Duke Arvanoff

Faldirk Grenalf 'The Outcast''s page

29 posts. Alias of Corerue.


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Mai and Livain

The soldiers of the Priory react as expected, they raise shields and close ranks by the spell casters. Who continue working to repair the walls and ignore what is going on behind them.

The heavily armored figure with the shining blade though remains stationary, looking now in your direction. Its a matter of a few minutes of tense silence before a familiar figure steps out of the Priory gates, Faldirk and a rather panicked looking elk come stomping up through the snow. You recognized Faldirk from his armor alone but he still wears his helmet as he speaks. "Ah good, you not dead I see. And you are?" He points the question at Chimera, though she merely growls at him. "Right, watch yourself.Or you'll be picking up your teeth." Grenalf's words carried a heavy malice, which completely cowed Chimera who immediately ceased growling.

Spoiler:

1d20 + 28 ⇒ (16) + 28 = 44
1d20 ⇒ 8


A day has passed...:

He stood, dazed over the bodies of dozens of recently raised undead. Horses, men, animals and other creatures lay all around him. He was bloodied, his armor battered and he had to have died more than once in that battle. Yet he stood alone...

He didn't even start at the tap on his shoulder, an old dark skinned woman was breathless from having to climb the mound of the fallen to reach him. She was saying something but he couldn't hear her. He didn't recognize her anymore and his ears were ringing. His right hand was still dripping blood but his grip on his sword was undiminished from the hours of fighting he had endured.

He turned away from her and raised his large blade in praise to the Iron Lord, shouting so loudly that everyone close to him stepped back. The armored fools near him were too weak to withstand the glory he gave to his lord. His roar of challenge was for all who would fight him! His roar was to all of Ioberia, who would shudder from his return! His roar meant Veka would burn! His roar was to announce the coming death of Koffar Rjul, whose blood would be given in praise to the Iron Lord!!!

His roar cut off, dying on his lips like a mealing baby. His thoughts were confused then, he turned towards the ld dark skinned woman. Whose unheard chanting was calming his battle fury. He turned towards her, sword still upraised, slowly bringing his other hand to the hilt and gripping it tightly. His fury struggled but his rage recognized no ally, today all stood as his foes. He roared and brought the blade down, only to have it stopped by a couple of armored fools. Who he scattered like leaves before a hurricane. She didn't retreat as he brought the blade back towards her, only to have it deflect off something unseen. A shimmering force that protected her, the form of a solid hand armoring her from him.

He cried out for strength and was rewarded, his muscles flexed and screamed as his power doubled. He grew taller, the size of a small giant, and steam rolled from his enlarged form. He raised his now huge blade, intent on annihilating them all.

The woman, didn't run, she didn't flinch. Instead she raised her damned medallion and focused on him again. This time he couldn't shake off what she was doing, his rage was doused like a raging forest fire doused by flooding waters. He staggered, his form shuddering. The mound of bodies crunched beneath his boots and became slippery, which caused him to slip and fall. Hard. To the earth far below.

Exhaustion overtook him and memories flooded in. He'd killed this beast before and many others too. Some he had called his friends, injuring one in a way that could never be restored. Destroying her beloved forever. Ruining a man who could have done so much more for Ioberia, ruining his friend forever.

He sobbed then, as his beloved rushed to his side. He cried at his foolishness. He cried at his recklessness and arrogance in thinking he could control his power. This time though his friends were stronger. Wiser than before. The Priory was able to withstand more than a vermintide. It could now withstand him, just barely, but it was enough.

She cradled him, his sobbing unbroken as he regretted everything. Despite the lives he saved, what would have happened if he had raged on?

She unclasped his helm and removed it, upon seeing his face she gave him a shocked look. "You.... Your face..."


