Leaving the kids behind and the well to be dealt with later. The cave is tight, and the smoke is thick enough to sting your eyes. And that monotonous banging. You have reached the a bend in the cave and there is a glow further on. The bangs have started to slow and there is a muffled yell between each strike.
[ooc[Its hazy from the smoke and there is concealment[/ooc]
Moving around the bend, Elowen takes in the scene, her expression darkening at the sight of the child chained up on the ground. Quickly she casts a now familiar spell, converting a simple sharp thorn to a wicked javelin. preparing to attack the monster hammering away at their vile work.
Hold out little one! She whispers to the child.
My Faith will break your chains, your bones, your skull and your spine if you have one, you cravenly barely ambulatory turd that preys upon the young and weak. Face me, face me and perish.
She makes no qualms of her intentions regarding the chainy thing.
Svetlana advances, casting shield of faith on herself.
A pair of shimmering spectral wings fold around her as her defenses increase.
Jenkin doesn't bother with preparations or dire oaths, he's more the type to immediately put action over words. In this case, the action of running at the hammer-bearing individual and seeing if axe beats hammer.
Penelope follows quickly, sending an arrow at the hammer foe as soon as she sees it.
Two arrows wiz past Jenkin's head, one on either side. A golden light like the warm hearth in a homestead coating can be seen for a split second before they slam into the creature.
The choking odor of smelted steel tinged with burnt hair and flesh wafts on a foul wind. A hulking dwarf wrapped in heavy steel links approaches. Its face, hands, and body are riddled with glowing hot hooks and half-melted razor wire. Black smoke rises from its smoldering beard, framing its freakishly contorted face in ashy darkness. The tormented thing
hefts a black iron hammer and strikes the last link on the chain it has been forging.
The pudgy boy of privilege has fallen onto his side. Red faced and looking around unforced. Laying down like that he cannot get away from the smoke. And he has not appeared to notice any of you quite yet.
Penelope tightened her resolve as one of her arrows strike through the smoke. "I don't know what it is, something related to Droskar." she shook her head, pulling an arrow ready to fire again. "watch those chains!"
Strike at midnights hour,
with overwhelming speed and power
then feast on the fear
in your enemies eyes
Svetlana sings as she moves and bites.
She likely tears out a decent chunk from it
Shield of faith AC 2 higher, CMD 2 higher,
Divine favor +3 melee attack and melee damage
From the smouldering parts of the creature (whose identity she can't even guess at), Odelai realizes her current spells will be nearly useless. So she hustles into the room near the child and attempts to break his chains by the strength of her hair.
NL DAM: 3
2nd Spells
> Web (1):
> CMW (1):
1st Spells
> Burning Hands (1):
> Mage Armor (1): x
> CLW (1):
SLAs
> Dancing Lights (1):
> Flare (1):
> Prestidigitation (1):
> Produce Flame (1): x
Effects:
Mage Armor = +4 AC/FF
Jenkin doesn't let his less than impressive first attack deter him. He takes a step to the monster's side, (the better to let someone else in for a hit) and goes to work with both axes.
Again two arrows fly throughs the air, and once again the smoke made her fire at targets that were not there.
With reckless abandon Svetlana again fills her mouth with undead flesh when she bites it neck, ash instead of blood fills her mouth. Jenkins slams his reliable handaxe into the shoulder, loudly forcing its way though the chains. And Penelope's arrow rips though its throat leaving a hole that leaks black smoke.
Odela your hair cannot seem to snap the bindings, but you do have Jurin's attention. Red faces and terrified. He has been in her a whie and with his mouth blocked he is starting to struggle to breath.
The flesh starts to pull itself back together, slowly. It looks around before trying to raise the well-used hammer but it seems Jekin's blow severed ligaments that have not knitted back together yet. The chain, the links still glowing, fly out towards Jurin but Odela's hair makes a shield around the young boy.
YOUR FOE IS HERE BLYAD!
Enraged, Svetlana grows horns once more, and starts laying into the foe
Her horns likely strike true, her right claw likely misses, and she prefer to use her shield for her left hand to not have herself be exposed.
Her bite may strike true as well.
