Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 2: The Indomitable Fire Forest of Innenotdar

[Gregor]

Seeing that there is nothing of interest to loot from the bodies of the Hell Hound and the piles of ooze that once were the Lemures, Torrent leads you on down the Elf Road chuckling slightly at Arnir and Bannock's exchange.

After a couple of hours, at least you suppose it must be that long given that you cannot see the sky to properly measure the passage of time, you come around a bend in the road and see an interesting sight. Through the blowing smoke and cinders, you can see that the Elf Road leads to a smooth arched stone bridge that spans a steaming river. Additionally, there appears to be a small stone tower standing in the middle of the bridge.

Suddenly, a loud cracking sound rips through the air, and several of the trees a hundred feet down the road flare as explosions tear open their trunks at the base. A moment later, a cluster of burning trees on either side of the road careen inward to fall across the Elf Road, blocking the path to the bridge and tower ahead.

[sblock="for Lars"]Lars, you suddenly experience a premonition: you see a giant stag that is on fire leaping out of the treeline and goring Alric with its burning antlers. You feel the overwhelming urge to scream at Alric and warn him.[/sblock]

 

[fromage67]

Lars screams "ALRIC!!!! Watch out!" Lars points wildly towards the burning tree-line. "'Ware the stag!!"

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr is startled by Lars' yelling. He looks to the tree line to see if there is in fact a stag there.

 

[Adjuntive]

Lars screams "ALRIC!!!! Watch out!" Lars points wildly towards the burning tree-line. "'Ware the stag!!"

Alric pulls his sword and readies his shield. He looks in the general direction that Lars is pointing, waiting for attack.

 

[Gregor]

Trial by fire!

Hrimr and Alric, you see nothing in the burning tree line.

However, the curtains of flame that lick meekly at the trees at the road’s edge suddenly flare, cinders bursting outward across you all. Behind you, you hear a sudden roaring noise, and looking back you see the road fifty feet away cut off by a furious wall of fire. The sides of Elf Road are quickly becoming hazardous as live flames reach out at you, and over Alric's head the ash and cinders begin to swirl, coalescing into a searing spear.

GM: Everyone gets one round worth of actions. When you post your action, please also roll your initiative. 30 to 40 feet ahead of you is blocked by the fallen burning trees. The sides of the road are blazing and the road behind you is now draped in a wall of fire.

 

[fromage67]

Lars says, "I saw a huge burning stag. It gored Alric. It's another vision, but it looks like something is really happening. We're being forced towards the tower." Crossbow still in hand, ready to fire, Lars starts walking towards the tower.

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr grabs some of his sling stones and chants over them. Three of them begin to glow with a blue light.

"Be ready for anything, this is likely no accident."

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio sighs, shrugs, and pulls out his flute. He takes position behind Lars and begins to play as he walks; a strange melody emanates from the bard's instrument, it seems to react to the surrounding fire show, and gives you courage for the trials to come...

OOC: Inspire courage, +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric gazes up in terror at the spear of cinder forming above his head. Hefting his silver sword (expecting devilry), he backs up 20ft from the tip of the spear toward the felled trees and readies to attack anything (other than his party members) that comes within range of his blade.

"Everyone get behind me! Bannock to my flank and ready yourself for attack!" Alric's face transitions from terror to black fury in an instant and he shouts out to both the spear and the wall of flame back down the road, "Show yourself! Whoever you are, show yourself you coward! I tire of these games and parlor tricks!"

 

[Bannock]

Bannock keeps pace with Alric, standing abreast of him, 10 feet away, glaive ready as always, and looks up in wonder at the form taking shape from ash and cinders.

"Uhm, Alric, I don't think this spirit is interested in talking."


Bannock readies to attack any foe in range, though he seems extremely tired and his reflexes are slow.