Shadows over Sjoldir

[Ace Bronson]

Indeed, the tides have turned and desperation appears in the faces of the beasts. Not fearful desperation, but savagery that must be sated before the fall to oblivion. Left and right their grotesque bodies fall to the ground, clawing a quivering as the are stabbed and hacked by the brave warriors. Those that remain continue to attack with wild abandon, hoping at least to bring someone with them beyond this world.

 

 

[Eborne1]

---

Goran Halfbjorn  _{Dire-Bear Berserker}

---

Another body falls underfoot and is stomped into the dirt as axes and swords continue to ring in his ears. Another bite from another blade. It goes deep, nearly severing Goran's ear and marring his skull. Blood pours down the white bear's face and fur. He lashes back again with wild abandon... Furious... Roaring... Madness...

 

 

 

Quick Stats

Human Form [ ] = temp stats (Medium)  Init 3  Speed 30  HP 36/36 STR 18, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 14, CHA 8 AC 20  Touch 16  Flat-footed 17 CMD 23 (25 vs PM) Fort: 7  Ref: 8  Will: 4 Base Attack Bonus (4) CMB +8 (+10 Powerful maneuvers) Primary Weapons: Shifter Claws (2) (at will) +9(1d4+4) - DR Silver/Cold Iron Club +8 (1d6+4) / Short Spears +7(1d6+4) 20ft Range Armor: Lamellar Leather (+4AC) (+3Dex) Shifter - Defensive Tactics (+2) Special Abilities: Shifter Aspect (Bear) (+2 CON) (7/7 min/day) Wild Shape (Dire Bear) (7/7 hours/day) Conditions: None

Bear Form (Large)    [ ] = temp stats Init 2  Speed 40  HP 18/36 [+8] STR 22[24] DEX 14 CON 14 [18] INT 10 WIS 14 CON 8 AC 21 [19]  Touch 17  Flat-footed 18 CMD 25(27 vs PM) Fort: 7 Ref: 7 Will: 4[5] Base Attack Bonus: (4) CMB +11 (+13 Powerful Maneuvers) Primary Weapons: Claws(2) +11(2d4+6)+Grab Bite +11(2d6+6)+Grab Armor: Natural Armor +4 Shifter - Defensive Tactics +4 Special Abilities: Grab, Pounce, Low Light Vision, Scent: (30ft) Conditions:  Raging Song: +2 STR/CON and WILL Saves -1 AC

Combat Actions

Free:

Swift:

Move:

Standard:

Full Round: Claw Claw Bite on RED

---

 

Edited October 11, 2023 by Eborne1 (see edit history)

[Xssisha]

The beastmans blade gets under Hjarlofs shield, crashing into his side and winding him, but that is why armor is worn, and not just shields bourn. His song wavers a moment, but returns to full strength as he sweeps his axe out at this abomination standing before him.

 

Actions:

Free: Maintain Raging Song (Inspired Rage = STR & CON +2, AC-1, WILL+2; Each potentially affected ally may choose whether or not to accept the songs benefits)

Attack: Swinging (and likely missing with Nat2+9=11) my Battleaxe at the foe in front of me.

Edited October 17, 2023 by Xssisha
Actions (see edit history)

[Svartalf]

Encouraged by her foe's inability to hurt her, Blôdarna strikes again and again, as a lumberjack would hack at a tree.

 

attack on teal

 

damage

 

 

[Zaathun]

---

Ranulf the Rooster  _{Human Raider}

---

Dashing across the battlefield past the fallen beasts, Ranulf's axe seeks purchase in their bared backs. The carnage of the bear-man is great, but so are his wounds, he notes.

 

The field, however, is drenched with bile and blood, and he narrowly misses falling down, his blow flying wide.

