"But I did help you!! You're no longer dying! Can't you see!?" Kyson sobs back at Khaz. "You're going to live now. That's important too, right?"
Kyson clears the tears from his eyes, hurt that he's trying his best and still failing. He won't be able to help provide food for others today...let alone help against the darkness should it come again and he stopped it from getting worse, but still he failed.
Kyson sniffles as he walks away from Khaz.
* * *
Kyson wipes away some of the dried boogery from his nose (a result of the morning incident) to look at the man from afar.
Kyson will raise his hand and give him a cheerful hello, hopeful that he's found someone who he hasn't yet failed today.
As Zstelian waves to the man and Silvio begins to advance, he suddenly pulls his dagger, plunging it into his chest and leaping off the cliff!
Moving closer, you can find absolutely no trace of the man on the path or in the surf 100 feet below.
Behind you, the remaining colonists mutter in fear at the strange situation, while Thunderstrike continues to be fractious, rearing as he seems to pick up their fear in addition to his own.
"Well, f$%! me," Sekathral says, sheathing his pistol. "Khazmia may not be much to look at right now, but the blighter didn't need to go and off himself."
Silvio stands dumbfounded looking at the ledge the man jumped out of. "Was is something that Silvio said?" After a few moments of trying to grapple the situation the chelaxian decides to take control. "Urol, explain this!" he demands.
Kyson watches the man jump and looks at Khaz.
She probably scared him into suicide.
Kyson mopes along.
And it's my fault.
Khaz tightens her scarf, making sure it's more securely blocking all sight of her hideous face. Peering through it, she catches Kyson's look. "Oh great! I suppose you're going to blame me for *that* as well?!?!?"
"Are we all going bats, or what?"
Sekathral scratches his head, bemused and irritated by the disappearing suicide.
After a while, he goes over to Khaz and rearranges her scarf.
"There you go - you look just like a Quadiran Pasha's wife!"
Kyson looks around, suddenly very confused.
"This place is weird. Not weird-slimy-weird like that first cavern we were tossed into...and not weird-lizardy-weird like that place Urol took us...and not weird-mummy-y-weird, like the place with the mummies. This place is weird...where people are afraid of us!"
Khaz sniffles beneath her scarf, slouched in upon herself in her own misery. "Thank you, Sekathral. Hopefully this way I won't scare any more of the locals."
You continue on, nothing to be done about the strange native, whose strange suicide baffles even Urol.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully until late afternoon, when you all suddenly notice six feral-looking stone-like winged creatures -- some sort of horned demon -- flying quickly toward you.
Before you can react, they're on top of you, four of them attacking two of the colonists, while ones goes after Kyson and another tries -- but fails -- to shove Tavey off the high ledge to the water 80 feet below.
One of the colonists takes a vicious wound -- crying out in pain as it sounds like her arm breaks -- though she's able to duck the second gargoyle; the other woman is less lucky, the creature's claws nearly separating her head from her neck. She collapses, perilously close to the edge of the cliff.
Kyson takes a wound to the head, but manages to keep his feet.
Khazmia:
Kyson:
Sekathral:
Silvio:
Zstelian:
Antagonist:
Khazmia:
Kyson:
Sekathral:
Silvio:
Zstelian:
Antagonist:
Colonist 1: 16
Colonist 2: 3
”Take cover!!”, Silvio calls out and draws his sword. ”While creatures of chaos, you face Silvio Callgari Pazzi! Leave this place or surrender your existance!” he demands and follows his threat with a dazzling display of swordsmanship.
Round 1, Init 7
Khaz takes aim at one of the creatures attacking the colonists, aiming for its hideously ugly face.
Round 1, Init 12
"OW! QUIT DOING THAT!" Kyson gives the attacker a look of annoyance. "Go bite someone else!"
Kyson sees colonist #1 fall and realizes that they already did.
Kyson looks at the jerks and calls upon Sarenrae for help, 5' stepping back.
With this blessing, you call your allies to move forth and empower them to conquer and become victorious. Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice).
Increase its speed by 30 feet.
Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
Round 1, init 17
Levelling his pistol, Sekathral fires both barrels at the nearest gargoyle!
Zstelian: 20
Silvio: 20
Kyson: 12
Sekathral: 17
Khazmia: 7
Antagonist: 22
Zstelian spins around and slashes at the creature attacking Kyson, though most of his blows seem to deflect off it's tough hide. One hit does penetrate, as do Kayle's talons but the latter wounds seem to close almost immediately, leaving just the barest scratch. It turns on the Varisian ranger, lashing out with claw and teeth and Zstelian feels his skin tear as it bites down on his flesh, his movements a touch to slow to avoid all the attacks coming at him.
As Silvio's antics seem to catch the creatures by surprise , Kyson steps back, casting a spell to aid his allies.
Sekathral's bullets rip into the nearest creature, which screeches and turns toward him with a fang-bearing roar, ignoring the struggling colonist it had been clawing. The other creature attacking that woman does the same once Khaz's flaming bolts hit it, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air. It flies up and claws the Keleshite princess, its vicious talons drawing blood from a small wound on the sorceress' arm. Sekathral's luckier, his new attacker lurching toward him with an odd hop, making its attack easy to duck under for the lithe elf.
One of the creatures on the fallen colonist pushes her over the edge and a few seconds later, you hear a loud splash in the water below. Worse, even as the other colonists rush away from the attackers and the edge of the cliff, you see Tavey also get shoved over the edge, and you hear the young boy scream for a second before it suddenly cuts off with a loud thud and you hear a wail of pain from below.
The remaining assailant follows the colonists, its claws tearing into Avner, who grunts in pain, yelling "Get away from me, beast! Help!"
A1 (Khaz): 23
A2 (C1):
A3 (Tavey):
A4 (Seka): 11
A5 (Avner):
A6 (Zstelian): 11
Colonist 1: 16
Colonist 2: 3
Tavey: 5
Avner: 5
”No!” Silvio calls out and runs up to the ledge which Taver fell off, slashing as he goes.
Round 2, init 17, favour +2 to AC/Attk/Ref
Sekathral hurls his pistol to the ground with one hand, draws his rapier with the other, then attempts at keast to keep his foul foe occupied...
Round 2, Init 12
"Hey! Come pick on someone your own size!" Kyson yells at the gargoyles attacking the innocents. "Come bite Silvio!"
Kyson, recognizing that no gargoyle is on him, casts Air Walk and moves 60 around and down, trying to get to the fallen colonists.
With this blessing, you call your allies to move forth and empower them to conquer and become victorious. Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice).
- Increase its speed by 30 feet.
- Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
- Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
- Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
- Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
One of the creatures suddenly seems hurt a lot less than you thought at first as its wounds quickly knit closed.
19 AC
Fort:+2, reflex:+7, Will:+5
Khaz falls back five feet, then casts again at the creature attacking her.
Zstelian: 20
Silvio: 20
Kyson: 12
Sekathral: 17
Khazmia: 7
Antagonist: 22
Zstelian hurls his chakram, but in his rush, misses badly with all but one, which lands solidly in the center of the creature, only to fall to the ground seconds later as it's pushed out of the closing wound. Kayle takes to the skies as the creature pursues her master, who's able to keep most of its attacks away from him, though he does take a small wound as its fangs sink in.
Silvio rushes to the ledge, where he sees the boy curled into the fetal position on a ledge 20 feet below. His blade catches Tavey's attacker as he draws close, but like Zstelian's causes just a mere scratch. As he watches, Kyson walks down, seeing the boy is hurt, his arm bent at an odd angle, but remains conscious, face pale with pain.
Sekathral's blade seems to do more damage, cutting into his foe's flesh as Khazmia again catches her assailant with a pair of flaming blasts that completely obliterate it. A couple of the colonists, retreating as fast as they can through the brush, cheer at her success. Unfortunately, one of the other creatures also notices and leaps from where it just shoved one of the colonists from the ledge at her, claws digging into Khaz's flesh.
Silvio's attack succeeds at turning the creature's attention from Tavey, and he fends off its ripping claws, though the moves leave him open for the creature's teeth and a thrusting gore.
