“Take the team back, Urthin.” Tarn pointed a few hundred years back from their current position, past where Bog and the others now waited. “I need you all out of the line of fire, in case we don’t make it.”
“Tarny, don’t-“
“Stay off the tracks.” Tarn didn’t give Bog’s protest any attention. He appreciated the sentiment, but they didn’t have time for it. “If we fall, you should know through your interface. Get them through, Urthin. Get them through and finish the job.”
The Monk’s single nod spoke volumes. Whatever happened here today, Tarn was confident Urthin would lead them well in his stead. He quickly turned, not wanting to be drawn into an argument with Bog. She’d listen in the end, but her protest would take time and temperature he couldn’t afford to spend.
Tarn pushed ahead further onto the bridge, feeling the wind making him earn every step. Several hundred feet ahead, the row of shadowed figures awaited in the snow. They gave no signs of movement, but the distance and sheets of blowing snow made it hard to be sure.
“Tarn,” Isca said nervously from his left side. “My goggles just cut out. None of my auxiliary lenses are working. Maybe it’s an effect from the dire timbers?”
“Could be,” Tarn said. He slowed his progress a little, which was easy to do with the gale pushing into him. “We wouldn’t have noticed it in the last fight. But I’d think we’d get some alert or something on your interface.”
“Maybe your magic glasses are broken, wings.”
“Stow it, Jen.” Tarn shot her a look. “This isn’t the time.”
“Shoot wolves first?” Lash asked. Tarn noticed a slight shiver to his voice. “Then we take first turn, hit harder. Fight over faster.”
Not a bad idea. The last fight he had allowed the wolves to set the tone, and their canine adversaries had delayed and simply allowed the cold to almost beat them.
He had his doubts that the shapes in the snow were actually the wolves, but he needed to know.
Further on the bridge, the row of shadows stared back. Tarn advanced a few steps, motioning Isca and the others to keep a few paces behind. The sky above them had grown darker still, as if the trestle was shrouded in a permanent night. He felt the wooden slats of the tracks a few inches beneath the snow as he took one careful step after another.
His eyes were fixed on the five blurred shapes, partially visible in the blowing snow before him, now only about sixty feet distant. Almost in range of his ranged attacks, but no initiative had started.
He took a quick glance at his team status, taking note of the temperature.
TEAM STATUS
Tarn Arisfal / Pulse-shifted Captain (7) / AP 110/110
Env: Temp – 90% / Modifiers: Torch +5, Wolf Coat +5
Isca ej-Canon / Needle (7) / AP 90/90
Env: Temp – 85% / Modifiers: Torch +5
Lash / Trickster (7) / AP 80/80
Env: Temp – 85% / Modifiers: Torch +5
Jental / Lone Wolf (2) / AP 60/60
Env: Temp – 85% / Modifiers: Torch +5
They were outfitted as best as they could, but he could still feel the cold pulling at him, chilling fingers trying to work their way through his coat, his armor, his gloves. He shuddered despite himself.
“If you stand still, stamp your feet.” Jental said from the rear. “And flex your toes in your boots. Helps keep you warm.”
Tarn did as the erratic mercenary suggested, surprised that Jental would have such specific information. A question for another time. Right now his mind was on the pack of wolves, not their own Lone one.
They ambushed us last time. I’m not letting that happen again.
Pulling his flaming bow taught, he closed on eye and focused on the middle shape in the snow, keeping his hand steady against the desire to shiver. He attempted to select the attack in his interface, confident of what would happen.
Error: No Targets in line-of-sight.
Just as I thought. Decoys.
Yet they were watching from somewhere, or at least the wolf leader was. Urthin had said it moved with an almost human-like intelligence, and this certainly was a tactic laid out before him.
But if he’s watching, he knows his ruse didn’t work.
Tarn whirled around, a fire-ridden arrow still knocked, keeping the ability queued up in his mind. His eyes registered the shocked look of his three teammates, but he wasn’t looking for them. Instead, he focused on the first pair of green canine eyes he saw and fired.
