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Winterborn
Chapter 36 - On the Back Foot

Chapter 36 - On the Back Foot

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Siora’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 25 (Touch) (Hit)

Frostmane’s Will Save: 1d20+11 = 25 (Success)

Siora nodded to her sister. “I can try, at least.” Darting forward, she moved forward, and touched her hand to Frostmane’s shoulder. Unfortunately, the only result of her spell was the white wolf turning to snarl at her, eyes devoid of any recognition. “Shit, it didn’t work!”

Lingering Damage (Arden): 6d6 = 24 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+19 = 39 (Flat-footed) (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+19 = 25 (Flat-footed) (Hit)

Aura of Unluck Miss Chance: 1d100 = 89 (Hit)

Damage: 2d10+6 = 15 (Slashing)

Vampiric Damage: 1d6 = 4 (Slashing) (DR 10/Silver)

Frozen Fury: 1d6 = 1 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Ruinous: 1 (CHA damage)

Vitriolic Blow: 7d6 = 20 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

It sounded like the priestess was causing the others more trouble than the barbarian had. That was a problem. But the only thing I could do, was try and keep the Huntlord’s attention on me long enough so that either I could chop him down, one cut at a time, or until the others managed to get the priestess under control. Either way, I knew what I needed to do. Stepping up next to the werewolf once again, my shadowy blade cut deep.

Frostmane’s Attack (Siora): 1d20+20 = 35 (Hit)

Displacement Miss Chance: 1d100 = 35 (Hit)

Mirror Image Check: 1d7 = 2 (Mirror Image)

Frostmane lunged at Siora, his jaws closing fast around her arm, only for the image to shatter. Thankfully, the maddened wolf had mistaken one of her mirror images for her. The situation could have been much more dangerous, otherwise.

Lyndis’s Summon Monster IX: 1d3 = 1 (monsters)

The priestess gloated over Frostmane’s betrayal. Rather than try and attack further, she instead started a summoning. “Hah! Serves you right, you meddling bitch! Here, have another ‘friend’ to play with!”

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+40 = 60 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+40 = 54 (Crit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 60 (Hit)

Damage: 2d8+58 = 70 (Slashing, Cold Iron)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 3

Flaming: 1d6 = 2 (Fire)

Vile: 1 (Vile)

Melinda’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+21 = 33 (Success)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+35 = 39 (Hit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 18 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+30 = 40 (Hit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 49 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+25 = 34 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+30 = 31 (Miss)

I screwed up. By the time I realized how badly I had screwed up, I was already feeling the bite of the Huntlord’s blade as it threatened to cut me cleanly in two! I screamed out in pain as the burning feeling of cold iron cut through me.

The Huntlord laughed as he heard my scream, and saw my blood on his blade. “Hurts, doesn’t it, little mouse? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it is all over for you, soon enough.”

Frostmane’s Will Save (Charm Monster): 1d20+11 = 28 (Success)

“Damn it, Frostmane! This isn’t the time! Snap out of it!” Vestele cast a charm spell at the insane wolf, hoping to snap him out of it, if only briefly. At least long enough to get his attention off of Siora. Frostmane’s eyes locked on Vestele, his bloody maw snarling. She had taken his mind off of Siora, but perhaps not in the way she intended.

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Siora’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 30 (Touch) (Hit)

Frostmane’s Will Save (Overwhelm): 1d20+11 = 31 (Success)

Siora took advantage of the white wolf’s distraction to quickly get to her feet. Once again, she touched the wolf, and tried to knock him out with her spell. Unfortunately, the wolf shrugged off the spell, like he did the last one, and his attention was once more fixated upon Siora.

Lingering Damage (Arden): 6d6 = 15 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+22 = 40 (Flat-footed Touch) (Hit)

Aura of Unluck Miss Chance: 1d100 = 66 (Hit)

Vitriolic Blast: 7d6 = 22 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

I couldn’t survive another hit from that sword. Not without a great deal of healing. So, I did the only thing I could. I darted away, wings carrying me away from the werewolf, until I was back by the stairs down to the catacombs. There, I unleashed a blast of acid, striking him, despite his black aura. I could still make him chase me around the temple until I managed to kill him!

Frostmane’s Attack (Siora): 1d20+20 = 31 (Hit)

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Displacement Miss Chance: 1d100 = 34 (Hit)

Mirror Image Check: 1d6 = 4 (Mirror Image)

Mindless in his insanity, Frostmane turned on the last person to attack him, Siora. Thankfully, her foresight in casting mirror image on herself before the fight began paid off once more, as another of her images shattered under Frostmane’s assault. But still, the wolf snarled like a creature possessed.

