Off to the side, having filtered from the temple, many of the kobolds that arrived yesterday stood out to witness the events. As the mayor called for Kassen's heroes, they parted to permit Gnawl to walk through, closing back up as he approached the others.
"Kassen is not alone in her plight... this is our home as well, and we shall not let her wither without challenge. I, Gnawl of the Rapwood tribe, will answer Kassen's call!" In stark contrast to the solemn quiet of the other townsfolk, the assembled kobolds howled and whooped in triumph at Gnawl's declaration. He grimaced a little to the mayor, apparently apologetic for their behavior.
If nobody else accepted the flame, Gnawl would take command of it. Not that he needed it, given his own divine source of fire...
Manduzi arrived at the Square and took his place with his companions beside the mayor. Zandu walked happily beside him
The Varisian man nodded with a smile in contrast to the somber mood as he accepted the backpack and gave a little wave to Olmira, in the crowd.
" We won't let ya down, Mayor."
Havarus, while honored to by chosen for the Right, tried his best to minimize his presence. He remained knelt down taking his time to pack everything up. It didn't really do any good though, he could feel Katrina's eyes watching him the entire time. Keep it together Havarus. She wouldn't be crazy enough to follow you out there, would she?
As the ceremony of Kassen's Heroes draws to a close after a half-hour, Mayor Uptal guides you toward the western gate and points to the south. The townsfolk wave their solemn goodbyes to the heroes, their grim looks wishing good fortune and health.
Malagaar looks around at the others "I think it's this way, however the huntsman may be a better choice to guide us"
Gnawl nods in conjunction with Malagaar, looking up to Manduzi. "I know my way around the dark, not the woods. Kobolds have good senses of direction... but I can help, if needed."
As the group to set out into the forest on their quests Alain comes swooping in and lands on Fiila's shoulder deciding he wants a ride for now. Fiila looks to her companions and replies, "I'm afraid I don't know much about surviving on the woods, nor does Alain, but we'll help as best we can." Fiila keeps an eye out for landmarks and plants that might be helpful in tending to wounds later as they go while Alain occasionally flies around to look for paths that head in their direction of travel. But both are too distracted by the scenery to be of any help.
" Indeed," Manduzi began, crouching to rub a bit of dirt between his fingers. He took a good long look at the clear sky above." If you don't mind, I'll take the lead on this one Malagaar my friend, but I could always use a helping hand." He said, smiling.
After a moment he stands up and points " This a' way!"
The bouncy young dog sniffs about on the ground and then darts off a step or two ahead of Manduzi once they determine a direction.
Havarus wasn't much help, he had never had much cause to leave Kassen. Not to mention the Tiefling was a bit distracted with not remembering what happened last night and, more over, what he feared did.
"I'm afraid I'm not much of an outdoorsman," the paladin said, trekking through the underbrush. "Sir Dramott says there are trackers in Lastwall who serve to lead the crusaders against the Belzken hordes." He walks alongside Flint, rubbing the donkey's flank as they walk.
"How far is the crypt, exactly? I have not been this far from town in a long time."
Manduzi's pristine knack for guiding groups through the wilderness pays off as he guides the party through the Fangwood with expertise.
The narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now bereft of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a small group of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.
Turn Order:
Fiila, Havarus, Zandu, Gnawl, Malagaar, Manduzi
Greenish Humanoids
Uriel
Fiila sees the orcs and instantly realizes this could be bad. She says a few words in that hideous language and points at one of the orcs causing his demeanor towards her start to change from hostile to friendly when he looks at her.
Havarus snapped out of his inner thoughts as the humanoids jumped into view. Without even thinking, the Tiefling flung a dagger at the nearest one.
Zandu takes a step forward to stand by his master and bears his teeth at the green humanoids. A strong howl emerges from the small wolfhound as the canine threatens to strike.
