Side Trek

[Steerpike]

Nissa swoops in, charging the lizard on Dalla's back from the sky. Still distracted by Branwen's song, the lizard realizes its peril too late and is unable to defend. Nissa cuts into the lizard and sends it tumbling from Dalla's back to end up on all fours, sputtering snow and hissing in pain from its dripping wound.

Dalla half scrambles, half crab-walks further beneath the tree, one hand slapped to the wound on her neck. Branwen ceases her singing when the dislodged lizard rolls near and immediately leaps at the small reptile:

[1d20] = 1 Leaps at lizard

The lizard knocks her aside with an almost careless backhand, and Branwen sprawls into the snow. The lizard begins climbing to its feet, eyes fixed on Nissa.

Bressel rushes to Roderick's aid, punching at the lizard on Roderick's back. Roderick's twisting and turning makes the lizard too difficult to hit. The attack does, however, distract the lizard, and instead of trying to bite Roderick again it simply holds on for life and tries to maneuver to the opposite side of Roderick from Bressel.

The dagger-wielding lizard on Roderick's other side has no such reservations about attacking, and stabs with its dagger:

[1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6 Dagger attack

The lizard is also thwarted by Roderick's thrashing with the lizard on his back.

Burnbright and her lizard both face one another with fists up. There is no opportunity for Burnbright to recover her spear, so she punches at the creature:

[1d20] = 5 Punches lizard

The lizard dances aside and aims a bite at Burnbright's arm as she strikes:

[1d20] = 5 Bites at Burnbright

Neither Burnbright nor the lizard are able to connect with one another, and they continue their dance on the icy ground.

The flames on the frozen ground have gone out, but the burned lizard's clothing is still smoldering and it lays in the snow, twisting from side to side and whimpering as it swats at any sign of smoke emanating from its body.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
Seeing Burnbright is defending herself without assistance, He punches at the lizard on Roderick's back again.
[Roderick is facing two opponents, so far, Burnbright is only facing one.]
[1d20+4] = 8+4 = 12 punch (+1level, +3 str)
Don't know the damage of a punch. SP go ahead and roll the damage and just let me know so I can add it to the macro. (damage+3 str)

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((@Severin, 1d3+3 for Bressel. The punch is non-lethal for non-monks.))



Nissa

Why is everyone fighting without weapons? Is it because humans are so much bigger than these lizards. Well, they're a lot bigger than me, so I ain't fooling around!

Sword:

Damage:

Not strong enough? I think he might be up for one more. I tell the lizard, "If you like picking on little girls, come at me."

I glance in Dalla's direction.

Cha:

"Remember your training, Dalla. Get your bow. Shoot the one with smoke rising from its back."

Preferably, before he jumps on Burnbright's back.

 

[SeverinR]

[Bressel considers swinging a heavy 5ft sword to chop a lizard off the back of a comrade as too dangerous. He might swing to hard and chop through the lizard and hurt Roderick. He could have chopped Burnbright's without risking injury to her.]
He knows his strength.

 

[Steerpike]

((No new map yet; only Dalla's position changes here))

Bressel's heavy fist connects with the lizard on Roderick's back.

[1d3+3] = 1+3 = 4 Punch Damage

There is a meaty crunch and the lizard lets out a high, yipping squeal. It's thin fingers start to lose their grip on Roderick, and it grabs at the man's clothing in a panic.

[1d20] = 15 Hang on!

The small lizard is successful in holding onto Roderick, who is still trying to throw the thing off of him. The dagger-wielding lizard on the other side of Roderick makes grunts of frustration as it tries finally to stab the man.

[1d20] = 13 stabs at Roderick

The strike is on target this time, but Roderick's armor turns the blade aside and the lizard clenches its jaw in anger.

Burnbright continues her pugilistic dance with her opponent, both circling warily until Burnbright jabs a fist at the creature:

[1d20] = 17 Punches lizard


[1d3] = 1 punch damage

Burnbright's fist connects. It is a glancing blow, but enough to snap the small lizard's head to the side. The lizard rubs at its tender jaw then tries a roundhouse swing at Burnbright.

