The Necromancer's Pact VII: Lake of Tears II

[bhdrake]

Lumpy

Wordlessly, Lumpy starts walking himself, moving to interpose himself between the Werewolf and his quarry. A sober look crosses his face as he lays one gnarled hand on the haft of his weapon, flipping it back over his neck into position.

He wasn't quite sure what the whole story was with this, but it didn't entirely matter. He'd given his word to those women, not more than a few days go, and by damn, he'd hold to it. Even if it meant facing down something so obviously lethal. He could always get his answers if he happened to survive the encounter.

[kariokie]

Nyssa

It was tumbling out of control so quickly. And there seemed to be one decision left to Nyssa: fight, or not.

"He lays a hand on anyone else, I fight," she whispers to Kiah and Thokk, her voice carrying through the night.

She looks to her brother, letting him know she planned to act. It was ill-advised, but her other option was to watch that girl be murdered for an act she didn't even seem to recall. There was no way Katrin was a match for the werewolf, he'd torn Thokk apart in seconds.

{Trigger -- if the worgs attack, cast Scare on two.}

[dauphinous]

Delphinia

She already had another arrow ready. Then a very bright light shone from behind her. And now all the worgs were running. Delphinia turned slowly, just in time to see Tiriel-as-an-angel shrink back into Tiriel. And she almost put that arrow into Tiriel's back. "What the hell have you done," she shouts, angry and snarling. It takes every ounce of willpower she has to lower the arrow from her bow. With barely suppressed rage, she continues to shout at Tiriel. "They're running away, you flying- feathered- winged- glowing-" She lets out a loud, exasperated sound. "FREAK oF NATURE! They're escaping, and it's your fault! They're off to murder another village, another clan, and it's your fault! Those damn red-eyed devils from hell are on the loose, and it's YOUR FAULT!" Tears are now leaking down her angry, weathered face, and her hands are trembling.

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

*Thokk, woozy from the fight, took several steps with Kiah but kept looking back*

'What in the blazes is goin on?"

[Yoric_Steele]

Trinark

Still watching the events, Trinark remains near the back entralled by spectacle.

Many things are not as they seem...

Content to watch until called upon, Trinark watches the wolves fall back away from the main group. The two women at the edge of the forest intrigued him, he knew they must be up to someting.

[kuja.girl]

Tiriel

Well crap.

Tiriel looks down at Callos, who seems to be in shock, as Delphina unleashes her rage-swollen tounge at her.

I save the one who caused all the trouble in the first place and he looks like he's just seen something horrible, and now the ranger is screaming at me for scaring away the pack that treed us. She doesn't know what to say to Delphina yet, she's not even sure she understands the halfling. As far as Tiriel knows, it's usualy considered a GOOD thing when bad-things go away.

So Tiriel ignores the raging halfling for now and looking down at Callos asks, "Hey are you okay? That was a pretty stupid thing to do.
When Delphina stops speaking Tiriel calls up to her, "They hadn't done us any harm yet, and, well, I just thought it'd be better to get back to the others before we started a fight."

[Ludo]

Nolan

Nolan catches Nyssa's eye. Well OF COURSE you're going to do something. Which means that Nolan will take action as well. Knowing that his attacks won't do much in the way of damage, Nolan prepares to rush forward and harry the werewolf lord with his flaming staff should a fight break out.

[Ready action: Aid other, Trigger: Werewolf Lord attacks party member]

[Phasm]

Lissa

Lissa blinks furiously, wiping eyes made watery and half-blind from Tiriel's light show. Well, my guess was right after all! So much for her keeping it a secret now, though. Once her eyes have cleared enough to see, the agile rogue retrieves her rope and carefully pushes each dog out of the tree, (apologizing the whole time) rump-first into a snowbank. She scrambles down the tree like a squirrel, grinning at Tiriel.

"Angel-blooded, eh? I figured you as such way back when we first met... never said anything, since you obviously wanted to keep it a secret." As Delphinia rants at the bewildered Tiriel, Lissa sizes up the situation and coolly picks up a double handful of snow. She then proceeds to mold it into a very large, loosely packed snowball... and shoves the snowball into Delphinia's face. "Obviously, you need some help cooling your temper. Is it cooled down now, or shall I help out some more?", Lissa inquires in a politely inquisitive tone.