Summoned Tyrannosaurus’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+20 = 36 (Hit)

Damage: 3d6+13 = 28 (Piercing)

ST’s Grapple check: 1d20+30 = 35

Frostmane’s Grapple: 1d20+24 = 25 (Grappled)

Lyndis’s Attack roll (Vestele): 1d20+28 = 46 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 44 (Hit)

Damage: 1d3+12 = 15 (Slashing)

Flaming: 1d6 = 6 (Fire)

Corrosive: 1d6 = 1 (Acid)

Lyndis’s Attack roll (Vestele): 1d20+23 = 30 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 70 (Hit)

Damage: 1d3+12 = 15 (Slashing)

Flaming: 1d6 = 5 (Fire)

Corrosive: 1d6 = 1 (Acid)

Lyndis’s Attack roll (Vestele): 1d20+18 = 31 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 52 (Hit)

Damage: 1d3+12 = 14 (Slashing)

Flaming: 1d6 = 2 (Fire)

Corrosive: 1d6 = 6 (Acid)

Lyndis’s Attack roll (Vestele): 1d20+20 = 39 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 9 (Miss)

But they had no time to worry about that. The summoning magics finished their work, and standing in the midst of the temple was a massive creature, a Tyrannosaurus drawn from the lower planes! With a roar of challenge, its massive jaw clamped down on the largest creature in front of it, Frostmane, snapping the white wolf up in its jaws, and threatening to lift him up off the ground!

The Priestess, on the other hand, decided that taking on the twins, without Frostmane to back them up, was more to her liking. “I’ll finish you, first, you filthy whores, and then take out whoever is troubling my mate!” Her whip, which looked as though it were made out of brilliantly colored liquid water, yet somehow kept its shape, slashed out at her, ignoring her armor, and cutting her deeply. Each lash burned with fire and acid, causing Vestele to scream in pain.

Meanwhile, the damn Huntlord tracked my last blast, and followed after me. He stopped just before the stairs, sniffing for me. “Where did you go, little sneak? Tired of the hunt already?” The bastard thought that he was hunting me, now that he’d managed to get me bloody. I would need to disabuse him of that notion.

Vestele’s Concentration Check: 1d20+21 = 39 (Success)

Vestele’s CL Check: 1d20+12 = 32 (Success)

Lyndis’s Fort Save (Destruction): 1d20+26 = 32 (Success)

Damage: 10d6 = 35 (Untyped)

Vestele grit her teeth as she looked at the Malarite priestess with hatred. Taking a step back, she snarled, “Why don’t you die, first, you fleabitten mutt! To the Abyss with you!” As she spoke, she unleashed a curse at the priestess. But, though her foe staggered back in pain, it clearly did not do everything she hoped, since the priestess was still breathing.

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Siora’s Concentration Check: 1d20+21 = 27 (Success)

Siora’s Bluff Check: 1d20+17 = 22

Lyndis’s Sense Motive Check: 1d20+10 = 21 (Fail)

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+16 = 34 (Success)

Force Missiles x4 Damage: 8d6 = 24 (Force)

Siora took a step back, away from both the priestess and the summoned dinosaur. As she did so, she disguised her hand movements as though she were going to reach out with her quarterstaff, but that was just a feint. Instead, four bolts of force erupted from her fingertips, and flew unerringly to strike the priestess. And, this time, her spell seemed to work.

Lingering Damage (Arden): 6d6 = 18 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+22 = 39 (Flat-footed Touch) (Hit)

Aura of Unluck Miss Chance: 1d100 = 81 (Hit)

Vitriolic Blast: 7d6 = 16 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

I didn’t bother giving the werewolf an answer. That would just give him more time to try and find me. Instead, I blasted him again. The acid was slowly wearing him down, but I couldn’t stay put. Taking wing, I flew around the pillar, and saw what was going on. Gliding to a stop next to the priestess in the water, I called out, “Hit her again, girls!”

Frostmane’s Attack (ST): 1d20+16 = 35 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite Damage: 1d8+22 = 25 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+17 = 29

ST’s STR Check: 1d20+17 = 27 (Fail)

Frostmane’s Attack (ST): 1d20+16 = 21 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite Damage: 1d8+22 = 29 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane, still mad as could be, howled a challenge at the monstrous creature holding him in its jaws. Turning and writhing in the creature’s grip, he bit down, hard, upon the tyrannosaur’s scaly hide, and contorted his body in such a way that it actually threw the massive creature off balance! The temple shuddered as the fiendish monster crashed to the ground, still gripping Frostmane in its teeth.

