The dwarf will have to do! Take him down!
Two large, furred forms leap out at Dargrim, vicious fangs bared! Two more, snarling, move towards Lioslan!
There will be a surprise round for the enemy forces, during which all PC's are considered unaware.
Initiative:
Ulciscor:
Dargrim Rumblecask:
Dorn Kindleheart:
Gyro Titanblade:
Innocent:
Lioslan Shaelara:
Kevkas:
Argentia:
Large wolves:
Initiative tranches:
A: large wolves
B: Lioslan, Innocent, Argentia
C: Ulciscor, Dargrim
D: Dorn, Gyro, Kevkas
Surprise round:
Each large wolf takes a move action, putting them within range of their quarry for the first round!
Round One - Group A:
Large wolf A attacks Lioslan:
Attack:
Damage:
Lioslan, though surprised, twists out of the way of the first set of snapping jaws!
Large wolf B attacks Lioslan:
Attack:
Damage:
Trip?:
The second large wolf's bite does strike true, and allows the ghastly creature to drag Lioslan down to the ground! Lioslan is now prone and has -4 to attack, -4 to AC!
Large wolf C attacks Dargrim. I've not eaten dwarf in some time! Hard flesh, but tasty!!
Attack:
Damage:
Trip?:
The monsters vicious fangs strike true, tearing into Dargrims arm, but the stout dwarf refuses to go down!
Large wolf D attacks Dargrim:
Attack:
Damage:
But the dwarvish warrior eludes the brutish creatures' fangs!
Group B is up - Lioslan, Innocent, and Argentia!
The sudden bite of pain jolted Lioslan with a hundred memories of danger that had seemed so long past, so romanticised in his grating exile. The reality brought adrenaline, pounding in his veins. Releasing his bow, Lioslan drew his curve blade to defend himself as best he could as he scrambled to his feet.
I'll not face my foes crawling in the mud like a worm, he thought with rising ire.
The sun elf slashed at the wolf to his right, even as he planned to step back to avoid being caught between the two beasts. It may have been wiser to retreat first, but the indignity of his fall made him reckless.
The rival Houses wouldn't approve. It made him grin.
Innocents arrows have illuminated enough to see where Dargrim is, and his vicinity. Lioslan is still close enough to the campfire to allow visibility. I'll let you know if there are concealment issues with your attacks.
Innocent removes another black fletch arrow, but this time aims to bathe the tip in wolf's blood rather than light. He draws a bead on the wolf that bit into Lioslan and looses the arrow, focusing fire on the already wounded creature.
The shot goes wide and he frowns, but reaches back to the quiver, ready to draw another arrow for a second shot.
"What do you know, it was a trap," Kevkas mutters as he rushes out to fight.
Actions for tranche #2:
Lioslan lashes out at one of the large wolves, drawing blood with a slash of his curved elven sword, as he retakes his feet.
Innocent takes aim but his shot goes wide!
Argentia, her compound bow already drawn, takes aim at one of the great wolves attacking Lioslan (wolf B):
Attack:
Damage:
Her arrow sticks between the shoulder blades of the powerful beast, causing it to howl in pain! We have to help the dwarf! she ywlls, drawing another arrow.
Tranche #3 is up - Ulciscor and Dargrim!
"Great," Ulciscor muttered, seeing the way blocked by giant wolves of some kind. "I'm on it," he told Argentia, and began pushing his way through the trees, trying to get close enough to Dargrim to provide either healing or protection - if not both.
"'Tis a trap!" Dargrim warns aloud—and stupidly—through clenched teeth. He raises his large hammer in front of him in an attempt to fend off the press of wolves, sliding several feet back towards the camp warily. He takes a parting swipe at the nearest of the two beasts, but it is easily avoided.
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Actions for tranche C:
Dargrim misses the great wolf, but withdraws somewhat from a dangerous situation.
Ulciscor moves forward through the brush.
Tranche D is up next - Dorn, Gyro, and Kevkas!
Dorn watches Lioslan fall down, and is casting before he can begin to think about what he is to do next. His hands begin to glow with a spectra of spinning light. He moves right up to the two wolves, and unleashes his mystical volley of blinding lights.
"Back off!"
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Gyro moves to the wolf who has triped and grappled his companion. Growling
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Kevkas rushes to flank the nearest wolf with Lioslan. "This is what you get for waking me up!"
Actions for Tranche D:
Dorn moves forward and casts color spray, hitting the two closest beasts in it's area of effect:
Wolf A save: blinded and stunned for rounds, then stunned 1 more.
Wolf B save:
One of the large wolves catches the brunt of the spray, and howls as it loses it's vision. The second, however, is canny, turning aside at the last moment and avoiding the blinding display.
Gyro follows up with a glancing blow that deals 5 points of damage to wolf B.
