When Frost Gnolls Attack

June 18th 2007

Players: Tikk, Zsuzsa, Eochaid, Nikarn, Rafe, Tanikas, Illuminada, Mardaeus

The shops have given over to weathered terraced housing, but one of the two storey buildings has a sign out front offering cheap accomodation. Likewise, the shutters on some of the first floors open down to create a crude counterspace for selling anything from bread to rough cloth tunics. Small children work to keep the street chipped clear of ice so the delivery wagons can make it up the steep incline. At the top, the street turns sharply around the corner towards Nettle Turn. Placed at the far side is a tower with a beacon light at the top, guiding the ships safely into port.

Coming up the street there seems to be a large group of what looks like frost gnolls coming up the street. Screaming as she runs is a woman, she's yelling something about a group of monsters beating the gate guards to death. They come plodding up the street not seeming to be in any hurry, seems like a lot of them all at once.

Zsuzsa riding ontop of Caernarfon looks as tho she may have been heading out of the city towards he wilds. When she sees the woman come screaming up the road her brows knit into a deep frown. She slows Caernarfon and slips down from the saddle "This doesn't look good my friend, you go wait for me at the Tavern stable" she says to the horse and pats his neck. She walks slowly towards the lighthouse.

Currently playing with the group of kids. Tikk is currently counting to one hundred while several of them run to hiding places. "One. Two, three, four, five, ah....Noodle." She offers out and turns around spot the gnolls and she blinks slowly, "Hey." Tikk points out to one of the creatures. "You...shouldn't be here." She remarks quiet simply.

An evening such as this, beautiful in comparison to most in Vintermor, is nothing to be wasted. And wasted it is not, as Tanikas and Nikarn stroll down the street, Tani's arm looped through Nikarn's. They look quite the pair, the two of them, head and shoulders taller than most who wander the streets this eve. Surprising enough to them as they come down the road, and hear the screams of a woman, who is running quite the opposite way.

Illuminada is wandering along the street, with Rafe. She's bent over to scoop a bunch of snow, and she packs it into a ball, a wicked smile on her lips. She stops though, when she hears the cry, and off the half elven pair dart, seeking out the cause of the scream.

Eochaid walks along Nettle Turn to arrive here on Border St, having just finished a meal at the Hart, he is headed to the park for a stroll while his meal digests. Seeing the Gnolls and the screaming woman he steps into the shadow of a building and hides hoping to see what the Gnolls do before being noticed.

Mardaeus was walking briskly up the street towards the tower, minding his own business when he hears the commotion. He turns around to see what's amiss and balks. Turning back towards the tower, he runs up the hill to get further away from the gnolls, keeping his ears peeled for more coming from other directions.

The pack of gnolls laugh as they too can hear the woman screaming about them beating the gate guard. They continue to make their way up the road towards the city a few in the back seem to hang back a bit, about 100 ft away.

Illuminada comes to an abrupt halt as she sees the frost gnolls, and her eyes widen. She looks to Rafe, then nods and darts to the side, finding some crates to hide a bit behind. There, she begins singing, loud, high, and fast paced. It's a song to get the heart beating and raise the morale of anyone nearby who might face the gnolls.

As Zsuzsa sees the group of gnolls she stops for a moment takes a deep breath and as she exhales her eyes glow a green colour and she suddenly has a bright green glow about her that after a moment or two fades away and leaves a slight shimmer around her.

Eochaid quietly (or so he thinks) moves along the roadway moving from one hiding place to another moving past the gnolls. His rapier is out in his right hand and a mace in the left, he steps around different obstructions all is going well until he steps in the wrong place and a rotted piece of wood that was left on the ground, as if just for him to step on, snaps causing the Gnolls to look his way. He dives for cover hoping to remain unseen.

Nikarn steps forward a pace, but nowhere near close enough to attack. He turns to look at Tanikas, and says, "Never an evening where we can walk the city in peace, is there?" Though, by the flash in his eyes, and the faint smile on his lips, it is obvious that he is glad there is no peace. With that, he draws his hammer and his shield from their slings, and continues his stroll down the hill, not in a hurry to meet battle.

Mardaeus stops and looks down the hill at the gnolls with an intense look in his eyes. His lips move as if he counting very fast, or perhaps muttering a prayer. "Thirty?!" he incredulously shouts before running to the corner of the nearest storefront for some corner.

