Alrik rekindles the fire, adding a few sticks and twigs to get it going again before putting a larger piece of wood on.
Walking around, he looks for signs of small game or something he can make breakfast with. (18 nature or investigation, whichever would be proper for the situation)
(Fantastic. Nature works well. I'd also like you to make a survival check for me)
Around the immediate area you don't see much, but you can make out some deer tracks. It looks like one may have sniffed around while you were all sleeping.
Among the brush there are definite signs of rabbits, their pellets littering the ground. Going just a little further, you see some snapped twigs and larger tracks--a raccoon--and it's very fresh.
Tak wakes up with a jolt. He glances around and sees you, Atriox. He slinks over and nudges you a little with his javelin, wondering if you're sleeping.
(16 survival)
You're easily able to follow the trail to a trickling stream. Down near the rocks, fishing, is a fair sized raccoon with a beautiful pelt. You're downwind and out of sight of the beast.
Alrik begins walking straight toward it, lifting his hand palm up out in front of him as he does. A trio of lightning spheres arc up from his fingertips, circling around inside his palm.
As he draws closer, he lets out a sharp whistle to get the raccoon's attention, and as soon as it scampers to flee, he sends the missiles flying.
(He hates ambushes... lol)
(Niiiiice! That's cool dude!!)
The missiles arc through the air straight toward the animal. The first strikes it and it lets out a sharp squeal. It veers to the left, another missile striking a nearby rock with a loud crack. Then as it dives into the bushes, the third rushes after.... (6)
You hear a squeal, then silence. The faintest tinge of burning fur can be tasted in the air. You know without a doubt you felled the raccoon.
Atriox stirs from his light slumber grunting some smoke.
He stands up and stretches his Draconic scales catching the morning light perfectly and his joints popping as he does it. He looks down at Tak
" good morning little one. Did you need something?"
He skitters back, shaking his head no. He glances around, curious. "Where is the soft skinned one? I feel like I slept for days..."
Atriox ponders Taks good question. He looks around and finally back to Tak
"I don't know where Alrik went but I'm sure he had his reasons. As to you sleeping it wasn't days but I'm sure you needed it mightily little one. Your body should be back to full capacity I'd think."
He stretches a bit, testing his muscles and healing burns. They are quite a bit less raw and he looks happier about that.
Alrik walks over to where the raccoon jumped into the bushes and pulls out his catch. Walking back to camp with it slung over his shoulder, he calls out to Atriox and Tak. "Caught breakfast..."
Tak jumps a bit, then looks hungrily at the dead animal. "Tasty..."
"An old friend of mine, Celeste, taught me how to cook these little buggers... so damn tasty after they're done." He processes the raccoon, carefully wrapping the pelt up to have it tanned later.
Splitting it along the ribcage, he spreads it out flat and sprinkles some herbs and spices on it before hanging it above the fire with a sharpened forked stick.
Mmmmmmm Atriox sniffs the air with a smile.
"Now that smells good."
Tak sits and watches the flames and sizzling meat. "Not raw..? This tasty looks..."
Alrik smiles at Tak. "Well, while you and probably Atriox could eat it raw, I'm a (insert Draconic word here) soft skin. Our stomachs can't handle raw meat. It makes us really sick."
Atriox let's out a hearty laugh
" I remember the first time I saw cooked meat little one. You get used to it. If you still want raw from time to time I'm sure we can go hunting."
He nods, peering closer at the food. "When it done? Soon?"
"Yeah, I suspect it'll be done in just a few minutes. Do you think you could go find a flat rock or a big chunk of bark to use as a cutting board?"
Tak tilts his head. "Flat rock? Ok...go fetch..." he skitters off to look for one, digging among the brush and heading toward the stream. (7)
He rushes back with an armful of small flat rocks and a big smile on his face. "Found flat rocks!"
Alrik just chuckles to himself. "Good job, Tak!" He lays the flat rocks out to make a somewhat elevated surface and sets the cooked raccoon down on it, and taking his knife out, carves a leg off and hands it to the little kobold.
His eyes gleam and he takes a huge bite of it. GAH, it hot! But.." Tak tears up, "It so tasty. You magic it better... Somehow." He wanders over to a stump to crouch and tear at the raccoon leg, eating the bones and all.
You all feel better after eating such a hearty, fresh meal. You have advantage on your next check made.
After getting up and letting the meal settle a little bit he looks at Alrik.
"Well that was a fine meal indeed for being in the middle of the woods my thanks." Atriox looks over at Tak and laughs "good to see you also enjoyed your meal little one. Cooked meat isn't so bad is it ?"
He licks his claws happily. "Raw still nice, blood drippy. Sweet meat. This good too."
Atriox grins and then looks at Alrik "I think we ar ready to continue. We need to find this plant and get back to town to prepare for our real job."
Alrik nods and kicks a bit of dirt onto the fire. "Tak, any idea where these fireblooms might be found?"
He stops in mid lick, flexing his cleaned claws. He gets quiet as he looks at them. "Yes. Further in grove. Not much more go."
