What a Crybaby, Round 8
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
The bowl is filled with the smell of blood and death and chaos. Pensive feels it rush up around him, raising the fine hair on the back of his neck. The thistle tatoo burns keenly, and the stonesash in his hands trembles like a plucked string. All the battles ever fought, all the works of sand and shadow, seem to lay themselves out in this bowl for him to see and consider.
Someone is begging for mercy.
Rennick stands over one of the swordmen, his halberd raised. It is the swordman who is pleading.
Rennick's teeth are bared in a snarl. "Ask mercy of your dark god, for you will receive none from me."
The halberd thrusts down.
Pensive hears the bones in the swordman's chest and spine snap. He hears the wet whisper of air from the swordman's lungs follow the halberd as Rennick draws it out. He hears the rasp of gravel and dust beneath Rennick's boots as he turns away from the dead man.
He expected brutality in war, expected the dark, bitter necessities. But to see it so baldly, displayed as if it were normal, as if it were lawful, as if it were not graceless and despicable. . .
Pensive feels his youth as never before. Beyond him, men toil and fight and bleed and die. Comrades-at-arms, enemies, all alike-- in misery and sand and shadow. And he stands here weeping, useless, the stonesash limp in his hands because what he expected had come upon him and was too great for him to understand.
The wind blows a bit of sand into Pensive's eye; is that a voice whispering softly, darkly on its breath? Sand creeps into everything, everything casts a shadow, even the best men, even the most noble-- dust and shadow in them all. Beware, little elf-boy, the voice seems to chuckle. Sand and shadow in them all. Even you. You can't walk it out of you, you can't wash it out of you, sand in your skin, shadow in your blood, and one day, you'll be nothing but dust to be blown about into the eyes of children.
"I will close this man's eyes," Pensive says aloud, to no one.
And weeping, that is what he does. And there is Stone in that small, senseless mercy. Perhaps not enough to balance out Rennick's gracelessness-- but enough for Pensive to take heart. And hope.
When he rises, he calls out, "Where is the alchemist?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Alas-- the wolf may prove more useful than the monk for the nonce.
:-)
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
OOC:Craybaby. I think I like Mission better. :) Damn weepy eyed elf.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
I didn't realize until I re-read that this is the third or fourth time that Pensive's bawled.
Waah.
He is kind of a crybaby.
But we can't all be armored half-pint terrors, now can we?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Who get chopped in to little halfling bits by big 1/2 orcs. ;)
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Osred stands. Munch and Pickle will need more healing, but for now there may be others more in need of his aid.
"Who else needs immediate aid?" he shouts. If anyone reports to him that someone (like, oh, say, Vincy) is at death's door, he will head toward the stricken ally. If no response is forthcoming, Osred will turn to Garyth. "Captain, you are wounded, and we will need your strength against the witch, when she comes. Will you accept Hironeous's grace? [if Garyth answers yes, and if there is time remaining in this round, Osred will sacrifice Magic Circle Against Evil, and cast Cure Serious Wounds on Garyth]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Ummm... ok.
I am going to wait on Mike's reply here before I write next round.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
"Who else needs immediate aid?"
Garyth pauses, but doesn't lower his bow or take his eyes off the quickly retreating swordsman. "Vincy is down!" he shouts to Osred. And the one who did it is getting away. Even as he thinks these words, though, he knows that the real responsibility rests completely on his own shoulders. He takes two quick breaths followed by a long inhale, which he holds as he takes carful aim.
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
[Initiative Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Garyth, swordsman3, Osred, Rennik, Robert]
Pensive watches Rennik rush off after the fleeing swordsman, and then walks over to the dead man. He falls to his knees, and looks at the man's face. He wants to do something for him. Close his eyes; give him some small measure of humanity at his passing. But the face is a ruin, torn to pieces by the ferocious wolf. There is nothing Pensive can do for this man. He became the instrument of a dark power, and that dark power abandoned him here on the battlefield to die. One small elf can not alter such forces of fate. He can't even grant a small kindness. There are no eyelids left to close, and the eyes are a ruin. He calls out, "Where is the alchemist?"
