View source for Orcupines, Part 1

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== Log Info ==
*Title: Orcupines, Part 1
*Emitter: Cryosanthia
*Characters: Braelnoir, Rocky, Kira
*Place: PROne, The FelWood
*Time: Sunday, June 21, 2020, 6:35 PM
*Summary: Braelnoir is accosted in the Market by a Witchcrow, calling her name and attempting to lead her. Reluctantly, the Korite follows, with Rocky and Kira coming along to assist. The crow leads them into the woods, then the felwoods. As the trees get closer and denser, other crows gather. The crow seems to have a destination in mind, but there are other things in the forest. Waiting on the edge of a forested ravine, the party is attacked by a witchcrow which is leading a bunch of orcs. A family of orcs, with glittering black eyes, infested with quivering spines, that rage mindlessly. Battle ensues, everyone becoming injured, the watching crows diving into the fray and shredding themselves on the orcs, and their corpses making the slope, slippery. Several fall. The original Witchcrow arrives to taunt and curse Braelnoir, and while the party is prevailing, Brae is getting stuck full of quills and everyone is close to the edge. Kira crosses the distance to the murder bird with surprising speed, capturing it. Whereupon it begs for Mercy. She demands it make the Orcs stop, yet, nothing seems to stop them. Two orcs have fallen, three remain fighting, and while victory seems close it is by no means assured.
*APL: 11, Rocky 2, Braelnoir 7, Kira 14
*CR: 10
*Encounters: 9600 XP
**WitchCrow, CR3, 800XP
**Murder of Crows, CR3, 800XP
**Black-Eyed Orcs, CR5, 1600XP (qty 5, Barbarian 4 Orcs with Howler Template, 72 HP)
**Unfavourable Terrain: Trees, Light Underbrush, Slope, causing limited range, AC penalties and movement restrictions</div>

<pre>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=
Braelnoir    5'11"    146 Lb     Human             Female    A tall, pale Acanian woman, branded in silver. 
Kira         5'0"     120 Lb     Human             Female    Blonde woman in simple robes with an eye patch.
Rocky        6'8"     460 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      A grey Sith in armor, bit like a statue.
=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     267 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=</pre>

"Braelnoir!"

It never fails, one searches for clues and finds nothing, then a lead finally pops up at the most inconvenient time. A mission from Cryo to repair some market merchants and deliver a gift to Rocky is interrupted by a black murder-chicken, taunting from the rooftops.

"Braelnoir!" The large crow is smart enough to stay out of line of sight, and must have been invisible at some points based on where it sounded like it was, but the former chimeralith kordite caught its attention and it made sure to catch hers. It caws her name, teasing her to follow, staying just out of range.

"Braelnoir!" Once she did, the crow led the way out of the city, into the forest where it exploited the trees and its flight, as well as an uncanny sense of spell ranges, to keep ahead. The forest grew deeper, more twisted, turning from regular woods into the Felwood. Still the crow lead on.

"Braelnoir!" It's clearly a trap, but also the only lead in a long time. While it is midday, the sun is hidden by the canopy and the undergrowth becomes troublesome. The trees become more twisted, with things growing on them. Some, strangled by vines.

"Braelnoir!" Ahead, the ground slopes down, a valley whose features are obscured by the forest. The witch-crow is in there, cackling, teasing the group to come further to whatever it has planned. When it laughs, it sounds just like a witch-hag.

"Braelnoir!"

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls perception: (9)+5: 14
GAME: Kira rolls perception: (5)+23: 28
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (17)+3: 20</pre>

Gods damned birds!

Brae only spends five quarrels on the heckling carrion poultry once they get outside the city, grumbling and calling back unflattering invectives, reliving some of her favoritest asspects about the death of the Crow's mistress. Details about the sensations, warm bath as Brae's scythe glided almost unimpeeded through the ogress's belly, the feel of the Ghishas's skull chipping and collapsing by degrees under the spiked blows of her gauntlet, that would ultimately shatter, itself. The sort of colorful, fond memories only two who hate each other so much can truly savor.

As well as the raven-sized crow, there seem to be a lot of regular crows around. Sitting on branches, flying from branch to branch, looking at the small group.

