Izbela remains quiet throughout dinner, keenly aware of the tension hanging over their table and at a loss for how to dispel it. When asked about her family's history, she gives a brief account of how the Vaunis were travelers in a caravan until her late Nana decided to set roots in Sandpoint after the passing of her husband. Her youngest son, Silviu (Bela's father), and his wife would join her and eventually start a family of their own in Sandpoint. After sharing her family's history, Bela passes the rest of the meal in relative silence until it is time to depart.
After wishing their friends a good night, Bela watches as Rak and Akuleh leave for their rooms before lightly taking Kadrian's arm and heading out into the still night. The chilly air does wonders to ease the weight of the night's lingering tension, and before long, she turns to Kadrian with a small frown and says, "Poor Akuleh. Out of all of us, he seems to be taking the recent events the hardest..." That he, an outsider of all people, would be so affected by the tragedies Sandpoint was enduring flew in the face of many of the unfortunate things she had heard others suggest about the Shoanti people over the years. The thought is enough to stir her temper, and for a moment, she wishes the Barett widow were present so that she could share a few choice words with the woman. Breathing out a sigh, Izbela feels her temper cool and settle once more.
"Hopefully, tomorrow's hunt will put all of today's problems out of our minds. Even if for a little while."
Kadrian remains quiet, listening to Izbela's concerning, nodding in agreement. The events of the Barret House weigh heavily upon the nobleman's brow.
I pray Desna will take the widow Barret into her embrace, so mother and child can find some peace in sleep.
"Hopefully, tomorrow's hunt will put all of today's problems out of our minds. Even if for a little while."
"I hope so too", responds Kadrian, as he pulls Bela into a slight hug as they walk.
The following morning is filled with the smells of breakfast and the sounds of a packed tavern. Aldern has several tables lined with food, and three men sit around one table eating, listening as Lord Foxglove instructs them on the days activities.
"Oh good, you've arrived. Well grab a bite so we can be off. The sooner we're on our way, the better our chances of success. Oh, and I've taken the liberty of hiring some porters to help us along. I've also procured horses from the Goblin Squash stables."
The ride to the Tickwood is pretty short and only about two miles away, just north of the upthrust limestone escarpment known as the Devil's Platter. The 30 minute ride is pleasant, and even Aldern seems to be at ease on horseback in the woods. While his pursuance of Ms. Izbela has clearly waned, his talent for gab has not and his curiosity is never sated. Question after question about past, present, and future plans constantly fill the air when suddenly a boar darts across the horse trail and back into the underbrush. Aldern rears his horse up and begins to pursue.
Something bigger and louder is pursuing the boar and is just about to come your way.
Izbela arrives at The Rusty Dragon the next morning with her gleaming golden guardian in tow. Thanking Lord Foxglove for his generosity, Bela helps herself to some light fare before the day's hunt begins.
Although the ride is pleasant enough, Izbela has a little trouble enjoying it, uncomfortably pressed against the front of Algon's armored torso as she is. Still, she tries to make the most of the experience, marveling at the greenery and offhandedly answering Aldern's questions as they pertain to her plans for the future.
Algon, for his part, waits in a corner, his bearing much less standoffish than it was in his previous visit to the Mortal Realm. Once the group gathers, the eidolon takes a moment to go up to Kadrian, Rak and Akuleh with open hand extended, thanking each of them for helping to keep Izbela safe when he couldn't. When the the group is ready to get underway, Algon helps Bela onto the horse before swinging himself into the saddle behind her and grabbing the reins.
Throughout the journey, the eidolon is characteristically silent, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings for their target while he mentally berates the fop for his incessant chatter.
Distantly, he is aware of the boar that crosses their path before retreating further into the woods, but his senses are trained on something larger making its way toward them. "Hold!" he shouts to others, drawing tight on the reins of the horse. "Something follows on the heels of our quarry. Something much larger."
Kadrian rides into Sandpoint on Barley the next morning, tying up his steed outside The Rusty Dragon. Greetings everyone, including the renewed Algon, the swashbuckler sits down for a light breakfast. After trotting along the others as they gather their horses, the group makes it way to Tickwood.
At Algon's warning, Kadrian readies a spear in his free hand.
