Nakon, come over here and help me kill this beast! he says, looking at the frog with disdain.
Sevien is going to delay to just before the frogs go again but after Nakon.
Xantrius hefts his flag and moves to the other side of Sevien , his whip at the ready, threatening, should the frog move any closer.
"Have at 'em, boys," he cries inspiringly, "It'll be frogs legs for dinner tonight."
Mata curses loudly and tries to use his feet maintain himself in the
water while swinging his sword with both hands.
Mata kicks at the water. The sludge and mud in the bottom do more to suck him down than they do to float him up. Likewise, the frog tongue pulls Mata toward the frog but entangles his legs. In spite of this, Mata briefly manages to kick himself forward and uses the momentum to drive his falchion at the frog. The morass takes a lot of power from his swing and the frog tries to move back, but Mata still makes enough contact and the frog squeals in pain as the blade drives through its shoulder. It repositions itself and opens its maw to reveal to Mata wide rows of tiny, but needle-like, teeth.
Round 2
Nakon complete his spell and a dark-skinned dolphin warps into existence between the two frogs. The mammal seems to have far more teeth than normal, that and its colour giving the dolphin a decidedly evil looking appearance.
The aquatic creatures swims to flank the frog with Mata, surely getting the creature's attention even though it fails to bash the frog with its snout.
(flank)
Nakon himself regains his wits with a start, the shaman moving along the shore while drawing his sharp dagger. When in line with the second frog he simply jumps straight in, kicking underwater as he closes to his target.
(hide)
If Nakon draws the AOO. Sevien wades 5' into the march and sends out a wave of death at both frogs.
If Nakon doesn't draw the AOO. Sevien creates a duplicate of himself and launches a flamebolt at the nearest frog.
For all their tremendous size and quick tongue, the Giant Frogs are neither tough of hide nor swift of movement and the sudden appearance of Nakon's summoned dolphin is obviously something Mata's attacker is totally unprepared for. The Giant Frog kicks to avoid the dolphin's attack but the dolphin still catches the frog with a powerful jab from its snout.
Nakon jumps into the water and realises too late that this is not the wide blue ocean that he is a part of. The thick murk is forced aside as he ploughs into it to discover a tangle of hidden weeds, rotting branches and thick mud . Unable to swim in the shallow or stand in the murk, he manages to get his head above water in time to see the second frog lazily glide the intervening distance between them, Sevien forgotten.
Sevien, seeing the Giant Frog distracted wades and staggers into the sludge before sending out his wave of death . Insects fall down to the surface of the marsh and small amphibians, worms and snakes float up to the surface of the marsh.
The farther frog attacking Mata writhes in confusion under the many attacks but refuses to unleash its prize meal, instead trying to restrain Mata with its many teeth.
The giant frog snaps as soon as it encounters resistance, and so Mata's magical armour saves him from a nasty bite. Although sinking in the murk, Mata's arms are still free and he remains, apart from his leg, disentangled from the creature.
The nearer frog shudders and looks about, but finishes its approach to Nakon and almost casually opens its maw to accomodate him.
Nakon's instincts kick in immediately and despite being partially trapped in the mire he easily dodges the frog's attack. He is still predator, not prey.
Xantrius steps to one side for a better view and tries his luck with his whip at the Giant Frog attacking Nakon.
His whip lashes the water sending ripples in all directions, but fails to tear at the frog's soft skin.
Bottom rd 2
Mata starts to feel a little more confident, while his sitution is bad the frog seems to be slow and soft skined. However he start to find it hard to attack in this mud.
With one leg being pulled by the giant frog and the other sinking into the mud, Mata's swing not only goes wild but forces him off balance. Ever so slowly he topples under the water unable to shift his weight or grab something to stop his gentle fall. Under the water, soft vines and smoothe mud seem to fall in behind him and he suddenly realises how difficult it may be to get his head above water again.
Round 3
The dolphin continues its assault on the distracted frog, ramming it repeatedly.
(flank, performance)
Nakon stops himself from thrashing and tries to control his movements in the muck as he stabs forward with his dagger.
(performance, flag, no penalties applied not sure if swimming)
(+1 if aquatic)
The giant frog squeaks like a child's toy as the dolphin rams it over and over and, like a toy, its squeaks fade until it sinks, broken, into the swamp. A job well done, the dolphin turns briefly back to Nakon, then dives underwater and vanishes as if it had never been.
