Round 4, A New Revelation
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"We appreciate your time. We will do our best to fight this evil that has taken our friend." Farron says to the Sunmaster. "I am not a follower of Pelor, though I am learning to respect his power. Is there any aid or blessing that you can give us that might serve to help us in our fight against the dark power? Any warding that might help protect us against his assasins?"
(OOC - Farron would ask this before leaving the Sunmaster, of course)
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
[Initiative bowman1, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vincy, swordsman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, Robert, Pickle]
The initial ambush had not been particularly successful, but Garyth's squad had acquitted themselves better in the follow up, and now less than half a minute into the fight, Rennik and Robert control the camp. It is less clear who's winning in the confusing melee around the half orc.
Hearing the cry of his leader to "kill that one," the remaining bowman turns and shoots at Osred. [Attack 20 vs AC19, hit; Damage 6] His shot bounces off the big clerics breastplate, but nicks his forearm as it goes by in a painful cut.
Above on the ridge, Pensive dodges the wild swings of his sword wielding opponent, and then in one smooth motion steps inside the arc of one swing, and grabs the swordsman's arm. [Disarm attempt; improved disarm used; Attack 13 vs Opposing roll 12; Disarm succeeds] Pensive twists the man's arm, then snatches the sword out of it and dances away. It happens almost too fast to see, but when he is done, pensive stands in front of the swordsman, with the man's weapon in his hand.
Melani, battered and bloody from the brute's counter attack, scrambles backward as fast as her damaged hip will let her. Apparently, the half orc is not worried about her getting away, because he ignores her and stays focused on Garyth. Melani is, in a strange way, angry that the orc is not paying more attention to her. It's insulting to be so easily overlooked by an opponent. But her anger does not override her good sense, and she moves as far away as she can. [Withdrawal move]
Rennik is just getting ready to hack the wounded swordsman in front of him, when a gray blur streaks past and slams into the man's chest. [Attack 22 vs AC18, hit; Damage 3] The swordsman goes down under a fury of snapping teeth. Tichenor begins trying to tear the man's throat out, so Rennik knows he isn't coming back into this fight.
The second pikeman attacks the heavily wounded Munch again, [Attack 17 vs AC19, miss] but again Munch is able to evade his thrust while still keeping his attention on the half orc.
The first pikeman continues thrusting at Garyth, hoping to distract him enough that the half orc can get through his guard. [Attack 12 vs AC22, miss]
Garyth keeps his guard up, knowing that the next blow the half orc lands on him could be his last. [Fight defensively -4; full attack; Attacks 19, 19, 17, hit, hit, hit; Damage 9(-1) = 8, 9(-1) = 8, 7(-1) = 6 total 22] Garyth displays his rapidly improving swordsmanship on the brute. He quickly slashes a cut across the brute's upper arm, then twists to avoid the counterattack while smacking the brute on the wrist with his mace, then follows it up with a nasty cut to the side of the neck. All while keeping himself as protected as possible. The half orc screams in rage at the quick flurry of wounds, and bleeds all over everyone.
The third swordsman continues to press Vincy on the right flank. [attack 20 vs AC18, hit; damage 7] He finally finds an opening in the guardsman's defense, and cuts a quick crease down his side.
The half orc, still howling in rage at his wounds, swings a lethal blow at Garyth's head [Attack 26 vs AC23, hit; Damage 16]. Garyth is able to get his guard up, and keep from being decapitated, but the force of the blow slams into his already hurt shoulder with a very disconcerting crunching sound. Almost without pausing, the half orc lunges backwards, slamming the other head of his axe into Pickle's chest [Attack 23 vs AC18, hit; Damage 16]. The guardsman is hurled backwards, coughing blood. Astonishingly, the man keeps his feet, though he looks gravely wounded. The half orc uses the power of his backwards thrust to spin to one side and sweep his axe across Munch's legs [Attack 19 vs AC 19, hit; Damage 15]. The axe nearly cuts Munch's left leg off, and the guardsman drops like a felled ox, blood gushing from his almost severed limb. Pressed from all sides, heavily wounded, probably facing his own death, the half orc has become a whirling bladed demon. It would be awe inspiring, if it weren't so painful.
Vincy counterattacks his opponent [Attack 21 vs AC18, hit; Damage 5], and lands a solid blow on the man's shoulder.
The first swordsman gurgles a bit as Tichenor continues to tear at his throat.
The second swordsman, finding himself suddenly without a weapon, chooses the better part of valor, and runs away. Pensive would normally let the man go, but knows that if he does, the man might be able to warn the witch. [AOO; Grapple attempt 19 vs AC 11, hit; Grapple roll 13 vs opposing roll 8; grappled; Damage 7] Pensive leaps at the man as he runs by, and quickly throws an arm lock about his throat.
Osred, trying to ignore the painful wound on his arm, prays again to Hieronious. [Concentration check 20 vs DC16, success] The warm glow of Hieronius still fills the cleric, and he is able to ignore the pain of his wound as he communes with his god. [Searing light cast; Ranged touch attack 20 vs AC13, hit; Damage 17] Once again, a blinding lance of light streaks from his hand to strike the half orc in the chest. Garyth hears the sizzling of the orc's skin under its bright glare.
After the light fades, the brute grunts once, then with an almost confused look on its face, sinks to it's knees.
From inside the wagon, a glittering glass vial is hurled out at the ground near Tichenor and the dying swordsman. [Ranged touch attack 10, miss] Rennik dodges to one side, and Tichenor seems to leap almost ten feet up the hill in one bound when the glass breaks nearby. The alchemist succeeds only in immolating his fallen comrade, and, if possible, further enraging Rennik.
Once the vial has burst, Rennik charges up the small wooden steps into the back of the wagon. The alchemist is just getting ready to pick another glass vial out of a box on a workbench when Rennik thrusts the spike of his halberd into the man's side [Attack natural 1, miss]. Or, rather, tries to thrust the halberd into his side. The inside of the wagon is a disaster of tools and garbage, and the halfling, in his haste to get to the alchemist, steps on a slick spot on the floor and loses his balance for a second. The alchemist is able to dodge aside and avoid the attack.
