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The caustic blast harries the lion before Zug is able to brain it. Mia begins the process of healing Inka and her eyes reopen on the downed feline in front of her. Ulvard fights back solo against one of the lions in his midst and it finds the sharpness of his blade once.
Blue Lion -18 damage
Yellow lion
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug <shield>
Mia <hymn of healing>
Purple ???
Ulvard -16 damage
Inka -15 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, prone, weapon dropped>
-----------------------
Orange Lion -36 damage <dead>
Clarence
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“Lion!” With eyes suddenly wide open and alert, Inka sits bolt upright and shouts out an urgent warning that might be a just little too late. She scrabbles back away from the massive feline corpse that lies mere inches away. Instinctively one hand reaches for the bow on the ground, while her feet finally work properly, pushing her up to a standing position. But the natural impulse to flee is doused by the sight of her companions bravely fighting two other lions. With resolute speed she plucks an arrow from her quiver and fires at the nearest threat. "Steak and potatoes! Pick on someone your own size!"
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Clarence switches targets but the lion's reflexes prove too much. In unison, the lions pivot to take down the barbarian. As Ulvard falls, the stronger one lashes out at Mia.
Several of you notice the hasted sounds of pressed grass indicating something (invisible?) is approaching from the grand stand.
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug <shield>
Mia -12 damage <hymn of healing>
Purple ??? <unnoticed>
Inka -15 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1>
-----------------
Clarence
Yellow lion
Ulvard -38 damage <hp 0, dying 2, unconscious>
Blue Lion -18 damage
|
Mia glances at the fallen Ulvard, then locks her gaze to the lion with determination. She continues her invigorating poem channeling life to Inka:
"Friends, side by side shall we fall,
by the letter of law there we lay.
Forward, children of Aelysos,
daughters of Psomeira, to the end!"
then nods as if a goodbye, and steps to take a huge swing at the yellow lion.
|
The lion's teeth and claws turn away from Zug, and the goblin is relieved. His soul lightened, Zug bursts into song:
"Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?
Sticks!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta throw it at the lion..."
True to the words of the song, Zug's magic powers pick up a hefty stick, and shoots it at the Blue lion.
|
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The summoner's blast of needles spray errant. Zug targets the heftier beast as he begins the chant. Mia accepts her fate and steps to the other beast, drawing its blood. Inka's aim return in spades and her shot downs the toughest one with a fatal shot straight through the neck. Clarence is then free to focus on the final lion and both of his practiced slashes cut deep. The lion shifts to try and isolate the warrior, but its time is running out...
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug <shield>
Mia -12 damage <hymn of healing>
Purple ??? <hidden>
Inka -13 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
-----------------
Clarence -20 damage
Yellow lion -27 damage
Ulvard -38 damage <hp 0, dying 1, unconscious>
Blue Lion -55 damage <dead>
|
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Mia, surprised to still be standing, continues her poem with a slightly more positive verse:
"Through blood, pain and losses,
they stood, against the enemy foul.
Facing their spirit unwavering,
foes most powerful began to fail!"
She runs around the remaining lion to trap it between herself and Clarence, and swings at it again with all her strength.
|
|
The needles finally find their mark and the lion ceases to be.
There was that sound from by the fence, however...
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug <shield>
Mia -12 damage <hymn of healing>
Purple ??? <hidden>
Inka -13 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
-----------------
Clarence -20 damage
Yellow lion -32 damage <dead>
Ulvard -38 damage <hp 0, dying 1, unconscious>
|
|
Lions gone, but some danger still looms around. Zug stops his inspiring song to concentrate for some serious spellcasting.
"Olihepokattimaantielläpoikittain..." he chants, waving and twisting his hands.
"jalajallajalajala-"
With a mighty poof, a tiny creature appears - upper body resembling very much like a human woman, while the lower body looks like a grasshopper.
"Miss cricket-lady!" Zug hollers. "No-see bad man lurks over theres! Make all glittery, make seen!"