Nakon shakes off the mud and detritus stuck to him from the swamp, finds a solid piece of ground and stabs at the remaining giant frog. More wary now, the creature hops under Nakon's blow and is about to dart in for a counter attack.
Annoying beast, let Asmodeous take you!
Again death reaches out, it cares little where the frog is, just that it wants to drain it's life.
The Giant Frog shrinks back from the sting of Sevien's channel but then gathers itself and snaps at Nakon.
Again, the shark man is too quick for it.
Xantrius tries again for a clear shot at the monsterous amphibian but is unable to hit it through the splashing water, mud and muck.
Round 4
Nakon takes a moment to line the amphibian up and then lunges forward to brutally ram his sharp dagger up through the bottom of the frog's throat.
Assuming Nakon or Mata finish the frog, Mata, are you hurt, if so come over here and I will heal you.
Not noticing the tongue of the frog fall from his leg and now muddy water he pauses briefly to calm the rising panic and invisions himself going in the dirrection he believes to be up.
Seeing only mud in that direction he tries swiming in another dirrection.
Swimming in the new dirrection he finds the ground but not the surface for more air.
Mata doesn't reappear from under the water, instead an eddy of ripples shows where he fell.
Nakon's attention is elsewhere and as the Giant Frog settles for another lunge Nakon plunges his dagger through the creature, followed by a good portion of his arm. Sliced savagely open, the insides of the frog fall into the water before the rest of it follows.
With the danger gone, Sevien turns to Mata to heal him, but spies only bubbles where the half-orc once stood.
With a satisfied smile Nakon sheathes his dagger and swims over to the vicinity of the drowning half-orc.
Nakon manages to float on the surface of the water and with shallow kicks avoids the debris underneath to swim to Mata's position. He feels around underwater and finally makes contact with a flailing limb.
Nakon reaches down awkwardly but is no position to firmly seize the flailing half-orc.
Sevien casts light on his hand then swims over there, hopefully allowing Mata to see Nakon trying to reach him.
This swamp water is probably going to ruin my armor... he says with disdain.
The feel of a hand panic him but he refocuses to again try envision what happens if swims the dirrection he guesses is up.
Again not seeing anything but mud in that direction swims in another.
Sevien attempts to emulate Nakons somewhat inelegant swim and immediately discovers that it's more likely that his armour will ruin him. The studded leather immediately fills with sand and mud and underwater vines and mulch tangle his arms and feet. By the time he pulls them off he finds that he has barely moved.
Nakon tugs on the limb he has hold of and his grip slides off the muddy appendage as easily as if it had been greased with butter.
Completely disoriented, Mata plunges his head towards where he hopes air will be, only to get a face full of mud. He tries to wipe it out of his nose and mouth and trails more vines across himself. He's not sure where the Giant Frog is, but its teeth haven't sunk into him yet and he's currently an easy target for a swamp dweller.
Nakon grunts with annoyance.
Enough!
Reaching down again he takes a firm grasp on the half-orcs leg, flipping him upside and pulling him toward the surface.
Mata's first thought is that the frog has him and that this is the most embarassing way he could ever possibly die. As his head breaks the surface of the water though he automatically gasps in the foul air, surprisingly sweet to his lungs if not his nose. He sinks up to his knees in the mud as Nakon deposits him down but he is still upright with his head and shoulders above the level of the swamp water. He is covered in filth, vines and rotting vegetation. The frogs and dolphin are all gone but Mata still holds his falchion. He may have been able to swim better if he'd dropped it, but he may never have found it again in this abyssal swamp and it is almost worth his life.
Mata and Nakon are in the middle of the swamp, Sevien at the edge and Xantrius stands safely on the bank.
meet us at the other side.
Mata takes a moment to collect himself before nodding to Nakon and climbing on to one of the poles.
Guidance then take my time to cross the pole to the other side.
Do we see any tracks or a trail on the other side?
The large flat poles that were used to support the missing bridge are too far apart to step between but large enough for jumping on. The coarseness of the wood counters the smooth wet algae that has grown across them so by taking careful jumps and spending time to plan your landing and to regain your footing, you are all eventually able to cross the mire where Sevien applies his healing to Mata.
On the other side, the trail (such as it is) continues winding between thick copses of vegetation, large winding pools of rank water that pace the raised track and flat patches of slowly shifting sand.
The time has just reached late afternoon and you are about the point where you should turn back if you wanted to reach the deserted beach before nightfall when the trees separate in front of you.
