Nearly retching at the fetid stench the troll is giving off, Sapphire clenches her jaw and focuses on killing this thing before it brings down anyone else.
Once again the combined might of Corums crippling axe blow and Sapphires own wicked slash, assaults the troll.
It staggers back, great swathes of flesh hanging from its gaping wounds. It let's out a long, low groan and collapses to the snow.
Corum! What's going on? We need to help Greyston he's being attacked the old elf shouts where the hell is Nasrin? I can't see anything in this damned snow.
Turning he starts to struggle toward the sound of greyston's cry for help.
damn these old bones! I can hardly move through this snow he thinks as he grits his teeth and drags himself onwards .
Through the blinding snow he can barely make out a figure and closing on it he sees it is Greyston and he is relieved to see he is alive.
That relief is short lived as he sees Nasrins body half covered by snow and he calls out
Nasrin is hurt ! She's here! I have a potion left I hope it's not too late
Hp 11/12
Sapphire howls a whoop of delight as the creature falls. Elleros, unaware even that the fight is taking place, shouts out asking for help both in the defence of Greyston and when he sees the stricken Nasrin.
The troll lies at their feet in a big mounds of flesh but to their dismay they begin to see the grievous wounds closing before their very eyes.
The troll's eye snaps open and the spear that hangs limply from it's hand suddenly lunges up toward Corum's throat, eventually catching the warrior in the meaty part of the bicep.
Whatever has been sniping at the party is momentarily still though the sound os spellcasting can be barely heard on the breeze.
Knowledge nature
Whe Corum stands over his foe it suddenly linges at him with the spear. He sways aside amd takes the blow in one shoulder. He roars and drives his bardiche down through the troll's chest.
Attack
Dam
Once again, Corum drives his blade through the beast's chest and again it is still.
Not taking any chances the barbarian kicks the spear away from the beast's limp hand.
"Something in the snow is throwing bombs at me i can't see where, is that creature still attacking us?! Elleross if you have a potion Nasrin could really use it." He shouts out confused but desperately trying to help as he crawls forward to Sapphire. z30
Looking up at Greyston Elleross smiles and nods.
Pulling out his potion he rips the top off it and gently opens Nasrins mouth. pinching her nose shut her body's reflexes kick in and she is forced to swallow the healing potion. So he slowly begins to pour it down her throat.
Hp 11/12
Out of the snow comes another whizzing sling stone. The aim of the creature hurling these stones is unerring and the bullet thuds heavily into the back of Corum's head.
Come on Teb. A high-pitched voice cries. We can still take 'em!
Looking around for other assailants, Sapphire is taken off guard when the horrible beast she thought unconscious suddenly recovers and injures Corum. After he puts it back down she takes a measured stride to its side and stabs her sword in to the base of its skull.
Elleross! Greyston! Help! There's a beast here that attacked Nasrin and it won't die!!! she shouts, panic in her voice barely held back by her warrior's training.
She stabs it again, back of the neck this time as she tries to remain calm until someone that knows what to do arrives...
Standing he moves next to Sapphire and now see's the terrible sticking beast Corum, Sapphire and Nasrin have been fighting. He ignores the shouts and focus to kill this thing. I have to help
Seeing everyone gathered around this beast he can only do one thing. Its now or never i have to try this. Taking out a vial he begins to mix it with his bomb the reaction inside the vial seem muted compared to every other time but then he throws it directly at the beast in front of him. "I've got this! cover your eye's he's going up in flames."
The sling bullet cracks against his skull and drives Corum to his knees. He spins sround and with the last of his strength he drinks the last potion he has.
Clw
Greyston blindly tosses his bomb into the blinding white vista. With the snow driving into his face he doesn't see where it lands but Corum and Sapphire see the Troll's corpse explode into flame like a tinder pile.
It burns with a horrid stench and a sickly green flame.
From within the snow, a cry of despair rings out.
As you brace yourselves for more sniping stones, after a few moments, you find no more forthcoming.
Sapphire nearly collapses with relief as Greyston's concoction burns the monster and consumes its body, finally preventing its flesh from reknitting, a visual memory she'd not soon forget.
With sudden realisation, she looks around quickly
Nasrin?!
Greyston wraps himself with his cloak as the liquid ice has blackened his skin and making him more sensitive to the cold. "She's alive just badly injured and unconscious lets get her up and out of this cold and into cover, one of the igloos will do." He huffs and puffs from all the exertion pushing through this snow. It worked... i didn't hurt anyone
Nasrin comes to vomiting. She looks around, her face contorted in pain. Her wounds still seeping, she staggers to her feet and runs to where she can smell Thorn's familiar odor, now tainted by the troll's lethal blow. She falls to her knees, cradling the dead wolfs head, her fists clenched in his fur her face turned into Thorn's neck. Her body is wracked by sobs. First my family, now you, who next? It was almost me! No more no more no more!!!
