Corros considers bravado in answer to Jenna's question, but tosses the idea immediately.  Acting tough really hasn't been the basis of their relationship.  Honesty has been the foundation.  Well, that with a little roguish charm.  And my amazing good looks, he allows himself with some humor.

"I'm okay," he answers back after meeting his eyes.  "A little chilly around the edges, yeah?  I'd prefer if our enemies," a booted foot prods the yeti's corpse for a moment or two, "didn't remove the ability to move my hands, but, you know, we don't get to choose... Your flying dismount went well?"

The warlock takes stock of their situation and gives Nic a nod of thanks.  "I can fly up and get a look around," he offers.  "Maybe spot the horses before they get too far and give us a better idea of what where they're leading us."

"That would be very useful," Nicolai muses.  "If you can give us a look at the terrain around here, it'd save us a lot of time.  And possibly pain."  After a moment's thought, he adds, "Just don't make yourself a target.  Get the hell back down here if you see another manticore, yeah?"

His garments fluttering as his feet leave the earth, Corros rises slowly into the sky. This is no simple levitation spell, the bread-and-butter of street magicians Torwheld over. As the warlock gains altitude, this becomes clear. Corros means to fly. It's not something that many outside of the most renowned academies of magic have witnessed first hand. Gronk nearly dislocates his jaw gaping at the sight.

Corros is, pardon the pun, learning on the fly. It takes complete concentration and some time to master control of his airborne body but soon he's sailing west 100 feet above the nearest bluffs, searching out the errant dwarf miner. Several of Nic's ravens accompany the warlock, darting about the flying half-elf with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement. From this height, away to the north, Corros can see the simple hilltop stockade that serves as the ultimate redoubt for the inhabitant of the mining camp (an addition to the Yonder's Hole constructed during the rebuilding of the valley camp). Facing west, Corros follows the draw for a few hundred feet until he spots Nic's horse drinking from a small pool of snowmelt. Kerek, still astride his mount, is not much further on. His horse is in a lather, walking now, head down, away from whence it was terrorized. Ahead of the rider, around a small bend in the ravine, is another camp, much smaller than Yonder's Hole, and much dingier than the mining settlement ever was, even at the height of the Orc siege. Kerek, however, can't see this camp. His mount is stumbling, unawares, towards it.

This wouldn't be a problem if this squalid camp were simply an outlying annex of Yonder's Hole. But it is soon apparent that it is not. From a height, its occupants appear as tall, dog-headed men, mostly naked, most carrying nasty looking weapons. Within the bounds of the camp is a crude cage, packed to brimming with huddled humanoids- men and dwarves, predominantly. Not far to the east of this camp, boring into the flank of a low bluff, is a tunnel. As Corros watches, a stoop-shouldered man emerges from the tunnel bearing a basket of earth, dumping it as his overseer's lash bites at his naked back.

The others watch Corros sail off to the west, eventually losing sight of the airborne warlock as he's screened off by the looming western bluff. Zima volunteers to go after the pack horse.


Your Turn.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 23:59, Sun 15 Jan 2017.

Corros leaves the ground and his friends behind in a moment of weightless freedom.  Nothing has compared to the sensation of freedom that this spell has given him.  The only feeling that he can remember as coming close to soaring through the air was the initial discovery of The Library many years ago.  He wants to rise higher than the bluffs and climb higher and higher into the skies to leave the earth behind.  Given that he's also not suicidal, and that he doesn't know what awaits him around the area or in the sky, common sense prevails and he stays near the ground.  Or nearish.

Sighting Kerek and his ultimate destination causes Corros' pulse to spike.  Their ally is in danger, and despite their short time together, Corros knows he has to do his part to save the man from imprisonment, if not death.  The warlock turns to the crows escorting him through the sky as he begins to descend.

"Go to Nic," he tells them, "please tell him that there are gnolls ahead and they must hurry.  Lead him to that place."  Corros points to the camp, then dives, skimming across the ground hoping to intercept Kerek before he meets his fate.


