The three Harpies burst from around the corners of the off shoot tunnels. Howling in fury and jerking to a stop as a concussive echoes from outside of the cave. Like rolling thunder, however their moment of hesitation passes and they descend on the two of you!
"What the hell was that..." Tidus growls before turning towards the sounds of scrabbling claws...
Two close with Tidus and unleash their fury on him with their drawn longswords, slashing at him with their broad blades!
To the best of his ability the former gladiator tries to deflect their attacks but is caught off guard by their ferocity! He was scratched across the shoulders and left leg but no less resolved to fighting them to his last. Blocking their advance on Rhavenna as best he could.
The third harpy hangs back, placing her arm between her heavy bosom as she starts singing a captivating song in a sultry way...
... which Tidus and Rhavenna resist mightily, their minds trained on defeating their foes!
Round 9! Rhavenna is up!
Tidus turns his blades on his new foes, having at them with the ferocity of a man with everything to lose!
His blades are a blur as he focuses everything on the Harpy closest to Rhavenna. Hacking into the harpy three times and cutting an artery which sprayed upward as it toppled back onto the floor. Its blade clattered as it fell from its unconscious and with a shriek of fury its sisters redouble their efforts!
They smile savagely as two more join the fray, emerging like shadows out of the side tunnels like the others did before...
Total damage taken 22 - Looks: Injured
Caster Harpy - DEAD
Harpy - Dying - HP -4/38 AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Dying - HP -2/36 AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Dying - HP -1/31 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Attacking Tidus - HP 28/28 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Hanging back Singing- HP 28/28 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Just Arrived - HP 25/25 AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Just Arrived - HP 25/25 AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 13
Update on the way!
Livain!
Livains arrow screams across the camp, slamming into her previous foe and killing it outright. Its body turns into a harpy shaped snowwoman whose blade falls from its snow covered hands as it was too heavy for the snow to hold upright...
Seeing her as the greater threat the one that was about to focus on Wallace flaps its wings powerfully and launches itself at Livain!
Harpy - Attacking Livain - HP 28/28 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13
Mai!
One of the ones on the ground launches itself at you, baring its sword as it tries to hack you down!
Harpy - Attacking Mai!- HP 28/28 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13
Wallace!
Your singing goes unchallenged as your companions face off against a foe each. The Elder appears to be contending with a small mob of Harpies on his own. The flashing of his blade in the dark the telltale signs of his struggles. The sparkle of blood flies through the air, illuminated by the dancing fire as you maintain your ground...
The Elder
With a whooping laugh he plunges into the snow after the fallen harpies, lifting one bodily out of the snow before slashing her back down into it with a powerful swing of his blade. "Ambushing Wretches! Fight like Men! Or woman in your case! HAH!"
The previously singing harpy moves into the fray, while the newcomers move into the room far more hesitantly. Lingering back before one starts singing as well, cupping its chin as it throws its head back. It's captivating and sensual tones filling the cave...
"RHAVENNA!"Your previous fury was forgotten as you focused on the harpy that was singing and despite Tidus's shouts you are unable to look away...
Embolden the other two lay into your companion...
Round 10! Rhavenna is Charmed!
Stop fighting and Come With ME~ You hear the whisper in your mind as the obviously younger looking Harpy continues to sing. It's red feathered wings brighter in your dark vision like she were a shining beacon...
Tidus reverse the grips on his swords, surprising the Harpies attacking him as he drives his blades through the one that had just injured him. Its lifeless corpse falling to the cavern floor as he turns to face the other three, struggling with the one immediately in front of him...
"Gods damn you! Let her go!" He shouts as you trot past him, ignoring his plight as trot up to the center of your attention. The young Harpy moves back into the caves then, bringing you with her despite Tidus's angry shouts...
