Stone Talon Panacea, Part 6
Log Info
- Title: Stone Talon Panacea, Part 6
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Thurid, Elyanna, Tenoc
- Place: Stone Talon Colosseum
- Time: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 2:11 PM
- Summary: Thurid, Elyanna and Tenoc have been asked to fight on behalf of Blar, against the leaders of Stone Talon. The rules were explained, and Colonel Gadrany will be joining the battle as well. Thurid and her challenger, Bozug will have a chance to trade blows before others take the field. The battle starts, Bozug charges while Thurid applies some spells. Gadrany calls out the Ogre witch Kuzira, who accepts. Elyanna is challenged by a gnoll from her past, Ilazz of the Lash. Thurid is swiftly injured, Elyanna manages to hurt, then disarm Ilazz, Gadrany is tied up with Kuzira. As Elyanna and the gnoll get too close to Bozug, he crushes both of them. Gadrany breaks her attack to rush the Ogre, getting a telling blow in, but not felling him. She is crushed next. Thurid is badly injured, past the point most would collapse, but she manages to strike a blow that drops the Ogre. Challenge complete, the battle halts. The Bludguni forces stand down, their champion has lost. The nearly dead Gadrany and Elyanna are taken for treatment, with the heavily injured Thurid accompanying them.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. Elyanna 5'11" 153 Lb Half-Orc Female A grim, Arvek-blooded woman in raven feathers. Tenoc 7'0" 280 Lb Sith-Makar Male Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- NPCs of Note =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Gadrany Hobgoblin Female Gadrany the Blade, Blar Army Colonel Bozug Ogre Male Ogre Barbarian, Leader of Stone Talon Kuzira Ogre Female Ogre Witch, Leader of Stone Talon Ilazz Gnoll Male Colosseum slaver, whip master Choao Goblin Male Pale Choao, Major, Blar Army Cleric of Thul -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The Colosseum
The Stone Talon colosseum suits its name. It is immense, sections of the inner walls have spikes, it has been the scene of giant war golem battles, individual combats, organized and disorganized battles. Sometimes unarmed slaves were relased for continuous slaughter. The sand is permanently stained red from all the spilled blood, and the darkest grains amongst them are the encrusted blood of countless victims.
The siege engines have been moved to the edges, after being destroyed. Fragments of the two armies are in the stands and on the field. Blar erupts in a cheer as Gadrany and her Special advisors emerge. The soldiers and warriors on the field have grouped in a wide circle nearly three hundred feet in diameter.
Close enough to see, close enough to join in, not close enough to catch a stray swipe, for now.
Blar's arc is uniformly goblinoid of various sizes, sticking to their unit assignments. Bludguni's group is more diverse, reflecting Stone Talon's population.
In front, the Ogre leadership, a massive looking brute with a two headed Ogress beside him. He grins widely, shouting in giant-speak at Thurid, "You. Me. Now!"
Gadrany moves like a panther, watching the Ogress, pointing at her with a blade. On the other side, lesser champions are doing the same, pointing at Elyanna, Tenoc, and others in the Blar line, calling them out. "Warrior, issue your challenge and charge in. Everyone else, let them close, then join me on the field."
Thurid lumbers onto the field, wearing those borrowed paldrons and the pothelm- and stands fourteen feet tall, mighty hammer slung over her shoulder. She wears the icon of Angoron proudly about her neck on a heavy black iron chain, and the Mountain's thunderbolt is etched into her hammer. She cracks a grin, hidden by her helmet, as she is called out. She lifts the hammer with both hands- aiming its head towards the Ogre, "Gladly!" she bellows back across the field at him, responding likewise in Jotun, and then takes off at a ground-shaking jog towards her opponent.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "elyanna, pose? oh, roll perception DC15" GAME: Elyanna rolls perception: (2)+2: 4
Elyanna's stride onto the field comes with a regimented, stately poise as she follows the Colonel, and the Swole Warrior into the arena. As she does, her hand is curled, resting about the pommel of her falchion as her steely eyes sweep the opposing forces. Their jeers are as nothing, but, as one distant sophisticant makes an obvious challenge her way, she gives a grim nod. For now, she's content to watch Thurid beat Bozug into the ground like a tent stake. "Strike true, Warrior." she offers in Jotun as advice, or benediction. It could work for both.
