Zentromya tries to send desperate telepathic appeals for peace, but seeing that Dench's five diehard followers are attacking Anita and Rash, she decides to change the mode of communication: in an instant her figure becomes indistinct... and apparently bigger. .. much bigger... and the next moment she is in the form of a golden-furred mammoth with broad feathered wings, large and powerful enough to support her in flight. She flies over Rash and Anita (while the wind from the beating of her wings ruffles their hair) and places herself between them and their enemies, like a living shield.
The barbarians seem terrified by yet another miracle and lose confidence... but one of them, probably a veteran of several battles, judging by the horrible scar that starts from his shoulder and disappears under the rough furs of his clothing, growls furiously: "We're following Dench on a hunt... let's not be scared by that... thing! It's just bigger prey!" and to prove it, he lunges forward, swinging a greatsword.
The Scarred Barbarian's blow is bold and delivered with force... but it bounces off the hard skin of the enlarged Celestial, without managing to cut it.
"Are you sure this is a good idea!?" Anita tries to instill in them the seed of doubt - and she, quickly aiming her crossbow at Scarred Barbarian, pulls the trigger...
Scarred Barbarian barbarian was busy glaring at Zentromya, so he only realizes the threat at the last moment... and it's too late! The bolt hits him in the left shoulder, the one where there was no scar, making him groan in pain. Yet, the hatred that shines in his eyes leads one to believe that he intends to continue fighting...
Now, Spira and Aedion are up! Both are unseen, for now - and Aedion awaits Spira's instructions, trusting in his mother's wisdom.
The girl from Longsaddle really lives up to her nickname of 'Shadow Archer'... immobile, with her arrow nocked, she is not detected either by the beast, or by whoever is probably speaking to it with telepathy, or by the one that, to escape it and fighting it from an advantageous position, had climbed a tree.
The latter, in particular (Gaer), noticing that Aidwyn and Dawnborn have reached him, is turning his solid-black eyes from one point to another, as if he were looking for something... or someone. But after some time he shrugs, smiles confidently and smugly (as if he has decided that whoever he was looking for is probably there - even if he doesn't see him - and is doing the best thing possible) and returns his attention to the 'dialogue' in progress.
A 'dialog' that must have come to an end, in the meantime, because Aidwyn smiles and declares: "It's Balfby! For a few nights she's been hunting with Tork, a priest of some destruction cult - it's this guy who hatched the plan Dench is enthusiastically following. Tork has come to believe that he has control of Balfby - but obviously this is not the case. Balfby was huntign with him because I wasn't available, but she is on our side. In fact," the young heroine looks up at the tiefling ranger "when she recognized you she didn't attack you... She could have done it easily, you know. She can walk on air as if it were solid. She could have reached you and started a fight. But that's not what she wants. Come down, there's no danger!"
Gaer hesitates for a moment, considering what Aidwyn is telling him... then, apparently convinced, he begins to descend...
With Aidwyn explaining that the hound is indeed Balfby and Gaer descending, Roxana steps out from her concealment. "Well, it's good to see that it is you Balfby! But we should get back to help Spira and the others."
"Roxana!" Gaer completes the last stretch of the descent with a leap, then turning towards the voice of the girl from Longsaddle, beaming "I was sure you were there too!"
Those solid-black eyes look at her with a mixture of satisfaction, gratitude, admiration... But he immediately sighs: "And, as usual, you're right! Let's reach the others quickly and check how they're doing! I had hoped to drag everyone along and then lose them... But my plans don't always work as they should..."
"I'm sending Balfby ahead..." Aidwyn says, hurrying, with Dawnborn, to follow Roxana and Gaer "Balfby is faster and will arrive a little before us to bring help".
[[ OOC: OK, assuming OisinmacCameron can't post at the moment - taking Spira's turn ]]
The Sergeant of Arvandor, having already frightened and induced as many enemies as possible to flee, resigns himself to face the most diehard ones in battle. She sends Aedion high up, safe from melee attacks - and from there he can also warn if any reinforcements should arrive. Then she aims her crossbow at the already wounded Scarred Barbarian, who is turning his back to her... perhaps, if the most belligerent one falls to the ground dead, the others will think again...
