Chapter 18: Risky Rolls
As the game wore on the shadows grew long across the field as the sun continued its journey across the sky. Evening began to blanket the island and grumblings from the crowd about the imminent need for torches began to percolate. For the last hour since they had found their imaginary weapons in the imaginary lair of the cyclops, Chase and his team had managed to wind their way through the caves in search of their one-eyed prey. So far neither team had been able to locate the monster.
“Whose turn is it?” Brent asked lazily. He more than anyone seemed ready to throw the towel in and call it a day. Chase could tell he had never planned on doing anything more than the first combat event of the Triple Fives.
“Mine,” said Claire. She flattened her character sheet upon the table for the hundredth time. “Where are we again?”
“You are at the end of a passage way in the cave,” said Ghelion. He was the only one who seemed more invigorated as the game wore on. His dark eyes were alight with intrigue despite the unanimous expressions of boredom from the players.
“Okay, sure,” said Claire, chin resting on her hand. “I guess we walk back the way we came?”
“Are you sure?” Said Ghelion. “Perhaps the walls deserve to be investigated first?”
“Whatever,” said Claire. “I investigate the walls.” Ghelion rolled.
“5...you find a fissure in the wall and stick your hand inside. Suddenly your fingers brush against a small metal object.”
“What is it?” Said Claire. “If its another booby trap I’m gonna scream. Brent is at only 10 HP, Chase’s character is still hallucinating from those spores we ran into, and Amelie is nearly out of mana from having to heal us from the rock slide that happened. Alex is the only one who is doing halfway decently.”
“It’s a key,” said Ghelion. “You place it in your bag.”
“That must be for the door earlier,” recalled Chase. “Ok let’s go back and find it. Maybe the cyclops is behind the door and we can finally fight it.”
“Sorry, Chase,” Ghelion frowned at the dice on the table. “You begin to walk back down the passageway but your hallucinations scare you character. You run into a wall and lose 2 more HP.”
“Don’t worry,” said Amelie, as Chase placed his head in his hands in frustration. “I can heal you again.”
“No,” said Alex sternly. “If you do that you will only have enough mana for one more spell. We need to save it for the fight with the cyclops.”
“Right,” Amelie nodded her head. “So what should I do, Alex?”
“Maybe take the torch from the sconce and lead us back to the door. That way no one will be tripping again and losing HP.”
“Ok. Ghelion?”
The Advisor rolled and gave the thumbs up.
He said, “the five of you head back down the passageway, helping Chase along the way. Finally you are at the door which was locked. Brent, what will you do?”
Brent shrugged. “Unlock the door? Unless there are any objections?”
Amelie pipped up. “Advisor? What does this door have a lock but our cell did not?”
“Pardon?” Said Ghelion. “Oh...well, I guess this door was made by humans long ago while the other one was made with the limited technology of the cyclops.”
“I see,” said Amelie. “So fascinating.”
Chase pffted loudly. “Fascinating? He clearly just made that up to fix a plot hole in his story.”
“Does it matter?” Said Amelie. “I like the idea of the cyclops taking the home of the humans. It makes me wonder why they had to take the cave in the first place. Did the humans provoke the cyclops? What was their dispute over? Is there any chance for a future reconciliation?”
“Why would we want a reconciliation?” Said Brent. “They captured us and if that kitchen full of human remains was any indication they were planning on eating us, too. Advisor, I unlock the door with Claire’s key and open it.”
“Very well,” said the Advisor. “You open the door and a powerful stench blows over your entire team. It smells like unwashed bodies. In the distance you can hear what sounds like snoring.”
“Finally!” Said Brent. “We are close. We can sneak up on it unawares and at last kill this monster.”
“I’ll go first,” said Alex. “My character quietly walks down the hallway to investigate.”
“You walk 20 feet down the hall,” began Ghelion. “It opens up to a large room. The snoring becomes louder and you can see the entrance to the cave and your first glance of sunlight. In the middle of the room on the ground is the cyclops. Though it is laying down it appears to be at least 10 feet tall.”
