"There is no need to hurry. We cannot outrun a wolf. Or its pack. Or a werewolf."
Andrzej draws his glittering scimitar and checks its edge for flaws, then puts it away again in a fluid motion. He mentally reviews what spells are left and the incantations required.
To Tybalt's question, Darra raises an eyebrow. "Safe? In the Mists? No. No one is safe in the Mists. But the werewolves will not follow us into them, if that is what you mean."
You progress onward among the twisted trees, faint noises from the undergrowth making your hair feel as if it were standing on end. There is another howl, but still at some distance.
"If werefolk do not go into the mists, is it wise for us to do so? Not to question your wisdom, lovely Lady Darra, just to understand," Leandro bows to Darra.
"Unless they do not pursue. Perhaps the howls are to send us into the clutches of something far worse. See. Paranoia is rife in this Land if you let it. If it makes you feel better ..... then watch out. We do not control our lives here....that is the illusion of fate."
"I'd rather let the vicissitudes of the mists determine my fate, than stay here with Werewolves." Tybalt says his hand touching the pommel of his whip.
"Take my chances there, rather then out here." He looks round as he hustles forward, nodding in agreement with Andrzej.
Darra regards Leandro with some frustration. "The Mists are the way to get where you are going. With our guidance, you will pass through relatively quickly. There is safety in numbers so long as we stick together. With some good fortune, we will avoid any confrontations there."
The next hour feels more like an entire day, always watching over your shoulder and waiting for the next lonely howl. You take pains to leave little in the way of tracks, and stay alert to any dangers. At length, the fog begins to dissipate and you reach the edge of the forest. A wide vale stretches before you and in the distance, far across the other side, you can barely make out a roiling curtain of Mist which shimmers gray in the starlight. It is still a mile distant.
A howl pierces the night, this time the closest yet. It is coming from behind you. Another howl answers it.
"They are coming," Tannis says.
'We'll need a rope or something to keep us together in the mists.' he thinks, the sound of the howl brings a deep uncertain feeling in his stomach. Trying to put a stoic visage, he looks to the others.
"We cannot reach the Mists in time. Ambush is impossible..." Tybalt pauses; "Would they flee from an illusion - though it couldn't fool all their senses." He desperately tries to think of some way of avoiding conflict with the ravening beasts.
"Create a giant rock around us all. Even if they scent us as they approach, they cannot see us. If we all stand ready with bows, we will be able to pick them off or charge out and take them a bit by surprise," Eliva suggested, then tucked her arrow in her belt as she muttered a spell over her bow.
She nocked the arrow to the bow. "Remember, if you don't have silver, hit as hard as you can, forsaking accuracy for dealing great damage. We have to get through their tough hides."
Eliva scans the land about them for any approaching danger.
"Good idea, block their lines of sight...." Tybalt says with a hurried nervousness and a tight smile to the archer. "Though it seems they are surrounding us."
Taking a deep breath Tybalt starts to chant a bolstering litany, his leather boots thumping down upon the soggy ground bringing up splatters of mud across the calf of his trousers. A rousing chant to incite the blood and drive the terror from his own heart and into the enemy.
The owl upon his shoulder flaps it's wings in time to the beat, as the bard creates his illusion. Shaping a stone cairn around the group, he concentrates on just what's about the happen.
"I would protect you while you flee, but fear they would pursue those without silver," Leandro sighs, turning to face the howls and taking up the silver sword in both hands. He places himself between the howls and the rest of the group, away from the bard. "Even if they believe your illusion, young Tybalt, they can smell. They will know someone is here. Weave your spell around those who cast spells and fire darts, to protect them."
Sword in hand, he bows his head and speaks aloud. "Divine and beauteous Shelyn, hear the call of thy humble servant in this far and terrible place. Cleanse thou, I beg, this good armor from the taint of her who gave it, and bless it in the service of good."
Andrzej pulls out a scroll and casts the magic of faster movement and then draws his flask of alchemists fire. The silver scimitar glitters briefly as he slides it out of the scabbard and flattens the blade against his leg.
"A rope is wise for staying together in the Mists," Darra remarks distractedly. "Do none of you have magic to grant flight, or make us invisible, or give us speed to outrun them across the vale?"