"You cute," The Ogre ... Boss, chieftan, brute, mayor, king...? No titles were given. He laughs and swings his flail.
"Bozug dear, just kill her." The Ogress beside him says, her second head repeats with a dazed voice. "Kill"
With no more ceremony, Bozug charges at a full run.
It's an open space at the centre of the Colosseum. The armies are circled, like a schoolyard fight, making a ring two hundred and eighty feet across. The ring is thin where the two armies meet, and clustered at 9 and 3 are the champions of both sides.
Bozug charges in a flat out run towards Thurid. He crosses the centre point, grinning and wildly slinging his flail over his head.
GAME: Thurid casts Bull's Strength. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
Thurid continues her lumbering jog towards her opponent, happy to let him expend the energy sprinting towards him. She hefts her hammer back onto a shoulder, lifting her icon as she does and speaking a brief prayer to the Mountain as she walks.
Her already impressive muscles swell further, stretching the skin taut around them- with biceps as thick as a man's torso and thighs like tree trunks, she embodies her god more fully with each passing moment. With that done, and the distance between them shrinking, she grips the hammer with both hands- allowing the head of it to hang low above the sand, as she begins to increase her own pace towards him.
"You Kuzira! You! Me!" Gadrany roars, smacking her daggers against her breastplate then pointing at the Ogress mage. Rolling her eyes, the Ogress runs forward. Without hesitation, Gadrany sprints to close the distance, "C'mon."
>>Crack<<
A barking laugh accompanies the whip-snap. On the other line, a tawny and spotted brute of a beast in a leather cuirass and kilt snaps the whip again in Elyanna's direction. He's familiar, Ilazz of the Lash, a Keeper from her time. Another howling bark, "Ooooootillla!"
The whip-crack from the far end, the baleful yowl of her former name serving to buoy her spirits, Elyanna's eyes brighten, and her lips part in a broad, interlocked sneer before she steps forward with that same stately, almost tauntingly arrogat stride, Maidenhead's tresses uncoiled to writhing before her every step into the arena. She takes a deeper breath and calls back in the tongue of the land, "Don't worry, pet, you won't have hide for the fleas by the time I'm done!" More steps follow, and the curved saberfang like punch dagger at the small of her back emerges in her other hand, and she ulululates a mockery of the hyenaling's calls.
Bozug stands his ground for a moment, taking the opportunity to taunt and grandstand. He faces his side, roars. They answer. He turns back to Thurid and the Blar line, bellowing another scream of rage and anger. His face turns purple with fury, emphasizing the fearsome tattoos and warpaint he's wearing.
Tenoc stands on the sidelines, gazing balefully on at the battle. Rumble, grimace, hiss-- his tail lashes slowly as he watches the proceedings with keen curiosity. Occasionally glancing at his fellow crowdgoers. Times like these-- wishing for a dozen eyes, to watch everywhere at once!
GAME: Thurid casts Sound Burst. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15 <OOC> Thurid says, "1d8 sonic damage and DC15 fortitude check or Stunned" GAME: Thurid rolls 1d8: (1): 1 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (5)+13: 18
Thurid continues bounding across the sand towards her opponent and as she draws nearer she upswings her hammer at the air- one might think she is nearsighted, or something, but the reason for it becomes evident. A barely perceptible shockwave ripples through the air towards her opponent and slams into him- driving some wind from his lungs, but little else. Thurid does not slow her advance, however- and it is clear she intends to allow her hammer to do most of the talking rather than her magic.
Gadrany and Kuzira close their distance. The Ogress is seemingly watching Bozug in admiration. Her attention is on him more than the hobgoblin colonel.
With happy yips, the gnoll takes the field and charges towards Elyanna in a flat out run.
GAME: Elyanna spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
The Gnoll's charge is about what she expected, little puppy wagging tail and lash with such drooling abandon.
