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Post by A. Joe on Aug 15, 2013 19:40:47 GMT
Part 1:
Maybe it's just our luck, to stumble upon two adult owlbears. This must be their lair for sure. They say owlbears just as fierce as normal bears, boy if only that were true. Owlbears are worse. Short temper, murderous streak and can easily mauled a horse into two parts with their hooked beak. However, somehow I have the feeling we can take these two overgrown monsters.
I already have my eidolon armor, The Jaeger, equipped on me. It seems Jaeger a bit more on the defensive today. It must've been worried about my safety. Our two new companion looks quite determined to defeat these monsters as well. Afir, that ranger we hired recently, already have his bow aimed at one of the owlbears with quiet anticipation. And that eerie Lady, Anna Erica. I think she is a mage of sort, she looks just as determined as Afir. I wonder where Effigy and the Warden found these two. Warden Constantine seems hesitant to take on these monsters, understandable, I don't think he wants to jeopardize our land search with casualties. I wouldn't worry too much though, we got big Effigy on our side. What could possible go wrong right?
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Post by Effigy on Aug 15, 2013 20:55:54 GMT
Effigy stared at the two giant beasts. Massive claws and sharp teeth stood out in his mind. He immediately did not want to fight the things. His time underground taught him there are times when avoiding combat was victory itself. "We should leave this place." He spoke to his companions, he could see one of them was visibly with child.
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Post by A. Joe on Aug 16, 2013 0:21:38 GMT
Part 2:
Wait, did I hear them correctly? Hal looked to his side, did he said he wants to leave in a low voice? However, before words came into his mind properly, the owlbears are already closing in. Afir open fire at one of them, wounding it. And then, Effigy roars at the other one. It was shocking enough that it doesn't have time to react to Anna Erica's spell. Whatever that spell is, it conjures some kind of webbing that immediately tied one of the owlbear in place. That'll give us more time. Constantine casts his spell at the owlbears as well. He fires his magic, injuring the one shot earlier by Afir.
Unfortunately, Constantine steps out too wide from the party formation. The injured owlbear makes a vicious charge at him and grabbed him in its deadly embrace. With the Warden's life in danger, Hal turn his entire attention at the one that attempt to maul his leader. He tried to rally his comrades to focus everything they got at the injured owlbear.
The beast thick hide makes it difficult for Hal or Afir to give it more significant injury, but it will soon fall if we keep this up. At the same time, the trapped owlbear breaks free from the magical webbings and engages Effigy in close combat. I have nothing to worry about the orc, the big guy won't let anything happen to the Warden, just like that time with assassins in the market place. Surely, he will stand his ground for Constantine.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 16, 2013 7:59:41 GMT
Effigy watched at the pregnant owlbear charged at Constantine. She must be trying to protect her child. Effigy thought. He really did not want to fight these two beautiful creatures.
He saw the male break free from the webbing that Afir shot at him. He too must fear for his lady and wife. Effigy understood rage. He felt for these creatures. Again he called out to his comrades, "We should leave this place!" But it was too late, the mother already had Constantine in her grips.
I have seen too much infanticide already. Effigy contemplated as he thought to his past. I cannot take any part in this. Was his final resolution as he went to make his escape.
Just as Effigy turned to retreat the male owlbear already enraged grappled him to the ground. Effigy felt the sharp claws dig into his shoulders as he let out a piercing howl. Do not let the rage kick in! He thought to himself, he knew what happened when his raged kicked in. Instead he bit back the pain and managed to get a foot solid on the ground and using all his strength broke free from the owlbears grasp. His other foot hit the ground and he took off.
As he ran he could here the owlbear behind him which he thought was good. Maybe if I lead him away the others can escape too.
Effigy almost made it away from the owlbear nesting area when the male owlbear caught up to him and lunged. This time its arm nailed Effigy right in the head.
There was so daze, there was no stun. Effigy saw only red. He knew it was too late to prevent the deaths of these owlbears. His rage had kicked in.
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Post by A. Joe on Aug 16, 2013 10:27:34 GMT
Part 3:
Effigy retreated, it was something Hal didn't expect. He called out for us to leave this place as he breaks away from the owlbear, but didn't say anything else. Hal would've done so if only the Warden is safe, but he rather not make second guesses, there is simply no time for that. Afir and Anna Erica stood their ground and focusing their attacks on the owlbear that currently clutching Constantine between its claws, it's a miracle the beast had not land a second hit to him, I don't think the Wizard could take another hit.