Next
Next
Next
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Enemy and Ally Stats
Tidus Total damage taken 33 - Looks: Injured
Caster Harpy - Dead
Harpy - Dead
Harpy - Dead
Harpy - Dead
Harpy - Dead
Harpy - Dead
Harpy - Stabilized - HP -1/25 AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 13
Harpy - Has Rhavenna charmed - HP 25/25 AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 13
You force your way through cramped cave wall, squeezing through small passage and ignoring the jagged walls when they cut across your hind legs. You were so focused onthe singing harpies beautiful red feathers that everything, Tidus, Your Companions, the Lingering stares of hungry harpies all pale in comparison to her visage.
The young harpy leads you through tight passages where a couple more older harpies lie. They shriek in delight at your capture before the sound of clattering armor makes them turn back towards the way you came. They pick up spears and swords and surge past to face off with the oncoming foe! The sounds of combat clang loudly before being drowned out by the sound of flowing or falling water ahead.
The Young Harpy continues to lead you back, back and further back until your hooves were stepping through warm water that appeared to be pooled on the floor ahead. She leads you around a bend and into a large chamber where several more young harpies sat huddled in the furthest corners of the water filled room with children sized harpies inter mixed among them. A man sat chained to the wall along with two other men all of which were spread out and looked fairly thin and malnourished. A couple of low burning torches licked at the walls and ceiling, barely giving off more then bright candle light while avoiding extinguishing completely due to the damp interior.
This room had running water that flowed warmly across the floor before disappearing through the cracks of the wall on the far side. The harpy children were huddled in an alcove that was somewhat hidden behind the falling water. A poor hiing spot but they had no where else to go in the large water filled room.
The young harpy, continues her singing and beckoning you to move near the far wall where a set of manacles lay. Once you were standing there she continued her singing, her tone becoming more and more sad to the point that you actually shed tears just as she snaps the manacles over your hands. Once you were secure she steps around and disarms you carefully, softly undoing your belts and taking your weapons to a alcove that sat above the water line near the child harpies. She jumped and turned to look back as the sound of a death cry echoed through the cave her singing ending as she draws one of your swords. The harpy children huddled tighter at the sound, some shrieking in terror and two of the three men looked on passively as you started to regain your cognitive functions once more now that the young harpy had stopped singing.
As you fully regain your ability to act independently the young harpy had taken up a defensive spot at the opening to the cave. The sounds and cries grew louder as the fight outside seemed to be escalating. So terrible were the cries that the young harpy started to shake but none the less held her ground with her red feathered wings spread wide.
One of the men looked to you, he was far more lean then the other two but wasn't sitting with a passive expression. His hooded eyes held a sort of patience watchfulness to them. He spoke loud enough for you to hear him as he watched the young harpies back. He spoke in sylvan, much to your shock.
She doesn't appear to notice the talking as she continues to watch outside the cave ahead of her, bobbing her head to try and peer around the corners just outside of it while wielding your heavy sword two handed.
(guess not)
Wallace watches the raging battle and makes a decision, the human grabbing hold of Tim's fur and heaving himself onto the beast. He spurs the furred beast toward the Harpy attacking Livain. In an avalanche of snow and still belting his hymn.
These creatures bear the likeness of a tribe of abnormal harpies thought to have gone extinct long ago. They are the few of their kind that utilize weapons and live in the high altitudes of the mountains. Often swooping down from on high and raiding merchant caravans and villages of their supplies and menfolk.
They were far more vicious than most of their kind. Once they were done with the men they had kidnapped they would carry them back and return them by dropping them from several hundred feet up...
They were wiped out by a band of soldiers that hailed from Rostland and Iobaria. The skull of the Harpy Queen is on display in Rostland's graveyard.
They were known for being extremely resistant to the cold. Which was very abnormal compared to their marsh bound cousins.
From what you can tell these are not the same as the ones that fell during the storm by the ruins, though they bear similarities to them though...
Looking around the cave and feeling the shackles on her wrists, she soon realizes that anger would not be what got her out of this. Given half a chance the b!+ches would probably kill and eat her, having thier way with Tidus if they were ever able to take him alive.
The men has clearly been here for a while, and looking into the alcove she feels a slight dulling of the edge of her anger. She could understand protecting their children, but these witches were attacking everything within reach.