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"Jurin!" Penelope's heart nearly shatters as the chain flies toward the boy, only to be steeled by the bravery of Odela for flinging herself... even if it is just her hair... in the path of the blow.
In hope to put down this creature quicker, Penelope pulls one of her remaining magic arrows (). She fits, draws, breathes, then releases. Slowing down to see how the arrow effects it.
Elewen hurls one javelin after another to follow Penelope's arrows, though with far less accuracy.
Jenkin, not succeeding at succeeding so far, tries, tries again.
Staying low to the ground Jeva creeps forward nearly, so low she is moving on all fours. But she freezes staring up at the monstrosity. Continuing to move through the smoke to flank the chain creature.
Staggering back half a step with each hit. Ash is pouring out of its neck while the chain lash around in clear rage. Looking round and staring down before a chain lash into the smoke. A yell in pain turns into a growl. A furry body leaps out of the smoke to di its claws into the undead shoulder. Taking the hammer in both hands a swinging at Jenkin's while billowing smoke like a wounded stag. That red newly forged chain smacks into Svetlana. Aiming straight for her heart, nearly bursting through.
F%~% that thing hits like a truck. Ok strategy, I got in other my head and if that chain hits me again I am done for. Tactical solution? Currently dont see one other then hitting it really f#*!ing hard and then playing possum.
Likely has reach, but can clearly attack from melee, so withdrawal isnt an option, and, assuming the hammer is melee while the chain has reach I get f##!ing smacked with the chain if I 5 feet step back. The hammer I may survive, but it would knock me out. Is this the point where you offer a favor I have to repay in the future oh most magnificent sexy voice in the back of my head?
"It sucked up the fire! I doubt you can hurt it with flame." Elowen shouts to Penelope as she hurls the last of her thorn javelins
Jenkin grunts as the hammer badly smacks against his armor. For all hit b+!!$ing about how much he preferred leather, though, the blow doesn't do more against the mithral plate than knock the wind out of him. He redoubles his efforts in an attempt to put this thing down as quickly as possible.
Both axes hack home.
"Understood" the paladin says, taking her hand away from the next magical arrow she was going to try.
Her next two arrows successfully navigate the haze, but it appears that she had concentrated too much on focusing on the target and not the armor it was wearing.
Odelai skirts around the battle to deliver a healing spell on the badly hurt skinwalker.
NL DAM: 3
2nd Spells
> Web (1):
> CMW (1):
1st Spells
> Burning Hands (1):
> Mage Armor (1): x
> CLW (1): x
SLAs
> Dancing Lights (1):
> Flare (1):
> Prestidigitation (1):
> Produce Flame (1): x
Effects:
Mage Armor = +4 AC/FF
The chains are slapping against the floor, the noise is making your ears ring. Opening its mouth, glowing embers surrounded by thick black smoke, and it is starting to back away. But whatever it was going to do is stopped. The first axes blow returns the favor by striking its chest. A javelin lodges into its open mouth as a arrow tears another hole in the undead throat. Swaying where it stands with ash now dribbling out of its mouth around the javelin. The last axe strike removes its jaw. Swaying again before collapsing
The furry Jeva backs and hits the cave wall. Looking around panicked. Her yellow dress has blood on it now, blood that is running out of her muzzle.
Jurin isn't thrashing and he is struggling to keep his eyes open.
I guess my allies have earned their keep
Jurin, what does that s&!%ty thing do to you? Svetlana tries to get the gag off, using her claws if needed.
Odelai shifts her focus back to the ominously quiet child. Even as she works to get the gag out of his mouth and push his towards the floor where the air is slightly cleaner, she can’t help but notice the strangeness of the monster’s chains ”Something seems to be moving in the metal of the chains.”
Penelope quickly moves to the panicked Jeva, "Shhh, it is okay, Jeva" she lowers her bow to the ground, and without her sword she is without a single weapon. "[b]We suspected, I think, and we are very sorry for whatever she did to you, but we are not here and You helped save Jurin.
Jenkin lets the healers take care of Jurin and the gentler members of the party handle Jeva. He takes his cue from Odelai and gets down on a knee to inspect the chain. He does not touch it, just look at it up close.
