Frostmane’s attack (FDW3): 1d20+9 = 17 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+15 = 21 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 1 (Cold) (5 Resisted) (Dead)

Frostmane snarled a challenge, and his jaws found purchase on his target’s throat. With a savage shaking of his head, he ripped out the wolf’s throat, and dropped the body to the floor. With a predatory nonchalance, he stalked up to the last wolf left fighting, eyes hungry.

FDW1’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 26 (Hit)

Damage 1d8+10 = 17 (DR 5/Cold Iron)

FDW1’s STR Check: 1d20+11 = 17

Melinda’s DEX Check: 1d20+4 = 17 (Success)

FDW5’s Attack (FDW1): 1d20+11 = 30 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 18 (DR 5/Cold Iron)

FDW5’s STR Check: 1d20+11 = 21

FDW1’s STR check: 1d20+11 = 23 (Success)

That wolf clearly recognized that it was in a bad situation, and decided to try and eliminate the weakest prey before dealing with Frostmane, if it could. In other words, I found its teeth once more grabbing me by the thigh, and I yelled at the pain, but I kept standing. I just had to keep standing a little while longer.

Thankfully, the charmed wolf took that moment to intervene, and ripped another chunk out of the wolf’s hide. And, while the wolf could not bring the its fellow to the ground, the wound was still telling. I began breathing easier. We were almost through this!

Siora’s Attack (FDW6): 1d20+4 = 7 (Miss)

Vestele’s Cure Moderate Wounds (Melinda): 2d8+7 = 17

Siora sent another arrow flying, but she had to try and shoot around Frostmane and myself. It was little surprise that she missed the shot, but I wasn’t complaining. Every attack focused on the wolf would help distract it from me.

The attacks focusing on my foe were not the only relief I got, however. Sensual warmth flowed through me as I felt Vestele’s hand upon my shoulder. I was confused for a moment, until I saw my wounds begin to close. Then it made sense.

The spell was a healing spell granted to her by the Queen of the Succubi. I had not recognized it at first, because it had neither the surge of spirit that accompanied the spells cast by the warpriests of Tempus amongst the barbarian tribes from the Dale, nor the soothing chill of the spell when I’d received it from Emberline Flamelash, Cleric of Auril, while she had been teaching me of the nuances of the faith. It made sense, then, that Vestele’s spells carried the ‘flavor’ of her patron.

Melinda’s Attack (FDW1): 1d20+9 = 39 (Crit)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+9 = 16 (Confirmed)

Caster Level Check: 1d20+7 = 23 (Success)

Eldritch Blast: 8d6 = 34 (Magic) (Dead)

Now that I could fight without worrying about Frostmane becoming surrounded, I took a step back, and released my pent-up frustrations at having become some overgrown dog’s chew toy out upon the wolf. Lilac energy crackled between my fingers, and then SURGED towards the wolf, striking it between the eyes. But it went beyond merely impacting the wolf. When the flash of light cleared, the wolf’s head was simply gone, having been blown away by the blast’s power.

All eyes turned to me as I breathed heavily. The fight, and the magic that ended it, had not fatigued me, but it was undeniable that there was a rush from such an intense battle, and I could feel myself crashing from it. Looking at the others, I said, “Frostmane, please finish off the sleeping wolf. Vestele, heal everyone up as best you can, but save your spells for whatever is next. Use this.” I handed her my Wand of Cure Light Wounds, and she nodded, heading off to work.

Frostmane’s Coup de Grace (FDW4): Automatic Crit

Damage: 2d8+30 = 39 (Piercing)

FDW4’s Fort Save: 1d20+8 = 10 (Fail) (Dead)

Your party has defeated 6 Fiendish Dire Wolves.

Melinda gains 900 XP.

Frostmane gains 563 XP.

Siora gains 563 XP.

Vestele gains 563 XP.

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Melinda): 1d8+1 = 7 healing

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Melinda): 1d8+1 = 2 healing

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Frostmane): 1d8+1 = 9 healing

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Frostmane): 1d8+1 = 3 healing

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Frostmane): 1d8+1 = 7 healing (3 overheal)

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (FDW): 1d8+1 = 8 healing

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (FDW): 1d8+1 = 7 healing

Vestele uses Wand of Cure Light Wounds (FDW): 1d8+1 = 6 healing

By the time Vestele was handing me my wand back, I’d gotten my breathing under control. I knew what the problem was, of course. This was the first time I’d been really close to death in this new world. Oh, sure, I’d been in plenty of fights, but the only ones I came close to losing were the practice matches we had when I had just come into my powers, and they were definitely not fights to the death.

The thought of dying was scary. Hell, having died once already did nothing to relieve my fears. Especially not when wolves were involved. I could still remember that dark night, with the wolves howling.

It was silly, sure. Those were normal wolves in a forest on another world, one without magic. They couldn’t get to me now, and neither could that bastard. I was fine. I was safe. I didn’t have to worry about any of that. And, maybe, if I kept telling myself that, I’d make myself believe it.

I looked at the others. None of them said anything. I could see they weren’t judging me or, worse, pitying me. I forced a wry smile across my face, and said, “Sorry, old memories, another lifetime ago.” I took another breath. “Things get better, but, well, wolves trying to eat me takes me back, and not in a pleasant way. I’ll be fine.”

