Day Three of the Odinsleep (The Plains of Vígríðr) Part Five

DAY ONE (Day Three of the Odinsleep), 9:30 am

Everyone sees Raven hurled into the wall by the Jotun.  Many are surprised when the elf rises to his feet, spits out a mouthful of blood and starts running back toward the enemy.  Shadow, realizing that the cursed sword Thorgrim will make Raven fight until either he or the giant is dead angles around in mid-air and dives back toward the mountainous giant.  “Spewer!  Leap onto its head and see if you can get into the thing’s ears or nose and melt its brain!”  The dark elf pulls his dagger, the “Nasty Surprise” as he closes in on the blue-skinned behemoth.  The giant scowls, watching Raven race toward him and readies his axe to strike and does not notice Shadow’s approach.  Spewer jumps right before Shadow drives his dagger into the side of the giant’s neck.  The tiny blade barely scratches the skin but it’s enough for the drow to release the spell stored within the blade.  Five pulses of magic force pour down the blade and into the wound, blasting it open and causing the giant to roar and reel in pain. 

The Jotun spins, face contorted with fury as it seeks out the newest source of frustration.  Spewer has to hold on with all of his might to keep from being thrown loose.  The lizard spits, although his attack lands nowhere near the giant’s ear canal or nasal passages but he is still greeted by the smell of acid eating into the blue flesh.

 

Raven races toward the giant as quickly as his legs will carry him, aided by the magic of the Wanderer’s Boots.  He jumps up, catching the edge of the berm with his right foot and launches into the air.  His leap carries him all the way to small of the giant’s back and Thorgrim sinks smoothly through the giant’s thick hide and into the monster’s spinal cord.  The giant’s legs give out and it topples forward, dragging the elf along with it as it crashes face first to the ground. 

Drax slips along silently and invisibly toward the two ogres battling Ra’ziir.  The assassin flashes into view for just a moment as he drives his shortsword into the side of one ogre’s head, punching through its ear and burying his sword in its brain.  The ogre dies in an instant and Drax has already vanished from sight before it finishes hitting the ground.

Grotto raises his axe and wales on the ogre nearest him.  The dwarf’s giant foe stumbles backwards, stunned by the fury of the tiny dwarf’s assault.  The monster stops his reversed momentum and plants his feet, prepared to cave in the skull of his miniature attacker but then Arthur teleports in, carried to the battle by the magic of his helm and strikes once with his silvered holy blade.  There is a bright flash of light as corrupt flesh is blasted apart by the blessed weapon.  The ogre staggers forward this time into the path of Hansuke. 

The tattooed monk screams, “Daburu-Samaasoroto!”  A blinding barrage of fists pummels the ogre’s face, crushing its cheekbones and then its nose before breaking the monster’s jaw.  The ogre, dead on its feet, can’t even fall as the monk’s powerful blows keep it on its feet until Hansuke steps aside, his fury temporarily sated.

Desmond lines up his shots, taking careful aim and fires at the ogre that has been pursuing him.  Three shafts punch into the ogre’s chest and it finally succumbs to the wounds it has received and dies.

With only two ogres remaining, Ra’ziir cries out, “Arcus fulgur“ and arcs of lightning leap from his hands to both beasts.  

The bolt coruscates back and forth between the two giants, burning each badly but they remain standing in the wake of the spell.  The bladesinger shifts his feet, ready to engage one or both of his foes should they charge at him but Korbin swoops in, having snatched up another stone. 

The talking crow’s intended target, the Jotun lies dead on the ground so the small bird twists in flight and lets go of his rock.  

It flies straight into the groin of the ogre to Ra’ziir’s left.  The ogre’s voice shifts two entire octaves higher on impact with the stone and it crumbles forward, gasping for breath and clutching itself. 

Morn wills his enchanted whip to grow as he snaps it forward once more.  The enchanted leather snakes out across the battlefield and wraps around the stricken ogre’s throat.  With a thought from its master, the whip contracts, cutting off the ogre’s airway and the ogre’s eyes begin to bug out from its head.  The ogre tries to grab the whip but its fingers are too thick and blunt to get between the magic leather and its throat and it collapses, face turning blue as the life is choked out of it.

Cedron grabs the edge of the Witching Cloak and flies across the battlefield to Raven.  The elf spins, is eyes locked on the last ogre and raises his sword, prepared to continue the fight as Cedron lands before him and plants both hands upon the elf’s shoulders.  A hurried prayer sends energy coursing through Cedron’s hands and into his battered companion’s body, healing some of the worst injuries.

Kysek strikes at the last ogre.  The gold elf moves his fingers rapidly through the motions of a spell and chants “Brännande Stråle”.  Beams of fiery light lance out from his fingertips and strike the ogre in the chest, burning it flesh and setting it ablaze.  Niklas joins in on the attack and fire three arrows into the side of the monster’s ribcage.  There is a brief scream of pain followed by a gurgle of blood and the ogre collapses, leaving no enemies in sight for the adventurers to battle.

With all of the giants within his immediate sight dead, Thorgrim releases Raven from its enchantment.  Rage leaves the elf’s body and the wounds he has received, despite the healing magic provided by Cedron prove to be greater than he can bear and he collapses to the ground, limp and unmoving.

= = = = = =
• Inspire Courage (+2 hit/dmg/save vs charm/fear) from Morn: Arthur, Drax, Morn, Niklas (4 rounds remaining)

• Bless (+1 hit/save vs fear) from Grotto: Desmond, Grotto, Hansuke, Korbin (5 minutes, 8 rounds remaining) 

• Arthur: 94% health;

• Bubo: 100% health;

• Cedron: 93% health; Divine Flames (+1d6 holy damage, 2 rounds remaining)

• Desmond 100% health;

• Drax: 100% health; Improved Invisibility (7 rounds remaining)

• Grotto: 100% health;

• Hansuke: 94% health;

• Korbin: 100% health;

• Kysek: 100% health; Stoneskin (89 minutes, 7 rounds remaining)

• Morn: 100% health;

• Niklas: 100% health;

• Raven: -2% health;

• Ra’ziir: 100% health; Stoneskin (169 minutes, 7 rounds remaining)

• Shadow: 100% health; Overland Flight (14 hours, 49 minutes, 7 rounds remaining); Iron Body (DR15/adam, immune to blindness/critical hit/deafness/disease/drowning/electricity/poison/stunning and effects that affect physiology or respiration, Str 21 (+5)/Dex 16 (+3) attack bonus/penalty cancel out, gains +3 damage, ASF 50%, -8ACP, 14 minutes, 0 rounds remaining);

• Spewer: 100 % health;