Sajeek snarls and lashes back at the horde of gnolls. He would be doubled damned if he wasn't going to at least die fighting. The vah shir had been killed and destroyed while unable to fight back. That wasn't going to be the case here. Predators such as the gnolls only respected strength. Trying to run would only spark the gnolls hunter instincts, which would mean that they were nothing but food.
Spear pokes not hurting nearly as bad as they had a few moments ago, Bast roars and attacks. Surrounded by the barking dogs, the big cat responded in like to the attacks. The big cat saw his spirit-brother striking with shiny claws, and he knew they weren't running away. Bast could scent his brother's resolve, which steeled his own.
Kwen curses as the blows sink past his defenses, even more angered that the words failed, and the fact that he was surrounded. Kwen decides that the last thing that he was going to do before he fell to the ground was to throw the grenade in his left hand.
Knowing that he now had no way to roll and avoid any blows without bringing the others into danger, he stabs with his dagger, wishing he had had enough time to poison the dagger's blade before striking.
Move action partially on the defensive +1 to AC - 2 to attack
dragoon dagger
damage
No opportunities to gain a tactical position are presented, for you stand amidst a seas of slashing limbs, piercing teeth and stabbing spears (no chance to flank without opening oneself up to numerous AoO).
Kwen, Sajeek and Bast stand strong in the storm, maintaining their focus on making the gnolls remember the name Pravus Mortis, even if it is the last thing that they ever do.
The group's blood sheaths the gnoll's weaponry, falling to stain the grasslands further.
Gwendalyn blinks and the gnolls are upon them. She tries to protect herself, while strengthening Sajeek and healing him a little. It's difficult to cast while surrounded by foes, but she's had training and manages it.
FA: Minor Healing (Sajeek):
SA: Turtle Skin (Gwendalyn) cast on the defensive
Channeling (Combat Casting): Success
39/80 hp, 17/80 mana
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Sajeek (3 rounds)
Turtle Skin (DR 5/–): Gwendalyn, Bast, Jinx
Dying in combat against overwhelming numbers was an honourable way to go.
Screw that, the halfling wasn't dying for many years hence.
Jinx (53/112 hit points) swings with all of his force (power attack -8) knowing that the only way the would have a chance would be if gnolls started dropping rapidly.
Earthshaker:
Damage:
Earthshaker: (critical confirmation)
Confirmation: (success)
Damage:
The champion is not aiming for glancing blows anymore, and while the sea of bodies does not permit him to hit the same foe more than once, the second blow absolutely shatters a gnoll's shoulder.
He barks out, "Form up around Revery. Backs to each other. Don't let them get behind you."
Jinx backs up a bit (5' step) to form his part of the circle.
The Shenba'Dal with the female gnolls, who are dressed in a manner of suggestive of shamans.
(end of round)
(start of new round)
For those that collapse into a protective circle, they afford the addled enchanter a chance to live a bit longer, and also remove the tactical advantage of the gnolls getting behind them (no flanking).
Surprisingly the gnolls slowly back away from the group with one hunter moving a few steps ahead of the rest to square off against Gwendalyn, Jinx, Kwen, and Sajeek. The throng forms a wide circle.
(end of combat)
Sajeek and Gwendalyn, both from tribal societies, understand what is before them, for they have each been challenged to individual combat. This is a much better outcome compared to what was about to happen, and what will continue to happen should anyone show even a flicker of weakness.
Any that help another, either gnoll or Pravus Mortis, will be slaughtered where they stand. Only once a battle to the death is won can that individual help another, and so on until the force from one side becomes overwhelming.
Each hunter, the apex predator in this part of the world, stands a few steps before you then moves down to one knee with its eyes resting on the soil. In an act of ultimate machismo he is permitting the first blows to be launched by each of you.
Other hunters move and place their spear tips close enough to Bast and Revery that you understand their deaths will be rapid if you decline.
Jinx is easy to lure into any combat and moves forward awkwardly getting down to one knee. You watch as the shaman's cast healing spells on both the gnoll, and surprisingly your teammate as well (full health) as a number of additional spells that are remove any bonus spell effects the group might be under (cancel magic).
All eyes are on Kwen, Sajeek and Gwendalyn.
