Into the Woods
Log Info
- Title: Into the Woods
- GM: Telamon
- Place: Alexandros Countryside
- Summary: The daughter of Aron Ferchik, Ana, has gone missing, and the family is frantic. Passing adventurers will be hurriedly drafted to find the girl, before something else does!
- Ferchik Farm, midday
The Ferchik farm is a tidy, well kept place, with crops growing steadily and a small stall for rendering down game caught in the hunt. A barn holds a wagon and a couple unimpressed-looking horses, as well as a horse-plow for turning the earth as needed. Indeed, all that's missing is a family member: one Ana Ferchik, who seems to have disappeared. While you were on the road to Alexandria, the father of the lady in question intercepted you to ask for help.
"She's never done this before!" Aron Ferchik looks desperately worried. With the summer sun beating down, it's clear stress and fatigue are taking its toll. "Ana's always kept a careful eye on the woods, but she's never just wandered off." He looks at you with fear -- a father's fear. "Eliza, my wife, went to rouse the neighbors, but... could you help us as well? We're not rich, but I'd rather have my daughter back than all the gold in the world."
Slixvah, a currently under dressed (for her) egalrin woman with just a pair of trousers and a sleeves-rolled brown robe that shows a hint of a few wands sticking out of a shoulder holster, holds up her hands, her beak cracking into a soft smile. "Shhh, shh, it'll be alright, sugar," she attempts to assuage, rainbow ribbons on her wings flittering about in an idle breeze. "Where was th' gal last?"
Having arrived just recently, astride his Swiftclaw, Harkashan is working on getting off slowly. Patting the creature's neck and laying his hand on its scales at the back of his jaws. "Stay." He rumbles to the creature, before approaching Aron Ferchik.
"All will be well." He joins in with Slixvah. "We will seek them out. Do you by chance have anything of hers? Something a hound could use to sniff out her location?" He then inquires with Aron.
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Trying to aid Slixvah in soothing him." GAME: Harkashan rolls Diplomacy: (7)+15: 22
Being flagged down while on the road is a little unusual, especially given that strangers were just as likely to take advantage of a situation as they were to help. However, it seems that the fates were on the farmer's side. Rune is outfitted more for travel than fighting, but she swings down her carry pack in order to listen, resting her hands on the blades strapped to her sides rather than her back.
"How old is she?" Rune's protective nature when it comes to children takes the lead there. The rogue pulls her hood back, looking to the surrounding forest. "Where was she last seen?" That would be a place to start.
Acedia looks to the gentleman requesting help of the group. Her look softens, the Gobbo turning to glance to the others.
As Harkashan and Slixvah try to sooth the man's nerves, Ace gestures and snaps her fingers, a golden violin and bow appearing in her hands. After a moment's consideration, the sounds of a lullaby are heard, gently played, seeping into the background.
"I would help you in your search, sir, and I think the others are rallied to your cause."
The offers of help, and the calm coming off the adventurers, seem to soothe Aron somewhat. He's still worried, but at least he's not verging on panic. "There's a wooded area up on the north side. When I last saw her, she was looking for flowers there. I was trying to patch a hole in the roof, and when I looked up again she was gone."
Aron struggles to keep his composure. "She's nine summers old, with brown hair like her mother." Aron is noticeably yellow-blond, himself. "She's fairly woodcrafty for her age and knows to stay away from wild animals. If she'd seen something surely she would've come back to the house!"
Aron leads you to the last known location, the northern edge of the farm. Indeed, there is a heavily wooded area beyond that, spreading off into the distance.
Slixvah gives a light nod towards the others for their effort to calm the father, the egalrin woman putting her hands in her robe pockets. "Sounds like a little cutie," she coos, then asks along wthe way as they're lead off, "D'ya know what kind of flowers she was lookin' fo'?"
She idly pulls a wand out of a holster in her robe, a light brown one with a red feather attached to it.
GAME: Rune rolls survival: (7)+10: 17 GAME: Harkashan rolls Survival+2: (18)+6+2: 26 GAME: Acedia rolls perception: (19)+14: 33 GAME: Slixvah rolls alertness: aliased to perception+2: (12)+13+2: 27
The information confirms that the girl is relatively young, causing that worried look to creep further over Rune's features. She shifts a bit, unstrapping the two belts and then slinging them up over her shoulder sinstead. It slips her weapons into an easier position for her to grab in an emergency. Rune is preparing to go to work, it seems.
