Initiative
Swarm 21
Ottar 17
Ragnarr 14
Kvedulf 14
Ettercap 6
Dorvarr 6
Vladimir 4
Utgaror 2
To update the scene:
The Ettercap facing Ragnarr is dead. The one by Kveldulf gravely wounded is attempting to stand up. The third by Ottar and Dorvarr also is attempting to stand up from Vladimir's ovverun. Though wounded it remains in fighting shape. Ottar and Dorvarr are also imperilled by the crawling swarm that has released from the eggs.
The fire threatens to collapse the far end of the barn within 1 round. The fire on the ground by Ragnarr will grow 10 feet each round. (Thus threatening Vladimir next round)
Hope that catches everything.
The stout man delivers a crushing blow to the creature as it is knocked down.
The last onslaught of the ettercap facing Ragnarr, and the burning debris have both taken a heavy toll on the man-beast and left him bloodied. He is barely able to stand, and seems on the verge of passing out. He growls at the men behind the barricade: "Move back and be freed, else be dead..."
He swings at the barricade with all his might
Kveldulf grins menacingingly as he spies the ettercap trying to rise from the floor.
"Stay down demon, it will be easier for you.." he mutters quietly to himself.
As the monster gets to it's knees, the raging warrior brings his flail back and brings the head crashing against the monster's already mangled face. The contact force of the blow skews the monsters head sideways in an unnatural angle, more of the ichorous liquid flying from the creatures fanged mouth as it does so.
A heartbeat later, the massive hound jumps again onto the ettercap's back as it tries to rise. This time the massive hound rips the backside of the creature's neck open in a massive display of power. A sickening snapping sound is audible as the great hound tears through the creatures insectoid spine with it's large jaws.
How much blood can one sack of flesh contain? the warrior thinks to himself while taking in the grisly scene before him.
Dorvarr's mighty blow fells the unearthly beast as the hammer cracks the base of the creature's spine. It collapses to the ground lifeless. Not to be bested Kveldulf's devestating flail strikes down his adversary. Yet though the creatures are dispatched their swarming brood teems and crawls with hungry life threatening the cleric and skald. More fiery ash spouts downwards and ominous groaning sounds echo from above.
Vlad up.
Vlad ignores the threat of the flames for now- hopefully he can make a dash next round. He draws his sword and slashes at the bindings of the cage, attempting to shear it from its frame.
Vlad calls urgently to the children. "Come, now!".
Vlad ignores the threat of the flames for now- hopefully he can make a dash next round. He draws his sword and slashes at the bindings of the cage, attempting to shear it from its frame.
Vlad calls urgently to the children. "Come, now!".
Vladimir bursts the bindings in a hasty frenzy as the fires begin to lick up behind him. The two youth, a thin red haired lad and a blond haired girl both appearing quite sickly and weak emerge from the cage coughing back the black fumes. The girl's eyes widen as she sees the ring of fire rising on the ground before her and beyond the crawling mass of spidery vermin.
As Utgaror finishes his druidic chant, the form of a stout black bear appears by the shattered eggs sacs. Raising its great paw it trounces downward at the gibbering horrors but the surging swarm moves too swiftly.
atk 8=2+6
Utgaror snatches a torch from his backpack and lights it from the burning hay. The druid moves quickly to assist Ottar and Dorvarr.
Both the cleric and skald see countless tiny horrors gibbering and trampling one another as the grotesque newborns slaver to feed their appetite. As they move disturbing features can be discerned. The creatures appear something between those hairy black spiders and sickly pink newborn humans. Dozens of tiny mandibles click and chatters as they come, slavering venmous drool. Suddenly the crawling mass sweeps over the two adventurers biting and clawing feverishly.
swarm dam 9
Both feel a woozing sickness as the arachnids venomous bites dig deep into their flesh. Dorvarr's hardiness spares him but Ottar already weakened succumbs.
