Whiff! Whiff!
Strongjaw frowns at the apparent lack of any ice Clinging to the Shield Mammoth dude.
The Witch promptly cracks his knuckles!
The Witch then attempts to freeze his chestnuts!
With Veshka pouring her rage into him, Catamoch squeals in delight as he tramples the raider into the ground, grinding him into the earth until he's little more than bloody rags.
With a ferocious intensity, Catamoch launches another critical attack on Baraga, his tusks and hooves a blur of deadly force. The impact is too much for the Longshield, who collapses to the ground, his shield and spear clattering beside him. Lying there, wounded and defeated, a bitter laugh escapes Baraga's lips. "You fools," he gasps, his voice a mixture of pain and triumph. "Our poison flows through your river, sealing the fate of your precious Broken Tusks. You have no idea what's coming for you." He coughs, blood running down his chin.
His eyes, though fading, burn with a fanatical glint as he continues, "The great Ivarsa has blessed us with a new weapon, a young warrior... Pakano, his eyes like dawn and dusk, unmatched in battle. Your end is near. You stand no chance against what we have unleashed."
With those final words, Baraga's laughter fades into a lifeless silence. His prophecy of doom hangs heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the threat looming over the Broken Tusks.
The realization sets in among the scouts: the river's contamination is beyond repair. There is no feasible way to purify the vast, poisoned waters. With heavy hearts, they understand that their immediate task is to return to their following and warn them to keep the herd away from the deadly river. Should they fail to do so, the consequences could be disastrous.
The Burning Mammoths’ travois contains gear that shows they’ve been traveling quickly for many days. It also contains a bundle of 20 tindertwigs.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"PAKANO!!!" Valda throws her head back and roars the traitor's name to the heavens!
"When I get my hands on that little worm, I will make him pay for all of the pain and suffering he has caused!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The White Rabbit sits next to Strongjaw on Tanngrisnir.
I just knew Pakano was an asshat.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"But ... if he's the best the Burning Mammoths have, I think we should be OK," Kadosh says. "He ... well, you all saw."
Kadosh -- despite the river having been polluted by these monsters (what did they plan to drink?) -- oddly feels better, even if Pakano has turned out to be even worse than he could have known.
"The spirits of the river can be appeased." Hakata reassured his companions. "The lands will not tolerate the Burning Mammoths for long, if this is how they treat them."
Hakata keeps quiet about Pakano's betrayal. They'll pay him in the end, if they need to.
"Pah, that whelp is only unmatched in arrogance and treachery."
She spits, and grinds it into the dust. "Back to the Following then. The sooner we turn the herds, the better."
Having successfully neutralized the poisoners, the scouts hasten back to their Following, delivering a crucial warning about the contaminated waters. Their swift action steers the group away from danger and towards the hope of finding cleaner, safer water sources.
In the ensuing week, the journey becomes notably less fraught. The terrain eases into a more navigable landscape, offering the group a much-needed respite. With each passing day, the menacing glow of the Burning Mammoths' fires dwindles into the distance, a reassuring sign that the immediate threat is receding.
Eight days after leaving the site of the poisoned waters behind, the scouts lead the Following to a landmark known as The Grandparents. This expansive valley, nestled at the foot of the Tusk Mountains, marks a traditional turning point in the Broken Tusks’ migration. Despite its vastness, the surrounding hills and towering peaks create an intimate, enclosed feeling. The mountains, with their stooped silhouettes, watch over the valley like ancient guardians, lending the area its name.
It’s in this valley that the Broken Tusks pause for a time-honored ritual, paying homage to their ancestors. The recent passing of Grandfather Eiwa lends a poignant gravity to this year's observance. Despite the looming threat of the Burning Mammoths, there's a collective resolve not to forgo this sacred tradition.
In the following days, as the group prepares to move towards Red Cat Cave, the scouts take the opportunity to reconnoiter the surrounding hills thoroughly. The hilly terrain demands diligence, and it takes two full days to ensure the safety and security of the area. This thorough scouting is crucial, not only to safeguard the Following as they camp but also to pave the way for fulfilling Eiwa's dying wish at Red Cat Cave before the eventual turn northwards.
Failure: You find nothing suspicious in the valley.
Critical Failure: As failure and you are particularly noisy and draw attention to yourself while recointering the area.
Success: You find tracks suggesting you are not alone here.
Critical Success: As success, but you identify the source of the tracks above.
Hakata scouts the area, not only watching for game, but also signs of the Burning Mammoths. Though tracks are sparse in the hard country, the spirits of stone are restless.
"We need to be wary," Hakata cautions his fellow scouts. "We are not alone here."
Sitting proudly on Tanngrisnir, Strongjaw surveys the yawning landscape presented before him.
