Tooth, Fang, and Hellfire (Plot)

[Kender Bard]

Thavan led the march towards the west, anxious. he didn't want to fight demons. He wanted to be home with his mate and daughter. I think I understand now why Faolan backed down, he thought gloomily. Was it time for him to do the same? He needed to talk Aakel about it. But first he'd serve Worg. He wasn't greatly religious, but she had asked him for his service and he felt that he owed her.

[Skittlebug]

It hadn't been difficult for the newly improved Belegites to locate Thavan's march, particularly as they advanced into Beleg's own territory. They had spend some time positioning themselves, Teeg had ordered his captains to split up with a good number of 'men' each and lie in wait for the approaching army, setting a trap that would pincer the Poldoran troops from all sides.

Teeg remains with the bulk of his clan, waiting. Surely there would be forward scouts, and as soon as those are brought down, the runners will be sent with orders to begin closing the trap.

[Kender Bard]

Thavan continued to walk, lost in his thoughts.

Selou moved up from his place in the march to walk beside the Pack Leader. "The scouts have been a while in returning."

Thavan frowned and held up a hand for a halt. "You're right," he agreed. "Let's rest a moment and see if they return."

Meanwhile, one of the scouts, a swallow-affinity, was flying overhead, coming down beneath the canopy here and there to survey the ground. Something caught her eye and she landed completely, looking around with a frown.

[Skittlebug]

Investigating what she'd seen turns out to be a mistake for the swallow Beast. The pair of demon mutated Belegites, scouting themselves, notice her arrival easily. They wait only until she's landed to leap out at her.

[Kender Bard]

The swallow Beast gave a short, high cry that quickly cut off as she was brought down. Her small companion took off quickly back the way they'd come towards the main body of Poldorans. It hated to abandon its companion, but the Swallow Beast, though she was putting up a fight, seemed doomed.

[Skittlebug]

One of the Belegites breaks toward the fleeing bird, grabbing stone and flinging it, not sure what else to do. The other quickly overpowers the other Beast and snaps her neck.

[Kender Bard]

The swallow is clipped but it manages to make it back to the edges of the Poldoran army. It's a trap! it cried out as it collapsed on the ground.

One of the other bird-affinity Beasts nearby startled at that. "Trap!" she called out sharply. Thavan snapped back to the present, looking around for the threat.

"HALT!" he shouted at everyone to prevent anyone from stumbling into a pitfall or similar.

[Skittlebug]

Unfortunately for Thavan and the warriors, it isn't that sort of trap. It isn't long before the sighting is relayed to Teeg and passed on to the split groups. The Belegites begin to close in from all sides eagerly, sure of they're superiority.

[Kender Bard]

Other Beasts? Thavan thought, surprised. Beleg? It looked like it. "I am Thavan, Packleader!" Thavan called out in an authoritative voice, even as his officers readied their weapons. "Where is your Champion? Tell him to show himself!"

[Skittlebug]

The distorted Beasts surrounding Thavan's warriors don't seem very inclined to take any orders from him. Instead they begin a series of cries and howls, echoed by the groups on all sides, working themselves up before launching themselves at the other clan.

Teeg himself does not join the initial charge, waiting for Thavan to be cut off from more of his troops before making his move for the Packleader.

[Kender Bard]

Thavan felt rage bubble up inside him at this. "So be it," he whispered harshly under his breath. "TEEG IS A COWARD WHO REFUSES TO FACE HIS PACK LEADER IN CHALLENGE!" Thavan shouted at the top of his lungs. "LET US SHOW THESE COWARDLY PISSANTS THE MIGHT OF POLDORA!"

By then of course the fight had already started but some of the warriors cried out in response to their Packleader. Thavan looked around; his typical strategy was to take to the trees where he was nimble and could shoot well. He drew his dagger and began to make his way for the nearest one that looked climbable, his quills sticking up all over his body to provide a small measure of protection against anyone who might think to come at him suddenly.

[Skittlebug]

Very quickly, the strange new nature of the Belegites becomes clear. The shifting and changing of the demon blessed Beasts makes them harder to hit or pin down, the strength and speed giving them an advantage. Many have worked themselves into such a fury that they throw themselves wildly at the enemy, thrashing and striking out heavily with extra or strengthened limbs.

Teeg jogs closer, his blood rising, keeping his eye on the Packleader and closing in.

[Kender Bard]

After scrambling up the nearest tree, Thavan settled himself with his back to the trunk, legs wrapped tight around the thick branch beneath him. His quills remained bristled as he pulled an arrow from the quiver on his back and sighted for targets. By Worg, he thought as he finally got a good, long look at their opponents. They're... Monsters. His grip on the bowstring slackened a moment with horror. They can't all be demons, can they?

Selou spotted Teeg moving in the distance. With narrowed eyes, he began to step forward towards him, intent on bloodying the traitor, his bo staff clenched tight in both hands.

[Skittlebug]

Amidst the chaos Teeg notices Selou heading his way and decides that an appetizer might be in order. He doesn't do much, yet, wanting to enjoy giving this opponent a surprise.

[Kender Bard]

Selou's eyes narrowed, he quickened his step and at the first good, clear stretch of ground between the two, he broke into a sprint and a warcry. "For Poldora!!"

Thavan, meanwhile, had begun to try and find the weak points of their twisted kin. He fired arrows as accurately as he could, striking eyes and mouths, but also various other points in the body. Their new mass made chest shots painful, eventually deadly, but not a sure fire thing. The neck could be tricky too though was more reliable.