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Valeros hesitates in the face of danger, giving time to the Minotaurs to counter attack against the group! Each focusing on their melee counterparts, they strike hard with their weapons!
*slash* A single blow hits against Merisiel.
*slash* A single, but powerful blow strikes deep into Amiri
*slash*slash*, Valeros takes of grievous injuries as he hesistates in combat.
~~~
With a gutteral scream, Amiri hacks and slashes and hacks again at the beast in front of her, ignoring the blood dripping down from the wound she took.
for
for
for
The elf laughs as she states, "is that all you got?" She darts through the combat of Amiri and the middle minotaur then past the one fighting Valeros to flank with Amiri.
Kyra maintains her concentration on bless, then moves over to Valeros and quickly tends his wounds.
Suddenly recalling that he had found two additional vials of alchemist's fire in the cart, Fumbus hastily rifles through his bag to locate them.
He tosses both at the middle minotaur.
Seoni raises an eyebrow as the minotaurs spasm as her lightning bolt lances through them.
"Didn't like that much, did you? Well, it's your own fault for standing in such a neat line," she mutters.
Seoni jabs a finger at the closest minotaur and shouts, "Tximista, greba!" This time, she adds a little flourish, jabbing forward with her staff as well.
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The Pathfinders retaliate with full force against minotaurs, slashing, piercing, bombing and lightning blast. At the conclusion of the lightning bolt, the Minotaurs drop their weapons and immediately yield and surrender, close to the brink of death.
The Minotaur leader steps forward and claps slowly, She yells loudly in your direction "Bravo, you are indeed as strong as you speak. We yield! Do not harm my men anymore, for we wane in numbers and strength. I'll tell you all and will give you all you want. Just listen to our plea, I will also tend to your wounds!"
Amiri's rage continues, though she stays her hand from finishing off the surrendering pathetic Minotaur in front of her. Slamming her sword into the ground, she then uses it to lean against as the adrenaline leaves her body and the fatigue sets in.
"Damn right we are strong, don't forget it." She thinks for a second and then stands up straight, "I'll take your healing, ain't no matter to me."
Kyra addresses the minotaur leader.
"Do you renounce Baphomet and his evil ways? We have proven that Sarenrae's light shines more brightly."
Kyra frowns.
"Amiri, do not let Baphomet's foulness infect your soul. Allow me to tend your wounds."
"Thank you," says the elf as her wounds are tended by Kyra. Then turn to the minotaurs, "there was a glasp among the items taken from the caravan. Do you still have it? Inisa do you have a better description of the clasp?"
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Kyra spends some time to heal the wounds of the Pathfinders as the conversation begins.
"Baphomet serves us well, I will not abandon my faith in my moments of weakness." The Minotaur sternly responds.
Inisa steps up after the fight and describes the clasp in detail, as the minotaur leader listens, and return explain her plight. "I know of the clasp you speak, it was in our belongings, however I assure you it's no longer in our possession. Let me explain. Our tribe is desperate, we attack those on caravans on the travelled path not out of spite but out of survival. The harpy and his army of humans have been attacking us constantly, stealing out supplies. Many of my men have died defending our home, but we cannot sustain this much longer. Unfortunately you've arrived a day too late. The harpy attacked again and have stolen all our supplies, including that of your clasp. What you see here today is a bickering among my people as some believe we should seek alliance with our enemies while others believe not."
Seoni slams her staff against the tree stump in frustration.
"Oh, for... where is this harpy's lair?"
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It is around midday, and the sun shines bright above you.
"He resides by the mountainside, not very far from here. We know of the whereabouts but have not been able to get close as he watches the movements of Minotaurs like a hawk eyes his prey. But perhaps you champions of humans will be able to take on the harpy and his human minions."
"We beat minotaurs! Won their little test. They not have clasp? Time to raid a nest. Climb up to the roost, then a harpy best. Jead back to Absalom, and finally get some rest." sings Fumbus.
Amiri snorts in laughter at the song, "hah! Well said Fumbus, I knew there was a reason I was starting to like you. Let's go raid a lair!"
Seoni grits her teeth at the goblin's song. When he finishes, she asks,
"How many human minions dies this harpy have? How are they armed? And why do you keep referring to the harpy as 'he'? In every story I've ever heard, they're all female."
"I'm up for some more fun and excitement. Inisa are you going with us or heading back to Diobel?" Merisiel then checks her shortbow, "dang harpies fly don't they?
Amiri elbows Fumbus and whispers, "where does she think little harpies come from? They ain't undead."
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When Merisiel mentions her shortbow, Amirir pats an empty spot on her belt and her eyes go wide looking around the clearing. Seeing the handle sticking out of the grass nearby, she goes and collects her thrown hatchet then heads off in the hopefully right direction towards the harpy lair.
Amiri elbows Fumbus and whispers, "where does she think little harpies come from? They ain't undead."
"Eggs." Fumbus replies to the Kellid matter-of-factly. His tone makes it sound as if the answer were quite obvious.
As the party gathers its gear, the goblin protests, "Fumbus need some time to make booms to knock harpy out of sky!" He then prepares four additional vials of lesser alchemist's fire to replenish those he used.
Once the party is prepared to head out, the goblin follows quietly.
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"Countless humans he has. I refer to him as a he because he is a male harpy and yes they do fly. It is unusual, but they exist. What is also unusual is his human army, I've never seen the same one twice. Sometimes it is warriors armed with swords shields and arrows, other times a mass army of farmers with pitchforks." The minotaur response.
