Round 5
The dungeon shakes with concussive force as Vorsyin’s fireball goes off. The mage’s caution for his fellows could have saved Ethan’s life given a different turn of events, so it was wise. But it permitted the foes who had moved to engage the party to avoid the blast.
[36 damage rolled! I won’t allow redirecting this time, but would reconsider in the future if given good reason.]
Ten hornfeet are caught in the inferno. Nine are absolutely incinerated. Another manages to somehow survive the explosion, albeit barely. Covered in horrific burns, the savage turns and tries to flee via the southern exit of the chamber, screaming as he runs. A manticore pounces on him, as a cat might catch a mouse, and feasts on the cooked meat.
Two hill giants are also caught in the blast. One is thrown backwards and slams against the rear wall of the chamber. The giant’s enormous body does not so much as quiver as it continues to burn. The other giant manages to duck away somewhat, but still suffers horrific burns across its body.
The party hears two more bizarre and horrifying screams of simian origin. One continues after the blast, one does not.
The chamber oddly quiets in the wake of the blast. The quiet is punctured with the resonance of human voices: “Help us…HELP US!!!” The voices seem to come from just south of the chamber.
Perhaps inspired by the cries, the party takes the initiative.
Gaerys and Kjelti strike at the juggernaut. Giantbane fails to pierce the heavy armor of the giant. Kjelti fares better – she thrusts her claymore through a chink in the juggernaut’s armor and deep into the hipjoint. Blue falls upon the threatening giant as well, tearing open its face with a claw.
Antheris completes his transformation into a giant wolverine. The ferocious beast takes a step forward, crouches and sprays the remaining hornfeet, juggernaut, and other remaining giant with blinding musk. The party’s enemies choke, wheeze and cover. Most hornfeet are left blinded and panicked. The two giants engaged with the party remain able to see, but are weakened and slowed. The confined hallway reeks with animal stench.
Hollis kindly lays his hands upon the wounded Ser Blacktyde. Several spikes fall to the floor as they are expelled from the knight’s body. Ethan is thrown an extra-healing potion by Vorsyin. The knight consumes it rapidly.
[Ethan +25 HP]
Vorsyin patiently awaits the effects of his fireball. Seeing the wanton destruction that it reaped upon his foes, the mage has time to begin another spell. However, any attempt to do so is stymied by a hit from a boulder lobbed in from a giant, released just before the musk took affect.
[V: 9 damage]
In the meantime, the juggernaut, weakened, but not blinded, drops his club and attempts to pound on Antheris with his fists. Even in its current state, the juggernaut is a fearsome opponent. The iron gauntleted fists crush Antheris, breaking a rib.
[Antheris: 9 damage.]
The blinded and weakened hornfeet on the front line and second rank strike back at the heroes. Their attacks prove feeble as not one connects.
The back two rows of hornfeet, disoriented and weakened, abandon the attack. Some of the blinded savages wander right into the claws of the cruel, ravenous manticores and are devoured instantly. Others disappear to the south east. The burned giant, who once saw to the manticores, also flees, but northward.
The party, having shown their true quality, have turned tide of battle … whether and how they press their advantage remains to be seen.
[H: -10
V: -16
G: -4
E: -33
B: -27
K: -1
A: -9]
Map:
