Dallarath knew things were going south the moment the first orc appeared. While goblins were the size of children, orcs stood taller than the average man. They were bulkier, stronger, and faster than their smaller cousins.
A goblin den spawning orcs in less than a week was unheard of. Either the necromancer lied about clearing the cave three days ago — or there was something else afoot. It could also be a sign of rare treasures or even magical items. Goblins were attracted to magic — both natural and man-made. It accelerated their growth and development, allowing them to spawn faster.
It was a good thing Aven’R spotted the creatures first. They could plan on their next move or even decide to just call it a day.
In the end, the party decided to go through with their delving, even with the higher stakes. Aside from a few mushrooms, they had little to show for their battles with mere goblins.
They approached the makeshift camp — if you can even call it that. Siege took point, with Dallarath and Aven’R providing cover fire. There were at least 7 goblins, aside from the solitary orc.
Remila stopped her stride, imploring her deity for strength and protection.
“Windblessed!”
Blessing of Wind * Compound Spell * Invocation * Alteration
Effect: The spell targets up to 4 willing companions. The spell enhances both agility and perception, allowing the targets to move and react faster.
Duration: Concentration or up to 5 minutes
The spell was the group’s signal to attack.
Siege charged into a group of goblins — barreling into their ranks and leaving them prone on the ground, easy pickings for their two archers. He roared a challenge at the orc before picking up speed to close the distance.
The orc rose to the dwarf’s challenge. It picked up a massive club, eager to meet the charging enemy. It swung its club, barely missing as the dwarf seemingly crumpled to the ground.
Siege rolled. The timing had to be perfect or he would have had a mouthful of club. He stopped his roll crouched to the ground, striking at the orc’s exposed belly.
The orc screamed, swatting its club at the dwarf. Two arrows hit its chest, making its sweeping blow miss its mark. The arrows penetrated its hide, but the orc’s fused ribs stopped them from dealing significant damage. It took another hit, this one from a crossbow. The bolt penetrated deeper, leaving the creature dazed from momentary pain — leaving it vulnerable to Siege's attack.
The dwarf slammed into the orc, his shield driving the protruding shaft of the bolt even deeper. He thrust his sword from underneath his shield, bypassing the orc’s ribs and stabbing into its core.
A hit to the back of his knee sent Siege to the ground. He twisted to dodge another blow, kicking at the goblin who caught him unaware. “Any time now!” he roared.
“Earthen Grasp!”
Earthen Grasp * Basic Spell * Conjuration * Earth
Effect: Summons one or more massive hands of earth from the ground that grasp their targets, immobilizing them and dealing crushing damage. Targets can escape with a successful feat of strength/agility or if they deal more than 15 damage to the earthen hands. The caster can summon multiple hands by infusing the spell with additional mana.
Grasping hands made of soil and stone erupted from the earth, capturing four goblins. A single goblin managed to scurry away before the earthen hand beneath him fully formed. The goblin turned to flee, only to be stopped by an arrow to the neck.
“Took you long enough, Gwin,” Siege spat, once again turning to the orc. The blow to his leg limited his mobility. Fortunately, his last attack seemed to have taken a toll on the orc.
“Stay defensive,” warned Dal as he loosed two arrows into the orc’s chest — these ones penetrating bone. Shooting from up close gave his arrows more power, as did their wolfram tips.
The orc abandoned the heavily armored dwarf and charged at Dallarath. The half-elf darted to the side, opening a clear line for the scout’s arrows and the cleric’s bolts.
Three more hits sent the orc crashing to the ground. Siege decapitated the fallen orc while Dallarath thrust his dirk into every fallen goblin.
“Is everyone fine?” asked a concerned Remila. “We should rest before deciding what to do next.”
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“I was lucky it went after you,” Siege limped to pat Dallarath on the shoulder. “That little beast got me good on the leg.”
Remila approached the dwarf, but Dallarath stops her.
“Use the drop,” he suggested. “Better we try it now than in the heat of battle.”
The dwarf shrugged, taking a red drop from his pocket. He popped it in his mouth, noticing the familiar taste of fruit. Was it apples? the dwarf thought. “Do I swallow it or just keep sucking?”
“I’m not sure,” Rem answered. “I guess Sebas forgot to mention that part.”
Whatever the case, the dwarf could feel the drop working. The bleeding stopped and he could feel his torn muscles knitting themselves back together — it was a strange sensation.
“This isn’t a time juice, right?”
“It doesn’t seem so,” answered Gwint. “I’d have sensed it if it were, and the shopkeeper wouldn’t have given it for free.”
Time juice was considered as one of the best kinds of healing potions — even if it technically wasn’t one. Instead of healing the body, it reversed the flow of time for the drinker — completely negating the damage he took in the last 5-10 minutes.
It was effective, but it also took away valuable battlefield experience. Drinking time juice left you clueless of what you did during the previous battle, hindering growth and making one a little more reckless.
“Works like one,” Siege insisted.
“If it was time juice you wouldn’t even remember the orc.”
The dwarf glanced at the orc and shrugged. “Just saying it works like one. My leg is good as new.”
“Guys,” Av interrupted. “I think I found something.”
She held up a shimmering crystal. There were a few more scattered on the ground — forming a circle of some sort.
“These are earth crystals,” noted Gwin. “We can sell them for good money in the city.” She could also use them to power her spells, but they needed the gold.
“Keep a few,” said Dal, giving her three of the crystals. “In case of dire circumstances.”
“In case of dire circumstances,” Gwin agreed, accepting the offered crystals.
***
He jinxed us! He jinxed us all! Gwin screamed in her head.
The blasted creatures were waiting for them. Two orcs and a handful of goblins.
The creatures ambushed them near a crevice, aiming to push them down into the depths. None of them expected to find a crevice deep into the cave — especially not one that deep.
Siege held off an orc on his own, but Dallarath got pummeled by the second one. Remila did her best to keep the half-elf alive with healing and shielding spells, while she and Aven’R held off the goblins.
Aven’R was forced to use her daggers to keep the goblins away from her — hoping to buy her time for her spellcasting.
Her sister took hits. Too many hits. The goblins were armed with crude spears this time — pieces of obsidian tied to hardened roots or vines.
She couldn’t believe Aven’R managed to stay up. Her body was riddled with small nicks, but she didn’t seem to be bleeding. Her stalwart protection kept the goblins from reaching her, giving her time to cast her spells.
She later learned her sister kept a healing drop in her mouth — sucking on it with every hit she took.
She cast her spells with abandon, disregarding her favored rotes. She used raw mana to strike or push the goblins. It wasn’t effective as her usual spells — but it allowed her to cast intuitively.
She heard a cry of triumph from Siege. The dwarf managed to sever his opponent’s arm with a forceful cut. A charging shield bash sent the orc crashing into the depths. It took two heartbeats before it hit the cave floor beneath.
One orc left.
Her heart almost gave out when she saw three more goblins rushing towards Siege. The dwarf batted one with his shield while decapitating another with his sword. The third managed to crash into the dwarf.
The two grappled, with Siege clearly winning. To her horror, she saw the goblin downed earlier by the dwarf’s shield rise up and slam into the two — sending all of them flying into the depths.
Rage and fear boiled in her soul. She grabbed one of the crystals, using it to form a massive earth spike that impaled the remaining orc.
She collapsed on the ground spent. She could feel the tainted mana trying to overwhelm her body. Her training held firm, allowing her to expel most of the foreign mana from her system. Using the crystals had a price — but not using them earlier cost them dearly.
The battle was soon over after the death of the remaining orc. They debated on what to do, but abandoning a companion was something they would not even consider.
Now there were four of them, searching for a companion who was most likely dead.
***
Siege woke up confused. He remembered falling into a crevice and the touch of filthy little hands. He felt a sharp pain in his ankles. To his horror, he saw bleeding stumps where his feet should have been. His arms were bound behind his back, and it seemed like he was suspended on a rope.
Those damned goblins.
He heard of goblins draining the blood of their prisoners to nourish their spawning grounds. He didn’t think he would end up in the same predicament.
He tested the strength of his primitive bonds, most likely vines and strips of skin — some of them probably his own.
He could have easily freed himself, but he was weak from too much blood loss. It was a wonder he even managed to wake up.
If only he had a bit of healing.
Wait.
He fumbled through his pockets feeling the familiar shape of the healing drops. He could even feel the heavier Lifesaver™ within reach.
He grabbed the heavier lozenge only to stop dead on his tracks. Bound as he was, there was no way he could reach his feet — much less his mouth.
The dwarf tightened his grip. His salvation was so near and yet so far.
He considered flicking it in the air and catching it with his mouth. It was a difficult feat, and his chances of succeeding were slim.
They would work as long as they were inside one’s body.
Why in hell would he remember the butler’s words now?
Then, like a light shining through the darkness — he figured it out.
He sighed. There was one way he could get it inside his body.