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I'm going to assume Ques gets to act. On the depressing side, I think these guys got DR and my poor eagle hasn't much of a chance to do damage. On the bright side these things only do a point of damage at a time so the eagle might last more than one round. At least it flies.
Ques summons a shadow eagle as surreptitiously as possible and then pulls out a scroll, staying on the ground.
[spoiler = eagle stats
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 5 [7] (1d8+1) [1d8+3]
Fort +3 [+5], Ref +4, Will +2; SR 5
Shadow – 20% miss chance except in bright light, SR CR+6
fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee 2 talons +3/1d4, bite +3/1d4
[/spoiler]
And it attacks the one nearest Ques.
Ha! Scared yet?
Ack! The little sprite squeaks out when the eagle appears. It turns from carving up the now unconscious Garland, and tries to defend itself, but is caught by a swiping talon. You can see that the majority of the damage that could have been instead doesn't seem to register on the hellish little creature. Still, the cold blue face of the sprite turns down in a frown. Now, that wasn't nice!
The sprite takes to the air, rushing up high and taking its bow back out.
The other two sprites continue to rain down arrows on Ana.
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The eagle follows after and tries another peck.
Ques reads his scroll and grants Arsiel Infernal healing, then takes the sling from the comatose Garland and starts looking for ammo.
standard: cast spell
move: get sling (unless crawling 5' is a move action in which case he just crawls over to Garland without getting the sling)
free: look for ammo.
The eagle pecks at the sprite, and scores a hit, but the sprite just laughs it off with wild giggles. It seems that the damage isn't nearly as effective as it should have been. It drifts back swiftly and fires an arrow at the eagle.
The two sprites flying above Ana continue to fire down into the woods.
{Collapses like a ragdoll midstep into the snow crunchily}
"Blgkhkh....splbblppp""
The sprites, seeing Ana fall, chuckle heartily, and turn to fly back to the main battle. Knowing their magics, they're aware that some of their enemies are bound to awaken soon.
The sprite facing the eagle growls in frustration, seeing that it's little damage is going to take forever to wear down the eagle. It manages to dodge the creature's attack, skips back with a buffet of its wings, and fires another arrow, which finds its home in the eagle's wing.
The cool snow serves Ana, staunching her many wounds. She lies inert in the great white.
Arsiel staggers to his feet surveying the situation. Seeing Ana gone and Garland in the snow he roars a challenge to the sprite in the air, fetching an arrow from his quiver and fitting it to his longbow.
"We tried to be nice, but you had to use your foul magics and lay us low. You'll come to regret that decision little one."
The little sprite sneers at Arsiel. It looks at the very annoying eagle that has been tracking it, then back to the slayer. Izoze will be make a feast of your flesh, fools! With that, the vile little creature turns, and flies away.
Keeping his eyes skyward, Ques, can you do anything to see how Garland is? And where in the Abyss is Ana?”
[ooc]is there a roll for that name i can make?[/b]
”Kplpfpblpp.....plbph....”
As you try and find a way to get to safety, two small forms fly overhead. Immediately, they begin to rain arrows down at you.
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The eagle flaps it's way towards it's target and takes another ineffectual peck.
Ques also tries launching an equally ineffectual bullet at unfortunately effective fey.
, -2 if height puts range at over 50'
None of which do squat.
"I'm in real trouble here. Nothing I do is going to matter it seems."
“Dammit you little buggers! Arsiel curse at the damage done.
Ouch!
He draws bead on the closer one and lets fly an arrow
“Dammit you little buggers! Arsiel curse at the damage done.
Though the combined attacks of Arsiel, Ques, and the brave bird don't have any effect, the two sprites nonetheless pause. They look at each other, pointing at the group below in an agitated manner. One gestures at its half empty quiver, and points in the direction in which their fellow has flown off.
With a snarl, the other nods its head, and they dart off towards the west - the direction in which you'd been traveling back before you were waylaid by these little beasts.
"Ques, did you see where Ana went?" Arsiel begins to look at the footprints back the way we came, or anywhere else looking for Ana's route.
The only thing this snow is good for...is tracking. Arsiel can easily keep track of the...well, tracks of Ana's frantic steps. It takes you a few minutes, but you find Ana, face down in the snow, finely kept on ice.
"Ques, Why don't we try to get them back to town, and see if we can restock for anything like dealing with the fey."
Shaking his head and gathering his wits about him, he picks up Ana and begins to head back toward the village. Thinking as they trudge along bearing their unconscious companions, Ques, what did the little thing say about Izoze? That name mean anything to you?"
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"I noticed that too. I just figured it was one of the little buggers. They really pissed me off. I'd like to bring a squad of crossbowmen with me next time - only we don't have any. We'd be lucky to scrounge a crossbow and some decent bolts. Let's see if we can find some in town. Maybe SOMEONE has SOMETHING that can hurt the little buggers."