"Not I." Tybalt says distractedly, attempting to keep the harmony in his mind. Firmly concentrating on the illusion, to maintain the prospect of the ambush - he breathes deeply and slowly.
"We can try to make the mists, lady," Leandro replies, "Though I've no idea if we will arrive before they catch us. I can run for only a minute or two in this armor, but can keep to a jog after that."
"Nor can I Darra. I agree with the others, its apparent we will not outrun our pursuers. Let's take our stand here. I can cast Protection from evil on all of us, when our attackers arrive." Res draws his silver greatsword and readies Protection from Evil. communal for when the first attacker comes into sight.
"I agree. Fight here and not in the Mists."
"They are long in coming," Leandro remarks, "Perhaps we can continue towards the mists until they arrive?"
"I'm not sure if a rolling stone would gimme shelter?" Tybalt worries, though until the lycanthropes actually close it wouldn't matter he concludes.
"Very well then," Darra says, "Perhaps we can ambush the ambushers."
As the party starts out across the vale, it is not long before the sounds of the wolves approach. Tybalt conjures a large boulder to throw off the hunters. In short order, your pursuers come into view, illuminated through the drifting fog by the waning half-moon.
Four unnaturally large wolves, with long teeth and slick, shining fur snarl and huff as they circle the rock. They snort and sniff as their senses conflict. They smell their quarry, but cannot see it.
Tybalt concentrates on his illusion, his heart beating faster as the quartet approach. The bard tries to keep it under control and think of some scathing words for the beasts.
"Nor can I Darra. I agree with the others, its apparent we will not outrun our pursuers. Let's take our stand here. I can cast Protection from evil on all of us, when our attackers arrive." Res draws his silver greatsword and readies Protection from Evil. communal for when the first attacker comes into sight.
The wolves snarl and sniff in frustration.
Eliva
Res
Werewolves 1-3
Darra
Andrzej
Werewolf 4
Leandro
Tannis
Tybalt
Anuqa
Tybalt whispers softly as he releases his illusion; "I say, I say, I say. How do you scare a doggie?"
he shouts loudly at the animals.
Then he shakes his head with regret; "That was a howler."
As the werewolves come into sight, Res casts a spell on Darra, Tannis, Andrzej, Tybalt and Anuqa to protect them from the evil beasts approaching.
He then casts the same protection on himself.
Res moves in front of Anuqa to protect the wizard. He sizes up the werewolves staring down at them. He lifts up Gorum's holy symbol, and entreats, "Mighty Gorum, fill these beast with knowledge that your power will help us vanquish them. Cast Bane on the werewolves.
Eliva shoots, aiming carefully, at the nearest wolf.
Leandro helps Res build a wall between the wolves and the more vulnerable of the party.
The party boosts its defenses as Eliva lets loose an arrow, which strikes one of the wolves solidly. Focusing their attacks on a single target, your allies try to make the best of their advantage.
Anuqa sends some magic missiles hurtling at the same werewolf struck by Eliva's arrow.
Darra does the same.
Andrzej and Tannis fire arrows at it as well.
Andrzej's bolt wounds it, but Tannis's iron-tipped arrow does not seem to injure the beast.
The first werewolf is badly wounded.
Res steps forth and bestows his curse upon the werewolves.
Eliva is up
Res (posted)
Werewolves 1-3 (2 and 3 baned)
Darra
Andrzej
Werewolf 4
Leandro (posted - feel free to edit if you change your mind on anything)
Tannis
Tybalt
Anuqa
Eliva takes aim again at the snarling creature and unleashes another arrow. The wolf yelps like a wounded dog as the arrow imbeds itself in the beast's haunch.
Its fur dripping blood and its snarls growing ever more enraged, the first wolf charges at Eliva in retaliation. He tries to drag her off her feet.
Two of the other werewolves rise onto their rear legs and, with a grinding of bone and rending of flesh, transform into half man, half wolf beasts. They snarl and drool before advancing on your position.
Darra steps back and releases another pair of magic missiles at the wounded wolf.
With another shrill yelp, the werewolf collapses to the ground, overcome by its wounds.
Andrzej
Werewolf 4
Leandro (posted - feel free to edit if you change your mind on anything)
Tannis
Tybalt
Anuqa
Eliva
Res (posted)
Werewolves 2 and 3 (baned)
Darra
Andrzej summons his reserves and wills the stormbolt back into his mind then he casts the spell into his scimitar and attacks the nearest werewolf.
The magus turns his first steps into a blinding fast spin and attepmts to distract the wolfman as he slices into its neck.
Unfortunately the creature ducks well before the blade gets close.
With a growl as angry and feral as anything the werewolf before her can summon, Eliva surges to her feat and launches another silver arrow, this time at the creature attacking Res, summoning the power of Erastil to lend her blow strength against the lycanthrope.
Andrzej's swing misses the werewolf.
Like the other two, the werewolf that has kept its distance shifts horrifically into a wolf-man hybrid. To your further horror, the wolf begins to sing. It is a bleak, snarling sort of song, praising the pack and whetting the appetites of his cohorts with thoughts of fresh meat. The two werewolves before you seem emboldened by his encouragement.
Leandro extends his divine power to bolster your defenses against the foul attackers. Tannis the ranger produces a silver shortsword which he swings at the beast attacking Res. The silver blade sears the werewolf's flesh.
Tybalt
Anuqa
Eliva
Res
Werewolves 2 and 3 (baned, inspire courage)
Darra
Andrzej
Werewolf 4
Leandro
"Hey wolves, I'll give you paws for thought before you attack another traveller." he unfurls the silvered spiked whip and flick it towards the creatures legs. "Especially if they will be Mist." he says referring to their destination.
Res draws his silver great sword and takes a powerful swing at the werewolf threatening him. "You've had your last meal, beast!" roars Res.
,
Tybalt's whip fails to ensnare a werewolf. Anuqa mutters an incantation and his hand becomes coated with white frost. He steps up to the werewolf engaged with Leandro and reaches out his hand.
While the werewolf dodges smartly out of the way, the sorcerer's hand remains coated with frost.
The werewolf in front of Res howls as Eliva's silver arrow pierces him soundly. He renews his assault, ducking Res's sword just before it would strike him. He swipes at Eliva with his wicked claws, his fangs bared with dark fury.
The other werewolf swipes with his claws at Leandro.
Darra unleashes a ray of fire at the singing werewolf.
Andrzej
Werewolf 4
Leandro
Tybalt
Anuqa
Eliva
Res
Werewolves 2 and 3 (baned, inspire courage)
Darra
Andrzej slips round the back of the fight, his scimitar still crackles and pops and then he slides the blade gently into the back of the nearest werewolf.
The mists seem to ripple and pull round one foot and again the sword misses. The Vistani purses his lips and begins to wonder if this is the day....
The werewolf at a distance continues his song, but adds a few arcane gestures. A pattern of shimmering colors and shapes appears in your midst, which can distract the unwary from the melee.
Leandro (needs to roll a save)
Tybalt
Anuqa
Eliva
Res
Tannis
Werewolves 2 and 3 (baned, inspire courage)
Darra
Andrzej
Werewolf 4
Leandro nods as the Vistani moves into a position trapping one of the werewolves between the two allies. His silver sword swings through the air as he strikes at the creature.
Anuqa's right hand glows with an eerie blue light.
The glow remains on Anuqa's hand.
Res takes another swing at the werewolf threatening him with his greatsword.
,
Leandro wounds the werewolf in front of him which cries out in agony as the silver blade sears his flesh. Still, he manages to avoid Anuqa's grasp.
Res strikes the other werewolf with a powerful blow. The werewolf struggles to stay on his feet and has nearly succumbed to his injuries.
His eyes go wide as the freezing touch chills Eliva, the goosebumps raise upon his arms just from the vicinity. The edge of Tybalts vision blurs at the thought of the pain that must be racking her. Dropping his whip at his feet he reaches out, placing the hand upon her shoulder.
From deep inside he draws upon the strength, a deep inspirational pool and transfers his life essence to her.
"Hey, fuzz-face, cool it." Tybalt taunts; "Fur if you don't then you'll be howling in pain...." he pauses a look of distaste slipping across the dark visage. "Actually you should get packing, because otherwise all of you things will die."