Day 24 in Dragonshore (Part 1)

Etny, having taken her leave of the inn two weeks ago, and the city for that matter, has made a small, but serviceable camp far west outside town. 

She has set up immobilizationary traps all about the perimeter of her campsite, just in case...

For these last two weeks, she has solidified and harbored a mistrust and a loathing for all Einhycacht, and Atriox-arach.  She guesses, beyond all doubt, that he wants her head on a platter, and nothing less.  Or worse.  Ever since her fight with him, she has done nothing short of utterly avoiding town, and the temple, and anyone associated with Atriox-arach.  The only person she truly trusts is Oredion-Antrahtu. 

(18 stealth.)

In her paranoia, she has set all sorts of traps around their campsite, and has obsessively kept watch each night they have been away.  She has gotten little to no sleep these past few days.

(23 survival to set the traps, and total 20 perception to watch for threats.)

She has lost much sleep, obsessing and reliving the details of her fight with Atriox-arach.  Was she even right to challenge him?  Was it really about honor?  Or was it personal?  Did she challenge him because her pride was hurt at their "first meeting?"  She does nothing but doubt herself constantly.

She stokes the flames of her campfire.

Oredion over the course of two weeks has stayed at the inn alone. He has worked hand in hand with the blacksmith showing him everything he knows of the craft. His shield was finished more then a week ago with the utmost detail applied. The tower shield is now covered in white scales that protect against frost. The bones make an outer lining and make up the new handle increasing the shields grip. The pines now form a deadly circle in the middle of the shield with the fine pines being sharpened . Oredion has spent the last week mainly drinking. He does not know where to go or even where to begin to track the goblin horde down and has been depressed ever since the fight. Etny has avoided him for the most part. He knows where her camp is and sometime visits, but she does not hear his words as she always looks deep in thought. Oredion has decided today is as good a day as any to visit his friend in the woods. Making his way threw the traps carefully hoping she has not set new ones since last she showed him the path.

(Perception 13+7)

Touching a finger to one of her arrows, she sees Oredion, Antrahtu approaching, and lets the arrow go.  She sighs visibly, relief palpable in her violet eyes.  The dark circles under those eyes are prominent. 

"Oredion-elenn," she greets him, "you are a welcome sight for these tired eyes."  She smiles, but it is empty and filled with sadness.

Gesturing for him to make himself comfortable, she tamps the embers of her fire, a metal pot with a warm stew bubbling and frothing over the coals.  "I have made breakfast, elenn."
Her voice is quiet and morose, lacking the life and vitality it once had.
"When's thr ladt time you slept Et?"

Oredion looks concerned, but knows she won't fully listen unless he begs her to.

(Why does this have to be so sad? It's like everyone died... 😂)
(Omg XD you sad peoples. I have plans
(Then hurry lol jk take your time I'll roll with the sadness for now 😂😂😂)
(Shield stats..... When equipped adds +2 ac. Can be used against an opponent for 1d6 damage)
(Is the shield resistant to frost or immune?)
(Oh right, dragon scales xD Resistant to frost)

Etny smiles weakly and with irony at Oredion.  "Sleep?  What is that?"

Noticing Oredion's concern, she ceases her joking.  "I..I can't sleep, Ore-elenn..."

"Why do you need to put yourself through this? Why can you not sleep? No one's coming to harm you. I'll stand guard while you sleep. Although I doubt you need me much with how many traps you have set."

Oredion still looking concerned gives a small chuckle and a little wink on the last part.

(Persuasion 17+3)

"I...I am a fool, Oredion-elenn...," she says, her voice full of self-loathing.  "I have made a grave mistake, and I cannot deny that it is my burden to bear the consequences of that mistake.  O-Oredion..." Her voice wavers with emotion, "am I a fool?  Was my challenge truly about honor, or was I just...overreacting?"

(And the thing is...She and Oredion have had this conversation quite a few times before now--over the last couple weeks.)

Oredion pauses taking a moment to choose his words carefully.

"You are no fool. I do believe you were both in the right if that makes sense? You have traditions unknown to us that carry a great way on your shoulders. Atriox was not aware of such traditions and stepped upon them unknowingly without batting an eye. I do believe a chat would have been more of a peaceful solution, but what is done is done. I stand by your decision, yet I feel you must bring yourself before him one last time and explain. If he has any kind of heart within him he shall understand the burden of making you bow was. If things go sideways, well you always have a faithful dwarf to get you out of trouble. However, for now you must sleep I beg of you. It hurts me so to see you like this."

Oredion gently cups Etny's cheek in his hand. He gives her a concerned pleading look.


(Oh persuasion 13+3)

Etny rests a hand on his, giving it a squeeze.  She closes her eyes for a moment, knowing the dwarf is sincere.

(12 opposed persuasion roll...yeah, she's going to hit the sack, lol!)

She opens her eyes again, still gripping his hand in hers.  "Alright, Oredion-elenn.  I will...I will try to sleep."

She releases his hand, and looks at him.  "Elenn...if I bring myself before him, I die.  He will kill me in his wrath, and that will be the end of it.  I appreciate your loyalty, Ore-elenn, but right now, I do not think going before Atriox-arach would be wise, even if it is to explain myself."

Oredion nods, understanding her words and knowing it could well be true.