The green humanoids around him seemed an odd sight. In his time in Kassen he had helped Olmira put down a diseased mountain lion that had became aggressive, but he had never encountered these creatures.
The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he tried to take it all in.
Turning up a blank on the green meanies, he takes his cue from the rest of his party who had reacted quicker than he had. In one swift motion he retrieves a short, heavy spear from over his shoulder and hurls it with all of his might.
Gnawl blinked as the they were beset by these green fellows. Were they... sick? No, they seemed fine, as they started at them trying to skewer them! Honestly, he wasn't actually expecting real opposition.
Acting on instinct, Gnawl raised his hand up, glowing red as he called forth energy... but he paused. Teamwork... he had a duty to lead, even if it was just for show. Lowering his claw, he instead raised it overhead, glowing white as he shouted proudly. "Apsu has made me strong! And in turn, I shall make others strong! Have at you!"
His hand pulsed with the energy as it flowed out, surrounding the rest of the group in little white serpentine sillouettes. Every so often, one could hear them make very quiet growls, before snaking out ahead of attacks, as if acting as little targeting reticules.
Fiila (22)
Havarus (21)
Zandu (16)
Gnawl (8)
Malagaar (7.04)
Manduzi (7.01)
Greenish Humanoids (6)
Uriel (4)
While the humanoid on the front line turns on his comrade , cutting him down, the rest begin to close in on the party. Brandishing crude greataxes and inescapable pride, one of them moves forward to Uriel and swings, it's axe gliding through the air as it misses, while a second rushes to Manduzi, but not before having Zandu pounce at him, sinking his bite in and killing the pale, but still green humanoid. Witnessing this, the last green man charges at the party, taking a flanking route and swinging at Havarus, who had just missed with his dagger, and finds him more dextrose than anticipated, recuperating himself after a miss.
Enemies actions
Fiila
The green skinned creature's eyes bulge slightly, obviously taken aback by this offer. He looks sideways at his comrades and turns to them, his blade facing them ferociously, just as he had against you just earlier. Something strikes out as odd to you, however, as you begin to notice that this creature fade slightly like a silhouette, the log behind it being seen right through the creature.
Manduzi and Zandu
Your attack strikes true and the humanoids go down with it, though something is off. You notice that while they bleed like mortals, they are see-through, and they fade slightly from view with a blink of an eye.
Those who are struck and succeed...
The wound from the orcs battleaxe singes across your skin and blood starts to trickle from it, but in just a moments time you realize that the pain is suddenly gone. Glancing at the attacker, you notice that you can see through him, but only slightly. The forest environment is prominent and you can see the log by looking through him.
To all who succeeded...
You look to the rest of the creatures and find that they too, have faded, if only slightly. You start to have a sense of sanctuary.
Havarus stood stunned for a moment, looking at the gaping wound in his torso the green skin had just laid upon him. Everything went black soon after as the Tiefling slumped to the ground.
With her charmed victim now dealing with one of the other orcs Fiila turns her attention to another of them. She chants and gestures, her magic lashing out to briefly overwhelm the orcs mind and daze him.
Gnawl's fringes stand up and he snarls at the orc that struck Havarus down. Raising his claw, he inhaled and glared down the orc. "By the power of Apsu!" His hand glowed bright red... before launching itself at the orc.
Fiila (22)
Havarus (21)
Zandu (16)
Gnawl (8)
Manduzi (7.01)
Greenish Humanoids (6) (All Dazzled and Staggered)
Uriel (4)
The strong bolt of fire burst from Gnawl's hand, slinking past the orc (Purple) he aimed for before it dissipated to nothing. It snarled toward him before it looked to be in a daze. Moments later, the orc shakes his head from the trance and growls toward Gnawl, stalking toward him.
It was in this moment that the orc that was charm roared, turning and spinning his greataxe out at his ex-comrade (Green), overstepping and entirely missing his attack. This left him open, causing the orc (Green) to retaliate and slice his own axe across his (Blue's) chest. The orc (Blue) staggered backward and met with a grisly death by his first combatant (Red) by a swift overhead swing, the greataxe now protruding from his head. The orcs (Red and Green) roar in triumph before turning their attention back on the party.
Meanwhile, the orc (Orange) in battle with Uriel swings, swinging just over Uriel's shield and slicing across his face. The orc obviously intended for this to be a final blow, with the amount of force behind it.
Manduzi leveled his rapier at the green humanoid in front of him. In the chaos of the battle, he saw out of the corner of his eye Havarus go down. He steeled his teeth. " You bastards!" He calls out at not one in particular of the adversaries.
Zandu follows his master's lead dutifully and strikes out, teeth bared at the same humanoid as Manduzi
Fiila (22)
Havarus (21) (Dying)
Zandu (16)
Gnawl (8)
Manduzi (7.01)
Greenish Humanoids (4) (All Dazzled and Staggered)
Uriel (4) (Dying)
The rapier slides through the air past the orc, leaving no blood to shed until Zandu digs his teeth into it once more. The orc growled in pain.
"Never." Havarus responded weakly.
"No? We'll see about that." Approaching the Tiefling, the Incubus traced the tip of the obsidian blade down his son's torso, before slicing deep into the shoulder. The Rogue screamed in agony. "I'll put down the blade, if you pick it up and use it on the woman." The Demon drove his point home with the blade sinking into Havarus' inner thigh.
"I won't.......And no amount......of torture...." The rest was lost in screams.
Gnawl snarled as the orc dodged his fire. This was really starting to chafe his scales, and he had to get to Uriel and Havarus. Hang on... by Apsu's breath, I'm coming for you! He snarled at the orc standing in his way and raised his claw, letting out an impressive roar (for a kobold) and sending forth another blast of hot energy.
***********
As Havarus' father sinks his blade into the tiefling's leg, a loud roar echoes through the void. Materializing through the wall, a large red dragon stalks its way towards the incubus, snarling and letting out a mighty roar.
Rearing back, it flaps its large wings at the incubus and attempts to push him away from the rogue, trying to push itself between him and his father. It growls a low, angry growl as words issue from its maw. "You will leave. Your loopholes do not concern me - this is my dominion now, and you will not tread it anymore!"
------------------------------
The Incubus simply smiled, "It matters not. There are other ways to reach my son. By blood we are bound, and that is a bound that even you cannot break, 'Dragon God.'" Before the Dragon could incinerate him, the Demon vanished, laughing maniacally.
Fiila (22)
Havarus (21) (Dying)
Zandu (16)
Gnawl (8)
Manduzi (7.01)
Greenish Humanoids (4) (All Dazzled and Staggered)
Uriel (4) (Dying)
The bolt of fire resonates and smashes into the orc, charring its skin and sending it into a spiral of words that you could not understand, probably swears.
The triumphant sound of flames striking against the hard surface of the orc fills your body with confidence, though a lingering doubt has you feel as if something was not right. You caught glimpses of seperated embers flickering within the orc, and if that didn't make it the most unsettling, you found that you could now see slightly through all of the orcs.
Gnawl smirked a toothy grin, but that quickly faded as he squinted. What... was going on with this orc? He looked at the others, and his little eyes widened. "Are... are they... ghosts? Or maybe illusions?" If they were, they were very good ones, seeing as they could clearly injure his allies.
Fiila attempts to once again daze the nearest orc.
Fiila (22)
Havarus (21) (Dying)
Zandu (16)
Gnawl (8)
Manduzi (7.01)
Greenish Humanoids (4) (All Dazzled and Staggered)
Uriel (4) (Dying)
The orc's demeanor turn lax as he twists to face Fiila. His eyes long after her, only drawing in focus to realize what he must do to gain her love.
You look among the rest of the combatants, realizing not only that you can see through the orcs, but that the wounds that were previously on your allies are no longer there.