With the Captain’s blessing, we quickly made our way to the walls, and over them, each of us landing easily before the gate of the town. Our sudden arrival caused the wolves to stop howling for a moment, no doubt surprised by our sudden appearance. That all changed when Frostmane howled a challenge into the night sky.

In answer, a chorus of howls came back, and wolves began appearing out of the woods. Quickly I counted, and found sixteen wolves approaching us, but, behind them, there were three other figures, walking upright, with furious expressions on their furred faces. I’d never seen a werewolf before, except in movies I half-remembered from my old life, but there was no mistaking what these were.

Initiatives:

Werewolf Warriors (25)

Frostmane (20)

Wolves (15)

Melinda (12)

Siora (8)

Vestele (8)

The werewolves moved quickest, spurred on by their bestial anger. They had not been challenged like this since they had started terrorizing the town, so it was only understandable that they were upset at upstarts like us. With bounding strides, they crossed much of the open land between the forest and the walls in short order.

Frostmane’s Attack (WW1): 1d20+14 = 19 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 17 piercing (10 resisted)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 2 Cold

Trip Attack: 1d20+10 = 26

Opposed STR: 1d20+3 = 12 (Fail)

Frostmane snarled as he bounded forward, eager to meet the werewolf who had come closest to him. That fool quickly found himself on the receiving end of the winter wolf’s fangs. His maw was not silver, but it still cut through the werewolf’s defenses, before Frostmane dragged him to the ground.

Wolf 6’s Attack: 1d20+5 = 15 (Miss)

Wolf 8’s Attack: 1d20+5 = 12 (Miss)

The wolves charged forward, but there was still too much room between the wall and the forest for most of them to do more than approach their intended prey. However, two wolves managed to reach Frostmane, and still attempt to nip at his heels, as they circled about him. But a wolf-pack can only do so much, and Frostmane did not let them even touch his armor, much less his flesh.

Wolf 9’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 16 (Miss)

Wolf 10’s Attack: 1d20+5 = 21 (Miss)

Wolf 11’s Attack: 1d20+5 = 11 (Miss)

Melinda’s attack (W10): 1d20+10 = 29 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8 = 4 bludgeoning

Hellrime Blast: 3d6 = 12 Cold

Three wolves approached me, no doubt intending to rip and tear me like some frightened waif, since I appeared unarmored and was standing between them and the twins. Gathering magic and frost together, I danced between the snapping of their jaws, lashing out with a kick against the wolf in front of me, and was treated to an explosion of ice and gore as the beast’s head disappeared. The body turned full circle in the air, before landing with a thwump upon the ground. I could feel all eyes focusing on me now, as I offered a feral grin. “The Frostmaiden sends her regards, mangy curs of Malar!”

Siora regarded the battle field, and held her rapier high. “Spirits of warriors past, become my shield!” I couldn’t help but smile at the bit of theater as the ghostly presence of her [Legion of Sentinels] spell descended around me. From the rear, she called out, “That should keep them from moving through the middle, so you can concentrate on the flanks!”

Vestele’s Attack (W7): 1d20+7 = 24 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+1 = 5 piercing

Vestele took a breath, and said, “I’ll save the Queen’s grace for after the battle is done, should any of you need healing. I don’t think we need to keep any of these fools alive, do you?” As she spoke, she unloaded her crossbow into the nearest wolf’s side, causing it to yelp in pain, though it was not enough to stop it.

Frostmane’s Attack of Opportunity (WW1): 1d20+14 = 22 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 16 piercing (10 Resisted)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 5 Cold

WW1’s Claw Attack: 1d20+9 = 19 (Miss)

WW1’s Claw Attack: 1d20+9 = 10 (Miss)

WW1’s Bite Attack: 1d20+5 = 15 (Miss)

Legion of Sentinels AoO (WW2): 1d20+7 = 20 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 5 magic

Legion of Sentinels AoO (WW2): 1d20+7 = 19 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 6 magic

Legion of Sentinels AoO (WW2): 1d20+7 = 24 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 8 magic

Legion of Sentinels AoO (WW2): 1d20+7 = 8 (Miss)

WW2’s Claw Attack: 1d20+9 = 22 (Miss)

The first of the werewolves stood up, meaning to attack Frostmane, and was immediately met with the white wolf’s frigid bite, shredding its hide once again. Despite the wounds, however, the werewolf managed to get to its feet, and unleash a brutal series of attacks on the wolf. Unfortunately for him, the best he could do was to scratch his claws against Frostmane’s armor.

The second werewolf decided to charge forward, trusting in his innate abilities to protect him from the ghostly warriors that appeared on the battlefield. As he charged towards me, however, he learned, to his loss, that the magic did not use blades of steel, but made of spells, and he was sporting several deep wounds before he managed to get to me, and attempted to claw, ineffectually, at my face.

The last of the three was, she seemed the smartest of the trio, as well as being the only woman in the bunch. She avoided the field of ghostly sentinels, moving forward, towards the wall. For a second, I thought she might try and climb the wooden palisade, but that proved incorrect, as she turned, and leveled its gaze towards Siora. Clearly, she intended to kill the obvious spellcasters while Frostmane and I were busy with the others.

Frostmane’s Attack (WW1): 1d20+14 = 25 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 17 piercing (10 resisted)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 1 Cold

Trip Attack: 1d20+10 = 15

Opposed STR: 1d20+3 = 18 (Success)

For the moment, Frostmane ignored the lesser wolves surrounding him, like someone might ignore flies when faced with something more important. Instead, he once again bit down upon the werewolf in front of him, taking him by the leg and once more trying to cast him to the ground. By some stroke of luck, however, the werewolf managed to hold his ground, and remain standing, though he was clearly worse off for the exchange.

Wolf 1’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 14 (Miss)

Wolf 2’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 23 (Miss)

Wolf 3’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 25 (Miss)

Wolf 4’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 17 (Miss)

Wolf 5’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 23 (Miss)

Wolf 6’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 8 (Miss)

Wolf 7’s Attack (V): 1d20+5 = 13 (Miss)

Wolf 8’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 15 (Miss)

Wolf 9’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 9 (Miss)

Wolf 11’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 7 (Miss)

LoS AoO (W12) = 1d20+7 = 8 (Miss)

LoS AoO (W12) = 1d20+7 = 25 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 5 magic

Wolf 12’s Attack (F): 1d20+7 = 25 (Miss)

Wolf 13’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 6 (Miss)

Wolf 14’s Attack (S): 1d20+5 = 19 (Miss)

LoS AoO (W15) = 1d20+7 = 9 (Miss)

Wolf 15’s Attack (S): 1d20+5 = 8 (Miss)

LoS AoO (W16) = 1d20+7 = 25 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 6 magic

Wolf 16’s Attack (M): 1d20+7 = 17 (Miss)

The wolves moved in, snarling and snapping at their targets, doing their best to surround their prey, making them easier to bring down. After a couple wolves were introduced to the blades of the [Sentinels], they learned to be cautious of the ghostly warriors. Still, while no few of them were attacking Frostmane and myself, and even a few going for the twins, none of them were able to land a blow upon us.

Wolf 9’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 11 (Miss)

Wolf 11’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 22 (Miss)

Wolf 13’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 17 (Miss)

Wolf 16’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 20 (Miss)

WW2’s AoO (M): 1d20+11 = 14 (Miss)

Melinda’s attack (WW2): 1d20+10 = 28 (Hit)

Damage: 1d4-1 = 2 slashing (Silver)

Hellrime Blast: 3d6 = 10 Cold

WW2 Fort Save: 1d20+10 = 24 (Success)

With a werewolf in my face, I decided to give them a little taste of the Frostmaiden’s wrath. With a flurry, I drew the silvered dagger I’d purchased in Northport, letting the werewolf see its sheen in the bloody moonlight. Once again, I made child’s play of dodging around the attempts of my furry assailants to interrupt my magic and summoned a coating of rime to the silver blade, before slashing out, leaving a trail of blood across the werewolf’s chest.

Siora’s Concentration Check: 1d20+16 = 34 (DC 16)

WW3’s Will Save: 1d20+3 = 5 (Fail)

Siora’s CHA check: 1d20+4 = 10

Opposed CHA check: 1d20-1 = 8 (Fail)

Siora, to her credit, did not miss a beat. With wolves and werewolves closing in on her, she concentrated, using the minimum amount of motions and incantations possible, and cast her spell. Focusing her eyes on the female werewolf, she said, in a pleading voice, “Oh, big, strong werewolf, won’t you kill these wolves for me?” The werewolf, slack-jawed, merely nodded her acceptance.

Vestele’s Attack (W7): 1d20+5 = 17 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+1 = 7 Bludgeoning

Vestele smiled, no doubt having heard her sister say something like that many a time before. As she took her enchanted morningstar, and slammed it down upon the wolf closest to her, she called out, “Don’t attack the female werewolf. She’s my sister’s new best friend for the time being!”

WW1’s Claw Attack (F): 1d20+9 = 21 (Miss)

WW1’s Claw Attack (F): 1d20+9 = 29 (Hit)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+9 = 11 (Normal hit)

Damage: 1d4+3 = 6 Slashing

WW1’s Bite Attack (F): 1d20+5 = 19 (Miss)

WW2’s Claw Attack (M): 1d20+11 = 24 (Miss)

WW2’s Claw Attack (M): 1d20+11 = 13 (Miss)

WW2’s Bite Attack (M): 1d20+7 = 8 (Miss)

WW3’s Claw Attack (W15): 1d20+11 = 15

Damage: 1d4+3 = 6 Slashing

The werewolves facing Frostmane and myself were growing even less patient, if that were possible, devolving into a frenzy as they reacted to the foreign concept of ‘pain’. Claws and fangs lashed out at us, and Frostmane’s foe actually managed to rake him across the snout, drawing blood. The first blood any of us had shed against the wolves.

Siora’s pet, meanwhile, roared in challenge as she leapt to defend her newfound bestest friend from the horrible wolves, a clawed swipe raking one of the wolves in the back. Really, charm magic in this world was just a more powerful version of what any high school girl with boobs was able to do to any classmate who wasn’t gay, back in my old world. As long as we didn’t do anything to break the spell, there were few limits on what the werewolf would do, if Siora asked her to.

Wolf 1’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 17 (Miss)

Wolf 2’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 16 (Miss)

Wolf 3’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 14 (Miss)

Wolf 4’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 18 (Miss)

Wolf 5’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 8 (Miss)

Wolf 6’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 15 (Miss)

Wolf 8’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 20 (Miss)

Wolf 12’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 4 (Miss)

WW1’s AoO (M): 1d20+9 = 25 (Miss)

W2’s Ref Save: 1d20+5 = 7 (Fail)

W3’s Ref Save: 1d20+5 = 11 (Fail)

WW1’s Ref Save: 1d20+6 = 20 (Success – Half Damage)

W6’s Ref Save: 1d20+5 = 8 (Fail)

W8’s Ref Save: 1d20+5 = 15 (Fail)

Breath Damage: 4d6 = 15 Cold

Recharge: 1d4 = 1 round

Frostmane growled at the werewolf, and said, in his wolfish voice, “Enough of this playing around, then.” He leapt backwards, ignoring the futile attacks from the enemies surrounding him, as though they were no more than annoyances. He inhaled deeply, and then breathed out, unleashing a cone of icy cold air that slayed four of the wolves outright, and had the werewolf feeling more than a little put out.

Wolf 1’s Attack (F): 1d20+5 = 7 (Miss)

Wolf 4’s Attack (F): 1d20+5 = 9 (Miss)

Wolf 5’s Attack (F): 1d20+5 = 12 (Miss)

Wolf 7’s Attack (V): 1d20+5 = 20 (Miss)

Wolf 9’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 25 (Hit)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+5 = 16 (Normal hit)

Damage: 1d6+1 = 5 (5 Resisted)

Trip: 1d20+1 = 15

Opposed Check: 1d20+4 = 19 (Success)

Wolf 11’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 7 (Miss)

Wolf 12’s Attack (F): 1d20+5 = 22 (Miss)

Wolf 13’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 25 (Hit)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+5 = 6 (Normal hit)

Damage: 1d6+1 = 2 (5 Resisted)

Trip: 1d20+1 = 6

Opposed Check: 1d20+4 = 17 (Success)

Wolf 14’s Attack (S): 1d20+5 = 13 (Miss)

Wolf 15’s Attack (WW3): 1d20+5 = 10 (Miss)

Wolf 16’s Attack (M): 1d20+5 = 16 (Miss)

The wolves pressed their attack, but Frostmane, Vestele, and Siora were able to avoid or parry all their blows. I, on the other hand, became very thankful to my magically toughened flesh, as two of the wolves attacking me managed to get solid bites in. They didn’t do any damage, but it was all I could do to keep them from throwing me to the ground.

Wolf 9’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 12 (Miss)

Wolf 11’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 22 (Miss)

Wolf 13’s AoO (M): 1d20+5 = 16 (Miss)

Wolf 16’s AoO (M): 1d20+7 = 21 (Miss)

WW2’s AoO (M): 1d20+11 = 17 (Miss)

Melinda’s attack (WW2): 1d20+10 = 22 (Hit)

Damage: 1d4-1 = 1 slashing (Silver)

Hellrime Blast: 3d6 = 16 Cold

Not wanting to be outdone by the ferocious fluffball, and more than a little upset that I had just gotten bit by mere wolves, I danced between fangs and claws once again, and icy power surrounded my silver dagger once again. The blade did little more than scratch the werewolf’s snout, but that was enough for it to impart the magic it carried. Frost exploded from the wound, and the werewolf fell to the ground, before the hulking beast shifted one final time, becoming a scrawny human once more in death.

Siora’s Attack Roll (W15): 1d20+5 = 15 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 4 Piercing (+1 Vile)

Siora decided to save her spells for times when they were better suited. There was no need to use compulsions or enchantments on wolves, after all. With that in mind, she stabbed forward with her rapier, catching the wolf that her pet had attacked behind the shoulder. It staggered, but remained standing.

Vestele’s Attack (W7): 1d20+5 = 17 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+1 = 9 Bludgeoning

Vestele swung her morningstar again, bringing it down on the head of the wolf that was attacking her. With sound that was half squelching and half crunching the beast fell to the ground, dead. Turning to survey the battlefield, the priestess frowned. “Didn’t they say that there were usually archers? I would have thought they’d have shown themselves by now.”