Be smart, lest they spill ours first. Don't pick anything up you don't know what it is," he added, a burning glance to Axel lost entirely by the blizzard "...and report anything out of the ordinary. Trolls are dreadful creatures; my mistress chitters endlessly about their awfulness and I would very much like to return to her with a head to say for it."
Advancing ever forward, he pulls fabric over his face. Will this ever end?
Sarlene plods forward happily. Not unwisely, or clumsily, merely with the satisfaction of being in her first blizzard in a long time. Her sunburn is finally fading. Her boots are finally not ungainly. Her scarf is welcome.
She is no longer lugging her winter gear on her back like a damn fool who's far from home. She is no longer a whaler without whales... a sailor without a ship... a northerner far from home.
She is a northerner in a blizzard on a hunt.
She is not out of place for the first time in a month.
And for those reasons, she plods forward. Happily. Humming shanties under her breath (the obscene lyrics of which would make even the hardest of criminals give pause).
Sarlene scans the horizon consistently, occasionally pulling her goggles over her eyes to be sure that she isn't just "seeing things."
Stephen is snuggled inside Sarlene's coat against the cold, his head protruding on occasion in the hopes that Sarlene might feed him.
After a bit, Sarlene shuffles her way through the snow to catch up to Daegan.
Her voice is low, cautious, but excited, Ay, sir. I've seen my share of creatures, both at sea and on land, tiny things and big f*!@ers... but not a troll. Have you ever killed a troll before? Or seen one? Is there anything we should be careful for or whatnot?
Perception
Axel
Deadeye
Jezzera
Kalhar
Sarlene
Daegan glances back and begins to answer Sarlene's query, then stops dead in his tracks. He holds a finger to his lips and cocks his head, motioning further down the trail. Gripping his longsword in both hands, Deadeye cautiously sniffs the air and begins creeping forward, moving painfully slowly through the deep snow.
Daegan moves forward, catching a hint of the troll's scent. He darts out and heads downwind then slowly creeping back up towards the creature. Surprisingly it comes to vision earlier than anticipated but is currently looking the other direction sniffing towards where Daegan had darted moments before.
Initiative
Axel
Deadeye
Jezzera
Kalhar
Sarlene
Tebow Knotten
Daegan acts in the surprise round then round 1.
"These things are really strong!" Axel calls out both to warn his allies and keep the creatures attention on the group. but let's see how strong his mind is.
With flames still licking along the troll's sides, the trapper closes the distance between the two. Come, monster, feel the sting of my blade. Your evil shall be undone on this day. Again clenching the captain's sword in both hands, Daegan hacks furiously at the beast's hide, slicing deep.
Sarlene immediately snaps into hunter mode after Daegan's signal.
In Skald, under her breath... F&&! that's big...
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"This is what we've been waiting for," Jezzera spoke, taking a hard chestnut from his medicine bag and crushing it between his palms. "If ever there was a time for your strength to be with us, brother Wolf, it is now!"
A change began to come over him as the dust of his blessing settled. His limbs lengthened subtly, wiry hair sprouting from the surface of his skin. His eyes took on a yellow hue, and his breath came in the form of a low growl.
Taking his place at the front of the group to soak up the incoming hurts, he nods to Sarlene and whispers "Cheer, friend. It's slow and stupid; it'll be dead in naught but a moment"
Sarlene withdraws slightly, careful to keep one person between her and the troll. She understands that against such a foe, she is better in a supporting role.
Daegan silently ducks around the beast, using the troll's bulk against it and keeping in its blind spot. As he nears the creature he draws a flask of alchemists fire from his belt. When the moment is right, he hurls the flask with a thunderous bellow.
The fire catches the troll in the back and he roars as he back catches fire instantly shining through the snow as an orange glow.
He looks back at Daegan before diving into the snow to put himself out, thrashing and rolling on the ground in front of Daegan.
The flames lick at him from every direction as the fire spreads.
Axel sees the glow and moves towards it, stumbling through as fast as he can.
Sarlene moves towards Kalhar placing a hand on his spear hand and casting words to help it strike.
"This is what we've been waiting for," Jezzera spoke, taking a hard chestnut from his medicine bag and crushing it between his palms. "If ever there was a time for your strength to be with us, brother Wolf, it is now!"
A change began to come over him as the dust of his blessing settled. His limbs lengthened subtly, wiry hair sprouting from the surface of his skin. His eyes took on a yellow hue, and his breath came in the form of a low growl.
Kalhar receives Sarlene's spell and charges towards the orange glow, coming into view of the troll and Daegan as he trudges through the chest deep snow as fast as he can.
With flames still licking along the troll's sides, the trapper closes the distance between the two. Come, monster, feel the sting of my blade. Your evil shall be undone on this day. Again clenching the captain's sword in both hands, Daegan hacks furiously at the beast's hide, slicing deep.
Round 2
The troll continues to roar in a feral almost afraid manner as he thrashes about in the snow the flames scorching his mossy skin.
He manages to extinguish the flames and while on the ground his head rises for his eyes to meet Daegan's.
Kalhar hustles forward, joining daegan at the Troll's pyre, and unceremoniously thrusts the spear into his flank.
Sarlene calls out, If you bleed, give me a yell, eh?!
Sarlene advances behind Kalhar, using him like a shield. She keeps her head on a swivel, checking on each of her compatriots.
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With long, swift strides, Jezzera paced hastily to Kalhar's side and throws a clump of his signature dust on the alchemist's gear, a gruff whisper emanating from his mouth, now filled with sharp canine teeth. It is difficult to understand him, but it resembles something like "May your steel strike true."
Misjudging the troll's reaction, however, the blow goes wide. Daegan quickly pulls the sword back into a more defensive position, holding it inn one hand now and drawing a second flask of alchemists fire from within his cloak.
Axel gestures and speaks with every step he manages to take through the heavy drifts of snow. When the troll finally comes into view, the words materialize in the air in front of the wizard. With a final shout the arcane lettering hurls towards the giant creature striking him across the jaw.
Sarlene advances behind Kalhar, using him like a shield. She keeps her head on a swivel, checking on each of her compatriots.
With long, swift strides, Jezzera paced hastily to Kalhar's side and throws a clump of his signature dust on the alchemist's gear, a gruff whisper emanating from his mouth, now filled with sharp canine teeth. It is difficult to understand him, but it resembles something like "May your steel strike true."
Kalhar hustles forward, joining daegan at the Troll's pyre, and unceremoniously thrusts the spear into his flank.
Above the troll a cone of ice descends harshly from above catching those hitting the troll.
Axel
Deadeye
Kalhar
They lean back into the paths through the snow sheltering them from the worst of it.
Perception
Axel
Deadeye
Jezzera
Kalhar
Sarlene
Deadeye wrenches his sword from the beast's side, sending a warm fountain of blood spilling from the wound. You are a creature of pain, are you not? It is the crop you sow, and now is your time to reap it. Enjoy it, for it shall be the last thing you ever feel. With this the trapper brings the blade down in another powerful arc.
Misjudging the troll's reaction, however, the blow goes wide. Daegan quickly pulls the sword back into a more defensive position, holding it inn one hand now and drawing a second flask of alchemists fire from within his cloak.
Sarlene sees the blow strike her companion, and trudges to his side, careful to make a sideways glance at the troll veiled by falling snow. She reaches out her hands, and mumbles a familiar phrase. His wounds freeze over, turning a ghastly white before returning to their full vigor and vitality. It looks incredibly painful, but the wounds have dissipated. With a pat on his shoulder, Sarlene begins looking for new wounds to heal.
Kalhar spends most of the round struggling against the wind and trying to spot the creature to no avail while simultainously getting his spear stuck in the snow
"Blasted snow...cursed...#@#%!" he shouts, a bit of Sarlene clearly rubbing off.
Eyes level with Daegan, Teb thrusts his spear forward with Daegan. A desperate grunt follows.
The spear connects with Daegan's side, nearly skewering him as the troll leans into bite but Deagan rolls along the spear shaft and away from the maw of the troll.
Axel maintains a minimum distance to see the troll but a maximum distance as to remain out of reach. He speaks a few words that resonate with magic. He clenches his hand and a snowball forms out of the falling flakes. A few more words from the young wizard and the ball glows pink and then flies straight at the creature.
The light leaves the troll's eyes as his lock on Daegan becomes a stare into the distance.
Sarlene sees the blow strike her companion, and trudges to his side, careful to make a sideways glance at the troll veiled by falling snow. She reaches out her hands, and mumbles a familiar phrase. His wounds freeze over, turning a ghastly white before returning to their full vigor and vitality. It looks incredibly painful, but the wounds have dissipated. With a pat on his shoulder, Sarlene begins looking for new wounds to heal.
A sound in the distance catches Jezzera's attention. He looks up, growling. "Friends," he says in garbled grunts, "Something is coming from above! Keep your wits about you!" As he speaks he sets a stone in his sling and wings a bullet in Knotten's direction. The stone flies true but the Troll is on his knees and the stone flies where his head should have been.
Kalhar spends most of the round struggling against the wind and trying to spot the creature to no avail while simultainously getting his spear stuck in the snow
"Blasted snow...cursed...#@#%!" he shouts, a bit of Sarlene clearly rubbing off.
Words from above precursor a feeling of cold in Kalhar's scale mail, the metal's temperature starts to plummet.
Daegan keeps his eyes locked on Knotten, but tilts his head slightly and sniffs about for the second presence. So you brought company, troll? Perhaps your fey conspirator? Nevermind, you shall be dispatched regardless. Occupied with the threat in front of him and unable to locate the second combatant, Deadeye resumes his viscous assault, slashing upwards at the giant's face. Slashing across his chin and splitting the troll's lips.
Where are ya, you tiny little faye f*~$er... she grumbles as her eyes dart about.
Stephen flies circles around from the engagement, squawking in alarm.
Daegan looks deep into the Knotten's eyes, and if the troll looks back, it sees only fire.
A slowly rising panic overtakes Kalhar as he suddenly begins struggling with his armor, grasping fruitlessly at the many straps and buckles as they begin to frost over worse than the already had. A stiffness overtakes him, and he cries out as the temperature drops dramatically, but as the chill sets in his hand ventures to his belt, and he takes a step away from his friends [but still staying adjacent to the troll] and slams his fist down on one of the vials, ejecting from it's holder, and he spikes it onto the troll.
Suddenly, the conflagration bursts forth, enveloping Kalhar in a sudden explosion
Axel smiles grimly to himself Good. Daegan can take care of that troll. They aren't as scary as I thought they would be. I wonder where that friend of his is. Axel closes his eyes and concentrates. "May the All-Seeing Eye guide my magic and begins casting
Teb mumbles.
Axel begins to hum a low, melodic tune. As he does so, a light blue aura shimmers into existence around him. As he reaches the final note, the aura detaches from the wizard, still maintaining the human form, and walks through the air above the trolls head. It is quickly obscured by the blizzard but soon there is a small pop and small, light blue flakes intermingle with the snow. Anybody touched by one feel a slight sensation of calm even through the raging combat.
It turns to roar. The last of the roar echoes in the distance as the large beast succumbs under its own weight and falls face first into the trampled blood - laced snow.
Sarlene grabs hold of Daegan again, mumbling as his wounds freeze and recover. She lets go of him and ejects a dagger from her wrist, eyes scanning the sky above for the little casting creature.
Where are ya, you tiny little faye f%~#er... she grumbles as her eyes dart about.
Jezzera sniffs the air and whips his head around, searching for the source of the sound. He smears his face with red dust and squints into the white-out conditions in hopes to spot his new target.
A slowly rising panic overtakes Kalhar as he suddenly begins struggling with his armor, grasping fruitlessly at the many straps and buckles as they begin to frost over worse than the already had. A stiffness overtakes him, and he cries out as the temperature drops dramatically, but as the chill sets in his hand ventures to his belt, and he takes a step away from his friends [but still staying adjacent to the troll] and slams his fist down on one of the vials, ejecting from it's holder, and he spikes it onto the troll.
Suddenly, the conflagration bursts forth, enveloping Kalhar in a sudden explosion.
A slightly smoked Mephit moves towards Kalhar, scratching wildly. His efforts diffused by the scale mail.
Daegan smiles in grisly delight as Axel's spell downs the creature. Sensing weakness, he ceases his taunts and slashes down with all his might, roaring with a primal fury and throwing all of his body into the blow. The steel connects with the troll's chest with a loud, wet, crack, sending hot blood and fragments of bone raining unto to the cold earth.
Mephit time
Sarlene shakes the soot and troll bits from her visage, and turns toward the Mephit/Kalhar. Holy shit.
Sarlene trudges toward Kalhar with an outreached hand.
Oh come now, you ol' Reefclaw. You'll be alright. Kalhar feels an even greater chill overcome the burns and frostbite he's suffered. The feeling fades and his wounds feel markedly better, though his armor is frighteningly cold to the touch.
Hold still, Reefclaw, I don't wanna crack your shell In her other hand, she wields a dagger, and using her outstretched hand for balance hurls it toward the Mephit.
