[Respite] - Factions

[Drackler]

These beasts were larger than the wild boar he had hunted back home, but the same trick should still work. Grimly, Toboran set his spear against the earth and leveled the point at the one of the creatures' chests. He tensed ready to jump aside at any moment.

<OOC-Sets spear for the charging bull (X2 damage on a successful hit)>

[Scrasamax]

Rajani shouted with surprise as the boars burst through the foliage, always having been a creature of the city and the temples, the monsters gave her a fright. Her gelding was a bit more tolerant of the creatures, most likely either the animal knew it could outrun them, or was simply daft in the head. Gripping the reins in her right hand, she made a gesture of blessing across the scattered warriors around her. She called out in the stilting syllabyls of Old Keltish "생활의 축복은 당신에 있고, 태양 빛 당신의 얼굴 일지모른고 그림자에 있는 당신의 적을 배역한다." the words of the blessing floated across her lips, the words, gibberish to all but the initiated wise men and oracles of Endkelton, "사는 그들을 위한 명예와 넘어지는 사람들을 위한 존경!" The prayer completed, she felt the cascade of divine power fulminate through her. For a moment, she could feel the life pounding through the veins of the warriors, of her horse, the breath of the plants, and then it was gone.

Rajani drew the wand from her hip, prepared to make use of it. She held it in a cold grip, her heart high in her throat.

(OOC - Cast Bless on allies (+1 to attack, +1 to resist fear) and prepare Wand of Magic Missle to defend herself if singled out for attack, otherwise will hold spells to heal the wounded)

[Jhoric]

Jhoric held the words of darkness on his tongue as he looked frantically around for a target. He slowly took a step back, searching the burning vegetation for any sign of hostility.

(OOC - Attacking first target in range, +4 Ranged Touch for 2d6 damage)

[valadaar]

A piercing squeal of fright erupted near Balin's magical conflagration, along with the sound of  large beasts retreating.  Jhoric unleashed a bolt of energy in the direction of the squeal and was rewarded by an even louder squeal of pain.

At the front, the two lead swine charged in, with more following.  Dimi fired his crossbow, which he had ready, and the bolt leaped out. It nearly missed, but its sharp head still cut a furrow into the swine's head, sending a small shower of blood shooting up.

The soldiery at front let loose their missile weapons as well, and of the lot, a pair of arrows slammed into the same swine that Dimi had injured.

Neither swine faltered and they charged still closer, their tusks ready to shred manflesh.

Toboron held his spear steady, butt planted solidly.  His tactic worked - the swine in its fury slammed into the spear, driving it hard into its shoulder. The power of the creature caused the spear to creak in protest, but the wood held and the beast began to twist and turn to free itself.
It was successful, but its exertions shredded its shoulder...

The other wounded boar launched itself at Turith, its wounds spurring it to still greater rage. Only a last moment dodge evaded the beasts tusks from rending his flesh.

Dimi dropped the crossbow - loading it would take an eternity in this fight.  Several other of the warriors dropped their bows and ran up to assist. 

Screams echoed from the rear of the group...

<ooc - will post more tomorrow...>

<ooc - Jhoric - caused 7hp damage with his blast.
 Toboron - total 27! - excellent spear damage from first, with thrashing added to the total.
Dimi's bolt did 7 as well..>

<all present now under effect of Rajani's bless...>


<edit: Turith was at front nearly getting gored, not Yethric...>

[Pariah]

"باركيني يا اختان" Dimi screamed as he dropped his bow and drew his scimitar and the kurki, charging headfirst at the boar that Torobon had speared.  "We fight brother!"

[EchoMirage]

Gideon was in the vanguard of the search party, observing the hills of the new world and comparing them to those at home. They sure appeared smilar, and he had to mentally applaud the makers of the gates - to reach to a world so similar to their own was no little effort. The rocks, grass and trees looked like rocks and trees should, and he had to wonder about...