Does yous bees has a sevens?
The White Rabbit yawns before the back straightened Goblin.
Go fish! How's the back? That brace really makes you sit up proudly.
Kadosh moans as Hakata realizes the scouts are not alone. He scans the sky in search of the telltale ruddy glow of the Burning Mammoths.
Hakata picks up someone else's trail and informs his fellow scouts of the potential problems that require further investigation.
The party finds carefully prepared scrub brushes at the edge of a steep cliff 80 feet up. The ledge gives a commanding view of the plain below, including the valley through which the Broken Tusk following must travel about 400 feet away. A steep series of switchbacks leads down the hill to the south.
The ledge is mostly level. Someone has cleared away all the scrub, except at the cliff edge, which provides standard cover and concealment from
below. A slightly lower ledge to the northeast holds a camp out of sight from the plain below. Moving about in the camp is a female humanoid who seems to be commanding three male dwarves to arrange things.
"Who is good at being sneaky?" Valda asks. "They should try to get closer to figure out what these people are doing here."
"Not I" says Hakata. Though he moves with grace, he's never had the knack for sneaking up on people.
Kadosh shakes his head, his various trinkets and charms rattling a little to emphasize the point.
Veshka grits her teeth, pained horror evident on her face as she turns to look down at Strongjaw.
Strongjaw grins.
The White Rabbit shakes his head in the negative.
Tanngrisnir sighs.
Shoulders forward. The goblin points upwards the 80' incline to the human woman and her Dwarven laborers.
The trio begin to Stride easily up the incline to address the quartet.
Welcome to the gracious hunting grounds of The Broken Tusks! We invite you to share water and tell tales of Bravery, foolishness and perhaps your intentions.
The White Rabbit is seen pantomime the Witch's speech.
Kadosh freezes as Strongjaw sneaks up -- and then announces his presence.
"Great spirits!" he whispers. "Did he not understand the plan?"
"I thought at least the rabbit was listening."
Hakata shakes his head and mutters to Kadosh, "The spirits move in mysterious ways--Strongjaw is more mysterious than most."
As Strongjaw makes their bold declaration, the group on the ledge, a woman and three dwarves, are visibly caught off guard. They pause their activities and assume a defensive stance, clearly surprised by this unexpected encounter.
The woman, poised and composed, quickly recovers from her initial surprise. She stands confidently, her eyes analyzing the approaching scouts with an air of curiosity mixed with caution. Her demeanor suggests she's accustomed to being in control, even in unexpected situations.
The dwarves, meanwhile, respond with a mixture of wariness and suspicion. They subtly shift closer to their weapons, prepared for any sudden developments, their expressions betraying a readiness for confrontation. They seem experienced in handling the unexpected, though they appear more at ease with the wilderness than impromptu social interactions.
After a brief moment of tension, the woman steps forward as the group's apparent leader. "Greetings, travelers," she says, her voice carrying a note of authority tinged with a hint of irritation. "You've certainly made a grand entrance. To what do we owe the pleasure of this... unexpected visit?"
Her words are measured, carrying a diplomatic tone, yet there's an underlying sharpness to them—a subtle annoyance at having her activities interrupted. The dwarves remain silent but vigilant, their eyes fixed on the Broken Tusks scouts, especially on Strongjaw and his eclectic entourage.
Strongjaw and the White Rabbit look at each other as the fancy dressed lady answers his questions.
The White Rabbit whispers
Perhaps she don't understand. Talk slower.
The Goblin shrugs, repeating his earlier statements and questions, but in super slow mode.
Welcome to the gracious hunting grounds of The Broken Tusks! We invite you to share water and tell tales of Bravery, foolishness and perhaps your intentions.
He gives the group a thumbs up.
The woman's initial composure falters momentarily as Strongjaw repeats his invitation, this time in an exaggeratedly slow manner. She blinks, taken aback by the oddity of the situation. The dwarves exchange confused glances, clearly unsure how to react to this unconventional method of communication.
After a brief pause, she regains her poise, though a flicker of amusement – or perhaps bemusement – crosses her features. She responds with a carefully measured tone, maintaining her diplomatic facade despite the strange interaction.
"Thank you for your... hospitable offer," she says, her words deliberate. "It's rare to encounter such... unique characters in these parts." She casts a discerning glance at Strongjaw and The White Rabbit, her expression a mix of intrigue and caution.
"We are merely travelers," she continues, choosing her words with care. "Exploring these lands and appreciating their wild beauty. Your lands are quite remarkable." Her response is guarded, revealing nothing of her true intentions.
The dwarves, still silent, seem to be watching the woman and taking their cue from her.