"I assume you haven't seen signs of any strange animals, people, or other creatures in the area?" Rune asks as she steps towards the area the girl was last seen. She crouches, trying to get closer to a child's height, trying to look for signs of disturbances or anything else that might show the girl came through here. "How long has she been gone?"
"Well, it is good that she is somewhat knowledgeable. She should survive in the woods. Don't worry, we'll find her, sir!" Acedia's violin vanishes with a puff of smoke once the lullaby has come to an end.
Once at the place where she was last seen, the Goblin crouches, peering at the ground, and the brush, looking for traces of the girl.
"So we look for a child's foot print, and for 'missing' flowers, where she may have pulled flowers from. Or signs of recent animal tracks."
Harkashan continues to join along the others, taking a long and good look around. When they get closer to where she was last seen though, he ducks down. Heavily armored or not, the Sith-makar goes to all fours and begins to sniff around, trying to get a smell that may stand out amongst the others, so he might follow it.
It takes a little bit before you find a clear track -- and when you do, it gets odd. The small child's footprints soon become mingled with larger paw prints, but they don't show the signs of fleeing. In fact it looks like Ana's footprints are walking happily alongside the paw-print markings.
Into the forest, the two trails go.
Aron clearly isn't as woodcrafty as you, and he cranes his head. "What is it? Have you found something?"
Slixvah isn't particularly a woodswoman, but she's got a good pair of eyes, ones that watch Hark get to work. A little giggle leaves her asshe scratches her head with the end of the wand. "Erm, me thinks so?" she murmurs, pointing to the tracks. "Dunno what the other thing is. 'least it looks... calm?"
She looks off into the woods, rolls her shoulders and wings, and twirls her wand. "I'm ready fo' a lil' hike fo' a lil' tyke."
GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/nature: (20)+9: 29 GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Nature: (3)+4: 7 GAME: Acedia rolls 1d20+2+3: (3)+2+3: 8 GAME: Rune rolls knowledge/nature: (19)+4: 23
While Rune may have been raised to be an emissary, she is far out of practice on being diplomatic. In most circumstances, she is prone to being quite blunt. This... is not a situation for that. "Uh..." Rather than explaining, she leaves that to the others and just murmurs, "Looks like she's gone this way."
Rather than addressing the father, she makes a little motion with her chin and tries to clear some underbrush away from one of the footprints, trying to make sure that those more knowledgable about animals and the like might be able to make an identification.
Acedia crouches to squint at the tracks. "My guess by the size is a bear. Possibly a wild dog or wolf, but bears have pretty large tracks." She sticks a finger in one of the animal tracks, and draws a smile in the mud there.
"Slix is right though, doesn't seem like she was dragged off, but lead willingly." The Gobbo glances around, "Let's move on while we have good light and solid tracks."
She's ready to follow the trails.
Harkashan, too busy trying to figure out the tracks, eventually gets up. "Some kind of wolf, or bear maybe? I fear I do not know this region so well." He admits, looking around for a moment. "But I have a way to track them." He then adds to that. "I do agree that she walked along willingly. Which can... mean a lot of things, I suppose." Harkashan admits.
Slixvah catches Rune's little gesture, her plodding her way over and crouching down with wings splayed out to keep her balance. Her head quirks sharply to the side, grey hand pinching something and picking up a golden hair. "Huh."
She looks to the tracks, to the woods, the hair. Slixvah holds up a hand to seemingly nothing, then plucks the air. Listens. "...close ShaShan. Aurumvorax," she says finally. "Big ol' grumpy fluffy bois. Loves ta eat metal. Eight legs. /Super/ cute." She looks at the trail. "I'd say the gal was in good hands, but lezzgo get 'er."
The trail leads into the woods, the birds chirping softly, the air warm with the sun's rays pushing through the canopy. Aron follows behind you, still worried. "An aurumvorax?" He clearly doesn't know what that is. But surely everything is all right, nothing could be wrong on a fine day like this--
And then you hear the scream up ahead. It's not a human voice. It's fury, defiance, and rage. The sound a barbarian would make condensed into a single sound.
