Novels2Search
Winterborn
Chapter 25 - Dogs and Wolves

Chapter 25 - Dogs and Wolves

[https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9hW-roewnk/X_zf5_IApmI/AAAAAAAACgY/_0oymxduT4Ue96iVB4vKzTsndmRbwYQdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/outside%2B7.jpg]

Lingering Acid damage (FDW4): 2d6 = 8 (Acid) (Dead)

Lingering Acid damage (FW1): 2d6 = 3 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW3): 2d6 = 5 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW4): 4d6 = 13 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (Rena): 4d6 = 15 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Concentration check: 1d20+19 = 23 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack (Rena): 1d20+21 = 40 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 7d6 = 30 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Attack (FDW3): 1d20+21 = 24 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 15 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (FW1): 1d20+21 = 23 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 15 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (FW3): 1d20+21 = 27 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 15 (Acid)

“You seem to be having trouble, priestess. Why don’t you just give up the whole ‘hunting’ thing? You seem better suited for the service of one of the gods of gardening.” As I mocked the priestess, I unleashed another bolt of acid, striking her in the chest, and then causing it to bounce back and strike the wolf and two werewolves that had moved into melee with us. The more they focused on me, and not the more easily injured twins, the better.

Skeletons’ attacks x4 (Melinda): 1d20+1 = 16 (Miss)

Skeletons’ attacks x1 (Vestele): 1d20+1 = 13 (Miss)

Skeletons’ attacks x2 (Siora): 1d20+1 = 10 (Miss)

Skeletons’ attacks x2 (FDW4): 1d20+1 = 21 (Crit threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+1 = 17 (Critical Hit)

Damage: 2d6+2 = 5 (DR 5/Magic)

The skeletons struck out, mostly against me, but also at some of the others. However, their blows either missed entirely, or were wholly ineffective even if they did hit. It was a heady feeling, knowing that creatures that, even a few months ago, would have been a deadly threat, were now unable to touch me. This, more than anything else, was proof that I was growing stronger, more powerful.

Siora’s Concentration Check: 1d20+21 = 24 (Success)

Siora’s Bluff Check (Rena): 1d20+17 = 34

Rena’s Sense Motive: 1d20+18 = 36 (Success)

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+12 = 21 (Partial Success)

Damage: 10d6 = 28 (Nonlethal)

FDW1’s Will Save (Mass Whelm): 1d20+6 = 13 (Fail)

FDW3’s Will Save (Mass Whelm): 1d20+6 = 13 (Fail) (Unconscious)

FW1’s Will Save (Mass Whelm): 1d20+6 = 17 (Fail)

FW3’s Will Save (Mass Whelm): 1d20+6 = 13 (Fail)

Siora took a breath, and pointed her bow at the priestess, arrow on the string. But the priestess was not so easily fooled, laughing at Siora’s attempt at a bluff, even as a wave of magic erupted from our beguiler. The priestess, just within the radius, did not seem to be affected, and the skeletons did not have enough of a mind to be affected by such things, but the wolves and werewolves closest to us? They staggered under the weight of the spell, and one of the wolves even slumped to the ground, unconscious.

FW1’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+21 = 34 (Miss)

FW1’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+16 = 25 (Miss)

FW1’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 27 (Miss)

FW1’s Bite (Melinda): 1d20+14 = 30 (Miss)

FW3’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+21 = 36 (Hit)

Damage: 2d6+10 = 19 (Slashing)

Flaming Weapon: 1d6 = 2 (Fire) (Fire Vulnerability)

FW3’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+16 = 24 (Miss)

FW3’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 31 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+11 = 20 (Normal Hit)

Damage: 2d6+10 = 18 (Slashing)

Flaming Weapon: 1d6 = 5 (Fire) (Fire Vulnerability)

FW3’s Bite (Frostmane): 1d20+14 = 33 (Hit)

Bite: 1d8+8 = 13 (Piercing)

The werewolf that had helped finish off Siora’s pet turned and ran towards us, coming up behind the skeletons surrounding me on the side. Another werewolf slashed out at me, but I danced out of the path of each of his strikes. Frostmane, however, was not so lucky. I heard yelps of pain from the white wolf as the flaming sword and werewolf’s jaws tore into his flesh.

FDW1’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 27 (Miss)

The last of the dire wolves standing snapped at me, but I was more than ready for him. I easily danced out of the way of the wolf’s jaws, letting the fangs snap shut on empty air. These were still a threat, unlike the skeletons, but less of one than the werewolves were.

Rena’s Spiritual Weapon (Siora): 1d20+14 = 30 (Hit)

20% Miss Chance: 1d100 = 60 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+3 = 4 (Force)

Skeletons’ Will Save x9 (Mass Cure Light Wounds): 1d20+2 = 20 (Success, Half Damage)

Healing: 1d8+10 = 17 (Dead)

The werewolf priestess snarled as she stalked closer. “I grow tired of your insolence, worm!” With a cry, she unleashed a spell which washed over herself and the skeletons. Her wounds healed, but the skeletons crumbled into piles of inanimate bones, destroyed by the holy power. “Now there are no more obstacles! KILL THEM ALL!”