"Well then," she begins with a slight tilt of her head, "since we're exchanging pleasantries, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lady Ardissa, a traveler and admirer of the natural wonders these lands have to offer." She gestures gracefully towards her companions. "And these stout gentlemen are my associates. We've journeyed far to witness the majesty of this region."
She pauses for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the group of scouts, her expression one of polite curiosity. "And you, brave travelers, who do I have the pleasure of addressing? It's not every day we encounter such... unique individuals out here. Your names, if you please?"
Her tone is smooth, laced with a practiced charm, though her eyes remain sharp and calculating.
The White Rabbit punches the goblin in the arm.
Told you!
Strongjaw grimacing then smiles at the fancy Lady.
I am Strongjaw,. This loud mouth is The White Rabbit. And this lazy goat (not Tom Brady) is Tanngrisnir. Nice to make yer acquaintance.
Veshka glares daggers at the dwarves. "Care to speak for yourselves?"
Kadosh, hearing voices, but not the sounds of immediate battle, realizes Strongjaw wasn't quite as sneaky as he thought he could be, and decides to join the group.
"I'm Kadosh," he introduces himself. "We are from the Burning Tusk following, as Strongjaw told you. It's rare we encounter people from beyond the Realm here, but we welcome visitors."
Hakata, studying the strangers intently, quickly picks up on the underlying tension in their demeanor. He senses that while Ardissa’s words are cloaked in civility, her intentions are far from transparent. He gets the distinct impression that these newcomers are prepared to resort to force if she doesn't get what she wants. She's unlikely to settle for anything less than what she wants either.
The dwarves, momentarily caught off guard by Veshka's direct question, exchange glances before one of them, a burly figure with a grizzled beard, steps forward. "We're just here to help Lady Ardissa with her... travels," he says gruffly, his voice carrying an unspoken warning. The others nod in agreement, their expressions remaining guarded and unreadable.
Ardissa smiles thinly at the introductions, her gaze flicking between the scouts. "How delightful," she responds, her voice smooth but her eyes calculating. When Kadosh mentions the Broken Tusk however, she lights up. “Oh, fantastic!” She beams, her manner changing dramatically. She begs forgiveness for her rudeness, then reveals her true reason for coming to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. “I’d like to buy one of your beasts of burden,” she says. “I think it will make a fantastic ornament in my manor. I’m sorry; allow me to speak more plainly—my ‘hut,’ as it were. Oh, Desna must be smiling on me to have facilitated this chance meeting!” She searches her pockets, then withdraws some mundane trinkets—a lace handkerchief, a half-full bottle of ink, a handful of copper coins—and displays them in her open palm. “This should suffice for payment. For one mammoth, agreed?”
Hakata foresees rejecting this offer will cause her to get furious and likely turn to violence.
Strongjaw immediately begins to open his mouth when the White Rabbit quickly places a ball of yarn (orange) in the goblin's big mouth!
The goat just chews on some delightful foliage.
Kadosh feels fury fill him.
"Our mammoths aren't for sale," he growls. "And if they were, it certainly wouldn't be for such a small price!"
Veshka spits on the ground before Ardissa. "Get out of our lands."
"Before we cut you down where you stand," Valda growls threateningly, brandishing her glowing silver sword.
Still holding the ball of yarn (orange) firmly in Strongjaw 's open mouth, the White Rabbit turns his blue eyes to look at his fellow tribe persons with shock (and, perhaps, pride)!
And, here, I presumed incorrectly it seems.
Plucking the ball of yarn (orange) back out of the goblin's big open mouth, the White Rabbit taps the Witch in!
Please continue.
The smiling Goblin turns his blue eyes to stare at the proffered goods.
Dat be barely 'nought ta rent a dwarf!
Even Tanngrisnir chuckles at the joke.
The situation escalates rapidly as the scouts make their stance unequivocally clear.
Ardissa, however, does not share in Strongjaw's humor. Her patience frays, and her true intentions surface as she bitterly insults the Broken Tusks, labeling them as primitives. Realizing that her deceptive tactics have failed, she draws her rapier in a swift, fluid motion, her face twisted in anger. She commands her dwarven porters to attack, marking the breakdown of negotiations and the onset of inevitable combat.
"This is beneath me. I should be hunting majestic beasts, not dealing with rabble like you!" she says, clearly irritated at the current situation.
The atmosphere, already charged with tension, now explodes into action as the scouts prepare to defend themselves against Ardissa and her cohorts.
The spirits of battle easily answer Hakata's call when faced with these intruders. He attempts to feather the rude woman with arrows.
for
for
The battle begins as Hakata, with a sharp eye and steady hand, lands a critical strike on Ardissa. His arrows fly true, embedding deeply into her chest, causing her to stagger back from the impact. The look on Ardissa's face is one of shock and pain, mixed with growing rage at this unexpected turn of events. "I'll not be humiliated by a band of wildlings!"