[runehawk]

Lizardkin Druid

The lizardkin had watched the werewolf manhandle and toss the dwarf warrior aside with a sense of relief but anger welled up in him as he saw Walks-in-Shadows and Fire-arrow be surrounded.

That is not a duel...

His neck and head spines stand erect as he raises two hands and begins to chant. Roots and plants rise up and Entangle some of the wargs approaching from the side.

OOC: center it on the wargs to the side. Maximum number posssible.

He looks at Trinark, as if in farewell.
"I will not allow them to die"
He then casts Barkskin, Cat's Grace and Flameblade on himself before charging at the werewolf lord.

"SEMUUUAAANYAAA!"

OOC: New AC: 27 for werewolf lord, 26 for everyone else
New reflexsave: +8
Unless he has fire resistance, I do full dmg at AC 13 for him.

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

"Ach lass, but we need to save her!"

*Thokk watches as the Druid prepares and then charges the werewolf lord himself, without additional help*

"Damnit, he is not going in alone! Kiah, Enchant me sword and heal the rest of me, NOW! He wont go in alone! Lumpy, get yer ass up and charge the beast, or if ye think hes too much of a challange then take out the worgs on the side with yer big pointy stick!"

[bhdrake]

Lumpy

Again with this; they never seem to learn. That's enough, I'm tired of it.

Lumpy's face curls into a snarl as Thokk goads him on. For a moment, it looks as if he's prepared to do just as the dwarf says, but it becomes quite evident that his ire is directed at Thokk himself. His voice is heavy with vitriol,

"Idiot dwarf! Charge, charge, charge! Ain't ya figured out yet that that just gets ya killed?! What part of splitting up one group against a superior fighter and another against superior numbers strikes yer thick skull as a good idea?! Ain't it ever occurred ta ya that facing threats as a cohesive group might be better than ramming yer damned head into them repeatedly?!"

His scowl deepens as he injects even more force into his voice,

"There's two options! Either you and the druid" He glances at Ssathiya as well, making it clear he's as much a target of his wrath as Thokk, "fight unneccessarily alone and die there, or ya get back here and help the rest'a us fight. Blind agression ain't gonna back them down, and it ain't gonna beat them, so get yer head outta yer ass!"

[HempRope]

Achkby, Halfling Sorcerer

"Dammit, Druid!" yells Achkby, cursing as best he can in Draconic. He doesn't admit he's almost as eager to fight this beast, but for Thokk, not Kiah and Katrin.

His voice drops in volume, and he begins a low, guttural chant. He gestures methodically, gathering all of the magical power he can muster together inyo a tiny green light hovering before him. With a cry, Achkby flings out his arm, and the light spirals away towards the werewolf lord, striking him in the back and seeking into his muscles, sapping his enormous strength.

[red][OOC]
Achkby casts Empowered Ray of Enfeeblement
Ranged Touch Attack (1d20+6=15)
Strength Drain (1.5*1d6+3=10.5)
AC: 15 :( HP: 22 :(
[/red]Whew. Now he only has, like, 22 Str. :P
[red][/OOC][/red]

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos DeTerran

She's talking to you, you know....

With a series of rapid blinks the necromancer drew himself out of his own mind and looked up at Tiriel. What did she want? There was a wistful look in his eyes as he pulled himself up unto his feet and brushed himself off. As blatantly ignoring the question as one could he began to look around before looking back at Tiriel and the halfling ranger.

"Rip each others throats out back at camp for all I care but we need to get back there. This business of wolves is...where is the camp at?"

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

'Ach then lad, Im right beside ye. Thats the first intelligent remark out o' yer mouth yet"

[Lost Sage]

Kiah

Watching Achkby's ray strike the werewolf was it. No way out now. As Thokk makes noises about charging she scolds him sharply:

"Thokk! we need you in the defense formation!"

Nevertheless, she reaches over to enhance his sword.

"Hold that sword still! I can't touch it if you wave it around like that."