Fool.
The Hobkin, Keeper of Bludgun, Lady of Blar, continues her approach for just a few paces more before she begins a low growl in her throat that becomes a wordless, militant melody and starts a dance, Maidenhead's popper cracking the air. LLazz is known as the Lash....
The magic tresses in Elyanna's hand fill the air with the reminder, the song of the Silverlash.
Come and join the dance.
Bozug stands his ground, waiting and spinning his flail, punctuating it with loud bellowing that is echoed by the Bludguni forces behind him.
<OOC> Thurid says, "+1 from bear's strength, +1 from bardic performance, all the rest is handled by the code (I used the +polymorph command)" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he was holding an action, 'attack if in range' so he'll get a swing as you charge" <OOC> Thurid says, "And +2 from the charge, and that's fine. His attack first?" <OOC> Cryosanthia nods, readied actions go first usually GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (12)+16: 28 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d8+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Bozug damaged Thurid for 15 points. 33 HP remaining. GAME: Thurid rolls weapon12+1+1+2: (12)+8+1+1+2: 24 GAME: Thurid rolls damage12+1+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1+1: (7)+8+1+1: 17
Bozug is ready for Thurid's charge. His flail whips around, impacting hard.
Thurid turns her shoulder into the incoming swing of the flail, taking the attack hard but plowing through it regardless. She brings her mighty hammer up, slamming it into the ogre's chin with a mighty blow that sends him reeling- she might have taken a hit, but she gives as good as she gets. She follows through on the upswing, her muscles flex as she regains control of the hammer, high over her head, and she shifts one foot forwards, twisting her heel and bracing for a follow up attack.
Gadrany slows her charge, daggers flashing as she runs, in anticipation that the Ogre Mage will keep running. Kuzira doesn't. She stops, waving her hands through mystic motions, both her heads speaking in an arcane tongue. Although, her second head seems a little slow and slurring the speech. There's an oddly animalistic look to her eyes. Both finish, the spell lands on Bozug.
"Enlarge."
He was a big beefy ogre to start with. Now hes huge.
Ilazz, of 'Fluffy' as Elyanna fondly dubs him, slows his run. Still charging, he closes distance with the singing whip-slinger, stopping just short of engaging her in melee. For regular weapons.
Whips are in range.
<OOC> Elyanna says, "trip, maintain performance" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay. Roll CMB" GAME: Elyanna rolls cmb+1: (18)+6+1: 25
Elyanna's graceful, almost sinuous dance, involves whipcracks, sometimes leveraged along her opposing limb for percussion, her wordless growling melody holding an almost militant cadence as the Lash enters range.
Between bars, the whip flicks behind her back to ensnare the Keeper's load bearing leg and she yanks it out from under him, tresses sliding along her hip like a pully to spill him to the ground in a heap before loosing, and cracking the air above her head in just the right time to begin the next chord in the song. Her eyes flash, lips sneering in contempt.
Does he rage at the indignation, or flee from the warning?
Yes, puppy, I have the liesure to -play- with you.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so standing and full attacks" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (6)+16: 22 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (9)+11: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d10+10: (5)+10: 15 GAME: You damaged Thurid for 35 points. -2 HP remaining. (DYING)
Bozug swings, a crushing attack with his flail, reversing it for a backswing. Thurid feels the blows land on her back, then her front.
GAME: Thurid rolls weapon12+1+1: (3)+8+1+1: 13
And they are mighty blows indeed- one sends her helmet flying off her head, and a mighty gash opens on her scalp which pours with blood. The barbs of the flail pierce deep into her back and push aside the rings of her chainmail to puncture deep, crushing ribs and drawing more blood. Her face half covered with the sticky substance, she falls, almost to a knee.
She staggers, and then forces herself back up, spitting out a mouth full of blood on the ground along with a tooth. "Pack a punch, huh?" she gurgles at her opponent, and then she hefts her hammer over her head- bringing it down, but striking only the earth. She's too woozy from the blows to see straight, and still bleeding heavily, but she remains on her feet for now.
