Chapter Four: Barren Wastes of the Desert

Listening to her brothers talk about how children experience the full moon ceremonies differently only serves as a reminder of blue different her own experiences were. Lo has a few vague memories of enjoying the full moon ceremonies as a very young child, but by the time she was old enough to participate all of the joy and excitement had been taken away until all that was left was the dry, boring ritual she knew now. But experiencing the ceremony with Jacquelyn and the others the way she had...even before the...extra activities, the emotional connection had been incredible! She could only imagine what that connection must feel like to a child.

When Leif mentions Lamont's growing family, Lo looks up and smiles. "Your wife...twins? That's amazing, congratulations! ...wait...that means...I'm an aunt?! I'm an aunt!" Laughing and grinning hugely, Lo stops in the middle of the path and does a little dance of excitement. Of all the things she'd experienced on this trip, learning about the family she never had...the long term ramifications just hadn't occurred to her. She'd never expected to even meet her brothers, much less dreamed of being an aunt! It's incredible to think of!

Lopiena grinned excitedly at Lamont's offer to meet his children...her nephews! "The honor is all mine, believe me! Wow! How old are they? Are they healthy? Two boys, two girls, one of each?" Trying not to get carried away in her excitement, Lo looks down and blushes at the comments about how much she looks and sounds like her mother. "Yeah, Brynoff said the same...the villagers, as well. To the point that...well never mind. But she's taller than me, and much stronger. I still wonder if I'll ever be as strong as her. I have a lot of growing to do, and I'm not getting any taller." She paused a moment to wink and laugh...sometimes her disparaging remarks were taken the wrong way, and she was still not sure quite how to read her brothers. She definitely didn't want to make a bad impression.

Nodding and smiling at their assessment of her companions, Lo blushes again at mention of finding "comfort in the company of a wolf." Well yes...very much so...but umm. Not really sure how to respond to that, Lo simply listens to their discussion, looking from one brother to the other. At mention of how she was supposed to have been a Spellwolf, though...she looks down again. It would have been amazing...and she would have known her father, and her mother wouldn't have had to leave, and her brothers would have had their mother, and she would have known them, and...no. All gone. Leif's audible frustration is much like her own, but from a very different perspective. When he stopped and started to apologize, Lo shook her head. "Don't apologize, I feel the same...but not the same at all. I at least got to know Mother growing up. I was a teenager when she left, and I was devastated...I can't imagine what it was like to lose her as young as you did, only seeing her once a year, if that...and always in secrecy...it's not right." Face settling on a hard line of resolve, Lo looks out at the eastern side of the village up ahead. "I might not have chosen the life I've led, and I definitely didn't choose to never know you and...my family...but I can choose now. Once we wipe Kakerot off the face of the earth and settle this war once and for all, I intend to...approach Selune and...and make a request..."  That wasn't what she'd originally meant to say, but one does not confront the gods or make demands of them. Anyway.  "From what I understand, Mother was trying to save my life but I think the cost was much too high. I don't know if my life is worth any more now than it was before I was born, and I don't know what if anything Selune would ask in return...but if there is anything within my power that can make this right, I would gladly do it. I'm just afraid of how high the cost will be the second time..." Staring ahead but not really seeing the village, Lo silently contemplates why Selune made such high demands of her mother. If Mother had to give up her love, her family, her life, all for the simple request of safety...what could a small untrained Druid possibly offer for the not so simple request of freedom?

(Yikes! Big trouble! Initiative roll: 3, followed by 12 if there's a tie).

Sigurd kept his nose high, trying to catch a whiff of anything on the wind. He felt it in his paws before his nose could even pick up a scent. His head snapped to the west, ears pointing forward before taking off into a full sprint towards the edge of the city. Sliding to a stop in the sand he shifted into his hybrid form and unhooked his sword and readied himself. He made notes about his opponents, large heads, shorter arms... Nothing more than large lizards, he felt that familiar pounding in his chest, the excitement of battle had returned to him again.

<Gonna take a hold on this turn, not much I can do unless I want to close the distance first (which I don't )

WEST GROUP

Ashwyn was straining her ears to hear anything that might be considered unusual and taking in the sights along the way. When Sigurd froze, so did she. She turned to him, then immediately turned the direction he was facing. "What do you hear?" She asked, knowing he couldn't answer her in this form. She strained to hear what he was hearing. Then he took off running. She pushed off from the sand and followed closely behind him. Sliding to a halt next to him her eyes widened at what approached. "What in gods name??" She gasped.

The creatures continued to barrel forward, and upon seeing Sigurd and Ashwyn, they moved directly towards them.

Ashwyn pulled her bow as Sigurd transformed into his hybrid form. "So.... giant lizards in the desert.... This will be interesting...." She readied her bow and took aim at the closest creature.

[Attacking Allosaurus C - Attack roll: 15 - Damage: 5+4=9 piercing damage]

The arrow lodged into the creatures chest but it didn't seem to slow.

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EAST GROUP

Like on the west side, the creatures charged forward towards the group of druids.

Lamont and Leif both took positions in front of Lopiena. Lamont kicked his shoes off and planted his feet. The sand was hot but he didn't seem to notice it.

Leif held his hands to either side of his body, palms up, readying himself for the fight to come. The air around him seemed to tense in anticipation.

"Strike the eyes if you can." Lamont said.

"Only if you must." Leif added. "These creatures do not belong here. They've been brought against their will. If we can save them, we must try."

Leif's comforting words bring a small sad smile to Lopiena's face. Their lives could have been so different, if only...the voice of Kakerot freezes her in her tracks, and even though he's not physically apparent her body tenses in preparation for what's to come. Listening to his insults only steels her resolve. Bad enough that he's done all that he has to our family, but now he threatens from afar? "What do you want? Come out and show yourself!"

When Lamont tenses and quietly tells them that something is coming, Lo readies herself for action. Not much she can do; the sandstorm from earlier sapped most of her energy, and her brothers are far more experienced than she is...but anything is better than just standing around waiting. Until the huge lizards crest the horizon. Stunned, Lo listens quietly as Leif instructs the villagers to hide and be safe. At least they don't have to worry about more innocent lives being lost...but they must not get into the city! The people don't have enough time to fully evacuate. Settling herself in the ready stance Sigurd taught her, Lo stands behind her brothers ready for...well, as much as she can do.

As the Allosauruses approach, Lo readies a fireball...but Leif is right, they were brought here against their will...hmm.
Changing direction just a little, Lo flings her fireball between the Allosauruses and the village. Most animals shy away from fire...maybe if she can redirect their path, they won't have to fight.

(Spell used Cantrip Produce Flame; Range 30 ft. Attack roll is 13 ((+2 initiative? it's been a while since we battled)). Not aiming at anything, but if something hits 7+4=11)

Lopiena smiled when her fireball scattered the creatures, but the smile quickly vanished when they came around from multiple sites. "Well that didn't work...I don't suppose anyone knows how to dispel magic?" It was almost a rhetorical question as the Allosaurs began their attack. No choice now but to fight. Feeling the immense power radiate off Lamont as he casts Stoneskin, Lo's eyes widen...she'd seen that spell once in a demonstration at a Festival, but the practical use is astounding! Wincing internally at the snap of the first Allosaur's leg, Lo watches Lamont grapple the second with wide eyes. With those huge teeth and claws he might get hurt...but he seems to be holding his own. Besides, Lo has her own challenges with the second one charging her. Readying a fighting stance, Lo is surprised by Leif running in front of her. Backing up a step at the sudden gust of wind, Lo barely manages to get her arm up in time to protect her eyes from the sudden blowing sand from the Dustdevil. Now that's a new one! Fascinated by the strength and power of his spell, Lo watches the Allosaurus get trapped by the moving funnel of wind and sand. There's still a third one, though...no time to stand around and do nothing! Without being able to dispel whatever brought these creatures here, taking them out quickly is the only real solution they have available. Staying behind Leif, Lo makes a motion as if picking a flower, then opens her hand to reveal a flame that she quickly manipulates into a large fireball. If they have to fight innocent creatures, hopefully she can put this one out of its misery quickly. Aiming for the eyes as suggested by Lamont, Lo throws her fireballs in rapid succession. "Sorry, friend. Pua 'ena'ena.." And again..." Pua 'ena'ena.."
(Changing things up a bit. Instead of Druidic spells written in red, I'm going to pick a language. This time it's Hawaiian, literal translation "flower of red-hot embers.")
(Attack roll 12+2; Druidic Cantrip Produce Flame×2; 3+4 followed by 7+4=18)

Watching the Allosaurus go down so quickly with their combined efforts, Lopiena grins up at Leif with his compliment. "Great job yourself, Big Brother." She grinned wider and almost laughed...it's so weird to hear those words coming from her mouth, but fighting side by side gave her a confidence she hadn't had before. "That wind funnel thingy is really cool! Maybe you can teach it to me, or at least what it's called. For now, though...it looks like Lamont can hold his own, but we should probably put the one with the broken leg out of its misery." Turning to (Allosaurus 2), Lo duplicates her same movements from before. Picking her flowers of fire from the air, Lo lobs two fireballs at the prone Allosaurus, again aiming for the eyes. "Pua 'ena'ena...pua 'ena'ena ."