Frostmane’s attack (FW3): 1d20+17 = 26 (Hit)

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 25 (Piercing) (DR 5/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 1 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+17 = 33

FW3’s Modified STR Check: 1d20+10 = 22 (Fail, Prone)

Frostmane’s Attack (FW3): 1d20+17 = 21 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 23 (Piercing) (DR 5/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 5 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10) (Unconscious)

Frostmane savagely tore into the werewolf that wounded him. His jaws closed on the werewolf’s leg, and bodily wrenched him from his feet. Before the werewolf could recover, Frostmane’s jaws bit down again, ripping more flesh from the werewolf’s body, causing the fiend to lose consciousness from the pain. Looking at the priestess with his bloody maw, he said, “Quit barking, whelp. You’ll get your turn.”

Vestele’s Cure Serious Wounds (Frostmane): 3d8+12 = 21

Vestele touched Frostmane’s flank, and said, “The Lady’s grace to you, Frostmane. Show these dogs that they cannot run with wolves.” As she spoke, the healing spell took effect, closing the worst of the wounds he had just received from the werewolf’s flaming sword.

[https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u26SFVLNuHw/X_zf53dQiaI/AAAAAAAACgU/LnNuVCgm6PQT9FDrcyB6Xpo-N7OMzzBXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/outside%2B8.jpg]

Lingering Acid damage (FDW3): 2d6 = 2 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW1): 4d6 = 12 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW3): 4d6 = 13 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW4): 2d6 = 7(Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (Rena): 6d6 = 16 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Concentration check: 1d20+19 = 34 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack (Rena): 1d20+21 = 37 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 7d6 = 25 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Attack (FDW1): 1d20+21 = 27 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 12 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (FW1): 1d20+21 = 34 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 12 (Acid) (Staggered)

Melinda’s Attack (FW4): 1d20+21 = 39 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 12 (Acid)

Acid flew from my fingertips once again, striking the priestess, and then the remaining enemies who still stood. I was pleased to see that one of the werewolves looked almost drunk, the way he barely managed to keep on his feet. “For someone who says that they are so tired of us, you sure aren’t doing much about it. Last time, you were so eager to try stabbing us with that spear of yours. Perhaps you’re just a scared little pup after all?”

Siora’s attack (FW1): 1d20+13 = 25 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 5 (Silver, Piercing) (Unconscious)

Siora’s attack (FW4): 1d20+8 = 9 (Miss)

Siora stepped back, away from me, now that there were no longer skeletons hemming us in. Bringing up her bow like before, this time she actually fired, launching a silver arrow at the werewolf I’d just staggered, sending it crashing to the ground, unconscious. She fired a quick shot at the other werewolf, but missed wildly.

FW4’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+21 = 30 (Miss)

FW4’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+16 = 21 (Miss)

FW4’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 25 (Miss)

FW4’s Bite (Melinda): 1d20+14 = 24 (Miss)

FDW1’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 20 (Miss)

The last werewolf warrior left standing stepped forward, and unleashed a flurry of attacks at me. But his moves were no match for my dancing. Nimbly, I slid between his attacks. As the last of the dire wolves snapped in vain at my heels, I could see in the werewolf’s eyes the fervor of a true zealot, the madness of the ‘righteous’. But I also knew that the tide had firmly turned, and this fight was all but won.

Rena’s Spiritual Weapon (Siora): 1d20+14 = 26 (Miss)

Rena’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+20 = 23 (Miss)

The priestess, finally goaded past the point of reason by my taunts, stepped forward, and thrust out with her spear. Unfortunately for her, she was better suited to casting spells than she was fighting in a melee. I easily slid out of the spear’s path. My laughter did not amuse the priestess in the least, I’m sad to say. So upset was she, I’m not sure she even realized that her spiritual weapon missed Siora.

Frostmane’s attack (Rena): 1d20+17 = 27 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 28 (Piercing) (DR 10/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 1 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+17 = 33

Rena’s Modified STR Check: 1d20+15 = 21 (Fail, Prone)

Frostmane’s Attack (Rena): 1d20+17 = 25 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 23 (Piercing) (DR 5/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 2 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane did not miss the fact that, now, the priestess was within striking distance, and there were no obstacles in his path. Stepping lightly, he moved forward, and his jaws clasped around her arm. Despite her supernatural strength, the priestess found herself cast to the ground, where Frostmane ripped into her once again, even as she shrieked in pain.

Vestele’s Attack (FDW1): 1d20+12 = 32 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+12 = 15 (Critical Hit)

Damage: 2d8+2 = 15 (Piercing) (Unconscious)

Vestele put aside her morningstar, and leisurely loaded her crossbow. With careful aim, she leveled it at the remaining wolf, and fired. The bolt struck true, piercing deeply into the wolf’s chest, and her prey stumbled, before falling to the ground, overcome by his wounds.

