Hooves of Steel (Part 2)
The party are left to lick their wounds and collect their thoughts after a rather brutal encounter with the mysterious demonic rider's hellish herd. It still wasn't entirely clear why he was here in the first place, although to judge by the scorched forest it seems like wanton destruction is a possibility. Either way, he is true to his word and leaves them be for the time being- not following nor harassing them as they regroup so far as the adventurers can tell. Which probably means he'll be true to his word about taking his frustrations out on that nearby homestead if they fail to meet him at the promised showdown back at the killing field where they laid low the fiendish Aurochs. The good news is, they have a solid 20 hours or so until that time.
GAME: Reithak rolls knowledge/The Planes +2: (20)+6+2: 28
The group is pretty knocked around, but the job isn't done. Not yet. At least they have time to patch themselves up. Harshad flatly insists on setting a watch. "I don't trust that skinned-face bastard any farther than I can throw a wagon," the half-orc growls. His spare cloak is wrapped around him now, the old one badly torn by the fiendish bulls.
He snorts. "Anyone up for a round of vingtun?" Harshad says dryly, pulling out a deck of cards. "Or do we have a plan for that ugly bastard?"
"How abouts kickin 'is arse all the way ta wherever he came from?" Bryn offers up as a plan. She looks around at folks, since Harshad's cloak isn't the only thing tore up. "After ev'rybody's done bleedin, ye? Seems like he wants somethin of a fair fight... N that's Fine by me."
She takes a knee, smirking at the halfsy and his cards. "Rather go straight ta arse-kickin, but if'n we're gonna take a breather..." She rolls her shoulders in a shrug.
Reithak was busy with the start of camp bandaging up their wounds, and there were more wounds than they had been expecting, for certain. "Nah, not skinned face. You saw him, right? More... leathery." The large bird corrects. "Like a babau, but, not. Not entirely."
"Maybe I'll play before I crash, but we need to be prepared. Think it's some sort of half-blood fiend, that's why it's not quite a babau, that make sense? Still, probably best to treat them as one, even if it's weird they're being... ah, shit." The egalrin trails off, cursing under her breath. "Resistant to magic, most physical harm from things that ain't magically enchanted."
"But, either he is being all honorable like, or he's trying to trick us. Babau are known for their love of sneaking up on folks and assassinations. Maybe they're not, but I think we should at least keep more than one person on guard at a time."
GAME: Skyler rolls sense motive: (16)+7: 23
Jarik is only too happy to help patch people up, though more the old fashioned way than with magic. He seems to know what he's doing though, or at least he's tended wounded before. "I'm not entirely sure I'd trust him to be completely honorable." He mutters. "But I've had the same said about me for being green." He says with an amused chuckle.
"I'll take a watch, too. Greywing is good at keeping an eye on things in the night." He says with a look up into the tree branches to where his owl perches, softly hooting on occasion as he keeps giant yellow eyes on the group below.
Crik was surprisingly good shape - if quite ruffled after his near death experience(s) - and looks quite bemused. He had been sketching his journal full of notes, and also pretty good drawing of the ghoulish rider. He had been staring at nowhere for a while now, with a tiny singed book in his lap. It was filled with arcane glyphs and runes that seemed more indecipharble than not.
Then vingtun is mentioned and Crik lets out a sudden 'crik' and a knocking sound from his throat. "Yes. What are the bets? Shinies?" He asks with his beak open. "... I can be the dealer." His black fingers are already flexing.
"I mean, I thought he was kinda hot in a 'my face is on fire and if you smooched I'd melt you' kind of way?" Skyler offers in a muffled voice from where he's sitting by the fire, fussing over Jarik and attempting to mend the hole in his vest from where the bull gored him.
It isn't going so well, and the swashbuckler is sucking on a finger he poked hard enough to draw blood. "From a strategic point of view, we know when he's going to strike. Taking him at his word, that means we have an slight advantage." He waves his hand in the air, drying it off. "For what it's worth, though, I think he'll be true to what he said. Why set rules he's not going to follow when he's already in charge?" His lips thin, and he peeks down at his finger again, "He seemed to have as much fun taunting us as he would have actually attacking."
He adds, "And I can take first watch with whoever." He eyes the cards, and says in an oh-so-innocent tone, "I've never played before."
GAME: Jarik rolls heal: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Reithak rolls heal +2 +2: (2)+6+2+2: 12 GAME: Reithak rolls heal: (3)+6: 9 GAME: Jarik rolls heal +2: (6)+7+2: 15 GAME: Reithak rolls heal +2: (10)+6+2: 18 GAME: Jarik rolls heal+2+2: (8)+7+2+2: 19 GAME: Reithak casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 GAME: Reithak rolls 1d8+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6 GAME: Reithak casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 GAME: Reithak casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 GAME: Reithak rolls 1d8+5: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Reithak rolls 1d8+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6
"Well, let's get those wounds tended to before he starts to show his frighteningly handsome face to some again?" Reithak hums, pulling out a fresh pack of medical supplies out of their pack.
The work of healing is an unpleasant affair, with bandages aplenty. With Bryn and Reithak taking care of the worst of things, Harshad begins shuffling his cards deftly. "Oh no," he says to Crik and Skyler with a slight grin. "You can't fool me, I know better than that. Besides, I won't take people's coin when we're going to fighting for our lives tomorrow."
The half-orc chuckles. "There's 'pocket', too, which is also a fun one. Especially if you have a pretty lady who'd be willing to play 'pickpocket'. That one involves taking off clothing if you lose a hand." Harshad chortles. "Had a bit of fun with that one time."
Bryn is used to getting bloodied; it's a fact of life. Well, a hard life. It's also natural consequence of bloodying other things. Just 'cause the other one got it worse don't mean ye get away without a scratch. While the others are patching each other up, she hums a soothing melody with enough weight that it carries. All while she also tends to her own wounds.
She seems to prefer magic rather than bandages or stitching; large fingers and/or little patience make handling tiny needles or thin cloth no fun. That and she wouldn't know a spleen from a rutabega. There's some magic to spare, which she shares with her half-kin. While cards are discussed, too.
"Ha." She snorts in bemusement. "Betcha lookin to pick alla pockets." A glance around. "Ain' the best game inna snow, though, ey? Maybe save that fer after we get back."
