Anor performs a coup de grace on the fallen razorclaw in front of her, then scans the trees for the archer.
Anor performs a coup de grace on the fallen razorclaw in front of her, then scans the trees for the archer.
[dice=Perception]1d20+6
Adalwin starts towards Anor, but then see's the bird drop to the ground. Belatedly hearing Eljoy's call he turns and runs after the axeman, taking cover in the trees and peering around for the hidden bowman.
Jasper grins fiercely - a far different expressions than anyone has noticed him wear - at the defeat of the vile birds.
Anor crushes the unconscious razorcrows underfoot.
Eljoy’s thrown dagger flies wide and sticks, quivering, in a branch by the archer’s foot.
The archer up in the tree slings his bow, then quickly shimmies down the tree trunk, dropping the last few feet to the ground.
Eljoy and Adalwin can see their foe is a tall, broad shouldered grey skinned humanoid male. He wears foresters garb and has a sheathed sword at his belt in addition to the bow. His features are inhuman, with pointed ears, large eyes, a flat nose, sharp but crooked yellow teeth, a hairless pate and a scraggly black beard. He snarls at Eljoy.
Confident that the people most likely be able to handle the archer are on the job, Jasper moves to free the poor fox.
Adalwin is about to go for his bow when he sees the creature leave the safety of the tree. Shaking with adrenaline, the boy screams an in-articulate war cry as he leaps to the attack, leading with his large blade.
Confident that the people most likely be able to handle the archer are on the job, Jasper moves to free the poor fox.
It looks like the trap takes brute strength rather than finesse to open … but a splash of acid is able to weaken the spring enough to make it easy to open. The fox writhes and yelps, then mewls piteously, it’s hind-quarters seriously damaged by the traps cruel jaws.
Adalwin leaps over gnarled roots and stands of ferns to reach his foe, swinging his hand-and-a-half sword easily and accurately with one hand. The blade cuts through the humanoid’s studded leather armour with ease, blood gouts, and the grey-skinned hunter staggers back, cursing in some strange language.
"Jasper, look after the fox until this is done, I may be able to help her."
The little fellow might be ugly as ugly comes, but his heart is kind. He tries to comfort the stricken animal while the others deal with the man from the tree. He beams when his friend strikes true, but does not yell encouragement to avoid frightening the poor animal further.
Oliver looks off to the distance between himself and the fight, as well as the number of others already near enough to take the fight to their ambusher. He hobbles up to Jasper and the injured animal, adding a wheezed "Nice work on those birds." to the little one. Grasping his spear near the head, he uses the point to try and offer him a hold, while he sets to trying to pry the trap itself open.
Between Jasper's cantrip and Oliver forcing apart the mechanism, the two are able to free the fox. The animal is obviously terrified and in pain, but is too badly hurt to flee.
Reekis' has trouble lining up a target as Adalwin hacks at the hunter. He waits for his moment, trying to adjust for the dappled pattern of light and shadows under the trees. His finger tightens on the crossbow's trigger, and his bolt flies true, hitting the humanoid in the midriff, punching through layers of leather and cloth. The humanoid screams. A moment later. Eljoy hustles into the fray, punching the edge of his shield up into his opponent's unprotected throat. The hunter gives a gurgled cry, reels, and drops to the ground, dead or dying.
Between Jasper's cantrip and Oliver forcing apart the mechanism, the two are able to free the fox. The animal is obviously terrified and in pain, but is too badly hurt to flee.
"Is anyone injured badly? I have some little healing magic. If not, let's see to this fox."
"Oh, someone should probably check that guy out and see what he was about, attacking us like that."
|
"F~~&ing grey-skinned goonie." Eljoy spits and nudges their foe in the head with an incautious toe. He looks up into the tree then back down at the forester.
"Reekis, Ady. Give me a knife."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Adalwin slowly lowers his blade and shield, breathing hard, staring at the humanoid he just had a hand in killing. The Adrenaline of the fight seems to leave his body all at once and a wave of dizziness sweeps over the young fighter. Adalwin catches a whiff of the scent of blood and bowels that sends his stomach heaving. He stumbles forward a step and looses his breakfast all over Eljoy's boots.
"I've never ... I mean I've hunted but ... never actually..."
Adalwin trails off as he retches again.
|
|
Eljoy shuffles backward to avoid the vomit too slowly. He looks down at his green-spattered boots, then tries to dance back again to avoid the second wave.
"Ughmmm." He grabs the younger man by the shoulders and looks him in the face. "Cayden's balls, man. Hold it together. You did good and none of us are going to the Boneyard with him. You did good."
He gives Adalwin a gentle shake. "Go check on Anor and Jasper. I didn't see if they were hit." A slight push starts Adalwin in the right direction.
"Reekis. Give me a knife."
Reekis shakes his head. "I haven't got one."
Eljoy spits and scowls. "Well, I ain't gonna club him to death."
The big man turns and looks for his axe, but the anger that animated him moments ago has bled off. His movements are slower, and almost lethargic.
While Eljoy deals with the body of their assailant, Jasper, Anor and Oliver look to the injured fox.
Jasper does indeed attempt to calm the animal.
Jasper does indeed attempt to calm the animal.
Jasper is not an expert at working with wild animals, but he has some experience with Shadow Wing and more recently Percival. He makes soothing noises and slow, calm motions, being careful not to further startle the fox, and staying clear of its muzzle and teeth. Soon the fox stops writhing and barking, and begins to whine piteously.
Eljoy shuffles backward to avoid the vomit too slowly. He looks down at his green-spattered boots, then tries to dance back again to avoid the second wave.
"Ughmmm." He grabs the younger man by the shoulders and looks him in the face. "Cayden's balls, man. Hold it together. You did good and none of us are going to the Boneyard with him. You did good."
He gives Adalwin a gentle shake. "Go check on Anor and Jasper. I didn't see if they were hit." A slight push starts Adalwin in the right direction.
Adalwin follows Eljoy's directions, starting a dazed walk back to the other half of the group. "Sorry bout your boots" He mumbles as he leaves the cover of the trees.
Adalwin stops a few feet shy of those tending the fox. Though his eyes are pointed in their direction, his ashen faced expression makes it clear that he is lost in thought, processing the encounter.
Anor moves to the fox, taking care not to ruin Jasper's work.
Given his proximity to the animal, and Anor's questioning about healing, Oliver takes it upon himself to tend the animal's wounds as soon as Jasper manages to calm it. "I can offer some healing. I've been blessed to have the gift of it."
Anor smiles at Oliver as he takes over. "I'll keep my spell in case we need it later then." With the fox recovering a little, she walks over to look at their assailant.
|
|
"Don't worry about the boots. They'll clean up," ELjoy grumbles.
Eljoy retrieves his ax and returns to the tree. He stares at the knife embedded in the branch above. "Damn it all. Now I've got to climb up after it."
He shucks off his shield, then reaches up, grasps a branch, and just begins to haul himself up.
"SON OF A B$$*%!" The fighter drops back to earth. "HE F$%$ING SHOT ME! I thought he missed."
"Reekis, can you climb up there and get my knife?"
The smaller man looks up from where he kneels beside the dead enemy. "I can do that."
Anor takes a moment while she's passing Eljoy to press a hand to his wound, and whisper a few words he can't quite catch.
Oliver’s hand glows faintly as he calls upon his gift. He places his hand upon the fox’s hindquarters whilst Jasper tries to keep the animal still, and the grievous wounds close up rapidly and completely. The fox stops whining and twists to lick the recently damaged area.
The arrow is embedded in the flesh of Eljoy’s arm. Knowing what he needs to do, he grits his teeth, breaks off the end of the arrow, and pushes it all the way through, so as to avoid more damage to his flesh by trying to rip out the barbed head. Anor whispers some arcane words and magically heals up the wound before Eljoy loses too much more blood.
Reekis thoroughly searches the corpse of the dead humanoid. The studded leather armour that the creature wears is battle-scarred and damaged from the recent fight, but is serviceable and repairable. He never had a chance to strap on his shield before Adalwin and Eljoy were on him – it hangs on his belt, a light, circular steel shield with a wicked spike in the centre. It appears quite well crafted. He has several weapons – a battered longsword, his yew longbow along with a quiver of 16 black fletched arrows, a long dagger and a skinning knife. A fraying backpack strapped around his shoulders holds trail rations – mostly dried and smoked meat that would probably have sustained him for about 6 days; a flea infested woollen blanket; a piece of flint and a sliver of steel, tied together with twine; and a small cast iron skillet. A pouch at his belt holds 4 gold coins of Andoran mint, 11 silver pieces, and an oddly shaped tin whistle.
After searching the body, Reekis scrambles up the tree – with bad grace and many complaints – to retrieve Eljoy’s dagger.
Jasper watches the oracle's gift heal the creature with some obvious amazement. "You must be very powerful - it was hurt so bad!"
The orcling slides back from the much-happier animal as it examines its lack of wounds, realizing that it is still a wild animal that might not appreciate his presence, but he remains near, watching it for signs that the trap has left it lamed or with some other ill effect.
Satisfied that the fox will be fine, he turns to the trap. "We can't leave this thing where just anyone can do this again. Can we destroy it or throw it in the lake or something?"