Albus:
Javel:
Boar:
Albus:
Javell:
Boar:
Laro's first swipe is just enough to slay the wolf that had tripped him and his second attack wounds the other wolf slavering at him.
The boar roars as it swipes at one of the ravenous wolves and impales it with his tusk. It slumps to the ground.
Aelerie fires a magic missile at the other Wolf on the prone Laro.
The smell of blood seems to send the wolves into a frenzy and the ferocity of their attacks increase. The remaining wolves all draw blood with their attacks and Javell is now the one wrestled to the ground!
Laro stands and nods his thanks to Aelerie. He looks around and sees Javell is in trouble. "I'm coming Javell!, he says as he moves toward his friend.
Albus notes Javell's awkward position but with a wolf at his throat Albus feels that attempting to reposition would only make things worse. "Master Javell, defend yourself; I'll get to you as soon as this one is dealt with."
Albus takes a mighty swing on the wolf that is engaged with him.
To hit target. Critical on a 20. Weapon Attunement +1 Hit and Damage, Power Attack.
Damage Weapon Attunement, Power Attack with Two-handed weapon
To confirm a critical if rolled. Weapon Attunement +1 Hit and Damage, Power Attack
Damage from critical X3, Weapon Attunement, Power Attack Twp-handed weapon.
Albus' swing goes incredibly wide, not even coming close to the wolf threatening the young ranger.
Javell aims for the wolf in front of him, calling on the power of Desna to protect him as he does so.
Albus:
Javel:
While Albus and Javell miss and Laro moves into position the boar manages to harm the last wolf on it and Aelerie fires more magic missiles killing it and leaving only three wolves.
The one on Albus jumps up and snaps but doesn't come close to getting through his defences.
The two on Javell try to take advantage of their downed for to go for the kill. Only one is able to get through the warpriest's divinely hardened skin.
Javell quickly pulses healing energy through himself, mending some of his wounds, focusing on dodging the wolves as they try to savage him while he stands up.
Albus seeing the healing glow of Desna's love for her follower, redoubles his efforts to clear his way to aid with a swift, powerful swing at the wolf in front of him.
To hit target. Critical on a 20. Weapon Attunement +1 Hit and Damage, Power Attack.
Damage Weapon Attunement, Power Attack with Two-handed weapon
To confirm a critical if rolled. Weapon Attunement +1 Hit and Damage, Power Attack
Damage from critical X3, Weapon Attunement, Power Attack Twp-handed weapon.
Laro moves into flank with Javell as he stands and attacks the wolf between them.
Albus and Laro each rip apart one of the wolves they've targeted. Leaving only one wolf which is easily dispatched between them.
For a moment silence comes back to the lake and forest but as you heave breaths to recover from the exertion of taking out a whole pack of maddened wolves you spy a little girl standing at the treeline from where the wolves had come.
It's Jeva.
And she's smiling a wicked grin.
Albus looks at Jeva with a sinking heart, wondering if the others are right and there is nothing left of a little girl. Still he must try, "Jeva, please, try to remember your humanity. Let's try a better way." Albus knows his words ring hollow. He also takes a swift look around to see if there is anything else present he should know about. Sotto voice Albus says, "Any ideas guys?"
Laro looks around "If she hangs around it's because she has something up her sleeve. She may not be alone."
Human? Jeva calls back with a girlish laugh. Humans are soft and weak and die so easy. I don't want to be human.
And Laro is proved right as three wolves step out followed by one larger wolves who stands about three feet tall and look very much like Graypelt. The three smaller wolves growl and snap in your direction while the larger one just sits and stares at you with disdain while Jeva continues to laugh.
Then out steps from the trees a large man who looks like a barbarian with a very large sword strapped to his back. He does not seem very armored but seems supremely unconcerned about that fact and looks at his ease surrounded by the four wolves and Jeva.
I found my real father. Jeva explains.
Are these the ones who insulted you, daughter? the man says.
Yes father. They are the prey who dare to think they're hunters Jeva responds.
Then let us teach them the error of their ways. The man says as he unstraps his sword and the wolves look to advance.
Whisper whines and whimpers as he tries to burrow himself right into Albus' leg.
Albus watches the man and wolves come out of the forest in some consternation. I need to spend more time in the woods, I'm missing too much. At Jeva's words his heart sinks completely, since, if her words are the truth, then she was damned at her birth.
Albus tells Whisper to hide and stakes his axe to the ground. Addressing the man, Albus says, "I am Albus of a line of woodwards and people of the forest for countless generation. We have never been prey."
Albus places his hand on his silver shortsword, still in its scabbard, ready to draw and swing if charged.
Roll if closed on:
No other modifiers for now.
Crit on 19-20
x2 damage on crit.
Note for short sword:
special properties: 10 hp/inch, hardness 8
Javell steels his gaze and clenches his starknife, the blade taking on the glow of starlight. "I have walked the wilds for longer than you have lived, Jeva. I have seen more of the wilds than you ever will. And I have never been hunted for long, and only rarely have I been hunter. You are no different from the beasts I have faced before, and in my wanderings, I have seen many. Make peace now, I will warn you. If not with us, then with your gods."
And what of you little one? The heavily muscled man says to Laro, his voice becoming more of a growl as his mouth shifts into a furred muzzle and his arms and legs similarly transform until what stands before you is a formidable looking hybrid of man and wolf, retaining the best combat qualities of both. Do you not wish to have the same gift that I gave to Jeva? Come, leave your puny pink flesh behind and I will give you the power and strength to be a true predator.
Jeva shifts too and you see the thin girl turn into the monster you remember ambushing you in the confused darkness while you were fighting for your lives against a carnivorous vine.
Laro laughs at the monster "What makes you think I'm not perfect already? I don't need to be ugly like you and that little puppy!"
Aelerie casts Mage Armor on herself as the conversation starts to devolve into battle.
And with Laro's jibe the wolves charge. the three wolves surround the boar snapping and biting at it. Only one of the bites get through but it is vicious enough on the already damaged boar that it winks out of existence as it is sent back from where it was summoned.
The Worg bounds past the three small wolves and tries to end Albus with a snap of its jaws. It misses though and Albus is prepared to swing at it with his silver sword. The sword digs into the worg and draws blood.
The large werewolf howls as he rushes at Javell and swings his sword. He misses the warpriest by a hair's breath.
Jeava comes close but pauses as she maneuvers around trying to find a way that she can get through the line of defense that Javell, Albus, and Laro have erected.
Not wanting to leave an opening in the line Laro moves 5 feet and attacks the Worg.
Albus considers reclaiming his axe to fight the worg but that would mean dropping his sword which seems that was the bad guy's plan, but he feels a slight sign of hope when the man claims to have made Jeva what she now is.
As Laro moves in on the worg Albus will try to take a single step to gain a flank on the worg if possible.
Attack is +2 to hit if flank is allowed.
Crit on 19-20
x2 damage on crit.
Note for short sword:
special properties: 10 hp/inch, hardness 8
Javell blesses his starknife with lightning as he sends it plunging at the werewolf's chest, gritting his teeth "Beware the morning star, beast."
[dice=Piranha Strike, +1 mithral "holy" shocking starknife, Divne Power]1d20+6+2;1d6+1d6+1d6+7+2+2[/dice]
It is a measure of how far the group has come that a fearsome worg that had terrified Albus and Aelerie in their first venture into the Vale is nearly ripped in two by the combined efforts of Albus and Laro. The beast is barely hanging onto life when an arc of flame spurts from Aeleie's fingertips and kill its.
The arc of the flame speeds off of it and lands on the fearsome form of the large werewolf who grunts and shrugs it off even as he avoids the magically enhanced swing from Javell. In response he bites down on the warpriest and, when Javell shfits to avoid the bite, brings down his sword to slice into Javell's abdomen.
The wolves, fresh off their triumph at taking down Aelerie's boar, rush into the main battle, two of them hurl themselves at Javell while one goes after Albus. None of them are able to get through the defenses of their opponents.
Jeva, not finding an easy way to get past her hated enemies runs in in a lupine lope and *jumps* over Laro, avoiding his reach and ends up snarling right next to Aelerie to a frantic yelp of surpise from Whisper!
Thisss time I make sure you die! Jeva growls at the young arcanist.
Javell holds firm as the claws tear into him, striking back at the werewolf even as he calls upon Desna's healing power.
Edit:
Albus is surprised at how quickly the worg falls to Laro's and his attacks but then see Jeva leap over them to attack Aelerie.
Albus cried, "Aelerie! Jeva don't ... Albus breaks off as Jeva snarls her threat.
Albus steps to Jeva with a possible flank, and attacks Jeva ignoring the wolf on himself.
Attack is +2 to hit if flank is allowed.
Crit on 19-20
x2 damage on crit.
Note for short sword:
special properties: 10 hp/inch, hardness 8
Albus strikes to maximized his chance to hit, to distract Jeva onto himself.