Tikk points out her finger at one of the gnolls and shouts out, "FIRE!" Two small blue orbs shoot from her digit and fly right through the air slamming into the foremost one. It doesn't die though, and Tikk, looks upset.

Tanikas smiles as she looks over at Nikarn. The presence of the Gnolls doesn't seem to bother her, and she continues her stroll alongside him. Of course, the deadly-looking halberd in her hand probably lends her some modicum of security. "Never." She answers Nikarn with, hefting her polearm easily, in order to get a better grasp on it. "I think I will enter combat this evening."

Rafe glances at Mina as she ducks undercover, he flashes her a smile and a soft 'be careful'. Whirling he draws his massive sword and sprints towards the Gnolls shouting a battle cry from Taldara.

A volley of arrows flies from the gnolls that hung back as their brethren keep walking forward up the street, most of the arrows fall short of everyone, but one lucky gnolls shot hits the female mountain that's out for a stroll with her beau.

Illuminada continues to sing from where she is, her eyes going wide as she sees the oncoming group of gnolls. Unsteadily, the half elf reaches for an arrow, fumbles a moment, then ahas. She nocks it and fires, but regrettably, the arrow falls far short of hitting any of the frost gnolls.

Zsuzsa notices Tikk's little blue balls of energy shooting the first gnoll "Hey yours are blue? Mine are green, I wonder if we can make them change to any other colours?" She says to the small gnomish woman. Her eyes glow a light green again as a ball of green energy starts forming at each of her hands, with a flick of her wrists towards the gnoll that Tikk hit and it gets blasted back and falls back dead from being hit again.

A shadow moves along the road bringing with it the scent of death, Eochaid moves along a silent unseen harbinger of Death. His lips move as he walks whispering a silent prayer of death and destruction moving him 15 feet closer to the on coming gnolls.

Nikarn comes trucking down the hill, and raises his hammer as he nears the first of the gnolls. "Mod's strength to crush your bones," he bellows! With another step, he swings his hammer in a mighty arc... and the gnoll steps easily aside.

Mardaeus frantically looks around the storefront he's using for cover, then towards the road, then behind him, then back down at the gnolls. The gears are turning but he doesn't accomplish much for the time being.

Tikk growls and points out her fingers, two more magic Missiles fly from her fingers and slam into the foremost creature. It still stands and Tikk looks a bit upset. "DIE, OKay...it makes it easier."

Rafe slides to a stop in front of the crowd of Gnoll, his sword flashing as he swings, missing the frist rank of them.

Tanikas growls a little as an arrow flies through the air and buries itself in her shoulder. Well, it penetrates without doing much damage in any case. Her face nearly twists in anger, but instead she simply takes a great breath. For a long moment, one might think she is simply going to watch Nikarn charge into battle. However, she quickly brings her Tiger's Claw around to bear and in a flash of movement and then she runs forward like a great bear in a charge. The Mountainous woman brings her halberd down upon the Frost Gnoll in front of herself, nearly cleaving it in two in her first blow. It simply dies beneath her blow, "Mod delivers me!" She shouts, grinning over at Nikarn, "Bring our enemies a clean death!"

Illuminada is still singing her song, her voice remaining strong and high. She reaches for another arrow, watching the fight before her, and then she nocks the arrow, aiming for one of the beasts not yet in melee combat. This time, the arrow flies true, lodging in the shoulder of one of the gnolls.

Zsuzsa spots a different gnoll then Tikk hit and again fires two bright green missiles of energy towards the group of gnolls, the tall beast takes them in the chest and seems to stop moving for a moment but doesn't die. She frowns a bit as she's a bit disappointed the thing didn't die.

Eochaid moves along still just another shadow on the darkened street, his cloak wrapped around him and it's cowl up, making him look as if he was Death himself incarnate on the streets of Vintermor, that is if you were able to see him stalking those whom he chooses to kill.

Nikarn growls in response to Tanikas, "Indeed he blesses you!" He grunts, and swings his hammer once more, the metal glinting in the light, a flash with the speed which he swings it. Theres a crunching sound as the hammer connects, the obvious sound of bones breaking, but the gnoll still stands, merely falling back a step from the blow.

The only saving grace Tikk has when she takes out her bow and draws it back is that when she fires it off. she was not standing directly behind it. For you see. When she lets go of the string, the bow it self, leaps from her hands and she is left looking at the arrow. "What the fuck." The little gnome says looking bewildered at just what she did.

