@Pyromania99@Superman@ERodeThe large bird's attack missed completely, and it didn't seem to bother it. IT carried through with its attack, twisting its body and spiraling into the sky. With a squawk, it flourished its wings and looked around. It seemed somewhat confused that its prey had managed to avoid it, but after quickly looking around, it found the knight that had attacked it. It eyed him carefully, before losing altitude and coming back towards the ground. If the flapping of its wings in a similar manner as before, it was readying another charge.
Tetras' plan was good.
Get elevated above the bird after taunting it, jump onto it and attack. It likely would have worked, if he could have gotten more help from those that were with him.
Isabella simply watched from the side lines, still unsure whether to intervene. The creature was obviously a great deal outside the realm of their skill level, but...she couldn't also let Tetras get killed by it. So she'd help him, then. Enough standing around weighing the options.
Brandishing her sword, she eyed the creature as it swooped down, intending on striking swiftly with her blade. It was focused on Tetras, so it would likely not notice her.
Just one, small problem occurred.
The entire forest seemed to come alive. The roots of the trees sprang from the ground, cracking the earth as they broke free of their natural forms. The roots wrapped themselves around Isabella's leg, ensnaring her and preventing her from moving. The same thing seemed to be happening to Ophene and Tsukiko, roots trying to ensnare them and prevent their movements. Small, looking trees covered in small foliage seemed to even break from their roots...and started talking?
Isabella tried cutting the root with her sword, but before she could a strong hand grabbed her sword arm, twisting it somewhat painfully and causing her to drop her weapon.
She craned her head towards the thing...and came face to face with a jungle troll.
Anyone who knew the forest would realize the trolls liked camouflaging themselves as trees to ambush travelers, and it seemed as though the adventurers were now falling victim to such a scheme. The trolls were at least two heads taller than Tetras, with lithe green-skinned bodies. They all had long legs, with three toes, and in their arms were equally long, most carrying spears or a simple shield. It was clear their bodies were built for speed, probably for nimbly running through the forest. On their heads, they had black hair, and most were adorned with headdresses made of toucan feathers, and their bodies were adorned with simple leather and bone armors that had various leaves and things from jungle trees tucked into them.
"Grusha...brave one, fighting will only get you killed." Though the one she was facing spoke in a way she could understand, it was clear this was not their native tongue. Not like she had a whole lot of choice in the matter either. The Trolls had been upon them in a matter of moments, and whatever shamanistic/druidic magic they were using to command the trees to ensnare their party was already done.
Even if Ophene and Tsukiko managed to avoid getting ensnared, they were already surrounded by at least ten of these trolls, whose spears looked ready to defend themselves at a moments notice should they try anything funny.
Tetras was however, managed to avoid the root. Being on top of the rock freed from from being ensnared by the magic so easily. The roots climbed the rock, but for the most part didn't reach the knight. Unfortunately, his target was being dealt with by the trolls.
As the Toucan moved swiftly in towards Tetras, definitely aiming to finish off the one who had attacked it. Unfortunately for the bird, the trolls intervened just as they did with the Adventurers. A troll who seemed to have climbed a tree, jumped, leaping onto the back of the bird as it dove. With a harsh whack to the back of the things head before it could react with a staff, the bird squawked, falling to the ground in surprise from the attack. The bird, and the troll, who was dressed in similar attire as the others, though wearing a headdress adorned with several colorful feathers, landed right on the ground in front of Tetras.
"...fool." The troll simply said, shooting a glare in Tetras' direction without regard for the fact it had just ambushed them.
"Fighting sacred bird alone. Lucky we had been near."The troll stepped off the bird, who cawed weakly. A few words in an unknown language was spoken to a few others gathered, who began tending to the bird. Any bindings done by the trolls seemed to dissipate as well.
"Suggest leaving before other tribe finds." The troll said to the group.
It seemed that despite the ambush, the trolls weren't entirely hostile...and they apparently, in fact, had very little interest in them aside from the bird.
For a second time, Isabella was unsure what to do here. She was quickly freed from the root that snared her, and she was surprisingly allowed to retrieve her sword. She did have quite a few questions though, especially about that magic, but she also had a job to do and she doubted these trolls were behind the attacks on the wagons, either.
@RedDusk@Ariamis@LauderThis time, Ankt's intimidation worked quite well. The hounds, animals as they were, definitely were put off by the loud roar. Those that hadn't attacked yet, whined, shirking away from the lizard as the bats cleared out from around him. It seemed like the hounds knew that attacking, would likely be a very bad thing indeed. The hounds, unwilling to continue their assault after that, bolted out of the room, past even Nazr. Most, leaped into pools of water. Ones that likely connected to the sea as they made a swift, and hasty exit.
Thankfully for everyone gathered, the bats proved to be of little annoyance for long, and soon their panicked shrieks were little more than an echo towards the entrance of the cave. The guards stationed outside were likely in for a nasty surprise quite soon.
Aside from a few lingering hounds who were too stubborn or prideful to leave their territory completely, it seemed the trio was in the clear for now. The hounds that did remain, watched from within the clear pools.
would they press on? Or would they keep investigating the area? It seemed one of their party was missing, after all...
@Black AliceAs the owners of the voice finally made it to Em, it was quite clear the speakers weren't human. They looked a bit like a smaller version of Ankt. Standing at about five feet tall, covered in green scales with a lanky but agile looking build. A small tail extended from their tailbone, and their feet were clawed, as were their hands. There were two of them, dressed in makeshift metal and leather armor. One wielded a rusty looking blade, and the other a heavy looking club.
The two looked quite surprised at the skeleton before them, but soon turned to a growl.
"It's just a kid." One growled, leaning on the heavy club of his.
"And a tasty snack for the hounds.""Bah, doesn't matter. We kill anyone who knows about us." A somewhat annoyed sounding hiss came from the other one, but no more was said.
"They'll both be tasty snacks for the hounds."With a final hiss, the one with the heavy club leaped forward, swiping at the skeletons midsection with the blunt weapon. The other, stayed back for the moment, seeming to observe before getting involved.
Encounter:
Kobold Guard
Number: Two
Threat: Low-mid.
Xaltwind,
datadogie,
TruthHurts,
Yankee,
Renose,
BabyKaiju,
Double,
Crusader Lord,
Savo,
Dragonfly 9
