Round 4! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Durgan -22 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Zokon
__ Balzeros
__ Serena -19 hp
__ Alia
__ Illthir -16 hp, (prone?)
__ Fergus -11 hp
__ ice trolls (dk blue -43 hp; lt blue -16 hp; purple -34 hp)
__ winter wolves (black down; gray -26 hp)
__ Male prisoner
"Erevenwyg, can you make fire? If so can you burn any troll after they have been knocked down?"
A creature with this ability is difficult to kill. Creatures with regeneration heal damage at a fixed rate, as with fast healing, but they cannot die as long as their regeneration is still functioning (although creatures with regeneration still fall unconscious when their hit points are below 0). Certain attack forms, typically fire and acid, cause a creature’s regeneration to stop functioning on the round following the attack. During this round, the creature does not heal any damage and can die normally. The creature’s descriptive text describes the types of damage that cause the regeneration to cease functioning.
Attack forms that don’t deal hit point damage are not healed by regeneration. Regeneration also does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation. Regenerating creatures can regrow lost portions of their bodies and can reattach severed limbs or body parts if they are brought together within 1 hour of severing. Severed parts that are not reattached wither and die normally.
A creature must have a Constitution score to have the regeneration ability.
The man in the circle looks up from ground a troll's javelin in his flank to nearest cluster of companions with a pained look on his face. It's a look that says "What are you still doing here!?" It is the look of a man contemplating an impossible choice.
He looks over to the girl her face hidden in her arms and seems to come to a decision.
Although he doesn't like leaving Fergus to the other wolf, Durgan sees Illthir tripped and moves to aid her. Illthir's foe is wounded and hopefully he can finish it off.
He accepts the power of Illthir's Raging Song.
Durgan doesn't know Argentov Lind or what odd plan involves getting impaled on a troll's javelin.
As the wolf bounds towards fergus he lowers his giant sticker, attempting to strike it once it is close.
Fergus lets out an uncharacteristic Harrumph! as the magic of the song of rage takes hold before doing a quick backstep, from the wolf. Going back to back with Durgan and serena before striking at the wolf twice more as the sphere of flame winks out.
Seeing the troll coming and hearing more wolves on the way, Serena does something that she has never done before. She gives herself over to Illthir's inspired rage. She feels the heat rising in her core, her anger beginning to cloud her eyes with a blood-red haze. She accepts the emotion, letting it fuel her strength.
(haste, bless, inspired rage) (bless, inspired rage)
(haste, bless, inspired rage) (bless, inspired rage)
Balzeros can't help but shiver as the howls echo all around him. "We will be overwhelmed soon, we must stand together to fight or begin to flee!" he warns the others, slinging fire over Serena's head.
"The trolls must be stopped dead or we will be fighting them all night!" he reminds the group.
________
Oh no! briefly passes through Illthirs mind before the wolf tries to do the same. She tries to get her bardiche up and swat the beast out of the air somehow. Smack!!
---
Finding herself at the ground Illthir grasps for some dirt to fling at the attacking foes. That of course was only a distraction for the real distraction - a glitterdust spell - that would hopefully let her slip away!
The spirits around Illthir tries to help and lash out at the nearest foe!
Zokon evaluates the scene and decides to fire at the Wolf, figuring to take down an opponent he knows will stay down then go the trolls.
Zokon fires 3 shots due to haste and rapid shot
The battle was chaos - enemies appearing, weapons brought to bear against them, blood, steel, and arrows. The two Trolls had retreated, no doubt waiting for their wounds to heal. Unfortunate, but now was not the time for pursuit - not with so many other enemes pressing against their lines. Slowly moving further forward, shifting only a bit between her shots, the Elf Maiden picked a target and shot twice more.
plus
plus
Balzeros can't help but shiver as the howls echo all around him. "We will be overwhelmed soon, we must stand together to fight or begin to flee!" he warns the others, slinging fire over Serena's head.
The eldritch fire strikes the troll, even as Serena strikes it repeatedly. The giant roars and finally collapses.
Fergus roughs up the the oncoming wolf. Backing up to spear it again. Eventually, Alia finish it with two shafts.
Illthir's nearly concentration wavers as a sapling-sized arrow scraps her arm.
The troll claws at it's face. While the wolf--
Zokon evaluates the scene and decides to fire at the Wolf, figuring to take down an opponent he knows will stay down then go the trolls.