“We need to ambush it,” said Chase. He remembered a similar encounter when he was young. Chase and the Old Guard had stumbled upon not one but two dozing trolls upon the road leading out of the Trelaika forest. The entire guild had fired upon them with spells and arrows and the trolls never had a chance to even stand up.
“I agree,” said Claire. “It’s my turn now. I wait for the entire group to assemble in the cave.”
“Quietly,” said Alex.
Ghelion said, “the Cyclops does not awaken as the party gathers at a safe distance away from beast. Everyone draws their weapons, I assume?”
“Amelie,” said Alex. “What other spells do you have beside healing?”
“That’s it, I’m afraid,” she responded. “Sorry, Alex. I won’t be much help for this.”
“Don’t worry,” said Chase. “I propose we all draw our weapons and fire at once. Claire, you can shoot for the eye, okay? And immediately after me, Brent, and Alex charge it down. How much health does it have, Ghel?” Added Chase.
“Ghelion,” corrected the advisor sternly. “The cyclops has 50 health points. If you decide to go through with this plan I can roll for each player and tell you the outcome.”
Alex wrested back control from Chase and said, “Are we agreed that this is what we will do?”
Nods all around.
“Okay,” said Alex. “Amelie, as soon as the cyclops wakes up it will attack us. If it hits Brent then you need to heal him. It it hits anyone else then wait.”
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“Got it, Alex,” she said. She was really taking this seriously as though they were back in the woods with the Guide and his spider.
Ghelion rolled several times. Chase didn’t know whose roll was whose but at the end of it the advisor sighed.
“Interesting.”
“What? What happened?” Said Chase.
“Claire succeeded in blinding the cyclops. The cyclops got up just as the three of you were charging. Chase, you managed to deal some damage to its left arm. Alex, you missed your blow and now you are on the ground. Brent...you are dead.”
“What!?” Brent slammed his forehead on the table and groaned. “I hate this game. How did I die?”
“The cyclops has a counter ability. You didn’t strike it but because of Chase’s blow the Cyclops flailed out but only hit you.” Ghelion raised his hands palms out as if to say sorry.
“Thanks, Chase,” muttered Brent. “You better kill this thing soon. If we lose to the other team after all this I’m gonna be upset.”
“Fortunately,” said Ghelion. “Chase’s blow did 8 damage to the cyclops.”
Alex stared with concentration at the table, lost in thought.
“Alright,” he finally said. “That means we are going to need at least seven more blows at similar damage to take this thing down. Amelie, whatever happens make sure the next person to get struck is healed. Brent only had 10 hp, so we can assume the cyclops will strike for that at least.”
“Got it,” she said. “What are you going to do?”
“Let’s find out what the cyclops does first,” said Alex, looking at Ghelion.
“Very well,” said the Advisor. He was nearly grinning as he spun the dice. “The cyclops smells Alex on the ground and Chase nearby, having just been struck by his blade. The cyclops decides to slash blindly at Chase which causes 11 points of damage.”
Chase did some math in his head and marked the difference on his character sheet.
“So I am at 6 now, eh?”
“It’s okay.” Claire slammed her palm on the table. She seemed to take it personally that Brent’s character was dead. “I fire an arrow at the cyclops.”
Ghelion rolled.
“Oh no!” Amelie covered her mouth. It was snake eyes.
“The arrow misses the cyclops and strikes Alexander in the thigh,” pronounced Ghelion.
“Seriously?” Said Chase, frustrated. “Did you just decide that?”
“We already decided on the rules before hand, Chase. Snake eyes is a very bad role. Since Alex’s character is right behind the monster then it makes sense he gets struck. Just be glad he didn’t take the arrow to the forehead like Brent took that stone earlier.”
Alex was nonplussed. “How much damage?”
