IC IX

[thirdkingdom]

Round Four

Thordin advances to stand over the body of the fallen warrioress and strikes at the Beast. His blow just misses, and in retaliation the giant cat claws at the doughty dwarf with its claws. Thordin is able to avoid a devastating bite as three magical arrows speed through the air and impact unerringly on the Beast' scarred hide. Rhys maneuvers behind the Beast and attempts to sever a hamstring, but is unable to penetrate its thick hide.

Thordin takes 12 damage.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

From his crouched position, Lanny continues to shout out to his companions.

"Those with shields, join in the battle at the rear of the beast! If you lose your shield, remove yourself from the fight to save yourself! And be prepared to save a fallen comrade with your potion of health!"

Seeing Bregalad move in directly behind Thordin, Lanny breathes a little easier, knowing that the beast's attention will still be engaged if Thordin should fall and require immediate aid. He takes this opportunity to charge the beast again and tries to insert his blade deep into its ribs.

Longsword, Masterwork (Basic): 1d20+3, 1d8+1 damage

TK, I think you missed Bregalad's magic missile damage (5hp) which should bring the beast down to 54hp.

It seems to me that our best bet might be to try to damage the beast to the point of it requiring a morale check, or to try to scare it away with fire (although Lanny is putting his own fire idea on hold while he still has his shield intact). I'm not quite sure the odds are in our favor to be able to kill the beast outright (I might be wrong... especially if we have a couple of good rounds of dice rolls coming up), but things will only get harder with more combatants lying on the ground, so now is the time to inflict the maximum amount of damage with our strength in numbers. At this point, Lanny is just shouting suggestions to the group, so feel free to try something different (especially if you have any brilliant ideas!)

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad attempts to maintain his position behind Thordin, ready to take his place, should the brave dwarf fall. He casts his remaining Magic Missile and then prepares himself for whatever may come next!

"Aquar! Semele! Heal Thordin if you are able! If he falls, we all die!"

Bregalad casts another Magic Missile for round 5, and then prepares to use his spear and shield for round 6.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf is no longer angered by this creature. His movements are no longer pressed and forceful, his body taking over; his thoughts separating from the conflict. He cannot feel, his movements making a dark dance out of the struggle. A shadow has more substance as he participates in this death-match. There is no pain, there is no weakness, there is no victory or defeat.

The dwarf hazards a glance at Innana. So peaceful, she seems. So fair!

He is no longer in control, he just is. Hopefully it is enough.

Sword, +7 to hit, 1d12+3 damage, -2 AC bonus vs. 1 opponent, 1 deflection attempt/round at a 7 or better chance. Thordin will save the deflection attempt for the bite attack.

[Grognardsw]

Forgive my spatial uncertainty, but is it possible for Aquar to run up to Thordin as he backs up, heal him, then return to the perimeter safely? He has 20 HP? If not, can Bregalad switch places with him for a round for Thoradin to come to me. Ot Drudsa / Bregalad cast invisibility on me? Aquar has 8 hp and a shield (and breastplate).

[thirdkingdom]

Forgive my spatial uncertainty, but is it possible for Aquar to run up to Thordin as he backs up, heal him, then return to the perimeter safely? He has 20 HP? If not, can Bregalad switch places with him for a round for Thoradin to come to me. Ot Drudsa / Bregalad cast invisibility on me? Aquar has 8 hp and a shield (and breastplate).

Um, the PCs would have to agree to switch places in order for Thordin to withdraw. Aquar could advance, but I won't guarantee he wouldn't be attacked.

[Grognardsw]

Aquar the cleric

"Bragalad, Drudsa - I have heard you speak of invisibility enchantments! Put one on me that I may heal Thordin and retrieve Iannana safely!" says Aquar.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Grog - Keep in mind that if Drudsa were to make Aquar invisible, Aquar would just become visible again once he casts Cure Light Wounds (or attacks the beast). Also, I believe that in order to keep the minor sanctuary benefits of the Canticle spell in effect, Aquar would have to keep chanting continuously - if he stopped to cast another spell or attack, I think he would lose those benefits. With all of that in mind, I think Aquar's best bet is to leave the healing to Semele (and any other PC that has a potion of health and a moment to spare) and to serve as a big distraction to the beast. I know that Aquar is more of a water-based guy, but what do you think about lighting him on fire (with his Potion of Fire Resistance safely inside him, of course) and trying to scare away the beast? Semele can splash some oil on him to keep him ablaze. With Canticle in effect, the beast would need to pass a Saving Throw vs. Spells even to be able to make an attack against him at all. And, as long as Aquar does not physically attack the beast or cast another spell, Drudsa (or Bregalad or Lanny) could cast Invisibility to grant him an extra -4 to his AC. Then, he would just be a big glowing ball of fire, slowing moving towards the beast! (the ground is soaked, so hopefully no forest fires as a result). Maybe the beast would be scared of the fire and run away... Or, if nothing else, it might provide us with the distraction we need to finish our assault. Also, don't forget Aquar would still have his shield available to repel a lethal blow (in case the beast does manage to attack him and pierce his defenses) as well as his Aspiration spell that is currently in effect (perhaps as a second chance on a failed Saving Throw vs. Death, if it should get to that point - see the "Lifesavers #1: Dying & Death" topic on the House Rules thread to see how the game mechanics of PC death actually work in this game). Anyway, this is just one option to consider, especially if Aquar will not be joining the melee directly. No worries (and I completely understand) if you would prefer to try something else instead. Another good option might be for Aquar to join Lanny and Rhys in the melee happening at the rear of beast (both Lanny and Rhys have hp levels similar to Aquar's). After all, I think the party needs to do as much damage as possible as soon as possible to even have a chance of inducing the beast into making a morale check.