(Attack roll: Nat 20! Woo! Cantrip Produce Flame, (7+4=11) (3+4=7) total attack 18)

Lopiena looked at her hands in open-mouthed shock that her little fireball spell could cause such damage. Granted, Lamont had softened it up for her first but still! Now she finally understood why Gramma refused to teach her any dangerous spells; the temptation to use them on the boys in her village (one in particular) would have proven too great, and terrible things would have happened. Even now, though the Allosaurs had been attacking with intent to kill, they had still been driven to their path against their will. Kneeling next to Leif, Lo also closes her eyes in respect for the creatures. More innocent lives lost, all due to one maniac. Kakerot must be stopped!

Rising again, Lo nods at Lamont's question. "I'm fine, the creatures never even came near me. What about you? That was quite a bear hug, I don't think your shirt will ever be the same again." Lo tries to smile, but it's forced at best. Based on the tatters of his clothing, without the Stoneskin spell he would have been in bad shape! "...uhm. I have a sewing kit in my pack back in the village if you want, but something tells me we haven't seen the last of Kakerot." Looking around, Lo tries to identify the source of the disembodied voice they'd heard earlier. Nothing to see; no trace of anything unusual. Turning to Leif, Lopiena smiles. "I wonder if your friend Lev saw anything? Those lizards had to come from somewhere."

(even tried perception roll, got a 6 lol)

Sigurd began walking slowly towards the incoming dinosaurs with a smirk. Keeping his sword in one hand and slightly behind him he scanned the landscape in front of him until his eyes spotted what he was looking for. A rock, slightly jagged weighing no more than five pounds. Planting his feet he stretched his right arm out, fist clenched with the exception of his index finger being outstretched. as if flicking the pages of a book, his finger flourished and pointed upwards. Suddenly the rock shifted and floated up from the sand until it was level with Sigurd's hand.

His eyes narrowed on Allosaur B and pointed his finger towards it, shooting the rock forward like an arrow.

Catapult Allosaur must succeed a Dex save of 11 or take 8+6+8= 22+3=25 DMG

WEST GROUP (gonna try and get the West Group caught up a bit before posting for the East Group. It's difficult to deal with two different timezones... lol)

The rock flew straight into the center lizard and hit so hard that the creature stumbled and hit the sand.

[Allosaur B fails DEX roll: 6. Takes 25 damage. Is now prone.]

Another of the creatures continued to barrel forward towards Sigurd. It kicked off of the ground and sprung into the air, aiming with feet first towards Sigurd, claws outstretched.

[Allosaurs A used Pounce against Sigurd. Sigurd must succeed a DEX saving throw of 13 or be knocked prone. Damage: 12. Sigurd takes 6 slashing damage for the claw attack. If he fails the save throw, he will also be attacked with a bite attack. Damage: 13. Sigurd will take 6 piercing on a failed save.]

Ashwyn's eyes widened at the force that Sigurd was able to send that rock. It seemed like he continued to surprise her. She smiled at him, but it was short lived as the other creature pounced on him. She quickly knocked another arrow and took aim at it.

[Attack roll: 18. Damage: 3+2=5]

The arrow flew true and stuck into the creatures neck, causing it to roar in pain.

The remaining creature continued it's charge and then it too launched itself into the air towards Ashwyn.

[Allosaur C initiates Pounce against Ashwyn. Ashwyn succeed's DEX save: 20]

The creature pounced at Ashwyn, but she ducked and rolled a save distance away, avoiding any damage.

<Dex save was 13+2= 15, JUST saved, thanks dex bonus lol>

Sigurd watched the hulking lizard leap at him and braced himself against the impact. Taking the brunt of it's weight landed against the flat side of his sword. Feeling the claws rake his face only served to anger Sigurd more as he shoved the dinosaur to the side and followed after it with his sword aiming to cleave it's neck.

