Azad parks the wagon and jumps out of the seat, running to keep up with the others. As he comes up to the battle, he draws out a rough-hewn, crystalline wand from within his sleeve. With a sweeping gesture, he says, "Dos di xarzith," and the ground in front of the behemoth suddenly turns cold. In the span of a couple seconds, the air in an arc around the creature crystallizes and solidifies, forming a barrier made of jagged shards of ice.

---

Invoking my wand to create a wall of ice, forming a half-circle with the critter in the middle. It's just under 25 feet radius, eight feet tall, six inches thick. Placed so that it completely blocks the street, but still gives us and the militia room to fight it.

If necessary, I can create a diagram that shows how big it is.

Keeping pace with the rest of the party, Salenth unhooks her holy mace from her weapon's loop and throws the shield around to her front and gripped the shield's enarmes. Upon catching sight of the large creature and the trodden soldiers, Salenth gritted her teeth and braced for the fight.

There would be time to take care of the wounded after the beast was dealt with. And so, she charges in together with the melee fighters.

OOC: 15:33, Today: Salenth Ravanys rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Attack.

While not familiar with them personally, he had heard tales of such creatures.  He knew little about fighting them but most anything he had ever faced obeyed certain rules.  Pulling the horse in and dismounting, he begins to unpack and ready his crossbow.  His gaze never once leaves the animal as he studies its movements, looking for signs of weak points.

OOC: He is actively trying to look for an unplated, or what he thinks is unplated, region of the creature and then making a called shot once the crossbow is prepared.  If he can locate no such region, he will refocus his aim for the mouth when it opens.

Along with the other frontliners, Cal dismounts and draws his sword. Before charging the giant creature, he advises Azad, Harkmur and anyone else staying at range, "Keep your eyes open for others. If that thing came through the hole, something ELSE came through the gates."

Then he charges in and adds his own efforts to the melee. Slicing at the creature's exposed flanks.


2 hits. 33 damage total
16:38, Today: Sir Cal rolled 13,20 using 1d12+12,1d12+12.  damage for 2 hits.
16:38, Today: Sir Cal rolled 25,26 using 1d20+9,1d20+9.  to hit, THACO13.

The wall of ice at their back, the soldiers move to press their attack, clearly emboldened by the company’s timely intervention. But their blades are unneeded. The party’s attacks on the already injured beast cut it down in a matter of moments, the monster bellowing in pain as it slumps to the street, succumbing to its wounds.

As the beast’s blood begins to flow between the cobblestones, the man clad in ornate armor finds his voice. ”There’s another. It came through the gate and...”

As if summoned by the soldier’s words, a second armored monster, the same species as the fallen one, emerges from between two buildings that directly face the broken gate, what appears to be the leg of a halfling jutting out of one corner of its mouth. It immediately spots the carcass of the first creature and lets out a furious roar.

09:13, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 1 using 1d6.  Initiative - Party.

09:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d6.  Initiative - Monster.

The beast springs with remarkable power, its leap carrying it almost eight feet in the air. It lands alongside the dead creature, lashing at those nearby with its claws as it descends.

Both Ella and Lumwik are able to anticipate the creature’s strikes with its rear feet. The dwarf turns aside the the sharp claws with his shield, while the priestess sidesteps the descending blow.

10:13, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d20.  Attack - Claws.

10:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d20.  Attack - Claws.

The monster slashes at the soldiers’ leader, aiming its other blow at another of the uniformed warriors. The leader’s shield bears the brunt of the attack aimed at him, shuddering with the impact. The other soldier scrambles out of the way of the beast’s assault, momentarily losing his footing.

10:16, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d20.  Attack - Claws.

10:16, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d20.  Attack - Claws.



OOC: Way to be observant, Sir Cal!

It is the party’s turn to act.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Fri 09 Aug 2019.

With his crossbow cocked and loaded, Harkmur slowed his breathing and steadied himself. Carefully raising the heavy conglomerate of wood, metal and leather into place, he squares his vision down the length of the bolt.  Waiting patiently, he spies an opportune moment and takes his shot.  With a loud *THUMP* the bolt is sent whistling through the air...

14:28, Today: Harkmur of the Granite rolled 15 using 1d20.  Aimed Shot.
14:28, Today: Harkmur of the Granite rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  Bolt Damage.

Azad takes a step back at the newly-arrived monster's sudden leap, even though he is nowhere near the path. He quickly tucks his wand back into his sleeve, then raises his hand with two fingers outstretched. He breathes in, loudly drawing air between clenched teeth, then expels his breath with a loud choom sound.

Darts of pure magic, gleaming white, spring from his fingers and arc through the air, leaving traceries of light in their paths. They veer under the creature's carapace, striking it repeatedly until the fifth dart drives into the resulting wound.

---

Casting magic missile, striking the beast for 19 points of damage.

16:21, Today: Azad Rola rolled 19 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missile damage.

The titanic dwarf again swings his great axe, the weapon set to cleave deep into the creatures flesh, it's armor little able to slow the blade.  "Give room! He calls, directing the baron's men to get clear of harm's way. "Ye done yer part, ye can step back."  He strives to keep the beast attention focused on him.  "Come here, ya overgrown turtle."  He follows with a second skilled strike.



ooc:
16:37, Today: Lumwik rolled 27,16,28,13 using 1d20+8,1d8+11,1d20+8,1d8+11.

Easily hits AC -2 for 16
Easily hits AC -2 for 13 (Natural 20)

Ranzarth rolls to the side at the new beast emerging and leaping into their midst. He begins an incantation, tracing a arcane rune before him that glows and he splits into multiple images of himself.


OOC: Cast Mirror Image, lasts for 27 rounds.


14:51, Today: Ranzarth rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  # of Images.

Seeing the effectiveness of her earlier tactic, Ella calls out to her companions. "Try to get under the armor! They're softer on the belly!" She weaves and ducks, trying to avoid the beast's claws as she slashes low again and again, her blade weaving a path of fire and steel.

Ella rolled 9,16,12,6 using 1d20+5,1d12+5,1d20+5,1d12+5 ((4,11,7,1))
Hits AC 4 for 16
Hits AC 1 for  6

Herodian extends his right hand toward the creature as it moves to engage the others.

"Sihir Shirak Anak!"

Upon uttering the phrase five glowing bolts of force energy streak from his hand and arc to strike the creature's soft underbelly.

---

OOC:
15:26, Today: Herodian rolled 15 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missile damage.

Having positioned himself, Wandreck backstabs the vile creature.  (Or tries...)

17:32, Today: Wandreck rolled 31 using 4d12+12.  Damage(?).
17:32, Today: Wandreck rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  To hit w/backstab.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Sat 10 Aug 2019.

"Aye." Cal says calmly to Ella, almost detached, as he ducks his way past the beast's thrashing and makes precise slices with his sword. The narrow blade slips through the joints in the giant beasts's armored hide, drawing blood several times.


two hits, but got the lowest damage I could roll... 26

21:54, Today: Sir Cal rolled 13,13 using 1d12+12,1d12+12.  damage.

21:53, Today: Sir Cal rolled 21,25 using 1d20+9,1d20+9.  attack 2nd bulette.

As soon as the first creature fell, another one almost immediately took it's place and Salenth  rushed into the fray without hesitation. She had worked with her companions she before on previous missions and knowing how everyone performed helped in coordinating everyone's attacks. The Priestess of St. Cuthbert felt confident and assured that this battle was theirs to win.

OOC: 13:26, Today: Salenth Ravanys rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Attack.
13:29, Today: Salenth Ravanys rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Damage.

The soldiers, several of them wounded, watch in awe as the company surrounds the second beast. The monster is momentarily transfixed as numerous images of Ranzarth bloom in the air before it, its senses unable to discern which of the elves is real. Its confusion is short lived as the adventurers rain down a series of precise strikes upon it, bolstered by bolts of arcane energy hurled by two of the mages at the beast. Shrieks of pain fill the street before the armored terror slumps onto its side, bleeding profusely, its rampage at an abrupt end.

OOC: Combat over.

The leader of the soldiers returns his blade to its scabbard and approaches the company. ”I am thankful for your coming.” He gestures to the men behind him. ”We all are. Were it not for you, I am certain those beasts would have overcome us and killed many more innocents.”

“I am Domnall, Baron of Geoff. Are you those that the Grand Duke sought for aid?”

Being further back, and not being the biggest on conversation, Harkmur begins edging towards one of the beasts, eyeing the thick plates surrounding it.  Looking this way and that, he feels the thickness and density of the pieces.

"Some of these pieces might make for some extra shielding, if they don't weigh too much.", he mutters to no one in particular.

Ella watches the beast fall, quickly glancing around for another. Seeing the threat apparently ended for now, she gives a quick flourish of the flaming sword, then extinguishes in and slides it into its scabbard. Approaching the apparent leader of the guardsmen, she extends a hand in greeting. "We are. I am Ella Greene, Matriarch of the Church of Joramy."

She gestures to each of the companions in turn. "These are Azad, Salenth, Herodian, Sir Cal, Wandreck, Ranzarth, Harkmur, and the large one over there is Lumwick. We're here to help with your monster problem."

Ranzarth bows slightly at the mention of his name "Greetings Baron Domnall. We are happy to have arrived in time to help with these beasts."

Wandreck closely examines the great armor plates behind the bulettes’ heads.  He has heard that they are very useful in constructing superior shields...

Azad steps up to join the others, then bows to Domnall. His hands are held before him, thumbs and index fingers joining in a circle, with the other fingers spread outward -- a gesture mimicking the symbol of the Circle of Eight. "Azad Rola, apprentice to Leomund. Mind that wall, I wouldn't advise trying to break through it. What can you tell us about the recent attacks?"

"Well met, all of you," he tells the gathering as Ella introduces them.

Shaking his head, he says, "These beasts. My sage tells me they are called bulettes. She claims that they're quite rare. That they are solitary hunters, but on a few occasions, a mated pair may be found together."

He presses his mouth into a thin line. "Those are the second pair that have attacked this stronghold in the past week. The elven scouts finished off the first two by raining arrows down on them. Had to use fire. Burned down four homes in the process."

"Before that, it was some accursed thing that resembled a water buffalo. Had a mace for a tail. A catoblepas it was called. Killed some of my soldiers just by looking at them. Its head is in a chest in my tower's cellar."

"Before that? An enormous winged worm that swallowed three men whole. So heated up on the inside, we melted a dozen swords striking its back. I have been told that those never venture out of the arctic wastes. No reason at all for it to have traveled here."

Turning to one of his soldiers, the Baron orders him to ensure that the dead are seen to and that preparations are made for their burial. "They will be honored. They gave everything to protect us."

Returning his attention to the adventurers. "What we have faced...well, it seems as though we have fallen prey to a number of creatures that have never traveled these foothills before. I have fought my share of monsters since settling here. But nothing such as these."

"The scouts, the elves. They should be here by nightfall. They have seen more. Metal golems taking prisoners. Burning one of the watchtowers with bolts of fire. They are convinced it is all the work of a mage. That somehow, these monsters are being summoned, or created, and sent out to destroy us. Possibly as a precursor to something. An invasion perhaps."

Harkmur and Wandreck find scales on each of the vanquished bullettes that could be fashioned into shields. But given the hardness of the creatures' armor, it would require the efforts of a master smith to do so.

Azad draws the crystal wand from his sleeve. Aiming it at the wall of ice, he focuses his attention at it, and the wall collapses into a rapidly-melting pile of crystals. Tucking the wand back into its place, he says, "We have been sent to determine the nature of this threat and, if possible, stop it. If I may speak for the others, consider us on-call until we have a chance to speak with the elves. Our blades and spells are yours, for the time being."

“You are fortunate that the creatures have visited you in small numbers, instead of coming all at once.  That is how I would attack you if I were an evil wizard.”

Metal golems? he muses.  A daunting prospect, to be sure.  But there was the old saying: the bigger they are, the harder they fall...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Thu 15 Aug 2019.

Together with the combined prowess of the her companions, the battle ended as swiftly as it started for Salenth. Now, the priestess took a short moment to survey the carnage and gritted her teeth at the sight of the many wounded.

Normally, she would not hesitate to rush to their aid, but Baron Dormnall had found his way to their group and greeted them. Now, she listened to the information about the past attacks with equal parts curiosity and horror for attacks from such creatures was unheard off till now.

"Unfortunately, I'm not a trained tactician and thus cannot offer much insight into what I think is going on. But my strengths lie in helping your wounded," Salenth said.

Perhaps till the elves arrive with more information, Baron if you will allow it, I will help your clerics with getting as many men back on their feet as you will probably need it. Judging by the pattern of attacks, another one seems imminent," Salenth offered. Even as she spoke, she was already looping up her long hair into a bun to keep strand strands from her face and was already backing away to join the healers in battlefield.

Placing the scale securely upon his mount, Harkmur makes his way towards the group.

"I know little of summoning but I can tell you this much, it sounds to me like there's something wrong in the north.  In the high plains, during the winter seasons, you will often see herds of small animals, all various species, running en masse.  I've often found the culprit is a new predator in the area.  Either way, to either control or terrify things of this size or greater, that spells something bad for certain, let me tell you."