"Aurumvorax. Catlike?" Acedia rubs at her chin as they start to get underway once more. "Interesting, I am glad that it appears to be friendly or neutral to her..." The scream causes the Goblin to pale. "Spoke too soon?"
She gestures to the twin trails, "Let's get following quickly!" She glances to the Egalrin. "Are you able to get up above, you might be able to guide us truly."
Rune's eyes look across to Slixvah, meeting the avian's gaze briefly before she pushes back up to her feet. "I'm not sure if I've ever seen one of those before." Brushing off her hands on her trousers, "Still, we should hurry." She nods to Acedia, agreeing with the goblin's assessment.
And then... the scream. Not a child's scream, but it is enough to have her flinch, her hands reaching for her weapons. "If that's what a Aurumvorax sounds like, it sounds /mad/. Let's hurry." And with that, Rune moves in the direction of the sound, preferring speed to stealth for the time being.
Harkashan, admittedly, does not know what an Aurumvorax is. But when Slixvah declares he's close, he bows his head as if this all makes sense. An eight legged being, cute, and loves to eat metal.
After which he looks at his armor and gear. Certainly, his armor is magical and would enduring a biting. His blade is not so much. "Agreed, let's go get her." He notes, only to suddenly hear a scream!
So, Harkashan immediately runs towards the scream.
Slixvah wobbles a hand to Acedia. "Kinda cat, kinda dog. Really fuzzy," she explains over a shoulder. "I ain't eva seen one before. Read 'bout it long time 'go. Got the bits and pieces else plac-"
She freezes at the scream. A wing slaps Rune across the shoulder as the wand smacks her beak. "I gotchu." A gale brushes over the two of them before her large wings unfurl. And she shoots skyward.
<OOC> Slixvah says, "hex:ward on rune." GAME: Slixvah used a Wand of Mage Armor.
Aron jerks upright. "What was that?" And then he's running after the others, though he trips and twists his ankle. Still, he keeps stubbornly following, as the party rushes towards the sound of the scream...
The clearing's edges are densely packed with vegetation, and older trees with broad trunks still stand here and there. A trio of massive, four-armed brutes pace back and forth, gnashing their teeth. Matted white fur covers their bodies, and they look like nothing so much as hulking, misshapen gorillas.
Facing off against them is a relatively small creature, barely three feet from nose to rump. Its fur is a brilliant gold, puffed out in a ferocious threat display. Looking like a cat or badger, but for its eight legs, each ending in broad paws tipped with copper-colored claws. Its lips are drawn back to reveal similarly copper-hued, needle-sharp teeth, and it lets out another scream of fury. Cowering behind the small beast is a young girl, perhaps nine years old, her clothes a little dirty. She's clearly terrified -- not of her erstwhile protector, but of the massive brutes menacing her.
As you burst into the clearing, the monstrous gorillas turn to glare at you, beating their chests and drawing their lips back to reveal yellowed fangs...
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18
Two of the massive gorilla-like creatures turn and shamble towards the party, bellowing angrily. Knucklewalking along on their four arms, each one swings a fist at Acedia and Harkashan, missing before they beat on their chests some more, roaring in your faces in an attempt to force your retreat.
GAME: Rune rolls bluff-8: (10)+19+-8: 21 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1-2: (14)+14+-2: 26 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2-7: (9)+14+-7: 16 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1-7: (10)+14+-7: 17 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1d6+4d6: (1)+1+(1)+(20): 23
Walking into the clearing, there is a moment of surprise that is written on Rune's face as her hands tighten on her weapons, looking at the three massive creatures who are threatening the child and her strange protector. "What the hell are those things doing here?"
And then, the gorilla creatures start to move in on them and that is enough to have Rune going on the offensive. Moving to put herself between the beast and Harkashan, despite being far smaller than the Makari, Rune brandishes her weapons and gives a snarl of challenge that is meant to distract the beast.
Then, she follows up with one stab that catches the beast in one forelimb, though the other two are batted away easily enough. "Stay back Aron. You do not want to fight these things, trust me. Leave that to us!"