Robert fires an arrow at the lone remaining archer in the camp [Attack 21 vs AC18, hit; Damage 1]. The arrow skips off the side of the man's armor, appearing to do little damage.
Pickle, coughing up blood from the vicious wound the half orc gave him, steps forward and growls out, "Die, you ugly bastard." He then runs his sword into the back of the kneeling and dazed brute [Attack 23, hit; Damage 11; death]. His swordpoint appears out the half orc's chest, and the big man falls over without a sound.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"If only we knew what form such an attack might take. I do wonder if a Death Ward might be able to defeat the soul draining properties of these obsidian daggers, but sadly such a mighty prayer has a short duration. It would last only moments. But I will give you this: Return to this temple at need, and if we have a blessing or curing that will aid you, you will receive it."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"Well, we thank you for your hospitality and kindness."
Farron heads out with Sa'id.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
OOC: Dame Pickle did take him out. :) With a little help from Garyth. Garyth has become quite the fighter hasn't he.
That searing light spell is one the Derek is going to have to learn. No save spells are great.
IC: Melani looks in revulsion at the carnage around her. The brute is finally dead, killed by one of the Blood Falcons. It took three of them to dispatch the creature, and it looked as if the brute had almost killed all three of them as well as her. The human in the metal suite had seemed to call upon the spirits he worshiped and that seemed to turn the tide.
There were still others to deal with. She sees that one of the guardsmen is being attacked by a swordsman and decides to try and go help the man.
OOC: Melani will try to hide and then move over to surprise swordsman 3.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Ongoing investigations
After taking their leave of the Sunmaster, and thanking him for his generous help, the two wizards head back out into the city. It is now an hour or two after noon, and the city bustles with life. Of to the west, Farron hears the bells ringing at the dock, as a ship calls its sailors back. The smell of salt water is strong and invigorating. Here, so close to his home and the things he knows well, it would be easy to drop guard. Farron resolves not to let that happen.
He and Sa'id stop at a street vendor not far from temple row, and eat a quick lunch of meat and vegetables stuffed inside baked pastries. Even that simple luxury, eating a warm and tasty meal while sitting in the sun, seems intoxicating. There is a dark undercurrent though, as each time a suspicious looking person walks by, both the wizards tense up and watch till he leaves. At one point Sa'id even remarks, "I do not remember there being so many people of ill aspect wandering about the city." Farron just laughs, "I don't remember us hunting down a soul stealing killer before, either. But surely that has nothing to do with it."
After lunch, Sa'id says that they should go back to the magistrates offices, and see if he will release Cadfael's belongings to them. Especially the ring. Perhaps the wizard's college may be able to learn something from it. Farron shrugs. It seems as good a place as any to go next. It's frustrating to have so few answers, though of course he knows that they have only been looking for one morning.
The magistrate has no argument with turning the broken ring over to the two wizards. It just seems like a cold metal band now. There is no hint of magic or taint to it. But perhaps the college will find something. Sa'id tosses it in his pocket and the wizards head off to the keep.
The man who stood watch at the front door remembers Cadfael leaving, but did not see anyone following him. He says that the cleric was whistling a jaunty tune, and seemed quite happy as he left. He doesn't really have anything else to report.
[you guys can do any RP you want, or ask additional questions. I assume back to the college after that?]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations (question for Mike)
BTW, Mike, we never really said, but what would Garyth have done with Cadfael's shield?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations
OOC:
Of course, the doorman could easily be a conspirator, and we have no way of determining if he's telling the truth.
I'd like to use another Detect Magic glamour at the murder site. I imagine any auras have long dissipated, but it can't hurt to check. Then to the wizards' school to see if they can tell us anything about the ring. We should maybe be asking them about the dagger, too, but one thing at a time. I don't particularly want to be carrying that thing around.
I don't have anything else to ask the doorman aside from the time of Cadfael's departure. Also, I don't suppose there's any accurate way to determine time of death, is there? It would be nice to know, roughly, how long passed between when Cadfael left the castle and when he died. That would give us a clearer idea of whether he was killed en route or killed later; it's possible the temple was not actually his destination.
Man. So many unknowns.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations (question for Mike)
Not having a place of his own in Nesalin, Garyth would have left Cadfael's shield and mace with the Guard's quartermaster's office for safekeeping until his return.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
Garyth lets out a shout of satisfaction as he feels his weapons connect with the half-orc's hide. But his cry turns to one of dismay when he sees Munch go down. "Osred!" he yells. "Man down!"
Munch's only hope is for Osred to reach him before it's too late. And the only way that can happen is for Garyth to make sure the pikemen are occupied. "Come on, you bastards!" he roars at the two pikemen as he advances.
OOC: Full Attack, fighting defensively against Pikeman 2. Dodge point on Pikeman 2. If Pikeman 2 dies, any remaining attacks will be against Pikeman 1.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
Hearing Garyth's call, Osred is on the move, pounding his way across the battle field before the afterimage from Hironeous's divine light has faded from his eyes. He moves with all speed, heedless of attacks that might be leveled at him.
From: Ty
Subject: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Sa'id casts another detect magic at the street on which the murder occurred. Of course, it is quite different in broad daylight with the street full of people. Several people pass by that display some small glimmer of magic. Most probably minor protection or warding charms. This area of town is frequented by the wealthy, and they have the means to purchase such things. But the street itself offers no clues. If magic was used here, its traces have long since vanished.
The wizards then head back to the college. They are surprised when the doorman tells them that Thaddeus has requested they be brought to him immediately if they return. The are quickly ushered back to his office, and he greets them with a strange expression. Sa'id says, "We have brought this-" But Master Thaddeus interrupts him impatiently.
