From the shadows, a tide of water emerge. Walks-In-Shadow summoned forth a great ride of water, a sudden tsunami of water that crashed forth and swept around and through the raging combatants. It swirled around those living, but crashed into the undead with thousands of pounds of force. Many were crushed by the force, and others broken from being flung into the surrounding walls and trees. A draugr is swept by Tiros, who with a casual swipe from his claws breaks the undead’s neck.
2 damage against Deathlord, 6 damage to Scourges and Draugr. 1 Fray damage from Tiros.As the water subsided the bears and wolves set upon the beraggled undead trying to climb to their feet. The regular draugr are quickly torn apart under the fang and claws of the bears. The antlered captain shivers with a dark power, and the bear's paws find no purchase on the Deathlord’s shimmering armor. It fades in time for a wolf to gnaw at the back of the Deathlord’s leg before being brushed away by an irritated swing.
Bears deal 2 damage to Scourges and Draugr, finishing off the regular Draugr. Wolves deal 1 damage to Scourge and Deathlord.Rilfar rushes the Deathlord and strikes his axe, but the Deathlord parries the attack. Tiros jumps in as well, but his claws scratch only against hard armor.
Girtek loads his crossbow and shoots the Deathlord.
2 Damage to Deathlord.The scourges, bogged down in mud and water, attempt to coalesce and turn back the tide of beasts, but are overwhelmed by the bears roaring their defiance.
Scourges deal no damage, destroyed by BearsThe Deathlord, his host destroyed, swears vengeance in his ancient tongue, his blade coming alive with a black fire. His blade flashes forth, only to be caught by Rilfar’s armored bracer. The metal bends, black fire coursing against steel and flesh, but Rilfar’s arm holds unnaturally steady, not being forced back an inch by the force of the blow.
Deathlord damage deals 8 damage, but is blocked by Rilfar (-1 effort for day)His attack stopped, the Deathlord stumbles back, only to be slammed into by a charging bear. The undead’s cry is cut short by a roar and the sound of teeth tearing into undead flesh.
The Godbound stand victorious over the Grove, defenders broken and scattered across the sacred space. The pool is still pristine, despite the bone and blood sent flying during the battle.
The
ornate entrance to the depths of the Grove lies ahead, white marble engraved with ancient Nordic script and images, steps leading down into the dark.
What do you do?(Bears at 17/18 health, Wolves at 15/24)
She turns to the two Godbound, "We would take you to Hagor. If anyone deserves help, its him. He helped seal the . . . gate the Shadows came from, so they hate him."
She does look nervous as she says this. "The Shadows won't like it, but he's been through so much. . . Will you help him?"
"Yes, certainly! But it wouldn't do to charge in blind, literally or otherwise. You wouldn't happen to have any further insights on the Shadows in particular, would you? Do you suppose, based on what you've seen of the Shadows so far, that bringing additional torches down would help at all? Maybe particularly fiery torches, which I predict would also have the wonderful side-effect of granting you unmatched strength? Shame about the Ebonach, really, it would have helped a lot. I suppose you could tie plates from its wreck to make makeshift armor, but the Shadows don't seem like they'd be particularly deterred...If we survive this, you're more than welcome to sell them off, of course. No doubt they'll fetch great prices anywhere with the recent mine collapses..."
She shivers.
“The Shadows… we resisted them at first. But they were persistent, turned us against each other. They killed the strongest of us, told us that we deserved the curse. They dislike fire, that is to be sure.”
She looks determined.
“They have ruined us for long enough.”
Initially unwilling to involve herself in speaking to the two surviving soldiers, Krihrada finds an opportunity to sate some of her personal curiosity.
”While you’re at it, I want you to tell— us” (she was about to say “me”) ”everything you know about the ritual carried out here and the effects its magic has had upon you. Include every possible detail you can.”
Out loud it sounds a little more demanding than she is comfortable with, so she adds, ”It may, er, expedite the process of finding a permanent solution to your problem.”
She turns to answer Krihrada.
“I was a simple soldier, most of the mages and officers died shortly afterward. But we handled transportation to more dedicated Theurgic sites. Not sure what came in that day, Hagor would know more, but from what I hear the teleporters just. . . broke and those shadows came out instead.
What do you do?