Quinton's face is a twisted mask of rage and agony as he stares at Seid. His lips part as an arcane word escapes them and an oval void of purple appears behind him. The wizard steps backwards into it, but as he does so the chain around his neck suddenly snaps an the nine-pointed star slips from it, falling to the ground with a clunk. Quinton's eyes widen and his mouth opens in a noiseless exclamation of dismay, but it is too late. The portal swallows him up and he vanishes from sight.
The other wizard, atop the outer platform, rushes around the side, plucks a rotten edge from his component pouch and hurls it at the group gathered near Quinton. Another incantation is uttered and the vile green cloud of gas springs up around Bründir, Seid, Thurston and Vark. The dwarf toughs it out, but the others are left retching and reeling from the nauseating gas.
Thurston is cursing on his mother tongue, seeing Quinton dissapearing, when the foul cloud appears and he swallows the stenching fumes.
He moves out of it, coughing and reeking. He throws up as soon as he clears it, with both hands on his kneels. After coughing a couple of times more he cleans his mouth with one hand muttering
"There goes breakfast... "
"Try to spread out!" he yells to the others. "Please Thor allow me to destroy these wizards and rid the world for their stench."A distant rumble can be heard and thurston feels a wind around him, moving his cape and helping him protect himself.
The junior wizards hurry to assist their masters, gathering around the columns for cover.
One of them launches a fire bolt at Thurston, but the mantle of wind casts it aside.
Another dashes from one pillar to another, while the other five all hurl fire bolts at the traitor, Seid.
Seid takes a total of 22 points of fire damage to vigour and 1 point of fire damage to wounds -> 0/26 Vigour, 15/16 Wounds
The wizard is pummelled by attacks from all sides and the unpleasantly familiar smell of burned flesh begins to fill the air as his right leg chars. However, before he can even react, Hurrig is atop the outer walkway and utters a healing word, sending Moradin's blessings to bolster his ally.
Seid is healed for 3 vigour and 1 wound -> 3/26 Vigour, 16/16 Wounds
Bründir, Vark and Jex also feel the blessings of the dwarven God with them.
Jex steps back as he spies one of the wizards moving back around the party. He sees an exposed leg as the wizards human gaze fails to penetrate the darkness leaves him exposed. Jex has all the time in the world to place his shot and his arrow embeds itself deep in the groin of the man.
Vark is still distraught at the protective magic redirecting his attack. Meanwhile his newfound friend Seid gets devastated by a barrage of fire, causing the hysteria to rise even further within Vark like an icy stone in his throat. Maybe he should focus on those other mages in the sidelines? But if they can knock Quinton out, maybe the others will stop? Part of him wants to go over and protect Seid, yet another thought tells him that there’s nothing the young sorcerer can do to help. Wind whips up around Vark as he struggles to decide, and the sounds of battle fade into his own staccato heartbeat pulsing in his ears. But then in an instant, it all stops. Time stalls as his hands begin to move of their own accord in slow motion. At first Vark is worried this is more of Quinton’s magic at work, but then the familiar chill runs down his spine. Matthew. It made sense that his mysterious passenger would choose this moment to take control, and Vark is almost relieved. The surge of power turns from ice to fiery warmth, and he smiles as he allows it to fill his body. As the chaos around him begins to swirl back into full throttle Vark thinks a silent “Thank you.” Before he closes his eyes and lets his conscious slip into darkness.
Vark's eyes snap open and they blaze with red light. It pours from every inch of his body, painting his surroundings a baleful crimson. The half-orc takes a step forwards and the skin around his eyes begins to crack and fracture like cooling magma, revealing fissures that glow a dull orange. He takes another step forwards and his foot leaves the stone marked with soot and embers.
As the sorceror marches inexorably up towards the nine-pointed star in the centre of the chamber, the pattern spreads from his face and down his neck. By the time he passes Seid, his arms are throbbing with the power barely contained beneath his skin.
He reaches down and lifts the star-shaped sigil that has fallen from around Quinton's neck. It must be heavy, but Vark plucks it from the ground as easily as Thurston or Valaith might.
He reaches the top of the stairs and there is an indent in the structure matching the shape of the sigil. He places the key in its lock and turns.