Summoned Tyrannosaurus’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+16 = 27 (Miss)

Lyndis’s Concentration Check: 1d20+21 = 41 (Success)

Spiritual Weapon Attack (Siora): 1d20+25 = 30 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 60 (Hit)

Mirror Image check: 1d5 = 1 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+5 = 13

The Tyrannosaurus did not take kindly to getting thrown about by its prey, and continued trying to bite and tear at Frostmane, despite both of them being prone on the ground. However, the change in position made it harder for the massive jaws to close further, or tear at Frostmane’s flesh. For the moment, it was a standoff.

The priestess, on the other hand, grew concerned when she heard my voice coming from the empty air around her. Immediately, she dropped into a more defensive posture, and took care not to present any openings as she cast her spell. The next instant, a claw of spectral force appeared above Siora’s head, and scratched her. “You will all suffer for defying the will of the Beastlord!”

The Huntlord flew around the pillar, demonic wings outspread. “I see you’ve been busy entertaining these runts, Lyndis. What of Haar? Sleeping on the job again, is he? When we finish butchering these pests, I’ll sacrifice him to the Great Hunter to reconsecrate this temple in the name of the true master of the moonlit hunt!”

Vestele’s Cure Critical Wounds (Vestele): 4d8+12 = 35

Vestele backed away from the priestess again, as she called upon her powers once more. She had saved most of her healing spells, and that was fortunate, because she needed every bit of healing she could manage. The light of the spell healed the worst of her wounds, but she was still in a sorry state.

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Siora’s Concentration Check: 1d20+21 = 29 (Success)

Siora’s Bluff Check: 1d20+17 = 25

Lyndis’s Sense Motive Check: 1d20+10 = 11 (Fail)

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+16 = 28 (Fail)

Siora clearly heard me, since she unleashed a spell directly at the priestess. Once again, several bolts of force flew at the priestess. Unfortunately, this time they just splashed harmlessly off of her as Siora took another step backwards, gaining some separation.

Lingering Damage (Arden): 6d6 = 27 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Arden): 1d20+22 = 30 (Flatfooted Touch) (Hit)

Aura of Unluck: 1d100 = 23 (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain: 7d6 = 28 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Lyndis): 1d20+22 = 33 (Flatfooted Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain: 14 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (ST): 1d20+22 = 34 (Flatfooted Touch) (Hit)

Vitriolic Chain: 14 (Acid)

I fired another blast at the Huntlord. Couldn’t let up, or things would get really bad. This time, however, I chained the blast, bouncing it from the Huntlord, to his mate, and then the dinosaur in turn. The Huntlord was looking ragged at this point, but the acid barely even annoyed the demonic werewolf priestess.

Frostmane’s Attack (ST): 1d20+16 = 34 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite Damage: 1d8+22 = 24 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 6 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane was unaware of all of this, lost in his own world of madness. There was only the foe in front of him, who was already on the ground with him. And so, he continued biting and scrambling to attack the dinosaur, ripping chunks from its hide.

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

Melinda’s AoO (Lyndis): 1d20+19 = 25 (Flatfooted) (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+3 = 10 (Slashing)

Vampiric Damage: 1d6 = 5 (Slashing) (DR 10/Silver)

Frozen Fury: 1d6 = 2 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Ruinous: 1 (CHA damage)

Lyndis’s Heal (Arden): 150 Healing, Remove Ability Damage

Spiritual Weapon Attack (Siora): 1d20+25 = 29 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 50 (Hit)

Mirror Image check: 1d5 = 5 (Mirror Image)

Spiritual Weapon Attack (Siora): 1d20+20 = 22 (Miss)

Spiritual Weapon Attack (Siora): 1d20+15 = 30 (Hit)

Displacement miss chance: 1d100 = 70 (Hit)

Mirror Image check: 1d4 = 2 (Mirror Image)

While the tyrannosaurus continued its job of tying up Frostmane, and her spiritual weapon shattered two of Siora’s mirror images, the Priestess, seeing her mate in trouble, moved to his side, barely flinching at the cut my blade made upon her as she moved. When she reached him, her hand touched his shoulder, and he was instantly renewed, most of his wounds falling away. Exactly what we didn’t need at the moment.

Vestele’s Will Save (Hexblade’s Curse): 1d20+22 = 36 (Success)

The Huntlord licked his jowls, and said, “My blade’s wounds be cursed!” As he spoke, a sickly aura surrounded his massive sword. Then, he strode forward, stalking towards Vestele, intent on taking down our healer first, no doubt. “Let’s see how far you run while I slaughter your friends, little rabbit!” With that, he tossed a curse Vestele’s way, but the cleric managed to shrug it off.

Vestele’s Mass Cure Light Wounds (Frostmane, Vestele): 1d8+12 = 20 Healing

Vestele tossed out a healing spell, recovering some of the wounds that she and Frostmane had suffered, before moving back, further from the ‘excitement’. But she had heard my voice earlier, and saw the blast. “Mel, keep blasting him! You’re the only one that can take them!”