(Arc 5-3) Trolltaru? Naw, but I do think of trollgirl Shamal

[Anastasia]

> After a day of rest the party begins again. Past thils false hill you blend into the woods. A few days pass without incident.. OOC - Tell me how you're marching/travelling as a rule.
* Shamal uses her knowledge of the wilds to lead the party through the woods, sticking to more lightly forested areas that their horses can traverse easily as they head North and deeper into the wilderness.
> OOC - Okay. Shamal, make a tracking check.
<Shamal> OOC: I don't have track, so I can only track stuff if the DC is less than 10. Rin can track stuff of higher DC via scent, but only if she knows what to track.
<Shamal> OOC: I have survival and knowledge nature to aid our travel, but that's about it.
> OOC - Okay, this plays right into that, so goa head and make knowledge nature.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+14 nature
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+14 nature and gets 31." [1d20=17]
> On the eve of night as you pass through the forest, you notice signs of something. At first it's just a torn branche or three, then broken grass and bushes, and then finally a foot print. Large and bulkish, massive. A humanoid's footprint, but only one thing in this forest is big enough to make such - a troll
> .
* Shamal hisses softly at the sight, bidding her companions to slow down. "Careful - it looks like we're coming into Troll territory," she warns. "I think we should backtrack a bit before making camp - we don't want to be caught by those things in the dark."
* Seira offers no objections!
* Lyselle nods, more than a little wary now as they start to back off. "And we don't have much in the way of fiery ordnance..." she agrees, moving back.
<Shamal> "I have some fire based spells - does anyone want to carry my alchemist's fire for now?" Shamal offers. "Doesn't hurt to spread it around when you know trolls are about."
* Seira nods curtly at the suggestion. "May we not need to use it."
* Shamal hands the flask over to Seira as they backtrack half a mile before setting camp in what little light they have left.
> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 27." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 21." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 14." [1d20=7]
> It's a campsite - tents are out, the party sleeps. Save, of course, for Berlioz. He waits, on watch and on guard. OOC - Go ahead and describe your situtation/what you're doing, Berli.
* Berlioz yawns and observes the scenery just out of the tents, standing.
> It's a bunch of trees and brush, as befits the forest. It's quite dark out here, as is also normal. At least there is a campfire, keeping you warm and somewhat lit.
> roll 1d20+2
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 4." [1d20=2]
> Oh my. As Berlioz sits and waits, he starts to hear something moving in the bushes just off to his right side, near where the tent's side wall is.
* Berlioz directs his attention to the direction of the sounds, getting his bow ready and paying attention. He can wait until the disturbance reveals itself to wake up his companions.
> This is pretty immediate, unfortunately. It's not making much in the way of being subtle - big and tall, gangly and with hunched shoulders! The troll bursts out of the woodwork, letting out a battlecry as it's slobbering mouth and vicious claws lunge at the bard!
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 12." [1d20=3]
> Yet Berlioz skillfully skitters back, the roar echoing to the sleepy party members! The bite is right where Berlioz's abdomen was, surely having turned it into lunchmeat if it had connected! OOC - Initiative between Berlioz and the troll, and feel free to react, Mr. Guard.
* Seira awakens at the roar, bow and alchemical fire close at hand!
> roll 1d20+2
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 15." [1d20=13]
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 and gets 7." [1d20=6]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
* Shamal blinks groggily awake, while Rin growls as she rouses herself with far more alacrity, ready to defend her mistress!
> As the camp erupts into noisy chaos, the troll closes in on Berlioz! A pair of claw slashes and then a brutual bite!
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 25." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 22." [1d20=13]
> roll 1d20+4 bite
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 bite and gets 16." [1d20=12]
> roll 3d6+15
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+15 and gets 23." [3d6=4, 1, 3]
> Caught off balance, the twin claws rend Berlioz's rips apart! Thew hite of them can feel the chilly night air, as bloody claws retreat! A large lunging bite after, the troll tearing away much of the bard's shirt and midsection, chewing loudly! It falls back just a tiny bit, chin dribbling red blood and chunks of flesh! OOC - Berli. Ow.
* Berlioz faintly tries to chant the dystics of Cure Moderate Wounds - it can at least delay what seems to be an inevitable demise.
<Berlioz> OOC: Wait, strike.
* Berlioz gasps in a shout of flesh and blood, gurgling. "TROLL! IT'S A FUCKING TROLL! A TROLL IS ATTACKING!", he lets out and runs, trying to scrape for the remains of his fading health.
> Berlioz runs back! The troll is rather busy eating a part of him, and thus he makes his retreat without difficulty! OOC - People that are waking, go ahead and go do initaitive
<Shamal> roll 1d20+2 Shamal
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+2 Shamal and gets 5." [1d20=3]
<Shamal> roll 1d20+3 Rin
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+3 Rin and gets 6." [1d20=3]
<Seira> roll 1d100 arcane spell failure with shield~
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 arcane spell failure with shield~ and gets 75." [1d100=75]
<Seira> roll 1d20+9 nerveskitter~
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 nerveskitter~ and gets 17." [1d20=8]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+2
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+2 and gets 9." [1d20=7]
* Seira slips out of her tent, taking a brief moment to consider the tactical situation using their campfire's light, before heading for the cover of the trees away from the troll, intent on masking her presence amongst them.
<Seira> roll 1d20+11 hide~
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 hide~ and gets 26." [1d20=15]
<Seira> roll 1d20+11 move silently~
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 move silently~ and gets 25." [1d20=14]
> Seira blends into the trees, silently fading into the cover! Thet roll is meanwhile finishing it's snack, not attacking anything else yet! OOC - L-chan.
<Lyselle> Well, Lyselle doesn't really expect that to last... So she might as well get the drop on it. Sword or torch, she doesn't have time to choose, so with her shield and blade she comes out, slashing down on the troll's back!
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+9 and gets 21." [1d20=12]
> OOC - Hit.
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+5+1d2
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d8+5+1d2 and gets 12." [1d8=5][1d2=2]
> The slash tears right into the back of the troll! It's flesh turns white around the wound, little patches of frost and frozen blood tinkling out! The beast barely seems to notice it, needing several seconds to finish and turn to Lyselle! OOC - Beri.
* Berlioz casts Cure Moderate Wounds on self now that the bard is at a safer distance.
<Berlioz> roll 2d8+4
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 2d8+4 and gets 9." [2d8=1, 4]
> Berlioz heals his battered flesh, ribs once again covered with flesh. Mostly! OOC - Rin.
<Shamal> Rin gives a feral growl as she springs up and lunges at the troll, trying her very best to bring it down!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 14." [1d20=7]
> Rin leaps up but misses by a narrow margin, landing behind it but safe! The Troll just smiles at this, licking it's lips! Behind it, the wound on it's back is already starting to seal up! OOC - Shamal.
<Shamal> "Oh, oh my..." Shamal frets as she gets up and takes a half step back. "Let's do something about those muscles, shall we?" she muses as she gestures an arcane pattern in the air before a beam of coruscating violet energy lances out from her fingertips to strike the troll!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 touch attack
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 touch attack and gets 21." [1d20=17]
<Shamal> roll 1d6+1 strength damage
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+1 strength damage and gets 2." [1d6=1]
> The beam does indeed do it's magic, hitting the troll in the bicep and slightly deflating them! OOC - Seira.
<Seira> From the relative safety in the trees surrounding their camp, Seira fires a pair of arrows at the troll!
<Seira> roll 1d20+4
<Seira> roll 1d20+4
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+4 and gets 5." [1d20=1]
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+4 and gets 7." [1d20=3]
> Hidden away, Seira's arrows are badly shot! They don't do anything to give away her position, sailing several feet wide and barely noticed! Meanwhile the troll licks it's lips, savoring the blood on them! It's eyes gleam with hunger as it lunges at Lyselle!
> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 17." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 27." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+3
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 18." [1d20=15]
> OOC - AC?