(tag PC attacks individually)
Sajeek slowly lowers his claws, as the gnolls part and circle around the party. He slowly takes a step away from Rev. They had managed to circle him and keep him alive. For the time being anyway. The vah shir blinks a few times, glancing back at the elves. He spies several female, shaman looking gnolls moving away from the brightly colored wagons. Sajeek realizes that the elves had bought them a chance at survival. Which wa much better odds at them living then a few moments ago.
Seeing several hunters break away from the circle of gnolls and approach, Sajeek realizes what lay in store for them. Individual fights to the death to prove their strength.
"In case you didn't already guess this, we're going to be fighting one on one against a few of their bravest hunters," Sajeek says quietly for the benefit of Kwen and Jinx. He was pretty certain Gwen had figured out what was going on a few seconds before him. "We won't be able to help each other, but the same goes for them." Looking over at Bast, he smiles at his spirit-brother.
"You be good and just sit there 'til I finish this up," the young vah shir says in the rich combine tongue. He gestures for the big cat to wait their. He makes sure that Bast won't leap to his aid. It takes a few seconds for the tiger, but he begrudgingly sits on his haunches. The big reddish-orange tiger's tail lashes back and forth.
Taking a few steps, Sajeek stands in front of the gnoll and kneels down. Locking his emerald gaze with the gnoll, Sajeek doesn't break the stare, even after he feels the shaman's magics wash away his wounds. And strip away Gwen's enhancement to his strength. The vah shir had almost completely forgotten about that. The aid she had gained from the totem had been wrapped around him for so long, he had completely taken it for granted.
Aside from the jeers and barks from the gnolls, which had become nothing but background noise, the plains seemed to be holding it's breath. As it was just as eagerly awaiting the coming battle as the gnolls. The random thought of, 'I hope nothing happens to the Shenba'Dal if we fall,' floats across his mind. That thought serves to harden his resolve. They had to win this battle.
Feeling the time was right, everyone was ready and waiting. The gnolls were going to be allowing them the first strike. The fact that they were that confident of themselves, only served to fuel the growing fire within Sajeek.
Exploding into motion, the dark grey furred vah shir snaps to his feet. The strips of linen that made up his dervish robes flowed behind Sajeek, struggling to catch up with the quick moving vah shir. The blood red tiger strips glistened as if wet in daylight. The white claw print gripping his right bicep had become exposed to the light. The spot where the ghostly Iskar had grabbed him seemed burned with it's own inner light.
Jinx will make 2 full force 2handed swings with his earthbreaker at his designated opponent (Subtract 8 points of to hit, add 8 points of damage per swing. power attacking) he had to hit his foe as hard as possible and could ill afford a glancing blow.
attack roll 1
Damage Roll 1
attack roll 2
Damage Roll 2
sorry about yesterday. it was my spontaneous weekday D&D group, i have 2 on the weekend and a third that could be on any weekday, even multiple in the same week.
slow is only Delay 6. Jinx's attack bonus should be +17/+11 w/ earth breaker)
Kwen nods at the rules than has a moment of inspiration in no way did it stop him from using poison, or at least he hoped wouldn't get him killed right away.
Spinning around to face his opponent he gives a gives a bow to the gnoll, showing respect in one of the few ways he can think of. In fact forcing Kwen to fight one on one was an honor for warriors and those of the tribal society. Kwen could respect that viewpoint and had almost considered it, however his training told him that he wouldn't last without someone's aid or the ability to change the odds in his favor. Deciding that he would risk the threat of death he decided to have one of his hands dart to a vial on his belt; the vial of poison was called Visceral Rot.
Kwen's hands move in a blur, throwing the vial hoping that the poison would level the playing field for the rogue.
Quickdraw Than ranged touch attack on the opponent vs Kwen
Fort Save DC 31
1d6 a round 1d6 Dex Drain second round.
Dex Drain
It's been a long time since Gwendalyn felt so weak. She guesses that any magic she can use once the duel starts is fair game, but not casting a buff before the first blow is struck. For this, she feels that her two-handed hammer is more appropriate, so she draws it after stowing the spiked chain.
Following the apparent form, she genuflects to her chosen foe, and stands back up. For the first time in a long time, the shaman attacks with her natural, unenhanced strength. She throws her weight into a body slam, and follows up with a hard swing of her big hammer. Then, she finally taps into her rapidly-depleting stores of mana for Fleeting Fury, in the hope that she will be able to end this faster.