There's a dull rumble and then the piercing screech of metal on metal resonates around the chamber as the adamantine spiral rotates and retracts. The air swirls above it and a howling gale fills the room, centred on a whirlwind directly above the opening.
Blood red smoke pours up out of the inside of the adamantine shell, and is funnelled away into the sky. Simultaneously, Vark throws his head back and a torrent of the same miasma cascades from his eyes, mouth and nose, joining the rest in the air above him.
When it's finally over, the light fades from within Vark and his hand opens to reveal Matthew's bloodstone clutched so tightly within his palm that the half-orc's nails have drawn blood. It tumbles to the ground and shatters on the steps with a tinkling of shards. A moment later Vark's legs give out and he too crumples unconscious onto the floor.
Seid gasps and begins dry heaving as the overwhelming stench fills his nostrils. He glances up just in time to see Quinton step back into that purple portal. "NO!" He tries to stumble towards the man to prevent his escape, but another wave of nausea knocks him back to his knees and he empties his stomach onto the cold stone floor. He wipes his mouth as he stands just in time to see numerous bolts of fire streaking his way in the darkness. His eyes widen as he attempts to dodge the projectiles, ducking and juking but several of them still hammer him from all directions. While the magical protection around him prevents most of them from scorching his skin, the last one burns deep into the flesh of his thigh. Seid cries out as his joint falters from the pain and he falls to one knee. He's left trembling in agony and fury at his failure to stop Quinton and looks up to see Vark approaching. Something about the young half-orc seemed different; it was his eyes. "Vark? What are you doing?"
Seid stands as Vark passes by him. "Vark...I--" His eyes widen as Vark picks up the implement. "Vark! NO!" Before the wizard could reach him, Vark turns the key and Seid has to throw up his arms around his face against the vortex of anger the fills the area. Seid rushes forward out of the miasma and catches Vark just as he begins to collapse. He slowly lowers the young man to the ground and takes cover lower to the ground next to him, relieved to see he was still breathing.Seid looks up towards the exit where whatever had once been contained within this tomb had escaped. "What have you done, my friend?"
Bründir has barely a moment to realize what happened. As he looked to the center of the chamber, he could only manage a shocked, "Oh shite..." Before rushing down the stairs behind Thurston. Quinton had escaped, but another wizard posed a much more immediate threat. He raised his shield in anticipation of more arcane tricks and called to his comrade, "Go, go, go! Break 'is 'ands, knock 'is teeth out, kill that bastard!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The second wizard looks like he's about to cast another spell, but freezes in astonishment as Vark opens the prison and unleashes the cloud of red smoke into the air. Changing tack, he fishes a vial of dark red liquid from his belt and hurls at the ground between Thurston and Bründir, uttering words of power in a foul tongue as he scurries away from them. The liquid flows out in all directions, forming a pentagram that flashes orange. A billowing cloud of smoke erupts from the ground and a tall humanoid covered in sharp barbs, spines, and hooks appears. Its gleaming eyes focus on Bründir and it charges towards the dwarf with a blood curdling scream.
Two wicked claws arc through the air towards him, but he dodges both. The monster brings its tail barbed tail around to strike from behind, but Bründir catches it on Karakarin at the last moment. The adamantine shield rings with the impact, but is undamaged. In the dwarf's other hand Dumdrengi begins to glow a brilliant bright blue.
“Vark what are you doing?!” Yells Thurston when he sees his friend walking towards the sigil. He looks confused how the red smoke thing is freed and feeling frustrated and betrayed he takes a step towards Vark. But then a new threat appears as the wizard uses his foul magic to summon a demon, and the creature doesn’t hesitate to attack Bründir.
”Here demon!” cracking blue energy surrounds Rikkazarik “You will regret this day. I will send you back where you belong!!”
The norscan jumps forward and hits the creature in the face. Thunder and lightning fill the room for a second. The devil’s head is turned away by the impact but, to Thurston surprise, it didn’t fall, not even stagers. The beast looks back to the paladin, with the left side of his face now burnt due to the lighting, and shows his teeth to Thurston.
The remaining wizards follow their leader's example and begin to make for the upper end of the chamber. The one with Jex's arrow in his thigh stumbles and grasps at it, desperately trying to stop the bleeding, before slumping unconscious to the ground. Another three back away from the central pit, hurling fire bolts at Bründir as they go. Two sail harmlessly past him, but the last finds a vulnerable spot and the dwarf rocks from the impact. The remaining three wizards find themselves with no good angle of attack and make a break for it, dashing away from the party.