Speaking of Drudsa - Wouldn't it would be great if we had a backup Drudsa with us, in case something happened to the real Drudsa? Even better than that would be to have 1d4 extra Drudsas! Now THAT would confuse the hell out of the beast!

[thirdkingdom]

Round Five

Thordin, Lanny and Rhys all chop at the Beast from their various positions, but none are able to inflict any significant damage upon it. The great cat's hide is scarred and thick with muscle and gristle, and it seems that only the most well-placed blow with do any harm to it. Bregalad summons his final bolt of arcane force, which pierces its target's hide.

The enormous feline, beset on all sides by magic and steel, bares its fangs and hisses before bounding back into the darkness around the campsite.

Okay, let me know who, if anyone, is healing Thordin.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Knowing those with healing abilities will jump to the aid of the wounded, Rhys watches the creature run until he cannot see it any more, then quickly moves to stoke the fire to bring light back to the camp. Hopefully it will keep the creature away me aid the others' efforts in healing the wounded...

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Once the great cat bounds away, Bregalad rushes to Innana's side. Seeing very cleary that she is dead, he calls for help!

"Drudsa, the Fairy Stone! Innana needs it!"

Aquar. If given the Fairy Stone, Innana will be alive, but with only one hit point. Would you and Semele please heal her, after she has been revived?

Thordin still has 20 hit points. He should be ok, now that the threat is over.

[thirdkingdom]

There is a moment of confusion as some of the surviving adventurers rush to Innana's side whilst others stoke the fire, peering with apprehension into the darkness beyond. Soon, however, the companions note that there is not one but two Rhys' staring out into the darkness, standing side by side! The two look indentical, down to the gear and weapons carried.

[Alethan]

The REAL Rhys the Traveler

Rhys notes the twin of himself and... stares at it a moment. Then he looks at the others to see if they note the newcomer, as well. Turning back to the newcomer, he says, "Who are you?"

[thirdkingdom]

The REAL Rhys the Traveler

Rhys notes the twin of himself and... stares at it a moment. Then he looks at the others to see if they note the newcomer, as well. Turning back to the newcomer, he says, "Who are you?"

[Grognardsw]

Aquar the cleric

Aquar kneels down before Thordin with his first aid kit. "Let me tend these wounds now. Good fighting there!"

He apprises the wounds. "We'll need more than earthly healing now." The priest of Procan closes his eyes, lays his hands upon the injuries, mumbles a prayer, then perhaps too loudly: "By the power and glory of Procan, his humble servant bids you heal! May your flesh feel the spirit! I say be healed! Be rejuvinated with the spirit of god! I say it again, rise Thordin and be whole!"

Aquar pauses to see the results. He coughs and sees there are some remaining injuries. So the cleric opens up his first aid kit, staunches the remaining blood, cleans the remnant claw cuts, applies poltices and unctures, perhaps even a tincture, and sews him up.

The cleric then moves to Iannana with a heavy heart.

Cure Light Wounds 1d6+1. Aquar has 3 skill points on first aid, which increases his chances.

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Seeing Drudsa occupied with other matters, Bregalad removes the Faery Stone from his purse. The elf places it under the warrioress' tongue, gently closes her mouth, and then watches intently.....

Thanks, Innana. I forgot that Drudsa said he would be away for the weekend.

[thirdkingdom]

Bregalad places the stone under Innana's tongue and, for what seems like forever, nothing happens. Just when all were beginning to give up hope a spasm wrecks her body, and she coughs, once, twice, three times. The first expels the stone, which all can see is now cracked. The last two coughs are the bone-shaking expectations of one who has almost drowned. When she opens her eyes Finglas notes that her pupils have elongated, like those of a cat, or the water sprite who gifted them the stone.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa snaps out of his inner confusion "Uh, apologies my friends, it seems the whole situation overwhelmed me..." he looks at Bregalad standing over Innana as she regains consciousness "Innana, can you hear us?"

Noticing the two Rhys near the group he takes a few steps back "Fellas, watch out, I believe the creature is still among us! Rhys, tell us where did Saul meet his end?"

Maybe the creature can respond correctly if it has some sort of psionic ability, let's hope it doesn't. If we manage to identify it let us try to cause as much damage as we can, I don't think we'll get another break like we just did.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana dreams of frolicking with small people in a land where nature had a voice. Innana was swimming without worry of breathing when she was told that it was time to go back through the veil. Innana all of a sudden feels a need to take a breath and swims as fast as she can go to the surface of the blue pool of water. When she finally breaks through the surface of the water, her body is wracked with pain, and she can not take a deep enough breath without coughing up water.

Innanas eyes burn as she tries to focus. She finds her head resting on a very handsome elves lap with concern in his eyes. This life seemed like so long ago. What was his name again? "Bregalad"?

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad is filled with relief to see life stir within the warrioress' body. And when she finally speaks, the elf smiles, for he knows that despite the cat-like eyes, it is truly Innana who has returned. "Yea, it is I, Bregalad. Welcome back, Innana!"

Noticing Innana's wounds have barely healed, "You saved us all when you stood up to face the monstrous cat. Rest now, and let us care for you." ...the elf turns once more to Semele for help...

"It was wrong for me to ask you to risk so much during that battle. Please forgive me, Semele. Is there anything you can do now to help our friend?"