Through the Looking Glass

[ArcaneDesperado]

The lighting elemental swirled in the air and bolted in the direction of the mantis shaman. It let loose a crackle of lighting at the creature. The mantis snarled? If snarling was possible with its mandible bug face.

The creature had not a bit of metal on it's person, so the elemental found itself lacking in utilizing its full ability to unleash on the enemy. The mantis in turn crouched down and sprung forward on its powerful legs and leapt into the air and passed the elemental. It took a second leap and landed on the largest rock by Raalk and chittering angerly.

The Mantis on the right bank as well continued to loop around slowly on it approaching. Raising its weapon up in the air it roared again in a manner that clearly implied that it had no intent on diplomacy. It seemed to shake its head at the attempt of the mind affecting spell. It hesitated but didnt turn and flee.

Raalk could here the clashing of metal blades and then the snarl of the Genasi woman. Vanora and the Mantis both exchanged blows. Though hers seemed to hit a bit harder as the swing blasted the mantis with a bolt of electricity again. A black scorch mark was clear on the creature's upper torso.

The mantis in the water tried to stand again as the vortex continued to slam against it. It flailed about in a mixture of anger and discomfort.

Edited December 12, 2023 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)

[Thot]

  

 Raalk Gremweld

As his enemies closed in on him, Raalk cursed his luck. His plan wasn't panning out as expected, unfortunately. Still, that didn't deter the Trollkin, who took a small step away, and invoked the powers of Marinus again to help him and the Genasi to prevail, all the while hopefully his elemental ally would chip away at his enemies' combativity. The Oracle was surrounded by his Titan's presence, he would make it proud !

 

OOC

HP : 42+1 (Fast Healing) = 43

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : 5ft step away from the foes toward Vanora

Standard action : cast Bless, for him, Vanora, and hopefully the two elementals as well

 

Already Cast :

Level 1 - 1 spell

Level 2 - 1 spell

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

 

The lighting elemental crackled in the air. Raalk could almost make out a scowl of a face form amid the living bolts of electricity. It snapped around after the shaman with a buzz and click sound in the air. The mantis shaman on the rock almost lost its footing as the elemental plowed into it. Whatever it was attempting was lost as its concentration was throw. The shaman's skin was a bit more blackened and charred looking now as the lighting elemental swirled in the air.

The water elemental continued to maintain its control of the situation on the downed mantis in the river. Caught in the elemental's vortex is struggled to regain its footing, and failed again.

Vanora slid back from the mantis warrior in front of her. She ran her fingers over the tattoo over her arm that held the spear and slammed it into the ground. Her eyes narrowed at the creature. The hair started to rise up as the air around her began to heat up. Sparks flashed in the back of her eyes.

(Geant) Fulguritus, Zephyrous Emperor, unleash thy wrath upon my enemy. (/Geant)

The sky above crashed. The roar of thunder. The air ignited in a flash. A bolt of lightning shot down and slammed into the mantis. The sound of the bolt hitting the ground sounded like a bomb exploding and caused a bit of a shock wave.

The last mantis had started to charge at Raalk and came to a stop as the sky opened up and the lighting rained down. It chittered and hissed a bit as it black eyes seemed to look around and debate if engaging was wise.

 

Edited December 20, 2023 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)

[Thot]

  

 Raalk Gremweld

His foes having now closed in on him, Raalk had to resort to close-combat. The Trollkin had never feared any such fight before, and only wished that he could be more like his Dragon Patron during those times. Someday perhaps, if he deserved it. He smiled broadly as he leaned forward and put all his considerable weight behind his thrust of the spear to deal as much damage as quickly as possible to the insect-like creature in front of him, and bellowed loudly. "(Draconic) BY KAAL OKAAZ ! (/Draconic)"

 

OOC

HP : 43+1 (Fast Healing) = 44

Effects : +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : Attack Mantis in front of him with Shortspear. 1d20+7 for Attack, 1d6+2 to dmg.

 

Already Cast :

Level 1 - 2 spells

Level 2 - 1 spell

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

 

Raalk's spear connected with the mantis-warrior in front of him. The thick carapace of the creature cracked slightly but didnt pierce as well as he had hoped. If the creature wasnt worried about the direction the fight was going it might have been more just annoyed at getting poked. However it watched the shaman get toppled over by the lightning elemental again and slide off the rock out of sight. A splash of water and painful chittering.

Vanora had walked over and speared the head of the crispy mantis warrior that had fallen to the lightning bolt to ensure that the warrior would not provide any further issues.

The final mantis warrior had stopped thrashing amid the vortex of the water elemental. Either pummeled to the point of unconsciousness or drowned from the continued submerged state in the river.