"Finally I thought I was gonna have to knock you out."

Oredion laughs nervously knowing he came here today to do just that if she refused to sleep. He puts his head to hers. A sign of good luck for his people. Forgetting he has not told her this he quickly backs away.

"Ahem... Do you wish for me to stay and guard you or for me to leave Et? As long as you sleep im not worried about the details."

Etny slumps down, starting to tremble with exhaustion.  She half crawls/half walks to her tent where her bedroll is laid out.  "Y..yes, please, keep watch...I will just rest a bit.  Nothing too long.  Just a little rest should be fine.  Harra, Oredion-elenn..."

Slipping into the bedroll, still trembling, she shuts her stinging eyes, and falls hard to sleep, her mind swimming and dizzy with tiredness.

(So do I just rp sitting down or dm lady kill it with mad narrative skills? 😂)
(Hahahaha... I'm sending a novel... Rofl
(Addressing Atriox with plot then Etny with.... Dreams. And Ore with something he'll prolly yeet
(I love to yeet stuff I'll let ya take your time without interruption. XD)

Etny rests a hand on his, giving it a squeeze. She closes her eyes for a moment, knowing the dwarf is sincere.

(12 opposed persuasion roll...yeah, she's going to hit the sack, lol!)

She opens her eyes again, still gripping his hand in hers. "Alright, Oredion-elenn. I will...I will try to sleep."

---

Etny.... you drift into sleep almost instantly, the waves of exhaustion enveloping you like the sea. You find yourself back in the ocean. Again. Waves of red assault you from all sides. It's hard to breathe, to keep your head up above the water. Every time you try to cry out for the All-Mother, your voice is muted. No matter how hard you scream, you cannot seem to reach your god. The booming of thunder in the distance seems to rumble the word Honor. Over. And over. And over. Each time feels like a rending knife in your heart.

A slithering tendril wraps around your leg in the water, dragging you under. Your vision flashes bright, then dark. All around you are sea snakes. Anacondas. Vipers. Cobras. Grasping your leg is a snake, mutated and disgustingly hideous. It has several heads, several tails, and bloated eyes all over its body. They rupture as they hold you, dark shadow mixing into the water from the wounds like black ink.

The further down it drags you, the larger it grows. Soon the snake is the size of a boar. Then a tree. Then a mountain. Horns and fangs sprout from every joint. More heads grow. It looks like a hydra, twisted by the dark spawn of the abyss into something truly horrible. You struggle to free yourself from its clammy grip, pulling your bow from your back--only to find it is broken in two. Smashed in the middle, as if crushed in the claw of a dragon.

The hydra hisses, its infinite mouths and infinite voices crying out in a cacophony, "KNEELLLLL...."

---

Oredion... you watch over the camp loyally. It's a rather well defended camp with her traps, definitely well tended and re-set often. Wandering the perimeter you check on Etny every few passes. She makes little murmurs in her sleep, obviously deep in a dream.

The trees are thick around you. Good cover, and good shade from the heat of the sun. With summer waning though, the trees will also provide good protection from the cold winds blown in from the sea... a very smart place. Nothing less than what you'd expect from the huntress.

You spot Gaare nearby chewing on a bit of rabbit he'd captured. He rips out some of the innards, bobbing his head back and forth as he gulps them down. Seeing you he tilts his head, one beady eye watching your movements. There's also a rather large egg laying nearby, likely left by the axebeak for Etny... an interesting pet for her to have, in the least.

The bird suddenly lifts its head, standing up to its full height. It paws at the ground nervously, turning to skitter away. You can hear a noise coming from the forest--a loud growling. It's far enough away that it does not wake Etny, but it's close enough that there is a notable concern to her well being.

Oredion startled turns in the direction of the noise. He glances sideways worried Etny has awaken from the noise. Luckily she's fast asleep. Oredion let's out a sigh of relief. He picks Joey out of his beard and signals for him to stay by Etny's side. He then proceeds to move towards the noise avoiding the traps quickly and stealthily, weapon drawn, shield up.

(Stealth 15/ Athletics 16+7)

Joey skitters away to the tent, flashing a few different colors. He curls up in Etny's hair, watching the edge of camp where Oredion is headed.

You easily make your way through the traps, quite familiar with them having been here a few times already. The noise is louder as you move through the trees, and then you see it:

A large grizzly bear is caught in one of the traps, tangled amid a net and a bola. It's enraged, attempting to rip its way out by tearing up the tree it's tangled beside. The great claws of the beast rake the bark, flaying it from the trunk. It looks incredibly hungry and dangerous, likely coming to the camp due to the smell of the food being cooked.

You are definitely hidden from the large bear, watching it from the shadows of the tree next to you. It is almost free and ready to bolt toward camp any minute.
Oredion thinks quickly  worried for Etny's safety. His eyes turn a soft green his rage now activated. Green energy starts to form in his hands seeping into his weapons. His axe now shining an electrical green hums in his hand. He Arch's his shoulders back, takes aim at the bears skull, and lets go of his axe watching it whirl threw the air a green arch following it.