Corros
61/61 HP, AC 13
Flying to intercept Kerek
10' above ground
If gnolls come around the corner before he can stop Kerek, he'll cast Evard's Black Tentacles at a choke point
If he can get within range before Kerek is exposed, he'll use telepathy to turn him around and try to keep him silent

Nicolai watches with more than a touch of envy as Corros takes flight.  "He did not tell me he could do this.  Did he tell you he could do this?" he asks Jenna rhetorically.

The envy turns to concern as the witchling's course suddenly veers west and drops.  The cloud of crows plummets, too, returning to Nicolai.

"Gnolls," croaks one in a passable imitation of Corros' voice.  A second emphasizes the missive with a head-tilt and flutter of wings that's an eerily accurate imitation of the thieves' cant for "hurry" and "follow."

"Shit.  Gnolls," Nicolai repeats for the benefit of his companions, breaking into a run.

Jenna can't help but smirk a little at the look on Nicolai's face when the Rogue asks the question that he clearly already knows the answer to. "He did more than tell me, he would take me with him." Together she and Corros had soared over Balefyre, she clinging tightly to him as the City had slipped by beneath them.

She's still smiling at the thought of those memories when the ravens return, flock around their Master, the gist of the message that they carry understandable even before Nicolai repeats it. Jenna wonders whether these gnolls are connected to the same pack that they had bested before, the ones that had been plaguing the orcs, the ones from whom they had recovered the Hand of Doom talisman.

These were questions that could be asked after they had tasted Arma's wrath. For now Jenna sets off after Nicolai, matching her pace to his.

Gnolls.

Gronk smiles and falls in behind Nic and Jenna, eager for the fight that was clearly coming.

-

"He took you with him?  And neither of you told me?  He never takes me anywhere," Nicolai rejoins, tongue planted firmly in cheek.  Then he shuts up and runs.

Despite their seeming preoccupation with things subterranean, the gnolls, for gnolls they most certainly are, can't help but notice the floating elf-man and his swirling coterie of ravens. A particularly observant gnoll's barks of alarm alert the others; the presumed leader, conspicuous by his unusually large size, directs several from among his band to proceed east, at speed, down the draw, towards the airborne interloper. Corros realizes that this puts them on a collision course with Kerrek, still completely unaware of the danger into which he's riding.

The rest of the party is in hot pursuit, but Kerek, thanks to his runaway mount, still has a substantial lead. At the moment, the dwarf is closer to the gnolls than he is to his own travelling companions. As Corros watches, Kerek finally gets his mount turned around, but the gnolls are closing fast (quarry and hunters still can't see one another).

The party of gnolls moving towards Corros (and Kerek) numbers six, accompanied by four hyenas. There appears to be at least a dozen gnolls in and around the squalid camp; the cage contains several humanoid prisoners, although there are very likely more currently out of sight, digging below ground.


Your Turn.

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This message was last updated by the GM at 16:03, Fri 30 Dec 2016.

Corros has to double down on his decision to try and save Kerek before the gnolls arrive.  Despite the warlock's reluctance to enter combat without his four allies, if he doesn't act, their new friend will perish.  Or be forced to spend the next several hours to days slaving under the whips of gnollish slave masters.  At least they gnolls are after Corros now, and that means he might be able to lure the creatures away.  Especially if he plays a little hide and seek.

Keeping low, he tries to try to keep a ridge line between himself and the gnoll camp.  He'll make it look like a bad attempt at stealth in an attempt to buy Kerek time to move.  At the same time, he starts looking for a good spot to draw their enemies towards.  A place where Nic, Jenna, and Gronk can do their best to inflict damage.  A choke point or a draw would be best.  Just away from Kerek will be sufficient.

If he has to protect Kerek, he will.

"Push Kerek to Nic," he tells the ravens.  When he has a good location to do battle, he'll send that via raven too.