Melani curses when her dagger fails to stop the running swordsman. She slips a short leather sling out of her sleeve, and with one quick motion drops a lead bullet into the cup. She watches the man run, trying to gauge his speed and distance as she releases the shot. [Range -4; Attack 22, hit; Damage 2; unconscious] Like all her forest kin, her aim with the sling is uncanny, and her stone strikes the fleeing man on the back of the head, instantly felling him.
Tichenor had taken off at full speed at his master's command, and runs past Melani like a gray wind. If no one stops him, he will kill the fallen man next round.
Garyth looks frantically around the ground for his fallen bow. He can't find it. There are too many bodies. But a whoop of success from Melani stops his search, and he watches the swordsman collapse. Osred is asking about something. Injured men. Who's missing? By Melani's feet, Corporal Vincy has fallen. Garyth says, "Vincy is down!" The priest begins moving toward him immediately.
Osred runs toward the fallen Falcon, a prayer coming instantly to mind. [Can heal next round]
Rennik begins to chase the running swordsman, but sees him fall under Melani's well placed shot. Tichenor keeps running. Rennik knows the wolf will tear the fallen man's throat out, just to be sure. He lives by simpler rules, and a fallen foe is given no quarter, nor opportunity to be a threat in the future. From behind, he hears Pensive's question. "I killed him in the wagon," is his only reply.
Robert makes his way carefully down the slope to join his comrades.
[the game is now open for planning, healing, and RP. No need to go turn based from here on out. Jake, let me know who you want to heal and with which prayers, and we can roll it up all at once. I imagine there is a fair amount of RP to be done in the next little bit, so don't let me down :) . Garyth estimates that the group has at least twenty minutes before the witch returns if she has flown all the way to the undead army and back, based on the maps he saw.]
From: Ty
Subject: oh, and by the way
That was a very tough fight, and with two new players on the team too.
Congrats on a well played battle. Melani is going up a level, and Rennik and Garyth just moved quite a bit closer to seventh.
From: Mark
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Melani concentrates on the fleeing man, taking into account his wounds, and hers. She takes a deep breath, remembering what her brother taught her, and releases the lead bullet. If flies true and she watches it strike the back of the man's head and he tumbles like the first rabbit she brought down with this same sling. The man flopped once. Melani feels the wolf dash by her, a blur of fur. She knows that the big wolf is going to make sure the man never wakes up, and turns back to the scene of the battle. She hears Garyth's cries to Osred about Vincy and rushes back to the human's side. She tries to make the guardsman comfortable as she waits for the cleric to make his way over.(Tries to use Heal skill, no ranks or skills).
After a few minutes, used to find her bow and the several daggers that she had thrown, she tracks down Garyth. "Friend Garyth, we have been blooded together in combat. In my tribe, this is an important thing. Those blooded in battle share a bond which can never be broken. We are now blood siblings. If you need my help, in any venture, and I can give it, it is yours." She holds out her two hands to Garyth, plainly expecting him to match her handclasp.
When she is done talking to Garyth, she will perform the same ritual with Pickle, Munch, Osred and Vincy. She will then ruffle Tichenor's fur, it he will allow it.
When she has done all of this, she says "Good fight. Now we have to get ready for the bitch."
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Yeah, I admit it, that turn kind of sucked. If I were doing it over, I'd do it differently. In my defense, though, I was dealing with multiple server issues today.
Disagreement Over the Swordsman's Fate
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Pensive stands up from the dead soldier, wiping his tears away. Sand take this day, and him, for being such a fool. There would yet be sights more horrible than that of one merciless halfling.
His eyes are drawn to the halfling's wolf hustling out of the bowl, to the south. What had it seen? Something-- a fallen soldier. Pensive sees him now. Perhaps alive, even.
He does not hesitate. Pensive runs after the wolf to stop him from killing the man on the ground. What good it will do, Pensive is not sure; his protection will earn him no love with the halflings, or with the priest. It will most certainly gain him the distrust of the guardsmen. But the Path was not straight, nor was it soft. What mercy he could grant, Pensive must.