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Acedia rolls weapon11: (17)+13: 30 GAME: Acedia rolls weapon11: (3)+13: 16 GAME: Acedia rolls damage11+damage11: aliased to 1d6+0+1d6+0: (1)+0+(2)+0: 3 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20
The Goblin is surprised at the presence of large apes. "I don't know, but we are gonna doing something about it.", Ace replied to Rune. She pulls up her dragonspitter to take aim at the critter that Rune started on, and takes a punch to the side, which causes her to grunt in pain. Her shot connects to the ape, but doesn't appear to do much damage, her second shot hitting for a similar effect. As she ducks another punch aimed for her, she huffs. "Damn these things have thick skins."
The last gorilla creature looks at the angry little golden cat and its ward, but then its attention is caught by the shouts and the BOOM of a firearm going off twice. Growling deep in its chest, it knuckle-walks over, peering at the tiny noisy goblin before swinging a fist that passes over Acedia's head like a whistling boulder.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Harkashan casts Magic Vestment. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18 (previous prep) GAME: Harkashan casts Prayer. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18
"Stay back, Aron!" Harkashan calls out to the man. "Let us deal with these fiends that assault your daughter and her protector." Right as one of the apes comes for him. His shield at the ready, blade out, he digs his feet in.
The first swing coming for him, Harkashan leans down, shifting his shield, letting the punch deflect across his buckler. "I'm going to try and draw their ire." As he ducks under another Grilla's blow, moving through the bush a bit to get to the opposite side and give Rune something to work with!
He then sends out a silver spark of light, letting it overcome the Grillas and enhancing his party!
Slixvah crests over the treetops as the others spill into the clearing. Quickly she clocks the Aurumvorax, the girl, then these three... gorillas? What are they doing here?
She shakes her head, readies a dive, and then... hold on. She waits until the pieces slide into place. And then dive bombs down right across from the one Rune is harrying. The feathers on her wings unfurl into wafting, swaying things. And she inhales, speaking on the inhale. "ROCEF. DOUSN. MAPLIYF."
And a scream rips from her, so loud and piercing, but the magic morphs it to only be bleedingly annoying to the gorillas. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
She cough. "... well fiddle-fuck."
GAME: Slixvah casts Screech. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 <OOC> Telamon says, "OK, rolling saves at -1 due to Prayer." <OOC> Telamon says, "Starting with #1 to #3!" GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d2: (1): 1 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (18)+10+-1: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (18)+10+-1: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (1)+10+-1: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (17)+10+-1: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (3)+10+-1: 12 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d6+4+1d4+4+1d4+4+1d4+6: (2)+4+(2)+4+(4)+4+(1)+6: 27 <OOC> Telamon says, "Actually, wait one." <OOC> Telamon says, "You get 4 HP back because prayer reduces their damage by 1." GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (1): 1 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (2)+10+-1: 11 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (11)+10+-1: 20 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (10)+10+-1: 19 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (6)+10+-1: 15 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (8)+10+-1: 17
One of the gorilla-beasts rears up as Rune stabs it, and bellows in fury. It barely seems to even notice Acedia shooting it, as its four fists begin to rise and fall with metronomic power, slamming into the half-elf repeatedly, two of the blows wounding her further even as it savagely bites at Rune.
The other gorilla-brute flails angrily at the noisy little goblin, but she bounces around deftly, the blows slamming into the earth but doing little else but look impressive.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2-2+1: (12)+14+2+-2+1: 27 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2-2+1: (3)+14+2+-2+1: 18 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2-7+1: (19)+14+2+-7+1: 29 (THREAT) <OOC> Rune says, "Confirm next." GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2-7+1: (16)+14+2+-7+1: 26 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2-7+1: (19)+14+2+-7+1: 29 (THREAT) GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2-7+1: (9)+14+2+-7+1: 19 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+4d6: (4)+1+1+(2)+(16): 24 GAME: Rune rolls damage2+1+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+4d6: (2)+1+1+(8): 12 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+1d6+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+1d6+4d6: (4)+1+1+(5)+(2)+(15): 28 GAME: Rune rolls damage2+1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+4d6: (6)+1+1+(6)+(18): 32
The sudden ear-bleeding sound from Slixvah causes Rune's ears to twitch, even if it is cut off suddenly by the cough. "What was that?" She asks, looking across at the colorful avian.
