Turn 35 - THE CHASE
The group realizes that they have been fooled and surprised by a band of six silent halfling renegades while three other were getting away…
The small dra were all over the place, it seems. Chit-Zik normally wouldn't be worried, but he had seen how effective Tak had been, in spite of his small frame. Reading a chatkcha, he searched for a good target. Noticing the fleeing halflings, he realizes that since one of them is running pretty much straight away from him, he would make excellent target.
A whistling sound marks the path of the throwing wedges as they sail to its fleeing target. One of the wedges is met with a meaty thud as it strikes the fleeing halfling. The halfling is knocked to his knees and skids forward. He pulls out the gory wedge, throws into the hallway and continues its run. The second wedge just passes over its head, strikes the wall in the narrow hallway and does not come back as Chit is used to.
Rayne knocks Gaigin to the ground, drags him to a more secure position and crouches protectively over him. She quickly checks that all her weapons are easily accessible.
A look of consternation briefly crosses Gaigin's face as he is dragged to safety by the odd Mul, but when he is seated comfortably on the ground, a broad smile creeps onto his features.
"Capital idea, assistant. I admit I am a bit tired, and I haven't been to the Games in weeks." Gaigin looks on with excitement as the gladiators move in to position...an interesting match. Halflings were so bloody hard to catch in their native woodland that they were rare opponents for a match. "Good, good. For the honor of Kalak, you may proceed." Gaigin waves his permission regally with his left hand, nodding for the match to commence.
Rayne checks the wall around her for any secret holes or doors, ensuring that no one can come at them form that angle, then turns her full concentration back to the rest of the chamber. Thankful for having her armor on and her back covered by the odd building she holds her tortoise blade defensively and scans the room assessing what is going on.
MINDSCAPE:
Making sure their position seems secure for the time being the mul retreats into her mind, calling forth Marteu for help. "Little one, there's trouble for your new friends" "Yes Marteu, it is time for me lesson." The old mentor seats himself and looks intently at the child Mul. "Begin." As Rayne's concentration grows, the tent and her mentor fade behind a growing mist. The mist begins to form into a large fist. A silhouette not much smaller than the child mul's appears in front of the growing fist. The fist appears solid in front of the unknowing halfling; a giant version of the mul's own. The young mul shouts out on the mindscape and the wind from her breath causes the fist to punch with an extreme force as the halfling on the physical plane is "hit" with a force like running into a wall. "Marvelous little one!" Marteu claps as he disappears into the mist once more. The halfling was momentarily dazed but recovered quick enough and went straight for Koreth.
The renegades had shown their honor in a cowardly rear attack, but even such a lack of honor did not indicate to Tak’ that they lacked intelligence. Realizing what was going on Tak’ yelled out, "They are only here to distract us, we must act quickly!" His movements quick imbued with the forces of the earth-druid Chit-Zik, Tak’ snatched a quick look at the ambushing halflings and the fleeing trio.
Grasping two bone daggers, Tak’ yells out to the enemy in their native tongue, "you have forsaken your heritage and Gaea! You shame yourselves in life and you shall continue to do so in death!"
Leaping forward Tak’ joined battle just as another halfling charged him with a spear. Getting as close to his opponent as possible, where his short weapons are at their most effective. Facing a halfling in combat gave Tak’ a moment for pause
Tak’ launched into a combination attack, hammering away with his swift weapons, simple attacks, but strong and effective. Tak’ struck, and his blow was barely defected by the renegade halfling, only for Tak’ to follow through with his second weapon, laying the halflings shoulder open to the bone with the strange life-dagger.
Ptellac took the iron-headed spear in his hands and prepared to meet the strange halfling who approached him with his own spear. The pterran used his greater reach to his advantage keeping the smaller opponent at bay. He suddenly lunged but the nimble hunter spun and was in close quarters with the pterran. The halfling ripped upwards and caught the pterran's gut. The halfling twisted the spear out while the pterran grunted his pain. Both warriors were ready for a second pass.
Growling in pain from the arrow, Koreth turns to face the halflings. He draws up his will, it's tendrils seeping into his body and strengthening it as his companions delivered their ranged attacks. Three of the attacking halflings dropped their bows and charged with raised spears; one of them going straight at Koreth. The warrior flexed his muscles, his will filling them with renewed strength and prepared to face the small warrior. Rayne had just hit the warrior and he was bit disconcerted at the time. The crazed halfling lunged forward just as Koreth finished his concentration. The bone spear ripped a nasty gash on his side. The halfling screamed and pulled back his bloodied spear ready for some more.
The other three halflings remained in the back and merely took aim again. It was with one of these that Elric exchanged arrows. Bringing his bow to a full draw, Elric quickly takes aim and releases his arrow toward the heart of the halfling.
The renegade’s eyes go wide as the arrow streaks through the air. The attack is quick and viscous striking the renegade in the chest before he has a chance to dodge out of the way. A second arrow whizzes through the air almost before the first has struck its target. The second arrow sinks deep into the renegade’s shoulder with enough force to throw him back.