The men around him turned backwards, while shouts sounded from the front of the group. With clatter and claging of his heavy plates the half-ogre turned, sword ready.

"Aah, venison!"

Huge wild hogs ran towards their troupe, eager to rip, shred, and devour. They'd be surprised at who was getting to be eaten!

"Here, piggy!" he yelled at them, stepping forward. "Stand back, and swarm them then" he said to the men around him. Better the boars charge him - while they appeared to be warriors, Gideon was not willing to bet their life on chance when he was stronger, and better armed. Real men do not care about a scar here or a broken bone there.

(sword drawn, I wait: the first piggy in range gets hacked; as soon as it closes to attack me, it will get my attack of opportunity too)

[valadaar]

<minor edit - the pigs burst into view at close range - only Balin's warning prevented total surprise.>

As one of the crazed beasts lunged toward Gideon, he swung his massive great sword like an axe. It slammed solidly into porcine shoulder, barely missing the beasts head.  The blade carved a deep wound but the beast carried own and slashed upwards with its tusks.  However, the critter's mean eyes were spattered by its own blood, and it managed to miss the nearly-immobile half-ogre.

Kerevour was heeding the half-ogre's advice - the warrior seemed capable enough to deal with the swine he thought. His thought lasted only a moment as a third red-skinned swine tore through the underbrush beside him and slashed him with its tusks.  His leather armor yielded to the blow and he was sent hurtling in a shower of gore.

His friend Morush stood first in shock at Kerevour's fate and then at the sight of a small swarm of piglets launching themselves at him.  He swung his blade and split the skull of the first, and the other two ran into his shield. Piglets, he thought?

Round 2!

Same init order will be used for this battle, Gideon is just before the swine, otherwise the same.  Please PM me your actions or post your attempts.  Am assuming standard attacks against the most obvious foe for the fighters, but really need input from the mages. 

No obvious foes at the middle currently.



EDIT: Balin is first on init order, with a nicely blazing sphere...

[Hrofgar]

"Tsu' wlluth gnst!"

As his arcane syllables rang out a ball of magical flame grew in his hands. It was sure to melt the flesh of these beasts but he felt no lethal heat from it. He tossed the now rather large ball onto the ground and sent it rolling away towards the nearest of the beasts, his other one soon followed by his mental command.

CORRECTION: Balin realized that he could do those actions in that space of time and that there were no nearby creatures. So at the last moment he change his mind and instead hurried toward the rear keeping his sphere in front of him.

[Drackler]

Seeing weakness, Toboran lunged at the injured boar spear first. Best kill one and then attend to the others.

[Scrasamax]

The wand felt light and cool in her hand, a living thing, a living weapon of Endkekelton, likely one of the only ones to survive. Rajani gripped the wand tight, the ridges of the arunwood creasing her palm. She flicked the willow thin green length of enchanted wood, her aim going to one of the beastly swine rampaging among the back of the group. Seeing the blood and gore, she pulled the reins even as the sizzling shaft of arcane force left the end of the wand like the crack of a whip.

Time to see to the wounded before it becomes seeing to the dead, she thought as she urged the gelding to turn around and head back to where an iron-clad giant of a man seemed to be anchoring the line against the pigs.

(OOC - potshot a pig with a Magic Missle from her wand, then move towards rear group of NPCs. Looking at the men to see who is in need that she might be able to reach)

[EchoMirage]

"Don't fight back, food!" Gideon shouted as he chopped and hacked at the pig while he stepped between it and the wounded Kerevour. The things were quick little hellions, for sure; it would avail them not against a true Northerner.
As he learned in the army, he added "One man down!" to let the priests know where to direct their efforts.

By Ingrimm's fire and steel! "I chopped down a devil, I will not yield to some porcine, uh, perpetuator!"

[valadaar]

Front...

Toboran lunged at the swine, his spear striking the beast yet again, driving it into it's side and eliciting an enraged squeal.