Rak wanders to the common room for breakfast with the others, and is a little surprised to see that Aldern has other companions with him too. I guess he didn't say either way, but I thought this was just us and Aldern. He looks over Aldern and the other sportsman with the new perception that Cayden has granted him in an attempt to guage their character.
Well, it's not a proper riding pony, but at least he had the sense to hire a smaller horse for me. The dwarf rides passably well, and looks comfortable enough in the saddle, though that might be more attributable to the skill of the horse rather than the rider. As long as I don't have to pull any fancy stunts, I think I'll be okay.
"Akuleh, how does this ride suit you today?" Rak attempt to engage the Shoanti in conversation. "A nobleman's sport hunt must be quite different from the hunts you're used to on the plains, no?"
"If I'm fully honest, this is a little strange for me too; though I've been aware of this kind of sport, I'm not usually clinking mugs with the kind of people who actually do this."
After the boar charges across their path, drawing Aldern in its wake, Rak's almost tries to get his own horse to pursue, but catches Algon's warning in time. Instead, he draws his longspear and waits to see what the other beast might be.
Akuleh emerges from his room a few minutes later than the others, his face pale and glistening with water from the wash basin in his room. Before speaking with the others, he makes his way to the bar and asks for as large a plate of bacon and steamed potatoes as Ameiko has ready. His order in the works, he heads back toward the others clutching his forehead in one hand. "Morning all," he groans, looking up and expecting to see only Lord Foxglove and his companions. He starts slightly when he notices the new-comers. "Ah. I did not realize we would have more in our company today. A pleasure to meet you. I am Akuleh of the Shundar-Quah."
The constant jostling of the beast beneath him was certainly not helping Akuleh overcome the splitting headache he was still working off, though the fresh air of the Tickwood was doing its part. He is a somewhat clumsy rider, especially in his thick hide armor, but the spears Foxglove provided are familiar enough tools to help him feel a bit more at ease.
"Indeed, riding to hunt is not the way of my quah, though others do it very well, for food and for war. My people tend to hunt on foot, with spear and bow. I am glad that my customs will not be too far out of the norm for to-" The Shoanti's words are cut off by the scampering boar, and Akuleh's eyes follow the creature into the underbrush.
One boar goes scurrying through the forest almost unaware of the hunters on the path. Mere seconds later, another larger boar comes rumbling out of the underbrush hot on the heels of the first boar. Aldern began to move after the first boar, but Algon's warning holds him at bay.
"Haha! Did you see the size of that one! We'll be eating salted pork for weeks."
"Salted pork never made anyone mad, I don't think." Rak attempts to quickly get off his horse, in hopes of getting into the boar's path to set his spear.
But he never had a chance at moving quickly enough for that. He gets down as quickly as he can, and takes a look at the oncoming boar.
He steps up next to the path, where he's sure to find an opportunity to strike as the boar moves past.
"I think the boars might beg to differ." Quickly retrieving a strip of cured leather from the pouch at her belt, Izbela places a hand on Algon's breastplate and recites an old Varisian incantation of protection over her guardian. "Mai puternic decât oțelul, mai ușoare decât aerul."
Once Izbela's enchantment has settled into place around him, Algon hands of the reins to the summoner before dismounting and drawing his greatsword. With a painful reminder of the importance of teamwork still fresh on his mind, the golden warrior decides to form ranks with Rak rather than charge headlong into battle, opting instead to let his enemy come to him.
Knowing as much as he would like to believe, Kadrian is not a skilled rider. But the swashbuckler is able to make Barley stop long enough to dismount his steed, spear in hand.
Akuleh carefully dismounts his horse, his longspear in hand, and examines the large boar.
"Hmm...that is a mighty beast indeed. Be on your guard, my friends!"
The smaller boar continues on its way undaunted by the arrival of the hunters. The second boar however turns and charges into the ranks of the hunters. It bears down on Aldern, tusks swinging wildly as it tries to rip into flesh. Fortunately for Aldern, Rak's spear digs deep into the boar's flesh which throws the boar's charge off target.
Something is just not right about the boar. First of all, it's huge, nearly twice the size of the smaller boar. It's harry. It's not just covered in fur but it seems to have hair. It's like the boar has a beard. There also seems a glint of intelligence in the beast's eyes.
"Wha-?! That is no ordinary boar! I am almost certain it possesses some kind of intellect. I suspect we may be the ones who are being hunted today."
Despite the shock of what is going on with this strange creature, Akuleh advances with his spear and thrusts at a point between its shoulders, right toward the heart.
One his turn, Kadrian will take a 5-ft. step forward, closing the gap with Aldern, and strike the beast with his spear.
Rak steps away from the boar to get more room for another strike, but finds that he still doesn't have enough room for a good swing. He studies the boar to get a feel for its weaknesses, hoping that when he gets a chance to strike, he can help end the combat quickly. Since he can't strike, he waves the already bloody spear in front of the boar's face, attempting to demoralize the beast.
"This is more than your average boar, indeed! Stay alert, this is no ordinary boar hunt!" A spark of intelligence in its eyes.... I've heard of such things. I wonder....
"Be careful, Algon" Izbela broadcasts through their shared mental link, more than a little chilled at the warnings Akuleh and Rak have given. Hoping to bolster her guardian and end the fight before anyone was hurt, Izbela retrieves her Harrow Deck and begins shuffling the cards, hopefully in Algon's favor. "And try to keep Aldern from getting hurt, if you can."
Feeling empowered by his summoner's magics, Algon grips the hilt of his greatsword in both hands and tries to bring it over the boar's flank in an overhead chop.
Akuleh's spear pierces the hide of the great boar and Rak's threatening posture is enough to put the boar off. Kadrian and Algon are unable to take advantage of the momentary distraction and neither is Aldern.
The boar, infuriated by Rak's attack and taunts, attempts to gore him but his attack lacks confidence and focus and doesn't connect.
Kadrian, still able to hold his spear, vigorously continues his attack against the massive boar.
Akuleh rises his spear and aims it at the same spot, shouting at the beast as he stabs downward, "If you have any hope to receive mercy, now is the time to reveal yourself and surrender!"
Rak takes another 5 foot step away from the beast, glad to have the freedom to swing his spear again. Gotta think of getting something smaller, yer too long resisting Cayden's wisdom here, Rak. Too long.
"If you have any hope to receive mercy, now is the time to reveal yourself and surrender!"
Wait, they don't think this is... In her studies, the summoner had come across mention of people who could - whether through magic or by curse or by virtue of their birthright - transform themselves into animals, and the way the Shoanti spoke to it makes her suspect that they might be dealing with one such person, but she isn't sure she can recall enough from her lessons to confirm or deny the theory. One thing was certain, however: Izbela was not going to have much of an appetite for pork later.
Underneath the outsider's steel helm, Algon's brow wrinkled in confusion, not understanding what the mortals were babbling about. To the simple guardian, the creature was a boar. A large boar, but a boar nonetheless. It was an animal of instinct, not intelligence, and the only mercy this one ought to be shown was a quick, clean death. Raising his greatsword high a second time, Algon slashes at the beast's side, intending to give the animal the mercy it deserves.
Kadrien's spear thrust finds the mark and spills more pig's blood on to the forest floor. Unfortunately Rak and Akuleh are unable to follow suit, but Algon's greatsword cuts a nasty swath through the boar's shoulder. It staggers backward a few feet and begins to laugh. A loud, bellowing laugh emanates from the boar as it rears up on to its hind legs. It sways briefly as blood continues to run from its wounds when its bones begins to pop. Its whole body shudders and it's mouth opens as it speaks.
"Fools. I will slay you all and suck the marrow from your bones!"
Aldern's mouth drops open and he stumbles backwards, dropping his spear in the process. All of the porters turn and flee in terror.
Having had the suspicion already, Rak isn't properly surprised when the beast transforms. But seeing is a bit more than suspecting, and the dwarf still recoils, almost falling backwards into the trees and bushes behind him.
Rak grips his spear tight as he utters a prayer to his guide. "ድንገተኛ አምላክ, የ ሰክሮ ቁጣ በእኔ በኩል ይፈስሳሉ እንመልከት"
Kadrian barks at his fellow noble, as the swashbuckler moves up to engage the hulking wereboar.
"I don't mean to alarm you all, but I don't think that's a normal boar!" A strange expression somewhat akin to a wild smirk crosses Akuleh's face, almost as if he is starting to enjoy this fight. He steps up and stabs at the wereboar's chest, still aiming for the beast's heart, despite its change in form.
Though not impressed by Aldern's resolve, Izbela can hardly blame the nobleman for falling back, or his men for fleeing. The beast's laugh was blood-curdling, his oath sent a thrill of fear down her spine, and his gruesome transformation made her gasp in mixed horror and revulsion. But seeing her love bravely charge the unnatural beast had the summoner quickly reacting in spite of her fear and, instead of bolstering Algon with the Harrow, Izbela reaches for her spell component pouch. I hope his mind is still human enough to be affected by my magic... With a pinch of wool in hand, Bela speaks the words of a Varisian incantation before sending the enchanted bit of fluff drifting toward the wereboar with a breath. "Mintea ta este întunecatã!"
Algon's glowing golden eyes widen at the boar's transformation into a half-boar, half-man creature. Suddenly the mortals' babbling was made clear. His grip on his greatsword slackens as he studies the creature, unsure of how to proceed. Knowing now that man-boar might be able to see reason, the otherworldly warrior was hesitant to slay him, though this changes when the monstrosity issues his threat.
Redoubling his grip on the greatsword, Algon steps up to the creature's side, bringing his blade up in an underhand strike as he does.
Rak's mind focuses on the foe ahead while Kadrian stabs the lycanthrope with his spear. Amazingly, the spear point doesn't seem to pierce the hide of the lycanthrope and neither does Akuleh's. Even Algon's greatsword seems to have little effect on the shapeshifter although it does draw a small bead of blood in its wake. The boar-man shrugs off the momentarily confusion and howls in and rage as he strikes out at Algon in retaliation.
Izbela watches in distress as Kadrian and Akuleh's weapons fail to leave a mark on the wereboar's seemingly impervious hide. Their weapons... They hardly left a scratch. That Algon managed to draw blood on the wereboar at all inspired a little hope within the summoner. Reaching once more into her spell pouch, Izbela withdraws a pinch of powdered iron and begins to cast another spell.
"Kadrian, love, get back!"
An uncharacteristic smirk creeps onto Algon's face at having drawn the beast-man's ire. After fending off the wereboar's attacks, the eidolon follows up with one of his own, bringing his greatsword to bear in a downward arc toward his enemy. The smirk abruptly falls from his face when he misses his mark and instead cuts a deep chunk out of the forest floor.
Quickly looking back to see if the swashbuckler has room, Kadrian takes a 5-ft. step backward, closing the gap between the noble and the summoner.
Kadrian keeps his spear up and ready to defend those behind him. A part of him wishes to take up his rapier instead, but the spear has superior reach.
"Dammit! I don't have anything silver except my holy symbol! By Cayden's bucket, I hate being so underequipped!"
Oh, this isn't going to be an easy one. Why's it always feel like we don't have the right weapons? Gotta get me some silver. The mum smiths it, don't she? Shameful not to have any, Rak. Shameful.
Rak tries to take advantages of what weaknesses he was able to identify in the wereboar's defenses and strategy, hoping to do enough damage to the creature to get through whatever mystical protections it must have.
Melee attack (Longspear): +8 (+1 BAB, +3 str, +1 studied target, +1 wrath, +2 flanking)
Melee damage (Longspear): 1d8+7 (+4 str, +1 studied target, +1 wrath, +1 zest for battle)
Akuleh's spear glances off of the were-beast's hide, and his primal grin turns to a disappointed grimace. He steps to the side, shifting his spear to hold it in his left hand while his right hand performs a series of gestures calling upon his ancestors' wrath. He utters a primal incantation and thrusts his hand at the creature, and a gout of flames erupts from palm. "Burn, monster!"
As Algon's blade swings wide of the wereboar, Izbela's magic slowly begins to flow into the outsider. Kadrian prepares to counter attack the lycanthrope while Rak presses the attack and pierces the flesh of the boar-man with a vicious stab of his spear. Akuleh sends waves of fire from his hands that sends the boar reeling.
