Dakkar stared long and hard at the combat crazy warrior, then shared a glance with his cousin. Shaking his head he gathered his gear and continued on his way in silence.
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A scowl on his face, Dakkar moved towards the archer that had hit him with with an arrow and swung his club at the bowman. club damage
Dakkar patted Chern on the shoulder, and then proceeded to say loud enough for the bandits to hear "I surely do cousin. I surely do. Soons we drop off this cure we gon' hunt them down, then we hunt they kin down, then we burn their camps an make it so that no one remember they ever existed. We jus busy right now. Tomorrow is a different story though, and this jackass was dumb enough to tell me his name" Then he gave a toothy smile to Chern and all the bandits.
The heavy sack of coins thudded a few feet from the bandits. Dakkar leaned against the mule and calmly lit his pipe, seemingly unconcerned with the potential danger of the situation. "You boys is lucky we got places to be" he said puffing up a cloud of smoke "so you take that blood money. You take it and you get out of the forest. You run as far and as fast as you can. You run cause you took money from a Mudwater, and there ain't a single place in the natural world that you can hide.
"So you take that money and go, cause if you step one itty bitty toe into my woods again you gon' be left out for the wolves and bears to have their way with. When those wolves and bears eat their fill it'll be time for the rats and the vultures to pick at yer bones. When they done it'll be the bugs and the worms. Then when all manner of animal has filled themselves on the flesh of your body, it'll be the plants that leech the nutrients from your bleached bones. And then I might let you die. So go ahead. Take the money". And Dakkar watched them all with an unflinching gaze, meaning every word.
Dakkar looked at the mushrooms and smiled. "That's good work, Orderic. Just great. There's one more thing that got be done before we get out of here though" Tucking away the mushrooms safely, Dakkar took out his knife and set to work skinning each of the wolves, and finally the worg. Smiling at his new companions he said "Now we can go"
Dakkar glanced up at Orderic as he finished tying the bandage around his thigh, where he had been savaged by the worg. Shaking his head he stood, tested his leg and began gingerly making his way towards his injured cousin. "Well....my grandpappy always used to tell me not to underestimate the stupidity of others, but I think you might be right" As he reached Chern he slapped him on the back and started slathering a foul smelling poultice on his wounds. "Problem we got is that none of us is ready for another fight. I'm figurin that none of them is either. Whoever them is." His expert hands finished binding Chern's wounds, and Dakkar stood up and started heading towards balder; motioning for Orderic to walk with him "Lissen. I think we got off on the wrong foot, and I hope we can finish this thing together. We need to be able to trust you, and you need to be able to trust us. You mentioned that you might be willing to use yer skills when we got inside. well. We inside. I was hoping you could check around inside without being seen. Kinda like you did in the battle. Don't fight nothin, but if you can see what there is to see and let us know that'd be great. IF there is nothin, then we finish this tonight. If there is somethin we finish it tomorrow after out wounds have knitted a bit. Either way, I'm hopin you can help. I'm also hopin that if you find somethin good, we all get a split. That's the deal I hope you can take". Dakkar waited for the shady man's answer.
dakkar, rnd 5, init 16 Dakkar moved his now scarred and pitted shield to protect his vitals and made his way to his feet. Swinging his club weakly to fend off the work, he set his jaw and waited for an opening.
Breathing heavily Dakkar started to shrink, his magic spent. All the stories of Worgs and their evil deeds fought their way into his head. He saw his companions rent asunder by this foul creatures huge jaws. He saw all the people of the village dead from plague. He saw his grandpappy and cousins hunted through the forest. He saw all these things and he screamed. "GRRRAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH" It was a primal scream. A scream of defiance. He would not fail. He would not allow the Worg to doom all those people. And he grew.
Seeing the skald fall to the ground, Dakkar churned forward,inflating in size as he went. Swinging his now wagon wheel sized shield before him he knocked the wolf away from the fallen form of Balder, and stood guard over him as the wolf regained it's feet.
Bullrush
Dakkar pounded forward to guard his unprotected flank and jabbed his gnarled hardwood club at maw of the wolf Chern had stabbed. "ooo, that gon' be a nice coat come winter" the half orc drawled as he raised his shield against the onslaught of the wolves.
Dakkar launched his spear towards the wolves ravaging the bedrolls and brought his club to bear.