"I have something important to tell you! Curse me for an old fool, but I missed something of importance when we last spoke. You mentioned this Kor Garesh, and I told you I had never heard of it. Well, that was both true and not true. The term Kor Garesh is an ancient halfling mish mash. Of course I've never heard it used that way. But then I started to think about the meaning. 'Soul Drinker'. And it hit me. Melancthnagesh. The Devourer. The general of Mon Kada's legions in the blood wars. It is not in a book you boys would have read, since we keep it in the private library for Masters only. But there is an account there, written, oh, perhaps a thousand years or more ago, by a magician of vast powers who fought for a time in the blood wars. He describes this creature, this Devourer. An abomination of incredible might, who led the legions of Mon Kada in the endless wars in pandemonium. I have read no other works that describe this creature. Which, of course, would make a great deal of sense, if he vanished from his own realm a thousand years ago.
"If this Kor Garesh of the halflings, is indeed Melancthnagesh the Devourer, then this is a problem beyond my ability to see a solution for. This is an outsider of vast power; nearly a minor god in its own right. It would have taken the strength of a being like Pelor to contain it at all."
He stops speaking, a combination of horror and awe on his face.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
Frustrated at his ineptness, Rennik forces his breathing to slow somewhat, though it still is forced in and out of his nostrils like a cornered H'ruggda. With a low growl in his throat, he performs a full attack on the alchemist in the confined lab.
Round 5, The War Journal of Banarad Vash
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
The swordsman is taller than Pensive, so the elf has to jump to get a good grip on his throat. Pensive wraps an arm around the man's throat and uses the momentum from his jump to swing over the man's left shoulder. By the time his feet hit the ground again, Pensive is ready.
He aims two sharp blows at the man's head.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Sa'id takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "And its bonds must be weakening, since it has drawn much evil to it to create this army. It has influence in the outside world again, and is obviously working to free itself."
"But like you I see no solution. Even if Nesalin's army is victorious, Melancthnagesh will still be able to draw the weak of heart to it and create a new army. Some way to mend its prison must be found. A part of the obsidian monolith that holds the Devourer has been broken off; it is this that his followers use as his sacrificial altar. But I just can't see a way..."
"Getting there once was difficult enough. To return? Without the protection of Pelor? Impossible..." For a moment, Sa'id feels nothing but the blackest despair. The Devourer could not be defeated. They might as well simply loose the beast on the world.
"Still. Could we read this account?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Farron looks a Thaddeus and is somewhat more ill-at-ease seeing the expression of horror on his face. But on the other hand, what has he told them that they didn't already know? They were facing a great evil being that it took a god's power to contain long ago which is working to re-enter the world and is calling all evil to him to achieve this goal. "Kor Garesh" or "Melancthnagesh the Devourer", so what? Now they knew another name for him. A rose is a rose is a rose . . .
"Forgive me, Master Thaddeus," Farron begins, "But how does this information change our situation? Is there something about Melanga-- Methangle-- er, this 'Devourer' that might be of practical use to us? or is this just further confirmation that we're fighting a Great Evil? Forgive my obtuseness, but this seems to be important information to you, but I can't see how it changes anything for us."
He looks at Master Thaddeus hopefully.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
OOC: I assume that Osred won't be able to reach Munch and have time to cast a healing spell on him in the next turn, right Ty?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Master Thaddeus looks at Farron with an open mouth for a moment. "Changes anything? It should change everything! When you came here, you spoke of a nameless evil in a pillar of black glass. You knew nothing of its powers or abilities. In fact, many of the powers it has displayed are easily reproduced by relatively minor variations of the undead. I can show you undead creatures that can seemingly 'steal' the souls of their victims. A vampire might draw evil creatures to its service. A lich can create skeletons.
"Is this a vampire or a wraith or a lich? No. This is an infernal abomination of incredible power. This is a creature that could move across the isle of Huss in a day and leave not a living soul in his wake. This is a creature that can, if unleashed, summon forth a full legion of lesser beings from his home plane of Pandemonium. This is a creature whose foremost patron is Mon Kada, the evil god of vengeance and a major deity. I think those are important things to know.
"Is that not enough? Then let's become more subtle. Now that we know the creature's origin, I can tell you this. Those contracts through which it binds its followers are meaningless. This is a being of pure chaos and pure evil. It will not let itself be bound by any rule or agreement, save by greater power than itself. It uses these agreements to enslave those who are foolish enough to believe its promises. But it will always betray those who trust it."
Farron begins to squirm. This is exactly the Master Thaddeus he remembers when some student asked a foolish question in class.
"Is that not enough? Then let's talk of our art. Creatures such as this are beings inherently magical in nature. They do not cast spells, they wield energies as naturally as you or I breathe. And they are nearly impossible to harm with magic in return. Only the most potent magicians can hope to penetrate their defenses. And, if you do once penetrate them, then whatever spell harmed the demon can never be used on it again. The creature develops an immunity to magic, like we develop immunities to the pox, once we've had it.
"Also, knowing its past and its allegiances, we can discern much of who our potential allies and enemies are in this struggle. Farron, when did you become so myopic? There is much here beyond what you see. The thing trapped in the pillar on this tiny island is not even the tip of this iceberg. It is a distant glimmer of light off the tip of the iceberg. It is valuable to know what might lie hidden beneath the waves. Farron, you were a student of Divination! One of my best! When did you become so callous to the gathering of information? Did I teach nothing? Information is everything! The true name of our enemy is of inestimable value!"
He sits down heavily. "I found this information both telling and troubling. If it means nothing to you, then I do not know what to say."
He accepts the ring from Sa'id. "I will have someone look at this for you." The old master seems to slump. The speech he gave Farron seems to have sucked a great deal out of him.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
After a moment's silence, Thaddeus hands a large tome to Sa'id. "You can read of the creature and its background in this. I have marked the pages. Sadly, there is not a great deal of information, but it may be of use."
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
OOC: I hope it is in a language they can read. Opps, thats right, they are MU, they can just cast the Comp. Languages.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
[Initiative bowman1, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Vincy, swordsman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, Robert, Pickle]
The first bowman, seeing Osred now running towards the melee, fires another arrow at his flank [Attack 25 vs AC19, hit; Damage 4]. The arrow hits him in his broad back, and sticks in his armor. He can feel the point cutting him as he runs, and a trickle of blood runs down his back. He growls at the irritation, but continues running toward the dying Munch.