Alrik looks at Atriox. "There you go! Lead the way. I'll bring up the rear, and Tak... you want to walk or ride in the wagon and guard your basalisk fang?" The Storm Caller smirks
Tak fidgets. "Walk fine. Much sleep, need stretch." He glances at the cart though, looking thoughtful at the jawbone inside.
Well rested, you start again on your journey. After another 30 or so minutes, the forest that surrounded you so closely before has now opened up into a lush grove. The air is much warmer here than in the forested area you just left. It feels like a warm summer day. This area also has the deepest crimson glow you’ve seen. It feels like it is in the middle of autumn, with red shimmering leaves and pale grasses. Even the air itself appears rose-colored.
In this grove, two gigantic oak trees tower above you. Their branches weave together and stretch out in all directions, creating a canopy over the entire clearing. Considering there isn’t much sunlight coming through, the grove is bright and lively with birdsong and the buzz of insects. A narrow rocky stream gently flows between the two oak trees, burbling and splashing over little roots.
(Make survival and nature checks for me to see if you find any bushes... I'll roll for Tak too)
(Lolol he got a 22 survival but a 1 nature)
(Nat 20, 14)
18,12
You sift through several types of plants looking for the firebloom blossoms. Although you don't see any yet, the three of you do find some thickly filled blackberry bushes. These would compliment another meal nicely later (and provide even better seasoning/benefit). You also find some healing herbs, enough to possibly make one salve later. Alrik, you can also tell the stream is fresh and is definitely healthy water.
Tak sighs gloomily. He’s been rather quiet, just clutching his javelin. He finally pipes up, pointing to the right. “Bridge way, easy cross river. Made long go.”
Traveling up the river for a minute you see the wooden bridge he was talking about. It’s in surprisingly excellent condition, and looks to be of an elven design. A carving of a dragon breathing fire runs along both sides of the bridge. The carving is intricate and very impressive.
(I'm assuming we take the blackberries and healing herbs?)
(Yep!
Alrik looks at Tak, trying to read his emotions. Finally he scratches his beard and asks the little kobold. "Are you alright, Tak? You seem on edge." (Blah... 3 insight... but a 13 on persuasion)
He responds, perhaps a bit too quickly, "Yes, Tak fine. Tak... just don't like grove." He eyes the bridge and the water.
(Make perception checks for me, if you wouldn't mind)
(Tak got a 6)
(I'll take my passive... 12)
(I rolled 16)
Tak is... Noticeably distracted. But Alrik, you do notice strings of thread hanging from the underside of the bridge and also down from the trees. You sense the birdsong has ceased since you’ve approached the clearing.
Atriox, you stop short of the bridge, getting in front of Ginger. You sense something is amiss.
A hairy stick pokes its way out from under the bridge. Then another. Then another. The brown and black legs of a rather large spider claw their way up the side of the wood and the beast clacks its mandibles hungerly, dripping saliva. Its thousand eyes seem to twitch and shimmer as it stalks toward you, easily 4 feet long.
Atriox backs ginger up a little bit and prepares his glaive for the fight that is surely to follow.
Alrik, a thump comes from behind you, and you turn to face the raised front legs of a second spider. The beast hisses, maw open and spitting, making to bring its body down on top of you. You were ready for it though, knowing of the webs in the trees.
“Deathjump spiders!” Tak shrieks, not in terror but in a battlecry. He jumps on the back of the cart, behind Atriox. “Spiders run jump! Don’t let jump you, death fast! Face melts!” He holds his javelin, point up, discouraging either of the arachnids from making a meal of him.
(You guys were very observant so you get to attack first :)
Atriox grunts angrily and mimics Taks stance a little bit to seem more of a fearsome opponent. With his glaive pointing at the spider Atriox roars (Intimidation 17)
Alrik aims his gnarled staff at the spider, his eyes lighting up with the storm trapped inside. Tendrils of lightning begin rippling down his arms and across the surface of the staff, coalescing at the tip in a large ball of arcing electricity. Alrik lets out a battle cry of his own as he drives the staff into the spider's open mouth. (19 spell touch attack. Not sure how that works yet... lol)
Atriox, the spider in front of you hesitates, skittering around with noisy clacking. It rushes away, keeping its distance... about thirty feet, near the base of a tree.
(Nice, ok. So that touch attack beats its ac. Roll damage for me @Chantry Williams . :3
The mandables bite mercilessly at the end of Alrik's staff, the light causing the eyes to glow bright red. Suddenly there is a horrid hissing, popping noise as the electricity reacts with the venom in its mouth. Smoke errupts and the beast squeals a hollow note, some of its eyes having ruptured into messy ichor.
Atriox roars again feeling confident. He rears up his regal Draconic head and let's loose a breath of lightning flying from his maw
(Niiiice. Roll damage for me :3 does it auto hit or is it a ranged attack?)
(6 damage, but I'm using a sorcery point to double it, so 12 total. I'll describe what it looks like. XD)
(Sweet! Hope its ok I gave some flavor for it already, go right ahead.
