1. Will - 15
2. Dog 4 - 14
3. Dog 2 - 12
4. Soth-Loren - 9
5. Anath - 9
6. Alerio - 7
7. Dog 1 - 7
8. Dog 3 - 5
9. Godwin - 5
Godwin's attempt to counter does not succeed; as he pushes the dog away from his face, his dagger does not reach the beast.
Will steps away and with a careful shot, the crossbow bolt buries itself deep into the mutt's shoulder. With a high-pitched whimper, the dog sets off, fleeing.
The beast that failed to hit Alerio immediately attempts to pounce him once again, burying his fangs into the kayal's shoulder, piercing the armour.
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Soth-Loren attempts to stave off the dog gnawing his foot, yet he fails to hit the beast; it does back off, growling.
Anath directs his horse to charge into the fray, bringing his lance to bear:
Godwin will take a five foot step to flank Dog1 with Alerio and slash out again!
Attack:
Damage:
Anath charges valiantly at the dog, yet his lance does not strike true as the dog dodges just in time; almost like a riposte, it attempts to bite the cleric once more, but he deflects the mutt with his shield.
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Alerio staves off the dog, drawing his rapier. He delivers two rapid thrusts, instantly slaying the mutt; it lets out a pitiful yelp before it collapses, dead.
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With a failed assault at Godwin, the godling immediately counters, delivering a brutal slash across the dog's snout and upper head; it lets out a loud whimper.
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Godwin slashes at the dog again!
Attack:
Damage:
Anath quickly drops his lance (free action), draws his sword (move action) and lashes at the persistent mutt:
Will reloads his crossbow, cursing under his breath at his wound. He then fires at the nearest dog.
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On Initiative 9A Soth-Loren will 5 ft step to J4 for a Flank, and still attempting to deal Non-lethal Damage, (but not Fighting Defensively), will attempt once more to put down the canine without kiling it.
Attack:
Damage:
"Where did these beasts come from, and why are they attacking us?"
I'd like to also try to scan the area to see if there is anyone in hiding that might be directing them, or someone maybe in the distance that migh have unleahed them on us.
Alerio, shifting targets from the dead dog, will attack the one between himself and Godwin, doing what he can to take advantage of the dog's distraction at being flanked.
Soth-Loren delivers a decisive blow to the dog's head with the flat edge of his blade, knocking it out cold; Anath hesitates, ready to deliver a coup-de-grace, yet he waits.
As Alerio shifts over to flank the mutt, his attack misses; the dog sets off, attempting to flee. Godwin delivers a precise thrust into its flank, however, and before it can run off it keels over, bleeding to death.
Anath stays his hand, unwilling to slaughter a creature that has been subdued.
Will looks briefly at his wound, saying only, "Well that was no fun." He then points his finger at his face and a bright silver ray shoots out of his finger and splashes against his skin.
He then walks over and stares at the dead dogs for a second. Then he bends down and touches them briefly. As he does, his hair and eyes crackle with bright silver sparks. He then looks up at everyone.
"Stupid things were probably just hungry. Anyone else get bitten and need some healing?"
Godwin stares at the bodies of the dogs. "Not hurt, but confused. Since when are dogs desperate enough to attack one man, let alone four? I think someone set these on us!"
Will considers Godwin's comment for a moment, then waves his hand in a "maybe yes, maybe no" motion.
"It's possible, but those dogs are pretty ineffectual. I mean, we have an armored guy on a horse, it's entirely plausible he could have taken them all out by himself. The dog I shot ran away at the first hint of pain. If they were set on us by someone, what did they hope to gain do you think?"
"Slow us down. They've certainly stopped us here long enough for somebody else to perhaps get an edge in reaching the Fortress. Perhaps turn us around. If they were rabid and one of us were bitten, would we all have been willing to continue on? Abused animals will do whatever is necessary to avoid further abuse."
Alerio cleans off his rapier, then steps around to consider the remaining dog. He looks from the rapier to the dog and back again, then sheathes the rapier. "A dog that bites once will bit again unless taken care of. I'm thinking we make that not a problem anymore." He pulls out a dagger.
"I honestly don't think it's something to keep mulling over. Probably a pack of starving, feral dogs, desparate for something to eat. Do with the unconcious one what you will, and if no one is gravely wounded, let us continue"
The group still ponders what to do with the dog, though during their brief discussion it does not wake up. The plains are empty; the smell of the dead dogs' blood is growing overwhelming as it seeps into the ground.
Dogs like these are too wild to have been purposefully sent to attack you, and the plains are a harsh place during the autumn with little feast. The dogs were most likely just very hungry.
The smell of blood is very likely to attract some predators soon. Moving swiftly would be wise.
"I dislike hanging around waiting to see what happens. If they were feral, we've delayed enough. If they were sent to attack us, waiting around here will only be playing into the hands of the person who sent them. Finding whatever's left in that tower is important, and I have no wish to just stand around here with the smell of hot rotting dog in my nose." Alerio moves over to the unconscious form of the dog and slits its throat. After cleaning the dagger, he starts walking toward the tower again. Turning back after a minute, he calls out, "You coming?"