---

Stats

Ranulf TN Human (URogue 4)

Init 5  Speed 30  HP 30/35
AC 21  Touch 16  Flat-footed 13 CMD 21
Fort 3  Ref 9  Will 2
Base Attack Bonus 3
Primary Weapon: Mwk Boarding Axe (2) (at will) +10(1d6+5)
Armor: Studded Leather Armour - Light Armor - (+3AC) (+5Dex) (+2 Shield when Weapons drawn) (+1 Combat Expertise, Threatening Defender)
Abilities:  Str 10, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 12
Conditions: None
Special Abilities

Sneak Attack +2d6
Debilitating Injury (Ex)
Minor Magic (Read Magic)

Combat Actions

Free:

Swift:

Move:

Standard:

Full Round: chop, flank + bless + SA

Edited October 14, 2023 by Zaathun (see edit history)

[Ace Bronson]

Axes rise and fall, hacking through flesh and bone. The great bear rends his foes, dark red blood matting his white fur. The last of the misshapen beast men collapses, quivering on the blood soaked ground. The warriors stand still for a moment, chests heaving and vapor rising from their bodies. An eerie silence fills the air as the last gasps trail off from the fallen monsters. The darkness of the night presses in heavily on the edges of the torchlight. A quick glance around shows that all are still standing, some worse for wear but none grievously injured. The flickering light of the thrown torch from further into the farm reveals the details of grisly scene. All here are worldly folk who have seen enough examples of man's cruelty to not be easily shocked, but this act went beyond cruelty. It was driven by something much darker and more incomprehensible. The mind does not want to linger too long on the how or why, lest it slip into madness.

The bodies of the family had been dismembered and gnawed upon, then the remaining parts had been carefully organized into some unholy ritual symbol upon the ground.

[Svartalf]

Blodarna looked at the grisly spectacle with obvious disgust, and decided to ask

 

Does anybody know what that symbol is or where it comes from? It might be an important clue as to the nature and origin of those creatures. Anything that helps destroy that horror and restore the world to normalcy is important.

[Xssisha]

Hjarlof's song drifted to a close, his body shivering from the prolonged exposure to both the intense physical exertion and adrenaline. Now his sweat was starting to chill him too, but his mind was focussed on the clearly diabolical symbol created out of the former farmers. He almost vomited. But the brain kept working. He was a student of many subjects and he hoped that something about this horrific scene would not be wasted.

 

Know(Arcana)12, (History)16, (Religion)21

[Eborne1]

 

---

Goran Halfbjorn  _{Dire-Bear Berserker}

---

Goran huffs and snorts. For long moments after the last enemy ceased to breathe, Goran continues pawing and shoving and tugging at their lifeless bodies, thoughtlessly willing them back to life to continue sating his rage. But as the skald's song slowly dwindles, Goran's senses finally return. The outpouring of adrenaline was exhausting and he falls into a seated posture. His paws are stained with foul, dark blood. He tastes his own as it seeps down the side of his head and into his mouth.

He sits, motionless and stares blankly at the carnage... sad and proud and angry and exhausted, all at once.

Finally, he looks up to the grim sky and around at his comrades, all still standing.

Satisfied, he grunts and stands and lumbers away from the grisly scene.

 

 

Quick Stats

Human Form [ ] = temp stats (Medium)  Init 3  Speed 30  HP 36/36 STR 18, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 14, CHA 8 AC 20  Touch 16  Flat-footed 17 CMD 23 (25 vs PM) Fort: 7  Ref: 8  Will: 4 Base Attack Bonus (4) CMB +8 (+10 Powerful maneuvers) Primary Weapons: Shifter Claws (2) (at will) +9(1d4+4) - DR Silver/Cold Iron Club +8 (1d6+4) / Short Spears +7(1d6+4) 20ft Range Armor: Lamellar Leather (+4AC) (+3Dex) Shifter - Defensive Tactics (+2) Special Abilities: Shifter Aspect (Bear) (+2 CON) (7/7 min/day) Wild Shape (Dire Bear) (7/7 hours/day) Conditions: None