“Four hit points,” said Ghelion.
“Manageable,” muttered Alex, marking his first damage on his character sheet. He looked at Chase. “I have an idea. You need to hit the cyclops in one of its legs. It’s already blind and if you can hobble it then it won’t be able to lunge for us and we can take it out easier.”
Chase shrugged. “Sure. Ghelion, I strike at the monsters’ leg.”
“Which one?” Said Ghelion, tossing the dice in his hand.
“I don’t know,” said Chase exasperated. “Which is his dominant? Which hand does he wipe with, eh?”
The crowd snickered at his joke but the Advisor rolled his eyes.
“His left, Chase.”
“I strike the left leg. You know what to do.”
Ghelion rolled. All eyes were on the dice. They slowly came to a halt and revealed a 2 and a 6.
“Middle of the road,” mused Ghelion. “Alright. You strike the leg but its a glancing blow and it doesn’t hobble it. I remove 6 points of health from the monster. Amelie?”
“I cast a healing spell on Chase, please.” She dutifully marked off her second to last spell on her character sheet. “You know, this seems like a fantastic game for learning teamwork in real life scenarios such as these.”
“Exactly my thought,” said Ghelion, pleased that at least one of the team was enjoying the theory behind the game. “You’re spell works and Chase is healed for 12 hp.”
“I could have really used that spell,” grumbled Brent. “So what’s the plan, Alex?”
Alex thought a moment before responding.
“Well,” he said. “The cyclops is at 36 hit points and is also blind. We have damaged it’s arm and leg but there are no discernible injuries preventing it from attacking us other than its loss of vision. I am on the ground, Claire will be able to hopefully hit it again her next turn, and Chase has probably earned at least one more strike before he joins Brent.”
Despite himself Chase smirked at Alex’s frank assessment as though he were a general leading troops into battle instead of a young man playing a game at a table. Some spectators also found it humorous but quickly stifled their laughs at a glare from Brent.
“Have you made a decision, Alex?” Said Amelie. She leaned forward expectantly. “After you go the cyclops has another turn.”
“Let’s assume that Chase manages to strike for another 8 and Claire can do at least 4 points of damage—.”
“I can definitely do more than that,” said Claire angrily.
“It’s just a conservative estimate,” said Alex, either ignoring her tone or oblivious to her frustration. “At those numbers the Cyclops will be at 24 hit points. The cyclops will strike one of the three of us, but most likely Chase or Claire. Even if the cyclops hits either of you for over 10 damage, you will be able to strike again, considering Amelie has one final healing spell available.”
“Still a lot of health to take down, Alex,” said Chase. He had to admit to himself it was fun watching the young man figure this all out. Suddenly his own interest in the outcome of the game was rising.
You would like this one, Solomon, thought Chase.
“I think I know what I need to do,” said Alex slowly. “But it’s a bit risky.”
“Just go for it,” said Brent, then he raised his voice and spoke to the crowd. “What about you lot? Wanna see something a bit risky?”
The crowed cheered and Chase saw some who had been watching the other team come over to their table to see what the commotion was all about.
“Fine.” Alex shrugged. “I throw my sword at the cyclops.”
As Chase, Amelie, and Claire shouted “What!” And Brent cackled with laughter, Ghelion rolled the dice.
“A perfect 12,” announced Ghelion. “Your blade strikes the middle of the monsters back and burrows half way through. You do 15 damage.”
“Amazing!” Said Amelie, over the cries of shock from the crowd.
“Incredible,” said Claire.
“I can’t believe it,” said Chase, suddenly laughing. “But well done. That was indeed risky. Please don’t ever do that outside of this game though.”
“The cyclops is at 21 health now,” said Alex, a small smile on his lips. “Let’s see what happens. Advisor?”
“We shall see indeed,” responded Ghelion. The advisor rolled his dice. “12”
Chase felt his stomach drop at the pair of 6s on the table.