(Strength 12+5)

(Oh crap I'm sorryyyyy I was out like a light x__x I'm pretty sure I dreamed of your bamf characters tho lolol
(It's np as long as my character yeeted someone lol)
(Niiiiiice good attack, roll damage! It uses an action to free itself from the trap, so you get another turn too)

The axe easily hits its mark, the bear turning it's head at the last moment. The blade sinks deep into it's neck and shoulder, rending the muscle and tissue with deadly force.

It roars in anguish and rage, ripping and snapping the last of the ropes. It turns its attention to you. The scars on its face tell you this bear is fierce and has survived many battles already. It is determined now to rip you to shreds, and then tear every last inch of that camp apart.

(I can't wait to reply to this!!! I'm busy right now but as soon as I'm done. Your on BEAR!!! 😂)
(16 Damage)

Oredion calls his axe back to his hand while simultaneously charging the bear with his spiked shield. He slams the shield down into the bears face and brings his axe down for another strike into the bears neck.

(Strength 10+5/ Athletics 9+7)
(Niiiiiiiiice! I'm guessing those are attack rolls? XD roll damage for me)
(Axe damage 21/ Shield 6)

There is a loud SHLURP sound as the heirloom axe rips its way from the bear's flesh, flying back into Oredion's outstretched hand. Blood gushes from the wound and the beast roars, charging the dwarf. They collide, two furious and unstoppable forces of nature.

The beautifully crafted war shield tastes its first blood, the pines from the white dragon sinking satisfyingly into the bear's face. Piercing into its eye, cheek and nose, it holds the prey in place as the axe arcs down for a glorious finish.

It cleaves cleanly through the muscle, severing the spine as it strikes an exposed artery. A fresh spray of blood anoints the ground of battle. The grizzly lets out a final death groan, its huge, 6 inch claws a hair away from slicing your side wide open. The massive paw slides down off of your shield as the entire beast hits the ground.

Victory.

---

Etny jolts awake, a cry escaping her.  Her breaths come in audible gasps as she tries to calm herself.  Her heart is racing, blood pounding in her ears.  The last dire word of that nightmare still rings clearly in her mind.

She throws the cover of her bedroll aside, and stands up, heading out of the tent. 

She looks around, searching for Oredion.  "Ore-elenn?  You there?"

Oredion stands pushing the beast of of him. His fresh cloths now stained and dripping with blood again. He eyes the bear while taking a step back. He realizes just how massive this beast was. It had scars running from it's head to it's hind It's paws were easily twice the size of his head. Oredion not one to turn down a trophy grabs his axe out of the bears neck. He takes aim at the bears claws and strikes down severing two claws clean off. He rips part of his already torn cloak off and wraps it tightly around the two claws. Stuffing the wrapped claws in his bag he starts to head back to the camp slightly tired. He arrives in camp looking like he had gone threw hell, but just covered in bear blood.

Etny hears someone approaching, and she panics, having left her bow and arrows in the tent--her only weapon.

When she sees that it's just Oredion, she audibly sighs with relief.  "Oredio--oleah!  You're covered in blood!  What in the Nine Hells happened to you?!"

She rushes up to him, and looks him over for any injuries.

"Bloody bear got caught in one of your traps. He looked hungry probably smelled the stew, but that's not important. How was your sleep Et. Are you feeling better."

Oredion looks highly concerned at Etny. Even though he's covered in blood and tired he tries to usher her back to bed.

"Did you sleep enough it's only been a few hours?"

"Oredion-elenn...I have tried to sleep, but..." She looks away.  "I had a terrible nightmare, Ore-elenn.  I fear to try and go back to sleep..."

She casts her eyes about, and decides that the present was the best time for her to inspect her traps again...for the millionth time, it seems.

"Oredion-elenn, you look tired.  I have had enough sleep, I think.  I will take the watch, and let you get some rest.  First though," she remarks, "we must clean you up!"
"Im fine a little bit of blood never killed me yet. Now stop fretting with the traps and take a seat. Let's just relax and talk. I've already killed anything that may be off danger anyways."

Oredion chuckles at his words, but means them whole heartily.

Etny looks slightly crestfallen, not being able to check and reset her traps, but gives in anyway, and sits down with Oredion.  She reaches over, and producing two bowls, ladels out stew fur the both of them.  She has a bowl to Oredion.

"Oredion-elenn," she begins, what's on your mind?"

"To put it bluntly lass. I'm sick of you being cooped up here. It's driving you insane. I do not mean to be rude I'm just worried."

Oredion sits down on a log opposite of Etny. He crosses his fingers in front of his face and tries to think of a way to make her leave this place.

"I'm not going near that city, elenn," Etny says in a flat tone.  She takes a bite of stew.  "I am staying as far away from it as I can."

She takes another bite of stew, and ponders her next words carefully.  "If I show my face there," her voice takes on a bitter edge, "HE will likely see me and kill me on the spot, or attempt to anyway."

"Fine then I will track him down and speak with him. You stay here in your safe camp. If I die so be it."

Oredion stands not looking at Etny and quickly leaves the camp.
(Tf??? Lol)
(I'm outta there lmao)
(You can try to stop me if you dare lol)

Etny rushes forward, catching the dwarf by the arm.  (15 strength to grab a hold of and stop Oredion.)  "Oooh no you don't, Oredion-elenn!"  She grips his arm tightly.  "You are not going to die just so I can move back!"  Her violet eyes are stern yet worried.

(18 persuasion)

"You have tried this before, Oredion-elenn, and it is not wise!"

"Aye, i have, but I like a challenge just as much as the next dwarf."

Oredion is annoyingly persuaded to stay. Mildly amused she wants him to stay.

"Now why must I stay here then lass? To help you check your traps for the millionth time?"

Oredion let's out a dry chuckle. Not sure if he wants to try an purposely upset her or not.

Etny gets a slightly annoyed look on her face, shaking her head.  "Ore-elenn...there is a difference between a challenge and a death trap.  I'd rather you not die out there, needlessly."

"Besides, your company is...is appreciated."

"What does it matter if I die. You can always find more complying company."

Oredion sits back down annoyed avoiding Etny's eyes.

"Ore-elenn...why do you say such things?  It...it frightens me...."  Her eyes averted as well, she continues.  "I don't..."

She looks back up at him, her violet eyes sad.  "I don't want any other company...," she says in a whisper.

"I.. I'm sorry. I do not mean to speak such words. I.. I am mad, sad, I'm bloody emotional. I'm just useless."

Oredion cups her face with his hands. He feels no anger, but his eyes start to gleam dark green. He thinks to himself "What is happening? Why must I always mess things up."

Etny comes up and rests her hand on the dwarf's back, rubbing softly.  "Your words betray you, elenn.  You are not useless for feeling such things.  You are a strong, potent fighter who has been thrown into a tough circumstance...I do not blame you for feeling so." 

She crouches down, gently removing Oredion's hands from his face.  His eyes are glowing green. 

"Say, I have an idea, Ore-elenn!"

"What is it Et? I am in no mood for games."

Oredion smiles a bit, but it instantly disappears. He has not felt right since the fight. Something in his head has been making him feel things more strongly then he normally does. He begins to get a piercing headache, but continues along. Waiting for Etny to reveal her idea.

"Want to hunt with me?  Blow off steam?  I think it might relieve some of the stress we're dealing with..." 

She takes a closer look at him, trying to gauge how he is doing.  Something seems slightly off with her friend.  Her violet eyes are filled with concern.

(23 medicine check to determine what's up)

"Fine. Anything to get you out of this camp."

Oredion sighs and gets up. His eyes still stay a dark gleaming green. A fact that Oredion is all to well aware of. His vision grows a foggy green, but he follows the huntress none the less.

"Oredion-elenn," she says, getting up with him and going to gather her bow and arrows, "you do not.."  She tries to determine how to word it, You do not seem...well. Is everything alright?"

Shouldering her bow and getting her quiver ready, she prepares to depart.  She eyes Oredion.

"I'm fine lass. Just having a problem with my eyes is all. Nothing to fret you little head about."

Oredion starts to make his way out of the camp carefully. Not quite sure where the traps are. His head starts to swirl, but he continues on.

The two of you make your way through the maze of traps leading deeper into the woods. It's rather amazing seeing all of the strange contraptions Etny has come up with in her paranoia. Not much could get into her camp without her knowing about it.

Joey pops up out of Etny's hair, shaking his little head and blinking his big eyes--currently pink. He tilts his face to the side, staring up at the tree canopy above. There is a fair amount of birdsong and wind, a nice breeze coming in off the sea.

You walk for some time, a mild headache persisting in Oredion's skull. The memory of the day he killed the elemental is... bittersweet. For just a beautiful, short day the rage, the pain, was lessened. There is an intense desire to have that again.

After about twenty minutes, you come to a strange stream. It seems to burble, but the water is so low it really just pools in among the stones and rocks. It looks... sickly. Based on the dying vegetation you can tell it was recently dammed up somewhere further up river.

Etny let's Joey crawl into her hand, and strokes his scaly back with her thumb absently.  Looking at the strange, burbling, sickly water, she makes up her mind. 

"Oredion-Antrahtu, I have another idea!"  Putting two of her fingers in her mouth, she lets out a sharp, clear whistle that echoes through the trees.  Suddenly, the soft footfalls of padding, taloned feet approaches.  "Gaare," says Etny, stroking the axe beak's neck when she arrives, "would you mind terribly if we ride on you?"  Joey hisses and, turning red, races into Etny's hair, hiding from the big flightless bird.

"You know I'm not going to fit on that bird right?"

Oredion chuckles lightly. He looks Etny over. Even a few hours of sleep have seemed to help her out greatly. The throbbing in his head has not subsides and he swears he can hear a distant almost angry voice in the back of his mind.

Etny strokes the bird's neck some more, the axe beak nibbling at her fingers affectionately. 

"She's fine with giving us a ride, Ore-elenn," she grins.  "She is a strong creature, and has carried more than a woman and a dwarf in the past.  Besides, Gaare is a superb runner, aren't youuuuuu," Etny coos lovingly to the bird, ruffling her feathers behind her head.

She gives Oredion a wink, signifying that it's okay to hop on, and with a graceful movement, leaps up onto the axe beak's back.

"Come, Ore-elenn.  You need not fear or worry."

Oredion not really wanting to ride the bird, but to overwhelmed to say no complies. He reaches up trying to grab Etny's hand and swing onto the bird. After situating himself awkwardly. He realizes there's no way to hang on without falling off.

