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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 3, 2023 15:48:01 GMT -5
"Good to see ya again, how are the dwarves holding up?" Gerhart smiled and waved Astrid down, the person he was apparently set to work with for this latest job. He wasn't exactly sure why he expected Astrid to keep up with the yetis who were actually dwarves, but small talk is hard.
He puts his hands on his hips as he looks out to the Deadwood while Astrid joins him. Finding hell hounds in the Ash Lands would be a fun challenge. You didn't really have the obvious signs to look for, ash and burned footprints, seeing as the Ash Lands were mostly just, well.....ash. All kind of blends together after a bit. Still, six dogs that are also on fire can't be that hard to track right?
"You have a lot of history with hell hounds? I don't think I've ever tried to track one....or fight one. Is it a bad guess to assume they like...breathe fire?" Some animals have more poetic names than realistic ones, so it seemed fair to make sure what sort of hell they meant.
Either he draws both his swords and rests them on his shoulders as they walk wanting to be ready for an ambush. He was fairly certain this time they would have no regrets fighting, dwarves turned into yetis, sure. Into hell hounds? Preposterous.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 4, 2023 19:03:27 GMT -5
"Heya, Gerhart!" Astrid calls as she approaches the other adventurer with a wave. A cloud of ash kicks up with each step she takes through the Deadwood. This is her first foray into the charred forest, and honestly... Well, it isn't something to write home about. "I haven't been ta Frost Gale since I was last there with ya," she admits. "Fer all I know, the dwarves could be causin' all sortsa issues an' I wouldn't know." While she's wondered about the clan of dwarves they un-cursed, she's also been too busy working on issues around Dragon's Cradle. Somehow her adventuring got her into politics, but she didn't think that helping farmers was anything political - it was just a fun challenge. "Ah right, the hell hounds," Astrid says, her voice lowering thoughtfully. This time, she doesn't seem to have Spicy Pawsage at her side, probably to avoid any confusion with the locals and to avoid endangering the pup. "Aye, I do. Spicy Pawsage is a hell hound. Warm body, kinda radiates heat, breathes fire, but I've seen some do a like... bolt of fire. None of 'em like cold, so luckily I've got a few skills ta help with that part. What about ya?"
Pets: Spicy Pawsage (dreadsnout reflavored as hell hound - pet pocket) Charles (scarecrow squire - pet pocket) Quest/creature details: Hell hound abilities: - Fire Resistance - Cold Weakness - Fiery Aura - Fiery Bite - Pack Tactics Quest Name: Hell Unleashed Participants: Two or more Location: Ash Lands Post Requirements: 6 post per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown, +1 Claws, +1 Fire Catalyst Description Mount Drakolt has been acting up lately, with smoke rising from its summit and tremors vibrating the ground. This has stirred a large, old pack of Hellhounds who had been slumbering inside the tunnels around the volcano. Now awake and furious, several dozen fiery dogs have been let loose on the Ash Lands, attacking travelers and local villages. They are very dangerous and have been leaving a trail of destruction in their path. Please subdue or eliminate the pack of 6 hounds before they get to Darkveil.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 5, 2023 16:55:17 GMT -5
"That's fair....I think I've been avoidin goin back cause if they are causin problems, I don't wanna get yelled at." He gives a little laugh, hiding a small prayer to whatever gods are left that they are doing just fine. Gerhart wasn't too worried, but maybe he should honestly check on them.
A thoughtful hm leaves him as he nods following Astrid's run down of hell hounds. "No cold, but I do have a few new tricks. If we can find out where they are going I can set down a few traps and we try to run them into those. Bear traps and caltrops are probably going to be the most effective, I doubt explosive wire will do much if they breathe fire...that could do something else, but I don't know what."
"Oh, speaking of new tricks, here." Gerhart offers out a fist bathed in a soft glow as if asking for a fist bump. If accepted, the light moves between fists and the half-dwarf watches a layer that looks like a flickering image of the night sky envelops her before fading to just a shimmer over her armor.[1]
"I know we are both pretty armored, but a little extra never hurt right?" If she doesn't accept, then nothing happens and he doesn't say that.
1. Armor of Faith
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 5, 2023 17:26:43 GMT -5
"Ooh, a few traps could do us some good," Astrid says, rubbing her hands together with a bit of excitement. "That'll put us in a good position ta try and keep 'em from runnin' around too much. They're pretty fast, ya know? If ya show me how, I'll help ya set 'em up!"