FRA: Full attack
Slam:
Damage:
Two-handed hammer:
Damage:
FA: Cast Fleeting Fury (Gwendalyn)
hp 80/80
mana 15/80
AC 18
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Gwendalyn (3 rounds)
Sajeek
Clawed handwraps draw first blood, and the gnoll starts slow as the beastlord starts slow (single attack only).
Gnoll (92/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
(tag Sajeek)
--
Jinx
The earthshaker fails to find purchase on its second swing, but its first draws a collective groan from the crowd, and wide eyes from the recipient of the blow.
Gnoll (72/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(please update your hit points in each post)
(tag Jinx)
--
Kwen
The vial of toxins flies past the agile gnoll, shattering on the plains and killing a fair number of blades of grass. While there is some muttering, one could imagine speaking of the use of poison, there no negative reaction: once the battle commenced one could use whatever tactics they wish to win. The rogue starts slow and so does the gnoll.
Gnoll (95/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
(please update your hit points in each post)
(tag Kwen)
--
Gwendalyn
The shaman's magic attracts the attention of all gnolls, but as with Kwen's use of poison there are no rules for how one fights in this mortal exchange, as long as assistance is not received from outside, unless that assistance is from someone who had downed their foe already.
Gnoll (82/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Gwendalyn)
--
Revery
Your head throbs with each beat of your heart, but the fog of confusion slowly dissolved over the past hour (no negative conditions). Now is the time to play possum for there are numerous spears poised over your breast with the intent to plunge home in response to any perceived slight.
The Shenba'Dal moved in with the female shaman gnolls, but remain a few steps back from the combat circle. While neutral in the politics of the world, these "Wandering Elves" show great discomfort at how the events of the day had played out. The group had embraced their lifestyle, treated them with respect, and had even pitched in. It would be a great loss if their new friends were cut down in their charge.
Growls, barks and yips are the norm, as the gnoll speak of the combat before them.
Jinx; HP 109/112 (Assuming fully healed by Shaman before duel)
Jinx will swing just a little less wildly (power attack for 6 instead of 8) "you should be hurting a lot more."
Full attack
Attack roll 1
Damage roll 1
Attack Roll 2
Damage Roll 2
Gwendalyn barely dodges one of the gnoll's spear thrusts (though the other hits), thankful for the powerful but brief magic that has already prevented some perforation of her skin, that breakable (though resilient) boundary between one's insides and everything else. Mentally testing how the part of her that stores mana feels, she realizes that she's scraping the bottom of the barrel, with very little left.
The canny shaman considers holding off on healing herself until it becomes absolutely necessary, and just focusing on downing her opponent so that she can help someone else. But no, her fast heals are small ones; and if he gets better aim with that spear, she could fall behind.
With a roar, the 6'10" Northwoman shoulder-tackles the gnoll, and then swings wildly with her hammer. It's a powerful weapon, but slow, and the tribal hunter easily dodges its blows; she's going to have to do better than that, if she wants to win. Still, a quick little healing spell nearly erases her one wound, tipping the balance a little bit in her favor.
FRA: Full attack
Slam:
Damage:
Two-handed hammer:
Damage:
Two-handed hammer:
Damage:
FA: Minor Healing (Gwendalyn):
hp 79/80
mana 13/80
AC 18
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Gwendalyn (2 rounds)
After getting poked with the gnolls spear, Sajeek knew he was going to have to chance up his attack a little. He hoped the gnoll couldn't fight as well as he could with out weapons. He knew all to well that they could bite, but he might get lucky. It was possible.
Sajeek takes a step forwards, getting right up in the gnolls face. He didn't as much arm movement to attack with his claws. Just enough range to make a swipe. It should make it harder for the gnoll to keep attacking with his spear. It only had so much room to back up.
Kwen dodges out of the way of the Gnoll's spear, avoiding it with ease; rolling away from the gnolls reach, coming out his roll he draws both the Kurki and another Vial of poison, having enough of this of the gnoll and wanting to make a nice stunning throw.
Tumble check fail
throw kurki
damage
Take your AOA
Jinx continues to be consistent. Another mighty blow is delivered by the halfling (power attack conveys a 1.5x bonus to damage for a two handed weapon, earthbreaker attack is +17/+9), tearing through the gnoll's defences, but it is doing a great job of avoiding the follow up blow. All three of its blows find their way through the halfling's half-plate armour's protections.
If this battle continues this way, especially if the warrior can land two successive blows, then Jinx will be the victor and will be free to help any of the others.
Gnoll (40/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Jinx)
--
Gwendalyn throws her shoulder into her quarry, but is unable to follow up with the single blow of her two-handed hammer (BAB gets only a single attack with a slow weapon per round).
Gnoll (76/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Gwendalyn)
--
Sajeek moves forward as the gnoll moves back at an angle to give itself room to maneuver, and while the beastlord's perfect strike fails to cut deep the gnoll's spearhead comes back sheathed in vah shir blood.
Gnoll (85/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1: (critical threat)
Confirmation: (success)
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Sajeek)
--
Kwen gets his footing tangled up, opening an opportunity for the gnoll to lash out (AoO), but his kukri is thrown perfectly.
Gnoll (91/95 hit points remaining)
AoO:
Damage:
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Kwen)
Gwendalyn still manages to only get poked once with the spear, but the savage gnoll responds to her primitive body slam with a feral bite. In one sense, her job is very simple: hit harder and more often than the other guy. In another sense, it's as tricky as nailing a tough song or making a hard room laugh: like music and comedy, the difference between good and great is all in the timing.
It could all change in a heartbeat, but this time, she manages to catch the gnoll off-guard for her tackle and her hammer. It was a particularly good slam, and she'd practiced with Tudan when they were in Halas, so she knew there was a chance that her opponent would be hard-pressed to do more than defend itself for a few seconds. Nevertheless, she was afraid that she wasn't being fast enough to help the others in time, and regretted switching weapons.
Round 3
FRA: Full attack (gnoll)
Slam:
Damage:
Two-handed hammer:
Damage:
hp 71/80
mana 13/80
AC 18
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Gwendalyn (1 round)
Kwen growls at the blows, then takes a step back, throwing his vial at the gnoll hoping that this would help level the playing field for the rogue, than draws the longsword and Dragoon dagger while maintaining a defensive posture.
5 ft step
Vial of Tooth Rot DC 23 for 4d6 points of damage
damage
quickdraw
Longsword and Dragoon dagger
defensive posture -2 to hit, + 1 to AC
Jinx; HP 86/112
Jinx will swing twice, full force (power attacking for 8)
FRA; Full Attack
attack roll 1
damage roll 1
attack roll 2 crit threat
confirmation roll
Damage Roll 2
Round 3:
Gwendalyn has a great deal of success with both using her body as a weapon and using her hammer to maximal effect. Her tackle does a great job of folding the gnoll up, but it comes right back at her.
Fort Save (vs. DC 15 Daze): (success)
Gnoll (53/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Gwendalyn)
--
Kwen dances about, avoiding all blows, while his singular attack is extremely successful.
Fort Save (vs. DC 23 Tooth Rot): (fail)
Gnoll (72/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Kwen)
--
Jinx snaps the gnoll's neck with two perfectly placed blows. It drops lifeless causing all onlookers to fall silent for a moment, impressed by the diminutive warrior's martial prowess. The halfling casts his eyes about deciding which of the team to help out (requires a move action to assist anyone in this large circle).
Sajeek is looking the most wounded after a perfectly aimed spear strike almost ran him all the way through.
(tag Jinx)
Sajeek mentally curses the ease at which the spear had mad it passed his chain shirt. For all the usefulness of his new armor, he might as well be standing naked in a field.
Trying to ignore his life blood spelling out of the wound in his stomach, the vah shir attacks again.
Seeing how quickly the gnoll recovered from her tackle, Gwendalyn decides to test whether it was a fluke, or whether he's really that tough. Her hammer sits idle and unused in her hands as she renews her Fleeting Fury and then just slams into the gnoll repeatedly.
FA: Cast Fleeting Fury (Gwendalyn)
FRA: Full attack (gnoll)
Slam:
Damage:
Slam:
Damage:
Slam:
Damage:
hp 66/80
mana 11/80
AC 18
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Gwendalyn (3 rounds)
Round 3:
Sajeek's claws strip the flesh from the gnoll's torso with the ease of peeling a ripe orange. The beastlord watches as more and more of his blood flows, and he is finding it difficult to see this fight ending well for him.
Gnoll (79/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(end of round 3)
Round 4:
Gwendalyn slams her body forth time and again into the gnoll, who looks worse for wear for the experience.
Fort Save (vs. DC 15 Daze): (success)
Gnoll (38/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
Jinx moves to assist Saajeek, making a running leaping full force pounce into flanking position as he swings his massive hammer into the Gnoll (power attack for 8, charging, flanking) "I will not allow you to die in this conquest just yet"
HP 86/112
Charge/Flank to Sajeeks defense
Attack Roll
Damage Roll;
Other; -2 AC for this round
Robes sticking to his torso and legs, thick and heavy with his blood, Sajeek hops back out of the gnolls reach. A few more steps and he had put himself just out ot of the gnolls strike range.
Sajeek knows that he has to stop the flow of his lifeblood. Or the continued exertion of the fight would save the gnoll the trouble of finishing him off. Blood loss would also make the gnoll's task of killing much easier. And he wasn't going to make the gnolls job easier.
That done, the Beastlord pulls a trick he is hoping will work like he plans. Sajeek tries to toss a little mote of light into the eyes of the gnoll he is fighting. If it works, it should help to even the odds, or so he hoped.
Round 4:
The freshly healed Sajeek and charging Jinx work in concert to bring down the gnoll (+2 flanking bonus available to each successive attack). To the gnoll's credit it shows absolutely no fear in standing against two powerful foes, as it blinks away the beastlord's spell. .
Fort Save (vs. DC 15 Daze): (success)
The gnoll focuses its attention on the halfling drawing blood from Jinx (-2 to AC from charge) on his last blow.
Gnoll (49/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1 (Jinx):
Damage:
Spear 2 (Jinx):
Damage:
Bite (Jinx):
Damage:
Sajeek sees an opportunity to let the barely-scratched warrior continue to take the bulk of the hits and heal himself up to prepare to help the others, rather than risk another perfect blow taking his life.
Kwen gives a smile, taking another step out of reach the half-places his dagger in between his teeth, using it as a temporary sheath. His left hand darts into his pocket for the special surprise: one of his grenades, glad that his long coat had so many pockets and ways to secure his various tricks. Although he isn't thrilled at having to use this one, it still would be useful enough, the other one he was saving for a large group of undead; or a large group of gnolls if needed.
5ft step or if need tumble check to get out of the way not trying to get attacked by the ring of gnolls.
tumble check if needed
'Sheathing' weapon possible AoA
quickdraw grenade Lethargic Bliss Inhale Fort Save DC 25 vs (Slow 4) Secondary effect (Slow 1d2)
Ranged touch attack or AC not sure
Round 4:
Kwen is as interested in how this throw will work out as his foe is (treated as an exploding missile, 10' range, affects 5' around from the location it lands in). The insidious airborne poison works past the gnoll's impressive constitution and suddenly the hunter is moving like a spider immersed in cold honey. Every step is forced labour for the gnoll as the drug induces a pleasant euphoria that partially detaches its mind from its body. Such is the truth of two pinches of powdered whore's bane applied the right way.
Grudgingly respect is offered as those around the battle understand how effective such tactics could be.
The throw does not hit the creature directly, but it lands close enough (5' beyond it) and catches it in its area of affect.
Fort Save (vs. DC 25 Lethargic Bliss): (fail)
Duration (Light Wind):
Gnoll (72/95 hit points remaining, (4) slow: -2 to AC, loses 1 AoO every second round, may not make full-round attack actions, loses 1 attack every 3rd round)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Sadly the rogue also takes a big whiff of his poison as well (please include a DC 25 fort save in your next post).
Unintentional Exposure (5% for Kwen): (failure)
(tag Kwen)
Kwen's footing was lost a critical moment and he inhaled when he should have held his breath
Kwen feels the effects of his poison first hand (poisoned with (4) slow: -2 to AC, loses 1 AoO every second round, may not make full-round attack actions, loses 1 attack every 3rd round).
The Shenba'Dal move over to Revery and invite him to slowly back out of the circle, and bring Bast with him, to join them. They were unsure of how this would work out, and did not want any accidental killings while the group was under their protection.
Bast looks to Sajeek for guidance.
Gnolls watch the "Wandering Elves" actions, but do not move to stop them, though they do posture and force everyone to move around them with each step.
It becomes very apparent why these gnolls fight so bravely as each of you catch a glimpse of the beaten hunter gnolls being held down and claws drawn across their necks (coup de grace).
There is only victory for the Seeking Clan. Defeat in any form leads to a swift death.
(tag for Round 5 actions)
Kwen digs down deep into his mind fighting off as much as he can of the sensation of pure pleasure, forcing himself to swing on the gnoll with his longsword. Using his past experiences at being poisoned by this before when he was on the streets and setting off a trap.
Pushing off the memories he tries to fight this gnoll, the drugged portion of his brain wants to just roll around on the grass; certain that is would be the best feeling in the world.
Long sword parrying for -1 to hit + 1 for AC
damage
HP: 47/72
AC: 19/20
Round 5:
Kwen feels the lethargy steal the find edge of his reflexes (no AoO this round), but at least he knows that the gnoll is going through it as well. He blinds a few times and wonders how long he can keep up the attack (no attack next round for either Kwen or the gnoll).
Gnoll (64/95 hit points remaining, (4) slow: -2 to AC, loses 1 AoO every second round, may not make full-round attack actions, loses 1 attack every 3rd round)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Maybe both combatants should remain half in their cups, for their accuracy is a thing of beauty when they are barely cognizant.
(tag Kwen non-combat action for next round)
--
Unknown to Pravus Mortis is that a strange convoy approaches their destination, but from the east. A very familiar cleric, sick with grief after burying his father, had found to the excuse to join the first dwarven caravan on the west side of the Steamfont Mountains. After that he foolishly traveled alone along the coast, hoping to meet up with the others before they reached their location. Nogglegrop had found a number of undead creatures marching along his path, and after a quick application of the spell that hid him from their sight, he fell behind and followed them from a safe distance, finding a friend along the way.
This was a tenday and more ago.
The dreams are blurred and red, as looking through a glass with wine spilt upon it. Or blood.
Elven magic weaves together with stories of their heroes and gods, and of they themselves. There should be color, indeed some bright blues appear purple, and some yellows orange. All are filtered through the ruddy glass. But the stories themselves are wonderful, fantastical, and they make him inhale in shock, cry in happiness, or snort in laughter. Sometimes he can hardly keep from doing all three together in synchronicity. Arwen appears, though she is a different sort of Elf. But she understands them, and their stories touch her too; perhaps more than they do Revery.
Soon the stories turn to nightmares, as the characters grow hair and jowls, and become taunting, jeering hyenas. No, gnolls! Revery's skin prickles as it recalls its last meeting with gnolls and their javelins.
At first the gnolls dance their taunts, but soon the dance becomes a circling, an enclosing of Revery and all his friends too. They get closer and closer, and closer, and -
Great pain, and the blurriness shifts from red to yellow to uncolored. The dancing changes to fighting, only it is real. Revery's head pounds as his blood rushes through, a Dwarf's hammer on an anvil with every beat. He wishes his heart would slow, only so that the pounding would reduce its hurried pace.
His eyes clear and he sees four of his group facing off against only four gnolls, while he and Bast, many gnolls, and all the elves, stand by and watch. He doesn't understand at first, but it relieved when he realizes they are doing a duel. Actually, a quartet of duels. And he and Bast are the prizes, judging by the spears pointed his way. Gwen and Jinx appear to be doing well, while the other two, Kwen and Sajeek, seem to be struggling more. He believes he knows the stakes.
Soon, the elves come and carefully move him and Bast back into their fold. It saddens him to realize that a loss would likely mean Revery and Bast alone would live, the least and most deserving of the group, respectively. Then again, they might take Bast out anyways, considering his race.
He wishes he were still dreaming.
Jinx Swings twice at full force towards the Gnoll's skull. "Victory, Soon, shall be ours." (power attacking for 8) The halfling chuckled gleefully as he struck with enough force to cave the Gnoll's Hyenalike skull in. He would potentially end up causing an explosion of Grey matter from the deceased foe's cranium should he connect.
FRA/Full Attack (power attack for 8, factored into numbers)
HP 82/112
AC 18 Touch 11 FF 18
attack roll 1
Damage Roll 1
attack roll 2
Damage Roll 2
Round 5:
Jinx feels the gnoll's skull snap, which plays off the sound of its neck shattering with the second impact. He and the vah shir will need to find a new dance partner. The halfling and Sajeek can choose where to go next, either splitting up or staying together, but it will be a short jog for both (move action).
Kwen looks to be moving in slow motion, and the shaman is holding her own.
4 on 2 are odds one could get behind, especially when you are in the majority. You each know that these gnolls will fight to the death in honour of their deity Brell Serillis.
(tag Sajeek for his Round 5 action)
(tag Jinx for his Round 6 action)
Jinx offered "I will assist Kwen, you help Gwendalin. He charged to full force in Kwen's Aid. He was helping the Rake whom appeared to be hindered, either by magic or by alchemy. Charging and leaping, pouncing into a flanking position with a full force swing at the Gnoll's neck. (Power Attacking for 8)
Notable, Flanking, Charging
HP 82/112
AC 16 (Charged) Touch 9 FF 16
Attack Roll
Damage Roll;
Gwendalyn is glad to see Jinx amazingly save Sajeek at the last possible moment. She has some ideas about how to improve their tactics, but at least no one has died. This time. So far...
The Halas-trained shaman sets aside that dangerous line of thought and focuses on the matter at hand. Deciding that the hammer is just too slow, she drops it at her feet, and pulls out Zaruksis's spiked chain. She whips it through the air and hits the gnoll with a multitude of tiny blades.
FA: Drop item (two-handed hammer)
MA: Draw weapon (spiked chain)
SA: Attack (gnoll)
Spiked chain:
Damage:
hp 57/80
mana 11/80
AC 18
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Gwendalyn (2 rounds)
Round 5:
Gwendalyn remains adept, no matter what weapon she might wield. Sajeek, rushing in to lend assistance, will put this thing down before any more damage can be felt.
Gnoll (27/95 hit points remaining)
Spear 1:
Damage:
Spear 2:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
(tag Gwendalyn)
--
You must clear out the building before the dwarven forces arrive, and time is wasting.
Khae had previously arranged for a non-dwarven guide to aid in your travels to escort you to the building, which is a reputedly cursed place, desecrated by necromancy and heinous crimes. Undead rule its halls and must be expunged, for it is an ideal location for your purposes and exactly the defensible structure you will need to have a chance of surviving in such a dangerous region.
You know not how far Jinx will travel, but he seems to be an expert at The Loping Plains only, so you doubt it will be right into the building. No matter how far Jinx goes you can thank this diminutive warrior for how he carried himself after the first blow was thrown against the gnolls.
Sajeek barely had time to blink when Jinx had charged over and attacked the gnoll. The beast suddenly lost his interest in the vah shir. That had been the perfect opening for Sajeek to heal himself. . After the jolt of healing magics, He had stepped forward to join Jinx. The halfling didn't require the help in the least. His two blows crushed the gnolls skull and neck, bouncing it from the mortal coil.
Nodding at what Jinx said, Sajeek turns to run and aid Gwen when his eyes catch sight of Bast, Rev and the elves. He can see the tiger waiting for his word to go with them. Speaking in combine, the young Beastlord tells the tiger to go with Rev. Throwing another jolt of healing upon himself (, Sajeek charges the gnoll fighting Gwen.
Round 5:
The freshly healed Sajeek flies in to help his teammate, drawing blood and setting up opposite of Gwendalyn and helping her out (+2 flanking).
Gnoll (24/95 hit points remaining)
Bast heeds its master and joins Revery with the elves.
(tag Sajeek)
Gwendalyn's change to the vicious spiked chain pays off right away, as she gets in a couple of hard strikes in quick succession. However, Sajeek is still looking rather torn up, so she heals him a little.
Slam:
Damage:
Spiked chain:
Damage:
Spiked chain:
Damage:
FA: Minor Healing (Sajeek):
hp 45/80
mana 9/80
AC 18
Active Buffs
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str & Dex, +1 insight AC): Gwendalyn (1 round)
Round 6:
Gwendalyn's second stike slays the gnoll she has been squaring off against; obviously demonstrating that the beast lord was the difference in the battle.
Once again Sajeek finds the gnoll he was lining up to tear open a split second before he can swing.
Both combatants see the final gnoll a short distance away (move action to reach).
(tag Sajeek for Round 6 & 7)
(tag Gwendalyn)
The final gnoll is impressively unphased with its almost inevitable death considering the odds it faces.
round 6:
Somehow Kwen manages to hold on to both of his weapons, the sensation of his flesh being opened by a spear brought a whole new realm a sensation to the rogue. His life blood being spilled was on one hand more painful than anything else the rogue could believe; he added a whole new experience to the rogues threshold of pain tolerance. Kwen would swear that even silk felt to rough to the tactile prescience of his blood flowing over his skin.
The spear felt wrong in ways that would never be described it felt wrong, alien; the metal creating a void that the muscle tissue parted around it. Once the spear head left, the muscles closed up as best as they could, still rent from the spear. Blood started to well out from the wound.
Kwen lets out an involuntary giggle; the bliss from the poison making him much more stoned, his mind in a fog from the wound. The one thought that brings the rogue back from the ebb and flow of the drug was that he was still in a fight to the death. Kwen's eyes open from the reaction of the spear; as the adrenaline starts to pump from his glands, as if his body was trying to get the fight or flight response to kick up a notch.
The primordial part of the half-elf's brain was trying to do everything that it could; to keep itself alive; the giggle turned into a growl as the rogue's eyes snapped back into focus. As the rogue sees the gnoll in a haze of heat signatures; the normal part of his vision has the overtones of light that glistened from the moisture in the air; his body was humming with the feeling of enjoyment.
The rogue says in Elvish " You, who are thine foe; this is an field of blood now. Thus your fate is sealed; wheres I will move past thee. " This poison was a double edged sword when the user hit his foe and himself with the cloud.
Fluff Post;
As Jinx pounded his hammer into the Gnolls skull and badly wounded the creature, it about to die very soon. He began talking to his weapon, as if it were a dear friend or possibly a lover. "My Precious, we have almost won. A single Gnoll stands before us, and i doubt he will survive more than 12 more seconds at the most."
Jinx began Chuckling Gleefully, he almost broke into a more maniacal and diabolical form of laughter, a form of carnage induced Ecstacy for the diminutive berserker.
To those who saw the Halfling and heard his laughter. it could reasonably be assumed that he was afflicted with madness. but to a true warrior of any great caliber, it would be clear that he was drunk on the thrill of combat. a feeling any warrior would likely experience at some point in his life, and a feeling he experienced plenty of times beforehand.
in fact, some would say, the spirits of the greatest of warriors of old, had chosen the diminutive champion as their vessel. his laughter was something to be remarked as something the young Gnoll warriors would once experience for themselves in the future.
As Gwen's spiked chains drop her gnoll, Sajeek glances at the last gnoll. With the aid of the spirits, the vah shir heals himself a little, thanking Gwen for the healing she had used on him a few seconds ago. As the warmth is still flowing through his body, ()Sajeek tears off.
Claws digging into the plains, the beastlord charges at the gnoll. Slashing with his metal claws, Sajeek notices something a little odd. Both the gnoll and Kwen seemed to have a goofy, half drunk smiles on their muzzle and face. It would have struck Sajeek as funny, had the situation not be so dire. And then Jinx bursts into a rather mad sounding fit of laughter.
Sajeek had the thought of not having crawled out of his bedroll today, probably would have been the smartest plan. With a mental shake, the vah shir focus back on the new gnoll he had swiped at. With what was becoming very well practiced spell, Sajeek heals himself once more (). Digging his toe claws into the Loping Plains, Sajeek slashes into the gnoll with his metal claws.
Revery feels some hope as he sees there's just one gnoll standing. But the others would die, and why? Just because of weakness - they have lost, so they deserve to die. Or is it more than that? Perhaps this is one way to keep the tribe strong. If losing means death, then one should only pick fights one will win. But they had chosen this means, this form of combat, perhaps upon the Elves' request.
Revery imagines a huge canine mouth, reaching from beneath the earth to take the fallen away. It seems so real!
"It is a hallucination," he tells himself. "You were hit hard on the noggin." The giant maw is open and ready to take its last soul home.
The inevitable follows and Pravus Mortis stands victorious, sheathed in both their own sticky blood, and copious volumes of the coppery warmth of the fallen gnolls.
(end of combat)