The gray wolf falls to random dumb luck!
"Zo-Khan, the trolls are not being knocked down that much!" exclaims Erevenywg.
The last of the trolls goes all defensive while it rubs the sparkles out of its eyes.
The howls get closer, but new threats do not seem to emerge.
Round 5! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Durgan -22 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Zokon
__ Balzeros
__ Serena -19 hp
__ Alia
__ Illthir -26 hp
__ Fergus -11 hp
__ Male prisoner delays
__ ice trolls (purple -29 hp; lt blue down; green ready)
Another step forward, another pair of arrows. Almost mechanically, Alia kept moving, slowly, taking aim and releasing arrows seeking her enemies weak spots.
At the current time, that meant the troll hiding in the shadows - still dimly visible to her.
plus
plus
Can I see the troll?
If so Zokon will use studied target on the troll and fire a single arrow
With a path finally cleared, Balzeros runs for the prisoners. Dragging a hand along the tall stone to assist his turn, he slows as he nears the duo. "Can you move? That's... a decent amount of blood, will you make it for now or not?"
________
"Ow ow ow!!" Illthir nearly flubbs her spell as she's so rudely shot. These guys were a tough crowd! Luckily she had some practice with those, even if they usually just hurt her pride instead of body. "They don't like magic!"
She takes solace in her song - and the fact that the nearest troll does not seem to see her correctly. Well let's put it down before it does! First the spirits lash out then she steps back and swings her fishy weapon. Have at thee!
The chaos of battle is like riding a bike, once you got used to it once, it never bothered you the same. He had been angry in fights before, but this time it was different, though whether by choice or force he stops thinking about it and steps up and strikes out at the remaining troll(purple).
Durgan ceases his acceptance of the Rage this round. He moves between Illthir and the troll (taking an AOO from the troll in the process, at AC 33), and casts a spell to heal the skald's wounds.
He doesn't bother to cast defensively. On the off chance the troll has Combat Reflexes, he is still AC 33.
Even blinded the troll evades most of the danger coming it's way but between them Fergus and Zokon finally bring the giant down.
Upon seeing this the last visible troll retreats back into the forest.
Erevenywg rushes forward, and breaths a 15' cone of fire, right past Serena upon the nearest fallen troll....
Round 5! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Durgan -22 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Zokon
__ Balzeros
__ Serena -19 hp
__ Alia
__ Illthir -15 hp
__ Fergus -11 hp
__ Male prisoner
__ ice trolls (purple down; lt blue down; green ready)
With a path finally cleared, Balzeros runs for the prisoners. Dragging a hand along the tall stone to assist his turn, he slows as he nears the duo. "Can you move? That's... a decent amount of blood, will you make it for now or not?"
"Don't worry about me! Quick! Take the girl, before more show up! Don't worry about me!" shouts the man. Getting to his feet he pulls the spear from his side, and tosses it away. "I might be able to cover your escape."
Noting the troll falling "Burn that troll."
"I'm not running, and you'd best explain yourself," says Durgan to the stranger.
"Someone make sure the downed wolves are dead, and I'll channel to heal."
"There's no time!" says the man. "They are some sort of large scouting party. Return to your people, and warn them. Take the girl. She was already captive when they brought me here."
"And what exactly are you going to do? Who are you that you claim you can hold off an army of trolls?"
Durgan suspects this man is spinning a tale of some kind so he can play hero.
Balzeros hears and feels the fire, but it isn't until he throws a quick look behind him that his eyebrows raise. Did she just... BREATH FIRE? What is she?!
Shaking his head to clear it, he shrugs in response to the man's words and gives the girl his full attention. "We're going to take you to safety now, ok?" Tentatively, he reaches towards her and will put her over his shoulder as gently as he can. Not gonna stop him if he wants to die a hero.
"I can cover our escape too, I say we group up and run!" he calls out to the others.
________
Fergus shakes his head and the fog of anger with it.
Phew. Sorry about that all, just can't stand people ruining my clothes. They aren't cheap after all. Seeing the girl, Fergus moves over to her as Balzeros picks up her up. He draws a tiny vial and drops no more than the tiniest drops of red liquid on her before uttering a phrase. Kathor irisiv a small flash of magic is channeled through the emerald gem clasp of his beard.