Bear Form (Large)    [ ] = temp stats Init 2  Speed 40  HP 18/36 [+8] STR 22[24] DEX 14 CON 14 [18] INT 10 WIS 14 CON 8 AC 21 [19]  Touch 17  Flat-footed 18 CMD 25(27 vs PM) Fort: 7 Ref: 7 Will: 4[5] Base Attack Bonus: (4) CMB +11 (+13 Powerful Maneuvers) Primary Weapons: Claws(2) +11(2d4+6)+Grab Bite +11(2d6+6)+Grab Armor: Natural Armor +4 Shifter - Defensive Tactics +4 Special Abilities: Grab, Pounce, Low Light Vision, Scent: (30ft) Conditions:  Raging Song: +2 STR/CON and WILL Saves -1 AC

Combat Actions

Free:

Swift:

Move:

Standard:

Full Round: Claw Claw Bite on RED

---

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by Eborne1 (see edit history)

[Zaathun]

---

Ranulf the Rooster  _{Human Raider}

---

Looking at the gash at his side, Ranulf wipes his hatchets on the matted fur of one of the felled beasts slowly, then stows them in his belt. "It could've been bloodier. We all life. Praise to the Valfather. And to whoever trained you.", he notes, before continuing.

 

The blood shed is much, too much. Fighting his rising stomach, Ranulf instead grips his belt, staring at the skies. "The symbol - it doesn't say much to me. Though it is not mere animals, nor mere brutality. Like a twisted bone, broken, then set wrong, such is their mind." He sighs, heavily, warily, then looks around the ruins. "Tend to your wounds, and help me, or look for the tracks. A few strong backs, I'll need, to gather firewood and give them their final warmth. The godi can speak their words, but we can at least help set the dead on their way."

---

Stats

Ranulf TN Human (URogue 4)

Init 5  Speed 30  HP 30/35
AC 21  Touch 16  Flat-footed 13 CMD 21
Fort 3  Ref 9  Will 2
Base Attack Bonus 3
Primary Weapon: Mwk Boarding Axe (2) (at will) +10(1d6+5)
Armor: Studded Leather Armour - Light Armor - (+3AC) (+5Dex) (+2 Shield when Weapons drawn) (+1 Combat Expertise, Threatening Defender)
Abilities:  Str 10, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 12
Conditions: None
Special Abilities

Sneak Attack +2d6
Debilitating Injury (Ex)
Minor Magic (Read Magic)

Combat Actions

Free:

Swift:

Move:

Standard:

 

[Eborne1]

---

Goran Halfbjorn  _{Dire-Bear Berserker}

---

Goran sits, for a time, at the forest's edge, away from the mutilated bodies and the gore and the sounds of battle. He watches a small bird flit around in a nearby tree and just enjoys the quietude. Then the scent of the foul creatures, once again, assaults his sensitive nose. Unable to ignore it any longer, he lifts his snout into the air to get the full story of it.

He gets up on all fours and lumbers about, his snout always held high into the breeze. He follows the smell around over to where the macabre ritual of dead bodies lay... then around the farmstead until he susses out the direction from which the beasts arrived.

That trail is still fresh. They were apparently uncaring as they approached, their heavy hooves having dug deep rents in the earth and their harsh scent clung to the land like soot. (Survival Check = 25)

Goran stood tall on his hind legs and gazed out into the forest in the direction of the creatures' trail. Then, thoughtlessly, his bear's body suddenly shifted and melted away until only the man, Goran, stood in its place. Goran reached into his newly formed waste pouch, which always felt strange to suddenly possess. He withdrew a small vial of liquid and downed a dose of the healing potion. (CLW = 6+1 = 7)

Quick Stats

Human Form [ ] = temp stats (Medium)  Init 3  Speed 30  HP 36/36 STR 18, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 14, CHA 8 AC 20  Touch 16  Flat-footed 17 CMD 23 (25 vs PM) Fort: 7  Ref: 8  Will: 4 Base Attack Bonus (4) CMB +8 (+10 Powerful maneuvers) Primary Weapons: Shifter Claws (2) (at will) +9(1d4+4) - DR Silver/Cold Iron Club +8 (1d6+4) / Short Spears +7(1d6+4) 20ft Range Armor: Lamellar Leather (+4AC) (+3Dex) Shifter - Defensive Tactics (+2) Special Abilities: Shifter Aspect (Bear) (+2 CON) (7/7 min/day) Wild Shape (Dire Bear) (7/7 hours/day) Conditions: None