<ATK: 17+6= 23 DMG: 5+6+4=15>

WEST GROUP

Sigurd's sword followed the trail of the creature as he threw it off of him and landed squarely on its neck. The heavy blade sliced through the thick hide leaving it partially severed, killing the creature where it lay.

[Allosaur A is DEAD]

The lizard that Sigurd knocked over struggled to right itself until it finally stood.

[Allosaur B is no longer prone]

Ashwyn watched Sigurd end the first creature and moved her attention back to the creature that just tried to pounce her. She drew another arrow and let it fly.

[Attack roll: Nat 20 (woo!!) Triple Damage. Damage= 21]

Her arrow struck the creature struck straight through the creatures neck, making it difficult for the creature to breathe. But that didn't stop it from turning and thrashing at Ashwyn with it's sharp claws.

[Allosaur C attack roll: 17. Damage: 9]

The claws sliced through Ashwyn's arm, leaving her bloodied, but she managed to stay upright.

Sigurd pulled his bloodied sword from the sand and turned to face the lizard that had been attacking his mate. Tightening his grip he spun on the balls of his feet and put all of his weight into his swing

<ATK 8+6= 14 with advantage on flanking so 3+6=9 oh boy... 14 it is.
If it hits then DMG 3+4+4=11>

Sigurd's sword sliced along the back of the creature, leaving a rough and raw gash. It roared in anger, blood spraying the sand.

The now righted beast, charged forward and leapt into the air towards the bigger danger of the two, Sigurd.

[Allosaur B pounces Sigurd. Claw damage: 7. Sig takes 3 slashing. STR save of 13 to avoid Bite damage:  11. Sig would take 5 on a fail]

The wounded and bleeding Allosaur reared angrily towards Ashwyn, jaws aimed right for her throat.

[Allosaur C attacks: 13. Fail]

The creatures teeth caught Ashwyn around the middle but her armor prevented her from being cut to ribbons. She managed to get free and roll to safety. As she rolled she nocked another arrow and as soon as she righted herself again she let the arrow fly.

[Ashwyn attack: 16. Damage: 8. Allosaur C takes 8 damage.]

The arrow struck its chest and made it rear back in pain and anger.

STR save 19+3=22

Sigurd was getting very tired of being jumped on by these creatures, once again shoving the beast to the side, he threw his blade forward
ATK: 13+6= 19 DMG 1(4)+4+4=12
Following after his blade Sigurd sinks his teeth into the dinosaurs flesh with a deep throaty growl.
ATK: 20! (Crit chart result follows)

As Sigurd's teeth found purchase in the leathery hide of the Allosaur's throat he could feel it's breath begin to labour under the pressure of his jaws. A familiar iron taste licked at his pallet as the creatures blood began to trickle into his mouth. Sigurd's nostrils flared and his eyes opened wide as the thrill of the hunt invigorated his senses. Digging his claws into its side he bit down hard reveling in feeling the lizard's larynx crush in his mouth, another rush of blood and Sigurd pulled back quickly tearing windpipe, meat and sinew away with him. The light in the Allosaur's eyes dimes and it collapsed lifeless to the sand.

Throwing his head back, Sigurd chewed his mouthful of carnage and swallowed it before turning his gaze at the last enemy, teeth bared and bloody.

[Thanks to the Crit Hit chart, Allosaur B is DEAD]

Ashwyn stared wide eyed at Sigurd's vicious attack on the creature. She felt a strange combination of terror and arousal as she watched him end the life of another creature. But she didn't have time to dwell on it as there was still one last creature to address.

She quickly nocked another arrow, making a mental note to try and collect them later as she was running low. She fired at the remaining creature.

[Ashwyn's attack: 14. Damage: 6. Allosaur C takes 6 damage.]

The creature was barely holding on to life, but his rage continued to fuel him as he slashed once again at Ashwyn.

[Allosaur C's Attack: 6]

Ashwyn easily danced out of the way, its rage was strong but its body was beginning to give out on it. Ashwyn knew that it woudln't last long, especially now that Sigurd was focused on it.

Sigurd let out what could only be described as a roar as he dropped his sword leapt at the last enemy. Using the claws on his hands and feet he latched onto its side and bit down hard on the back of it's neck where the spine met the skull. He was intending to sever that connection.

ATK: 15 claws: 2+2+3= 7 ATK: 23 bite: 6+3= 9