Blessedly, the night passed without incident. We set watches all the same, but, whether it was due to protections put in place by the Pipers, the influence of whatever was in the ruins of Esyh Serin, or simply good fortune, nothing happened. And yet, none of us were gladdened by this, as the entire forest had the feeling growing tension, like a storm about to break.

We circled around the ruins, and continued to the north. According to our map, the shrine was north and a little to the east of the ruins. As we walked, however, Frostmane sniffed out the scent of the demonic wolves along a game trail that crossed our path. It had not rained since we were attacked, so it may have been from the same wolves we fought, or it could have been more of the same. Either way, the trail seemed to be heading in the direction we were going, so we cautiously followed it, making better time on the rough trail than we would have cutting through the brush.

The wolf trail led us through the woods, until we came to a hill rising up. Stone jutted out from the side of the hill, shaped by a master craftsman or by magic to be the perfect likeness of a wolf’s head, with jaws open wide. The massive stone figure was twenty feet wide and at least fifteen in length. In the back of the wolf’s mouth, I could see an opening, leading into darkness.

Frostmane growled softly. “There’s more of those demon wolves here. I can smell them.”

Frostmane was about to start forward, when Siora stepped in front of him. When he turned to look at her, the Beguiler simply smiled, and said, “I may not know much about hunting like a wolf, but remember that this is not like the wolf dens. People designed this. And people means traps. This entrance is too big, too flashy. It is obvious bait.”

Siora’s Search check: 1d20+18 = 36 (Success)

Siora’s Disable Device check: 1d20+18 = 22 (Success)

The wolf growled softly, but nodded his head, and stepped to the side, to let Siora through. She breathed out, speaking softly to the rest of us, “There’s a trap in the floor here. Looks like some kind of pit trap. If you just walked in, you would be in for trouble.”

Pulling out a well-crafted set of thieves’ tools from her bag, she began examining the stonework at the edge of what I assumed was the trap. Kneeling on the floor ground, Siora slipped one of the tools into a gap in the stone that was only visible once she had pried it open. There was a click, and suddenly a ten by ten section of floor directly in front of the doorway opened up before her, revealing a pit!

Siora’s Spot check: 1d20+12 = 15 (Success)

Siora nodded once. “Yes, pit trap, just as I thought. Looks about forty feet deep aaand, yeah, there’s stone spikes down there. Not the nastiest trap out there, but most people wouldn’t be expecting things like that, not in the entrance. Hell, I didn’t even expect to find something in the entrance!”

As she turned back to us and slipped her tools back in her pack, she whispered, “Wolves in the next room, relying on the darkness to hide them. At least two of them, probably more. I’m not sure, but I think I saw a door of some kind behind them, leading further in. They were watching me, so I’m pretty sure they know we’re here.”

Initiatives

Frostmane

Siora

Melinda

Vestele

Fiendish Dire Wolves (FDW)

Frostmane’s Jump check: 1d20+26 = 37 (Success)

Frostmane’s Attack Roll (FDW1): 1d20+12 = 31 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+18 = 23 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane’s STR check: 1d20+13 = 20

FDW1’s STR check: 1d20+15 = 29 (Success)

We looked at each other, and nodded silently. Frostmane took point once again. Darting forward, he easily jumped the ten-foot gap, landing on the other side without even breaking stride. Darting to the left, he growled out, “Six of them!” I couldn’t see what happened, but I heard the sound of a wolf that wasn’t Frostmane yelping in pain.

Siora reached up and touched me on the shoulder. Once again, she cast the spell to cause my form to blur. She smiled at me, and said, “Go get them. You’ll need to clear space for us to land if you want more help than that.”

Melinda’s attack roll (FDW2): 1d20+14 = 22 (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+8 = 27 (Success)

Blast Damage: 5d6 = 18 (Magic)

Eldritch Chain (FDW4): 1d20+14 = 16 (Hit)

Chain Damage: 9 (Magic)

I did not bother jumping the gap. Why bother, when I could fly? A quick beat of my wings took me over the gap, and I saw the wolves arrayed in an arch around the passage, ready to attack anyone who made it past the pit trap. But either they had been trained to be wary of area effects, or they were wanting to trap and encircle anyone coming into the room, because they were backed up and spread out. That left the entrance uncovered!

Flying to the right, I unleashed a bolt of power at the wolf closest the door on that side, and, for the first time, I got to see my blast jump from one wolf to another as the next in line also got blasted. I grinned wickedly. It wasn’t all-powerful like some wizard spells, but I wasn’t complaining in the slightest.

Vestele’s Attack Roll (FDW2): 1d20+7 = 20 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 3 (Bludgeon & Pierce)

Vestele followed my lead, and coasted into the room on her demonic wings. Landing by my side, she lashed out with her new morningstar, and cracked the wolf by the door in the face. It was not a substantial hit, but it was still enough to ensure that the wolf was giving the two of us its undivided attention.