Alrik doubles his focus, roaring as the storm in his eyes raging to new heights and making his eyes emit a bluish hue. The trickling lightning becomes streams of energy running down his arms, pulsing and flashing with the storm in his eyes. An unseen breeze throws his hood off, his hair flowing in the wind as the scar erupts with a purple, energy-filled light.
As the electricity ripples across your skin, you feel a tingling itch along your arms and down your back... Almost as if your muscles are tightning. Hardening.
(Ooooh!)
(>D mwahaha.. Also Aubrey, looks like I need to roll a save against it. 8+con modifier+proficiency bonus. What is that total?)
(Go ahead and also roll damage, 2d6)
(16+2 and plus just Googled 2d6 and hit roll it came up with 9
(Niiiice. I rolled 18 but you got me! XD I take full damage
The spider can't get away fast enough. The lightning arcs from your mouth in a mighty flash of golden light, lancing straight down through its thorax. It shrieks and spits angerly, the smell of its burning, bristily hair heavily filling the air.
(Spider turns now.. Haha)
(Not my spider! It's incapacitated until the end of my next turn.... MUHAHAHA!)
The one you struck, Atriox, turns around and lunges mightily, closing the 30 feet gap in half a second. (24 against your ac)
(Oh I found it @Aubrey Burmaster , 15. So it hits. You take 7 damage, you are now prone, and I need you to make a CON save :) )
The spider that is facing Alrik jitters uncontrollably. Blue electricity runs down its legs making them twitch, keeping it from escaping. It continues to hiss out black bile, choking on its own poison.
The one that leapt at Atriox lands square on his chest, slamming him to the ground and knocking the wind out of him. It lashes with its dripping fangs, attempting to clamp down on his muscular white neck.
Tak, almost frozen before, looks furious now. He leaps atop the spider from the back of the cart with a wild squeal. (7, 9 to attack with advantage... Lol. Fail) He brings his javelin around and stabs at the spider's head, but its bobbing movement makes it almost impossible.
(Rolled a 13 do I add anything to that ?
(Con mod but you beat it. So you're good. No paralysis or poison for you 🤣
(You guys can attack now
Hearing Atriox fall followed shortly by Tak's furious shouting, Alrik turns his head to see the spider on top of the Dragonborn. The Storm Caller takes a step backward, withdrawing his staff from the spider's maw and simultaneously lifting his hand above his head, once again producing small arcing spheres of energy. (Using my other sorcery point to conjure an extra magic missile)
"Tak, Atriox! Cover up and hope I don't miss!" With a whip of his hand, Alrik sends two of the sparkling orbs screaming toward each spider
(5 damage each missile, so 10 to each spider)
(Not quite dead yet though)
They all hit with concussive force, and you hear a sickening crunch as each missile slams into their carapaces. The one near Altrik screams, falling backward with legs flailing. It scrambles, finally able to control its limbs, and attempts to flee.
The one atop Atriox madly scrambles to free itself from the tangle of scales, electricity, and angry Dragonborn. (14) Tak is barely able to hang on, the bolt slamming near one of his claws and throwing him back along the end of the spider.
Atriox grunts from the pain and the weight of the spider on top of him. He hears Tak struggling somewhere above him.
With an effort he yells out "hang on Tak!"
Then Atriox with all his might swings his glaive around as quick as he can with one hand and goes for the spiders legs (15+3)
(Niiiice!! That's a hit! Roll damage for me)
You feel the blade of your glaive slice cleanly through the legs. It's like felling small saplings. Five of the eight legs crumple and the monstrosity falls down on top of you, wriggling and spewing ichor. The smell and sludge-like thickness makes you want to wretch.
(9)
With a hand on one of its jagged mandibles, Atriox rips it from the spider's face with his crushing grip. He then pulls back, and punches it like a dagger through the beast's brain. The killing blow makes the body convulse, then lie still.
The rush of the kill and the blood pouring from your neck make your head feel light. Your breathing is ragged, your expression, raging, and your mind... Floating. It takes a moment before you register the voices of your friends...
For the briefest of moments, your eyes start to turn black... But then it passes. They return to your normal icy blue dragon eyes, the shadows... slipping away.
Tak tumbles off the spider as it falls, striking at the severed, twitching legs on the ground. He hisses at them as they wiggle, then stop moving.
He sees the red blood on Atriox, stark against his white scales. Tak hops over, looking concerned. "You ok? You poison not, yes?"
Alrik hurls another volley of lightning spheres at the fleeing spider, the storm within urging him to end it's miserable life. (3 damage each. 3 missiles, so 9)
The spider lets out a death scream as the raw power strikes. The magic from the weave literally rips it into pieces as the howling blue missiles tear through its body. The spider flips forward, skidding to a halt on its back, twitching as its legs curl up.
(You guys need a short rest to heal up and recover spells and stuff?)
(You also gained 400 exp from that, and Tak finally leveled up to 2 as well XD)
Atriox stands sweat and blood dripping from him. Between long breaths he says to Tak.
"No poison thankfully just some normal wounds that will heal with time. You did very good little one I'm proud of you." Atriox pats Tak on the shoulder.
