The First of Many

[Michael Briggs]

Traveling through the outlining towns goes pretty smoothly.  Thatched roofs cover simple homes for the most parts.  There are a few nicer homes that belong to wealthier families with larger lots of land, but most are small and well maintained.  At one point, men are seeing working with elves to clear trees that are near death.  This keeps the livelier trees alive and provides the human settlements with lumber.  A few taverns are available for the first three days leaving the town.  Rooms are available to those with coin.  A typical room costs 2 silver crowns a night.  Food is typically a few coppers, plus a few more for drinks.  

The horses are outfitted with feed and tent pieces.  Rations are stocked inside the haversacks making supplies easy to come by.  Karchok and Keryth take advantage of the the break in the towns to take in some hunting and foraging.  Stews are common when rabbits are caught or a deer is taken down.  The trip remains uneventful except a few animals that cross the group's path.  There is little to be concerned with Karchok's abilities in handling animals.  After 7 weeks of travel, the group is enjoying a lunch of roots and dried meat.  There is something in the air, a storm perhaps.  The winds blow from the west and a storm brews from the south east.  It is moving with incredible speed towards the group.

A howling can be heard, followed by many other bays calling out in response.  There is something unnatural headed towards the group.  

Shyam falls into a deep trance.  She sees herself standing above the battle, hounds of evil breathing fire attack the group, but a creature comes over the horizon with a whip punishing any of the hounds that fail to move at the group.  For a moment, as she sees the vision, her eyes go pure white.  Only Karchok sees the change.

[Bob G.]

With the sound of something coming their way, Cal'Shir prepares himself.
"Anybody have any idea what is coming our way? The baying makes me think
of wolves but I never heard a wolf sound quite like that. Wolves would
try to surround us, these might also. Watch for it." The rogue looks at
the trees to see about climbing one to shoot down from above, with bow
or darts. The more he can shoot before they close on their position, the
better.

[Don Alley]

Perhaps we can outrun them... or at least get somewhere where the terrain will favor us...

[Leslie Lock]

With one of the rings the king provided, Shyam didn't really hunger
for food, but there was something about eating that was enjoyable so
she savored the flavor of the spicy dried meat, chewing on it until it
softened.

Her shoulders stiffen at the first howl and she tries swallows the bit
before its completely chewed, the rough jerky catching in her throat
for a moment before she can force it down standing and staring out at
the distance.

"Fire. They breath fire..."

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus found it odd that he didn't feel much like eating on the journey.  Perhaps he had a bit too much to drink while last in town?  Had it done something odd to his stomach?  Tempus still ate some of the food that was offered to him, enjoying the flavor.  There was something weird about it not seeming to satisfy though.

Tempus enjoyed the time away from the city.  Calm countryside.  Still, Tempus didn't relax, but kept his eyes on the surrounding area.  Never know when bandits may show up.  That's when he saw the storm and heard the howling. 

Wolves, that was what Tempus first thought they were, but it didn't quite sound like wolves.  Tempus looks carefully in the direction the howls were coming from, his eyes sweeping the area.  Perhaps they would try to flank them.

Not one to really run away, Tempus reaches and draws his new axe.  He brandishes it.

"Well, are we going to fight here, or run?"

[Michael New]

Smithy takes out his bow and stands in his stirrups, looking to see what is out there.  He knocks an arrow.

[Bob G.]

"Fire?" the rogue repeats incredulously. "That means they're coming for
us. Who the hell knows where we are?" Cal'Shir checks his weapons:
bow... strung and ready, darts... ready, lightning longsword...ready.

[Don Alley]

"Yeah...", Quentin mused, "Our mission was not exactly kept secret.  And I'm willing to bet copper to gold that this is not an escort sent out to help us find our way!"

Quentin eyes the terrain and thinks back to if there was a more defensible location nearby...

[Loki Mischief]

Weeks among representatives of many races had provided a wonderful
opportunity to remove the myriad of interactive gaffes and blunders
that had been the norm just a short while previously. With such a
tight focus on fitting in, and being a quick study for social
expectations, it has been awhile since he has completely and
catostrophically erred in a social setting.

Synxol still hate his shoes with a passion of a million blasted suns.

[Russ]

  The seven weeks of travel through the wilds had been a welcome relief for Karchok.  Being mired in the city, short time as it was, had been trying for the half-orc.  More then he would have thought.  The loss of Maidenshire hadn't helped his disposition any.  Time had helped, as had slipping back into daily routines.  As they traveled, the young druid had spent less and less time in his bipedal form, wrapping himself in the one animal form or another.
  In the near two months they had been traveling, the half-orc had spoken little.  Mostly, he conversed with Shyam, and then there were days when she had to drag words out of the half-breed.  Although, whenever he notices her sliding towards a slump, the half-orc is always there to talk to her.  Or more often then not, just to be there to listen as she vents.
  Happening to be wearing his own skin, Karchok was riding the blue roan when he notices Shyam stiffing shortly after the sounds of howling.  Looking at her, he notices a covering of white fading from her eyes.  Looking in the direction of the baying, Karchok frowns, trying to identify what matter of creature made that awful howl call.  Looking back to Shyam, when she speaks, the half-orc nods grimly.
  "Did you see how many or what they were, Shyam?," Karchok asks her quietly.  Concern written across his orcish features as he looks at Shyam, she seems a little pale, but otherwise fine.

[Don Alley]

At the rate he could determine, Quentin estimated they couldn't get anywhere more favorable. This was going to be a miserable fight. Nocking a bolt into the hand crossbow, he knew the feeble weapon would do little to affect the outcome of the fight, but it was a good way to get a blow in before the melee ensued.

"I think we'd better prepare to fight right here. I can't remember anywhere that was better than this place that we can quickly get to.", he says, loosing the riding strap on the scabbard so he can draw his blade when needed.

Hearing Shyam mention their fiery breath, he wondered what manner of creature they would soon engage.

[rpgamer]

Using what input Shyam could provide for now, Angel searches his own
memories to determine the nature of these howlers and any strengths or
weaknesses. Riding off of Karchok's questions, the priest also asks,
"Shyam, is there anything else you can share with us about these
howlers before we have to engage them in combat?"

[Leslie Lock]

Snapping out of her trance left by the vision Shyam blinks and reaches
for her dagger. "They are hell hounds, but they are not alone.
Something is driving them....I don't know what it is exactly."

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus took the time while the others talked to position himself better.  Tempus had only worked in groups a few times before, so he was a bit unfamiliar.  He did know he wanted to be between whatever the things were and Shyam.  He hears her mention something about fire.  That had Tempus feel worried, and he opts to leave his shield on his back, safe from whatever flames there were. 

He walks through the group to stand between the howls and the rest of the group members, a few steps away from them.  He hefts his axe and watches for the 'hell hounds' to arrive.

[Don Alley]

Hearing Shyam's explanation, Quentin asks "Do we have anything to hit them before they split up and circle us?"   He hoped they could handle the things as a group rather than as individual animals.

"I think we should focus on their 'driver'", he phrased it as Shyam said it.