Nicolai sees Corros dip below the jagged horizon, trailing ravens like an ebon comet.  "He's doing something stupid and heroic," he observes to Jenna, probably unnecessarily.  He concentrates on his footing.  As soon as the first gnoll is in sight, he wants to be in its face with blades out before it realizes what's happening.

Corros' diversion works. He drifts to his right, over the bluff that forms the northern boundary of the draw currently being used by all three parties (Kerek, Corros' friends, and the gnolls). The gnolls, still unaware of Kerek's presence (he's just out of sight around a gentle bend in the draw), scramble up the bluff towards the floating intruder.

Nic's ravens seem to understand Corros' spoken directions. Four of them break off and dive towards Kerrek, noisily hectoring him and his exhausted mount east, towards Nic and the others.

When the first gnoll reaches the crest of the ridge, he notches his bow and takes aim at Corros. Corros sideslips into defilade and the hastily-sent arrow sails wide. The gnoll archer's companions arrive in short order and, although their attention is naturally drawn to the floating humanoid, they now have a better view down the length of the draw. Invariably, one of them notices the noisy ravens herding a rider away from the gnoll camp. Much barking and snarling ensues. Four of the gnolls slide back down the draw and peel off in hot pursuit of the mounted dwarf, accompanied by all four of the hyenas. This leaves two bow-armed gnolls atop the ridge, both focused on Corros.

Nic, Jenna, Gronk, and Zima are still closing on Kerek from the east. They can finally see him up ahead. Since they and he are moving towards one another, his friends should reach him before the gnolls do.


Your Turn.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 16:20, Mon 02 Jan 2017.

"Keep going," Nicolai snarls as he passes Kerek and his winded mount.  He tugs his rapier and dagger free of their scabbards and angles toward where he estimates the gnolls will appear.

Nicolai
AC 16; HP 61/61; Superiority Dice 4/4
Move: Into melee with gnolls.
Attack (x2): Rapier +1 against first available gnoll (attack +7, damage 1d8+4)
Bonus: If necessary, Cunning Action for Dash to get into melee; if not, expending a superiority die to feint (first attack has advantage; +1d8 damage [on top of sneak attack damage] if it hits)

With his companions forming up a battle line, Corros decides to take a chance and see what he can do against a lone archer with a few of his own missiles.  The decision isn't without its flaws, to be sure.  If it works, though, his allies will have magical support to the gnolls rear.  Not a bad situation for any group of adventurers to find themselves in.  And if it starts to go bad, the street rat can make like rats everywhere, and scurry for friendlier shores.

And maybe The Library can help

Corros
Using Entropic Ward, casting Eldrtich Bolt x2 at the gnoll archer, +8 to attack, d10+5 damage each
Trying to stay behind cover as much as possible

Jenna pulls up short when Nicolai rushes forward, positing that she can do more damage if she stays back slightly and calls on the Goddess to aid her and her friends in the impending battle. So as the Ardani advances she takes a deep breath, raises her hands and points towards the spot where they expect the first of the Gnolls to appear. When the creature comes into sight she'll unleash a bolt of radiant energy towards it.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP 51/56
Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 2) at first Gnoll to show itself.

"Wait up!" Gronk says, trying to keep up with the fleet-footed Ardani. Once Nic stops and gets into position, Gronk falls in on his left side, ready to bash some gnoll heads.

Gronk
AC 19; HP 83/88
Moving to Nic's left flank; 2x attacks to first target that gets within melee range

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This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Mon 02 Jan 2017.

Kerrek's expression leaps from relief to alarm as Nic, Gronk, Jenna, and Zima pass him in rapid succession, moving quickly in the opposite direction. When he turns his head to see where they're going, he finally realizes the danger he's been in for the last few minutes or so.

Nic and Gronk set up a two-person battle line, with Jenna and Zima hanging back a bit to provide fire support from range.

If the gnolls are alarmed to find that their easy prey has formidable friends, they don't show it. The four hyena-headed monstrosities, followed by four quadrupedal relations hot on their heels, charge forward, directly at Nic and Gronk.