Survival:
Godwin shrugs. "I've no reason to kill a defenseless dog. That was a pretty low act, friend. But there's no sense arguing over it now. Let's be on our way. I still say those dogs were sent by someone, someone who's probably watching us even now. Act casual and let's go." Godwin peers about him furtively, keeping watch on the rocks and grass and... even more grass. Tricksy grass.
With a saddened look at the slain dog, Anath regrets letting such and end come to the poor beast. shaking his head, he turns and spurs his horse onwards, catching up with his companions.
Alerio sighs. "Nursing it back to health so it can continue to scrounge would result in it starving to death in this season. It's a harsh land, and there's little food. Whatever predators there are here will come soon, and the beast would be eaten anyway. If we were still there when they did, we would have more than just a pack of feral dogs to fight. The beast was destined for death in the near future, more likely than not in a less pleasant way than having an unconscious throat cut."
Leaving the dead dogs, the adventurers continue their journey to the Fallen Fortress. An hour's travel, the plains remain empty. The skies have grown darker now, and the wind is even colder here. When they reach the tower grounds, they finally get a good look at the structure.
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
Anath dismount from his horse, leaving the lance in the saddlebags before making sure Stalwart is properly secured, then draws his sword & shield:
"Well, here it is. Let's get going, shall we?"
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"The darkness doesn't hinder me, but I have prayer candles if you have need", as I advance cautiously to peer inside the hole. MAking sure my gear is secure, sword still sheathed, I will walk past the ohers to mae sure their armor is tight and on properly, or if anyon needs help before we progress in.
I'l also heal as I forgot to earlier.
Channel Energy:
"Well, the darkness sure as heck hinders me. I hope no one minds if I carry a light."
Will chants briefly and his staff begins to glow.
"I like the dark, personally. Shadows and darkness don't hinder me. Perhaps I'll scout ahead of the light where I won't be seen." Alerio pulls out his Shadow mask, hiding what little was visible of his face behind the black-dyed leather. Swirls cross the surface of the mask, breaking up its uniform surface. He pulls out his shortbow and moves ahead toward the darkness of the tower's interior, looking back at the others on the edge of the darkness. "Shall we?"
Soth-Loren advances towards the gap in the tower, finding the rubble to be difficult to cross. Alerio does not get much farther when a growl is heard, and then another one. Eventually a small choir fills the air until four of them steps out from within the darkness of the tower, four wild dogs with glowing eyes; very much like the ones previously fought.
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1. Godwin
2. Soth-Loren
3. Will
4. Anath
5. WD3
6. WD1
7. Alerio
8. WD4
9. WD2
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Godwin keeps his eye on the dogs as he draws a dagger while moving to G-14. "I told you they were sent by something! Evil glowing eyes? pretty much proves it."
Attack:
Damage:
"Nothing of the sort. These are like the others, hungry wretches."
Alerio slides into the shadows near the tower walls, loosing an arrow at the furthest dog he can see.
Anath moves forward as fast as he can, placing himself between his comrades and the assailants, shield and sword ready.
Will moves forward, careful to not get closer to the dogs than Soth Loren, and lets fly with a crossbow bolt.
Will lets out a crossbow bolt in the direction of the closest dog; it pierces the flesh but barely sticks. The mutt lets out a growl as it sets off to attack Alerio, alongside one of its packmates.
Godwin intercepts one of the dogs, delivering a fatal thrust to the neck. Blood runs down across the rubble, coating the godling's dagger.
The other dog pounces at Alerio, but the kayal pushes away the drooling jaw as he tosses his bow away. With deadly grace he thrusts into the dog's side, delivering a fatal wound. It falls over, bleeding to death.
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The two other dogs, enraged, immediately dash towards Anath and Alerio, with bared fangs. However, they fail their assault as Anath blocks the dog with his shield, and Alerio merely dodges without difficulty.
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Anath lashes at the attacking dog with his sword:
Godwin will move to G-11 and slash at the dog!
Attack:
Damage:
Will reloads his crossbow and fires again at the nearest dog.
Godwin moves around Alerio, approaching the dog from the side; he thrusts his dagger into the dog's side, wounding it greatly.
Will fires a bolt in the other dog's general direction, but only manages to hit some rubble as the dog leaps away just in time... seizing this opening, Anath immediately drives his blade through the dog's neck. Headless, the corpse splatters blood all over the rubble and the severed head lands a couple of feet away.
The last dog, wounded heavily by Godwin, attempts to run away, but in doing so, both Alerio and Godwin see a prime opportunity to attack...
Alerio lunges at the dog, seeking to disable a leg as it passes.
Alerio barely misses the dog as it scoots away from his thrust, but Godwin follows up, delivering a second stab right into its wounded side. It keels over with a yelp, dying slowly.