Rocky is just glad to be properly armored. The warrior-caste didn't have much by way of resources, but the armor smith had never worked on a sith before, so they worked things out. Not quite as comfortable as his old ironwood plate, but metal seems to be the standard here in softskin lands, so he goes with it. "Saa, thiss black parrot, it knowsss you?"

Kira is always willing to help others, and obviously her friends aren't excluded from that. So she's on her way with Brae to help with-what the heck is that? Uh oh. Is that the-

It must be the one she's heard so much about, if just from Brae's reaction.

As she hustles along with, her face contorts some with the graphic recounting of visited violence past. "Oh my..." Her own exclamation is originally at the memories, but works perfectly well when she sees all the other birds. "Are there always so many?"
"Braaaaaaeelnoir!" The avian voice comes again, drawing out the syllable in a clear 'come and get me' tease. It's down in the ravine, somewhere, not far. The next thing it says is clearly meant as a dig, the word as harsh as a slash.

"Scythe!"

It wants Braelnoir down there. That's clear.

In the distance, in another direction there are sounds like trees moving, breaking or falling.

The merc is pretty intent on mocking her nemesis, though she does aside with a nod to Rocky, "Yeah, it's owner needed killin' one day and apparantly thinks she got the raw end of the deal." Brae casualy slips a bolt into the crossbow, then looks to Kira at her question, "So maneeeeeeeey.... shit." She scowls a bit and asides, "The bods like to steal things, they'll fly at ya to knock it loose, then the others'll grab it to fly away. Some of them, the big one fer sure can put some kinda hoodoo on ya. I'll likely be the primary target, but they may fuck with you too." She looks between the two, "This's personal, an' I won't refuse the help, but I won't ask ya ta risk yerselves on it. If ya wanna walk, I'll accept that."

This part of the woods, the Fellwood, the trees are thick together with light undergrowth. Fighting will be difficult, the trees will get in the way and the undergrowth is difficult to move through. A couple massive trees are there and here, occupying even more space and possible to hide behind. There is also a downward slope, in the direction of the crow's calls.

Rocky chuffs softly. "Rocky is heavy. Shield is heavy. Black parrot big, not that big."

"Braelnoir, " Kira reminds, "it is my duty to help any in need. If this creature means you harm, I think you are in need." She looks back down the ravine. "I don't think I've ever seen birds ..vengeful before. That's very strange. Maybe they are enchanted and can't help what they're doing?

Two more questions follow, "What is a hoodoo... and do you hear that? It sounds like something is ... moving the trees? Further down the ravine."

Listening carefully, there IS something moving through the trees, further down the ravine. It sounds large, or it might be a small party. There is crashing, a snapping of branches, what sounds like small trees coming down. And an unsettling scream, somewhere between a death rattle and a moan of pleasure. Whatever it is, it is closing.

In the ravine the crow cackles again, a pitiless laugh it's learned from an Ogre, and if a beak could grin, it would call with a huge one.

"Braaaaaaaelnoir."

Braelnoir nods with a small grateful smile, then scans the foliage to try and count the birds, "Well, 'member that ogress I toldja about? She's pullin the big one's strings, the bird may be controllin' the rest. Suppose we get the chance we can kill the familiar first and see if'n the rest scatter from the ruckus." She edges forward some, "Hoodoo, bad mojo... magic, curses, that sorta thing." She frowns a little as the sounds from below catch her ear and, "Either of you know handspeech?" She sidles closer to Kira and takes a small folded pouch of... something from one of her bandolier pouches, "This is a tanglefoot bag, if ya get the chance to stick the big bird down to something, that'd be great." she says softly, "Rock, when we run into whatever that big thing is, try'n get behind it to limit it's movement."

Kira purses her lips and shakes her head. "No, I don't know-oh my! Why is he here? A friend of the bird? Or the ...owner?" She takes the tangelfoot bag and nods. "I will try. Is it more dangerous that the ...ogre?" She isn't the best climber, can't fly, and isn't sure about her arm, but will do her best.

Rocky nods. "Are ssure will be fight? If isss, will try. Thiss One learning Hand Ssign. Warriorsss in Collusseum taught ssseveral gesturesss." Likely not ones to be used in polite company. Because honestly, those are the words everyone learns first.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls knowledge/military theory: (17)+7: 24</pre>

Rocky figures best to wait on the high ground for now, let whatever it is come. Normally would sneak behind a tree to try and flank, but with all the birds watching, doesn't a time for sneaking.