Bründir takes 6 points of fire damage to vigour -> 21/27 Vigour
With most of his magic spent, Hurrig hurries the aid of his friends in the central pit. A bolt flies from his crossbow, only to splinter off of the stones with a twang. Grunting in annoyance he tosses the weapon aside and draws his axe.
Jex slips through the darkness like a ghost and plants and arrow in the gut of a retreating wizard. There's a strangled cry and the man falls to the ground clutching at his stomach.
Vark's eyes flutter open at last, back to their normal blue-grey hue. "Seid?" he says, confused and blushing slightly. He pushes up and away from his friend and puts a hand to his throbbing head as he takes in the chaos around them. Nothing made sense. He'd expected Matthew to eliminate the mages, to protect his friends, something. Instead he watches as Thurston duels with some horrid creature and his other friends are pelted with bolts of fire. "Matthew? Matthew?!" This was all wrong. Something was off. Where was Quinton? Frustrated he growls and spits in orcish. His eyes begin to glow again like orange embers, tiny trails of black smoke leading from the corners. His only instinct is to protect his friends from the enemies he sees. He staggers up, leaning on his staff, then raises the weapon towards the running Mabinogi. "GO! AWAY!" he shouts as he sweeps the staff violently to the right, and the roar of flame fills the chamber. A twenty foot tall wall of fire blazes along parallel to the mages, separating them from the group and blasting them with searing heat.
The whoosh of flames lighting the chamber invigorated Bründir's resolve against his foe. This must be like what it was to be a hero like the old tales. Dumdrengi shimmered with a celestial aura that raged against the fiend before him, and Karakarin was unscathed by the spiked tail that assailed him.
His confidence was so swelled he actually smiled, "You're a big boi, eh? Well Dumdrengi is too." His shining blade swept forth and drew a dazzling line across the devil's abdomen. As it reeled and shrieked at the enchanted blade, Bründir pulled back, raised his shield once more, and rested his sword atop Karakarin's edge for support. "Thurston," he called to the creature's backside, "Watch that tail, smash it off if ye can!" Braced for a counterattack, Bründir couldn't help noticing new runes shining down the fuller.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The wizards cry out in surprise as Vark's wall of flame illuminates the chamber in dark red light, and the nearest of their number flees behind it and vanishes.
The devil screams as Dumdrengi slices through its scales, blazing with radiant light as Bründir wields the blade. The monster screams with fury, now entirely focused upon the dwarf, lashing out with razor sharp claws. The first swipe sets the Bründir on the back foot, but his shining breastplate protects him from any real harm. He shifts his stance as the second claw comes, absorbing the impact with his armour and backing away from the creature. It blindly pursues, now oblivious to the Norscan behind it, and lashes out brutally with its tail, almost knocking the dwarf over backwards.
Bründir takes 24 damage, reduced to 9 by DR and give ground -> 12/27 Vigour
Thurston makes an Opportunity Attack and deals a total of 33 damage.
The devil's tail slams against the dwarf's breastplate. We're it not for the true elven metal, he'd have several broken ribs at best. Reeling from the impact, Bründir bumps the pit's stone wall behind him. A flash of inspiration hits him as he calls to his companion opposite the fiend, "Thurston, to the wall!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Thurston moves as his friend says and takes advantage of his new position to connect another blow into the fiend’s body. He hears the sound of some ribs breaking as the adamantine hammer slams it. “You are not going anywhere fiend” he says “No more enemies fleeing today. “
He ducks when the creature tries to hit him with its tail and siezes the opportunity and hit the devil again on its jaw with an ascending hit of his weapon.
The remaining wizards break and scatter as their masters vanish and flames erupt along the rise. They recoil from the wall of flames and flee towards the rear of the chamber.
"Sheercleft!"
Hurrig cries as he charges at the devil, swinging his axe to support his allies. Moradin's hammer drifts at his side, striking in concert with the cleric.
As the wizards begin to flee the chamber, Jex gives chase. Running across the darkness to where they are trying to leave the chamber he takes cover behind a pillar, taking out a wizard with a well placed shot through his back that pokes straight through his chest on the other side.