(OOC: Kiah casts magic weapon on Thokk's sword)
EDIT: grammar

[Erikkin]

Fizahn:

Fizahn follows Lumpy on his route toward the worgs. He raises his crossbow and after seeing Achkby cast magic, shoots at one of the worgs.

OOC: I will post rolls later because my internet is being uncooperative.

[dauphinous]

Delphinia freezes, then reaches up a hand to wipe the snow off her face. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

She was blazing with righteous fury at Orrin. ‘How could you let them go? They slaughter innocent people, and it will be on your head. They can’t be reasoned with! You’re a complete fool, you self righteous- nature loving- overtrusting- hells be damned druid! Go find a damned tree to save, and leave the people to me!’

Then he threw a cup of water in her face; cold, almost frozen water. ‘Calm down, Nia. Just cool down. You always get so worked up over goblins. It’s bad for your health.’

”Gladi, Heel.” Her words clipped and voice strained, she drops the arrow in her hand back into her quiver and slings it onto her shoulder. She takes a quick look around. Nostrils flared but voice now calm, she says, ”we might as well get back to camp now.”

[Spaz]

Yix

Yix seeing now that everyone is acting, decides to jump on the band wagon. He rushes over to where Achkby, he takes up a fighting stance with his tail flitting back and forth with anticipation. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. Yix wordlessly explains to Achkby

[Dr._Bob]

Delphinia glares at Lissa, the two women standing pretty much eye to eye while Callos and Tiriel stand by uncomfortably. (Callos seems distracted and Tiriel looks almost sheepish.) Taking a deep breath, Delphinia reins in her fury and reorients herself to lead the others back to their companions.

The riding dogs are thrilled to be down out of the tree. Each marks one side of the tree for good measure.

The owl leads the way out of the forest. If the "wolves" are anywhere nearby, there is no sign or sound to indicate their presence.

The four of you break out at the edge of the forest about a hundred yards from a confusing scene. The rest of your party appears to be involved in some sort of standoff with a half-wolf humanoid and a large pack of wolf creatures ...

[hr]
Lumpy has organized the party into a rough phalanx, with himself, Hajih and Nolan in the center, Aeroz and Fizahn flanking to the sides, and Elthan, Nyssa, and Kiah standing behind. The forest's edge and the wolf/worg pack are about 30 yards in front of the group.

Thokk, bloody and wild-eyed, almost has to be restrained from charging on his own. He pauses long enough for Kiah to enchant his sword.

This pause, unfortunately, is long enough for the lizardman, Yix and Achkby to break ranks and begin to charge towards the werewolf lord.

The werewolf lord's back is to them as he confronts Katrin and Si'rene at the forest's edge, so he is initially unaware of the approaching lizardman and halfling. The wolves/worgs have edged forward, forming a semicircle behind Katrin and Si'rene, blocking any escape. They bark a warning, and the werewolf lord half turns just before he is struck by Achkby's ray of enfeeblement.

The werewolf lord shudders as he is weakened, but he turns fully to face the onrushing lizardman, growling a command to his pack that keeps them frozen in place.

As the werewolf lord prepares to meet the druid's attack, Si'rene fires a white arrow that sails over the werewolf's shoulder and strikes the lizardman!

"Stop it!" she shouts. "This bloodshed is pointless!"




OOC: The lizardman takes 9 points of nonlethal damage and needs to make a DC 11 Will save to avoid falling asleep. If he makes his save AND decides to ignore Si'rene's shout, he will deal damage as posted previously.

[HempRope]

Achkby, Halfling Sorcerer

Achkby, not realizing that in his rage he had approached the massive abomination only moments before mutilating Thokk, freezes in fright as his vulnerability dawns on him.
"C'mon, Yix!" he urges his draconic protector, and quickly turns to scurry back behind the impromptu phalanx, in his haste not even noticing Si'rene's attack on the Druid.

[Spaz]

Yix

Hearing Achkby's call Yix plants his feet into the ground to stop himself. He then cautiously backs away from the werewolf lord, hopefully towards some sort of safety.

[Zeal]

Hajih

Hajih shakes his head “This has gone from bad to worse and from worse to oh-dear-gods-save-us… I need a drink.”

[Ludo]

Nolan

What the– Nolan stops short at Si'rene's shout. "Someone remind me whose side she's on again.