Kevkas unleashes a mighty swing but misses, just inches from the wolf's head!
Round One is over. Round two, tranche A is up next!
Tranche A, the large wolves:
Large wolf A is unable to take any actions!
Large wolf B, seeing no other options, bites again at Lioslan, hoping to take down at least one of you....
Attack:
Damage:
It's large fangs find flesh! It bites again at the elven warrior, leaving him feeling groggy and uncertain of his footing. Lioslan has taken 10 hp, his limit, and is disabled.
Large wolves C and D seem about to strike at Dargrim, when a distant wolf call causes them to stop. Growling and snarling, they turn and run into the darkness. Both take a withdraw action, and move 100' and away into the darkness.
Tranche B, Lioslan, Innocent and Argentia, are up next!
The dazzling spray of colors whirled past Lioslan's squinting gaze, but he had no time to congratulate Dorn on his spellcasting. The wolf still able to tore into him, and his white tunic was stained in a growing field of red.
He knew he was losing blood fast - too fast. His vision was blurring, dark at the edges; but his pride hurt worse than his wounds. A sun elf of Evermeet, brought low before doing in a single foe? It will not be!
With the last of his strength, his hands locked tight about its grip, he brought his curved sword around in a graceful flick aimed for the wounded wolf's throat.
Actions for Tranche B:
Lioslan, his vision dimming, lashes out one final time at the great wolf. The blade cuts deep, neatly severing the foul beasts' head. The body convulses before collapsing into the dirt.
Innocent takes aim at large wolf A. I'll kill you.... he seethes through gritted teeth as he lets his arrow fly:
Attack: <---no precise shot
Damage:
The arrow finds it's mark, lodging deep into the great wolf's side!
Tranche C is up next - Ulciscor and Dargrim!
Seeing the bloody damage to both of the brave warriors in the group, Ulciscor came to a stop next to a copse of trees, and called forth the power of Hoar.
"When thy limbs faileth, and life bleed out from thee, let thine righteous anger bring thee strength, and see Justice done, before thou shalt fall."
Although Lioslan's self-revenge had been impressive, it appeared Hoar's healing still came only grudgingly to the Elf and reckless Dwarf.
Actions for tranche C:
Ulciscor channels positive energy, healing Lioslan and Dargrim for 2 hp each. Lioslan is no longer disabled.
DMPC: Dargrim takes a double move action to L8, moving a total of 35 feet. He'll wait till next round to pounce, as moving into melee range without an action is unwise.
Tranche D - Dorn, Gyro and Kevkas - are up next!
Dorn backs up, and fires his crossbow at the stunned wolf. But his shaking hands, fumble the shot.
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Kevkas steps up to the other wolf and launches another mighty blow. "Bet you're rethinking waking us up now, aren't you!?"
He swings again at his opponant, trying to crush it
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Actions for Tranche D:
Dorn takes aim with his crossbow, but the bolt goes wide!
Kevkas steps forward and unleashes a mighty blow with his greatsword, drawing a massive gout of blood from the large wolf!
Gyro takes a five foot step to I9 and unleashes a powerful blow with his earthbreaker, crushing the great wolfs' head, killing it instantly.
Combat is over! All characters get 343 xp.
Argentia lowers her bow, listening to the distant howling. Those weren't like any wolves I've encountered before - they must have been Worgs. I've heard of them before - talking wolves. And from the sound of that howling, the main body of the pack isn't too far away.
"We would stand no chance against a large pack in the open," Lioslan said, his voice strained with pain. He bent to pick up his unceremoniously discarded bow, and wiped at the dirt on it until he realized he was only smearing blood on the wood.
"I don't believe we should abandon the camp, though the worgs will know we are here, and will likely surround us. It remains a defensible position. Let us see how brave they are in daylight, with our arrows falling among them."
He looked around, his eyes falling on Ulciscor. "That healing... your doing? You have my thanks." He stood where he was, too proud to go staggering back into the camp... but he did take a step to lean against a nearby tree.
Ulciscor nodded to Lioslan. "The Doombringer's blessing, yes. We will see if we can't manage a little more of it, in a moment." He turned to the others, "Lioslan speaks wisely. A defensive position for the rest of the night is better than fighting them in the open, and in the dark. But I suspect they may be headed for the mines, and we may not see them again before tomorrow."
Once everyone was back inside the relatively safe confines of the camp, Ulciscor examined them for injuries, then brought forth the blessings of Hoar.
"It would appear that the Doombringer approves of your handiwork tonight."
"I agree!" the fnome nods
"Best be prepared if they come back."
Resting on his hammer
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Argentia nods her head in agreement. We'd be best served remaining here for the night, definitely. This position is defensible and, if they do come for us, they'll only have one easy way in.
