We Join This Battle Already in Progress (Part Five)


The battle continues.  I now present Round SEVEN of combat against the dreaded Jabberwock!
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DAY THIRTEEN (December 11th), 8:11:42 am 

Shadow flies higher into the air, climbing out of the incredible reach of the Jabberwock’s neck.  The drow, bleeding from numerous wounds, casts another spell – one that will guarantee his next strike is true. 

Kysek’s disembodied hand continues to pull on the Jabberwock’s head while he moves around to the side of the beast.  The summoned construct strains against the monster, making little headway but he elf reaches his intended spot and dashes in.  He slashes with the vorpal blade, Bedlam easily splits the scales covering the monster’s ribs, parting them like a hot knife through butter.  The monster howls in shock and pain, spinning to face the elf and his deadly sword. 

The Jabberwock ignores the rest of the party while they lie stunned, in various states of insensibility on the ground and focuses its rage on the elf that wounded it.  It roars and lunges, a thunderous noise that shakes snow from the trees.  Teeth flash and claws rakes and the wings batter the gold elf, rending and pounding with an awesome brutality thus far unseen.  Kysek’s enchanted clothing and protective wards are overwhelmed by the onslaught and he is snatched up by the beast and beaten against the boughs of the frozen trees.  Blood flies , spattering the ground, leaving red stains on the white snow before the elf is slammed into the ground with punishing force. 

As Kysek lays gazing up at the sky, his body numb and his throat dry, he notes Korbin and Morn shaking off the stupor from the Jabberwock’s burbling attack.  The two adventurers both rise to their feet, ready to continue the fighting while Arthur’s head snaps up, his daze clearing as well.  The paladin vanishes from sight once more and reappears in the air above the monster and drops from above toward the Jabberwock’s back.  Lawbringer’s silver blade flares brilliantly but skitters off the thick hide, nearly piercing Arthur’s leg as he lands on the beast. 

Korbin flips over and pulls the portable hole from his back and begins unfolding it.  The black cloth opens up and the bird drops inside, searching for what may be a chance to defeat the fell monster and emerges a moment later carrying a black egg the size of two clenched fists held together.  The bird scowls at the Jabberwock as he sets the egg on the ground and shouts out, “HEY!  JABBERWOCK!  LOOK AT ME!  YOU’RE TOO WEAK TO KILL A SMALL BIRDY!”  He places the end of one feathered wing on the egg and when the slavering monster turns to face him, he speaks the words, “Nazrat Almawt”.
The Jabberwock’s eyes go wide as it cocks its head one way then the other as it leans in close for a good look at the egg.  Swirling colors dance within the beast’s eyes as its attention is drawn into the egg’s depths.  Then a low growl fills the air and the monster brings a massive clawed foot down, crushing the mystic ovoid into powdered fragments.
= = = = = =

• Extended Haste (19 rounds remaining) – everyone except Grotto and Shadow

• Prayer (3 rounds remaining)

• Arthur: 38% health;

• Bubo: 100% health;

• Cedron: 100% health; Displacement (4 rounds remaining); STUNNED

• Drax: 100% health; Cursed Blade (9 minutes, 8 rounds remaining); STUNNED

• Grotto: 75% health; Fly (5 minutes, 3 rounds remaining), Protection from Evil (5 minutes, 4 rounds remaining); STUNNED

• Hansuke: 63% health; STUNNED

• Korbin: 61% health;

• Kysek: 16% health; Bigby’s Grasping Hand (+27 Attack/+32 Grap, 6 rounds remaining); Stoneskin (16%, 59 minutes, 4 rounds remaining)

• Morn: 74% health;

• Niklas: 100% health; STUNNED

• Raven: 80% health; Enlarge Person (2 minutes, 5 rounds remaining, Nightwatcher 2d6+20), Bull’s Strength (14 minutes, 6 rounds remaining); STUNNED

• Ra’ziir: 72% health; Iron Body (24 minutes, 5 rounds remaining, DR15/adam, +6 Str, immunties); STUNNED

• Shadow: 35% health; Overland Flight (14 hours, 59 minutes, 2 rounds remaining); Stoneskin (80%, 149 min, 4 rounds remaining); Thunderlance (10 rounds remaining, +22 hit, 2d6+8 damage); Darkness (199 minutes, 7 rounds remaining)

• Spewer: 100 % health;


OH NO!  With the Egg of Desire destroyed and the frontline fighters out of the action, how will the adventurers defeat the fearsome foe?  Tune in next time and find out!

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