[https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fquLOBCsZVo/X_zf51Hx9xI/AAAAAAAACgQ/lnj2PLNFK6QFOWXX-uadO6aYoVfcTvY9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/outside%2B9.jpg]

Lingering Acid damage (FDW1): 2d6 = 9 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FDW3): 2d6 = 4 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW1): 4d6 = 16 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (FW3): 4d6 = 15 (Acid) (Dead)

Lingering Acid damage (FW4): 2d6 = 10 (Acid)

Lingering Acid damage (Rena): 6d6 = 23 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Concentration check: 1d20+19 = 32 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack (Rena): 1d20+21 = 36 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 7d6 = 18 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Attack (FW4): 1d20+21 = 29 (Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain Damage: 9 (Acid)

Keeping my motions short and concise, I struck out at the werewolf priestess, unleashing another bolt of acid at her. I knew that it wasn’t as effective as I would like, but cutting through her resistance to spells and stacking the damage from the acid lingering on her was enough. Frostmane had her on the ground, anyways, which meant she would be in for a world of hurt if she tried to do anything.

Siora’s attack (FW4): 1d20+13 = 29 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 5 (Silver, Piercing) (Dead)

Siora’s attack (Rena): 1d20+8 = 21 (Miss)

Siora once again fired off her bow, but this time she used silver arrows. One arrow took the werewolf warrior in the chest, piercing through his chain shirt. The werewolf grunted once, before collapsing to the ground, dead. The fact that her second shot glanced harmlessly off the priestess’s chainmail couldn’t take away from the fact that she had reduced the number of foes we faced to one.

Frostmane’s AoO (Rena): 1d20+17 = 24 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 26 (Piercing) (DR 10/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 5 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+17 = 22

Rena’s Modified STR Check: 1d20+15 = 16 (Fail, Prone)

Frostmane’s Attack (Rena): 1d20+17 = 29 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 25 (Piercing) (DR 5/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 5 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

The Priestess attempted to rise to her feet, but Frostmane was waiting for her. His jaws grabbed the arm she used to push herself up and ripped it out from under her. Before she could recover, and stagger to her feet, Frostmane had already left a ragged wound in her side, despite the chainmail she wore.

Frostmane’s Attack (Rena): 1d20+17 = 31 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+22 = 30 (Piercing) (DR 10/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10) (Dead)

Frostmane’s next attack, however, left no room for the priestess to escape her fate. His jaws snapped shut upon the priestess’s throat, and ripped it out in a single, vicious strike. As the priestess fell to the ground, Frostmane chuffed. “I told you that you would get your turn.”

Your party has defeated Rena Darkmoon, 4 Fiendwolf Warriors, 6 Fiendish Dire Wolves, and 80 Skeletons!

Melinda gains 7500 xp.

Frostmane gains 7500 xp.

Siora gains 7500 xp.

Vestele gains 7500 xp.

Loot:

Scimitar x80

Heavy Steel Shield x80

Shifter's Chain Shirt x4

Amulet of Natural Armor +2 x4

+2 Heavy Steel Shield x4

+2 Flaming Longsword x4

+2 Precise Composite (+3) Longbow x4

Belt of Settled Form x4

Darkmoon's Hauberk

Malar's Fang

+2 Sizing Javelin

Cloak of Charisma +6

Amulet of Wisdom +6

Ring of Recall

Potion of Cure Serious Wounds x2

You have Leveled Up!

You are now Level 15.

105400 / 120000 XP to level 16.

+1 BAB

+1 Fort, +1 Will

HD: 1d8+1 = 5

+1 Bluff, +1 Concentration, +1 Perform (Dance), +1 Sense Motive, +1 Sleight of Hand, +1 Spellcraft, +1 Tumble, +1 Use Magic Device

Warlock Abilities

Energy Resistance (Su): Gain Electric and Fire Resistance 5

New Invocation:

Eldritch Line (5th) – Blast Shape. Can invoke your Eldritch Blast as a 60-foot line, dealing damage to all creatures in the area. Reflex save for half damage.

Frostchylde Wardancer Abilities

Evasion (Ex): The Frostchylde Wardancer gains Evasion at 5th level. If they already had Evasion from another source, they gain Improved Evasion instead. She loses this ability when wearing armor, or when carrying a medium or heavier load.

New Feat

Combat Casting – Add +4 to Concentration checks when casting defensively.

I breathed a good bit easier once we finished off the last of the enemies that were only sleeping, and the messages displayed in front of my eyes. I’d gained another level, which was always welcome. But that didn’t compare to the satisfaction of settling up the account of that priestess that had escaped us before.

Siora frowned, looking at the temple in the distance. “If the temple is full of undead, this could get tricky. Sure, there were only skeletons out here, but inside, where the sunlight can’t get to them, there could be stronger ones.”

Putting my hand on her shoulder, I grinned. “Well, if we’re really lucky, they’ll be strong enough to take out those wolves, and spare us the trouble, no?”

“Sure. I just hope we aren’t getting in over our heads.”