Jarik seems more eager to help with the healing than getting involved in a card game. There's more familiarity from him on the former than the later, though part of him is curious about the different games. As for healing, well, he seems less than thrilled about how well he does, making the occasional grimace and frown. "My auntie would be smacking me with a spoon." He mutters after one attempt.
There's a definite perking motion from him though at the mention of a card game that involves removing clothing, a curious expression coming over his face as he follows that particular thought thread.
"Well, let's get those wounds tended to before he starts to show his frighteningly handsome face to some again?" Reithak hums, pulling out a fresh pack of medical supplies out of their pack.
"Now, lets see to these, then?" Reithak muses, starting to work on Jarik. But their bandages, weren't going on right, getting mixed up with the ones already put on, and not really doing much to actually improve the wound care.
"Maybe I'll just be the aid, less likely to get in the way." Reithak sighs, taking a step back. But it seemed whatever she did for help was mostly of little use. "Ah, fuck it." Reithak curses, taking their holy symbol and offering prayers to Ceinara, causing the wounds underneath her shoddy bandages to just close up on their own."
"Hey, I live in the mountains and I'm a pretty lady!" The egalrin chuckles loudly. "But I'd rather not be caught without my armor at the moment."
Crik flexes his fingers. "Oh no, I am just impatient when watching somebody else shuffle cards." The corvid egalrin, definitely not rogue, says, looking anxious. "... though this one would rather not take off clothing in the snow. My feathers do not need cleansing yet." Also it was not a game he was particularly inclined to cheat - he suddenly holds a finger up to his beak consider. He could cheat to lose? His bird brain starts running off.
Crik then looks down at his notes, and starts flipping his notes. "Do you know anything that can help against the handso- the babau?" He asks from Reithak. "We need to plan for the ambush."
"I am a right honorable member of the Adventurer's Guild!" Skyler protests, as he starts to dig through the pouches of his coat to find something. "I would never cheat to get my party members naked!"
What he's looking for turns out to be tea, pressed into a solid block. A knife is drawn and he whittles away some of it into his cup before he dutifully goes to start the camp fire and get a small meal started. It isn't much, mostly just trail rations softened in water into a stew, but it's warm and more than expected. "I suspect he'll have something prepared. Just because he's giving us time doesn't mean he won't use the time to plan for himself." He stirs his stew, and takes a sip, making a face before asking, "Anyone against eating owlbear? I got some jerky that I can add that'll make this tastier, but I dunno if that's like cannibalism for some of us." That with a squint towards the two birdfolk.
GAME: Crik rolls sleight of hand: (2)+11: 13 GAME: Harshad rolls sleight of hand: (12)+11: 23 GAME: Skyler rolls sleight of hand: (4)+9: 13
And so cards, whatever field provisions the party brought, tents and bedrolls the group pass the night, one by one turning in to rest off the remaining aches and pangs of their battle. It's already pitch black by the time of the first watch, with the short days, and it's a cold night. The snow muffles sounds, but even with that the forest is eerily quiet. The local fauna driven away by the reckless half-demon and his herd.
The second watch goes much as the first. There is a noise, a moment of alarm, but it turns out to be scavenger birds approaching to pick at the corpses. They're easy enough to send packing, but persistant enough that leaving them to it is the quieter option. By the time third watch comes around, there is a fair dusting of snow atop the corpses and the blood and the mud of the battle is hidden away, splotches of vague color under the pristine fresh blanket of the nights snowfall, hiding the lurid red of spilled blood and grime of churned earth.
GAME: Crik rolls disguise: (18)+13: 31 GAME: Harshad rolls stealth: (8)+12: 20 GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (19)+13: 32 GAME: Jarik rolls stealth-1: (17)+1+-1: 17 GAME: Jarik casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
With all this snow, it's easy to make a blind. Using one of his blankets, and his cloak, Harshad digs himself down into a small dip in the meadow, layering snow over himself so that he's camouflaged. From the outside he looks to be just another drift. And there the half orc waits, blades in hand. "Alright, mates," he murmurs to himself. "One more for the payout..."
As he trots over to a tree, Jarik murmurs a few words to himself, sheathing his body in magical armor. Then comes the more dramatic affect, one the others witnessed yesterday where he pulls his boarhide cloak tighter around himself until it just seems to fuse with his own body, leaving a large boar in its place. The big shaggy beast stops by the tree, gives him a little scratch against the bark, and then flops into the snow drift at its side, maybe trying to look like a large pile of leaves. Or a disinterested forest boar that just happens to be a touch too big.
"Well, he's not going to come this way if there's no one here to actually fight, and I don't want him wandering off and razing some homestead." Reithak sighs, fidgeting awkwardly on the spot. "As the one least likely to keel over if he looks at me funny not hiding already, suppose that falls to me."
The egalrin fidgeted awkwardly with her armor, making sure everything was in place, waiting to see if they actually kept their word.
A night's sleep. Not a great one, but like ale, food, and even company, a bit of mediocre is better than none at all. Bryn gets her stuff packed up then stretches, humming aloud as others get themselves situatied. When Reithak speaks up, she looses a laugh.
"Don'tcha worry none. I'm 'ere, too. Ain' fallin over 'n I'm loud. He won' be missin us 'n goin somewheres else."
Skyler is many things, but stealthy is not one of them.
Instead, he has deemed himself best off assisting the stealthy people, kicking away footprints to hide the number of people here and whittling arms for anyone that is attempting to be a snowman.
Once that's done, he drifts over towards the other people not attempting stealth, making sure the ear flaps of his hat are tied under his chin so it doesn't go flying or his ears don't get cold. His cheeks and nose are already flushed red from the chill! Once that's done he's got his sword at the ready, rolling shoulders and making sure his buckler is strapped to his arm tightly. "I can't hide for shit." He says apologetically.
Crik takes his flat bladed knife, his crossbow and his bruised ego towards one of the thickets of trees. His thicker gloves than normal were not helping with handling the cards, and the extra warmth on them as opposed to snow was a dead giveaway.
Yet now, he stands still for a moment, blinking blankly - and then there's a sudden flutter of snow and there's now another tiny tree where Crik was. The corvid holds up his crossbow and points at nothing, slowly nodding off.
GAME: Thurid rolls 8: (3)+8: 11 GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (18)+11: 29
The party have plenty of time to get set up in the morning, and even have a spot of breakfast. Calling it high noon is a bit of a misnomer on these short winter days, as the sun doesn't quite make it to the zenith before it begins its return journey, but, close enough is good enough. The appointed hour draws near, and the group get themselves into position.