Kuzira starts casting again, hands moving in mystic ways, both her mouths chanting. Her focus is Gadrany this time, as she is nearing the end of the spell, she directs both hands at her.
"Reduc...gak."
Gadrany moved up, fast enough to slide her blade in, a deadly stab to the throat of the second head, cutting off their spell.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "soo... Fluffy will try tripping you from the ground." <OOC> Elyanna says, "oppurtune parry if i can" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Fluffy has 2 attacks, so trying twice" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14 (TRIP) GAME: Elyanna spends ONE point of PANACHE. GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5+1: (20)+9+1: 30 (THREAT) (parry) GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5+1: (16)+9+1: 26 (attack) GAME: Elyanna rolls 1d3+4: (2)+4: 6 (Non Lethal) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10 GAME: Elyanna spends ONE point of PANACHE. GAME: Elyanna rolls cmb+1: (9)+6+1: 16 GAME: Elyanna rolls cmb+1: (20)+6+1: 27 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (3): 3
The Gnoll, now caked in red sand over rivulets of slobber curls up from his belly to bring his bladed whip to bear, though the forceful curl of the renegade's lash knocks it away. On her recovery, still growling her song, Maidenhead is turned back against the hyenid and, with a piercing >CRACK!< and a cloud of fur, there comes a yelp and a wide swath of hide laid bare in a sripe diagonally from shulder to the crest of his hunch. Not yet realizing the sudden cold spot save the pain of impact, he brings the scorpion whip about again, only this time, the red woman's whip deftly entwines it mid furl and tries to tear it cleanly from his grasp. More driven than prudent, LLazz tries to clutch hungrily at the weapon, blood flecking from bleeding fingers as the sharpened tendril is pulled from his grip.
"Bozug! I'm killing your wife! Over here!" Gadrany shouts, attempting a distraction.
The Ogre chuckles, "this one cuter."
<OOC> Elyanna says, "alright, I'll move to 15' and try to hit/scare him" GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5+1: (6)+9+1: 16 <OOC> Elyanna says, "reroll if i still got it" GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5+1: (17)+9+1: 27 GAME: Elyanna rolls 1d3+4: (3)+4: 7 GAME: Elyanna rolls intimidate: (10)+11: 21 (Menacing Swordplay) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so, shaken 2 rounds, ends on your turn round 7"
After gratefully accepting the scorpion whip, already consecrated, yet, the Hobkin shoots the fallen a Keeper a little smirk as she passes the hilt to her dagger hand, an awkward grip to be sure, but her main hand is still capable of handling business. Seeing Thurid so badly battered, and her foe on the ground, she shifts to her directive: Support Thurid. She moves several paces, to the limits of Maidenhead's reach and, with a splitting >CRACK!< she opens a stripe of Ogre flesh with a popper of Giant hair, "Your armour, your hide won't save you, any more than the dog!" she snarls in the Giant tongue.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, both roll Sense motive DC20" GAME: Elyanna rolls sense motive:(3)+7: 10 GAME: Thurid rolls sense motive: (12)+10: 22
"Yoawch!" Bozug yelps as Elyanna rips open a section of his flesh. Thurid's heavy blows hurt, but the whip stings on different level.
Bozug seems disappointed. He waited so long for this fight and it's nearly over. The lizard that annoyed him so much yesterday isn't rushing up. He was hoping it would, he heard lizard tail tastes nice, fries up real good. The Ogress he's heard so much about isn't threatening at all. Time to play a little bit.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he's going for an intimidate, and also using Fearsome War Paint on you.
DC for intimidate is 10+your levels+your wis mod =? and the war paint is DC 11, will save."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (12)+7-2: 17
GAME: Elyanna rolls will: (19)+6: 25
He turns and empties his lungs in a long bellow that echoes off the colosseum. As he roars, his face turns purple with blood and the paint re-arranges in ways that emphasize his snarling visage. It's a terrifying display, with raw power to back it up.
So while the whip is making him hesitant, he's dangerous. Very dangerous.