Dorvarr Fort sv 19, Ottar 11, 3 dex dam
Meanwhile by Ragnarr, Vladimir and the two beleaguered youth the barn groans as the far wall sags down dangerously and parts of it sloughing off in the flames cast more flaming debris. The young knight valiantly shields the children from harm though he is blasted by the scorching heat. The barbarian fares better but it is apparent that in a few more seconds the far wall will collapse inward engulfing all in a fiery end.
Also moving thru the flames on the ground to rejoin the other three requires a Jump/Tumble check or 1d6 fire. .
Ottar up.
Ottarr franticly stabs at the approaching swarm, missing horribly. His stomach churns as he rushes away from them.
Meanwhile by Ragnarr, Vladimir and the two beleaguered youth the barn groans as the far wall sags down dangerously and parts of it sloughing off in the flames cast more flaming debris. The young knight valiantly shields the children from harm though he is blasted by the scorching heat. The barbarian fares better but it is apparent that in a few more seconds the far wall will collapse inward engulfing all in a fiery end.
Also moving thru the flames on the ground to rejoin the other three requires a Jump/Tumble check or 1d6 fire. .
Careful not to slip on the grimy mess on the barn floor around him, Kveldulf moves hastily to assist Ragnarr and Vladimir.
With a grunt he leaps through the flames with a growl. In his battle frenzy, he seems not to notice the flames as they lick about his body. In the brief moment as the warrior passes through the flame a portion of his hair catches alight. With an angered roar the great warrior swats at his head to put it out as if trying to swat biting insects.
Uruz watches his master, whining with worry, but does not follow him into the flames.
Acting as if he were not on fire just moments before, Kveldulf comes to his feet next to the his friends.
"Though the flames may be hot, do not be afraid. I have traversed the flames and so shall you. Now let us fly from here before the whole cursed roof crashes down upon us!"
He then places himself with his companions to form a bit of a human shield around the youths to try and protect them as they travel through the fire.
Vlad gathers the children in his arms and tucks his head down, pushing through the flames licking at his body. He lets out a groan, muffled by his clenched teeth.
Yes it affects both of you and it is half damage rnded down with your successful save. The end of the barn that you ran down to confront the large ettercap is the one most affected by the fire. The end wall of the barn is about to fall down so the whole area is pelted by the debris.
Ottar: Just a note your Dex should be at 5 from the poison.
The skald and the cleric both beat a retreat from the burning barn. Dorvarr successfully delivers a strong parting blow to the foul broodswarm crushing a score of the gibbering horrors. Ottar's vision swims as the nausea roils within slowing his movement. Dorvarr passes the threshold of the barn while Ottar just reaches the doorway.
Kveldulf's offer of aid though appreciated helps the knight little who loaded down with his armour and the two children simply attempts to rush through it as fast as possible.
Utgaror and his fierce bear companion engage the swarming abomination hoping to clear the way for their companions. The summoned bear angered by the swarm swipes at the creatures with both of his great claws ripping into scores of the alien brood. Utgaror similarly stabs his spear down in a flurry of strikes slashing and impaling more of the creatures.
Bear: claw atk 24 dam 6 /claw atk 21 dam 7
Utgaror: atk 24 dam 8
The solidity of the swarm's mass breaks up as the remaining creatures skitter and gibber in each and every direction intent on fleeing. A mass of the broken, bloody creatures remain on the barn floor.The druid yells, "The things are vanquished. Run! This place is coming down!" Utgaror runs swiftly back joining Ottar at the doorway.
The barn strains further under the collapsing weight. Smoke fills the air. The far wall begins to pitch forward.
Blood pumps steadily out of the numerous gashes that mar Ragnarr's body. The blood loss, the intensity of the flames, and sheer exhaustion causes the man-beast to falter. He drops to his knees, then face down on the hay-strewn earth, amid the burning debris, his great axe falling from his hand and making a dull ring as it too hits the ground.
:
Had 1 hit point left before the fire damage, lost 4 from successful save = -3. Lost another 6 hit points due to loss of 6 temporary hit points as a result of the rage ending, so Ragnarr is currently at -9.
The druid seeing his comrade fall leaves his summoned bear to deal with the ravenous swarm and rushes through the fires to Ragnarr. The druid cries out as the flames roar burning his skin.
Utgaror incants quickly and with a glowing hand restores the barbarian pulling him from death's door.
OOC]First off, I'm pretty sure Kveldulf took some fire damage jumping through the fire on his last action. Seeing as I have yet to take a point of damage yet this combat, can I have some? :D[/OOC]
fire dam 5
To clarify init we are at the top of the round with Ottar. That said at this point feel free to declare what you're character is doing.
[ooc]Thanks for the cure, DM. Is that 2 fire damage to be applied to Ragnarr after having been healed of 11 points of damage, or was that intended for Utgaror? If for Ragnarr, is the 2 before or after the save, and if before... what is the save DC? My apologies if I'm a little confused.
As Utgaror channels energy into Ragnarr, the man-beast's eyes flutter open, but just barely. His breath is shallow and laboured, and with great difficulty, he grabs his axe and pushes himself up from the ground. He grunts his gratitude to the druid, then begins to hobble out after Vlad and the others...
Jumping clumsily again through the flames, Kveldulf once again extinguishes himself as he runs to his unconscious companion.
Worry creases Kveldulf's brow as he watches Utgaror work his healing ritual on the unconscious beast man.
"I'll not let the babes of theses demons consume you Ragnarr! Back to Nifelhel from whence you came demon spawn."
He roars as he brings the head of his flail down squashing several of the demon insects, the head of his flail now so covered in gore from all the work its done this day that none of the bluish steel shows through the grime.
The stout man is concerned as the party is slow to evacuate the burning barn. As the group exits, he assesses the state of their injuries.
Ottarr continues to stiffly run a short distance before stopping and looking back at the others.
Kveldulf clumsily attempts to leap over the curtain of fire but is stung by the heat of the flames as he charges down upon the undulating mass of vermin. fire dam 4
His flail slams down breaking up the remaining horrors. He gazes up in apprehension as the rafters continue to crash down around him.
The remaining party members charge out in a breakneck speed to escape the collapsing inferno. Vladimir clenches his teeth as carrying the two youth he dashes through the fire.
fire dam 3
Utgaror stays close to the wounded Ragnarr ready to drag his comrade if need be.
Adrenalin still pumping through his veins, Kveldulf sprints at full speed out of the burning barn, the rage roaring in his head barely beating back the fear filling his gut from the threat of the burning structure collapsing upon him. Uruz follows loping easily behind his master, ignorant to the extent of danger in the moment.
Reaching his companions, he approaches a full rain water barrel and sticks his head all the way under its icy surface. As if imitating a dog, his head bursts back up from the surface of water as he gasps for air. He shakes his head from side to side sending water droplets spraying in every direction. They light up like tiny fireflies as the sunlight causes them to sparkle momentarily.
"The Gods of our ancestors have blessed us this day. We live to fight in their honor another day! May it be forever so." exclaims the grizzled veteran.
Still gasping for air from the amazing amount of physical exertion displayed in the past minutes, he falls to the ground propping his back against the barrel.
Ragnarr in his weakened state almost leaps over the writhing curtain of fire but does not pass unscathed.
fire dam 2
Utgaror has better luck as he manages to lift his legs completely over the barrier.
Jump 19= 17+2
The druid holding onto the burned and wounded barbarian pushes him forward. The far end of the barn heaves forward the wall completely gutted drops downward. The burning roof follows it in a hissing, crackling explosion. The two leap forward over the threshold as the barn comes crashing inward in a great column of smoke and flame. Exhausted both of the adventurers lie on the ashen ground their lungs heaving thanking the Gods for a narrow escape.
Outside the farm is silent save for the crackling of the barn and the surrounding forest.
Ragnarr, blackened, burned, and bloodied, closes his eyes as he lays motionless on the ground a few feet beyond the blazing ruins...
Vlad, praying for deliverance as the roof heaves inwards, looses his shield to the floor and dashes for the door, calling for aid. "Tyr, help me!!!"
However, his foot becomes caught in some of the burning hay and he stumbles.
Vlad, praying for deliverance as the roof heaves inwards, looses his shield to the floor and dashes for the door, calling for aid. "Tyr, help me!!!"
However, his foot becomes caught in some of the burning hay and he stumbles.
The stout man quickly assesses the group's injuries, tending to the badly weakened bard first. As the party rests, it seems most of their wounds a superficial, so he doesn't tax his Thor-granted powers on them, just in case there's more trouble to be found...
The stout man quickly assesses the group's injuries, tending to the badly weakened bard first. As the party rests, it seems most of their wounds a superficial, so he doesn't tax his Thor-granted powers on them, just in case there's more trouble to be found...
"Thank you, Dorvarr."
"Thank you, Dorvarr."
As you recover from your wounds and catch your breath. The two youth look around the scene of devastation. Both bear a heavy and forlorn expression. The girl sobs and the lad tries his best to comfort her but he too is clearly distraught. You overhear his words of assurance, 'Father may still be alive." But his words ring hollow as stares grimly at the homestead.
As the worst of Ragnarr's cuts scab over under Dorvarr's divine ministrations, the man-beast grunts his gratitude to the cleric. Though now apparently back in full form, barbarian's arms, hands, and face retain feint traces of burn marks.
He sits up and looks with curiosity at the youths he and his companions have rescued, yet leaves communication with them to the others.
"Your father...?" Vlad sighs, then begins his way over towards the homestead, sword in hand. "You stay with the others, here."
The stout man shoots a wink to the kids. "I'm sure we'll find your father. Have no fear." He then turns and trots to catch up with the young knight, lowering his tone. "What do think lad, have they much hope?" He gazes at the homestead, trying to discern its condition.
Uruz softly licks the gore from his masters right forearm. Kveldulf seems not to even notice as a soft snore emits from his cracked lips. It would appear that the grizzled warrior has fallen asleep from all of the exertion in the barn. He mumbles something unintelligable after a bit ending it softly with a clearly discernable, "More mead..."
Ragnarr looks little better than Kveldulf. The man-beast's breath is still laboured, and he seems completely drained. He looks at Vlad and Dorvarr turning in search of the youth's parents, to the youths themselves, to Ottarr and Utgaror, and finally back at the knight and servant of Thor. He inhales deeply, grabs his axe, then follows his closest companions towards the homestead at a plodding pace. "Utgaror, thank you for... aiding me," he grunts hesitantly over his shoulder. "Will you... look over the young ones?"
The homestead is thus far untouched by the flames. The small hall stands quiet and seemingly deserted. A side door hangs ajar.
Utgaror nods in assent to Ragnarr's request. The sickly looking boy calls out, "Papa!" but there is no reply.
The youth turns to your group. "There were men that came here a few weeks ago. Warriors in mail. Led by a foreign man in black robes with a strange accent. My dad said he was a Frank. They were looking for something in the woods. I overheard one of the warriors speak of the Grove of the Old Ones. They left and we did not see them for several days. They came back with a cage covered in cloth. My father had an argument with the Frank telling them they could not stay at the lodge. That night the warriors took me and my sister captive. They said that our father would only see us when the Frank was finished what he came to do.
We were put in the barn with one of those things you fought. The Frank seemed to have some magic with which to calm the beast. It then laid those eggs you saw. The Frank seemed quite happy and said that they would take them back with them.
Last night there was an attack on the lodge. I could hear men shouting, fighting and dying. Some went past the barn with torches. I could hear the Frank telling them to burn the forest and flush them out. Then we heard the creatures calling. The one in the barn began to cry back. We heard horrible screams of the men. I think the Frank and some of his men got away as we heard them call out a retreat. We hid in our cage hoping the creatures would not take notice of us. They were far more concerned about the eggs. Then as the fires started my sister shaken by fear called out for help and the monster came at us."
"Right, let's have a look in the lodge. By Thor, if anyone lives, we'll find them."
"Right, let's have a look in the lodge. By Thor, if anyone lives, we'll find them."
Kveldulf begins to snore softly, eyelids fluttering softly. Uruz lays next to his master, eyes ever alert.