He looks to Alrik "howd you fair stormbringer ? What should we do ?"
Tak looks uncertain but leaves it be. He knows better than to question further. The little kobold leaves Atriox and walks over to the bleeding spider nearby. After staring for a moment, he jams his javelin into its mouth. Pulling it out, the weapon is coated in its black, poisonous bile.
The lightning pulsing up and down Alrik's arms subsides, and the storm in his eyes dies out. He looks at his hands, and pushing his sleeves up, his arms. "What a strange feeling... I've cast reckless spells before, but never in the past have they made that sensation." He mutters to himself.
Turning to look at Atriox and Tak, he throws his hand up as if to say "I'm alright." He gives the dead pieces of spider a cursory glance, seeing if anything could be potentially useful. (12 investigate)
"How'd you fare over there, Tak? Still alive and kicking, Atriox?" He calls across the small grove
The skin on your arms has always had a rough texture in certain places, almost like calluses. You'd grown used to it growing up. But you notice a distinct change, as if they've spread and thickened down your forearms since that spell. Just a little... You could swear they are a little more tan as well, but... Maybe that is just the rosy light in the grove.
Your muscles finally relax, and Tak looks over at you. "Fine, storm face! You make spiders crispy good." He holds up his javelin to show off the poisoned end.
You're fairly certain you could also poison other things in their ichor, but their bodies are far too mangled to do much else with. You do however, notice your friend's injury, as well as the spider silk draping from the branches. It could work well to stop the bleeding.
(Speaking of which... Atriox, you take 4 bleeding damage, ongoing until it's mended 😂)
Alrik begins walking over, and using his knife he collects some of the spider silk. "Your choice, Dragonborn... we can pack that wound, stitch it, or I can burn it shut..."
Atriox grunts thinking over his choices. Finally he looks to Alrik and says "it be up to you storm caller I can handle just about anything but I know not the ways of healing."
Tak looks curiously between the two. The corners of his mouth twitch. "Fire has heal use?" He finds the irony of it humorous, not sure if he wants to see the Dragonborn burned a little. He mumbles as he stalks toward the water, looking around for fish. "Taste own medicine, yes... Yes no. Hurt much..."
"Well, it would burn like fire... but would be lightning. Yes, it can help heal. It can seal wounds so they don't continue bleeding." As he speaks, Alrik spreads his fingers, lightning arcing back and forth between his fingers.
Atriox looks at the lightning. Then meets Alriks eyes. "Very well then let's get it over with."
Alrik turns his hand, contorting his fingers into a cupped shape. The lightning begins to crackle and flash brighter, creating odd shadows dancing around them. "This... isn't going to feel the best."
He turns his hand over and slams the ball of lightning into the wound, the energy making the flesh sizzle and char. (17 medicine)
(Aubrey, make a CON save for me. XD)
20 😂
(LOL
The electricity burns and sears your scaly skin, cauterizing the wound almost instantly. The dripping blood blackens and flakes away, and your scales darken a bit from the charring. But you just grit your teeth and smile... The pain doesn't faze you at all.
Tak stares in awe through the whole process.
Atriox let's out a deep laugh at Taks face. "Thank you Alrik. To often am I seeking you out for medical help. We mustn't make a habbit of it."
"What are you so in awe about Tak ?"
The kobold clamps his mouth shut, instead of letting it hang agape. "No thing.... No things." He shakes his head, turning away and scratching his scar. "Good you better."
Atriox feels great curiosity towards the little one. He says to Tak "is it a good thing ???"
(3 deception... Rofl. He's both happy and mad.)
Tak gives Atriox a side glance. He snarls, confused at his feelings. "YES good, you no die! Not get face melted! Blood all leak out, stupid!" He looks surprised that he said that, as you are his superior and bondsman.
He grumbles, wringing his claws. "You say yes fire! Yes storm face burn it shut. Tak excited! Want see you burn like Tak. See what you do. But... you look enjoy it! You too strong..."
He huffs and stalks away over the bridge... Grumble grumble... His taloned feet clacking against the wood.
Atriox looks from Taks backside to Alrik. A look of utter confusion on his face.
"Hmmm there must be more of a grudge there than I thought."
Alrik simply shrugs and pulls out his bronze cigarette case. Taking one of the new cigarettes in his hand, he looks it over and gives it a sniff before shrugging again and lighting it, nearly instantly taking a large drag off it.
You feel a sweet, smoky, honey taste flood your senses. It instantly relaxes you, your mind feeling clear and focused. Definitely a finer quality than what you're used to. You take another delicious drag.
(You take a -3 penalty to your hp pool until the next long rest, but you have advantage on all wisdom checks for the next hour)
(Blah... wisdom. Never use it... lolol)
(XD lolol but it's got some skills you use....