The lead gnoll stops dead in its tracks, just short of Nic, as a bolt of radiant energy hurled by Jenna slams into its furry chest (GH1 -17HP; grants advantage on next attack).

Nic thrusts his rapier through the stunned gnoll's throat. Dark red blood spews from the entry wound; the monster falls down, mortally wounded, as soon as Nic slides the slim blade free (GH1 -9HP; GH1 is dead!).

The next gnoll rushes forward, undeterred. Gronk is ready. Spike rises and falls twice, bashing the dog-man into the dirt, where it lies unmoving at his feet (G2 -25HP; G2 is dead!).

The others come on. Nic feints to create an opening, then follows through with another rapier thrust. The blade bites deep into the gnoll's midsection (GH3 -17HP). It snarls and hacks at Nic with its short swords (on in each hand). Both blades cut through Nic's studded leather armor, drawing blood (Nic -12HP; -10' movement until end of GH3's next turn).

Zima targets the next gnoll, sending two arrows its way. Both miss. It hurls itself at Gronk, spear reaching out hungrily for the half-orc's belly. Gronk turns the polearm with his shield and swings his morning star at the attacker, crushing its shoulder (G4 -15HP).

Two hyenas go for Nic, the other two go for Gronk. Nic's armor is proof against the beast's teeth; their breath on the other hand... it's nauseatingly foul. Gronk's armor can't stop one of the hyenas from nearly taking a finger (Gronk -3HP).

Meanwhile, Corros is engaged in a ranged duel with a pair of gnoll archers. Corros strikes first, killing one of them with a powerful brace of Eldritch blasts (Crit! GH5 -25HP; GH5 is dead!). The second gnoll archer is luckier, feathering Corros with a black-fletched shaft (Corros -6HP; -10' feet movement until end of GH5's next turn).


Your Turn.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Sat 31 Mar 2018.

Nicolai curses and staggers as the two staggering blows pummel his left leg.  He shoves himself backward with his good leg, and the unpredictability of the off-balance hop is probably what keeps the oncoming hyenas from pulling him down.  The point of his rapier buys him a few more seconds of keeping the beasts at bay.  It's enough time for him to slot into formation with Gronk and pivot toward his humanoid adversary to finish the job.

Nicolai
AC 16; HP 49/61; Superiority Dice 3/4
Attack 1: Rapier +1 on G3 (attack +7, damage 1d8+4)
Attack 2: Rapier +1 on G3 or G4 (attack +7, damage 1d8+4)
Bonus: Off-hand attack with dagger +1 on G3, G4, or H1 (attack +7, damage 1d4+4)
Note: First successful attack on an enemy Gronk can reach gets +2d6 sneak attack damage

The sight of the first archer falling under the blast of magic that Corros sent screaming across the distance is enough to almost make up for the pain the second archer inflicts on the warlock.  Almost.  Alas, getting feathered by an arrow isn't the most painful injury Corros has ever taken, but it still hurts.  A quick glance at his companions tell the warlock that they are doing okay.  He should still hurry.  With his confidence bolstered by the first exchange of fire, Corros draws forth another pair of magical bolts and sends them flying toward the remaining archer.

Corros
Casting Eldrtich Blast x2 at the gnoll archer, +8 to attack, d10+5 damage each
Still trying to present a difficult target

Holding her position behind the main battle line Jenna's lips curl into a satisfied smile as she sees the Gnoll that she targeted fall and not get up again, radiant sparks still flitting randomly around its lifeless body. The Priestess has already turned her attention to the next target, her eyes milky white as she extends her hands towards the beasts menacing Nicolai, intending to send them to meet their false God with the same speed that the first one had been despatched.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP 51/56
Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 2) at G3
If G3 already dead alternate target is G4

In spite of the painful bite wound, Gronk stays focused on his gnoll adversary, attempting to finish the dog-headed monstrosity before it can make another stabbing attack with its spear. If he can kill the gnoll, Gronk will ignore the nipping hyenas and instead assist Nic with his gnoll- unless Nic can take care of it himself, in which case the slavering hyena will taste cold steel.