[Erek]

Hearing the unnatural howl, Keryth sets down his half-eaten meal.
Watching everyone in the group prepare for battle, Keryth decides
attempt a casting before the enemies are engaged. He had been
diligent in his studies of the arcane, practicing every night. One of
the magical rings the King had provided, allowed it's wearer to only
need rest for one quarter the normal time, which gave Keryth an
optimal time for his studies to continue. Over the past seven weeks
he had been able to successfully cast a few spells from the spellbook
that was now his. As battle appears to be imminent, Keryth decides to
conjure up a magical armor about his person. Taking a small piece of
cured leather from his belt pouch, the elven apprentice speaks an
arcane phrase and moves his fingers in a simplistic, but intricate
way. A bluish shimmering field envelopes Keryth as his spell is
completed.

Satisfied with his ability, Keryth checks his sword before removing
his bow and knocking an arrow. He moves quickly to stand near
Cal'Shir, looking towards the southeast, watching the storm move ever
closer.

[rpgamer]

Angel gives the group a quick lesson on hell hounds. With a nod to
Shyam, "They do sound like and with Shyam's description apparently are
hell-hounds. They are not of our world, but hell itself. They bite
with fire in their mouths and can also breathe out a cone of flame
about 10' every half minute or so. Although they stand about 4-5 feet
tall at the shoulder and weigh about 120 pounds, the dogs are agile,
fast and stealthy. They are also smarter than your average dog here."

"Efficient hunters, a favorite pack tactic is to surround prey
quietly, then attack with one or two hounds, driving prey toward the
rest of the pack with their fiery breath. If the prey doesn't run, the
pack closes in. Hell hounds track fleeing creatures relentlessly and
can skillfully trip its prey, thus we need to make a stand here while
fully rested and ready. Obviously, the tactics have changed for a
swift assault against us by the one driving them. As was suggested,
maybe we can take them in waves at range before engaging them in
melee."

"Hell hounds are particularly favored by fire giants, as the creatures
are immune to fire and share their cruelty. I sure hope the one
driving these hounds is not one. That would be one tough nut to
crack."

"Know that although they are immune to fire, they are especially
vulnerable to cold. Those with arcane weapons of cold should be very
effective againts them."

[Bob G.]

Cal'Shir listens to Angel's information on Hell Hounds while watching
for the pack to come into view. Remembering that Kethtril drew a flaming
bastard sword just before they left Calsham, the rogue asks "Does that
mean fire weapons do less damage than normal? Kethtril, do you want to
use the electric longsword instead for this battle?"

[rpgamer]

Replying to Cal'Shir, the priest nods in the affirmative. "Yes, the
blade damage is unchanged, but the fire properties will only tickle
the hounds. The shocking sword will provide electrical damage in
addition to the usual blade damage, but the longsword itself is not as
powerful as Kethtril bastard sword, blade to blade."

[Michael New]

Smithy responds: "Right.  I'm still best with my bastard sword, and it is magical, so I'll stick with it.  Thanks for the offer, though.  I will be trying to get to our mysterious 'driver' if at all possible -- if that creature is also from hell, the fire may not affect it but the steel should still.  If anyone can provide a magical boon that would enable me to get to that individual more easily, it might be an effective strategy.  Taking out the leader is never a bad idea."

[rpgamer]

"What little time we have before combat, we should be clear what
everyone is doing or trying to do. We should agree on the overall
strategy of engagement. For starters, I would recommend letting the
horses free with just saddle and barding, unless you plan to fight
while riding them. That allows them to find their own safety and keep
our supplies local. Karchok and Keryth can help round them up later."
Angel tries to solicit suggestions that can be agreed upon to minimize
surprizes among themselves.

"I have the ability to fly out to see what comes our way in more
details. Anyone else that can keep up is welcome to come along." He
glances briefly to the half-orc with a questioning expression. "With
the power of the great Hunter Wraith, I'm blessed in the healing arts.
I'm also blessed with the flip-side of healing and can blast the life
energy out of creatures with his gifts too. I will attack the hounds
first as best I can, as far out as I can, then fall back to reengage
again and again, eventually integrating back into our close melee
defenses."

"Meanwhile, those with ranged weapons and spells can ready to engage
the foe at maximum range too. If any still survive, we'll finish them
off with our heavies taking the lead in melee and an eye out for that
mysterious driver in the rear. What else should we account for in this
fight, weather?"

[Bob G.]

Cal'Shir nods "Solid enough plan, though you might want to consider
concentrating on the driver first, depending on what it is. As for those
of us on the ground, we need to keep enough distance between us so their
fiery breath doesn't get several of us at once."

[rpgamer]

Having focused more on his aerial actions, Angel nods at Cal'Shir for
his perspective on the ground fight. "Good point, I suggest at least
15' apart if you can safely manage." He then reminds them of their
current healing strategy. "In addition to what healing items you
carry, healing wands are with Karchok, Shyam and myself." Busy times,
especially self-defense of the group, always provided better
opportunities to build trust within a group. Idle time seems to cause
the group to distrust him more. He will have to find a way to
counteract that weakness noted in his emperical analysis, but another
time. How else will he be able to lead them down his path for success,
especially if they must sacrifice all? His mental cackling was
suddenly drowned out by the approaching storm.

[Loki Mischief]

"I will provide alacrity to your blows, permit you to move faster,
summon a creature to battle along side of me and remain as remote from
taking damage as I can. I need everyone to remain within 10 paces of
me until my first spell lands, in order to receive its benefits. It
only lasts a short while, so I will wait for the last second before
casting the spell." Synxol gazes off in the direction that everyone
else is, wondering how well he will fight among a group for the first
time in his life.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus listened carefully.  Watching the new man's actions, and after what the preacher said, Tempus stowed away his axe, and pulled out his bow, checking that it was strung correctly.  He pulled an arrow and knocked it, ready for whatever was approaching.

"I plan on keeping...everyone safe." Tempus said, catching himself mid sentence.  Perhaps he had looked at Shyam a bit too long when trying to form the words.

With that, Tempus turns back toward the approaching storm.  Maybe he should have just remained silent.

[Russ]

  "I will be summoning allies of our own to help as well," Karchok speaks up, looking at the approaching storm.  "The allies I call will not stay long, so I will time their arrival appropriately."
  Looking at Synxol, he nods to the fey touched human. 
   "Alright, we'll stick close until the storm gets a bit closer," the druid says calmly.  The half-orc's black eyes never leaving the unnatural, rapidly approaching storm.  The sound of the infernal hounds chilled his bones.  Glancing at Ghost and Scar he noticed he was not the only one.
  Kneeling down he quickly speaks the words of an ancient ritual.  A playful breeze tugs his cloak hood off his head.  Speaking to the two animals, he warns them of the "dogs that spit man-fire," and cautions them from recklessly charging in.  

[Don Alley]

Quentin moves close to receive whatever magical blessing was about to happen. He mentally marked off paces for the effective range of his hand crossbow. Next to the larger bows in the group he knew it would have little effect, and he purposefully left his poisons at home.