Turith was being hard pressed by the beast attacking him, and two of the warriors at it, though only one one managed to strike it a glancing blow with an axe.

Taking advantage of Toboran's foes pain, Dimi swung his weapons at the beast's exposed throat. The scimitar glanced off the beast's tough hide, but the kuri plunged deep into its neck, an obviously mortal wound.

But not obvious to the swine, who kept attacking. 

Jhoric, who had not seen any targets nearby, moved up front to assist in the battle, and got there in time to see Toboran being attacked.  With sudden fury, he unleashed a second bolt of energy that struck the boar.  It stood for a moment as if poleaxed, and then dropped.

However, oblivious to the axe strike it received, the boar harrying Turith pushed its attack and gored him - knocking him down, apparently unconcious and very bloody.

Balin arrived at this time, and quicky directed the sphere to block the boar from the wounded Turic.  The beast was startled by the flame, moreso when it's heat singed its wirey hair.

<rear>
Gideon swung his fell blade again and this time landed a strike truly mortal - His blade stuck the beast across the throat and severed the boars' head, sending it into the underbrush.  The second boar lunged at him, perhaps to seek vengance, but Gideon flicked his sword into the beast's path, carving a furrow in it's flesh.

Undeterred, the swine charged the half ogre with fury and connected with a savage blow <10 HP to Gideon>. Gideon staggered, but still managed to score again against the boar - a severe, but not telling blow.

Morush slashed at the remaining piglets, and in a pair of swings, dispatched them both.  He heard a loud bellow and still another beast charged into the fray, a sow of elephantine proportions!

Rajani made it to the rear at this point, and seeing the monsterous pig, sent a small bolt of magic into the grotesque creature's.  The sow, intent on Morush, ignored the pinprick and carried on its charge.
 
Round 3 to start soon.

1 Swine, mildly wounded at the front.
1 Massive Sow, 2 Swine at rear.
No PCs remaining in middle group.

Please declare actions - especially the mages.

Toboron inflicted 7 HP with his spear
Dimi 5 with his dagger
Gideon scored a critical hit which did a ridiculous amount of damage - 36! Plus two more for 12 and 15. Yes - I gave him an extra attack due to my missing an attack of opportunity last round.
Jhoric did 11 with his bolt.
Balin did 5 hp with his sphere, and has roasted a lot of underbrush.
Rajani did 4 with her magic missile.

[Scrasamax]

to the gods, these animals stank, Rajani though as the battle swirled, the air littered with the squeals of fat pigs and the wails of the injured and shouts of the leaders...

"One man down!"

Rajani dismounted, keeping the gelding between her and the pigs, approaching the wounded man, she knelt, the words of healing on her lips.

(OOC - dismount and Cure Minor Wounds on Kerevour, need to stabilize him to make sure he doesnt bleed to death)

[Hrofgar]

^{"Sphaera Flamma"}

Balin mumbled the magic words of power to unleash yet another ball of fire. He conjured it on the pig and directed his original one to join it in overlapping on the pork.

[valadaar]

Kou'rha stopped at his uncles call.

"What would have me do, uncle?"

"You have shown great progress over the last few days, and there is one more test for you before you set out on your quest.

You know the easternmost temple, where I and others have directed none to go? Go there. Now!"

Kou'rha was surprised by this, both the request, and the intensity of his uncles voice.  He stood there for a moment, pausing in his uncertainty.  Was this request itself the test?

For the Alun any hallowed location is called a temple, even if there is no structure present at all to mark it.

[valadaar]

Balin's spell erupted directly upon the swine, enveloping the beast in fire, and the existing ball rolled into the unfortunate beast, unleashing still more heat before the spell winked out. The smell of burning hair mingled with that of cooked pork... The beast recoiled and a look of wild panic filled its small, cruel eyes.

Flaming spheres inflicted 11 more points damage to the swine.
Toboron up!

[EchoMirage]

"There can be too much of a good thing, I see" Gideon noted as the huge mass of porcine fury burst from the undergrowth.

The funny thing was, getting killed by pigs would have about the same effect like falling prey to the demons back home. While the thought crossed his mind, another stood in firm opposition to it. 'Men of the the Forthenmark fear no death, only dishonor.'

"Finish the stragglers, men, I will go greet mama pork! Please, priestess, prepare some blessings to get me fighting again should I fall."

[Drackler]

With a cry of delight Toboran leapt forward and thrust at the pig in front of him.
"The hunt is good, but the feast will be better!"

[valadaar]

Toboron's spear struck the beast like thunder, striking the beast through one of its small eyes and through to it's brain. Without further protest, the swine settled to the ground and twiched, drawing the spear with it.

With a practiced yank he hauled his spear out, spattering blood, brains and bits of bone.

At the beasts' fall, and seeing no further opponents, the others turned back to the rear, where the sounds of battle still raged.

Natural 20, total 27hp damage.  Need to start using different dice!
no line of sight to enemy for Balin, Dimi or Jhoric.  Please let me know your actions however. This is not _quite_ over...

[valadaar]

Morush looked upon the gigantic sow with horror as it lunged toward him, tuskless maw open displaying its many stained teeth.

Gideon, having turned his attention to the gigantic, moved in to skewer it with his greatsword.

With speed belying its size it rushed Morush, and its speed nearly made Gideon miss his mark - only the guiding hand of Rajani's god allows him to score the beast, though it was a mere scratch.  The sword tip barely pierced the thick blubber and its charge was unimpeded.  The impact took Murosh off his feet - sparing him from being engulfed by the swine's mouth, but he slammed hard into the tree behind him and was still.

Now the vast sow turned its head toward Gideon with primal rage in its eyes.


Gideon inflicted 18 points.

[Jhoric]

Jhoric didn't see anything else to blast, but was still feeling a little frenzied because of the high he got from using the powers of darkness. However, he did see his allies moving to the rear. He could hear signs of a continuing struggle. He was needed there. After another quick glance around he hurried after the rest.

[EchoMirage]

Oh heavens. The pig's abundant blubber, much more pronounced than Waldemar the innkeep's (and, Gideon realized, this was the first time that Walde came up second in the terms of lard) provided protection unmatched by many a manmade armor.

"I'll roast your snout, you olfactory miscreant!" he added as he cleaved right there, to the sow's exposed head. Like any man who ever brawled with ol' Waldemar knew, a punch to the nose may succeed where a dozen blows to his abundant belly failed.

[valadaar]

Vletch and Wonschakgle held the other two swine at bay - their good mail and shields holding up against the two swine.  Their intervention had freed Gideon to intervene against the massive sow that was now bringing havock.

The sound of a thunderbolt split the air as a silver bolt intersected the great sow.  A piggish squeal of pain and outrage followed the thunder nearly instantly, but the scream was not mortal.  Yethric cursed as the beast sensed he was the source of the bolt and had drawn the sows attention away from Gideon.

Rajani made it to the savaged Kerevour even as Morush was dashed against the tree.  Seeing there was hope for the mauled Morush, she called upon her diety to assist.  At her touch, Morush's breathing became more regular and the deathlike pallor he had already assumed began to warm.

But she had no further time for him, procine hell was about.

Morush stablized.  Sow took significant lightning damage, but not enough.
Next round, all PCs can act against Big Mama and the two remaining swine.  Those that act before the 2 'small' swine may flank them as the NPCs are taking their primary attention.  Big Mama's in the open and is turning to face Yethric, oblivious of the others.  She didn't like getting zapped...

Since casters have a number of targets, please let me know your intents.

[Hrofgar]

Hearing the sounds of battle in the rear Balin headed of in that direction as fast as he could while mentally guiding his sphere with him.

[Drackler]

The taste of battle laying like sweet nectar on his tongue, Toboran charged rearward to find yet another swine.

<OOC-Going towards the rear, will attack any pigs that I see.>