Despite the stag's impact, Elghund does not go down, instead calling upon the stubbornness of the orc blood in his veins and hacking back with sharpened falchion. That line of crimson blood on white fur is soon joined by a second deep wound from his Ulfen companion Skane, whose rising thrust leaves his blade buried to the hilt and his arm colored sanguine.
Annalisa moves to support, but her strike is misaimed and does not draw further injury to the stag.
The antlered beast is rocked by the heavy blows, but does not yet fall.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Annalisa, Skane, Rikka, Stag, Elghund, Klo
Rikka unconsciously takes a step back, surprised at the sudden bloody turn of events. "Fey? Where?" She weaves a spell quickly, hoping to spot some sign of the unseen creatures.
"Fey? Where?"
A surprised look replaces Kló's scowl, and he points with his spear, "It just stabbed Elghund"
Rikka can sense only a fading dwemor from where Elghund stands bloodied.
The target of Elghund's cry can then be seen in plain view as a miniscule, blue-skinned humanoid slips around the orc and tries to bury a needle thin blade in the orc's back...
Flanking Rapier: for
...blade sinking deeply into the orc's back and nicking his kidney. Butterly wings flitter with savage glee as the flying fae hoots with it's success.
The stag, now bleeding heavily, lashes out with pointed antler and firm hoof at the one that stuck it most fiercely... the Ulfen vikingr...
Gore at Skane: for
Hoof at Skane:
Hoof at Skane:
...missing with flailing hooves, but the antlers catch the vikingr across the face - tearing a bloody track across his jawbone before lodging in his shoulder. As the pain blossoms it is also accompanied with a spreading numbness of cold.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Annalisa, Skane, Rikka, Stag+Friend, Elghund, Klo
Action Tracker (Round 2): Annalisa, Skane, Rikka, Stag+Friend, Elghund, Klo
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Elghund hollers back at Klo's observation, spitting blood and gurgling as he does "Now you've seen it come help me stab it!"
Elghund tries to slide back away, playcing the sprite between him and Klo's movement, hoping to slash at the thing when his comrade arrives and they can wear it down. He hopes the move will also remove him from being flanked himself!
The big man's nearly-black eyes narrow on the tiny ambusher, and he finally bursts into action like a late-season avalanche. He rushes across the intervening space with the same power and inevitably of an avalanche, as well, aiming a ferocious spear-strike at Elghund's fae attacker.
"Give up or die, fae!"
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Klo's advance is rewarded with his spear piercing the fae's side and a keening wail of pain and anguish uttered by the same. With effort the fae is able to force itself off the point of the hated metal spear, but one leg hangs limp and useless and pinkish blood drips to spatter the snow below the fae.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Annalisa, Skane, Rikka, Stag+Friend, Klo, Elghund
Action Tracker (Round 2): Annalisa, Skane, Rikka, Stag+Friend, Klo, Elghund
RD2
Annalisa becomes aware of the small fey and suddenly the gory scenes seems to make much more sense. She finds herself quite angered by the deceitful scene and becomes enraged. Already facing off with the elk, though, and having seen Skane take a nasty wound she stays in battle with the elk believing the others can handle the one small fey.
R1
Elghund times his attack for the arrival of his friend, swinging at the small sprite.
Attack
Damage
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Annalisa's strike is batted away by the elk's antlers while the fae assaulting Elghund is tricksey enough to weave out of the way of his red handed hack.
Action Tracker (Round 2): Annalisa, Skane, Rikka, Stag+Friend, Klo, Elghund
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Bloodied and grim set Skane lashes out with his blade to open up the stag's innards again. The stag mewls and struggles to remain standing, but drops to begin the process of spilling it's lifeblood upon the snow. The tiny flying fae with the ruined leg lets out a quiet keen at the loss of it's companion before it's rictus returns with a combination of fury and fear at the hulking and blood-rimned orc red-handed and murderous beside him.
Amid the swirl of bodies and with no clear view of the strange fey, Rikka can do little without possibly endangering her allies. She quickly retrieves her spear.
As Rikka moves to recover her weapon the fae attempts to make his escape. Sorely pressed and near to death it narrows it's vision and fades from view before Elghund and Klo sense a slight whoosh of air that marks it's attempt to flee...
The stag has expended it's lifeblood upon the snow and lies still - it's once great pelt now marred by three deep and extensive cuts that mark the wounds that laid it low.