Pensive, having stopped the fleeing swordsman with a choke hold, releases the man and strikes twice at his head, hoping to incapacitate him. [Attack 10, 15, miss, miss] The swordsman seems surprised to suddenly be able to breathe again, but his reflexes are quick, and he staggers back away from the monk's flurry of punches.
Melani beings moving around a large bush, hoping to get the swordsman in range for a flank attack, but also trying to remain hidden [Hide roll 20 vs spot roll 10, success].
Tichenor jumps back down off the slope, and runs at the one remaining enemy he can see; the bowman. [Attack 12 vs AC18, miss] The bowman sees him coming out of the corner of his eye, and smacks the big wolf on the snout with his longbow. Tichenor backs away and circles, growling deep in his chest.
The second pikeman turns to face Pickle, and thrusts at the guardsman's chest with his polearm [Attack 17 vs AC18, miss]. Pickle is just barely able to turn the weapon, and good thing too. He looks pale, and blood runs down his chin from his coughing. The half orc wounded him badly before it died.
The first pikeman concentrates on Garyth, searching for a gap in his defenses with quick faints and thrusts. [Attack 21 vs AC23, miss] But Garyth is fighting carefully, and when his guard is up, he is very difficult to hit.
Garyth parries and ripostes, hoping to get a lucky hit on the attacking pikeman, without opening his own guard up to counterattack. [Fight defensively -4; full attack; Attack 19, critical threat 7, not critical, attack 7, attack 19, critical threat 11, not critical; hit, miss, hit; Damage 11, 10] Without the half orc to distract his opponent the pikeman finds himself suddenly outmatched, and two quick sword thrusts later, is down and bleeding at Garyth's feet.
The third swordsman, not seeing the decimated state of his allies, continues to press Vincy. [Attack 20 vs AC19, hit; Damage 7] He lands a wicked blow on the guardsman's hip, staggering Vincy back.
Up on the ridge, the second swordsman is struggling with Pensive. Pensive releases him and tries to hit him, but he manages to back away from the monk. As he moves, he draws his shortsword, and then suddenly lunges at the monk's chest. [Attack 14 vs AC20, miss] Pensive easily dodges the blow.
Osred runs full speed at the melee to save Munch. As he approaches the fallen guardsman, the second pikeman spins sideways and swings his polearm at the cleric. [Moving through threatened square, AOO; Attack 12 vs AC19, miss] Osred blocks the weapon with his shield, but can't get past the pikeman to get to Munch's side.
Inside the wagon, the alchemist reaches into his robes to grab a weapon, and Rennik lunges at him. [AOO; Attack 18, hit; Damage 16; Save 17 vs DC15, saved] Rennik smacks the alchemist across the head with the halberd, and he falls instantly to the floor.
Seeing that the alchemist will not be getting up any time soon, Rennik moves back out the door. Off to his left he can see the bowman fighting with Tichenor. Out in the field, he can see the melee winding down, as very few of the witch's men are still standing.
Robert fires his crossbow at the last bowman, hoping to use the distraction of Tichenor to get a better shot. [Attack in melee -4; Attack 21, hit; Damage 6] His bolt slams into the bowman's right arm, spinning him to one side.
Pickle, badly wounded and just wanting this fight to be over with, lunges at his one remaining opponent with abandon [Power attack 2; Attack 20 vs AC20, hit; Damage 11]. He smashes his sword overhand into the pikeman's shoulder, almost driving him to one knee.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
OOC: Melani does this if she is with in 10' of swordsman 3, if not she moves as much as she can at what speed she is allowed while hidden and then does this.
IC: Melani scoots around the tree, looking for another opponent. She sees a swordsman strike one of the Blood Falcons, she thinks it was the one called Vincy. The Falcon staggers back. Melani pulls one of her throwing daggers from her other boot and throws it at the swordsman, aiming for the throat.
Mark
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
(OOC - well, we DID get a lot of cool additional information)
Farron, looking crestfallen at first and increasingly ashen as the true horror of what they are facing finally sinks in, stares at Master Thaddeus as he finishes his diatribe and slumps into his chair. When Master Thaddeus hands the book to Sa'id rather than to himself, he sees a rebuke in it and feels even worse. After a moment, he moves to stand directly before his old master, sinks to one knee and bows his head, "Forgive my foolishness, Master. It has been a long two weeks."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
Pensive's attacks touch only air-- but with his hands free, he stretches into his sleeves and unravels the cord from around his forearms. The scarlet cord shivers in the dusty air, somehow as fluid as blood and as solid as stone.
Pensive whips the cord in half with a single motion, and attacks the swordsman.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Thaddeus looks crestfallen at Farron's apology. "No, no, my friend. I apologize. My outburst was uncalled for. I find myself in a position I have not been in in a long time. I am truly, deeply, afraid."
He grips Farron's hand warmly. "But I am glad of one thing. I am glad my favorite student is on the right side in this fight. So many of us become intoxicated by the power of magic, and wind up serving only their own desire for more. You make me proud, young man. I am sorry I got so worked up."
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
Is the pikeman that pickle brought to his knees the same one that was in Osred's way?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
"Thank you, sir," Sa'id says quietly. "Because the Devourer is known, and has a place in history, I am hoping that I may be able to find more information about it at the Temple of Pelor, as well. If they can help us devise a way to repair the prison, Brother Cadfael's death might not have been in vain."
Sa'id sighs. "The problem is that we know so little about the ancient halflings," he says. "If we knew why the Devourer manifested here we might be able to determine how it was imprisoned, but..." a hint of bitterness creeps into his tone, "we can't simply ask Pelor what He did to create the prison, and how it might be repaired."
"There is also the question of how Cadfael was killed, which is troubling because it speaks to the Devourer's influence even here, relatively far from its prison."
Sa'id will sit and read the marked pages.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
"So many of us become intoxicated by the power of magic, and wind up serving only their own desire for more."