"Et you know if your bird bucks me off were gonna have problems right? Anyhow, how do I hold onto this damned thing? Grab it's feathers?"

(I imagine Ore is sitting in front of Etny on the bird.)

"I ride bare back, Ore-elenn.  And don't you worry, my friend," she smiles softly, "I will hold onto you.  You have only to grip onto her neck feathers.  They are strong and firm, and will not pull off."  Etny wraps her arm around Oredion, holding him fast. 

(16 strength to hold the dwarf.)

Oredion squirms nervously when Etny puts her arms around him. His cheeks blush a bright red and he's now glad he rode the bird. He grips around Gaare's next lightly not wanting to hurt the bird. All in all Oredion is pretty distracted.

"Umm... Et what now?"

Etny hugs Oredion to herself...for safety, of course...  She leans forward, and shouts. 

"GAARE!  EYAH!"

The axe beak lets out a deafening cry, and takes off with a mighty jolt!  "HOLD ON TIGHT, OREDION-ANTRAHTU," Etny cries into Oredion's ear as the wind and trees whip and roar in their ears.  She grips him tight with her one arm, and holds fast to the axe beak's neck feathers with her other hand.  She begins to laugh with excitement.

 The two of you race through the woods at a breakneck speed. The axe beak does not seem deterred by the terrain. She nimbly lunges around the tangled patches of thorn bushes and over the fallen, moss-covered logs. You can feel her powerful breathing through the mass of feathers.

You start to notice something else mingled with the slow trickle of water.

Blood.

Slowing Gaare down to a trot you grow more cautious. The bird fidgets nervously. There is a foul odor on the air.... The rotting stench of decay.  All sounds in the forest have ceased, except for a very low, unknown sound. It sends the hair on the back of your neck on end; an aberrant chill that could make the staunchest stomach turn.

You come around the bend and see a horrific sight.

Not fifty feet from you the decimated body of a dire elk lays across the river, its insides spilling out and filled with snakes. Live, slithering masses of scales and hissing tumble down the bloody carcass, devouring one another in a frenzied hunger.

Behind the elk you see movement. What you thought were rocks now squirm and twist. A huge, worm-like monstrosity slides up around its festering, putrid spoils. It senses your movement.... Your pulse.

Its serpentine head suddenly splits open, a high-pitched, unholy noise piercing your ears. It rushes toward you, it's barbed tentacles unfurling to reveal its hungry, snapping beak.
 
Oredion shaken by the sight, unwraps Etny's arms round him. He jumps off Gaare and brings his shield up with his axe ar the ready in the other hand. He glances at Etny who looks like she's reliving something terrible.

"Et are you ready to fight? If your not in good enough condition take Gaare and get out of here!"

Oredion turns back to the beast in front of him. His head throbbing he can make out the sound of someone screaming at him in his head. "KILL THE BEAST. REGAIN MY FAVOR DWARF! DI NOT FAIL ME A SECOND TIME!" With that said the voice disappears. Oredion's vision clears. He feels a rage grow from within him. It grows outwards to his weapons making them an electrified green. His eyes no longer burn, but feel warm yet comforting. The dwarfs we eyes are consumed in a green flame.

The foul grick bears down on Oredion in an instant. The force behind the eight feet of muscle nearly barrel him over--and would have if not for his dwarven sturdiness.

The tentacles wrap around the shield and axe, tearing and sucking, pushing them away and ripping at his face and arms. (21 to hit, 12 damage).

Now entangled around the dwarf and holding apart his weapons, the clacking beak stabs into the top of his shoulder and down in his ribs, clamping tightly over his axe-weilding arm. (20 to hit, 6 damage) It bleeds horridly, the rancid bile of the creature burning like acid.

(Wreck this sucker..... Haha)
(Am I stuck or can I fight back?)
(You can fight, it's not technically grappling..... just narrated. You can rip free and do whatever you want
(I think you and Et both have at least one inspiration point too
(I got 2 I been saving.)
(Oh! Sweet!

Oredion grips his axe tightly and struggles to free himself. There's a brief moment where the creature does not grip as tightly onto his right arm. Oredion takes that moment to swing his axe into the air as hard as he can. (Strength 18+5) The axe swirls high into the air and Oredion opened hs palm creating electricity to call it back to him. It slams down severing the tentacles surrounding him as he screams "Let go you foul monster." Oredion tries to quickly leap away having dropped his shield after not being able to untangle it. He calls his axe back to his hand once more. It flies to him with a whizzing sound as it spins threw the air. Oredion braces himself wielding his axe with both hands ready for the beast to strike again.

(Niiiice! Damage roll too please~
(21 damage)

Etny cries out, seeing her beloved friend entangled in the mass of the foul creature. 

"OREDIOOOOOONNNNN," she yells out, her heart racing.  In one swift motion, her bow is out, a thunder arrow notched.  Drawing back, she lets the arrow fly. 

(14 to hit...bleh...)

(That matches! Roll damage. You guys can do that whenever you roll attacks XD)
 is your damage considered magical? Or normal?)
(10 damage; creature is pushed back 5 ft.; creature needs to make a con saving throw)
(16)
(Magical I think because of electricity?
(No bleeding damage.)
(Good...very good...)
(I don't like the sounds of that...)