Turning to the man who had spoken, surprised that he's done so in Sylvan, she replies in her first language. "Just one at the moment. I fear for him now facing all these b@#$%es alone, though if ever there was a man that could handle them I'd wager it's him."
This prisoner sounds like Alan Watts
[/b][/smaller] The man continued to speak in sylvan, eyeing the young harpies back each time she trembled. Despite the loud gurgling of the water and the splashing of the waterfall from over head the sounds of combat were still ongoing. Yet surprisingly no sounds of song could be heard now, only the shouts and cries of the angered Harpies, the clattered of weapons and the cries of the dying before they were swiftly stifled.
He peers back at you in the low light, looking you over before commenting.
He continues to eye the young harpy, who was at that moment creeping forward down the cave path to try and peek around.
This prisoner sounds like Ala Watts
The man continued to speak in sylvan, eyeing the young harpies back each time she trembled. Despite the loud gurgling of the water and the splashing of the waterfall from over head the sounds of combat were still ongoing. Yet surprisingly no sounds of song could be heard now, only the shouts and cries of the angered Harpies, the clattered of weapons and the cries of the dying before they were swiftly stifled.
He peers back at you in the low light, looking you over before commenting.
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
He pauses to eye the young harpy, who was at that moment creeping forward down the cave path to try and peek around. She returns rather quickly though, the color drained from her face now as she takes up her position at the opening of the cave once more. Sh looks to the eldest among the younger harpies and waves for them to do their duty. The skittering of claws and the whimpering smaller harpies reaches your ears before the sound of metal across stone as the group of younger harpies arm themselves. Filling the gap with several lengths of steel as they prepare for the fight ahead.
She sets down Rhavenna's sword as she starts chanting. Her voice was compelling, calling out in Sylvan as she summoned up what looked to be armor made from roots and dirt. As the first spell finished she was already casting another conjuring forth motes of light to float around her in a curious pattern. She looked frantic as another screech rent the air, she kneels and the water level in the room rippled as it drained towards her hands momentarily.
She stood once more and was visibly taller, more statuesque as her muscles were more defined. Her body changes further, becoming more lean as her muscles contort as she enhances her form further. The sounds of claws on stone brings pause to her casting as she turns to what appears to be a pair of hairless hounds come loping up to her. She runs her hands [/saller] She gives a series of clicks and the pair of strange looking hound-like creatures form up on either side of her. Their ear-less, hairless skin pulling tight as they growl towards the sounds of fighting somewhere up ahead.
She picks up Rhavenna's sword again, momentarily admiring the fire-forged blade before taking a firmer grip of it in one hand. While leaving her clawed hand free to attack with.
Maiathreen casts a spell flames erupt along Soul Taker as he strikes twice leaving deep gashes that flicker flames. Red runes burn along Soul Taker etched deep in steel. Maiathreen ignores this strange manifestation as he continues to fight.
As the actions of the younger harpy draws their attention, she notes how different this one seems from some of her more blood-thirsty kin, both in attitude and deed.
She's terrified, but willing to face that fear to protect the little ones. A normal reaction, commendable even, not simply psychotic violence like the others seemed hell-bent on. Her eyes widen as the girl proves to be a notable spell-caster as well.
"You don't have to do this!" she says in Silvan, loud enough for her to hear. "We had no intention of hurting children, we didn't even come here for a fight. You all attacked us."
She was worried. Worried that even if he were ableto wade through the hordes of harpies hurling themselves at him, Tidus wouldn't be prepared for what he was going to face.
The young harpy turns to regard Rhavenna suspiciously, warily keeping her distance while her hound like lizards looked at the centaur out of curiosity.
The lizard like hounds turn and give throaty growls at the cave ahead and she turns away from Rhavenna then looking back towards where the sounds of combat was dying down. She stops as the clatter of armor gives her pause, the sound of which was loud enough to be heard over the gurgling water nearby.
The man continues his ramblings. He interrupts his train of thought as he ponders deeply for a moment before clicks his heels together and turning back to Rhavenna. He pauses when both of the lizard like hounds growl louder, more aggressive this time...