Mardaeus stands from his cover and, not having any better ideas, begins to charge down the hill with no armor on and no weapons about. His eyes grow wider as the adrenaline surges through his body at the anticipation of battle. He throws his momentum and weight behind his right elbow and launches himself at the nearest unwounded gnoll. The frost gnoll hears the pitter patter of boots running far too fast down the street and raises his shield just in time to cause Mardaeus to glance off of it. The wided-eyed man lands in front of the gnoll looking unready to defend himself. Rafe ducks several of the Gnolls attacks, his own sword bouncing off Armor and shields.

Tanikas does not slow in her attack, yelling once more, "Mod bless the fallen!" She bellows. Pulling the blade of her halberd from her last opponent, she turns it and swings it sideways, stabbing her next victim under the arm and piercing it's heart through it's ribs. Her blow carries it off to the side, before it falls from her weapon in a heap. The frost Gnoll does not stir any longer. Still without rage or needless emotion, she maintains her cool while searching the field for additional threats.

As the group starts fighting the gnolls the gnolls start fighting back, two go after Rafe but seem to have missed the half elf. Tanikas also catches the attention of two of the frost gnolls but to no avail they miss the large woman who seems to be making the group of gnolls smaller. Following Tanikas, Nikarn also attracts the attention of two gnolls. All this swinging and no one seems to get hit, except Mardaeus who gets a battleaxe into the shoulder.

The archers in the back seem to slowly be making their way forward now getting to about 70 ft of the group of adventurers, and those that aren't attacking seem to be still advancing down the street.

Illuminada watches the advancing gnolls, scowling gently. She continues to sing, trying to be as loud as she can while maintaining that wondrous inspirational effect. Her hands reach into a quiver and she nocks another arrow, but this goes wild and strikes the ice next to a gnoll.

The green missiles of energy flare a bit as Zsuzsa flicks her wrists again towards the gnoll that wuold not fall for her moments ago, hitting him again directly in the chest again this time he waivers slightly before he falls dead on the ground as well. "Yes!" she says happily.

Eochaid continues his trek towards the gnolls catching up to the main part of the group of adventures now.

Nikarn raises his shield and blocks an attack from a the gnoll he just smashed, and returns the favor again with an uppercut of his hammer. The heavy metal bludgeon smashes into the Gnolls chin, connecting with a sickening crack, and the gnolls feet leave the ground as it flies a few feet backwards, landing in a heap on the ground...

Mardaeus's mouth opens so wide that all his teeth can be seen as the axe slices off of his shoulder. He sucks in a deep breath and roars at the gnoll that cut him so ferociously that spittle flies from his lips, "WIMP!" He reaches out with his right (uninjured) arm out and places a hand on the gnoll's shield. Adrenaline granting him incredible strength, he brutally slams it into the the face of the gnoll.

Tikk attempts this again, and while the arrow leaves her bow, it doesn't hit the target by a far margine and tikk just grumbles. "I give up on you." she shouts and just shakes her head slowly, "STUPID Bow."

Tanikas laughs out loud as the first Gnoll attacks her, stepping aside easily. Her mirth leaves her unguarded and a battleaxe twangs off of her breastplate loudly. Furrowing her brow just a bit she retaliates, swinging her polearm around in what could have been a viscious strike, but the Gnoll saw his two friends die the same way and blocks the attack easily.

Rafe finally get's mad and smashes one of the Gnolls, his massive sword leaving a Gnoll dying at his feet. He just continues with him move, pivoting on one foot, the Great Sword, trailing gobulets of blood as he smacks another Gnoll with it, hurting it.

Another volley of arrows comes from the back of the group from the archers, Tikk and Mardaeus both unfortunately get hit with one. As does a couple of the attacking gnolls, one falls as he's been shot in the back of the head, lucky Mardaeus, seems he's down to just one attacking him now. Another of the gnolls gets shot in the back and falls as well.

As the gnolls that are swinging battleaxes, Tanikas after swinging and missing the gnoll grins and swings at her connecting with her shoulder. Another gnoll swings it's battleaxe at Rafe and hits the half elf man pretty hard.

Illuminada watches the gnolls draw nearer, and she frowns deeply. She's still singing, and it's a good thing she's so well trained. Another arrow is snatched from her quiver and she aims it at one of the battle axe wielding gnolls. This strikes true, hitting right through the gnoll's chest, and the beast is done, collapsing on the street.

Zsuzsa pulls out her crossbow and fires off a shot at one of the gnolls in melee, but it seems that the bolt just gets deflected by it's shield, she mutters under her breath.

Eochaid suddenly appears out of nowhere his raiper out and stabbing forward, at the last moment the gnoll somehow turns his shield to deflect the blow.

Nikarn lets out a vicious growl, like some ferral animal going in for the kill... and that might be what he's doing. Dropping both his hammer and his shield on the ground, he reaches out and grabs the nearest gnoll, which still flails away. With a grunt, he lifts the gnoll into the air... and chucks him down the road towards the archers. The gnoll doesn't make it more than ten feet, but lands in a heap, all a clutter.

Now, Tikk is pissed, Uber pissed really and so, with a fury of words, motions, and a really large set of Magic Missile shoot from her hand at the nearest

Gnoll. When it flops over dead she jumps up and down, "yay." Mardaeus barely flinches as an arrow hits him in the chest, not six inches below the slice to his shoulder. Reaching up with his left hand he clutches it and pulls it free, exposing that his blood only covers the very tip. He roars as he leaps forward towards the other gnoll near him, stabbing down at him with the back of the arrow in his hand. Mardaeus hits the gnoll dead in the chest, but only manages to splinter the arrow on the creature's cuirboilli leather.

Tanikas hardly reacts to the wound she recieved from the Gnoll. No, instead she simply raises her weapon into the air and brings it down upon her enemy, wordlessly. The heavy blade of her Tiger's Claw sunders the poor creature without trouble. She very nearly gets the blade stuck in the Gnoll, yanking three times to dislodge it from its sternum, while it's arms and legs flail around comically. Finally, on the fourth jerk she pulls it loose and the damned thing stops dancing around like a marionette on the end of a long pole. It simply crumples to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Rafe glances quickly around him then spots the last Gnoll and with a mighty flick of the wrist his sword decends on the hapless Gnoll, smashing him down into a bloody pile.

Suddenly the archers still just over 40 ft away realize that their brethren have been wiped out completely. Some drop their bows, others just turn and they start to run back down the street.

Zsuzsa sees that they start to run and shakes her head "oh no I don't think so" she says and fires two magic missiles out of her left hand, and though she doesn't kill the running gnoll she knows he felt her.

Eochaid watches the Gnolls run then turns to search the bodies, gathering up what is found to be shared out to the group.

Tanikas laughs out loud, "Welcome to Vintermor." She says with a grin, and then flicks her blade back and forth a moment, getting rid of those pesky entrails and blood. Once done with that, she begins cleaning the last of the blood from her weapon with an old rag. Looking to Nikarn, but speaking to everyone, "It was a good fight. They fought bravely, but Mod was on our side." She says, continuing to cleanse her weapon of Gnoll lifeblood, which has managed to soak almost down to the leather grips on her halberd.

Mardaeus breaks into a sprint, legs pumping at amazing, but not magical speeds. His pace doesn't slow as he comes up on the back one with both hands held up in the air, fists together. He brings them down with yet another roar, this one sounding estranged as his jaw clicks shut with the sudden impact as he clubs the gnoll atop the head.

Rafe stops and turns to make sure all are dead then lowers his sword "Mina!?

Illuminada lowers her bow when they run, though she does watch Mardaeus with concern. "What is he doing?" She then turns, and looks around, "Is everyone alright?" At Rafe, she half smiles, "I'm fine."

The gnoll that Mardaeus knocks into, turns around after being hit by the large man and starts trading blows with him as he swings at him and clocks him right in the jaw.

Nikarn turns to his weapons and retrieves them. Watching Mardeaus fight for a moment, he shrugs and starts heading towards the brawl.

Tanikas looks up from her weapon-cleansing, to arch an eyebrow at Nikarn as he heads toward the enraged man and his Gnoll friend. She smiles a little to herself, and looks back to her cleaning again. She finishes it after a moment, tucking the crimson-soiled rag away. Looking to the others, "Does anyone need healing?"

Tikk grumbles at the stupid man with out armor and points out at him, two light blue balls fly from her fingers and slam into the gnoll rather hard as she does killing it where it stands.

Nikarn shrugs and leaves off following Mardeaus. "These gnolls have been taught their lesson. If they return, I will pursue them, but not until then." He turns back to Tanikas and comes to stand near her. "You fought well today," he tells her.

Eochaid continues to search the bodies of the dead gnolls pili9ng what ever he finds together to be split by the group.

Tanikas smiles to Nikarn, "Thank you, my Mountain. You fought bravely as well." She says, and pecks him on the cheek as well. Looking him over, she smiles, "Do you need healing?" She asks, and looks around, "Does /anyone/ aside from me need healing?" She asks, as if she may very well have been the only one to get hurt, aside from the crazy fellow chasing the gnolls down.

Rafe winces a bit and gives Mina a hug, looking her over a bit to making sure she's really ok. "Good, I'm glad you stayed out of the melee fighting."

Mardaeus reaches out, grabbing a handful of the gnoll's shaggy mane and cocks his leg back, readying for a brutal blow to the ugly face when two balls of light fly into his opponent. He looks at what is now a corpse for a moment before his wild gaze shoots over to the meadow gnome that cast the spell. He growls like a beast, sounding like a half-starved raccoon as he begins to run at a dizzying pace towards Tikk, who is well up the road.

Illuminada chuckles at Rafe, and she shakes her head, "One day, it shall not be so. But for now, it shall suit." She nods, then watches Rafe closely, before she looks around, "Is anyone in need of healing? I can offer a little."

Tikk looks at Mar and takes a step back before pointing her finger at him, "Stay back." she states firmly. "I will defend myself." The Gnome woman shouts out. OH she knows that look, she knows it enough that this could get -very- dangerous

Mardaeus doesn't show a sign of comprehending at all, but his leg gives out from under him midrun as his adrenaline starts to fade. He crashes into the ground, rolling and tumbling for a good ten feet before skidding to a stop. There is a bloody smear behind him. At first he does not stir, but his heaving torso shows he is not dead.

Tikk looks at her finger. "wow." she states and points at Eo. "You..." she calls out, "Polish my shoes."

Eochaid glares at Tikk

Nikarn wanders down the road and comes to Mardeaus. "You want some help up?"

Tikk puts her finger away, "Okay..never mind." she states and moves over to Mardeaus before lightly reaching out to poke at him.

Eochaid gathers his share of the loot and turns to leave heading home for the night. The gnolls killing all desire to continue his walk through town.

Zsuzsa watches as they go to help the man who apparently tripped or something, she shrugs and mutters "I must let Caernarfon know I am alright" and walks away.

Mardaeus's first sign of movement other than panting is to stretch out his jaw. He makes creaking noises akin to an old door that really, really could use some oil on the hinges. Rising to a knee, he shakes his head. Clarity seems to be returning to him as he slowly catches his breath. Tough as hell or stubborn as shit, he pushes himself to his feet, swaying slightly. Righting his hat he mumbles something, something, "no, damnit."

Tikk looks at him bleeding and looks at Nikarn, "I will hold him down, You heal him." she offers and cracks her knuckles.

Rafe looks at the others then turns to Mina "Shall we go home love?"

Tikk shrugs lightly and moves to actually pick up Mardaeus, "Where is the temple.." she asks straining.

Nikarn reaches out a hand which seems to be glowing, shaking his head at the gnomes incredible bulging muscles. "Mod's light Bless and Heal you..." he intones as the glow sweeps over Mardaeus.

Eochaid walks toward Mardaeus, Tikk and Nikarn as he haed towards home, his weapons will still be out until he clears the area.

Illuminada mms and then a brow arches at Rafe, "Home? I, mm...we'll have to talk about this, hmm?" She takes his elbow then and begins wandering off.

Mardaeus pushes Tikk away from him with a foot. It is obviously not a kick, but merely a push as she goes to pick him up. He raises his fists up, warily preparing to fight and shouts towards Nikarn, "Back off! I don't want your aid!" He sounds exhausted, but looks determined to not be healed. "Get the hell away from me!"

Nikarn's hand stops glowing, and he shrugs. "So be it." He turns away and heads up the hill.

Tikk blinks as she is pushed away and shrugs, "Fine." she states and moves to pick up her share of the loot and stops, shruging as Nikarn walks off she picks up his share and heads away.!

Eochaid continues on his way, one word can be heard on the wind as he disappears "Weak"...

Mardaeus doesn't bother with a share of the loot. He doesn't even seem concerned. He warily watches the two would-be saviors walk away from him. Then he begins to stagger up the road going back about his business as if nothing happened. Well, he acts that way, but it is easy enough to tell that something happened here from the corpses and blood all over. Of course, Nikarn pauses on his way up the hill and takes up the coins, dropping them into his pouch before continuing up the hill.

Mardaeus reaches the lighthouse and stops to compose himself for a moment, straightening his hat and clearing his throat before he knocks on the door to solicit...