And it seems that moment of distraction is all the creature needs to catch the rogue unawares. One fist into her ribs with a slight cracking sound, a second follows with a harsh blow against her hip, then a third nearly taking out her legs but she manages to miraculously stay on her feet. The bite, chomps down onto her arm, leaving her staring right into the eyes of the beast.
Gritting her teeth, Rune snarls. "That... was a bad idea." She takes her free hand and jabs it in the face of the beast, causing it to rear back, followed by a slash to one forelimb that brings it down in easy reach of her. Then, both blades come in at once, each one stabbing into either side of the monster's neck before she pulls them forward, cleanly slicing it's throat.
She may very well look a little frenzied in that moment, her blood mixed with the creature's as she stands there panting for breath.
GAME: Acedia rolls weapon11: (13)+13: 26 GAME: Acedia rolls damage11: aliased to 1d6+0: (6)+0: 6 <OOC> Slixvah says, "+1 damage"
The Goblin is agile and lucky, and both of those things come into play as she spends a frantic few moments ducking, weaving and dodging, dancing as the Gorilla does its level best to annihilate the wee woman.
Some where in it all, she has a moment to reload, ducking under a whistling blow before Ace's dragonspitter comes up, blasting a chunk of flesh from the angry ape.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (4)+10+-1: 13 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (8)+10+-1: 17 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (12)+10+-1: 21 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (4)+10+-1: 13 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (18)+10+-1: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+4: (1)+4: 5 <OOC> Telamon keeps forgetting Prayer on the damage rolls.
One of the two surviving gorilla-monsters shifts around, glaring at Harkashan. Clearly, the priest is too close for its comfort. So it advances, and begins swinging, much as its ally did with Rune. Unfortunately, it's having to swing past its comrade, and the blows fall short, only one clipping Hark as the gorilla makes confused angry noises.
GAME: Harkashan casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d3: (3): 3 <OOC> Telamon says, "Sadly, they both try to AoO you." GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (9)+10+-1: 18 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (9)+10+-1: 18 <OOC> Harkashan says, "And then Quick Channeling on just me and Rune." (And Ace) GAME: Harkashan rolls 5d6: (16): 16
Harkashan rumbles, "That's loud, Skysister." At Slixvah, rubbing along the sides of his head for a moment with his arms, before lowering his weapons into his proper defensive position again.
It's not long after that he sees Rune 'go to town' on one of the Grillas. He can't help but grin a bit at the fine skill with which she dispatches her foe. But it's not long before one of the Grillas turns on him. Harkashan immediately goes bobbing and weaving. Ducking between its blows. Letting his armor take some of the brunt of the damage, until the last fist rams to his fist, and Harkashan STARES IT DOWN. Pushing his chest back against that fist that finally made contact.
Another fist comes out, as he begins to recite another spell. His buckler interfering with the first blow. "Be quick, my allies. And may this battle be short and painless for our foes." Before another ripple of red-silver overcomes them, setting fire to their veins in a most pleasant manner. Raising their celerity and attention! Before slapping another fist coming his way to the side.
<OOC> Slixvah says, "gonna take +2 to ac and reflex saves GAME: Slixvah casts Hellmouth Lash. Caster Level: 7 DC: 19 <OOC> Slixvah says, "i choose electricity tongue"
Slixvah looks sheepishly at Rune. "That was a gamble, and it didn't pay, and sorry Hark!" she shrugs before providing opportunity for Rune. She watches, stunned by the half-sil's fury. "... remind me to buy you a drink and dinner," she blurts out before shaking her head and leaning back. "Don' worry girlie! We're coming!"
She steps back, and flaps her wings, hard, once , as she hops up and over to stand next to Harkashan.
The egalrin chants. Cyan runes waft off her arms as she waves her hands, putting fingers against her beak. "YSK. IRA. ANAD."
Fueled by Harkashan's blessing, with acute alacrity, she- jams her hand down her mouth. And yanks out more and more of- her tongue?!
She gives it a crack, and it alights with crackling blue lightning. "Ahhhhahahahah!" she cackles.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (16)+10+-1: 25 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (8)+10+-1: 17 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (11)+10+-1: 20 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (15)+10+-1: 24 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (2)+10+-1: 11
The gorilla-creature seems to understand that Harkashan is definitely a threat, even though he's done (apparently) less damage. Wheeling around, the fists start to fall again... but they fail to connect, bouncing off Hark's armor and magical defenses, kicking up a large amount of dust... only for Hark to be standing there unfazed, unharmed, and probably unimpressed.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1: (11)+14+2+1: 28 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2-2+1: (14)+14+2+-2+1: 29 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2-2+1: (15)+14+2+-2+1: 30 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2-7+1: (7)+14+2+-7+1: 17 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2-7+1: (7)+14+2+-7+1: 17 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+4d6: (2)+1+1+(3)+(12): 19 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+4d6: (2)+1+1+(2)+(20): 26 GAME: Rune rolls damage2+1+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+4d6: (5)+1+1+(19): 26
GAME: Acedia rolls weapon11: (12)+13: 25 GAME: Acedia rolls weapon11: (8)+13: 21 GAME: Acedia rolls damage11+damage11: aliased to 1d6+0+1d6+0: (3)+0+(2)+0: 5 <OOC> Slixvah says, "+2 damage from the spell"
Turning from the corpse of the creature in front of her, Rune shifts her focus, but it causes a stab of pain up along her side where she certainly has some cracked ribs. The flash of it shows in gritted teeth and a bit of sweat that beads on her brow. "Be careful, these things hit hard." Though, the others have probably seen that by now.
Thankfully, Harkashan's magic takes some of the edge off, meaning that movement isn't quite an immediate, stabbing sensation. "On it. Just make sure they don't break off and go after the girl!"
With Harkashan still distracting the next closest beast, Rune steps in behind it.
Then, she is /almost/ distracted by the sight of Slixvah and her very strange tongue. Almost. She'd have to ask about that later.
Lashing out with two of her blades, the attacks seem to do little against the enemy's thick fur and hide. So... instead, Rune leaps up onto its back and jabs her two blades in to hold on. She's swung one way, then the other, dangling off of the creature. Then, pulling one of the blades out, still hanging by it, she swings down and jabs it into the gorilla's side, causing it to fall forward, landing just at Harkashan's feet.
<OOC> Slixvah says, "mage armor and fervor, ac 18!" GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (12)+10+-1: 21 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (3)+10+-1: 12 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (1)+10+-1: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (20)+10+-1: 29 <OOC> Telamon says, "Rolling confirm." GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (17)+10+-1: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (8)+10+-1: 17 <OOC> Telamon says, "One bite, one crit claw." GAME: Telamon rolls 1d6+4+1d4+4+1d4+4: (4)+4+(1)+4+(1)+4: 18 <OOC> Telamon keeps forgetting about Prayer's damage penalty.
The Goblin eyes Slixvah tongue-twisting, her eyebrows rising appreciatively. "Going to give them a tongue lashing, is it?", she says with a chortle. As Rune slices and dices, and makes julien fries, Acedia blinks. "Glad to be on the right side.", she mutters, "Goodness." Squinting, she raises her dragonspitter once more, firing two shots into the remaining Gorilla. "You'd think they would try to run..."
As the rounds from the dragonspitter stab into the gorilla-beast's hide, the baleful eyes follow Slix and her magic crackling tongue. Suddenly it roars, and begins swinging at the egalrin, lashing out with a claw that sinks into her arm, dragging her closer so it can bite her fiercely! It's not enough to put the witch down, but it's still serious!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "I cast Bestow Curse on the Ape. Gimme that AoO" GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-1: (10)+10+-1: 19 <OOC> Harkashan says, "I will also Quick-Channel again." GAME: Harkashan rolls 5d6: (19): 19 GAME: Harkashan casts Bestow Curse. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18 <OOC> Harkashan says, "The Ape now has an additional -4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks." <OOC> Harkashan says, "If he fails a Will Save" GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+5-1: (1)+5+-1: 5 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Harkashan rolls Melee+1: (8)+7+1: 16
"You are a most strange one, Skysister." Harkashan remarks, slightly backing off as she pulls out 'more tongue' and electrifies it.
Harkashan considers the Grillas for a moment though. "How am I going to bury these things..." He rumbles. "Or are these things normally made into foodstuffs in this region?" The Sith-makar inquires of those who might be more familiar with the local habits around Grillas, and whether or not they make for good food.