Sa'id looks away as Thaddeus speaks these words, then focuses intently on the tome.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
The mix of emotions Farron feels threatens to overwhelm him. He is pleased to his soul that he has not lost Master Thaddeus's esteem, yet like never before he is afraid of what lies ahead. There is a difference between fearing for one's life and fearing for all that one knows and loves. And when Thaddeus mentions the intoxication of power and desire for more Farron remembers all to vividly his weakness in the tower and near surrender to Kor Garesh during the retreat from the mountain. He feels his face getting hot and says quickly to his Master before turning to leave, "We will keep you posted on our progress if we can, especially if we find something new or useful. Thank you again."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Sa'id and Farron read the War Journal of Banarad Vash:
We move now deeper into Pandemonium than at any point in my hundred year service as Vassal in the armies of Bhaal. The fighting here is ceaseless and of an intensity that would shatter the psyche of most men. I entered into this willingly, but my reasons seem distant to me now. Did I believe I would gain in power? If so, then I have been successful. The constant battles have grown my skills beyond even my wildest aspirations. Did I hope to gain knowledge? In that too, I have succeeded. I have seen things beyond the comprehension of most mortal men. I have watched the limitless legions of evil clash in battles that stretched across the very planes themselves. I have met creatures of power so vast it is only matched by their malevolence. But is this power and knowledge of any use, once my time here is done?
I wonder.
I also begin to wonder if I am a fool to believe I will ever leave this place, and these battles. How does one measure time here? It seems that my century of service nears an end, but what timepiece keeps accurate measure in the bowls of chaos?
We fight now against the most powerful beings the Lord of this domain has at his disposal. The closer we come to Mon Kada's seat of power, the greater the opponents we face.
Today, his general took the field.
I had thought myself incapable of fear, after nearly a century of constant war. I was wrong. I have looked into the face of Melancthnagesh, and felt fear again.
My legion had taken up position on the right flank of our enemy's main body of troops. We were to draw them to face us, while our main force smashed them once their lines had turned. But when our assault began, Melancthnagesh appeared on the field to lead his troops against us.
It was a slaughter.
Let me describe the creature, before memory erases his visage to protect me from madness. He stood great than three times the height of a man, though he did have in general a man's shape. His hands are enormous, and end in long claws of incredible sharpness. I saw powerful creatures sliced into pieces by the most casual swipe from those claws. On his back, where most of his type have large wings, he has instead to masses of black tentacles that flail constantly about. Any caught by them are rent and shattered.
And his face. Can I describe such a face and keep my sanity? I do not believe I can. But I do remember the eyes. Deep pools of red. Seemingly portals into a vast fiery place. And I have seen the fuel that burns there. For each time the Devourer snatched up an enemy, he bit it with his huge jaws, and the almost insect-like mandibles that brace them. Any creature bitten so was destroyed in an instant, and its life force would seem to make the flames behind Melancthnagesh's eyes burn brighter still.
I hurled my most potent magics at it, but it laughed off my powers and showed them paltry indeed when it used its own vast magics to devastate my command. When we finally fell back, less than one in ten of my legion still lived.
We will not be able to take palace of Mon Kada. No matter how many of our legions we hurl at it, how can we defeat such raw power? These wars have been going on since the beginning of time. This must be the endless way of it. Advance, and fall back. Thousands lost each moment, but the reserves are endless, and the malevolent madness that drives the powers here never allows for negotiation or respite.
I must leave. I must get away. I can not stay in this place any longer.
***Sa'id pages ahead to the next marked section***
We hurl ourselves on the rock of Melancthnagesh and are broken.
Our masters do not allow us to retreat, and we are crushed and rent and destroyed for nothing.
But we have been given new orders. Our masters say that the great strength of the Devourer is also its great weakness. We are ordered to force the creature to expend its energies, while not giving it lives to devour and replenish. How we are to do this, I do not know.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
OOC: I think you forgot to give Vincy a turn.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5 addendum
Mike pointed out I forgot Vincy. Oops. Vincy attacked and missed his opponent. Attack of 10. Just forgot to note it in the turn.
Sorry. :)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
Garyth whirls on the remaining pikeman as his comrade falls. Just in time, too; Pickle is fading fast. "Pickle!" he shouts as he advances on the pikeman. "Fall back!"
OOC: Full attack on the pikeman, fighting defensively. If the pikeman is dead after the first attack, Garyth will move down to assist Vincy.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
(OOC- contrary to my last email, I'm assuming we're still in the chambers of Master Thaddeus as we're reading this. Correct me if I'm wrong).
"'force the creature to expend its energies, while not giving it lives to devour and replenish' ?" Farron reads aloud. "How would one do that?" He asks the question with a rhetorical tone, a little afraid of revealing further stupidity but still opening the issue for discussion.
"Is there any record of what became of Banarad Vash? I don't imagine he's left a 'How I did it' entry, has he?"
He thinks a moment. "Well, he is making a move now, with his armies closing on Overlook. He must be expending a bit of energy on that alone. But how is it he devours lives? Are they his in defeat alone? When they give him their allegiance? Or is he fed when his minions are killed? Or is he only fed when the kill is made with a weapon like that which killed Cad--" He stifles a gasp as he realizes what exactly may have befallen their former companion. He looks in horror at Sa'id and Master Thaddeus grasping for some word of hope.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
OOC: Melani is going to save his life. She has to KILL something in this battle. :)
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Master Thaddeus replies, "Why, yes! Banarad did return from the Blood Wars. His journal was quite popular in certain circles for centuries after he returned. It is one of the better works we have describing the internal mechanics of that longest and most horrific conflicts.
"I believe he settled in Karad for a time, eventually becoming Earl of some minor province or something. He died nearly 700 years ago, but it was still over 200 years after his return. Apparently, he came back from the wars quite... potent.
"I do not believe that he ever actually did defeat this creature Melancthnagesh, but I found the passage interesting. At least in theory. If the creature is in fact powered by those he devours, which seems likely, then keeping him from a steady supply of souls to take does seem a useful way to contain him.
