Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Nihal]

What t—

I hiss in frustration, eyeing the others and the disagreeable woman lying on the ground. It seems that befalls me the task of defending her miserable shred of life. I dance around the roots, hoping that my ankle won't get caught in any more damn thing today.


((I'm going ahead and rolling her DEX save already. Mauve is a ninja, deal with it!))


"HEY, SOFT BRAINS!" I swing my spear at the demon half sprawled over the maimed woman.




((There is a bunch of broken rolls in the dice room because my attack macro bugged for no reason at all. Sorry!))


Would they get upset if accidentally I poked a hole through him and got the wench too?

 

[Keitsumah]

The spell finally slips from my grasp as the magic fizzles out, and I gasp, dropping to my knees. All around, the ground has come alive with writhing tendrils, ensnaring anything that moves. Luckily, none of my friends seem to be caught up in it other than Gisla, who lays unconscious. Maybe the roots will at least afford her some protection. Mauve already seems to be on the case, and i hope she can do something to help her.

Protected by my barrier of vines, i realize that the only thing that may threaten me now is an arrow or any other ranged weapon, unless a water demon can somehow command the grace and bravery to make it past them. I grin like a foolish child at my own power, even if it is such a simple spell. My trembling stops and even my fear of the flames fades a bit. I can actually do something! I don't have to depend on Batos for my defense! But i don't laugh, and the high quickly fades when i remember the wolf. My hands tighten on the staff, and I eye the spear Mauve wields. Maybe i should get one of those after this battle is over.

Still, at the moment I am in no position to charge in. Instead, i hunker down in the little space i have that's clear of the flailing roots, staff up in a defensive position.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

((She already used her full move, but I realized I can ready an action, and probably should.))


Mauve leaps into a circle of grabby roots. Keit's spell! So that's what entangle is like. I really should've asked Mother about her magic. It would help to know such things, but all I cared for was the sword… and now, I don't even care for that.
Well, I'm a big fool and I know it, but I know I'm no good in those grabby limbs. But any fish demon who runs to me will find I have grabby limbs myself!


((Readied action: grab the first bad guy to come Baldy's way!

Yeah… come run into Baldy's arms! She'll slam the enemy's head down, and let the tendrils help her keep the enemy pinned!

Slam damage: it won't be as painful as it will be humiliating.))

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Suddenly I come to my senses, everything around me has changed, were we not only moments ago discussing what to do?
No time to think about that now, just find the others.
I look all around me, frantically trying to locate my lost party.
What the hell happened here!?
Then in the midst of my panic, I see the bulk of the party by the treeline, I quickly make sure I have all my items and start running as fast as my legs will carry me towards the main party
What will they think of me?What do they know, What do I know... I cant remember a thing from the moment I blacked out.
I continue my dash to the party and reach them only slightly out of breath. My fitness must be improving.

 

[SeverinR]

((It's really a 10, though, since Bressel's STR check is what Baldy's used to be: 1d20+1+3+4 - so combined roll of 22? Sheesh... that's weak for two mighty barbarians!))

Bressel is level 1, so bonuses-+3 str, +4 barbarian feat (Str) check, no level bonus. so it would be a 9. But who's counting.

 

[Steerpike]

The battle continues on the ground beneath Liadan's tree, the writing tendrils of plants now spread across the battlefield. Liadan lines up another shot at the fish demon that attacked Gisla and lets the arrow fly. It's a miss, the missile embedding itself into the frozen earth a few inches from Gisla's shoulder.

Cadell manages his steed expertly, the horse avoiding the twists and tangles of the plant growth on the ground. The elf strikes at the fish demon that attacked Llucheden, scoring a hit on the creature that causes drops of black blood to spatter the frozen ground. ((I rolled 23 HP for Llucheden, so a 10 hit-point attack is fairly substantial but the horse is not near death)).