[1d20] = 7 punches Burnbright

Again Burnbright dances aside. Whatever else she might have learned, the art of being where the attack is not appears to be within her grasp.

Dalla looks to Nissa when the valkyrie speaks, at first seeming not to comprehend her instructions. Then the woman shakes herself free of inaction and rises to her feet. She moves to get a better view of the burned lizard ((1 square diagonal to the left; 2 squares up from there)). She raises her bow with shaky arms, the point wavering around as she tries to center it on the burned lizard. After a moment, she lets out a deep breath and looses the arrow.


[1d20-1] = 16-1 = 15 shot at burning lizard


[1d6] = 6 damage to burned lizard


The arrow streaks over the icy ground and takes the burned lizard full in the chest, sending it tumbling back down to the ice. The lizard does not move. Dalla stares at the corpse as though dumbfounded.

Nissa's lizard is injured, but also appears to be angered. With a yip of rage, it launches itself at Nissa:

[1d20] = 4 leaps at Nissa

Unfortunately, the lizard's foot becomes entangled in some of the undergrowth beneath the snow, and instead of a daring grapple that carries the valkyrie to the ground the lizard makes a rather unceremonious smacking sound as it crashes onto the ice at Nissa's feet.

Branwen, meanwhile, has begun her soft singing again, but it doesn't appear to have an effect on the lizard this time.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.

Taking advantage of the faceplant, I leap into the air, using my wings to push me well above ground. I raise my sword overhead, then let gravity aid me as I plunge my sword into the back of my clumsy opponent.

I see the look on Dalla's face, and I can only guess...

((Nissa looks back to confirm Dalla's kill only if her own opponent's dead.))

"You're a natural, Dalla!" A frightened girl is what she is, but she's doing better than I expected. "The others are too close to friends. Use your dagger; aim for the back."

((If Nissa's attack hit, she twists her blade a little while removing it from the lizard's back, for emphasis.))

 

[SeverinR]

Burnbright continues to be unharmed and even landed a punch,
Bressel strikes again at the lizard on Roderick's back.
[1d20+4] = 2+4 = 6 punch (+1level, +3 str), damage=[1d3+3] = 3+3 = 6 (str)
Clear miss.
(good damage roll, unfortunately the damage and to hit were the same final number.)
[will look at old map, to see if he moves, but unless lizards moved much, he is where he needs to be. NExt to Burnbright and Roderick's lizards.]

 

[Steerpike]

((Foregoing the map in the interest of time; I don't think we need it for this round as everyone is in range of everyone else)).

Nissa finishes her lizard with a downward thrust and twist of her blade. The creature dies noisily, and with spurts of black blood. Branwen looks down at the dead lizard, then up at Nissa speculatively, and then down at the lizard again. She approaches the corpse tentatively, reaching out a finger to touch it.

Dalla fumbles at putting her bow away to get to her dagger, and ends up dropping the bow in the snow. She leaves it there and pulls her dagger free, then scans the battlefield.

The lizard who has been attacking Roderick with a dagger whips his head side to side, taking in the scene. Seeing the rout, the fight seems to go out of him. With a yip he turns and flees ((running toward the top left corner of the map)).

The lizard on Roderick continues to hang on as Roderick tries to shake the thing loose. The lizard looks too scared to let go at this point, and also too scared to attack. It simply yelps every time Bressel almost lands a blow.

Burnbright seems to be in a zone, having eyes only for her lizard. She jabs a fist out again:

[1d20] = 2

The lizard ducks easily under the attack. The creature seems to be aware of the battlefield, and its dodging and weaving take it further from the group and toward the burned, dead lizard. Burnbright turns with it and the lizard swipes at her.

[1d20] = 6

Burnbright dodges the attack with no more effort than the lizard used to dodge hers.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

As much as I want to let Burnbright continue her battle, it needs to end so we can regroup with the others.

I get behind Burnbright's opponent...

...and drive my sword into his back.

I say to Burnbright, "Looks like your training sessions with Masama are going quite well. Any chance you'll become Brynhild's second nun?"