The bolt suddenly appears from the darkness of the night and hits Scarred Barbarian in the middle of the back. With a gasp of surprise, the warlike savage collapses dead, face-first in the snow.
Another barbarian (Ib) emerges from the thicket of the trees. He takes note of the situation with an impassive look. An enemy that seemed small and defenseless is now much less small - and much less defenseless - and is on the front lines defending others. An ally who went to face it head-on now lies dead.
The next moment, Impassive Barbarian launches himself into a sprint, goes around the massive Celestial Mammoth and prepares to slash with his massive greataxe, held with two hands.
In the meantime, Tork (To) has been calling out to the heavens in the guttural orc language, and in response to his prayers, a menacing translucent spear appears at his side, floating in mid-air. The tip tilts threateningly towards Rash... and the spear launches itself at him! But it disappears before reaching him. Tork's eyes widen, as if he can't believe what he's just seen. And before he can recover from his shock...
"You fools... I really hoped that it wouldn't come to this... but you've left us no choice by trying to drag us into a war that no one else wants," he says. "You still have a chance to end this. I don't really want to hurt any of you... but I will if I have to."
To emphasize his point, Rash casts booming blade in the hopes of knocking the guy in front of him out with a blow from his staff.
Attack: 20; Damage: 11 (bludgeoning)
Also, if the target willingly moves 5ft or more before the start of Rash's next turn, he takes 1 additional thunder damage. Rash is opting to do non-lethal damage.
Rash's blow reminds his enemies that he may be a wizard... but he is a brave member of the barbaric Bloodskull Tribe to boot! The barbarian, with a bone cracking sound that suggests that he will have a bad headache the next day, remains impassive until the end... but after a few moments finally rolls his eyes and collapses to the ground like a felled tree, unconscious.
The three remaining barbarians look at each other uncertainly for a moment, considering that the first two who went on the attack didn't exactly have a sensational success, and they almost seem to reflect on Rash's words, as they turn their eyes now to him, now to Dench...
Dench, at that point, furious, shouts at Rash: "It's a war that the weak don't want! But I want it! My men want it! And the gods want it too! Yes, even the gods! And I am ready to prove it! Are you so eager to avoid bloodshed, Rashugri?” he puts all the contempt possible in pronouncing that name "Good! I'll give you a chance not to spread any more blood, then! Come forward and fight with me! Just you and me, without any of my people or yours intervening! And after I have killed you, your friends must go their own way, without further interfering in the affairs of the Bloddsull tribe. While, in the very unlikely event that you kill me... it will be my men who will no longer have anything to do with the Bloodskull Tribe! They'll forget it ever existed! Come and face me now, half-orc to half-orc! Act like a true Bloodskull for once in your life!"
After an approving look from Tork, Dench takes a few steps to the side, putting himself some distance away from him... and waits for Rash, growling with pent-up rage, gripping his impressive maul tightly.
Round 2
Zentromia and Anita await Rash's response, since Tork and the other barbarians seem to have temporarily suspended hostilities...
But Spira? What will the Sergeant of Arvandor do? Will she also wait for Rash's response, or does she plan to do something in the meantime?
Now, Spira (and Aedion, if Spira has a task for him) are up!
The Sergeant of Arvandor takes no initiative. All eyes turn to Rash, while Dench waits for him, seething with anger and the desire for blood.
Anita, clearly worried about the turn events are taking, advises her beloved, in a whisper: "I don't think accepting the challenge is a good idea... That big bully is only proposing the duel because even his tiny mind realized that our group is stronger than his! Let's all keep fighting... don't go out there and face it alone".
Now, Rash is up!
Note: I would say that if Rash has a lot of freedom in this 'Turn'... since everyone is waiting for his response, he can take time to reflect or speak if he so wishes... even much more time than the few seconds he has normally in a round - for everyone is waiting for what he decides.
If Rash ultimately decides to move towards Dench and carry out hostile acts against him (chellenge accepted) we will continue the fight between just the two of them - the others will be free to post outside the rounds, as long as their actions do not interfere with the fight or they are hostile to the barbarians.
If, however, Rash decides to continue the (favorable) group clash, he, following his decision, can post his turn normally and everyone will then continue to act in rounds.
Rash looks across the field at Dench... then he turns to Anita.