That should keep her alive, we can heal once we get further away from this spot. I doubt our enemies will stay gone for long. Grab him too and lets get out of here.
Durgan shakes his head. "Why are you all so intent on running away? I am well prepared to fight trolls.
Why take this man's word?"
He addresses the man. "When I first saw you, you seemed to be trying to convey that you had everything under control and that we should leave. How exactly do you have everything under control? Did you have the means to free yourself and slay all these foes? If so, why stay chained up?
What is going on here?"
And he turns to the girl. "Is there anything you want to tell me about him?"
Durgan will ensure the wolves are dead and channel to heal.
Durgan doesn't have any skill at Spellcraft, but he has a strong suspicion. I only know of one way that a wizard can heal. He looks ashen with shock. "Fergus, did you just... if you just did what I think you did... look, I can heal. Abundantly. From my wand, from my magic, from the power of Abadar. There is no need for the 'gift' you just resorted to. Not somebody I would accept a gift from. Please do not use that on me, ever, not even to save my life."
He's speaking a bit obliquely in order to not freak out the girl, but it is clear that Durgan is extremely disturbed by the spell himself.
Fergus shakes his head with a sigh. I know you don't like it Durgan, but there is no reason that something... He glances to the girl quickly before continuing. ..of its nature can't be used for good. He gives Durgan a long, but non confrontational stare.
However, If that's how you feel, I won't even in the worst of cases. Just know that I haven't, and don't use it often. I'm not always blessed to be around one such as yourself after all. He says with a small smile as Durgan's magic heals the freezer burn from his skin. He lets it end at that before continuing.
As for withdrawing, I though you knew me better. Just because I said we should fall back a ways, doesn't mean I'm for limping away like a hurt cat. Staying here, he says pointing to the ground Is not tactically sound. If we want to fight, we should force them to come to us, especially now that we have what we came here for. He points to the ridges and wood line as he makes his point.
If there are more, especially as many as the lad here claims, letting them surrounded us on high ground, in the dark, won't end well. We can fall back to higher ground, ground we decide to fight on, and give ourselves an advantage with that. As I was aware, we didn't come to kill, as much as we came to rescue. If we fight with those two, our prime mission is still at risk of failing and If we have to risk that I'd rather do it on a spot we decide to do it on.
"I'd like to know what's going on, first, before we try to plan tactics.
This situation doesn't add up.
Did they kidnap the girl as bait for the young man here?
Then why did they just capture and not kill him?
Or was he bait for somebody else? Who? Not us. The trolls could not have known we were on that boat, would scout into the woods, and would get off the boat to come all this way.
Why was the young man so confident in his ability to deal with the trolls, when they had already defeated and captured him?
Was this something he planned - a staged battle to impress the girl? Why else would he be confident while being chained up?
Again, what is going on here?"
"And what exactly are you going to do? Who are you that you claim you can hold off an army of trolls?"
Durgan suspects this man is spinning a tale of some kind so he can play hero.
"They were trying to find out what we knew about them which for me is nothing. Now take her and go!"
Alia nocks another arrow and keeps her vision on the periphery of the dim lights, watching for any trolls to return into her field of view.
While she keeps her guard up, she steps closer to the others:"How are the prisoners?"
She spares a glance at the pair, then fails to keep her face from showing surprise:"Mister Lind, was it? Fancy meeting you here of all places. Good thing we came by. Who is the girl?"
With a few steps, she closes the distance to the others, making sure Zokon follows along
"What is the hold-up? There were more howls, all around, and the trolls will have healed up shortly. They are easily startled by fire, but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers."
She points towards the highest cliff surrounding the area:"We should make for the high ground, now. We can figure out what exactly is going on in a more defensible location!"
Alia enhances a new Arrow with Light and fires it at the proposed location, so the others can see where she suggests they go.
She spares a glance at the pair, then fails to keep her face from showing surprise:"Mister Lind, was it? Fancy meeting you here of all places. Good thing we came by. Who is the girl?"
"I don't know. Wait, you're Scarlet's friend, right? Alia? I only just met the girl. I don't even know her name. She doesn't speak."
Erevenywg stops, and gulps fire as Alia draws near. "Al-Lia! Do not enter the circle!"
Alia was just about to respond to Argentov when Erevenywg interrupts their talk - "Why, whats...", Alia begins, then retrieves her Wand instead, casting Detect Magic from it and looking at the circle while storing it in the back of her belt again.