When Gerhart offers a fistbump glowing softly with golden light, she doesn't turn it down. Firstly, she's not one to turn down a friendly gesture, and secondly, she's curious to see what happens. The light coalesces around her, giving her an extra layer of magical protection. Astrid's eyes go wide as she watches it, and she turns her hands over to look at the aura.
"This is really cool, Gerhart!" she exclaims, watching the golden glow reduce to a shimmer. "I've got a new trick too! Watch this!" With that, Astrid claps her hands together, and a second, perfect duplicate of Astrid appears beside her. "Now there's two of me! We'll be able ta set up a lot faster! An' me duplicate can go find the pack and draw 'em back here! We can cast all the same magic and stuff, she just can't hurt 'em at all." The two Astrids high five each other then offer high fives to Gerhart.
"How's that sound?!"
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 6, 2023 20:28:49 GMT -5
"I think that can work! Some caltrops and bear traps should slow them down...We could line some wire between a couple of trees, use that to split the packs so we aren't facing off against a whole pack, we each get a little bit."
Gerhart grins widely, obviously impressed by Astrid's newest trick. Man, if there were two of him that could make things much easier...or annoying if it had a mind of its own. Either way he gives them both an enthusiastic high five before setting off for the plan.
He takes out one bear trap, showing Astrid how to use it, as well as a bag of caltrops. "Those you can just throw behind you. I'll set the wires up in that thicket, just a couple inches off the ground, so just hop over it. They should run into it and BOOM, toppled trees. I'll catch whoever doesn't make it past the explosion. Sound good?"
If they were set on the plan, Gerhart would jog off to set up the wires. After tying them and securing the explosives he carves the word JUMP into the trunk, just an extra security measure so Astrid doesn't lose track of it. The ranger will tuck himself away in some bushes, swords drawn and ready for when the plan kicks off.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 6, 2023 20:49:19 GMT -5
With the plan worked out, Astrid starts working with Gerhart on setting up traps and learning everything that she can from him about placement. The mechanisms of the traps themselves get her distracted, and she starts messing around with them, testing how it works with tension and releases, and then whipping out a little notebook and taking notes about the way it works. She's already got ideas swirling around in her head for how to use the principles for other projects.
While they set things up, Bstrid heads out into the Deadwood to search for any signs of the hell hound packs, looking for claw marks or footprints in the dirt. She doesn't exactly have the skills of a hunter, and she quickly becomes bored so spreads her wings and flies over the barren trees until she eventually spots some movement in the distance and little sparks of flames. That's her target! Time to draw them back to her main self and Gerhart!
With most of their traps set up, all there's left to do is wait, so Astrid pulls out a snack and offers Gerhart some while they listen out. "So, anythin' fun and new happen since we saved all them dwarves?" she asks through a mouthful of jerky. "Do anythin' fun fer Hearth Day?"
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 6, 2023 20:56:08 GMT -5
"Not much, learned a few spells, fought a mummy lord at the bottom of a tomb in the desert, bought a house." Thank god for youth because Gerhart can stay crouched like this for awhile. Come back in 30 years and we will see if its the same. The man shoves way too big a bite of jerky in his mouth that he has to chew through when Astrid asks about Hearth's Day.
Strangely though, unlike other times he doesn't feel that rush of embarassment. There's something about Astrid's aloof nature that says he doesn't have to worry about that kind of stuff.
"Finally asked Cirice out, had a date on the beach, so I guess we are officially like...going out? It's only been a month or so, but I think it's going well."
Even as he talks he keeps his ears to far side of their waiting spot. The rustling is getting closer....and closer...and closer.
"Couple moments more and they will be here. Hope you're ready!" His eyes light up as he grins, never one to turn down a good fight at this point. He had slowly become more and more comfortable seeing himself as a fighter and a warrior, he was good at this work so he might as well be excited about it.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 6, 2023 21:04:28 GMT -5
While she chews on the jerky, Astrid listens to Gerhart. Her eyebrows arch up high in surprise at the mention of two different things. "A mummy lord?? All I fought in the desert was a rogue BlixtbotTM! That sounds way cooler!" And then they arch up even higher at the mention of dating Cirice. "Wait, ya know Cirice?? Yer datin'??" It seems like just yesterday she, Zarius, and Blue Raspberry found Cirice sleeping in an alley. She's totally gobsmacked by this information. "I ain't seen her in-"
Suddenly, the sound of rustling, shouting, and hounds barking viciously crosses the air, and Astrid shuts up immediately. She quickly stashes her snacks and pulls out her hammers, ready to jump into action the moment the trap gets sprung.
"OVER HERE! Come onnnn, puppies!" Astrid's voice laughs from down the way. Glancing around the dead tree, Astrid sees her duplicate flying toward them with a pack of six angry hell hounds at her heels. Occasionally, one jumps up and tries to snap at her foot but misses, and she laughs at them. "Ya nuisances! Come on!" With another thrust of her wings, Bstrid surges forward right into the area laden with hidden traps and zooms right past Astrid and Gerhart's hiding space.
Bear traps snap closed on the legs of a couple of hell hounds, followed immediately by surprised yelps. Time to strike!
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 6, 2023 22:34:46 GMT -5
The chaos of yelping and explosions sends a cacophony of noise through the once quiet forest. Three of the hell hounds manage to stumble past the collapsed trees.
"Just shout if you need help, I'll come save ya!" He laughs a bit as he charges the three hell hounds left to him.
Gerhart moves his blades in a flourish, having had much more practice since the yetis, moving fluidly as he charges.[1] The movements allow him to easily parry the claws of the first one, landing a slash into its side. The light and wind energy force the wound much deeper.
One of the hounds summons a gurgle in its throat and spits out a gout of fire, but Gerhart pushes himself off the air[2] and side steps it. He crosses both his blades before swinging in an X-shape the batter all of them with wind blades.[3]
He had hoped the flurry would be enough to take them out, but the trio was just a bit hardier than that. At least the caltrops and bear trap wounds had slowed them down from swarming him.
1. Blade Dance 2. Step of the Wind 3. Wind Cutter
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 6, 2023 22:49:19 GMT -5
With everything springing into action, Astrid looks around the tree and flings her war hammer at the hell hound stuck in a trap. Its thrashing makes her miss, but the hammer slams into the side of the beast when she recalls it. The cold hurts the hound especially, and bits of lightning arc off the body of the hound, indicating that it's holding a charge. When the hammer reaches Astrid's hand again, she smirks over at Gerhart as electricity starts to wreath her body.
"I think yer gonna need the help more than me!" she teases, rushing around the tree in a blur, the effects of her armor making her difficult to pinpoint. One of the hounds snarls and snaps at her, but even after two attempts it can't sink its teeth in. Astrid twirls her battle hammer in her hand and bops the especially snippy hound on the side of the face. The ice and silver cause searing cold pain to spread across its maw, and it yelps, backing off and shaking its head. The third one rushes at her and manages to land a bite on her gauntlet.
It immediately regrets this transgression as lightning strikes out from the tiny electromancer, giving the hound a powerful shock to the system and paralyzing it. Astrid looks at her gauntlet with a frown. "Oi, that's rude, ya know!" Admittedly, she could be more careful.
Active: Gauntlet - -1 hit prevention Hound 1 - charged by charged particles hound 2 - a lil ouchie hound 3 - paralyzed by storm lord
Passive: God all the electromancer stuff it's fine she's sparky, paralyzes people and stuff Diplopia armor - after image war hammer - spell blade weapon, pale ice, heavy, electrified
battle hammer - silvered, ice rune
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 6, 2023 23:00:49 GMT -5
As one lunges out at Gerhart, he brings both of his blades down in an overhead strike.[1] The hell hound is sent into the dirt with a yelp as another comes from the side and bites into his leg, but thankfully can't get past his greaves before it is kicked away.
The straggler pulls itself free from the bear trap, limping and oozing lava-like blood, but growling and ready for a fight. The two hell hounds start to position themselves to catch Gerhart in dueling cones that would give him no chance to escape. More flames gurgle out and flames burst forth towards the ranger consuming him.
Or so the hell hounds thought. Gerhart thumbed the ring he got from Cirice and found himself teleporting a short distance and ending up between the two hell hounds.[2] He strikes one in the head with the pommel of his blade to send it stumbling.[3]
When the other hell hound turns to face Gerhart, claws try to rake against the man but he is able to move just a bit faster. During the next pounce, Gerhart waits a moment to get the angle right before slashing out across its just leaving another massive wound.[4]
It tries to stumble forward, but it's losing too much blood-lava and eventually collapses.
1. Grounding Strike 2. Blink (Hearth's Day Ring) 3. Head Strike 4. Gerhart's Final Strike
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 6, 2023 23:10:57 GMT -5
Astrid glances over to see Gerhart nearly consumed in a gout of flames, but the man’s learned a new few tricks for sure! Except that in her distraction, she almost missing one of the hounds facing her bellowing a streak of hot flame directly at her. In a blur, she moves away, and the hounds that aren’t trapped rush her together. Both of them snap at her with flames licking at the sides of their mouths. The two work together in tandem to deliver well, placed strikes.