The axe slices through the tentacles, the wriggling masses of tissue falling to the ground and writhing. The monster screeches loudly in pain, pulling back to recover from the critical blow.

It lashes out with it's body toward Oredion again, (10) smashing against his armor and axe without avail. The green flames from his eyes illuminate the twisting teeth down its open maw.

An arrow suddenly pierces it's head, a thunderous boom blasting it away from the dwarf. The wretched monster rears  up, hissing and writhing in pain.

There is a sudden wash of scales slithering past your legs, fangs biting and grabbing at your ankles. The hundreds of serpents have now started leaving the carcass, drawn to the battle by some unknown force. It feels like burning needles all along your calves.

(16 to hit against Et, 22 against Ore, 7 against Gaare. 6 damage. Make con saves pleaseeeee. 😌
(Con save 20 total.)

Etny, you feel a horrid tingling running through your muscles. It passes after a moment as you kick and stomp at the snakes around you.

(Success... 6 more damage to you from poison.)
(3+6 oof)
(So i just took 16 Damage plus whatever is about to happen?)
(Nah 6 damage plussssss.......
(4
(Your turns

Oredion rushes forward throwing axe again aiming for what he thinks his the beasts face. He picks up his shield quickly holding it up bracing for another attack. He glances sideways to see Etny get bitten by the snakes. Oredion yells.

"Back away! Stay away from this abomination!"

(Strength 6+5, Attack 18)
(I get confused, I just use your str score as attacks when you post it xD is the 18 attack or damage?

Etny kicks and stomps at the horde of snakes, letting out a whimper when she feels the fangs of one of the many, many snakes sink into her calf muscle.

Shaking off the bite, knowing she will have to bleed out the venom later, she hears Oredion warn her to stay back.  Going completely against her better judgement, she leaps off of Gaare, and attempts a tumble-roll past the snake horde (7 acrobatics...bleh).
(It's just attack lol nm I'll stick with the strength 😂)

Gaare rears up, flapping his flightless wings, letting out a ferocious wail, and races toward the horde of snakes, lowering her axe beak for the attack.  (14 attack against the pile of snakes.

The monster writhes so viciously that the axe just barely misses its target. Clattering into the silty mud, it sizzles with electricity and skitters back again to Oredion's hand.

A venomous snarl errupts from the beast as it slams against Oredion one last time. Impacting the shield like a battering ram, it tries to knock the dwarf to the ground. 

(14 attack miss, 21 str to bowl him over.)

The sickening crunch of its face as it hits is only magnified by the sound of Oredion being crushed beneath it. Both slide through the muddy river rocks, and the monster lays still... Skewered through the face by the strong pines of the shield.

Etny, you fail to leap from Gaare as well as you'd like, the pain in your leg intensely spasming. You land at a painful angle on your back, the wind knocked out of you. (4 damage)

You shiver uncontrollably as snakes pour over the top of you, slithering  toward Gaare and out into the forest. He pecks mercilously at them, ragdolling them through the air against the trees.

Etny let's out a yelp as the cold scales of hundreds of snakes writhe and slither over her prone figure. 

She shivers violently, the feeling of hundreds of venomous reptiles wriggling and slithering over her causing her to shudder.

She desperately crawls away from the area, and, looking frantically for her dwarven friend, spots him under the horror.  She races over to him.

"O-Oredion!  Oredion-elenn!  Shiza!  Are you alright?  I'm going to get this thing off of you!"  Her voice is desperate.  She then strives against the dead creature on top of him, trying to push it off.

(16 strength check to shove this nasty thing off of Oredion.)

Barely managing to move its bulk, Enty is able to plant her feet firmly enough in the slippery rocks to roll the beast off of her friend. He gasps for breath, no longer suffocating.

The green light in his eyes is pale, marred by a green tinge in his cheeks. He looks afflicted by the poison and unable to stand, the crushing weight having fractured a few bones.

(How much damage did I take roughly? XD)
(Crap.. Rofl I rolled for it. 28 bludgeoning damage.....
(ooooooffff ight I'm now at 8 health... 😂)

Etny rushes to Oredion, cradling his head in her arm, and resting her other hand on his chest.  "Ore-elenn...shiza!  You are broken!  Oooh, shizaaaa!  Why?  Why did you leap so willingly at such a beast?  You could have been killed--eyeh, you very nearly did!"  Tears threaten to fall out of her violet eyes.  Her fingertips glow with a white light over his chest.

(Cure Wounds: heal 5 HP)

 The healing light feels... So different from the burning green light and fire you're used to. From the magic comes a smell, cutting through the blood and rot... something fresh like mint and clean snow.

 You see some of the open wounds on his chest and shoulder slow their bleeding. But a foaming tinge mars the blood--poison still in his system. Oredion, it's hard to talk--breathe even--your throat feeling swollen.

Oredion coughs up some blood. His face becoming pale and the green glow fading from his eyes. He looks up at Etny admiring her beauty. He sees tears start to form in her eyes and he tries to lift his hand to touch her cheek, but it falls limp. He tilts his head to see his arm broken, probably from the beasts weight. He looks back at the huntress and gives her a big smile blood running down his face.

"I'm fine lass nothing to fret your pretty little head about."

Oredion goes into a coughing fit blood filling his mouth with every cough.

(He takes 1 point of poison damage....rolls incoming 😈)
(Make a CON save Collin! Mwahaha..
(2+6  😭)
(Oh lawd..)
(You take 2 damage 😂)
(Knock, knock, knockinggg on heavens doorrr 😂😂😭😭)

Etny's hands tremble, the tears flowing.  "No, no, no, Oredion-elenn!  Stay with me, elenn!  Stay with me!"  The pitch of her voice rises as she becomes more desperate. 

Acting quickly, she reaches into a small satchel at her side, and rummaging frantically, she retrieves some poultices.  Laying them over his open wounds, she presses down on each poultice, putting on pressure to stop the bleeding as best she can.

She then compresses the poisoned wounds to bleed them out, striving to rid his body as much as she can of the venom.

(Hell yeah!  20 medicine check to stop any further poison damage!)
(Niiiiiiice!!!)

The poison starts to seep out of his wounds and you see fresh blood flowing again. Quickly patching those injuries with poultace too, you've stabilized him. However he is still in excruciating pain, almost numb to it. Oredion, your head feels light and it's hard to focus.

Oredion tries to sit up, but hears a crunch in his stomach. He quickly falls back trying not to show how much pain he is in to Etny. He looks her up and down seeing that she's hurt a look of concern passes his face.

"Stop worrying about me lass. Are you ok?"

Concern covers the dwarfs face as is vision slowly starts to slip away. He struggles trying to stay alert and awake, but he starts to grow numb and everything starts to spin around him.

"Oredion!  Oredion!  OREDION!!"  Her breathing comes in deep sobbing gasps.  She grips him tightly, trying to calm down, to no avail.  With a sudden realization, she sticks her first two fingers into her mouth, and and whistles loudly for Gaare.

Gaare's head shoots up, having been ripping a snake in half under his talons. He stomps through their corpses over to her, bending down and nuzzling her cheek with his bloody beak.

"Gaare, we MUST get to town, NOW!  We cannot delay!" 

Etny carefully attempts to lift the nearly unconscious dwarf onto Gaare's back.  (Strength check 5 to heft this sturdy dwarf....apparently not, lol!)

Gaare sees you struggling, literally shaking with the effort. She plops down on the ground so you can get him on her back easier.

Oredion musters the last of his effort holding onto Etny tightly he forces himself onto Gaare's back. Oredion's eyes fade to Black now fully unconscious.

Etny then leaps up onto Gaare's back as well, and the great axe beak shoots off like an arrow.  Etny barely has time to struggle and grasp the firm neck feathers of the great bird, and hold tightly to the unconscious dwarf, keeping his broken arm asstill and stable as she can in her grip.  "Sara de avath, Gaare!  Sara de avath," she cries to the axe beak, encouraging the great bird to run as fast as she can.  Etny buries her face into the back of Oredion's head, her eyes squeezed shut, the tears flowing freely, and the sobs barely audible through the roaring of the wind in her ears. 

All-Mother...please...help!  Don't let him die!

You shoot through the forest, the longest, most harrowing experience you've had in years. Every second feels like an eternity. You hold Oredion tightly as Gaare runs, his face clammy and pale.

Light shines ahead. You feel hope. The axe beak breaks from the forest, the white birches falling far behind you as you rush into town.

Healing...

A bell tolls from the hill.

You look up and spot one of the white spire towers from the temple of Pelor. Perfect. You break for it, Gaare rushing past other horses and carts on the way.

Etny has no idea why, but she feels the white spire towers will be a place where she can save her friend.  At least...she must try....

Gaare races toward the building, the wind whipping through Etny's auburn hair.  When the building comes into sight, Etny yanks hard on Gaare's neck feathers, stopping the beast right at the door of this place, and, leaping off of the axe beak's back, she gently but quickly hefts an unconscious Oredion from the bird's back.  (8 strength check to pick up Oredion...Uuuugh!)

Etny's knees buckle under the dead weight of her friend's unconscious body, but her yelp gets the attention of a few passers by.

Helping support the injured Oredion, they make their way inside the whitewashed building. Pews are pushed out to one side of the room, with recovering soldiers on the other. Many men lay in beds with wounds ranging from burns to cuts... some very distinctly kobold inflicted.

A dwarven cleric approaches, his sandals clacking on the stone floor. "Hello! What's this? Not a soldier from Stonebreak I see, bring him here... Goodness gracious child, what happened?" He guides the unconscious Ore into a bedroll, pulling out a vial of bright red liquid. Putting it to his lips, it dribbles down his throat making him cough in his sleep.

Etny, deeply touched by the compassion of the passers-by, lends what help she can with carrying her unconscious friend. 

Her voice quivering with emotion and intense worry, she pleads with the cleric.  "Please, good doctor, can...can you heal him?  Will he live?  I have pledged my love to this Antrahtu...please, make him well...  I...I'll pay anything!"  She reaches into her satchel, and produces a small skin bag with all of her worldly wealth in it--all 25 gold pieces of it, and thrusts it toward the cleric.  Her violet eyes pleading, her heart racing, the hot tears staining her face.

 The cleric, taken aback by your fervor, holds a hand up. "We'll take good care of him miss. It's going to be alright." He takes the bag you shoved into his arms and sets it to the side.

"Matilda dear, would you  please see to this young lady?"

An older human woman walks forward, spectacles framing her face and matching her slightly messy gray hair. "Of course, Petvin. This way, sweetheart, let's get you cleaned up. Don't need you getting infected either."

She leads Etny down a hallway, past the statues and emblems of Pelor. It feels peaceful here, but in such a different way than your own God.

"Here's the wash room. Go ahead and clean up. Here's a gown, I'll have your wounds looked at in a jiffy." She hands you a white plain linen with a symbol of their god on the back.

Etny swipes at her leaking eyes, trying to be stronger than she's letting on.  Shiza!  I am like a whining hatchling, mewling for more milk!  You are a HUNTRESS, Etny Elvenbridge!  Act like one!  She scorns herself for being such a crying child, gratefully taking the linen, and making her way into the washroom, disrobes.  She stands under a contraption that seems to allow water to flew downward from a dispenser--like a handmade waterfall.  Looking up at it, she sees a handle tied to a long string, that seems to be able to be pulled on.  Tentatively, she gives it a pull, and water comes streaming down.  She gasps a little in surprise, letting the string go.  The water instantly stops flowing.  With that, she pulls on the string again, and lets the water flow over her.  Closing her violet eyes, she lets herself relax a little, feeling the cool water run over her body.  After some time, and scrubbing herself down, she lets the string go, and steps out of the shower.  Toweling herself down, she slips on the linen robe.  She steps out of the washroom, looking this way and that.

 Matilda is waiting for you outside and gives you a warm smile. "Let's see to those wounds now."

She leads you down to a room, motioning for you to sit so she can check your legs. "Bite marks... Fangs? There is some localized bleeding but nothing more than buises for a few days. Looks like the poison missed the major arteries."

Taking a vial of holy water and another of antidote, she swaps each mark carefully. You can hear gentle prayers being whispered under her voice, some power beyond her own aiding her healing touch.

Standing, she gives you a funny look and moves your robe aside a little. She sees the scarring tissue of the deep axe wound from a few weeks ago. Eyes wide, she looks at you again. "You look like you were almost bit in half. What happened?"

"Shiza!  I almost forgot about that...

"I came across a strange band of wayfarers in the Krags, and attacked one of their lot...an Einhycacht...throat-cutter in my tongue."  Noting the visible confusion on Matilda's face, Etny explains further.  "You call them 'kobolds,'" she says, pronouncing it a little awkwardly.  "I have been hunting their kind for some time now, and was hunting them even at that time."

Etny thinks for a minute, trying to recount as much as she can without giving too much away.  "The...dwarf...," again, pronounced with an awkwardness, "...i brought in just now...retaliated, and threw his magic returning axe at my shoulder...cut a pretty deep gouge."

 Matilda shakes her head. "You're lucky your arm still works, darling. Someone gave it a rough stitch I see..." She touches it, the flesh still tender.

Taking a few other things from her apron she works on your arm. "I'll see what I can do to help with it. As healed as it already is I can't do much to reduce the scarring. But perhaps some extra tlc can prevent the bone from aching too much in the cold or wet weather."

  Petvin works on Oredion, tediously cleansing the wounds inflicted from the monsters. He stitches your shoulder and packs salve into your ribs, finally setting your arm with a strong piece of wood and plaster. All the while, he prays to Pelor for your speedy recovery.

Oredion starts to twitch in his unconscious state from vivid dreaming. In his mind he can't quite make out where he's at, but the scent in the air, the texture of the walls all seem so familiar. He starts to walk forwards towards a faint glow. He hears laughs and whispers in a hushed tone in front of him. The more he draws near the louder they become. They sound so familiar that he starts to run towards them. The walls start to warp almost endlessly in front of him. The light growing dimmer and dimmer the faster he goes. The voices turn from laughs to screams. He can hear them screaming "Help, Oredion, brotherrrr!"

Then nothing. He finds himself now in a dimly lit room. A man sits in an armchair in front of him. He can tell the man is an orc, but can not see his face. The man starts to speak in a rough harsh voice. "Oredion i choose you for a reason, yet you cower away from your goal. Why, for this human Hunter? You have a job to do. A job I gave you the power to do. You must find the horde, their master, and slay them all. You have failed me once, I will not have you do so again. Train, grow, but beware a man marked by my curse will not find love no matter how hard you try. They will always see you for the revenge seeking monster you are."

Images of his family dying flash before his eyes. Just when he thinks he has had enough he sees Etny in the distance. She is standing on a hill smiling down at him. Then a look of horror passes her face as snakes appear around Oredion. Not attacking him but passing right by him targeting her instead. Etny tries to fight them off to no avail. They start to clump together creating a mountain of snakes around her. Oredion tries to run and help but his legs will not move. He looks down at the axe in his hands. It is now glowing a dark green, it is filled with more electricity then he has ever seen. He swings his arm back and throws his axe at the mountain of snakes causing them to burst apart in a bright explosion.

Oredion shields his eyes and when he opens them the snakes are gone, but he can see a pair of white pale eyes in front of him. He hears a soft menacing voice that shakes him to his core. "It will not last dwarf. What you build I will simply destroy." The pale eyes disappear and he sees Etny appear behind them laying on the ground still. He reaches out his hand and screams.

"NOOOOO!"