"DAGNABIT"! Muddy cursed as his eyes adjusted to penetrate the inky blackness. The small hairs on the back of his neck standing at attention. "This ain't right. Something playing with us. I bet that hallway just full of traps. Bad idea to be running down there". The half orc stared at the hallway for a long moment before a smile came over his face. Signalling his companions to draw close he laid out his plan. Spoiler: "ok, so whatever trying to get us is trying to lead us in dere. I think it gon' have some nasty surprises for us, and we been through a lot already. I say we has a look around out here and keep a guard at that door. Chern sets up his bear traps and some sort of alarm at those open doors. I don' think we really gon' be bothered out here during the day so we get some sleep and be ready for nightfall. We pad our bedrolls to look like we sleep in, and we hide. When it come for us we ready, and we got the advantage. Not it. What y'all think"?
Dakkar snatched up the knife that had almost ended the wizard and yelled over to his cousin "Chern, something just tried to kill Emrys! It ran that way" He said pointing in the direction the yip came from
Muddy brushed off the last mushroom, looked around, and popped it into his mouth instead of his pouch. "Better than berries" he thought as he savoured the rich earthy flavour of the sheep's head mushroom. The commotion of the razor crows brought him back to reality. Rushing back to the courtyard just in time to see Arthur get dive bombed by a crow he rushed to Emrys' side with his shield held high.
"ok, we got more trouble than we think" Muddy began, a little nervously. "Theys wolves round here. We need be real careful. If they here, they gon' be in one a those open doors. Far as I know, wolves don't open door though" Muddy took a good long look around the courtyard before speaking again "We can't go traipsin' round here with a mule. We lookin for mushrooms though. Mebbe we get lucky. Dat stable is all dark and wet. Mebbe they growin there and we can get out of here. Let's all have a good look around. If we has to we can probably stash the mule in that tower. It the only door that is shut" Muddy nodded his head to the others and carefully made his way to the stable.
Dakkar listened with the tirade with a bemused smile on his face. When Orderic finished, Dakkar nodded gamely before turning to Emrys and winking.
Muddy smiled warmly at the young wizard and took the treasures he offered and placed them in the saddlebags. "yep. We gon' go in now. We still got to be careful though. Could be lots of traps" The half orc stroked his chin for a moment and looked at the boy's thin robes. "Y'know, you were real helpful in that last fight. Real dangerous for you with no armour too..." The half orc knocked his hand on the wooden plate sewn into his thick hide coveralls to demonstrate his point. He then took the magical amulet from around his neck and dropped it over the young man's head and around his neck "Here. This should help keep you safe." and he patted the young mage on the shoulder.
Muddy scratched his head and gave the grinning man a long level look. "Riiiight. Well, I don't reckon that's a great idea. Tossin' around disease ridden undead corpses in valuable dwarven armour just doesn't seem right. But ifn' you aren't interested in usin yer skills. That's fine" Muddy moved to his cousin and spoke in a low voice "Reckon that one don't want to pull his weight, cousin. Ima' gon' load that armour and weapons on the mule then prod the way with the lance. Mebbe you should keep an eye on him. He don't seem real interested in makin' friends or pitchin in" With that Dakkar moved to begin carefully loading the armour and weapons on his cousin's mule
Dakkar round 5, init 7 Huffing and puffing the giant thunders after the undead boar with a high pitched call "SSSUUUUUUUUUWEEEEEEEEEE"
Dakkar Round 4, init 7 The giant staggered back a step and regarded the ragged bloody hole in his abdomen. He then smiled a wry smile as it closed before his eyes. chuckling mightily he sent his axe whistling towards the undead boar in a mighty overhead chop.
Dakkar Round 3, Init 7b A sound like thunder echoed as the giant shield and club clattered onto the stones and shrank back to their normal size. The giant rolled forward, unslinging a huge axe from it's back. Firey eyes stared. Nostrils flared. It screamed it's challenge "GRRRAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH" !!!!!
Dakkar Round 2, Init 7 Dakkar let his spear tumble from his grip, entangled in the writhing skeleton's ribcage. Ignoring his felled and writhing foe the giant half orc drew his hardwood club with a grin and leapt to battle.