<Lyselle> OOC - 19
> roll 1d6+5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+5 and gets 11." [1d6=6]
> While the first claw and it's last bite are pushed away with it's shield, it's left hand finds an opening! The tearing of metal is heard as Lyselle's side is ripped open! The troll's claw is coated in blood and metal, licked up rapidly afterwards! OOC - L0-chan.
<Lyselle> Hissing in pain, Lyselle has little recourse but to just keep its attention and attack again, lashing out with her sword at its leathery hide.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+9 and gets 29." [1d20=20]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9 confirm
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+9 confirm and gets 25." [1d20=16]
<Lyselle> roll 2d8+10+1d2
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 2d8+10+1d2 and gets 17." [2d8=5, 1][1d2=1]
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+1
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d8+1 and gets 9." [1d8=8]
> With a masterfu counterthrust and then rip, the troll's arm is shredded! Lyselle pulls out, it's arm a mess of blood and ice crystals! Meanwhile, Lyselle's body mends, glowing with illuminating light!
> OOC - Berli.
* Berlioz grumbles and readies his bow, but casts Cure Light Wounds on self, chanting dystics once again, before getting back into range to at least give any sort of support.
<Berlioz> roll 1d8+4
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d8+4 and gets 9." [1d8=5]
> Berlioz mends the majority of his remaining wounds, body sealing up! He feels better now, not on death's door anymore! OOC - Rin.
<Shamal> Rin once more tries to bring the nasty troll down to earth!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15." [1d20=8]
> But even with the advantage of being at the back of the troll, Rin can't quite close the deal! She has to step back, quick bite and takedown having missed! OOC - Shamal.
* Shamal incants a spell, although it sounds more like she's having a coughing fit, before she suddenly whips her head forward, spitting a gob of some vile green substance at the troll's eyes!
<Shamal> roll 1d20 touch attack
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20 touch attack and gets 1." [1d20=1]
> Yet the splashing attack is misaimed, only hitting a tree well to the side of thet rolls! At least that tree won't see anything? Thet roll's wounds begint o mend even now, body recouperating! OOC - Seira.
* Seira tries again!
<Seira> roll 1d20+2
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{8}
<Seira> roll 1d20+2
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{16}
> OOC - Sceond hit.
<Seira> roll 1d8+2d6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8+2d6 --> [ 1d8=5 2d6=9 ]{14}
> The sneaky arrow flies true! It buries right into the side and liver of thet roll, making it bleed - but barely even catching it's attention! It stays focused completely on Lyselle, clawing out for more food!
> roll 1d20+8
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
> roll 1d20+8
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{16}
> roll 1d20+3 bite
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+3 bite --> [ 1d20=1 ]{4}
> roll 1d6+5
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d6+5 --> [ 1d6=5 ]{10}
> This time Lyselle's leg is torn open, a long flap of flesh exposed! The troll happily licks it's claw clean as the battle goes on! OOC = L.
<Lyselle> Lyselle is enormously unhappy with letting this troll taste her blood, and keeps on slashing, rending into the thing's flesh both towards its death, and for her continued survival!
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{16}
> OOc - You have hit.
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+5+1d2
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+5+1d2 --> [ 1d8=3 1d2=1 ]{9}
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+1
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=5 ]{6}
> The ice that comes from the rip into the troll's stomach is matched by how Lyselle's leg seals up in white light! Together, the two show how the battle goes, successful and potent! The troll's staggering a bit back and forth, buts till grinning and slashing! OOC - Berli.
* Berlioz looks up, and coughs, preparing his voice. In a soothing, yet clear and audible chant, the bard begins telling a tale. A tale of a murderous troll who had the unfortunate fate to meet three brave girls in a journey.
> As the tale is told...OOc - Rin-chan.
<Shamal> Rin is about to attack again before Shamal's voice bids her to stop. "Hold a moment Rin!" she instructs stridently, before casting her next spell, "I call upon the greatest enemy of trollkind to burn away this filth - come forth, my elemental!" she incants, before a burst of flame appears behind the troll, resolving into a hissing humanoid figure that slams itself into the beast. "Now, Rin!"
<Shamal> roll 1d20+8 elemental
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+8 elemental --> [ 1d20=18 ]{26}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+9 Rin
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+9 Rin --> [ 1d20=10 ]{19}
<Shamal> roll 1d4+3+1d4 (second 1d4 is fire damage)
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d4+3+1d4 (second 1d4 is fire damage) --> [ 1d4=1 1d4=1 ]{5}
<Shamal> roll 1d6+5
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d6+5 --> [ 1d6=5 ]{10}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+4 trip check --> [ 1d20=1 ]{5}
> The fire elemental gets the troll to stagger back for the first time, a howling cry of pain from the fire! It's attention is finally galvanized, but just in time! With the distraction Rin rips in, tearing up the troll with a savage tackle and bite! OOC - Seira.
<Seira> If the troll won't pay her the least bit of mind, Seira will just have to work harder!
<Seira> roll 1d20+3
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{20}
<Seira> roll 1d20+3
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{13}
> OOC - First hit.
<Seira> roll 1d8+1+2d6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8+1+2d6 --> [ 1d8=3 2d6=7 ]{11}
> With a volley of arrows, one slams intothe troll's head! It staggers back, badly stunned and perhaps unconcious, down on one knee and not moving! OOC - Lyselle.
<Lyselle> Lyselle doesn't let up, stepping in to take a swing at the troll's neck with a vicious slash to rend its head from its body.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+12
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{22}
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+5+1d2
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+5+1d2 --> [ 1d8=6 1d2=1 ]{12}
> The troll's head is sliced up, but you can still see it's wounds mending even now!
> OOc - Free actions for the moment, peopel.
* Seira approaches the troll, and uses a simple spell to splash acid over the troll's ruined head.
* Berlioz finishes the chant, and runs back to his allies. "Urgh. My apologies for that."
* Shamal directs her fire elemental to coup de grace the troll by driving its fist into the beast's hungry mouth!
> Acid and fire bring an end to the troll's life, the smell fo cooking troll flesh filling the air! At last it stops moving, body falling over!
* Shamal sighs deeply. "So much for a restful night... does anyone require healing?" she asks as the elemental hisses a moment and vanishes. "I think we should backtrack further before resting again."
<Berlioz> "I can handle my wounds as is, although finding a calmer place to rest would be ideal."
<Shamal> "What about you, Lyselle?" Shamal asks, approaching her fellow blonde.
<Lyselle> "Just a bit," Lyselle nodds, wincing as she takes another step. "Would be better in a day or two, but who knows what'll happen."
* Shamal nods and utters a brief prayer to Mielikki, her hand glowing softly as she rests it on Lyselle's wounds.
<Shamal> roll 1d8+3
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d8+3 --> [ 1d8=8 ]{11}
* Berlioz closes his eyes and chants the Cure Light Wounds dystics once again, finishing up the patches left. That done, the bard shakes his head. "That was careless of my part."

[Anastasia]

> The party rests and recovers. It's mid morning by the time that everyone is getting their things together, when...
> roll 1d20+6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 8." [1d20=2]
> The party chose rests in a forest clearing. However, this time they hear something in the bush this morning. A tree branche snapping, quite loud in the forest. IT came from not too far away, maybe twenty feet into the bushes.
* Lyselle draws her sword, picking up her shield and standing ready to face whatever it is. She certainly hopes its not another troll...
<Shamal> Loud branch snapping would not be caused by a small animal. Therefore Shamal rouses herself with alacrity, summoning Rin to her side. "I hope it's not another troll..."
<Seira> "Discretion is the better part of valor," Seira murmurs, disappearing into the cover of the trees away from the snapping sound.