The flask tumbles through the air in a long, slow arc before connecting solidly with the tiny sprite's chest, engulfing in in flames. As it screams, he softly mutters in Giant, You should not play with fire, little one.
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Growling intensely, Jezzera scoops from his pouch a knobby twig, holding it up at eye level between the Mephit and himself, perpendicular to the ground. "By the spirits of these lands, you hold no power over me,"he rumbles, snapping it in two. A green powder spills from the halves, and it swirls in the wind around his body.
Axel snaps his fingers and it makes a much louder noise than it should. He does so again and a small spark discharges to the ground. He smiles at the small success and says "Let's see how that little pest likes some electricity." but the bolt of electricity gets lost in the blizzard.
Sarlene trudges toward Kalhar with an outreached hand. Hold still, Reefclaw, I don't wanna crack your shell In her other hand, she wields a dagger, and using her outstretched hand for balance hurls it toward the Mephit, but it is lost in the swirling snow.
Growling intensely, Jezzera scoops from his pouch a knobby twig, holding it up at eye level between the Mephit and himself, perpendicular to the ground. "By the spirits of these lands, you hold no power over me," he rumbles, snapping it in two. A green powder spills from the halves, and it swirls in the wind around his body.
Kalhar
Kalhar's scale mail starts icing over.
Stepping underneath the beast as his flesh began to crack and go numb, Kalhar grits his teeth and fishes out another vial, tossing it violently at his feet as he covers his face with his shield, desperately trying to catch both the mephit and his armor in the ensuing blast.
The mephit manages to turn away from the blast only slightly searing him, but the flames stay on his skin and smolder.
The mephit floats away from Kalhar and Daegan, stopping as it raises its hands and fires a series of gray arcane bolts at Daegan. That connect with his chest sending him skidding backwards in the slush around his feet.
Daegan silently rises from the smoking, bloody remains of the troll and coldly eyes the mephit. A look of disgust is again apparent on his face. He glances down at the fallen troll, and back up again at the tiny creature of ice, and the look changes to one of dismissal. He looks down at the flask in his hand, and shrugs. With barely a grimace, he casually underhanded tosses the flask over Kalhar's shoulder at the tiny figure.
The flask tumbles through the air in a long, slow arc before connecting solidly with the tiny sprite's chest, engulfing in in flames. As it screams, he softly mutters in Giant, You should not play with fire, little one.
Round 6
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With his newfound speed, Jezzera tromps through the snow with alarming agility. At Daegan's side, finally, he cracks open a hard-shelled chestnut, allowing the dust to scatter in the wind. A calm overtakes the battle, and around Deadeye's wounds, a bright light begins to shine, warm and soft to the touch.
"Hunt in safety, with the blessing of the Wolf."
[ooc]Cure Light Wounds[ooc]
Taking a moment to wipe the snow from his eyes and steady his hand, Axel again snaps his fingers three times in quick succession. On the third snap a small bolt of electricity leaps from his hand toward the litle creature. Striking it in the shoulder, it spins about in the air for the briefest of moments.
Daegan, steady yourself! Sarlene shuffles back through the snow and slush between Kalhar and Daegan, looking over her shoulder at the hovering mephit. She maneuvers to Daegan's side, firmly gripping his sides and mumbling in Hallit. For an instant, Daegan loses his breath for a moment, and can hear ice crackling beneath his skin. His chest is cold, heavy, and frighteningly painful for a fraction of a second before he feels remarkably better.
With his newfound speed, Jezzera tromps through the snow with alarming agility. At Kalhar's side, finally, he cracks open a hard-shelled chestnut, allowing the dust to scatter in the wind. A calm overtakes the battle, and around Kalhar's wounds, a bright light begins to shine, warm and soft to the touch.
"Hunt in safety, with the blessing of the Wolf."
Again, with steam rising off him, Kalhar grabs his last explosive and releases it from his belt. Stepping forward to remain underneath the foul little creature, he spikes it again, the flames licking up his armor.
The mephit quickly pushes up, using the heat to propel himself away from the blast that licks at his feet, scorching them black. It completes it's barrel roll and launches for Kalhar's face, claws first.
Still smoking Kalhar tries to duck but the mephit finds purchase on one side of his face clawing across his cheek.
Daegan takes the magical onslaught with a grunt. He glares at the creature and slowly advances, drawing a dagger from his belt. Keeping clear of the bursts of fire emanating from Kalhar, he squares the mephit in his sights and hurls the cold iron blade, grazing the creature's side. But not having a significant impact.