"Unfortunately, it also tells us more of what his army's purpose is. He may be attacking the town of Overlook in an attempt to recapture the Monk's boy. But a large town's worth of souls to eat is certainly a nice bonus. And there are many, small defenseless towns on this isle. Think. If he could take Overlook, one thousand new zombies for his army, or more. And one thousand human lives to drink down and replenish his power."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
The alchemist fell like a sack of sweetroots, leaving Rennik unsatisfied. The pain of the burns and the frustration at not being able to vent his rage roil inside him as he bursts out through the wagon's door.
The fight in the field seems quiet, and the hulking mass of the Brute is nowhere to be seen. A good sign, to be sure. Rennik absently wondered just how badly damaged the rest of the Blood Falcons were... and grew suddenly concerned about whether Garyth and Melani had survived the battle. He hoped he'd sent enough arrows into the half-orc to have made a difference, but there was no time to think about that.
Tichenor growled at the bowman, his teeth bared and burned back exposed. Moving quickly, Rennik covers the distance between him and the human, and swings his axe to finish the man off.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
If Osred can sidestep the pikeman:
Osred moves past the pikeman and kneels at Munch's side. "Still with me boy?" he asks, checking the fallen guardsman for signs of life. The copper tang of blood fills the battle cleric's nose, along with the stench of the shit Munch's bowels had released when the brute's blade bit through his leg.
[OOC: Possibility One:]
Munch's skin is a startling white where it isn't smeared with blood or filth, and a startling quantity of blood is pooled around him from his myriad wounds. By all rights he should have been killed by a blow like the one dealt him by the brute, but somehow, even through his shock, he has clung to life. His grip grows feebler by the moment as the last of his lifeblood oozes from his wounds, but has not yet released. With a brief prayer of thanks to the battle god, Osred sacrifices one of the spells he had prayed for this morning, and feels the warmth grow in his hands as the god accepts it, giving him the power to heal in return. [Sacrifice Bull's Strength (2nd level) for Cure Moderate Wounds (2nd level), which he then casts on Munch. "You'll be fine, boy, he says and then stands, taking in the final moments of the battle (OOC--unless it's over, in which case he'll hurry over to Pickle)
[OOC: Possibility Two:]
Osred curses softly as he kneels in the mud at Munch's side. Perhaps if the damned pikeman hadn't slowed him down, he might have reached the guardsman in time. The man's flesh, where it isn't smeared with blood and filth, has taken on a waxy pallor, drained of almost all of its blood, and his eyes stare sightlessly toward the sky. Gently, Osred closes the soldier's eyes and mutters a brief prayer to Hironeous, asking him to let Munch fight along side the battle god in the afterlife. He stands, his knees smeared with mud and his palms with the fallen man's blood, and turns toward the battle's final moments (OOC-again, unless it's over, in which case he'll hurry over to Pickle).
If Osred can't sidestep the pikeman, and Garyth doesn't kill him before Osred has had a chance to act, he'll draw his longsword (I assume he couldn't have been running over that kind of distance with a longsword in hand, could he?) and attempt to run the pikeman through.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
"So we need to stop it from consuming sufficient souls to break free of its prison. No wonder he hungered for Promise's soul -- that child already holds more power than..." he trails off. "There must be a way to repair the prison walls. But it was so difficult even getting to the mountain to rescue promise, going back with enough force to restore the prison, even if we knew how... all the while watching your back in case someone fell under Melancthnagesh's influence... the challenge seems insurmountable without support beyond what we are able to muster."
"If Nesalin carries the day at Overlook, that will buy us some time. But we must discover how to restore the prison. My knowledge of imprisoning evil beings does not extend beyond the simplest magic circle spells, however..."
Sa'id shakes his head. "My guess is that this prison will turn out to be of a singular nature, but it hurt cannot to study other examples in the library, and also perhaps to talk to the Sunmaster about such prisons."
Rounds 6 and 7, Sling Discussion
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook;-- Pensive's Addendum
After attacking, if allowed, Pensive will tumble back fifteen feet and extend the stonesash to its full length.
If it's not allowed, he'll stay where he is.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook;-- Pensive's Addendum
Oh, yeah-- dodge point on the swordsman Pensive is attacking.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
[Initiative bowman1, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Garyth, swordsman3, Vincy, Osred, Rennik, Robert]
The last remaining bowman keeps his longbow between him and Tichenor as much as possible, trying to keep the wolves teeth away from his throat. But when Rennik comes charging out of the wagon with a growl not too unlike the wolves, the bowman drops his weapon and throws his hands in the air. "I give up! Please don't kill me!"
Pensive drops a long scarlet cord out of his sleeve, and begins to twirl it. The swordsman he is facing can't help but give a surprised laugh at the thin and fragile seeming strand. [attack 25, hit; damage 9] He does not laugh long. The cord whips out in a lightning fast strike, and hits the man's temple like a sledgehammer. The swordsman flies several feet sideways before dropping and lying still. If anyone had been watching, they would have seen the tattoos that peek from Pensive's shirt flash with power when the cord struck.
Melani continues to move around the tree to get in position [Hide roll 21 vs spot 22, failed]. The swordsman sees her, and shifts his position to keep her in front of him. She shrugs and hurls her dagger at his throat anyway [attack 21 vs AC19, hit; damage 2]. The knife cuts a long welt across the man's cheek, and his eyes blaze in anger at the painful wound.
Tichenor, seeing the bowman lose his stick, does not hesitate to leap. [Attack 21 vs AC18, hit; damage 6] The bowman has only time to call out, "Please, stop him-" then goes down under Tichenor's powerful jaws. The big wolf clamps his teeth on the man's face, and begins to shake him from side to side.
The lone remaining pikeman is surrounded, and after watching Pickle stab his stunned half orc companion in the back, feels there is little chance of a surrender being accepted. He lunges quickly at Pickle [Attack 20 vs AC18, hit; Damage 10] and slashes the head of his pike through the already wounded guardsman's throat, dropping him instantly. The pikeman follows through with the power of his swing, and slams the pike into Garyth [Cleave attack 17 vs AC23, miss]. Garyth is able to get his sword up in time to stop the blow.