"Balzeros, hold there for a moment, will you?"
Erevenywg darts off to breath fire upon another ice troll.
Is the troll nearest Serena down? If so, she takes a moment to blast it with a firebolt to keep it down.
"If we are going to retreat, then do it! I will cover our escape!"
"I can cover our escape too, I say we group up and run!" he calls out to the others.
________
The girl takes the knife finally looking up at Balzeros with big puppy-dog eyes.
Round 6! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Durgan -8 hp {channeling}
__ Erevenywg {breathing fire}
__ Zokon
__ Balzeros
__ Serena -4 hp
__ Alia {detect magic}
__ Illthir -1 hp
__ Fergus {infernal healing}
__ Argentov Lind
Is the troll nearest Serena down? If so, she takes a moment to blast it with a firebolt to keep it down.
"If we are going to retreat, then do it! I will cover our escape!"
Serena looks about for another foe as she calls out, "Get the girl and that fool out of here! Durgan, if you think that we can take the remainder, I'm with you!" Readying to attack any foe that comes within range.
Durgan nods to Serena.
"Depends how many they are, but yes, I think so. Who's got that wand of Enlarge Person? We'll make our stand where Zokon says."
There was a lot going on all of the sudden - and not just her probable concussion. The Skald moved a hand to hold her head - thankful for Durgan's healing even if it seemed less potent then it should be. At least the trolls and wolves were gone. For the moment ...
Oww. One thing at a time ... She threw a glance at Erevenywg. Hopefully that was merely a spell or potion - otherwise she'd really have to move 'get a chef' to the top of her priorities. *Really* hoped their friend wasn't one of Choral's old pals or something.
And then there were this guy and this whole fishy situation. The clerics list of questions were all things she would like to know. Then she was the curious sort. And Erevenywg's warning didn't make things clearer either! "Uhum ..."
"So how *did* you end up in there Alia's acquaintance?"
There was a lot going on all of the sudden - and not just her probable concussion. The Skald moved a hand to hold her head - thankful for Durgan's healing even if it seemed less potent then it should be. At least the trolls and wolves were gone. For the moment ...
Oww. One thing at a time ... She threw a glance at Erevenywg. Hopefully that was merely a spell or potion - otherwise she'd really have to move 'get a chef' to the top of her priorities. *Really* hoped their friend wasn't one of Choral's old pals or something.
[dice=Spellcraft: guessing Firebelly?
"So how *did* you end up in there Alia's acquaintance?"
"There is no time! Go or stay but make yourselves ready, whatever! Questions can be answered later when there might be time!" shouts Argentov, whose plea seems honest enough to Illthir's ears.
Zokon moves back 30 ft and is covering the trolls
"Back, lets get out of here, WE have saved the girl, lets keep her safe and go, Argentov come with us now or not, it's your choice."
Balzeros gives Fergus a nod of thanks before turning his attention to the chain holding the girl fast. "They're chained, we need to break their bonds!" he calls out, before his whole arm seems to turn to wood. Unalarmed, he lifts it overhead and strikes down on the chain where it meets the rock.
"Erevenywg, what do you know about this circle?" And why the hell did you not say anything before? It affects the captives too, the targets of our RESCUE mission!
________
"Serena, can you call on the power of your goddess to detect the presence of evil in the ring of stones?"
A worry tickles the back of Durgan's mind. The others are taking the situation at face value, but the girl may not be what she seems. We have blundered before by making rash assumptions.
Balzeros gives Fergus a nod of thanks before turning his attention to the chain holding the girl fast. "They're chained, we need to break their bonds!" he calls out, before his whole arm seems to turn to wood. Unalarmed, he lifts it overhead and strikes down on the chain where it meets the rock.
"Erevenywg, what do you know about this circle?" And why the hell did you not say anything before? It affects the captives too, the targets of our RESCUE mission!
________
"This circle? N-nothing, Baal-Zeroes I just thought that-" then just at that moment....
"Serena, can you call on the power of your goddess to detect the presence of evil in the ring of stones?"
A worry tickles the back of Durgan's mind. The others are taking the situation at face value, but the girl may not be what she seems. We have blundered before by making rash assumptions.
"That's it! No more discussion!" Linds voice booms.
Argentov walks behind a stone, shouts a word of magic, and suddenly a dense fog rolls over the area.