, the fish demon lunges at Baldhart with one extended, clawed limb:

Claw Attack [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20

Claw Damage [1d4+2] = 3+2 = 5

Baldhart is unable to avoid the attack, the ledge offering little room to maneuver, particularly with a large gnoll at her back. The demon scores a trio of furrows along Baldhart's thigh, each of which well immediately with blood. ((5 HP to Baldy)).

Ghendra, meanwhile, turns to the fish demon that came upon him from behind, using his sword to thrust at the creature's abdomen. The fish demon turns with the blow and the tip of the sword draws a line across its scaly hide but does not penetrate. Ghendra curses in frustration.

The fish demon lashes out twice, claws seeking to tear through the fur and skin of the gnoll:

Claw Attack [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15

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

This time, Ghendra proves more than a match for the demon, knocking its gnarled arms aside with the flat of his blade as it lashes out.

Ankari fires down into the fight below, but the arrow is wide and to the right of the target. It splinters on a rock and pieces of the arrow fly into the sea below.

Mauve descends the rope will more skill than one might believe, perching among rocks and crevasses between the top of the cliff and the rocky ledge where Ghendra and Baldhart fight. She mouths the words of a spell, and when she completes it a tiny sphere of light flashes away from her, past Baldhart and Ghendra, and down to where a group of fish demons climb the rocks, pulling themselves up hastily in an attempt to reach Ghendra and Baldhart. When the sphere reaches them, a thunder of sound erupts. The fish demons shriek in their wet voices, hands rising to cover the sensitive ears that allow them to hear underwater. Three of the creature lose their hold and tumble back into the water. A fourth slumps into a crevasse, motionless. More fish demons stir in the water below, some pulling their fallen comrades beneath the waves, though it is unclear whether Mauve's spell killed them or rendered them unconscious. Two begin to climb, indistiguishable from those fish demons who fell, though whether they are the same creatures or different ones, Mauve cannot say.

Liadan reaches the edge of the cliffs and is able to survery the scene below. Baldhart and Ghendra fight on the cliffs. Mauve is perched somewhere above them. A few motionless fish demons are buffeted by the waves, their limp forms surging and receding with the motion of the water. Two demons have pulled themselves onto the rocks and look balefully up toward the ledge.

Cadell's whistle rings out, and Llucheden answers faithfully, the mount appearing from the area behind the stables.

Voices, both human and gnoll, rise from the area behind the temple of Tyr where the villagers have taken refuge. None at the cliffs or beneath the village can see what is happening there. Keitsumah, from her vantage point, can make it out. Gisla has the stump of her arm pressed firmly into the chest of one of the gnoll warriors, who protests loudly in his gutteral language. With her sword arm, she waves villagers out of the stone building, and with some hesitancy the stream of villagers resumes, people running out of the structure and racing for the cover of trees. Ghendra's warriors look on impatiently, and as the last villager leaves the structure they brush past Gisla, weapons raised, and race into the stone structure. Gisla casts a glance over her shoulder at the retreating villagers and then follows the gnolls.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I sigh in relief as Llucheden whinnies in answer to my whistle, and comes speeding toward me from behind the stables of the Spear. I close the gap between us and swing up into the saddle, urging her on to the temple of Tyr, where we will most likely be needed. As I get closer, I see that villagers are leaving in a flood, and the gnolls are moving in the opposite direction, with Gisla just behind.

"Gisla!" I shout to her. "What do you need?"

Liadan

From the top of the cliffs, I survey what's going on below. Baldhart and Ghendra are accosted by fish demons. I nock and aim an arrow at the one who assails Baldhart ((if LS ninjas my post, or his rolls do well against Baldy's demon so as to make the arrow unnecessary, then make that Ghendra)), murmuring a prayer to Oercus for good aim and a hard strike.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I go after the one who hit me. "You die next."

((If no one to throw at, Baldy mashes his face into a wall.))

 

[Ireth]

((I guess you missed my note, LS -- I saw your rolls as I was making my post, and said that if Baldy succeeds in grappling her demon, then Liadan would shoot Ghendra's demon instead! There was no need for you to edit. ^^; ))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Oh… the note wasn't there when I edited. But okay… edited back to original post, then.))

Nissa

I fly to Alin and say in a low voice, "Ankari brought the gnolls, and Arendal accepted their 'help.'"

To the militia man, I say, "One bottle of oil, please."

 

[Ankari]

((Steer, my character will climb down the rope now.))

((In case I need a roll.))

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"Seeking refuge from the flames in the pot."
Aliron watches the burning oil shaking his head, unable to follow the one that fled due to the flames.

Bressel
Bressel moves up the stairs.

 

[Nihal]

Despite my efforts the sahuagin don't seem inclined to retreat. It's not possible to determine if my targets are dead. The chances are they were knocked out like once I was by this very same spell. They will keep coming. We'll keep swatting them back to the sea. Others will replace them. It's not an effective strategy and the terrain does not favour us.

I watch Baldhart and Ghendra out of the corner of my eye as I count the spells I have used so far. I can spare one more. I wait, allowing the demons to climb closer, gain confidence confident, drag their injured and dead to the depths of the ocean.

"A battle here is a hopeless battle. Retreat!" I shout to the nearly naked barbarian below. Not that they'll listen to the reason. The lack of explanation won't help either.

My hands move with confidence. Just one spell and I will get the hell out of this cold perch.


((It was about time the sound blast backfired. Perhaps it was Ankari falling on her?))

Excessive confidence makes one sloppy and distracted. I can hear my breath hard on my throat as fight the swirling energy and banish that creeping shadow that is the corruption.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"Nissa, tell Baldhart the tunnel is clear of townspeople, We can let the fishies enter the tunnel. It will be easier to fight them away from water."

Bressel
Bressel waits at the top of the steps, looking out and then back down for attack from either direction.

 

[Steerpike]

On the ledge, Ghendra thrusts his sword at the fish demon before him, a gutteral cry accompanying the motion:

Attack [1d20+3] = 8+3 = 11

The fish demon dodges the blow again, catching a glancing blow across its scales, the attack sliding harmless off. Ghendra snorts heavily and mutters "Some deviltry is at work here!"

Next to Ghendra, Baldhart attempts to grapple another of the fish demons, and the creature resists as best is can:

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

It is no use, and another fish demon finds itself in Baldhart's grasp. Baldhart slams the hapless creature against the stone wall. There is a loud, hollow thock when the creature's head hits the wall and, issuing a watery grunt, the fish demon goes limp.

The fish demon fighting Ghendra rears back to attack the gnoll again, but an arrow from Liadan pierces it through the sternum. The creature stumbles back a step then falls onto its back just at the edge of the ledge, clutching at the arrow. Black blood issues from the wound and the creature twitches and draws shallow breath, though unconscious.

Ankari climbs swiftly down the rope and alights on the ledge just as Ghendra's fish demon falls. He hears a shuffling movement on the stone behind him and sees a fish demon emerge into the edge of light filtering into the tunnel. The creature smells of smoke and seared flesh, and its scaly hide is streaked in black, the skin beneath its scales bubbling outward in places. It hisses furiously as its gaze falls on Ankari, and it continues to advance.

Deeper within the tunnel, Nissa asks a milita man for a flask of oil, which he hands over with a somewhat slack-jawed look of fascination at the small valkyrie. Bressel brushes past the man, heading up the stairs in the direction of Gisla and the refuges. Aliron watches the oil burning on the floor. The flames are lower now, and patchy in places, though the burning area still radiates much heat.

As Bressel tops the stairs and moves further along the tunnel at the top, he hears the sound of heavy footsteps approaching, and but a moment later two gnolls round a corner ahead of him, weapons drawn, eyes narrowing as they catch sight of Bressel. They slow their pace.

Gisla stops when she hears Cadell's call. Four gnolls have entered the stone structure, three others taking up positions outside the structure. Gisla scowls at them before turning to Cadell. "I don't know how many more of those Sahuagin will be coming up through the tunnel. Nissa is in there, and at least two more of your group, as well as four of these..." she bites out the word "gnolls. Close quarters in there. Perhaps too close for all of us. How go things at the cliffs? Are we needed there?"

Nestled in her crevasse, Mauve tries again to cast the sound blast that has such great effect only moments before. It doesn't take long to realize the spell is going awry, however. Mauve fights back the energy of the magic, successful in keeping it from running away from her. The cold threat of corruption pushes against her mind, but she fights that off as well.

Below the ledge, two fish demons have climbed some ten feet above the surface of the water, though it will be another few seconds before they reach the ledge. Two more crest the foaming water and latch onto the rocks with their heavy hands. The other fish demons that were but a moment ago moving through the waves and recovering the bodies of their comrades sink below the water and away from view.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I rush into the hall and grab the dying demon.

Another sloppy technique. Just the same, I attempt to intimidate my opponent.

"Have some salt with your wounds."

((I realize he's no longer near the fire, so he's thrown off the cliff, if possible. Specifically, face first into the jagged edge with hopes he'll tumble over and inconvenience the climbers.))

 

[Keitsumah]

I hear the sounds of the battle still going on, and strain my eyes to the fullest, as well as my ears.

Then the rustle of something moving further away in the woods catches my attention, and I go still. Dark shapes move between the trees and out into the open, heading toward the west side of the village at a rapid scamper.

Water demons! I snatch my flute up and blow on it hard, trilling out a rapid alarm call similar to that of the nightingale.

"Water demons to the west! Water demons to the west!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Nissa asks a milita man for a flask of oil, which he hands over with a somewhat slack-jawed look of fascination at the small valkyrie.

I return a smile at the man. A less slack-jawed one, but I like the way he looks at me. I'm naked and bloody, but he doesn't look at me like I'm a freak.

The heat from the flames may be too much to fly over. I'll wait a few seconds for the flames to die, then check on Baldy. Did she just ask someone to pass the salt? Nah.

I introduce myself to the man. "The name's Nissa van Donk," I say with a bow. I guess that's polite and not weird. "You can call me Nissa. And how shall I address you, sir?"

If he answers, I'll ask him if he has any children. A wife and children. Family that he will live to see again. For the sake of these innocents, I hope we're right to honor the truce with the gnolls.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Keit's alarm call catches my ears, and I reply hastily to Gisla. "Sounds like we need help down there. More Sahuagin are coming from the west!"

((I'm hoping I don't need to roll a WIS check to hear Keit's alarms. If so, I'll edit.))

Liadan

Seeing a fish-demon with its eyes on Ankari, I aim another arrow in hopes of killing the beast.

A miss! I've had too many of those lately.