Though the going is tough and more than once you think you're going to lose one Ana or Garland to blood loss, or cold, you trudge on and make it back to Heldren. You are able to fashion some makeshift sleds from the remains of the carriage, and make better time once you're on the road. When you arrive back in Heldren, the town is a-buzz because of...well, you. Many townsfolk rush out, offering aid, food, a place to rest, their condolences - for some feel that the young ladies with you are already goners.
The chief councilwoman, Ionnia Teppen, rushes forth when called, concern plain on her face. Not a step behind her is the tavern-owner Kale, who sheds tears over the sight of Ana's still form.
Ionnia looks awestruck as she looks up at you. What happened?
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"It was a nightmare. Positively a nightmare. First we found the ambush sight and two of the victims were... well, they were..."
Quest finds himself unable to tell his neighbors that they were turned into actual undead. It still gives him the willies.
"I think I'll let someone else tell you what happened to them. Anyway, we followed the tracks through the snow and the buggers set a few traps and we were ambushed by a snow lizard thing that had no right to be in the woods. The thing took out Grey and I had to send him back to his home to heal. But the worst part was the little buggers. Damn tiny little fey creatures that wanted to do all kinds of nasty things to us and would have too 'cept they ran off after some leader whose name I forget. Don't really know why, but we couldn't do squat to them. When we did hit, our weapons didn't do much. If we are going o go back there we will need to get some gear that will work against the little buggers."
Looking exhausted and grim at the unconscious forms being dragged by himself and Ques, Arsiel begins to explain. "We found the noblewoman's carriage destroyed, and the bodies of her guard on the ground. Something had animated her two handmaidens into some kind of walking dead, perhaps zombies?"
Shrugging at his own inexperience with the undead, Arsiel continues, "Then the snow got deep and cold, if felt, well, off. Especially considering the time of year. Ques is right though, there was perhaps a tatzlwyrm waiting in ambush, and traps laid out to cover the escape path. Then the fey things, I don't know what type." Looking to see if anyone has anything to add about the fey, if not, Arsiel continues.
"The little things used magic and their tiny arrows against us, and we survived, barely. Both Garland and Ana are in pretty tough shape right now, so we came back to make sure they could heal not in the snows. The little things mentioned a name, Izoze, which doesn't mean anything to me, but I'm not from around here either."
Looking to the two unconscious forms, Arsiel looks concerned, 'We definitely couldn't treat their injuries past what we did out there. I just hope they'll be okay. I know there isn't anyone else who can try to take this task on, so I suppose we'll wait and see how long their recovery is before trying again to rescue her. If everyone still is willing to try. I know it is a lot to ask of them, but I agreed and that's what I intend to do."
Ionnia steels herself against the news, her mouth forming a grim line as her unwavering gaze turns to the Apothecary. Let's get some answers here. She turns back to look down at Ana. Kale, I'm sorry, but you know we'll do all we can for her. I've sent for Old Mother Theodora; she will see to them. You two, follow me.
Seeming the respected leader she had always been, Ionnia steps into the Apothecary and draws the attention of the Ulfen mercenary with a clap. Yuln, if you will...these beasts from your homeland...is there a one called...Izoze? She finishes that with a look at Ques and Arsiel to make sure she pronounced it right.
Yuln, seemingly a bit better, shakes his head. No, sorry...I've never heard of such a thing...or person...
Ionnia isn't done...And what can hurt these beasts from the winter lands?
The mercenary blinks in surprise, as if the answer were painfully obvious. Why, fire, my lady...that would be best. He grimaces and clutches his side as he gets up to a sitting position. The tales tell that cold iron with a keen edge cuts deep, if you have that here.
Within short order, Theodora has Ana and Garland both back to the world of the living. They rest comfortably in Ana's tavern, in the guestroom.
Resting in the tavern, Garland looks dejected. She wants to help her adopted village, but feels as though she is lacking the physical ability to do so. She sips at a hot mug of mulled wine and quietly talks with Ana. "I don't know about you, but I was not prepared for what we were up against. Those little...things...so easily took us all down. I have no idea how we managed to get out of there without losing anyone. Well, except for Grey. But if what Ques is saying holds true, he'll be back with us soon. I really want to help; I do. But if I fall so easily, how much good am I?"
Arsiel will seek out the smithy in town and ask about any cold iron weapons they may have for sale. Understanding his limited funds, he'll look for the best price.
Once that's complete, he'll check on Garland and Ana to see how they are doing.
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Ionnia steels herself against the news, her mouth forming a grim line as her unwavering gaze turns to the Apothecary. Let's get some answers here. She turns back to look down at Ana. Kale, I'm sorry, but you know we'll do all we can for her. I've sent for Old Mother Theodora; she will see to them. You two, follow me.
"Say, can you also help Grey? He was beaten up pretty good too and we sure could use his help if things get nasty again."
After the mercenary tells them what he knows, Ques heads to his shop and pleads for some cold iron missile weapons. Weren't they able to loot the carriages and bring back enough to pay for some decent equipment?