"Aye, les bed down an' get movin' afore what reckoned us meals pays us further mind." Dargrim slumps down against a protruding bit of stone, nursing what remains of his injuries.
Meanwhile, Innocent hops down from the boulder, landing next to the wounded dwarf. "Agreed, trapfinder."
"You don't need to convince me. Stamping out in the forest in the dark with worgs nipping at our heels seems more like a convoluted form of suicide than heroism."
Kevkas wipes the blood off his sword onto the dead worg's fur, nodding. "Sounds good to me."
Argentia nods to the spellcasters in the group. We should make sure our wizard and other spellcasters get their rest for the remainder of the night. I'll remain on watch, and could use one or two others to join me, as well. She looks out into the darkness. You don't think there actually was a woman out here, calling for aid, do you? That was just the Worgs, playing their tricks?
Dargrim shakes his head, and peers out into the darkness that had nearly been his end. "Ran after 'er fast as me stubs'd run. Dinnae scour hide, hair, or sniff o'er. Cannae ken a'true, but seems likely 'tis a trap."
Once he had the wounded back inside the (relatively) safer confines of the camp, Ulciscor called once more upon his God to provide healing.
"In the break of peace between moments of war, the righteous will be replenished, as the enemy bleed, and become weak."
Innocent stares at Argentina, wordless. After a brief consideration, he shrugs his shoulders and turns back towards his tent. Whether that meant he didn't know if there was a woman or didn't care if there was any woman is left open to interpretation.
Kevkas snorts. "Yeah, it was a trap. Not that I mind killing worgs, but maybe we should all try not to run off alone into the dark in the future."
Dorn looked uneasy as he thought, but didn't say, Even if it wasn't a trap. There was nothing we could have done.
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Argentia squats down, looking out into the darkness. I thought ... maybe ... it was my sister, for a moment. Wishful thinking, I suppose - of all the places she could be, wandering up to our campsite, just to be accosted by those beasts... Tymora and Beshaba together would have had to be working closely to arrange such a situation. Argentia glares hard after Innocent but says nothing.
The morning brings an overcast, gloomy day to light. A quick search of the road and the path leading to your campsite reveals plenty of spilled blood, but no other evidence of a person in distress having been here.
Argentia looks to the north. The mining camp is another seven, eight miles yonder. We could take the road, which would be quicker, but would also leave us exposed and visible a good distance from the camp - assuming anyone is manning the guard towers. Another option - we keep to the brush and trees just a bit east of the road, and approach that way instead. We'll not get lost as we'll be using the road to guide us, but we'll also not be as exposed. It will be a bit slower, though. Your choice, fellows.
"I suggest the more covered path. Safer that way. And an opportunity to hopefully see them and whats going on before anything sees us?"
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"Their arrows are sharp and a raised alarm limits our access if they've secured the camp. Let us keep to the underbrush until we determine the best way to strike."
While others prepare, Innocent puts his things away and gnaws on whatever breakfast is available while balanced on the edge of the boulder, a small black travel-sized pocketbook in hand. The kohl is a mess smear now but he doesn't bother to touch it up at all, and looks all the more haggard for it. At various intervals he stares off into the distance, unblinking, repeating Draconic words of magic in his head and moving his lips in silent utterance, committing the incantations to memory. He then rehearses them a second and third time with semi-precise gesticulations until he is confident he can apply them quickly under duress.
Ulciscor stands guard, nibbling on wandermeal, while Innocent prepares. When everyone is ready, he falls into line with the rest.
"Is it possible to take the road part of the way, and then slip off into the trees before we come into sight of the guard towers?"
Feeling much recovered thanks to Ulciscor's healing, and somewhat indebted to the group, Lioslan politely didn't comment as Innocent read his book, appearing to need to mouth the words to himself. Well, humans couldn't be faulted for not taking to reading so easily.
Having restored himself to what semblance of cleanliness and order he could manage, he agreed with those who wished to move under what cover they could.
"It might be best to avoid the roads altogether. Orcs may be brutes, but they have a certain cunning. Advance scouts could be placed along the road - likely in the forest as well, but at least there there is a chance that we will see them first."
Dorn spends his morning meditating, while pretending to pour over a book that he referred to as his "spellbook". In reality, the book was merely a diary and day planner written in a cypher he and his sister created together when they were children. It used fanciful looking runes, but was otherwise completely mundane.
Dorn had long ago accepted the fact that sorcerers weren't nearly as respected as wizards amongst the populace. In fact, many common folk believed them to be unstable at best and a dangerous threat at worst.
While wizards mostly just seemed to think that they were lazy folk who cheated at magic somehow, as if it were a game of three dragon ante.
***
"Staying in cover seems the wiser choice," he later answers Argentia.
He nods at Lisolan. "We can't save anyone if we're dead. Let's stay under cover."