FDW1’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 21 (Miss)

FDW2’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 30 (Hit)

20% Miss Chance: 1d100 = 50 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 15 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

FDW2’s Trip attempt: 1d20+11 = 28

Melinda’s DEX check: 1d20+6 = 17 (Fail, Prone)

FDW3’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 15 (Miss)

FDW4’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 27 (Hit)

20% Miss Chance: 1d100 = 87 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 16 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

FDW5’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 26 (Miss)

FDW6’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 23 (Miss)

The wolves, surprised by Frostmane jumping easily into the room, finally spurred themselves into action. I heard Frostmane’s chuff as snarling wolves attempted to catch him, but he was able to avoid all their blows. I, however, was not so lucky. The wolf I had initially blasted grabbed my leg in its jaws, and yanked me off my feet! Wrenching my leg free, I cried out as the other two wolves descended upon me, one of them biting my wing!

Frostmane’s Attack Roll (FDW1): 1d20+12 = 19 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+18 = 21 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (5 Resisted) (Dead)

Frostmane did not bother trying to intimidate the wolves with posturing or trying to force them into submission. These weren’t his pack, and he had no need to prove his dominance. With a flash of his fangs, he latched down on the first wolf’s throat, and ripped it out, leaving the body to fall to the floor, dead before it hit the ground.

Siora’s CL check: 1d20+7 = 13 (Success)

FDW6’s Will save: 1d20+6 = 14 (Fail)

Damage: 4d6 = 17 (Nonlethal)

Siora flew in on her sister’s heels, and frowned as she saw the scene. Not that I blamed her. Beguilers weren’t suited to such fights. But she still unleashed a spell at one of the wolves that had gathered around me, staggering it slightly.

FDW2’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 20 (Miss)

FDW4’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 15 (Miss)

FDW6’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 16 (Miss)

Melinda’s attack roll (FDW2): 1d20+14 = 33 (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+8 = 24 (Success)

Blast Damage: 5d6 = 20 (Magic)

Eldritch Chain (FDW4): 1d20+14 = 33 (Hit)

Chain Damage: 10 (Magic)

I rolled to my feet, dancing out of the way of the jaws that tried to latch on to me and throw me back down. Once again, I unleashed a chain of eldritch might at the wolves that I had struck before, and once more it hit. The wolf by the entrance was barely on its feet, now, and the other one had clearly seen better days.

Vestele’s Attack Roll (FDW2): 1d20+7 = 25 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 4 (Bludgeon & Pierce) (Dead)

It was enough, however, since Vestele’s morningstar came crashing down on the wolf’s skull, ending its attempts at eating us all. I nodded in thanks to the cleric, before turning my attention to the other wolves. The fight wasn’t over yet.

FDW3’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 26 (Miss)

FDW4’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 15 (Miss)

FDW5’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 25 (Miss)

FDW6’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 12 (Miss) (Prone)

The wolves, suddenly reduced to a third of their original number, attacked. Unfortunately (for them), all their attacks came up short, as Frostmane and I dodged the incoming fangs. One of the wolves, still staggered from Siora’s spell, tripped over its own feet, and fell prone in front of me.

Frostmane’s Attack Roll (FDW3): 1d20+12 = 23 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+18 = 25 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane’s STR check: 1d20+13 = 25

FDW3’s STR check: 1d20+15 = 31 (Success)

His first contender finished, Frostmane turned to the next in line. Once again, his jaws found purchase on the wolf’s hide, biting deep into its shoulder. I saw him jerk his head to the side, trying to pull the wolf off balance, but the wolf remained steady.

Siora’s Attack roll (FDW4): 1d20+5 = 20 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 7 (Piercing) (+1 Vile)

Siora moved around the side, stepping over the corpse of the wolf I’d just killed. Her rapier was in her hand as she moved to stand side by side with me. With a thrust that showed more practice than skill, she jabbed the blade into the wolf I had chained my blasts to, drawing its attention.

FDW4’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 13 (Miss)

FDW6’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 13 (Miss)

Melinda’s attack roll (FDW4): 1d20+14 = 30 (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+8 = 11 (Success)

Blast Damage: 5d6 = 20 (Magic)

Eldritch Chain (FDW6): 1d20+14 = 29 (Hit)

Chain Damage: 6 (Magic)

Dancing between gnashing fangs, I nodded to Siora before unleashing another torrent of arcane power at the wolf I had been hitting. It struck home, as I knew it would, and then jumped to the last wolf, still prone upon the floor. Neither wolf was looking entirely pleased at the moment, which was fine by me.

Vestele’s Healing (Melinda): 2d8+7 = 21

Vestele placed her hand on my shoulder. “The Lady’s touch go with you, Melinda. There’s still much work to do.” I breathed easier as I felt the healing power flow through me, my wounds fading as though they’d never been there.

FDW3’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 15 (Miss)

FDW4’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 26 (Miss)

FDW5’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 29 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 18

FDW5’s Trip attempt: 1d20+11 = 15

Frostmane’s STR check: 1d20+17 = 36 (Success)

Melinda’s AoO (FDW6): 1d20+14 = 17 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10 = 6 (Bludgeoning)

Siora’s AoO (FDW6): 1d20+5 = 22 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 7 (Piercing) (+1 Vile)

FDW6’s attack (Siora): 1d20+11 = 18 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+10 = 16 (Piercing)

FDW6’s Trip attempt: 1d20+11 = 20

Siora’s Dex Check: 1d20+4 = 23 (Success)

The wolves kept up the assault, and finally, one managed to sink its teeth into Frostmane’s flank, causing the white wolf to snarl at the creature in anger. At the same time, the wolf that Siora had staggered with her spell rose to its feet. Shaking off the blows Siora and I laid upon it, the wolf snapped its jaws, biting down upon Siora’s arm, and wrenching the beguiler to the ground.

Frostmane’s Attack Roll (FDW3): 1d20+12 = 27 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+18 = 23 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (5 Resisted) (Dead)

Despite his growls, Frostmane did not attack the unbloodied wolf that bit him, instead keeping his attention on the wolf he had attacked last time. Better to take out the weak wolf before moving on to the ones that are still strong. And take it out he did, his jaws crushing the life from the demonic wolf in a flurry of fangs and blood.

Siora, meanwhile, decided that discretion was the better part of valor. She’d accomplished her goal, at any rate, by harrying and distracting the wolves, if even for a moment. She crawled five feet back from the front lines, out of range of the wolves’ fangs, before rising to her feet. “Fuck, that hurts!”

FDW4’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 21 (Miss)

FDW6’s AoO (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 13 (Miss)

Melinda’s attack roll (FDW5): 1d20+14 = 22 (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+8 = 27 (Success)

Blast Damage: 5d6 = 21 (Magic)

Eldritch Chain (FDW4): 1d20+14 = 27 (Hit)

Chain Damage: 10 (Magic) (Dead)

Once again, I danced through fangs and death, and unleashed a blast of arcane power. The fourth wolf, the one I’d chained to twice and hit once, flinched as it saw the magic once again, but my primary target was not it, but the unbloodied wolf. The blast struck true, before bouncing back, and slamming into the injured wolf’s head, exposing a part of the wolf’s skull as it fell to the ground, dead.

Vestele’s Attack Roll (FDW6): 1d20+7 = 14 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 8 (Bludgeon & Pierce) (Unconscious)

Vestele stepped up beside me, as Siora had done moments before, and lashed out with her morningstar. The weapon smacked the wolf between the eyes with a gratifying thud. The wolf looked as though it were seeing stars, and wobbled, before falling to the ground, unconscious.

The last wolf left alive and conscious snarled defiantly, but even so, it could see that it was outmatched. Even a beast could see that the numbers were against it. But this beast couldn’t run from its den, since we had it trapped. The wolf crouched defensively, watching Frostmane, trying to judge the other wolf’s movements.

Frostmane’s Attack Roll (FDW5): 1d20+12 = 22 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+18 = 22 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane’s STR check: 1d20+13 = 31

FDW1’s STR check: 1d20+15 = 27 (Fail, Prone)

Frostmane finally turned his attention to the wolf that had injured him, and found that its attention had been turned my way, as I had intended. The winter wolf did not give the demon wolf a chance to correct its mistake, biting the scruff of its neck and throwing it bodily to the ground. The wolf, uninjured before I hit it, now looked on the verge of death.

Siora’s Attack roll (FDW4): 1d20+5 = 23 (Hit)

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

Siora’s rapier flashed out again as she advanced into the fray a final time, piercing the wolf’s eye. Breathing heavily, she said, “Well, that sucked.”

Melinda’s Healing (Frostmane): 1d8+1 = 9

Melinda’s Healing (Frostmane): 1d8+1 = 5

Melinda’s Healing (Siora): 1d8+1 = 2

Melinda’s Healing (Siora): 1d8+1 = 3

Melinda’s Healing (Siora): 1d8+1 = 9

Vestele went to her sister, clearly meaning to heal her wounds, but I stopped her, “Save your spells, Vestele, for when we truly need them. We have a moment to catch our breath. Let’s make the most of it.” A few hits of the Wand of Cure Light Wounds later, and both Frostmane and Siora were almost to full health again.

Your party has defeated 6 Fiendish Dire Wolves and overcome a Spiked Pit Trap.

Melinda gains 844 XP.

Frostmane gains 688 XP.

Siora gains 688 XP.

Vestele gains 688 XP.