Sekathral realizes the creature is trying to push him off the ledge, but decades on the high seas easily let the elf keep his feet and he's able to use the opening to make a quick counterattack.
Avner suffers more wounds as the creature pursues him, and he slips off Thunderstrike, trying to duck behind the rearing horse, which lashes out at the flying threat with his hooves.
A2 (Khaz):
A3 (Silvio): 1
A4 (Seka): 19
A5 (Avner):
A6 (Zstelian): 2
Colonist 1: 16
Colonist 2: 3
Tavey: 5
Avner: 13
”So you think you have the meddle to fight Silvio?” Silvio says with a smirk, pleased that he’d gotten the monster’s attention. Then with the aid of Kyson’s blessing he releases a flurry of attacks. ”Silvio has got this one. Attack the one harrassing Avner then guide them all to Silvio!”
Round 3, Init 12
"Hey! Don't die! I got you!" Kyson will quick channel (2/5 used), getting the injured colonists and himself.
He will look up at the jerkgoyles and cast fireball, trying to catch at least 3 of the 6 (and will avoid hitting his companions).
fire damage vs. Reflex DC 18 for half
Blessing of Fervor. (3/8)
With this blessing, you call your allies to move forth and empower them to conquer and become victorious. Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice).
- Increase its speed by 30 feet.
- Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
- Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
- Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
- Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
Round 3, init 17, benefit +2 to Attk/AC/Refl
Sekathral snickers at the gargoyle's feeble attempt to finish him, riposting adroitly .
Then, he rolls under his opponent , coming up on the landward side, and attempts a second strike
Are you there Sarenrae? It's me, Kyson. I need you...quickly.
healing
Round 3, Init 7
19 AC
Fort:+2, Ref:+7, Will:+5
Khaz hisses and growls at the monster causing even further damage to her poor flesh and blasts him with both rays.
Zstelian: 20
Silvio: 20
Kyson: 12
Sekathral: 17
Khazmia: 7
Antagonist: 22
As Zstelian calls on his goddess, Kayle comes flashing down from the sky, slamming into the creature, though once again its wounds seem to close almost as quickly as they appeared. Shaking its head, it slashes at Kayle, but the bird's easily able to wing away from the blow.
Silvio slams his blade into his foe, abandoning his usual dancing style for more power, which pays off as the blade leaves its mark even after its wounds begin to close. The creature fights back furiously, catching Silvio with its gore.
Kyson's healing burst washes over his allies seconds before flame washing over four of the creatures, catching three of them full burst, though only the edges of the flame flicker over Silvio's foe. Sekathral and Khazmia take full advantage of the distraction, finishing off their foes with steel and sorcery, respectively.
Avner's attempts to get away seem to suffice as the creature turns its attention to Thunderstrike, the horse crying out in pain as blood flows from claw and fang marks.
A3 (Silvio): 18
A5 (Avner):
A6 (Zstelian): 25
Colonist 1: 7
Colonist 2:
Tavey:
Avner: 4
Thunderstrike: 12
Round 4, Init 12
Happy that he has saved the colonists (at least temporarily), Kyson climbs up 30' using his spell's speed to increase his climb. He weaves side to side as he makes his ascent.
"Alright, which one of you flying jerks wants a piece of me?" Kyson will draw his scimitar as he goes to flank a gargoyle for Sekathral.
With this blessing, you call your allies to move forth and empower them to conquer and become victorious. Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice).
- Increase its speed by 30 feet.
- Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
- Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
- Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
- Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
Round 3, init 17, Boon - +2 to Attk/AC/Refl
Sekathral, hearing Thunderstrike's panicked whinnying, runs over and has a go at kebabbing the otherwise occupied gargoyle.
Silvio brushes off the attack with a laugh. ”So you think you have bite? You’ll have to do better than that to challenge the pride of Corentyn, Silvio Callgari Pazzi!” he roars in supposed triumph and ripostes.
Zstelian: 20
Silvio: 20
Kyson: 12
Sekathral: 17
Khazmia: 7
Antagonist: 22
Zstelian hits the creature twice, but even with Desna's help seems to do little damage, as does Silvio, whose blows only land once with any effect. He returns the favor, fending off most of the creatures attacks, though once again, one does penetrate his guard.
