Round 1 Summary
The tribesmen plow through Reòthadh’s frigid sorcery, the cold hardly slowing these tundra-hardened warriors (
All but one of them passed their saves, and so take half). The insect-like creature proves even more resilient against the wintry magic, for this is a gelugon hailing from Stygia, one of the ice-covered Nine Hells. Its mandibles chitter in mocking laughter as the spell fails to affect it at all (
It has magic resistance and immunity to cold damage).
Zenithral’s arrows fall amongst the enemy group, each one burying itself into one target. The berserker seems to feel little pain as he snaps the shafts off, and the heroes recognize a ferocity similar to Ug’s raging in these warriors’ eyes (
they resist b/p/s damage). Zenithral’s banishing arrow fails to pierce the gelugon’s innate magical resistance, and the purple light dissipates harmlessly.
Arannis draws an arrow to his cheek with flawless grace, but then holds his shot as he sees the foes shrug off his grandson’s arrows. Moving quickly, he pulls a quiver from his side and drops it to the ground. He speaks a command word, and the arrows within begin to glow with fiery light. Then the older elf explodes into action, retrieving three arrows from the quiver and firing each of them off, the third humming through the air even before the first finds its mark. As each arrow hits, it emits a flash of magical fire. One of the berserkers drops, succumbing to his wounds (
After resistance, B1 takes a total of 40-something damage and dies).
"Use these arrows, Zenithral!"[ +- ] Flame Arrows
You touch a quiver containing arrows or bolts. When a target is hit by a ranged weapon attack using a piece of ammunition drawn from the quiver, the target takes an extra 1d6 fire damage. The spell’s magic ends on a piece of ammunition when it hits or misses, and the spell ends when twelve pieces of ammunition have been drawn from the quiver.
A large dark form (
Malebranche) suddenly plummets to the ground between Zenithral and Arannis. The winged fiend rises up to its full height, and for a moment Zenithral fears that Belhifet himself has arrived. But no, this is a different devil. Its skin is far darker, and its frame slightly less muscled. A pair of great curving horns sprouts from its head. The archer has no more time to think on the differences, however, as the fiend thrusts forward with a wicked two-pronged spear and scores a hit on Zenithral’s side (
Zen takes 34 piercing damage, or only 19 if he casts Shield).
On the far side of this new fiend, Zenithral hears the ring of metal as Arannis draws Lethias’ sword, but then the fiend whirls about, spiked tail driving into Arannis’ thigh (
Arannis takes 7 piercing damage and passes his con save, avoiding bad stuff). The older elf gasps in pain, but then straightens to continue the fight.
Within the cave, Alalla stands alone against the tide of berserkers, flaming sword working furiously to head off the howling men. Three of them are all too happy to meet her challenge, and the wide swings of sword, axe, and hammer smash against her plate armor (
Al takes 79 damage). Her own skilled strikes make the most of her fiery weapon, and the barbarians howl all the louder as the flames bite.
The other three tribesmen, however, have a different goal. They bear down on Hjollsted (
Al can make one opportunity attack against B4, 5, or 6), and though the aged shaman holds himself with dignity, the prolonged years have robbed him of his prowess. He holds spear and shield carefully, focusing entirely on defense, but still takes several heavy hits (
Hjollsted takes 49 damage). He is severely limping now, defenses slipping as his movements slow. He grunts through gritted teeth,
"The Tribe of the Wolf are fools to take up arms with devils! Can’t you see this will end horribly for all?" The berserkers respond only by pressing the attack.
The gelugon’s insect eyes glimmer with cunning as it surveys the battle. It raises a spined limb towards Zenithral and Arannis, and the two archers and the malebranche they battle are hidden from view as a dome of thick ice forms about them (
The ice dome is 20 feet across and 1 foot thick, and blocks movement and line of sight, but is breakable). Then, with calculated steps, the ice devil moves past Alalla (
Al can make an opportunity attack if she didn’t against the berserkers) and confronts the enlarged dwarf sorcerer. A spear coalesces in its hands, and Reòthadh notes the killing frost that reams the weapon. The two towering figures square off, each glistening with magic born of cold; one of the North’s innate and dangerous beauty, and the other of fell Stygia.
Saki backs calmly away from it all, heading for the rear section of the cave.