There are a lot of crows, a flock at least, enough for two, the amount where they start getting called a murder. Everywhere, there's a crow, sitting and waiting. The one in the ravine seems to be waiting too, as the noises get closer and that noise gets louder. Not a single creature, too many voices, a pack, it must be.

Whatever it is arrives where the Witch Crow is waiting, there is some sudden squawking, and then the movement starts up the hill. The underbrush conceals and slows whatever it is, but it moves fast. There won't be much time to react when it breaks cover.

Leaves burst apart, and the giant crow is flying straight towards the group, squawking.

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (11)+5: 16
GAME: Rocky rolls damage3: aliased to 1D8+3: (7)+1D8+3: 10
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "now you get the Aoo as it moves"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (3)+5: 8</pre>

Rocky is more familiar with ground based foes, but when a flying foe swoops down into reach, the warrior caste isn't going to let oppertunity pass. With a quick swing of his blade, Rocky knocks the Withccrow around, but not out of the air, taking a second, less sucessful swipe as it flies past.

The raven sized crow squawks as it is hit, and some feathers fly off, but it seems determined to stay on its flight path. Deflected only a little bit, it continues through the group and through the trees. It moves quickly and isn't impeded.

The crows clustered in the trees keep watching. They are all watching, eerily silent, little beady eyes fixed on the adventurers.

The large crow is moving fast, thirty feet is about the limit of visibility before the trees fully obstruct, and it covered that distance to the group, then away from them almost as soon as it appeared. If it keeps going it will be out of sight, even further away.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon1: (4)+10: 14
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon9: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 1d10: (2): 2</pre>

As the dark poultry surges toward and past her, Braelnoir's spikeshod hand snaps away from the crossbow to try and backhand it on the way by, to no avail.

Brae's crossbow comes around in the aftermath of her wave, and she snaps off a shot that manages to stick the bird a bit, though hardly a biting wound. She growls through gnashed teeth and runs as well as she can through the underbrush toward the nuisance, yanking her greatsowrd from it's scabbard as the crossbow falls into the brush.

<pre><OOC> Kira can try to hit the WitchCrow with the tangelfoot, if it's going to be out and away.
GAME: Kira rolls ranged: (12)+20: 32
GAME: WitchCrow rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16 (Reflex)</pre>

Kira was asked to stick it to something, but it's not sitting still, of even landing. In fact, it's darting right at them. Through them? And now past them. "Oh no!" She was hoping it would land, and now it's getting away, so she ends up throwing the tangelfoot -behind- the at the larger raven. The bag bursts and sticky goop tries to stick to it, but the nimble bird doesn't get completely mired in the stuff.

There are still sounds coming from the underbrush, up the ravine. The witch-crow was not a part of it, if anything, it was leading them. With a crash, branches are broken and chopped aside, and a howling starts when the war party sees Rocky and Kira.

Orcs!

Nightmarish orcs. Several things immediately visible. This is a family, there is clearly an elder male orc and a female of similar age, and three in prime fighting age that resemble each other and their progenitors. Other features unite them, their eyes are utterly black, with tiny glittering specs in them. Spines burst from their skin, long, thin, jagged and almost insect-like, these spines are barbed and have the same glittering black aspects as their eyes. They are weaponless, their hands bloody messes, flesh shredded from their fingers with bones showing. Their mouths are wrenched open, lips ripped with jaw muscles strained as they scream and charge to attack. They will bite.

They all look like they're raging, and as dangerous as orcs normally are, these look worse.

Kira gasps as the group of oruchs arrive, and look to be a family ... plagued. She holds her hands out and slightly up. "Please, you are ill! We don't wish you harm, and can help you."

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3+1: (1)+5+1: 7 (EPIC FAIL)</pre>

Rocky is all in favor of diplomacy and stuff, but not with twisted bloody mutant things. Literally bloody. With blood. The warrior starts towards the orcs, blade high, but gets his foot caught on an unseen vine, stumbling. The sith manages to catch himself, but it takes a second, and in combat, that's a really long time.