He made a mental note to keep track of the melee people to get some good flanking. He was more used to working from stealth than as a team, but figured this'd do in a pinch.

[Michael New]

Smithy makes sure he is within eight paces of Synxol.  He's felt the effects of the alacrity spell before and would be happy to receive them again.

_______________________________

[Michael Briggs]

Twelve fiery hounds burst through the foliage.  Just the touch of the hounds skin against the leaves causes meny of them to burst into flames.  Most fizzle out after a few seconds.  

The beasts take no time in assessing the situation, they are already intent on spilling blood.  Behind it, a creature with spines protruding from nearly every part of its body laughs like the sound of a knife on whetstone.  There is little doubt that the fiend intends to bring slaughter along with the dogs.

(Initiative coming in the morning)

[Bob G.]

Awww, look at the cute little puppies... :)

[Andrew Airmet]

Awww, so cute...I wants one! 

Ouch!  It bit me!

[rpgamer]

After any time for buff/protection spell casting (Synxol? et.al.)
Angel takes to the skies mounted on a large bat. He heads out toward
the obvious attackers to assess the situation and determine the nature
of the fiend driving the fiery hounds.

[Michael New]

Smithy will have his bow drawn and ready to fire....

[Andrew Airmet]

Bow already prepped to fire, Tempus fires off two arrows at the closest of the hounds.

[Russ]

  At the sight of the hounds, Karchok begins the chant to bring forth his allies.  The devastation the hounds were causing by their mere existence, did not go unnoticed by the young druid.  Focusing on his ritual, he keeps his rage at bay.  Karchok couldn't allow himself to charge unthinking into the ranks of the hounds, regardless of what form he chose.  The beasts would just tear him apart.  However, he would not allow this... pestilence to continue to draw breath.

[Loki Mischief]

After some finger wiggling and a some gibberish from Synxol the world
slows down around you (haste), causing everything to sharpen and feel
more 'real' than anything you have ever experienced before. Only
gods feel this type of power.

[Loki Mischief]

Synxol moves to Tempus in order to better explain himself, "With your
leave I will provide you a magical dweomer that will protect you from
the bite of the flames."

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus had been intent on watching the approaching storm, confused as to why it suddenly seemed to be moving slower.  Synxol's speaking startled Tempus a bit, and he turned and looked at the man with a bit of confusion.  It sounded useful, but what was a dwo-mer?  Finally, Tempus simply nods to the man, watching him intently.

[Leslie Lock]

Shyam is ready for the approach of the hell hounds and driver, waiting
till they are in range. She sends an eldrich blast out to strike the
first creature.

[Loki Mischief]

Intricate hand movements frame the formless words to hold them from
spilling away into the ether (resist energy: fire 20). Holding a
glowing ball of red energy in his hand, which spins and pulses with
shocks of ice, Synxol touches it to Tempus' arm. There is a momentary
coldness, but it quickly passes.

The sorcerer smiles and whispers, "You are not immune to flame, but
you are highly resistant to all but the most intense of fires. Ensure
that you are the main brunt of their fire and trust in the
protection." With that he backs away and moves to the back lines of
the group (move action).

[Michael Briggs]

Bob,

22 unspent skill points.  Turn off all crossclass checks to fix your sheet. What are your rogue talents?

[Don Alley]

I think he wanted those skill points unspent. It gives him that high school burn-out effect.   =)

[Michael New]

"That kid had so much potential!  And look at him now."

I think I used to have lots of potential.  Not sure where it all went.

--
----------------------_/ /\/\ /\/ -----------------------

[Bob G.]

Thanks,

I'm headed for the airport in a few minutes and will be unavailable
until Tuesday...

Don't I still have a feat or two unclaimed?

[Bob G.]

On 4/7/2011 10:53 PM, Michael Briggs wrote:

Done, done, and check sheet. ;)

I did not know how to add a picture. I wanted to put this one in...

[Michael Briggs]

This works!  Thank you.  I'll be posting PDFs of the Characters at the turn of the levels through Google Docs.

[Michael Briggs]

I'll put the post out in the morning. Forgive the delay, please.  Lots going on in my world.

[Don Alley]

Mike, do you use our Mythweaver sheets or the Hero Labs stuff when doing combat and skills?  The HL doesnt seem to be taking magic items into consideration for skills.

D

[Michael New]

My HL sheet has a number of errors on it.  The skills are missing class skill bonuses, my full DEX is not included in my AC, speed is questionable, Armor Check Penalty is wrong.  For an automatic sheet it did a good job, but there are gaps :-)

[Michael Briggs]

A few of the sheets are incomplete.  Please let me know if you see problems.  Anyone browse Tempus, yet?

[Don Alley]

I saw...   I'm glad I got my portrait in...

[Michael Briggs]

HeroLabs is being developed closely inline with Piazo Publishing. I have looked at a few things, and they are more subjective to modifications from 3.5 than breaks in the software.  Saying that, I'm still becoming familiar with Hero Labs, so there is some user-error going on.  

[Michael New]

Okay, problems on Kethtril's Hero Labs sheet:

In the background, Kethtril is spelled Kethril once.  That's my fault because it was in my text :-p

My dex bonus is +5, and my armor allows it because it is Mithral (increases max dex by +2) and I have armor training 2 (+2 more).

My speed is 30, in or out of armor (armor training 2)

The Armor check penalty of my armor goes from -6 to -1: 3 from it being Mithral and 2 from my armor training.

The ACh penalty of my shield goes from -2 to 0  because it's Mithral.  Also, it's not listed as Mithral.

Skill bonuses are all over the place.  It seems it's using a -2 ACh penalty, but sometimes it looks like -1.  And it's not including the +3 class skill bonus.

Not all skills are listed.  I see now that it is only trained-only skills with no ranks in them that are missing, so that's fine.

Money is wrong: Kethril has: CP: 5, SP: 3, GP: 37, PP: 10 

In Mythweavers, I wasn't including my ACh penalty in my skills before because I thought they should be added later.  I've modified that now and the M-W one is correct AFAIK.

[Russ]

  Finishing his chant, Karchok looks up at the mass of charging hellhounds.  The sickening realization that the devils and demons had spelt out of Narshal hit him like a club welded by a frost giant.  He was a fool to think the foul creatures would be content to stay within the confines of a city.

  Another chant springs to the half-orcs lips. The young druid would be damned before he allowed these to continue exist.  

  The ground begins to bubble and boil ten paces in front of the chanting druid, long lost words of power bringing aid at the druid's call.

    (1st rd: Summon Nature's Ally 4; 2nd rd: Summon Nature's Ally 4)

[Michael Briggs]

The howling of the approaching demonic canines drives home the need for expediency.   Karchok summons two allies to assist in the combat, while Tempus and Synxol work on making a tank of the young farm boy. 

As the first of the creatures bursts from the foliage, everyone is astonished at the fiery beast’s size.  The creature stands almost 8 feet tall on all four legs.  Move of the group know this is the alpha male.  The creature emits an aura of heat that consumes anything readily combustible in the area.  This is an undoubted fire raging behind the surprising dog.