Corum thanks Greyston for his timely intervention then stsggers over to Nasrin. He stands over her as she remains bent over the broken form of her companion. The barbarian gently places his hand on her trembling shoulder and a tear wells in his eye. He speaks softly but firmly. "He was brave and loyal. Now he chases rabbits in the happy hunting grounds. He waits there now, until the day comes when you can rejoin his pack. Until then his spirit will not forget your friendship. We will give him the warrior's send off he deserves."
Turning to the others he shouts. "Get inside one of the igloos. If we stay out in this we will all die!"
As he strides back he picks up the spear and spits on the ashen remains of the troll.
[Ooc] all. I'm not claiming that spear. Just role playing. If anyone wants it then it is theirs."[/b]
Greyston see's the cry's of Nasrin as she clears the the bloodied Thorn the sinking feeling hits him as he realises Thorn is dead. That could have been all of us... god i need a drink i need something. He shakes more from the fear of what just happened and where they are than the cold. "Let's just get out of this snow i can't see anything and i still can't hear anything." He then waits to see what the others do and follows them to the igloos.
Once inside he charms his nerves and begin to check himself over.
Corum heads off to investigate their surroundings while the others huddle in one of the igloos. He mives to the cave and steps inside. He lights a torch and searches the interior.
Perception
Nasrin doesn't speak as she gently lays Thorn back on the ground. Her tears are still flowing, but she doesn't wipe them away, they just freeze to her cheeks. She follows Corum into the cave. "We have to kill them all." Her voice is raw from her unfinished cry.
Two bearskin rugs cover most of the damp floor in this cave, surrounded by crates, barrels, and other supplies. The ceiling rises fifteen feet overhead, where icicles of frozen condensation hang from sharp stalactites.
As well as the rug, Corum finds a single locked chest. Remember the key he took from the troll he tries it and hears a satisfying click.
Three potions, four blue quartz "ice diamonds" f rom Irrisen worth 100 gp each, a silver diadem worth 300 gp, a near flawless diamond worth 500 gp, a jeweled necklace worth 400 gp, a painting of a high walled city surrounded by snow worth 100 gp to an art collector, three sapphire rings worth 75 gp each, a decorative filigree longsword scabbard worth 125 gp, and a small scrimshaw sculpture of dancing sprites surrounding a piping satyr worth 50 gp, as well as 2,457 gp, 3,313 sp, and 1,760 cp.
The cave is certainly more comfortable than the cramped igloos outside
Corum binds the deep wound in his shoukder and fetches the others. He then quickly searches the igloos, looking for anything of use: equipment, furs, loot, but especially wood. He returns to the cave and smashes the chest up. Piling the meagre supply of wood he turns to the others and says. "Gonna be cold. If we stay here we can only have a small fire. And only in the coldest part of the night. We will just have to wrap up and huddle close to share body heat."
Sighing with relief as the wild girl opens her eyes Elleross begins to speak.
Nas? Take it easy you were hur.... he doesn't get a chance to finish as she hauls herself up despite the agony she must be in and rushes to Thorn.
It is only then he realises why she cried out with such suffering.
oh no.... he says quiet as he follows after her. He can find no words for her grief to console her but he can't help but agree with her .
we will make them pay Nas, I promise you he says simply.
Leaving her he moves across to the smouldering corpse , he wants to see this creature that has killed one of their party.
A winter blanket, a pile of furs, and a small wooden chest take up most of the floor space in this cramped igloo. A small hole has been cut into the low ceiling to allow smoke to escape, but no fire has been lit.
The chests are empty and it looks as if the igloo is unoccupied. All of them are the same.
Corum returns to the cave and hands out the furs he collected. He sits huddled with the others and begins eating some dry rations. The mood of the group is morose as they sit and reflect on what just happened outside.
Corum considers Nasrin's loss. He knows that Thorn was more than a pet. He was family to the wild girl but more than that. During their travels he came to realise there was some special bond between them. He does not have the words to comfort her though and he curses himself for it. Death dealing comes naturally to you but when it comes to dealing with death you have not a clue! He thinks to himself as he silently watches the girl's misery.
Just to break the silence he says. "My grandfather used to hunt trolls and used to talk of his hard they were to kill. Never seen one until now. Fire seemed to work though. Thanks Greyston. That thing nearly killed us back there. If it had woken again I'd have been dead too."
He realises what he has said and glances uncomfortably at Nasrin then quickly changes the subject. He nudges the spear with his foot.
"That is a fine weapon for a troll. Very sharp. Almost too sharp if you ask me. Elleross,is it enchanted?"
Suddenly a shooting pain from his shoulder reminds him of his wpunds. "Don't suppose you have any more potions do you Grey?"
Elleross walks into the cave and brushes the snow from him, catching the end of Corums talk of his grandfather hunting those beasts.
it was a troll, like all their kind they have a remarkable ability to heal themselves. I have read a few studies on their kind. Their flesh heals at a rapid rate, far quicker than yours or mine ever could and you were lucky Greyston used his bomb on it.
