Blackmane Wolves: Fast Healing 20

BW2’s Attack (Mage’s Sword): Cannot be Harmed

BW3’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+49 = 64 (Miss)

BW4’s Will Save (Hold Monster): 1d20+4 = 22 (Fail)

BW5’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+47 = 58 (Miss)

BW6’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+47 = 50 (Miss)

One of the wolves snapped at a magical sword that couldn’t be harmed, their confused mind lashing out at the last thing that struck it. Another was held in place by Siora’s spell. A third was snarling at me, but couldn’t get to me, in the midst of all the other wolves. That just left three to snap at me, but they had been weakened too much, and their fangs could no longer catch me.

Melinda’s CL Check: 1d20+47 = 59 (Success)

Utterdark Doom damage: 17d6 = 54 (Negative Energy)

BW1’s Fort Save: 1d20+27 = 40 (Success)

BW1’s Ref Save: 1d20+27 = 33 (Fail)

BW2’s Fort Save: 1d20+28 = 36 (Fail, 2 Negative levels)

BW2’s Ref Save: 1d20+29 = 41 (Success, Half Damage)

BW3’s Fort Save: 1d20+8 = 14 (Fail, 2 negative levels)

BW3’s Ref Save: 1d20+8 = 18 (Fail)

BW4’s Fort Save: 1d20+5 = 25 (Nat 20, Success)

BW4’s Ref Save: 1d20+5 = 8 (Fail)

BW5’s Fort Save: 1d20+6 = 7 (Fail, 2 negative levels)

BW5’s Ref Save: 1d20+6 = 15 (Fail)

BW6’s Fort Save: 1d20+6 = 17 (Fail, 2 negative levels)

BW6’s Ref Save: 1d20+6 = 9 (Fail)

With only three wolves to worry about, I had little problem making the movements to unleash another wave of black energy. At this point, I knew that the battle was basically won. The wolves were caught up in the confusion effect, and, because of that, we could manage their actions. Combined with the weakening power of my utterdark blasts, it wouldn’t take long before the wolves started dropping, even with their incredible regenerative abilities. It was only a matter of time.

Vestele’s attack roll (BW4): 1d20+38 = 62 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+14 = 19 (Slashing, Epic)

Wounding: 1 CON

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 9

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Prismatic Crystal: 1d6 = 6 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Prismatic Crystal: 1d6 = 6 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Prismatic Crystal: 1d6 = 2 (Electricity) (Electricity Resistance 10)

Prismatic Crystal: 1d6 = 4 (Fire) (Fire Resistance 10)

Vestele made a looping motion in the air to maintain her speed, as she swooped back to lash out at the wolf she’d hit before, still held by her sister’s spell. It was looking decidedly worse for wear, as the gashes from before had not quite healed, and new ones opened. All while the anarchic power in her whip-dagger ravaged its lawful soul.

Fartooth’s attack (BW2): 1d20+37 = 57 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+37 = 55 (Confirm Crit)

Damage: 3d6+51 = 57 (Piercing, Epic)

Wounding: 1 CON damage

Anarchic Power (Crit): 9d6 = 48

Anarchic Power (Crit): 3 Negative Levels

Fartooth’s attack (BW2): 1d20+37 = 46 (Miss)

Fartooth’s attack (BW2): 1d20+32 = 50 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+17 = 23 (Piercing, Epic)

Wounding: 1 CON damage

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 11

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Fartooth’s attack (BW2): 1d20+27 = 29 (Miss)

“Stupid, stupid kobold! Forgot this!” Fartooth cursed himself as he hovered in the air, and slapped a gem on his bracers, causing his hands to glow with power similar to that on Vestele’s weapon. Then, he unleashed a flurry of shots. Two struck true, but the first of those pierced deep into the wolf’s eye. As the wolf stumbled in the air, barely alive, the kobold looked at the rest of us, and said, “I forgot to turn on the bracers. They give benefits to my weapons now, ever since we upgraded them. I completely forgot about them, because I wasn’t used to using them!”

Black Blade of Disaster’s Attack Roll (BW2): 1d20+26 = 39 (Touch) (Miss)

Siora’s Mage’s Sword (BW4): 1d20+28 = 40 (Hit)

Damage: 4d6+3 = 16 (Force)

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+39 = 44 (Success)

BW1’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+26 = 36 (Success, No Effect)

BW2’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+22 = 26 (Fail)

BW2’s Fort Save (Weird): 1d20+21 = 26 (Fail, Dead)

BW3’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+5 = 14 (Fail)

BW3’s Fort Save (Weird): 1d20+6 = 10 (Fail, Dead)

BW4’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+3 = 21 (Fail)

BW4’s Fort Save (Weird): 1d20+3 = 19 (Fail, Dead)

BW5’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+3 = 21 (Fail)

BW5’s Fort Save (Weird): 1d20+4 = 15 (Fail, Dead)

BW6’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+3 = 18 (Fail)

BW6’s Fort Save (Weird): 1d20+4 = 12 (Fail, Dead)

Siora mirrored her sister, flying in a long circle to keep from stalling out in the air, as her blades attacked the wolves they were assigned to. “I think they’re weak enough that this will work,” was the only warning we got before she cast her spell. Whatever it was, all but one of the wolves yelped in fear, and then promptly fell down, dead.

Blackmane Wolves: Fast Healing 20

BW1’s attack roll (Siora): 1d20+62 = 76 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+44 = 47 (Piercing) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Smite Chaos: 20 Damage

BW1’s Trip Attempt: 1d20+39 = 57

Siora’s STR check: 1d20+7 = 24 (Fail, Prone)

The last wolf snarled as its focus turned on Siora in particular, recognizing her as the source of that last magical attack. With a how, it leapt forward in the air, maw glowing with silver light. It caught Siora with ease, its teeth rending her flesh, before it cast her down. Thankfully, our beguiler’s ring activated, slowing her fall to keep her from suffering even more damage upon meeting the ground.

Melinda’s CL Check: 1d20+47 = 58 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (BW1): 1d20+38 = 58 (Crit threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+38 = 48 (Crit)

Damage: 2d10+26 = 37 (Slashing, Epic)

Ruinous: 1 CHA

Vampiric: 1d6 = 6 (Heal 6 to Melinda)

Anarchic Power (Crit): 6d6 = 25

Anarchic Power (Crit): 2 Negative Levels

Utterdark Channeling: 17d6 = 48 (Negative Energy)

BW1’s Fort Save: 1d20+8 = 12 (Fail, 2 Negative Levels)

BW1’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+8 = 24 (Success)

“KEEP AWAY FROM HER, YOU BITCH!” I snarled, as I took to the air, Soul’s Violation finding its way to my hand. I channeled everything into that slash, hewing into the wolf’s flank like a hot knife through butter. The wolf’s howl of pain as it struggled to keep in the air was music to my ears. It definitely wasn’t going to be paying attention to Siora, now!

Vestele’s attack roll (BW4): 1d20+34 = 40 (Miss)

Vestele circled back around, landing on the tower. Her whip flashed past my head as she tried to get a piece of the last wolf, but it missed. “We’re almost done! Just have to finish it off!”

Fartooth’s attack (BW1): 1d20+37 = 55 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+17 = 23 (Piercing, Epic)

Wounding: 1 CON damage

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 8

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Fartooth’s attack (BW1): 1d20+37 = 42 (Miss)

Fartooth’s attack (BW1): 1d20+32 = 43 (Miss)

Fartooth’s attack (BW1): 1d20+27 = 44 (Miss)

“Yes, easier said than done. Even weakened, these things are tough to hit. But we’ve almost won!” Fartooth chirped in agreement, as only one of his arrows managed to find its mark, the others all deflecting off the magical protections the beast had.

Black Blade of Disaster’s Attack Roll (BW1): 1d20+26 = 43 (Touch) (Hit)

BW1’s Fort Save: 1d20+2 = 8 (Fail)

Damage: 40d6 = 146 (Magic)

BW1’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+2 = 5 (Fail, Dead)

Siora grunted as she floated towards the ground, righting herself in the air. “Damn, that hurt. Take THIS!” At her command, the black blade she had conjured moved through the air, and made a mighty slash through the wounded wolf’s side. While the blow alone was not enough to kill it, and reduce the corpse to dust, clearly it hit something vital in the wolf’s chest, because the wolf staggered once, and then toppled from the sky, dead.