Vark turns and watches as the mages flee from the inferno he just lit. The conflicting confusion, anger, and overwhelming power surging through the boy send tears streaming down his face. A low growl builds in his throat and he decides the wizards aren’t fleeing fast enough. A single soot covered finger raises towards them and fires a tiny ruby beam. In a split second it reaches its destination and suddenly everything is bathed in blood red light. The three Mabinogi are tossed aside like smoldering ragdolls as the explosion turns the far end of the room into a momentary hell. Now Vark turns his attention to the fiend currently surrounded by his friends. It’s clear the sorcerer won’t stop until every last threat is obliterated. Lightning begins to crackle around his hands as he advances towards the melee, but he is hit with a wave of revulsion as he comes too close to Brundïr’s blade. There is no time to process what this means for him, and the frustration at being held away from his next target bursts out of him in the form of more crimson flame. The beams rip out of his body from his hands, his eyes and his mouth. Several of them impact the ground, narrowly missing his friends. The other rays find their mark, but the fiend’s infernal constitution renders them futile. As the roar of fire subsides, those in the chamber can hear the end of a hoarse scream leaving Vark’s throat.
The devil was more than a match for Bründir, but Dumdrengi proved to be stronger than it's opponent. The dwarf pressed once more, imposing his shield against the fiend's quilled hide. With an sudden effort, he push his blade into the devil's stomach. The blade flared brighter as it bit its quarry. Bründir caught a flash of movement, the devil was shifting to pull the dwarf in close. Rather than retreat and risk more fighting, Bründir pushed further against the barbs and drove himself to the ground. The devil's torso was rent wide from the stomach to waist and light poured from within it until it dissolves into ash.
Bründir stared at the now-empty space in amazement before looking down at Dumrengi. The blade's glow was now absent, and the newer runes were fading quickly. "You really are amazin'. Oi! Did ye all see that? Thurston an' I've got devil killing kicked off our bucket lists."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Quinton's face is a twisted mask of rage and agony as he stares at Seid. His lips part as an arcane word escapes them and an oval void of purple appears behind him. The wizard steps backwards into it, but as he does so the chain around his neck suddenly snaps an the nine-pointed star slips from it, falling to the ground with a clunk. Quinton's eyes widen and his mouth opens in a noiseless exclamation of dismay, but it is too late. The portal swallows him up and he vanishes from sight.
The other wizard, atop the outer platform, rushes around the side, plucks a rotten edge from his component pouch and hurls it at the group gathered near Quinton. Another incantation is uttered and the vile green cloud of gas springs up around Bründir, Seid, Thurston and Vark. The dwarf toughs it out, but the others are left retching and reeling from the nauseating gas.
Seid, Thurston and Vark lose their next action.
Thurston's action.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Thurston is cursing on his mother tongue, seeing Quinton dissapearing, when the foul cloud appears and he swallows the stenching fumes.
He moves out of it, coughing and reeking. He throws up as soon as he clears it, with both hands on his kneels. After coughing a couple of times more he cleans his mouth with one hand muttering
"There goes breakfast... "
"Try to spread out!" he yells to the others. "Please Thor allow me to destroy these wizards and rid the world for their stench." A distant rumble can be heard and thurston feels a wind around him, moving his cape and helping him protect himself.
PbP Character: A few ;)
The junior wizards hurry to assist their masters, gathering around the columns for cover.
One of them launches a fire bolt at Thurston, but the mantle of wind casts it aside.
Another dashes from one pillar to another, while the other five all hurl fire bolts at the traitor, Seid.
Seid takes a total of 22 points of fire damage to vigour and 1 point of fire damage to wounds -> 0/26 Vigour, 15/16 Wounds
The wizard is pummelled by attacks from all sides and the unpleasantly familiar smell of burned flesh begins to fill the air as his right leg chars. However, before he can even react, Hurrig is atop the outer walkway and utters a healing word, sending Moradin's blessings to bolster his ally.
Seid is healed for 3 vigour and 1 wound -> 3/26 Vigour, 16/16 Wounds
Bründir, Vark and Jex also feel the blessings of the dwarven God with them.
Jex's action.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Jex steps back as he spies one of the wizards moving back around the party. He sees an exposed leg as the wizards human gaze fails to penetrate the darkness leaves him exposed. Jex has all the time in the world to place his shot and his arrow embeds itself deep in the groin of the man.
Vark is still distraught at the protective magic redirecting his attack. Meanwhile his newfound friend Seid gets devastated by a barrage of fire, causing the hysteria to rise even further within Vark like an icy stone in his throat. Maybe he should focus on those other mages in the sidelines? But if they can knock Quinton out, maybe the others will stop? Part of him wants to go over and protect Seid, yet another thought tells him that there’s nothing the young sorcerer can do to help. Wind whips up around Vark as he struggles to decide, and the sounds of battle fade into his own staccato heartbeat pulsing in his ears. But then in an instant, it all stops. Time stalls as his hands begin to move of their own accord in slow motion. At first Vark is worried this is more of Quinton’s magic at work, but then the familiar chill runs down his spine. Matthew. It made sense that his mysterious passenger would choose this moment to take control, and Vark is almost relieved. The surge of power turns from ice to fiery warmth, and he smiles as he allows it to fill his body. As the chaos around him begins to swirl back into full throttle Vark thinks a silent “Thank you.” Before he closes his eyes and lets his conscious slip into darkness.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Vark's eyes snap open and they blaze with red light. It pours from every inch of his body, painting his surroundings a baleful crimson. The half-orc takes a step forwards and the skin around his eyes begins to crack and fracture like cooling magma, revealing fissures that glow a dull orange. He takes another step forwards and his foot leaves the stone marked with soot and embers.
As the sorceror marches inexorably up towards the nine-pointed star in the centre of the chamber, the pattern spreads from his face and down his neck. By the time he passes Seid, his arms are throbbing with the power barely contained beneath his skin.
He reaches down and lifts the star-shaped sigil that has fallen from around Quinton's neck. It must be heavy, but Vark plucks it from the ground as easily as Thurston or Valaith might.
He reaches the top of the stairs and there is an indent in the structure matching the shape of the sigil. He places the key in its lock and turns.
There's a dull rumble and then the piercing screech of metal on metal resonates around the chamber as the adamantine spiral rotates and retracts. The air swirls above it and a howling gale fills the room, centred on a whirlwind directly above the opening.
Blood red smoke pours up out of the inside of the adamantine shell, and is funnelled away into the sky. Simultaneously, Vark throws his head back and a torrent of the same miasma cascades from his eyes, mouth and nose, joining the rest in the air above him.
When it's finally over, the light fades from within Vark and his hand opens to reveal Matthew's bloodstone clutched so tightly within his palm that the half-orc's nails have drawn blood. It tumbles to the ground and shatters on the steps with a tinkling of shards. A moment later Vark's legs give out and he too crumples unconscious onto the floor.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Seid gasps and begins dry heaving as the overwhelming stench fills his nostrils. He glances up just in time to see Quinton step back into that purple portal. "NO!" He tries to stumble towards the man to prevent his escape, but another wave of nausea knocks him back to his knees and he empties his stomach onto the cold stone floor. He wipes his mouth as he stands just in time to see numerous bolts of fire streaking his way in the darkness. His eyes widen as he attempts to dodge the projectiles, ducking and juking but several of them still hammer him from all directions. While the magical protection around him prevents most of them from scorching his skin, the last one burns deep into the flesh of his thigh. Seid cries out as his joint falters from the pain and he falls to one knee. He's left trembling in agony and fury at his failure to stop Quinton and looks up to see Vark approaching. Something about the young half-orc seemed different; it was his eyes. "Vark? What are you doing?"
Seid stands as Vark passes by him. "Vark...I--" His eyes widen as Vark picks up the implement. "Vark! NO!" Before the wizard could reach him, Vark turns the key and Seid has to throw up his arms around his face against the vortex of anger the fills the area. Seid rushes forward out of the miasma and catches Vark just as he begins to collapse. He slowly lowers the young man to the ground and takes cover lower to the ground next to him, relieved to see he was still breathing.Seid looks up towards the exit where whatever had once been contained within this tomb had escaped. "What have you done, my friend?"
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Bründir has barely a moment to realize what happened. As he looked to the center of the chamber, he could only manage a shocked, "Oh shite..." Before rushing down the stairs behind Thurston. Quinton had escaped, but another wizard posed a much more immediate threat. He raised his shield in anticipation of more arcane tricks and called to his comrade, "Go, go, go! Break 'is 'ands, knock 'is teeth out, kill that bastard!"
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The second wizard looks like he's about to cast another spell, but freezes in astonishment as Vark opens the prison and unleashes the cloud of red smoke into the air. Changing tack, he fishes a vial of dark red liquid from his belt and hurls at the ground between Thurston and Bründir, uttering words of power in a foul tongue as he scurries away from them. The liquid flows out in all directions, forming a pentagram that flashes orange. A billowing cloud of smoke erupts from the ground and a tall humanoid covered in sharp barbs, spines, and hooks appears. Its gleaming eyes focus on Bründir and it charges towards the dwarf with a blood curdling scream.
Two wicked claws arc through the air towards him, but he dodges both. The monster brings its tail barbed tail around to strike from behind, but Bründir catches it on Karakarin at the last moment. The adamantine shield rings with the impact, but is undamaged. In the dwarf's other hand Dumdrengi begins to glow a brilliant bright blue.
Thurston's action.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“Vark what are you doing?!” Yells Thurston when he sees his friend walking towards the sigil. He looks confused how the red smoke thing is freed and feeling frustrated and betrayed he takes a step towards Vark.
But then a new threat appears as the wizard uses his foul magic to summon a demon, and the creature doesn’t hesitate to attack Bründir.
”Here demon!” cracking blue energy surrounds Rikkazarik “You will regret this day. I will send you back where you belong!!”
The norscan jumps forward and hits the creature in the face. Thunder and lightning fill the room for a second.
The devil’s head is turned away by the impact but, to Thurston surprise, it didn’t fall, not even stagers. The beast looks back to the paladin, with the left side of his face now burnt due to the lighting, and shows his teeth to Thurston.
PbP Character: A few ;)
The remaining wizards follow their leader's example and begin to make for the upper end of the chamber. The one with Jex's arrow in his thigh stumbles and grasps at it, desperately trying to stop the bleeding, before slumping unconscious to the ground. Another three back away from the central pit, hurling fire bolts at Bründir as they go. Two sail harmlessly past him, but the last finds a vulnerable spot and the dwarf rocks from the impact. The remaining three wizards find themselves with no good angle of attack and make a break for it, dashing away from the party.
Bründir takes 6 points of fire damage to vigour -> 21/27 Vigour
With most of his magic spent, Hurrig hurries the aid of his friends in the central pit. A bolt flies from his crossbow, only to splinter off of the stones with a twang. Grunting in annoyance he tosses the weapon aside and draws his axe.
Jex slips through the darkness like a ghost and plants and arrow in the gut of a retreating wizard. There's a strangled cry and the man falls to the ground clutching at his stomach.
Vark's action.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Vark's eyes flutter open at last, back to their normal blue-grey hue. "Seid?" he says, confused and blushing slightly. He pushes up and away from his friend and puts a hand to his throbbing head as he takes in the chaos around them. Nothing made sense. He'd expected Matthew to eliminate the mages, to protect his friends, something. Instead he watches as Thurston duels with some horrid creature and his other friends are pelted with bolts of fire. "Matthew? Matthew?!" This was all wrong. Something was off. Where was Quinton? Frustrated he growls and spits in orcish. His eyes begin to glow again like orange embers, tiny trails of black smoke leading from the corners. His only instinct is to protect his friends from the enemies he sees. He staggers up, leaning on his staff, then raises the weapon towards the running Mabinogi. "GO! AWAY!" he shouts as he sweeps the staff violently to the right, and the roar of flame fills the chamber. A twenty foot tall wall of fire blazes along parallel to the mages, separating them from the group and blasting them with searing heat.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
The whoosh of flames lighting the chamber invigorated Bründir's resolve against his foe. This must be like what it was to be a hero like the old tales. Dumdrengi shimmered with a celestial aura that raged against the fiend before him, and Karakarin was unscathed by the spiked tail that assailed him.