Siora nodded. “It is said that those who become Twice-Born rarely lived happy lives, or long ones, before their reincarnation. If you want to talk about it, I’m willing to listen. But not now. We still haven’t found the one in charge of this place, yet.”

Frostmane chuffed, and jerked his head towards an opening leading further in, with a dim red glow coming from it. “I can smell them. Two more of these dire wolves, at least, and definitely a werewolf. I believe they’re waiting on us.”

I sighed, and pulled myself together. “Probably wanting to spring an ambush on us the moment we get through the door. Ah, well. Nothing to do but push through, right? Frostmane, you and Vestele’s new friend will lead the way through. The rest of us will strike where we can, and back you up.”

Everyone nodded, we stacked up near the gap into the next room. As one, we took a breath, tensing like a spring. And then we charged into the room.

The cavern was rough, like the rest of the cave, but here, we found some hint at what was going on. The blood red glow came from two arrays on the floor. In each array, seven humans were restrained upon the floor. Even from this distance, I could see that several of them were missing limbs. It seemed we had found how the wolves were keeping fed.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to figure out what else was going on, because, just as we’d thought, the room’s residents were waiting for us, and they were none too pleased to see us. Two fiendish dire wolves and a female warrior, sword and shield in hand jumped forward. Looked like this wouldn’t be the kind of villain that wanted to monologue.

Initiatives

Melinda

Werewolf Lord

Vestele

Frostmane

Charmed Wolf

Fiendish Dire Wolves

Siora

Melinda’s Attack (WL): 1d20+12 = 14 (Hit)

Damage: 4d6 = 23 (Cold)

WL’s Fort Save: 1d20+16 = 33 (Success)

The human warrior had to be the subleader that Ninette had mentioned. If she was as powerful as the werewolf had suggested, then I didn’t want to get close to her. Fortunately, I could attack from a distance. Icy blue shot from my fingertips, easily striking the woman, though she just as easily shook off the secondary effects of my hellrime blast.

Werewolf Lord’s Attack 1 (Melinda): 1d20+21 = 29 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+8 = 17 (Slashing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Bonus: 1d6 = 2 (Steel)

Werewolf Lord’s Attack 2 (Melinda): 1d20+16 = 31 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+8 = 15 (Slashing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Bonus: 1d6 = 4 (Steel)

Werewolf Lord’s Attack 3 (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 19 (Miss)

The human growled in a feral way at me. “What, not going to do the whole ‘get the woman to surrender’ thing? What kind of Selunites are you? Have they actually grown a spine?” She didn’t seem to be actually wanting an answer, it seemed, since she stepped closer, and unleashed a flurry of attacks at me, stronger than anything I had come across before. My battledance, which had kept me from harm more times than not, was as useless as if I’d been standing still. The iron in her steel sword burned me, and I knew I couldn’t take a combination like that again and live.

Vestele’s Healing (Melinda): 4d8+7 = 27

Vestele snarled in return as she placed a hand upon my shoulder. “You foolish wench whose only worth is as a breeding bitch to these wolves! We do not serve the Moon Goddess! By the grace of the Succubus Queen, you won’t take one of my companions while I yet can draw on her power!” As she spoke, I felt the inner heat flow through me, as her spell, a more powerful one than she had used before, closed my wounds.

Frostmane’s Breath Attack: 4d6 = 16 Cold

Recharge: 1d4 = 2 rounds

FDW1’s Reflex Save: 1d20+7 = 13 (Fail) (5 Resisted)

FDW2’s Reflex Save: 1d20+7 = 11 (Fail) (5 resisted)

Frostmane snarled, clearly recognizing that this fight was a much bigger one than any of us had thought we’d find, and said, “The charmed pup and I will take care of the wolves. Keep her busy until we’re done!” With that, he unleashed his icy breath on the two wolves. Though they resisted some of the effect, they still staggered under the icy onslaught.

CW’s attack (FDW2): 1d20+11 = 21 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 16 (DR 5/Magic)

CW’s STR check: 1d20+11 = 28

FDW2’s STR check: 1d20+11 = 14 (Prone)

Vestele’s wolf joined the fray, snapping and snarling at the wolf in front of it. With a vicious bite, he ripped a bloody chunk from the wolf’s shoulder, and cast the wolf to the ground. He had not fared so well in the last fight, but this one seemed to be starting off better for him, it seemed.

FDW1’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 20 (Miss)

CW’s AoO (FDW2): 1d20+11 = 15 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 17 (DR 5/Magic)

CW’s STR check: 1d20+11 = 19

FDW2’s STR check: 1d20+11 = 16 (Prone)

Frostmane’s AoO (FDW2): 1d20+9 = 14 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+15 = 23 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 1 (Cold) (5 Resisted) (Dead)

Thankfully, these wolves were not as prepared for us as I had feared. Frostmane’s foe snapped at him, but was only just able to touch his armor, while the one Vestele’s wolf had thrown down tried to get up, only to be thrown down again! The second time, it tried to rise again, only to get thrown down again, this time by Frostmane. It did not try and get up again.

Siora’s eyes had narrowed as she looked at the woman and her sword, and said, in a taunting, sing-song voice, “I think we should speed things up a little. Everyone pick up the pace, please!” And the next moment, it was almost like the world slowed down, just a bit. Or was it that I was moving faster? Either way, I recognized the Haste spell, and was glad for it. We might actually live through this blunder after all!