Omen: 2, 14

He was surprised to see Fred still alive in the morning. He half expected the young man to have left, or to have used that spear of his.

“Hey, why don’t you come along with us?” Adam asked, staring down at the young man, who was eating some of the boar which Jurot had brought last night.

“Me?” Fred asked.

“We can’t allow a stranger to travel with us,” the Knight who Adam had beaten said. “He may be dangerous.”

“Yeah, maybe to you,” Adam said, letting his disdain slip out. “I mean, he looks like an Adventurer to me. He’s got a Copper Rank tag right there. He’s just a little babby.”

“I am responsible for keeping Sir Landon alive,” the Knight said.

“Yeah, but I’m the one who will be keeping him alive so he can pay us,” Adam replied, simply. “Fat chance you’re going to do anything to-“ Adam stopped himself, shaking his head. “I understand your worries, but it would be best to take him with us, at least up until we head to the nearby town.”

“If he ends up hurting me, you will take responsibility,” Sir Landon stated.

Adam was about to wave him off, but clenched his fist quickly to stop himself from moving it, before relaxing. “I understand. Thank you, Sir Landon.”

Sir Landon smiled. ‘He finally understands the difference between us. Elves.’ He shook his head gently.

Soon the group was packed up and ready to head out, with Sir Landon and the Knights near the centre of he party, Jurot up front with Lucy, and Adam back with Sir Vonda and Fred.

“Did you refill your waterskin?” Adam asked.

“I did,” Fred replied.

“You got some food?”

“A few rations,” he admitted.

“Good, good,” Adam said, nodding his head. “We should have enough anyway, so it doesn’t really matter if you didn’t.” ‘Plus, I have that spell, so not a big deal.’

The group continued along their journey, up until they heard the sound of a whistle, which shrieked through the hills.

The party noted the appearance of several figures.

“What the fuck?” Adam gasped.

Surrounding the entire party were a large number of people, their faces painted, which was the only thing which covered their bodies. Some were armed with clubs, others with blades and shields, and one with a mace and an amulet.

“Uh,” Adam said, looking to the rest of the party.

The nude people screamed in joy before charging towards the party.

“To arms?” Adam shouted, unsure of what was happening.

Battle Order

D20 + 1 = 5 (4)

“Druids!” Sir Landon exclaimed, drawing his sword, which glittered slightly under the sun.

The naked group of people crashed up against he entire party, battering them with clubs and fist.

Health: 65 -> 57

“Ah, sonuva!” Adam grunted, feeling a club crash against the side of his helmet. “What the hell are you playing at?”

Attack (Two Handed)

D20 + 8 = 9 (1)

Critical miss!

Attack (Two Handed)

D20 + 8 = 21 (13)

Hit!

1D6 + 1D6 + 7 = 19 (6)(6)

18 damage!

Adam drew his blade, punting several of the nude people down. “Get off me!”

He heard a roar from nearby, and managed to catch from the corner of his eye a raging Iyrman who cut a naked man from shoulder to pit. “Blood for Baktu!”

Adam had never heard Jurot shout so eagerly before, especially nothing so crazy. Blood sprays him across from the side as Lucy’s greataxe tore through two in a single swing. She gleefully struck the naked Druids, who were shouting and chanting in an unknown tongue.

‘I’m surrounded by fucking psychopaths!’

Fred shoved a spear through one’s throat, standing near Nobby and the other Porters, who were keeping the nude people at bay with their shields.

“Damn it!” Remy said. “Not in front of Nobby!”

Zonda, who watched as the group were so eager to kill, clutched her mace tight in hand, unable to swing it. “We should not kill so easily!”

“We are currently surrounded,” Sir Landon said, managing to land a blow on one of the nude men with a sword and shield. “It is difficult.”

The Knights, at their master’s side, easily dispatched with a number of the naked Druids, their blood spilling across the hill.

As Sir Landon tried to slash again, a few of the nude members grabbed at him. He gasped, struggling against their grips. Fortunately for him, he had two capable Knights beside him, who managed to kill the few of the nude men who had grabbed him.

Health: 57 -> 48

“Damn,” Adam said, feeling another club smash against his helmet, causing him to stumble. “I’m getting real sick and tired of your shit.”

‘Coming!’ Zeus said, charging in, skewering a few with his antlers.

‘No,’ Adam thought back to his Steed. ‘You’ve got our stuff, so just help the Porters.’