Elghund screams his battle cry in a dark and guttural tone, the blood gushing from his mouth only making the gurgles more dire and threatening... his invocation calls upon the Vættir to come feast on the dead sprite.
Attack
Miss - Gotcha sucka! :p
Damage
While Klo swipes at air, Elghund's blade meets a small modicum of resistance halfway through his swing. There is a quiet scream followed by a pair of small thuds as the invisible corpse hits the ground.
Stabilise post combat -8 hp = V DC 18.
Elghund starts pushing the wounds closed and stuffing his innards back in with his fingers, the other hand still gripping his sword.
"We feast tonight!" he exclaims with dark delight, as once again he sprays the dark crimson of Orcish blood into the snow as he laughs and coughs in happiness.
Having the treat pass, Annalisa looses her rage after a moment and finds herself fatigued as she watches Elghund stuff his insides where they belong. She narrows her eyes at the orc, "Mind telling me what that was all about?"
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"First, stuff guts in. Then have a talk. I liked you offering it protection and comfort to gain its trust and then kill it, very cunning, very smart" Elghund goes back to pushing the things that belong inside back inside.
Heal:
"Anyone know how this goes back in?"
A figure emerges from the forest to the North.
*cough*
"I can put that back in if you tell me how you're still standing and what you're doing here."
*cough cough*
Elghund stops shovelling for a minute, sniffs the air and looks at the stranger. "You don't look like a bandit" Elghund goes back to looking at bits of gore, puzzled.
Heal
Very puzzled.
"That hurts more, must be wrong"
"We are hunters, we are hunting. Were you hunting that Elk? Maybe you stick my guts in better, but grab at your sword or be funny and we both be putting our guts back in"
Elghund is a bit preoccupied to converse further, the wounds have stopped gushing but are still vicious and gory, his brow is fixed in consternation as he realises he is at a loss on how to best deal with the wounds.
The man before you is bundled in furs and covered in bits of snow and ice. His eyes and nose are red and he wears no gloves. He is wearing hides and has a morningstar across his back along with a crossbow in his hands.
"Not sure threatening to kill me is the way to go, you look to be on death's door. Maybe I'll just leave you here to die if that's all the hospitality you can offer?"
With the threat of violence he keeps his distance, not longer believing that helping these people is in his best interests.
Skäne gingerly pulls the Elk's antler from his shouler with a grimace. His fingers prod the wound, drawing attention to crust of blod crystal's that have formed on the bloody hole.
He smiles darkly as he notes the stinging pain of the furrow along his jawline.
"Huhh... takke it I'm still have minn god looks eh? Ignore the Orcné newkommer... he's just loath to share his supper..."
Annalisa looks at the newcomer, sword still in hand. She watches him warily but watches Elghund even more so. She half expects him to attack the newcomer too. In response to what Skane has said, Annalisa smiles with one side of her mouth and says, "What he is, is an ass who forced my hand and caused me to break a vow not two seconds after it had left my lips. By all rights my life has been forfeit... but I dare the lot of you to say anything about it!"
To the new man, "Go on then, help him if you can. If he attacks you unprovoked I'll be carrying his head home to place on my mantel myself!" She smiles at Elghund this time.
"Fair enough then."
Moving forward carefully the newcomer warily reaches out his hand and mutters a swift prayer before closing the orc's wounds.
"Seems you angered the spirits, Vowbreaker. Normally they are not so resistant to aiding another. More than that will have to wait. My name is Katherson, I am here exploring the strange snows. What brings you lot to this place other than the hunting?"
Elghund looks at Annalissa and begins laughing.
"For a human you dumber than Orcs, your vow not broken as it didn't bind me or any of us. You not the leader, you refused, so you not make vows for us, and not make vows to the enemy. How many Elk you hunted? Ever see talking one? We fighting fae folk and you think talking Elk not a bad sign? You make good friends with talking Elk, maybe go for nice walk in the snow, then never come back because hidden fae folk stab you to death and string you from tree like crows... you lucky I here and work out what trouble looks like. Normal Elk, good, talking Elk, bad. And there's dead black pixie in snow proves I'm right, where your proof? Hmm?."
With the healing magic flowing in his veins Elghund relaxes.