Facing the Screaming God:

His steps were heavy as he ascended the stairs to the battlements, paladins were abandoning their posts as Faldirk moved towards the screaming beast that battered the walls. Only the most elite paladins were holding their ground as terrors scaled the Prior walls to be seared by holy bolts and smited by the elite warriors of Iomedae. He pulled forth his helm and placed it over his head. "Blood for the battle god..." He cuts his exposed skin with a blade, so that it drips from his gauntlet as he takes the final step.

Standing at the center of the battlements all the abominations rushing over the parapets seem to stall. Their once ravenous charge completely halted by Grenalf's presence. Their hesitation is temporary before one charges towards him, its dead hands reaching for the armored figure before it. But it's split in two by Grenalf's blade, which he drew in a single motion and cleaved his foe. More undead rush him, completely swamping him in their mass numbers but their attempts to overwhelm him prove their downfall as his blade sings with each blow. More and more destroy in a single hit and Grenalf advances towards the huge beast battering the walls.

The elite paladins were barely able to hold the undead off from pouring into the Priory proper, desperately battling the mob of their own fallen. Mixed with the long dead that assailed them. The Abbess could only watch as Grenalf's made his lone stand against the dead, her shouts lost to the din of battle. "Not again! Don't do this again!" But he never heard her cries. By the time he made it to the battlements the tide had abated, broken against the armor of the old warrior and destroyed by his large blade.

Grenalf never stopped, foot by bloody foot he strode forward, his blade cleaving and slashing through his foes like a meat grinder. The dead seemed weakened in his presence and as he reached the walls the huge beast loomed its ugly head, its giant hands gripping rocks to make its grotesque hooves as it stepped up on the side of the walls. Cracking under the pressure the walls started to buckle and Grenalf looked up as the beast screamed in his face, salive, dead flesh, carrion and horrid spores sprayed forth but Grenalf was untouched. Mid way through its screaming he raised his uninjured hand and roared. "BE SILENT!"

He formed a fist and swung as though he were punching a foe before him but, as he formed his fist, a massive ghostly gauntlet shimmered into existence in the air beside the screaming beast. When he swung the gauntlet impacted the side of the beasts head, crushing the its human faced eye and knocking it away from the battlements in a single titanic blow. It stumbled and moved several yards away from the battlements before recovering. By the time it had Grenalf was standing on the parapets themselves. His armor glowing as he recite a hymn to the Lord of Iron. "... my lord grants me the power to destroy my ENEMY ONCE MORE!" With the hymn still on his lips and the huge beast coming towards him he leapt from the battlements. His blade shined brilliantly, making the air hum with it divine empowerment. He wielded it behind his head in a two handed grip before he brought it down, smiting the beast in a single blow!

Spoiler:

????: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (13) + 28 = 41
????: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (20) + 37 = 57
????: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (18) + 37 = 55
DC 30: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 23 - 4 = 29

The light of the blade passed into the huge beast as the blade cut into its bleeding flesh. Despite his cutting into it deeply, the beast was already falling. Struck dead in a single blow by Grenalf, who was merely riding the beast down to the earth where it landed with an earth shaking impact.

As he recovered, dozens of skeletons stormed towards him, a small battalion of these dead were crawling over the fallen beast and trying to kill Grenalf. The greatest threat in the area...

Grenalf gripped his large blade two handed again, moving down towards the closest group and engaging them alone...


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The Elder and the Abbess:
He was more then nervous, he was downright fearful. The abbess had a temper as raging hot as an injured lynx. He had hoped to avoid coming here, but with what was pursuing them he had little choice. He was guided into the Abbess chambers, the familiar smell of lavender incense tickled his nostrils, though here was the hint of jasmine mixed in as well. He removed his armor and settled it across a broad chested manikin, oddly similar to himself in size, setting his weapons and pack next to it.

The abbess had left him there, sitting next to a low burning fire and bristling with anticipation as to the tongue lashing he'd receive for his decades long absence. After several long minutes he started to almost nod off, the fatigue of the road and his age getting the better of him. That was until he felt a gentle touch across his shoulders. The touch weas almost electrifying as his fatigue and tension melted away.