The battle had ended; there was no need for anyone else to die.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
When Pensive reaches the soldier, he'll try to shoo Tichenor away, and then disarm the man.
If the man wakes up, Pensive will order him to lie still if he wants to live. If the man moves after that, Pensive will strike him with stonetap.
If Tichenor continues to harass the man after Pensive tries to shoo him off, Pensive will smack him (subdual damage) away.
If the man tries to escape again, Pensive will try to kill him.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Just as the adrenaline high fades and the strength begins to drain from him, Garyth sees Tichenor streak past the rest of them, then, nearly as fast, Pensive running behind him. He knows instinctively why the elf is pursuing the wolf. There is no good end to this. And besides, Pensive is right. Even in war, there are rules.
"Call him off, Rennik!" he says. Though, ferocious as the halfling can be, he'll likely need more reason than just a say-so. "We might still be able to get some information out of him if we take him prisoner."
Turning to take in the scene, he sees Melani walking toward him. She speaks of the bond of combat, and of mutual aid. She extends her hands to him, obviously a ritual among the halflings. In a way she's right, and Garyth can't help but think of how his own friendship with Rennik has grown out of the chaos of battle nor can he help admitting that he can feel that bond growing now between himself and Melani. At the same time, her callous and casual attitude about the battle and those fallen still shocks Garyth a bit. Less than it might have a few weeks ago, though. Is this what will become of him? Will he finally come to the point where he can walk away from so much death saying only that it was a good fight? Garyth sees a future unfolding before him, and he is troubled.
All this passes through his mind in an instant, but he takes Melani's hands quickly enough that she shouldn't notice any hesitation. He hopes. "I am honored, Reth'tenn," Garyth says, trying to pronounce the halfling word correctly. "Likewise, what aid I have to give you is yours."
When he is finished with Melani, Garyth turns and goes to the unconscious swordsman. If they are to take prisoners, they will need to make sure they don't all die first.
OOC: Garyth will attempt to stabilize the swordsman. If successful, he will carry the man back and then find something to bind him with.
From: Mark
Subject: Cleaning up the mess
Melani will then talk to Osred. "Friend Osred. Do you think your god would consent to healing one who does not follow his teachings? I was sorely wounded by that brute. Normally our Belneth would offer his prayers or I would take some time to recover. However, with the witch due back soon and much work to be done to prepare for her return, I would ask this boon of you."
OOC: What ever healing Osred is willing to grant, she will take.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Hmmmm....
Ok. :)
Now I need to know what Rennik does.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Rennik watches Pensive take off after Tichenor, wondering at the sense of innocence and compassion that might move the man. The human would have gutted the elf just as he would crush a wasp, with even less thought, yet he would risk a wolf's snapping jaws to tend a dying man's wounds.
Had he ever seen death? Rennik paused on that a moment, trying to remember if he had ever had such feelings. If he had, they were far in his past, buried under many more painful memories.
Nevertheless, Tichenor would have torn the man's throat in his jaws before Pensive could stop him, and then the elf would have more to cry about. Maybe he would have the sense to hide the body from view of the air instead of just closing its eyes, but Rennik doubted it.
"Call him off, Rennik!"
Rennik shakes his head. The man is an enemy and a threat, and could have dropped in the hopes that he would be ignored long enough to escape. It is something Rennik might do if outnumbered and fleeing with no hope.
"We might still be able to get some information out of him if we take him prisoner."
Prisoner. What use would he be as prisoner? They could not trust any information he gave, and they did not have the time or resources to bind him and keep him quiet.
The witch would return within half of an hour, and much work would need to be done before then. The Blood Falcons would need to disguise themselves as the witch's men, their bodies hidden in the copses of trees or under the wagon. The half-orc would need to be dragged up to the bowl and propped as though sleeping, and his blood cleaned enough to be unnoticeable from above. The entire stage would need to be set...