"I not anger the spirits magic man, I have pleased them, the Vættir wish wish for me to wear the deep scars gifted to me by the magic Elk, they will protect me from fae magic in future so Vættir dampen your magic to slow the healing and keep deep scars. Skane wears the magic scars too now, he will be blessed with the strength of the mighty Elk, and against the magic of our enemies."
"I not threaten you, just warn you, strange man in the snow come walking up, maybe you were black spirit drawn to the smell of fresh blood, and me busy holding guts, could be problem, had to make sure you not also just really ugly Valkyrie come to collect me as I not ready to go yet. Now I see you as friend, we share Elk meat, plenty for all... not so much pixie though"
Annalisa's smile swiftly turns to a scowl at the wounded orc's insults. "And yet here you lie bleeding out onto the snow. I didn't say that the elk was good, nor bad, but you had no proof prior to your attacking the elk either. It could have been a messenger of the gods as my people have taught for generations, or simply an outcome of being in an enchanted area. Maybe we should have left you here to bleed out on the snow. You may not think that my word was broken because I am not the leader of this group, but I have news for you, Elghund, neither are you yet your actions took risks with all of our lives. I never refused to lead this group, I was never asked to lead so how could I have refused? We have no 'leader' one was never elected, nor placed. You merely walk in the front of the group because of your tracking abilities. Looks to me Hundur can do that same thing just fine. We're not a tribe, we're a damn search and rescue party. The only luck I see around here is the fact that you still breathe... for now."
"As you wish green one, I am no death crow."
You see a hardening in Katherson's eyes as the pixie is mentioned.
"A pixie? Let me see it. There are fey about, and this may explain what I saw to the North of here."
The strangely garbed healer will examine the pixie if it is shown to him.
It takes a couple of minutes for the magics that hide the faerie from sight to dissipate before it can be seen directly. Arm severed and lying nearby still gripping it's miniature blade and a gouge cut through it's chest combine with the wound on it's leg show that it has no hope of ever rising from it's induced slumber.
Katherson can ken that the creature is one of the smaller fae that fly on wing with tricksey hearts, and that it is tainted by the touch of the witch queens in Irrisen... but does not know exactly what it is.
"Ha, I asked at the Inn who was in charge, who is the boss and leader, and you say nothing, you silence is you refusal. Your oath does not bind me, or any of us, even Skane wondered how the Elk might taste. Funny you so worried about life now, I remember a woman just yesterday biting and punching wyrm to death, yet after a sleep we get delicate sensibilities, not want to hurt nice looking Elk, but happy to beat ugly thing to death. Still, there is dead pixie in snow, the Elk was the enemy. You just angry that I was right and you made big mistake trusting Elk so much and feel bad now you see you were tricked. Don't bring Hundr into it, he had to stand there as hunting dog and miss out on hunt, like he has chopped off nuts and can't do his job. I not hold against you though, we can be friends, but pack needs a leader so they have rules, no leader no rules. This not big committee make decisions; pack leader bark, pack bites".
Elghund shrugs.
Elhund also pokes at the dead pixie with his sword.
"Eating the Elk will give us its strength, its heart will make us strong in battle, I offer the heart to Annalissa as meal to say sorry and maybe she feel better. Will make a good feast. The Pixie, maybe some parts have magic, not sure, but still...
Skäne approaches the newcomer with a grim set to his slashed jaw;
"Has the Orcné taken all your magicks Katherson-who-explores-the-snjár?"
The vikingr gestures toward the crimson well in his shoulder.
"Leave the kjǫptr... just minn shoulder..."
At the diatribe betwixt Annalísa and Elghund diatribe Skäne merely shakes his head before grunting a comment;
"Hel's teeth Orcné! You and Finnrsdóttir bicker like a couple o' fiskrkvenna! Feh. Katherson can you heal minn eyrar too?"
Elghund laughs heartily at Skane's dismissive comments, clearly seeing the humour in it.
"The wound suits you, the scar will look fierce" Elghund offers in a tone sounding rather congratulatory.
"Katherson, what you say you saw earlier to the north? Fae-folk sign?"
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Kló finally speaks up, his earlier scowl at Elghund once again present, "I agree with Annalísa. You only turned out to be right because you attacked the stag, orc. The fae is of Irrisen; I won't argue that. But it might have had useful information. Information we won't get from from two pieces of a tiny corpse."
"What brings you lot to this place other than the hunting?"
Kló watches as the newcomer uses his magics on Elghund, "We follow the trail of a woman taken by the fae. Her armsman has paid us to bring her back. Alive if possible, dead if not."
It seems to be all he's willing to say on the subject, waiting for the new stranger to answer Elghund's question about his signs to the north.
Elghund just shakes his head with slight disappointment and mutters quietly to himself "Only thing Fae would tell us was lies to make us die, think people already forgotten people massacred in the snow and the living dead in the carriage, think people forgotten frozen man in statue, think people forgetting who we fighting here and think this is happy-in-the-forest Fae-is-friends" He dismays, "Wonder if the dead caravaners thought Stag was new bestie friend too? stopped for a litle chat, got guts spilt for the trust"
"A day ago people all worried about Fae, worried about having enough Cold Iron to kill them, all should sleep easy now you have seen they die just fine from cold steel, but no thank Elghund for showing cold steel bashed out in common workshop work just fine against fae, no thank Elghund for exposing spiky log traps in snow that would have mince-meated people, no thank Elghund for smelling out talking Elk is an enemy and Fae friend...just blame, so confusing"
Eventually he turns.
"Right is right Klo, these fae not fight fair at all, they tricky and mean, none of them nice, and bad things have bad friends. Why would they kill crows and people for fun, but leave a nice talking Elk thing walking around, unless Elk was spite filled like them? If it was nice, they'd have chopped it to bits for fun. Only way we win against things so mean is by being even more mean and tricksy, that means stab first and stab hard. Only thing we know is friends out here is each other, and maybe Katherson, so far he good by me. That means no making peace offerings and vows to talking elks only so they can plan to murder us better at a time suits them, it means anything looks not right out here probably needs to be stabbed. There is only predator and prey, which one we gonna be?"
"You not like me stabbing stag, fine, then someone speak for group and say the rules and be leader, or its each man to work out what blood he needs to spill and that's fairs fair. I no argue if you stab someone, you no argue if I stab someone, or we say no one stabs anyone until we decide to, I say we never give bond binding others though, I no say you lot not killing someone, because that makes you weak, I not take away your power like that, not right. I get angry Annalissa make vow she had no right to make, at first I thought it very cunning plan, only now I know was real. Can only say she wont kill elk, but my destiny must be mine to decide... don't make vow binding me"
"We all happy now?"
Elghund seems a bit terse, but the impression is pretty clear that he looks a little confused, as though he simply did his job as an Elk Hound and felled an Elk for his warband, in this case, an evil one.
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Kló answers Elghund without taking his eyes off the newcomer; he obviously still expects an answer from the stranger.
"I've heard no one argue the tricksy-ness of the fae devils, orc. What you did wasn't tricksy… it was reckless. I have no wish to bandy words with the little devil; that's a fool's game. Hang that little daemon over a fire, and we might have gotten something useful from it… maybe it knows the plans for the lady we seek. Maybe it knows some useful information about it's fae-blooded brethren hereabouts. Maybe all it would have been good for was to die at our hands." He finally looks over at Elghund, his dark eyes accusing, "We don't know any of that now. All we know is that we have one on our team who only thinks with his blade and his stomach… and that's like to get us all killed against such devious foes as fae. You ask who leads our group. I don't know yet, but I do know I won't be led by some blood-minded orc who nearly gets himself gored by a talking stag because the rabbit-sh!t that he calls his brain can't understand the merits of a little patience when valuable information could be gained."
He holds the orc's stare, waiting for whatever response is bound to come from the team's so-far-tracker. If none is forthcoming, his stare – now harder for the orc's stubbornness – shifts back to the newcomer.
"Pah, you'd get nothing from Fae but sharp lies and sharper steel. You talking of good plan now, but stood with hands on stones before, thinking vow to talking stag be no problem... so much smarts now you know the truth and the steel been swung. You so keen on burning pixies for truth, then there's some more over the hill, you reckons you have the wits and smarts to best 'em then lets go back to the trees and catch one, but you lead and you walk up front, otherwise save hard stare."
Elghund wanders off to see what Skane is doing.
Kló watches the orc walk away, and he responds to anyone still listening. "I can track, if it comes to that."
Then he turns back to the newcomer, "You spoke of signs bringing you here. What signs?"
Elghund gets to work skinning and cutting, his eyes drift to the dead sprite corpse as well and he is clearly trying to work out if there's anything worth harvesting.