Target: Dire Timber 3 Note: Ambush attempt failed.
A crimson line streaked across the trestle, whistling past a surprised Jental and slamming into the wolf that had been following her several paces behind. There was a yelp of surprise, followed by a chorus of growls.
Damage taken: 20 AP Status effect gained: Burning Morale impact: -5% damage, -5% fire-attack
INITATIVE BEGUN
Tarn watched the combat interface materialize in his mind, but his sight was more focused on the wolves now in front of him. There were a trio of ashen canines coming out of the snow. Each appeared larger than the ones they had faced previously. Indeed, his interface informed him these were ‘Greater Dire Wolves’, no doubt with more AP and other surprises.
But there was no sign of the Pack Leader Urthin had described.
His first pulse completed by the opening [Bowshot], Tarn watched the rest of his team whirl and go to work. All veterans here, he felt no need to micromanage their choices. Jental vaulted across the snowy bridge, selecting the one wolf that had separated enough from the others. Isca buzzed as her wings strained against the wind, but she did get aloft and headed to a position above the battlefield, allowing her visibility on all three targets. Lash jammed a complex metal spike in the ground, preparing it for activation in the next pulse.
For Tarn’s second pulse, his choice was obvious. With neither Bog or Narsol in the fight, he was the only viable tank option. Selecting ‘Greater Dire Wolf 1’ in his overlay, he chose [The Flame, The Fury].
The Flame, The Fury (Ranged / Pulse-Shifted Captain)
Requires: [Bowshot] as previous action.
The Pulse-shifted Captain may target an enemy within 30 feet, line of sight required. He moves instantly to that enemy. All enemies within melee range gain a [Mark] and a [Taunt] token.
[Taunt] – Next attack by this enemy must include the pulse-shifted Captain
[Mark] – Any attack against this target by an ally will do an additional 10 AP
His longbow burst into magical flame as he shot across the snow, coming to rest in melee range of two wolves, and dropping both [taunt] and [mark] tokens on them both. Jental finished her two-part opener, using her javelin’s extra attacks to land major damage on her wolf, while Isca launched darts into the second of the Greater Dire Wolves in front of Tarn.
Finally Lash threw a spike nearby Tarn, embedding it into the snow. It launched tiny tethers out of itself, thin violet cords that embedded themselves into the wolves’ fur.
No Go, Only Stay (Trickster, Ranged)
The Trickster may select an ally engaged with at least one enemy. The N.G.O.S. will deploy in front of that ally, and attach cables to any enemy in melee range of the ally. If an enemy disengages from combat with that ally, they will lose their next pulse action.
Restrictions: This ability requires two pulses to activate
Had lizard pet once. Only want ball throw, but never let me take ball back!
As Tarn watched the round end, he was satisfied but still concerned. It was good to take control of the initiative and control the tempo for once. They had set up good positioning, and both he and Jental were where they needed to be. It had gone by the numbers.
But they had gone through good opening pulses before, and but somehow the dungeon always had a surprise card to play. And with the Pack Leader still off the field, he was pretty sure that twist was still coming.
INITIATIVE SHIFT
The Greater Dire Wolf in front of Tarn wasted no time in lunging forward, powerful jaws clamping down upon his forearm, putting painful pressure on his armor before releasing. A simple [bite] on the interface screen, but the 20 AP damage was decent, and it hurt like hell too.
There was a matching pain in his left leg as wolf number two made the same choice. Tarn watched the [taunt] tokens vanish as both of his enemies satisfied their requirements. If not for Lash’s strange [N.G.O.S.] pole, they’d be free to chase after the gremlin or join their companion fighting Jental.
Jen’s wolf executed a similar opening strategy, dropping the same 20 AP damage on her. It represented a greater chunk of her total armor though, and Tarn was confident Lash would know to heal her first. Yet the first pulse did not end with the third wolf’s actions.
