"Don't take too long. We have to go to the lizard folk for the boy."
Chuffy does not like the puma.
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Arabeth sighs with relief that the violence is over as she heals her wounds and the Puma’s.
Asta speaks to the Puma, which continues to groom itself with on indication that it heard or understood her.
Torod voice’s his desire for haste so they go rescue the boy from the lizardfolk.
After a few minutes the Puma seems to finish grooming and looks at Asta giving her a stream of feline yewls.
The Puma stands and stretches, before heading off towards the south and the lizardfolk village.
"Apparently the big tabby knows where the Lizardmen took the boy. Mount up and ride!"
Arabeth nods and dutifully follws Lady Asta's command.
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The Puma stands and stretches, before heading off towards the south and the lizardfolk village.
Following the Puma, it takes about two hours to reach the Lizardfolk village. The horse and outriders are starting to get fatigued, but the PCs are still doing fine.
As your group approaches the island, you can see the lizardfolk village more clearly. A low, muddy hummock protrudes from the middle of the widening river, surrounded by a palisade of outward-facing, sharpened wooden stakes. Inside, tendrils of smoke rise from a handful of mounds clustered around a single larger mound. A simple wooden gate on the eastern side of the hummock seems to be the only entrance to the fortified island.
Fifty feet of water separate the island from both the north and south riverbanks. Approximately 150 feet in diameter, the island sits only about 10 feet above the level of the surrounding waters. The palisade is 10 feet high, with a narrow walkway along the top.
Standing on the riverbank you hear what sounds like young human cries of horror coming from the village"AAAAAAaaaaaAAAAaaaaaa.".
Along the way Chuffy is full of complaints. The puma is an enemy. Why are we following it? It's just one human pup. Why go through so much trouble? I'm hungry. When will we eat? The sun is bright and shining. It's hurting my eyes.
Torod's response is frustrated, but not too harsh, "Shut up and run."
At the riverbank Torod asks, "Anyone speak whatever language the lizard folk speak?"
Arabeth gasps in shock at the cries of the child coming from the village. Dismounting she hands the reigns of her mount to the nearest outrider and steps away fomr the group.
Looking to Lady Asta Arabeth stand tall and proud, if a little travel and combat worn, "M'Lady?! I seek to rush to the aid of the boy. May I?" She glances to Torod.
"Speaking their language should come second to seeing about the safety of the child." She does, however, offer a warm smile.
"Though I would hope you'll seek to offer parlay to yon peoples as hastily as you can?" Arabeth's hands reach to the great chain and clasps that hold her cloak about her shoulders.
"Calm you rage. Right now they hold the advantage. So, unless you can get us across the water and inside those wooden walls, and have some great ability to allow us to defeat a dozen or more lizard folk plus whatever beasts they may have, parlay is our best option."
"I can summon crocodiles to ferry us across," Asta offers.
"Hmmph, doesn't look that deep," Arctorus says as he wades out into the water.
"Then I'll bum a ride off of you, if you don't mind. I don't swim well."
Arabeth nods to Torod and Asta,
"Actually my idea is to simply get close enough for my healing magics to aid the child. If I can see him, I can help heal him." Arabeth points out. With Asta being carried by Arctorus Arabeth deosn't dally any longer.
Removing the clasps and chains from her shoulders her great cloak rustles as it drops from her shoulders....
... Only to spread, revealing great sable pinions who's span covers a good amount of feet.
Her nature revealed Arabeth arches her wings and with a great sweep launches herself skyward.
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Standing on the riverbank Torod conciles diplomacy asking if anyone speaks lizardfolk.
Arabeth ask Asta if she may rush to the child’s aid.
Torod strongly suggest parlaying.
Asta offers to summon crocodiles to ride across on.
Arctorus wades into the water which quickly gets deeper and is forced to swim, which is not a problem for him.
Asta jumps on Arctorus for a ride.
Arabeth removes the clasp from the feather cloak and spreads her wings flying up over the lizardfolk village.
Arabeth see two lizardfolk guards at the gate, but she doesn't see the boy. His screams can be heard coming from one of the northern mounds.
The two lizard guards start yelling and point their spears at Arabeth.
Arctorus and Asta swim up to the gates.
The palisade’s wooden gate is about 8 feet high and barred on the inside, you can try to break through or try to remove the gates from their poorly made hinges . Lizardfolk are not known for their architectural skills.
Torod swims across alongside Asta and Arctorus.
Chuffy too.
Arabeth circles the mound in which it sounds like the boy is curently. Her gaze seeking out details of the marshy ground below.
She continues to fly above the Lizard Men mounds, hapy to be a distraction for her comrades in the waters below.
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Arabeth continues to circle above trying to locate the one where the boy’s screams are coming from.
Torod and Chuffy swim out to join Asta and Arctorus in front of the gates.
The to lizardfolk continue to yell and point their spears at Arabeth, leaving the gate unguarded.
Several more Lizardfolk poke her heads out of their mud huts to see what the ruckus is about. Four more Lizardfolk join the two guards in the village.
You can still hear the screams of terror from a young boy ”AaaaaAaaaaAaaaa…”
The palisade’s wooden gate is about 8 feet high and barred on the inside, you can try to break through or try to remove the gates from their poorly made hinges . Lizardfolk are not known for their architectural skills.
Arctorus tries the door, but when it doesn’t budge, he looks over and moves the bar that was holding it closed before opening it and stepping through. He casts an awkward glance at Arabeth flying above, but looks back to the ground and for the nearest lizard man before saying ”We wanna talk. We want the boy back.”
Arctorus looks at the lizard men and how much he looks like them. He turns to Asta and says quietly ”If you need to use me to make them give him up, feel free. Maybe I can challenge their chief to a fight for control of the tribe, since I’m basically a lizard man too?”
"We'll see what's to be done," Asta whispers back. "But you are not of their kind, Arctorus. You are not a man-eater content to squat in a mud hut in a swamp."
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Arctorus reaches over and lifts the gate bar and opens said gates.
Asta Shouts in Draconic that causes all the lizardfolk to look at her and argue among themselves for a bit as more Lizardfolk come out of the mud huts to join the crowd.
One mutters Kel smoedros irk Kerdo Umada!. One of the braves barks back with bravo ”Ud krase iredo kuth ik oura drekk.” Another lizardfolk mutters ”Hikk udra kuth edu meka nudo brkek wudv ofk.” A big warrior shakes his weapon at the group ”Udrak ukk edk yradf werff ud ikurak ddrow!”
Arctorurs offers to Asta to fight their chief.
Asta tells Arctorus to wait and see that he isn’t like the lizardfolk.
As all the lizardfolk exit the mud huts and one warrior gets two dog-like lizards on leashes out of another hut.
Out of the Center large hut, a Large lizardfolk exit followed by a few more lizardfolk and two large blood Caimans obviously well trained. All the lizardfolk become quite as they look to this large one obviously the leader!
The chief turns towards your group calling out in common ”You have invaded our village! Tell me why I should not have my people kill you where you stand!”
In the background you still can hear Tig screaming in terror "AAAAaaaarraaaAAAaaaa."
Arctorus has grown tired of all the chasing of this kid and wants this over with. He steps forward and says ”The boy belongs to these people. Give him back and this is will be done. If you refuse, then fight me instead of hiding behind your people!”
He plants the blade of his axe in the mud, and points at him. ”You can choose! Weapons or claws! Or you can choose to let the boy go and everybody live in peace! Or you can make your people fight, we defeat you all anyway, and THEN we take the boy home! How do you want to settle it? With honor?”
Torod surveys the field of battle and counts the enemies. "Worse than I hoped, better than I expected."
He then gives tactical advice "Don't rush them. Let them come to us. Asta and I still have some tricks to mitigate their numbers."
Arabeth looks for a space to alight.
Upon finding a place both large and close enough to her compatriots she gracefully adn deftly lands.
"Or you can have peace," Asta tells the Lizardfolk chieftain. "My people are growing into the lands around you, our nation growing like winter ice. Deal peacefully with me, return the boy here and now, and we can set borders around your swamp so your nation should not be bothered. We can have treaties and you will be left alone. Deal with us in war, and you will live under the shadow of war. You breed slowly, and the cold of winter makes you weak. A year, maybe two, and the only survivors who have not been swept away will live as my servants."
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Arctorus demands the boy be given back and challenges the Chief to a personal battle of combat.
Torod surveys the village full of lizardfolk commenting about the numbers and gives some tactical advice.
Arabeth flies over to join the group landing gracefully.
Asta speaks to the Chieftain directly telling him if he doesn't deal with her now he people will be doomed.
The Chieftain flexes his muscles speaking to both his lizardfolk and then to the invaders, ”I do not fear you champion, nor do I fear your winter bluster. Winter comes and goes and we Lizardfolk are still here! Your winter will be no different! Our ancestors spirit protects us and demands the boy’s fear Nevertheless, I accept your pathetic champion’s challenge, and when I stand over his broken body you and your people must leave and never come south again!”
The tribe of lizardfolk all nod as they clear a area for the contest to take place. Some cheering loudly others looking less pleased and worried.
The Chief holds forth his Trident, ”I fight with my weapons, enter the circle meat if you dare!” He entered the circle flexing his muscles and swing the trident as an intimidating display.
The large lizardfolk chief waits to see what Arctorus does!
Arctorus: is shaken for 3 rounds (-2 to hit, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.)
Chief:
Arctorus grabs his axe and steps in, not waiting for permission, and eyes the chieftain warily. He works a bit of his own magic, placing a bit of shielding up to bolster his defenses after the chiefs bravado.
__________
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Arctorus steps into the circle speaking in words of power and moving his hands in arcane pattern the large warrior cast magic.
The chief hisse, ”Your tricks will not save you!” With that he charges Arctorus with his Trident. Despite the unseen shield protecting Arctorus the three prongs stab deeply into the Bloodrager wounding him with first blood.
About half the lizardfolk cheer their chief’s successful strike.
Arctorus: +16 dam; shaken for 3-1=2 rounds (-2 to hit, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.) Shield +4ac 5 min.
Chief Vesket: -2 AC due to charge
Arctorus takes the hit with gritted teeth, then roars in defiance at the chief and retaliates with an attack of his own!
__________
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Arctorus retaliates with a vicious raging strike from his axe that cuts deeply into Chief Vesket’s hide.
Some of the lizardfolk hiss their approval of two well-matched warriors battling on the field.
The chief snarls as he strikes again with the trident and then lashes out biting Arctorus. The oversized fork sticks the Bloodrager again, but the bite is deflected by the magic shield.
Many lizardfolk make a hissing cheering noise show their approval of their chief’s second successful strike.
Arctorus: 16+18 = 34 dam; shaken for 2-1=1 rounds (-2 to hit, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.) Shield +4ac 5 min.
Chief Vesket: +30 dam
Arctorus cleaves his axe into the Chief again and rips it free in a furious tear!
__________
Arabeth gasps in seeming shock as the Lizard Chief and Arctorus quickly state their challeneges and thence proceed to try and... kill.. each other.
She steps closer to Lady Asta and Seraph. "Will there be 'Quarter' given, do you think?" She asks quietly, concern evident in her voice.
Arabeth absently chews her lip, hands balling into clenched fists as her fears and worries for Arctorus grow...
"No," Asta replies to Arabeth, "I do not think so."
Before the battle can begin, the Witch Queen mutters a single Word of Power.
Torod's faith in Arctorus isn't strong. "We won't actually just leave the boy will we?" He asks Asta.
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Again Arctorus’ axe cleaves deeply into the Chief’s body leaving a nasty would that would kill lesser creatures just by itself. Arctorus’ feels more confident as is no longer shaken.
Many of the lizardfolk hiss as they feel the Chief’s pain, but are riveted to the battle.
Arabeth gasps in shock at the fierce battle. Worried about Arctorus, she Asks her allies if there will be quarter given.
Asta shakes her head no, as she continues to concentrate on detecting magic for the 3rd round.
During the 1st round, she detected the presence of magical auras.
During the 2nd round, she can tell that beyond Arctorus’ magic there are three more magic auras the most potent is of moderate enchantment.
In the 3rd round, she can tell the moderate aura belongs to the chief’s Trident, and that he has a potion of faint magic. There is also a faint magic aura floating 20ft above the center camp.
Torod wonders if they are going to take the boy despite the battle’s outcome.
The chief roars in pain from the second great wound. He rallies his strength attack again with the Trident followed by a bite. His Trident hits hard wounding Arcturus but is deflected by the magic shield from doing more damage. The shield doesn't help against the Chief’s bite that leaves another wound on Arcturus.
Most the lizardfolk are cheering their chief’s successful double strike.
to hit
Possible Critical for Keen Trident
to hit
Arctorus: 34+16+7 = 57 dam; Shield +4ac 5 min.
Chief Vesket: 30+30 = 60 dam
Arctorus pries the chiefs jaws free, and pushes him back enough to free himself from the trident. He could feel himself nearing death, and knew it was this attack or the end.
”RRAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!” he roars as he brings his axe to bear one more time, aiming for where the chief’s neck and shoulder meet...
__________
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Bearly standing Arctorus brings his axe down one more time striking the chief for the third time cutting deeply into his shoulder.
The lizardfolk chief stands there his eyes staring with murderous intent at Arctorus, then he collapses to the ground not yet dead, but dying.
All the lizardfolk go quite!
Combat bold may act:
Arctorus: 57 dam; Shield +4ac 5 min.
Chief Vesket: 60+29 = 89 dam *** Dying ***
"Surrender to me, here and now, and I will save your chieftain's life," Asta says in glacial tones. "You may yet live in peace."
Arctorus, the rage and adrenaline still coursing through his veins, wheels around and glares at the rest of the gathered lizard men, his eyes daring any of them to join their falllen Chief.
Asta glides towards Arctorus and places a hand on his back. Before the eyes of the Lizardfolk, some of his wounds start to visibly close.
Torod readies his bow in case the tribe does not agree to Asta's demand.
Arctorus’ breathing slows, and his muscles relax. He lowers his axe and between panted breaths he looks to the nearest lizard folk and says ”The boy. Bring him here. Now. Safe.”