Gronk
AC 19; HP 80/88
Attack +9 on G4, rinse and repeat on G3 (or hyena)

-

The gnoll hunter can't deal with Nic's quickness. Touch of Sylk pierces the monster's beady dog eye and slides into the puny brain behind, killing it instantly (G4- 10HP; G4 is dead!).

Gronk, meanwhile, attempts to finish his own opponent. The gnoll sidesteps the first blow, but it can't avoid a quick follow-up backhand strike. Spike slams into the side of the gnoll's dog head, caving in its skull and dropping the beast like a sack of wet laundry (G4- 13HP; G3 is dead!).

Deprived of both her primary and secondary targets in short order, Jenna instead directs another bolt of Arma's power towards one of the hyenas besetting the more lightly armored rogue-ranger. The hyena flies backwards in flash, rolling limply once it hits the ground, still smoking and clearly dead (H1- 13HP; H1 is dead!).


Nic runs the second hyena through, leaving just the two hyena's still snapping at Gronk. Redeeming her earlier misses, the half-elf ranger feathers both dogs, dropping them (H3 -10HP; H3 is dead! H3 -10HP; H4 is dead!).

Just like that, the companions, minus the still-airborne Corros, are alone. Corros' ranged duel with the gnoll archers continues. His second round of attacks are just as successful as the first, and he blasts the beast into oblivion (GH6 -22HP; GH6 is dead!).

Kerrek is safe and the gnoll reaction force has been annihilated. The gnoll camp and its slave laborers still remain under heavy guard.

Your Turn.

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This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Sun 08 Jan 2017.

"Geh."  Nicolai gingerly tests his leg until he's sure it'll bear his weight.  He begins to kneel, intending to clean his blades on a gnoll's fur, then wrinkles his nose and digs a rag out of his pack instead.  "Where's Corros?"  He cocks his head for a moment, listening.  "I don't hear anything, which means he won.  Let's get him back here and find out what he's seen."  He whistles to his ravens and flashes the thieves' cant for fetch little witch.

"Kerek, if you're all right, help Zima recover the rest of the horses, please.  We'll need them soon enough."

When the ravens arrive with their summons, Corros heeds the call.  He floats over the ground, not exactly stalling, but savoring this moment of flight.  Post battle, and post being sliced by an arrow, being airborne gives him a few bits of pure joy.  This kind of magic is fun, and fun is something that has been in relatively short supply over the half-elf's life.  It is, he concludes, something he needs more of.

He approaches his companions and hovers just off the ground, unwilling to let the spell end quite yet.

Are you okay? he sends to Jenna, wrapped in emotions of concern and warmth.

"Short work, that," Corros says aloud.  "But we've got a bigger problem.  Around a few more corners there's a gnoll prison camp.  They're mining.  With slaves."  The last word comes out thick with distaste.  "The gnolls we just defeated were sent from the camp to deal with me, so they know we're here.  If we're careful though, I think we might be able to hit them now.  It's hard to say if we'll get another chance.  And if the gnolls feel threatened, they might pack up and leave.  After taking care of their slaves, yeah?"

The unspoken answer to Corros' silent question is accompanied by a toss of blonde hair and a smile as he hovers there, just off the ground. Showing off. And she loves him for it. Yes. Just bruised from where I fell off that horse. For a fleeting moment thoughts of him examining that bruised skin spring to mind, just long enough to carry across the link before the news that he bears forces her attention back to less pleasant matters, her own countenance becoming equally grim as he talks of slaves being forced to mine.

"You're right. We should attack them now, before they have a chance to react to our presence." There's a nod towards one of the dead gnolls. "Do these beasts have the wit and cunning to do this by themselves?" The Priestess shrugs her shoulders. Ultimately the question was immaterial, they would find out the answer soon enough. There were other matters to address. "And more to the point, does anyone need healing?"