(Survival.. Handle animal.. Etc
(I am just being a grump because I wanted charisma bonuses... more damage! Lol)
(🤣 hmm.. Guess you gotta try more drugs.. Jk jk
Once across the bridge with your supplies, you see an intact signpost marking the road. It stands on its own, surrounded only by grasses. One sign points north and says, “Tanglewood Ruins” and the other points east and says, “Visitors UNWelcome”... The letters U and N before the word “welcome” appear to have been roughly carved by hand.
The cart rattles along, the soft grass easily passable compared to the dense, jungle-like brush of the main forest. This grove is colossal, with smaller pockets and areas of room separated by little groupings of trees and brush. You look around the immediate area.
Tak seems more distraught the further you go. Every few minutes, he scrambles to the trees. "There bush nearby. We check, no need go further!" He fidgets, checking every leaf. The shrub sports reddish heart-shaped leaves and a smell like cinnamon.
“Firebloom tricky, hard see. Like ghost fire...” But… all of them seem picked clean. He curses himself, muttering things in draconian. You have to strain to make out the words.
Atriox grunts in frustration at the lack of fire blooms and at Taks continued outburst.
He growls and says "what is the matter Tak ? Where are the fire blooms and what is going on??"
“...That damn priest on the road must have polished them off before we ambushed him. A plague on his corpse and all his wretched town..."
He looks frustrated. In undercommon he adds, "More bushes come. We find... Then leave."
Atriox still not understanding Taks rush says "well let's find some then and we can go back to town" (investigating 14)
(Nice! Not bad...)
You travel another fifteen minutes or so, helping Tak poke through the bushes, when you think you find something. A glimmer catches your eye.
When you show Tak, he yelps out a shout of excitement. "Finally!! Here some! Four! They shimmer like fire!” He plucks one from the brush. You could hardly see it before and it was easy to miss. But once picked it flares up brightly with a color like blood, corporeal and tangible. Tak grins toothily. “When picked they start die. Only lasts short time, burn fast."
He shoves them into a small, dirty potato sack he nicked from the keep, scrambling to look for more on the bush. He is antsy. “We get, we go away, get nasty coin...”
(Roll again for me, nature check.)
(This is to see how many flowers you pick XD it'll mean something later, I know it seems arbitrary now but lol)
Alrik, remembering seeing them on the priest's body, speaks up. "Don't pick them. Dig them up."
(Niiiice... Perceptive... Haha. >3)
(Back, sorry. Thought I posted. XD knowing that will keep the flowers fresh longer.)
Tak, hearing Alrik, searches for smaller blooms on the ground. He sees a few and scoops them up with his claws, the loamy dirt coming loose.
(Total, Tak finds 3. You can roll nature checks too, to see how many you find.)
(Rolled an 11, nature modifier is 1... lol)
(Nice!)
Poking around, you both come across two more each. Tak shoves them in the bag as well, totaling 7. "This good... Sure good. All need. We done?"
(Make.... Perception checks for me again. For anything else nearby. I have so many tables to use, you have no idea how much fun the randomness is to me.. Lol.)
(15)
(Aww yeah! Nat20!)
Atriox, something in the distance between the trees catches your eye. Something large. Very large. Alrik, you notice it too, and the two of you look at each other. Something about it makes your skin prickle, Alrik--makes static trickle down your arms--and you feel a slight pressure building in your head.
You both walk carefully toward it and see two rows of gargantuan-sized rib bones protruding from the ground, fused completely with the rock and soil. It’s hard to imagine what sort of colossal beast these ribs were once apart of... They stretch so high up they scrape the forest canopy and part the branches. Small pockets of blue sky can be seen just beyond them. Milky white and semi-translucent, they catch the crimson light hauntingly.
Tak sees, but doesn’t approach with the two of you. He slowly picks at the bush with his eyes averted, plucking leaves from it and ripping them in half.
Atriox too amazed to look away calls over his shoulder to Tak " do you know anything about this little one?"
After a moment of silence he says, “What matter it? Bones everywhere. Dead everywhere. Here different, none.”
He turns his face away as he goes to the cart and tosses in his sack of dirt and flowers.
A little ways away from the rib cage is a crested slope in front of a cluster of trees. Along the top of which you see even more bones. These are equally as large, but jointed like those from a spine. They curve along the ridge and recline down into the earth again like a small archway. The more you see of this skeleton, the more draconian it appears...
Below this archway are holes in the earth and rock, tunnels leading into the ground like a maze. The openings are scorched and burnt, and smell of something… sour. You can just make out painted drawings and markings on the bones and rock above the doorways, almost completely lost under the soot and ash.
Bits of bone and refuse are scattered everywhere on the hard-packed ground, trampled down by small tracks. You would have to check closer to tell the prints apart... But it is otherwise deserted.
Atriox is fascinated and continues forward. (Investigation 20)
(Niiice.)
You wander toward the small tunnels, and the sour smell becomes almost overpowering. It makes your head swim with nausea.
You look down at the tracks and kick around at them with your clawed feet. They definitely look draconian... Small. Surely kobold, by your guess. Hundreds of them.
Once in a while you see heavy boot prints. Then the freshest, some oddly shaped, sloppy stepped footprints.
Alrik looks around, cautious about the bones. "If something this big is dead, what killed it?" He mutters to himself. He walks toward the direction the Dragonborn went.
As Alrik walks through the huge rib bones, the sanguine pulsating makes his head ache more. A crackle of electricity escapes from his scar, running down his brow into his beard. It changes colors from blue, to purple, to gold, then sizzles out again.
Atriox looks to Alrik who approaches. "What do you think my freind?" Shall we go forward or return to Dragon shore ?"
"I think my head is killing me..." he mutters, leaning against one of the large bones and putting his hand over the scar as if to stifle the pain.
As soon as you do, a thrumming pulse rushes up your spine like a firecracker. Your forehead feels like it's exploding in sparks of light and fire.
(Make a CON save for me)
Atriox, you see him in pain, but not the inner turmoil of magic and electricity in his nerves, flowing in from the weave. However...... You hear voices nearby, chuckling beyond the trees. There is eager chatter and the noise of something being smashed.
(8)
Your muscles tighten again, hardening, tightening. You feel another wave of energy well up within you, a knot unfurling into your stomach and up your chest. You feel an intense urge to wretch.
(To Atriox) The voices nearby don't seem focused on you, and seem to move further away.
Alrik slumps down, looking about for the cause of his ailment. "Ugh... my head..." he mutters. Clamping his eyes shut, he fights to keep his remnants of breakfast down.
Atriox looks around frantic to see who's voices hes hearing
As your back runs along the bone, down to the ground, it lights up red and follows your contact with it. The vibrating energy of it causes a wrenching pain up your back, and what little breakfast you had left in you is expelled. Your back feels prickly, like open wounds down your spine.
Unable to keep his eyes averted any longer, Tak looks at the bones, then the tunnels, and a dark expression spreads across his face. He gnashes his toothy maw and claws at his burn, anguished. But he hears the noise Atriox did, seeing him look about.
(Aubrey, make an investigation check with advantage)
(16)
(Perfect. This will be a bit longer since I control Tak too... Lol)
You crest the small hill and peer through the oaks growing beside it, finding a ridge overlooking a shallow bowl-like clearing. At the top of this ridge are four goblins cackling to one another in a strange language. They are completely ignorant to your presence, and seem to be rolling large rocks down the slope. They caw at one another in excitement as the boulders smash into objects at the bottom.
You see a blur of green shoot past you, screeching like a falcon. The goblin closest to you is knocked clear to the ground in a tumble of limbs and blood. A javelin is stuck through his arm. He struggles with Tak on top of him, slashing him with a curved dagger in his free hand; but the kobold ignores it and tears at him, grabbing the blade with one claw. He then lunges forward and rips out the goblin’s throat with his teeth.
The other goblins shout angrily, more at the interruption of their game than the murder of their compatriot. They take the rocks they were going to roll down the hill and raise them up over their heads, rushing forward to bludgeon Tak to death.
Atriox rushes to help Tak before he is outnumbered. He raises his glaive and throws it at the goblin in the lead approaching Tak (19+3)
(Niiiice! It hits. Roll damage!)
(15)
The glaive jettisons through the air with a whistle, running the leading goblin straight through the chest. The force of it carries his grotesque body backward, barreling over the edge of the ridge and down below.
The other two squeal, seeing you up on the edge of the hill. One whistles loudly, and the other aims his rock for your head. (12 against your armor class)
You duck easily out of the way of the projectile, and the goblin withdraws a jagged scimitar from his sagging belt, sputtering in his gravely language to the other.
Alrik, the pulsing in your head subsides somewhat as you hear the commotion from over the ridge. You still feel a residual tingling through your body, but it fades like a muscle cramp.
Atriox prepares for combat without his glaive,prepared to claw and if need be bite his way through his enemies.
Alrik groans as he pushes himself up, still slightly struggling from the strange sensation in his muscles. Pushing himself toward the noise.
(Did we have any sort of rest since we did combat last?)
The second goblin, further back, drops his rock and readies a crudely-made short bow. He aims a shot, (19) and the arrow strikes one of your arms, piercing the cloth and scales with a stinging pain. (4 damage) He then skitters back into some brush, trying to mask his presence. (18 hide as bonus action)
(Noooope.. Not that anyone said XD and Atriox is 9/24 hp. Bleeding stopped but he didn't heal yet.)
(Might be good to take a rest after this... If you can make it >D mwahaha.. Lol)
Alrik, you did register the sound of an odd whistle earlier, despite the haze in your head. Being so close to the ground, you also hear the pattering of feet coming your way... You look up. You spot two goblins flitting through the trees and grasses nearby, blending in with their crude mottled clothing. They are making for the small hill, and haven't noticed you at all. Both have curved, crudely beaten scimitars in hand.
(End of the goblins turns, its you guys when you're ready~)
(So, in total how many goblins are there?"
(Two died, so that leaves two facing Atriox and two more trying to sneak up on him, unawares of Alrik watching)
(...how close are the two sneaking up on him?