Breathing heavily, he turns to Thurid, cracking his flail up onto his shoulder. He stares at her face, exposed after her pot-helm was knocked free. He taunts, "You cute."
GAME: Thurid rolls weapon12+1+1: (8)+8+1+1: 18 GAME: Thurid rolls damage12+1+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1+1: (8)+8+1+1: 18 <OOC> Thurid also takes 1 damage, still bleeding out. GAME: Bleeding damaged Thurid for 1 points. -3 HP remaining. (DYING)
Thurid pants for breath, one eye closed as the blood runs down her face. She puts all of her weight on the haft of her hammer, and her hands begin to slip- her open eye grows heavier, but she sets her jaw and grits her teeth and lets out a mighty guttural bellow of her own as she tightens her grip and lifts the hammer again, "You're a beast!" she retorts to the ogre as she lifts the hammer and strikes him square in the hip- something breaks, and Thurid's hammer drops to the ground again.
"Stop flirting and kill her!" Kuzira shouts, pulling an ogre hook and swinging at Gadrany. She lands it and rips a chunk out of the hob. She's not an effective fighter, it's her size and strength that is carrying her. She also has one hand cupped over her second head's throat, trying to staunch the bleeding.
"I'll join when I'm done here. Stay up." Gadrany shouts, moving in. Her dagger slash isn't as good as her opening attack, but lands.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, well he's coming over to try and take whip back, so a disarm,
doesn't have IUS or imp dis, so I think that provokes too."
GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5-1: (17)+9+-1: 25
GAME: Elyanna rolls 1d3+4: (1)+4: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25 (Disarm)
GAME: Elyanna spends TWO uses of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
The gnoll leaps up with a growl, he feels the coldness, knows his pelt has a strip out of it. It enrages him, not in any way that increases his effectiveness, but perhaps it lowers his judgement.
He charges Keeper Otilla. Many have done this, non escaping without a lick from Maidenhead, and Ilazz takes one, causing another yelp. The gamble pays off, as the canine whips his arm around the whip and manages to yank it from Elyanna's grasp. It falls to the dark sand.
GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5-1: (17)+9+-1: 25 GAME: Elyanna rolls 1d3+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Elyanna rolls intimidate-2: (18)+11+-2: 27 (shaken)
Wow.. that's really quite disturbing up close.
Elyanna's been near Ogres a lot during her childhood, getting bigger made her feel slightly less insecure around them. Of course, enlarging an ogre kind of mitigates that, and the twirthing face paint doesn't help.
Ok, that was a little creepy. She'll never admit it, but... yeah.
The Keeper hangs a note on the display, but continues to sing, giving LLazz a taste of Maidenhead on his way to retrieve his own weapon with a certain, almost admirable, singlemindedness. Being the monkey in the middle is hardly her most favorable position, but, intent on seeing Thurid through whether she survives or not, the red woman opens another weeping wound in Bozug's flesh with a grin she hopes is convincing enough, "I do with hair what you need blades for, want to see what I can do with steel?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Boz attacks Elyanna" <OOC> Elyanna says, "Op+r" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (9)+15: 24 GAME: Elyanna spends ONE point of PANACHE. GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5-1: (7)+9+-1: 15 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d10+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: You damaged Elyanna for 21 points. 1 HP remaining.
"Grrrrah!" Bozug says, as the whip rips another wound. He snarls back, "I got me one too."
Well, a flail is a sort of a whip, shorter and with a heavy weight on the end.
A heavy weight, that despite Elyanna's best attempt a parrying, carries on through and hits her like a wrecking ball. The ogre chuckles.
GAME: Thurid spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY. GAME: Thurid rolls 3d6: (8): 8 GAME: Thurid damaged Thurid for -8 points. 5 HP remaining. <OOC> Thurid says, "It's 3 base, right? +2 for charisma, +2 for extra channel." <OOC> Thurid says, "So I have 7 total." GAME: Thurid damaged Elyanna for -8 points. 9 HP remaining.