"Uh oh. Now I know your angry, your being far too nice." His words are answered by a chuckle as the dark skinned woman lightly wraps her arms around his neck, hugging his head against her chest as she spoke. "Iomedae scold me but I couldn't find the words. I'm just glad you decided to see me after all this time. Though I have some news you may not like." Her voice was light, sensual like a whisper as she released his head and started working his shoulders again. Releasing bursts of divine power to ease his injuries.

He chuckled then. "Must be bad indeed if your worried for me."

"I'm not the one whose furious with you. I'd say our daughter wanted to meet you more then anything..."

No longer fatigued the news was like a hammerblow. "Daughter? But..."

She shushed him with a single firm grip on his shoulders. "She carries your odd trait of agelessness, she is nearly forty but still burns with primal youth. I'm sent her to Nerosyan in Mendev for training but she will return and I have little choice but to tell her you've entered Ioberia once more." She was quiet then, her hands working his shoulders, his neck and eventually migrating down to his arms. "... but yes, I was barren whn we me. I'd not expected our parting fling to birth such an event and I'd not change it either." Now standing before him she was smiling broadly. "Though she was raised in this remote place, she became the light in my life when you left me. When our adventures ended I had hoped you'd stay after founding this place, but you were too wild and she carries your burning spirit. You've got a thunderstorm coming your way and most likely very soon."

Faldirk smiled, pulling the Abbess into a firm embrace, during which she noticed his missing eye. "That won't do... I liked both of your eyes..."

He smiled at her then. "As did I, but a rabid bear tore it out. Ambushed me, but we bested it in the end." His words trailed off he cupped her cheek before kissing her gently. "After all that had happened I was afraid of staying in one place too long..."

She cups his hand and rubs her cheek into his large palm with her eyes closed. "I know and your old nemesis is still alive... I'm sorry, but Ioberia is worse off then before. You'll find few friends there but the Priories doors will always be open to you. Always. So lets discuss something else and leave this nastiness for morning briefings..."

They embraced again before she guided him to her own private bath. They had much to discuss and many years to catch up on. Not a moment of which was wasted between them...


Faldirk watched as the strange pair took off, smiling as Aeria gave one final wing wave to Rhavenna in goodbye. Thought he Harpies gaze on Tidus lingered for far too long. He didn't hide the disappointment at losing three allies in but a few moments, especially the lose of Aradacemorn hit him the hardest as the silver was gone before he emerged again. Looking to his younger companions he nodded. "We're traveling through the Maw and making for a Priory that is several miles past to the north east. If we are lucky we will reach it by midnight. The mountains and hills past here are rife with Worg's and gob's. So best to be behind high walls with strong bows or be prepared to be hunted and run to ground... Questions? None? Good. Lets get this s&~@ over with." His pep talk over he hikes his bag up a little higher on his shoulders and starts the group heading north by northeast.

E????? & W?????:

1d100 ⇒ 391d100 ⇒ 31
1d100 ⇒ 751d100 ⇒ 30
1d100 ⇒ 911d100 ⇒ 57

Rhavenna notices the Elder's hesitation before he stepped past the massive cave entrance at the back of the Maw. Like stepping out of the throat of a great beast and into a land still raw and untouched by the ravages of society. On the back of the Maw lay what remained of the monster encampment, more bodies, stench that lingered even in this cold land and more horrific sights to behold.

The Elder though took a long moment, like he was surveying the aly of the land before stepping out past the throat's exit. As he stepped on the soiled snow he gave a great sigh. "I never thought I'd return. Follow me and don't lag behind. I know of some paths to get us off these mountains and to the Priory." He passed the bodies, some of which were apparent victims of the monster army without batting an eye. "Don't lag behind, had we known we'd have burned them too. But they'll distract the Worg's and other carrion feeders on this mountain." Tyg gave a mighty flaring of his nose at the sight but continued to follow behind Rhavenna steadily. Tidus moved with his helmet closed and kept pace with the Elder though saying very little.

