a second chance at escape
Eirik's telling blow falls upon the rocky form of the elemental, but at the last possible instant the being shifts, bringing up an 'arm' to block and deflect the chopping attack before it can gain any real momentum. A struggle ensues, in the form of a test of might - the implacable elemental with one stony pseudopod raised, holding back the magical blade of the resolute barbarian, the latter's breath coming in gouts of mist in the cold air.
A slight shift, and the elemental slides forward a fraction, pushing aside the blade to win the contest, but using much of its available leverage. The counterattack misses Eirik badly, and the earthman is left vulnerable for the finishing blow. [ooc: critical fumble so +2 circumstance to next round for Eirik and wolf]
Relgar watches with impatience as the hippogriff banks in midair at the call of its summoner to return, wishing there were some way to speed it up so that the necromancer wouldn't get away. Behind him only a few steps, Bergdis completes a spell of her own and dashes past the ranger, a look of grim determination upon her face.
"Blasted...! I'm not staying like this forever! Bring back that stone!" shouts Jostyn as he, too, begins running after the fleeing Thayan wizard's cloudy form. It seemed to be moving slightly faster now - not much faster than a man's running pace, but then again, it had no slippery ground nor hazards of terrain to deal with in its straight line of travel through the air.
Finally the summoned mount arrives, and Relgar practically leaps into the spot between wings, realizing immediately that without a saddle...or any real training with flying mounts, for that matter...this might be more difficult [and dangerous] than he'd anticipated. But the fact was, no personal danger could be so grave as to let a necromancer - one whose very existence was an affront to the living - escape justice. Or Relgar's own wrath.
With a great beat of wings, the hippogriff ascends, nearly pitching the ranger to the ground immediately. He manages to hold on, though, and notes only with some dismay that the necromancer is almost invisible, seemingly so far away now. Then he notices now quickly he is gaining on the cloud...
Apparently, so does the necromancer, for in the next instant the cloud coalesces, coming together and solidifying to recreate the evil Thayan spellcaster once more. Still he bears the wounds of the fight, but even at this distance one can see how angry he is at being pursued.
"The Abyss take you! And let none find your frozen bones on this rock!" Arms out wide, he hovers just above the ground, tilting his head back and chanting some words that mean nothing to the untrained. But Bergdis knows this spell, having seen it foil goblin archers before, and raises a paw to ward off the coming blast...
From in front of the necromancer, several armspans wide on either side and as high as the hippogriff is flying, a furious wind arises. Snow, ice, and what little dirt is present are all picked up and hurled with stinging force at the pursuers. Relgar wishes he knew what the command word for 'up' was right about now....
ooc: It's a Fort save, DC 17, to be able to move at all against this windstorm [Gust of Wind spell]; normally its a DC 15 for this level/force of wind, but this is a spell effect. The hippogriff will be pushed back 1d6 x 5 feet, and Relgar will need another riding check [but fortunately is only 20-30 feet off the ground so will not suffer greatly if he doesn't succeed].
Regardless of outcome on that save, a Spot check will also have to be made, this round or next, to be able to see the necromancer again through this brief snowstorm, as he will be reverting back to mist form.
Bergdis, as this is a spell you do not have access to and thus have no way of learning at present, you cannot determine what it is by spellcraft check. I am therefore applying your roll to the second spell as an automatic success, and you may either add +2 to your fort save or +2 to your spot check due to being prepared for the blast. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:30, Fri 20 Feb 2009.