Nissa hovers just above Gisla, bandaging the unconscious woman, not fearful of the fish demon who still looms near. The valkyrie does not flinch when Liadan's arrow strikes the ground nearby. With a few seconds, Nissa has bandaged the worst of Gisla's wounds, and it looks as though the woman is at least not getting worse.

Baldhart and Bressel both reach the edge of the area affected by Keitsumah's spell. The ground writhes before them, causing them to pull up short. Baldhart prepares to seize any demon that comes within her reach.

Mauve is not put off by the living, moving earth before her, rushing the demon that attacked Gisla. The plant growth grabs at her feet and ankles, trying to ensnare her, but Mauve manages to dodge the majority of the growth and pull free of the rest. The fish demon does not see her coming, and Mauve sinks her spear into the creature's back. The fish demon tries to turn even as it slumps to the ground, the tendrils of Keitsumah's entangle spell wrapping its body as it loses consciousness.

Aldar arrives beneath the tree, seeing the tangle of plant life waving in front of him. Keitsumah is hunkered down nearby, just at the edge of the wild growth. Batos remains unconscious beneath the tree, out of reach of the tangling plants.

Aliron looses an arrow at his foe, striking the fish demon who spins around, issues a menacing hiss, then sprints south toward the ocean. A couple of steps and the creature has disappeared behind the walls of yet another building. ((Aliron can move far enough in one turn to get one more shot in if he decided to chase the demon)).

The fish demon on the ground and bleeding near Hall tries to back further away from the melee:

Entangle Save [1d20+2] = 6+2 = 8

The creature is held fast by the entangle spell, its head moving side to side, bulbous eyes cast over the battle that has gone wrong for its side.

Too, the fish demon that attacked Llucheden takes a quick look around after being struck by Cadell and appears to think better of carrying on the fight. It tries to sprint south toward the sea, heedless of Baldhart and Bressel's presence in that direction.

Entangle Save [1d20+2] = 2+2 = 4

But Keitsumah's spell thwarts this creature as well, and it remains stuck fast near Llucheden. Resigned, the creature twists its body to face Cadell once more, awaiting the next blow.

Ghendra arrives beneath the tree, his height bringing his head close to Liadan as he looks up at her. He takes in the scene, then holds up a hand to the gnoll warriors that are on his heels, as well as the two warriors who dispatched the fish demon to the north. The gnolls stop, growling in frustration as they gaze as the tangle of writhing plants before them.

"What sorcery is this?" Ghendra growls, casting an eye at Liadan in her tree.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

The demon before me tries and fails to escape. I set my jaw and strike it again, hoping my next blow will be better than the last.

I sigh. Death of a thousand cuts, is it? Well, I have patience.

Liadan

I sigh in relief as Mauve dispatches the demon who had threatened Gisla. At last I can move to heal her without worrying about that one. Then again... perhaps it would be safer to let Mauve handle that. I know for a fact she has a healing spell up her sleeve, so to speak, and I am not confident in my ability to avoid being entangled.

"Mauve!" I call down to her. "Help Nissa heal Gisla, quickly!"

Ghendra speaks to me, and I look down at him. "It is a druid spell, courtesy of our friend Keitsumah. I wish it were more effective at targeting enemies rather than friends."

I look around for another foe, and see Cadell still in combat with one. I murmur a prayer to Oercus and aim an arrow to help my beloved.

((Not sure if that's a hit or not, since Entangle lowers AC, or so I recall.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Mauve? Heal Gisla? Doubtful.

"Mauve, I will tell Gisla you saved her life. I appreciate you stabbing the demon before he could tear off my wings. Let's finish this."

I look for Gisla's sword to stab the nearest demon if I can. If not, I'll just kick one in the head.

((Maybe a hit since they're entangled.))

((Forgot to add STR - 9 damage if Nissa can possibly lift a longsword and thrust it into an entangled enemy.))