And the grig obeys, and casts glitterdust to cover the area where the sounds were heard.
|
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As Mia powers up, the newly arrived fey reveals a pale, middle-aged Taldan man with a gloomy countenance and dark clothing (that looks practical but expensive) crouched by the fencing.
Realizing his glittery misfortune - he darts from the fence and towards the farthest tent!
Purple man <concealed>
Inka -11 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
-----------------
Clarence -20 damage
Ulvard -38 damage <hp 0, dying 1, unconscious>
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <hymn of healing, runic weapon>
|
|
Clarence helps his buddy out and the barbarian's eyes open to the fresh scene of battle surrounding him.
Purple man <concealed>
Clarence -20 damage
Inka -11 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
Ulvard -35 damage <wounded 1, prone>
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <hymn of healing, runic weapon>
|
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“Cream and sugar!” Inka exhales with relief. “Those lions almost made a meal out of some of us.” Following Clarence’s lead, she rushes over to Ulvard and uncorks a healing potion. “Just remember to breathe,” she helpfully counsels the barbarian while pouring the liquid down his throat.
Only after tending to the companion does she turn her attention to the glittery man. “Is that your employer, Vionnia? Why is he hiding in the tent? He seems more scared than dangerous.”
|
|
"You may have proved yourself too formidable. He may have reconsidered his plans." Vionnia shouts as she rounds the barrier to put some more distance between her and her employer.
From your vantage he seems to be gathering papers...
Purple man <concealed>
Clarence -20 damage
Inka -11 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
Ulvard -29 damage <wounded 1, prone>
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <hymn of healing, runic weapon>
|
|
"Stop bad man with fancy suit!" Zug yells, and the grig leaps to action. It flutters to the tent entrance and blasts the man with a dissonant note.
"Everybody, hurry ups!" the goblin keeps shouting and weaving his magic. His magic stretches time like a rubberband, and once the the spell is complete, everyone around him jolts into action.
|
|
Ulvard takes a swig. The man in the tent ignores the grig's honk and continues to hastily gather papers as Mia reaches him.
Purple man <concealed>
Clarence -20 damage
Inka -9 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
Ulvard -23 damage <wounded 1, prone>
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <runic weapon>
|
|
The summoner and companion ready for the final surge.
Startled by Mia's sudden presence, the half-glittered man pulls a leather book from under the bench lining and darts for the path down to the cliff-side dock.
A clearly ambivalent Vionnia steps back further from the scene. "He is only trying to leave. Don't kill him!"
Purple man <concealed>
Clarence -20 damage
Inka -9 damage <2 temp hp, wounded 1, hunt prey yellow>
Ulvard -23 damage <wounded 1, prone>
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield arm>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <runic weapon>
|
|
Understanding Mia’s urgency to recover the papers, Inka is already raising and aiming her bow when Vionnia pleads for the man’s life. “How about wounding? Just puncture one or two vital organs?” She continues to train her bow on the man for a second before relenting. “I suppose it’s easier for him to answer questions if he’s alive.” Feeling a magical spring in her step, she sprints after the man and tries to knock him off his feet.
"Death and taxes!" she shouts at the man. "Which would you rather face?"
|
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The group converges on the running man just as Mia is able to grab a hold of his sparkling translucent form. Breathing hard, he struggles to get free and continues to run toward his skiff.
"Not today..." he stammers.
Purple man <concealed>
Clarence -2 damage
Inka -9 damage <wounded 1>
Ulvard -23 damage <wounded 1>
Amanita/Barry -12 damage <shield arm>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <runic weapon>
|
|
”But to please Vionnia, we won't hurt you to get it"
“No,” Inka shakes her head, “Vionnia said don’t kill him. Hurting is okay. Dranngvit approves of enhanced encouragement techniques to reclaim debts.” Inspired by the strangely melodic cowbell, the halfling studies her prey for a moment before unleashing a volley of arrows.
“Last chance! Surrender or die!”