"I know... and I doubt that he would consider such a thing if the roles were reversed," Rash says contemplatively. "But... it could also end this madness and tell his followers in no uncertain terms that total slaughter is no longer the way of the Bloodskull tribe without being forced to kill them. And... it will sound a lot better to the elders to say I defeated Dench in an honorable duel than to say that we surrounded his gang and slaughtered all of them in cold blood."
He pauses. Rash is fairly confident in his abilities, but he is not a fool.
"Well Dench... you're issuing the challenge," the wizard says. "By the laws of our people, I can set the terms of the contest. First and foremost, you and I both know I am a wizard. I will not handicap myself by not using my spells any more than I expect you not to use an axe. Any spell that I might cast is fair game in this arena, just as you can use any weapon that you want. The second term is that corpse of the one who is vanquished is returned to the side of his friends immediately. Finally, with Gruumsh as witness, if you are defeated your followers will accept that we have beaten them and they will not seek vengeance. Will you accept these terms?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Dench seems really out of his mind, ready to lash out at Rash at any moment. Literally drooling at the mouth, he growls: "You think your tricks can save you? All right, go ahead and try them! Try using them! And once you're dead... do you think I care about what happens to your rotten carcass?! All right, your friends can take it back! And of course, whoever loses, loses - no revenge will follow and no more meddling in each other's affairs. Now hurry up and come here to me, I'll tear you to pieces!"
Meanwhile, silent as a shadow, the Yeth Hound who had wandered away returns... and heads decisively, although without haste, towards Tork... The beast almost seems to have an amused grin... And Tork looks much more relieved now: "Oh, you had a quick and good hunt, didn't you?"
Roxana, Aidwyn, Gaer and Dawnborn, in the meantime, realize that something has changed... Dench is screaming (even if they don't understand what he is saying) but they cannot hear the voices of the other barbarians or any noises of ongoing battle... The trees and the distance, unfortunately, still prevent them from seeing the situation with their own eyes...
[[ Roxana, Aidwyn, Gaer and Dawnborn will arrive during the next round. Spira, who is instead witnessing the agreements between Rash and Dench, if she intends to do something in the meantime, she can post freely. Rash, since he intends to accept Dench's challenge, if he has nothing else to say or do, whenever he wants he can get a little closer to him... and the duel will begin. I will keep the same initiatives already rolled, so the first to act in the duel will be Rash - he can thus post his combat turn also, once he declares to go near Dench - or to officially start the challenge anyway. ]]
"One moment, Rash.," Spira says grimly, stepping forth from the trees. "I'm adding one condition more. Two sides will be affected by Dench's stupidity, not just one. You can fight him to keep your own tribe from doing something stupid. But then, on behalf of the Uthgarts I've gotten to know, they go nowhere until their war priest answers MY challenge, on the same terms. Priest to priest, I challenge him before both our gods. And I promise my couatl son won't intervene on my behalf, and will only avenge me honorably if I die." The slight sniff of challenge and insinuation she puts into the word, "honorably", passes all words to describe. "And before we consider either of you worthy of challenging anyone, call off your beast ... unless you want to be branded with the name of coward and cheater the rest of your born days."
"Oh, the night's prankstress finally shows up!" Tork's eyes narrow "A challenge before both our gods? We will do it... The eye of Gruumsh will rejoice in your defeat, spawn of Asmodeus".
The orc god's envoy in turn detaches himself from him - heading towards the opposite direction to Dench's - and awaits the challenger. Balfby, meanwhile, gives the Sergeant of Arvandor a disappointed look... and steps aside.
The further delay allows Roxana, Aidwyn, Gaer and Dawnborn to return. Upon seeing them, Tork is initially stunned. As soon as he recovers, he scolds Balfby: "What have you done! You let them live!? What does that mean!?"
Balfby responds by growling menacingly at him and assuming an aggressive pose... at which point, understandably, the other half-orc loses a lot of his confidence and doesn't seem to know what to think... but the beast then turns a new look of disapproval on Spira and she steps aside, moving next to Aidwyn.
