Donovan wings his flail into one of the Frost Fir.
kòk flaps up and lands on Issi and channels guidance into the young sorcerer.
Donovan's flail strikes the Frost Fir, though the creature's woody exterior is difficult to penetrate with a bludgeoning/piercing weapon (it takes 4 points of damage). With silent malice, the living tree strikes back at the boy:
The creature's strike goes wide, while its partner takes another swing at Henyan:
After wild swings from both trees miss their mark, Issi steps forward and sends flames at both trees, being careful to keep her friends out of the arc. Fire is extremely effective, torching both Frost Firs and nearly destroying the one that was attacking Donovan (each take 10 points of damage)
Sensing Issi might again become a target Horvan steps protectively in front of the small girl and readies his long sword. But as he does his armor flashes and he is surrounded by a nimbus of protective energy. He looks startled.
Henyan will switch to his Axe, dropping his spear in the snow.
Raggnor and Henyan bring down the two charred, living trees with perfectly-timed strikes. With time to collect your thoughts, it is clear that these trees are not native to this area; they have sharp, needle-like leaves rather than the broad leaves more common to trees in this region.
Using poor Dryden's journal as a guide, you easily navigate the spots where he set his traps - do you intend to disable them to prevent travelers from falling into them by accident, or leave them in place of trapping this "giant weasel" he was hunting?
That was sooo cool Issi, the way you blasted those tree monsters with fire! Horvan congratulates.
After the trap is sprung Horvan will search the area around it.
Henyan picks his spear up, putting it along his back and taking his axe in two hands.
"I think we should be leaving these traps now, try ta draw that there weasel inta us." Henyan says moving to the middle of the traps
Tracking a beast is no small task, but Raggnor's senses are keen, and he soon picks up the tracks and scent of the beast, following them for over an hour into a frigid valley. A cold wind blows through all of you, bringing a spray of sleet and broken ice. The sky ahead roils with thick, gray clouds and the sun is only a dim glow somewhere in the mist.
Suddenly, Raggnor stiffens and leaps forward, just as the snow pack in front of him bursts forward, revealing the giant weasel! It looks wounded, and maddened with pain.
The weasel bites Raggnor for 8 points of damage, sinking its teeth deep into the young man's arm and shaking its head around, causing another 2 points of bleed damage.
Raggnor sinks his dagger into the creature's neck, dealing 6 points of damage!
ROUND ONE ORDER
Raggnor
Weasel
Horvan
Issi
Donovan
Henyan
Raggnor's first claw attack digs into the weasel for 5 points of damage, but his other claw and fangs simply can't puncture the thick hide. The weasel responds in kind, flailing about in a mass of teeth and claws.
In the end, only one of its claws finds a mark, dealing 8 points of damage, while his previous bite wound bleeds for another 2 points. Raggnor needs help!
Moving to flank with his friend Horvan attacks the weasel, invoking his champion spirit for extra guidance and strength.
Horvan's blade, moving as though guided by some unseen hand, sinks deep into the weasel's flank, drawing a pained cry from the creature. Even still, it clings to life, flailing with even greater savagery.
Someone help Raggnor! He is bleeding bad. Horvan calls out.
Donovan rushes forward, his flail swinging.
The raven lands on Grub and a glow flows between Donovan and his companion. The energy begins to knit the half orc's wounds
Donovan's flail catches the weasel directly between the eyes and the beast drops instantly, like a puppet with cut strings. The area grows quiet...ahead, through the sleet, you catch sight of a road, and beyond it, several tall blocks of ice.
Tacey rushes forward to Raggnor with a look of concern, pausing when she realizes that she has no medical training.
"Are you crazy, boy?! You could have been killed!" she says.
"Didn't you hear Ma'am, if we don't rush in a hole lotta folk are gonna die. Grub knows what he is doing." He claps a hand on Gribs shoulder, proud of his friend.
Glad this Raggnor is no longer bleeding and able to walk and such Horvan suggests This things skin is really nice. I bet its really warm too. Lets take ir Rag. I bet you can skin him pretty quick. I'll help.
Horvan helps as best he can.
Lady Malassene does her best to stay far away from the giant weasel carcass while Raggnor and Horvan skin it; overall the pelt is of high quality and once it has been cured it should make for fine winter clothing. The bloody carcass, however, will surely call predators soon.
"Aye good job, yer much quicker than I on them long legs."{/b] Henyan says watching them skin as he keeps his eyes open for anything else coming.
[b]"We best get ta the tower."
|
Issi isn't much help in the fight that ends almost before she can move, but as the pelt is cured she can be seen opening and closing her hand with an intent look on her face. The flame that appears there is usually red but suddenly turns golden for three successive tries and then reverts back to red.
"Ummm, Ragg." She says, "I think I can heal you... just... don't be scared?"
Soinari pipes up "Oh, let me help too!"
Moving ahead, the ice blocks grow larger in your vision, and you soon find yourselves in a labyrinth made of ice blocks. Labyrinth might be too strong a word; it doesn't look too hard to get through, and beyond the ice blocks you can see a small hut, built in a style you've only seen in books about the Skalds in the far north.
In one of the ice blocks, you see the reflection of a young girl with pale blue eyes and blonde hair. She looks terrified, and flees from you as you approach.
“I’m sorry! Don’t hurt me! I never meant to call you names!”
Donovan has been standing aside lookin over at his Raven then to his hands, he raises his hand to his injury and feels healing light flow from it.
"Oh, you're hurt too!"
Horvan calls to the the girl. We won't hurt you. We're kids too. Don't run away! We want to help.
"Aye lass we won'tbe hurtin' ya. Tell us who ye be?" Henyan says lowing the blade of his axe to look less threatening.
The image of the girl in the ice boulder pauses briefly. "My name is Thora, Thora Petska." then her eyes go wide with fear and she flees deeper into the labyrinth of ice.
She appears again shortly thereafter, once more as a reflection in the ice. She still looks terrified, and is looking up as if speaking to a taller person.
"Please don’t keep me here. It’s so cold. I miss my
mother."
Horvan tries to help some better at diplomacy than he. Wait, we have to know more to help you.
Another image appears of the girl: she seems upset.
“I don’t want your stupid doll! I want to go home! Take me back!”
Doll? Horvan says, looking worried.
Raggnor feels a growing chill wind in the air, blowing across the ice boulders, and a flicker of movement in the blocks of ice themselves. There is something wrong with this place.
The young girl turns to you all, her eyes focusing in recognition.
“I have to get away! And you should, too, before they see you. Run!”
"What did you do Grub, these mirrors seem to be telling a story, and it sounds like it ends real bad"
But we gotta help the girl. Horvan says as he moves to leave. We can come back right? I worry that dolls are gonna chase us or somethin.