Adam, noting that there was a woman who was chanting, pushed off his assailants and charged towards the woman, allowing one of the naked people a chance to strike against his back.

Health: 48 -> 45

Warrior Spirit: 3 -> 2

Health: 45 -> 50

Attack (Two Handed)

D20 + 8 = 13 (5)

D20 + 8 = 20 (12)

Hit!

Mana: 18 -> 17

1D6 + 1D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 18 (5)(4)(1, 1)

18 damage!

Adam leapt towards the woman, slashing across the woman’s arm, cutting from her shoulder to her elbow. His axe flashed white for a moment, and she screamed for just a second, before she fell, her nostrils bleeding from the toll against her mind.

“Your Druid is down!” Adam shouted. “Surrounder now, and we will let you live!”

However, his words fell on deaf ears, as the naked people continued to batter against the others.

It was fortunate for the party that the people wore no armour, otherwise they would have struggled, as they were outnumbered three to one.

Sir Vonda managed to knock one unconscious, and at her behest, Jurot and Lucy had also struck the people in a way not to outright kill them. Eventually the Porters assisted, bashing their shields against the people, who were still chanting as they attacked, though eventually they were brought down, half of them dead, and the other half bruised and battered.

Victory!

Naked People

XP Gained: +50

XP: 4225 -> 4325

“So, what should we do with them?” Adam asked. ‘They really only gave that much XP? Damn.’

“How dare they try to-“ Sir Landon began, though he was cut off by Jurot charging past him, causing the Knights to draw their blades towards him, only to see the shadow which enveloped them.

“How dare you trespass onto my land!” bellowed a large creature, which completely dwarfed them.

Adam had thought it was an Awakened Wolf for a moment, but it was so much larger. It’s skin was dark, and instead of fur covering it, it appeared to be almost rocky. Yet, it still looked somewhat like a large canine. Its eyes were piercing as they glared down among the group, and for once, Adam felt like an ant.

Jurot skid to a halt, loosening the grip on his axe. He stared up at the creature, a sense of recognition in his eyes, but he couldn’t quite place it.

“Jurot?” Adam whispered, frozen stiff.

Jurot continued to stare at it, trying to remember. There were stories in the Iyr he had heard hundreds of times, some dozens, others a handful, and some only once. With the amount of stories in his head, he was sure he could eventually piece it together, but that would depend on how long he’d live.

“There are many tales I have heard whilst growing in the Iyr,” Jurot dared to say, sheathing his axe.

Upon seeing Jurot sheath his axe, Adam put away his own, following the lead of his brother.

The Nobles, on the other hand, remained pale, blades in their sweaty hands. Lucy gripped her blade tight too, glaring at the creature, her teeth grit into a forced smile, otherwise she may have let slip the fear which had taken hold in her body.

“May I ask your name, great one?” Jurot asked.

“I am Lord Stokmar!” the creature bellowed, it’s voice blasting them with air, causing their clothing to flutter.

“How…” Sir Landon swallowed, trying his best to calm himself. “How dare you claim yourself to be a Lord, you foul beast!”

‘Yo! What the fuck?’ Adam’s eyes snapped to Sir Landon. ‘If you want to die, do it when I’m not next to you!’

Lord Stokmar roared again.

Wisdom Save

D20 + 3 = 18 (15)

Pass!

The roar shook their world as the Noble dropped to a knee, clutching at his chest. Lucy stepped back, clutching her greataxe tighter. The Knights didn’t manage to hold in their breakfast, as they undid their helmets to vomit to the side, stumbling backwards.

Even Fred, who had given up on life, dropped to his bottom, and Sir Vonda, clutched her amulet tight as she prayed, though her legs were quivering.

Somehow, the Porters had managed to remain standing, and though they were unnerved by the large creature, they were not quite as full of fear as the rest of them.

Jurot inhaled deeply, standing tall like an Iyrman. “Lord Stokmar! Jurot, son of Surot, greets you! I have witnessed your Awakening, and ask for safe passage!”

“You would dare to ask me for safe passage after what you have done?” Lord Stokmar roared.

Jurot remained steadfast, the roar of the great creature slamming against him, causing some of the fur on his clothes to scatter away.

Adam was acutely aware of the two diamonds in his pocket, and how many Fireballs he could cast. ‘We’re fucked.’