The mantis in front of Raalk slide back in the water a bit taking a fully defensive stance for a moment before it would attempt to leap away into retreat.

Raalk would have the opportunity to try and strike the mantis as it went to flee, or just allow it to escape.

 

[Thot]

Raalk Gremweld

While the Trollkin was not bloodthirsty by any mean, letting someone leave to come back and bite at you later was never a good idea. Raalk chose to keep on attacking the insect-people in front of him, targeting if possible his legs or middle-section so he couldn't run away.

 

OOC

Sorry for lackluster post, but posting time is scarce this week. Actually, I'll be away until next Friday most probably. Sorry !

 

HP : 44+1 (Fast Healing) = 45

Effects : +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : Keep on attacking Mantis in front of him with Shortspear. 1d20+7 for Attack, 1d6+2 to dmg.

 

Already Cast :

Level 1 - 2 spells

Level 2 - 1 spell

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Thot (see edit history)

[ArcaneDesperado]

 

The mantis creature managed to evade Raalk's spear as it leapt backwards towards the shoreline once again. It quickly turned and went to disappear into the treeline hoping to avoid further confrontation.

The shaman on the opposite side of the rocks managed to regain it footing as the lightning elemental began to dissipate with the summoning spell having run its course. The water elemental however was under no such restriction as moved to block the creature's escape. Rearing up out of the water again the shaman halted as it went to check its options for escape.

In that time Vanora spun her spear around and hurled it at the mantis. The head of the weapon piercing through the creature's lower jointed leg. It chittered in pain and made a motion with its clawed hands.

The air rippled towards Vanora with enough force to send her back about five feet and land on her back with a thump.

Raalk thought he may have heard a very explicit curse from her in Geant. The mantis meanwhile turned and tried to hobble towards the shore with the spear still very much lodged in its leg.

[Thot]

  Raalk Gremweld

One prey was alas getting away, but it was already too late for that, and Raalk quickly turned his attention to the Shaman who was still in the waters. A bigger fish to fry. With big strides he rushed into contact of the last insect-people and bellowed his rage as he tried to stab it, with a slight feint to the left first and actually an upward attack from his waist-line. The shaman would probably expect the Trollkin to take advantage of his weakness, and that's why Raalk was confident it would connect upward.

 

OOC

HP : 45+1 (Fast Healing) = 46

Effects : +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : Keep on attacking Mantis in front of him with Shortspear. 1d20+7 for Attack, 1d6+2 to dmg.

 

Already Cast :

Level 1 - 2 spells

Level 2 - 1 spell

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

 

The one mantis warrior continued to flee into the treeline. If there was any sense of comradery between the mantis-creatures it was overridden by the concept of self preservation.

The remaining mantis shaman stumbled once again as the spear limited it's movement and speed. More importantly it prevented it from trying to use its legs to jump away like the other had managed. It left it well within Raalk's ability to catch up with it, even having to squeeze between the rocks.

It hissed and spattered as the spear cracked it's outer carapace and went through the other side causing greenish ichor like blood to spurt from wound. The mantis tried to do something else with its hands again. Potentially a similar spell to what it had hit Vanora with a moment again. Its motions however were interrupted by the water elemental smashed it with a watery fist against the side where Raalk's wound had struck it just seconds before.

It's head rolled back as it chittered once more before falling into the river with a limp splash.

Vanora by that time had gotten to her feet and made her way over. She kicked the creature's head causing the neck to snap violently to the side with a loud crack. Again making sure that the creature was very much dead.

She leaned down and proceeded to pull the spear from the mantis' leg, letting the river wash off the green blood from the weapon's tip.

[Thot]

  

 Raalk Gremweld

Looking at the dead mantis lying around in the water or on the shore, Raalk relaxed a bit. One had left, hopefully never to come back. "(Primordial) Thank you very much for your help. You are indeed a prime warrior of your people. And your friend's help was invaluable too. (/Primordial)" he praised both Vanora and the water elemental that Marinus had obviously blessed for this fight.

"(Primordial) One fled though. Should we be concerned and give chase ? He will not cause any trouble to you and yours ? (/Primordial)" Obviously the Genasi lived a life of precarious balance, and the Trollkin was afraid of anything that may tip the scales in a bad way.

In the meantime, he got his spear back from the mantis shaman body as well, and cleansed it as Vanora had done, both as a habit, and as a precaution in case those fluids may be toxic or aggressive down the road too. There were fishes like that in the sea, too.

 

OOC

HP : 49 (back to downtime, I assume)

Effects : -

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

Already Cast :

Level 1 - 2 spells

Level 2 - 1 spell

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Vanora looked over the fallen mantis bodies for a moment before she finally spoke up. The water elemental mildly bubbled in response to Raalk, though the lightning genasi seemed to not be too concerned on the praise.