Livain casts another spell causing her arrow to once again send a sliver of cold along with the dragonbone arrow.
As the sounds grow louder at the entrance to the alcove, she turns her attention back to the young Rookery Mother.
"Tidus! Beware, you face an armed magic user and others with spears!! She's protecting thier children!!"
The odd man smiles at Rhavenna as he responds innocently in sylvan. Despite his eccentricity he had a fair bit of knowledge and continued with his comparisons of other centaurs but holding what he knew of your tribe in a much higher regard. Speaking in almost reverent tones. He stops only when the sound of combat faded completely away. A wariness fell over his features just before the lizard hounds growls rose and the Rookery Mother tightened her grip on the blade.
Tidus's voice rose above the sound of the flowing water. His voice was firm and beyond simple reproach as he spoke loudly at the young harpy. "I just want Rhavenna back. So Move."
The odd man remarks looking from Rhavenna and back to the intensifying situation.
The young harpy didn't budge an inch and soon the sound of Tidus's metal kilt jingled loudly. He came walking into view, covered in injuries from claw, blade and even what looked to be a bite wound on his shoulder. His rage filled shout echoed painfully off the cave walls as he sought to shake the harpy and its companions...
Despite all of her magic, and the company of two strong looking creatures, the young harpy buckles. Collapsing to her knees and clinging to the two creatures for comfort as Tidus stood over her. Unmoving and silent as he continued to grip his blades and look down at her with a quick rise and fall of his shoulders in time with his rapid breaths.
Glad that he was there to rescue her and frankly a bit awed by the fact that he had vanquished the wave of enemies he'd been left to face alone, it was his choice of words that sent a tiny shiver down her smile and brought a hint of a smile to her lips.
As he stepped forward, she let out a slight gasp, partially in surprise from the vast array of vicious wounds all over his body, and partially at the sight of the legendary gladiator in his element. His presence was a physical thing, raw power and barely restrained menace, a lion staring down lesser predators.
As he roars his command once more, bringing the girl to her knees, she almost feels sorry for her. Almost. The hint turned into a full smile as she witnessed the sheer force of will he brought to bear.
she whispers to the man chained next to her.
The fighting was quickly becoming one sided as Wallace poor swing was outclassed by Tim's plowing into their foe. Sending the harpy tumbling just before Livain put an arrow in it's chest. Laying it out for good, its body turning into a mix of slush and blood as the magical strike annhilated its form completely.
Mai's blade struck his opponent deeply and left them critically wounded and in a moment of wisdom the Harpy broke off its attack. Withdrawing and flying as fast as its wings could take it away from the battle...
The Elder was dealing out death with his blade, having finished off two of the four that had deigned to fight him.
With a savage scream something descends on Mai from above, plowing into him from above, his defenses narrowly saving him from the savage claws of an oversized harpy. This harpy, unlike the others appeared far more savage compared to its kin, its bestial body covered in scars and mucles. The claws on its hands were so large that it could not use manufactured weapons easily and so it relied on its savage nature to annhilate its prey.
Somehow though it was still able to land neatly in front of its target, a tooth filled mouth opening up as it unleashed a torrent of blows on him again!
It first tried to bite his face, only pulling back as he slashed with his sword defensively, but then its wings buffeted him rapidly. His blade caught only black feathers as one of its wings slammed into him, Mai realized just how muscle bound the creature as as its wing nearly knocked him off his feet. But he had little time to ponder before it finally lashed out with its claws, its claws wrapped around his blade as it tried to rip his intestines out. Throughout the struggle the monstrous harpy merely giggled delightedly at him, as if savoring the fact he was able to so deftly avoid its blows...
The odd man remarked as he watched Tidus who had yet to move from in front of the Harpy.
Tidus's left hand shook for a second before finally he sheathed his blades roughly, the metal ringing loudly in the caves as he stepped around the harpy and its cowering companions. The other younger harpies wavered but had nowhere to step back to as he approached and the quivering of their weapons off the stone was easy to hear. Despite the severity of his injuries Tidus was quick to start working on the manacles, reaching into the underside of his hand protector and producing a pair of small tools. "Just give me a few moments... these are simple enough." He gets your hands free first, making it almost look like the manacles hadn't been locked at all. He lets them fall and clattered against the stone wall as he kneels to free your leg.
When he kneels down is when things start getting difficult, several times he drops his tool, forcing him to fish it out of the water several times. Until finally opening up his oversized helm as he tries for the final time. By this time he is swaying some as he fumbles with the tool until, finally, the click of the lock releasing and the splash of the manacle falling into the flowing water reaches your ears. Though Tidus was quite frankly not looking good, he was leaning heavily against the wall near you, dropping his tools into the water as he mumbles out. "At... my limit here. Sorry..." With the harpies still distracted, they were not yet aware that Tidus's strength was flagging.
The odd man continued watching a bemused expression on his face as he quirked an eye brow and gave a low hmmmm sound as if he were considering something.
As the manacle falls to the ground and he leans against the wall, she kneels with her front legs guiding him into a sitting position. "It's ok. Take it easy, you've done more than enough. Just rest. I've got you."
She begins to take an inventory of his wounds, determining how badly hurt he is and treating those that she could immediately.
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"Get away from my husband you feathered b1tch!" She snarls as her eyes take on a malicious sheen as two more arrows fly from her how one encased in flames.
Wallace on seeing the new arrival grunts in annoyance and then concern as the beastial harpy launches into a murderous whirl of attacks.
"I'd threaten you as well but Livain has that in hand." The human giving a grin as he spurs Tim to move to flank the Harpy with
Maiathreen
"We are in dire lack of pretty folks to bring in new recruits with as it is. Don't need you adding to the problem."
Tidus hesitates for a moment before finally relenting, his dark rimmed eyes glancing towards the young harpy. He watched her the entire way down until finally he grunts as he reaches a sitting position.
The odd man watches as you guide Tidus to the floor wordlessly and the young harpy appears to be recovering her strength some. Though as she goes to shakily reach for your fallen blade the odd man speaks. He begins standing as he adds further. She nods albeit hesitently before recovering Rhavenna's blade and setting it back in the sheath nearest her.
Aeria listens to him speak as she settles into a sitting positon like a student with a beloved master. The man stands his manacles falling away as they were never locked in the first place. He looks expectently between Rhavenna, Tidus, Aeria and even the now peeking young harpies behind the waterfall.
-1/???
How Tidus is even concious is unknwown, you realize that he literally had nothing left when he approached the younger harpy. Had she chose to fight he would have most likely fallen. He grunts lightly when you peel his armor open to see the already forming bruises underneath,
Your first aid stops the bleeding and helps stabilize his injuries, though leaving here will be much slower going with the state of his injuries. Tidus, through your first aid, sat with his eyes closed and not resisting as he probably didn't have much strength to do so.
Rhavenna asks , turning her attention to the unusual conversation. she threatens angrily, standing up ad maneuvering to completely shield Tidus with her body.
Tidus nods as he rests, watching Aeria and now this man who has obviously irritated Rhavenna.
Seeing the growing fury on Rhavenna's face he speaks more plainly. "Forgive me as understanding comes from the beginning. I came here to ascertain why the natural font had been tainted. Then, like you, I ran afoul of the harpies living here and concluded that fighting them was foolish. So instead I took a different approach and have observed their tribe from within, granted I hadn't known how deep the caves were at the time. That was when I met Aeria, she was younger then and curious about the world. So naturally when the harpies weren't using me for baser needs I taught her what I knew."
The man smiles never wained despite Rhavenna's threat and Aeria remained seated her hairless lizard like companions watchign you warily but otherwise making no move on their own.
The bestial harpy gives an angry growl as Livain's arrow pierces its torso before slapping the next one aside with its wing. It sidesteps Wallaces swing with ease before it stops Tim nearly dead in his tracks with one hand braced against the top of his skull. The Harpy pressed the mighty Yaks head down as it was merely sliding back on the ice terrain before digging in its claws and stopping.