A combination of two arrows, a bolt, and Shyam’s eldritch blast hit the creature nearly simultaneously.  It is hard to say what hurt it, but Shyam’s strike was definitely the most notable.  Karchok and Synxol both notice her eyes appear to be on fire with a mix light and shadow.  A dark presence can be felt approaching. 

Angel performs aerial surveillance of the area, and sees a creature running up behind the dogs.  It appears to use all four appendages to run, but looks to be something that would stand on its hind legs normally. There is a chaos of spikes that somehow don’t bother it while it runs lining the beast’s body.  It looks like it won’t be on the group for a little bit.

[Erek]

Hardly noting what he was firing at before he lets loose his first two
arrows, Keryth is surprised at how large the demonic canine is.
Trusting in the magical weapon King Calsham had given him, Keryth
fires another arrow at the beast. Sparing a quick look to the others
on the battlefield, Keryth locates Diedra and her 'pet', before firing
a second arrow at the monstrous hound. Half debating to fire the rest
of his arrows at the worg instead, Keryth resolves to just wait and
see if an opportunity presents itself to destroy the wretched talking
beast.

[Bob G.]

The fiery hound was larger than Cal'Shir had been led to believe, but
the instinct to run wasn't an option. He was going to do his best to
help bring these creatures down. He hoped this was the largest, a
distinct possibility considering it was well ahead of the others. Having
drilled this one with arrows, he spared a moment to wonder where the
rest were as he dropped his bow and went for the darts figuring now that
it was close enough shot for shot they'd deliver more damage overall.
The size of the creature would work in his favor as it would be easier
to shoot over the heads of his companions.

Wolves liked to surround their prey, perhaps these canine-like creatures
were no different. He'd have to keep a sharp eye out for any trying to
flank them. The thought of being surrounded by fire-breathing creatures
sent a shiver up his spine. He moved to keep front-line fighters between
him and hound.

[Michael New]

Smithy sees the giant canine and curses under his breath.  He wants to get close to it, so after a few shots with his bow he plans to move up to it.

But now, he fires two arrow at the beast's head.

[Leslie Lock]

Knowing the others are not far behind, Shyam focuses on the huge beast
and allows the power to fire from her once more into it. If they
could take down the alpha...would the others flee she wonders. Yet,
that was not the creature which was driving the hounds, no he was to
be there sooon. He would be the one they need to destory.

[Don Alley]

Quentin takes measure of the beast. Just being in proximity to it he could feel its infernal heat emanating into the air. Knowing his abilities were best suited to stealth attacking or flanking, he also felt getting into melee range with this thing might be unwise.

Still, he might be able to take a few seconds of heat for the sake of destroying this thing...

He decided to wait until the beast engaged someone, then flank it and open it up with his rapier.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus was shocked by the size of the creature.  The thing was much bigger than he was expecting.  And the thing was lighting everything around it on fire.  Shoving his fear aside, Tempus watches the creature carefully, drawing his new axe and wielding it defiantly against the creature, waiting for it to come closer before striking.

[rpgamer]

Flying overhead, Angel surveys the attacking foes. He tries to
determine the nature of the creature driving the hounds. Then looking
down at the hounds, he attempts to find the place to swoop over the
largest concentration of them in a 30' radius circle.

If he can encompass at least seven of the beasts, the priest will dive
with the giant bat and channel his negative energy at them. Otherwise
he will fly to within shouting distance of the spikey creature in
charge.

[Tech]

Knowledge(planes) check +10 on spikey creature

Channel negative energy on at least 7 hounds hopefully more, dmg 4d6,
Will save vs DC 15
(3 of 4 attempts / day more)

[Loki Mischief]

Synxol flicks the tip of his tricorn back to get a better view of the
onrushing pack. His mind quickly sorts through his options seeking
out the best way to provide assistance to the party.

With fingers interlaced the soft chant begins and grows more insistent
with each passing heart pulse. The very fabric of reality ripples and
ungulates in time to the sorcerer's call. A tear permits the entry of
the a charging rhinoceros, which bears down on the giant hellhound
(summon monster IV, augment summoning +4 to STR and CON).

[Don Alley]

Watching Tempus get ready to do battle by hefting his axe, Quentin was hopeful he'd be able to flank the thing. Still, the plants being set afire by the thing's passing worried him.

"If anyone has some fire resistance available, now would be good!", he calls out.


[Free action] Requesting Fire Resist in some form.

[Russ]

  A muddy geyser shot up from the bubbling ground in front of Karchok.  The geyser suddenly bent over at the top, slamming into the ground.  Pouring itself into a vaguely humanoid shape.  Mud and dirt poured out of the water elemental as it shook the debris free from its form.  Composed of clear, fresh water, the large watery "eyes" through it's body to look at the druid.
  Behind the elemental, the ground churned once again.  An ant of nightmarish size pulled itself out of the watery hole the elemental had left behind, mud dripping off of it's red chitinous hide.  An odd high pitched chittering noise came from the ant that was the size of a horse, as two antennae poked out of the muddy hole.  A second ant joined it's brethren.  The two giant insects heads swung around, antennae swaying about as they took in their daylight surroundings.
  At the sudden appearance of the surprisingly large hell hound, the water elemental charged forward at the druid's mental request.  The two ant's slowly began to take notice of what was happening in front of them. 
  Knowing the rest of the pack was not far behind, Karchok begins another chant.  As the half-orc began casting, he was mindful of his defences.  The gathered clouds begin to darken as the druid chants.



     (Water elemental charges the hell hound)
     (Casting Call Lightning defensively)

[Michael Briggs]

Synxol flicks the tip of his tricorn back to get a better view of the onrushing pack.  His mind quickly sorts through his options seeking out the best way 

to provide assistance to the party.

With fingers interlaced the soft chant begins and grows more insistent with each passing heart pulse.  The air in front of Synxol begins to tear in the middle of the air.

Quentin takes measure of the beast. Just being in proximity to it he could feel its infernal heat emanating into the air. Knowing his abilities were best suited to stealth attacking or flanking, he also felt getting into melee range with this thing might be unwise.

Still, he might be able to take a few seconds of heat for the sake of destroying this thing...

He decided to wait until the beast engaged someone, then flank it and open it up with his rapier.

Tempus was shocked by the size of the creature.  The thing was much bigger than he was expecting.  And the thing was lighting everything around it on fire.  Shoving his fear aside, Tempus watches the creature carefully, drawing his new axe and wielding it defiantly against the creature, waiting for it to come closer before striking.

One of the hell hounds rushes forward towards Tempus.  It chooses to get close before unleashing its fiery fury, but falls short as Tempus strikes the beast twice; once across its breast followed by a downward strike on the beast’s head.  It falls limp to the ground.

Ghost growls out at the other hounds, but holds close to Karchok.  The fur on his back is pointed; making Ghost look larger.

