Wyvern at Redhaven

When we last left our plucky hero, she had just crested a rise at the outskirts of the village of Redhaven when the warning bells began sounding. This wasn't a single bell ringing though, it was two, differently toned bells which meant something supernatural or fearsome has been encountered.  Could it be the the Firstborn? A raiding party?

Nissus knows that if she's caught in the open, she'll be left outside the walls. For a split second she hesitates; it might be best to remain out here and blend into the forest and hills and escape whatever is befalling this place. But no, she needs to find this Euros of Redhaven, and she can't do that from outside, and she certainly can't do that if he dies from whatever is about to befall this place.

With a resigned curse under her breath, she begins to run towards the palisade walls.  "Mojo! Come!"  From out of the copse the hound bursts, racing quickly and easily alongside Nissus, his tongue lolling as if he's enjoying this game. 

Imma take the Face Danger move here; let's see if Nissus and Mojo can make it the 800 yards or so to the palisade before the gates close. 

Moves requiring speed use Edge and Nissus isn't so great at that.  I roll a 5, so net result of 6 versus 6/7.  I miss. I want a little inspiration on what happens beyond just failing to reach the gates in time... I roll battle + capture.  Hmmmm. 

Nissus gains ground on the palisade wall; ahead of her several villagers race through the gates. She can make out the panicked look of the gatekeepers peering over the pointed palisade walls. The gates are closing, and her legs and lungs are fit to burst. Mojo barks as if urging her on.

400 yards.  Her hamstrings begin to scream but she presses harder. 

300 yards. Her shield jostles loose, and she grips its leather thong in a vice grip. She can't afford to lose her shield. 

200 yards. Every muscle is on fire. The opening between the gates is just a sliver. They've spied her in the open, running, and one of the guards urges her on! 

She's 100 yards to go when she hears it.  The unmistakeable scream of a wyvern!  Mojo spins and barks fiercely. Suddenly she's buffeted by a heavy wind at the same time she stumbles, her foot caught on a tussock of grass. She falls headlong into the soft earth. A rush of wind passes overhead, followed by the heavy stink of carrion as the wyvern's claws pass right where her shoulders were a moment before. From above, the shrill shriek of the wyvern's cry as it pinwheels in the sky to make another sweep. 

Nissues scrambles to her feet and gazes skyward. Losing the creature in the sun for a brief moment, she catches sight of it as it swoops around to her right. It's a juvenile, thank the gods! But still, no less a fearsome beast.  

Her legs drive her forward. "Mojo! Come!" she yells with the last of her breath. And he's there, racing beside her.  But the gates are closed! She stops running, drops her pack, pulling her blade as she turns. The wyvern completes its circle and begins racing towards her.  Plunging her blade into the soft earth, she quickly gets her shield in place, tightening the thong on her arm, before grabbing up her blade again. Just in time as the wyvern reaches her... 

Normally Wyvern's are Extreme opponents, but I am going to downgrade it for this encounter to Formidable since it's a juvenile.

Enter the Fray:  roll +Heart which lands me a 7 vs 5/6 - a strong hit! +2 momentum and I take initiative. Strike as the wyvern flies at me; I roll 5 vs 6/7 so a miss. I lose initiative and take 3 Harm! ooof - that drops me to zero health. not. good.  A weak hit on Endure harm, which means I carry on. But anymore damage can result in serious injury (like being maimed!).  

Nissus swings her sword but it's a moment too soon, her blade passes through empty air as the wyvern's claws bite deep into her shoulder. Nissus let's loose a feral scream, and wrenches free before it can pull her off her feet.  The wyvern quickly flies up, spins hard,  and jets back earthward, claws forward as it screams.

A Clash! - Roll 8 vs 2,3 - a strong hit! I score an extra momentum with my shield. I'll take the +1 Harm inflicted. 

I really need aid in facing this beast, so I roll Compel - I want to incite the people of Redhaven to come to my aid. Another strong hit! They will come to my aid! 

As the wyvern approaches again, her blade strikes true, slashing the right hind-claw deeply and drawing blood. The wyvern screeches in pain, wheeling back skyward. Taking a fresh grip on sword and shield, she drops into a strong stance, facing the wyvern as it swoops to a new angle. 

"Redhaven! Ready your archers! We stand together!" she cries. From behind her, two archers stand at the walls, and nock their arrows. 

Strike. a 3 on a 4/5.  SHIT.  I burn my +8 momentum to earn a strong hit.  The rules suggest having the aid of NPCs might reduce the difficulty of your foe, which is a welcome shift in this battle. I drop this juvenile wyvern from Formidable to Dangerous. 

I keep initiative, so I Strike again. A weak success; I inflict 2 harm, now for a total of 6.  Not nearly comfortable enough to end this. I take initiative and clash; a 6 versus 4,5, a strong hit. I choose to inflict +1 harm, brining the total to 9.  I am ready to end this fight. A weak hit, 4/9.  I Endure Stress and thankfully my loyal hound Mojo gives me a +1. I roll a weak hit; I press on but my spirit is reduced –2. 

The wyvern, driven by hunger and enraged from harm dives low, claws extended. Nissus grips her shield and is prepared to dive out of the way, when moments before striking, arrows pierce the wings of the beast. It strikes the ground hard, tumbling over in a whirl of wings and leathery limbs. Screaming in pain it rises on unsteady legs, shaking its head on its serpentine neck, its baleful red eyes focused on Nissus. 

She steels herself, eyes hardening behind her shield. The wyvern open it's maw, razor sharp teeth wet with slaver, letting loose a piercing shriek that Nissus imagines is both challenge and warning. 

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! FUCK YOU!" She screams back as it charges forward. Another round of arrows pierce the side of the creature, and Nissus dives low, striking quickly.  She catches its claw on her shield, while she thrusts her sword deeply into the space between its chest and arm. Another roar of pain, and the wyvern knocks her sideways with the weight of its long, heavy neck.  She stumbles briefly, but quickly recovers, bashing its face with her shield, then driving her blade up into its exposed neck. 

It roars again, this time, fully in pain, its terrible jaws snapping inches from her face. It's hot, fetid breath hits almost like a furnace. The blade drives deeper, to the hilt, the wyvern's powerful muscles shudder, and Nissus loses her grip on the blade, falling backwards and to the ground. The creature spasms several more moments, and then lies still, the light in its wicked eyes goes dim, tongue lolling.

Nissus lies back panting, shaking from exhaustion and fear.  Mojo comes over, licking her face and nuzzling her ear.  

"Your breath isn't a whole lot better, Mojo" she practically sobs, twisting her fingers through the hounds' fur.  Drawing comfort from him, she staggers to her knees and takes a few more deep breaths.  Behind her, she hears the gates of Redhaven open.