Thurid lets out a cry as Elyanna takes a heavy blow, as well, and she lifts her hammer into the air again- right over her head. Instead of swinging it down on the ogre, though, she closes both of her eyes and calls out to Angoron to aid her and her ally in this desperate time. A shaft of light penetrates the grim sky above and Thurid is bathed in positive energy- it staunches her bleeding, though she is still badly wounded, and then washes out over Elyanna as well.
Gadrany focuses on Kuzuira, her blades flashing, but the Ogress manages to evade. She swings with her Ogre hook, catching the hob in the side and pulling her enough she nearly trips.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Fluffy wants his whip, picking things up is a move action, I believe, and provokes?" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (6)+15: 21 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d10+10: (12)+10: 22 GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5-1: (15)+9+-1: 23 GAME: Elyanna rolls 1d3+4: (2)+4: 6 (Non Lethal)
Ilazz wants his whip. Snarling at Elyanna, he sweeps low to grab it while keeping his eyes on her.
Too bad he wasn't watching Bozug. The ogre flicks his flail and the ball catches the gnoll in the chest, curling him around it, forcing a high-pitched puppy-like yelp out of him. Bozug chuckles deeply, "She's mine."
"He's helping you, you IDIOT!" Kuzira yells. Her second head gurgles, trying to say 'idiot' and failing.
"Don't need help." Bozug laughs.
Ilazz gasps for air, eyes wide, staggering on his feet.
The audience thinks it's funny.
Not entirely sure how much meat is still anchored to her bones after that boneshaking hit, Elyanna staggers, hearing green and tasting her brain until Thurid's healing wave addresses some of the damage. This, in time for Llazz to let ambition get the better of him again and she snaps another swath of fur from his body with a resounding >Crack!< that is almost subsumed in the hollow >KLUD!< of the flail.
Glorious, he -is- that stupid!
And he wants to kill her, himself.
Mission accomplished!
Yay...?
<OOC> Elyanna says, "ok, have to try and put llazz down so we can focus on boz" GAME: Elyanna rolls weapon5-1: (8)+9+-1: 16 GAME: Elyanna spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
Her followup though, is somewhat lacking, as the lingering damage, as much as Llazz being driven out of his expected position by the Ogre's helpful smiting, turns a possible felling blow into pretty noise, but still her song continues.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Attacks Ilazz, then Elyanna." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (6)+15: 21 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d10+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d10+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Bozug damaged Elyanna for 24 points. -15 HP remaining. (DEAD) <OOC> Elyanna SQUISH!
Ilazz whimpers as Elyanna's whip flies around him. His eyes wide, hopefull as the Ogre-wife admonishes Boz, then widening as the flail approaches... approaches...
SMASH
The gnoll's lifeless body is thrown clear, no longer a threat to anyone.
This advantage is short lived, as the ogre's backswing clips Elyanna and slams her into the sand.
She saw it coming, if that means anything. Out of position to begin evading, the blow buckled ribs through her chainmail, spikes piercing her flesh to the vitals within. In any case, blown from her feet by the blow that finally does it, the red woman tumbles headlong into a heap to lay still, unmoving. At last, in battle, for the right cause, Elyanna von Diesel, Lady of Blard and former monster of Bludgun, loosens her nervless grip from the hilt of Maidenhead for the last time.
GAME: Thurid rolls weapon12+1: (9)+8+1: 18 GAME: Thurid rolls damage12+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1: (12)+8+1: 21
Thurid watches in horror as Elyanna is struck down before her, and she growls a wordless desperate cry as she brings her hammer, already held aloft, down upon the Ogre's sternum. It's a solid blow, and the metal rings as it strikes, but it's still not enough to fell the beast.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (12)+15: 27 (Bozug AOO on Gadrany) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d10+10: (6)+10: 16 (Bozug AOO damage) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24 (Gadrany sneak attack) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+4+3d6: (3)+4+(11): 18 (Gadrany damage) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (8)+13: 21 (Bozug - Fort Save vs Poison, success)
Gadrany and Kuzira are trading blows. The hobgoblin is winning, but it's far too slow. Hearing the yelps of the gnoll, and the quiet grunt of Elyanna as she falls, Gadrany realizes it's going to take too long. Her talk of 'honourable battle' might have discouraged the sith'makar from taking the field. She wasn't sacrificing allies, but she was counting on more time.
If the Warrior falls, it's all over. It's too much to risk.
Feeling the hook land and rip another part of her arm; that's a risk she'll take. Charging Bozug's back, taking the flank and angling for a sneak attack, and receiving a blow across her legs that sends her tumbling; that's a risk she'll take. It doesn't stop her charge. She sinks her dagger deep in Bozug's thigh opening a deep wound.
"Don't ignore ME!" She yells to draw his attention, staring at Thurid, a desperate look in her eyes. She risks it all, counting on the Jotun.
Ilazz bleeds...
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (14)+15: 29 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d10+10: (11)+10: 21 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that's Gadrany down"
Bozug spins the flail, carving Gadrany off his leg. Not satisfied with smashing her off his leg, he adds to the humiliation. Catching her body, he flings it away from him. She lands with a thump beside Elyanna and Ilazz. Opponents not worth worrying about, that he can ignore.
Facing Thurid, he smiles again, wiping his hand in his own blood and smearing it across his face.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Hail mary swing" GAME: Thurid rolls weapon12+1: (17)+8+1: 26 GAME: Thurid rolls damage12+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1: (12)+8+1: 21
Thurid staggers back again, and blinks the blurriness from her eyes. Whether blood or tears or sweat or fatigue, she can't tell- as her allies fall one by one all around. Her arms feel heavy, the hammer heavier, gripping it is difficult, soaked in blood as she is. But grip it she does. "Pay... attention... to ME!" she finally bellows as she hefts the hammer up high, once more, and smashes it hard into Bozug's sternum for a second time. The first strike winded him, the second strike caves in his ribcage and sends him collapsing to the ground with a mighty thud.
Thurid finally looses her grip on her hammer after the blow is struck, and collapses to her knees with a thud- adding more blood to the blood soaked sand. She looks towards the still, broken bodies of Gadrany and Elyanna, and then falls forwards to her hands and knees. She punches the sand.
It takes her a moment to compose herself, but she finally does, and begins to stand once more. With the weighty head of the hammer pressed down into the sand, she uses it to force herself up onto her feet. She raises her head to face the crowds. "It is done. Your champion is defeated!" she shouts.
The Bludguni side of the arena goes absolutely silent. No words, no whispering, barely the sound of breathing. They stare. The mightiest has fallen. They're done. Arms are thrown down, dropped with irreverant abandon. It's superstition that any weapon on the losing side of a Champion's battle is cursed, yet one the goblinoids of Stone Talon hold. Better to find another than carry one which has seen defeat.
Silently, they file from the arena.
On the Blar side, there is a moment of silence as well. Respect. Every hobgoblin and orc salutes Thurid, most of the goblins too. The pose is held, then their weapons drawn and held aloft to be blessed in the aura of her victory.
Kuzira approaches, slowly. Gadrany's bodyguards are advancing swiftly to ensure no mischief on her part, and safeguard their fallen commander. Both heads gaze as the fallen lump of their partner. A long and silent stare before they turn to Thurid. "I yield to the superior Ogress. Stone Talon is yours."
Thurid glances towards the Ogre Mage and bites something back, swallowing whatever words sprung to mind. She uses her hammer like a cane, dragging herself towards her fallen comraddes, and she kneels behind them. Her eye brightens- the one not shut tight against the drying blood that cakes half of her face. "We need medics! They yet breathe!" she calls over to her own side. She works her own minor magics, as much as she can muster given her sorry state, to keep their hearts beating while she waits for less battered medics to arrive and retrieve their fallen.
It's not long for help. They heard the horns, they gathered, the Mourners of the Feiu of the Tears knew she would be welcoming more today. They're on hand, and can stave off the journey to the halls of waiting.
Pale Choao is there. He treats Elyanna and seems to care. He cares that Thurid cares at least. His ministrations are excellent. It's hard to believe he's such a skilled healer while following such a violent god. Perhaps there's some good in his selfishness.