> You hear some more rustling in the bushes - it's just a bit closer than you thought, a few bushes nearby moving back and forth...OOC - Spot checks if you like.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 18." [1d20=17]
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 and gets 10." [1d20=9]
<Seira> roll 1d20+3
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10." [1d20=7]
<Shamal> roll 1d20+10
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 11." [1d20=1]
<Shamal> roll 1d20+5 Rin
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 Rin and gets 23." [1d20=18]
<Lyselle> "...It's clothed, whatever it is," Lyselle notes, tapping her sword against her shield lightly. "Who's out there?!" she calls, loudly.
<Shamal> Rin seems wary, but not as hostile as she was at the troll that burst into their camp last night.
> There's a momentary pause, before, "Wary, humans!" Accented common, heavily with light, soft accents. IT sounds just a tiny bit like Seira. "Trolls are running berserk."
* Lyselle raises an eyebrow, switching to speak in Elven. "We encountered one such already and destroyed it, thank you for the warning, though."
* Berlioz rolls his eyes slightly, vaguely annoyed. "I got to find that out yesterday last night, but thanks for the advice."
* Shamal is about to reply, but then shuts up as Lyselle starts talking moonspeak.
> "...hmph, one of you speaks a civilised tongue?" The same voice - it's male, you think - replies in Elven. "Whatever you're doing out here, be cautious. All the trolls in the southern forests have gone completely berserk."
<Lyselle> "A number of us, actually," Lyselle answers in Elven, ignoring the implied quip. "I see, we'll stay on the wary, and thank you again. Know you much of this area?"
> "No. We've been sent down to deal with the trolls and whatever's causing it, if anything.
>  OOC - Gah.
> "No. We've been sent down to deal with the trolls and whatever's causing it, if anything." You can hear the branches move a bit, whomever is there moving. "We've fought five trolls in a week, each not stopping or caring for life in the least."
* Lyselle nods, relaxed by now as to the intents. "Good luck with that, then," she offers, their missions clearly divergent. "We might be interested in assisting, but our concerns and duties lay elsewhere than with trolls primarily."
> "Very well," With that you hear him going off, not managing to be very stealthy or quiet at all.
* Seira rejoins the group seamlessly, her eyes tracking the elf's passing. "Rampaging trolls," she mutters. "Excellent."
<Shamal> "This isn't exactly news," Shamal observes. "Regardless, it's not as if we have a set destination - we could try and move around their range," she suggests.
* Berlioz yawns. "Might as well. We should be prepared, though - I'm certain we'll find more trolls before getting to the Dire Bear."
<Shamal> "So, for today we'll head directly East, and then we can resume heading North tomorrow?" Shamal suggests. "That should hopefully let us avoid most of the trolls, although it could change depending on what we see as we travel."
<Seira> "I'm as prepared as I'll ever get," Seira muses, and then shrugs at Shamal. "Whatever you think prudent. We could also take the shortest route through their territory and hope to get past them, leaving the battle to the elves."
<Shamal> "I'd rather stick to the fringes myself - we don't exactly know how far their range extends, after all," Shamal explains.
> OOC - Okay, wha'ts your plan of action if you're doing chatting it up?
<Berlioz> "If they're gone berserk, there may be even some leftovers past their known territory. Avoiding risks is optimal here: fighting a single troll is definitely a drain to our resources as is."
<Shamal> OOC: head straight East for most of the day and then start to angle North towards the end of the day before camping, subject to random encounters and evidence of nasty creatures in the vicinity?
> OOC: Okay. Make a survival check, I suppose.
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1 liiiiiiiive
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 liiiiiiiive and gets 5." [1d20=4]
> OOC - I was meaning more for Miss Shamal since she's the druid and all and stated she was leading the party.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19." [1d20=7]
<Shamal> roll 1d20+3 target 10, Rin aids another
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+3 target 10, Rin aids another and gets 4." [1d20=1]
> The day passes without any sort of incident at first. Noon comes and is skipped, but by late afternoon? You come to a river, a little brook. It's just a few feet wide, a small break in the forest. But you note that the brook is running red/pinkish.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+6 target 10 Flopsy aids another!
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+6 target 10 Flopsy aids another! and gets 20." [1d20=14]
* Shamal looks around the terrain to see if the discolouration could be coming from the surrounding dirt/clay.
> The dirt's mostly brown with a bit of thick greenery mixed in.
<Seira> "Should we investigate?" Seira asks businesslike.
* Shamal crouches next to the river and dips her finger in, before taking a sniff to see if she can identify it that way.
> OOC - Knowledge nature, I suppose.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+14
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+14 and gets 21." [1d20=7]
<Shamal> "Something's been killing goblins upstream," Shamal states, wiping her finger off on her skirt as she stands up. "At least I think so." If only she could ask Rin, her nose is so much more sensitive!
<Seira> "Didn't that goblin speak of trolls fighting them?"
* Lyselle nods. "Could be a troll, or something else..."she hums, shrugging. "Do we want to take a look?"
* Berlioz scratches head. "I don't know. We've taken quite a big detour already, do we need to keep going? I doubt this will be as interesting as the ruins, to boot."
<Seira> "We are not really allied with goblins. In fact, some of them consider us enemies. Should we appear in the middle of a goblin war camp, they may well turn on us."
<Shamal> "We're several days away from where we met that goblin, so I doubt it's related. But the forest is hardly safe - goblins are low enough on the food chain that anything could have killed it, but given that the river is running red, I'd say a decent number were slain," Shamal sighs as she gets up and mounts her horse once more. "Whatever it is, it's not something we should get caught in the middle of."
<Seira> "Another detour, then?"
<Shamal> "Actually I think we could start heading North, now," Shamal decides. "Whatever this came from, it's upstream, so we can avoid it that way, and we've covered a good amount of ground today, so we're hopefully past most of the trolls those elves were concerned with."
<Seira> "What about pushing our horses through the night? We could go a day without rest, if it means getting farther away from rampaging trolls."
<Berlioz> "I don't really care which course of action we take, as long as it gets us to safety. I'll do whatever you feel is best."
<Shamal> "So long as we pace ourselves properly that shouldn't cause too much trouble," Shamal allows thoughtfully.
* Lyselle nods, just checking her gear and her horse. "I feel some inclination to help the elves, but tat doesn't pay, or reflect our obligtions to Lady Stronger."
> The rest of the day passes without incident. Night falls, with it a blanket of darkness. There's a small rise in the ground here, eventually leading you to a simple rope bridge over a moderately deep chasm. It's nothing of real note, a river at the bottom, perhaps 100 feet down. Save that in the dark, you can clearly see something lying in the middle of the bridge.
> The moon is still partially full, adding a tiny bit of illumation. The sky is clear, stars sparkling above. IT's a normal night, peaceful and without incident thus far.
* Seira takes a closer look~
> Seira can see what looks like a body, with darker splotches on the bridge behind it. There's some sort of armor worn.
* Shamal dismounts her horse - she's not a skilled enough rider to maneuvre it over a rope bridge, anyway. "What's that on the bridge?" she wonders aloud.
<Seira> "A body. I'll go and check it out," she announces. Yet Seira takes the time to tie a length of rope around herself and secures the other end with her horse, handing its reigns to Shamal. Only then does she approach the body.
* Shamal looks after the horses while keeping an eye on Seira as she crosses the bridge.
> The rope bridge does not sway in the least, it appears to be sturdy as Seira walks on it. Getting closer, she can see that it looks like an elven body. There's a lot of blood around it, several wounds on it's chain shirt wearing form. A longsword is still clutched in it's hand, bloodied.
<Seira> "Are you alive?" she asks the elf quietly in his native tongue.
> You don't see any sign of a reply.
* Seira pokes the elf with the edge of her longbow.
> You get the slightest stir.
* Seira waves Shamal over.
* Shamal passes the horse reins over to Berlioz and instructs Rin to stay where she is while hurrying onto the bridge and towards Seira. "What's wrong?" she asks as she approaches, getting a proper look at the body now that she's close.
> It's an elven body. SEveral nasty wounds are ripped out from his body.
<Seira> "He may still be alive," Seira tells her succintly. "Let us attempt to stabilize him before moving him away from this position."