The sight of Pickle going down while spraying blood from his neck enrages Garyth. He yells at the pikeman and launches a flurry of attacks [Fighting Defensively -4; full attack; Attacks 7, 5, 9, all miss]. Unfortunately, his rage, wounds, and desire to keep his guard up, all conspire to rob him of his skill. The pikeman easily deflects all the attacks.
The third swordsman, angry about the sudden appearance of the knife throwing halfling, launches into Vincy with fury. [attack natural 19, critical threat 8, not critical; damage 8] He slams his sword into Vincy's head, and hurls the guardsman to the ground, spouting blood. He then advances on the halfling.
While Garyth distracts the remaining pikeman, Osred ducks and dodges behind the man to get to Munch. He's not doing well. His pulse flutters in his neck, as the last of his lifeblood leaks out the horrid gash on his thigh. Osred quickly grabs the leg, and while trying to hold it together, begins praying to Hieronious for aid. The pikeman, hearing Osred behind him, spins and stabs at the crouching priest [AOO for spellcasting in threatened area; Attack 13 vs AC19, miss]. Osred, never once breaking concentration, blocks the blow with his shield. With a brief prayer of thanks to the battle god, Osred sacrifices one of the spells he had prayed for this morning, and feels the warmth grow in his hands as the god accepts it, giving him the power to heal in return. [Sacrifice Bull's Strength (2nd level) for Cure Moderate Wounds (2nd level), which he then casts on Munch. "You'll be fine, boy", he says and then stands, taking in the final moments of the battle. [Heals 12]
Rennik runs over to the fallen bowman, and sees that if he wished to, he could pull Tichenor off and save the man's life.
Robert yells from the ridge above. "Rennik, only two left! Then using hand signals points out the locations of the two remaining opponents.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
Melani curses at herself for being sloppy, although she knows it is her wounds that make her clumsy. She sees the guardsman move at the last second and what should have been a dagger to the throat instead just cuts the mans cheek. The man seems to become angry about this and takes it out on Vincy. She curses again when she sees the Falcon drop. She draws the dagger up her left sleeve(quick draw) and advances to engage the swordsman. As she moves, she winces in pain at the damage she has already taken and remembers to be careful.
OOC: She will fight defensively, using her dagger. I think this gives her an AC of 23 but -4 to hit.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
It has been a long time since he has killed another being.
Pensive watches the stonesash flick out, watches it connect with the swordman's temple, sees the bones of the other man's skull crack and shift under the blow. Not passionless-- he sucks in a shuddering breath, and realizes he is sucking in the air that his attacker just expelled from his lungs. The final pulse of his life, lingering in Pensive's mouth.
It tastes like iron and sweat, and hot tears roll down Pensive's cheeks.
The path was not straight, nor was it soft.
Weeping Thistle, the low elves would have murmured, to see him now. And somehow, that is more his name than the name he chose for himself on the Mossground. Weeping Thistle, not Pensive.
He snaps to. He is Pensive-- no other man named him but himself. Weep, he might, and a Thistle he might be-- but he is Pensive, too, and Blood and Stone were with him as strongly as elfhood.
He turns his eyes to the battle below, and recoils, but only for a moment. Weep, yes. He can weep. He is still innocent. But there is no weakness in him as he drops down into the bowl where dead men gaze at the sky. Pensive grips the stonesash with both hands and sprints to join the battle.
OOC: After slow falling down the slope, Pensive will run flat out to attack the swordsman threatening Melani. If he can, he will spring attack with the stonesash. He will tumble to try to avoid any AOOs.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
Trusting Garyth to occupy the pikeman, Osred ignores the enemy completely, moving swiftly to kneel by Pickle. If the guardsman still lives, Osred sacrifices another spell to Hironeous, channeling the god's healing radience into the man's prone form. [Sacrifice 2nd level consecrate for 2nd level Cure Moderate Wounds, cast on Pickle].
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
How could he have ever thought himself a commander? One of his men was just barely snatched from the brink of death, and now two more lay dying. Because of him.
A good commander would have seen all of this coming. A good commander would have been able to plan an ambush that didn't involve losing his own men. Garyth is not a good commander. His shame overwhelming him, he roars and launches himself at the pikeman.
OOC: Same as last round.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
OOC: You know Garyth is really just too hard on himself. :) At least he missed the three attacks against the guy that can barely touch him and not the brute.
Mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
Rennik's anger finally boils over.
Mercy? This human asks for mercy? Where was the mercy for the hundreds of halflings whose souls were wrenched from their bodies? Where was the mercy as these men set upon the tribes and dragged Rennik's kinsmen to the bowels of the great mountain? Where was the mercy for Fayten, whose body was so defiled that he fought to the death against his own kin, not recognizing him?
And this human had the nerve to ask for mercy?
Standing over the body, Rennik's growl grows louder in his throat, enough so that Tichenor senses his anger and pain and backs away from the now twitching and gasping body to look up at his halfling companion.
The life quickly spilling out of the man's eyes, Rennik spits on the ruin of his face as he hefts the shortened halberd over his own head.
"Stop him? Ask mercy of your dark god, for you will receive none from me."
Bringing the halberd down with all his strength and anger and fury, Rennik buries its head in the man's chest, feeling the ribs and spine crunch beneath the weapon's weight as the head buries itself in the hard packed dirt beneath the bowman's body. [Coup de Grace]
Not wiping the spattered blood from his face, he turns to look at the other melee, and takes a step over the remains of the human's body to go join it.
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
[Initiative Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Garyth, swordsman3, Osred, Rennik, Robert]
Pensive runs to the edge of the bowl, and almost without slowing slides down the steep slope. He slows a bit as he nears Rennik, who is standing over a wounded man, and holding his halberd above his head.
Melani quickly draws a dagger from her sleeve, and dives at the feet of the swordsman, rolling past him and slashing at the back of his knee as she passes [Fight defensively -4; Attack 18 vs AC18, hit; damage 3]. Her knife's edge cuts a deep gash on the back of his thigh, just above the knee, and then she is rolling back to her feet nearly a yard away from him.