Attack damage
Muddy readies his shield and braces his spear for the inevitable charge
Dakkar stared long and hard at the thorns and the pathway leading to the door. After a moment he spoke a word of power and stared longer and harder Knowledge Nature
Rushing to Orderic, Dakkar began pulling herbs and rags from his pouch. "What in tarnation you think you doing, son" he shouted " You don' go messin wit that stuff if you don' know what you doing" Clucking his tongue and using his canteen and some rags he cleaned the poison off of Orderic's wounds and wrapped them in herb poultices. "Lissen, you got poison in you. These here erbs gon' pull it out, but we got get you to a campsite and you gotta rest" Heal check ongoing care Dakkar reached his hand into his pouch once again and with a word of power he pulled out a handful of sparkling berries Goodberry "you take a couple more 'o these and call me in the morning" And he tried to lead Orderic and the others out of the clearing.
Dakkar rubbed his chin in thought "Hmmm...not a bad idea. Let's see if we can find the lair" survival to track
Muddy shrank down to his his regular size and looked around at his companions. Carefully he nudged the dead creature a couple of times with the toe of his boot. Shrugging, he stepped over the creature and started climbing towards the elder moss and the hanging bodies. climb
Dakkar round 1 init 10 "ahhhhh! What is this thing"? Knowledge nature Dakkar hops away from the creature and grows to his giant form in a mere breath. Snarling he sends his giant club whistling towards the viscious reptile.
Muddy slowly and calmly moved to the front of the group and whispered as he went "awrite, Y'all stay calm. We ain't alone here. I'm gon' try to talk to it, but they may be trouble" When he reached the front of the group Muddy bowed while never fully lowering his eyes and spoke to the tree "Howdy. I need y'all to know that we mean no harm here. We just lookin for a bit o' elder moss so's we can help cure a sickness that is troubling the town. We respect the elder tree, and ain't gon' damage it". After a moment Muddy continued in a strange language Druidic Spoiler:
" You can trust me. I share the heartbeat of the green" Staring at the hidden threat he waits for a response.
The lingering magic bothered Muddy. Drawing out his club and inching closer to the cauldron he called back to the others "I think there somethin else here" Bracing himself he poked at the cauldron and it's contents with his club.
Muddy scratches his head in consternation "Dangit, I have got ta learn that language"
Once the whole lot was out of the hut and gathered in one place Muddy wandered off towards the cauldron with a call over his shoulder of "Emrys, have a look at those jars. Somethin magical there"
ok... Muddy started slowly "there IS some magic in dere. I'm gon take things out one at a time and carefully. I gon give the magic ones to Emrys. I gon start with the rat tail. Everybody be ready" With that, the half orc druid reached out and picked up the jar.
Muddy patted Orderic on the shoulder as he took the healing berries. "Awrite, thanks for waiting. Lemme get a good look here fore we go in dere. Witches is tricky. Could be any kind of curse in dere" Muddy squints speaks a word of power and his eyes flash green. He squints into the dim hut.
Perception
Muddy crouched on his haunches gasping for breath, and nodded his thanks to Balder . " *cough*, sorry....that takes a lot out of me. I try not to let it out. Kinda makes me lose my head. Nice healin. I got a little bit left. I'll do what I can fer the others". Straightening he shakily made his way over to Orderic while calling his cousin over to him " hey..." he said quietly to Orderic "I know you ain't much fer magical healing, but I'd like you to eat these couple berries. They'll stop yer bleeding and take away some o' the pain. No strings". Muddy held out the sparkling berries to his new companion.
round 5 init 18 Muddy huffed and wheezed. Sweat poured off him in buckets, and red blood tinged with green flowed from him in streams. With a final surge he swung his club in an overhand strike as his strength began to fail
round 4 init 18 Panting heavily and snarling with rage Dakkar throws down his shield and grips his club two handed, swinging with all his might "Graaaugh"! Smash snake
Round 3 Init 18 thump thump
Beat the snake
Muddy Round 2 Init 18 Muddy watched the cauldron try to slip away That's odd he thought What could be in that thing that....ohhh "Orderic, Chern"! he cried out as he pointed at the escaping ironware "I think that be the one that started dis here fracas tryin ta get away. GIT HER"! Trusting that his cousin would take care of the cauldron Muddy swung his club at the wooden imp. club
"Oh, and Emrys... a little help would be appreciated" *edited*
"I'ma thinking we need some strategery in this here scuffle" Muddy called out to the others "Chern and Orderic you guys skirmish, Balder and I is gonna form a line. Emrys, you just stay tucked in between yer big brothers". With that Muddy moved to one side of Emrys and took several deep breaths and inflated to the giant form he had assumed earlier. He used his great size to reach over Emrys and touch Balder while speaking a word of power. Muddy chuckled at the surprised look on Balder's face and readied his now giant sized shield and club
Dakkar shifted nervously before continuing in druidic "I apologize for my ignorance of your language. I noticed the blood marking, and knew that tribute must be observed. We are neither wealthy nor great, but I do offer what meager magic I have. Please accept this tribute and allow us passage to Ulizmila's hut and back".
