Rel
Liquid Awesome
At last! An update!
I appologize for my tardiness. Life just won't slow down enough to let me catch up. But here is an update and I should be able to squeeze in one more before the weekend. Thanks for your patience.
Journey to the Temple
The group set out making best speed with Speaks leading the way toward a point that was indelibly burned into his consciousness. Unfortunately, best speed was not all that great. Raven's short legs and heavy armor conspired to keep their pace to just a few miles a day through the increasingly dense forest.
"Maybe you could turn into a pony. Then I could ride you." Suggested Raven to Speaks. Speaks was not fond of the notion of playing the pack animal again any time soon. He went aside into the woods and sat in communion. The following morning he reported that he thought that the magic of nature would provide a means of transport but that it would take a few days for him to gain mastery of the spell he would need.
The group settled into camp a couple days march from Glynden. Speaks spent this time in contemplative seclusion while Raven and Scar both enjoyed the quietude of the woods in contrast to the political hotbed that Glynden had become. After three days past, Speaks announced that they were ready to move on.
He produced a finely crafted bottle which he had purchased previously and used his magic to conjure forth a plume of smoke. The smoke coalesced into an equine shape and Raven was able to mount the creature and ride at a pace considerably greater than he normally walked. Speaks transformed into an eagle and the trio set out to the northwest.
Another day passed uneventfully but on the second day after they broke camp, Speaks spotted some movement from the air. He swooped lower to the treetops which were now beginning to leaf out and saw a small pack of Gnolls and a trio of larger forms moving quickly toward the party from the flank.
Speaks landed immediately, placing himself between the oncoming humanoids and the rest of the party. He transformed back into human form just as the group came within easy bowshot of the party. "Halt, I wish to speak with you!" He bellowed.
The onrushing group showed no signs of slowing so Speaks dropped a Briar Web spell in their midst. It captured two of the Gnolls and one of the larger foes but the rest continued their approach.
Disregarding his plea to parley, two of the three largest of the approaching group charged forward and struck out with their enormous great axes. Both connected with Speaks, one with enough force to crack several bones and send the Druid reeling with pain. The third giant (just Ogres actually) managed to break free of the vines and roots that held him and moved closer to the combat, hanging back a short way.
The Gnolls who were free of the entanglement howled a battle cry and came running forward in the wake of the Ogres. The other pair struggled to get free but were rewarded only with painful wounds from the thicket of thorns that surrounded them. They decided to stay put.
Speaks staggered back away from his attackers and moved closer to Raven. This put Scar between him and his assailants and bought him a momentary measure of safety (or so he thought). Scar in turn saw the Ogre hanging back a short distance away and moved to attack. The Half-Orc moved up to the Ogre and dealt a sound blow with his hammer and deftly danced back out of reach again before the Ogre could react (Scar has picked up Spring Attack). Unfortunately this left an open lane between Speaks and the two Ogres who had done him such grievous bodily harm just seconds before. They charged again and laid Speaks low with their mighty axes.
Raven braved attacks by the Ogres to assist his friend with healing magic. His special training concerning large foes came into play and he was able to protect himself from the brunt of their blows.
The Gnolls charged the closed target, Scar and one of their axes found its way to his thigh. Ignoring the pain from the wound, Scar ignored these lesser opponents and moved up to hack at the Ogre again. He landed another blow but this time stayed with his enemy and the Ogre repaid the hit in kind.
The other Ogres continued to pound at Raven but thanks to his training and armor, he ignored most of the damage. Speaks, just barely conscious moved a short distance away and took eagle form once again.
The Gnolls quickly moved to flank Scar but could not land a blow on the dexterous Half-Orc. Scar turned his hammer on one of them and brought the Gnoll low in a single stroke. In the next few moments, he managed to down the other Gnoll and had the Ogre calling for help.
Meanwhile the pair of Ogres had finally found their rhythm and pounded Raven to within an inch of his life. One of the pair disengaged and went to help his compatriot with Scar.
All the while, Speaks was Producing Flame and raining it down on the Ogres.
Scar dealt a blow that at last knocked out the first Ogre he battled only to have him replaced by a new one. The third brought his axe crashing into Raven's breastplate, knocking him unconscious to the ground. He quickly moved to take up a flanking position around Scar.
Speaks saw that Scar was in a tight spot and landed near Raven. After transforming back to human form, he healed the Cleric of Moradin back to consciousness and then joined the fray against the Ogres. Scar had taken a punishing toll on one of them but had paid the price in blood. Clearly he could not last much longer against the pair.
But then, a lucky shot took down one of the Ogres and Speaks attacked from the flank. Where a moment ago, the Ogre had enjoyed a two on one advantage, he now was outnumbered. He struck a desperate blow against Scar and was rewarded with seeing the warrior crumple to the ground. But just then, Speaks thrust The Fang of Arc at him from behind. The spear point ran into his back and protruded out his chest. The Ogre fell dead with a look of surprise on his face.
Speaks quickly used his healing wand on Scar and the group sat around panting from their exertions in a battle that had seen all three of them to the brink of death. (This was the near TPK that I mentioned in the old thread.) More healing was applied and the group approached the edge of the Briar Web where the other pair of Gnolls remained entrapped.
One of the Gnolls called out, "I know who you are and what you intend! I have several oil flasks and we will not be taken alive!"
Speaks demanded, "What are you talking about?!"
The Gnoll retorted, "Do not attempt to beguile me from your foul motives! We know of what you have done to the other tribes and we will not fall prey to the same fate!"
Speaks started to see where the misunderstanding lay. "We are here to destroy whatever is stirring the dead from their resting places. We have no quarrel with you and had you not attacked us, your companions would still be alive. Now, tell me what it is that you fear!" (Speaks used his new Mask of Intimidation and rolled quite well.)
The Gnoll, cowed before the daunting presence of Speaks, spilled his guts. He revealed that the "Dark Druids" had been rounding up large groups of Gnolls and taking them away somewhere across the "Darkflow". When they returned, they were walking dead who seemed to serve the will of the Dark Druids. These particular Gnolls were of the Bloodclaw tribe and had survived because they had allied with a band of Ogres who helped them to fight the undead hurled at them by the Druids.
Speaks roughly informed the Gnoll that he was in no way aligned with these "Dark Druids" and that, although some of his magic may bear some resemblance to theirs, there the similarities ended. He made it clear that if the Dark Druids were responsible for the walking dead, they were surely his enemies. By extension, the Gnolls were nominally his allies, so long as they ceased any hostile intent toward the party.
The Gnoll took some convincing but he agreed to carry word of the party and their intentions back to his tribe. He then urged Speaks and the others to burn the bodies of the fallen Ogres and Gnolls so that they would be of no use to the Dark Druids. Speaks agreed to this.
Once the Briar Web had expired, the Gnolls aided the party in gathering wood from the surrounding area and making a pyre for the bodies. The corpses were doused in the oil that the Gnolls carried, which burned hot enough to consume even bones. Once the fire was lit the Gnolls told the party that smoke from these pyres often drew the attention of the Dark Druids and it would be best if they departed the area with all haste.
The Gnolls headed back toward the rest of their tribe to the southwest. The party departed and proceeded more cautiously on foot, moving ever closer to the Temple. Perhaps the answers to this mystery lay there.
NEXT: A Taste of Their Own Medicine
I appologize for my tardiness. Life just won't slow down enough to let me catch up. But here is an update and I should be able to squeeze in one more before the weekend. Thanks for your patience.
Journey to the Temple
The group set out making best speed with Speaks leading the way toward a point that was indelibly burned into his consciousness. Unfortunately, best speed was not all that great. Raven's short legs and heavy armor conspired to keep their pace to just a few miles a day through the increasingly dense forest.
"Maybe you could turn into a pony. Then I could ride you." Suggested Raven to Speaks. Speaks was not fond of the notion of playing the pack animal again any time soon. He went aside into the woods and sat in communion. The following morning he reported that he thought that the magic of nature would provide a means of transport but that it would take a few days for him to gain mastery of the spell he would need.
The group settled into camp a couple days march from Glynden. Speaks spent this time in contemplative seclusion while Raven and Scar both enjoyed the quietude of the woods in contrast to the political hotbed that Glynden had become. After three days past, Speaks announced that they were ready to move on.
He produced a finely crafted bottle which he had purchased previously and used his magic to conjure forth a plume of smoke. The smoke coalesced into an equine shape and Raven was able to mount the creature and ride at a pace considerably greater than he normally walked. Speaks transformed into an eagle and the trio set out to the northwest.
Another day passed uneventfully but on the second day after they broke camp, Speaks spotted some movement from the air. He swooped lower to the treetops which were now beginning to leaf out and saw a small pack of Gnolls and a trio of larger forms moving quickly toward the party from the flank.
Speaks landed immediately, placing himself between the oncoming humanoids and the rest of the party. He transformed back into human form just as the group came within easy bowshot of the party. "Halt, I wish to speak with you!" He bellowed.
The onrushing group showed no signs of slowing so Speaks dropped a Briar Web spell in their midst. It captured two of the Gnolls and one of the larger foes but the rest continued their approach.
Disregarding his plea to parley, two of the three largest of the approaching group charged forward and struck out with their enormous great axes. Both connected with Speaks, one with enough force to crack several bones and send the Druid reeling with pain. The third giant (just Ogres actually) managed to break free of the vines and roots that held him and moved closer to the combat, hanging back a short way.
The Gnolls who were free of the entanglement howled a battle cry and came running forward in the wake of the Ogres. The other pair struggled to get free but were rewarded only with painful wounds from the thicket of thorns that surrounded them. They decided to stay put.
Speaks staggered back away from his attackers and moved closer to Raven. This put Scar between him and his assailants and bought him a momentary measure of safety (or so he thought). Scar in turn saw the Ogre hanging back a short distance away and moved to attack. The Half-Orc moved up to the Ogre and dealt a sound blow with his hammer and deftly danced back out of reach again before the Ogre could react (Scar has picked up Spring Attack). Unfortunately this left an open lane between Speaks and the two Ogres who had done him such grievous bodily harm just seconds before. They charged again and laid Speaks low with their mighty axes.
Raven braved attacks by the Ogres to assist his friend with healing magic. His special training concerning large foes came into play and he was able to protect himself from the brunt of their blows.
The Gnolls charged the closed target, Scar and one of their axes found its way to his thigh. Ignoring the pain from the wound, Scar ignored these lesser opponents and moved up to hack at the Ogre again. He landed another blow but this time stayed with his enemy and the Ogre repaid the hit in kind.
The other Ogres continued to pound at Raven but thanks to his training and armor, he ignored most of the damage. Speaks, just barely conscious moved a short distance away and took eagle form once again.
The Gnolls quickly moved to flank Scar but could not land a blow on the dexterous Half-Orc. Scar turned his hammer on one of them and brought the Gnoll low in a single stroke. In the next few moments, he managed to down the other Gnoll and had the Ogre calling for help.
Meanwhile the pair of Ogres had finally found their rhythm and pounded Raven to within an inch of his life. One of the pair disengaged and went to help his compatriot with Scar.
All the while, Speaks was Producing Flame and raining it down on the Ogres.
Scar dealt a blow that at last knocked out the first Ogre he battled only to have him replaced by a new one. The third brought his axe crashing into Raven's breastplate, knocking him unconscious to the ground. He quickly moved to take up a flanking position around Scar.
Speaks saw that Scar was in a tight spot and landed near Raven. After transforming back to human form, he healed the Cleric of Moradin back to consciousness and then joined the fray against the Ogres. Scar had taken a punishing toll on one of them but had paid the price in blood. Clearly he could not last much longer against the pair.
But then, a lucky shot took down one of the Ogres and Speaks attacked from the flank. Where a moment ago, the Ogre had enjoyed a two on one advantage, he now was outnumbered. He struck a desperate blow against Scar and was rewarded with seeing the warrior crumple to the ground. But just then, Speaks thrust The Fang of Arc at him from behind. The spear point ran into his back and protruded out his chest. The Ogre fell dead with a look of surprise on his face.
Speaks quickly used his healing wand on Scar and the group sat around panting from their exertions in a battle that had seen all three of them to the brink of death. (This was the near TPK that I mentioned in the old thread.) More healing was applied and the group approached the edge of the Briar Web where the other pair of Gnolls remained entrapped.
One of the Gnolls called out, "I know who you are and what you intend! I have several oil flasks and we will not be taken alive!"
Speaks demanded, "What are you talking about?!"
The Gnoll retorted, "Do not attempt to beguile me from your foul motives! We know of what you have done to the other tribes and we will not fall prey to the same fate!"
Speaks started to see where the misunderstanding lay. "We are here to destroy whatever is stirring the dead from their resting places. We have no quarrel with you and had you not attacked us, your companions would still be alive. Now, tell me what it is that you fear!" (Speaks used his new Mask of Intimidation and rolled quite well.)
The Gnoll, cowed before the daunting presence of Speaks, spilled his guts. He revealed that the "Dark Druids" had been rounding up large groups of Gnolls and taking them away somewhere across the "Darkflow". When they returned, they were walking dead who seemed to serve the will of the Dark Druids. These particular Gnolls were of the Bloodclaw tribe and had survived because they had allied with a band of Ogres who helped them to fight the undead hurled at them by the Druids.
Speaks roughly informed the Gnoll that he was in no way aligned with these "Dark Druids" and that, although some of his magic may bear some resemblance to theirs, there the similarities ended. He made it clear that if the Dark Druids were responsible for the walking dead, they were surely his enemies. By extension, the Gnolls were nominally his allies, so long as they ceased any hostile intent toward the party.
The Gnoll took some convincing but he agreed to carry word of the party and their intentions back to his tribe. He then urged Speaks and the others to burn the bodies of the fallen Ogres and Gnolls so that they would be of no use to the Dark Druids. Speaks agreed to this.
Once the Briar Web had expired, the Gnolls aided the party in gathering wood from the surrounding area and making a pyre for the bodies. The corpses were doused in the oil that the Gnolls carried, which burned hot enough to consume even bones. Once the fire was lit the Gnolls told the party that smoke from these pyres often drew the attention of the Dark Druids and it would be best if they departed the area with all haste.
The Gnolls headed back toward the rest of their tribe to the southwest. The party departed and proceeded more cautiously on foot, moving ever closer to the Temple. Perhaps the answers to this mystery lay there.
NEXT: A Taste of Their Own Medicine
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