With blood flowing from numerous wounds and scorched hair still smoldering, the wereboar frenzies and strikes out with reckless abandon at both Akuleh and Rak. The boar's attacks are without focus and while the gore misses Rak by inches, its teeth sink down into Akuleh's flesh.
Kadrian shouts in shock at the vicious attack of his friend.
Heedless of his safety, and with both Izbela and Algern safely behind him, the swashbuckler charges the wereboar with his spear.
Rak drops his spear and draws his Morningstar. Yup, this is it. The spear isn't your weapon, Rak. You follow Cayden, you need his weapon. And make sure it's silver, you dolt.
He swings the heavy-headed weapon over his head a couple of times, along with a fierce command. "Stand down, man-monster! I don't know who you are in life, but you're trouble that is not wanted in Sandpoint. Stand down!"
With the Morningstar still swinging above his head, he allows the follow-through from the last go-round to carry the head of the mace into the side of the beast.
Melee attack (Morningstar): +8 (+1 BAB, +3 str, +1 studied target, +1 wrath, +2 flanking)
Melee damage (Morningstar): 1d8+7 (+4 str, +1 studied target, +1 wrath, +1 zest for battle)
Akuleh steps back in panic as the wereboar's jaws snap shut inches from his abdomen. Deciding that it might be a good idea to fortify himself against the beast's assault, he calls upon his ancestors to shield him from this foul beast. A shimmering field of ghostly gray light appears in front of him, and the faces of fierce ancient warriors seem to appear in the light then fade away again.
"Un colos printre oameni." With the spell complete, the last of the powdered iron sifts through Bela's fingers and flows out toward Algon. Motes of enchanted dust catch the light here and there as they swirl around the eidolon's form, suffusing him with Bela's empowering magic.
Before Algon's transformation has time to complete, Izbela urges her steed to follow after her reckless love, bringing it to a halt at what she considers a safe distance from the wereboar. Focusing her eyes on the beast, the summoner once more attempts to bewitch its mind with a series of slow, circular gestures and a soothingly intoned incantation.
Algon plants his sword in the earth and leans heavily against it as Izbela's magic surges through him. It's a dizzying feeling for the outsider, watching as the ground beneath him and the mortals around him all seem to fall away, but he finds himself adjusting to the strange new enchantment quickly. By the time the magicked cloud of powdered iron dissipates, Algon is already standing steady and tall, the top of his plumed helm peaking up over some of the lesser trees surrounding the clearing. Leveraging the tremendous strength of newly enhanced form, the warrior heaves his massive blade high into the air before bringing it down over the beast's neck, seeking to cleave its head from its body.
Things look grim as Kadrian's spear jams hard into the wereboar's abdomen but fails to penetrate it's gut. Rak's words echo in the head of the boar and with its blood covering the woodland floor, it begins to doubt its own fate. Rak's mace misses the lycanthrope while Akuleh summons the protection of all those that came before him. Izbela's magic seems to stretch and bend the laws of reality just as Algon stretches and bends to Izbela's will. Just as Algon raises his enlarged greatsword, Izbela's magic probes the mind of the wereboar who, still distracted by Rak's words, finds his will broken for an instant. Algon does not let the opportunity pass. His tremendous blade descends fast, like a guillotine falling it easily severs the neck of the wereboar. It's head tumbles to the ground and blood spurts as the body collapses into a heap onto itself.
"Hah! Haha! You really are spectacular. Simply amazing, really. I knew I was right about you. I have a keen eye for talent let me tell you." It's hard to tell if Aldern is more impressed with the victory or his own instincts.
Out of breath, Kadrian looks around the carnage, finding Izbela's eyes. Once he finds them and is certain she is alright, the swashbuckler leans on his bloodied spear, and asks "Is everyone okay? Akuleh, I thought that monster had you!"
The point of Akuleh's spear drops to the dirt of the forest as the warrior doubles over, gasping for air. The excitement of the moment has passed and his exhaustion from the brief fight has caught up with him. When he finally catches his breath, the Shoanti stands straight again to answer Kadiran's question. "Yes, I'm alright. The beast certainly got close with that last bite, but I noticed he tended to turn his head to the right for his bites, so I was able to dodge out of the way. Lord Foxglove, are you alright? Wait, what do you mean about being right about us? What do you have in mind?"