[kariokie]

Nyssa

Well, I'm at least curious as to her reasoning. Nyssa shouts, "Do you have an alternative to this 'pointless bloodshed,' Si'rene?"

Nyssa quietly asides to the group, "I certainly hope she does not select to shoot me next."

With a quick thought, she calls Orestes to her, knowing the others are close before they even emerge from the woods. If no one else in the group notices their presence, she indicates them with a gesture. "At least one there is very angry..."

[runehawk]

Lizardkin Druid... and schmuck

The arrow slams into him with seemingly more force than it should have possessed.

A wave of fatigue washes over him with the cold realization that the arrow was magical. He almost dropped down to his knees.

The visage of the werewolf and his inherent stubborness made him stagger upright and fight the feeling of sleepiness that passes.

He found himself saying
"Stay away from them"
although he was utterly confued as to his own packmates actions. He doesn't back down away from the werewolf and he stands there baring his teeth.

[Dr._Bob]

The werewolf lord eyes the druid intensely. His red eyes are filled, not with hatred or rage, but with curiosity. He looks over the lizardman's claws, reptilian features, and tail as if trying to figure out if the druid is some kind of lycanthropic hybrid too.

The werewolf lord steps aside and allows Si'rene to escort Katrin back to the main party. Katrin looks shaken and confused. Her face, hair and hands remain bloodstained (though her clothing is not).

Once Katrin and Si'rene have reached the main party, along with Achkby and Yix, the werewolf lord speaks to your party.

"The metamorphosis is disorienting for those not born to it. She will not remember (and I do not hold her responsible for) her actions while in her weirded form.

"I had thought that the shadowcat was one of your pets," nodding towards Orestes as the owl lands on Nyssa's shoulder. "It had not occured to me that she was one of us."

As the werewolf lord speaks, the wolves of the wood step forward, until nearly 30 of them stand behind their leader. Five of the wolves transform into hybrids as they approach, until you are facing six werewolf hybrids (five plus the werewolf lord) and two dozen large wolves (or worgs perhaps). (A half dozen more wolves remain at the forest's edge, struggling to break free of vines entangling them.)

Nodding to Thokk, he adds, "Blood has been shed for blood. No debt remains between us."

Gesturing to his pack members, he continues, "But if your pack wants to make war with mine, we can settle this right now."


[hr]
Callos, Delphinia, Tiriel and Lissa remain just at the forest's edge, observing the standoff from a safe distance. When the wolves break cover, the four of you and your dogs find yourselves behind the pack, off to their right flank.

[runehawk]

Lizardkin Druid

The druid waits for the two humans to reach him unharmed
He backsteps as Si'rene and Katrin pass him. Facing the wolves in case of a sudden attack.

Once it was clear that the wrewolf lord was no longer going to harm them, he dismisses the entangle spell.

He remains confused over many things. The night's events. The demand for the magic-user that the others called Cal-los. The attack by his own packmate. And now the words of the wolfman shapechanger.

...shadowcat?...one of them?...

His simple mind dealt with survival and matters of the Balance..of the things sacred to Semuanya. The events of the night would have to be patiently explained to him by Cloudhair much later.

He thanked his God for small blessings.

They were still alive.

[bhdrake]

Lumpy

Lumpy retrieves his polearm and resumes leaning against it, just as content to see the fighting over abruptly as he would have been to end it himself,

"Nah, I think we're all fine with that. _{Except maybe the dwarf}"

THe burly orc glances around a bit, taking a head-count, "Soon as we collect our missing pa- members, I reckon we can move on down the road and outta yer.. err.. hair. Ya ain't eaten none'a them, have ya?"

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos

When he and the other three had come slinking out of the woods across from the rest of his ravelling companions he was elated at first. But when he took a closer look at the situation and saw the man-wolf hybrids and all of what assumed where regular wolves he realized just how wrong he was.

Holding a hand up so that all four of them stayed the necromancer laid down that hand on the halfling ranger's shoulder squeezing iti lightly.

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

"Ach, very well. Ye fight well, Beast. Twas an honor"

*Thokk gives the werewolf lord a deep bow, then rejoins the rest of the company*