Two more hell hounds fly out at Tempus, pushing the barbarian to the ground. A mess of dirt and debris fly out at the farm boy slams into the road,  another hound runs up and lets loose in the manner its companion failed in earlier.  Tempus suddenly erupts in flame, several of his clothing pieces are on fire along with his hair.  Blond flowing hair has suddenly turned bright orange. 

Synxol barely gets out of the way of the blast, but still suffers some burns. 

The big hell hound bounds towards Shyam.  It seems to understand who hurt it the most with the initial attack.  Shyam is immediately knocked to the ground under the push of the giant hell hound.  Her clothing begins to immolate as she falls, but the creatureabove her is a bigger problem, especially since her arm is being violently ripped at by the creatures powerful jaws.  She feels what can only be a dislocation in her shoulders, but no pain can be felt.

Deep down inside her she feels a presence.  Something that wants to unleash itself calls to her without words, only emotion.  Just beyond her reach is sweet power.  Enough to destroy these beasts.  Enough to kill a lich.

Karchok is the target of the next fiery breath as one hound tear out of a bush, leaving the foliage on fire.  He isn’t prepared for the assault, taking full on the brunt of damage. 

A muddy geyser shoots up from the bubbling ground in front of Karchok.  The geyser suddenly bends over at the top, slamming into the ground; pouring itself into a vaguely humanoid shape.  Mud and dirt poured out of the water elemental as it shook the debris free from its form.  Composed of clear, fresh water, the large watery "eyes" through its body to look at the druid. 

 

Behind the elemental, the ground churned once again.  An ant of nightmarish size pulled itself out of the watery hole the elemental had left behind, mud dripping off of it's red chitinous hide.  An odd high pitched chittering noise came from the ant that was the size of a horse, as two antennae poked out of the muddy hole.  A second ant joined it's brethren.  The two giant insects heads swung around, antennae swaying about as they took in their daylight surroundings.

At the sudden appearance of the surprisingly large hell hound, the water elemental charged forward at the druid's mental request.  The two ant's slowly began to take notice of what was happening in front of them.

Knowing the rest of the pack was not far behind, Karchok begins another chant.  As the half-orc began casting, he was mindful of his defenses.  The gathered clouds begin to darken as the druid chants.

The water element strike out at the beast with both fists, but only one seems to connect.  More so than the water elemental, the hell hound yelps in pain.  The giant ant adds to the attack by scooping up the hell hound and tossing it back in fourth in the air.

Another of the beasts comes out of the bushes, also leaving a flaming trail.  It menacing looks towards  Quentin, charging fully at the rogue.  Quentin is too quick for its attack and the beast passes by harmlessly. The rogue curses no having already drawn his blades, as he is sure that he could have left a mark on the hell hound.

Knowing the others are not far behind, Shyam focuses on the huge beast and allows the power to fire from her once more into it.  If they could take down the alpha...would the others flee she wonders. Yet, that was not the creature which was driving the hounds, no he was to be there sooon.  He would be the one they need to destroy. Her blast tears into the enlarged beast; causing it to let go of her arm.  It appears to be nearly the end of its fight.

Smithy sees the giant canine and curses under his breath.  He wants to get close to it, so after a few shots with his bow he plans to move up to it.

 

But now, he fires two arrow at the beast's head; finally ending the giant, flaming dog’s attacks.  Shyam is too slow to escape the falling body of the dog.  Even without the pain she is aware that she will need to escape her position soon

 

Angel can see that he is needed back at the battle. Shyam is obviously in trouble.  Her hands burn red and orange with fire and the light coming from her eyes is becoming intense.

 

The demon is moving in on them, but the dogs may be done with the group before it makes it in about a few seconds.

 

The fiery hound was larger than Cal'Shir had been led to believe, but the instinct to run wasn't an option. He was going to do his best to help bring these creatures down. He hoped this was the largest, a distinct possibility considering it was well ahead of the others. Having drilled this one with arrows, he spared a moment to wonder where the rest were as he dropped his bow and went for the darts figuring now that it was close enough shot for shot they'd deliver more damage overall.  The size of the creature would work in his favor as it would be easier to shoot over the heads of his companions.

Wolves liked to surround their prey, perhaps these canine-like creatures were no different. He'd have to keep a sharp eye out for any trying to flank them. The thought of being surrounded by fire-breathing creatures sent a shiver up his spine. He moved to keep front-line fighters between him and hound.

 

Scar sits back and lazily enjoys the heat of the hound’s breath.

[Michael Briggs]

He strikes the creature approaching Quentin.  Injurying it,but not killing it.

[Michael New]

Smithy sees Tempus falling under two beasts, and taking flames from them.  He jumps off his horse and draws his sword, not flaming now, and goes to attack one of them.

[Erek]

Watching the huge hell hound fall on top of Shyam, Keryth realizes she
will need immediate aid to get the thing off her or she'll be
crushed. Dropping his bow, he charges at the beast hoping to gain
enough momentum to roll the dead thing off her.

[Loki Mischief]

Frowning at the scorch mark marring the fine fabric that drapes him,
he calmly pats out a lingering lick of flame seeking to continue to
feed. Synxol impassively watches his pet build up momentum as it
charges the closest hellhound. Lines of frothed saliva falling out of
its open maw the rhinoceros' glazed expression reflects reveals none
of the pent up rage that is its norm.

Quentin's words draw his attention away from the inevitably impressive
impact just a heartbeat away, "I apologize Quentin, but I have not the
facility to provide even the front line combatants with a dweomer to
shield them from the flames." He flashes a charming smile as he
reveals the deep burn on his shoulder, as if to show that he also does
not rate the protection of his own magic.

With a focus on throwing more bodies into the battle his fingers
interlace as he sifts through all of the potential monsters that he
could call forth (summon monster IV, cast defensively).

The sorcerer cocks his head as he considers that the talking worg and
the leather clad temptress do not appear to be doing anything at all.

[Don Alley]

Quentin takes stock of the situation quickly, seeing the hell-hound that had just breathed all over Tempus and engulfed him. Quentin decided to deny it the opportunity to do so again. In a moment, he ran at the beast while drawing his rapier. At the last moment, he jumped over the top of the thing as he saw it setting up to receive his attack. After going over it, he delivered two thrusts with his rapier into the thing's back, hoping the maneuver would catch the thing off guard enough to expose some vital organs.

Hearing Synoxyl talking with him in a calm voice that defies the urgency of the situation, he responds "I am a 'front line' combatant!", he says with a smirk that quickly turned to a sympathetic wince as he sees the burned shoulder. "You got to move, man!"


[Tech]

Move action: Quentin runs towards the hellhound that just got Tempus. He jumps over it (Acrobatics +20) to avoid Attacks of Opportunity (and to show off a bit) landing behind it. He draws his rapier as a free action during the move action.

Standard action: Attacking twice with the rapier of speed. Unless Tempus is unconscious or unarmed, he still threatens squares, so I should have the hell hound in flank.

