Hedge: If a Tree Falls and a Dwarf is under it...who hears?

Remsfeld had been watching his Father on the forge all day. The rhythmic pounding of the hammer on anvil was a sweet sound that accompanied a mountain dwarf into the world, acted as a backdrop for wedding vows, and even signaled his entrance into the after-life. There was a loud sizzle as his Father dipped the blazing hot sword into the water to cool it. The edges of his Father’s mouth drooped as he looked down at the fire raging beneath the furnace. “There is never enough wood.” His Father gave a slight wave of his hand, signaling Remsfeld to drop another log onto the fire.

Too much wood. It was the most immediate thought from Remsfeld as he remained tangled upon the hedge. The Western Aborean loomed over him – almost comically large compared to the smaller dwarf. Remsfeld keep his eyes on the plant-tree’s scythe. The dwarf was completely surprised as the needle volley that sprang forth from the creature. Remsfeld brought his hands up to cover his face and neck. He might have made it had he not been hindered. Needles like pricks peppered his hands, face, neck, finding small holes the dwarf never knew existed. The poison was also immediate, racing through his blood stream. Even a dwarf can be affected by poison. 

Qwyn was not sure how he got himself into these type of situations. Only hours ago he had been happily riding a fair prelat when life go turned upside down, or sideways, well he and Alyssa had been sideways and upside down also so these situations tended to even out. He added some bass to his voice to gain a bit of combat advantage with a bluff, “Look out!!! there's a giant woodpecker right behind you!" Qwyn glared as his enemy, once again his eyes gleaming with brilliant colors (28 to hit). This time the Eastern Aborean reeled up the effect of the mental assault (11 hit points). Qwyn took half a moment to wonder whether these plant-trees even knew common.

Sweat began to trickle down Voss’s brow. Even in the coldest battle fields Voss could always count on working up a good sweat with minimal effort. His first commander had even nicknamed him Sir Drenched when he had found Voss ringing out his under clothing after the first battle.

Voss blew the sweat away from his eyes as he quickly took stock of the situation. Despite being able to see the creature assaulting Remsfeld there was nothing Voss could really do to reach his ally. He stepped forward to better angle himself between the remaining Eastern Aborean and the Dire Boar (D9). Both of his swords flashed as he slashed and stabbed at his surrounding foes with unbound fury – he was not even sure it would work, after all he had never trained to battle a tall plant-tree and wild animal at the same time.

The blinded Wild Boar, the recipient of Alion’s spell last round, lifted its head high as though trying to sniff the air to find its opponent. It left its front legs exposed. Dire Boars are tough Voss realized as his sword bounced harmlessly (20 to hit) off the creature’s thick, stiff legs.

Voss continued his whirl wind attack. The Eastern Aloborean was a far more inviting target (24 to hit) despite the plant-tree’s odd anatomy, surprising reflexes, and bark-like hide. Only Voss’s considerable skill and his Stormbiter made it possible to slip through the tree’s defenses (16 hit points.)

It is either half-dead or half-alive, depending on one’s point of view.

The volley of needles from the Eastern Aborean came unexpectedly (he wouldn't have seen what happened to Remsfeld). Disguised neatly through the leaves on the creatures body the needles struck Voss flush in the face and throat. His helm blocked some, though not nearly enough to save him from the pain suddenly wracking his body (10 hit points.) His eyes, tongue, even his cheeks felt the painful pricks. Most men would have been slowed by the pain, though somehow Voss shook off the results of the poison.

Remsfeld was in bad shape. Branches, prickers, poison needles, his movements were hindered and he was slow. He thought of his Father swinging his hammer and anvil. Repetition breeds skills and strength. Those were his Father’s words when it came to smithing though it was the same for a warrior in battle. Both hands firmly on his Reproachful Greatsword the dwarf swung with all of his might. A Brute Strike. Everything into the blow he could muster (29 to hit.)

And the Western Aborean fell (30 hit points damage.) 

Unfortunately for Remsfeld they were still in the same space, without enough room to maneuver the tree collapsed onto the dwarf. His eyes widening the dwarf managed to get out of the way, though he found himself pinned down. “Need some help, cleric,” he muttered. His wounds and hedge making it impossible to do anything except crawl out through the next round.