Covered in tar and sticky webs, the Witchcrow is still able to fly, though it is heavier and much slower. It wings away through the trees, putting distance between itself and her.

The Black-Eyed orcs are closing in, at Rocky, ten feet from Kira, another twenty past to Braelnoir.

<pre><OOC> Braelnoir: double move to get into engagement range
                 support rocky and kira 
                 if i can get a swing off on something great,
                 but, primarily setting up a line
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12: (18)+12: 30
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+5: (9)+5: 14</pre>

Seeing the bird all gummed up fills Brae's eyes with a certain petty glee, though the continuing sound of chargin.. Orcs(?) brings her attention back that way. With a snarl, she glares back at the murderchicken and starts to tear on back toward the others, grpping her greatsword tight along the way. She's not gonna let Rocky get killed for her, she's not losing another one... she's not taking -that- back to her sister! With a gutteral yowl to let "KOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" know someone's about to get their ass kicked, she brings her fancy greatsword across one of the Orcs along the way, hewing nicely into flesh.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls will: (12)+1: 13
GAME: Kira rolls will: (9)+20: 29
GAME: Rocky rolls will: (12)+1: 13</pre>

Howling. Up close their unsettling howls, the way the air whistles out of their gaping mouthes, sounds like insanity and sticks icy fingers in the brain, making it hard to concentrate.

The words, fall on deaf ears. Kira might as well be talking to water, or an ooze, for all the reaction her careful overture provokes. Mindless, in pain, they're attacking everything that moves and doesn't move. Only one, the youngest seeming, blinked when the paladin spoke but it only served to draw him towards her.

<pre><OOC> Cryosanthia says, "there are 2 attacks an orc, order is Brael, Kira, Rocky"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (8)+11: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (6)+6: 12
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 12 points. 54 HP remaining.</pre>

The orcs attack, the patriarch and matriarch closing on Braelnoir, disorganized, raging, flesh-less fingers slapping at her as they grab. It is their bite which is the real weapon, and matriarch oruch rips into the kordite. Worse still, their spines are everywhere, sharp, like little flensing knives.

The eldest and youngest brothers go for Kira, the oldest failing so badly in his attack the youngest misses as well.

Rocky is faced by their middle son, not that there is much distinction between their crazed flailings, but the sith manages to fend him off.

<pre><OOC> Kira says, "Sorry about that. Going to try and grab the bigger/elder of the two."
<OOC> Kira says, "If I succeed, maintain as a move action to try and pin."
GAME: Kira rolls cmb+7: (8)+20+7: 35
GAME: Kira rolls cmb+7: (12)+20+7: 39
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Kira for 6 points. 117 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you cut yourself on it's quills, and 2 reflex saves please"
GAME: Kira rolls reflex: (2)+19: 21
GAME: Kira rolls reflex: (4)+19: 23</pre>

"I don't want to hurt you..." Kira assures, again. Even if they aren't listening, it holds true for most anything. For better or worse. She reaches for the larger of the two attacking her, stuck by the quills that aren't normally part of oruchs (that she's aware), though there's already more than enough signs of strangeness. Using an arm to maneuver him over her own hip and unbalance him, she then crouches to upend him. Following him to the ground, she puts herself atop him so that one of his arms is trapped beneath him while she keeps hold of the other. "They look infected, or ...corrupted, by the plague.. Be careful!"

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (7)+5: 12</pre>

Rocky chuffs, and nods. "This One understands. Do not lick." He might not fully grasp the plague, but that's technically correct. Another swing of his blade fails to do more than knock a few icky quill things around.

Crows move around on the branches, crowding. They are in the trees surrounding the party, stacked on each limb, like a murder layer-cake. Waiting... for something.

"Braelnoir!"

Can a crow sound smug? It certainly seems so. Perched on a wrecked bush flattened by the orcs is a raven sized crow, one with pristine, un-tarred feathers. It followed the orcs up the ravine. It didn't lead them. That crow, the one that did, is long gone with an angry squawk, but this one glares evil at the Kordite.