(Let's say... They're 25 feet from Atriox, and 15 feet from you)
Alrik rushes to get into a place where he can see, energy flowing down his arms as he moves. Sliding to a stop, the Storm Caller creates a sparking bolt between his fingers, and with the pooled energy in the other hand, hurls both hands together in the direction of the goblins attempting to sneak up on Atriox.
As the energy and spark meet, a bolt of lightning is wreathed in fire, screaming toward the goblin in the rear. (8 fire damage. Loophole to make fire! Electric arc + liquid energy)
(Duuude!! I love it! That's REALLY creative!)
The goblin hears a roar in his ears before he is enveloped in immolating fire. His screams are completely eaten in the blaze, and his comrade in front of him is blown forward from the rush of hot wind. (Pushed 5 feet, 15 to stay upright. Goblin you hit is a goner) He turns in surprise and anger, trying to rush back at you.
(10 against ac)
He ducks under the energy rippling through the air. Slashing wide with his scimitar, he cuts only air.
Atriox moves to deal with the closest remaining goblin. Bearing only his sharp claws he moves forward carefully to evade attacks and then gets right up on the Goblin and does an uppercut with his claws fully extended aiming for right under the Goblins jaw were the head and neck meet. (16+3) (18)
Alrik spins underneath the incoming attack, reaching out and grabbing the goblin's face as he does. As his skin meets the goblin's, a bright flash eminates from Alrik's hand as lightning courses through his veins, pouring into the miserable creature's face.
Alrik stands, still holding the spasming and screaming goblin. He raises it above his head and lets out a battle roar, pouring more energy into the spell as he slams the vile thing down into the ground. (Double Nat 20)
Atriox, despite your size you move like the wind, whipping around and uppercutting the goblin with your razor-sharp claws. It blows him clean off the ground and you hear bones snap with the force of the impact.
(This easily ko's it.. If you'd like to describe more of your finishing move, please enjoy! 😂
(once you finish killing your goblin I have something else that happens to Atriox.... Lolol. >D Now for this freaking double nat 20...)
Alrik, as you bring the goblin down it impacts the ground with such force that a small crater is formed where it's head is. A powerful surge of energy ripples around you; something from this grove amplying your connection with the weave. It pours into your body and down your arm, your muscles rippling and scales literally errupting from your skin, all the way down to your fingers. The wretched thing is crushed, the crater collapsing down a second time from the mighty force.
Unbeknownst to you, your pupils are slitted, hyper focused on your prey, your peripheral vision a blur. Your breath comes ragged, but it slows as your eyes go back to normal. Your coppery scales on your arm however... do not fade.
(You get to choose which arm this affects. XD)
Atriox, despite your size you move like the wind, whipping around and uppercutting the goblin with your razor-sharp claws. It blows him clean off the ground and you hear bones snap with the force of the impact. Your nails literally rip into his throat and skin, pouring out blood and hanging him in the air as if on a meat hook. His eyes bulge with utmost terror and he gurgles loudly, starting to drown in his own blood.
Atrioxs lifts the dying Goblin up to eye level with him. On some level deep down he doesn't like the look of suffering and pain that is displayed on the dying creature and it saddens him. But he knows that despite this he can not appear weak to an enemy and in front of his friends. He growls loudly and with his free hand he grabs the goblins chest. Then with the hand impaled in the goblins head rips the the miserable creatures head and spine alike clear from the body which drops with a thud to the ground. As Atriox holds his trophy he splatters the blood dripping from it on his face and then lifting the trophy high looks up and roars to the heavens.
Tak is beside himself with rage, continuing to slash at the dead creature with his claws and teeth. If you hadn't seen it beforehand, it'd be almost impossible to know it was a goblin at all now.
Hard to tell his own blood from his enemy, gashes glisten bright red along the kobold's hand and snout and a bloody cut can be seen in his leather jerkin--if it was his old armor, he would've easily been dead. It isn't until hearing the draconic, mighty roar that he breaks out of the fever of rage. He stops, flesh in his mouth, and turns to look at the princely, visceral form that is Atriox and his trophy.
Tak swallows, teeth gleaming with blood. He is immensely awed. Atriox.... Shadows encroach on your vision again, turning the whites of your eyes black as they gaze up at the severed head, spine and dripping viscera. A cold, hallow laugh reverberates in your mind.
...Then it passes, and the shadows fade.
Alrik looks down at the crater, wondering where the immense power came from. As he looks at his arm, his jaw drops open and he touches his left arm, feeling the rough scales on it. "What did... how?"
The scales glisten in the red light of the grove. Just the top of your arm seems affected, small scales forming near the sides and larger ones layered down in a line to your knuckles. They're all shimmering and smooth, except the largest which are somewhat rougher... But they're all hardened like steel. They are definitely real.
Alrik sighs, and starts digging in his satchel for a pair of gloves. "Damn, just what I need..." he mumbles
Tak finally looks away, coming back to reality. He stares at the goblin he killed with a look of disgust, spitting out a tooth from his mouth. Plucking himself up, he shakes the blood off of him like a dog.