You have defeated six Blackmane Wolves!

Melinda gains 2720 XP.

Siora gains 2817 XP.

Vestele gains 2817 XP.

Fartooth gains 2817 XP.

Wearily, we all returned to the rooftop. Vestele passed out healing, using as few of her own spells as possible, and relying primarily on the items she had gotten precisely for that purpose. When we had the time, we used items, rather than her spells, for obvious reasons. Every spell she cast when she could be using an item was a spell she couldn’t use to greater effect while in combat.

We were just starting to consider what to do about the wolves when we heard the howls coming from the woods. More wolves, howling in mourning for their packmates. And then, another sound pierced the darkness. The clear sound of a trumpet echoed through the trees, calling out in perfect music. It was not a melody, however, but a clarion call, calling the wood to war. That was the impression that it gave.

I looked to Fartooth, and said, “Be a dear and go down to open the door, so Ebonheart can join us. There wasn’t time before, but he will never forgive me if I don’t let him join the fun this time.” The kobold nodded grimly and hurried down the stairs.

Looking to the others, I said, “It would seem that our victory over the wolves has not gone unnoticed. I guess we won’t have to figure out a way to draw out the archon after all.”

“Well, that just saves us the trouble, then. We can kill him tonight, and sleep in tomorrow, before heading back the next day!” Siora grinned, as she looked at me. “What do you think, Mel? Will he talk, or just start smiting like most archons?”

“You forget, sister, that he is a werewolf of some kind, now,” Vestele playfully admonished. “That will change the way he thinks, and the way he acts. Especially if he fancies himself the Alpha of the pack. Part of the Alpha’s job is breeding strong wolves for the new generation, after all. I don’t know whether this Sidriel has started taking the female Blackmane Wolves as mates or not, but to truly breed new werewolves, he would need a werewolf partner.”

Siora just shook her head. “In other words, you’re saying that the sleazy bastard is going to turn us, and make us his bitches? Seriously? That is such a cliché! Surely, this wolf can do better than that, right?”

“Now, now, Siora,” I chuckled. “You have to admit that the three of us are all very desirable. And weren’t you the one that told me a man thinking with his little head instead of his big one wasn’t thinking at all? If he starts like that, then he will make mistakes. He’ll have to try and capture us, rather than kill us, and all of us are more than capable of making that a terribly expensive idea to try and carry out. It will probably be easier, if he does that.”

“Hmm, you’re probably right. Especially since you’re basing it off something I said. Clearly, my lessons are just the kind of good influence I always hoped I would be on you, even when you were a little girl.”

“Hah! A little girl that could have kicked your butt then, and still could now!” I grinned. Then, I sighed, and said, “But, no. I was still dealing with issues back then, and would not have been nearly as receptive to your ‘wisdom’. It took years for me to really open up to Frostmane, after all.”

Vestele smiled, sadly. “He was one hell of a wolf, that’s for sure. I was sure that you would grow up to be a total ice queen. But that fluffy boy melted you a bit, I guess.”

“Well, unlike most men, he understood the concept of ‘no’. So, that was a bonus.”

Siora snorted. “That’s because, with you, ‘no’ usually accompanies a magical attack!”

“You say that like it is a bad thing!”

“Who are we attacking?”

Ebonheart’s voice as he trotted up to the rooftop caused me to change the subject with a smile, “The archon we are hunting is likely coming out to play, since we killed his pet wolves. So, we should be able to deal with the problem now, before it gets any worse.”

“Finally! A proper fight! You hogged the last few, staying indoors!”

“I know, I know. That’s why I made sure to get Fartooth to let you out, so you could play.”

“Speaking of play,” Siora called out, pointing towards the woods, “here they come! Looks like the Archon is already in a hybrid form, and he’s got two more wolves with him!”