Jurin sucks in a big breath and promptly starts coughing. Take me...tak...fath... father.." He looks primed to have a rich boy tantrum, but he notices Svetlana, someone familiar and safe. Throwing him at her regardless of the bindings on his legs and hands. "You came." And suddenly he is just a scared little boy. Sobbing in the arms of on of his heroes.
---
Jeva's eyes narrow. Darting to the weapon on the ground then at Penelope's neck. A low growl escapes and then she shakes her head. Crouching down and flinching. The change back seems painful. Unpleasant pops and cracks. Pressing her paws into her face, hiding how her face changes but she cannot hide the whimpers. Fur falls away leaving her shaking. "Sorry."
---
focusing on the chains that thing that is moving is a face, twisted in agony then its a shadow in the metal again. Looking into another you see a different face, same expression. There are three faces found moving the metal links. There is something of a trap to it, but it seems to be neutralized right now. Nothing about the hammer seems dangerous.
Jurin sucks in a big breath and promptly starts coughing. Take me...tak...fath... father.." He looks primed to have a rich boy tantrum, but he notices Svetlana, someone familiar and safe. Throwing him at her regardless of the bindings on his legs and hands. "You came." And suddenly he is just a scared little boy. Sobbing in the arms of on of his heroes.
---
Jeva's eyes narrow. Darting to the weapon on the ground then at Penelope's neck. A low growl escapes and then she shakes her head. Crouching down and flinching. The change back seems painful. Unpleasant pops and cracks. Pressing her paws into her face, hiding how her face changes but she cannot hide the whimpers. Fur falls away leaving her shaking. "Sorry."
---
focusing on the chains that thing that is moving is a face, twisted in agony then its a shadow in the metal again. Looking into another you see a different face, same expression. There are three faces found moving the metal links. There is something of a trap to it, but it seems to be neutralized right now. Nothing about the hammer seems dangerous.
Penelope pulls out her blanket from her pack and wraps it around the young girl. "It's okay" she smiles in sympathy, hugging her tight "You did good, you Are good." her soft voice certain and warm.
There are some enemies we are leaving behind here, but lets evacuate the children first. We did quite a number on a lot of threats!
Svetlana says to the party
You did good Jeva, you have nothing to be ashamed off.
Maybe I can teach you some tricks about staying in control, although you are already doing a good job.
These faces in the chain are weird and creepy as f!~&.
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Jeva glares at the praise, something clearly unfamiliar to her. Shaking her head then she starts looking for the little knife she dropped, wincing when she picks it back up. And genuinely seems mad at the audacity of pain. A deep purple bruise is starting to show on her chest and shoulder.
Jurin is clinging tight to Svetlana and breathing slowly as he starts to calm down. Looking up with tears still streaming down his face, "Their alive?"
Smooshing his face into the huntress's armor and squeezing as tight as he can. Though they left.
The faces in the chains continue to move about, Subtle shifts in the gleaming metal before a face twisted in horror and agony is briefly visible. The death of the beast did not seem to end their entrapment.
"Can someone look at this thing for magic? I really want to know what it is before trying to pick it up, or leaving it behind," Jenkin says, not taking his eyes off the shifting faces inside the chain.
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In the aftermath of the battle, Elowen seems distracted, drawn to an odd spot in the dirt of the chamber. Kneeling, she brings her hands to the ground, digging her fingers into the earth, her body shuddering as she suddenly seems to be drawing sustenance from the contact. Within a few moments, she appears more vibrant than most mortals, her skin seems to pulse with a healthy glow, the leaves and flowers in her hair growing and blossoming, filling the air around her with the scent of forest flowers, as her plant companion, the living vine entwined around her begins to grow and thicken as well.
She takes a deep breath, letting it out in a rush that seems to fill the cavern with a spark of life as she rises, a fading glow in her green eyes as she looks around the chamber. ”Well… that was…different."
She watches the shifting faces in the chains with an unsettled look before her eyes fall on the hammer, studying the shiny black metal. "Hmmm...the hammer seems to be made of adamantine...rare, mostly used by dwarves."
