| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Khitt tries to bring down green.
|
Khitt draws a bead, but the chaos makes his shot less than ideal. Surprisingly, however, the quarrel still buries itself in the zombie's (Orange) stomach... The walking dead slumps to the ground, but twitches and begins to stand, once again!
Initiative Round 7
Mир -> Emmett / Rodalas -> Khitt -> Baldrick -> Umikh -> Zombies
Zombie (Blue) Dead!
Zombie (Green) Dead!
Zombie (Orange) at 1 hp
Zombie (Gray) untouched
Baldrick staggers back a step from the blow. Using his warhammer to hold the zombie back with one hand, Baldrick holds the other over his lucky amulet and closes his eyes to whisper a quick prayer to Moradin.
Three bright yellow butterflies leave the swarm at Baldrick's back to slam into the wounded zombie.
Emmett recovers finally, having gotten back on his feet: "Horrors! They almost ate me... If you hadn't saved me, Mir, they would have EATEN ME!"
And then he just sees red and rushes at the last standing zombie, intent on making his point.
Mир looks thoroughly unimpressed that his patient rushes back off into danger. So he joins, to ensure that his healing was not in vain.
He swings at the zombie with his roiling club.
The eladrin, seeing that the undead is distracted moves ior the kill
rapier
and dagger
|
|
Between Rodalas and Khitt, the last zombie falls...
It is not difficult to revive the unconscious human, who you find is named DuCoot, and archeologist. His leg is broken, and makes moving a little difficult. The archeologist admits that his curiosity got the better of him and that he should have let dead Orcs lie...
He offers you a pair of potions (potion of poison resistance and oil of slipperiness) and an Ersatz Eye that he found in these tombs...
As the last zombie drops, Baldrick whirls back to the cloud of butterflies, spending the next 30 seconds swinging his warhammer and swearing loudly until they disperse.
Breathing heavily, he slowly pivots 180 degrees and, seeing no further dangers, drops to his knees then to his side, trying to catch his breath: "Huh, I haven't had that much of a workout since basic training."
Frowning up from the floor: "How's the human? Is he still planning to kill us all with undead orcs?"
Umikh breathes heavily and plops down next to Baldrick. So you came up here by yourself?! What were you... and he realizes he's being rude to a man who clearly understands his mistake. Well, it's done now. We should put a warning up so no one else comes in here and triggers that....that orc barfing thing. What is that anyway?! He asks, looking at Baldrick.
|
|
The archeologist chuckles, embarrassed, No, my hirelings and I were attacked by an owlbear outside the caves and I ran for cover further in. That is when I discovered the secret door... I hid for a while, and when I was certain that the threat had gone, I set to work.
You are reminded of the pair of corpses that you stumbled across at the entrance of the cave, mauled by a large animal...
The scholar gestures to the tomb, I have been studying the anthropology of the Orc-kind for the past 5 years, and when we discovered this hidden tomb, it was like finding gold! Clearly, though, I got a little too carried away... I will have to make sure that I hire a trap finder for my next expedition... and Owlbear Repellent...
Seeing the two dwarves plot down next to one another familiarly, Khitt laments not having a strong connection with his own kind.
Turning to the archeologist, ”We did not travel further into the cave past the secret entrance. Does the Owlbear still live here in the cave?” As he listens to answer to his question, Khitt explores the tomb and collects any spent bolts that he can find.
"... that orc barfing thing. What is that anyway?! He asks, looking at Baldrick.
Sighing, sitting up next to Umikh, Baldrick scratches the side his head with his warhammer: "No idea. Just a trap for looters, I guess. You think that owlbear we killed was the same one that attacked ... er, Duke? Dukoo?" waves a hand generally to the other side of the room: "The humans?"
Umikh nods at Baldrick's reply. It'd be nice if'n there was just the one owlbear, but I'm thinking probably not. Suppose we should rest up and then check it out.
l”Little creatures? How little are we talking” Khitt asks curiously.
"I never saw an owlbear before yesterday - maybe there's a family of them? Best to have a rest, just in case, then..." raising his voice to call out to the scholar: "so, hey, where are you headed? And do you need some help?"
|
|
DuCoot nods, Help would be grand! If you can get me to Good Mead, I can catch the next caravan to Bryn Shander on their mead shipment. Sure, Dougan's Hole is closer, but those folk are crazy! Did you hear about their lottery? This mad men think that they can appease the Frostmaiden by sacrificing someone every moon! They say that the folk there have a lottery to determine who get lit up like a torch! Heard tell that they will sometimes choose strangers to avoid burning their own...
|
|
You all take some rest, then do a quick search. Khitt, with his natural survival skills tells you that the tracks are about 3 days old, and DuCoot can't tell you how long he was in there, since he never left the cave, afraid that the owlbear might choose to den there...
After a couple of hours, you come to the conclusion that the owlbear may have been one and the same as the one you managed to slay. On the way back, DuCoot and his broken leg slow your progress and so you decide to camp one last night with Mother Tusk.
The archeologist is delighted by the awakened animals, who cheer when you announce that the cave is cleared!
--
Throughout the night, several of the animals snuggle up to you all, having proven yourselves honest allies. Their warmth is welcome in the cold of the night, and you wonder what is to come.
In the morning, Mother Tusk sees you off. She nods to the North, indicating all of Icewind Dale. [b]Be firm in your resolve, two-legger. It’s more than wolves or owlbears or wild humans who threaten you here. The very weather itself seeks your demise in the North. Greater powers than you or me war here. Go with my thanks and my blessing.
May we meet again under better and brighter skies.[b]
As if the weather itself was eavesdropping on your conversation, clouds roll in, a biting wind cuts across your face, and snow falls like a veil being drawn across the world.
So! Umikh says, rubbing his hands together for warmth as much excitement to be off. Shall we?
He will sadly say good bye to the otters and the foxes that he has made as friends, giving them toys to play with after he is gone.
The silent, mountainous humanoid looks to each of his companions with a warm smile and a head nod and then trudges away into the snowy wilderness.
Standing tall and straight, Baldrick salutes Mother Tusk: "Thanks for your help after the avalanche, ma'am. It's been a pleasure to get to know you and your family."
With his gear packed neatly away, Baldrick stands next to Umikh at the cave exit: "Let's see what lies ahead for us, friend. ... I'm not sure I'll ever get used to 'weather' though"
The springy eladrin will nod in respect to Mother Walrus, wave good bye to his mischievous friends and follow off after the goliath, using his boots to make goliath sized tracks.