[[ OOC: Considering that the two challenges are independent, to minimize lag we can also play them together - unless Spira prefers to witness the outcome of the other challenge before starting her own. If so, no problem - let's do as Spira thinks best. Following the same logic as Rash's challenge, when Spira wants to start the fight, she can take her combat turn - she has higher initative than Tork. Meanwhile, everyone else is out of the fight for now, so they can post freely. ]]
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rash will go ahead and take a few steps towards Dench., crossing to the halfway point between the two of them. As he does so, Rash murmurs the spell to call up an unseen warrior...
Unseen Warrior's initiative: 11
It's going to dual-wield shortswords, with orders to blitz Dench... darting towards the half-orc brute and then retreat 10ft away after it strikes with both blades. Being invisible, the unseen warrior will not provoke opportunity attacks.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Rolling Spira's Initiative: 14
Round 1
Zentromya tries to send desperate telepathic appeals for peace, but seeing that Dench's five diehard followers are attacking Anita and Rash, she decides to change the mode of communication: in an instant her figure becomes indistinct... and apparently bigger. .. much bigger... and the next moment she is in the form of a golden-furred mammoth with broad feathered wings, large and powerful enough to support her in flight. She flies over Rash and Anita (while the wind from the beating of her wings ruffles their hair) and places herself between them and their enemies, like a living shield.
The barbarians seem terrified by yet another miracle and lose confidence... but one of them, probably a veteran of several battles, judging by the horrible scar that starts from his shoulder and disappears under the rough furs of his clothing, growls furiously: "We're following Dench on a hunt... let's not be scared by that... thing! It's just bigger prey!" and to prove it, he lunges forward, swinging a greatsword.
Combat Stats (those interested can peek):
Initiative Name Status
19 Zentromya Undamaged
19 Scarred Barbarian Undamaged
18 Anita Undamaged
14 Spira Undamaged
13 Aedion Undamaged
13 Impassive Barbarian Undamaged
12 Tork Undamaged
11 Rash Undamaged
10 Snub Nose Barbarian Undamaged
8 Shaggy Hair Barbarian Undamaged
5 Dench Undamaged
3 Goatee Barbarian Undamaged
Round 1
Scarred Barbarian's Attack: 16 Damage: 6 (slashing)
Round 1
The Scarred Barbarian's blow is bold and delivered with force... but it bounces off the hard skin of the enlarged Celestial, without managing to cut it.
"Are you sure this is a good idea!?" Anita tries to instill in them the seed of doubt - and she, quickly aiming her crossbow at Scarred Barbarian, pulls the trigger...
Round 1
Anita's Crossbow Shot: 22 Damage: 6 (piercing)
Round 1
Scarred Barbarian barbarian was busy glaring at Zentromya, so he only realizes the threat at the last moment... and it's too late! The bolt hits him in the left shoulder, the one where there was no scar, making him groan in pain. Yet, the hatred that shines in his eyes leads one to believe that he intends to continue fighting...
Now, Spira and Aedion are up! Both are unseen, for now - and Aedion awaits Spira's instructions, trusting in his mother's wisdom.
Combat Stats (those interested can peek):
Initiative Name Status
19 Zentromya Undamaged
19 Scarred Barbarian 9 Damage (wounded)
18 Anita Undamaged
14 Spira Undamaged
13 Aedion Undamaged
13 Impassive Barbarian Undamaged
12 Tork Undamaged
11 Rash Undamaged
10 Snub Nose Barbarian Undamaged
8 Shaggy Hair Barbarian Undamaged
5 Dench Undamaged
3 Goatee Barbarian Undamaged
In the future, around Round 3, not far away...
The girl from Longsaddle really lives up to her nickname of 'Shadow Archer'... immobile, with her arrow nocked, she is not detected either by the beast, or by whoever is probably speaking to it with telepathy, or by the one that, to escape it and fighting it from an advantageous position, had climbed a tree.
The latter, in particular (Gaer), noticing that Aidwyn and Dawnborn have reached him, is turning his solid-black eyes from one point to another, as if he were looking for something... or someone. But after some time he shrugs, smiles confidently and smugly (as if he has decided that whoever he was looking for is probably there - even if he doesn't see him - and is doing the best thing possible) and returns his attention to the 'dialogue' in progress.