"Not this time you won't! Laro shouts as he moves to attack Jeva.
The big werewolf howls in true pain as Javell's knife, fortified by divine energies cuts a deep gash through his furry hide.
Both Laro and Albus hem in Jeva to try and prevent her from causing harm to Aelerie. Their silver weapons slice through the girl turned werewolf bringing forth a copious amount of blood. Still it's not enough to bring the enraged were creature down.
The wolves shift just as Laro and Albus do. One of the wolves pursues Albus while another heads towards Laro, both set up their own flanks with Jeva. The Javell shifts as it tries to acheive one with the big werewolf as well but isn't quite able to get there this round. All three of the wolves snap and bite but are unable to get through the defences of their targets.
The big werewolf's sword and fangs flash as they try and get at Javell but both attacks fail.
Aelerie defensively casts a spell and another boar appears beside her. It tries to gore Jeva but fails.
Casting the spell does leave her open and Jeva ruthlessly exploits this. Her claws and fangs all sink into Aelerie's flash, managing to get past her magical and mundane armor!
Not only does Jeva's attacks draw blood but she savagely twists to bring Aelerie crashing down to the ground!
Seeing Aelerie fall Laro redoubles his attack on Jeva.
With his ploy not working, Albus just grimly swings again hopeing that Jeva falls before she can finish Aelerie.
Flank
Crit on 19-20 Flank
x2 damage on crit.
Note for short sword:
special properties: 10 hp/inch, hardness 8
Javell strikes again, healing himself once more as well, focusing on his opponent and not letting the others distract him.
Javell's knife slides right off the large werewolf though his wounds do seem to magically almost disappear. The werewolf grunts in frustration as the warpriest looks healthier now then when the fight first started.
On the other side Albus' sword cuts through Jeva's defenses and Laro takes advantage of the opening to stab her right through the heart. With a howl Jeva collapses as the boar swipes at her with his tusk. Aeleire gets up shakily and stays on the defensive.
The three wolves attack their respective opponents. The one attacking Laro gets through and his jaws sink through Laro's shoulder.
Seeing Jeva go down, and seeing how ineffective his attacks seem to be against his own opponent, the big werewolf growls and strides past Javell to get to Albus. Javell takes the opportunity to attack and hurt the werewolf. THe werewolf grunts and ignores the additional wound to bring down his giant sword down in a vicious slice on Albus.
Sensing the momentum of his personal battle changing, Javell presses the attack, wounds closing even as he strikes.
Laro spits on Jeva's corpse and turns to the wolf on him. "We're going to be eating wolf steak tonight!" He snarls at the wolf as he attacks it.
Albus stares at the tragic end of Jeva, not the way he wanted it, when he screams from a savage blow by the fiend that authored this sad day. Forgoing his own safety Albus turns to strike at the monster with all his might.
Flank I think, Power Attack
Power Attack
Crit on 19-20 Flank Power Attack
x2 damage on crit. Power Attack
Note for short sword:
special properties: 10 hp/inch, hardness 8
Laro splits the wolf on him apart with two well aimed swings while Javell manages to score another hit on the big werewolf. Aelerie's boar gores one of the remaining wolves, not quite killing it but wounding it badly. Aelerie herself smacks the reamining werewolf in the face with glitterdust.
The werewolf roars in anger as it is unable to shield its eyes from the magic. It swings and bites wildly at Albus, both of the attacks missing the young ranger.
Albus is still furious with the evil being that wrought so much tragedy so he continues his assault. "In the name of the Light of the Sword, fall to justice fiend!"
Flank , Power Attack
Power Attack
Crit on 19-20 Flank Power Attack
x2 damage on crit. Power Attack
Laro steps up to the wolf between him and the werewolf. "Gonna make some wolf cloaks too!"
Javell stays silent, focusing more on his attacks than taunting his foes. He steps over to distract Albus' werewolf and make it watch its back. However, he still focuses on the blind werewolf, trying to bring it down before it regains its sight.
Albus' swing is not as swift or precise as he would like it to be but it still scores a hit against the blinded and wounded enemy. Javell's strike is hard and adds another wound to the werewolf's rapidly growing collection.
Laro's prowess against wolves temporarily seems to desert him and both of his swings go wide, Aelerie's boar however is able to take care of it with a vicious swing of its tusk ending the already wounded wolf's life.
Aelerie herself launches three bolts of magical force all three of which find their mark on the werewolf who howls in fury.
The final wolf attempts to latch onto Javell's calf but is unable to and snaps at thin air.
The werewolf, now incredibly hurt fights back against Albus with all the fury of a wounded and cornered animal. The longsword swing is powerful and might have caused real harm to Albus if the were creature's blindness hadn't caused it to miss. The werewolf's bite however is fierce and latches onto Albus's , ripping out a chunk of flesh. As it does so it shakes his head and focuses its small eyes stare fiercely into Albus'. It seems to have shaken off the effects of the glitterdust.
Laro takes a small step and attacks the werewolf.
Albus' face is the last thing the werewolf sees as Laro takes advantage of the beast's focus to step behind it and slash and stab its unprotected back with silvery short swords. Both swords cut deep, but the first in particular not only gets through the monster's thick hide but also severs the spinal column.
The werewolf barely has time to let out a strangled yelp before its eyes go dim and it slumps to the ground, unmoving.
The last wolf immediately goes into a momentary convulsion before looking around with eyes that are no longer rimed with red. It growls and snaps but both Javell and Albus can see that it's acting panicked and scared rather than consumed with bloodlust.
Albus swallows a scream as the werewolf tears into him, but before he can react Laro plunges a sword into the monster's back and killing it. Albus says, "Thanks Master Laro, that saved my life, that last blow of that creature nearly killed me."
Albus sees that the wolf has returned to normal and is simply scared, he tries to communicate that the wolf can flee safely, pointing to the woods and saying in a firm but still gentle voice. "Go!"
Tell the wolf he can leave with its life.
Albus picks up Whisper and gives him a little food telling him everything is okay now.
" Aelerie are you okay now? Master Javell after attending to her, if you have any favor left; I'd appreciate anything you could do for me." Albus says with a wan smile.
"I'm glad you are ok. I only did what any of you would have done. Any of us could have put the last blow into that foul being. You should have that bite looked at, it is NASTY!"
Javell uses the last of his divine energy, letting it pulse out and wash over all of them, "I still have a few spells, too, for those who need it."
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"I'm fine..." Once the battle is won and the rush of fighting begins to fade, Aelerie doubles over to catch her breath, physical and magical exhaustion settling in. Her wounds throb, demanding the arcanist's attention, but they are a small concern compared to the young werewolf that lies dead at her feet. This isn't how I wanted it to end. Despite that, Aelerie finds it hard to feel too terrible about the outcome after being the target of Jeva's cruelty again. "Thanks to you two fending her off."
Aelerie straightens up again as Javell's holy light washes away her pain. Nodding her thanks to the Desnan, Aelerie retrieves one of the few wands on her person and offers it to Javell handle first. "That reminds me: Lady Cirthana gave this to me after I escorted her back to the Hollow. I'm not sure how much magic is left in it, but I have a good feeling you'll have an easier time of drawing it out than I will."
Looking skyward for a few moments, Aelerie tries to determine how much time there is left in the day before looking around to her companions. "I would offer to help bury them, but The Lady said the ghosts would need proof that their deaths have been avenged..." she comments, not wanting to go into too much detail about the unseemly task that lay ahead. "Should we make camp for the night, or...?"
The wolf takes advantage of the lack of hostile attention to bolt into the trees as fast as it possibly can.
Whisper stops whimpering and comes out from behind Aeleire's legs to nuzzle Albus before going back to his customary act of sniffing the corpses that are littered around the bank of the river where they fought off the were creatures. He does avoid the worg and the weres though, preferring the smell of the dead wolves.
To Master Laro, "Nevertheless, very well timed, I do not think I would have survived another round."
After Aelerie's statement, Albus is very grim, he kneels next to Jeva, "I'm sorry I could not save you; may Justice be tempered with Mercy and the Lady of Graves guide you well. A child should not suffer because of a terrible evil done to her."
A slight turn to the older werewolf. "I know not your story, but it matters little now; we must take what we can to the angry spirits and see what can be done."
To the air as far as anyone can tell, Albus says in a dull tone, "If my stuff is placed in the other packs I think I can put Jeva in mine, take her back, but I don't think we can bring all of the other werewolf, I think ... his head will have to do. I hope we can convince the spirits that he is the true author of their misery and release them." Albus lets the other possibilities hang unspoken.
"Of course, I wish to hear your thoughts as well." Albus finally turns to the group.
Laro shrugs, "I don't I'll be much help carrying but I'll do what I can. The older werewolf there did nothing to the spirits at the orphanage. I don't know any of him is necessary but taking the head won't hurt. Any change we can get some wolf steaks and a pelt or two?"