"yep. This could be real bad". the druid said slowly, as he plucked each spattered leaf and tucked them into a pouch on his belt. Moving back and gesturing his companions close he whispered quietly " Ok. That there is fairy blood. That means we either got an injured fairy 'round here, or we got something that can find, catch, and hurt a fairy 'round here. 'M not sure which one I like less. I'ma 'gon try to talk to it, but if it's a fairy killer y'all be ready". Moving away from the group Muddy held aloft one of the berries that sparkled like starshine and called quietly in the secret and ancient language that his grandpappy had taught him "Most honored lord of the faewyld. I beseech an audience that I may render unto you assistance and succor, to garner your permission to pass unmolested as written in the Accords" . And he waited.
The druid picked up the now plucked, skinned, and gutted razorcrows and surveyed the scene. "Well" he breathed "We been walking most of the morning. I say we stop, cook these here chickens, and maybe have a look 'round. Mebbe there be others like that feller 'round here" With that he gazed around meaningfully. perception
He's not dead yet, and I'm not hungry. If you want meat I suggest you eat that chicken you rode to the ground. Dakkar picked up the little fox and cradled it in the crook of his arm. In fact, I'll skin em for ya Striding back to the clearing he tossed the trap to Chern " 'Nother one fer yer collection" he called as he headed towards the fallen birds and proceeded to gut and clean them, feeding choice pieces of the organs to the fox. Survival
The giant Dakkar stood stock still breathing heavily and staring at the dead body of the hobgoblin. Inch by inch and breath by breath he slowly deflated to his natural size. After a moment he seemed to visibly sag. Looking around at his gathered companions, and looked at the ground. "Sorry 'bout that" he mumbled "I get angry sometimes. I try to control it, but...yeah. The cries of the fox caused his gaze to rise from the ground. Oh...geez he said, and he bounded away following the cries of the injured fox.
Name: DAKKAR Round 2, Initiative 3 The giant green Dakkar squeezed the hobgoblin in his giant hands and began a lumbering run towards his cousin, occasionally swatting at the hunting raptors pecking at him "GRRAAAAAUUUUGH" Grapple
Grapple to move 15 ft
Name: DAKKAR Round 1, Initiative 3 The rhythm of the Skald's song stoked the fire inside of Dakkar, and he channeled that fire from his belly and into his limbs. The tattoos that covered Dakkar's body glowed with a green witchlight and with a creak like a falling log his body expanded, and then expanded again and again until he towered thirteen feet above the ground. Having dropped his shield and spear when he grew he trust his giant fist inside the blind, questing for the hobgoblin. "GRRAAAAAUUUUGH"
"DANGER"! screamed the voice in Dakkar's head "NOW IS MY TIME!LET ME OUT"! The world seemed to wobble and Dakkar's field of vision narrowed until it was a mere pinprick in a field of black. Suddenly there was a flash of green and Dakkar was back. A softer voice whispered in his mind "go" Dakkar blinked. Taking in the situation instantly Dakkar called out to the others "Cousin: take out those chickens. Balder: Protect Emmy. Orderic: well...you do whatever you do. I'll get the archer". With that Dakkar started pounding forward drawing the wooden top of his basket and using it as a shield. When he reached the base of the tree he took a deep breath. "ok. Here we go" And he started to grow.
Muddy moved around to the opposite side of the fire from the newcomer and actively monitored the cooking of his scorpion. In a relaxed and casual manner that never quite reached his eye he attempted to strike up a conversation with Orderic " So you say the herbalist woman sent you after us 'coz some unsavoury types threatened her. Yep....that don't sit well with me. I do have to wonder if you 'aint the unsavoury type here to do unsavoury things to us unsavourably. Did the herbalist woman give you anything or tell you anything that might help us believe your story? Coz, believe it or not, it is hard to believe that she would send a complete stranger after us when she has a village full of friends"
" Aw, see...now that's just wasteful" Muddy cried in indignation, as he leaned down to the fallen scorpion. Carefully and expertly he pulled off the tail and removed the poison sac. Staking the remaining carapace on a stick he set it to roast over the low flames of the dwindling camprife. Survival
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