* Shamal uses her thorough knowledge of anatomy - and a quick pulse/breathing check - to verify that he is alive.
> OOC - Healing check, Shamal.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+8 and gets 17." [1d20=9]
> Tjere
> There is a very faint pulse. He has several deep wounds, all torn open wounds, like as if from a claw or such.
<Shamal> "He's alive," Shamal breathes, before incanting a quick healing spell and resting her hands atop the fallen elf.
<Shamal> OOC: lesser vigour, fast healing 1 for 13 rounds.
<Seira> "We cannot abandon him," Seira agrees quickly, keeping guard as Shamal heals.
> On the casting, the magic begins to mend his flesh.  Wounds slowly close, color starting to return to his face. The wounds are still horrifice when the spell finishes, but he at least looks away from death's door.
<Seira> "You are safe," Seira tells him in elven, even unsure as she is that he can hear her in his state.
* Shamal follows up with a casting of cure minor wounds for an extra smidge of healing. "He should regain consciousness momentarily," the witch states, watching over him as his wounds slowly mend themselves.
<Seira> "Let us retreat as soon as viable, then."
> "Ranger Master....danger...trolls...claws...axe..." he murmurs incoherently, "Wolves...bears...giant..."
<Shamal> "Shhh, you're safe now," Shamal reassures, hoping he'll regain coherency shortly after consciousness.
> A minute or so passes. OOC -  Lyselle and Berli, feelf ree to make a hearing check.
<Seira> "What is your name?" Seira asks, trying to draw out his focus.
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1 hearing
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 hearing and gets 3." [1d20=2]
> The elf looks up, face streaked with dirt and blood. "Ranger MAster..." he drawls out, elven words spoken. "Is that you? Forest Ranger Quapeth reporting."
<Shamal> roll 1d20+5 Rin is alert
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 Rin is alert and gets 16." [1d20=11]
<Seira> "Make your report," Seira tells him, as she nudges Shamal to start carrying the elf back.
<Shamal> Rin idly wags her tail and pants as she sits by the horses, waiting for Shamal to return.
<Shamal> Shamal helps the elf up, now that his more serious wounds should be mended. "Come, let's get back on solid ground," she tells him as she starts back towards the party.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 13." [1d20=12]
> "The target's ability is confirmed. Along with the suspected ability to incite the trolls...he has personal guards and is skilled with the battle axe." He needs a lot to get up, blinking considerably. "Wait...who are you?"
* Shamal just slowly guides the elf back over the bridge, letting Seira handle conversation with her fellow elf.
* Lyselle fights off the surge of sleep, rubbing at her eyes. They just need to keep going.
> The elf looks around, seeing the humans with surprised eyes. He sheathes his longsword, before falling down onto his knees and then sitting. "...you saved me?" he asks, trying in slow, careful common.
<Shamal> "You're very lucky we found you. You probably wouldn't have survived the night," Shamal nods as she helps him sit down comfortably.
<Seira> "We are your best chance of accomplishing your mission," she responds in elven, before continuing in common for Shamal's benefit. "Who is the target? How can we stop him?"
> He considers a moment, before bowing his head to Shamal. "I will tell you in thanks, and because a very real threat is complicating this forest. A forest barbarian - a half orc. He possesses an ability to drive trolls to berserk hunger and madness, and holds sway over forest creatures."
<Seira> "Is there a reason to his rampage?" Seira asks the elf.
> "I don't know. I came on him, but one of his beasts surprised me. I only got away because I stumbled down a gully and was left for dead. I wandered and...I remember that bridge and little else."
<Seira> "Were you alone?" she asks next. "If you were with your ranger master, could you find him?"
> "I was sent ahead to scout. I think I might be able to if they haven't moved on." A shake of his head, his head held in his hands.
<Shamal> "Where did you encounter this barbarian?" Shamal asks, looking unsettled. "On the other side of the bridge?"
> "No. I found them camped out. They were eating a roasted deer and making noise. That barbarian, his wolves and that bear. He was saying something about how the trolls were going berserk just as he thought they would - it was like he was talking to the wolves."
<Seira> "What do you say to helping out our neighbors by dealing with this menace, Shamal?" Seira voices, tilting her head ever so slightly.
<Shamal> "He's probably a druid like myself, then," Shamal states unhappily. "If we are to proceed I would like to rest here so that I will have appropriate spells for the encounter - though I pray to Mielikki that I will not have to use violence against a fellow servant of nature. We may not be getting the full story, here."
> "Thank you..." Quapeth sighs, breathing a hair ragged. "That barbarian is skilled with his axe, the wolves obey him, and that large bear seemed to understand him as well. Not to mention if that the trolls are indeed under his control."
<Seira> "How many do they number?"
> "Half a dozen wolves, the bear, and the man. Eight that I saw in total."
<Seira> "What about trolls? Have you seen any in these parts that moved in packs, or were they solitary?"
> "Seen them alone," Quapeth sas, "We've ran into several, and each of them is deadly but completely berserk."
<Seira> "The one we encountered seemed more hungry than berserk," Seira muses. "This could lend credence to the theory that this barbarian is influencing trolls near him."
* Shamal nods slowly in assent with Seira, wondering what this 'barbarian' will have to say for himself when they meet. "Excuse me, I'll see about looking for a good campsite near here," she offers, before taking Rin with her for a quick scout of their immediate surroundings.
> Shamal finds one without too much trouble, a bit back. A decent clearing with a waterspring.
* Seira waves Berlioz over as Shamal leaves, asking him to bring the elf back to decent health.
* Berlioz follows blandly.
* Lyselle keeps watch around them, hoping nothing attacks this night...
* Shamal sets about making camp for the party, feeling somewhat preoccupied and worried over this latest revelation. She's not exactly the greatest servant of nature, she knows, living in the city and all... will she even be able to reason with the animals following this half-orc?
<Seira> "Just how far away are your allies?" Seira asks curiously.
> So the party sets up to rest. Berlioz uses his healing magic, mending the elven body. "I'm no tsure. It was seven or eight miles from when I encountered the enemy, and things are hazy after that. He sits on the ground, yawning. "I'm sorry," The elf switches to elven, "But are you a half or full blood, and you also travel with a servant of nature? What of the quiet man and the blonde woman at arms?"
<Seira> "He is very quiet. We like him that way," Seira responds in elven, smiling brilliantly at Berlioz. "As for the blonde woman at arms, she can speak the language so there is no need for me to do much beyond a simple introduction. Lyselle, Quapeth."
> A nod to her, even as she keeps watch. "I see. What of the last, then?" he asks, inquiring further.
> So the morning comes. It's a bit of a late morning again, the party resting up. Quapeth has healed and been tended to in this time, and even has gathered some berries in time for the party's late breakfast. It's a cool and cloudy day, the forest relatively serene for the moment.
<Shamal> Finished her prayers and now ready with appropriate spells, Shamal gets ready to depart. "Can you lead us to where you encountered this half-orc, Quapeth?" she asks the elf.
> "I believe so, with some time, Nature Guardian," Quapeth deeply nods his head towards Shamal. "Once I gain my bearings back past that bridge."
* Shamal nods. "Let me know when we near it - I have a spell that will prevent the animals with him from perceiving us - although I might need to borrow your pearl of power to conceal all of us, Seira," she glances expectantly at the half-elf.
* Seira wordlessly offers it to Shamal.
* Shamal accepts it with a smile, concealing her nervousness about the impending encounter. "Well, shall we be off?"
<Seira> "Not time like the present," Seira agrees.
> "As you all wish," Quapeth nods, and then to Seira, "Would you take the lead with me?"
* Seira looks distinctly unhappy at the suggestion, but her head dips once. "If you feel it necessary, yes."
* Shamal walks over the bridge, leading her horse before saddling up on the other side.
> So the party takes off! As you head towards the bridge, Quapeth lightly inclines his head to Seira, his voice kept low and his eyes on the path ahead. "I confess," he begins quietly, "That I did not expect to find one of your type out here, let alone with one who protects the forests. Is such common in the human lands now?"
<Seira> "No," she responds, matching his tone. "We are somewhat of an anomaly, you might say."
> "Ah. Ah well, at least some measure of civilised tranquility exists in those places." So you go on and on, towards the bridge. You don't see anyone on it or around it.
<Seira> "How about you?" she asks him curiously. "Any humans around your parts?"
> "No, of course not." He laughs a little bit at that, "I live on the fridges of the Great Civlisation to ensure it's peace from goblinoids, but humans are a rare sight. They are not quite as...barbaric as I had imagined."
<Seira> "Yes," she agrees with him. "They aren't, for the most part."
> "...mmm, perhaps so," he murmurs, pace quick and nimble towards the bridge. "I owe all of you a debt already. Perhaps it is something to take seriously and not mere mercy of barbarians..."
<Lyselle> "I think Balmuria as a whole would appreciate such," Lyselle offers lightly from her heavier horse in Elven, patting the charger. "And I think we all hope we're good representatives of the city."
> Quapeth stops, looking back to Lyselle. His cheeks turn slightly red, "I was not aware that our voices carried," he says, a bit flat and quickly picking up his pace. Indeed, he makes onward towards the bridge, pace faster.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 and gets 50." [1d100=50]
> The pace past the bridge picks up. The terrain gets a little bit rockier, several gullies walked around or circled. Nothing of note happens until an hour past noon. After some searching and climbing up a particular, slightly disturbed gully, you come to a clearing. There's the remnanats of a campfire here, a few burnt bones littering the area.
* Shamal looks around for any signs indicating which way they went - even if he's a druid like her and leaves no tracks, the same cannot be said for his animals.
> "This is it," Quapeth announces, looking about cautiously. A hand rests on his sword, his eyes looking about. "I don't see anything of use. They're gone..and damnations. I believe they took my bow and arrows with them..."
> OOC - Tracking check, Shamal.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 and gets 25." [1d20=13]
<Seira> "It's not much..." Seira says, trailing off, and holds out a bow to the elf.
> "A back up? Thank you." The elf takes the bow and gives it an experimental pull, nodding. "I'll use it well." Shamal quickly finds a trail - it's achingly easy, several wolf tracks and exceptionally large bear tracks, not to mention  humanoid tracks.
> They're all heading northeast.
* Lyselle frowns, just resting a hand on her longsword and looking around them in case of ambush. Sooner or later...hopefully.
<Shamal> "It appears they went Northeast," Shamal tells her companions, starting to head off in that direction with Rin in tow, keeping her eyes and ears alert - they need to know before encountering their target so she can cast her preparatory spells.
> OOC - Spot check, Lyselle.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 21." [1d20=20]
* Seira gets her own bow out, ready to follow Shamal's directions.
> Lyselle is dead, 100 percent sure you're alone, savef or a spare rabbit and deer lurking in the bushes several dozen feet back. The path goes down another gullyway, rocks and scrapings flying about. Then to a river bank, a five foot river. The banks are clearly disturbed, full of fresh paw prints in them. Ahead you can see a rising path, heavily treed save for a surprisingly well cleared path up it.
<Shamal> "Not even trying to conceal themselves..." Shamal mutters as she follows the tracks, trying to get an idea for how fresh they are to help gauge how soon they'll catch up.
> They're quite fresh indeed. Within an hour easily, maybe less.
> Quapeth shakes his head, "Indeed. They appear quite confident."
<Shamal> "I think we only just missed them, to be honest," Shamal relays to her companions, dismounting and following on foot while leading her horse for the moment. She doesn't want to bring it with her to the confrontation, since it'll just be a target for the wolves, and it's easier to follow the tracks on foot anyway.
> Quapeth stayson foot, beginning to follow with Shamal. "Nature Guardian, if I may," he offers, quietly taking up a few steps ahead of her.
<Shamal> "Hm?" Shamal cocks her head inquisitively at the elf. "And call me Shamal, by the way."
> "Take the point. You do not look as accomplished at direct melee as myself or Lyselle." He turns, asolid expression of respect.
<Shamal> "Eh heh..." Shamal flushes a bit. "I can't really refute that, can I?" she admits.
* Berlioz sighs and rolls his eyes. "Stop fluttering, Shamal, just take position."
> Quapeth delicately coughs at that, "Be kind. A druid deserves more respect than that," Quapeth says, voice raised slightly.
<Shamal> "Oh, don't worry about it and just keep bringing up the rear like you always do, Berlioz," the blonde replies drolly, letting the elf take point while she continues to follow the tracks, letting him know if he wanders off course.
> Quapeth merely nods, starting to carefully follow the tracks. Tob e fair, anyone could follow these at this point. It's a large set of them and clearly followable. The underbrush is torn up, road having mudmarks on it. As the party heads up...OOC - Listen checks.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 17." [1d20=16]
<Shamal> roll 1d20+10
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14." [1d20=4]
<Shamal> OOC: alertness reroll
<Shamal> roll 1d20+10
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 29." [1d20=19]
<Seira> roll 1d20+3
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21." [1d20=18]
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 and gets 19." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+5
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17." [1d20=12]
<Shamal> "Trouble ahead," Shamal starts, proceeding to cast her spells. "Sounds like goblins, but I'd wager our friend is involved."
<Shamal> OOC: casting Mage Armour on self and Hide From Animals on everyone (2 castings, using Seira's pearl)
* Seira nods. "That seems likely, yes."
> "Very," Quapeth checks his bow over, "May I borrow a few arrows," he asks  Seira directly. "This won't be the first massacre, even if it's onlyg oblins."
* Lyselle nods, making a last check of her weapons before they get into the thick of this, and patting her charger. Soon enough!
> The magics are cast, in place and ready!
<Seira> "Take as many as you need, of course."
<Shamal> "Animals won't be able to perceive you with this spell," Shamal explains, handing Seira her pearl back, "But if you take any offensive action, the effect will end." Rin looks a bit confused, but quickly wags her tail and settles in to follow Lyselle.
> Quapeth takes a dozen, loading up as many as he can easily carry.  
<Shamal> Spells cast, Shamal advances, leaving her own horse behind and keeping close enough to Rin that they can share the benefit of her spells.
> So the party heads on, Lyselle and Quapeth at point. Soon you reach the top of the gully. The path stretches on a bit and then a clearing. A madmade one, plants cut back. In this clearing are a few dozen tents and a few more solid building of mudbricks and stone. It's also a scene of chaos! OOC - More.
> Even from here, you can see that the buildings are arrainged in a circle. You can hear cries and distress of the goblin kind, a few calls. "Another one!" One calls, sounding pained, voice hanging. "A troll?! Fire, we need fire!"
> The party can't quite see anything yet, still a good ways back on the path. It's a hundred and a few odd feet to the clearing from here and between forest and buildings, the inner area is well blocked.
<Shamal> "Trolls?" Shamal grimaces. They want to find the cause, not the symptom! "Well, goblins are at least a bit more reasonable than trolls, so I suppose it's better to help them?"
> Quapeth peers ahead, "Yes, I suppose it is," he agrees.
* Lyselle nods with a faint sigh. "Most likely, yes. Goblins know fear, berserker trolls do not."
<Shamal> Assent given, Shamal advances on the village!
> Onward you go! As you go up, you get a better view of the village. Most of the tents have dead goblins in front of and around them, only an eastern most building still having life around it. A few goblins are there, one throwing a pot full of stinking fire at a rampaging troll! The troll looks angry, considerably burned up. Hanging back a bit are seven wolves, and inthe center? Two people - one is a bear that scrapes 15 feet tall, giant and hulking. The other is a man in a bearskin and little else, a giant, gleaming brown/metal gray axe resting besides him.
> scrapes 15 feet tall, giant and hulking. The other is a man in a bearskin and little else, a giant, gleaming brown/metal gray axe resting besides him.
<Shamal> An axe is hardly a traditional druid weapon, but Shamal's hardly one to lecture on orthodoxy, herself. Still... "Hold!" she yells, not in common, but in the secret language of the druids. "If you are a true servant of nature, then answer me and explain this wanton slaughter!"
> The goblins are three and one - they're using spears, trying to keep thet roll at bay! It's not working, as the fourth, grabs another nasty jar from inside. "C'mon," he snarls, one arm bleeding profusely, "Keep at it!"
> "Huh?" The bearskin wearing man turns as the animals blissfully continue watching. He looks around a bit, setting on Shamal. He looks surprised, face wide open. It's quite a nasty face, grim and bloodied, even if none of it looks like his own blood. He's rather large, too, hulking.
* Shamal draws herself up proudly, a challenging glare to the half-orc. If he cannot even respond in their secret language, what hope is there for reasoning with him?
> Quapeth settles back a bit, readying his shortbow and staying out of the main circle. Just hanging back, really.
> "Grawrh!" The creature bellows, fierce! He takes his axe and holds it up, "Huumaaaans! Kill!" His voice is a snarl, axe pointed at Shamal! The wolves turn...and just looka round, completely befuddled! The bear does as well, looking blankly ahead.
> Meanwhile, the goblins and trolls are going at it, getting ready for another round!
<Shamal> "He's no servant of nature," Shamal frowns unhappily, preparing her magic. "Wait before attacking, since the animals will be able to see us once we do."
> OOC - Are any of you doing anything else? If not, I'd like to do initiative here for organization.
<Seira> Frontline engagements are not for her, so Seira gives Shamal a curt nod and disappears into the underbrush, trying to find a good spot to see the troll from.
<Seira> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+12 and gets 22." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+1 and gets 19." [1d20=18]
> OOC - Okay, then initiative.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+2 Shamal
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+2 Shamal and gets 15." [1d20=13]
<Shamal> roll 1d20+3 Rin
* Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+3 Rin and gets 7." [1d20=4]
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 and gets 19." [1d20=18]
<Seira> roll 1d20+4
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+4 and gets 16." [1d20=12]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+2
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+2 and gets 6." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+2 goblins against troll
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 goblins against troll and gets 14." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+2 Troll
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 Troll and gets 9." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+2 wolf pack
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 wolf pack and gets 19." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+1 bear
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+1 bear and gets 13." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+2 Berserker, lots of +2s today
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 Berserker, lots of +2s today and gets 20." [1d20=18]
> Berserker>Berlioz=Wolves>Seira>Shamal>Goblins>Troll>Bear>Rin>Lyselle
> OOC - Since it won't go into the topic for whatever reason.
> The Berserker screams, his animals all looking towards him! But they just look around, confused! OOC - Berli.
> The wolves are doing just that, they look completely mystified! They're just kidna looking around!
> roll 1d20+5 fuck
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+5 fuck and gets 17." [1d20=12]
* Berlioz clears his throat and formulates yet another tale. He begins to entonate the story of those same adventurers from Balmuria, now facing the threat of trolls, wolves and a mysterious druid...
<Berlioz> OOC: Inspire Courage.
<Shamal> "He's no druid!" Shamal nearly snaps.
> The tale begins, inspiring the party with bravery and derring do! Quapeth smiles a bit, hanging back for the moment and waiting...OOC - Seira?
* Seira waits on Shamal to work her magic, as agreed upon.
> OOC - Shamal!
* Shamal decides to start things off by turning the bear against its unworthy master, incanting a prayer to do so. "Great Forest Queen, show this great predator of the forest the error of its ways, for its master is an unworthy one!"
<Shamal> OOC: Charm Animal, DC 14 on bear
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+9 and gets 21." [1d20=12]
> The bear doesn't seemed moved at all! It just looks around in beffudled confusion! Meanwhile the goblins attack the troll, three spears and a tub of goblin fire!
> roll 1d20+2 spears
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 spears and gets 13." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+2 spears
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 spears and gets 16." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+2 spears
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 spears and gets 12." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d8
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d8 and gets 4." [1d8=4]
> roll 1d20+2 tossed fire
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+2 tossed fire and gets 14." [1d20=12]
> The battle rages fiercely, a miss and a stab of the troll! It's staggered just a little, but still screaminga nd trying to rend goblins apart! They cower back, pinned and running out of time! OOC - Seira?
* Seira decides to support the goblins, and a pair of arrows target the troll from her hiding place!
<Seira> roll 1d20+3
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 13." [1d20=10]
<Seira> roll 1d20+3
* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10." [1d20=7]
> The arrows miss, flying overhead! The magic cracks and breaks, the party suddenly seeing the animals looking towards the party! Meanwhile, the troll bellows and triest o rip up one of the spear goblins!
> OOC - Strike.
> The arrows miss, flying overhead! The magic cracks and breaks, the party suddenly seeing the animals looking towards Seira's direction vaguely, but they still look confused! Meanwhile, the troll bellows and triest o rip up one of the spear goblins!
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+9 and gets 10." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+4 bite
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+4 bite and gets 9." [1d20=5]
> But this troll is clearly more affected by it's side ripped open, flesh scorched! It's claw miraciously miss, it's bite only getting the air! Meanwhile, the bear continues to stand around! OOC - Rin.
<Shamal> Rin mills around with Lyselle, lacking direction in her life!
<Shamal> OOC: Rin holds
> OOC - Lyselle. Go for it.
<Lyselle> Spurring her horse forward at a full gallop, Lyselle charges the half orc and the bear at high speed, only at the last moment rearing her horse to pummel the bear with its hoofs, and slash down on the half-orc with her frozen blade! OOC - Taking 1 on the DC 10 ride check to let the warhorse attack for a total of 10
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+12 Lyselle
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+12 Lyselle and gets 15." [1d20=3]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+6 horse
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+6 horse and gets 23." [1d20=17]
> OOC - Both hit.
<Lyselle> roll 2d8+10+1d2 half orc
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 2d8+10+1d2 half orc and gets 24." [2d8=7, 5][1d2=2]
<Lyselle> roll 1d6+4 bear
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d6+4 bear and gets 10." [1d6=6]
> It happens in a flash! The berserker's chest is torn open like tissue paper, rent and cut! As Lyselle finishes her charge she sees his skin is frosted over, her body receiving useless healing! The bear is kicked hard, a most unhappy roar of displeasure from it! OOC - Berserker is up now.
> Staggering back, he raises his axe up! "Raaaawr! Grawr smash! Smash her!" he commands, as he brings his axe to bear on her!
> roll 1d20+8 (-2 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d20+8 (-2 PA) and gets 19." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d12+12
* Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d12+12 and gets 18." [1d12=6]
> In counter Lyselle gets a brutual, ungiving axe to the stomach! It bites in deep, seepings of blood coming out!
> Lyselle is rocked and rattled, the axe drawing deep into her! The barbarian withdraws it with a wet slinck, snarling as his chest bleeds out. "Graaaaawr!" he hisses, "Attack! Get her!"
> OOC - Berlioz and the wolves are up now.
* Berlioz advances the tales of struggle and courage he had just began to chant.
<Berlioz> OOC: IIRC, I was using Inspire Courage last round.
> As Berlioz recites a tale of brave warriors, beautiful women and inspiring the masses, the wolves charge! They flock and surround Lyselle and her mount in classical pack fashion, trying to take the steed down with bites and nips!
> roll 1d20+3 wolf 1 bite
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+3 wolf 1 bite and gets 18." [1d20=15]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+9 and gets 21." [1d20=12]
> With a quick reaction, Lyselle rears up and has her horse whinny up, avoiding the first snapping bite! But the second is already incoming, the wolves working in tandem!
> roll 1d20+3 wolf 2 bite
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+3 wolf 2 bite and gets 20." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d6+1 damage
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d6+1 damage and gets 6." [1d6=5]
> roll 1d20+1 trip check
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+1 trip check and gets 20." [1d20=19]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14." [1d20=2]
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+9 and gets 27." [1d20=18]
> The horse goes down and goes down hard! It lets out a whining brey as it plummets onto it's side, part of it's back leg ripped open! It's muscle is torn, sending Lyselle down! With a quick move she manages to land on her knees and without damage! But the third wolf continues, snapping away at the downed horse!
> roll 1d20+3 wolf 3 bite OOC - Remember, -4 to it's AC while down.
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+3 wolf 3 bite OOC - Remember, -4 to it's AC while down. and gets 11." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d6+1 damage
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d6+1 damage and gets 5." [1d6=4]
> roll 1d20+3 wolf 4
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+3 wolf 4 and gets 4." [1d20=1]
> The third and forth wolf close in, chomping away! One scores a nip into the side of Lyselle's noble charger, while the last two swarm around not the horse, but it's armored rider!
> roll 1d20+3 wolf 5 bite
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+3 wolf 5 bite and gets 4." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+3 wolf 6 bite
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+3 wolf 6 bite and gets 5." [1d20=2]
> But Lyselle has no difficulty fending them off, swordbashing one away as she recovers! The second meets a noble shield to it's teeth, solid steel between the blonde noblewoman and wolf teeth!
<Lyselle> "Elf! Get your sword into this melee or we're not going to manage anything!"
> "..." The sword is drawn, bow dropped! Quapeth nods grimly, whipping his sword out! In bright elven he calls, "To arms! To slay those that would pervert Mother Earth so foully, you shall not escape certain death!" Rushing to Lyselle's side, his longsword tries to take out the first wolf!
> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "KoKanon rolls 1d20+7 and gets 9." [1d20=2]
> But his blade sings through the air, a downward stab that only impales the fair earth! A complete miss, the wolf half turning and snarling in retailation!
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
> OOC - The S and S female combo is up.
* Shamal steps a bit closer to the melee and casts another spell! "Calm your bestial fury, for we are not your enemy!" she exhorts to the wolves.
<Shamal> roll 2d4+3
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 2d4+3 --> [ 2d4=6 ]{9}
<Seira> The goblins would have to make do on their own, not that she was making much difference there. Singling out the bear, she releases a pair of arrows in its general direction!
<Shamal> OOC: 9hd worth of wolves, which means 4 of them. They get will saves if they've been trained to fight, otherwise no save.
<Seira> roll 1d2-+7
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d2-+7 --> [ 1d2=2 ]{-5}
<Seira> roll 1d2-+7
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d2-+7 --> [ 1d2=1 ]{-6}
> OOC - Um, Seira.
<Seira> OOC: Bah, like it'd matter
<Seira> roll 1d20+7
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{14}
<Seira> roll 1d20+7
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
> OOC - I'm going to give the wolves a save, as they're under a sort of training and compulsion. Its' borderline, so they're getting a -2 circumstance to it.
> roll 1d20-1
> roll 1d20-1
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{15}
> roll 1d20-1
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{16}
> roll 1d20-1
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{9}
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{18}
> OOC - What's your DC/you have got to be fucking kidding me.
<Shamal> OOC: DC 14
> roll 1d6 to determine wolf affected
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d6 to determine wolf affected --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
> Suddenly, one of the wolves next to Lyselle just sits down, calm and sedate. IT starts licking it's paw, lying down in peace. Meanwhile, two arrows fly! The beast is caught off guard, but only it's tough skins aves it, the missles not quite penetrating well enough! OOC - Rin was going to act?
<Shamal> Now that Rin can see Shamal, she briefly looks to her mistress in hopes of guidance, which comes swiftly. "Rin, take down that man!" she commands, and the canine promptly bounds forward to charge the berserker!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{15}
> OOC - Hit.
<Shamal> roll 1d6+4
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d6+4 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{10}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+4 trip check --> [ 1d20=6 ]{10}
> roll 1d20+5
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{8}
> With a leap Rin proves that she's not just a normal, garden variety canine! She takes to the air, bowling your axe wielding foe right over! He falls down hard, flat onto his back, Rin biting down into his collarbone and yanking!
> The goblins are meanwhile trying to hold against the troll still!
> roll 1d20+2 spears
> roll 1d20+2 spears
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+2 spears --> [ 1d20=4 ]{6}
> roll 1d20+2 spears
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+2 spears --> [ 1d20=13 ]{15}
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+2 spears --> [ 1d20=4 ]{6}
> roll 1d20+2 goblin fire
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+2 goblin fire --> [ 1d20=20 ]{22}
> roll 1d20+2 goblin fire crit
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+2 goblin fire crit --> [ 1d20=2 ]{4}
> roll 1d10
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
> roll 1d20 fort save
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20 fort save --> [ 1d20=7 ]{7}
> The troll gets goblin fire and gas right in it's stomach! With a cry the jar is thrown, slamming into him! This gets the troll to roar and wince, staggeringb ack before it takes an angry set of swings at the nearest spear thruster!
> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{23}
> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
> roll 1d20+4
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{18}
> roll 3d6+15
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 3d6+15 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{29}
> The goblin is grabbed, arms ripped off and head bitten off in a primal fury! It's body is tosses aside, skull heard crunching as it's eaten in a bloody gorefest! Meanwhile, the bear staggers, roaring out! It looms over the others, swiping at Lyselle!
> roll 1d20+19
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{31}
> roll 2d4+10
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 2d4+10 --> [ 2d4=4 ]{14}
> With a single swipe, Lyselle's armor is ripped open! Her midsection is further torn open, savagely! OOC - Lyselle.
<Lyselle> Stuck in the midst of wolvery, bearness, and with little else to do, Lyselle opts for probably the best idea she has: Slashing at the berserker while he's prone like a total wimp!
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{20}
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+4+1d2
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+4+1d2 --> [ 1d8=4 1d2=1 ]{9}
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+1
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=1 ]{2}
> With a cry coming from deep in her throat, Lyselle stabs down into the berserker's chest! It's a woundthat surely pierced his veins and heart, yet he seems to hang on with the barest glimmer! With his axe, he takes a desperate, wobbling swing at Lyselle!
> roll 1d20+6
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{25}
> roll 1d12+9
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d12+9 --> [ 1d12=10 ]{19}
> With his last effort, the axe buries into Lyselle's chest! She falls over, simply cut down and dropping!
> OOC - Berlioz and wovles.
* Berlioz rubs his temples, jaw vaguely dropping. "This is not good! They will overwhelm us! They've gotten Lyselle already!", the bard panics, backing down for a moment.
> The wolves look spooked! As their master goes down and collapses from that one last exertion, they hold and stare! "Gods..." Quapeth breathes, bringing his sword back around. He circles around slowly, trying to work around towards Lyselle! He stops about midway, averting his eyes a moment...before taking his sword and trying to skewer the downed ax user!
> roll 1d20+7
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{21}
> roll 1d8+2
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d8+2 --> [ 1d8=1 ]{3}
> There's no real resistance to the strike, slammed into his left shoulder and chest! The barbarian is down and bleeding, perhaps going at the same time as Lyselle to what waits beyond? OOC - S and S.
<Shamal> Standing over the downed form of the berserker, Rin growls savagely at the wolves, hackles raised and teeth bared as she tries to cow them into submission in the traditional canine manner.
<Shamal> roll 1d20-2
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20-2 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{8}
<Shamal> "Lyselle!" Shamal cries in alarm as her friend goes down, recklessly approaching the melee and summoning forth a fire elemental in the midst of the animals to hopefully frighten them off now that their master is out of commission! Said humanoid figure of blazing flame promptly launches itself at the dire bear!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+5
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{13}
> THe other wolves don't look terribly impressed, but they do look shaken and confused now! One begins to howl, another skirting back! OOC - Seira?
* Seira shoots at the wolves, with the barbarian downed!
> The fire elemental misses the bear, but it mainly looks on at the downed berserker instead!
<Seira> roll 1d20+7
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{19}
<Seira> roll 1d20+7
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{24}
> OOC - Hits.
<Seira> roll 1d8+1+2d6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8+1+2d6 --> [ 1d8=7 2d6=6 ]{14}
<Seira> roll 1d8+1+2d6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8+1+2d6 --> [ 1d8=7 2d6=8 ]{16}
> With two quick shots, two wolves go down1 One has it's skull penetrated, the other catching one right in the middle of it's spine! Both are quite dead, falling down and bleeding out!
* Berlioz approaches the dwindling mass, trying to reach close enough to Lyselle. As he does, he mutters his Cure Moderate Wounds dystic.
<Berlioz> roll 2d8+4 for healage
<Reiko-chan> Berlioz rolled : 2d8+4 for healage --> [ 2d8=13 ]{17}
> Healing energy spreads into Lyselle! Her life is saved at the very last moment, whilst meanwhile the troll suddenly howls, holding it's head! With that, it turns it's back to the goblins, fleeing into the forest in a flat out sprint!
> As the goblins watch in relief, only 3 in total alive, the bear lets loose a howl! A howl of animalistic anger, as...
> roll 1d100
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=62 ]{62}
> IT breaks and runs, growling a strange, low, weak growl as it flees!
> OOC - Free action at the moment, I think, the wolves aren't directly offensive.
* Seira looks mildly disappointed as the bear flees, taking her paycheck with it.
* Lyselle whimpers and slowly drags herself up, checking on her horse, and making a mental note to invest in barding in the future.
<Shamal> With Berlioz seeming to have Lyselle taken care of, Shamal does her best to calm the wolves with her body language and intonations. While her fire elemental races after the bear to harass it as it goes.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 wild empathy
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+4 wild empathy --> [ 1d20=13 ]{17}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+6 hit 1
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+6 hit 1 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{25}
> Quapeth stares openly in shock, "...I don't..." he murmurs as Lyselle rises.
<Shamal> roll 1d4+2+1d4
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d4+2+1d4 --> [ 1d4=1 1d4=1 ]{4}
* Berlioz wipes his forehead, letting out a heavy sigh. "You probably should stay down, Armasea. I'll handle the wounds."
<Shamal> roll 1d20+6 hit 2
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+6 hit 2 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{26}
> The wolves are generally not reacting now, just easy and starting to sit. They look...strangely lost now, whimpering.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+6 hit 2 confirm
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+6 hit 2 confirm --> [ 1d20=20 ]{26}
<Shamal> roll 2d4+4+1d4
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 2d4+4+1d4 --> [ 2d4=6 1d4=4 ]{14}
> MEanwhile, the fire elemental chases the bear! Into the woods, whippings of fire following the fleeing bear!
> roll 1d100
<Reiko-chan> KoKanon rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=73 ]{73}
<Lyselle> "I'll be fine," Lyselle mumbles, feeding her horse a potion to get it on its feet again. Yeah, barding...
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+1
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=8 ]{9}
> When suddenly, a roar that shakes the entire forest is heard! The dire bear's voice is heard, in a loud fury!
> The horse is mostly healed, struggling to get back onto it's four feet.
* Shamal continues to calm and reassure the wolves, getting them on her side in case that bear or troll decide to return.
* Lyselle helps her animal up, trying to not pay attention to the wolves, and shield the charger's eyes from them.
> "We...we survived?" You hear one of the goblins say in shock, falling to it's knees. "We're...alive?"
> "The humans and an elf saved us?" Another looks about, holding another pot of Goblin's Fire.
<Berlioz> "Shockingly", the bard coughs and lets out. "Sometimes, the dumbest strolls of luck happen, it seems."
<Shamal> "A pity we didn't arrive sooner," Shamal notes sadly, seeing the utter carnage that this village has turned into.
* Seira approaches quietly, the combat over with.
> "The Gods are kind to you...more than you deserve," Quapeth observes to the goblins, "Are you alright, Lyselle?" hea sks, giving Berlioz a look filled with respect.
> You can hear another roar deeper in the forest, a shaking of the ground.
<Lyselle> "I'll live," Lyselle remarks slowly, petting her horse to keep it from spooking entirely too much, and swallowing the second of her potions.
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+1
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=7 ]{8}
> The horse looks a bit dazed, but it's just standing there sedately for now.
<Shamal> With the wolves under control, Shamal casts detect magic and takes a look over the berserker. Just how was he controlling those animals and trolls?
* Berlioz glances at Quapeth awkwardly. "... um... what?"
> Shamal does not detect any magic on the berserker. "You...she was..." he breaths in and out, "Not only magic, but..." A deep breath taken, before he bows deeply to Berlioz. "I apologize for what I said to others about you."
> THe goblins look around, only three left. "Stupid elf..." one mutters, but they're looking to each other, drawn and tired.
* Shamal sighs. Looks like the mystery dies with him... "Anyway, we should go. We'll be refreshed after a day's rest, but that bear will still carry its wounds," she explains.
* Berlioz frowns, rubbing his forehead. The bard sighs, shaking his head. "It's... not quite like that. She was damned near the brink of death... but not quite."
> "Hey," The lead goblin puts down his spear to the ground, "You saved us."
<Shamal> "If you call this being saved," Shamal replies with a vacant gesture at the numerous goblinoid corpses littering the village. "What will you do, now?"
> "...yeah...not much," The one holding the jar of fire sets it down, looking away. "The entire clan's wiped out...hoped it would never happen to us."
> Quapeth justshakes his head, "I'm still amazed. You humans truly amaze me in so many ways. I see with Seira lives with you now."
> "At least we have a lot of these," The last looks towards into the mud hut. "Get some humans to give us nice things for them, or maybe we can trade them? Goblin Fire strong."
<Shamal> "Trolls have been going berserk all through the forest - your clan is probably not the only one," Shamal explains, idly petting a docile wolf until Rin nips at it and forces the other canine away from her mistress. "You should probably try to find what's left of the other goblin clans and band together if you want to survive."
<Lyselle> "Just be happy to be alive," Lyselle nods, beding down to sift through the half-orc's corpse and see if it has anything vaguely interesting.
<Lyselle> *bending
> "Yeah." The second nods, "They missed the town craftsman, I can make this stuff in my sleep." Taking the jar, "We were here since we found a big load of the stones needed to make it on the other side of the hill last year. Thought we were gonna get somewhere."
> The berserker was bearing a bearskin. A great, shiny battle ax is in his dead hand. It's still bright even after having Lyselle's most vital blood on it, smelling faintly earthenlike as Lyselle takes a look at it.
<Shamal> "How do you make it, anyway?" Shamal asks, approaching the goblins. "I'd have thought that the stench would be too unbearable to work with it before sealing the jar."
* Lyselle hmphs, cleaning it on the pelt and then using it to cut a good deal of the bearskin into a makeshift cover for the axe.
> "Heh..." The second shakes his head, "It only gets that way once you seal it, it takes a few days to settle and mix all the way. That's the secret - the ingredients don't do anything for a little while."
> Lyselle note the ax cuts the bearskin extremely well, not slowing even at the thickest parts.
<Seira> "You are still interested in trading it?" Seira asks the goblins. "Either the jars themselves, or the knowledge of how to make them?"
> The second considers, looking narrowly at Seira. "...yes. Give us something good or safe, and we'll do either."
<Shamal> "I could teach you how to make alchemist's fire - it's not as noxious as goblin fire but it burns for longer. More useful against trolls," Shamal offers generously. "Or Acid."
> "Okay," he nods after a moment.
> The other two goblins are just looking shocked, going into the hut. The wolves are lying down now, howling mournfully. Quapeth is starting to quickly search about, then goes over to the berserker and draws his longsword, starting to cut through his neck.
* Shamal takes some time to discuss with the goblin craftsman, explaining what substances found in the wilderness can be used and the processes required to create both alchemist's fire and acid.