Penelope retrieves her bow. "Let's gather the other children, and have them help us find this storage room" she looks at sympathy at the faces in the chains. "We can return later to help them." her voice is pained at extending their suffering, but the children come first.
I am not touching these Svetlana announces as she points at the hammer and the chain
What powers me is pleased at this things destruction, and that chain... an instrument of slavery. I do not know how to break it, as it extends slavery beyond death, Pharasmin may be quite inclined to assist.
The one song I know that insults Droskar is...
Into the fire through trenches and mud
Blade of Gorrum and Desna with war in his blood
Leading the charge into hostile barrage
By design, he was made for the frontline
Studied law, with a thirst for war
Fought in Abbadon, wanted more
Back in Maelstrom then striking the rifts
He’s joining the allied advance
Through the Ishiar and the Demon-Wood
All the battles that he withstood
Born a soldier enjoyed the war
He always kept coming for more
Never die, shot through the eye
Never surrender however they try
How they try, shot through the eye
He’ll never die
At the edge of madness, in a time of sadness
An immortal soldier, finds his home
Proven under fire, over pike and wire
No fear of death he’s unshakeable
In the battles, when he was shot
Kept on fighting, and never stopped
In Kuton, Ashforge, Droskar'bane
Ignoring his wounds he prevailed
Save the day, he’ll never stray
Facing the foes that are coming his way
Come his way, he’ll never stray
Saving the day
At the edge of madness, in a time of sadness
An immortal soldier, finds his home
Proven under fire, through pike and wire
Forged for the war he’s unbreakable
At the edge of madness, he will show no sadness
Never broken, he’ll be back for more
Proven under fire, over trench and wire
No fear of death he’s unshakeable
Edge of madness!
No fear of death, he is forged for the war,
he will always be coming for more
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Jenkin makes a decision. "No. If there's souls trapped in there, I'm not leaving them behind for who-knows-what happens next. Maybe we can figure out how to set them free at some point." He... very gingerly... picks up the chain.
He stows the monstrous thing in his backpack. "Anyone want to carry the hammer? Even if nobody needs it as a weapon, adamantine is supposed to be even better at smashing doors than my axe."
Odelai resists the temptation to slap the warrior's hand away. "With time, we might be able to free the trapped souls. Until then, no one should touch it as they may incidentally draw power from it." She gives Jenkin a hard look. "If you experience anything strange, tell me immediately. It could be we need to pass the chain around lest its power infects anyone who carries it for too long."
"I suppose I can carry the hammer if Svetlana is unwilling to touch it." Elowen says, approaching the weapon and picking it up.
The paladin nods with a warm smile at Jenkin's courage and general goodness. When the hammer comes up she says "I can use it, if someone gets close."
Jurin stands there, still clinging to Svetlana, and watches adventurers plan. There is clear awe on his face. Jeva by contrast just looks mad. Angry in the way to cover up embarrassment.
Faintly you hear Kimi, who has likely been waiting and listening for the fight be over. She is trying to be quiet but everting echoes here. "That thing dead? Jurin ok?"
Jurins head twists to look for his friend. Unwilling to let go of his savior but clearly, he wants to run to his friends.
Its fine Jeva, everyone f%#!s up their first serious fight.
Svetlana gives Jeva a reassuring smile.
And your first fight was even earlier then mine, and I have military training, which I dont think you had
Now that Jeva is okay, Penelope goes to retrieve the other kids "He is safe" she tells the girl, then leads them into the room.
The Children all collide together and are quietly talking. Excitement turns to sadness tinged with fear for the one still missing. Leaning against the wall is the tired looking halfling, now with brown fabric tied around his belly. He smiles widely at Jurin but lets the kids have their moment.
He moves towards the adults instead, "Kids told me bits about most of you. I'm Edgrin."
Shrugging, "Burned though the rest of my magic trying to get them out of here. But the bleeding has stopped a while ago, just wanted to hide it from the youngins. I wanna help get the last boy, Hollin."
"I'm Penelope" the half elf says with tired warmth to the halfling "They were lucky you found them." her gaze lingers on the kids, an ache in her chest at their joy and fresh scars. "Which way do you think is best to find ..."