We Who Are About To Die... (Inactive)

Game Master Doomed Hero

The drow cursed. That self righteous fool! I am going to make him *suffer* when I get out of here. He heard Melashara over the eruption of battle that revolved all around him, and was further impressed. The woman was clever, cool, and in her own way, rather charming. At least, she was to a drow. "I'd second that truce, my companions! We'll see you on the other side!"

"And they're off! They're wasting no time! We can hear the thumps and crashes of those threads hitting each other all the way up here."

"It looks like Zib the Split-Eyed Bomber has pulled into an early lead, though it's hotly contested by the winter witch and the drow."

"The angry orc Gwrrr is doing what he does best, making an early attempt to board another sled. The swordsman Severus just barely avoided that vicious swing."

"And it looks like the halfling Lorth has discovered how to use his canon. Somehow the monk Ryujun has managed to slip his manacles and avoid the worst of the spray, but his sled is going to be a slippery place for a while."

"And Zar'zan the deep dwarf has vanished. Wonder when he'll decide to show up again. Ryujin the monk has managed to fork Lorth's sled on the back Zib's! Wonder how sturdy those bridges really are."

Taking stock of the situation, Gwrrr'rrr decided to attack the opponent who could chase him. After a careful swing at Zgyjhu, the orc tried to BITE his opponent, before he stepped back onto his own cart. The brute grinned as drool dripped from his tusks, and howled with joy into the cold wind.

Lorn cursed as a bomb exploded a feet from where he was sitting. At this range I should be dead! Lorn thought. He briefly bent forwards to avoid the worst of the blast.

"Muscle Wizard! You better hold on, this looks like it's going to be a bumpy ride." Lorn says to his gunman while trying to pry the bridge loose from their sleigh and at the same time steering the sleigh in a way that wouldn't make it an even bumpier ride.

Lorth's eyebrow could be seen to rise quizzically at the apparent ineffectiveness of his so called cannon. He forsook it's use and turned to those weapons that he knew better the worth of. He hefted a leather wrapped javelin, gripping by the tail of the leather. Taking momentary aim he let fly at the driver of the sled before him - Zib.

After successfully dismantling the bridge, Zib heard a whistle fly past his ear as the lance went by. Looking back to see the source Zib took note of the tangled carts behind him. Quickly mixing up a bomb and throwing it behind him at the stuffy halfling hoping to also damage his sled. Laughing into the wind at the oh so beautiful sound of his art exploding Zib cracked the reins to move forward.

Ryujin slammed into the sled next to him and then spurred his mount forward. It was getting colder, but Ryujin shook off the cold and focused on the race

The frigid lady didn't like the martial artist so close to her, so she moved down into the center of her sled, treading carefully. She also took note of the ill-tempered beasts near her and took care not to look in their direction as she cast her spell. She looked out into the blizzard and seemed to speak to the wind in a strange tongue. As if in response the winds changed, swirling around her and coating her in a thin layer of frost.

Chess, can you see? Keep her steady until I can get a better grip on this thing. Swing around to the middle of the track, to our left, and stay outside of Zib, if you can.

Curse that halfling! How can I get the gnome to attack the Orc if he's dodging javelins?

Feeling the skin on the back of his neck burn from the blast Lorn curses loudly and, remembering his training, shakes his fist at Varniel. Frustrated by his lousy work on getting rid of the bridge, Lorn steers inwards to prevent a collision with the outer wall.

An idea struck him. "Cannon!" Varniel started fiddling with the cannon, then stuffed a bomb into it.

Ryujin mind fogs up for a moment but his years of meditation help to shrug it off. "You'll have to do better than that Chess!"

The dark elf grinned in spite of himself as he heard the man's retort. He hadn't gotten to know Ryujin that well in the two weeks of training, but he couldn't help admire the man's tenacity. Challenge accepted...

Quickly Zar'zan glanced at the chains that bound him.

Surely there must be a key for the lock that bound them.

With this thought in mind, Zar'zan did his best to scan his surroundings while continuing to much his rather hairy beast on.

From the corner of his eyes, Zar'zan would notice a key hanging from the bridge.

Now how do I reach it.

With forethought in mind, Zar'zan would pull forth his mutagen and swallow its contents. Quickly its effects took hold as his muscles rippled with alchemical strength.

"New alliances are being formed rogue. Shall we make our own," Zar'zan would yell to the oblivious Lorn to his right.