Bear Form (Large)    [ ] = temp stats Init 2  Speed 40  HP 33/36 STR 22[24] DEX 14 CON 14 [18] INT 10 WIS 14 CON 8 AC 21 [19]  Touch 17  Flat-footed 18 CMD 25(27 vs PM) Fort: 7 Ref: 7 Will: 4[5] Base Attack Bonus: (4) CMB +11 (+13 Powerful Maneuvers) Primary Weapons: Claws(2) +11(2d4+6)+Grab Bite +11(2d6+6)+Grab Armor: Natural Armor +4 Shifter - Defensive Tactics +4 Special Abilities: Grab, Pounce, Low Light Vision, Scent: (30ft) Conditions:  Raging Song: +2 STR/CON and WILL Saves -1 AC

Combat Actions

Free:

Swift:

Move:

Standard:

Full Round:

---

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by Eborne1 (see edit history)

[Abalon]

---

Alfdis

---

Alfdis wipes their axe clean, breathing heavily as the fatigue of the fight starts washing over them. While they weren't lethally wounded, they still had to expend way more energy than they wanted to stay alive

"These beasts were... truly something"

Sitting down, they look up towards the sky, closing their eyes in meditation. That is, until Ranulf mentions giving the dead families their final rites

"Right... I shall help you with this"

Suddenly rising up, as if they weren't injured at all, Alfdis goes to help with the gathering and arrangement of firewood. These people shouldn't be left to rot like this...

---

[Xssisha]

Know(Arcana)12, (History)16, (Religion)21

The symbol escaped his memory, save that it was from well beyond living memory.

He took one of the beasts shields and inscribes the symbol on the holding side with charcoal from the guttering torch. He then begins searching the fallen foes, whilst the others see to the last rights of the family. He looks for identifying items, such as the amulet the invalid-woman had held clutched in her hand, or similar jewelry. It could all be clues.

Hjarlof especially takes note of the numbers and kinds of beast represented by their foes... As well as quality of their gear and weapons.

[Ace Bronson]

A sober feeling settled over the dark and grim scene. While Goran searches for a trail, others tend their wounds and do what they can to honor the remains of the family who once lived here.

The body parts are piled with as much dignity as possible, erasing the grisly, occult symbol they once created, onto a mound of firewood and set ablaze.

The trail is clear both in spoor and scent. It leads off into the blackness of the forest. It is clear that there were more than just those who stayed and fought. It is also clear that some others of the family were likely dragged off alive. Enough time has passed that catching up with them would likely be a fools errand.

 

 

[Zaathun]

---

Ranulf the Rooster  _{Human Raider}

---

Setting the pyres alight is no simple task, in the damp woods, but eventually, the fires raise high. As the bear-man returns from the trail, Ranulf frowns at the news. "News seem dire.", he adds plainly, as he warms his spindly fingers on the flames, a gesture that would draw the ire of those more traditionally minded, but the cold is the cold. The dead wouldn't mind, Ranulf rationalises.

"The trail might be old, but we are to hunt the darkness. And there's only traces of it here now, the source is in the woods." Quietly, he cleans his hatchets for perhaps the fourth time, before tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the reply.

---

Stats

Ranulf TN Human (URogue 4)

Init 5  Speed 30  HP 30/35
AC 21  Touch 16  Flat-footed 13 CMD 21
Fort 3  Ref 9  Will 2
Base Attack Bonus 3
Primary Weapon: Mwk Boarding Axe (2) (at will) +10(1d6+5)
Armor: Studded Leather Armour - Light Armor - (+3AC) (+5Dex) (+2 Shield when Weapons drawn) (+1 Combat Expertise, Threatening Defender)
Abilities:  Str 10, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 12
Conditions: None
Special Abilities

Sneak Attack +2d6
Debilitating Injury (Ex)
Minor Magic (Read Magic)

Combat Actions

Free:

Swift:

Move:

Standard: