Mukluk easily takes out two xulgaths.
The red one, still blinded and unaware two allies have gone down, swings wildly at Thkrull.
Initiative
Rova (Thkrull at -9 hp)
Prism
Yellow
Mukluk
Niksi
Red, dazzled
Thanks to Niksi's defensive help, Thkrull avoids being hit! Rova and Prism are up.
HP 54/54
AC 21
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9
Hero points: 3
Arrows used: 5/23; Stones used 0/14
Effects: Hunted prey (yellow), sickened 1, inspired defense (+1 status bonus to AC and Saving Throws, and you get resistance 2 to physical damage)
"Leave him alone!" Rova yells at the xulgaths, turning her attention again to the leader as she lets Thkrull deal with the one in front of him.
She fires two arrows.
HP 23/32
AC 19 (1 armor, 2 Dex, 2 trained unarmored, 4 level)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects:
Effects: inspired defense (+1 status bonus to AC and Saving Throws, and you get resistance 2 to physical damage)
Thkrull trumpets in outrage at these things that stink even worse than his halfling's sharp-smelling friend and tries to grind it into the ground, before trying to impale it with his mighty tusk.
Prism twirls her sickle as she moves in on the xulgath and swipes it at the creature's backside. before raising a rainbow-hued shield in front of herself.
Conditions: Sickened 1
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 22 w/ Shield)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Thkrull kicks at the xulgath in front, while Rova plinks an arrow into the leader in the back.
Prism moves in and finishes off the red xulgath.
The remaining xulgath strikes twice, at Rova this time, who is the commander of the great beast, and then darts behind a tree.
Initiative
Rova, -3 hp (Thkrull at -9 hp)
Prism
Yellow, -4 hp
Mukluk
Niksi
Everybody up!
Round 3
Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Stride.
Action 3: Strike.
Mukluk double moves up, still angry about them attacking Thrkull.
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Niksi maintains her song while she attacks the mind of the last xulgath.
HP 51/54
AC 21
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9
Hero points: 3
Arrows used: 6/23; Stones used 0/14
Effects: Hunted prey (yellow), sickened 1, inspired defense (+1 status bonus to AC and Saving Throws, and you get resistance 2 to physical damage)
"Get him, Thkrull!" Rova orders as she slips off the elephant and fires at the xulgath.
"Give up, demon worshipper!" she orders, though she clearly doesn't think the creature can even understand her.
HP 23/32
AC 19 (1 armor, 2 Dex, 2 trained unarmored, 4 level)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects:
Effects: inspired defense (+1 status bonus to AC and Saving Throws, and you get resistance 2 to physical damage)
Thkrull lets out an elephantine roar and plows through the underbrush, stomping down on the horrible thing that had the temerity to hurt his halfling!
Prism swings around the tree to help free up Thkrull "Almostthere!"
Conditions: Sickened 1
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 22 w/ Shield)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Mukluk chases after the xulgath and strikes with a cold iron pick.
Niksi keeps the defense going while she tries to daze the xulgath, who surprisingly fends off some of the mental attack.
Rova tries to yell, but her voice is lost in the chaos. Thkrull, however, lets nothing stop his mighty feet!
And finally Prism, using Thkrull for a flanking buddy, brings the xulgath down.
Rova heals self for
Mukluk heals Thkrull for
It only takes a short while to patch up Rova and Thkrull.
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Ignoring her own minor scratches, Rova rushes to Thkrull's side to make sure the elephant is OK. She pushes his trunk aside as he tries to check on her, looking at his leg. As she does, she feels a slight exhaustion come over her. Blinking, she realizes what she thought was the pachyderm's blood must in fact have been the xulgaths' as she can't find any evidence of the wound.
After she binds her own arm, the scratch barely noticeable, she sits down for 10 minutes to catch her breath.
"Does someone want to see if they have anything useful?" she asks as she rests.
Prism kneels on the ground holding her hand out for noone to come near here as she retches. "I...can't...go near that...stench." She heaves in between each word.
”Haw haw! Teach you to attack my friendephant!” Mukluk offers a spit at the dead xylaths, still grumpy about the encounter and the rudeness. He waits for others to get healed and sorts through the dead for loot or items of interest as he can handle the smell.
He’ll also check out the ox for useful bits of meat as it might be close to dinner time.
The leader of the hunting party has 4 daggers, while the rest have only clubs. The tower is close now, and easily visible.
Niksi flicks her light gray bandana out from her back pocket then hands it to Prism. "You may want to cover up your face, Dear. It might help."
Prism wraps the cloth around her mouth and nose. "That's a little better, but you can still smell their funk through the cloth." She struggles to her feet to try and get as far away from them as she can. "Thattower..isgoing..tobe..rough."
Rova slips off Thkrull's back, pulling out and loading her slingstaff.
"What do you think we should do? Just attack?" she asks. "They haven't been very friendly so far..."
”Attack wut?” Mukluk looks for foes but would prefer to avoid a fight. He’s tired of fighting, but not tired of enough to leave his friends here alone nor to put away his weapons.
”Let’s move up.”
The group continues along and starts climbing the path that runs up the outside of the tower. You soon reach a platform that leads into the tower itself. There are two statues on the platform. Very detailed statues.
Shockingly, they aren't statues at all!
The one on the far side of the platform suddenly flies over, bites at Mukluk and returns to the far side of the platform, now flying.
Initiative
Red Statue
Rova
Mukluk, -7 hp
Yellow Statue
Prism
Niksi
HP 54/54
AC 21
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9
Hero points: 3
Arrows used: 0/23; Stones used 1/14
Effects: Hunted prey (red)
"Look out," Rova says helpfully, focusing on the flying statue that she can actually see in front of her. Waiting for Mukluk to move, she fires a stone at the creature, then reloads.
Round 1
Action 1: Strike.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Parry (+1 AC).
Mukluk lunges out to strike at yellow, then raises his picks to ward off any return attacks.
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58 -
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Rova misses with her sling. Mukluk lunges forward to strike once, but unfortunately, not all the damage goes through.
The other statue crawls toward Mukluk, bites, and then takes off flying.
Mukluk takes his attack of opportunity, knocking a chunk of stone off the creature's side.
to hit
cold iron damage
Initiative
Red Statue
Rova
Mukluk, -14 hp
Yellow Statue, -8 hp
Prism
Niksi
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As Niksi had been continuing her experimenting with Summon Instrument still, she is holding a saxophone by the time battle breaks out.
She begins playing a haunting jazz-blues solo to bolster her friends.
Partly out of curiosity to see whether the creature is even vulnerable, Niksi tries a mental attack on the one Mukluk struck.
With little room to hide in the open room Prism conjures a small patch of flames into her hand. She tosses it out at the yellow statue.
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 22 w/ Shield)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Prism learns that the creatures burn just fine as she tosses a ball of fire at one of them.
Niksi tries to find out whether it is susceptible to mental damage.
And it is!
Niksi inspires her allies' defense against the flying statues.
Red flies in, bites at Prism, and flies away.
While Niksi's defensive boost can't stop the damage, it does reduce it.
Initiative
Red Statue
Rova
Mukluk, -14 hp
Yellow Statue, -23 hp
Prism, -14 hp
Niksi
HP 54/54
AC 21
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9
Hero points: 3
Arrows used: 0/23; Stones used 2/14
Effects: Hunted prey (red)
Rova moves into the room so she has a clear shot around Mukluk and then takes it, firing another stone at the red-tinged creature. This time he aim is true and she quickly reloads another stone.
Round 1
Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
Mukluk lunges out to strike at yellow, after stepping up.
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58 - 7- 7
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Rova aims her sling well, while Mukluk lunges in for a strike. Unfortunately, Mukluk's hit does no damage and Rova's stone does reduced damage.
Yellow moves in, bites Rova, and flies out again.
Mukluk takes advantage of the creature's movement for an attack of opportunity.
to hit;
cold iron damage
It knocks a small chunk of stone from the creature's foot.
Initiative
Red Statue
Rova, -10?
Mukluk, -14 hp
Yellow Statue, -29 hp
Prism, -14 hp
Niksi
Prism conjures up a prismatic shield to protect her a bit more as she tosses more flames at the wounded statue. "Staystill!"
HP 34/48
AC 21 (AC 22 w/ Shield)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Niksi continues her saxophone solo as she continues pulling apart the statue's mind.
Prism, having seen fire work before, tries it again, but she unfortunately misses.
Niksi continues to inspire defense, having seen it prevent Rova from taking a big hit! She tries to daze again.
This time, it fights off the mental assault.
Red darts in to hit Prism and flies off again.
Prism's shield prevents a critical hit, and Niksi's boost reduces the damage.
Initiative
Red Statue
Rova
Mukluk, -14 hp
Yellow Statue, -31 hp
Prism, -27 hp
Niksi
Prism is tossed back momentarily as her magical shield shatters in her hands.
HP 26/48
AC 21 (AC 22 w/ Shield)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
HP 54/54
AC 21
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9
Hero points: 2
Arrows used: 0/23; Stones used 3/14
Effects: Hunted prey (yellow)
Rova's jaw drops as the thing nearly kills Prism and decides maybe the yellow one is more of a threat. She takes aim and fires a stone into the statue, then drops her sling staff and pulls her bow off her back.
Round 2
Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
Mukluk moves up to strike at red twice.
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58 -
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Rova lets loose with a stone that finally causes the flying statue to break apart.
Not to be outdone, Mukluk moves in with a mighty blow against the other statue.
Initiative
Red Statue, -21 hp
Rova
Mukluk, -14 hp
Prism, -22 hp
Niksi
Niksi begins stiching Prism's wounds together as she continues her song.
With the statue closer to the ground Prism grips her sickle and rushes in without a second thought.
HP 37/48
AC 21 (AC 22 w/ Shield)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Prism darts in, but the creature surprisingly lashes out with a claw!
Prism successfully feints the creature, but does not hit it.
Niksi heals up Prism's wounds, while continuing to inspire everyone's defenses.
The creature then lashes out at Prism twice, and flies off the far corner of the ledge.
Mukluk takes an AoO as it flies by.
to hit
cold iron damage
And the creature crumbles!
Injuries:
Mukluk, -14 hp
Prism, -45 hp
Rova heals Prism for
Mukluk heals Mukluk for
Mukluk, -6 hp
Prism, -26 hp
Rova heals Prism for
Mukluk, -6 hp
Prism, -22 hp
Rova heals Prism for
Mukluk, -6 hp
Prism, -19 hp
Rova heals Prism for
Mukluk, -6 hp
Prism, -9 hp
Rova heals Prism for
Mukluk heals Mukluk for
After eighty minutes of patching up wounds, drinking herbal concoctions, and resting, everyone feels good to go.
A strange thing happens while you rest. A cloud of fog emerges from the tower's opening. It lasts for about 30 minutes, and then goes away.
"What do you think that means?" Rova asks, pointing to the cloud as she helps Prism ("You should try to be more careful if you want to live to see The End," she whispers at one point.)
Prism shields her eyes as she rests on her back after being knocked unconscious. She looks up at the fog. "Dunno, butit..canbegood." She sighs. "Rova," She turns her head towards the little halfling. "What is the end supposed to be like?" She asks with a bit of curiosity.
Mukluk tends to wounds and lazes about while waiting for Prism to get healed.
"Well, you Walking Rainbow, how was that fight for yeah? The way you bled, it reminded me of the time they put us up against the blood bloat golems," Mukluk reminisces, not so fondly. "There was a lot of blood that day, I tells you. The flies were thick, that was the worst part. The flies."
He waits to see what others learn of the gas.
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Rova's distracted from trying to figure out the cloud as Prism asks her question.
"Oh, no one knows!" she says very excitedly. "I think Rovagug's going to break out of his prison and devour everything -- I mean, that just seems obvious, doesn't it?! -- but maybe there'll be a bunch of Urgathoa's undead first? Now maybe it seems like there'll be demons, which would make I guess sense. Though we all kind of gave up on that idea when they closed the Worldwound. One of our friends thought the Worldwound would keep splitting open -- spitting out more and more demons -- until eventually the world just split in half. Basically, Groetus will let us know, though, when the time comes."
"Yea, that one hurt Muk Muk." She groans in pain, even after being bandaged up. "ButI'll..live" She leaps to her feet with a smile as her hair flashes purple and red.
"Groetus huh? Themoon..everspeak..toyou?"
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Niksi sits and leans back against a nearby tree.
”Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.”
She switches to her “peaceful/sleeping” face. ”That poem adequately contains my sentiments on the question at hand.”
Rova thinks that this strange environmental effect is due to some kind of malfunctioning magic. Perhaps due to whatever is going on with the aeon orb?
"No," Rova answers sadly, before smiling at Niksi's poem. She's pleased that she's getting through to the elf, at least. She thinks her parents would probably be proud of her -- if they ever get a chance to hear about it, which isn't likely.
She tells the others about the malfunctioning magic and waits for them to be ready to continue.
"Maybe we should try to make sure no one notices us?" she suggests.
She arms her sling staff and starts creeping forward, trying not to think about how conspicuous Thkrull is.