We slept the night in the altar room on the first floor of the Shrine. We could have rested in the chambers that the Huntresses used, but I don’t think any of us were really comfortable shutting ourselves in an enclosed space like that, when we knew that our actions would be provoking a response. If an attack came in the night, it was better that it came while we were waiting.

Fortunately, we made it through the night without being attacked. But I was sure an attack would be coming our way. There looked like there were twelve of the Huntresses who had been living at the Shrine, and we had only killed or run off eleven of them. One was missing, and I had no doubt that she had run to get help.

The closest help, that I knew of, would be whatever forces were hiding in the mines. That was a day’s travel on foot. If she left in the night, after that Huntress came to check on the Huntcaller, then she would have reached the mines sometime around midday, as we were fighting our way through the shrine’s lower floors.

If the reinforcements had set out immediately, they could have gotten to us by nightfall, or shortly after, especially if they were sending wolves, who were quicker than humans. But they would still have to send someone with them, that could control the wolves. We couldn’t count on the Malarites being stupid enough to believe that the wolves, hunting by their instincts, could take us on. Well, at least not if they wanted the attack to be anything other than a distraction.

But there was no attack that night. Even as we ate a quick breakfast of rations and water for the three of us that went on two legs, and raw meat and water for Frostmane, we spotted no sign of enemies. It wasn’t until we had been walking for a couple hours that we first heard the howl of wolves on the hunt.

On our guard, we stayed close to the ground and the safety of the trees, keeping an eye on our surroundings. And then we saw them, crashing through the forest. Ten of the fiendish dire wolves, and, in their midst, a massive werewolf armed and armored with sword and shield.

Initiatives

Melinda

Siora

Frostmane

Vestele

Fiendish Dire Wolves x10

Wolflord of Malar

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW4): 1d20+16 = 27 (touch) (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+11 = 24 (Success)

Eldritch Chain damage: 6d6 = 19 (Magic)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW3): 1d20+16 = 20 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 9 (Magic)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Wolflord): 1d20+16 = 26 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 9 (Magic)

I wasn’t just going to wait for these assholes to come to us, not after everything I’d seen. Flying forward, I unleashed a bolt of magic against one of the closest wolves, striking it on the snout. The magic then chained to the next wolf, striking it on the flank, and from there to the werewolf, taking it in the chest. None of the creatures seemed all too pleased with me, but at least I hurt them.

Siora took a breath, and said, “Hasten forward, and kill these fools. She’s not going to wait for us.” And with that, she cast a spell to Haste the three of them.

Frostmane darted forward, legs carrying him faster than he normally could move, even at his impressive speed. Coming to my side, the white wolf growled as he readied himself to attack. “Running in front of the pack like this is foolish, little bird. Don’t let your anger make you stupid.”

Vestele’s Mass Aid spell: 1d8+8 = 15 (temp HP)

Vestele ran forward, her feet as swift as the wings she sprouted in her true form. Coming side by side with her sister, she said, “Oh, profane Mistress of the Pleasure Pits, aid us in this hour of need!” Instantly, my heart felt lighter, and that feeling extended into the rest of my body.

Frostmane’s Readied Attack (FDW3): 1d20+15 = 20 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+19 = 25 (Piercing)

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

FDW3’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 17 (Miss)

FDW4’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 18 (Miss)

The wolves charged forward, and Frostmane’s jaws clamped down on one of the ones I’d hit, tearing into its flesh, leaving it barely standing. Frostmane and I dodged attacks coming our way, while the wolves moved quickly to try and surround us.

Behind the wolf in my face, the werewolf moved forward. His sword gleamed in the daylight, and his eyes were fixed upon me. “I’m going to enjoy listening to you scream as I eat you, little girl!”

Melinda’s Concentration check: 1d20+13 = 21 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW4): 1d20+17 = 23 (Touch) (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+11 = 13 (Success)

Eldritch Chain damage: 6d6 = 17 (Magic)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW3): 1d20+17 = 27 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 8 (Magic) (Dead)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Wolflord): 1d20+17 = 28 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 8 (Magic)

Concentrating, I stilled my movements as best I could. It was enough, if barely, to not give the wolves an opening. Magic lanced out once more, striking the two wolves and the werewolf again. This time, however, the first wolf was looking as though it were on its last legs, while the second one fell to the ground, dead. Looking the werewolf in the eye, I snarked, “Sorry, you’re not my type.”

Siora’s Concentration check: 1d20+17 = 29 (Success)

Siora’s CL check: 1d20+8 = 15 (Success)

Siora’s Mass Whelm damage: 8d6 = 27 (Nonlethal)

FDW1’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 25 (Success, no damage)

FDW2’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 13 (Fail)

FDW5’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 20 (Fail)

FDW6’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 7 (Fail)

FDW7’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 21 (Fail)

FDW8’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 13 (Fail)

FDW9’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 22 (Success, no damage)

FDW10’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 18 (Fail)

Siora looked around at the wolves gathering around her, and smiled grimly. “Well, it looks like I’m going to have to dig down in the bag of tricks for this one.” Without another word, a pulse of grey energy washed over us, and six of the surviving wolves staggered, as though struck by a mighty blow.

Frostmane’s Attack (FDW2): 1d20+15 = 17 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+19 = 20 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 4 (Cold) (Cold Resist 5)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+13 = 31

FDW2’s STR check: 1d20+15 = 30 (Fail, Prone)

Frostmane’s Attack (FDW6): 1d20+15 = 17 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+19 = 26 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+13 = 18

FDW2’s STR check: 1d20+15 = 32 (Success)

Frostmane whirled about and sank his jaws into the flank of one of the wolves that hadn’t felt the impact of Siora’s spell, throwing the wolf down to the ground, before turning once again in his hasted state to rip a chunk out of another wolf’s hide. With a snarl of fury, the white wolf regarded the fiendish ones, “We should hurry and finish off the rest of these creatures. They are hardly a challenge for us.”

Vestele’s attack (FDW5): 1d20+9 = 14 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 5 (Bludgeoning and Piercing)

Vestele’s Attack (FDW5): 1d20+9 = 14 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 4 (Bludgeoning and Piercing)

Vestele turned on the wolf closest to her, and lashed out with her morningstar, smacking it twice on the shoulder. “We’ll handle the ones back here. Take out that werewolf!”

FDW1’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 22 (Miss)

Frostmane’s AoO (FDW2): 1d20+15 = 29 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite: 1d8+19 = 23 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 4 (Cold) (Cold Resist 5) (Dead)

FDW4’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 17 (Miss)

FDW5’s Attack (Vestele): 1d20+11 = 29 (Hit)

Bite Damage: 1d8+10 = 14 (Piercing) (DR 10/Magic)

FDW5’s Trip Attempt: 1d20+11 = 16

Vestele’s STR check: 1d20 = 11 (Fail, Prone)

FDW6’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+11 = 21 (Miss)

FDW7’s Attack (Siora): 1d20+11 = 23 (Miss)

FDW9’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+13 = 15 (Miss)

FDW10’s Attack (Siora): 1d20+11 = 19 (Miss)

The werewolf growled at one of the wolves as they surged forward, keeping it from stepping into the space the wolf I killed had occupied. Apparently, the werewolf wanted to handle me himself. The wolves’ attacks were mostly ineffective, though one did manage to haul Vestele to the ground, though she didn’t look like she was badly hurt.

Wolflord’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+27 = 40 (Hit)

Damage: 2d8+15 = 20 (Slashing)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 6 (Slashing) (DR 10/Cold Iron)

Wolflord’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+22 = 37 (Hit)

Damage: 2d8+15 = 26 (Slashing)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 1 (Slashing) (DR 10/Cold Iron)

Wolflord’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+17 = 30 (Hit)

Damage: 2d8+15 = 26 (Slashing)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 6 (Slashing) (DR 10/Cold Iron)

Wolflord’s Bite Attack (Melinda): 1d20+20 = 22 (Miss)

And then my entire world became pure pain. The werewolf’s bastard sword, sized perfectly for his larger frame, slashed through my defenses as though they were not even there. No, that was just the difference in our power. I staggered under the blows, and falling to a knee as the pain wracked me was all that saved me from the wolf’s jaws snapping shut in the space where my head used to be.

Melinda’s Tumble check: 1d20+19 = 31 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Wolflord): 1d20+17 = 19 (Touch) (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+11 = 20 (Success)

Eldritch Chain damage: 6d6 = 23 (Magic)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW4): 1d20+17 = 34 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 11 (Magic) (Dead)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW6): 1d20+17 = 20 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 11 (Magic) (Dead)

Knowing that I simply couldn’t survive another round up close and personal with the werewolf, I did something I usually didn’t bother with. After all, I was usually able to avoid enemies easily enough that I didn’t need it, but I had trained, back when I was part of my tribe, in ways to extract myself from a bad situation. I flung myself backwards and to the side rolling over the fiendish wolf next to me, before doing a back summersault to get to my feet on the other side.

Escape accomplished, I decided to blast the werewolf first. That bastard was the primary threat, and I needed him to die in a hurry. The blast hit him, and then chained to two of the wolves threatening Frostmane, killing two of them. Hopefully he could stand up to this werewolf better than I could.

Siora’s Concentration check: 1d20+17 = 36 (Success)

Siora’s CL check: 1d20+8 = 20 (Success)

Siora’s Mass Whelm damage: 8d6 = 23 (Nonlethal)

FDW1’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 25 (Success, no damage)

FDW5’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 17 (Fail) (Unconscious)

FDW7’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 7 (Fail) (Unconscious)

FDW8’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 13 (Fail) (Unconscious)

FDW9’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 19 (Fail)

FDW10’s Will Save: 1d20+6 = 12 (Fail) (Unconscious)

Wolflord’s Will Save: 1d20+13 = 16 (Fail)

Siora cursed as she saw me leaving the melee. We hadn’t been fighting together for too long, but she knew me well enough to know that this was a bad situation. Unleashing a second of the area spells she used before, the Beguiler was rewarded with most of the remaining wolves falling unconscious, with one of the two lefts standing looking shaken. Better still, the werewolf also got caught in the blast!

Frostmane’s Attack (Wolflord): 1d20+20 = 37 (Hit)

Bite: 1d8+19 = 27 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 1 (Cold)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+13 = 26

Wolflord’s STR check: 1d20+15 = 33 (Success)

Frostmane’s Attack (Wolflord): 1d20+15 = 19 (Miss)

Frostmane moved cautiously towards the werewolf, before suddenly lunging towards the fighter. His fangs found purchase on the Wolflord’s thigh. He tried to pull the werewolf to the ground, but he wasn’t strong enough. Then he tried to rip through the werewolf’s hide again, but his fangs missed the mark this time.

Vestele’s attack (FDW9): 1d20+9 = 16 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 10 (Bludgeoning and Piercing)

Vestele’s Attack (FDW9): 1d20+9 = 26 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 10 (Bludgeoning and Piercing)

Vestele, seeing the tide of battle turn twice in the matter of seconds, darted forward, towards the wolf that was still threatening her sister. Twice her morningstar lashed out, and twice it found its mark upon the fiendish wolf’s skull. And down the wolf fell like a puppet with its strings cut.

FDW1’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+11 = 16 (Miss)

The wolf I rolled over the back of was still uninjured, despite everything that was going on, and, despite its pack lying either dead or sleeping around us, the wolf clearly intended on pressing the attack. No doubt because its ‘alpha’, the werewolf, still stood. And, seeing as how I was injured, the damned thing thought I would be easy prey. Thankfully, I was able to dodge easily enough.

Wolflord’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+27 = 33 (Hit)

Damage: 2d8+15 = 30 (Slashing)

Wolflord’s attack (Frostmane): 1d20+22 = 23 (Miss)

Wolflord’s Bite Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+20 = 23 (Miss)

The Wolflord snarled at me. “Just you wait, insolent wench. You’re only delaying the inevitable!” But he was not fool enough to turn his back on Frostmane, and attacked. The first stroke cut deep into the wolf’s shoulder, but the second hit with the blade misaligned, causing the sword to fall from his hand. He growled at Frostmane’s chuffing laughter as he darted out of reach of the werewolf’s jaws.

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Wolflord): 1d20+13 = 18 (Touch) (Hit)

Melinda’s CL check: 1d20+11 = 23 (Success)

Eldritch Chain damage: 6d6 = 33 (Magic)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (FDW1): 1d20+17 = 20 (touch) (Hit)

Eldritch Chain damage: 16 (Magic)

I took a step back from the wolf in front of me, but my eyes were focused on the werewolf. “In the words of a wise man from my former world, ‘fuck off and die, asshole’!” Magic flew from my hands once again, and struck the werewolf hard, before chaining back to stagger the fiendish wolf.

Siora’s attack Roll (FDW1): 1d20+11 = 24 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 7 (Piercing)

Siora’s attack roll (FDW1): 1d20+11 = 14 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+2 = 5 (Piercing)

Siora took a breath to steady herself as she brought her bow to bear, and quickly unleashed two arrows into the fiendish wolf’s hide, causing the creature to yowl in pain. “I think we might have pissed off the cultists, Mel. Call it a hunch.”

Frostmane’s Attack (Wolflord): 1d20+20 = 32 (Hit)

Bite: 1d8+19 = 20 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (Unconscious)

Frostmane’s Attack (Wolflord): 1d20+20 = 22 (Hit)

Bite: 1d8+19 = 20 (Piercing)

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

Frostmane just chuffed once, before darting forward, ripping a large chunk of flesh from the werewolf’s sword arm. The werewolf fell to the ground, unconscious as the damage caught up to him, but that didn’t matter for long. Frostmane casually bent down and ripped out the wolflord’s throat, to ensure that there would be no recovery for him. A howl echoed through the woods at his victory.

Vestele’s attack (FDW9): 1d20+9 = 21 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 5 (Bludgeoning and Piercing)

Vestele’s Attack (FDW9): 1d20+9 = 14 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+2 = 7 (Bludgeoning and Piercing) (Dead)

Vestele, heartened by Frostmane’s kill, laughed as she charged in to deal a devastating one-two combo with her morningstar to the final wolf’s skull, putting it down for good. “I don’t know, Siora. We are talking about Malarites, here. This might be their version of a kindly worded letter.”

Your party has defeated a Wolflord of Malar and 10 Fiendish Dire Wolves.

Melinda gains 3163 XP.

Frostmane gains 3163 XP.

Siora gains 3163 XP.

Vestele gains 3163 XP.

Loot:

Shifter’s Shirt

Shifter’s Shield

Malarite’s Blade

Gauntlets of Ogre Power

Cloak of Resistance +2

Ring of Protection +1

Ring of the Hunter

MW Composite Longbow (+4 Str)

20 Bolts