There was an ear-splitting howl as a tear as the Shroud opened up before Tarn, only a few feet behind the wolves he was fighting. Out of the darkness came a massive dire wolf, its fur even whiter than the snow that blew around them. Muscles rippling, the beasts’ powerful form stepped onto the Bridge with a patient cadence, as if it owned the structure.
Emergence (Pack Leader / Unique)
Requires: Pack size of 3
The Pack Leader emerges from the Shroud, within melee range of a target enemy. The target must be in melee combat with another Pack Member.
Stance selection: Canine Riposte
And there it is, Tarn thought to himself as the remaining seconds of the wolves’ first pulse ticked away. There’s the hook, the riposte. It was pretty self-explanatory what the riposte effect would be, but Tarn called it up anyway.
Canine Riposte (Stance / Dire Timber Pack Leader)
When the [Canine Riposte] stance is active, the first melee attack against the Dire Timber Pack Leader in any pulse will receive a counter-attack of 20 AP damage, as well as a count of [bleeding].
The Pack Leader regains 10 AP at the start of its pulse for every Wolf present.
Well, that’s going to damn hurt. Fortunately it was just going to hit him, as Isca’s ranged attacks wouldn’t qualify. He had Lash as a healing option, as well as the [stim] and [bandage] items.
Enemy status Pack Leader / AP 80/80 / stance: Canine Riposte / status effects: Snow-sighted (I) Greater Dire Wolf 1 / AP: 60/60 /status effects: Greater Dire Wolf 2 / AP: 60/60 /status effects: Greater Dire Wolf 3 / AP: 60/60 /status effects:
His interface refused to tell him what [Snow sighted] was, but Tarn guessed it was probably a way to redirect attacks back at the Pack Leader. He supposed it was a good way for the Pack Leader to do just what Tarn was doing, keep the fight focused on him. What was the point of attacking a different wolf if they’d end up dealing with the pack leader anyway?
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Yet with the Leader’s healing based on the number of surviving wolves, they couldn’t afford to ignore the pack forever.
The wolves’ second pulse began, and Tarn waited for the inevitable follow up from the lesser wolves with almost impatience. Another bite from the first wolf, and he’d taken 60 AP total in the round. The pain from the attacks was considerable, but he’d felt similar levels before.
The second wolf turned its head away from Tarn though, instead looking up into the dark skies above. A thin jet of frost escaped its open snout as it howled, coating a surprised Isca in what looked like near-frozen water.
He heard the sputter of her wings, and then the delicate structures gave out completely. Isca slammed into the hard snowpack with a cry, taking 20 AP damage and landing directly in front of the wolf that had attacked her.
INITIATIVE SHIFT
“Watch the Pack Leader riposte stance!” He cried out, hoping the others would hear him over the wind and howls. They all needed to know about it, and factor it into their decisions. “Take your wolf down, Jental! Lash area-of-effect healing here, now!”
Tarn’s first concern was Isca. The fragile Needle was not designed for melee combat, and now she was in range of two greater dire timbers, plus the big pack leader. He needed to get their attention back on him and give her a chance to move to ranged distance.
“Isca I’ll drop some taunts,” Tarn said as she struggled to her feet. “Try to get some space for you to move-“
“Don’t.” Isca’s voice was firm as she held out one hand. “I’ve got this. Don’t waste anything on me.”
He looked at her for a moment, seeing the conviction in her eyes. Tarn nodded. He could see her wings were still covered in frost, and she shook against the effects of the cold. But she was a solider, and he trusted her.
Armor it is then. Lash would be healing, but that heal should go to Jen and Isca, not him. Calling up
Temporary Bulwark (Pulse-shifted Captain)
The Pulse-shifted Captain gains 40 AP of additional armor. This armor lasts until expended or two full rounds have passed.
Restrictions: Movement is halved. Ranged attacks are not allowed.
Isca shoved both of her arms towards the Pack Leader, issuing a battle cry that would have made Bog proud. The launchers on her wrists shot forward twin jets of flame, thrusting her backwards even as they landed on the massive wolf.