((If Gisla's sword is entangled or too heavy for Nissa, here's her kick damage. @SP, I used the 'small creature' unarmed die. If it should be a d3, I'll roll a d3 next time.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Nissa? What are you…? You're bleeding!"

"Not all of the blood is mine," she says. "You know who I work for."

Too brave. Can I not help? Maybe if I'm strong enough, I can get to that guy.

((Attacks nearest fish demon.))

((GRRM! Me strong!))

((Ultra Coooooombooooooooooooooooo!))

((C-c-c-combo breaker!))

((SPLAT!))

 

[Nihal]

Scowling at Liadan's call I raise my spear over the unconscious demon and sink it, fulfilling this dark deed.




"You demand the impossible from me, elf!" I produce a bandage from my pouch and wave it at Nissa.


((Just in case I need a new one for this round.))

 

[Steerpike]

((I think we can move ahead with events under the tree)).

Mauve grimly finishes her foe, thrusting her spear through the unconscious fish demon, killing it. The demon fighting Cadell finds itself the focal point of attention, not only from the elf on horseback, but from Liadan in her tree, as well as from Nissa and Baldhart, since he has the bad fortune of being the fish demon closest to Nissa.

Cadell's attack draws a line of thick blood down the creature's side, and it hisses in pain and twists and turns, trying to break free of the plants that ensnare it. Liadan's arrow strikes it in the shoulder, but bounces harmlessly off into the grass. The attack does cause the creature to twist and turn even more violently as its enemies close in around it.

Nissa tries Gisla's sword, but it proves to be too heavy to wield one-handed, and she contents herself with flying over to the fish demon to deliver a kick that strikes the hapless creature square in the head. As the fish demon wonders whether things could possibly go worse for it, Baldhart braves the waving mass of tendrils, using her strength to break through the dense growth, and delivers a killing blow to the creature's back. It exhales air in a croak and pitches forward into the waiting plant life.

The final fish demon remains on the ground, bleeding heavily and ensnared by plants that prevent its retreat toward the sea. Realizing it remains the only living representative of its side of the battle, the creature does the best it can to curl in on itself and shield its head and body from the inevitable attacks.

Gisla remains unconscious, as does Batos, though both are now stable and should awaken given enough time.

Ghendra grunts as the party finishes off all but one of the fish demons, the last one being sorely wounded. He eyes the area to the west, searching for additional enemies. Seemingly satisfied that no more fish demons are coming, he barks a few words at his warriors in the harsh gnoll tongue, then looks back at Liadan, who is closest to him and who also has just spoken to him.

"The battle here seems well in hand. The villagers fled to the trees east of the village. The children are among them. I will see to them. If Catli is with them, she may yet be in danger."

He turns to leave, his gnoll warriors casting further baleful glances at the dead fish demons and then falling in beside him.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"Looks like you lot managed to handle this lot fairly well."
Just then as I am about to go on, I notice the sole surviving fish demon still alive shielding himself. I run towards him and slide in the last few paces.

"Why are you attacking us? We did not provoke you, Were you put up to this? "

I dont know if the demon can understand me, But it just seemed appropriate to ask... just in case.

Although I have met up with the party I cant help but wonder what happened to me back at the last battle, It felt as if I was there, but at the same time I wasn't, Why didn't I get attacked, Something very strange seems to be going on with me.

((SP would we happen to be anywhere near a full moon in game time atm?))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I take no pity on the remaining enemy.

((I think a 9 hits a trapped enemy. 13 damage if so, 6 damage if just the 12 hits.))

I look at Aldar, then at my bloodied fists.

"Sorry… I guess you meant to talk to him. This is my first day putting my bare-knuckle training to use. I guess I got carried away."

Ghendra goes east. Good. Burnbright is west. I'll se her soon.

I say to Nissa, "You fight well without a weapon. Looks like you inspired me."


Nissa

"Just the same, I'll see what I can salvage from the dock. You can always sell your sword if you don't intend to use it."