(Geant) With its fellow mantis felled, I don't foresee it coming back for awhile. By the time it would consider it, we'll be long gone. (/Geant)

She secured her spear after it had been cleaned and proceeded to start to drag the shaman's body out of the water.

(Geant) No sense letting the rot contaminate the water downstream to the village. Eventually something will come to scavenge the remains from the local fauna. (/Geant)

The water elemental helped to navigate the body out of the body a bit easier and to the bench.

(Geant) Hopefully we shouldn't have any further trouble at least until we reach the northern settlement. (/Geant)

She went over and proceeded to repeat the process, moving the second one that the elemental had pounded into a pulp.

[Thot]

 Raalk Gremweld

With no knowledge of the local situation, Raalk of course deferred to Vanora's opinion. If she wasn't afraid of consequences, then so was he. He proceeded to help move the bodies, and looked at their spears in case he could bring them to use. His own was a masterpiece of his own people's craft, but having a worthwhile spare couldn't go amiss too.

"(Primordial) I have little doubt that nature will see them dispersed sooner, rather than later. As for us, how far are we now to that northern settlement ? Can we reach it by nightfall ? I think not, right ? Just to make sure, those insect-like creature, do they see well in the darkness of the night ? What about you ? Should we be extra-careful after nightfall ? (/Primordial)" During the festivities, all had been brightly lit, so Raalk wasn't really sure about that. But now that they may have some tracker on their scent in the coming hours...

He then looked at her for wounds or signs of anything else. "(Primordial) Also, do you need healing after this fight ? Have you been wounded ? poisoned ? anything ? (/Primordial)" He already knew her to be tough, but probably not foolish enough to dismiss help if needed. It would be too dangerous otherwise.

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects : -

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	2	1	0

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Vanora frowned a bit.

(Geant) This situation has probably delayed us a bit more than I'd like. We'd probably be getting there after dark if we pushed through. Most of the settlement will be asleep. I'd rather not wake them to ready us a boat, or try and find use a place to sleep at that time of night. If we need to camp, then we can make it rather early in the day to the settlement after dawn. That might actually be beneficial to getting up the river. More daylight to get started. (/Geant)

She leaned down and checked the shaman's small bag. She wasn't expecting much and made no surprise when it was full of only a few spell like components. The mantis' shaman's magic being primarily psychic in nature the components only fueling minor cantrips it might have known via arcane means.

(Geant) The bonding reduces the amount of time I need to sleep. Eventually I will not need to sleep at all. Like our little water elemental, who does not understand the concept of sleep. If you wanted to take first watch with it, and then I can stay watch the rest of the evening. (/Geant)

The Genasi finally looked over herself on the question about needing healing.

(Geant) The blast did more to knock me on my ass than anything. Mostly my pride that's wounded for that. (/Geant)

She smirked slightly before looking at the other laceration on her side. Touching it lightly she flinched a little.

(Geant) Deeper than I thought. No poison, thankfully. If they had been spider or scorpions that would be a concern. I have not been bonded long enough to have been granted that immunity yet. (/Geant)

[Thot]

  Raalk Gremweld

The huge Trollkin leaned slightly and slowly approached his hand to Vanora's side to assess her wound. Most of his had already faded back into normal, thick skin.

"(Primordial) Not so bad indeed. No poison is good, but it could still get infected. We Trollkin are extremely hardy against such things, but your blessings are probably elsewere. It is probably safer to get it closed anyway. Please allow me... (/Primordial)" And with some words and a couple of moves, the Oracle musted a little bit of magical energy to heal the Genasi warrior*. Marinus was watching them both.

He then pondered their situation. "(Primordial) I need little sleep. Two hours should be good enough for me. Take what you need, and we will still be able to make good way during the night. For now, let's leave this area, and aim to arrive in your settlement with dawn, or little after. And we shall see how it goes. (/Primordial)" It was the best that he could come up on the spot, and often simpler meant better for him.

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects : -

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : Cast CLW if that's what seems appropriate for the wound.

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	3	1	0

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Vanora seemed a bit more at ease as the healing magick helped to heal the wound from the mantis warrior's spear.

(Geant) Many thanks. (/Geant)

She frowned at bit at the tear in the leather.

(Geant) Sadly the magick will not heal that tear. No matter, its minor. Perhaps I can get it patched up at the settlement. (/Geant)

The Genasi looked back to Raalk.

(Geant) I agree though, lets move forward. See how far we can push until sunset. Then we'll set up a camp. (/Geant)