<pre><OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Brael, it has hit you with ill omen, 
                         your next d20 roll you have to make 2, take the worst. 
                         This has no save."
<OOC> Braelnoir says, "ok, power attack, cleave from mommy into daddy for first swing. will do daddy into mommy in the backswing"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (16)+12+-2: 26
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (20)+12+-2: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (11)+16: 27
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (14)+12+-2: 24
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (11)+16: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 7 points. 47 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Quills, 2 reflex saves. although do the backswing"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-7: (11)+12+-7: 16
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (18)+4: 22</pre>

Braelnoir's eyes clench shut for an instant as she feels the teeth close into her flesh and she cries out in pain and fury. She shrugs loose and with a hateful snarl brings her greatsword across the couple, cutting deply into their flesh before reversing her swing to bring it back the other way, though she misses on the backswing. Her efforts leave her stuck with several pinions from the corrupted oruchs and much less happy.

<pre>GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (4)+11: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (10)+2: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "CMB roll for Older Orc son"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24
<OOC> Kira's CMD for grappling is.. 43.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "does not wriggle free"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (1)+13: 14 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "attacks on Rocky"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "looks like Mommy bites Braelnoir again"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 13 points. 34 HP remaining.
<OOC> Braelnoir says, "mommy means busines"</pre>

The orcs attack, patriarch and matriarch surrounding and snapping at Braelnoir, though once again, the female lands, her cracked and broken teeth sheering bloody chunks from her target's flesh.

The one pinned by Kira wriggles, unable to break free, and those every present quills are a danger but she is not injured by his struggles. The youngest, lunges to bite and falls flat, thumping on the ground and moving to stand.

Finally the last orc lunges at Rocky, coming close but unable to get anything between his teeth.

<pre><OOC> Kira nods. "I can't hold him forever, anyhow. Going to try to tie him up. Bind him."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so he's tied up at a 64 DC"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Rope seems to have 0 hardness, 2 HP and a DC23 to break </pre>

"Why are they..." Kira starts to ask, even as she seems to fray her robe, pulling rope from it to sort of hog-tie the oruch she has down. "...the one you fought... could these be friends?" She doesn't know how long it will keep him, but some is better than none.
It's said the best offense is a good defense, and in that light, Rock'y offensive is going quite well. But fi your from the school of thought that an offense should do some damage, Rocky isn't doing so hot this battle. Could certainly be doing worse, but sometimes that's just life.

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (5)+5: 10</pre>

A crow hops down to peck at the head of the fallen, youngest orc. This goes badly for the eager crow, as the oruch is not dead, and its spines are not soft. The crow ends up impaling itself; the others, watching, stare at the adventurers as if this is their fault.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls will: (5)+1: 6
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "You have 6 rounds of -2 AC as the Witchcrow evil eyes you"</pre>

The witchcrow meanwhile, glares pure evil at Braelnoir, willing those spines to find a home in her flesh.

<pre><OOC> Braelnoir says, "going to power attack daddy into mommy, then followup with a swing on daddy"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (18)+12+-2: 28
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (11)+16: 27
<OOC> Braelnoir says, "cleave into mommy"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (18)+12+-2: 28
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (8)+16: 24
<OOC> Braelnoir says, "and swing into daddy"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-7: (9)+12+-7: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 7 points. 27 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Ok, the bad thing happens. 2 quills break off in you, and are making you sick"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and... you might get the plague, I have to ask AF about that."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "-2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks."</pre>

Another bite takes away some of Brae's piece of mind, and some of her flesh as she is continually beset by the pair. She shudders as she feels the bird throw the hoodoo on her and she lashes out with a pair of hateful swings, again carving savage wounds into their bodies though they remain standing despite her efforts. Her body is pinioned, however by some of the broken off shards from their bodies and she seems a little paler in their wake, a little green around the gills.

<pre>GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (6)+6: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 26 points. 1 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the one trying to break free, snap first, then damage..."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26</pre>

Raging, snapping, the father and mother of this family descent on Braelnoir like mad fiends, their teeth ripping into her, blood streaming from their viscious bite wounds. They are relentless, merciless, taking her to the edge of her limits. Unconsciousness is close.

Meanwhile, the one bound up roars its unearthly howl, muscles bulge and the rope snaps like it wasn't even there. The youngest orc son staggers to his feet, and takes another swipe at Kira.