Doesn't sound like anyone's been hurt too bad - Remmy's taken the worst but he seems "ok." That was Alion’s thought. Remmy is calling for help. That was Alion's second thought. Alion whispered a brief prayer and divine light washed over Remsfeld, helping to mend his wounds and spot the poison coursing through his body (22 hit points regained though it costs Remsfelt a healing surge.)

The blinded Dire Boar continued to whip its head about. Tusks flashed as it gored in the direction of Qwyn. The tiefling’s pants leg ripped loudly as he barely dodged the the tusk, though the sharp weapon tore it the pants to shreds though somehow not hurting the man himself. If the animal had not been blinded the blow would have certainly landed.

Library: History Matters

Elby was a young halfling, his bow taller than himself, when he sighted the squirrel in the tree. The black squirrel focused on the nut between its tiny paws, unaware of the danger lurking nearby. Elby moved forward for a better shot, a closer shot when he stepped on a twig. The snap was not loud though it was loud enough that the squirrel heard. It darted away before Elby could get off his shot. Elby felt a hand on his shoulder, followed by the laugh of his favorite Uncle. “Sometimes take a breath and take the show you have Elby rather than the shot you want. Deep breath. Steady shot.”

Elby’s Uncle was not wrong. Though Elby’s Uncle was never in this type of battle.

Elby let the words escape his mouth as he sighted the target across the room, “I'll deal with these bowmen. Radegast, see if you can help Stones. Noienna, you've been here before. How do we deal with these guys?"

Deep breath. Steady shot. The arrow hummed across the room (26 to hit) before slamming into the Thunderbow (20 hit points). It was not a shot most people could make. It was not a shot most people even attempt. It was right on the edge of Elby’s range and he made it look effortless.

"See if you can hide behind the bookcases so they're shooting blind." The Halfling reached for another arrow.

“Yes, you’re hurting them,” bellowed Noienna deep from within Stones chest.

The Mindsurge raised its scimitar toward Radegast. Its life-less eyes betrayed nothing. Whatever the creature was made of it no information could be gleamed from its movements. Though the smooth swing of its scimitar toward Radegast spoke of its intentions easily. Intentions Radegast easily answered by bringing his battle-axe into position to deflect the blow.

Stones thinks back to an early session during his battle training. Surrounded by two older, stronger opponents he had been driven to the ground by an onslaught of wooden swords. On his knees in the sandy fight pit, bruises already forming on his body the master at arms had called a halt to the proceeding. The master-at-arms leaned close, whispering into Stones’ ear, “Surprise them with a new weapon.” As the master-at-arms moved away Stones picked up a handful of sand...

Flanked by two opponents the situation was nearly a mirror that day. A mirror of far more dangerous weapons though. He notices the statue but is otherwise too busy to examine it in detail...Stones mutters, more to himself than anyone else. “Got them right where I want them now.”

All of the pores in Stones’ body scream at once as though the universe itself is attempting to escape from his body. His mind barely holds against the onslaught of energy that comes from the object that he has swallowed (27 to hit). Stones yells out as he does the psychic attack, "a taste of your own medicine!"

The Western Voidblade finally lets out of a noise of anguish (10 hit points) and the Eastern Voidblade allows a scream of its own (11 hit points).

And as he whips around with his blade he asks aloud, "Noienna, are we doing any real harm?  What will kill these fucking things!?"

“More hitting!” answers Noienna. Her voice is much softer now, as though she is tired.

The Thunderbow East lets fly with a psychic arrow. Once again Radegast sees it coming. Once again he avoids the blow.

The Voidblade East, post making its noise shakes its head from side-to-side. The universal sign of something is wrong. It brings its scimitar down toward Stones. An experienced fight Stones turns his body, allowing his armor to absorb the blow.

In a perfect rhythm Stones brings his blade around to parry the Voidblade West blow that is aimed toward his exposed flank. Most men cannot handle two men and Stones makes it look easy.

The Thunderbow West continues atop its perch. A skilled warrior in its own right its psychic arrow slips past Elby’s defenses (12 hit points.)