The fiendish rider's approach is announced by a cloud of black smoke emerging from the woods to the north, and the crunch of hooves on snow as his horse ambles out of the thick cloud towards the clearing. He laughs when he only sees three of them waiting for him. "Your friends turned tail and run?" he asks, and shakes his head in mock sorrow. "Well, don't you worry yourselves about that. I'll be catching up with them real soon." he says, as he draws his pistol from its hip holster.
His nightmarish horse seems less convinced, though, huffing smoke and scraping at the ground anxiously, nostrils flaring and ears perked up.
"Don't worry about them. We're the ones in front of you." Skyler's face is unusually serious as he stares at the fiendish rider, "But before we kill you and turn your horse into jerky, answer a question for me: why are you doing this?"
He scowls, sword pointing at the ground, "Did these people do anything to you? Why tamper with things like this?"
"Someone's got to deal with you, still." *Reithak shrugs, drawing her rapier and steadying it.* "He's got a point you know, really don't have to be doing this. Don't have to fight, but given the fact that you threatened to raze a homestead if we didn't show up, not much choice in the matter for us, is there?"
<OOC> Bryn would like to try to Fascinate him and the steed, if just to distract him and help with the ambushers.
"Bout time ye showed up!" Bryn calls to the 'man'. "We was gettin bored! 'N don'tch worry bout the others runnin off. Each of us got more sack than ye 'n yer geldin put tagether." She motions between herself and Reithak, still eyeing the half-man, half-... not man. So he's only half a man, just like she's implying. Might as well have him focused on her. And maybe a bit ticked off.
Bryn can be good at annoying people when she tries... and sometimes even when she's not!
GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (12)+4: 16 GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (14)+3: 17 <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, what's the DC?" <OOC> Bryn says, "DC is... only 16. :( But she wanted to insult him, anyhow, so... :)"
At Skyler's questions he laughs again, chewing thoughtfully and then spitting another wad of that awful cud he was working on last time. "Why, that's easy boy." he tells Skyler. "'cause I can, and 'cause I want to." he says then with an expansive shrug, "I burn the woods, and them in those homesteads freeze, or starve. I burn the homesteads? Well, they burn." he says then. "And aint nothing sweeter than knowing you hold a life in your hand." he adds, "Now, we doin' this or what?" he asks, and kicks at the stirrups which causes his horse to rear and then advance towards the party as he lifts his pistol to ready.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Thurid has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Thurid to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Skyler refreshes special ability pools. GAME: Bryn refreshes special ability pools. GAME: Bryn spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE. <OOC> Thurid says, "No surprise round, although all the hiders are still Hidden from the Rider, but only Crik is hidden from the horse." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 24. It is now Reithak's turn! Skyler is next!
<OOC> Thurid says, "Reithak's first." <OOC> Reithak says, "figuring which spell I want to use" <OOC> Reithak says, "I'll go with weapon of awe, and swift judgement" <OOC> Reithak says, "using smiting in this case" <OOC> Thurid says, "On the rider?" <OOC> Reithak says, "it's not on any enemy in particular, just activates the judgement to bypass resistance with my weapon" GAME: Reithak casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, any move action?" <OOC> Reithak says, "moved slightly back to make them need to move up or take a shot with more of a penalty" <OOC> Thurid says, "Go ahead and pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 22. It is now Skyler's turn! Crik is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "Sky, you're up." <OOC> Skyler says, "Gunna just move and defend" <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty! Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 18. It is now Crik's turn! Fiendish Rider is next! <OOC> Crik says, "I'll delay after ethe rider" GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 17. It is now Fiendish Rider's turn! Harshad is next!
"Figured as much. You don't know how to actually make anything for yerself." Reithak laughs. "Jealous, so you gotta tear down other folks to sleep better at night with your own inferiority. Sad, really, and that won't stand. We'll put your sorry ass in the ground so you don't harm anyone else again!"
Reithak offers a short prayer in their breezy sounding language, causing their weapon to glow with a bright light.
"I already sleep easy at night, but that answer?" Skyler keeps his eyes trained on the rider, moving sideways, "Well, that answer just makes sure after we kill you I'll sleep with a *smile*." He pauses, and adds, "And I'm gunna turn your horse into *glue*."
<OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, rider's mount double moves and he takes a shot at Reithak." GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (20)+11: 31 <OOC> Thurid says, "Rolling to confirm." GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (10)+11: 21 <OOC> Thurid says, "That hit Touch AC? It's inside the first range band." <OOC> Reithak says, "yeah it does" GAME: Thurid rolls 4d8: (19): 19 <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh! Wait. It's not inside the first range increment, spitter is only 20'" <OOC> Thurid says, "I think that still crits, though. Roll would have been a 19 vs regular AC" <OOC> Thurid says, "Actually, -2 from double move as well, so no crit" GAME: Thurid rolls 1d8: (1): 1 <OOC> Reithak will take it
"Yah! Hyah!" The rider leans forwards and urges his horse onwards which breaks into a brisk canter, though not quite a full gallop as it crosses the span of snow between them. He fires the the pistol with a whip-crack and a belch of hellish fire. Its projectile hurtles through the air trailing yellow, sulfurous smoke but only manages to glance Reithak's shoulder.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 17. It is now Crik's turn! Harshad is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "You're up, Crik. Are you on RPTwo? Harshad had a suggestion." <OOC> Thurid says, "Must have gone AFK for a moment." <OOC> Harshad nods. Continue with me? <OOC> Thurid nodnods. GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 15. It is now Harshad's turn! Jarik is next! <OOC> Harshad says, "Welp, guess I'll pop out of the hide and charge the rider." <OOC> Crik says, "Oop, sorry." <OOC> Harshad screech to a halt. Crik, whatcha doin'? <OOC> Thurid says, "Did you want to wait for Crik, hark?" <OOC> Harshad says, "Yes." <OOC> Thurid says, "Harsh, even. Wrong Har" <OOC> Crik says, "Can I snipe and then move to to establish flank?" <OOC> Thurid says, "You can." <OOC> Crik says, "I shall do that then." <OOC> Thurid says, "You're in your first range band. Roll to hit,." GAME: Crik rolls weapon2: (11)+8: 19 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits, with sneak attack." <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll it." GAME: Crik rolls damage2+3d6: aliased to 1d4+0+3d6: (3)+0+(10): 13 <OOC> Thurid says, "Crossbow enchanted at all?" <OOC> Crik says, "Nope. :<" <OOC> Crik 's old fashioned <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, that hurts him but not too badly. You can draw your dagger while moving. Go ahead and pose it." <OOC> Thurid says, "Harshad, you're up." <OOC> Harshad says, "As I stated: charge forward, go for SA with rapier." <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty. Roll it." GAME: Harshad rolls weapon1+2: (17)+8+2: 27 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits, with SA" <OOC> Harshad says, "So close to a crit there.. :D" GAME: Harshad rolls damage1+3d6: aliased to 1d6+2+3d6: (5)+2+(10): 17 <OOC> Thurid says, "Any magic?" <OOC> Harshad shakes his head. Masterwork. <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, hurts him, pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 12. It is now Jarik's turn! Bryn is next! <OOC> Harshad Really needs to upgrade. <OOC> Jarik says, "Okay, charging in. If I go up to his side do I get a flank or no?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Not at the mo, no." <OOC> Jarik says, "But +2 for the charge, right?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yup" GAME: Jarik rolls 1+5+3: (17)+1+5+3: 26
The immovable object buried under the snow - or the, small pine tree - waits patiently for the season. The snow, it is only temporary, for the pine cones shall take their time to mature, and eventually the pine needles will feel once again, the warmth of-
'THWIP'. Kerchunk. The small pine tree lowers his crossbow and starts running across the expanse of the snow. The green branches sway with the motion before falling off completely, leaving Crik behind the rider.
The corvid egalrin pauses, looks. Stares blankly. "... I did not think this through." He finally says, holding up his flat bladed, quite rusty and worn, knife.
The snow explodes out from around where Harshad's hide was. The cloak cast back as the half orc lunges out from the false snowbank in a whirl of white and dark, his eyes blazing. "I'm going to wear your guts for garters," he snarls in Yrch-Speak, as he crosses the distance between himself and the rider. As Crik snipes the fiendish fellow and moves into position, the rapier lashes out, drawing a wound even unholy resilience can't completely fend off. "Welcome to the killing fields, you're the guest of honor!"
<OOC> Jarik says, "Sorry, hit 3, that should be 25" <OOC> Thurid says, "That's a hit." GAME: Jarik rolls 2d6+5: (8)+5: 13 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hurts him, pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Bryn's turn! Reithak is next! <OOC> Bryn will join in the get along little doggy pile. " Swift for Arcane Strike. Charge in to attack. I think with flank?" <OOC> Thurid says, "No flank there, you could flank from the side opposite Jarik" <OOC> Thurid says, "But can't charge there." <OOC> Bryn nods. "No flank, then."
Another burst of snow comes from behind a tree as the large boar that is Jarik breaks free of his snowy hiding place and goes barreling across the snow covered grass towards the rider, kicking up snow as he grunts and snorts angrily. Wicked yellowed tuskes rip into the rider with a satisfied sounding grunt coming from the witch-turned-big-hog.
GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2: (15)+7+2: 24 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits" GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+2: aliased to 2d4+4+2: (5)+4+2: 11 <OOC> Bryn says, "It is magical." <OOC> Thurid says, "That hurts him more than the steel seems to have. Pose it." GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 24. It is now Reithak's turn! Skyler is next! <OOC> Reithak says, "using standard to cast Lend judgement on Crik" <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty. Any move?" <OOC> Reithak says, "moving up on the rider" <OOC> Reithak says, "that's my turn!" GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 22. It is now Skyler's turn! Fiendish Rider is next!
Bryn could, theoretically, shoot at the half-man (and/or the horse he rode in on) from afar... but where's the fun in that? All of her kin (and even Crik) are rushing in, so she charges in as well, big curveblade coming up on the way, glinting with resonance of The Hymn. "Ain wranglin yer way outta this one! Ha!" The last word comes as she swings down to catch a piece of the half-man. When the oruchs get done with him, he might be two or three halves of a man.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Sky?" <OOC> Skyler says, "Imma charge and attack" <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, roll it." <OOC> Thurid says, "+2 from charge"
"Y'know, I almost felt bad about this, but you know what? Really don't care at this point." *Reithak coughs, wincing from the cut opened up in their shoulder, more from how close it had been to something much more serious. "Nah, this is a great idea, Crik! You got this!" The inquisitor whistles, causing Crik's rusty, unassuming knife to glow just like her rapier did as she charged off to the side.
<OOC> Skyler says, "Any other bonuses?" <OOC> Skyler says, "Bryn singing? ;n.n" <OOC> Thurid says, "Not at the mo" GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (8)+9+2: 19 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits" <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll damage." <OOC> Skyler says, "Ok, gunna burn a panache for precise strike" GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE. GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+6: aliased to 1d6+4+6: (5)+4+6: 15 <OOC> Skyler says, "Precision strike for +3, burned panache to double that bonus" <OOC> Skyler says, "Do I get a swift action too?" <OOC> Skyler says, "Wait, no I used it to panache" <OOC> Thurid says, "Spicy, that really seems to hurt him. Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 17. It is now Fiendish Rider's turn! Crik is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, rider's taking more of a beating than he expected. His mount takes a withdraw action." <OOC> Thurid says, "He uses a standard to drink a potion, and his move to take flight."
Perhaps it's the way he treated the wanton cruelty as a joke. Perhaps it's the way he hurt Jarik, who Skyler obviously holds in esteem even if nothing seems to be happening between the two. But the ex Pirate is merciless as he launches himself forward, rushing at the rider.
His scimitar flicks out after a pause, precise and deadly as he strikes a vulnerable spot where there's a slight chink in the armor.
GAME: Thurid rolls 4d8: (6): 6
"You sneaky sumbitches!" The rider hollers as the snow around him erupts into reinforcements. His horse rears up onto its hind legs and emits a whinney of frustration that its warnings went unheeded, and then he pulls hard on the reigns to put some distance between himself and the party of adventurers who are suddenly much less easy pickins' than he thought they'd be after seeing what his herd did to them.
As he rides back towards the treeline, he guides the horse with his knees for a moment to reach into a saddle bag and produce a potion. He pops the cork with a clawed thumb and then knocks it back, knitting the worst of his wounds closed. And then tosses the bottle aside. "I got some tricks too though, y'all ought to know." he shouts, and throws off his duster jacket revealing an unfurling pair of ragged leathery wings.
He leaps from the saddle and into the air, with two quick beats of his wings. The horse skids to a stop and rears around, blowing another gout of smoke from its nostrils.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 17. It is now Crik's turn! Harshad is next! <OOC> Crik says, "I forget how it works again, can I take a shot and go move + stealth or do I have to shenanigan with the equipping again?" <OOC> Thurid says, "If you move to cover as part of your move action, you can attempt to stealth. You take a penalty when observed, but so long as you have cover you can try it." <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh, right, you pulled the dagger." <OOC> Thurid says, "It's a move action to stow or to draw a weapon, since you didn't drop or stow the crossbow you are probably holding it in your off hand." <OOC> Thurid says, "So yeah, you can shoot and then move. Just a bit of juggling." <OOC> Crik says, "It's a hand crossbow, so can I just fire it off the hip, move with stealth / bluff into stealth?" <OOC> Crik 's brain is a bit dead, sorry <OOC> Thurid says, "Move to cover and roll stealth after, yes." <OOC> Crik says, "Alright. I'll fire at the demon anyway and then move behind the trees / stealth. ._." <OOC> Crik says, "What did the lend judgement do?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, hand crossbow so that's your 3rd range increment." <OOC> Thurid says, "-4 on the roll to hit." GAME: Crik rolls weapon2-4: (15)+8+-4: 19 <OOC> Thurid says, "That's a hit." GAME: Crik rolls damage2: aliased to 1d4+0: (1)+0: 1 <OOC> Crik :> <OOC> Thurid says, "Does judgement apply to all weapons wielded, yeah?" <OOC> Reithak says, "it does" <OOC> Crik rolls for stealth GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (16)+13: 29 <OOC> Thurid says, "Light damage then." GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (13)+11: 24 GAME: Thurid rolls 8: (6)+8: 14 <OOC> Crik moves his token <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, you manage to hide after the shot. Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 15. It is now Harshad's turn! Jarik is next! <OOC> Crik says, "I apologize for long turn!" <OOC> Harshad says, "How high up in the air is he?" <OOC> Thurid says, "20'" <OOC> Harshad hmms. Will put rapier away, draw light crossbow, attempt to hit him with a crossbow bolt. I need him to get closer. <OOC> Thurid says, "Updated his token, his current height is in his name now." <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll to hit. Light or Heavy crossbow?" <OOC> Harshad says, "Light." GAME: Harshad rolls weapon9: (14)+8: 22 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits, roll damage." GAME: Harshad rolls damage9: aliased to 1d8+0: (1)+0: 1 <OOC> Harshad pfft. Oh well. <OOC> Thurid says, "Bounces off." <OOC> Harshad has a plan anyways. <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 12. It is now Jarik's turn! Bryn is next! <OOC> Jarik says, "Charging in and teaching that horse a lesson. Hopefully." <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll it." GAME: Jarik rolls 1+5+2: (13)+1+5+2: 21 <OOC> Thurid says, "That's a hit." GAME: Jarik rolls 2d6+5: (4)+5: 9
"It is a horse riding demon with a gun!" Crik cries out towards Reithak, holding his hands over his head as the rider takes off. He falls flat onto the snow and takes a quick shot at the demon with his hand crossbow. Covered in snow, black feathers white, he lies there for a moment.
And with a sudden flurry of wings, snow is tossed up in the air as he runs, half hops, towards the tree line in panic and disappears into the white shadows.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Light damage, pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Bryn's turn! Reithak is next!
Harshad curses as the horse and rider pull away northward. Still, nothing to be done about it now, but any hopes he'll run for the hills are dashed as he pulls up and then... takes flight? "Now you're just pissing me off," he growls. His rapier is snapped back into its sheath, and Harshad unlimbers a light crossbow from his back. Taking aim, he pulls the trigger, and the bolt strikes the rider dead-center without doing anything. "Come on, ugly. Don't run away just yet!"
GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 24. It is now Reithak's turn! Nightmare is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "Oops" <OOC> Thurid says, "Can't reverse the initiative, that was a fat finger thing. Bryn, you're up." <OOC> Bryn says, "You should be able to reverse it, but it's ok." <OOC> Bryn hrms. "Ok. I will drop my big sword as free. Move closer, drawing shortbow along the way. Swift for Arcane Strike. Standard to take a potshot at him.
As the demon takes flight there's a small series of grunts and snorts from Jarik-boar that if someone happened to have Speak with Animals going would understand to be, "I'm going to tear off those wings and beat him to death with them." How he plans to do that is anyone's guess, but he's got the oruch bravado.
Sadly, he can't put that plan into action and instead barrels forward towards the horse, leaping a little right at the end of the charge in an attempt to drive his head, tusks and all right into the horse's, sadly, he only manages to score a small cut on the demonic beast, but it's something.
GAME: Bryn rolls weapon9: (14)+5: 19 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits" GAME: Bryn rolls damage9+2: aliased to 1d6+3+2: (3)+3+2: 8 <OOC> Bryn says, "Magic due to AS." <OOC> Thurid says, "He's pretty badly hurt, pose it." <OOC> Thurid says, "Reithak, you're up." <OOC> Reithak says, "okay!" <OOC> Reithak checking some rules
"What the shit?!" Bryn blinks when the horseshit-talking horse(half)man backs up and then takes off. "Get back 'ere so we can pound ye proper!" Can fiends read minds, too? She only just thought how unfun it would be to have to shoot at him from afar...
But that seems like exactly what she has to do, 'cause she knows he can shoot at them. The big blade is dropped in the snow before she jogs on ahead, pulling her shiny new bow from her back. She nocks an arrow, humming to induce some sympathetic vibrations in the string before she looses, catching him in the torso. He ain' getting away that easy, coward or not!
<OOC> Reithak says, "If I'm not crazy, I should be able to make a dive attack on the flying cowboy" <OOC> Reithak says, "and activate bane with swift to outsiders, uh" <OOC> Reithak says, "I'm not sure how the subtypes with bane work" <OOC> Thurid says, "Dive is just charge for flying critters, really. He's currently 20' up so you would need to get higher than that. Assuming you're using Elgarin wings for gliding?" <OOC> Reithak nods <OOC> Thurid says, "Bane is an 'any of' so if a critter has any of the listed subtypes, it applies." <OOC> Reithak says, "I don't know if I can get above, I've got 40 foot fly" <OOC> Thurid says, "Ah right, 5 hit die." <OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, yeah, you can just barely make a charge on him." <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll to hit." <OOC> Reithak says, "bane set to evil outsiders" <OOC> Thurid thumbs up. <OOC> Thurid says, "It applies." GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+7+2+2: (16)+7+2+2: 27 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits" GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+2d6+3: (6)+(9)+3: 18 <OOC> Reithak says, "ah, +2 from weapon of awe for 20" <OOC> Thurid says, "You run him through, and he falls out of the sky." <OOC> Thurid says, "He's downed." <OOC> Reithak says, "turn!" <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it up." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 22. It is now Nightmare's turn! Skyler is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "Full attacks Jarik with a bite and two flaming hooves." <OOC> Jarik says, "Nice knowing you all." <OOC> Skyler ;.; <OOC> Skyler says, "Plz don't kill my emotional support witch" GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (12)+9: 21 GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (11)+4: 15 <OOC> Thurid says, "What's your AC as a boar?" <OOC> Jarik says, "I charged so with mage armor its... 16 right now" <OOC> Thurid says, "Just the bite hits, then." GAME: Thurid rolls 1d4+4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 22. It is now Skyler's turn! Fiendish Rider is next! <OOC> Skyler says, "Not much I can do but move! Will go ahead and run for x2 movement" <OOC> Thurid says, "Run is 3x" <OOC> Skyler says, "Oh what's x2?" <OOC> Harshad says, "Double move is 2x, run is 3x." <OOC> Thurid says, "Double Move doesn't affect AC but is 2x, run is 3x, yeah" <OOC> Skyler says, "Ok double move" <OOC> Skyler doesn't want to lose AC XD <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, move your token and pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 17. It is now Fiendish Rider's turn! Crik is next! GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (18)+3: 21 <OOC> Thurid says, "he stabilizes, but then hits the ground." GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6: (5): 5 <OOC> Harshad says, "If he fell 20' he takes 2d6 ;)" <OOC> Thurid says, "Ah, right you are." <OOC> Thurid says, "First 10' is only free if you do it deliberately" GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6: (1): 1 <OOC> Thurid says, "And he's bleeding out again." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 17. It is now Crik's turn! Harshad is next!
While Skyler can't exactly speak with animals, he gets the gist of what Jarik is saying. And lacking any sort of ranged attack due to his own lack of common sense, he instead lets out a blood curdling cry and rushes forward.
"Aw hell, you don't get to run from the consequences of your actions like that!" Reithak shouts. The large egalrin takes a hop, skip and a jump, and they took off with several large flaps of their wings, gaining height, and distance. Reithak manages to skewer the half-fiend, grabbing them with the talons on their feet to shove them off their sword, sending them tumbling down to the snow.
The Nightmare steed lashes out at Jarik in retalliation, rotten teeth tearing a chunk from the boar's hide and its hooves stomping at him, singing fur but failing to leave any lasting marks on the witches transformed flesh.
<OOC> Crik says, "I'll snipe at the rider again and then attempt to move and stealth" <OOC> Crik says, "I get penalties for shooting into melee, right?" <OOC> Thurid says, "-4 unless you have precise shot" <OOC> Harshad says, "Unless you have Precise Shot, yes. Plus, the rider is prone and there's penalties for that as well." <OOC> Thurid says, "The rider is no longer in melee, though" <OOC> Thurid says, "He fell 20' away from Reithak after she knocked him out" <OOC> Harshad says, "True." <OOC> Crik says, "Ah, alright. What's the penalty, -4 still?" <OOC> Thurid says, "So, for example, if you were to shoot the rider who is currently bleeding out from where you are, you would take a -2 penalty for 1 range increment, but no other penalties. If you shoot the horse from where you are standing, it would still be a -2 range increment but also a -4 melee penalty, unless you have the precise shot feat." <OOC> Crik says, "actually, I'll just shoot at the horse." <OOC> Crik says, "nevermind the rider it is" GAME: Crik rolls weapon2-2: (20)+8+-2: 26 (THREAT) <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh actually" <OOC> Thurid says, "Doesn't matter." GAME: Crik rolls weapon2-2: (16)+8+-2: 22 <OOC> Thurid says, "That hits but does not confirm." GAME: Crik rolls weapon2+3d6: 8+(7): 15 <OOC> Thurid says, "And that silences his gurgling death rattle instantly." <OOC> Crik says, "I'll then move and stealth. ._." GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (9)+13: 22 <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll stealth" GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (12)+11: 23 <OOC> Thurid says, "He sees you, because the sniping penalty is no longer countered by distance." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 15. It is now Harshad's turn! Jarik is next! <OOC> Harshad double moves up, dropping crossbow to draw rapier and dagger. <OOC> Harshad says, "And that's all I can do this turn." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 12. It is now Jarik's turn! Bryn is next! <OOC> Jarik says, "Five foot step back, swift to drop Animal Hide, then firing off Ray of Enfeeblement" <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll it."
Crik has never felt as hot whilst being covered in so much cold snow. Despite all his cloaks, it was getting into his feathers - and thanks to his cloaks, the cold moisture was seeping in. He didn't feel any of it.
Gripping his hand crossbow tightly, he nervously aims the tip of his bolt into the frantic melee. Breathing. At the moment when Reithak strikes at the fiend Crik closes his eyes and lets loose. It hits the demon into its hide fatally. The corvid doesn't stay to look at the end result though, already sprinting forward to slam into the next patch of snow, desperately pulling it over himself.
"Yes!" Harshad's voice is rough and triumphant as Reithak takes the winged fiend rider in midair, sending him plummeting to the cold earth and snow. A bolt from Crik finishes the job, but the fight's not done. Seeing Jarik getting chewed on by the nightmare, Harshad drops his crossbow, sprinting forward and drawing his blades. "Hang on, I'm coming!"
GAME: Jarik casts Ray of Enfeeblement. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15 GAME: Jarik rolls 1+1: (19)+1+1: 21 <OOC> Jarik says, "Touch" <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits" GAME: Jarik rolls 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2 <OOC> Jarik says, "Boo.. well, it's something." <OOC> Thurid says, "-2 strength. Pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Bryn's turn! Reithak is next! <OOC> Skyler says, "How badly hurt does he look?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Only light damage so far." <OOC> Skyler says, "Sorry them. Don't want to assume gender and it'd be awkward to peek" <OOC> Bryn moves up a little and will loose a shot at the horse with Arcane Strike. <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, roll it." GAME: Bryn rolls weapon9: (20)+5: 25 (THREAT) GAME: Bryn rolls weapon9: (9)+5: 14 <OOC> Bryn boos. <OOC> Thurid says, "Does not confirm."
The bitten boar backs up a step from the orse, not particularly liking those flaming hooves that got a touch too close. The boar's hide parts and falls back into a normal looking cloak as Jarik returns to his two legged stance. He hisses a sharp word, fingers lacing a patern in front of him, pulled to his chest, then he thrusts his hand out, firing a ray off purple and black at the horse. He nods as the spell settles into place, though doesn't look particularly pleased even as it does.
GAME: Bryn rolls damage9+2: aliased to 1d6+3+2: (1)+3+2: 6 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hurts it, pose it." GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 24. It is now Reithak's turn! Nightmare is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "How long does your bane last?" <OOC> Reithak says, "5 rounds total" <OOC> Thurid thumbs up. "Alrighty, what will you do?"
"Ey! chew on someone yer own..." Bryn starts yelling at the hell-horse, then realizes that the Boar-ed Jarik is not that far off from it. So she quickly switches to "Get offa 'im!" as she moves up and snaps off another vibrating arrow. She isn't quite beating a dead horse, yet... but she -will- be in a moment.
<OOC> Reithak says, "fly over to the other side of the horse, and get a flank up for the others before smacking it" <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, roll it." <OOC> Reithak might trigger an aoo in the process <OOC> Reithak says, "does bane work?" <OOC> Thurid says, "You're 20' up at the minute, and have 40' of movement, so I don't think you'll need to move through a threatened square no matter where you want to be positioned adjacent to the horse. And it does apply, yes." GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+7+2: (10)+7+2: 19 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits" GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+2d6+3: (5)+(7)+3: 15 <OOC> Thurid says, "And hits squarely, but still up. pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 22. It is now Nightmare's turn! Skyler is next!
Reithak flaps over to the other side of the horse, dropping down and into range of the horse. Reithak strikes out with their rapier, hitting true with their blade. "Alright! You all got this, just take it down!"
<OOC> Thurid says, "Horse breathes smoke as free, attacks Reithak as standard, then moves (risking an AoO)" <OOC> Thurid says, "Fort save, Reithak" GAME: Reithak rolls fortitude: (14)+6: 20 <OOC> Thurid says, "Not sickened." GAME: Thurid rolls 8: (18)+8: 26 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d4+4: (3)+4: 7 <OOC> Jarik says, "I wouldn't be able to pull my weapon to take that AoO chance, would I?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Only provokes from Reithak, you'll see why in a moment." <OOC> Thurid says, "And also why I'm an idiot." <OOC> Thurid says, "Taking your AoO, Reithak?" <OOC> Reithak will take it <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll it." <OOC> Reithak says, "any penalties from the smoke other than the sickened?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Miss chance from the smoke." <OOC> Thurid says, "20" <OOC> Reithak says, "low roll misses" GAME: Reithak rolls 1d100: (41): 41 GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+7+2: (5)+7+2: 14 <OOC> Thurid says, "Misses" <OOC> Reithak says, "darn"
The Horse finds itself growing surrounded much like its rider had. It turns as Reithak lands behind her, breathing a cloud of noxious black smoke right in Reithak's beak before lashing out with its rotten teeth to tear feathers and a hunk of bloody flesh from their shoulder. With that it rears up and starts running- at an angle, off the ground, its hoofbeats striking thick black smoke that coalesces beneath them as though they were solid ground as it makes a break for it.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 22. It is now Skyler's turn! Fiendish Rider is next! <OOC> Skyler says, "I mean, not much I can do" <OOC> Skyler says, "Um. Throw a snowball?" <OOC> Skyler says, "Yeah, I'll charge and throw a snowball" <OOC> Thurid says, "Sure!" <OOC> Thurid says, "You could try a rock, even." <OOC> Skyler says, "Can I put the rock in a snowball?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Of course!" <OOC> Skyler says, "HELL YEAH" <OOC> Skyler rolls ranged. <OOC> Skyler says, "That's BAB and Dex, right?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yeah, and -4 for an improvised weapon" GAME: Skyler rolls 1d20+7-4: (6)+7+-4: 9 <OOC> Skyler trombones <OOC> Thurid says, "Hey, it's the thought that counts." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it!" GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 17. It is now Fiendish Rider's turn! Crik is next! GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 17. It is now Crik's turn! Harshad is next! <OOC> Skyler says, "Sec, lemme check something" <OOC> Skyler says, "NM" <OOC> Skyler says, "Menancing Swordplay only works on Melee" <OOC> Thurid says, "Crik, you're up." <OOC> Crik says, "Sniiipe" GAME: Crik rolls weapon2: (20)+8: 28 (THREAT) GAME: Crik rolls weapon2: (17)+8: 25
"HEY!" Skyler looks *mad* as the Nightmare bites and runs, taking to the air. He looks utterly frustrated and angry, "GET BACK HERE! WE'RE GUNNA MAKE YOU INTO SOUP AND GLUE! He dips down, making a snowball around a rock and throws it at the creature.
It whiffs, naturally.
<OOC> Thurid says, "That's a crit." GAME: Crik rolls damage2: aliased to 1d4+0: (3)+0: 3 GAME: Crik rolls damage2+3d6: aliased to 1d4+0+3d6: (1)+0+(10): 11 <OOC> Crik says, "No wait, stealth failed. So just 4." <OOC> Thurid says, "No sneak attack, he saw you yeah." <OOC> Thurid says, "No damage." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it up" GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 15. It is now Harshad's turn! Jarik is next! <OOC> Reithak says, "he still has piercing judgement!" <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh he does!" <OOC> Thurid says, "Light damage, then" <OOC> Crik rolls to establish stealth just in case GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (17)+13: 30 GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (10)+11: 21 <OOC> Harshad is now realizing he shouldn't have dropped his crossbow. <OOC> Thurid says, "Sneakin'" <OOC> Skyler is now realizing he should *get* a crossbow <OOC> Harshad says, "Welp, Harshad runs all the way back to where he left his crossbow, cursing the gods and fiery ugly horses as he goes."
As per usual, Crik is hiding - or attempting to hide, with his black feathered tail poking out - in the snow. When the mean horse gallops towards the sky, the corvid pokes up his head, takes aim and lets loose. Once again, he hits the demonic beast - and once again, he vanishes under the cover of the snow, as if he was never there. White cloaks come handy.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 12. It is now Jarik's turn! Bryn is next! <OOC> Jarik says, "Pulling out the crossbow and shooting" <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll it."
"Oh godsdamnit it FLIES?!" Harshad sounds absolutely infuriated as the nightmare takes off into the air. The half-orc rogue turns to chase after it, breath steaming the air as he sprints past Skyler. "I hate this fucking job sometimes," he grates. "Hate it, hate it-- ahah!" He skids to a halt next to his crossbow, staring up at the nightmare in anticipation.
GAME: Jarik rolls weapon2: (13)+2: 15 <OOC> Thurid says, "That's a wiff, I'm afraid. Any movement?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh drawing was the move, nevermind!" <OOC> Jarik says, "I'll move a little closer, but not too much" GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Bryn's turn! Reithak is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "Is your BaB at least 1, Jarik?" <OOC> Jarik says, "Yeah." <OOC> Thurid says, "Ah it is, yeah that's fine then." <OOC> Thurid says, "Bryn, you're up." <OOC> Jarik says, "Arcane casters at low levels man..." <OOC> Bryn says, "Ok! Will be stepping to Jarik, using CLW on him, and posing." <OOC> Thurid says, "Go for it." GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Five - Init 24. It is now Reithak's turn! Nightmare is next! GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7 <OOC> Reithak says, "moving up, dropping the rapier into a soft looking area, and drawing the heavy flamer, I mean, crossbow." <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, gonna shoot as well?"
As the horse goes flying by.. literally, Jarik lets out another annoyed series of grunts. Even if he's no longer a boar, this one doesn't particularly translate. He's just annoyed. So reaching behind him under his cloak, he whips out his crossbow and takes aim. The bolt goes soaring through the air, and lands in the snow harmlessly.
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits." GAME: Reithak rolls 1d10+2d6: (10)+(8): 18
They fly now? Yep, the horse flies now, too. Brynreally prefers bashing things and getting up close and personal rather than shooting them... and this time doesn't. Instead, she heads over to Jarik, who has been bitten, previously gored, and generally seems to have had a new rent torn in himself in three of the last two outings with him.
She begins short, soft lullaby-like song like used before when everyone was patching themselves up. A hand is placed on his chomped shoulder with a rush of salving magic. Then, with a glint of mischief(?) in her eye and a pique, she leans to add a lick. Maybe more to neck than shoulder, since she's not aiming to tongue clothes or armor.
Maybe its a bit of wit from talk the night before. Maybe she's just in a mood?
Maybe she thinks he might wind up in bloody chunks before the next time she sees him, given his record.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Hanging on by a thread, pose it." GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Five - Init 22. It is now Nightmare's turn! Skyler is next! <OOC> Thurid says, "Anyhow, I'll wait for Reithak's pose."
Reithak is left coughing and sputtering from a cloud of putrid smoke, and the egalrin tries to swing wildly, hitting nothing in the process as she flaps her way out of the cloud. "Get back here, and harry our world no more!" She yells, dropping her rapier and pulling the large crossbow slung under her wings out, aiming, and landing a solid bolt on the horse, causing more damage than expected as it seems ton instinctively curve to a more vital spot on the outsider.
Reithak's parting shot tears a deep rent into the flank of the fleeing nightmare, revealing ribs and guts which spill and drip acrid blood into the snow beneath the path of its flight- but it does not slow, galloping through the air. Ahead of it, dark smoke begins to form into a rough circle. Bolts of red lightning coruscate through the glowing cloud. And then with a whip-crack of thunder and a gout of flame, the smoke bursts open into a visage of one of the killing fields of the lower planes, where the souls of evil mortals are tormented for eternity. The nightmare surges through the portal, which closes behind it with another peal of thunder and a shockwave that rocks the nearby trees.
The cowboy's hat falls, from where it had snagged on a branch during his own fall from the heavens, and lands covering his face.
Jarik kind of just looks at Bryn, as she literally gives him a healing lick and just sort of stares blankly for a moment like his brain is trying to process what just happened. He really has not spent enough time around oruchs full blooded or no to know if that's a thing. Luckily the nightmare planeshifting catches his attention. He shudders slightly at the glimps of the abyssal plane beyond, but lowers his crossbow. "Well, that's one problem solved."
"... And your mother!" Skyler retorts, finishing off a profanity-laden diatribe that began with talk about making the nightmare into glue and ended with some utterly unsavory talk about their mother.
And in one last fit of pique, he grabs another snowball to throw where it was before giving a decisive nod. So there! "Let's check his pockets. Maybe there's a letter or something. If he was stupid enough to die to us, he was stupid enough to carry evidence of craziness."
Harshad shoves his blades away and snatches up the crossbow... just in time to see the nightmare vanish. He stares for a moment, then exhales harshly. "Well... good riddance, I guess." He reslings his crossbow, rubbing the back of his neck as he looks around. Nobody's dead, minimal injuries. He's definitely had worse jobs.
At Skyler's comment, Harshad nods. "Definitely. Turn out the bastard's pockets. Maybe we'll find a few coins as well, before we bury him." A pause, then he looks at Reithak. "Or do we burn him? I don't know how you handle these kinda things."
It takes a few moments, before Crik appears out of the snow near one of the party members. He ruffles his weathers, wipes off snow, rubs his beak and then looks around blankly. "... watch out for the cinders and sulphuric acid." He warns, then pulls out his notebook. "But we should quickly gather any evidence." He nods his head rapidly at Skyler, agreeing. "Do not read anything out loud. Or kiss any visions of maidens or," He looks at the corpse, "Handsome undead people." He offers blank look. "That is how they get your soul." He was the foremost expert in reading esoteric non-fiction, after all.
Bryn doesn't get the chance to give much of a grin at Jarik before she, too, is pulled and surprised by, the plane-trotting horse. "Well, that's different. But gone's gone!" A look back to make sure the rider is still there. "N dead's dead."
She has no clue on what to do with dead half-fiends, and steps through the snow to pick up her big blade. That's not getting left behind. Then she blinks at Crik. "Who'd be kissin -that- thing?!"
Reithak was racking the heavy crossbow back again, which loaded another bolt, but then the horse was gone. "Ah, shit. Hope it doesn't hold a grudge." Reithak grumbles, flapping down to the ground to go pick up and sheathe her rapier again. "Everyone alright?" She wonders.