He then steps in to the last remaining Gorilla, as Rune tears another one down at his side. And the moment it throws another punch, he catches it in his fist. Staring at it, holding that fist in his claws, as a warping crimson red light seeps over the Ape, weakening it. Its veins pulsing a roiling red glow.
GAME: Slixvah rolls finesse+1: aliased to 1d20+dexterity+BAB+1: (17)+2+3+1: 23 GAME: Slixvah rolls finesse+1: aliased to 1d20+dexterity+BAB+1: (14)+2+3+1: 20 GAME: Slixvah rolls 3d8+3d8: (9)+(11): 20
Slixvah is a bit lost in the power of the spell, her twirling her elongated tongue in circles above her head. "Mahahahaha!"
Yes, she is a strange one. A strange one that nearly bites their tongue off as their smashed into the ground, her painfully popping up and staggering about before shaking herself off from the healing energy. "Famks!" she says with a full mouth to Harkashan, giving him a wink before she pulls her electrified tongue back and snapping it forward. Lightning arcs through the air and burns the gorilla's flesh at each lash.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1: (3)+14+2+1: 20 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1-2: (5)+14+2+1+-2: 20 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2+1-2: (3)+14+2+1+-2: 18 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1-7: (3)+14+2+1+-7: 13 GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+2+1-7: (16)+14+2+1+-7: 26 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+4d6: (4)+1+1+(2)+(17): 25 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+1d6+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+1d6+4d6: (2)+1+1+(4)+(18): 26 GAME: Rune rolls damage2+1+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+4d6: (5)+1+1+(15): 22 GAME: Rune rolls damage2+1+4d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1+4d6: (4)+1+1+(17): 23
One might almost think that Rune has a vendetta against these creatures, and it wouldn't be far from the truth. For those that know her, the half-elf has a very strong protective streak, especially when it comes to children. Apparently, in threatening the child, these gorilla-creatures have earned themselves an enemy they were not expecting.
Pulling her weapons free from the second creature, she looks over to Slixvah, watching her engage the last of the creatures. The rogue's chest still heaves. shifting herself to a position to take advantage of the distraction her feathered friend offers.
Then, Harkashan is talking about burying the creatures. "Can we /not/ talk about burial rites right now?" Really... death clerics.
Once more, Rune darts into the fray, but this time she actually dives underneath the monster, right between the legs. It's hard to see exactly what her attacks do, but a couple of roars of pain and movements to try to figure out where she is are followed by Rune popping up right in front of Slixvah. "Might want to step back." She advises.
Why? Because the creature gives an angry roar, then swipes out at the two of them, and... then falls dead, arm still outstretched.
And then it's quiet again. The birds actually start chirping. Indeed, the only sound is a grumbling noise coming from the golden-furred creature that still stands in front of the girl, who is now peering out from behind the tree with wide eyes.
"Are you adventurers? Please don't hurt kitty! He just wanted to be friends!" The aurumvorax -- for surely that's what that is -- makes another rumbling sound, leaning against the girl's leg but remaining firmly between her and you.
GAME: Harkashan rolls Handle Animal+2: (2)+4+2: 8 <OOC> Harkashan uses free reroll GAME: Harkashan rolls Handle Animal+2: (17)+4+2: 23 GAME: Slixvah rolls handle animal: (11)+3: 14 <OOC> Slixvah says, "assists!"
The Gobbo reloads her dragonspitter, and slides it into the holster on her hip. She holds out her empty hands. "We're not here to hurt him. We just want to collect you and take you home, Ana. We know he is friendly to you, and he protected you from the apes. Will he be okay if you come with us? Your ma and pa are worried, to them, it looked like you had just disappeared. They're worried foryou."
Harkashan slowly sheathes his blade and nods at Rune as she comes sliding through. He doesn't need to see what she's done to know that expression on her face. They are done here.
He turns with his back to the gorilla as it falls over. They will speak of the burial rites later.
Stepping away from the gorilla slowly, he calls out Aron Ferchik; "You can come out now, it's safe!" While moving towards the youngling. Kneeling down in front of him, giving the 'kitty' some distance.
He then reaches into his pocket, pulling out a few metalic ballbearings. He remembers his Skysister saying it likes metal. "There you go." He rumbles to the feline. "We are not here to do harm to the Aurumvorax. But I must warn you it eats metal. I don't know if your father can afford that on the long run." He warns the child.
Slixvah gets her madness under control, her wrapping her whip up for another slash, but the monster suddenly roars out in pain. And Rune pops right up in front of her.
She blinks. Face feathers floofing up and steps back. And down the creature goes, crashing into the ground. Slix gulps, the tongue retracting back like a snapped band and leaves sparks crackling out of her beak. "Sublime," she blurts out, her turning to take stock of the girl behind the... fluffy beast.
She follows up behind Harkashan, her going to a knee as well as her wings fold up behind her. "Pspspspspsp," she hisses softly.
If nothing else, Rune realizes that she is probably the one that looks like the biggest threat in the situation. So... as much as those protective instincts want to make sure the girl is okay, she steps back, instead. She takes out a bit of cloth from one of her pockets, uses it to wipe down her weapons, and then sheaths them both behind her once again.
She doesn't try to talk to the girl, knowing that she may very well look like the monster here. Letting the others play the hero is fine, so long as the child is okay.
At first the aurumvorax growls, but then it subsides again, perhaps picking up on Ana's lack of tension. Then Harkashan scatters some metal ball-bearings, and you can see its nose twitching with interest. Cautiously, it pads away from the tree, and Ana follows, patting the beast on its back. Closer, it really isn't -that- big, but the way its paws sink into the turf suggests it weighs a fair bit.
Aron comes limping in, face pale, but he relaxes instantly when he sees Ana safe and sound. "Thank the gods -- and thank you, sir and ladies!" He gives the aurumvorax a wide berth, before going to Ana, kneeling down in front of her to hug her tightly. "You're all right. That's all that matters."
GAME: Acedia casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 GAME: Acedia rolls 1d8+5: (3)+5: 8
"Let me help you with that...", Acedia says to Aron when he arrives, and thanks them. A prayer is uttered, asking for Eluna's aid in mending the man's wound. A glowing hand wraps gently around his ankle, the spell mending the twisted ankle, and making the pain feel distant and fleeting.
"I am happy you are alright, sir, and doubly so to see that your daughter is delivered back to you unharmed. The aurumvorax was protective of your daughter, preventing the apes there from harming her. It seems friendly. I don't think you need worry about your family where this beast is concerned."
Harkashan lets the creature enjoy its meal, and gives an appreciative nod to Acedia as she picks up on the limp of the man.
He then rises up and makes sure the rest of the gang is well before he rumbles; "We may need to make sure we give this lovely family some information on this creature, so he knows what he's getting into. But other than that, I do believe we are done here. Thank you very much."
Before looking at the Grillas. "... I wonder how they taste."
Slixvah relaxes as the aurumvorax seems to take a liking to the food, her rising up and stepping back to the group. "Ye, she's totes aight. And that lil' fuzzball kept 'em nice and safe th' whole time like Ace said."
She watches Rune for a moment before raising a hand, snapping a finger and fanning it downward. The blood and crud on the half-sil sloughs off. "Bathhouse and dinner are on the house," she coos, before looking to the others helping the father. "Offer extends ta ya two."
She scratches her head at the suggestion. "Ah. Yeah. So, uh, mista. These things are kinda cool, but also kinda grumpy. Congrats, ya just adopted a metal eating cat-dog," she starts to explain to the father, a wide grin on her expression. A glance to Hark. "Put it on the TarRaCe menu!"
"Maybe we can have one of the rangers come out and give some advice." Rune suggests, though she keeps her voice light and soft in the process. The snap of Slixvah's fingers has her looking a bit less intimidating, which is probably for the best, but the rogue still keeps her distance, just incase. Her lip does quirk to the avian, inclining her head. "Thanks."
The half-elf does give Harkashan a quizzical look. What does the Cleric get for all of his hard work? A boop to the nose and a comment of, "No." Bad Harkashan. Don't eat random monsters.
OOC
Map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mif83qfojkv <OOC> Telamon says, "For the record: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/32/76/79/327679b3559a1a52105ecd5a7f710733.png"