Or so they thought. In a display of might, Astrid brings her war hammer up under the chest of one of the hell hounds, sending it airborne with electricity charging its body and a cold imprint where the hammer impacted it. Stepping on the very wind itself, she follows it up into the air, avoiding the snapping jaws of the other. Then she leaps up, readying both of her hammers for a little one-two smash with the force of gravity assisting her. Both hammers make contact with the helpless beast and drive it into the ground in an explosion of ice and electricity. The hound didn’t stand a chance, and Astrid gets to her feet quickly to work on dispatching the other two.
Active: Rising Strike [1/topic] Step of the Wind Guillotine drop [1/topic]
Hound 1 - charged by charged particles hound 2 - totally smashed dead hound 3 - paralyzed by storm lord
Passive: God all the electromancer stuff it's fine she's sparky, paralyzes people and stuff Diplopia armor - after image war hammer - spell blade weapon, pale ice, heavy, electrified
battle hammer - silvered, ice rune
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 6, 2023 23:19:31 GMT -5
The last hell hound shakes its head and lunges at Gerhart's back. It tackles him to the ground and does its damnedest to get through his armor. Thankfully that dragonscale armor wasn't so easily rendered useless. The bigger problem was Gerhart was pinned, searing hot drool hitting his neck.
He was able to get out a sharp whistle, summoning a giant kestrel to break through the tree line. It's talons quickly grip into the hell hound, tossing it aside not wanting to carry fire incarnate for too long. It was enough to get Gerhart back onto his feet though.
Those stars appear along Gerhart's skin again as some of the wounds start to slowly heal.[1] "Let's finish this."
Gerhart charges forward to meet the limping beast[2], once more moving his blades in a flourish.[3] The swords slip past the massive paws of the beast and blade meets neck beheading the fiend. He pants softly as he steps back, looking down at the hound.
"Think that was a bit much?" "Fiends need to go back to where they came from." "....All right, you and I are talking after this." He sighs and turns to jog over and see if Astrid needs his help.
1. Heavenly Infusion 2. Rushing Charge 3. Blade Dance
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Mar 7, 2023 22:23:36 GMT -5
With one hound charged and the other's paralysis starting to fade, Astrid hears the note of finality in Gerhart's voice and grins, readying her hammers. It's hot in proximity to the hounds, but she's got ice, and she'll bring the thunder. Both hounds cough and release gouts of flame at her. She grabs the edge of her mantle and activates it, creating a steel-like cloak as she charges ahead. Each hound gets a powerful bash to the snout with either hammer, shocking them both with the charged electricity clinging to them.
Then reality warps around her, and she appears behind the hound still caught in the trap. With a deft move, she touches her hammer to the trap, pulsing a powerful charge into the object. The time will come to activate it. Both hounds rear around to take a bite out of her. One gnashes its teeth against the solid mantle and the other catches her foot but is stopped by her greaves. Lightning lashes out at the hound whose teeth met the metal boot and leaves it shocked and paralyzed. Clearly, it didn't learn from its packmate's mistakes.
Astrid raises her hammer above her head, she brings it down on the head of the hound that isn't paralyzed. It yelps in pain, stumbling as it's disoriented. Now's her moment. She dashes away, then she activates the charged energy on the trap. A massive explosion of thunder and lightning rattles the dead forest around them, sending the unpinned hound flying and collapsing the other. There's a dull thud and a cloud of ash where the other hound lands, and Astrid looks back at the scene.
"How ya doin', Gerhart?" she calls teasingly, ignoring the stiffness and hot searing pain in the ankle that got munched.
Rime mantle - [1/2 per topic] Displacer Cloak - user can cast blink Thunder Bomb - cast on the trap Head Strike
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 8, 2023 18:18:33 GMT -5
"Not too bad actually." He grins, his armor has some of the normal damage you would expect from a fight, but he's not losing blood or walking with a limp. "You a little hurt there?"
The ranger had made his way to Astrid, parkouring over the dropped trees. From what he can see the hounds seem grievously wounded or dead, hopefully they would learn from the lesson and leave if they could even summon the energy to do so. If they wanted to fight some more, well it wouldn't be much of a fight, but between the two of them it would be pretty easy.
He looks to Astrid, his eyes glowing a moment with a dark and starry light before a dull pulse emanates out from him. The half-dwarf will feel her wound heal and patch itself back up[1], a little bit of vigor returning to her muscles.
"Pretty clean work this time, huh?" It was certainly a lot more efficient than their time with the dwarves. Both of their progress was pretty clear to see. The benefit of youth was that you did a lot learning pretty quickly. Though it helped if you made a bargain with a mysterious deity in a temple.
1. Prevailing Justice
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