Notwithstanding the two arrows protruding form his body, the halfling draws with visible pain and releases two shafts. One of the arrows hits Elric and sticks out from his upper shoulder while the second is wide from its mark. The halfling starts to look at the door and starts to inch his way towards it
Aryus was knocked into a state of confusion. Before he realized what was going on, a sharp arrow was protruding from his thigh. Crashing to the ground in both cover and pain, Aryus grips his wound and bites back the sting.
The windmage then quickly scans the room to access the situation as loads his bow. He tries to spot the hidden enemy, and seeing them, fires without giving much thought. The half-elf was more worried about getting away that firing his arrows. The halfling that had stuck and arrow into the windmage was at it again. Two more arrows sped towards him; one of them hit him again while the windmage rolled away from the other one. He released his own shaft and struck the halfling bowman just as he was leaving the scene.
Mendi had his crossbow cocked and ready for the battle. The elf looked for someone to hit and was hesitant to release his missile into the melee. While the elf makes up his mind, two arrows whiz by his head. He spots the halfling responsible and shoots his bolt. The bolt clatters harmlessly off the wall where the halfling had been only a moment ago. The bowman also made for the door like his other two partners.
ROUND 2
The three bowmen had fled through the door they had come in leaving their partners to whatever luck destiny had installed for them.
Chit-Zik pulls his gythka and moves in to protect any pack-mate that looks like they're in a bad spot. He sees Tak battling one of the crazed halflings and moves in to help. He swings hard and down upon the little creature, trying to use his reach advantage to no avail as the nimble hunter stepps out of the way.
Tak raised both his daggers and closed in with his opponent. He did not think twice this time and gave no such advantage. His life-dagger again cuts a nasty slash just as his opponent lunges with his already bloodied spear. The spear-head again draws blood as it pierces deep within Tak's body. A second lunge went wide as Tak regained his footing and parried the spear with his dagger. Both small hunters were bloodied but neither seemed about to give up while Chit circled and waited another chance at a swing.
Ptellac was at it again and wanted nothing more than to bloody his spear. He noticed that Mendi had dropped his crossbow, drawn his spear and went over to his side to help him dispose off the small killer. Mendi strikes first with a horizontal swing meant to lop off the head. The obsidian scimitar whistles by empty air as the quick opponent ducks underneath. The halfling comes up spear first piercing the pterran in his thigh. Ptellac tries one more time but the halfling is just too quick. He sidestepped the lunge and retaliated with a swing with the butt end of his spear that connected to the pterran's groin. He was now surrounded by two opponents but he still sported no wounds, the halfling was still confident and proud of his prowess.
Ayrus waited with bow ready but did not bring himself to release an arrow into the melee lest he hit one of his friends.
Rayne surveys the battle and prepares for defense against anyone who may break through. She sees that Ptellac is in trouble. Seeing that her position is still somewhat secure Rayne calls for Marteu once again.
MINDSCAPE
Rayne tries to create the mind storm and draw forth the electrical energy needed, but she cannot concentrate enough. With a shout of frustration she returns her concentration to the physical plane and checks her position as the battle continues.
The battle fully joined, Elric slips his bow to the ground and charges the halflings. Drawing his blades as he nears, Elric joins Koreth in his battle with his opponent.
Koreth screams out a dwarven war cry as he launches himself at the strange halflings. The warrior merely charges into the halfling trusting his mass to bawl him over. The halfling rips his spear into the warrior but can do nothing else once Koreth is close. The blades of Koreth's wrist razors sink into the sides of the halfling as he is pushed back by the large warrior. The hit is so deep augmented by the warrior's strength that Koreth swears that he heard both blades clash into each other inside the halfling's body. The red stain of blood drips from his blades as he draws them back, moving in for another strike. The halfling warrior slumps down to the ground dead from the onslaught while Elric is cheated out of a fight.
Your actions…
OUT OF CHARACTER
HEALTH STATUS
Remember the scale:
Healthy (H) 100% hitpoints remaining
Slightly Wounded (SiW) 75% to 100% hitpoints remaining
Wounded (W) 50% to 75% hitpoints remaining
Seriously Wounded (SeW) 25% to 50% hitpoints remaining
Mortally Wounded (MW) 0% to 25% hitpoints remaining
Ptellac (W) H4 (H)
Mendi (H)
Tak (W) H3 (W)
Chit (H)
Koreth (W) H dead
Elric (SiW)
Ayrus (SiW)
Rayne (H)
Gaigin (MW)
Gaigin will recover full hitpoints gradually in 5 days time notwithstanding any magical healing
I need two rounds of action of whomever is going to battle. It may make things a little different but if you feel that the group should split up then let me know and we will try it. You don't have to; it is just that you may consider it if the situation warrants it.
No more than 2 character may attack a halfling at a time. Everyone is within close range so as to change opponents.
I am attaching a sketch that I hope help you out.
Questions, comments, and suggestions please.
L8r,
Fabian