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart kills Burnbright's opponent, the creature falling messily to the snow. Burnbright leans over, hands on her legs to brace herself, taking deep breaths. When she looks up, her face is red. "I wanted to get my spear back," she says. "But I was afraid it would jump on me if I tried. I think you or Masama have a lot more to teach me. I barely hit it!"

When the fight ends, the air seems to go out of Dalla. She watches the one escaping lizard disappear from view, then sinks to her knees in the snow and brush. Her hands are trembling, and she lets the dagger drop into the snow then crosses her arms and tucks her hands beneath her armpits.

Branwen, having poked the lizard corpse and verified the thing is dead, leans forward and takes a tentative bite of the flesh of the thing, her unusually sharp teeth tearing loose a bit of skin and muscle. Black blood smears across her mouth. She chews once, then twists her face in a grimace and spits a gobbet of half chewed flesh onto the snow.

As the battle ends, the sounds of horse hooves grows near. Turning in the direction of the farm, you see Llucheden dashing down the road, Cadell on the horse's back and Mauve sitting on the saddle just behind him. At Llucheden's flank, Batos runs, the wolf's pink tongue hanging out in contrast to its white fur.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa ((not Baldhart!))

I lower my hover so Burnbright doesn't have to look up.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You hurt him and dodged his blows, did you not? How many twelve-year-olds do you know who can fight like that? Maybe Baldhart and Masama don't think much of these creatures, but… well, sadly you might see what they did to two boys around your age."

((I don't think Burnbright's wounded. If she is, I'll edit as Nissa would heal her first.))

I fly to Dalla, and see the head wound. A scratch, maybe, but made with filthy teeth. "Virgin snow," I tell Dalla, pointing to a place with neither footprints nor spattered blood. "A skier's term I picked up during Baldhart's skiing days. It's snow that's untouched, which I can use to clean your wounds. Oh… and if anyone has proper bandages, I could use some." I smile at Dalla. "Your mother worked too hard on this outfit for me to tear it up for bandages. So if I need some, I'll tear one of Baldy's dresses."

I begin to clean out Dalla's wound.

As I do, I see Cadell and Mauve arrive on horseback. I ask if either of them has bandages.

Once I have the bandage situation sorted out, I call Roderick next. He froze. I'll be sure to ask for the ring back while I'm cleaning him up, but I won't chastise him for his failure to act. No good would come of it.

I make haste with Rod's wound. I know Bressel is one of Baldy's people. He'll just take the pain like it's not a big deal, but those filthy claws left a mark. "You're next, big guy," I say to the barbarian. "My mother was from the Iron Mountain. She wasn't much bigger than these dead lizards, but dad always told me the woman was immune to pain, even when she died bearing me. I won't tell the sob story. My point is that you're acting like you're not hurt, but your wound needs cleaning."

If he'll let me, I take care of Bressel's wound.

I'm pretty confident I can prevent an infection. If I'm wrong, we've got magic healers.

 

[SeverinR]

"You didn't get hit. That is as important and hitting. You and Della did great for the first fights. I think we need to stay closer to the main group. So we aren't in danger."
"Don't eat that Branwen, you don't know where that lizards been.
where is the rest of the group?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Honestly, Bressel, I have a concern about that. As soon as I turned my back to fly here, Ankari went into the enemy lair. I heard Baldy loudly questioning his action... But I suppose she'd have given me a yell if the situation was grave. Anyway, I came to say that we found a place where people were taken alive by the lizards. Once your wounds are cleaned, we move as a group. I've got berries for those who need any."

I give Dalla a goodberry.

 

[SeverinR]

"Ankari running off and getting in trouble? That doesn't sound like anything new. That half the group followed leaving the other half was the different part. The only reason we survived was that these ladies could fight, and that includes the lady bird."

(whats a good berry heal? Bressel is down 4 pts. If not over kill he'll take one.)

Bressel sits next to Branwen and cleans his blade.
"we'll get you something to eat when we catch up to the group." He says quietly, "You sang so pretty."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Each heals 1HP, so 4 berries would do the trick, plus 1 for Dalla. You can only eat 8 per day, so if you eat another 4 within 24 hours, you'll need another means of healing. Nissa got a good WIS check on Bressel, which will hopefully help. The GM post mentioned the claws being "filthy."))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"I suppose I should have been more clear that we were to move forward as one. Baldy said she meant to run ahead with Masama and Batos, but... well, it was one miscommunication after another, I guess. It seems the enemy was waiting for us to thin the herd. It's good that you remained to protect everyone here."

I look at Burnbright, Branwen and Dalla. "You should be proud of yourselves. There is nothing wrong with being afraid. It's what you do with that fear." I gesture in the direction that the surviving lizard fled in. "You give it back to your enemy."

To Burnbright alone, I say, "While the battle's still fresh in your mind, you should take the time to reflect on it, and pray. I'm sure Brynhild would be very pleased with your performance just now. Instead of being upset over dropping your weapon, think of how you reacted... you stayed in the fight with your fists. Ask Baldhart how she felt when she dropped her sword in her last battle. I wasn't in her head at the time, but I'll bet the feeling was no different from yours. And from what I saw, neither was the response."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I swing down from the saddle, listening to Nissa's words as I clean my sword in the snow and sheathe it. A shame we arrived too late for the fighting. But I can still be of assistance.

"I have some spare cloth," I say, rummaging in Llucheden's saddlebags. I pull out a length of cloth I'd been using to practise my sewing, and then my needle and thread. "I can stitch wounds if anyone needs it."

 

[Nihal]

I jump down the saddle, walking funny. I can see why people ride these creatures, but that doesn't make it any more comfortable. Or safe.

"Save your cloth, I have proper bandages." If needed, I go through my pouches and hand the bandages over. After scanning the surroundings I hurry to check on Burnbright and Branwen. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry! It is all my fault, I should have not followed those empty heads in their disordered charge. I knew they were doing something foolish, that we should not split, and I followed them all the same. I knew the dangers and did the wrong choice." I pat on Branwen's head.

I raise my eyes to the others. "Let's move calmly this time, and watching out for hidden enemies. They did a choice when they charged, they ought to deal with the consequences, not the children. Did any lizard escape? It is no good, none should be left alive to report our presence. We are too close to her domains."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I point in the direction of the one that escaped.

"I was tempted to chase the last one down, but healing is a priority. I could use the bandages. As for the escapee, if you want to chase him down on horse, feel free. They came with rope, and the one attacking Burnbright wasn't using claws... he was punching. He meant to keep her in one piece."

I can't help but think that those farmers were bait. Our path was easy to anticipate. The smoke merely ensured we would--

I glance at my sword.

((I'll wait for a GM clarification before having Nissa stop healing and fly after the lizard, since I'm not sure how much time has elapsed. I think she'd stick to the task at hand if chasing the lizard is futile, as her immediate concern is Bressel's wound, given what happened to Gisla when she was bitten and clawed by filthy beasts.))

 

[Steerpike]

As the party tends to its wounds, peaceful sounds settle over the immediate area. With the sounds of battle gone, a few tentative birds make noises in the trees again. Burnbright picks up her spear and then sits cross-legged in a relatively snow-free space beneath one of the tall trees and makes her prayers to Brynhild.

Dalla accepts one of the goodberries, looking at it curiously. She pops it into her mouth, chews, and swallows, and her wound closes and stops bleeding. She mutters a thanks and picks up her bow. "I don't know how I even hit anything," she says. "You should have seen my hands shaking. The point of the arrow was moving around and I couldn't keep it steady. I think it was more luck than anything. Tom..." she takes a breath. "Tommen taught me to shoot some, but shooting at rabbits is a lot different from shooting something that is trying to kill you."

Branwen looks up when Bressel sits next to her. She seems to understand the compliment and smiles, black lizard blood still smeared across her mouth. She grabs another piece of dead lizard flesh and holds it up to Bressel, saying "Bwannen, no!" When Mauve comes to check on her, she holds the meat up and repeats herself.

Of the lizard who escaped, there is no sign. There is enough tree and brush cover to keep the thing out of sight, even if it were lurking near by. The creatures are small and so make relatively light tracks on the snow and ice, though it may still be possible to track the thing. If it has found a good hiding place, or simply continued to run, it may take some time to locate it.