A terrible stench fills the swamp here, a fetid odor of cheap perfume and rotting flesh. A huge tree stands in the middle of a clearing in the swamp, draped with some sort of huge tent. Lurid, painted faces cover both the tree trunk and tent, and both are decorated with rotting humanoid body parts and carpets of squirming insects.
Sevien starts to cast Guidance on each member of the group in the following order:
Nakon
Mata
Xantrius
Sevien
If nothing has come out yet Resistance in the same order:
Nakon
Mata
Xantrius
Sevien
He makes sure he is in the back of the group.
"Can you see any signs the person we are following went this way? Maybe we should check if they are part of the decorations."
Mata tries to brush off some of the mud but gives up quickly when it is clear it won't work then starts to circle the tree looking at the body parts for very recent additions.
I am guessing what lives in the tent will come out to greet us soon...
Nakon just shakes the water off himself on the other side, mud drying on the shaman's legs and body.
At the clearing he readies his weapon and shield while studying the tent and surrounds.
Sevien casts guidance on Nakon and Mata before the sounds of movement come from within the tent and three rotting figures with long tongues shamble out of the tent. Their decaying clothes were obviously once fine silks and bejewelled corsets but that time has long passed. Indeed, Nakon can make out some gems and jewels that have fallen off onto the ground around the camp.
On his turn Sevien will reveal what he knows about the creatures and fire a flame bolt at any of them not in combat yet or close to us.
Nakon smiles at the creature's approach, squelching his remaining toes in the muck as he moves to the front of the group, new cutlass at the ready.
Come. Try me wenches!
Mata will move with Nakon also readying his sword.
Mata and Nakon advance forward, ready as the ghouls charge them. The pirates are a blur of weapons as the creatures almost impale themselves against the steel brought to bear against them.
But despite solid blows from both Mata and Nakon, none of the undead monstrosities fall.
Instead the twisted ghouls snap at the pirates with sharp teeth and eager tongues, searching for living flesh.
The first charges to Mata.
Although the bite isn't deep, its foul touch almost immediately begins to rot Mata's skin and he feels his muscles begin to seize up as if in disgust.
The second follows the first, also tearing at the half-orc.
Almost overcome by the two of them, the second lands a more vicious bite than the first.
The third is nearest to Nakon and jumps at him.
Nakon is able to focus on his sole attacker and easily fends it off with his shield.
Xantrius waves his flag and rushes forward with an inspirational cry, his whip threatening the closest ghoul.
Sevien warns the others, too late it seems, to beware the ghouls' diseased and paralysing touches. He then steps forward so the closest ghoul is within range of his fire bolt. Having already sustained a grievous wound from Nakon, the ghoul bursts into flame from Sevien's attack, collapses to the ground and is soon still.
The foul creatures seem unphased by the fall of their kin and continue to tear at the warm bloods in front of them.
Mata stands paralysed.
Nakon scowls at "his" kill being stolen but with several enemies left and the half-orc unmoving, steps forward to hack at the next in line. Wary of the creatures speed he keeps his attacks defensive for once.
(flag, performance, fd)
Nakon's cutlass scythes through the ghoul that the now paralysed Mata had smashed and the creature folds to the ground with a screech that ends in a sigh.
The last ghoul lashes out at him in a frenzy of flailing teeth and claws.
Nakon is able to hold the thing back with his shield nd wide sweeps of his cutlass.
Keeping his distance, Xantrius lashes back at the creature with his razor tipped scorpion whip.
Unable to get round the other combatants effectively, the whip snaps wide.
Sevien moves up so he doesn't have to shoot through his own men and releases another flaming bolt.
Round 3
With two of the creatures down and the last unable to breach his shield, Nakon confidently moves back on to the offensive, cutting and slashing at the abomination before him.
(flag, performance)
Sevien moves up quickly, grateful for the first patch of open ground he's seen since the beach. Another bolt of fire from Sevien grazes the Ghoul and the smell of burning flesh adds to the stink of the defiled clearing.
Nakon's blade sweeps through the stomach of the ghoul, a blow that could have disembowelled a living person, but instead dislodges mostly dirt and some rotten flesh. While not a finishing blow, the Ghoul still staggers back, before launching itself back at the sharkman.
Its bite is fast and Nakon almost doesn't get his shield up in time but doesn't underestimate its claws and easily fends them off.
The ghoul then steps around Nakon with a hungry look towards Sevien.
Xantrius lashes at the creature again with his scorpion whip before taking a nervous step away from it.
And again his whip misses the mark and the creature returns its attention to Nakon.
