Furiel is only concerned for Green being rended in front of his eyes.
He draws his magic wand and attempts to activate the healing.
Unfortunately, Furiel is unfamiliar with healing magic, and the wand fails to activate.
"Help him!!" the gnome cries desperately.
Round 1
HP 25/25
AC 16 T12 FF12 CMD15
F/R/W 4/3/7
Storm Burst 6/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 0/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm (cast), Frostbite (cast), Cure Light Wounds (cast), Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength (cast), Flaming Sphere (cast), Fog Cloud
"I can summon a mist to cover our exit if we choose retreat." As she speaks, she begins a nature chant, conjuring forth a copy of a dungeon dwelling insect to hinder and annoy the owlbear.
Norton continues his emboldening words, and moves in beside Green... ready to strike, but decides to provide aid by deflecting the owlbears swipes at Green.
The owlbear reels from Green's strike, and moves one forepaw like it is protecting its neck... you see stitches along its throat near the wound just caused by Green.
It pounces again. Its first swipe is deflected by Green's axe which proves to be all it can bear. It slashes directly at his weapon then bites into the haft... splintering the wood.
Norton strikes at the beast trying to giving cover to green.
Norton strikes the beast, and it drops Green's axe from its beak in two pieces. As it recoils, you see another wound caused by Green before his axe was destroyed.
The owlbear looks severely injured...
A foot long insect fully forms, and attaches to the owlbear's back. It pierces the hide with its proboscis. The owlbear absently shimmies a bit to shake it off, but mostly ignores it.
Round 2
HP 25/25
AC 16 T12 FF12 CMD15
F/R/W 4/3/7
Storm Burst 5/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 0/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm (cast), Frostbite (cast), Cure Light Wounds (cast), Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength (cast), Flaming Sphere (cast), Fog Cloud
"Green, take cover and tend to your wounds." As Ta'de-win speaks, she sends a storm at the owlbear, hoping to disorient it.
Ta'de-win's blast smacks the owlbear in the face. It drops hard... while the summoned stirge continues to feed from it's unmoving body.
Ta'de-win dismisses her summoned pet, not wishing to kill the beast if given an option. She moves up to check on Green before going to examine the owlbear's unconscious form. "How do you feel, Green?"
The Green Man shakes off his rage, panting with exhaustion for a moment.
He then looks down at the large pool of blood at his feet.
"I'm ok, it wasn't as bad as it looked. Just give me a minute..."
Looking at the broken halves of his axe, The Green Man sighs deeply.
"Well...that's just perfect..."
Norton sees if he can tend the wounds of the beast at least to keep it alive. He still thinks such an animal would be a great display of power.
The Green Man finds the sight of two people working to save the life of the huge best curiously affecting.
He kneels down and examines the stitches on its neck for a moment.
"This beast bears the mark of mans depredation. I think it was kept down here as a vicious guard dog. These stitches may be here to cover wounds deliberately inflicted to keep it mean."
"I wonder if we have found the mate to the one we found in the forest before?"
Another thought strikes The Green Man suddenly and he hurries towards the back of the room as fast as he can in his current state.
Is he dead?
When Green rushes over, he sees Topper disemboweled and lying across cobweb covered rotting crates... many of which have toppled on and around his body.
Green also sees a flash of movement, and two bulging sacks stop sliding toward the corner heading east. There are clear tracks in the filth leading back to Topper's corpse.
Furiel looks for what he thinks is a hidden or invisible creature.
"Green, over there." Furiel points to the sacks.
Furiel bluffs: "Give up, I see you."
Concerned by Furiel's words, Ta'de-win moves forward with her light to help illuminate the area.
You see animal tracks moving away from the bags and up around the corner. At first glance, it looks to be something like, but a little large than a hedgehog.
You aren't too clear on how an owlbear should look, but this creature appears malnourished. You see multiple scars and stitches along the throat. This might explain why the owlbear's roar was just a gurgling hiss. This is what you determine by the time Ta'de-win moves with the light... to check on the new ruckus.
"The tracks, they go towards the corner. It is not very large, maybe larger than a hedgehog."
After Ta'de-win points out the tracks you hear a sibilant snicker "Tss ss sss sss..."
Then the chanting cadence of spellcasting in a small feral voice comes from the direction indicated by Ta'de-win... though the source remains hidden.
summon nature's ally 3
Oh no, I haven't healed...and I am unarmed...mostly.
Furiel tries to heal Green.
He is disappointed again.
The voice finishes chanting. An ant - half again as large as a dog, comes scrambling around the corner along the short hallway... directly toward Ta'de-win. Its mandibles widen and contract as it makes a "Screer chk chk" sound.
It snaps into her, then retracts... swaying a bit to limber up its stinger.
The voice comes again. Still a "small voice", but with a little more gravitas and gravel. "He assumed that he'd broken his wretched father... and allowed me only enough... to survive his vengeful tirades. But my power has not faded... The juicy grubs which worm their way down here are soaked fat with his rage..."
The Green Man, unable to leave Ta'de-win alone, even if he is gravely wounded, looks for a weapon to use.
Ah, HE must have had one!
Quickly taking a step towards Topper Red's body, he looks down quickly, hoping to find and grab something to use.