A 'dialog' that must have come to an end, in the meantime, because Aidwyn smiles and declares: "It's Balfby! For a few nights she's been hunting with Tork, a priest of some destruction cult - it's this guy who hatched the plan Dench is enthusiastically following. Tork has come to believe that he has control of Balfby - but obviously this is not the case. Balfby was huntign with him because I wasn't available, but she is on our side. In fact," the young heroine looks up at the tiefling ranger "when she recognized you she didn't attack you... She could have done it easily, you know. She can walk on air as if it were solid. She could have reached you and started a fight. But that's not what she wants. Come down, there's no danger!"
Gaer hesitates for a moment, considering what Aidwyn is telling him... then, apparently convinced, he begins to descend...
With Aidwyn explaining that the hound is indeed Balfby and Gaer descending, Roxana steps out from her concealment. "Well, it's good to see that it is you Balfby! But we should get back to help Spira and the others."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
In the future, around Round 4, not far away...
"Roxana!" Gaer completes the last stretch of the descent with a leap, then turning towards the voice of the girl from Longsaddle, beaming "I was sure you were there too!"
Those solid-black eyes look at her with a mixture of satisfaction, gratitude, admiration... But he immediately sighs: "And, as usual, you're right! Let's reach the others quickly and check how they're doing! I had hoped to drag everyone along and then lose them... But my plans don't always work as they should..."
"I'm sending Balfby ahead..." Aidwyn says, hurrying, with Dawnborn, to follow Roxana and Gaer "Balfby is faster and will arrive a little before us to bring help".
Round 1
[[ OOC: OK, assuming OisinmacCameron can't post at the moment - taking Spira's turn ]]
The Sergeant of Arvandor, having already frightened and induced as many enemies as possible to flee, resigns himself to face the most diehard ones in battle. She sends Aedion high up, safe from melee attacks - and from there he can also warn if any reinforcements should arrive. Then she aims her crossbow at the already wounded Scarred Barbarian, who is turning his back to her... perhaps, if the most belligerent one falls to the ground dead, the others will think again...
Round 1
Spira's Crossbow Attack: 16 Damage: 7 (piercing)
Round 1
The bolt suddenly appears from the darkness of the night and hits Scarred Barbarian in the middle of the back. With a gasp of surprise, the warlike savage collapses dead, face-first in the snow.
Another barbarian (Ib) emerges from the thicket of the trees. He takes note of the situation with an impassive look. An enemy that seemed small and defenseless is now much less small - and much less defenseless - and is on the front lines defending others. An ally who went to face it head-on now lies dead.
The next moment, Impassive Barbarian launches himself into a sprint, goes around the massive Celestial Mammoth and prepares to slash with his massive greataxe, held with two hands.
In the meantime, Tork (To) has been calling out to the heavens in the guttural orc language, and in response to his prayers, a menacing translucent spear appears at his side, floating in mid-air. The tip tilts threateningly towards Rash... and the spear launches itself at him! But it disappears before reaching him. Tork's eyes widen, as if he can't believe what he's just seen. And before he can recover from his shock...
Now, Rash is up!
Combat Stats (those interested can peek):
Initiative Name Status
19 Zentromya Undamaged
19 Scarred Barbarian 17 Damage (dead)18 Anita Undamaged
14 Spira Undamaged
13 Aedion Undamaged
13 Impassive Barbarian Undamaged
12 Tork Undamaged
11 Rash Undamaged
10 Snub Nose Barbarian Undamaged
8 Shaggy Hair Barbarian Undamaged
5 Dench Undamaged
3 Goatee Barbarian Undamaged
Rash sighs.
"You fools... I really hoped that it wouldn't come to this... but you've left us no choice by trying to drag us into a war that no one else wants," he says. "You still have a chance to end this. I don't really want to hurt any of you... but I will if I have to."
To emphasize his point, Rash casts booming blade in the hopes of knocking the guy in front of him out with a blow from his staff.
Attack: 20; Damage: 11 (bludgeoning)
Also, if the target willingly moves 5ft or more before the start of Rash's next turn, he takes 1 additional thunder damage. Rash is opting to do non-lethal damage.
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Round 1
Rash's blow reminds his enemies that he may be a wizard... but he is a brave member of the barbaric Bloodskull Tribe to boot! The barbarian, with a bone cracking sound that suggests that he will have a bad headache the next day, remains impassive until the end... but after a few moments finally rolls his eyes and collapses to the ground like a felled tree, unconscious.
The three remaining barbarians look at each other uncertainly for a moment, considering that the first two who went on the attack didn't exactly have a sensational success, and they almost seem to reflect on Rash's words, as they turn their eyes now to him, now to Dench...
Dench, at that point, furious, shouts at Rash: "It's a war that the weak don't want! But I want it! My men want it! And the gods want it too! Yes, even the gods! And I am ready to prove it! Are you so eager to avoid bloodshed, Rashugri?” he puts all the contempt possible in pronouncing that name "Good! I'll give you a chance not to spread any more blood, then! Come forward and fight with me! Just you and me, without any of my people or yours intervening! And after I have killed you, your friends must go their own way, without further interfering in the affairs of the Bloddsull tribe. While, in the very unlikely event that you kill me... it will be my men who will no longer have anything to do with the Bloodskull Tribe! They'll forget it ever existed! Come and face me now, half-orc to half-orc! Act like a true Bloodskull for once in your life!"
After an approving look from Tork, Dench takes a few steps to the side, putting himself some distance away from him... and waits for Rash, growling with pent-up rage, gripping his impressive maul tightly.
Round 2
Zentromia and Anita await Rash's response, since Tork and the other barbarians seem to have temporarily suspended hostilities...
But Spira? What will the Sergeant of Arvandor do? Will she also wait for Rash's response, or does she plan to do something in the meantime?
Now, Spira (and Aedion, if Spira has a task for him) are up!
Combat Stats (those interested can peek):
Initiative Name Status
19 Zentromya Undamaged
19 Scarred Barbarian 17 Damage (dead)18 Anita Undamaged
14 Spira Undamaged
13 Aedion Undamaged
13 Impassive Barbarian 11 Damage (ko)12 Tork Undamaged
11 Rash Undamaged
10 Snub Nose Barbarian Undamaged
8 Shaggy Hair Barbarian Undamaged
5 Dench Undamaged
3 Goatee Barbarian Undamaged
Round 2
[[ OOC: OK, deciding for Spira ]]
The Sergeant of Arvandor takes no initiative. All eyes turn to Rash, while Dench waits for him, seething with anger and the desire for blood.
Anita, clearly worried about the turn events are taking, advises her beloved, in a whisper: "I don't think accepting the challenge is a good idea... That big bully is only proposing the duel because even his tiny mind realized that our group is stronger than his! Let's all keep fighting... don't go out there and face it alone".
Now, Rash is up!
Note: I would say that if Rash has a lot of freedom in this 'Turn'... since everyone is waiting for his response, he can take time to reflect or speak if he so wishes... even much more time than the few seconds he has normally in a round - for everyone is waiting for what he decides.
If Rash ultimately decides to move towards Dench and carry out hostile acts against him (chellenge accepted) we will continue the fight between just the two of them - the others will be free to post outside the rounds, as long as their actions do not interfere with the fight or they are hostile to the barbarians.
If, however, Rash decides to continue the (favorable) group clash, he, following his decision, can post his turn normally and everyone will then continue to act in rounds.
Combat Stats (those interested can peek):
Initiative Name Status
19 Zentromya Undamaged
19 Scarred Barbarian 17 Damage (dead)18 Anita Undamaged
14 Spira Undamaged
13 Aedion Undamaged
13 Impassive Barbarian 11 Damage (ko)12 Tork Undamaged
11 Rash Undamaged
10 Snub Nose Barbarian Undamaged
8 Shaggy Hair Barbarian Undamaged
5 Dench Undamaged
3 Goatee Barbarian Undamaged
Rash looks across the field at Dench... then he turns to Anita.
"I know... and I doubt that he would consider such a thing if the roles were reversed," Rash says contemplatively. "But... it could also end this madness and tell his followers in no uncertain terms that total slaughter is no longer the way of the Bloodskull tribe without being forced to kill them. And... it will sound a lot better to the elders to say I defeated Dench in an honorable duel than to say that we surrounded his gang and slaughtered all of them in cold blood."
He pauses. Rash is fairly confident in his abilities, but he is not a fool.