“Well this can’t be good,” muttered someone behind Chase. He turned around and saw a familiar bearded face.
“Marlon!” Said Chase. “Welcome to our table.”
“Glad to be here, Chase.” The old man smiled broadly at Amelie and Claire. “Good evening, ladies.”
“Ahem,” Ghelion cleared his throat loudly. “The cyclops has become enrage. After going below half health it now receives a 10% strength buff meaning each blow will be an average of 15 points of damage for a high roll.” The Advisor dropped the dice on the table. “6 and 4. The Cyclops strikes Chase for 14 damage.”
“You’re at 4 health now, Chase,” said Alex.
“I know,” said Chase.
“Just making sure. Claire, where are you going to shoot?”
The young woman was drumming a tattoo with her fingers on the table.
“I was considering his chest, what do you think?”
Alex simply grunted in response and so Ghelion rolled.
“3 and 5,” said Ghelion. “Your arrow lands and does 5 points of damage.”
Claire sighed at the low damage but didn’t say anything.
“Alright, Advisor.” Chase cracked his knuckles. “Let’s put this cyclops to bed. I’ll strike at its chest.”
Ghelion rolled the dice.
“6 and 9—very lucky,” said Marlon behind Chase.
“You do 10 damage to the cyclops,” said Ghelion. “But I am afraid the counter ability activated again. Fortunately the cyclops is very weak and still blind so it tripped over a stone and only gave a glancing blow to Chase. 3 damage is all it managed.”
“Wow,” said Chase sarcastically. “I am sitting pretty at a single health, now. Care to help a friend, Amelie?”
“Of course,” said Amelie. “Everyone agree?”
“Go ahead,” said Alex. “The cyclops only has 6 health now. After you heal Chase we will be able to take it out even with my sword gone.”
Ghelion rolled.
“Well that’s not good,” muttered Marlon.
The dice came up as snake eyes. Hisses and moans echoed around the table. Brent buried his face in his hands and Alex stared up at the darkening sky in resignation. Claire was glaring at the dice and then at Ghelion as though they had purposefully done this to her.
Chase decided to pat a pale looking Amelie on the shoulder in consolation.
“Don’t worry, Amelie. So what if the spell fails? If I die there is still three of you left and Claire only needs a high roll to finish this thing off.”
“Actually...” began Ghelion, but for the first time he hesitated.
Brent rounded on the Advisor, nostrils flaring. He opened his mouth ready to unload a tirade against whatever was about to happen and then thought better of it, and sighed.
“Nevermind, Advisor. Just tell us.” He put his head on the table and didn’t raise it again.
“Amelie’s healing spell misses Chase and hits the cyclops. His health goes from 6 points...to 20.”
Around the table spectators began to leave for the other team. Some groaned and others laughed. A few even patted Brent on the back and told Alex he ran a good game. It was clear that there was no returning from such a blunder. Soon only a handful of people were standing around them and Chase suddenly had a view of the stands once more. He thought he saw some movement and squinted.
“Well now what?” Chase heard Claire ask. “Is it even possible to kill this thing now?”
“What are you looking at, Chase?” Said Brent.
“I guess I can try to get my sword back,” said Alex, interrupting Brent. “But yeah, this doesn’t look good.”
“It looks horrible you mean,” said Claire.
“I’m sorry everyone,” said Amelie, sounding distraught. “It’s not your fault, Alex. It was just a bad roll. Chase?”
Now Chase could clearly see a young boy stumbling out from behind the stands, his face bruised and bloody. Behind him were a couple boys, their faces shrouded in the dark but their savage grins gleaming. Chase was on his feet in an instant, his teammates shouting at him to sit. Quick as the wind he was running across the field to the stands, the sounds of Brent’s heavy foot falls close behind.
“TEAM ONE FORFEITS THE TRIPLE FIVES,” shouted the master at arms.
Chase could barely hear a word. All he was imagining with every step was punching his fist through Seb’s face.