REPULSION (Melee / Needle)
The Needle strikes a target in melee range, doing 20 AP of fire damage. The Needle is moved backwards in a straight line 60 feet. This action may not be counter-attacked or riposted.
Requirement: The Needle may not be airborne
Well, that’s a new one! Part of him knew he should be aware of each and every ability any team member had, but since entering the dungeon the opportunity to review Isca’s just hadn’t been there. In this case, it was a pleasant surprise.
Tarn’s relief matched the wolves shock at Isca’s sudden departure. Their heads turned in confusion, even as the flames licked against the white fur of the pack leader. To his right, Tarn heard the canine cries of pain as Jental activated her [frenzy] status, gaining extra damage as long as she attacked every pulse.
Finally the expected heals came in from Lash, also in the form of a new ability.
OW, THAT HEALS (Ranged / Trickster)
The Trickster selects up to two allies or enemies within sixty feet, and strikes each of those targets with a dart. The ally will take 10 AP damage, then heal for 50 AP. If the initial damage reduces the target’s AP to zero, the healing does not occur.
You might feel a little pressure.
Jental swore as the healing dart struck her. Still, the interface showed the quick drop in AP, then replaced with a 60 AP gain.
SECOND PULSE BEGINS
Now that they had the AP to deal with the Pack Leader’s ripostes, it was time to take out his minions and deny him his healing. Jental’s frenzy continued, her lance slicing the wolf she was facing into a mass of fur and blood. The creature was left with only a fraction of its AP remaining, and after a few acid-tipped projectiles from Isca it fell to the snow, unmoving.
That left two of the smaller wolves still in play, but Tarn had all he needed to take care of them.
STRENUOUS SWING (Melee / Pulse-shifted Captain)
The pulse-shifted captain selects up to three targets in Melee range, and distributes 70 AP between them as he sees fit. For each target defeated in this fashion, he loses 10 AP.
This hurts you more than it does me.
“Just the small ones,” Tarn muttered as he selected the ability. His sword grew longer and heavier, the blood-red hilt expanding to require both hands. His muscles complained as he brought it around in an arc, striking the two smaller wolves while leaving the Pack Leader untouched.
As his blade sliced into the first wolf, there was a blurred flash of white fur.
OFF-PULSE REACTION: RIPOSTE
Tarn felt the Pack Leader’s teeth upon his arm twice before his arc completed. He had taken a total of 40 AP from the pair of ripostes, and gained two counts of [bleeding]. Worth it, he reminded himself. He had the AP to spare, Lash would likely heal him, and now the minions were removed from play.
“Agh!” He felt a sharp prick in his behind, as one of Lash’s healing darts found their target. In the ass, really Lash? Damn, that does actually hurt. Still, it was the healing he needed.
As his timer ran out, Tarn was happy to have a second round end just as good as the first. He stared across the snow at his adversary, looking into the Pack Leader’s sky-blue eyes.
“Your move, pal.”
INITIATIVE SHIFT
Now standing before him isolated and alone, Tarn had hoped to see fear in the Pack Leader’s eyes. Or even better, a morale bar showing up in his interface. But the glare that came from the pair of emerald orbs was still confident and full of rage.
The massive wolf let loose a second howl, which caught the wind and seemed to echo all around them. It was a mournful cry, filled with loss and anger. Tarn felt the emotions carried within, recognizing in his opponent another leader who would do anything to protect its team
The Pack Must Live (Unique / Dire Timber Pack Leader)
The Pack Leader howls, doing 10 AP damage to any enemy within thirty feet. For each character damaged, 2 Young Wolves will join the fight.
Young Wolf
AP: 30/30
Special effects: Chilled Arrival
Chilled arrival: When the Young Wolf arrives, all characters within 10 feet will lose temperature, from a range of 5% to 20%.
Note: Young Wolves will mature into Dire Timber in 2 rounds.
The howl pierced the air and gained strength, a sonic attack that for a moment left Tarn’s ears ringing. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jental similarly affected, her hands clamping on to her ears. As they did, the snow around them began to move and change, swirling until it took the form of small wolves.
One arrived at Tarn’s feet, while Jental had a second show up near her. As each finished coming into existence, they released a small, blurry burst of chilled energy. Tarn watched a small die roll on his interface, before landing on a 10%
Shivers ran through him as the smaller wolf’s cold aura took effect. It wasn’t too bad, at the lower end of the range. He checked his interface and saw the others had fared worse.
Shit. Jen’s temperature was manageable, but Isca’s was very low and Lash’s had fallen to zero. He’d start taking damage as soon as their round began. Assuming he survived that long. Tarn’s heart clenched as he saw the Pack Leader preparing to leap.
The beast had shown intelligence and tactics. He fully expected it to move away from the damage dealers, and go after the smallest, weakest member of their team – who was also the one providing healing.
Frozen in still-time, he watched helplessly as the huge wolf launched itself into the air.
Ravaging Leap (Ranged / Pack Leader) The Pack Leader moves to an enemy target within sixty feet that is already in combat with another wolf. That target takes 20 AP damage and gained [bleeding].
The Pack Leader launched itself forward several yards and to Tarn’s shock slammed into Isca. The Kithikin took AP damage as well as gaining [bleeding], and barely kept herself on her feet. It was a devastating attack.
But it also didn’t make any damn sense. As bad as the attack was for Isca, it would have been fatal for Lash. He thanked whatever gods might exist for their luck, short lived though it might be. They’d get another round to try and recover, and at least no one was dead.
Yet.
The Pack Leader’s AP surged back at the end of the round, restored due to the summoned snow wolves. It now stood in melee range of Isca, and was still in leaping distance of any of them.
INITATIVE SHIFT
Damnit, this isn’t going to work. Tarn couldn’t be sure if the Pack Leader just had an endless supply of wolves, but there was no reason to think it couldn’t. He was sure they could take out the summoned snow wolves this round, but he was also sure there was no point in doing so.
The wolves themselves were an annoyance. After the original tough guys, these newer wolves were mere distractions. It was the Leader himself that was the problem, and with his constant healing he would wear them down eventually. Lash should have already been dead, if the Leader hadn’t stupidly ignored him.
Was it stupid? Or was it blind?
In the round he had been ignored, Lash had gotten so cold his temperature was below zero. In that moment, the previously smart Pack Leader had suddenly avoided an easy kill.
“I’ve got it!” Tarn shouted, as he dropped his torch into the snow. It hissed as it sank in and extinguished. He tore off his [wolf coat], spreading his arms wide as he felt the chill of the air rush in.
Temperature decrease: -5%
“Tarn, what are you doing?”
He heard Isca’s shocked question, but he was too focused to answer. He was getting cold, but not fast enough. He dropped the
Streaking across the bridge in a blur of snow, he slammed into the surprised wolf. He did a little damage, 20 AP his interface told him. But that wasn’t the part he cared about. It was the chilled aura.
His temperature dropped again due to the wolf’s proximity, finally hitting the zero he wanted. He waited for the off-pulse response from the Pack Leader, but nothing came.
You can’t hit me. Teeth chattering, he grinned at the oblivious Pack Leader. Because you can’t see me.
Warning: Body Temperature below zero. Armor Points decreasing.
Yeah, that’s a problem too. But he had an answer for it.
His second pulse firing, Tarn took a deep breath and slammed the [stim] item into his leg. He felt a surge of adrenaline shoot through him, as if someone had asked him to drink a glass full of lightning. He didn’t get any warmer, but he saw his AP count shoot back up to full.
20 seconds left on the pulse. The others were waiting, he had to let them know.
“Get cold!” he shouted, hoping his voice would carry across the howls of both wind and wolves. “Drop your temp to zero! The Pack Leader can’t see you if you’re cold!”