Attack 1:  (To hit +13, Damage 1d6+2  + 4d6 sneak attack, Crit 18-20 x2)
Attack 2:  (To hit +13, Damage 1d6+2  + 4d6 sneak attack, Crit 18-20 x2)

Free action: Assess roughly how many hell hounds are left?

Free action:  To Synoxyl  "I am a 'front line' combatant!", he says with a smirk that quickly turned to a sympathetic wince as he sees the burned shoulder. "You got to move, man!"

[Loki Mischief]

Synxol throws a conspiratorial wink Quentin's way, "Advice we can both
heed my friend. Run faster than the flames and you shall not need the
protection my magic provides. Forgive my poor phrasing, if that
caused confusion, for I cannot provide protective dweomers even to
those that need it the most, the front line combatants." The sorcerer
is entirely too relaxed, considering how dire the situation around him
is, foolishly so.

The chanting reaches its crescendo and another tear opens before the
Synxol revealing another rhino, which he sends to work beside the
first as he releases his ungulates of war. "Todd follow Todd and stamp
out that fire before it gets to the children!"

[Bob G.]

Ready to attack the large beast, Cal'Shir is pleased to see it go down
before he could throw his darts, but before he has a chance to smile he
is alarmed when Shyam is unable to avoid the falling monstrosity. Tempus
has problems too, but he's going to have to wait, or get backup from
another, he is unable to help both. He charges toward Shyam and hunkers
down, plowing into the carcass above her like a linebacker, hoping he
can provide enough mass to roll the thing off her enough to get her out.

[Erek]

Seeing that Cal'Shir has the same idea in mind and is a few steps
ahead of him, Keryth says, "Wait Cal'Shir! Together we will have a
better opportunity to move that thing off Shyam."

[Bob G.]

If Cal'Shir heard Keryth he doesn't immediately show it as he continues
his charge to shoulder the carcass off Shyam.

[Russ]

  With a sudden thunderclap that shook the surrounding, Karchok finished his chant.  The clouds, which had been fluffy and innocent, had rapidly changed, turning dark and ominous; veins of lightning pulsing through the blackening clouds.
  Realizing that he is one fire, Karchok beats the flames that had sprung up from his exposed tunic.  He tried to ignore the burning pain, seeing that Shyam was suddenly buried under a dead hellhound.  Seeing Keryth and Cal'Shir run to help, the druid turned his attention back to the blighted hellhounds. 
  Pointing his hand at the next closest hellhound, the young druid gathers up the summoned energies from the gathered storm.
  "Die!!!" the half-orc roars, his voice emphasized by a crack of thunder.  He felt the the gathered lightning coil, readying itself to strike.
  With a mental command, his summoned allies spread themselves out.  The second giant ant pulls itself out of the muck and faces the foliage, ready for the next hellhound.  Steam rising from the water elemental, the water creature slammed it's fists into the next closet  hound, desiring to extinguish the fire the hellhound was causing.  The first ant continues shaking the hound it has between it's dripping mandibles like a ragdoll.
  "Scar, Ghost, guard Shyam!" the druid barks sharply in orcish.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus smiled as the first of the strange dogs fell rather quickly, but was caught off guard as two more of them rushed him, knocking him to the ground.  Immediately, Tempus felt himself fly into a rage at the creatures.  He let loose a cry of rage at the two creatures towering over him and swung wildly at them, trying to get them to back off so he could stand up.

[Bob G.]

I hope those animals don't get the idea they need to guard Shyam from
Cal'Shir...

[rpgamer]

Seeing the group getting swarmed by the attacking dogs and unable to
find the hounds bunched up any place to leech the life out of them,
Angel is alarmed at the easy success they had striking Shyam. Swooping
down from the gathering storm, the priest directs the large bat to
grab the alpha dog to fly up with it or drag it off the girl. As some
of the others approach, seemingly to help in that same endeavor, the
cleric with bat will aid in snatching the hound off of Shyam. While
close, Angel assesses Shyam's health, including if her hand is on fire
by her magic or hound damage.

[Leslie Lock]

Shyam feels the full force of the 1200lbs falling upon her as she is
covered with the weight of the beast, her lungs practically crushed by
it, she is unable to take in any breath to fill them. Panic sets in
instantly when she relizes she cannot breath and her only thought is
of escape, to anywhere but where she lay, anywhere but on the ground
being crushed....

[Michael New]

Smithy sees Cal'Shir and Keryth struggling to move the hell hound on top of Shyam, and realizes the strongest one is having his own problems with dogs.  Then he notices the ants, remembering seeing ants lifting things many times their own size.

He calls out, "Karchok, can the ant push the dog?"  

[Michael Briggs]

Keryth and Synxol both notice that Deidra’s eyes flicker at the sight of Shyam’s demise.  Not that she is trapped, but that Shyam’s power is on the cusp of being released.  The worg passes conversation to Diedra that can’t be heard over the battlefield by human ears; however, Keryth hears them bantering.

“Father said that this would happen! I can’t believe we are going to be right here,” Deidra says to the worg flashing him an evil looking smile.

“Too blasted close, if you ask me,” the worg smugly replies to his companion’s excitement.

Frowning at the scorch mark marring the fine fabric that drapes him, he calmly pats out a lingering lick of flame seeking to continue tofeed. Synxol impassively watches his pet build up momentum as it charges the closest hellhound.  A line of frothed saliva falling out of its open maw the rhinoceros' glazed expression reflects reveals none of the pent up rage that is its norm.

Quentin's words draw his attention away from the inevitably impressive impact just a heartbeat away, "I apologize Quentin, but I have not the facility to provide even the front line combatants with a dweomer to shield them from the flames."  He flashes a charming smile as he reveals the deep burn on his shoulder, as if to show that he also does not rate the protection of his own magic. 

With a focus on throwing more bodies into the battle his fingers interlace as he sifts through all of the potential creatures that he could call forth.

The sorcerer cocks his head as he considers that the talking worg and the leather clad temptress do not appear to be doing anything at all.

The rhino was summoning comes roaring through the rip in time and space.  Where is originates from is anyone’s guess.  No one, except Synxol, had ever seen one.  Keryth and Karchok had heard legends about the beast.  The hell hound in its way is violently gored and trampled underfoot.  There is no doubt that the fiery beast is no more as it begins to dissipate along with the other killed creatures.

A second rhino, monickered Todd by its summoner who named both creatures the same, also charges fourth, the beast tears into one of the creatures that knocked Tempus to the ground.  Its muscles ripple like waves on the ocean coast, spelling out its terrible power.  Beginning with the horn, almost a foot in lengthSimilar to the other rhino, the charge is ferocious and destructive.  The hell hound begins to fade from existence after crying out in pain.

Quentin takes stock of the situation quickly, seeing the hell-hound that had just breathed all over Tempus and engulfed him. Quentin decided to deny it the opportunity to do so again. In a moment, he ran at the beast while drawing his rapier. At the last moment, he jumped over the top of the thing as he saw it setting up to receive his attack. After going over it, he delivered two thrusts with his rapier into the thing's back, hoping the maneuver would catch the thing off guard enough to expose some vital organs.