Kyson rushes back up, the air supporting him as if it were stone, and closes on the gargoyle attacking Thunderstrike. He's joined by Sekathral, whose blade slams into the winged creature. Enraged, it turns on the elf, claws tearing at him.
Seeing the pair having that situation seemingly under control and knowing Silvio's prowess, Khaz calls out, "Hold on, Zstelian!" She casts again, and two more pair of flaming rays lance toward the creature attacking the Varisian ranger. Only one hits, but it seems to be enough as the creature falls to the ground.
A3 (Silvio): 20
A5 (Sekathral): 14, 3 bleed
Colonist 1: 7
Colonist 2:
Tavey:
Avner: 4
Thunderstrike: 12
Round 5, Init 12a
Kyson gives the gargolye the Sarenraen whatfor! He gathers himself and remember how brave he needs to be. Such things are glorious.
to hit; (flank, heroism)
magic damage;
BOF extra attack!
to hit; (flank, heroism)
magic damage;
Iterative:
to hit; (flank, heroism)
magic damage;
Silvio continues to tirelessly but heads with his opponent.
Round 4, Init 5
"How many of those things can there be?" I can't keep this up much longer!
Khaz moves if necessary to avoid cover, then shoots again.
Round 5, init 17
"Hurts, don't it? Never mind. You'll barely notice it once I open up yer guts!"
Taunting the creature, Sekathral flicks his blade towards the gargoyle's belly, then suddenly whips it upwards, striking at its eyes.
Zstelian: 20
Silvio: 20
Kyson: 12
Sekathral: 17
Khazmia: 7
Antagonist: 22
Kayle slams into Sekathral's opponent, which reels for a moment under the assault. That opens it up to the elf's blade, and it focuses on him long enough for Kyson to scratch it as he wildly swings his sword. Seconds later, though, two blasts from Khazmia's flame slam into it, and the thing falls to the ground.
Left alone with the final creature, Silvio punishes it with strokes of his sword far more powerful than you're accustomed to seeing from the agile fighter, leaving vicious wounds on it. Apparently realizing it's alone and badly hurt, it leaps from the path, winging across the water.
The colonist's cries of fear fade as it leaves, though Thunderstrike continues to whinny in distress.
Below, you hear Tavey's voice: "What's going on? Is it safe to come up now?"
A3 (Silvio): 37
Colonist 1: 7
Colonist 2:
Tavey:
Avner: 4
Thunderstrike: 12
Still filled with divine rage, Kyson pursues the fleeing jerkgoyle.
Using the +30 to movement and his airwalk, Kyson will give chase, dropping his scimitar on the ground so that he might fire balls of...uh...fire at the gargoyle.
touch to hit;
fire damage.
touch to hit;
fire damage. (2/7 uses)
"You don't attack my friends! You don't do that!"
When the gargolye is gone or chased off, Kyson will return to help the fallen colonists back up the cliff. Using his airwalk to carry or guide as necessary.
Sekathral retrieves his pistol, then walks carefully over to the cliff edge and looks for Tavey.
"You need a hand there, nipper?"
If necessary, he'll help the boy back up the cliff, then wait for Kyson to come back and attend to Tavey's arm.
Silvio's smile gleams in sync with the sun as his strikes repel the last of the flying demons. "Yes, it is safe now. Silvio has forced the flying abominations into retreat. Stay but and Kyson will retrieve you shortly."
Kyson's two fireballs chase the gargoyle away, leaving you alone on the cliff. You're able to get Tavey, who's an agile climber thanks to his time on the ship, back up easily and are quickly ready to move on your way again.
You make camp a short time time later and the night passes uneventfully.
However, as you prepare to move again in the morning, you suddenly hear a panicked scream from Lissa, one of the women you're escorting. Looking pale, she points to the trail ahead of you, where you see a dozen bird carcasses arrange just outside the perimeter of your camp. Each bird is tied, wings outstretched and head to the ground, on an X-shaped frame.