The kobold licks the deep gash on his hand, going over to the ridge of the clearing. There's a long pause as he stares below. He seems... blank. After a minute though he slowly exhales and disappears over the edge, clattering down the rocks.
A few moments later, he returns, awkwardly carrying the glaive. It's covered in a mix of his blood, goblin blood, and a fair amount of dirt.
Atriox still holding his trophy and breathing heavy finally feels the Rage and Darkness disappearing. He slowly comes out of it AMD walks up to Tak.
He looks at him and takes his glaive. He pats Tak on the shoulder and says "You did good brave one. Though you were a bit reckless. I was worried about you for a second there." Atriox laughs "you look just about as bad as I do eh ? Let us go see how Alrik is doing. Come ride on my shoulder little one ?"
Tak stares up at you rather blankly, then at the spine in your hand, then at the dead and eviscerated goblins littering the ground. He looks at all the blood and gore covering the two of you and nods slightly.
Without a glance back at the ridge he climbed out of, he quietly pads over to you as ordered (or at least, taking it as an order). He slowly climbs your arm, sitting on your shoulder. Being the size of a small child, his legs hang over and, exhausted, he holds onto your horns for support.
Alrik, as you grab a pair of gloves you see Atriox and Tak come back over the small hillside. Both could almost pass for red draconians now. They are rather worse for wear, and you all feel an overwhelming tiredness after this adventure. But... you did get what you came for, after all. And then some.
Atriox walks up to Alrik and eyes him. After a brief moment of pause he speaks.
Howd you fair there Alrik ? I heard some pretty loud screams of goblins over this way. You must have been doing some pretty fancy magic.
Alrik points to the double crater and pile of skull sludge. "Something about this grove... it is empowering. I was able to pour more magic into a spell than ever before, and it did that."
He pauses for a bit, uncertain of what to say or do, but then pulls off his left glove and holds up his hand, showing the bronze scales. "And this..."
Tak, almost passing out from the blood loss, jerks awake a bit more. He stares hard at the scales as if trying to process them. They seem rather strange on a human like Alrik.
He mumbles hoarsely, "Special place. Sacred place. It give some... or take some. Lucky storm face not dead. Lucky..."
He looks pained and after a minute struggles to say, "Tak... Tak no want more be here." He grabs Atriox's horn to steady himself in his haze. "But... go where command send. Bonded you. Follow lead. Where go we?"
Alrik nods slowly, then glances back at Ginger and the wagon. "Town... need to deliver those fireblooms and get the horse back to her owner."
He then smirks and looks at Atriox and Tak. "And you two healed up better than I can do... you both look like hell chewed you up and spit you out."
Atriox grunts an agreement. "Aye we need to leave here and regroup but I do not think this will be the last time we see these bones. Let us be off."
Tak flashes a cold, almost mirthless smile. "Tak would do again. Go through hell, kill bastard goblins." His eyes burn. "I find more, I eat their face."
His face pales at the thought of coming back, but stays quiet. He must follow them, after all.
(Make a d20 roll and tell me what you both get... Lets see what happens to you on the way back.... 😈)
(Okay, let's see... Oh joy... 7)
(17.....)
(Mwahaha... Let me consult the bones...)
(Before we leave here, anything else you guys wish to do?)
(Just in this immediate area I mean. All threats are currently neutralized.)
(Loot the goblinses)
(Blah... only an 11 on investigation
As Atriox readies the horse, calming her from the smell of blood, you go take a closer look at the goblins.
You kneel at the nearest one, half obliterated from your intense magical blast. Roughly checking the pockets on his baggy clothes, you find 2 silver coins and a dripping, smelly bag. As you open it up, you find half-eaten, rotten fish heads.
You walk over to the second one, his body charred and smoldering. There's hardly anything left of him, except his scorched scimitar and a few buckles from his clothes. The smell is rather putrid and you make your way over to the hill, leaving him be.
Stepping in past the trees, you come upon a scene just about as gruesome as the one you created. You find half of the mutilated body that Atriox tore in half, the head and spine missing.
Kicking around in the pool of blood, you find 12 gold pieces and a skull. Picking it up and wiping it clean, it looks strange... Definitely humanoid, but filled with a black powder packed in some kind of wax. A thick piece of twine protrudes from one of the eye sockets.
You walk toward the ridge, spotting a second victim. This goblin is also missing a face, with bite and claw marks all over his body. A javelin is still stuck through his arm, pinning him to the ground. You find a necklace of teeth, mostly canine, and half a dusty bottle of gin.
(Skull bomb?! Cool!)
You see a smear of blood trailing over the side of the ridge, and you peer over to see the body of another goblin smashed below. A huge hole is punched right through his chest, likely from your friend's glaive.
...You also notice that the creature is laying in a mass grave of sorts, filled with kobold skeletons and decaying eggs. The smell of death is intense, and rancidly sour. Many bones and shells are smashed, small boulders having crushed them from up above. Other general refuse and broken weapons lay scattered amongst them.
(Yep! I love crazy alternate weapons)
(You also did have 4 goblins before.... You only killed 3, Atriox 😈)
**To Be Continued**
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