Everyone that follows Angoron stands a little taller that day. Even the Korrites, the oft not-very-friendlly rivals, gaze appreciatively at Thurid, saluting and stating "Witness." The Jotun is stopped often by admirers. Everyone was at the battle, even the people that weren't. Everyone wants to say, "I was there. I met her."
The gnoll is left where he lay, too crushed to save, worthless as a corpse. Bozug, likewise is abandonned. Kuzira's parting words are, "It was his fight to lose. Idiot." If there was love between them, there's no sign, perhaps there was only strength, or respect for strength. Without it, Bozug is just another broken body to be dragged from the field and disposed of. A fitting fate perhaps, the same one as so many of his victims and slaves during his rule.
Thurid mostly lets things happen around her- still dazed from her thorough beating, all she can hear for a time is the rush of blood in her ears. She pats shoulders, offers nods and acknowledgements, tries to direct people to people more qualified than her for giving out military orders. She accepts surrenders. When they come to drag away the Ogre's body, she moves up to stop them. She reaches down and snaps off the end of one of his tusks- a trophy of her victory, if a grisly one.
When time and the crowds permit, she will find somewhere quiet to rest and to offer thanks to Angoron- for giving her the strength to defeat such a vicious foe. Only when that is done, will she retreat to the healer's tents to have her own wounds treated.
She is well tended, her own personal goblin cleric waiting on her every need, even if that is only rest, quiet, a bandaging and whatever healing magic can be spared. So many need it, Elyanna especially, though even Gadrany remains abed.
Time passes, outside the tent the business of finding the sick and organizing the surrendered city progresses. Like a well oiled machine, it notches forward, step by step. Things fall into place. There is no question of Gadrany's leadership, even with her out of commission. While the officers understand the deception, no one is willing to challenge Thurid. Gadrany made a strategic decision; it nearly cost her life, but they accept the sacrifice play. The rank and file appreciate a leader willing to take a hit like that, lay it all on the line, and trust in her allies. She might have taken a blow for one of them, were they in Thurid's place; she might take a similar strike in the future in similar circumstances. Some loyalties can't be bought, but they can be earned.
Late in the night, there is the hum of engines, the shouts of a goblin ground-crew bringing an airship down. Moments later there are others in the tent. The darkness of the veil fades for Elyanna, replaced by the darkness of night broken by small spots of light. Sound returns, the muted quiet of healers effecting their work. She is full of pain, her eyes won't focus, hovering over her bed is a shadowy figure, blending into the gloom, a face hovering above hers, a skull shrouded. There's the touch of cold hands and the darkness returns.
OOC and Combatty
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Elyanna |HALF-ORC |Bard/Swb | 22 | 33 |19/16/14 | 20 | 2 | 9 | 6 | |Thurid |GIANTBORN |Clr | -3 | 52 |19/18/12 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<OOC> Thurid will be enlarged from the paldrons if possible.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Oh yes. That's entirely possible. :)"
<OOC> Elyanna says, "Thurid gets swole."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you know the enlarge person/size increase effects"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "also, the damage dice increase of your weapons? 1d10 goes to 2d8 sort of thing?"
<OOC> Thurid loses 1 AC and 1 Attack bonus, gains 4 CMD and 1 CMB, earthbreaker dice increases to 3d6, strength increases to 20, dexterity decreases to 11
<OOC> Thurid says, "If I land a crit it's 9d6+24 damage >.>"
<OOC> Thurid says, "ooc :loses 1 AC and 1 Attack bonus, gains 4 CMD and 1 CMB, earthbreaker dice increases to 3d6"
<OOC> Elyanna says, "so i'm clear, we're all being called into the field now, or there's just folks indicating they want a piece of each of us, but until someone jumps in it's thurid's show?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "yes-ish. you are being challenged. Thurid and Ogre start fighting, then others can rush onto the field. Gadrany said to follow her on. so, Thurid gets round 1, then everyone in on round 2"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I complained that Ashes extra channel didn't increase her total and was told the code doesn't handle it. Oh. Interesting."
<OOC> Thurid says, "It seems to."