About twelve hours into the march and everything seemed to be going smoothly as the Elder guided the group at a steady but brisk pace. He took winding paths down the cliff face. The weather seemed to grow more calm the further away from the Maw everyone got. It wasn't until thirteen hours in when the group ran into its first obstacle, the mountainside sloped sharply away. Appearing to be far more treacherous then it had been until now and even the Elder grimaced in annoyance. Looking all the world like he hadn't expected this.

A lone howl from behind the group, sounding very distant but sharp in comparison to the relative calm and quiet everyone had been enjoying, brought the situation more to a head. Unless they braved the slope, they were stuck with their backs to a cliff and possible wolves or whatever else hunting nearby. The Elder growled roughly before descending down the treacherous slope. "Let's go. Priory is waiting." Tyg however was watching behind the group, his horns sweeping back and forth as he searched for the source of the howl. As the Elder descended Tyg looked to Rhavenna and seemed to be waiting for her.

Tidus paused and looked back to Rhavenna as well before making a rather awkward comment. "See you at the bottom." With that he turned and hopped down after the Elder, his boots crunching in the snow loudly with his impact below.

Rhavenna three acrobatics checks, DC 10 Failure requires a Reflex save.

If Acrobatics is failed consult the tale within after making Reflex Save (No set DC details inside spoiler).:

20 or higher

The character catches himself before he slides too far and takes no damage.

15–19

The character slides down a short hill before slamming into a tree. The character takes 1d4 points of nonlethal damage.

10–14

The character slides far down the hill, reducing the number of checks that need to be made by one. Unfortunately, the character also slides through a pair of thickets and lands hard on some rocks, taking 1d6 points of damage.

5–9

The character slides down a muddy hill and then falls down a 20-foot cliff, taking 2d6 points of damage. This reduces the number of checks that need to be made by one.

4 or less

The character slides all the way to the bottom of the ravine, taking 2d6 points of damage and 1d4 points of Dexterity damage from a horribly sprained ankle.

???? Acrobatics Rolls:

Faldirk

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

Tidus

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Tyg

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Tidus Reflex + extra Acrobatics

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Aslan

1d20 ⇒ 15

1d20 ⇒ 10

1d20 ⇒ 20

On the way down no one, but Tidus, falls. Luckily he was quick enough to catch himself before he fell to far. As the group made its way down the treacherous nature of the slope revealed itself more and more in the way of actually shear cliff faces. Loose footing and trees akimbo to batter yourself on if you were to tumble.

If nothing awkward happens to Rhavenna:

Having made there way down the group continued to press on, though now the country was more rugged hillsides and less cliffs and deadfalls...

After some sixteen hours of travel, fatigue was truly setting in and the Elder continued to urge everyone to press on. Especially as a couple more howls echoed from behind the group. Though they seemed distant they sounded just as close as the last time the howl was heard and there were more of them. Much to the discomfort of the group and open irritation of Tyg, who was now breathing more quickly as it appeared he was preparing for a fight.

"Move those feet, wiggle your fingers and toes and lets go. Let the bastards test the slope we did."

The trees on this hillside though grew far more thick and the canopy was rather tight as well. Wit the setting of the sun and the coming dark the group would have been forced to light torches, were Tidus not willing to make due without it. Everyone but him being non-human had more advantages in darkness.

Tidus looked to Rhavenna then, asking politely. "Do you mind if I grab hold of your barding?"

At Tids's bravery the Elder nodded and whispered, somewhat loudly. "Good on ya lad, light in this place is a sure sign of meals ready to eat to the monsters that may den here. We run quiet and move with as little noise as we can muster..." After that the Elder took his own advice and the group traveled with only the sound of their gear and the echoes of creaking trees and the occasional WHOOMPh! of falling snow to keep them alert.

Tyg however appeared to be even more alert and downright nervous while confined inside the tight forest. Literally jumping at shadows and staying so close to Rhavenna that at times his body was rubbing against her side and legs.