Inisa contemplates her position but realise her wounds are far too much for her to handle. "You would be able to take it from here, you're in far better shape than I am. I will be waiting at the safehouse."
Merisiel joins in searching with Amari.
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Soon after, the group immediately departs towards the Harpy's lair, travelling through the dense and luscious forest terrain. Inisa wishes you well, and returns to the safety of the city. Along the path a few small animals cross your path from time to time but nothing to be of concern. Closer towards the mountainside, Amiri and Merisiel halts the group as they observe a few humanoid creatures hiding in the bushes. Their skins pale, as if they've been drained of life. And their once human-like features monstrously exaggerated. One of them looks less monstrous from the rest. They clearly eye your arrival with hostile intent with looks to kill.
~~~
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Kyra readies her sling, fires at black-skinned creature to the south, and casts shield.
"Let them come to us!"
Fumbus gives a look at Kyra when she speaks, "Them? Who is them?" he asks. However, seeing the others preparing for combat, Fumbus draws his dogslicer and prepares to strike at any foe that approaches.
Seoni tries to remember what she has learned about these types of undead creatures.
Amiri snaps into action drawing and throwing a javelin at the nearest creature, "those things!" Pulling her massive sword again, she prepares to defend the rest of the group.
for
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The shrubbery is dense causing ranged attacks to be extremely difficult. Kyra and Amiri's strikes get lost somewhere within the wood.
Seoni realizes these creatures from their physicality to be form of ghouls, undead cannibals that rise from ghoul fever, often transmitted through their claws and jaws. Like most undeads, they require no sleep and are immune to death effects, disease, paralysis and poison.
~~~
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Merisiel steps forward and waits for the creatures.
Seoni relates the information she recalls about ghouls to the others. "So don't let them touch you!"
She looks over to the red ghoul, and shouts "Suaren esfera!" while making a gesture at the ghoul that could be either arcane or rude.
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A little unusual, why are these mindless undead in this path of the woods? Additionally, they're movements/ambush seem coordinated in comparison to regular ghoul behaviour.
Seoni casts a fire sphere that slightly wounds the undead. Realising their hiding spot is given away, the undeads quickly move out from the shrubbery to mount the offense.
The undeads leap out in reach of the closest pathfinder to take a nip with their sharp jaws, and immediately they retreat back into the forest. Catching the group by surprise, they get a good bite into Amiri and Merisiels flesh. They start to feel the poison attempting to overcome them.
~~~
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Having now seen the undead for himself, Fumbus decides to take the offensive rather than remain and get bit.
Kyra shouts as the undead.
"Stand and face us, creatures of darkness!"
She casts shield as she advances and slings another bullet at the red creature with which Fumbus has engaged.
To her companions, "Move toward Fumbus, draw them in!"
Merisiel moves to flank with Amiri then repeatedly stabs at the undead.
Shrugging off the disease, Amiri appears to be concentrating very very hard on the words coming from Kyra. She stands very still, almost like her body is frozen...
Seoni concentrates on the Flaming Sphere, moving it to follow the red ghast.
She quickly jogs into the thicket to stand with Kyra, assuming that Amiri and Merisiel are close behind. Once there, she glares at the undead cannibal and shouts, "Gezi magikoa!"
Merisiel moves in front of Amari to defend off the undead.
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Fumbus boldly risk it and chases after the undeads into the forestry. His efforts pay off as he delivers a wounding blow to the ghast.
Kyra calls for a little bit of team coordination to draw the enemies out and moves towards fumbus. Seoni follows through and continues casting offensive arcane spells on the same ghast. The risk pays off as she obliterates the monster into ash.
However on the other end, Amiri falls victim to the paralysis forcing Merisiel to stand before her hoping her elven immunities will protect the barbarian from further harm. The risk pays off as she nimble avoids the triple threat that leaps from the safety of the trees and retreating soon after. At the same time, Merisiel manages to get another wounding strike during the exchange.
~~~
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Her barbarian blood boiling, Amiri snaps out of her paralysis and screams in anger,
All pretense of tactics and teamwork fly out of her brain as her tunnel vision takes over. Bursting forward in anger she charges and swings her massive sword as hard as possible at the nearest undead.
for
and swing. Stride up to double your Speed. If you end the move within
melee reach of at least one enemy, you can make a melee Strike against
an enemy. You can Burrow, Climb, Fly, or Swim instead of Striding if you have the corresponding Speed.
"Alright then,"states Merisiel as she moves to engage the undead at the edge of treeline.
Fumbus breaks from his prior spot in the brush, approaches Merisiel, and retrieves two bottles of lesser elixir of life, which he offers to the elf.
Kyra moves forward to support her companions.
"Ezkutua!" Seoni shouts as she strides back into the clearing.
Concentrating, Seoni brings the Flaming Sphere forward, hoping to position it to be able to bring it to bear against the remaining ghouls momentarily.
"Ezkutua!" Seoni shouts as she strides back into the clearing.
Concentrating, Seoni brings the Flaming Sphere forward, hoping to position it to be able to bring it to bear against the remaining ghouls momentarily.
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In a heat of rage, Amiri charges through the foliage and delivers a killing blow to the ghoul.
Merisiel and Kyra turn to cover the flanks and pile pressure onto the ghast while the rest attempt to get into position.
The Ghast believing they have the territorial upper hand stand their ground and attack using their claws with full force! Fortunately they tire out and begin to lose focus.
~~~
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