Karethas stands up, drawing more attacks. He steels himself to cast another spell.
Karethas stands to be free of the churning sand that spoiled his last spell. He dodges to avoid one set of fang lined jaws, but the other long serpent-like monster savages the wizard's leg flipping him into the air where he falls again bleeding into the sand.
The creatures don't pause to devour their prey, but enraged turn on their attackers. Nasir twists aside narrowly dodging a bite from the needle-like fangs, but Garavel is not so fortunate.
Like magic, the Tempest bow is caught by the mamluk's hand. Then, as previously, icicles begin to form on the string which the mamluk's massive arms easily pull back before firing at the closest monster.
Unfortunately, the mamluk's surprise causes two of the shots to fly well wide, and the third to hit, but only do minimal damage.
Varkata whispers a prayer, By the draught, restore this man..., channeling one of her daily spells into healing magic, then steps foward drawing her blade as she does. She stops just short of the mage and reaches forward, filling his limp form with healing energies.
Buffoon! You asked for the mamluk for just that purpose! You are allowing your thoughts to interrupt your actions. Remember the training. Eyes and ears first!
Having tossed the bow Amir then turns to the issue at hand, looking to join the fray and put him between the creature and Karethas. As he runs forward Amir pulls his twin swords and looks to strike out with the copper hilted Simin as he approaches the creature.
Varkata moves forward laying a healing hand on the fallen wizard who groans as he as he becomes conscious again. Amir joins Garavel slashing the creature with Simin. The emotionless majordomo continues hacking with his falchion leaving the creature bloody. Two mamluks control the mounts while one joins Amir and Garavel chopping once again into the writhing monster.
The mamluk given the frosty bow fires into the scrum. One arrow pierces the serpent-like creature's side, but two chuff into the sand. Nasir is surprised that the creature is not scaly like the serpent it resembles, but the thick tan hide turns one blade anyway. The second draws blood however.
Karethas comes to in a confusing forest of legs and violence. He shakes his head to clear it, and notes that the snakish creatures are still looming. He tries to cast another spell while drawing as little attention as possible.
Karethas disappears.
The long sinewy creatures keep attacking in a fury of fin and fang. Nasir suffers a bite as does Garavel.
Longsword in hand, Varkata side-steps next to the paladin and swings her heavier blade at the snake-thing that he's already injured, drawing upon the ferocious strength of her heritage and her faith as she does.
for
To hit: +1 Morale (Bless)
Damage: +3 slashing (Ferociuos Strike) 4/5 remain
- 5' step to G6
- Standard action: Attack + Ferocious Strike
AC: 20/11/19
HP: 42/42
Spells used: Silence (L2), Bless (L1)
Powers used: Ferocious Strike (x1)
The rather surprised mamluk continues to hold the bow as its arms continue to pull and release the string launching arrows of ice in rapid succession.
Unfortunately, this is the least coordinated mamluk in history and all three icicles drive harmlessly into the sand.
Varkata steps to Nasir's side slashing a bloody gouge in the tough knobby hide. The narrow toothy head whips toward her opening it up to Nasir's swift scimitar strike that severs the neck completely. The head lands at his feet as the body flops in the sand.
The mamluk's body seems more resistant to Kzrira's spirit than Faelar's was and the ice bolts continue to hiss into the sand missing the remaining monster. Garavel's wounds pain him though he does not show. After an awkward slice with his falchion, he steps away from the beast. The mamluk shifts in front of him and with a powerful blow kills the already gravely wounded creature. As quickly as they appeared, both beasts are dead.
|
With the creatures dead, Nasir pulls his holy symbol from his robes and begins to whisper a prayer. When he finishes he presses the symbol to his lips and the symbol begins to glow in the sun. Raising his symbol over his head he unleashes a blast of healing energy, mitigating some of the wounds his comrades suffered during the fight.
Amir will offer a thankful gesture to Nasir as he sheathes his swords. Moving to kneel at the creature Amir casts a critical eye on the dismembered heads then looks back at the others, Do any of you know what these are? I am not recalling...
Karethas' voice comes from seemingly thin air."Sand eels, but they seem to have drawn here. I'd stay aware...this seems to have been a planned ambush."
Karethas summons an Air Elemental,
Amir swears to himself, Probably a druid with all our damnable luck.
The elemental does not have long and it quickly returns to report to Karethas. Though there is no one near, a large group of humanoids waits some ways to the south.
Varkata says, "You seem to be a popular group", and converts her sound burst spell to further close Karethas' wounds.
Karethas fishes out the wand of Cure Light Wounds and hands it Varkata. "There are 15 charges left in this." He points to the south, "My friend says that there are a large group of humanoids that way. Should we go check them out?"
Varkata smiles and takes the wand, "That should help. It's easier to get by on just the gifts of the Accidental God when I only had to look after myself."
She taps the wand on Karethas, making sure she has the right of its activation and trying to close the man's remaining, stubborn, wounds.
Kzrira rolls her eyes when she realizes that the defective CLW wand works just as badly for the new cleric as for the old bard.