Round 1
HP 20/25
AC 16 T12 FF12 CMD15
F/R/W 4/3/7
Storm Burst 5/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 0/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm (cast), Frostbite (cast), Cure Light Wounds (cast), Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength (cast), Flaming Sphere (cast), Fog Cloud
Ta'de-win recoils back from the creature's mandibles. "Hngh! The creature is a summoned beast, stronger than anything I am able to bring forth. It must have a controller of it's own." As she speaks, she draws forth her sickle and strikes at the ant.
At last an enemy Norton can see. He charges the giant insect.
"Tackle the spellcaster"
The giant ant reacts quickly enough to turn Ta'de-win and Norton's strikes into harmless glancing blows against its chitin.
On his hip is a short sword in a cheap scabbard. He has a nice looking hatchet strapped to his lower back. On the ground next to him is a war lance with a large ball-peen tip... "Ahm R'hir'thuutka" is engraved in the hand guard. (which is Orc for Arm of Firebiter)
Despite the awkwardness of using such a weapon on foot, The Green Man Grabs the lance.
He is much more used to wielding a two handed weapon compared to the sword or the hatchet.
Orc writing...how very fitting...
You hear the door to the south creak open, and Kesten's voice. His lantern brings more light to the cellar as he steps forward. "Hello? Find anything?"
You see a furry animal on the ceiling... about the size of a hedgehog as Ta'de-win mentioned.
"Kesten, there are enemies here! Gather everyone not on guard duty and join us."
Furiel tries to activate the wand.
He is unsuccessful again.
"Oh yes... and mind the rats on the steps... Kesssten..." The small hidden voice cackles and wheezes like a little old man... then starts chanting again.
The ant pivots and strikes Norton with a scorpion-like motion. The mandibles nip and yank at his arm... the stinger strikes his shoulder like an orc punch.
"Ta! Don't strike at the ant this time...it's not hurt, but we are...let me heal us."
Round 2
HP 25/25
AC 17 T12 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 4/3/7
Storm Burst 5/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 0/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm (cast), Frostbite (cast), Cure Light Wounds (cast), Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength (cast), Flaming Sphere (cast), Fog Cloud (cast)
Ta raises her shield defensively and moves to provide a flank for Norton before summoning a cloud of mist in the direction of the noise. "If we cannot see you, then you cannot see us."
Good good, the owlbear is out of my range, and neither the ant nor the foe has been hurt by us yet.
Ugh, my focus...I need to find my focus...
Norton Attacks again
"A swarm of insects is next!!"
Norton's sword cracks into the ant's chitin hard enough to bring out a high-pitched "Screeee!!" from the creature. A fog appears... filling the side room in which your foe is hiding.
Kesten rushes to the door and shouts "Kressle.. Rogar... down here now!" He then returns... moving closer with his lantern - though the way is blocked with crates and barrels. "I go around... I assume?"
"Don't let the Owlbear on the floor bother you Kesten."
"Watch for the swarms, I am out of alchemist's fire."
Furiel tries to heal the Green Man with his wand.
As the healing energy washes over his friend, the face of the gnome lights up. Whether it is more from healing Green, or solving the riddle of a magic item you cannot tell. Both are important to him.
"Owlbear?... Oh mother of mercy... There rats! ... coming from the crates!"
You hear Rogar not far behind Kesten "Did he just say rats? You know my good man, there is an occupation specifically suited for such a task... a rather lowly one, I might add."
The ant cocks its head over toward Ta'de-win as she moves, and snaps below her shield at her legs. Its stinger is easily deflected with her shield.
The small feral-tinged old man voice continues within the fog. "This was my keep when the first stone was laid... It was my keep when that monster killed my bride in childbirth... It was my keep when her family came with swords drawn to accuse will remain until this keep crumbles to dust. are nothing but a passing storm... already drained of its force... "
He begins chanting again...
Stone Shape
Furiel yells to the others: "Besides being ancient, this creature is strong. He is manipulating the very stone with his magic!"
Furiel yells in desperation:
"We came to help you, her family is defeated! We wish to live in peace. Help make the peace! We share common goals."
Furiel's story is both earnest and convincing.
Almost fit for fighting again, and if that ant is summoned it should wear out soon shouldn't it? Then it won't matter if it gets healed along with us.
"The Ashmoors have fallen? That... is a hollow end... Peace? Perhaps in time. But with you? I will not talk of peace with one who walks with a godless degenerate beast. Orcs are a blight in the garden of humanity. Leave if you value your lives... and have your peace far from here, but the orc stays... my rancor is invigorating... I will savor his death."
Norton will keep bashing the ant
Ta'de-win draws her sickle and slashes at the summoned ant. She connects with the side of the creature's head as it is turning to snap at Norton.
It abandons its focus on biting, and pops Ta'de-win with its stinger.
As it retracts, you see a foaming ooze drip from the wound in her shoulder.
You hear the voice again in the fog filled side room. "Not accepting my offer, eh?" He begins chanting again.
Kesten comes around the corner near the fallen owlbear. "Rogar! Get on the other side of it!"
You hear Rogar reply sarcastically "Excellent idea. You keep the rats attention while I step on them one by one.... Just throw that lantern in the middle of that foul mob of vermin!"
Furiel tries again.
"This orc is on the side of the angels. You are serving the interests of the Ashamors."!
Furiel bluffs again: