The Trials of Rhidon Axehorn

Sir Baric tells you to simply wait and see for yourself, though he asks that if you intend to try anything unusual you do it outside or at the main gates. The beast is able to climb the walls but seems to take a perverse pleasure in battering down the gates, then the main doors to the great hall. It does not come every night and does not kill or steal every time it does. But it does kill at least once a week and is has been a couple days since it last visited the village so your chances of encountering it are good.

Rhidon sees a few men preparing weapons, though most seem to be carrying large heavy shields and clubs or hammers or long forked poles you recognize as man catchers.

Give me a battle plan along with any questions or request for resources or aid.

Sir Baric thanks you for your offer of aid though you can tell hel expects your death more than anything else. Though the man is strong of mind, character, and body he is looking worn down but the pressure is only hardening him more. If he makes it out of this with his town intact he will be a great leader.

The gate guards offer to let you stay in the entry vestibule so you can let yourself out. If not then they point out a few spots in the fading light where you might await and ambush the creature outside the walls. They inform you that should the creature reash within 10 feet of the walls they will start dropping weighted and barbed nets onto it. This has proven to slow it but as the barbs can not lodge in its skin they are removed. The delay however allows those within the walls to prepare, hiding or readying their defenses. They assure you that other than the nets they will not be attacking as all arrows and spears have proven to be futile and it became a waste to use them as they often broke. However, should the beast reach the gates they will drop the nets no matter where you are.

let me know where you want to stay, inside on a stool or cot or outside in the brush or in the clear

Before Rhidon leaves Baric has a woman hand him a thick handbag. It is of an interesting design with woven leather on the outside, a thick quilt lining the inside, and snuggled neatly at the bottom a ceramic kettle with its spout stoppered. Rhidon is informed it is full of hot tea, a wooden cup rest atop the kettle, and drinking it should help keep him alert throughout the night. Rhidon moves himself into position and settles down for a wait.

A soft bell sounds the hour and it is an hour past midnight when Rhidon hears something moving out in the darkness. A deep and resounding roar crashes into the walls of the village announcing the beginning of the attack. Rhidon swears he hears a rough and gutteral sound like a chuckle as the sounds of heavy footfalls approach the gate.

Rhidon takes advantage of his dwarven sight to move soundlessly right next to the creature. It hunches over lumbering sometimes on its thick legs while other times it uses it's long arms to help it move along. If it stood erect it would be close to 10 feet tall and likely weights more than 4 times that of a full grown man or dwarf. Its massive hands have three long fingers and a thumb on each side, all of which are tipped with claws. Thick matted hair covers its body except it's face which has a protruding jaw line like a cats but wider and rounder.

Rhidon breaks into a swift dash before leaping into the ail and slamming his heal into the side of the beast leg. Instantly a roar of anger, and possibly pain, erupts from the beast who lashes out twice with its long arms. Both connect knocking the dwarf away. But you note with a hint of satisfaction that it now limps a bit as it favors its leg you just kicked.

Rhidon circles the beaast, feeling a bit like a wolf attacking a lion. A pack of pampatriots sounds good about now, the though flits through Rhidon's mind. With a flash Rhidon jumps back in ad kicks the leg again, causig the beast to stumble. As the beast turches Rhidon jumps up and swings at the head, missing as the beast raises one of it's long arms to deflect the dwar's second blow.

The pair move just at the edge of the lanternlight from the gate, about 40 away. Roaring at the smaller antagonist the beast lashes out at Rhidon while limping and dodging away from further attacks.

The beast tries to dodg the sucsessive strikes t his leg but Rhidon times his attacks to force the beast to hopp around as it tries to avoid further damage. The dwarf manages to out manuver the beast who is now enraged. Raoring in furry it moves to slam Rhidon with both arms again.

Both of the massive hands slam down onto the dwarf from above stagering him. Rhidon can tell he is hurting the beast but its raw strength poses a threat. At this rate he will fall before the beast. For though he has hurt it the beast is able to maintain the fight despite its injuries.

Back in the town Rhidon can hear the guards shouting excitedly but from the quick glance he manages to get though there are more torches atop the wall the doors are still closed.

The beast roars and lumges after Rhidon, only to pull up hobbling. Up on the wall you hear the babble and chatter of voises before a crisp command silences it. Then the mellow voice of the priect calls down What would you have of me warrior? Meanwhile the beast continues its pursuit of the dwarf that leaps and dodges out ot it's way. Now the pair is fully exposed in the light and those on the wall can clearly see the beat limping which causes the babble to get stirred back up. "he wounded it" "Nay, there's no blood" "Ther's your blood, on the fool dwarf" "But the beast is limping, something must have happened."

Above you hear some cursing then the sound of running feet. Swinging another kick at the beast you fail to land your blow this time as it drops and arm in a crude block. Hissing hit swings its two arms to hammer you again. As it does so the small bailey side door bursts open and the priest, followed by three of the largest men you have ever seen, burst forth. The look of absolute terror on the priests face is in total opposition the the fact that he runs strait towards you, and the beast.

The sudden arrival of the 4 men seems to distract the beast giving you just the edge you need to evade its attacks. As you do this you hear the priest muttering a short prayer as he rushes up to you and presses a hand against your back. You feel a pulse of energy fill your body with strength and your mind and spirit calm as the feeling of impending death is pushed back by the divine healing.
+2 HP to Rhidon

The 3 large men seem unsure of what to do and stand bare handed, apparently taking a cue from you, but seem hesitant to move into reach of those deadly claws empty handed.

The three men move in with grim determination, and a bit of fear can be seen. But like the priest they move with purpose and without reservation. Meanwhile the priest heals Rhidon again before backing away from the fight to keep an eye our for others in need of healing.

The beast snarls as the new assailants throw their inexperienced and largely ineffectual punches at it. Two hoverer manage to strike it in the head and the ribs and you see the beast flinch. Howling it glares at Rhidon and launches itself at him, only to move on though and begin to flee after striking the hated dwarf viciously leaving bloody gashes in Rhidon's side.

The men begin to take up the chase but the beast is much swifter than they or the dwarf. . .

A cheer erupts from the wall behind you. . . .

what do you do?