Radegast slowly backs away from his ghostly adversary, he lets out a bellow, as the ground beneath his feet erupts with a shroud of rock and scree rises up to create a barrier shielding Radegast and Stones from the ghostly onslaught. (28 to hit, 21 damage).

Almost beckoning as he moves around the south end of the bookcase. As he turns the corner. Despite the suddenness of the shift and the wall, the Axe-Hammer swings into action, taking the spirit who most recently struck Stones unawares and tearing into his ethereal chest (20 to hit.) The Voidblade West manages to get its scimitar into position to deflect the blow away.

Stones used one last action. In the sandpit years ago he blinded one opponent with the sand, turning suddenly he threw his sword at the second opponent. It wasn’t a hard throw and his opponent deflected it away easily. What was not deflected was the firm kick to his opponents balls. But that was years ago…

…Stones stepped forward toward the Voidblade West – now thoroughly distracted by Radegast (21 to hit, 13 damage) and plants his sword firmly between its shoulder blades. Stones then turns and cleaves the Voidblade East (25 hit, 14 damage).

Remarkably enough the creatures still live.

“Almost dead,” whispers Noienna, “almost dead. I think.”

• ·         Both Elby and Stones are bloodied
• ·         Stones and Radegeast have used up all action points

Library: Quietly Losing, Quietly Winning

The air continues to ripple with quiet tension. There is not even a hint of wind as your foes moves. Or breathing. Or anything except a feeling of dread that your thoughts will never be yours again.

Elby spins away from his attacker, sliding over and then hopping up on the base of the statue (I11). The statue and pedestal is made of marble, providing a slightly slippery surface. Up close the halfling sees the statue looks vaguely familiar, having more than a passing resemblance to Noienna!

At the same time he lands on the pedestal, Elby fires one arrow into the Void Blade that's attacking him. "Die you fucker." The arrow sinks into the (to hit 23, damage 16) Void Blade. The arrow then pushes out of the creature the wound closing as the arrow clatters to the floor.

Another arrow flies from his bow, singing through the air and striking the Western Thoughtbow (34 hit, 11 damage) "You want to play with arrows? I'll show you how to kill from a distance." Once again the arrow is spit from the creature’s body.

The bowman on either side of the room let loose with psychic arrows. The arrows pass through the books unhindered. One heading toward Stones, the other toward Radegast. The psychic arrow strikes Stones in the chest, his cloth armor absorbing the blow easily.

Radegast sees it coming, side stepping the arrow. Unfortunately it leaves him wide open for the Mind Voice's attack. With surprisingly quickness The Mind Void brings its scimitar toward Radegast’s neck. With surprising skill of his own Radegast twists himself and gets his weapon up to parry the blow.

Radegast steadies himself and lets out a loud roar.  It startles everyone, given that all we have been hearing are the grunts and clanks of a strange silent battle. 

"Warrior Ghosts!  I am the one you want!  I have knowledge inside me... thoughts that had shape before time... I am touched by an Old One... His knowledge is in me... Come try and take it..."
His eyes have a glaze to them, as if coated in tears.  But they would have to be the tears of joy, as his face is stretched tight in a drunken grin. 

He dances back half a step, a feint to the right, and then slams his Axe-Hammer, hammer side down, directly into the Mind Void ahead and lands a particular vicious blow. (Hit 28, damage 17).

Stones, looking particularly menacing toward the Void Blade closest to him - and the only one within range - lets loose with a reaping strike (27 hit, 12 damage) which slips through his enemies defenses with some wicked jabs and small cutting blows. "Keep hitting them I think we are hurting them!  Elby keep shooting those archers and Radegast keep fucking them up with your big hammer!  Huzzah!"

The East Void Blade continues to engage Stones, its scimitar moving noiselessly through the air. Stones twists away from the blow, allowing it to deflect off his armor.

The West Void Blade, in front of Elby, changes direction and heads straight toward Stones coming in from an angle to flank Stones (16-N). The flanking gives the West Void Blade all of the advantage it needs and its scimitar barely makes it past Stones defenses (10 hit points.) The psychic energy racks Stones, nearly causing a seizure to the warrior.

Stones looks like his entire body glows for a moment the Void Blade in front of him suddenly hit with a searing light. The light does no damage though. Unfortunately.
“Oh dear,” whispers a voice seemingly from Stones’ chest, “Oh dear.”

DM Notes

• Rob: Yes on the +2, +4 and thanks for reminding me
• Rob: You are now at ½ hit points and therefore bloodied
• Init: Elby, Stones, Radegast

Hedge: Branches with Blades

Branches with blades whip about as the Aboreans flank the party while the boar snarls within the party’s midst. A perfect world? Certainly not. Though an imperfect world is certainly interesting. The dirt beneath your feet seems to give you energy as the battle presses forward quickly.

Voss recovers from swatting the mighty tree-beast to the earthen floor and turns to see leaves scatter as Remmy thumps into the green. He yells to Alion and Qwyn. "Fall back a bit toward the entrance! Narrow their attack front! Woods on your left, wall on your right! Let me keep between you and the beasts! Let me lay this Remmy-tosser low, then one of you dig him out!" Voss takes a moment to slam both of his weapons past the fallen Aborean’s defenses. The blades cut in deeply around the creature’s face. Bark and wood chips fly (29 to hit roll, 29 hit point damage.)

The Aborean’s limbs make a strange creaking noise and its leaves shake as it rises to its feet. “Al t’cha monroe,” it says. Mostly tree, part man what passes for feet remain firmly in the ground. It shuffles backward into the hedge, melting softly into the growth. As it retreats Voss gets one more free shot at it. His sword fails to find the mark (17 roll) instead slashing through empty air.

From the direction where Remmy was thrown into the hedge you hear a loud scream. Caught amongst prickers, bush parts and other hazards (4 hit points) the dwarf regains his feet to find himself facing the Aborean Voss just smashed which now looms in front of him. The Aborean’s scythe arcs through the branch leaving a trail of slightly trimmed hedges as it slices the dwarf (11 hp). 

The Aborean to the East (near Qwyn and Alion)lumbers forward, leaves dancing as it swings its scythe toward the cleric. Its weapon meets cloth, then armor, doing no damage to the holy man.

Located directly adjacent to the Aborean Qwyn’s eyes widen with surprise. Trapped between the wall, Voss, a charging boar and really having no place to go it keeps him (mostly) quiet.  “Bite me,” he mutters, as he glares at his enemy, his tielfling eyes gleaming with brilliant colors. Not brilliant enough (17 to hit) as the leafy foe is unfazed.

From inside the hedge Remmy gains enough footing as lets loose with a loud, “Sumbitch!” as he returns the favor of the earlier attack. Both hands firmly on his greatsword he cracks his foe directly in its face (23 to hit). It is just enough to get past the creature’s defenses though the dwarf’s arms shake from the vibrations of from the deep impact (27 hit points damage).

The tree creature teeters...though despite the heavy damage from the battle (72 hp)…it does not fall.

The boar closes the final gap of space against Voss bringing itself up to full speed immediately. Its eyes continue to glow – almost greedily – as it brings its tusks forward to gore Voss. With precision timing honed from years of training Voss lets the animal pass him. Voss digs his blade deep into the pig’s body (38 to hit) as it passes, allowing for momentum to do the rest. A large gash opens along the animal’s side with maximum damage (19 hit points) being delivered. 

Rather than stand toe to snout Voss moves past the creature, past the edge of the hedge and onto the rough terrain where Remmy originally entered the hedge (E8.)

The boar snarls while it whips its head back toward where Voss went. At that moment Alion says, "Time for some roast pork.  Or at least a blind boar."  Alion's holy symbol glows as he whispers a prayer. Blinding light strikes the boar directly its face (20 hit roll, 13 damage.)

DM Note:

·         The Aobrean which disappeared took 45 hit points damage (since I am now letting people know what attacks did what damage.)

·         Mark if you wanted to be somewhere different after your run please let me know.

·         Mark I remembered the extra damage

·         Initiative Qwyn, Voss, Remmy, Alion