Tichenor backs away from his prey at Rennik's low growl. The wolf looks around him, and seeing no opponent nearby, just stares up at Rennik quizzically, waiting for the blow to fall. If the alpha wishes to tear this throat, Tichenor has no objection.
The last remaining pikeman continues to battle for his life [attack 15 vs AC23, miss], but Garyth is too skilled a swordsman for the man. His desperate attacks are easily countered.
Garyth, shame and rage fueling him, lets out a yell as he counters the pikeman's blows with strokes of his own [Fight defensively -4; full attack; attacks 19, 12, 22, hit, miss, hit; Damage 10, 7]. He steps inside the arc of one of the pikeman's blows, and thrusts his blade into the man's exposed belly. The pikeman cries out and drops his weapon, falling to his knees with his bowels exposed. Garyth steps back on pace, and swings his blade backhand, decapitating the mortally wounded man. He looks around, panting heavily. Everywhere there are bodies and blood. It is almost difficult to tell who is who. Munch is moving and breathing under Osred's hands, so he must have been saved. Garyth can barely gasp out, "Pickle... save Pickle..." But Osred looks to already be moving that direction.
When the last swordsman turns to face Melani, he finally sees the rest of the battlefield. All around, his companions lay dead and hacked to pieces. Over in the bowl, Rennik stands over one with his weapon raised. Garyth is just stepping back as the head tumbles off the shoulders of another. He is the only one left. He runs.
With the straightforward practicality of her fierce people, Melani doesn't hesitate. She flips the dagger over in her hands and hurls it at his retreating back. [AOO Attack 24, hit; damage 3] The man stumbles and almost goes down when the blade hits his back, but manages to get his feet back under him and keep running. [Run move 4x]
Osred moves quickly from Munch to Pickle. He does not even see the pikeman die behind him, but does here Garyth gasping out in ragged breaths, "Save Pickle..." The young man has only seconds left. His throat has been ripped open, and his blood pumps out only feebly now. Osred prays again, trading away the divine grace granted him in his morning prayers in exchange for the power to heal. [Heal 12] The power of Hieronious is great, and a warmth flows through Osred's hands as the terrible wound in his friend's neck stitches shut. Immediately the pulse strengthens, and the breath returns. Osred breathes a sigh of relief that he was able to save both these brave men.
Rennik stands over the feebly struggling body of the bowman. Rennik spits on the ruin of his face as he hefts the shortened halberd over his own head. "Stop him? Ask mercy of your dark god, for you will receive none from me." Bringing the halberd down with all his strength and anger and fury, Rennik buries its head in the man's chest, feeling the ribs and spine crunch beneath the weapon's weight as the head buries itself in the hard packed dirt beneath the bowman's body. [Coup de Grace; Damage 22; death] Not wiping the spattered blood from his face, he turns to look at the other melee, and takes a step over the remains of the human's body to go join it. Not far away, Pensive watches.
On the ridge above, Robert watches the last swordsman begin to run away from Melani. Shrugging his shoulders, he fires off one last shot. Perhaps luck will be with him. [Range increment -6; Attack 9, miss] The range proves too great, and the bolt hits the ground several feet away from the fleeing man.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
OOC: Which way is the swordsman running, toward or away from the direction the witch flew?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
OOC: By the way, Ty, two rounds in one day proves, once again, that you are the man.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Maybe a new map would help. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Don't know if you noticed, but there are a lot fewer guys to write for now. :)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Garyth is just starting to feel relieved that the fight is over when he realizes that the last swordsman is running in the direction that the witch left. "Quick!" he cries. "We can't let him warn the witch!" It's too late to catch up with the swordsman, not with the head start he's already gotten. Garyth races back to his original position and snatches up his bow. He takes a quick couple of breaths to steady himself before drawing and releasing.
OOC: Garyth will fire on the retreating swordsman until he is out of range.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Hearing the cries of his friends, Rennik looks to see the running man. Anger still boiling, he takes off at a run after the wretched servant of the devilwitch and motions with his arm to send Tichenor ahead.
This one will not get away so easily.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Melani darts in and gets a good swipe at the swordsman. This human she can handle. As she turns she sees the swordsman start to run away. With a quick flip she throws her dagger and sees it hit, but not drop the man. Damn, she would have to find something bigger against these humans.
Knowing that she could never keep up with the man, she quickly pulls her sling(quick draw), loads a bullet in the pouch, all the while sort of hoping in the direction the man is running, and lets fly at the fleeing swordsman.(Move and standard attack).
OOC: I think I can do this with out any minuses, right? A move action and a standard action, the standard action being the sling attack? I don't see any purpose of a full attack since I only get one attack a round. Some one please let me know if I am wrong. Also does the swordsman loose any DEX or anything while running away?
Mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
I may be wrong, but I think slings require an action to load. It counts as a move action. So, you could load and fire in a turn, or you could move and fire. But you couldn't load, and move, and fire.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
You are right. Here is the open source.
Sling: Your Strength modifier applies to damage rolls when you use a sling, just as it does for thrown weapons. You can fire, but not load, a sling with one hand. Loading a sling is a move action that requires two hands and provokes attacks of opportunity.
You can hurl ordinary stones with a sling, but stones are not as dense or as round as bullets. Thus, such an attack deals damage as if the weapon were designed for a creature one size category smaller than you and you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls.
Luckily Melani has two hands open. She will take a negative for range but that is not a big problem.
Pensive should be able to catch the guy fairly easily if she does not drop him. This guy can move 120 feet and Pensive can move 200, IIRC.
Mark
Discussion: Speed
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Tich can move 200 feet... I don't know if Pensive can.
On a side note, wolves are very useful. I suggest everyone look into picking one up. :-D
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Well a 6th level Monk should move 50 at normal speed and a run speed of 4X should give him a speed of 200.
He and the wolf can keep each other company. :)
mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Well, whaddya know... I suggest getting a wolf *and* a monk. They're both very useful.
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