Hearing Synxol talking with him in a calm voice that defies the urgency of the situation, he responds "I am a 'front line' combatant!", he says with a smirk that quickly turned to a sympathetic wince as he sees the burned shoulder. "You got to move, man!"

Three times in quick succession, Quentin pierces the hide of the hell hound each shot plays at a different vital organ.  With the loss of its kidneys and the piercing of a lung, the creature gives out and fades away.

Tempus smiled as the first of the strange dogs fell rather quickly, but was caught off guard as two more of them rushed him, knocking him to the ground.  Immediately, Tempus felt himself fly into a rage at the creatures.  He let loose a cry of rage at the two creatures towering over him and swung wildly at them, trying to get them to back off so he could stand up.

He wrestles with his first swing at the closest dog, but only hits twice.  The second time, he removes the hound’s hind leg.

The hound attemptsto run without its leg, knowing that its demise was coming soon,but Quentin suffers it one more blow with his rapier as it tries to retreat..

Ghost barks and finally lets loose, running t the retreating hounds.  The wolf seems to shrug off the fire from the hell hound without a leg, as he pounces upon the creature with his jaws around its neck.  The fiery dog fades from existence.

There is no fight remaining in the mandibles of the first giant ant as the hellhound dissipates. The second ant follows a damaging lightning strike sent fourth by Karchok to another close hound.  It almost escapes death, until the water elemental comes slinding across the ground. After its fist impacts the demonic dog, the hell hound’s flames and body fade away.

Shyam feels the full force of the 1200lbs falling upon her as she is covered with the weight of the beast, her lungs practically crushed by it, she is unable to take in any breath to fill them.  Panic sets in instantly when she relizes she cannot breath and her only thought is of escape, to anywhere but where she lay, anywhere but on the ground being crushed....

 

Shyam appears in the foliage far away.  She can hear the sounds of battle, but her body is being incased in flames, so she has to act fast.  The sound of trampling footsteps and braking branches draws near.

 

One of the hounds attacks and injures tempus on the ground.  They seem to prefer the helpless.  Its jaws chew viciously into the farm’boys side. 

 

Smithy sees Tempus falling under two beasts, and taking flames from them.  He jumps off his horse and draws his sword, not flaming now, and goes to attack one of them.

 

The stamping of footsteps and breaking branches suddenly ceases, and sniff can be heard.  The mysterious spikey demon suddenly appears over Shyam.  Sniffing at her hair.  A vibrating growl emanates from the beast as its spines shake. 

 

“The Chosen One,” it says to Shyam with a surprise.  Shyam is confused by the words, as they appear to be something she doesn’t speak, but understands.

 

Another of the hounds attacks Tempus, tearing into his arm. 

 

His body almost forces the weight of Shyam, but the was a sudden drop in the body, making Kethtril think that Shyam’s body gave way.

 

Seeing the group getting swarmed by the attacking dogs and unable to find the hounds bunched up any place to leech the life out of them, Angel is alarmed at the easy success they had striking Shyam. Swooping down from the gathering storm, the priest directs the large bat to grab the alpha dog to fly up with it or drag it off the girl. As some of the others approach, seemingly to help in that same endeavor, the cleric with bat will aid in snatching the hound off of Shyam.

 

While close, Angel assesses Shyam's health, including if her hand is on fire by her magic or hound damage.

 

His bat is able to give enough boost to the hounds body.  The 1200 pound carcass falls over to the side.  Kethril catches it drawing a breath.

 

Unfortunately, she appears to have taken substantial damage from the flames and weight of the dog.  Cuts and the beginnings of bruises line her, and she appears to be on fire. Her eyes are closed and she isn’t moving.

 

Another hound tears into Tempus’s chest, he appears tobe in the middle of a full on mauling. 

 

Ready to attack the large beast, Cal'Shir is pleased to see it go down before he could throw his darts, but before he has a chance to smile he is alarmed when Shyam is unable to avoid the falling monstrosity. Tempus has problems too, but he's going to have to wait, or get backup from another, he is unable to help both. He charges toward Shyam and hunkers down, plowing into the carcass above her like a linebacker, hoping he can provide enough mass to roll the thing off her enough to get her out.

 

He doesn’t realize the progress already made, and slams into the already turning body.  A yelp emits from the oversized hound, and it continues to roll to its other side.  Kethtril, Angel’s bat, and Cal’Shir all take damage from the flames on the creature’s skin.

 

Scar sits back and lazily enjoys the heat of the hound’s breath.

 

Watching the huge hell hound fall on top of Shyam, Keryth realizes sh ewill need immediate aid to get the thing off her or she'll be crushed.  Dropping his bow, he charges at the beast hoping to gain enough momentum to roll the dead thing off her.

 

Seeing that Cal'Shir has the same idea in mind and is a few steps ahead of him, Keryth says, "Wait Cal'Shir!  Together we will have a better opportunity to move that thing off Shyam."

 

Unfortunately his words are too late and frivolous.  The girl has been freed, but doesn’t appear to be moving.  Keryth’s is aware immediately by a faint ripple in her image that the girl on the ground is an illusion, though

 

 

[Don Alley]

Quentin stifles a smirk as one of the hounds falls limp. Seeing Tempus doing a good job imitating an Infernal Chew Toy, Quentin repositions himself slightly to bring another of the hounds into flank. Furiously stabbing with his rapier, he makes the fell beasts pay for their aggression dearly.

In the background he saw a concerted effort to move the dead alpha dog off Shyam, who looked oddly still. He hoped she could be revived, but the enemy was the more pressing concern.

[Erek]

Wincing slightly from the still flaming beast, Keryth notices the
image of Shyam on the ground is an illusion. Drawing his sword and
quickly looking around, searching for Shyam, Keryth shouts out,
"Shyam, where are you?". Thinking quickly he looks up to Angel on his
giant bat, "Angel, find Shyam quickly, the demon is approaching," to
accent his point he puts his foot through the image on the ground.

A cursory scan reveals that the fight with the hounds is well in hand,
so Keryth locates the direction from which the demon dogs came and
heads towards the treeline. Mentally reaching out to his sword, he
searches for help in locating the demon. The weapon pulses with a
bright light as it longs to extinguish the evil it senses.

[Michael New]

Smithy realizes something.  He calls out, "Hey, the big dog is not disappearing like its ken.  Is it still alive??"

[Andrew Airmet]

Infuriated at the hell hounds continued assaults, Tempus pulls himself up to his feet, and swings mightily at all of the burning dogs around him, crying out in rage.

[Leslie Lock]

Shyam takes in a large gasp of air begins to swat at the flames trying
to put them out. She was freed of the alpha dog, but finds herself
now alone and facing a new beast. She recoils from the deomn, still
trying to put the flames out, yet barely able to stand due to the
extreme wounds she suffers from "Leave me alone," she cries out
weakly barely able to speak after her life had nearly been crushed out
of her.

[Michael New]

Smithy feels the heat from the hounds of hell and tries to put and end to the ones in front of him.

He slashes out with his bastard sword, looking for soft spots beneath the rib cage or under the jaw.

[James Kolasinski]

Before Tempus and others aid in his mauling ...

 

Looking confused then angry at the false image of Shyam as Keryth announced his discovery of the girl missing, punctuated by the elf's foot stomping through the illusion, Angel cursed, nodded, then launched back into the air. "She's got to be near here," he reasoned, more to himself than anyone else listening.

 

Catching a glimpse of Diedra and her worg chatting idly in the rear adds to his annoyance.

 

At least he would make a direct attempt to help the others as he sought Shyam. The cleric urges his bat to fly over to Tempus, currently being mauled on the ground. When within range of the dogs, just shy of 30' overhead, but not the barbarian, Angel calls upon his great god to blast these beast back to whence they were summoned. His black/maroon bat brightens to a rippling scarlet red and a shimmer of darkness radiates from the priest outward as he channels negative energy to strike the hounds.

[rpgamer]

As the dark ripples strike the hounds, Angel focuses on Tempus,
willing the negative energies to avoid the injured fighter. He smiles
as his keen training in the dark arts are competently demonstrated.

[Bob G.]

As the realization that the beast may not be dead yet, Cal'Shir takes a
five-foot step back and lets loose with the darts still in his hands in
an effort to finish it off.

[Loki Mischief]

Synxol tries to block out all that is going on around him as he seeks
to summon yet another Todd to the battle, but he fails and the spell
is lost. Frowning at his own incompetence, he moves further back from
the melee combatants and seeks to redouble his efforts.

Mentally he picks targets out for his two Todds that will provide him
with sufficient elbow room to continue to work.

[Russ]

  Keeping on the defensive, Karchok looks at one of the three hellhounds tearing into Tempus and points a rigid finger in the closest one's direction. 
  "Begone foul beast!" he cries out, a roll of thunder following the druid's words, as he guilds the gathered magics to the hound.  The half-orc hoped to get the hounds off of Tempus as soon as possible.  The young man was still being used as a chew toy by the summoned hounds. 
  Mentally guiding his own summoned creatures to continue their assault, Karchoks looks at Shyam laying still on the ground.  For a second panic claws at the druid.  Seeing a lack of any blood flow, and witnessing that the flames were not actually burning her hair, he calmed.  She had used this ability of her before when they had first arrived to aid Maidenshire.  The only question the druid has was to as where Shyam had disappeared too.  Now was not the time for her to be wandering around by herself.

[Michael Briggs]

Cal'Shir's darts send the beast to its death.  Still, unlike the others, this oversized dog doesn't dissipate.  Instead, a dire wolf lays dead where it had been a hell hound a moment ago.

[Michael Briggs]

Both the worg and Diedra are surprised like the group when the witch disappears.  Shyam’s gifts manifest without the same token aspects that casting spells require.

 

“She’s gone,” the oversized orcish canine says to his companion.

 

“That she is,” Diedra’s stunned reply makes its way to her lips.

Synxol tries to block out all that is going on around him as he seeks to summon yet another Todd to the battle, but he fails and the spell is lost.  Frowning at his own incompetence, he moves further back from the melee combatants and seeks to redouble his efforts.

Mentally he picks targets out for his two Todds that will provide him with sufficient elbow room to continue to work.

The hell hounds don’t stand a chance.  The Todds break every demonic bone in their bodies.

 

Shyam takes in a large gasp of air begins to swat at the flames trying to put them out.  She was freed of the alpha dog, but finds herself now alone and facing a new beast.  She recoils from the deomn, still trying to put the flames out, yet barely able to stand due to the extreme wounds she suffers from  "Leave me alone," she cries out weakly barely able to speak after her life had nearly been crushed out of her.

“The time is coming,” is all the beast says as it dissipates like the hell hounds had before it.

There is no doubt that Shyam will be suffering a major bruise if she hadn’t healed.

 

Angel is unable to find Shyam using his bat. Keryth moving into the woods is the first to get to the girl.  He finds her weeping near a tree, legs tucked into her chest and a wand in her hand.  The tears aren’t made of water, though.  When she looks up at the elf, her face has streams of blood that has dripped down the entirety of her garb.

[Loki Mischief]

Sod clumps are cruelly torn from their homes and absently tossed aside
by the passing of the giant horned Todds. So forceful are their foot
beats that their passage is felt in the chest in stabbing crescendo of
violence.

With no creatures arraying themselves against the party, Synxol leans
against one of the rhinos while the other one pacing about huffing
fetid gasps as it seeks something to smash.

Good-natured chuckles erupt from the sorcerer as he magically repairs
the damage the fire wrought (mending) and cleans himself of all
remnants that he was in a battle (prestidigitation).

Reaching impossibly deep into the satchel that rests on both shoulder
and hip he draws out a bottle of fine elvish wine. Brushing the dust
aside with his thumb, he frowns and then goes fishing for another
bottle. The procedure is repeated often enough to make one wonder if
the sorcerer carries a winery in his magical bag. Finally finding the
proper vintage for post-battle libations he offers everyone a pull.

[Don Alley]

Quentin eyes Synoxyl and the post battle revelry.

"Perhaps we should see about finding Shyam, as I'm sure she'd like to participate?"

Over the course of their travels he realized Synoxyl was almost naive about social interaction, but was getting better. The adrenaline dump after the fight probably had him forgetting his manners.

[Bob G.]

The rogue's puzzlement over the transformation of the hell hound lasts
only a moment, as his attention suddenly turns to the phantom image of
Shyam and where she might actually have gone. He glances over at Deidra
and her 'pet', satisfying himself that Shyam is not there. As for her
not participating in the battle, that tidbit of information he'd file
away for later. Right now he wanted to find Shyam. For all he knew in
the moments after finishing off the hell hound turned dire wolf, Spikey
was still on the way, and it might find Shyam first. But it had become
quiet. Too quiet. Had someone finished off the demon? With Keryth
heading off to look, Cal'Shir ran forward, moving about thirty feet to
Keryth's right flank to help look for the quiet demon.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus had barely ambled to his feet just moments after the last of the strange dogs were crushed to death.  Tempus watched in confusion as they vanished in small puffs of smoke. Taking a deep breath, Tempus tries to relax.  He feels his anger slowly ebb out, and the pain begin to flow in.  He was singed in multiple places and had received several bite wounds.  Immediately, Tempus felt tired.  Anger had a tendency to do that to him.  Wearily sheathing his weapon, Tempus takes a few deep breaths and examines his injuries.  Definitely was one of the rougher fights that he had ever been in.

[Loki Mischief]

His words are mumbled, as they seek to find Quentin's ears around the
barrier of the wine cork, "Well said. I am sure she would enjoy this
particular vintage." Completely oblivious that one of their number was
possibly in peril, Synxol takes a short draw from the wine, dancing
the flavours on his tongue for a moment before swallowing. A little
contented sigh falls out of the sorcerer as he soothes the pain of his
burn with the numbing affect of the alcoholic beverage.

"It really is a lovely day."