Trolls are resistant to many things depending on the species but all of them are usually vulnerable to fire , the heat sears their flesh and prevents them from regenerating. It would have healed again and kept attacking you. I just wish I had known earlier what you faced out there. he says to them
let me have a look at these things , they do register as magical..let's see
spear
potion
potion
Although their appetites are notoriously powerful, moss trolls are sly killers rather than simple brutes. They travel in the trees, singing, climbing, and jumping with unnerving ease. When a moss troll spots prey, it reaches or leaps down from above, heedless of dropping great distances in its eagerness to sate its ravenous appetite.
Moss trolls are fearless except in the face of fire, which does not stop a hungry moss troll from attacking, but can often cause a wounded one to retreat. However, those who fight moss trolls may be unpleasantly surprised to learn that acid has no special effect on a moss troll's regeneration.
Sapphire helps place spare blankets and furs around the inside of the igloo in the hope she's helping insulate.
Tentatively she lays her hand on Nasrin's shoulder.
He helped save our lives, he helped the pack survive. We'll honor his sacrifice.
Almost as an afterthought, she pulls out Greyston's potion from her belt pouch.
You should drink this, regain some strength
Greyston moves around trying to help as he can but this thought as still distracted and defend.
"I wish i could have helped earlier.. the snow was just too much i couldn't get around to see, and i'm deaf i couldn't hear the fighting i'm so sorry." He then see's Elleros studying the potions and moves in to help with the last one.
"some of us are pretty messed up. Are we resting overnight or pushing on?"
Corum gestures around them at the cave. "At least here we have shelter."
we may have no choice Corum, you look hurt, your arm is a mess.
We risk much by resting here, so close to the lions den so to speak but pushing on is just as dangerous.
How are the rest of you? How badly are you all hurt? he asks as he stows his pack and pulls out his pipe and his cherished tortoise shell box.
Filling the pipe he strikes a tinder twig and breathes in the sweet smoke, soothing his freyed nerves .
"We have to wait. We are too hurt to continue." Though there is defeat in her words Nasrin's eye smolder with anger. Those intense eyes calm a bit as she thanks her friends. "You are why we are alive now. Tomorrow you will be why the Witches die."
Greyston stays sitting, unsure of what was decided but it seems everyone begins to unpack their bags. I hope my hearing comes back, I wont be much use if it doesn't. He then begins to take out his own items his sleeping bag and books.
The group settles down for another cold night. The cave provides shelter and the extra furs keep them warm for most of the night but deep into the early hours the temperature drops. Corum fell asleep straight after eating and so having slept for 8 hours already hecwakes whenit gets really cold and nakes a small fire. He spends the next few hours sisitting in silent watch until the others wake. He uses the last of their wood to bank the fire and boiks some snow to make a thick porridge with oats and dry fruit.
"Morning all. Another cold day ahead so fill your bellies. When we're done we push on.."
He grimaces as he sits, a shooting pain running down his side from his wounded shoulder.
Drawing deeply on his pipe Elleross looks over at Nas and says
decided then, we rest tonight and then tomorrow we make them pay.
moving across to Corum he decides to use the last if his powers to help heal his wounds. Whatever comes In the night they would need his strength.
I have no more potions left Corum, but I can use my spells to heal you a little. Stay still for me he says and with a look of intense concentration he begins a lengthy casting, forming the words of the spell carefully as he manipulates his prepared spells , casting them simultaneously and altering their form.
....Sanaret, Instaurabo, Vivificabit he finishes the casting and again a soft glow surrounds Corum before seeping into his body and Elleross watches his wounds begin to heal.
that is all I can do I am afraid. he says to the warrior before he moves to his pack and pulls out his pen and parchment.
"How are your ears Greyston? Are you in any pain? "
He writes in his firm flowing script and moving bro the alchemist he passes him the note.
The troll didn't have any thunderstones or even a sling on him, odds are there was another creature working with it who fled upon the trolls death. As if we weren't concerned enough we've got an enemy out there that knows what we look like now. Doesn't change anything, just making an observation
Sapphire watches Corum tend the fire in his practiced manner. She studies her spellbook without much enthusiasm, chewing her porridge as she flips the pages and considers the arcane writings.
Snapping the book shut, she glances around at the state of everyone.
Greyston, I think I'll forego the usual emergency infusion, either Corum or Nasrin is in sorely more need. We'll just try to take it easy today, if the enemy lets us.
Greyston reads the notes Elleros wrote for him and nods. "I examined myself, there doesn't seem to be any long lasting damage I should be fine in the morning, thank you."
--
Waking up assaulted by sound Greyston sits up as he hears the wind whistling around. "Good morning, my hearing is back." Getting dressed he takes his breakfast and listens to Sapphire. "I think your right Sapphire, something was hitting me out there and it wasn't the troll. I have two extracts and a normal potion of cure I brewed for whoever needs it. Let's hope it can heal everyone up, We need to move on past the igloos today we have to keep pressing on."