Enraged by the hit she's taken, Ardissa retaliates with a fury. Her hands move in a swift, practiced motion as she conjures a volley of magic missiles. The arcane darts streak across the battlefield towards Hakata, the impact of each missile jarring him with force.
Meanwhile, the three dwarf porters, seeing their employer under threat, leap into action with fierce determination. They charge forward, their rugged faces set in grim lines of resolve. One of them, wielding a cargo hook with surprising proficiency, manages to land a solid hit on Valda. The hook finds its mark, tearing through her defenses and drawing a line of pain.
20
0
0
0
Despite the pain from the hit she took, Valda grins. Finally, the enemies came to her for a change! Her sword gleams as she quickly slashes at one of the dwarves before forcing her immanence back into her sword.
HP 28/28
AC 18
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +6
Hero points: 1
Effects:
Kadosh yelps as the negotiation turns to violence, all thanks to the hateful woman. He wonders if she'll survive, and whether that would actually teach her a weapon. But first, the dwarves.
"You can still leave our lands, if you leave now!" he growls, his bell chiming with perhaps a final ominous ring.
Veshka sends bolts of lightning racing ahead of Catamoch to herald his wrath!
Catamoch races past the porters, whirling with feral grace to plunge his tusks into their waiting backs!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hekata bears his pain in silence and continues to fire on the haughty hunter.
for
for
Strongjaw huffy!
I knew she had on bad gal boots!
The White Rabbit nods sagely in agreement.
Can always tell by the footwear.
The Witch then smiles as he Hexes Valda!
Life Boost
The giggling Goblin then Hexes both dwarves!
The conflict escalates rapidly, with each combatant responding to the immediate threat in front of them. With two swift and precise strikes, Valda brings the dwarf down, his body collapsing under the force of her deadly blows.
Meanwhile, Veshka's unleashes her bolts of lightning, and electrical energy crackles through the air, striking both remaining porters. The intense heat scorches the dwarves, their bodies jerking from the impact. Catamoch, seizing the opportunity, charges at one of the injured porters. His tusks, like deadly spears, impale the dwarf, leaving him teetering on the brink of collapse.
Kadosh, determined to join the fray, lunges forward with his strike, but his attack misses its target. The porter skillfully dodges, narrowly escaping the battleaxe's edge.
Hakata fires his bow twice more. Both arrows find their mark, sinking into the flesh of the female trophy hunter, Ardissa. The impact of the arrows causes her to stagger, pain etching across her face.
In retaliation, the remaining porters swing their hooks wildly, attempting to fend off the relentless assault from the scouts. Their movements are desperate, driven by the instinct to survive against overwhelming odds. All six attempts fall just shy of hitting their marks. Realizing this isn't going to work, they both drop their weapons and raise their arms to surrender.
Stronjaw's ice puts the porters on death's edge and they reconsider their priorities.
"Fools! You'll rue the day you crossed paths with me; mark my words!" she shouts, furious that it's come to this.
Suddenly, the battle takes a drastic turn. Ardissa, realizing the direness of her situation, resorts to desperate measures. She hastily pulls out a scroll, her voice rising in a crescendo as she recites the incantation. The scouts turn just in time to see a blazing fireball launched from her hands. The fireball hurtles through the air, a comet of destruction, before exploding upon impact. The explosion engulfs both scouts and porters in a searing blast, the heat and force indiscriminately scorching friend and foe alike. The battlefield is momentarily engulfed in flames and smoke, the air filled with the roar of the fireball and the cries of those caught in its wake.
Both porters are burned to a crisp by the spell and collapse to the ground in flames.
HP 21/28
AC 18
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +6
Hero points: 1
Effects:
"Evil spirit!" Kadosh cries as he realizes what's happening and dashes forward, avoiding the worst of the fire. He lashes out with his ax as he gets close.
When Kadosh targets Ardissa with his strike, she traces a dizzying symbol in the air in front of him.
Success: The creature is unaffected.
Failure: Until the beginning of her next turn, Ardissa is concealed from the creature.
Critical Failure: Until the end of her next turn, Ardissa is hidden from the creature
Blisters bubble up along the backs of Veshka's arms but Catamoch continues unharmed, sprinting ahead of his devotee as she cries for blood and vengeance!
Kadosh and Catamoch prove to be too much for the woman. She knows she's outmatched and decides life is better than a foolish death. She drops her blade and falls to her knees, coughing out blood from where Catamoch's tusks pierced her. She says "I yield. I am outmatched and surrender."