I accept the bandage from Mauve, and tell her, "Thanks." In a lower voice, I add, "Let me talk to Gisla. What you did for her is no different than what you did for Ankari. Maybe if Gisla sees it that way, you can still show your face in the civilized world. If not, Baldhart will provide a tent.

"Just so we're clear, I will only speak on your behalf. I cannot defend what Ankari has done. He'll leave town before Gisla is awake if he knows what's good for him."

I try to gently wake Gisla, using my very limited knowledge of healing arts.

((Nissa: 1D20+1+2 => 4 #Nissa WIS - "WAAAAAAKE UUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!!!"))

Well… I'm no doctor. I guess I need to wait.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I look at baldhart my eyes wide with shock, Then they narrow and a grin comes across my face.

"Carried away! " without being able to say any more I burst into a fit of laughter. Once I manage to finally regain composure look at the female barbarian, her fists dripping with blood and say

"Baldhart, You wouldn't have happened to see what went on with me back there would you? everything seems to be a...blur."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Now that all the fish-demons are dead, I deem it safe to climb down from the tree once Ghendra is gone. I hurry to Gisla's side, adding my own magic to Nissa's attempts.

((If I remember correctly, Liadan is now at 5 MP.))

Every little bit helps, I suppose.

Cadell

I swing down from Llucheden's back, hissing in sympathy as I see her wounds. Those will take at least two spells to heal fully, and I barely have one in me. Liadan is occupied with Gisla. Not wanting to let my four-legged friend suffer any longer than she must, I try to focus and make use of what my beloved taught me. I hope I can manage it this time.

((Cadell is down to -1 MP.))

The blue glow around my hand fizzles and fades. I sigh, resting my head briefly against Llucheden's neck. <Sorry, my girl. I tried.>

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Aliron, pulling another arrow, sprints up and around the corner.
Draws back and fires:
normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 8+6 = 14 ;damage[1d8] = 4
The arrow sinks into fish flesh.
Aliron moves on to the shadow of a building, reacing for the next arrow. Watching for the reaction of the fish demon.

Bressel
Moves back towards the ocean to see if new attackers might be climbing up.

 

[Nihal]

"You assume I want any sympathy from this woman and her people, Nissa. I would not sleep anywhere near them even if they promised to leave me alone." I cast my gaze on the battlefield, stopping at the dead beasts, taking care to not look over Baldhart and the gruesome death she's delivering. Contrary to the popular belief, an empty stomach can be a blessing.

I clear my throat, seeing Ghendra is gone. "Where is Burnbright's necklace? Is it with you?" I glance at Baldhart and her bloody hands. "I have a clear idea of what it does and what should be done of it."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look over at Mauve. "I threw it into the river northwest of here on my way back from meeting Ghendra and his folk. I imagine it's frozen in the mud of the riverbed by now."

 

[Nihal]

"You did what?" I move through the roots and out of the area of the spell. Whose spell is this? Ugh!



"Look..." I rub my temples and sigh. "Fine. It's not with the girl, it's something." I throw another glance at the town. "I do not want to be around when these peasants return. Tired as I am I would not be able to defend myself, in any way."

"Do not let Ankari seek these people understanding or something like this. He is this fool," I say to no one in particular, and turn to the forest.

Now, where would it be safe...?

 

[Ireth]

((Oops, just realized Cadell and Liadan would need DEX checks when they're on the ground! Here they are -- and I hope they don't negatively impact what I've already posted! If Steer or LS could edit these into my post somehow, that would be wonderful.))

Cadell

Once my feet are on the ground, I am forced to make every attempt to avoid the crawling vines before I can do anything else.

I guess all those dancing lessons at court paid off!

Liadan

The creeping greenery twines around my ankles, impeding my attempt to get to Gisla. I hope I can reach her and heal her quickly.

((Looks like my healing spell will have to be a readied action for the next round, if Liadan can move at that point.))