"Well Dench... you're issuing the challenge," the wizard says. "By the laws of our people, I can set the terms of the contest. First and foremost, you and I both know I am a wizard. I will not handicap myself by not using my spells any more than I expect you not to use an axe. Any spell that I might cast is fair game in this arena, just as you can use any weapon that you want. The second term is that corpse of the one who is vanquished is returned to the side of his friends immediately. Finally, with Gruumsh as witness, if you are defeated your followers will accept that we have beaten them and they will not seek vengeance. Will you accept these terms?"
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Dench seems really out of his mind, ready to lash out at Rash at any moment. Literally drooling at the mouth, he growls: "You think your tricks can save you? All right, go ahead and try them! Try using them! And once you're dead... do you think I care about what happens to your rotten carcass?! All right, your friends can take it back! And of course, whoever loses, loses - no revenge will follow and no more meddling in each other's affairs. Now hurry up and come here to me, I'll tear you to pieces!"
Meanwhile, silent as a shadow, the Yeth Hound who had wandered away returns... and heads decisively, although without haste, towards Tork... The beast almost seems to have an amused grin... And Tork looks much more relieved now: "Oh, you had a quick and good hunt, didn't you?"
Roxana, Aidwyn, Gaer and Dawnborn, in the meantime, realize that something has changed... Dench is screaming (even if they don't understand what he is saying) but they cannot hear the voices of the other barbarians or any noises of ongoing battle... The trees and the distance, unfortunately, still prevent them from seeing the situation with their own eyes...
[[ Roxana, Aidwyn, Gaer and Dawnborn will arrive during the next round. Spira, who is instead witnessing the agreements between Rash and Dench, if she intends to do something in the meantime, she can post freely. Rash, since he intends to accept Dench's challenge, if he has nothing else to say or do, whenever he wants he can get a little closer to him... and the duel will begin. I will keep the same initiatives already rolled, so the first to act in the duel will be Rash - he can thus post his combat turn also, once he declares to go near Dench - or to officially start the challenge anyway. ]]
"One moment, Rash.," Spira says grimly, stepping forth from the trees. "I'm adding one condition more. Two sides will be affected by Dench's stupidity, not just one. You can fight him to keep your own tribe from doing something stupid. But then, on behalf of the Uthgarts I've gotten to know, they go nowhere until their war priest answers MY challenge, on the same terms. Priest to priest, I challenge him before both our gods. And I promise my couatl son won't intervene on my behalf, and will only avenge me honorably if I die." The slight sniff of challenge and insinuation she puts into the word, "honorably", passes all words to describe. "And before we consider either of you worthy of challenging anyone, call off your beast ... unless you want to be branded with the name of coward and cheater the rest of your born days."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"Oh, the night's prankstress finally shows up!" Tork's eyes narrow "A challenge before both our gods? We will do it... The eye of Gruumsh will rejoice in your defeat, spawn of Asmodeus".
The orc god's envoy in turn detaches himself from him - heading towards the opposite direction to Dench's - and awaits the challenger. Balfby, meanwhile, gives the Sergeant of Arvandor a disappointed look... and steps aside.
The further delay allows Roxana, Aidwyn, Gaer and Dawnborn to return. Upon seeing them, Tork is initially stunned. As soon as he recovers, he scolds Balfby: "What have you done! You let them live!? What does that mean!?"
Balfby responds by growling menacingly at him and assuming an aggressive pose... at which point, understandably, the other half-orc loses a lot of his confidence and doesn't seem to know what to think... but the beast then turns a new look of disapproval on Spira and she steps aside, moving next to Aidwyn.
[[ OOC: Considering that the two challenges are independent, to minimize lag we can also play them together - unless Spira prefers to witness the outcome of the other challenge before starting her own. If so, no problem - let's do as Spira thinks best. Following the same logic as Rash's challenge, when Spira wants to start the fight, she can take her combat turn - she has higher initative than Tork. Meanwhile, everyone else is out of the fight for now, so they can post freely. ]]
Rash will go ahead and take a few steps towards Dench., crossing to the halfway point between the two of them. As he does so, Rash murmurs the spell to call up an unseen warrior...
Unseen Warrior's initiative: 11
It's going to dual-wield shortswords, with orders to blitz Dench... darting towards the half-orc brute and then retreat 10ft away after it strikes with both blades. Being invisible, the unseen warrior will not provoke opportunity attacks.
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