Darkworld IC

[Zed's Dead]

The Lead Wolf yowlps twice, and the entire pack surges ahead as a unit. There is a perfect precision about the attack which suggests they hunt this way often. A pack of this size must hunt successfully every day in order to survive, and they are obviously good at killing.

It is a slaughter. Every visible target is attacked by at least one set of snapping jaws. Jeb falls under the sharp, slashing teeth of two wolves. Imbrus, lying helpless, has his throat torn out and his intestines unraveled by a pair of black wolves. Vululf is torn in half by two young wolf rivals like a wishbone under the dinner table. His spine snaps audibly over the growls of the wolves and the moans of the dying.

You hear other caravanners screaming and shouting useless pleas and prayers as they are ripped limb from limb by the wolves and then tossed aside to bleed to death on the snow.

Three wolves growl and rip at Elva.

Spoiler

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Elva takes 17 damage.

Uluia, Meg, Gray, Elva, and Arlen are the only surviving members of the party above ground.

Perhaps the most crushing fact is that four wolves have completely blocked the cave entrance.

Uluia skewers one wolf who is closing on Meg--not killing, but maiming the savage beast. Her eyes are bright with desperation.

They've cut us off! There is no escape! Daar! Kraalkar! Close the entrance to the cave!

Meg takes a steps over Imbrus' corpse and chants something in a language none of you has ever heard before. She brings the tips of her firebrands together in front of her face and begins to blow with all her might. After two breaths, the firebrands glow orange. One more breath brings their fire to life. Then, a jet of flame, seemingly eminating from her mouth, crackles through the cold night air. Almost instantly, all of the wolves in front of the cave entrance, as well as two in the woods 50 feet away, burst into flame. The immolation is quick and complete. In moments, there are only smoking, blackened carcasses where five wolves once stood.

Burn! Burn! Die in the flames of Hel!

The Lead Wolf Yowls in surprise.

End Round Nine. Begin Round Ten.