It warded off Mai's attacks with its free hand before bringing its claws around and shattering the blade. It chortled at him, openly mocking him then. "Foolish little breeder, you know your place so-!" It shrieked as the blade shards sank into its hands along with Mai's body. "What magic is THIS!?" It shriked in outrage before slashing Mai with its uninjured hand in a flurry of strikes. All of which failed to connect save for two strikes...
A familiar voice enters your mind. Though it sounded wore down and a bit irritated. "I've always tried to steer you in the right direction. Your stubbornness a reminder of my former self and an attractive quality for me as well. However it appears my time is at an end... My purpose fulfilled. So I will leave you with this to remember ME!" A pulse of magical might ran through your body with each word it spoke, growing faster and faster as your skin felt like it was on fire. Before your eyes the world fades away and a being of pure flame and fury filled your vision then as your blades familiar voice spoke to you once more. The creatures talons grip your shoulder, burning their marks into you like a brand. "If you become strong enough..." Its words twisted then, a dark flame grew around the edges of the majestic creature in your vision. "... seek me in the wounded lands and claim your true power. That is if you can Kill me." It winged around then, its talons still searing into your shoulder as it hovered behind you and goaded you towards the bestial harpy. "Or are you going to let this wretch take you?" The world began to return to normal then as the vision of the immense blackflame tinged firebird faded. "Don't... Disappoint... Me."
The Bestials harpies rampage appeared to savage Mai, who for all the world stood there and took the beating while remaining stock still as though in a daze. Then the harpy and even Tim leaped back a few feet As the snow at Mai's feet began to melt away rapidly and the air around him became like that of a raging bonfire. The smell of burning flesh accompanies the searing marks on his shoulders as the blades shards sink into his flesh, cauterizing his injuries as they do so.
Tidus was still awake, though very wary and when the man leaned down he clenched his fist. The odd man never blinked an eye. "Better then your sword I am sure but punching me will only make things harder for you I am afraid. Your choice, I doubt you are as rough as my previous Mistresse's Haha."
Tidus, seeing Rhavenna wasn't concerned holds off from slugging the man approaching him.
The Injuries fade some but the majority remains as the man pulls his hand away. Tidus's breathing wasn't as labored now and he rose to his feet a bit unsteadily as soon as the man gave him space. The odd man spoke once more but his words were interrupted. "That'll take the edge off at least. I can do more but..."
As, strangely, the ground beneath your feet trembles momentarily and the odd man runs a hand through his beard then, looking for the first time worried. "Let me guess, you haven't ran into a let's say twenty hands tall harpy with long bestial claws that is more concerned about raping and pillaging then actually hunting have you?"
Tidus speaks first to speak, shaking his head. "Appreciate the help and... No, the ones I fought were fifteen hands at most."
The odd man scratched at his chin before twiddling his nose in thought. "Well. That's a bother. Maybe..."
As the man deliberates with himself Tidus looks up at Rhavenna a small smirk on his face. "Thanks. Looks like I still owe you. Though, you still up for another brawl?"
Aeria during all of this appears to had risen to her feet, her magic still in effect as her muscles were swollen with unnatural might as she picked up Rhavenna's equipment and proffered it to her. The pair of hairless lizard hounds in tow.
"Are you kidding? The way you waded through a small army to come and get me, I owe you,,,,or at the very least, we owe each other." she says, her last words causing her to blush slightly after she says them. "Uhm...but yeah, another chance to stand side by side and lay the enemy low, hell yes I'm up for it."
Wallace gives a dangerous grin to the harpy queen, his face faltering somewhat at Maiathreen's emenation of fire. "Mai are you alright? Do you need another weapon? I can throw you my mace. Its mostly for decoration in my hands."
With that the human looks back to the harpy and nods sliding off his mount to use the beast as a cover.
" You on the other hand I should thank. After all now I know we share a language so you can understand me. Now would you kindly, Be Still ? " the human asks in a syrupy sweet voice with hard enunciation on the last two words. The attentive being able to hear a susurrous noise bleeding into the mans voice calling in their own tones for the same. One hand gripping something in the pocket of his coat.
The noise stopping all at once as wallace finishes with a flick of his fingers. The spell assaulting the queen with a rising chorus of voices commander her attention, all with a draconian hiss rusting through them.
Maiathreen can feel the flames building up within himself. Flowing along his veins the heat rising causing the snow to melt as it touches his skin. As the firebird settles on his shoulders it's talons adding to the scars that cover him marring his flesh. He instinctively knows how to release and direct the energy building within. He pulls both hands in towards his body causing a sphere of energy to form between them.
With a shout he pushes out causing a blast of fire to explode out from his hands engulfing the harpy; flames now openly flicker along his body. "I am a weapon." He remarks to Wallace as he stares with hatred at the harpy.
Livain blinks in disbelief after all the years she had been with her beloved. She had never seen anything like she had just witnessed. For a moment she noticed nothing else. Since when could he do this? She thinks, apparently I still have a lot to learn about him. She watches wide eyed while Maiathreen blasts the energy from his body. Perhaps after he roasts the bird we can all eat something... A deep painful growl echoes from her empty stomach. A hateful smile unfurls from her lips as she watches the harpy.
She nocks two more arrows draws them back and quickly releases them. One leaving a glittering trail of frost as it cuts through the air. "I will devour you" The dragon within was stepping forward and her prey driven nature began to emerge.
Wallace's eyebrow raises nearly to his hairline as Maiathreen begins spouting fire. Well, more fire than usual in an entirely different manner than usual "Huh." The human states with a dull tone as wheels turn in the mans head.
"Well thats new."
The Harpy looks above Wallace and gives a primal scream at something unseen. It then looked to him, shrieking in an accusing manner. "Tainted Deadcaller! You won't enslave me aga-!" She bats Tim's head aside again with a hiss as
She gives a shriek as her feathers ignite from Mai's attack. She glares at the changed creature before her before shrieking in rage. As the two arrows streak by she gives Livain a nasty look through narrowed eyes...
With a blur of motion and a powerful flap of her wings she sails towards Livain, her clawed hand comes up slamming into her bow before pummeling her with four swift strikes from hands feet or claws...
Just as the last blow went wide the Elder rose from the now bloodied snow. Holding the unmoving body of a harpy in his left hand. "Now that I am all warmed up. Looks like the rest of you are still alive eh?."
The retreating harpy was gaining speed now, disappearing off into the storm and perhaps too far to be pursued now...
"I can agree with that." Tidus gives a rare bright smile and the moment is interrupted by the Odd man sudden shout.
"Aha! With the combination of your martial force and our magic we should be able to overwhelm her! Or at the very least driver her away. So we will need you back at full strength then my dear man and Rh... What? Nevermind, time is of the essence." Without missing a beat the odd man speaks a few incantations and over the course of three applications Tidus looked a lot healthier but not still had minor cuts, bruises and a deep gash on his leg.
As the odd man was working on TIdus Aeria was speaking quietly with the eldest of the brood. Handing the oldest her sword as she told them what they needed to do. She turns from the eldest only after they nodded and rejoins your group as you started heading off. Tidus, still wary of the odd two sticks close to you as he leads the way back through the caves, lighting a torch for light and revealing the grim fight he had faced along. A dozen harpies lay scattered across the rough hewn cave, each apparently struck only once or twice before they fell. Pools of blood under each of them was a grim indicator that Tidus's blows were aimed at Vital spots and because of it few, if any of them, would rise again.
Aeria hardly pays the corpses any mind as the odd man gives a whistle and remakrs casually. "Quite the skilled fighter to beat them like."
Holding the torch up Tidus doesnt pay the bodies any mind as he remarks coldly. "You talk too much."
The man gaffaws as you continue to pick your way out of the cave. The blood slicked cave floors made it difficult and slowed your pace considerably.