He didn’t need to say more, he knew they’d figure the rest out. Even dropping their torches and gear wasn’t enough. But the summoned wolves themselves emanated cold like an aura. They’d use the pack’s own members to hide from their leader.
Isca buzzed into a landing next to one of the wolves, dropping her cloak to the ground. Jental slammed her spear into the nearest of her foes, but to Tarn’s relief pulled back on the damage enough to keep the beast alive and chilling.
And Lash managed to bring himself to an even lower temperature, dropping a large white box to the ground that began to spray chilled ice in every direction. [Carton of Cubes] the move was apparently called, and Tarn couldn’t guess what its actual in-combat application was.
As the rounded ended, no wolves had died but everyone on the team was below zero temperature. Their AP was dropping fast, but if Tarn was right they’d take no damage the next round.
As the initiative shifted, the frigid temperature ran through his trembling time-frozen body like electricity. His teeth chattered, his hands shook. As he checked his interface, he saw an indication he had never seen before:
INITATIVE PASSED. NO AVAILABLE TARGETS.
As movement returned to his limbs, Tarn and his team surged back into action. Pushing the cold from his mind, he targeted the Pack Leader with his flail and pulled himself to the stunned, massive canine. The others followed suit in their first pulse, with Isca launching a ranged attack while Jental vaulted herself next to Tarn.
Even Lash ignored the smaller snow wolves, sending a spinning top at the Pack Leader that debuffed its damage.
With the second pulse starting, Tarn intended to end this here and now. He called up
The beast locked eyes with him as he plunged his sword into its side. A gasp of frigid air escaped its snout, then a final growl issued forth. Tarn could feel the great weight of the Pack Leader pulling him down as it slowly lowered itself into the snow.
Tarn was pulled down into a kneeling position as the wolf slowly laid down. His bones felt like they would shiver themselves out of his skin. Still the pack leader’s emerald gaze stayed with his, eyelids fluttering.
The Final Chill (Death / Pack Leader)
If the Pack Leader’s AP is brought to zero, all summoned wolves will de-spawn. A blizzard-like storm will commence, with the focal point of the storm beginning at the point of the Pack Leader’s death. The circumference of this storm will be one mile, and it will stay in place for 12 hours.
All caught within the storm will lose -5 temperature per minute, and take 5 AP damage per 10 minutes from wind. No torches or fire may be lit within the radius of [The Final Chill].
As the leader’s eyes finally closed, the wind began to cry as if it were mourning his loss. The snow on the ground was picked up by the gale, swirling around them and reducing visibility to only a few feet. Tarn thought he could hear Bog’s bellowing call on the wind, but it was hard to be sure. The rest of the team would be farther behind him, but he had to hope they knew the battle was over.
“Go forward!” He shouted to the others, barely able to keep his head up. He gathered up his wolf coat before it was blown away, pushing his foot down into the snow. The chill ate at his thoughts, making every action an effort.
There was… a building in the middle of the bridge? Smiley had said he saw one.
Through breaks in the blowing snow, Tarn could see the shelter Urthin had described. A rickety cabin, raised on stilts to allow passage of the train. He judged it to be about a hundred feet from where they were, with a narrow wooden stair leading to the door.
He could hear Urthin and the others approaching from behind, finally unlocked from still-time. But the ghost-like form of the cabin seemed like an impossible distance to his frozen limbs and exhausted spirit. He stumbled a bit, only to feel strong hand catching him from behind.
“Proceed with haste!” Urthin shouted, throwing Tarn’s arm over his shoulder and urging him onward. Through eyes that were nearly frozen shut, he could see Bog charging through the snow with Jental over one shoulder and Isca over the other. Narsol was close behind, a trembling Lash in his arms.
Like a ghost the wooden structure loomed closer through the snow, even as the wind forced them to earn every step. He didn’t have the strength to look up his team’s stats, but he felt frozen and half-dead as Urthin mostly carried him forward.
Half way, his mind boggled. Lurim’s balls, all this and we’re only halfway across the bridge.