The other owlbear chased Effigy, but Hal was too focused on helping Constantine. He can only hoped the orc could withstand the onslaught until he is finished with his current foe.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 16, 2013 16:39:28 GMT
Effigy did not completely remember the next thirty seconds as it was a blur. He felt the rage like it had never been before, his tusks grew further out his face and became like daggers going outwards. Then with his hammer and shield, added with a flurry of headbutts. His conscious regained and he was standing over a slain owlbear. He saw the other four still attempting to kill the one attacking Constantine.
He rage wouldn't let him back down now. He charged towards the other owlbear, he needed more blood.
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 16, 2013 22:32:02 GMT
An-Ei was partly scared and partly dissapointed when she saw the orc she constantly hid behind to run away. While the leader was being beaten and clawed to death and she were out of useful spells she panicked. She tried to hit grapple the giant beast but she found that out of the question. She tried hitting him with it's staff but she was too weak to do that. Seeing as she had no choice, she begun searching her bag for her trusty oil flask, hoping to put the beast on fire or at least distract it somehow.
Fortunately, while she grabbed the bag, she heard a strong growl from the beast that went after Effigy and then silence from it's side. It took only seconds for the orc to come and assist Hal in defeating the owlbear which was eating the wizard alive. Hopefully, a change of heart saved a life instead of ending one today.
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Post by A. Joe on Aug 17, 2013 3:44:18 GMT
Part 4:
Everything seems to move more slowly. The end is near. Effigy's familiar roar can be heard, it seems his rage kicks in. Hal glanced to his side, and saw Anna Erica rummaging her bag. I hope she got something useful to distract this beast. Afir keeps on raining the beast with arrows, and it was apparent that the attacks whittle down the beast significantly at this point. Effigy came covered in blood, I think he managed to slay the other owlbear all by himself. Hal looked back at the beast in front of him, raised his blade, and it is finally over.
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 17, 2013 4:10:34 GMT
An-Ei dropped her bag due to her panic. Fortunately, the oil flask came, as if by it's own will, out of the flask. She heard the voice of Constantine trying to wrestle with something that weighted at least 6 times his own weight. The owlbear was about to make the finishing strike on the wizard, when Hal jumped on it with the fury of a cornered man, digging with his weapon all the way to the creature's stomach. 1, maybe 2 seconds passed which seemed like years at their current state of adrenaline. The beast was taken care of but An-Ei moved a few steps backward just to be sure. She looked at the others, breathing deeply, waiting less for a response and more to see if everyone is alright.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 17, 2013 6:03:24 GMT
"Effigy sorry he ran" The orc looked down at his feet. "I really did not want to fight them."
His rage had already settled since seeing the last owlbear fall down lifeless. It did not please Effigy. "Such beautiful creatures." He said while he wiped the brains off his hammer.
Constantine finally managed to pull himself free from under the corpse and looked to be covered in the spilled placenta from the pregnant owlbear. Effigy was glad to see his warden still alive however upset he lead them to this dissapointing combat.
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Post by A. Joe on Aug 17, 2013 9:32:20 GMT
Part 5:
After all is done, Hal helped pull the Warden back to his feet. He glanced at Effigy who had disapproving look for a moment and gave polite and grateful smile, but said nothing else. Welcome to the world Effigy, welcome to a place full of tough choices. Hal had chosen to save the Warden, and possibly the live of some of his comrades, he will take the consequence, whatever that will be. We can never please every living being in this world nor we can ever be able get out from every situation unscathed, unblemished from the choices we made. As to what Effigy knows, or why he keep it to himself, or many other whys unsaid, Hal decide not pursue the subject, time will sort them out eventually.
Afir said his contract is up and is about to leave the search team. The Warden offered him another contract, but the elven ranger politely declined as he is needed somewhere else. Hal thanked the ranger just before he left Westward. Hal also gave his welcoming smile to Anna Erica, it seems that she will settle here in Volkenheim. She looked worried, perhaps because of what just happened, but Hal reassured her that everyone is fine. And then, The Warden told us it is time to see what resources can be found in this area, so we packed our things and move on. Hal can't wait to get back home, he misses Hasty Weasel's sausage cuisine....and its ale.
-this short story ends, but participants may write a closing and whatnot-
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