Maybe it’ll be your first character death too. And then first TPk!
Maybe. I’m enjoying watching the dice fall and seeing how this goes.
Search Posts
The half-orc tried to stay on his feet. Logically he knew that to fall down invited death. Gritting his teeth he willed himself to stay upright...but there was only so much that will power alone could accomplish. Black spots danced in his vision, and despite his best efforts, darkness crept in. He took a step forward to try and steady himself, only to find the ground rush up to meet him. He hit the ground hard. His outstretched hand was the last thing to hit the ground, as the darkness took him.
Looking through this… Trap at start of combat * Ow: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
So having gone through it I believe Ulthak is at -5 HP. For ease of everything, GM please roll death saves. Also if Ulthak dies, I’ll take over Dagna if that is alright. I’m more than happy to do so (might tweak the crunch a bit). But I’m always for good story telling, and having the group take casualties does play a role in that. So just letting you know that I’m not going to take any offense to losing a PC (see my general profile: he will added to the list of dead PCs)
The one wretch still engaged with Ulthak was clearly terrified, but kept at it regardless. It swung once more at the daunting enemy. While the wretch failed to harm him, Ulthak had a slight issue. He had a corpse stuck on his spear. And as it turned out, trying to stab someone in such a situation was as hard as it looked.
One wretch was left fighting Ulthak, and now the alchemist was down. The half-orc had to admit, part of him enjoyed this. Impaling the goblin with his spear, he lifted it up off the ground. He looked it straight in the eyes as he let the elemental energy within him loose, causing the dying goblinoid to be covered in the dance of wild electricity. It was a message to any other goblins as towards what would happen if they decided to continue fighting. Given how his own wounds had not been exactly insubstantial, he reasoned that making an example was the right move.
GM: what is Ulthak’s current HP? I’ve gotten abit lost on it. Can check in a day or two if number isn’t readily available.
Two goblins stood before Ulthak and he felt in his element, as healing light poured over him. That was until his lower legs literally caught fire as the goblin pyrotechnic made his presence known. Growling in pain and anger he turned it upon the goblins that dared to stand before him and what he saw as the main threat. Looking to take down the larger of the two, he stabbed out with his spear, aiming for accuracy over power.
If there was one thing Belkzen had taught him, it was that size mattered. The strong brutalized the weak, and one’s rights ended and began with one’s arm. He taught this lesson to the closest goblin that had climbed the hill, and he did so with his spear. The goblin’s screams of pain showed that it was a fast learner.
Standing next to Timothy, another javelin was launched at the goblins. Unlike before, the hand-orc’s aim was true, and an unfortunate goblin found itself impaled.
”But they have damned crossbows!” The bleeding halforc yelled back.
Ulthak advanced, raising a javelin to throw it at the goblin line. As he reached back a crossbow bolt impacted in his chest, pitching him backwards. It would have been enough to instantly drop a commoner, but the halforc with a grunt forced himself back to his feet.
Back and settled in the new home properly! Congratulations!
Thanks for touching base, always helpful.
Congrats! Thats tiring but awesome. Happy for you :) I’ll be traveling for 2 months. Will have WiFi when I’m out, so will still be posting. Just a heads up
It happens to the best of us. And by that I mean it happens to me too :)
The orc in him wanted to charge forward. To crush the goblins beneath his feet. To feel their bones break under the weight of his charge. To drink in their screams and to revel- Realizing that he was starting to breathe heavily and that his muscles were tight with anticipation he forced himself to take a deep breath. ”You are right. I will meet their charge.”
”Blades cut regardless of who wields them.” Ulthak remarked as the report came in. The idea of dwarf sized goblins was further disconcerting. ”I will take point.” He said. ”They know we are coming. We should push in and choose to make a stand in a place that impedes their ability to surround us.”
Ulthak cursed as he got to his feet. His ankle screamed in pain, clearly showing that it was sprained. Lathliss‘ prayer, though, made it bearable to walk on. ”That’s it. Kill them all.” He angrily growled.
”We circle around then. Everyone keeps their eyes sharp for traps. Goblins are known for them.” He said this, ready to lead the group forward.
”Let us continue.” Ulthak said. ”Ruby, you can tell me how you prefer to be carried. If you have no preference, I have rope. I can make a harness for you, so that you can be out in the open air.”
”Then that is how I will address you.” Ulthak said, matter of factly. ”Will you agree to come with me? You will not be buried.
Ulthak raised an eyebrow. "Leave Ruby?" He shook his head. "Sounds risky. It is loud. Intelligent. And quite likely the key to knowing what has happened to the world. If we aren't to take Ruby, then this shard should be taken back to town. Leaving Ruby here sounds dangerous. And if it were up to me, I'd say take it. I'll take the risk of holding Ruby is nobody else wishes to."
Ulthak nodded. ”I can do so.” He readily agreed, glad to have a task that was within his capabilities. The world was broken, and a shard was found which was related to that calamity. But there were hostile goblins about, and he was eager to work on a problem that he could actually solve.
”And do you need someone to carry you?” Ulthak added. His own interest in the elements and their nature was rising the more that they talked. The very concept of the physical realm being broken into shards was fascinating, even if he did not have any formal education to truly understand it. While hunting the goblins was a practical concern, this one spoke to him at a much deeper level.
Ulthak nodded along. It made sense. They thought that they could push all rivals away or kill them. That was logical. They failed, so they retreated to their own lands. That made sense. But their new leader believed he could increase their numbers and thus could succeed, so they were pushing again. There was nothing out of the ordinary there. ”And you, Ruby.” He said, cautiously. ”How do you fit into this? Where do you come from, how did you end up here, and what is it that you seek?”
Ulthak glanced over at Timothy. He wanted to point out that just because goblins had killed his kin didn’t mean that this one was necessarily dangerous. But he couldn’t, because he still wasn’t convinced that the ancient goblin wasn’t. Magic was a great equalizer. And the gem? For all he knew it had sucked the life out of the goblin. There was nothing about it that made him trust it as of yet. For while he did not know much, he did know that gems usually did not talk. He gripped his spear as if though by doing so it could protect him from what was to come. He watched and waited as the gem was taken, ready to spring into action should hostile intent become manifested.
Ulthak raised an eyebrow, taking an involuntary step back. He had a healthy respect for magic, as his mother had survived by violently showing what it could do to arrogant orcs.
”I would never.” The large, and very intimidating, half-orc said. He didn’t lower his spear and shield, which were tightly gripped in his hands.
Emerging from inside the half orc looked bemused. He motioned for everyone to keep their voices down. ”An old goblin. Never seen one before. Fast asleep.” Running a hand over his head he added ”Has a gem. Light from within it. I think it is a shaman.” His instincts said to kill the goblin in her sleep, lest she cast a spell on them. But he was acutely aware that soft-skins already saw his kind as bloodthirsty savages. He thought it best to keep such thoughts to himself, even though it was the most practical solution.
”We can check.” Ulthak said. With spear pointed forward he approached…
”Regardless, we need to find out what is happening. And to ensure that any who survive know to never try this again.” Ulthak’s upbringing made this a simple decision. Once attacked the aggressors had to know to never try so again. Failure to teach them that lessons would just invite more violence. He set about following the tracks so they could find the goblin lair.
”I’ll get to work on the tracks. Follow me, I will do my best in finding where they came from.” He said, knowing that if they didn’t act now then the tracks would not last.
”Should probably go look for the dwarf.” Ulthak said. ”We…can also see if there are more goblins about.” He added. ”There weren’t that many of them. Usually they aren’t brave enough to act without larger numbers.”
”Fine.” The half-orc grunted as he wiped goblin remains off of his shield. His eyes narrowed though when it was revealed that Dagna had fled. ”Really? But where could she run to? It isn’t like there is any place safe to go.” He mused. He walked over to a window and looked out, as if he could somehow see the errant dwarf. Or any more skulking goblins, lurking outside. While neither would be there, it was better than having to find something besides the irate and wounded dwarf to look at, lest any of that ire fall towards him.
Not deigning to speak, the half-orc dutifully went to work helping in putting the fires out. Seeing the body of a goblin on the ground and not knowing if it was truly dead or not, he gave it a kick to the head to make sure. Thus satisfied, he redoubled his efforts fighting the fires.
Despite feeling quite inspired by the Miles’ performance, the cramped quarters continued to foil his attempts at attacking. He grunted in annoyance at his own inadequacies.
Moving towards the next goblin, Ulthak found it difficult to attack given the furniture that was in the way. It was turning out that a large shield and spear were not the best weapons for close quarter fighting without clear access to small and nimble enemies.
I’ll second block initiative
Correct, it should be +6! Thanks for catching that.
The size difference between Ulthak and the goblins was almost comical. Yet still the half orc kept his shield up and spear pointed out, waiting for an opening to strike. He decided that these foes did not need him putting the full force of his blows, but rather required more precision…
Growling in frustration at how nimble the goblin was, Ulthak turned his spear onto the unfortunate greenskin. Using his shield to bash the weapon away, he sought to them impaled the exposed foe.
Ulthak grunted as a club bounced off of his back. It would certainly leave a bruise. Thus far, goblins had tried to set him on fire and to break his bones, two things which did little to endear them to him. The half-orc turned, shield and spear in hand. Too close to easily stab, he instead used the shield to backhand the goblin across the face. The shield channeled the elemental power within him, causing it to dance with electricity.
"Right. I'm going in the front. If someone wants to go around the back, then do it now." The half-orc said. His eyes fixed on the inn he stalked forward, shield in hand and threw the door open.
Ulthak had finished retrieving his first javelin and was about to go for the second when Miles called for everyone to rush back. He hesitated, not wanting to let the weapon go. That, and he was curious to see what the goblin had on it. Still, it wasn't worth it if the delay meant that something unforgiveable had happened while they were gone. With a frustrated grunt the half-orc turned and stalked after the bard, heading back towards the inn.
With a grunt, Ulthak took a running start with a javelin in hand. Deciding that all that he really had to lose was the javelin, he launched it with as much strength as he could, and with a prayer on his lips watched as it flew towards the fleeing goblin.
Grimacing as the wave of fire washing over his shield, Ulthak charged forward. The fleeing goblin was not going to get away if he could help it. If for no other reason, he owed it a debt of pain.
Seeing the goblin fiddling with a vial, Ulthak’s eyes narrowed. In one fluid motion he had a javelin taken from his back, a step forward was taken, and he launched it. He had no idea what it was doing, or what it was holding, but he didn’t quite care. Whatever it was, they could figure it out when it was dead.
"That works." Ulthak said, keeping his eyes firmly focused ahead. Spear and shield out, he cautiously approached...
Food would have to wait. Immediately the half-orc turned. He knew Lathliss, he was a good man, who followed Old One Eye. If he needed assistance then that he would have. Pulling his spear and shield from his back, he took them in hand and walked towards the door, only slowing to see who else would come.
Walking into the Stump, Ulthak looked around warily. Instinctively he moved away from the dwarves, not wanting any trouble with them. Not that he had ever had any, but it wasn't exactly logical. It was more of a gut feeling. That and he disliked crowds. He took a deep breath to calm himself and focused on the calming weight of the shield on his back. Being high strung was counter productive, as he had come for a meal. With that in mind he followed Tel Bys.
At the Mill: With a grunt Ulthak lifted another slab of marble and carried it over to the pile. Him and Tel Beys must have been quite a sight. She was tall, lithe, muscular, and scarred by fire. But through it all, she had a presence about her that commanded respect. He was tall and bulky, his body covered in tattoos. But where she stood up tall, her aura one of command, he kept his head down. Despite his size and strength, he had spent his life in Belkzen, where orcs of similar build were a dime a dozen. Many were even larger, and all were violent. He still didn't see himself as being especially dangerous, even if his new community seemed to be made out of people who were remarkably frail. Even now, being physically free, he was mentally still shackled by his former life. While others might have been put off by her constantly sizing people up, to him it was merely a survival skill. Even when working, he wore his leather, for without it he could not relax. One never knew when someone with an axe might make a swing at you, afterall. Furthermore, he had his spear and shield slung over his back. It was a weapon made in the style of his tribe, with the two attached to each other. It left the other hand free to throw javelins on the approach, a style of warfare that the orcs had been very proud of. It was the only way he knew how to fight, and to be without a means of self-defense felt suicidal...even after years of living in peace. Not having it on him caused his heart to beat faster and his palms to sweat. Even then, working as he was, he would periodically glance to the doors and windows. Truth be told, he liked spending time with Tel Beys. She accepted him without restraint, which was a welcome change. That, and he could tell that she was a warrior who knew how to use a blade. Not only did he respect that, but it made him feel safer to know that the person he was working with could watch his back. That was a luxury he had rarely known. And moreso, she was always working. Belkzen had been slowly falling apart, with the orcs living there refusing to do anything to better their city. Instead, they merely relied on the craftsmanship of the dwarven architects and masons who had built it. Actively working to make something, rather than tear it down, was cathartic. It was why he enjoyed leatherworking so much. It was not just a practical skill, but it represented to him a true change in his life. It was adopting a lifestyle truly different from the one he had fled from. He looked up when she suggested heading down the road for a meal. He didn't say a word. Rather he grunted in affirmation, stretched, and dusted his hands off. Motioning for her to lead the way, he followed her into the town proper.
|