...and Garyth thought to compound that with holding a prisoner, interrogating him, and then keeping him quiet so as not to alert the witch to the ambush? His compassion clouded his judgement. He cannot be distracted now, when he needs to focus on preparing the ambush.
"No, Garyth. You know as well as I. We cannot take a prisoner and still be ready for the witch when she comes. And we cannot trust him not to ruin the advantage of surprise. This is not a mission of mercy, or of espionage. We were sent here to kill the devilspawn witch and her men, not ask them questions."
He lets Tichenor run, and sets about removing the archers' cloaks and hiding their bodies under the wagon.
His actions are a direct affront to Garyth's authority, and would prompt a challenge for leadership among the Chorrdath once the witch was dead, but Rennik cannot afford to think of that.
Time is precious, and there is much to do.
[OOC: Tich has a full round headstart on Pensive, so I'm pretty sure he's gonna kill the guy before the monk even gets close.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
OOC: Yeah, I didn't think you were going to make it easy on me.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
""Call him off, Rennik! We might still be able to get some information out of him if we take him prisoner."
Osred's head, bowed in prayer to Hironeous, snaps up at his Garyth's words. Take a prisoner? Now? With the witch probably preparing even at that moment to return to her camp? This captain's skill with a blade was unquestionable, but by the gods he was green! Osred bites his tongue, physically restraining himself from saying "If we let that one live, sir, we'll regret it." It would have been better that the man die in the heat of battle, true, or barring that that the wolf finish him off. If necessary, though, Osred would slit the man's throat himself. After he spoke with the captain, out of range of the men's hearing. For now, though, there is healing to be done, or they will not be able to stand against the witch anyway. He bows his head again, and is about to resume his prayer when he hears the male halfling.
"No, Garyth. You know as well as I. We cannot take a prisoner and still be ready for the witch when she comes. And we cannot trust him not to ruin the advantage of surprise. This is not a mission of mercy, or of espionage. We were sent here to kill the devilspawn witch and her men, not ask them questions."
He nods, pursing his lips. These little ones are more deserving of respect than he would have guessed. Brave, stout fighters--the fact that the girl is still standing after taking seveal blows from the brute's axe was testimony to that--and less fuzzy headed that either the puling elf or the captain. He had underestimated them. He wouldn't do so again.
Again he bows his head to pray.
"Friend Osred." a high voice pipes in his ear, and he jumps. Gods that one moved quietly. Keeping his exaspiration at the interruption from his voice, he says "A moment, girl. If Hironeous doesn't close Vincy's wounds soon he'll be going to join The Lord in his battle halls, and we'll have need of him right here soon.
He bows his head again, shutting out all outside interruptions, and prays to Hironeous, [sacrifices 1st level Divine Favor for 1st level Cure Light Wounds. If this isn't enough to stabilize Vincy, he'll follow that up by sacrificing the 1st level spell Entropic Shield, again for Cure Light Wounds]. When Vincy is breathing easier, he turns back to the halfling.
"Yes?"
"Do you think your god would consent to healing one who does not follow his teachings? I was sorely wounded by that brute. Normally our Belneth would offer his prayers or I would take some time to recover. However, with the witch due back soon and much work to be done to prepare for her return, I would ask this boon of you."
Oh, aye, but all those who lift a blade in the name of good do honor to Hironeous, whether they know it or not." He waves his hand dismissively. "Now, let me see that wound of yours." He gives a low whistle as Milani shows him what the barbarian's axe had done to her. The wounds are horrific, with flesh all but flayed from bone, crushed and bruised almost into pulp were it isn't actually cut. He probes at it with a finger, then snorts in mock dismissal. "Scratch like that, and you're asking for the god's favor? Thought you halflings were supposed to be tough." He laughs, then before Melani can take offense says "it's a wonder you can walk girl, let alone sneak up on me. Gods that brute could swing an axe. Here, let me see what the god will do for you. He lays his hands over the injuries and closes his eyes [Sacrificing 3rd Level Protection from Energy for Cure Serious Wounds].