Survival rolls please

Spoiler:

DC 25 +: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

The fatigue was excruciating now, the cold was in every muscle and it was easy to stumble at times. The Elder looked more irritated by the minute as he growled quietly in displeasure. It wasn't until an hour later and the sounds of howls echoing somewhere behind and now even to the side of the group that he stopped the group and hunched in close. "I don't recognize these trails, or this damned forest. something is just wrong."

Despite the Elders irritation the break was greatly needed as even Tyg, for how alert he had been. Was kneeling down in exhaustion. Though the wolf howls brought him back to a standing position, albeit a very wobbly standing...


Tidus looks a bit unhappy about what Aslan was saying and Faldirk had just exited the Maw when she pulled off her eye patch. The Elder sighed heavily and grabbed Tidus by the shoulder. Dragging the man unwillingly towards the caves. He called over his shoulder to Tresi as well. "Lets take care of the bodies inside before they fester next spring."


Aradacemorn seemed content to watch the invisible workers on the move and ensuring they didn't wander. The Elder left Aslan to her thoughts and approached Rhavenna, walking alongside her for a bit. "We'll give ya both a couple days to rest, that way Tresi can heal ya and stay strong too. THe Maw is no joke and we may be passing it after Hawk and his troops break through. If we're lucky we wont run into any beasts."

He's quite as the tattered remains of clothing pass by, only to be deposited into a burning brazier. He smirs as Aradacemorn appears to be talking to air, then dirt and debris start shifting towards the frequenty moving outer door. "Once we are on the otherside of the Maw we either catch up to Hawk or we make our way to The Chapel of the New Dawn." He frowned slightly then. "I hope it is still intact, it was a trade station ran by Iomedaen Monks and knights but after seeing this place... I am unsure what we will find."


1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Rhavenna:

It's obvious Faldirk is enjoying testing Aslan's patience, the old man seems to be badgering her about something and Aslan isn't taking it too well. From his looking from her to you, you can't tell if it has something to do with you or if Faldirk is trying to sow confusion...

You were a fair distance away and other noises were drowning our their conversation some...


Aslan

"As soon as they are strong enough and hopefully the storm will have lessened some by then." The Elder watched Rhavenna sidelong as she put on the items the group had found while searching. "Besides, we've lost some this time. Resting a weary mind is needed. So be patient." He looks up at Aslan then, a small grin spreading across his face as he asked. "When will ya tell her eh? She'll figure it out eventually..."


The Elder gives Tidus a hard slug in the shoulder as the Gladiator passes him by. Before the younger man can even find a moment to protest he slaps his oversized helm down and shoves him out the cave entrance. The large man waves off Wallaces and others fears as he responds candidly. "There that's settled and Yes, Yes. I will return yon Gladiator safe and sound, though not worse for wear I cannot promise. Now that the bear has been tumbled once we can do it again."

He nods to Tresi adding in. "Speak your sweet nothings later, let's get this done." He looks back to the mercenary group then before shoveling off. "I'll bring back your Yak Wallace if'n I can, until then you all stay alive. Our business 'in't done."

He smiles broadly despite the odd man's beard tugging after the Elders words, though he does accompany the two men and Tim out the door leaving the dragon and the rest to discuss other things.


Elder Faldirk nodded to Wallace. "Seeing as your group defeated it last time I will see where the damn beast is heading. If its away from here then it may be hard to catch, if not then I will give it another go at bringing it down now that I have stretched my legs a bit." He gives a smile to the group then before looking at TIm with an appraising eye.

"However I will be taking your gladiator with me. I can't promise I will return him in one piece but three hands and one hooved is better then just two old men." Tidus doesn't even looked shocked at this.

Tresi pulls on his beard then. "Speak for yourself."

Faldirk laughed as he continued. "But if he's needed then we will figure it out." Tresi nods in agreement as The Elder waits for a response.