Wallace gives a look to the hand currently in his pocket and looks back to the retreating harpy before seeming to make a decision.
"That's very interesting.
Tim gives a thunderous growl and lunges in an attempt to gore the Harpy.
Wallace turns to face the elder and grins. "what you think a beastial harpy with combat prowess enough for ten men would stop us? You severely underestimate our determination.
The human grabbing onto his mount and swinging into the saddle as the massive creature paws at the ground and charges.
20 if normal hit/ 42 if crit confirm
Livain blinks at the audacity that the feathered wretch had taken her bow. "Go back to playing with your bells and mirrors!" She says as she lashes out with a closed fist casting a strength sapping spell as she does so. With a quick flutter she clears the path drawing her dragonbone sword, signaling Maiathreen to burn the bird again.
Maiathreen growls deep in his throat as the Harpy attacks his beloved he lifts his hand fingers splayed out in a claw and and slowly draws them into a fist causing a smaller explosion of fire to once again engulf the already burning harpy.
She easily dodged Tim's haphazard attempt to Gore her when she made her way to Livain, however she was so distracted with trying to kill the annoying archer that she took a horn in the backside. Tim's horn struck a body cavity but narrow missed tearing the Harpy's heart or lung out. Though the blood pouring from its injury was enough to bring the raging creature pause. Wallace's attempt to touch it was met with a thwack from the Goreing Tim's head grazing his jaw as it gored the Harpy somethign fierce. However Tim found the smell of the creature to be unsatisfying and pulled away at the first opportunity...
Though its pause was short lived as Livain's spell struck it from mere inches away. The harpy's muscles twitch and contort as she loses some of her strength just before she throws of the worst of the spells effects. "Wretched little creat-!"
Again its tantrum was interrupted by another attack. One that singed its feathers further and left it shrieking at the unknown pain that lanced through its nerves as Mai's fire burned its injured flesh.
With little recourse the badly injured beast harpy spreads its wings wide, battering everyone as it sprang upward...
Using his torch to guide the way Tidus and company reach the tight spot that Rhavenna dimly remembered pressing her way through and this time she finds it a little easier to slip past. Noting with surprise that the walls were made to catch and tear at Larger creatures or the unwary. A natural trap that few would have seen without experiencing first...
You have reached the mouth of the cave, several harpies lay stacked on one another or strewn lifelessly before the symbol of their god. It was where Rhavenna and Tidus originally started fighting and here Aeria breaks off, moving to one of the fallen. An obviously younger harpy like herself and upon inspecting her looks to Tidus in a strange way, confusion and perhaps a bit of awe in her gaze.
Surprisingly Tidus doesn't miss her strange gaze and, with his back turned to her, comments somewhat coldly. "I did not leave her alive on purpose."
"Nor did you end her either." Remarked the odd man.
Aeria just watched Tidus before settling a hand over her tribe woman injured breast, moments later their injuries lessened some ensuring they did not fade in her absence and with that She settles the young harpies arms across her chest before standing up.
IN response to the man's continued banter Tidus gives a sigh and moved to the cave entrance, though the odd man proved more sprightly by half. "My, my, what a mess. No one tending to the plants, per usual." He waves his hands and gives a tsking sound. "That should do for now. After you~" He turns and allows Tidus and Rhavenna to exit first with a polite wave of his arm.
Tidus shuts his helm and cautiously moves forward, checking the way before motioning to Rhavenna and the rest. "The overgrowth is moved now. Watch the ice."
A primal shriek of rage is heard of the wind and the odd man gives a bit of a jump. "Ho HO! Best ready ourselves eh? She sounds absolutely infuriated."
Aeria looked nervous but, with her magic fueling her confidence, picks up a fallen longsword and gets in behind Rhavenna. She breathed a small prayer in Sylvan.
Wallace holds tight to his mounts back as the terrified creature lashes at the harpy's quick movement.More a reaction than an intentional act.
" No! Stop! I am your master I comman- Oh that never works *Oof!*
Wallace grunts as his breathis taken from him on Tim's horn catching the retreating bird woman.