Karlov took a deep breath and released it in a frosty haze. He entered his familiar fighting stance. In an instant, the chill was gone and his feet firmly planted onto the floor of the chariot. He watched as Lorn attempted to separate the two chariots.

"I said I would handle! You make sure this cart goes to finish line!"

A second breath. this one was released as a furious yell. He let his hand shoot forward, aimed directly at the board.

"Did you see that? Karlov just punched right through the bridge connecting his sled to Zar'zan's! The speed they're moving at ripped it the rest of the way free!"

"Zar'zan is definitely oing to have to do something about that. It's dragging along beside him, weighing down his sled. That must be playing havoc with his ability to steer.

As the sled careened over the ice, colliding into others, Melashara's hair flowed over the side, deftly hooking around something shiny before retracting back into the sled. There was a clang as the witch dropped the key at the drow's feet.

This might help with those chains, unless you're trying to give yourself more of a challenge...

She tried to smile but her face looked more like one grimacing in pain.

"OOOOOOOH! The ORC connects with the GUY WHO'S NAME I CANT PRONOUNCE! This just proves that even the dimmest torch in the bundle can still be used to crack someone's skull wide open. Can we get a medic to check on him please?"

"And LORTH somehow manages to miss ZIB's head with the javelin throw! His ample mustache MUST have blocked his line of vision or something. How else could he not hit such an immense target?"

"ZIB replies with a bomb. Even if he misses he can't miss. While I have no respect for him due to his use of such cowardly weaponry, I do appreciate the ingenuity. He is a gnome after all. I mean, what can you really expect of him?"

"And the sneaky elf seemingly tries some DROW trickery, but has no apparent effect on the mysterious RYUJIN. Clearly he is quite pure of heart, which is why he was able to shrug off the attack. We all know that good will always triumph over evil."

With that, the "paladin" waved to the crowd and flashed a brilliant smile.

"Which team is your pick to win, Sir Loric?"

"Well, you saw them all teleport into the arena. I assume that at some point, the match organizers will give the people what they truly want, and they will teleport me in to join one of the teams. That is why I am fully armed and armored right now."

"As such, I assume whatever team I join will be the one that wins. It's not that I am arrogant, mind you. I'm simply destined for greatness."

Status

Zgyjhu tried to block the slashes with his Nodachi, but the Orc got through and cut him deep. Then as he was starting to falter, the Orc decided to bite at him unsuccessfully. But the warrior would not sleep this hour.

This attack infuriated Zgyjhu, "None shall beat me down. None shall defeat me this hour!"
Zgyjhu slashed repeated at the orc Gwrrr'rrr with skill and anger while moving carefully on the bridge.

Gwrrr'rrr turned around just in time to see Zgyjhu's blade flashing towards him, and managed to duck out of the way. The raging orc bellowed, "WHA...NOT DOWN...GWRRR'RRR! FINALLY A WARRIOR WORTHY OF MY POWER!"

He bared his teeth in joy at the violence to come.

After being crushed between the the weight of one sled and forked against another the bridge between Ryujin and Joboo's sleds exploded in a shower of timbers, the sudden release of pressure slamming the larger cart to the left, pinning the smaller one to the wall before Ryujin regained control and pulled away to the outside of the track. Only the quick steps of Lorth's Kangaroo companion saved the small warriors from a terrible crash.

The ape-ram creature pulling Ryujin's sled was forced to leap to the side to avoid being crushed against the back of Zib's sled, yanking the reigns to the right. Angered by the obstacle in front of him, the creature swung a thick arm out as it passed, crashing into the offending sled, knocking it into a fish-tail and sending the cannon spinning on it's pivoting mount.

Varniel's bomb had gone off directly in front of Lorn's sled, surprising the black-wooled ape and causing it to shy hard to the right, pulling the Barber close to the outside wall as Ryujin came practically from nowhere, their sleds touching briefly as they both attempted to control their angry beasts of burden.

Samson's monkeysheep veered hard to the right to avoid the back end of the swinging craft in front of it, ducking the spinning cannon and attempting to pull it's sled around the right side of the ones before it, but managing to slam the still-connected bridge into Zar'zan's sled, jostling the pair of alchemists.

That bridge happened to be the one the samurai Zgyjhu was standing on. It crashed into the back of the alchemists' sled with a crunch. It began to collapse as the swordsman tried desperately to find new footing.

The bridge hanging from the side of Zar'zan's sled was making turning to the right difficult. It skipped and bounced off the track throwing snow up in plumes behind him, spraying Gwrrr'rrr and Samson with cold spray.

"Did you see that? Masterful Driving by Ryujin! He managed to bounce the halfling and the goblin off the wall, and dodge around the outside of the track, careening that angry bull ape over the back of Zar'zan's sled, nearly knocking it over!"

"He seems to drive like he fights. He's clear of the worst now, but he's also on the outside of the turn. That might cost him some speed, and now he has Lorn and Karlov to deal with."

Gwrrr'rrr saw his opponent floundering and backed off, then clambered down the left rear of the vehicle. As he landed, the orc drew his bow and took aim for a final attack on Zygjhu.

The orc then took a deep breath, trying to calm himself and steel himself for what was still ahead.

At the impact to hos sled, Zib thought now was the time for a little self enhancement, hastily grabbing a bottle, Zibs body once again shifted to that of a purple haired monkey-cat. Using his enhanced agility he attempted to straighten out his cart. He looked over at the quickly approaching carts, seeing Chess right beside him;In nature to our "alliance I must warn you to move, I would dislike to cause you unwarranted burns,hehe, haha,HAHA, "MWAHAHAHA laughed the beast in to the frigid air as he wildly maneuvered his sled.

Status

Zgyjhu narrowly dodges a passing shot by Gwrrrr'rrr that attacked him earlier. He breathed easily but then he remembered how shakey the bridge between the sleds had become and attempted to get back to safety.
However, the bridge gaveway beneath Zgyjhu and he fell to the ground below... painfully.

As Zib's bomb exploded at his side, Lorth saw Magnus barely avoid being injured as his sled was pushed to the wall. A solitary tear welled in his eye and froze immediately after it met his stoic face. I shall not suffer my steed to be hurt when I can take action against it.

Lorth apologized to Joboo as he flipped over the poor goblin as he sought to abandon him to his own fate. "Sorry my boy, but my steed is in need" Footing was hard to find, but Lorth attempted to leap onto his mount's back and grip onto the harness by means of makeshift reins...

Varniel carefully shifted over to Zar'Zan's side.
"Hold still! While I get you out of these, get that bridge off! And go fast! He shouted.

Then he crouched down low, partly to steady himself and partly to whisper to Zar'Zan.

Cursing like a madman Lorn tried to keep the crazed ape in front of his sleigh under control. "AAAAAAAAARRgggg go left ape, go left!!!" Lorn cried as he steered left. Lorn nervously watched the wall get closer and closer. He sneered at the sleigh cutting him off while taking out his net.

"Muscle! Watch out for the wall! Lorn shouted at his gunner hoping he wouldn't loose the guy that just punched through a wooden bridge.

Ryujin's gamble to break apart the sled and hinder some of his opponents didn't quite work out as expected and when his mount moved suddenly to the left Ryujin almost fell. Ryujin swung at the nearby mount while he spurred his mount faster to catch up.

Karlov smirked at the sight of the shattering bridge.

"Yes! Now we are making magic!"

He took a moment to wave to the crowd after his accomplishment. He then quickly hopped behind the cannon.

"My friend I am sure you not liking the other cart so close. Do not worry, I can handle!"

The cannon loaded, he took aim at Ryujin, hoping to take out the driver with his shot. He held his breath as he fired.

Edit: Added confirmation roll and action listing.

"What? The guy who's name I cant pronounce is still up and in the fight? Amazing!"

Note to self: he would make an excellent meat shield in the future if he survives this fight.

"And the muscle wizard shows off some of his so-called magic, while his partner has a bit of a close..... shave."

Loric looked around to see if anyone laughed at his jest, and then continued.

"Back to the fight though, has anyone seen Zarzan? Either he fled the scene and is mentally controlling his sled from a hiding spot, or he's still there and has made himself invisible! Cowardly, but effective, to be sure."

"Indeed, I would not have expected such guile from one so brutish looking. I am quite impressed."

Zar'zan planted his foot firmly upon the remained of the bridge and pushed with all his might.

"If you could remove them, that would be most helpful."

Finally, he continued to push the beast forward while he tried to figure out his next move.

Chess grinned at the sounds of chaos echoing behind him and saluted the wild gnome beside him. Such excitement and unplanned destruction could not be easily found in drow society! Chess laughed, shaking slightly in the cold, but fought it off with a determined will, then extended his arm behind him towards the apparently piloted sled had come up behind his own and set a brilliant burst of bright blue flames roaring through where the void pilot should be. The drow didn't take the time to look if the blast exposed the Drauger he imagined was there, but instead urged the creature to move faster as he steered off out wide before calling to his icy companion. "Hold on, Mel! We're going to pick up a little speed, and I see something up ahead!"
He soon saw a pink floating orb ahead of him that had shone like a magical beacon to his drow eyes, took a deep breath, and then pushed the beast pulling his sled to charge straight through it.

Melashara spoke to her partner:

Zar'zan's eyes widened as the drow threw its magic. Then, just as quickly, his eyes narrowed as he realized, not only had the magic took effect, but it gave away his position.

"Take the reins Elf, I got a cousin of yours to dispose of," Zar'zan growled under his breath as he gritted his teeth.

Going straight INTO the unknown magical sigil? Seems reckless--I hope this works.

Melashara looked back to see the dwarf silhouetted in light and smiled wickedly.

Welcome back to the race. Let me help you get accustomed to the cold...

She again spoke to the winds as her hair lengthened, growing slick with water and freezing instantaneously. The hair had a mind of its own, lashing out violently with frozen strands, hoping to strike Zar'zan. Melashara turned her back on her foe and braced for impact, even as the hair lashed out.

Zar'zan roared out as the ice witch failed to land her attack.

"I will have your head for that pathetic attempt ICE GYPSY!"

** spoiler omitted **

Zar'zan roared out as the ice witch failed to land her attack.

"I will have your head for that pathetic attempt ICE GYPSY!"

At least I'll be able to see you when you die trying. Why don't you go hide again, craven, or you'll wish you had!

A quick glance behind him, Zib witness the dwarf covered in magical flame, fire entered the gnomes eyes, the chuckle "Would the drow and lady like help in getting the pesky dwarf thy rear-ends?"

Chessna'ra chuckles. "Come now, that hardly seems fair! Of course! Fire away, little one!"

With a flying leap the tiny goblin leaped onto to the Alchemists' sled as it pulled away from his own. Lorth was half-standing on the back of his kangaroo, but the sled behind them, now unmaned and lacking significant weight to keep it down was beginning to fishtail wildly. If he didn't cut it free soon, it was going to pull them off balance.

Valk slipped as the sled fishtailed, flinging him off into Zar'zan's sled. he bounced and careened of the conical nose with a heavy crack. The audience hissed in sympathetic pain.

Zygjhu and Gwrrr'rr tumbled into the snow, both coming to their feet in knee deep frozen slush. Their toes cramped in shock. They faced each other for a moment, the rest of the race apparently forgotten.

Rryujin struck out at Lorn's beast of burden as they veered to the side, it ducked it's head, surprised and skittish for a moment, then angry. An frozen impact slammed into his back, knocking him off balance and dousing him with freezing water. The cold and shock stole his breath as the liquid doused his sled with even more water, adding to the ice-slicked planks. The crowd roared at the Muscle Wizard's shot. At the same time Lorn's monkey-sheep decided it'd had enough of the yelling and being pulled around and the people swinging at it's face and it lashed out at the closest target. Cedrica never knew what hit her. She flew through the air hitting the wall like a rag doll, lying in the snowbank unmoving.

Zar'zan snapped the bridge off of his sled just as Chessen'ra lit him up with dancing purple lights. The crowd oohed and ahhed. The bridge tumbled through the snow into Samson's monkey-sheep, who jumped the tumbling square of wood. It crashed into Samson's rails and jammed one up stopping it cold, flinging the sled hard to the side, the monkeysheep pulled away from the lurch whipping it's entire burden into the side wall with an explosive crunch. Samson was in the pile somewhere. The bull ape was free.

As Melashara drove over the glowing beacon, a sound was made inside Chessen'ra's cannon. With a thump and a ktchunk the triggers released to "ready" and the sights on the barrel snapped up.

Lorth's efforts to get atop his mount had made him neglect his steering. he suddenly found himself going steeply uphill. With only moments to react he realized he'd hit a ramp!

"Ohh, that's got to be cold!" Lady Mercy cooed as Ryujin took a few gallons of semi-frozen water to the back.

"Hmm. Wouldn't know. The only temperature I can sense is sexy."