"Luckily." Faldirk adds to Wallace's statement. "in his impatience Hawk sent this one like some sort of messenger I'm thinkin'. I am sure its ruffling their scales but they ain't complainin'. It's that Silver that decided to accompany your mercenary band."


Wallace:

The Elder chuckles as he sits in the still warm water. "Mountains across this continent hold more then one can see. Though it is curious what else may lie below. Though... be warned Wallace, great terrors lie in the deep dark of the world and don't get lost." He leaves it at that returning to soaking up the warm water to relieve sore muscles.


"Meh, not much, quiet for once. Perhaps they are not planning to play games. Disappointing as that is. The cave is less than perfect but better than lying in filth." The Elder had taken off some of his gear and was oiling up the joints in his armor and sharpening his blades as Wallace dried. "Better pick yourself a spot before you go off on your adventure. There's enough room for your Yak if'n you want." He nods when Wallace eventually leaves to go get his gear. By then the Elder was already setting his gear aside, maintained and ready for the morning.

"And don't let ya curiosity kill ya... Men have drowned in less water by knocking there heads in the dark."


The Elder nods at the explination before adding. "Then I for one welcome the cave, better then freezing our asses off here where any skybred beast can swoop in while we sleep."


Update on the way!

Campfire Stories:

Livain!
Perception Check please!

DAMN! Great Shot! XD

Livains arrow screams across the camp, slamming into her previous foe and killing it outright. Its body turns into a harpy shaped snowwoman whose blade falls from its snow covered hands as it was too heavy for the snow to hold upright...

Seeing her as the greater threat the one that was about to focus on Wallace flaps its wings powerfully and launches itself at Livain!

To Hit Livain!: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Damage!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Your Enemy Stats
Harpy - Attacking Livain - HP 28/28 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13

Mai!
Perception Check please!

One of the ones on the ground launches itself at you, baring its sword as it tries to hack you down!

To Hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Your Enemy Stats
Harpy - Attacking Mai!- HP 28/28 AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13

Wallace!
Perception check please!

Your singing goes unchallenged as your companions face off against a foe each. The Elder appears to be contending with a small mob of Harpies on his own. The flashing of his blade in the dark the telltale signs of his struggles. The sparkle of blood flies through the air, illuminated by the dancing fire as you maintain your ground...

The Elder

With a whooping laugh he plunges into the snow after the fallen harpies, lifting one bodily out of the snow before slashing her back down into it with a powerful swing of his blade. "Ambushing Wretches! Fight like Men! Or woman in your case! HAH!"

Round 3 Begin! Party Is up!


Campfire Stories 1 End and 2 Start:

Party First Folowed by Harpies!

Mai casts Shield

Maiathreen jumps up drawing his sword a spell quickly passing his lips. A quick shimmer passes over his body like a coat of mail.

Wallace.

Perform oratory: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Going to hold an action and use Counter song if any of the Harpies start singing.
Wallace stands, back facing the camp fire as he looks out into the snows.

The Elder draws his sword and readies for the coming fight...

Livain Draws her bow and readies to fire.

The red eyes bob and weave in the trees and a few try to reach out with their sultry and captivating voices. Something that neither armor or your current magic can protect against. However as they start the amassed ones near the Elders give a shriek of fury as he hurls the stone in his hand at them!

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

A sound like thunder causes the trees in the grove near where the rock had been thrown to shudder, sending their snowy payload straight to the earth. The harpies shriek of rage become yelps of surprise as they fall with it. The Elder Barks with laughter as they fall to earth. "You winged wretches sure like being on your backs eh? Well i won't disappoint you!" He grips his larg blade in two hands and advanced towards them...

Wallaces voice enrages the others that were singing as the abruptly stop and Livain's arrow struck one of the singing harpies which shrieked in pain...

They descend earthward and land at the base of the trees. Wielding longswords as they prepared to rush you...

Enemy Stats
HP 30/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
HP 38/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
HP 38/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
HP 38/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
HP 38/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
HP 38/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
HP 38/38 | AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6

Working on the map, Harpies are standing by the trees minus the ones on the Elders side of the fire. The elders foes are prone in a pile of snow. The ones on your side are forty feet away hanging on the edges of the grove of trees, the Elders are about 50-60ft away.

Each of you have 1 opponent each and the elder is dealing with four of them atm.

Begin Round 2! Party is up! characters posting will determine the order in which actions take place!


Campfire Stories:

The fire blazed to life, giving off a dancing chaotic light to the surrounding gloom. Faldirk appeared distracted as Wallace spoke and he nodded. "Very curious... a broken dragon eh? I am curious as to..." he becomes quiet, his face tightening in the flickering light.

Perception Vs Stealth checks
Wallace: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Mai: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Livain: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Faldirk: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Wallace notices that Faldirk was now rolling an odd looking stone between his fingers. The Elder smirks as the light continues to grow in the small clearing, the howling wind disrupted b the mighty Mountain ash that gave the clearing an ominous appearance. Finally the Elder spoke, his tones low and eerie. "Do you all like campfire stories? Well I have a great one to share."

Its then that Wallaces eye rise behind the Elders back, the Elder was spreading his hands wide. Several pairs of red spots shined in the dark and they appeared to be moving ever so slowly. The Elder's blade seemed to leap into his hand as he drew it in one swift motion. "Fear the singing in the mountains, for not all songs come from maidens fair. Nor bawdy lads with great flair. Nay, sometimes they come from creatures. With wings and claws whose breath is wretched. Whos slink so as to not be seen in the dark and who are all AROUND US!" He spins to roar at the eyes behind him in the trees. "Come you winged whores! You'll find we are not see easy to hunt!"

[b]INITIATIVE PLEASE! Map coming in the AM. Alaska Time.


"Ya blades are far tougher then ya give yourself credit. As for Iobaria..." The fire was hungrily licking up the tinder now and the Elder was adding logs to it. "It's a cursed land, bloody and disease creeps in every corner... The creatures there are more aggressive than anywhere else in the world. A mercenary company should survive far longer than those who travel in small groups if poorly armed."

As the fire begins to admit light above the ring of stones the Elders face appeared almost etched out of stone as he thought long and hard about what he should say. "It has been a long time since I have been home, though my home is long since turned to ruin. Iobaria is strife between the struggles of those who wish to rule, be left in peace and destroy all those that are of Ulfen decent. The would-be lords play at games of war while the people suffer and when they finally anger the centaurs enough the hooved ones come down and sweep aside villages in mad vengence."

"What do you know of the Dvezda eh? And who hired ya company?"


The Elder regards "I don't know, I've never been inside the cave. However it could be a bad idea and it could not. The Oracle wasn't able to get a word out as I understood it and curse me for being out hunting when this madness ensued. Even Njul was powerless to stop those who sent her away, which the same got themselves killed fighting the bear alongside those not involved. Those few were much wiser and it was a pity to lose them."

With the kindling stacked, the Elder draws out a flint and striker and begins scattering sparks over the starter wood...

Survival: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

... after a few well placed strikes the flame started to come to life. "One roaring fire soon to be coming up." And not a moment too soon as the daylight was already beginning to fade, darkening the storm and making the grove appear far more isolated as the snow swirled outside and above the circle of trees.


K-Religion basic would give you some insight at least the most commonly known things about Erastil. I am unsure if Mai or Livain have any skill in those Knowledge checks without checking their sheets.

"Aye its here, just spread out. There is another road that leads past this place, the mountains are littered with paths that eventually pass by here. Though I have never ventured into that cave, the oracle had once..." He splits more kindling apart as you both are talking. "Beings are strange, never no what will catch their favor. Especially old Deadeye, so ancient its hard to fathom what one like that thinks."


The Elder untied the rope about his waist before he moved to the pile of wood and kicked it over, breaking apart the snow and ice that had built up upon it before tossing the logs into the circle of rocks before going about breaking off kindling to coax a small flame. "Leave the rope here or use it, but don't lose it." He grunted as he tore bits and pieces off a log with his gauntleted hands, a simple task that he seemed quite apt at performing.


At Wallaces comment the Elder nodded, pulling back the fur hood of his cloak as he spoke. "Aye, tis the place. A cave lies down the path though I know nought whats inside. Old Deadeye is a simple sort. I will work on getting us a fire."


The Elder nods to Rhavenna and then gives an even broader smile when he sees Tidus. "The how or why doesn't matter. That armor is a sight for my old eye though and I hope ya don't hold back anymore eh?" Tidus nods hesitantly at the Elder's words before the Elder slaps his padded hands together. "Good! Once she returns we will set off."

The Elder nods as Wallace speaks. "You are always prepared eh? Well this'll be interesting at least. Those harpy b@%!@es should stay off us for now..."


Mai's words seem to catch the Elder off guard and he looks at him askance. He looks away as Wallace starts speaking, he looks surprised at the talk of a Silver Dragon among the mercenaries but after being asked about taking them to the shrine. "I have no quarrel with dragon kind, silvers are easy enough to handle. but..." He thinks long and hard about approaching the shrine. "Aye, I can. Though best we go now while we have cover." He says this despite the storm still raging outside.


Faldirk's smile never dims as Tidus moves off to equip himself. He laughs at Wallaces abrasive questioning as he speaks. "Afraid not preist. Had I met you in previous years mayhap I possibly would have something for ya but for now I will be a guide. The Maw is treacherous enough without also getting lost in the wood of Iobaria on the far side of the Maw..."

Hearing the bear was gone didn't even cause the old mans face to twitch. "Perhaps it did. Though not by my hand and it appears to be long gone now."


The Elders grin split his face once more. "Because your gear is complete s+%&te." His blunt speech made Tidus grunt in frustration. "If you don't want it then burn it." The Elder shrugs, his amused expression undiminished.


The Elders laugh cut him off completely as the bag fell away to reveal battered but well made armor. The helmet though appeared to be a mix of a Half-Shaffron intermixed with a classical Centurion styled helm for the lower half though its appeared somewhat more bulky than a helm should. Along with it the battered but serviceable arm guard appeared a mix of heavy metal plates that protected the arm, elbow, forearm and ended in a metal backing for the hand. At the shoulder was a highly raised lip that could deflect a more direct swing for the neck. The body armor appeared to be studded leather.

Aside from armor there was several items that gleamed like steel. The Elder's laugh ended as he pointed to Tidus. "Mock you? Nay, this is a gift for the only gladiator worth my admiration. I had returned to free you but found that the Whitefields had beat me to it. So I aquired your gear for a rather reasonable price. I assumed you would be in need of something better than... Well that." He waves his hand to indicate everything that Tidus was currently wearing. Despite the fact most of it was perfectly useable gear.


Shortly after they had returned with it the former Elder arrived, which seemed to brighten their moods even more. Though he was armed and armored with completely different gear altogether, he was sporting an eyepatch to cover up the bandages that were wrapped around his head to cover up his missing eye. Seeing their activities he appeared to be pleased with the overall mood of his people. Seeing you all gathered together he approached you, a cloak lined at the shoulders with fine fur was now on his back.

"I see Njul showed he bore more wisdom then hatred. Very good." He smiles at Rhavenna, not in a cruel way but obviously as if he thought Njul attacking the group would have been humorous. "Once the storm passes I will accompany you back to your mercenary band. Seeing as we are going the same direction, perhaps it'll be more useful to be together when we reach the Maw." Upon noticing Tidus he pulls out a large sack from out of his otherwise small pack, which was too small for the large sack he pulled out. "A gift for you gladiator!" He tosses them to the floor in front of Tidus, who stares at the Elder in an annoyed way before curiously opening the bag...