<pre>GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (14)+2: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (1)+6: 7
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Rocky for 7 points. 20 HP remaining.</pre>

He fails, but nothing lands. Success finds the Middle Orc child, as his snapping jaw finally closes around granite scales and punctures them. Rocky is bleeding too. Everyone is.

<pre>GAME: Kira spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS.
GAME: Kira rolls 7d6: (22): 22
GAME: Kira rolls 1d6: (6): 6
GAME: Kira damaged Braelnoir for -28 points. 29 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Okay, Oldest son and mommy then would strike, movement AOOs"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (14)+11: 25
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Kira for 8 points. 109 HP remaining.</pre>

Kira turns her attention to the others, now that the one is bound... or was, as it burst free and strikes at her. She weathers a few more as she moves from them, the unbound eldest bites into her. Her concern is on the badly injured Braelnoir, though, as she reaches for her. With a quick, "Healer's Grace upon you!" she eases her friend's suffering as much as possible while the quills are still embedded in her.

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (12)+5: 17
GAME: Rocky rolls 1d8+3: (3)+3: 6
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you hit, do damage"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "What's your Natural Armour Rocky?"
<OOC> Rocky says, "3? 2 natural and an additional Ironhide"
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Okay, you don't take damage from their quills.</pre>

Rocky is less than pleased about taking a hit, but accepts it silently, returning the hit with one of his own. The sith's skin may not be covered in quills, but it does living up to it's namesake, shruging off minor pokes without effort.

<pre><OOC> Cryosanthia says, "damage order is Brae, Kira, Daddy & Mommy"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (10): 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (8): 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (5): 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (4): 4
GAME: Murder of Crows damaged Braelnoir for 10 points. 19 HP remaining.
GAME: Murder of Crows damaged Kira for 8 points. 101 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Kira rolls reflex: (6)+19: 25
GAME: Mommy Orc rolls 1d20+8: (3)+8: 11 (Reflex)</pre>

"CAW!"

The Witchcrow screams blood murder when Kira reaches out and brings Braelnoir back from near-death. And the Murder of Crows responds, launching off the tree branches and descending in a biting, clawing, pecking mass. As viscious as they are, many of them meet the same fate as the first one, and become leaking ornaments decorating the spines of the orcs.

With their dying pecks, they take the patriarch orc with them, and he thumps heavily to the ground. His wife, his children, don't notice.

The paladin and the kordite, too busy perhaps trying to protect their eyes.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls will: (13)+1: 14
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, just 1 round, another -2 to attacks"</pre>

The Witchcrow wants her head, wants her dead, wants her pecked full of holes. It stares, eyes full of evil, and croaks her name to distract her, "Braelnoir!"

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls knowledge/military theory: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Braelnoir RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 14 temporary HP
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (3)+14+-4: 13
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (14)+14+-4: 24
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (5)+14+-4: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (11)+14+-4: 21
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 4 points. 19 AND 10 TEMP HP remaining.
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "3 quills in you... ack..."</pre>

The world swims...

Blood loss, a surplus of pain, the touch of disease all tell Brae's instincts what she needs to know:

She's about to die... 'G-get outta here!'

But they have a declaration of her own to make, even as Kira's gentle touch suffuses her with healing warmth, they say NOT NOW, they say FIGHT, and through a voice barely sounding fit for the throat that utters it, they declare, "I'LLLLL KILLL YOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!" as the Korite's battle lust is supplanted by something older, more ancient. Her wolflike eyes slit at the pupils and the sharp reek of reptilian rage overwhelms her 'softskin' pheremones. <draconic>

The Dragon has awakened.

Blood spurts from her fingertips as silvered talons erupt from the beds of her nails, piercing through the tips of her gauntlet in a ringing yelp of breaching steel. She shifts her footing and in a blur of motion, her greatsword is suddenly EVERYWHERE, though some of her targets evade her wrath, the Matriarch is shorn through and many of the crows render her blades path an arc of crimson and black feathers. Another pinion finds her flesh and her blood brims up around the foul quill, but she stands in defiance. 

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls will: (1)+1: 2 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Braelnoir rolls will: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Kira rolls will: (4)+20: 24
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay, the effect of this is, -1 Wisdom. For an Hour."</pre>

The orcs answer the kordite's rage with howling calls of their own, roaring back at her with tattered and bloody throats, snapping the few fleeting birds darting around with a death wish. Their opponents are there! Death is there! Their family is done and they will bring ruin to all.

<pre>GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (13)+11: 24
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (7)+11: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Kira for 14 points. 87 HP remaining.</pre>

Snapping, biting, quills rattling, the orcs attack. Kira is bitten, a deep wound by the youngest orc, ripping clothes and skin. The battle is a bloody mess, dead crows everywhere. The orc roaring in Braelnoir's face chokes on one as he snaps at her, then slips on the slope and a bloody corpse and falls on his face in front of her.

<pre>GAME: Kira spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS.
GAME: Kira rolls 8d6: (32): 32
GAME: Kira damaged Braelnoir for -32 points. 61 AND 10 TEMP HP remaining.</pre>

Even with the swarm of murder of crows and bellowing orcs, Kira is startled by Braelnoir's ... transformation? Raw fury isn't exactly Kira's forte' or preference, but there is still awe in the sudden eruption of draconic words and traits.
Worrisome, though, there's still alot of blood, and Kira moves with her to try and stem some of it with a touch and The healer's Grace.

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (4)+5: 9</pre>

Rocky is a litle weirded out. Okay, a lot weirded out, but he hides it well. He's heard of softskins in touch with their inner dragon, but seeing it manifest is a bit unexpected. The freaky orcs ripping everything apart, including themselves, isn't helping matters. The warrior swings his own blade, but fails to connect.

<pre>GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (4): 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (10): 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (9): 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (7): 7
GAME: Murder of Crows damaged Braelnoir for 4 points. 61 AND 6 TEMP HP remaining.
GAME: Murder of Crows damaged Kira for 10 points. 77 HP remaining.
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Kira rolls reflex: (3)+19: 22
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26 (Reflex)
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 (Reflex)</pre>

The Witchcrow hops angrily on its branch, cawing loudly, cajouling the swarm to keep attacking, destroy the hated foe. They swarm, pecking, scratching, feathers flying. Then, they are gone, impaled on the orcs or flopping on the ground, punctured and torn.

<pre><OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Will save Braelnoir"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls will: (10)+3: 13
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Misfortune Hex failed to land</pre>

If looks could kill, the Witchcrows angry gaze would slay Braelnoir, but they can't and this time the frustrated avian's stare won't even bring bad luck.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (7)+14+-4+2: 19
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (10)+16: 26</pre>

Half shrouded in gore and dislodged feathers, the silvermaned Korite whirls about at the sudden contact, blade quivering in anticipation as Kira's countenance reflects within her eyes, a snarl rumbling in her throat, through gnashed teeth. A tense moment as the beast of war within her steers itself back to the enemy and she strides toward the one pressing Rocky and the blade swings up to her high-left, then slashes down in a steep angle to try and cut the spiny Oruch down.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (10)+14+-4: 20
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+16: (11)+16: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (16)+4: 20
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 7 points. 60 HP remaining.
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (8)+4: 12
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "4 quills now, another sticks in"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, everyone gets bit, the one biting Brae falls down again"
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 14 points. 46 HP remaining.
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Kira for 8 points. 69 HP remaining.
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs rolls 1d8+6: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Rocky for 9 points. 11 HP remaining.</pre>

As the one who faceplanted rises, the maddened warrior turns, and Brae's greatsword slashes across his back.

Wounded, bloody, covered in dead birds that leak their own blood, that mixes darkly with what the orcs shed, they bite, they flail. One is caught in the slash of the greatsword, managing to close and tear at Braelnoir's wrist before the slick slope and crow corpses make it stumble and fall again.

Neither are Kira nor Rocky spared the gnashing of this once proud warrior family, their teeth find them, tear flesh and iron hide.

<pre><OOC> Kira will activate Sudden Speed as a swift and see if she can't nab the bird. 70' movement."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (9)+11: 20
GAME: Kira rolls cmb+7: (3)+20+7: 30
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, you move the distance and grab it."</pre>

Kira really didn't want to see the swarm of birds suicide themselves. Worse, she'd rather the oruchs not end up doing the same. She hasn't forgotten the reaction, however slight, from the youngest. "They may be controlled, but I think the youngest one is fighting it!" If it's truly the plague, she can't do anything about it.. but if it's the witch-raven... she darts through the undergrowth, ignoring the snagging foliage to snatch up the vile-eyeing creature.

