Random Encounter - Half-Elf vs Forest Troll
Autumn wind stripped the ancient trees of their dying leaves. The broken land was even less forgiving. Steep cliffs, crude boulders and the most peculiar fire beetles littered the landscape.
“A shortcut indeed…“ Alugost thought as he worked his tired way along a mountain goat path. Soon the burning in his legs would subside as memories of a time long forgotten began to enter his head. It was the Festival of Zonett. Oak pipes were bellowing, people dancing in the square and the smell of roasted squirrel made his tongue water with anticipation.
Suddenly the wind turned south, directly into his face. It carried a new smell. One that would make the squirrel taste sour and the stomach turn on end. The stench could either be the odder of a black forest troll or twenty rotting corpses. A few rapid crunch sounds confirmed his fear. The troll had a scent and it was running through the leaves towards his prey.
Trolls don’t hunt in a traditional fashion. Rather than stalking and pouncing they use brute force, speed and stamina to overcome their prey. Few creatures escape the pursuing clutches of a hungry troll.
“You fool! Never walk blindly into a trailing wind!” Alugost scolded as he climbed a boulder and nocked an arrow.
The hideous beast came diving off a 3 pace ledge, hardly breaking stride upon landing. He carried a gnarled wooden club in one hand and a stone the size of a melon in the other. Immediately his cold black eyes focused on Alugost. They winced, but only slightly, as the first arrow tore into his stomach.
As the black troll approached 8 paces of the boulder he unnaturally hurled the large stone toward the Half-Elf refugee. The strange motion caught Alugost completely off guard. At the last possible instant he arched his spine and jerked his neck enough to avoid the brunt of the impact. A corner of the rock sliced through his ear as it grazed his skull.
The pain was a distant sensation creeping around his consciousness looking for a way in. Two more hops and the troll would be diving at him teeth first. One more…now! As the troll planted his foot ready to make his leap the second arrow crashed through the knee. The leg buckled sending the beast face first into the stone wall. The massive impact shifted the boulder sending Alugost to the ground. He instinctively used the bow to brace for impact, smashing it under his weight.
The troll lay on his back moaning in his slumber. Moments later the Half-Elf stood on shaky legs. He then pulled a vial of poison from his pouch and poured it over the blade of a long dagger. Without remorse he shoved the point into the heart of the beast to burn its soul from the inside out.