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Garyth burns with shame at Rennik's remonstrance. Of course the halfling is right. Curse himself for a fool, someone so wet behind the ears has no business leading men! Unable to meet Rennik's eyes, Garyth turns. But it's no better; he sees the judgment in his sergeant's eyes. These men are Blood Falcons. Their last commander would have been good. They know the difference.
Maybe in another time Garyth would have had the chance to grow into his position, to make mistakes and learn from them. But lives are hanging in the balance right now. This time calls for perfection, nothing less. When this mission is over, Garyth will speak to Sir Jonas and admit his shortcomings. These men deserve it.
Until then, he had to do everything he could to get these men back safely. Even if that means pretending to be more than he is.
"Come on," he says. "We've work to do."
OOC: Garyth agrees with Melani's previous suggestion for the ambush. He'll want to get started setting that up.
Melani's Ideas
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Some really good RP here-- Jake, you especially.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
:)
Thanks!
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Melani hears the shouted conversation between Rennik and Garyth, but can not really bring herself to care. The man was a foe who had been vanquished. He might know something, but he was an underling, doubtful told nothing. Now the brute, he might have known something usefull, but she would prefer for him to stay the way he was; not moving.
As Osred looks at her wounds and makes his comment about how serious they are, she almost has her dagger in her hand before he reassures her he is joking. She gives a halting bark, a semblance of how she used to laugh, before her brother was taken. There has been so little humor in her life these past few weeks. It is like the loss of her brother has removed some part of her, the part that could enjoy life. Maybe if she killed the witch, that part would come back.
After Osred has healed her, she thanks the battle cleric. He is seems to be a good man, if a bit large.
She takes a look around the camp, trying to decide how best to organize things for an ambush of the witch. She and Rennik would have to be hidden, because there would be no way to hid what they were. The Blood Falcons could impersonate the guards easlily enough. They might be short a few bodies, but they could work that out. Osred would be a problem. Maybe he could wear the brutes armor. He was almost as tall, but not quite as powerfully built. His breast plate would stand out when the witch was expecting the brute in his chainmail.
Maybe she could be a distraction? Someone the brute and his men caught while the witch was gone. If it looked like she was tied up when the witch flew over head? The ambush would not last beyond the first good glimpse of the warriors, but all they needed was for her to land.
OOC: Osred is big enough, I think, to wear the brutes chain mail. In fact it might be big on him through the shoulders.
Mark
More Witch Discussion
Subject: This afternoon
I will be away from the office for about 3-4 hours this afternoon at a company luncheon.
Mark
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
OOC: Do we really even need her to land? I had been envisioning all of us just waiting until she was close enough and then launching a couple of volleys of arrows.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
I was thinking the same thing, but she could just fly off again.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Was she flying on a broom or using a fly type spell or item?
I would think that letting her land would get us the best chance of killing her. If she has to get to her broom and take off, that should give us at least another round or two of shooting and maybe a round of melee.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
She's using a spell, I think.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
Well, there are plenty of ways in which she could be shielded that would foil that plan. Protection from normal missiles, any number of shield spells...they could still be active from her engagement with the main army--it isn't like she'd have to suspect something was up to still have them in place. Better to get her onto the ground where we can all whack her. I's saving Monster Summoning III for her, as well as at least one Spiritual Weapon spell, so if she stays aloft we'll have at least a couple of spells to lob her way. Also, there may be things in the alchemist's wagon that would be useful in hurting her if she stays in the air.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 8
OOC: Ohh Ohh, I want to throw things at her. :)
That could be a way to tell what things are. See what they do to her.
As to the summoning, Farron summoned eagles and such. That would be nice.
Mark
From: Mark
Subject: Today
Ok guys I am back. You can start sending out the turns now. :)
Mark
Christmas Break
Subject: Christmas break
Can I assume that we are going to be entering our Christmas break and that not much is going to happen for the next two weeks?
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Christmas break
Yeah, it's going to be tough doing updates till next year.
"Are we there yet?"
Subject: Re: Christmas break
Are we there yet?
:bounces around:
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Christmas break
It is still before New Years so I would be suprised if we are. I would guess next Monday.
Mark