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (8)+5: 13</pre>

Rocky has a simpler view of things. Us and Them. Not the most enlightened viewpoint, but when Them is murder crows and bloody mutants, it works out well enough. The swinging of the sword however, isn't going so well.

<pre>GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it does not break free"</pre>

The evil-eyed corvid was definitely not expecting that. The sudden burst of speed takes it by surprise, and now it is a bird in the hand, not in the bush. It squawks and struggles, unable to peck or claw, or escape Kira's grasp. There is true fear in its eyes, and it says a word the paladin wouldn't expect it to know, much less use.

"Mercy!"

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (8)+14+-2: 20
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+5: (10)+5: 15
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (12)+14+-2: 24
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+5: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (18)+4: 22
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 5 points. 41 HP remaining.
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (14)+4: 18</pre>

Still very much in a similar state of us vs them herself, Brae brings her sword across the Orcs's shoulder, then reorients and brings it down along the back of his trailing leg, snarling all the while.

<pre><OOC> Cryosanthia says, "rr.. roll AOO attacks if you want?"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-2: (12)+14+-2: 24
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+5: (7)+5: 12
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "hurts it, it's still up"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 5 points. 36 HP remaining.
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "attacks, oldest and youngest on Brael, middle child orc on Rocky"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (14)+11: 25
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (4)+11: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (1)+6: 7
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 7 points. 29 HP remaining.</pre>

The orcs are relentless in their attacks. The one that fell down gets up again, biting Braelnoir hard. The other two, while they close and flail at her and the sith, fail to land anything.

<pre>GAME: Kira rolls sense motive: (10)+10: 20</pre>

Kira is surprised that it speaks. Yes, it said Braelnoir's name, before, but that could've been imitation? This, now, is different. She doesn't release it, and actually ensures her grip is solid. "Surrender yourself and release the orcs from any hold you have on them, and you will have mercy."

"Squawk?" The Witchcrow replies, a confused and questioning tone. Perhaps it is a bird of few words, a likely possibility when it asks, "Potion?"

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon3: (3)+5: 8
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "nothing proves you're from Cryo's clutch more than that."</pre>

Rocky takes another swing at the remaining foe, but just can't seem to connect

The Witchcrow struggles, staring at Kira with evil green eyes, squawking again, "Scroll?" It can't escape her pinning it down. She's not feeling particularly cursed either.

<pre>GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-4: (8)+14+-4: 18
GAME: Braelnoir rolls 2d6+7+6-2: (10)+7+6+-2: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Black-Eyed Orcs damaged Braelnoir for 4 points. 25 HP remaining.
GAME: Braelnoir rolls reflex: (6)+4: 10
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "5 quills now, and that kills the Middle Child orc"
GAME: Braelnoir rolls weapon12-9: (5)+14+-9: 10</pre>

Braelnoir, rekindled in her ire by the renewed attack on her person, tries to take it out on the Oruch attacking Rocky. Something within her gnashing, snarling hate remembers the unspoken promise to her sister, the need to bring these people home, or at least send them home ahead and so focuses on destroying what threatens the sith. Her first swing does the job, parting bone from clavicle to pelvis, though her followup swing merely passes upward through where he had stood and she turns toward the next, closest target..

The battle will continue...

{{LineSkulls|300px}}

<pre><OOC> Braelnoir says, "oh, my mistake, i still have 4 rnds, i was going by the rounds the fight started not the round i actually started my rage"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "also the -2 to your AC drops as well, next round."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Braelnoir |HUMAN     |Brg/Ftr    | 25  | 66  |20/17/13 | 25 | 10 | 4  | 3  |
|Kira      |HUMAN     |Mnk/Pal    | 69  | 123 |23/18/23 | 39 | 20 | 19 | 20 |
|Rocky     |SITH-MAKAR|Ftr        | 11  | 27  |26/24/15 | 18 | 6  | 2  | 1  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Cool! Well, we'll pause then, I've taken a look at tscan, there were two LOHs, and your rage was up with 4 more rounds to go, and we'll hopefully get to this soon."</pre>