Kzrira rolls her eyes when she realizes that the defective CLW wand works just as badly for the new cleric as for the old bard.
Amir nods, content that there is nothing else left to do and mounts back up on Behrouz clicking his teeth at the horse to hollow Nasir.
Varkata says, "Other than Karethas' wounds, I think we are..". She looks at the wand and shakes it before trying again, The magic in this little stick seems weak... maybe if I combine it with a prayer?.... Cayden, please help this man...
Garavel just nods, following your lead as everyone mounts up and rides up the side of the wadi near where Amir was once assaulted by a chupacabra. You see no one from where you currently stand, but likely the air elemental had the advantage of speed and altitude.
Karethas will recall Mount using a Pearl of Power. He will be at the rear of the party.
Off the sandy trail, the barrens are crenulated by broken gulches and wadis that drain the high Barrier Peak Mountains to the west. The going will be slow navigating the rough terrain and cactus patches. Varkata gazes out over the rocky scrubland and thinks it may be some time before the others are found based on the elementals rather limited description.
Nasir and a pair of mamluks lead the way followed by Garavel, Varkata and Amir and finally the other mamluks and Karethas at the rear.
<-- -50 metabolically challenged, -50 stuck in bag
-->hey, a natural 20, maybe I can mentally aid another someone
The half-orc mamluk bearing Tempest feels himself tugged by the bow away from the others. Unsettled, he moves to rejoin the group when Amir points out that he appears to be on some sort of game trail. As good a lead as any, the party follows the narrow trace and Nasir soon spots what could be a gnoll track. Of course, there is no telling how old it might be given the still, dry conditions. You continue weaving your way through prickly chaparral and intimidating cactus.
The sun is topping the towering peaks when you see an open area ahead that fronts what appears to be a tomb in a rocky foothill. Only one jackal-headed statue remains of the pair that once flanked the dark entrance. Of immediate concern however, is the score of dun robed gnolls and their ubiquitous hyena companions. They appear forewarned as they are ready to engage when you spot them. Among the rabble is a towering two headed giant carrying some sort of litter upon his back and strangely, a shapely black robed form.
"Duena!" Garavel spits.
Karethas
Nasir
Varkata
foe
Garavel
The black figure among the dun immediately disappears leaving you to wonder whether you actually saw anything at all. A dozen gnolls follow a pair of hyena and what appears to be a quartet of hapless slaves armed with clubs as they rush toward you. The giant remains behind with the other gnolls.
Karethas slips off his horse, staying behind it for cover. He spreads a cicle of silver dust around himself as he casts Magic Circle against Evil using his bracers to Extend the spell.
Varkata dismounts carefully, trying to stay in the circle the mage has traced out. "Gnolls..." she snarls, then smiles, as if she's about to enjoy the violence. She places a hand to her ear, touching the holy symbol dangling from the many chains and calls upon her god, Grant me a touch of your luck in this battle...
"Nevermind the horses," Garavel orders the warrior slaves and all dismount readying their weapons.
The mamluk possessed by Tempest stays mounted and simply begins to launch icy arrows at the gnolls. The mamluk can almost feel the hatred of the bow's spirit when the gnolls appear.
Attack-rapid shot: <-- extra +2 from FE (not sure if this is applicable)
Damage: <-- extra +2 from FE
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
This time the aim is much better.
Amir slips from Behrouz and pulls his swords,moving towards Karethas and watches the approaching forces as he moves in front of the caster and his horse, Let's keep you in finer shape to do your work eh Akhun?
Getting in position the rogue smirks over at the half-orc, Did I not promise you something interesting?
Varkata chuckles, and jerks her head towards the oncoming enemies, "The two-headed giant is certainly new."
"Duena!" Garavel spits.
Karethas calls the others near and casts a warding circle. Amir and Varkata step to his side as does Garavel. All dismount except the bow wielding mumlak. Instead he begins firing at gnolls. Two of the hyena-men fall to the lethal frozen bolts. Nasir dismounts and fires injuring a third.
The charging gnolls slow and spread out while the hyenas drive the hapless slaves forward. One trips falling to the ground before they reach the front line of mamluks. The others reach the mamluks at a full run leaving themselves open for slaughter.
Suddenly the black veiled figure appears floating next to the sole mounted mamluk causing the horse to rear in alarm and fear!
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Despite the sudden appearance of the evil creature, the possessed mamluk easily controls the mount directing it to move back as the mamluk's arms continue to fire at the strange apparition, but only one (I hope) shot finds its mark just grazing the creature.
5' move to the lower right.
Ah, ok. Will probably attempt a fast dismount next round then.
Karethas' eyes narrow as he finally gets a look at the mysterious figure's feminine form hovering near Kzrira. "If anyone has alchemist fire, throw it out towards those gnolls!" He pulls out a potion and holds it out to Amir, "Use this and stay by me for a moment" Finally, he casts a spell and immediately time seems to slow. The kicked up dust blows on a slower wind, and the gnolls and the other enemies moving noticeably slower.