His confidence was so swelled he actually smiled, "You're a big boi, eh? Well Dumdrengi is too." His shining blade swept forth and drew a dazzling line across the devil's abdomen. As it reeled and shrieked at the enchanted blade, Bründir pulled back, raised his shield once more, and rested his sword atop Karakarin's edge for support. "Thurston," he called to the creature's backside, "Watch that tail, smash it off if ye can!" Braced for a counterattack, Bründir couldn't help noticing new runes shining down the fuller.
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The wizards cry out in surprise as Vark's wall of flame illuminates the chamber in dark red light, and the nearest of their number flees behind it and vanishes.
The devil screams as Dumdrengi slices through its scales, blazing with radiant light as Bründir wields the blade. The monster screams with fury, now entirely focused upon the dwarf, lashing out with razor sharp claws. The first swipe sets the Bründir on the back foot, but his shining breastplate protects him from any real harm. He shifts his stance as the second claw comes, absorbing the impact with his armour and backing away from the creature. It blindly pursues, now oblivious to the Norscan behind it, and lashes out brutally with its tail, almost knocking the dwarf over backwards.
Bründir takes 24 damage, reduced to 9 by DR and give ground -> 12/27 Vigour
Thurston makes an Opportunity Attack and deals a total of 33 damage.
Thurston's action.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
The devil's tail slams against the dwarf's breastplate. We're it not for the true elven metal, he'd have several broken ribs at best. Reeling from the impact, Bründir bumps the pit's stone wall behind him. A flash of inspiration hits him as he calls to his companion opposite the fiend, "Thurston, to the wall!"
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Thurston moves as his friend says and takes advantage of his new position to connect another blow into the fiend’s body. He hears the sound of some ribs breaking as the adamantine hammer slams it.
“You are not going anywhere fiend” he says “No more enemies fleeing today. “
He ducks when the creature tries to hit him with its tail and siezes the opportunity and hit the devil again on its jaw with an ascending hit of his weapon.
PbP Character: A few ;)
The remaining wizards break and scatter as their masters vanish and flames erupt along the rise. They recoil from the wall of flames and flee towards the rear of the chamber.
"Sheercleft!"
Hurrig cries as he charges at the devil, swinging his axe to support his allies. Moradin's hammer drifts at his side, striking in concert with the cleric.
Jex's action.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
As the wizards begin to flee the chamber, Jex gives chase. Running across the darkness to where they are trying to leave the chamber he takes cover behind a pillar, taking out a wizard with a well placed shot through his back that pokes straight through his chest on the other side.
Vark turns and watches as the mages flee from the inferno he just lit. The conflicting confusion, anger, and overwhelming power surging through the boy send tears streaming down his face. A low growl builds in his throat and he decides the wizards aren’t fleeing fast enough. A single soot covered finger raises towards them and fires a tiny ruby beam. In a split second it reaches its destination and suddenly everything is bathed in blood red light. The three Mabinogi are tossed aside like smoldering ragdolls as the explosion turns the far end of the room into a momentary hell. Now Vark turns his attention to the fiend currently surrounded by his friends. It’s clear the sorcerer won’t stop until every last threat is obliterated. Lightning begins to crackle around his hands as he advances towards the melee, but he is hit with a wave of revulsion as he comes too close to Brundïr’s blade. There is no time to process what this means for him, and the frustration at being held away from his next target bursts out of him in the form of more crimson flame. The beams rip out of his body from his hands, his eyes and his mouth. Several of them impact the ground, narrowly missing his friends. The other rays find their mark, but the fiend’s infernal constitution renders them futile. As the roar of fire subsides, those in the chamber can hear the end of a hoarse scream leaving Vark’s throat.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
The devil was more than a match for Bründir, but Dumdrengi proved to be stronger than it's opponent. The dwarf pressed once more, imposing his shield against the fiend's quilled hide. With an sudden effort, he push his blade into the devil's stomach. The blade flared brighter as it bit its quarry. Bründir caught a flash of movement, the devil was shifting to pull the dwarf in close. Rather than retreat and risk more fighting, Bründir pushed further against the barbs and drove himself to the ground. The devil's torso was rent wide from the stomach to waist and light poured from within it until it dissolves into ash.
Bründir stared at the now-empty space in amazement before looking down at Dumrengi. The blade's glow was now absent, and the newer runes were fading quickly. "You really are amazin'. Oi! Did ye all see that? Thurston an' I've got devil killing kicked off our bucket lists."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero