The Angel War | Hope Extinct -- Chapter 1: The Siege of Fort Dynas [Archive]

ColdCoffee

2014-07-28, 06:07 AM

You are powerful champions of Illystene, the bravest and most honorable men and women in this troubled time. For the last two weeks, upon the request of the allied nations under the leadership of Commander Eidas, you have prepared for the upcoming campaign: to take Fort Dynas. You've made transportation to the Allied Fleet, several miles southeast off the coast of the far eastern reaches of the Battleforged Peninsuia.

Each of you (as well as your cohorts) had received a summons by Commander Eidas to report to his vessel this very evening for a briefing on the current situation. He's one of the most benevolent, cunning, and lucky warriors in allied history.

It is late evening, and the bulk of the fleet has assembled. Countless warships and frigates from all over the world have congregated amongst these dark waters. The darkness is illuminated by the occassional large fireball launched from several miles to the northwest, sent plummeting to the waters around you. At the sight of an almost sure direct hit, a cleric erects a force field just in time to deflect the near disaster. A tireless effort to keep the fleet afloat amidst this bombardment, no doubt.

As you arrive to the helm of the commander's ship, the Inevitable, two sentries meet you. They bow in reverance to your presence.

"Greetings. The commander is expecting you below. Allow us to escort you."

Moments later, passing through an entourage of soldiers and sailors saluting you, are led to a large room. Inside, you find a meeting table and ample seating available. The commander himself is there, evidently quite relieved you've all made it. The commander is older than you realized. You care to guess his age somewhere in the mid 80s.

"Greetings, heroes. Please, have a seat." says Eidas in as strong a voice as he can muster, both age and fatigue having claimed the best of him. He motions to the seats behind you.

"Perhaps introductions are in order. I am Commander Eidas, of Vagrant's Stand. I've struggled against the brunt of the naval battles for the last few years. I've seen more in those battles than anyone should see in a lifetime. Allow me to learn each of your names so that I may associate your legendary names to each of your bright faces."

He looks eagerly towards your response.

Only your PC and your cohort are here. Any followers that have accompanied you are safely aboard their own vessels.

Nevershutup

2014-07-28, 08:32 AM

"I am Elsin, Lord of Heaven's Rest, and Paladin of Heironeous." Elsin is a huge man by normal standards, and he has a force about him that is undeniable.

"And I am Ayla, wizard of great power, and Lady of Heaven's Rest." Much smaller than Elsin, Ayla who is instantly analyzing everything in the room with a scholar's interest.

Mikal

2014-07-28, 09:50 AM

Thal Mikal arrived alone, his brother having remained behind to keep the Free Company in preparations for the battle. Arriving off his skiff, the large man made his way to the chambers, his armor reflecting the lights within the room, his hammer, The Righteous Lion, glowing a soft gold. He nods as he is announced.

"Good to be here", he says in a gruff eastern accent. "Let's see what we need to do to crack that shell over by the fort, hey?"

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-28, 10:32 AM

Reggie swaggers onto the ship, his actions from the last few days still filling him with a heady pride. He had been throwing knives with some of the crew before being messaged; boosting morale and whatnot.

He makes a casual salute to Eidas and the others present. He coughs lightly, then says in a faux-snooty voice, I am Reginald Tiberius Thaddeus Balkinson, third son of Roland Halcyon Uther Balkinson, Lord of the Keep and nobleman of Vagrant's Keep. He keeps up the air of snootiness for a second before cracking a grin and slumping into a seat. But for the love of Olidammara, call me Reggie. Never been one for titles. He swings his legs over the arm of the chair and settles in for the oncoming discussion.

Commander Ei, it's nice to see you're still alive and fighting the good fight, he finishes with a friendly smile to Eibas. His childhood lessons on battlefield tactics had mentioned Commander Eibas quite frequently. He'd seen the elderly man around his father a few times, but that was ages ago when Reggie was just a child.

TachyonBlade

2014-07-28, 10:34 AM

The elf that walked in after the noble man seemed to nod at his announcement, and only grudgingly walked in. His homeland had its own front that had to be protected, and quite frankly, he wasn't quite trusting of the whole Angel business. None of the Planar deities and beings he'd contacted knew anything much about it, and so therefore he was inclined to believe that all was not as it should be.

He only glanced at the rest of the people who had gathered here, only knew of them in a bare fashion, through the scrying he did on the camp while on his way here. He then relegated himself to the side of the room, and watched the man, who was apparently half his age, but still looked older than a four hundred year old elf, speak.

Jojomo

2014-07-28, 11:49 AM

Anarto enters behind the rest, having made a point of returning the salutes from the crew as they were shown below decks. After carefully closing the door behind him so as not to make a noise, he waits for the others to speak before introducing himself. Truth be told, he feels a little out of place amongst all these great lords and ladies, having spent most of his life as a common soldier. Certainly, this was easily the highest level briefing he had ever attended, to say nothing about of the amount of personal power each of the assembled company must possess.

Once the room has fallen quiet he adds his own introduction to the rest, "My name is Anarto. I have occasionally been called Stormblade, though not by choice." He speaks softly, and has a tone reminiscent of a lecturer: each sentence a simple statement of fact. "I have neither lands nor titles, being merely a soldier," the briefest suggestion of a half-smile crosses his lips, "though a relatively accomplished one at that."

He takes his seat, although he remains right on its edge with his hands on his knees and his back held perfectly straight, almost sitting at attention if there is such a thing. He addresses their host directly, "Commander, it's always comforting to have an experienced hand directing the battle. I take it we were summoned to discuss the strategy for the assault?"

Hexalan

2014-07-28, 12:13 PM

Malcador waits a moment after entering, watching the others who came. Her eyes dim, and she gives a casual salute to aged commander.

"Commander Eidas. Malcador Luciferina, favored of Gods. From Dawson, in the North." Her wings flutter a bit, as if to emphasize that. "I believe I've worked with you before, in the reclamation of the North Seas."

Malcador stays standing, one hand behind her back, the other fingering the onyx lotus on the hilt of her blade.

ColdCoffee

2014-07-28, 01:23 PM

"Thank you all for coming," Eidas remarks. He seems very pleased all of you are here.

"As you've guessed, we need you. I am very old. Perhaps too old to lead this campaign by myself.' he chuckles. "My bones ache, my hands tremble. I should be on my death bed. But alas, here I am in the greatest struggle of our time, on a damned quest to save an angel we've never seen." The old man grunts. "But enough about me. Let me fill you in..."

From his satchel he unrolls a map and lays it out for you to see on the table. The candles from around the room illuminate the map enough for you to see it clearly.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/chapter1map1_zpsef084ae7.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/chapter1map1_zpsef084ae7.png.html)
"A month ago, without warning, the First Fleet of Imperia unexpectedly withdrew their ships deep into the gulf of Nuen towards the island of Nuen itself. We suspect something has...happened, something big. We're not sure what it is. We've sent several scouts ahead but none have returned. During this time, the allies have regrouped. We've established a series strong supply chains coming from Herton, from Dalton, from Withershed, and we've even negotiated some temporarty arrangements from Ru'Tabre. But its not enough to last longer than a few weeks.

"The objective of our campaign is to take Fort Dynas. With the mouth of the gulf itself now empty, we can flank Fort Dynas from the south while our second fleet attacks undeterred from the east. We will be disembarking along the coast a few miles south of Fort Dynas." He refers to the yellow star on the map and its plotted course for the invasion.

"There are a number of precursor objectives that must be accmplished before that can happen. Obviously our first is securing the coast and establishing a base of operations for the upcoming ground assaults. Once that is done, we'll have to progress north through the tundra to lay siege to the fort. To do so, we'll have to escort our heavy catapults to be in place along the soutern hills that oversee the fort. Then we hit the damned place with everything we got."

"Our final objective is to free a prisoner within Fort Dynas. He's to be executed in two weeks. Its a archdruid by the name of Kelthalas, a native of Nuen who knows the area inside and out, including a secret passage beneath the frozen seas to the interior of Nuen itself. That's where you all come in. While we occupy the fort and reinforce it with our own forces, we'll launch an assault against Fort Imperia further to the north. We believe this will distract and/or divide their fleets allowing us to dwindle their numbers even more. Meanwhile, you and your cohorts will work your way into the heart of Nuen itself to see if youcan rescue this divine damsel in distress..."

Eidas scrached his head and begins pacing the room. "Before Kel was captured, we learned a little bit about this land's natives from him. Apparently they are not taking kindly to any outsiders. Kel claims they have deified the angel and erected a mighty fortress to imprison her. He believes they may have even tapped into the angel's lifeforce, somehow, using it for only gods know what... "

Eidas seems exasperated. "I asked him time and time again what they were, human or otherwise, but he seemed at a loss to answer. All he would tell me is they are primative, to be sure, taller than humans, but not giants. But swifter, more powerful, more cunning and more apt to the arcane. Nevertheless, we've tried to reach out to these... tribesmen, for lack of a better word, but the empire's forces have blocked any and all efforts. These primatives have somehow prevented the empire from setting a foot on the continent as far as we know, but it would be wise to not give them the luxury of time.

"That's the situation. It's dire. We were not even aware another army, these Nuenians, were even a part of this picture. But let's not put the cart in front of the horse.... We must first take the fort, free kelthalas, and allow him to show you your first step in freeing this angel and supposedly redeeming our world..."

He brings up a map of a coastline. You suspect its the land that you'll be attacking all too soon.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/CHAPTER1MAP2_zps7a0389e2.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/CHAPTER1MAP2_zps7a0389e2.jpg.html)

Here is a map of our chosen landing site. Each square is 200ft by 200ft.
The coast is guarded by three Dynasi Juggernauts, the terrors of the seas. They are currently docked, but 200 men still run each ship. Their cannons far outrange our own firepower. Those fireballs you've been seeing? That's coming from those devilish monstrosities. They don't know we are here, yet. We're convinced its a part of their preventative defense against any would be invasion force.

Once our forces hit the mainland, there are three smaller briades to deal with. Each square you see here is composed of fifty men. I've done my best to designate whether they are infantry or archers, and I've circled in blue which unit their captain can be found occupying.

Tne first brigade is primarily composed of archers that patrol the coastline. Each archer we believe has the capability to set off a warning flare should they spot any enemy activity.

The other two brigades are designed for clashing with their enemy face to face, with some relatively light archer support.

We suspect that these circled units are where their captains are located presently.

You will also note there are three encampments near where the brigades are stationed, marked as the big red tents. If we can capture those, they'll boister our ability to get to Fort Dynas before they execute Kelthalas. We can't let the enemy sabotage them upon their imminent retreat (if any).

"I have my own suggestions on how we could attack this small settlement, but I would be doing a disservice to discount any questions or advice you would have. Please. Share with me your thoughts."

He opens the floor to you.

Primary Objectives

Disarm or destroy all three enemy juggernauts.
Capture the enemy encampments and hold them for three rounds. As long as one of the encampments doesn't go up in flames you will be successful.
Capture or kill all three enemy captains.

Feel free to suggest anything and everything to achieve victory.

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-28, 03:41 PM

Reggie listens to the commander speak, sharp eyes on the map. Though he really doesn't need the map; for the past week or so, he's practically lived there behind enemy lines.

All very important information, Commander. But allow me to elaborate on the situation a bit.

He reaches for a feather pen on the table and begins to make marks on the map. This captain, he says, reaching the pen over to the northeast brigade. He puts a small "X" through the circled unit ands says, I killed, along with his sergeants. The whole brigade is on standby until the soldiers can be put under a new command structure.

I swapped the identities of fifteen of the other companies' sergeants, and stole their voices as well, just to be on the safe side. He grins as his voice changes with each word into a different voice, proving his claim.

This little beauty, he continues, circling the upper-right Juggernaut, I disabled its cannons. No way for them to fire, and no way for them to figure how why they can't fire.

This guy's admiral I killed, and swapped a few of its sergeants' identities. He gestures to the middle juggernaut.

And this one, I'm especially proud of, he says with a stab at the final Juggernaut. Knocked the admiral right out and stole his identity, that way I could take his dispelling artifact without it going berserk on me. I brought him along for the ride back here, too, so he's getting made nice and cozy in an interrogation cell.

And I managed to steal a few of their dispelling items as well; not many, but hey, it was an off-day. Most of them are mundane, everyday items, but some have intelligence and can only be used by their rightful owner. Made things a little tricky, and made it so I could only steal one of 'em without blowing my cover, but I got one of them.

As for where to go from here, I'd be happy to sneak back into the camp. And I did this thing once where I got a Bag of Holding and a Bottle of Air, so if anyone doesn't mind being in a magical, extradimensional space for extended periods of time then I could carry a few of you in as well. He leans back in the chair, looking from each person to see their reactions.

Nevershutup

2014-07-28, 04:00 PM

ColdCoffee

2014-07-28, 04:20 PM

The map updated per Reggie's marks.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/postsabotage_zps8c78391f.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/postsabotage_zps8c78391f.jpg.html)

Mikal

2014-07-28, 04:27 PM

Mikal stays silent as the man with the weird voices brags, looking down at the map.

"Teleport me into the biggest concentration of their men. I'll make sure whatever fancy **** you want to do will have a nice distraction. My men should work in a support capacity."

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-28, 04:48 PM

"That's... incredible. Absolutely incredible. I can see why you're here with us. I for one wouldn't mind being in the Bag of Holding, but I can't speak for my followers or Ayla. As well, if you stole the commander's identity, could you go back to his ship, and command his troops to perhaps fire upon the shore?" Elsin appears absolutely earnest in everything he says, and indeed, very very impressed.
The explorer takes in the praise with a flourished bow. It's not that easy, sadly, Reggie says as he takes out a gold coin to flip on his knuckles. The round piece of metal flashes in the light as it dances on his adept fingers. Whenever I steal an identity, they get my identity--or the identity I had before I stole theirs. So whoever I steal an identity from, gets my identity. Seeing as I'm rather attached to my identity, warts and all, I like to make sure that the person I steal from is knocked out so they can't do anything with my identity. And to reclaim my own identity, I had to return the admiral's.

Basically, I could, but while I had his identity he would have mine--and while we do have him in captivity, so he couldn't do anything with it, I couldn't exactly make a clean break after knocking him out. Some of his crew saw me teleport out with him in tow, so they'd probably be suspicious as how their "admiral" got back to the ship.

"I am very impressed Reginald, that is an incredible feat. I would very much dislike being in a Bag of Holding, no matter if you have done it before. The Dynasi are known for their dispelling magic. Perhaps I could help by summoning some celestial creatures to perform harassing tactics on the Dynasi? I am also quite competent at dealing harm myself, if someone is there to take the blows for me." Ayla also appears earnest in all that she says, especially about the Bag of Holding, probably because she knows the risks. With the last part, she gestures to Elsin, who grins and winks.

Fair enough; it's certainly not for everyone. If anyone wants to volunteer, feel free to speak up.

With a scroll of Greater Teleport, I could also take myself and a handful of us into the heart of one of the encampments--I can remember most of the more secluded places, or at least places that were secluded before they realized they'd been infiltrated. Or teleport tall, dark, and muscled over there into the biggest concentration of guys, like he said.

Jojomo

2014-07-28, 06:18 PM

Anarto stands, watching with folded arms, as Reggie redraws the map, struggling not to roll his eyes as the man preens over his exploits. A struggle that is quickly repeated during Ayla's unspoken exchange with Malcador. Thal's contribution is almost more than he can bear, but he limits himself to massaging his forehead with his fingertips, as though deep in thought.

Once he has had a chance to study the map and think, he begins to speak. Strategy, at least, is an area where he has some experience. "From the looks of the firepower coming from their ships it would seem prudent to disable them before we attempt to deploy any significant forces to the peninsula," he begins, "Reginald, could you disable the other Juggernauts' weapons in the same manner you employed for the first? After that we could either capture them or bypass them as we please."

He is silent for a moment, weighing options in his mind, before continuing, "I would suggest a stealthy approach, at least until we have secured their encampments," he gestures to the south-west and north-east camps on the map, "If we can secure these locations prior to committing to any serious engagements, perhaps with Elsin at one and Thal the other, we should have a good chance of defending one of them."

He nods to Reggie, "I know you by reputation sir, and while I don't count myself as any kind of master infiltrator I am likely inconspicuous enough to bypass a sentry line. I would be happy to accompany you in case you require assistance. I can also use scrolls to teleport if need be."

Glancing at the scale on the map, he lips move soundlessly for a moment, "If my arithmetic has not completely failed me and the scale on this map is accurate, I believe I can have both of the remaining captain's dead in a matter of seconds provided I can get close to one of them," he rubs his chin in thought, "Though a quiet approach might be preferable. I propose that Reginald and I act as a forward party, with Thal stowed in Reginald's bag in case things go awry. All being well, we disable the remaining Juggernauts and hide Thal in the south-west camp. Reginald can then exfiltrate and teleport Elsin and a small force to the north-east camp while I make my way to the captain in N7. Reginald can rejoin me there and he can attempt to kill the captain stealthily, if he succeeds we move to the central camp and do the same. If at any point we are discovered, I will kill both captains as fast as I am able while Reginal sets off one of their flares by the shore to draw their forces away from the camps. Our casters can teleport or fly in as soon as we are discovered to provide support."

He pauses again, trying to pick holes in his plan, "If we remain undetected after killing both remaining captains, I remain at the central camp and attempt to hold it, Reginald attempts to draw their forces to the shore as I outlined previously. If we can open gates to the south-west and north-east camps in the meantime, and the centre as troops are pulled away we could have sizable forces there ready, and have their forces completely surrounded with a significant presence at each camp." Snapping his fingers, he adds, "Of course, we might be detected while disabling the ships, in which case I can probably disintegrate their armaments relatively quickly before moving to kill the captains while Reginald teleports Thal to the south-west camp and Ayla brings Elsin and his men to the north-east. In that case Malcador and Sanguinius should probably fill Reginald's intended role and attempt to raise the alarm on the shore by whatever means they deem necessary."

He looks around at the others, the barest hint of a satisfied smile on his face, "I would welcome your thoughts."

While they consider the plan, he addresses Eidan again, "Commander, I realise this is a slightly distasteful question, but is our goal to rout these forces or to ensure that none escape to warn the Empire's other forces of our arrival?" While the question is phrased delicately, there is no emotion in it, he might as well have asked the man his favourite wine.

R disables remaining Juggernauts with A nearby and T in a bag.
A and R move to SW camp and hide T there.
R returns to the fleet and teleports E & co. to NE camp.
A and R meet at N7 and attempt to stealthily kill captain.
A and R move to central camp and attempt to stealthily kill captain.
R returns to coast and fakes/causes a flare to be sent, luring enemy forces into a ring of ours. M, S and Ay move to a camp each to provide magical support.

If we are discovered at any point, A makes a beeline for the captains (possibly after disintegrating Juggernauts' guns/hulls), R and T secure SW camp, Ay, E & co. secure NE camp, M & S cause havoc on shore to hopefully draw imperial forces into Circle of Epic Death (TM pending) anyway.

Mikal

2014-07-28, 07:02 PM

ColdCoffee

2014-07-28, 07:54 PM

In response to Anarto's question, the commander looks at him for a second seemingly muddled by the realization of what he's about to say.

I cannot lose anymore men. This war has gone long enough. Do what you must.

He lets loose a heavy sigh, which does little to relieve his burden.

Jojomo

2014-07-28, 08:11 PM

Anarto returns Mikal's gaze levelly, and let's the larger man finish before he speaks, "Perhaps my explanation was overly verbose. The plan is exceedingly simple: we attempt to take our objectives by stealth, if that fails we do precisely as you suggest. Hit them hard, fast and from within their own camps. We lose nothing by attempting stealth first, maybe half an hour or an hour at the very most, which is unlikely to make a difference. If the subtle approach works we gain a significant tactical advantage in the ensuing battle." He nods at Eidas, "We should not spend our soldiers' lives recklessly if we do not have to. Better than a few of us be put at risk than hundreds of common soldiers."

Mikal

2014-07-28, 08:16 PM

"So you'd have us do a surprise attack after the element of surprise was well and truly lost?"

He shakes his head

"This is an imperial encampment. Stealth works for sabotage and scouting, but ya ain't gonna hold it nor take it. We need to that stealth with a surprise strike. Maximize their confusion, get everyone looking our way, and let our forces come in from what was the front and is now the flank.

"This is war. People die. But they die for something they believe in. Your way won't allow us to take what we need. We want to kill the beast, not wound it."

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-28, 08:29 PM

Mikal looks at Anarto.

"Your plan's overcomplicated. Hit them fast. Hit them hard. Hit them for several directions. Especially as they're likely on high alert thanks to him," he jerks a thumb at Reggie.

He glares at the smaller man (Reggie).

"Next time you decide to go play pass the potato with people's identities, and assassinate some of them, maybe think about the larger picture, hey? Your antics would be great... if we were ready to strike. Now all you've done is weaken a few places while getting the rest of their backs up, and possibly having them call for reinforcements. And I'll promise you that they'll have promoted whoever was underneath those you.. dealt with. That's the thing about a military; they got things in place for when their leaders start dropping dead or disappearin'."

Reggie looks up (all the way up) at the larger man. His face has gone expressionless, and for a moment the coin stops dancing on his fingers. After a few seconds the coin starts up again as he nods. I see your points, he says with an expression vaguely similar to one who has bitten into a particularly sour lemon. Consequence of working on my own for so long, I suppose.

He turns to Anarto. I could get back into the encampments where the brigades are, but the Juggernauts were hard enough to infiltrate before. Less places to hide, smaller rooms and hallways and just not enough space. I have scrolls of powerful invisibility, but they only last fifteen minutes or so. Does anyone have elixirs that improve one's sneaking and hiding abilities? Eidas, does the army keep any of such potions? If not, it would be less than a fifty-fifty shot. Me, I don't mind those odds, but most people would.

If you all don't mind me taking that shot, then I'll take it. Anarto, you would have to go into the Bag of Holding, because you would not be able to get onto the ship unseen.

If not, then I could describe the northwest encampment to Ayla in enough detail that she can teleport there, and I can use a scroll.

TachyonBlade

2014-07-28, 08:41 PM

The wizard kept listening to the arguments and strategies of the rest of the bickering "heroes", as he quietly stared at the map on the table. He was considering every consequence of every action he could possibly imagine, and then some. His scenario's were getting pretty unrealistic by the time he stopped, and then snapped out of it. There seemed to be a gaping hole in the information provided at the time.

"Hold on. What do we know about their reinforcements and supply chains?" he said, as he brought his hand down from his chin to the table in a fist, without making a sound.

Jojomo

2014-07-28, 08:45 PM

Hexalan

2014-07-28, 09:40 PM

Malcador looks at Ayla and slowly raises an eyebrow.

She steps up to the map and points to the two remaining Juggernauts. "Now, even though the guns here are still functional, the command is in complete disarray. This center one," Malcador points at the appropriate center ship. "has a dead officer and its sergeants muddied about. If anything happens, there is going to be mass confusion onboard. The other," Malcador slides her finger over to the southwest, "has a missing commander. Now, assuming, er, Reggie here has not been found out since he left, has already fooled the crew into thinking he is their admiral. You could return and assume command. In times of confusion, people will always turn to whatever authority they can find, especially the Dynasi.

Order them to fire upon the other ship, because it's been captured by resistance agents, or something. Which, it may as well have been, if we decide to. If they object to firing on their countrymen, just have them target the firing systems. All they think they need to be safe is not have fireballs thrown at them. Which, really, is all we need now too.

I'm sure they have some system of ship-to-shore signalling, as well. We can interrogate that captured admiral if we need to; send some messages back to shore, whatever will sow confusion."

"Now, if we hold off the coast guard properly with mixed signals, we should be able to stall the brigades long enough to finish our business on the ships. Perhaps that coastal captain can be convinced to come onto the center ship before we begin firing. That'll take care of two problems at once.

Of course, if our plans starts with fireballs and a commandeered ship, we can't count on them not realizing something's wrong. We just need to convince them we're not where we are. Even if they decide to come up to the coast, some creative use of that Bag of Holding and a Greater Teleport behind their lines should be sufficient. That'll cut them off from the encampments, and let us start attacking proper from their rear."

"As for attacking their logistics, I'm afraid we don't really have time for that. I've fought a guerrilla campaign for years, and waging war on their food is a great strategy, but quickly, right now, we have ships that need to make port, troops that need to disembark...the enemy must be defeated quickly."

ColdCoffee

2014-07-28, 10:16 PM

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-28, 10:32 PM

The commander shakes his head. "That's the thing. We have tried playing the waiting game with them before but regardless they keep getting supplies. I suspect something arcane."

Reggie nods in agreement. Now that you mention it, I did find out that they get supplies through portals from Imperia. Trying to starve them out would be a nonstarter.

And I said I didn't manage to get out clean. Last I remember before teleporting out with the admiral was seeing three crossbow bolts flying towards me. Anything relying on me using the admiral's identity will be met with suspicion at best. I don't think we should pursue a course using his identity. That is my fault, and I realize that. His lips are set in something of a grimace as he says this, voice baring the barest hint of apology. It might be the closest to an actual apology that his pride would allow for his lack of forethought.

Mikal

2014-07-29, 07:35 AM

Anarto tilts his head slightly, wondering how best to phrase this, but is interrupted by Reggie. Once the other man has finished, he responds, "Which element of surprise do you believe is lost in the instant between our discovery and our telepathic alarm telling everyone to begin an assault?

"You assume that you'll be able to actually send out such an alarm once we have been discovered. You've heard of spells that can be set off as soon as someone is found, yes?

"Plus, how do you expect for the reinforcements to get to our location, if the archer line and remaining juggernauts remain?", he shakes his head.

"Stealth is not what's needed. Misdirection and distraction is. Otherwise, our forces can never arrive. We need to disrupt them, make them look for an attack inward, from the camp, so our forces can attack them from behind. Else they'll be slaughtered."

He packs his voice with scorn

"Or we act as heroes and try to do it all ourselves, and die gloriously, having done nothing to help the war effort."

"We hold it by strength of arms. And please, do not presume to lecture me on the nature of war, I am acutely aware that people die during it." He sighs softly, I am simply suggesting that we might prevent a few of those deaths by using stealth to position for the surprise attack that you seem so enamoured of."

"Five people cannot hold a military encampment. If you truly wish to have it taken, then we need a way to get our men in without their slaughter, not traipse around on our tippy toes, causing havoc for the sake of causing havoc, until discovered."

She steps up to the map and points to the two remaining Juggernauts. "Now, even though the guns here are still functional, the command is in complete disarray. This center one," Malcador points at the appropriate center ship. "has a dead officer and its sergeants muddied about. If anything happens, there is going to be mass confusion onboard. The other," Malcador slides her finger over to the southwest, "has a missing commander. Now, assuming, er, Reggie here has not been found out since he left, has already fooled the crew into thinking he is their admiral. You could return and assume command. In times of confusion, people will always turn to whatever authority they can find, especially the Dynasi.

Mikal shakes his head,
"Have you ever actually been in an army before, lass? Yeah, one of 'em is missing an admiral and some non-commissioned officers. That just means the Captain, Commander, or Lieutenant Commander has taken over. And they've promoted some sailors up to the sergeants positions. Weakened? Yes. Mass confusion? Hardly. As for the other ship, yes their commander is missing. That just means the second in command is now promoted, and they're going to be looking for something else to happen.

"Their admirals missing. You want to know what will happen if that admiral returns? It's called 'debriefing', which can be very pleasent or unpleasent, depending on the answers they get. They won't go 'oh sure! You disappeared for several hours and magically reappeared! Take command again, no questions asked!'. The Dynasi know what magic can do, and if we go in with that plan, then I feel badly for whoever takes the admiral's place, if they can't handle themselves."

And I said I didn't manage to get out clean. Last I remember before teleporting out with the admiral was seeing three crossbow bolts flying towards me. Anything relying on me using the admiral's identity will be met with suspicion at best. I don't think we should pursue a course using his identity. That is my fault, and I realize that. His lips are set in something of a grimace as he says this, voice baring the barest hint of apology. It might be the closest to an actual apology that his pride would allow for his lack of forethought.

Mikal softens a little,
"Eh, at least you tried somethin, now. Your tactics are to be applauded. We just need to marry 'em to a strategy next time. Trust me, you did good with what you knew. You just gotta know what the bigger picture is next time!" he slaps Reggie on the back lightly... well lightly for him. Unless Reggie was tougher than he looked, which in this world is entirely possible, there's likely a bruise to appear there tomorrow.

ColdCoffee

2014-07-29, 07:50 AM

" Eidas what help can we expect from the fleet, and what resources are at our disposal?"

We can provide covering fire for the ground shis to land on the coast. We have ample vessels available for you and your followers. I'm also able to extend each of you companes of infantry to the ability your leadershp can manage.

And for what its worth, we do have some engineers that could assist with any sort of juggernaut tomfoolery you'd be planning. I have two that are up to the task.

Does anyone have elixirs that improve one's sneaking and hiding abilities? Eidas, does the army keep any of such potions? If not, it would be less than a fifty-fifty shot. Me, I don't mind those odds, but most people would.]

I'm afraid our unit was not outfitted with that luxury. I apologize.

Sorry for missing these questions!

ColdCoffee

2014-07-29, 08:43 AM

Commander Eidas furrows his brow.

I've listened to all you have to say. Thank you again, heroes, for lending your aid. Now let me tell you what I can offer in support. I have with me 10 companies of infantry, 5 companies of archers. I have siege weaponry, and I would prefer we save them as they are mission critical, but I will yield to your recommendations. I can put any number these companies under your command provided you have the leadership ability to direct them.

Allow me to repeat what you have offered, and supplement that with what we may be able to accomplish by joining our forces together...

In terms of the juggernauts, we have a choice of whether to disable them or outright destroy them. While Reginald was well intended, I think any further sabotage of the vessels would find diminished results.

Here's what I propose... We split into three task groups: Task Rig, Task Flank, and task Capture.

Task Capture would accompany me and my command as we approach the coast from B14 and make ready to occupy the SW camp. We may be able to find immediate sources of equipment and tools we could use. I would also like someone to see if they could perhsps dispel or remove the portal to Imperia that would be found there to remove the possiblity of reinforcements of any sort attacking us. Knowing how to do this would be beneficial as we then proceed to take the other two camps.

Meanwhile, Task Rig would return to the disabled juggernaut. I suggest this because I believe the enemy would not expect us to return there of all places, and there may be a chance that its crew has been reassigned elsewhere given the panic Reginald has caused. I'd like Task Rig to escort my engineers as they repair the juggernaut's weapons and proceed to open fire on the other ships, occupying the enemy's naval support.

Finally, Task Flank would specialize in killin the enemy leaders. I would adivse a greater teleport behind enemy lines and make a beeline towards the rear of the enemy brigades that will most likely be charging towards Task Capture.

There are of course numerous risks involved. For example, we don't know how the leaderless brigade will respond. They may answer the call to arms, or they may balk and retreat towards Fort Dynas. If the latter occurs, that would be disastrous as the enemy would be alerted to our presence...Now that I think of it...That could be a major risk...

These are only suggestions, but I have tried to accomodate for all the advice you've kindly offered me. Where do each of you feel your strengths would be best utilized? I would need at least one volunteer for each task group.

Jojomo

2014-07-29, 09:42 AM

Listening to Mikal talk, Anarto wonders how the man can be quite so paranoid about the Dynasi security measures, given how Reggie previously escaped with apparently little forethought put into the operation. If they had the means to instantly disable two of the company assembled in this room, this would be a short war indeed. Perhaps the conventions he was used to are different on the Hylberian Plains... though that doesn’t explain the man’s inability to grasp his repeated suggestion that reinforcements be teleported or gated in, bypassing the coastal defences entirely.

The jibe about foolhardy heroics he finds somewhat amusing though, given Commander Eidas’ greeting, the thought solicits a rare half-smile.

He is somewhat relieved when Eidas intervenes; glad to avoid becoming stuck in a rut with this “Chief of Chiefs”. Listening to the commander’s plan, he nods slowly as he takes it in. Still, no plan is perfect, "I certainly agree that we should secure the south-west camp first, especially if we can do so quietly and discover how to disable their portals before we deal with the other two. However, given that we have three very capable magicians on our side, could we not simply use a gate or some form of teleportation to deploy, rather than attempt a stealthy approach by sea? If the units are adequately drilled, it should be possible to transfer about a thousand soldiers in a couple of minutes."

His eyes defocus for a moment while he thinks, "Come to that, what exactly is our combined strength? Commander Eidas’ forces," he turns to the old man for confirmation, "assuming your companies are also 50 men each, number 750. If I recall what I’ve heard of you before correctly Lord Elsin," he turns to the paladin, "you command an army a few thousand strong, correct?" Lastly he nods to Mikal, "Thal, I regret I am not as familiar with your reputation, but you also command a sizable force do you not?"

"As for capturing the disabled Juggernaut, I would have thought that would be a target of opportunity. I would be surprised if they simply left the warship unguarded, wouldn’t they attempt to repair its weaponry themselves?" He shakes his head, "If we intend to sink the other ships, could that not be more reliably and more quickly accomplished by an underwater attack or using magic? By the sounds of it, getting even a small team on to one of these vessels quietly is quite an undertaking. An entire engineering team... forgive me Commander but it sounds impossible. Though perhaps," he continues as realisation dawns, "it might be more useful for us to examine the situation directly rather than speculating on what precautions they might or might not be taking." He looks around at the three magicians, "What do you think ladies? Sir? Might a little scrying resolve some of our disputes?"

"I couldn’t agree more about the merits of a flanking force, I’d be happy to volunteer for such duty. My talents lend themselves well to skirmishing," he pauses for a moment, grim-faced, before adding, "and running down retreating forces, should that become necessary."

Guesstimating Elsin’s army based on his leadership and feats. I make it to be 3,000 1st-level followers, that about right?

Anarto can take 10 to get 18 on a variety of Knowledge checks, I'm assuming that suffices to get, "this dude's got a big army".

Can't see Mikal's sheet to make an educated guess, but let's write it off IC as Anarto being unfamiliar with tribal politics in the Hylberian Lowlands beyond, "this Big Chief Mikal, him kind of a big deal."

Mikal

2014-07-29, 12:07 PM

"I certainly agree that we should secure the south-west camp first, especially if we can do so quietly and discover how to disable their portals before we deal with the other two. However, given that we have three very capable magicians on our side, could we not simply use a gate or some form of teleportation to deploy, rather than attempt a stealthy approach by sea? If the units are adequately drilled, it should be possible to transfer about a thousand soldiers in a couple of minutes."

"Unless the commanders use their custom Dispelling items in the middle of the gating. Ships may sink, but people can swim. If the Gates failed, we're in trouble."

His eyes defocus for a moment while he thinks, "Come to that, what exactly is our combined strength? Commander Eidas’ forces," he turns to the old man for confirmation, "assuming your companies are also 50 men each, number 750. If I recall what I’ve heard of you before correctly Lord Elsin," he turns to the paladin, "you command an army a few thousand strong, correct?" Lastly he nods to Mikal, "Thal, I regret I am not as familiar with your reputation, but you also command a sizable force do you not?"

"I have a force slightly over 300, plus my brother. With him and me there, consider it closer to 400..." he grins.

"As for capturing the disabled Juggernaut, I would have thought that would be a target of opportunity. I would be surprised if they simply left the warship unguarded, wouldn’t they attempt to repair its weaponry themselves?" He shakes his head, "If we intend to sink the other ships, could that not be more reliably and more quickly accomplished by an underwater attack or using magic? By the sounds of it, getting even a small team on to one of these vessels quietly is quite an undertaking. An entire engineering team... forgive me Commander but it sounds impossible. Though perhaps," he continues as realisation dawns, "it might be more useful for us to examine the situation directly rather than speculating on what precautions they might or might not be taking." He looks around at the three magicians, "What do you think ladies? Sir? Might a little scrying resolve some of our disputes?"

"If they do not have scryers of their own. However, I do think that some sort of intelligence would be good before going there, with a stealthy strike force."

"I couldn’t agree more about the merits of a flanking force, I’d be happy to volunteer for such duty. My talents lend themselves well to skirmishing," he pauses for a moment, grim-faced, before adding, "and running down retreating forces, should that become necessary."

"I would be best on the Flanking team as well... either there, or where Capture is. While I'm deadly enough one on one, I'm much better situated when there's many foes for me to face, so I'll go wherever is best. My men can be used on either team, and my brother can either provide support for that time, or magical aid elsewhere, as he's an archmagus."

Technically speaking my ranks are "Chieftan of the Clans, Lord Protector of the Hylberian Plains, and Baron Hylberia of the Sacred City States.

TachyonBlade

2014-07-29, 12:30 PM

Sanguinius heard the term "Archmagus" being spoken, and immediately blew out a small puff of air from his nose, as he began to contemplate where exactly his skills would be of most use. He then spoke up "Say, Reginald, can you possibly describe the insides of the ship? Preferably the Captains Quarters, and the cannon decks? I can quite possibly teleport as many people as I can directly into the ship, giving you the jump on any people inside. And in terms of placement, I shall attempt to go along with Task Capture. The men might appreciate more reinforcement in the form of some summons."

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-29, 01:16 PM

Reggie's fingers have been working quickly, spinning the coin back and forth between them. He looked to be in deep thought before Sanguinius spoke up. Huh? Oh, yeah, I could describe them. I could try to draw you a picture if it'd help. But I just had an idea that may prove useful.

We want the portals dispelled, right? Well, we have an intelligent artifact that's perfectly suited to the job. And the admiral to whom it's attached. If we use Sovereign Glue or some form of tape to keep a Bottle of Air in his mouth while he's in the Bag of Holding, and I'll swap identities with him when I need to use the artifact. Yeah, it might be confused as to why an admiral's dispelling his own army's portal, but I think I could dispel one, maybe two of them before it does something drastic as long as I Teleport directly to each.

I'm not sure when in this situation I should do that. Whether it would be best to do it right when Team Capture begins their assault, or whether I should go onto the ship before. What do you all think?

Mikal

2014-07-29, 01:25 PM

"... I like it, if it works. If not, what's the plan?"

ColdCoffee

2014-07-30, 07:44 AM

The discussion goes into the wee hours of the morning. Our champions weigh each and every option, contemplating the capabilities of the enemy and themselves. Finally, they come to a final plan. The commander graciously thanks everyone for attaending this meeting before dismissing everyone to their respective transports.

For 5000 EXP (to be used for spells, crafting, etc), send me a private message of your characters, cohorts, followers talking preparing for the upcoming battle.

=================================================

Two Days Later

5:30am

=================================================

With the telepathic connection set between all heroes, everyone makes ready their units for deployment. Transports are readied along the south and the east parameters of teh battlefield.

Reginald is onboard the Inevitable alongside Commander Eidas. The commander is equiped and ready for battle, resembling an antiquated spellblade resenal. He radiates with power that rivals your own.

Eidas' men are busy attending to Reginald's preparations. The captured Dynasi admiral is brought up from the prison holds and shoved into Reginald's bag of holding with a bottle of air taped to his mouth. A servant girl gently poors a potion of glibness into Reggie's mouth, giving the man a gentle kiss on the cheek for good luck. With that done, the commander hands Reggie the scroll.

"Alright, lad. Time to play our hand. Teams Capture awaits your signal Reginald. The telepathic link between all of us is active. Give the word and we'll begin our disembarking towards the southwest camp."

The two men teleport simultaneously. Reginald teleports to the first camp while Eidas teleports to the dropships holding all of Team Capture, including Elsin, Mikal, Sanguinias. their cohorts, and their followers.

Meanwhile, all of Team Flank has begun congregating on the Inevitable, waiting eagerly for the right time to magically appear behind enemy lines. With them are Anarto and Malcador, their cohort(s), and their followers.

=================================================
TURN 1
=================================================
Initiative Order
Reginald
All other allied units have not yet been deployed.
All enemy units are still unaware of your presence.

Reginald successfully teleports to the southwest camp.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/battle1turn1_zps5495de20.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/battle1turn1_zps5495de20.jpg.html)
Each square is 200ft.

Reginald appears hidden amongst an impossibly large stack of crates and storage carts. The contents range from weapons to armor to countless boxes of food rations. The arrangement of these boxes and crates perfectly conceal Reggie's teleportation. Reginald is already aware of the security inside the encampment. You are safe to assume each camp is identical in layout.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/warehouse_zps1cc72b6e.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/warehouse_zps1cc72b6e.jpg.html)
Each square is 5 ft.
Reginald is beginning his sabotage. All other PCs are awaiting to be deployed. At any time, you may request to be deployed. Submit a PM or an OOC post indicating your character and a set of other units make ready to embark on the square of your choice.

Because of the telepathic link your characters may talk or ask questions amongst each other regardless of location.

Reminder: Turns are 1 minute long, aka 10 consecutive conventinoal turns.

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-30, 11:55 PM

Just before he cracks open the first scroll, Reggie gives a saucy wink to the servant girl. Might as well give her something nice to tell her friends; and he hasn't been a true nobleman for over a decade, so any "gossip" or " rumors" that may spawn are no concern of his.

Hidden amongst the crates, Reggie takes a second to make sure he is well and truly hidden. Then he smirks invisibly, and with a twist of his mind his invisible body takes on its Shadow Form. ((Round 1/10: Move action activate Hide in Plain Sight, I don't need cover for 7 rounds--so even if someone has True Seeing, they won't see me, Standard action activate Shadow Form))

He then moves towards and through the wall, remaining in the shadows around the torch. He then activates his Shadow Form once more while in the shadows. ((Round 2/10: Move action move 30ft to J3, Shadow Form dissolves after that move action, then standard action Shadow Form))

Moving quickly yet silently, he walks through the wall and adjacent to the closest soldier. He then reaches out an invisible hand to both guards, silently depriving them of their ability to speak. ((Round 3/10: Move action to P4, Shadow Form dissolves. Two free actions to Sleight of Hand their voices away at a -20 penalty. Taking 10 on Sleight of Hand, that gets me a 34 for both))

He readies his kukris, speaking a word of arcana only acknowledged by the wand in the hollowed chamber of his kukri that turns his knives almost translucent. He lashes out at the two guards, aiming for their heads and throats in an attempt to keep them from choking out any sounds of pain that may alert the other guards. When he realizes that he has taken them out, he frantically grabs at their collars and heaves them onto him, bracing his legs in order to keep the two from collapsing to the ground.

Swift action cast Wraithstrike from wand, UMD check: [roll0]

Standard action attack action. With Tempestfury's fix, I can attack with both weapons on an attack action, and Lightning Flurry doesn't specify that I need to make a full attack to gain the extra attacks. If after this, you want to limit it to full attacks, please let me know.

To-hit, all vs touch:
Vs P3:
[roll1]
[roll2] + [roll3] + 10 Strength damage (first attack only)
Crit confirmation:
[roll4]
[roll5]

[roll6] + [roll7]
[roll8]
Crit confirmation:
[roll9]
[roll10]

[roll11]
[roll12] + [roll13]
Crit confirmation:
[roll14]
[roll15]

Vs Q3:
[roll16]
[roll17] + [roll18]
Crit confirmation:
[roll19]
[roll20]

[roll21]
[roll22] + [roll23]
Crit confirmation:
[roll24]
[roll25]

[roll26]
[roll27] + [roll28]
Crit confirmation:
[roll29]
[roll30]

Move action to grab them and struggle to keep them on their feet.

He takes his time in struggling to lay them on the floor gently in order to make as little noise as possible. ((Round 5/10: Full round action to lay them both on the floor quietly as possible))

He pads over to the eastern door, and with a few quick movements of his hands and tools he jams the lock.
Move action to move to N4, where I assume the door is.

In the Epic srd, it says that performing a Disable Device check as a 1 round action adds +20 to the DC. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/skills.htm#disableDevice) However, jamming a lock only takes 1 round anyway, (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/disableDevice.htm) which makes that particular Epic description rather strange. Might I ask that jamming a lock, taking only 1 round to begin with, be bumped down to a standard action by adding the +20? If you disagree with this, let me know and we can retcon this.

Until then, taking 10 on Sleight of Hand to jam the lock without leaving a trace, and getting a 37 vs a DC 35.

He moves to the other two doors, and repeats his actions there as well. ((Rounds 7/10 and 8/10, move to P5 and S5 and take 10 on Disable Device for 37 vs DC of 35))

He then moves to the door that leads to the portal, and then opens it. ((Round 9/10: Move action move to N3, and move/standard action to open the door to create line of effect to the portal.))

Then, he reaches into the Bag of Holding, rummaging around until his hand bumps into the Admiral. With a twist of his fingers, he takes the man's identity and palms the artifact as well in preparation to dispel the portal. He readies the voice of one of the guards he had stolen from, in case the other guards call out to them--before remembering that the spell hides any sounds he makes, which means he cannot use it even if he wants to. ((Round 10/10: Full-round action to locate admiral's body, because the bag contains more than a normal backpack could. Then two free actions to Sleight of Hand his identity and the intelligent artifact away. Taking 10 for 34))

He begins to reach into the bag, then realizes that he may have to convince the other guards not to come into the other room. Biting his lip, he dismisses the invisibility and readies his voice into that of one of the guards he had stolen from. He quickly ducks behind the doorway, hiding himself from view as he peeks around the corner at the other doors.
((Round 10/10: Standard action dismiss Superior Invisibility, free action change voice, move action move to cover in O2, just next to the still-open door.))

ColdCoffee

2014-07-31, 06:26 AM

All of Reginald's actions go smoothly without a hitch. Reginald is now face to face with the first of the three portals to Imperia.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/warehouse_zpsbf3e07ae.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/warehouse_zpsbf3e07ae.jpg.html)

================================================
TURN 2 BEGIN
================================================
Reginald
All other allied units have not yet been deployed.

All enemy units are still unaware of your presence.

For the sake of pacing, I may have these actiosn be what Reginald executes for all three camps rather than have him be a one man show. Depending on the outcome of his dispel attempt I will revisit this idea.

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-31, 10:35 AM

Reggie reaches into his bag and fumbles around in it until his hand bumps into the admiral. With two swift twists of his hand, he nabs the man's identity and the dispelling artifact. ((Round 1/10: Full round action to reach into the bag of holding to locate the admiral (because it holds more than a normal backpack could hold), and two free actions to Sleight of Hand the admiral's identity first, and then the intelligent magic item, taking 10 and the -20 to make it a free action for a total of 34))

Holding the artifact forward, he activates it in the direction of the portal. He grins in triumph as it ((assumedly)) winks out of existence, and then stores the artifact in his handy haversack to retrieve more easily later. ((Round 2/10: Standard action to activate artifact, and move action to stow it in handy haversack while keeping the admiral identity))

He then retrieves another scroll of Greater Teleport and then uses it to teleport to the next encampment directly in front of the guards. He reaches out to both of them, and with another twist of his hands their voices belong to him. ((Round 3/10: Move action retrieve scroll, standard action teleport to P4 of the next encampment. Two free actions to steal their voices, Sleight of Hand check 34))

His belt buckle glows slightly as he redraws his kukri, and then he lashes out at the guards, aiming for their heads. After they die he reaches out for them to stop them from collapsing to the ground.

Swift action activate Belt of Battle to get a free move action to draw my kukri in the hand that was holding the scroll--unless you rule that scrolls can be held and used while holding a light weapon in your hand.

Standard action attack vs regular AC, called shot to the heads:
Vs P3:
[roll0]
[roll1] + [roll2]
Crit confirmation:
[roll3]
[roll4]

[roll5]
[roll6] + [roll7]
Crit confirmation:
[roll8]
[roll9]

[roll10]
[roll11] + [roll12]
Crit confirmation:
[roll13]
[roll14]

Vs Q3:
[roll15]
[roll16] + [roll17]
Crit confirmation:
[roll18]
[roll19]

[roll20]
[roll21] + [roll22]
Crit confirmation:
[roll23]
[roll]1d4+9/roll]

[roll24]
[roll25] + [roll26]
Crit confirmation:
[roll27]
[roll28]

After grabbing them, he slowly lowers them to the ground as quietly as possible. ((Round 5/10: Full round action lower to the ground))

He then repeats his actions of locking and jamming the locks in this room. ((Rounds 6-8/10: Move and Standard action Disable Device, take 10 for 37 vs DC 35))

He then moves to the portal door and opens it. ((Round 9/10: Move then move/standard to open the door at N3))

He retrieves the intelligent artifact, and once more activates it to dispel the portal. He activates his belt once more to stow it in the handy haversack again. ((Round 10/10: Move action retrieve the artifact, standard to dispel the portal. Swift action extra move action to stow the artifact.))

ColdCoffee

2014-07-31, 12:32 PM

Reginald effortlessly executes the same fashion in the 2nd camp, taking out the 2nd portal.

=======================
Turn 3
Reginald
All other allied units have not yet been deployed.

All enemy units are still unaware of your presence.
=======================

Reginald has incapacitated the two guards guarding the final Imperia portal. With the greater dispel artifact in his hand, all that's left for him is to send this final portal into utter oblivion.

When suddenly...
"STOP!!!!"
Reggie, and our heroes not yet deployed, hears this scream from the telepathic connection. It's a man's voice, with a thick Dynasi accent.
"I SWEAR TO YOU! DEAR HEAVENS, STOP! YOU DESTROY THAT PORTAL, AND WE WILL ALL BE UP TO OUR NECKS IN DRAGON FIRE! I MEAN IT! DRAGON FIRE!!"
Since everyone can hear this man from your telepathic connection, any of you may attempt to communicate with him.
You know this voice. It's the voice of the admiral you stole.

Nevershutup

2014-07-31, 12:43 PM

Elsin
(If this is unnecessary, tell me please) Sense Motive Check: [roll0]

"What do you mean? How will dragonfire come from closing a portal?"

Ayla
"Elsin, the Dynasi are rumored to have allied themselves with the Dragon's on the Helm. If closing the portal were to trigger a Sending or similar spell as a contingency.... we can't take thate risk. We have to hear him out, unless you believe him to be lying."

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-31, 12:44 PM

Reggie pauses with the artifact in hand. He stows the artifact into his haversack before thinking, What makes you say that, Admiral?

To everyone else, he thinks, This is the admiral, guys. Guys, admiral; admiral, guys.

Now, admiral, tell me what you mean, and speak plainly and truthfully. If I don't believe you, then I'll just dispel the portal and it'll be on your head for not convincing me.

Jojomo

2014-07-31, 12:51 PM

While they waited for Reggie to accomplish his mission, Anarto had been standing on the prow of the Inevitable, keeping a close watch on the shore. When the unexpected voice resounds in their heads, he wastes no time with inaction. Someone knows they are here, meaning their element of surprise may already be lost.

He turns and gives the assembled company a curt nod, "Good fortune, all of you. Whatever happens." With that, he launches himself from the deck, rocketing up into the sky. As he moves, he becomes little more than a living blur moving across the juggernauts with some care so as not to draw the eye.

As he passes over the ships, movement below draws his eye to the ocean.

Something is disturbing the water beneath the juggernauts. The crews are struggling to even stand.

There is a short pause, while he contemplates the recent chain of events, I think there may have been some kind of contingency connected to the portals that triggered when they were dispelled, but to have this large an effect it must be something incredibly powerful. Whatever's happening in the water certainly isn't natural, it isn't totally unlike what you might expect if you opened a gate to one of the Inner Planes.

Mikal

2014-07-31, 01:52 PM

As Thal Mikal warded himself from any uninvited mental intrusions, he missed the desperate telepathic please. He looked at the others as they all seemed to wince or react to something at the same time.

"What. What is it?"

ColdCoffee

2014-07-31, 02:14 PM

Commander Eidas puts his hand upon Mikal's shoulder, both standing in aniticipation to what's going on further inland. The winds seem to be picking up around the Inevitable, and the seas below ripple noticably more than usual.

"The admrial that Sir Reginald apprehended, he's somehow managed to reach out to us telepathically. Reginald was about to dispel the final Imperia protal when it hollered at him to stop. Something about us being up to our necks in dragon fire otherwise. Anarto suspects foulplay, and he's telling us the waters along the coast have gone violently awry, that even those steady juggernauts are on the verge of capsizing upon themselves."

...Nothing is simple anymore... the elder sighs with discontent.

========================================

The admiral keeps talking. Our heroes, except for Mikal, hear the following.
I SWEAR IT! WE ARE NOT YOUR ENEMY!!! We had been making preparations to set sail to your shores, with the white flag in tow, to show our allegiance. I warned our colleagues about sticking our necks out too far, so far as to summon portals to Imperia of all places to steal supplies. I should have known the inner circle had counter measures in place such as this! Now we are cursed to guard these shores for all time, doomed if we try anything.

Mikal

2014-07-31, 02:28 PM

Thokk_Smash

2014-07-31, 02:34 PM

The admiral keeps talking. Our heroes, except for Mikal, hear the following.
I SWEAR IT! WE ARE NOT YOUR ENEMY!!! We had been making preparations to set sail to your shores, with the white flag in tow, to show our allegiance. I warned our colleagues about sticking our necks out too far, so far as to summon portals to Imperia of all places to steal supplies. I should have known the inner circle had counter measures in place such as this! Now we are cursed to guard these shores for all time, doomed if we try anything.

Really? Reggie's mental voice is positively dripping with doubt and skepticism. I was in your camp for nearly a week; I went everywhere, followed every captain. And I didn't hear a single thing about this miraculous change of heart you and your group seem to have had. Imperials follow orders and don't break rank; why should we believe you?

And why did you just mention this now, when I started dispelling the portals a few minutes ago? You could have spoken up at any time. It seems like dispelling any portal caused repercussions; what has been sent after us for dispelling the first two portals?

Questions: Why should we believe you?
Why did he just now speak up?
What repercussions does the admiral know of?

Diplomacy: [roll0]

As he thinks he closes the door to the portal room and palms another scroll of Greater Teleport, just in case things go south real fast.

Nevershutup

2014-07-31, 02:40 PM

Elsin and Ayla both listen with great interest to this conversation, staying quiet for the moment and letting their more experienced allies ask the questions. Ayla, however, is trying to think of creatures that could cause such disturbances in the weather, narrowing it down as more information becomes available.

Dungeoneering: [roll0]
Arcana: [roll1]
Nature: [roll2]
The Planes: [roll3]

TachyonBlade

2014-07-31, 04:22 PM

Sanguinius almost growled when he heard what the admiral was saying. Lying, all too likely, but then again, in a war against such a powerful force, you didn't just sneeze at warnings, especially when the warning came from a terrified and captured officer of the opposing army.

He mentally spoke to Reggie, hiding whatever disdain for the common language that he held, and said "Reginald, smack him around a bit. I don't believe him, but suspicion and paranoia are one of the worlds greatest assets, when used rightly. But you don't have much time before it all starts crashing down. Just do what you can, and tell us if we can buy you more time in any way."

He looked at the arcane tattoo on his arm. Something wasn't right here, and he had a feeling it wasn't wrong for them.

ColdCoffee

2014-07-31, 09:05 PM

"Because the inner circle is NUTS!!" cried the captain. "We falter and we die! They see everything that happens here. Those portals allow them to see everything we see, everything we do, everything we think. We Dynasi are a proud people, but we aren't constructs! We won't march to the death against an ancient race that has claimed divine power! Our emperor has gone mad!"

"And I was TRYING to talk to you! But you don't understand how hard it is for me to even breathe in this bag! My claustrophobia isn't helping much either! Listen! I don't know what they did, or why they did it, but each of those portal things, it also activates something deep in the water. I don't know what those crazy old men did, but if you dare break that last portal, we are all as good as dead. You hear me!? Dead!!"
As he is saying this, many of you are hearing things in the distance. A deep, resonating sound.

The sound of several dragon roars.

In the distance, you make out the silhouettes of several dragons, collosal in size, emerging from the ocean depths. Suddenly one comes up from right beside the Inevitable! Easily the largest black dragon ever seen by man... so far...

..In front of Malcador and her newly summoned forces.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/inevitable_zps738916e6.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/inevitable_zps738916e6.png.html)

Meanwhile, other dragons are beginning to appear all over the battlefield. They've begun attacking anything and ayone within eyesight.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/postsabotage_zps980ff82d.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/postsabotage_zps980ff82d.jpg.html)

===============================
Turn 3
Anarto
Reginald
Sanguinius
Malcador
Elsin
Mikai

Eidas Forces

Dynasi Forces

Dragon Forces
===============================

Jojomo

2014-08-01, 08:39 AM

Anarto watched with a sense of detached horror as the dragons appeared across the would-be battlefield. Regardless of whether their captive was trustworthy or not, regardless of whether the Imperial soldiers below would have been simply obstacles in his path a few moments ago, all he can see are hundreds, thousands of human beings, running and screaming and dying. These monsters would quickly exterminate all of them if not dealt with, Allied and Imperial alike.

I will deal with those by the coast, look to the others, comes his voice, now eerily calm, through the mental link.

Abandoning all attempts at subtlety, he summons his swords with a thought, their dark curving blades gleaming in the pre-dawn light. He channels his hatred of such wanton destruction into a palpable force, and electricity arcs along the weapons, giving him the appearance of holding a bolt of solidified lightning in either hand.

Allowing himself to succumb to the tug of gravity, then amplifying the speed of the fall with an effort of will, he hurtles downwards towards one of the behemoths. The twin swords trail their arcs of electricity behind, from a distance giving the appearance of a lightning bolt from a clear sky. As he nears the dragon, a sheath of brilliant light builds around him, exploding into blinding radiance just before he reaches his target. Even on the vessels of the Allied fleet, onlookers are left blinking after-images from their vision.

For a brief moment, the dragon appears to have a ring of lightning surrounding it as he whirls about it, raining blows from all sides that carry the force of a thunderbolt. But it is only for an instant, as he disengages and hurtles once more into the sky.

His voice rings out, clear in the morning air, “Leave those poor souls be beast! Face one who can match you!”

Free action: Summon arcane weapons.

Swift action: Initiate Inferno Blade (or Lightning Blade after the refluff), adding 3d6+16 lightning damage to each attack he makes this turn.

Free action: Designate the dragon in M12 as the target of his (remixed) Dodge feat, increasing his dodge bonus to AC against it by 5. (AC 53, Touch 47, FF 37)

Move action (Perpetual Opions): Dive towards M12. Descending while flying doubles your speed, so he covers 560 ft. this way. Given his alititude (1,500 ft.), the dragon’s altitude (50 ft.) and an estimate of the horizontal distance on the map between the two (about 600 ft., maybe less), I make it about 1,570 ft. he needs to cover (just doable in a triple move, thank you diving).

Free action: Use Blinding Speed as he closes with the dragon. Everyone in line of sight (that probably wants a nerf) is blinded for 7 rounds unless they make a DC 30 Will save. Averting your eyes grants a +4 bonus to the save and closing them makes you immune, but doing so presumably grants Anarto 50% or total concealment respectively, as for gaze attacks.

Full round action: Use Peerless Mobility to move twice speed (double speed due to descent again, so 1,120 ft.) and deliver a full attack to the dragon (no extra attacks from haste due to having used Perpetual Options). Due to weapons being Shocking Sky, attack bonuses are increased by 2 while using a maneuver.

Critical Threat Range is 19-20

Primary 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] slashing + [roll2] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll3]
Critical Damage: [roll4] slashing

Offhand 1: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6] slashing + [roll7] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll8]
Critical Damage: [roll9] slashing

Primary 2: [roll10] Natural 20 :smallbiggrin:
Damage: [roll11] slashing + [roll12] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll13] And a 19! :smallbiggrin::smallbiggrin:
Critical Damage: [roll14] slashing

Offhand 2: [roll15] Natural 20
Damage: [roll16] slashing + [roll17] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll18]
Critical Damage: [roll19] slashing

Primary 3: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21] slashing + [roll22] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll23]
Critical Damage: [roll24] slashing

Offhand 3: [roll25]
Damage: [roll26] slashing + [roll27] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll28]
Critical Damage: [roll29] slashing

Primary 4: [roll30]
Damage: [roll31] slashing + [roll32] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll33]
Critical Damage: [roll34] slashing

Offhand 4: [roll35]
Damage: [roll36] slashing + [roll37] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll38]
Critical Damage: [roll39]

Use what remains of his movement (I make it 110 ft.) to ascend straight up, moving past the dragon so he ends up behind it (hoping that it has clumsy maneuvering and will have trouble finding me).

As for Evasive Repositioning, he’ll use it to dodge lines (like breath weapons, say) or to escape if something manages to catch him for a full attack (moving beyond its reach). Otherwise I think I’ll let AC, miss chance and fast healing do their jobs. Possible exceptions for horribly nasty unforeseen quantities.

Really hope all these rolls work. :smalleek:

EDIT: Thank all the gods for that. Editing to emphasise critical threats now.

EDIT 2: As per OOC thread, forgot about Code of Arms (derp). The dragon isn't armed and hasn't attacked me with a natural attack, so all those attacks suffer a -4 penalty. :smallfrown:

Mikal

2014-08-01, 08:40 AM

"What the bloody..." Mikal's eyes widened as it seemed that his idea of letting the portals drop to bring in dragon's was acted upon...
He looked around, trying to see what, if any, dragons were attacking their forces, ignoring the blasts of dragonflame coming from the mainland.

TachyonBlade

2014-08-03, 08:05 PM

Sanguinius grimaced once more at the prospect of having to deal with the amount of dragons that had appeared. And from what he could tell, they were Great Wyrms, or so he thought, since he really couldn't see them properly from the distance at which he stood. How could they deal with them? Especially since they were flying, and at fast speeds, which would make the whole thing a massive pain in the arse.

He had an idea. He looked over to the brutish and powerful looking hero next to him, Mikal, he thought the name was, and asked "Sir, we need to deal with those dragons, now, and I can see it might be a pain for you to reach and attack them. I have a plan. I can teleport you directly over one of the dragons, allowing you to either break its back, or do whatever else you'd want. Would you agree to such a plan?"

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-03, 10:54 PM

Okay, okay, calm down, [insert Admiral's name here], Reggie says. Deep breaths and all that, you have plenty of air in that bottle. Now, we both want this wave of monstrosities to end, but I need some help here; could you describe to me a room, preferably one that would be empty at this time and that isn't Dimensionally Locked, close to the room that this portal leads to in Imperia? I need it if I'm going to teleport there.

To the others in his group, he says, I'll be back in a bit. I'm taking a little trip to Imperia to find the magic item that channels energy into these portals and destroy it. Wish me luck~. His mental voice imparts a cheer that is more than a little at odds with the situation.

TachyonBlade

2014-08-03, 11:15 PM

Sanguinius almost nodded in reply to Reggie, but then simply replied in the normal thought fashion. "Good luck, Reginald. You'll need it.". And so would Mikal, as the man was about to become an impromptu missile to a Great Wyrm Dragon. Immediately, he began chanting in a fast monotone voice, and suddenly stopped. Then he yelled something of a language long forgotten all but mages of the highest kind. "RODAH!" came the shout in a chorus, as if not of his own voice, and his eyes glowed brighter for a split second, before a rip in the Materium appeared, swallowing Mikal, and Elsin and placing both 10 feet above and a few feet ahead of the closest dragon that was moving forward.

(Around two meters space, between the two.)

Nevershutup

2014-08-04, 09:41 AM

Elsin, knowing that the mage isn't evil, allows this to happen. Assuming he has enough room to charge, he rushes the dragon, he uses his swift action to cast Rhino's Rush spell (x2 damage on a charge) and then proceed to pummel the dragon with his sword. That same sword, whispers to Elsin and everyone within 60ft., "I shall seek that heart of evil." in Celestial. It then casts haste on Elsin (not factored in, as I'm assuming it comes next turn.)

Attack: [roll0]
Crit. Confirm: [roll1]
Damage: ( [roll2]+[roll3] )x2
If Crit: [roll4]+[roll5]

Attack: [roll6]
Crit. Confirm: [roll7]
Damage: ( [roll8]+[roll9] )x2
If Crit: [roll10]+[roll11]

Attack: [roll12]
Crit. Confirm: [roll13]
Damage: ( [roll14]+[roll15] )x2
If Crit: [roll16]+[roll17]

Attack: [roll18]
Crit. Confirm: [roll19]
Damage: ( [roll20]+[roll21] )x2
If Crit: [roll22]+[roll23]

Attack: [roll24]
Crit. Confirm: [roll25]
Damage: ( [roll26]+[roll27] )x2
If Crit: [roll28]+[roll29]

Hexalan

2014-08-04, 09:48 AM

Malcador's eyes glow as she feels her allies begin their counterattacks. She floats a few feet above the surface of the ship, and her archons tense in readiness to fight. "Dragon. Why are you here? Did the Dynasi summon you here, to fight their battles for them? In fact, I don't think the Dynasi want you here either. Do you even know us? What could you possibly gain from this fight?"

Diplomacy: [roll0] as full round action to make the Dragon by the Inevitable not want to kill us.

ColdCoffee

2014-08-04, 09:19 PM

Player Character Actions
Anarto wastes no time displaying the power of the chosen champions of Illystene by initiating the battle against the new dragonic threat. With blazing speed, he soars into the dragon's back and leaves a scar that even the thickest scales could not hope to deflect. The dragon wreathes in pain.

While this has transpired, Sanguinius can see in the distance the dragon Anarto has engaged. Seeing the chance to add more to the fun, he teleports both Elsin and Mikal on top of the great dragon.

Elsin and Mikal fall upon the dragon's already damaged back. As if brothers in arms, they masterfully make short work of what little resistance the dragon could put up once its wings were inable to fly. In pitiful retaliation, the dragon roars, igniting itself in flames and plummeting into the ocean while attempting to drag its two murderers into the mouth of death with it. (DC 35 Fort Save to avoid being burned, DC 37 reflex to avoid being dragged underwater, 87 fire damage (44 if you made reflex save). DC 20 to swim successfully. The water is truly violent.

Meanwhile, all except Mikal can hear the admiral talk to Reginald.
I..I..I think so. The name's O'Connor, by the way. I...I r-r-r-remember one day. Orientation. For psionic evaluation. A corridor we shared for dining. It's across a hall from the higher classified sectors. That must be where the artifact is kept. Once we get there, I can show you where the entryway is, but then you're on your own. After that, I'm finding my family and we're making for Ru'Tabre, tonight. D-d....d-d-d-do we have a deal?

As this is happening, Malcador, alone with her summons and the allied forces upon and near the Inevitable, addresses the dragon direclty.
Dragon. Why are you here? Did the Dynasi summon you here, to fight their battles for them? In fact, I don't think the Dynasi want you here either. Do you even know us? What could you possibly gain from this fight?"

================================================
Allied Forces
Meanwhile, Commander Eidas does his best to rally his men together. "Capture! Now's the time! Disembark north and take the southwest camp! Take heart! The champions have already slain one of the dragons! We must play our role as well." Eidas beseeches Sanguinius. "Are you needed amongst your allies? We could use your assistance defending our companies as we make our approach!" The alied ships approach the shore quickly in order to gain tactical advantage.

The men near Malcador await retaliation from the dragon that threatened her. That threatened them. The nearby ships make aim with their cannons should the dragon attack her or her archons.
==================================================
Dynasi Forces
The three brigades are in an understandable state of panic. The two northern brigades try with all their might to defend their encampments, launching anti-air attacks toward the two northern dragons. The southern coastal archer brigade are defending their own as well, although their arrows appear to have little effect. Indeed, its as if the Dynasi cannot hurt the dragons whatsoever.

Even the juggernauts are incapable of proving their worth as shot after shot fails to hit its mark upon the two remaining dragons attacking the coast.

==================================================
Dragon Forces
A loud voice is heard throughout the battlefield. It appears to be emanating from the waters beneath the juggernauts where the tide is now like a devilish storm.
Umgun shunda.
The voice said "Destroy all."

The dragon across from Malcador, her archons, and Team Flank smiles devilishly, answering in a dark voice that made all tremble who heard it. (Will Save DC35 to resist trembling). We've come for the angel. She will be our whore. We will live eternal. We hunt you now, for sport. We know you, favored one. We respect you, but we kill you if you interfere.

What followed was a series of bright flashes. Suddenly, all ships near the dragon, including the Inevitable, snap in half, like twigs! Already, the ships are sinking, small explosions erupt all around the capsizing vessels as the crewman and adventurers cling for their lives while trying their best to save others within arms reach. (Reflex Save DC40 to avoid being rocked by the ship. Reflex DC25 to avoid falling into the stormy waters)

The other two dragons begin slaughtering the Dynasi forces foolishly attempting to bring them down. Already, both brigades stand at half strength, killing the other half with a violent display of merciless acid clouds and deadly magicks. The two dragons near the coast combine their power to Wipe out half of the Dynasi archer brigade and ignite one of the juggernauts in flames, although it doesn't appear to have taken any damage in the hull as it remains afloat.
================================================== ===http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/postsabotage2_zpsa8709833.jpg
================================================== ===
Turn 4
Reginald
Anarto
Sanguinius
Malcador
Elsin
Mikai
Eidas Forces
Dynasi Forces
Dragon Forces

Jojomo

2014-08-05, 09:10 AM

Hovering above the dragon, awaiting the inevitable counterattack, Anarto experiences a rare moment of suprise when Elsin and Mikal appear from nowhere and fall upon the dragon like the wrath of gods. As the two warriors and the monster fall towards the waves, he scans the battlefield.

Seeing the Allied ships approach the shore, he resigns himself to the fact that the Dynasi forces will take catastrophic losses regardless of his actions. With the dragons having dealt with the enemy captains, his duty is to protect the Allied landing parties as best he can. He spies the dragon just up the coast from the landing site, but realises it is too far away, even for him to reach in time.

Well... normally.

He is still for another moment, save for a quick movement of his blades that seem to catch the light in odd ways. As he begins to fly towards the shore however, his already blurred form appears to elongate, becoming an ephemeral streak before disappearing entirely.

With the world seemingly frozen around him, Anarto contemplates their predicament. He had been expecting a battle against massed enemy troops, not dragons, but he had other techniques that should be effective in this scenario. Though he was loath to do so, he found himself actively considering entering the Killing Trance. He had not used the technique in years, nothing had been sufficiently challenging to necessitate it, and it brought back unpleasant memories of killing for no reason beyond being ordered to do so. However, he remembered his grandfather’s words when the old man had taught him to enter the trance:

“Remember boy, ultimately a sword is a tool made for killing. It can be used to defend the weak and to help the needy, but any other uses are ultimately applications of its primary purpose. So it is with the Killing Trance. It is another tool made for that singular purpose, with every death, every wound inflicted used to refine technique in pursuit of that goal.”

If ever a situation called for death as fast as possible for an opponent, now was surely it. Letting out a slow breath, he allows himself to sink into the trance, feeling the odd sensation of becoming an observer of his own actions, of balancing on the edge between control and savagery that the trance brought with it.

More precision. More speed.

The thought comes unbidden, as they often do in the trance, and he recalls another technique. A blade form fast enough to turn glancing blows to mortal wounds. All the while he drifts through the frozen world, now close enough to the dragon to do battle, to hopefully spare the poor souls on the ground from a horrific fate.

To kill.

Normally a thought like that would give him pause, but there is no reaction, save for one word.

“Yes.”

As the world around him begins to move again, he hurtles towards the second dragon, light flaring as he unleashes another salvo of attacks. No lightning accompanies these strikes, but his blades, barely visible as ghostly shadows that occasionally distort the air, seem to cleave through the dragon’s scales without pause.

His voice, now utterly devoid of emotion, echoes through the mental link, I do not require assistance. You should deal with the other dragons before they can destroy our forces.

Swift action: Subsume a 6th-level spell slot to produce 2 rounds of innervated speed (like a time stop, but 2 rounds only).

Swift action: Shift stances to Blood in the Water (which I took the liberty of refluffing slightly). Let the bookkeeping begin! :smallwink:

Full-round action: Use Adaptive Style to refresh all maneuvers, switching out Desert Tempest for Thunderstorm Flurry in the process.

Move action (Perpetual Options): Move 280’ NW.
Swift action: Initiate Storm’s Edge maneuver. For the next 5 rounds (3 once his real-time action completes) his critical threat range is doubled.

Full-round action: Double move 580’ NW.
Swift action (Perpetual Options): Cast wraithstrike, making of his all melee attacks resolve as melee touch attacks for 1 round.

Free action: Designates the dragon in H9 as the target of his (remixed) Dodge feat, increasing his dodge bonus to AC against it by 5. (AC 53, Touch 47, FF 37)

Free action: Use Blinding Speed as he closes with the dragon (from above attempting to use the dragon to block line of sight to the our landing party, there's spare movement left to make this work if necessary). The dragon (and anyone else affected) is blinded for 7 rounds unless they make a DC 30 Will save.

Full round action: Use Peerless Mobility to move twice speed and deliver a full attack to the dragon (no extra attacks from haste due to having used Perpetual Options), using Power Attack for +/-20 damage/to-hit. Due to weapons being Oncoming Storm, attack bonuses are increased by 2 this round.

Critical Threat Range is 17-20. Any confirmed critical provide a +1 stacking bonus to attack and damage that last until he confirms no critical for 1 minute or until his stance ends. All attacks are touch attacks.

Primary 1: [roll0] Critical Threat
Damage: [roll1] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll2]
Critical Damage: [roll3] slashing

Offhand 1: [roll4] Critical Threat
Damage: [roll5] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll6]
Critical Damage: [roll7] slashing

Primary 2: [roll8] Natural 1
Damage: [roll9] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll10]
Critical Damage: [roll11] slashing

Offhand 2: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll14]
Critical Damage: [roll15] slashing

Primary 3: [roll16]
Damage: [roll17] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll18]
Critical Damage: [roll19] slashing

Offhand 3: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll22]
Critical Damage: [roll23] slashing

Primary 4: [roll24]
Damage: [roll25] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll26]
Critical Damage: [roll27] slashing

Offhand 4: [roll28] Natural 1
Damage: [roll29] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll30]
Critical Damage: [roll31]

Using some of his remaining movement, he ascend straight up behind the dragon, ending 100’ feet up on its tail (6 o’clock high for anyone familiar with dogfighting lingo).

Free action: Chew out party. OOC, I’d never say no to help, but WON’T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE MUGGLES etc.. :smalltongue:

As before, Evasive Repositioning will be used for avoiding breath weapons or full attacks. Caveat about horrible unknowns still applies.

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-05, 07:22 PM

Reggie nods unseen as he silently cracks his knuckles. You have my thanks, O'Connor, he says as he unfurls the scroll. A thought comes to him and he pauses slightly before reading. It would be a waste to go all the way to Imperia and simply destroy one artifact; and he has an admiral with at least a working knowledge of the layout of the place.

I'll do you one better, though. You help guide me to the artifact, and help me find the office of an important Imperia official to procure information from, and I'll help you get to your family and teleport you all to Ru'Tabre. If you could help me find another teleportation scroll after that I'd be appreciative, but it isn't necessary. What do you say to that?

While the admiral contemplates, Reggie activates the scroll and his environment shifts to an entirely different one. He takes a look around the room quickly, taking the time to shift his stance to be undetectable should an enemy have the power to pierce his illusion.

Diplomacy check: [roll0] ((Edit: Not to change his attitude, since that would be a full-round action, but to try and persuade him. Obvious, probably, but I just wanted to clarify because I got caught up on looking at the NPC attitude chart on the SRD and realized that it didn't apply in this situation))

Standard action activate scroll.

Move action in new room to Hide in Plain Sight in cover; I can move my speed as a move action to take cover, taking 10 on Hide for 60 before Invisibility bonus.

TachyonBlade

2014-08-07, 11:43 AM

Sanguinius was realizing exactly how they were getting the short end of the stick, currently. That would have to change, and fast. Damned dragons with their bloody arsejacketed interventions. How sex starved were the buggers that they came from wherever these ones came from?

But he had an idea. To the infernal hells with these dragons, he thought, as he charged himself with magic once more, and then he readied one his devastating signature dragonslayer spells. It was time to screw over some dragons, and get out fine.

He once more began chanting the same teleportation spell in the monotone chorus. His eyes glowed, and immediately he began tearing the universe a new one, and disappeared from where he was, appearing just above another dragon, ready to bring the smackdown on a few dragons.

Cast Greater Teleport to second closest dragon not being engaged by anyone.
Prepare for a maximized reach shivering touch

Nevershutup

2014-08-07, 08:34 PM

Elsin
Avoiding the dragon's fire, but not its (successful) attempt to drag him down into the water, Elsin's armor gets in the way of his attempt at swimming, and he begins to sink (14/14 rounds for breath). Elsin remembering the battle on the surface, attempts to surge forward, and come back to the fight. He surfaces, to see two angels seeking... something, probably him, seeing as they're under Ayla's command.

Move: Swim Check. Failed.
Standard: Swim Check: [roll0]

Ayla
She sticks with Elsin's troops, and seeing him go down, orders the Sibyllic Guardians, "Go and help my Husband! He's in the water!", as well, she commands the Justice Archons to, "Attack the nearest dragon with your Justice Strike!"

Followers/Summons

(2) Sibyllic Guardians: Teleport to Elsin's vicinity, and look for him, to help him out of the water.

(6) Justice Archons: Teleport to G10 and prepare to attack the dragon.

(8) Hound Archons: Serve as a vanguard for Ayla and the commanders of Elsin's army.

Solar: Follows Commander Eidas to serve as his guard, and follows his orders as he sees fit.

Troops: Follow Commander Eidas' orders.

Hexalan

2014-08-08, 12:13 AM

Malcador steadies herself and stands up amidst the sinking ruins of the Inevitable.

"Well. Then I shall not interfere now with your hunt for the Angel. Self defense, however, could be an entirely different matter, wouldn't you say?" she says, unfazed, to the dragon.

"To the shore." she then commands to her Archons, before speaking another, unknown word and gesturing towards the raging dragons. After a moment, her form shimmers and disappears, before reappearing hundreds of feet away, near her companions at battle. After another moment, there is huge surge of energy, and a ripple in the fabric of reality itself as each Archon teleports themselves beside her.

Stands up, casts Greater Plane Shift to O8.
Archons all Teleport (supernatural ability) to same square. Sibyllic Guardians on either side, Justice Archons in a semi-circle in front of and extending beyond the Guardians,i can make pictures
http://puu.sh/aJulD/7693126a74.png
Like that, basically.

ColdCoffee

2014-08-08, 08:45 AM

Reginald makes haste with a quick teleport to no less than Imperia itself, thousands of miles away from the battlefield. He arrives preciesly in the room described by Admiral O'Connor. The room, as luck would have it, is desolate and empty. As described, its a dining area of sorts. Reginald sees a doorway leading north.

I...I'm not sure I can go along with yourplan. says O'Connor. How do I know I can trust you!? How do I know you'll even let me out of this infernal bag?!
http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/impbar_zpsf15be22d.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/impbar_zpsf15be22d.jpg.html)
=====================================

Anarto, seeing the full scope of this dire situation, enters into his killing trance. With blazing speed, he once again tears into an unexpecting dragon (J8) dealing considerable damage. Soon, Anarcho is joined by six justice archons flying alongside and around him as if orbiting the hero, complimenting his weapon strikes with their own weapons ever thirsty for vindication.

Sanguinius, seeing the damage from the disatnce, decides its his turn to join the fray. Seeing another dragon in far distance, he teleports himself above the dragon (C5) and gets ready to unleash a spell of immense proportions.

Malcador, knowing she is needed amongst her allies in battle, wishes the survivors of Team Flank the best of luck and teleports onto the coastline, along with all of her extraplanar allies.

Elsin and Mikal both do their best to tread water in the horrofic storm. Fortunately, rescue comes without missing a beat. Ayla's archons pick Elsin out of the water like a fresh trout (in full plate) while Mikal is summoned back to his ship by his brother.

==============================================
Allied Forces
The allied fleets swiftly make their vessels come gently along the shoreline. "Go!" shouts Eidas. Alongside Eidas, Mikal, and Ayla stand 700 men strong. "We make for the encampment! For Illystene!!"

==============================================
Dynasi Forces
The Dynasi, suffering heavy casualties, now have only one juggernaut and a few remaining companies of archers remaining. Everyone within earshot of the juggernaut hears FIRE!! A huge bombarbment of fire, magic, and volleys of arrows emerge from the last juggernaut, raining all hell upon the dragon (J8) already bloodied by Anarto and the archons. The black dragon (J8) begins to fall to the ground, soundly defeated.

==============================================
Dragon Forces
The dragons upon the waters begin to fly their way to the mainland north. heeding the voice underneath the stomry waters. Dragons P9 and Q6 come within casting distance of Malcador and glares at her, awaiting to see what she will do next.

Dragon C5and M5 finsih off what remained of the northern Dynasi brigades, the former helplessly unaware of Sanguinius' plans.
==============================================

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/turn4battle_zps0bf23cd0.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/turn4battle_zps0bf23cd0.jpg.html)

Begin Turn 5!
Turn 4
Reginald
Anarto
Sanguinius
Malcador
Elsin
Mikai
Eidas Forces
Dynasi Forces
Dragon Forces

TachyonBlade

2014-08-08, 04:20 PM

Sanguinius fell with the force and ferocity of a raging eagle, diving with a fog of frost emanating from him, as he drew a rune in the air with his hand, and speaking the unreal language of the arcane, eyes glowing. Immediately, once he'd completed the rune in mid air, it began glowing, and actually becoming visible to anyone else looking, and burst out with a short ranged beam of pure, white cold energy, immediately blasting the dragon from on top.

Once this was complete, Sanguinius grumpily changed body shape to grab ahold of the scales of the dragon. He was going to end this wyrm, and it wasn't going to like it.

[roll0]

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-10, 10:25 PM

Hexalan

2014-08-11, 11:01 PM

Malcador rises into the air, her arms outstretched, hair splayed out and glowing, her own eyes turned into a harsh nimbus of light. She speaks, and her voice is discordant and echoes off of the empty air.

"Deine Mutter riecht nach Kot rostig! Drachen sind für Menschen, die ein echtes Rennen nicht spielen können, ohne lächerlich Büffelleder! Wissen, dass Aloria wird keinen Angriff auf Riva erlauben! Wissen, dass in den Tag, die Sie angreifen Riva, an dem Tag wird die Alorns machen Krieg auf Sie, und Sie werden untergehen, und Ihr Reich auch!"
"Seek not to lay waste to those who would raise arms against thee. And as your quest shalt take you North, I shalt not interfere, but as thine desire lay here, so shall it resist.

Coming this far north, you should get used to the cold, shouldn't you?"

Malcador draws some obscure symbol in the air, and utters some word of power in some unknown tongue.

Her Archons all ready for combat. Those who can fly do so, still maintaining a sort of sphere about their master.

Fly up 30ft. Cast Frostbite on the P8 dragon (, DC25 [roll0] Cold damage Fort half, [roll1] Dex damage, overcome SR [roll2])
Rolling for each Archon is unpleasant, so I'm hoping you'll accept simplifying 1d8 to 4, giving the Archons proper 10 temp hp and the Guardians 13.
The Archons are angry now, so each Aura of Menace is active.
Justice Archons and Sibyllic Guardians hover around her.

Jojomo

2014-08-12, 06:21 AM

Had he not been in the grip of the Killing Trance, Anarto would have likely been surprised again when the archons teleported in to fall upon the second dragon, swords flashing in the light of dawn. The trance leaves no room for such distractions however; he simply notes the creature’s demise with a swift glance before selecting a new target. While too far off to engage with his most deadly techniques, he could still reach the next dragon before it had a chance to react. Pausing only to instruct the archons to follow once he engages, he takes off once more like an arrow from a bow.

As he flies, he makes another quick gesture with his swords and his already rapid movements quicken still further. A short burst of thought issues through the mental link, Engaging northern dragon. I have told the archons to follow.

Closing with his quarry, another burst of light explodes across the sky. Another series of quick strikes follow, his trance lending each sword a new degree of precision. This time, he does not disengage after striking, instead matching pace with the behemoth, almost as if inviting retaliation.

Swift action: Cast superior swiftblade’s speed. Speed increases to 300’, and may make full attacks as a standard action (no more than one full attack per round).

Full round action: “Run” (flying creatures can) to L3.

Free action: Designates the dragon in L3 as the target of his (remixed) Dodge feat, increasing his dodge bonus to AC against it by 5. (AC 53, Touch 47, FF 37)

Free action: Use Blinding Speed as he closes with the dragon. It is blinded for 7 rounds unless it makes a DC 30 Will save.

Standard action (Perpetual Options): Deliver a full attack to the dragon (no extra attacks from haste due to having used Perpetual Options). Due to weapons being Oncoming Storm, attack bonuses are increased by 2 this round. Blood in the Water provides a +2 bonus this round. Offer Robilar’s Gambit; melee attack and damage rolls made against him this round gain a +4 bonus, but he can make an attack of opportunity in return.

Critical Threat Range is 17-20 (2 turns of Razor’s Edge remain). Any confirmed critical provide a +1 stacking bonus to attack and damage that last until he confirms no critical for 1 minute or until his stance ends.

Primary 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll2]
Critical Damage: [roll3] slashing

Offhand 1: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll6]
Critical Damage: [roll7] slashing

Primary 2: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll10]
Critical Damage: [roll11] slashing

Offhand 2: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll14]
Critical Damage: [roll15] slashing

Primary 3: [roll16] Critical Threat
Damage: [roll17] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll18]
Critical Damage: [roll19] slashing

Offhand 3: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll22]
Critical Damage: [roll23] slashing

Primary 4: [roll24]
Damage: [roll25] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll26]
Critical Damage: [roll27] slashing

Offhand 4: [roll28] Critical Threat
Damage: [roll29] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll30]
Critical Damage: [roll31]

This time he ends up next to the dragon... make of that what you will, seemed more important to keep engaging them before they all group up. He might have to use Evasive Repositioning to get out of dodge if things get hairy.

Nevershutup

2014-08-12, 12:25 PM

Elsin
Elsin, beign freed from the water by the Sybillics, he uses some Celestial Magic(I) and teleports to the the dragon at Q6(he is 60ft. up), ready to attack, ASAP, after telling the Sybillics, "I'm engaging the other dragon near Malcador, and I would appreciate any aid you can give."

Ayla
Ayla follows the charge of Eidas, and prepares to defend the encampment to the best her ability, ordering the Hound Archons to, "Prepare the way for our troops in the nearest encampment, and then attack the nearest dragon!" and to the Solar to, "Aid Sanguinius, make sure he stays alive."

Archons

The Justice Archons obey Anarto's orders, and teleport the the nearest dragon, once more readying their Justice Strike.

The Sybillics, freed of their load, teleport with Elsin to Q6, and prepare to attack it.

The Hound Archons, on Ayla's orders, teleport to different spots around the camp, calling, "Surrender now, and you will be guarded against the dragons, or you can fight at your own risk!"

The Solar, teleports next Sanguinius, prepares to defend him, and asks, "Do you require any aid, Sanguinius?"

ColdCoffee

2014-08-12, 03:08 PM

...As you wish. When you leave this room, you should see a door with a snake-like embrodiery around the frame. The entrance is there. And I'm afraid I have no further knowledge as I've never been allowed entry to that area.

Reginald peers outside his current room. He sees a narrow hallway that is oddly desolate. Not even a single footstep is heard from far in the distance. Directly across from Reginald is a door that matches O'Connor's description. It appears to be glowing faintly, light shimmering from the eyes of hte snake embroidery wrapping itself around the door frame.

Basically it looks like a giant golden snake is wrapped around the parameter of the door. Its head is at the top of the doorframe looking outwards, directly in your direction.

=============================

Meanwhile, the rest of the heroes continue the good fight. Anarto surges north to where the dragon has been raining utter destruction upon the northern encampment. Without hesitation he begins his onslaught on his draconic target. The dragon shakes off the cut and laughs at the man. Ah, the vermin strike back. Delicious. Once our master emerges, I shall long to see you squirm. As the dragon says these dire words, arcs of purple lightning begin to streak out from the northern encampment violently, one of them missing Anarto by only a few feet.

Roll a knowledge arcane or a spot. You can choose to share what you saw with your party. Upon doing so they can roll a knowledge arcane as well

Sanguinius appears out of nowhere from above the dragon, forming an enormous ray of ice and light that delivers unimaginable pain to the creature. With the dragon immobilized, the wizard pulls out his sword and delivers the final blow, killing the dragon as it falls lifeless to the ground. Upon his victory, he is met by a solar from Arya that offers assistance.

Malcador offers the dragon near her a warning, as well as a bit of frostbite! Wings frozen, it falls and crashes into the violent waters, the hungry waves swalling the dragon alive.

Elsin magically appears in front of the second dragon that was eyeing Malcador, accompaneid by the powerful Sybillics that saved him from drowning.

Meanwhile, Mikal and Ayla accompany Eidas' men as the make their slow but steady march to the SE encampment. The morale is high, as the dragons' number is beginning to dwindle.

The only Dynasi force that remains a threat is its final juggernaut, the remaining archers retreating to their boats to board the ship (not the brightest idea considering the waters). The juggernaut appears to be preparing its defenses to unleash another volley soon.

Three dragons remain. One of them is making its way back to the mainland after destroying Team Flank. Another is immediately in front of Elsin and his Sybllics. Yet another, slightly hurt, is staring down Anarto.

The one in front of Elsin glares manically. Can you hear the master? Beneath the waves? How much torture do you think is possible?

The dragons simultaenously attack both Elsin and Anarto.
Dragon Attacks Elsin.
Bite: (1d20+5)[16]
Bite damage: (4d6+16)[33]
Claw 1: (1d20+45)[51]
Claw Damage: (2d6+10)[14]
Claw 2: (1d20+45)[54]
Claw Damage: (2d6+10)[18]
Wing 1: (1d20+45)[57]
Wing Damage: (2d6+10)[22]
Wing 2: (1d20+45)[64]
Wing Damage: (2d6+10)[20]
Tail: (1d20+45)[48]
Wing Damage: (2d6+30)[36]

Dragon Attacks Anarto.
Bite: (1d20+50)[52]
Bite damage: (4d6+16)[31]
Claw 1: (1d20+45)[59]
Claw Damage: (2d6+10)[18]
Claw 2: (1d20+45)[48]
Claw Damage: (2d6+10)[18]
Wing 1: (1d20+45)[59]
Wing Damage: (2d6+10)[19]
Wing 2: (1d20+45)[49]
Wing Damage: (2d6+10)[13]
Tail: (1d20+45)[54]
Wing Damage: (2d6+30)[37]
Everyone feels the ground and the waves begin to shake. Something is about to happen. Something big. Eidas and his men struggle to keep to their feet. The ships rock back and forth as if bath toys. Rain floods the battlefield in torrents of fury.

And everyone hears a deafening roar.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/turn5battle_zps0f12ce8c.jpg (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/turn5battle_zps0f12ce8c.jpg.html)

Jojomo

2014-08-13, 01:49 AM

Anarto’s face remains expressionless as the dragon taunts him, though some stray memory of his grandfather is called to mind by the monster’s words.

"Never speak to your opponent boy, it shifts your focus from where it should be and gives him a chance. Let him speak if he likes, either he knows he cannot defeat you by skill at arms alone or thinks himself so superior that he is not concentrating fully. If he knows he cannot win, words will not save him for he has already defeated himself; if he is not fully focussed on combat, be ready to punish such hubris. It has been the undoing of more warriors than you could know."

Hubris, it seems, is not the sole province of humans...

Though the dragon’s attacks are frighteningly quick, the swordsman’s reflexes prove quicker still. Even where the creature’s attacks appear to be right on the mark, his blurred appearance and constant movement foils them: talons close on empty air and a tail like a tree trunk whips through the space he had occupied scant moments before. The only sign of injury after the creature’s onslaught is a small head wound from one of the beast’s wings, though even that immediately begins to heal over as his hyper-accelerated metabolism goes to work.

As the dragon vents its fury however, Anarto’s ruse is revealed. With each attack the beast makes, his blades dart out in a flicker of motion, exploiting the momentary gap in the creatures defences as it attempts to swat him from the sky.

A swift glance towards the northern encampment reveals the source of the lightning that so narrowly missed him. The final portal appears to be destabilising and emitting a large amount of lightning in the process. I estimate we have thirty seconds before it collapses.

After rolling miss chance OOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=17928879&postcount=680), only the first wing attack hits.

Fast Healing from Regenerative Rush restores 7 HP.

He has 12 AoOs per round, so can make an attack (with both weapons) for each of the dragon’s attacks with room to spare.

Critical Threat Range is 17-20 (2 turns of Razor’s Edge remain). Any confirmed critical provide a +1 stacking bonus to attack and damage that last until he confirms no critical for 1 minute or until his stance ends.

Bite AoO (Primary): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll2]
Critical Damage: [roll3] slashing

Bite AoO (Offhand): [roll4]
Damage: [roll5] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll6]
Critical Damage: [roll7] slashing

Claw 1 AoO (Primary): [roll8]
Damage: [roll9] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll10]
Critical Damage: [roll11] slashing

Claw 1 AoO (Offhand): [roll12]
Damage: [roll13] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll14]
Critical Damage: [roll15] slashing

Claw 2 AoO (Primary): [roll16] Natural 1
Damage: [roll17] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll18]
Critical Damage: [roll19] slashing

Claw 2 AoO (Offhand): [roll20]
Damage: [roll21] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll22]
Critical Damage: [roll23] slashing

Wing 1 AoO (Primary): [roll24]
Damage: [roll25] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll26]
Critical Damage: [roll27] slashing

Wing 1 AoO (Offhand): [roll28]
Damage: [roll29] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll30]
Critical Damage: [roll31] slashing

Wing 2 AoO (Primary): [roll32]
Damage: [roll33] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll34]
Critical Damage: [roll35] slashing

Wing 2 AoO (Offhand): [roll36]
Damage: [roll37] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll38]
Critical Damage: [roll39] slashing

Tail AoO (Primary): [roll40]
Damage: [roll41] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll42]
Critical Damage: [roll43] slashing

Tail AoO (Offhand): [roll44] Natural 1
Damage: [roll45] slashing
Critical Confirmation: [roll46]
Critical Damage: [roll47] slashing

Nevershutup

2014-08-16, 05:03 PM

Elsin

Elsin winces at the wounds he suffered from the dragon's vicious assault. (In Draconic) "So. You think your victory is nigh?" As he says this, Elsin speaks the command word set upon his boots by Ayla. Time slowed down, though he knew that in reality, he was speeding up. He took this chance to pray to Heironeous, and replenish the divine power that had been invested in him by his master, and summons an aura to assist in the healing of wounds.

He then slips a crystal on to his blade, and activates his ring, which appears almost ghostly in the light, and begins to fade in and out of existence. He then flies 60ft. to the left, in a small hope to catch the dragon off guard. As time resumes, and Elsin's heart beats fast, he attacks, his blade shining in the sunlight, a shaking faintly as he tries to calm down, while the sun shines intermittently through the rest of him. As he does this, his sword whispers to him,"Time to live up to our legend, son. Time to be Valorous." as Valour whispers this, Elsin feels the expected wave of healing energy wash over him. Bulwark similarly sends a feeling of confirmation at the same time, as well as hope.

Before he attacks, he calls to the dragon, "I guess we'll find out how much torture is possible. See you in Hell." On that note and begins his assault on the dragon, letting loose a smite on his final blow.

Swift Action: Activate Boots of Temporal Acceleration

Full Round Action: Replenish Celestial Magic class feature.

Swift Action: Activate Vigor aura.

Standard Action: Activate Ring of Blinking.

Swift Action: Equip Greater Truedeath Augment Crystal onto Valour.

Full Round Action: Full Attack.

Sword heals Elsin for: [roll0]

Attack 1:[roll1]

Damage: [roll2]+[roll3]

Crit Confirm:[roll4]

Damage: [roll5]+[roll6]

Attack Haste:[roll7]

Damage: [roll8]+[roll9]

Crit Confirm:[roll10]

Damage: [roll11]+[roll12]

Attack 2:[roll13]

Damage: [roll14]+[roll15]

Crit Confirm:[roll16]

Damage: [roll17]+[roll18]

Attack 3:[roll19]

Damage: [roll20]+[roll21]

Crit Confirm:[roll22]

Damage: [roll23]+[roll24]

Attack 4:[roll25]

Damage: [roll26]+[roll27]

Crit Confirm:[roll28]

Damage: [roll29]+[roll30]

Attack 5:[roll31]

Damage: [roll32]+[roll33]+25

Crit Confirm:[roll34]

Damage: [roll35]+25

Ayla

Worried for her husband, but trusting in his abilities, she sticks with Eidas, keeping an eye out for trouble near the army.

Archons

Justice Archons:

1: [roll36]

Damage: [roll37]

Crit Confirm: [roll38]

Damage: [roll39]

2: [roll40]

Damage: [roll41]

Crit Confirm: [roll42]

Damage: [roll43]

1: [roll44]

Damage: [roll45]

Crit Confirm: [roll46]

Damage: [roll47]

2: [roll48]

Damage: [roll49]

Crit Confirm: [roll50]

Damage: [roll51]

1: [roll52]

Damage: [roll53]

Crit Confirm: [roll54]

Damage: [roll55]

2: [roll56]

Damage: [roll57]

Crit Confirm: [roll58]

Damage: [roll59]

1: [roll60]

Damage: [roll61]

Crit Confirm: [roll62]

Damage: [roll63]

2: [roll64]

Damage: [roll65]

Crit Confirm: [roll66]

Damage: [roll67]

1: [roll68]

Damage: [roll69]

Crit Confirm: [roll70]

Damage: [roll71]
2: [roll72]

Damage: [roll73]

Crit Confirm: [roll74]

Damage: [roll75]

1: [roll76]

Damage: [roll77]

Crit Confirm: [roll78]

Damage: [roll79]

2: [roll80]

Damage: [roll81]

Crit Confirm: [roll82]

Damage: [roll83]

Sybillic Archons:

Attack 1: [roll84]

Damage: [roll85]

Crit Confirm: [roll86]

Damage: [roll87]

Attack 1: [roll88]

Damage: [roll89]

Crit Confirm: [roll90]

Damage: [roll91]

Attack 1: [roll92]

Damage: [roll93]

Crit Confirm: [roll94]

Damage: [roll95]

Attack 1: [roll96]

Damage: [roll97]

Crit Confirm: [roll98]

Damage: [roll99]

Solar:

Assuming that Saguinius is a willing target, the Solar Greater Plane Shifts the two of them to the nearest live dragon, and readies it's sword.

Hound Archons: They round up everyone in the camp who surrendered, and take out any resistance they encounter.

TachyonBlade

2014-08-16, 05:09 PM

Sanguinius huffed, and then gratefully looked at the Solar. "Yes, my good overseer. I'm running out of teleport spells. Could you possibly assist me in going after these dragons? I have a developed method of knocking them out of the sky pretty easily now. Although those won't last forever, too."

And with that, the poor Materium found itself getting hit once more with dimension tearing shenanigans. Appearing above another dragon, he repeated his Shivering Touch spell, with the same chant and air runes.

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-17, 01:09 AM

You have my thanks, O'Connor, Reginald thinks sincerely. Start thinking of an official's room that we can infiltrate after this while I look for the artifact. Maybe pick one you particularly dislike.

With another twist of his soul, his invisible body becomes incorporeal as well. Such a useful trick he learned, to be able to pass through walls like a ghost. Granted, it only lasts a few seconds at best, but if he only had more time to practice with it then he knows that he could extend the time. Ah, well, that's a thought for another time.

He moves into and through the wall beside him, following its length past where the door is and into the room beyond. He looks around, instinctively moving to cover with a swift spurt of speed.

Standard action activate Shadow Form.

Swift action activate Travel Devotion (http://dndtools.eu/feats/complete-champion--57/travel-devotion--2966/) to move 30ft through the wall and into the room.

Move action use Hide in Plain Sight to move to cover.

Hexalan

2014-08-17, 12:39 PM

Malcador watches the dragon sink into the shimmering seas, then glances to her side just in time to watch the dragon to her left falter beneath the fury of Elsin's attacks. Judging it to be sufficiently weakened, she speaks telepathically to the group.

"Something unpleasant this way comes. The water shall bear the enemy, I think."

She mutters angrily in Abyssal for a moment, then gestures with her hand. A shining star blazes into existence, then settles into a dim pulse by her shoulder. One of the Sibyllic Guardians at her side conveys the blessings of Celestia to her, and those airborne angels fly to the northeast.

The Hound Archons, without the gift of flight, teleport themselves ahead of their allies.

Casts Holy Star on self (20 rounds). Spell Turning: [roll0].
Sibyllic Guardian casts Aid on Malcador. Temp HP: [roll1].
Malcador, Justice Archons, and Sibyllic Guardians fly to P7, by the dragon.
Hound Archons teleport to the dragon, then move out of the way of where it would land on them should it fall.

Jojomo

2014-08-18, 02:33 AM

With all signs indicating that some new horror was about to be unleashed, Anarto strikes with the fury of a tempest. Once more lightning streams from his swords as he whirls around the dragon, his conscious mind and the trance perfectly aligned in the pursuit of one goal.

Kill.

Swift action: Initiate Lightning blade; all attacks until the end of his turn deal an extra 3d6+16 electricity damage.

Full round action: Use Peerless Mobility to circle the dragon, full attacking while doing so (to activate Swift Surge). Since it has attacked him Code of Arms no longer penalises him. Haste provides an extra attack (with both weapons thanks to Two-Weapon Fighting). Due to weapons being Oncoming Storm and Shocking Sky, attack bonuses are increased by 4 this round. Offer Robilar’s Gambit; melee attack and damage rolls made against him this round gain a +4 bonus, but he can make an attack of opportunity in return.

Threat range is 17-20 (1 turn of Razor’s Edge remains). Any confirmed critical provide a +1 stacking bonus to attack and damage that last until he confirms no critical for 1 minute or until his stance ends.

Primary 1: [roll0] Critical Threat
Damage: [roll1] slashing and [roll2] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll3]
Critical Damage: [roll4] slashing

Offhand 1: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6] slashing and [roll7] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll8]
Critical Damage: [roll9] slashing

Primary 2: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11] slashing and [roll12] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll13]
Critical Damage: [roll14] slashing

Offhand 2: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16] slashing and [roll17] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll18]
Critical Damage: [roll19] slashing

Primary 3: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21] slashing and [roll22] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll23]
Critical Damage: [roll24] slashing

Offhand 3: [roll25] Critical Threat
Damage: [roll26] slashing and [roll27] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll28]
Critical Damage: [roll29] slashing

Primary 4: [roll30]
Damage: [roll31] slashing and [roll32] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll33]
Critical Damage: [roll34] slashing

Offhand 4: [roll35]
Damage: [roll36] slashing and [roll37] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll38]
Critical Damage: [roll39] slashing

Primary 5: [roll40]
Damage: [roll41] slashing and [roll42] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll43]
Critical Damage: [roll44] slashing

Offhand 5: [roll45]
Damage: [roll46] slashing and [roll47] electricity
Critical Confirmation: [roll48]
Critical Damage: [roll49]
If the dragon dies, he’ll use his remaining movement (call it 500 ft.) to move to K5.

ColdCoffee

2014-08-18, 09:13 AM

Reginald cautiously passes through the wall adjacent to the serpentine door, circumventing any possible threat the door may pose to both his safety and his subterfuge.

The floors are covered with the stain of blood. The smell alone suggests that the tragic scene occured perhaps several weeks ago. The room itself is barren except for a pentagraph that stretches the circumference of the floor. In the middle is a bronze altar where the stains are larger and darker. Looming above the altar is a device composed almost of pure crystal. it resembles a large needle protruding from the ceiling. There is a sharp crystalline spike at the head of the needle. It looks as if it can extend and retract itself.

In the corners of the room are four giant ruby sculptures resembling angels. Ever since Reginald entered the room, they have begun to light up. Four beams of red light, one from each of the statues, apepar to be intersecting on Reginald's bag of holding.

"AHH!!! STOP! What are you doing!? AH!!! Get me out!!!!" O'Connor screams in pain.
http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/altarroomRound1_zpsfa7aa4ef.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/altarroomRound1_zpsfa7aa4ef.png.html)
================================================== =======

Anarto continues to show his prowess and dedication to his deadly art as he paints the sky red with his spiraling blades. With every attack the dragon gave him, it also gave him more opportunites to remind whatever force sent the dragons that perhaps they are in over their heads. With the dragon dead (L2) the warrior surges south to reinforce the others.

The solar accompanying Sanguinius senses the dragon that still represents the strongest threat, teleporting the wizard far to the east above the dragon that utterly destroyed Team flank. The brave mage prepares the same spell the showed the previous dragon why elves should be feared.

Malcador prepares a holy spell to enhance her turning abilities while sending her summoned allies to reinforce Elsin. However, the paladin and his wife's summoned allies are more than enough to bring the black abomination to terms with its own mortality. In a dazzling display of holy wrath, the combined holy attacks bring the dragon's life to an abrupt end (Q5).

During thsi time, Eidas and Mikal have been slowly leading the army to the remaining encapment. As for the remaining Dynasi forces, bewildered of the current situation and seeing hte might of the allied champions, they openly surrender.

Only one dragon remains, the one who destroyed Team Flank. it appears to be doing nothing except watching the disturbed waters. Laughing.

Soon, all of you can see what exactly is causing the dragon much amusement. From the waters, you see what can only be described as a massive set of arms surge from the ocean.

Two. Giant. Hands. Larger than what could be conceived possible. Or dreamed. Or feared.

One of the hands grabs the Dynasi juggernaut and effortlessly tosses it further inland, the other surging and slamming its massive palm into the coast nearby.

The arms are covered in giant black scales reflecting the dim moonlight that still haunts this battleground. The massive hands bear claws the size of behemoths. Whatever this thing is, it doesn't appear to be able to get any further up out of the weater.

However, If Anarto's estimate is correct, that may no longer be the case in 24 seconds...

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/battle1turn7_zpsfb8c0c61.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/battle1turn7_zpsfb8c0c61.png.html)

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-20, 12:06 AM

As Reggie took in the blood-stained walls, and the giant ruby angels, Reggie thought that it was creepy enough on its own. Certainly the den of insane scientists, crazy enough to tap into powers far beyond their ken (it's practically in the job description, after all). That crystal spire looked fairly artifact-ish. More like an artifact than anything else in the room, at least. Mind half made up, he had begun to reach for a scroll of Disintegrate. Then the angels started to glow, and when the red streams converged onto his bag of holding--and as O'Connor screamed in agony--it all made sense. Made such horrible, perfect sense.

Those thrice-damned, sociopathic bastards! he snarls in his head as he activates his Shadow Form once more, body becoming intangible as he races through the wall he just walked through. Why didn't I realize it sooner? Psionic implants, and of course the Dynas officials wouldn't make their precious artifact easily reached.

He reaches his little hidey-hole that he'd been in a dozen or so seconds ago, and then addresses the others. Okay guys, I need Ayla, I need Sanguinius, and I need a few bodies to protect them while they do their thing. Because that artifact, the one powering the portal that's allowing that…thing into our world? It's inside O'Connor's head, and you need to get it out, fast.

He drops the bag of holding to the side, allowing it to become visible, as he begins to whisper words of encouragement to O'Connor; to not give up, to think of his family.

Jojomo

2014-08-21, 05:57 AM

Noting the final juggernaut whirling through the sky a few hundred feet away, Anarto narrows his eyes as he listens to Reggie’s grim news. Can you extract the artifact without harming him? While the sentiment is present, there is still no emotion in the man’s eerie monotone, If Sanguinius is required elsewhere I can eliminate the final dragon. Otherwise I will attempt to keep whatever is attempting to come through the portal from doing so if it becomes necessary.

Thoughts sent, he takes a brief moment to centre himself. Ready to face whatever this new threat is, he speaks a single word and vanishes, reappearing high above the coastline and the roiling seas.

Regenerative Rush heals 7 HP.

Full round action: Use Adaptive Style to refresh maneuvers.

Free action: Designate the creature trying to come through the portal as the target of his Dodge feat, increasing his dodge bonus to AC against it by 5(AC 53, Touch 47, FF 37). Y'know, just in case. :smallwink:

Standard Action (Perpetual Options): Cast dimension door to move 1,120 feet diagonally upwards (works out to 800 ft. up and 800 ft. sideways). If Sanguinius doesn’t finish the dragon before he’s moved, go to O6. If he does, go to L8. In either case, altitude is 850 ft..

On the off-chance something horrendous comes out of the portal at him, use Evasive Repositioning as necessary to get the hell outta dodge.

Nevershutup

2014-08-22, 01:42 PM

Ayla
"Luxan, I need you to Wish the chip out of O'Connors head, and in front of Reginald. That's the only chance we have at beating these things."

Solar
"As you request, so shall it be done. There is a chance of failure though."

Solar uses his Wish SLA.

Failure Chance (75-100 fails): [roll0]

OOC: I'll edit in everything else when I have time and if I remember, but assume Elsin and the Archons go and attack the hands.

Hexalan

2014-08-22, 04:50 PM

Malcador raises her hands towards the fragile sky, and shouts "Vien'ke debala! Jhet'leya!". Howling gales swirl around her, then visibly twist upwards, hundreds of feet above the ground. Soon, the whirlwinds of dust are joined by rising currents of sand and stone and snow. The flying formation pulsates and writhes, until it condenses into a single, malformed ball of hard ice and fused rock. The comet is hurled downwards by an unseen force, and shrieks through the air until it slams into the demonic hand rising out of the raging water.

Cast Maximized Cometfall on the Black Hand at N7. 120 damage(Reflex 29 half), [roll0] Reflex to trip (knock over? Annoy? Can't really trip a hand.) the hand.

Holy Star does Protection.

TachyonBlade

2014-08-23, 03:21 PM

With the last of the dragons incapacitated once more, Sanguinius landed upon the Black dragon's back, assisted by the Solar, something he was grateful for, and thrust his blade into the beast's brain, or tried to, in an attempt to end its life.

Once the blade was in, Sanguinius looked up, and his horror exemplified, since what he saw was much worse since the last time he'd looked up. "Absolute bloody balls." was what began to broadcast itself from his brain.

ColdCoffee

2014-08-24, 03:45 PM

Reggie quickly gets out of the blood-drenched room the way he came. Shiftly through the walls, he returns back to the nook of the abandoned cafeteria. he quickly discards the bag of holding next to him. Upon a sudden evocation, the bag bursts open, allowing a smoldering O'Connor to tumble out. Light steam is emitting from his lightly cooked skin. He's appears exhausted, yet exasperated and terrified.

A sudden new beam of light envelops O'Conoor, one from an unknown source as it emits from the ground below him.. He cries out in terror. The light begins to shrink in upon O'Connor, focusing on the man's forehead. As it appears to begin to disappear, a deafening thud sound occurs, causing hte light to instead widely expand the parameters of the room in a blinding, deafening roar.
Reggie: Fort save 22 to avoid being blinded for 1 round.

As the light subsides, it is shown that nothing appears to have happened. Rather, it looks as if O'Connor is vomitting uncontrollably. A second later, he collapses at Reggie's feet.

"Do...what you have to do..." O"Connor mutters, passing out completely.

==============================

Anarto and Elsin, along with Elsin's accompanied archons, get into position to contain the threat of this monstrous hand that has appeared out of the stormy waters. They are soon joined by Mikal, who has been sent by his brother sensing the looming threat about to arise.

Sanguinius slays the unsuspecting dragon in mid-laughter, striking a vindictive blow on behalf of the souls lost in Team Flank. He looks up to see the new threat that has emerged, and his allies doing their best in an effort to contain it.

Malcador takes the lead by beginning the assault with a maximized comet spell. Soldiers from Team Capture marvel as they see the extraterestrial body of rock, ice, and death sling through the sky into the targeted hand.

...And then they shriek in terror as they realized the hand...caught...it.

Causing a tidal wave to flood the surrounding waters, the hands join together and focus their magic upon the apprehended comet. All can see the comet growing in size, orbited by enormous amounts of raw arcane power seemingly infused with not only the comet but the palms of the hands themselves.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/battle1turn8_zps500f0eac.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/battle1turn8_zps500f0eac.png.html)

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-26, 01:35 AM

Reggie feels a pang of sorrow for O'Connor as he reappears--beaten-down, weakened, skin like a cooked lobster (normally he'd like the thought of seafood, but not now…not now). And then the light envelops him, like a beam sent from heaven despite emanating from below. Perhaps the effects of the Wish spell the Solar has just cast? He feels a lurch of hope in his chest as the light explodes.

He manages to cover his eyes quickly enough that he can see with only spots of dark in his vision. He looks around, but nothing seems to have changed--he certainly can't see anything even resembling an artifact in front of him, only the pitiful, vomiting form of O'Connor. The Wish must have failed, then.

Oh, how he wanted to complain to the Solar, for mucking that up. Complain to the wizards in Eidas' force, for not inspecting the admiral deeply enough. They're the ones with magic, real magic; aren't they the ones who're supposed to stop magical artifacts? But no, there's no time for any of that. His comrades and hundreds of soldiers are in danger, and he needs to do something.

I'm so…so sorry, O'Connor, he thinks to the man, not even sure if the man can even hear him. Gripping his kukri and aiming carefully, his invisible arm lashes out in a swift and efficient swipe across O'Connor's neck.

The blood spills, so much lurid-red blood, and Reggie bites back a lump in his throat. The captain and lieutenants in the camp had been different; enemy combatants, who would have killed him if they had been able to (at least, he thought they had been). But O'Connor had tried to defect, just wanted to go home to his family. I was supposed to just be a thief, he thinks to himself sorrowfully.

Thief…of course! Without second-guessing his thoughts, he reaches a hand to rest on O'Connor's severed neck. He grimaces at the feel of fresh blood, but twists his hand in a method of theft he is not entirely comfortable using. Stealing another's life energy is dirty business, something he'd only do if he truly needed to. If his hunch is correct, he may yet be able to save O'Connor within the next few seconds.

Free actions to talk and think and stuff.

Full round action coup de grace, dealing: [roll0] + [roll1] I wasn't sure whether O'Connor was a full hit points, but I doubt he has a Fortitude save high enough to survive even if it doesn't kill him outright.

Free action angst about having just killed a man and for Reggie to give himself the idea.

Free action Sleight of Hand his life force at a -20 penalty, healing me 2*his Hit Dice (not temp hit points, so it's wasted on me right now). Since he's dead, there's no real need to roll a Sleight of Hand check, since he can't roll an opposed Spot check.

ColdCoffee

2014-08-27, 12:09 PM

Moving these along!

With an act of swfit grace, Reginald cuts O'Connor's life short, but only for a second. In this, a faint click can be heard within O'Connor. A mighty rushing wind floods out from his body, extinguishing nearby candles and lights in the room.

================================================== =========

A horrific scream from the unseen abomination floods the ears of the rest of our heroes back at the battleforged Peninsula. The hands slowly begin to subide back into the waters, frantically and desparately grabbing for anything it could hope to keep itself from reentering its long lost dungeon. To no avail. Soon, the hands of the monster are seen no more, banishing beneath the quiet of the settling waves.

Cheers are heard from the ranks of team Capture. The armies have now reached the only remaining encampment and raising their batle standard for all nearby to see.

This is Eidas. Well done, heroes. We've completed our first objective. We'll be settling in to get ready for the expedition northward. I'll message you all when we're about to head out to plan our ascent. And thank you again. This world is anything but undone, thanks to you.

================================================== =========

Reginald hastily reasserts O'Connor's life force back into the man's body. A brief flash of light emits from O'Connor, and he appears to be coughing up a little blood as he lies curled up on the cold floor. Reginald can slowly hear the man breathing again.

Congratulations! First encounter completed! 15000 expendable EXp for everyone. A brief 12 hour window in game is to follow. Your characters can choose to post what they do to pass the time, be it preparations, resting, and/or RP fluff. The choice is yours.

Thokk_Smash

2014-08-28, 11:50 PM

Reggie lets go a shaky sigh when O'Connor begins to breathe again. At least he had managed to do one good thing today.

His eyes move to the corridor, where he can hear footsteps from far away. Better get O'Connor out of sight, fast. Okay, O'Connor, he mentally says to the man as he takes out his wand of cure light wounds. I know you've been through a lot, but I need to put you back into the bag until we get out of the building at least. Once you feel stronger, start describing how to get to your family's house.

With a few words, he discharges the wand and heals some of the man's wounds. The man is far from fully healed, but some help is better than none. He cuts the man's binds and puts O'Connor back into the bag of holding as gently as he can, placing the bottle of air into his hand for if he needs it. Once securely on his person, the bag disappears into invisibility once more.

He silently activates his Shadow Form and leaves the room as the Dynasi guards enter. He floats in the opposite direction as the blood-soaked lab. Part of him wants to fire off a few Disintegrates into the room, but he didn't want to risk the ruby angels injuring O'Connor yet again. And while another part of him wants to find an official's room to search for info and maybe burn everything they hold precious to the ground, he knows that now is not the time to do so. That can wait for later.

I said I'd get you and your family to Ru'Tabre, so that's what I'm gonna do, Reggie says resolutely. So tell me where you live so we can get them out.

His Superior Invisibility spell will last for another 12 minutes or so; hopefully enough time to get out of the palace or building or wherever, and then he can rely on his Hide in the Light feature to get to the house.

Jojomo

2014-09-01, 02:56 AM

Letting out a shuddering breath as he allows his trance to lapse, Anarto releases his grip on his swords and they appear to simply evaporate. He shakes his head once in an attempt to clear it before surveying the battlefield. Even from this height, he can pick out the unmistakable scent of burning flesh. All in all, it could have been far worse, though from what O'Connor said it would seem that the entire garrison had been forced into this duty and worse, were now dead to a man as a result of the allies actions.

A thought occurs to him, and he flies out to sea to where the ships of Team Flank met their untimely demise and begins scanning the waters for survivors. We should check for survivors in the water, perhaps from the Dynasi camps as well, though I doubt we'll find any there.

Switches stance to Hearing the Air.

Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]

Hexalan

2014-09-01, 10:10 PM

Malcador watches the eldritch hands vanish beneath the waves and the seas settle around the newly-captured outpost. She silently soars higher into the sky and flies west, wings scarcely flapping. She observes the last Dynasi fighters herded by Hounds and soldiers, Allied warriors who had just arrived disembark from their ships, and the frozen remains of Dragons littered across the bloody battlefield. Finally, she spots Commander Eidas and Ayla on the rocky shores, and descends towards them, landing behind the aged commander as he gives orders to some officers. After a moment, as Eidas finishes and starts walking again, she leans in and speaks quietly to the man.

"Commander Eidas. Once the troops have finished disembarking, a few ships shall be required to retrieve the survivors from Team Flank." At that very moment, hundreds of feet to the east, archons are gathering sailors and depositing them on the more stable pieces of floating debris.

Without waiting for an answer, she takes off again into the sky, speaking telepathically to Reggie. Swift Journey.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-03, 10:58 AM

If you haven't had the chance to post to me what your character does between the last encounter and now, PM it to me.

O'Connor weakly manages to give Reggie the whereabouts of his home and his family. Not a moment too soon as activity begins to bustle abouts al of Imperia. Reginald shares all he sees with the telepathic link. Several conscripts have been listed to join the efforts defending Fort Dynas, while others have been directly teleported to "Operation Standstill." Aside from the military activity, Reginald notices many families taking opporutnity to leave Imperia amdist the chaos. Not all of them succeed, being ushered back to their homes by guards at the gates or by more violent means, giving you all an idea of the true nature of the Dynasi.

Reginald brings O'Connor to his estate, a larger than average home compared to the scattered cottages and huts that line the perimeter. A large welcoming party meets Reginald, including O'Connor's wife, his two sons, their wives, and several grandsons and granddaughters. They look on in relief and concern as Reginald and O'Connor's wife make O'Connor comfortable.

It's funny, hero. You're killing me is what has granted me a new lease in life. The sound of his voice indicates he's recovering. Some of my psionic abilities remain. Utilizing it to recover my own recovery. Bound to a future with the army it once was, but no more. My dear, we make leave immediately. The military will soon learn of my betrayal and send a detachment to dispatch us, all of us... he sighs while consoling the smallest of his granddaughters. You promised us passage to Ru'Tabre. My cousin, Kielah, is cupbearer to Jarvin VII. Surely he may find refuge for us. Please hero, grant us passage. In return, i will speak with Kielah to see what arrangements could be done to assist you in your quest.

==========================================

During this time, the few survivors of Team Flank have been slowly yet surely rescued from its floating ruins, Anarto and Malcador directing the effort. Sanguinius, Elsin, and Mikal arrive at the newly acquired settlement.

Hours later, everyone except Reginald arrives in Eidas' tent for yet another briefing. Commander Eidas draws out another map. Those of you in his company recognize this to be the terrain between your new camp and Fort Dynas to the north.

We are met this day with both victory and failure. the coast we claim as our own, yet our subtlety is no longer an asset. According to the Dynasi deserters we enlisted into our own ranks, somehow message of our conquest has reached Imperia. I'm no wizard, but I'm guessing our liberation of this group is evidence in and of itself.

Therefore we are met with some serious blockades should we stay our current course. The icetrails of Locra are I daresay infested with Dynasi operations. Our efforts to bring any method of siege weaponry down those infernal trails will spell our downfall. We need to pursue other options.

One of our scouts uncovered a massive underground tunneling system that spans almost the entirety of the Battleforged Peninsula. It could be that a whole civilization has lasted here, untouched by the outside world until recently. I've marked the entrance to this underground cavern on your map. I would ask that you heroes investigate the nature of this underground world. Perhaps those that occupy it are friendly. Best bet is they harbor ill feelings towards their oppressive neighbors to the north. We can only hope. If all works out, we can bypass the Dynasi blockades entirely and form a strong alliance in the process.

Your thoughts?

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-03, 03:27 PM

I am glad that you are rid of the proverbial noose from around your neck, O'Connor, Reggie says with an honest smile. Although if I were you, I'd try to get someone to take it out of your head just to be safe.

His smile turns into a grimace as he considers their options. Please, call me Reggie, he says; being called "hero" makes him uncomfortable, especially at this point, after all his actions have caused.

As for passage…I must confess, I had been anticipating only a few passengers: you, your wife, and two children. Four people is the limit of my teleportation scroll, and I only have the one left. Even if we were to put some of you into the Bag of Holding--which I do not want to do, believe me--I don't think that the scroll would be able to teleport you all.

That leaves transportation by sea--difficult to procure right now, and unbearably lengthy for the lot of us. I want you all in Ru'Tabre today, not two weeks from now. However, my companions include those of a strong magical persuasion; I believe that they would be willing to help. Give me a few moments.

His eyes glaze slightly as he calls on his telepathic bond. His mental voice becomes slightly more cultured, more polite, as he thinks, Milady Ayla, Sanguinius, if I may beg a request of you. O'Connor's family is in certain danger of reprisal by the military should they remain in Imperia; however, I only have only a single teleportation scroll remaining, and am unable to teleport all of them away. I ask, if you have prepared the appropriate spells today, that you teleport to us and then use that mass-transit spell to get all of us to Ru'Tabre.

O'Connor's cousin may have connections that could help us in our quest, and I believe it to be the right thing to do. I do not believe that we will be in immediate danger in the immediate future, so I beg that we do this quickly, while there is time.

Nevershutup

2014-09-03, 11:15 PM

Elsin
He fulfills his duties as a paladin, seeing to the injured, and praying for the dead, if any. (And possibly working on an Epic spell, if allowed.)

Ayla
"I would be more than happy to assist you, Reginald. I can easily teleport several people. Would you describe your current location to me? And then have someone ready to explain where we're teleporting to, and what it looks like?"

Jojomo

2014-09-07, 04:53 PM

Listening to Eidas’ words closely, Anarto takes in the briefing with an air of resignation. If ever an operation had gone any more awry, he hadn’t heard of it. As the adage went, they may have won the battle, but the war was another matter. Without any intelligence on the Imperial forces between here and the fort, marching the allied forces onwards was simply foolhardy.

“I agree that recent events force us to adopt a different approach. Do we know anything of these tunnels beyond the fact that they exist? Are we certain that they are inhabited?” He shrugs slightly, “Investigating them ourselves seems like a good approach in any case, if the empire has discovered them too we can’t take the chance that they could use them to flank us or cut our supply lines when we do move north.”

I'm not sure if FUBAR is a word in this world, but I suspect that if there is a military in a fictional setting, then FUBAR will also exist. It only recently ocurred to me that is precisely the word to describe the start of this campaign.

FUBAR, but still awesome. :smallbiggrin:

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-07, 08:06 PM

Reggie describes the room he is in in excruciating detail; there's just so many details he can give, this mansion is so decked out. So many things he could, ahem, appropriate with the proper timing…but no, that would be wrong. Sorta.

There's 11 people here to teleport, not including the two of us. Did you prepare that spell that you were going to use to transport the army? We could use that to get everyone out right away. And I'm sure O'Connor can describe his cousin's house, or somewhere similar. At least, I hope.

Out loud, he asks O'Connor, Can you describe your cousin's house? My comrade will need it to transport us there.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-09, 04:13 PM

O'Connor summons up a large book from across the room into his open hand. it's a photo album. Carefully, he combs the pages until he comes across one particular image that he shows to Reggie. It's a picture of a courthouse with large marble steps that stretch up towards the tall structure itself. Its carved to resmbled a woman holding in her hands a large shield, with the insignia of Ru'Tabre blazened upon the shield's surface.

"This. This is where Kielah works. Before the war, our family would visit her on numerous occasions. You'll see we frequented the site on numerous occasions based on this picture. Will this picture be enough for you?"
================================================== =====================

Eidas nods to Anarto's question. "Unfortunately we do not know anything else regarding these tunnels. This discovery, needless to say, is groundbreaking. it changes all we would know about northern habitations. Perhaps there are more hidden socieites waiting to be discvoered. But alas, the full extent of that expedition will have to wait. No use welcoming more into full fledge civilization when its about to collapse in upon itself. I wager if it ever reaches that point we should be seeking them out to welcome us into their soceity.

Our scouts say they are either inhabited or are being used by the Dynasi already, however if they had been used by the Dynasi they would have at least left a detachment to guard the entrance. That being said, no dynasi guards were found, nor their remains if they had been killed. We're truly grasping at straws. At the very least, I do agree with you Anarto. If they do occupy the tunnels, it would make sense to clear them of the passage anyway.

Unless you have any other questions, I'll adjourn this meeting. I have much to do to ensure our transportation north for the entire army is organized and ready. Also, please visit the quartermaster at your earliest convenience. Powerful artifacts were found and we believe they could help you on the trek ahead.

Unless you want to RP some fluff amongst yourselves (which I do enjoy) let me know via OOC or PM when you're ready to move the campaign story along. Also, I will be sending each of you a PM indicating the treasure the quartermaster shared with you, so stay tuned.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-09, 10:31 PM

Reggie nods. That should do quite nicely. Once we're there, we'll need to get you all to Kielah quickly, and then we'll be on our way.

He telepathically relays to Ayla, We have a picture that you can use to guide your spell, Ayla. Whenever you are ready, we're ready.

Back to O'Connor, he asks, What do you propose we do with the dispelling artifact? It only works for you--or, your identity--but I'm not sure you want to keep any trace of Dynasi involvement with you. Our arcanists may be able to glean useful info from it, so I'd be willing to take it off your hands.

Nevershutup

2014-09-11, 07:25 AM

Elsin
A fter Eidas is done speaking, Elsin rises to leave. "Thank you Eidas. I will report to the quartermaster immediately. Farewell, my friends." At that, he leaves to the Quartermaster, and retrieves his items. After he does that, he begins meditating, and recharging the Celestial pool of magic that he used on the battlefield.

(Meditating to recharge Celestial Magic I)

Ayla
Ayla, after hearing a description of the room, teleports into it. "Hello everyone. I am Ayla, Reginald's friend. If everyone could gather in a circle, and link hands, I can get us to Ru'Tabre, after I see the picture." She tries to appear friendly, and non-threatening as she says this.

Hexalan

2014-09-12, 04:29 PM

"A complete civilization, hidden and hitherto unknown to the world at large...and so close to our goal. We can only hope that they would be friendlier to us that the Dynasi. This is not a good time for surprises. But if the Dynasi do not yet control the tunnels, we can hope some boon lies beyond them." Malcador says in response to Eidas's sparse explanation, before leaving the tent.

Later, at the quartermaster, as she receives her share of Dynasi loot, she pauses at the small crystal orb, and stares at it for a minute, rubbing its surface, as if trying to determine some hidden power. When her silent gaze is over, she turns to the quartermaster and asks him, "Do you know where this came from?"

Jojomo

2014-09-15, 03:00 AM

Giving a curt nod to Elsin as he departs, Anarto lingers for a while to examine the map, attempting to memorise the important features. When he departs, he slips out of the camp, away from the bustle and commotion and spends a while wandering in solitary contemplation. While he'd been expecting casualties in the battle, he had hope that with their leaders dead the Dynasi forces would surrender, avoiding the need for bloodshed. Instead, whatever madness had taken hold of the Inner Circle had spilled over here, and instead their forces had been decimated, with not inconsiderable losses on the allied side after the dragon's assault on the Inevitable.

In the end he returns to his tent and rests, though in a few hours he is awake once more and staring east to greet the dawn.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-15, 01:50 PM

FINALLY MOVING THINGS ALONG! HURRAY!

O'Connor looks at Reggie. "Leave it with me, I would ask of you. Ru'Tabre, as you may know, is home to some of the most gifted artificers in all Illystene. With a little luck, I could share this nugget with them. Learn its secrets. How it works. How to tinker with it. With any luck we can learn how to disable these abominations.

Ayla arrives to facilitate the gate spell. Soon, all the family is swept away to the calm remote environment shown in the picturebook. The courthouse stands as depicted. The weather here is much more hospitable. People make there way abouts the town as if there was no war to be found anywhere in the world.

The family soon identify Kielah and meet her with open arms. She's a middle aged woman who looks to be fully garbed in the clergy. From her extravagant earrings to the boldness of her necklace, much is to be implied regarding her status. Everyone shares their thanks and regards, and soon Ayla and Reginald return to the occupied camp.

================================================== =====

Three Days Later

================================================== =====

Following Eidas' map, you've trecked fof the beatne path through several miles of mountanous tundra. Or perhaps you flew, in this case the harsh winds bit away at you fierecly, not rendering any damage, but annoying nonetheless. You came across no Dynasi activity, fortunately.

With about an hour left of daylight left, you arrive at the entrance. You may find it odd that it was suggested dwarves created these tunnels, because as far as you're concenred the tunnel is dwarving you instead. The tunnel seems big enough to provide underground passage to gargantuans. You guess the doorway is at least 100ft high. The tunnel itself shows no sign of narrowing down to a normal sized tunnel. You can see further inside. Even still, the torches illuminating the tunnel seem way too big for a normal human to wield. If they are dwarves, then they must be really, really big.

Both sides of the doorway have a humanoid warrior wielding club and shield carved in Stone. They extned to the full hieght of the tunnel itself. Above the doorway reads the folowing

"Losuc Alolupo Scarurit, Quxprorav Varligahn"

Passage from the People Below, We Who Defy Varligahn

Jojomo

2014-09-15, 04:54 PM

Standing before the immense carvings, Anarto is quite impressed that a civilisation capable of producing such monuments could have thrived in this benighted place. He glances around the group, "Do any of you recognise the writing above the door? It isn't written in any language I'm familiar with. As for the scale of this place," he shakes his head in wonder, "is it possible giants could have built this?"

He takes a moment to examine the walls more closely, looking to see how much work has gone into producing these tunnels.

In that last paragraph, I'm fishing for whether the walls are unworked stone or if the builders have gone to the trouble of making this massive system with smooth stone walls.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-15, 05:01 PM

Reggie shakes his head. It looks so familiar, on the tip of my tongue…but no, I can't tell what it says.

And don't giants and dwarves hate each other on principle? Although I suppose nothing is impossible.

He cautiously approaches the door and inspects it for traps. Not for himself, for his skill is such that traps pose him no threat, but for the sake of his allies.

Search: [roll0]

Per the Rogue fix (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?224097-Now-I-am-truely-ninja-a-rogue-fix&p=12291628#post12291628), Reggie isn't considered a valid target for any trap.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-16, 11:31 AM

Reggie's search reveals a well hidden explosive trap at the base of the door. The trigger mechanism, however, appears to be a very large pressure plate at the base of the door, perhaps designed for a victim with very large feet.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-16, 03:31 PM

Reggie sets to work quickly disarming the trap, although he mentions the odd trigger mechanism to the others. Built for giant people, and trapped to keep other giant people out. I cannot wait to see what we find inside. His voice is positively brimming with excitement.

Take 10 on Disable Device for 37.

Jojomo

2014-09-16, 06:01 PM

Anarto crooks an eyebrow as Reggie goes to work on the mechanism, mildly amused at the other man's eagerness. "Do you think it strange that the builders would have trapped the entrance to keep their own kind out? Do you think it would have even triggered if one of us had stepped on it?"

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-16, 06:17 PM

Who says it has to be their own kind they were keeping out? Reggie asks idly in return, as he thinks about what could be hidden behind the doors. Probably plenty of other big races besides the ones who built this. However, if it were built to keep their own kind out, then that would speak to their society.

I think it would've been a poor trap if it only worked on creatures of a certain weight. Although that would ensure that someone of a dwarf's stature could go through without fear.

Hexalan

2014-09-16, 06:32 PM

"The trap could be newer. Giants might've built this place, then between then and now dwarves conquered it and made it their own." Malcador muses. "How long do you think it's been since someone was here?" She casually glances around, as if searching for signs of recent use.

Not really spot check material (but here's one anyway! Spot: [roll0]), just looking around for obvious things, i.e. 6 inches of dust on the ground, toxic mold growing on the walls, a dozen of those statues creeping up behind us, etc.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-16, 06:43 PM

((OOC: Knowledge (Dungeoneering) to guess how old the trap is: [roll0]))

ColdCoffee

2014-09-17, 12:00 PM

Reggie looks the trap over. Assessing the materials used for the trap and the amount of dust and dirt acumulated, he guestimates that its been in place for about a month. Malcador is able to sense that aside from your group, no one has ventured into this tunnel from the outside in the last few months, whereas the ground on the other side of the trap, the plated floors descending into the underground tunnel, seem traveresed only recently, perhaps in the last couple of days.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-18, 12:25 AM

Well, it seems like the trap actually hasn't been here that long; only about a month or so, Reggie says as he continues to disable the trap so that the others can get past it.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-18, 04:30 PM

With an audible "thud", it would appear that Reggie successfully disabled the trap permanently.

You hear footsteps coming from behind you.

These are your footsteps. You've finally caught up to these heroes that Jarvan asked you personally to accompany. You survey the immediate scenery. Big open gate that hints at an underground civilization. The tunnel size and outlying statues give hint to the size of its occupants should any have survived these many years of supposed isolation. You read the the words at the top of the tunnel door, "Losuc Alolupo Scarurit, Quxprorav Varligahn". It reads "Passage from the People Below, We Who Defy Varligahn".

OOC: An official welcome to the game, Tempestfury! :smallbiggrin:

Hexalan

2014-09-18, 10:12 PM

Malcador idly looks down the tunnel past the trap, and turns to Reggie as he disables the trap. "I do hope that was a good thud." Then, hearing some bad thuds from up the tunnel, she snaps around and stares into the darkness where she saw nothing. The lights in her eyes dim, then flare up into tiny pinpoints of harsh radiance as she still sees nothing. "Something approaches." She points forward, and tendrils of her mind shoot out into the darkness, searching for death.

Casts Deathwatch up the tunnel.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-18, 10:47 PM

Malcador casts her spell into the cold dimly lit tunnel.

You immediately sense something roughly thirty feet from you inwards towards the tunnel. It's undead, whatever it is, but you don't seem to be able to see it.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-19, 07:38 PM

Reggie nods once at his handiwork before he notices something beneath the thud. He turns around, one hand going to his kukri warily. Anyone there? he asks.

Hexalan

2014-09-19, 09:33 PM

"Something unliving." Malcador draws her sword his well, and glares into the ill-lit cave with her dark-perceiving eyes.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-22, 12:15 PM

Your present stance allows you to see a creature 30 feet in front of you in the entry tunnel. It looks like a large wolf, but with three heads and a single horn protruding from each of its' foreheads. It bears golden collars on each neck and golden bracelets around each of its ankles. It notices you locking glances with it. It appears startled. It looks as if its going to run deep into the tunnel any moment. Despite this, it doesn't take its eyes off of you. It glares at you with razor sharp teeth showing.

Jojomo

2014-09-22, 10:40 PM

I can sense it too, Anarto sends telepathically, it looks like a three-headed, horned wolf. However it seems more startled than threatening. It is wearing collars and anklets made of what I think are gold, it might be some kind of guard dog.

Moving slowly in an attempt to avoid startling the creature further, he raises his hands to demonstrate that he is unarmed, although the irony of the gesture being almost meaningless for all three of them does not escape him.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-24, 10:21 PM

Wait, there's something ahead of us, too? I heard something behind, Reggie says, eyes darting back and forth between where Anarto is looking and the outer portion of the cave.

Jojomo

2014-09-25, 02:15 AM

There are footsteps behind us as well, Anarto replies, as casually as if commenting on the weather, I simply assumed you had both heard them, whoever it is is making no great attempt at stealth.

He keeps his gaze locked forwards on the strange creature inside the tunnel, hands still raised in an effort to seem less threatening.

Listen: [roll0] attempting to pinpoint the footsteps behind (unless they're within 30' already).

Tempestfury

2014-09-25, 08:56 AM

To those with extremely sharp eyesight, or perhaps supernatural senses, there was a small shimmer making it way over to the group, gliding across the ground with its approach. This invisible being was known as Aran, and stealth was his speciality, so he wanted to see just how good this group was at handling stealthed targets. Though he himself carried no ill-intent towards them.

As he moved carefully across the ground, the human recalled what had brought him there. He had been going over some reports from his intelligence division, when he was called to attend an audience with Jarvin VII. An interrogation of an ex-Dynasi admiral with important news from the front. News that could potentially turn the tide of battle if used correctly

He had heard about the dragons from his reports, but this rift was new information that he had never heard about before, and was worrying. These creatures... who knew where they came from and what damage that could wreck. He greatly wished that would use the artifact wisely and not activate in on accident. What interested Aran however, was the group that was at the centre of all this, a group that now investigating what might be a series of underground tunnels... a group that could benefit from his abilities and connection.

So, here he was, moving across a wasteland to join this group on their quest. Coming towards them invisible and silently might be taken badly, but it was an important test to Aran... and he was so used to be invisible now that he had to be reminded to become visible at times even when in the capital of the Republic.

[roll0]

ColdCoffee

2014-09-25, 09:51 AM

OOC: Map of the area. Posts your locations in the OOC thread asap please. The cave is on a rocky mountainside, and there was an ancient grey road you followed to get tehre, with snow covered trees around you (yes they are green, but imagine the snow!!)

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/caveentrance_zpsd404b884.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/caveentrance_zpsd404b884.png.html)

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-25, 10:37 PM

((Reggie will be at L5

Listen, needing a natural 20: [roll0]))

Reggie looks warily down the corridor, wishing he could see through invisibility. An invisible guard dog will be annoying to fight.

ColdCoffee

2014-09-25, 11:08 PM

All six of the wolf's ears perk up, as if it hears something new. Its nostrils are sniffing supposedly a new scent. Its collars and anklets faintly glow, but only for a second, and just bright enough for you to confirm it happened without a doubt. Bracing itself, it quickly turns about and darts full sprint into the depths of the cave. After about 100ft the creature becomes almost impossible to make out. You all can hear the patter-patter of footsteps, sounding like that of a beast, at first very close but going away. It sounds as if it is going into the cave ahead of you.

Thokk_Smash

2014-09-29, 10:58 PM

Reggie slipped down his mask just before the undead dog scurried away. The invisible creature became visible to him as the lenses covered his eyes, and he followed it until it left his field of view.

Well, if that thing can talk, the element of surprise has taken a hit, he says with a shrug. He gestures for the others to follow him as he descends into the tunnel, bringing out his everburning torch for the benefit of the others. If he needed to scout ahead, he'd let them know then go on ahead. He keeps his ears out for sounds of trouble.

Listen check: [roll0]

Jojomo

2014-09-30, 02:21 AM

After retrieving his own torch from his pack, Anarto follows behind Reggie, giving him some space in case he decided that the need for stealth was suddenly paramount.

Still sending through the group's mental link he responds, Did we need the element of surprise? Ideally this will be a diplomatic mission after all. The last comes with just a tinge of doubt. I shall follow a few paces behind you. I will be close enough to help if anything should happen, but you are quieter than I when you need, and I would not want to give you away.

As they travel onward, he keeps an eye and an ear out for trouble. A tunnel wasn't his preferred battleground; it limited his mobility more than he liked.

Following 40' behind Reggie so we don't have a dark gap between our torches.

In an attempt to head off ambushes/traps/zombie-ninjas:

Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]

ColdCoffee

2014-09-30, 02:42 PM

While Sanguinius volunteers to watch the entrance in the event any Dynasi show up, our heroes enter into the solemn tunnel. It descends further into the mountain than perhaps all of you had truly hoped. Some of you begin to have your ears popping as you are soon estimate you are at least 100 feet below the surface. The tunnel itself, judging from the size of its inhabitants, remains uneasily wide. Your footsteps reverberate throughout the halls despite your best efforts to keep silence. Torches still line the walls, still lit.

In the distance, you hear what sounds like a clashing of weaponry. You hear anicent battle cries that might give you chills. "Untega! Untega Varlegahn!"

"DAHMN IT!" shouts another voice, definitely sounding like a dwarf. "We haven't time for this! You blokes follow Melody's lead. Keep our frost bretheren from goin' extinct on us!"

You come to an intersection in this ancient stony tunnel. You see a band of dwarves and what appear to be frost giants defending themselves from what looks like very dark serpents. Their skin appears black as night, making them very difficult to spot. They seem somewhat transparent, and the giants' massive weaponry appear to be going straight through the serpents as if hitting nothing but air. You see two hounds appear from thin air and begin attacking the serpents. Their fangs and teeth seem to be doing some damage but not enough to distract the serpents from attempting to slay the frost giants.

The dwarves appear to be explorers of some kind, gauging from their apparel. They appear to be getting ready to cast some spells to help he giants fend off the attackers.

A thick mass of gas is getting thicker and thicker from behind the serpents. It's appears to be slowly sifting into the room. You sense something ominous about the gas.
You know that the gas is fatal. Whoever steps into it dies instantly and has their life force sucked into it. The stolen life flows back to the source of the gas. You and your allies presume it to be Varlegahn himself... You estimate the gas will be entering into the giants' tiles in 2 rounds.

None of the dwarves, giants, hounds, or enemies appear to notice the party's presence.

And no one seems to be aware of Aran's presence either.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/battle2turn1_zps8987dba3.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/battle2turn1_zps8987dba3.png.html)

Battle 2 Begins

Objectives: Destroy the enemy serpents. At least one frost giant must survive.

Roll initiatives and post before 22:00 EST on Friday 10/3.

Default action: Attack nearest target.

Jötunn

2014-10-01, 02:55 AM

One of the dwarves is a wizened old lady, as close to square in shape as any humanoid has any right to be. She raises her ornate walking stick which is topped with a horned animal skull and it glows with a powerful light as she yells right back. "Oi, Yuven! We've got guests, from the south corridor! Might just be the reinforcements we've been calling for!"

Then you three hear a voice in your head: You... you're not who I expected.

Edited out:She turns back to the shadowbeasts and begins to chant in a ritualistic fashion: "Chikkr'nub, Gnashing-In-The-Darkness, I bid thee co- Yes, I'm quite well bu- No, I don't have a husband yet, but listen, we don't have time- Get on with it already!"

As she yells, she flings her hands up at the nearest shadow serpent and a silver shimmering shape made out of teeth leaps up and attempts to wrangle it to the ground.

My intelligent item of legend, the skull on the top of my waking stick, has cast Daylight with itself at the center, mainly because he wants everyone to be able to see better not because it will really do anything. I still haven't gotten around to naming him, although I'm partial to Gerald.

Melody has cast Spiritjaws on the closest shadow serpent, a force effect that will make an attack at my base attack bonus plus my wisdom modifier [/roll]1d20+29[/roll]. If that hits it does [roll0] damage and makes a grapple check [roll1]. I've only just now noticed it doesn't say what size it grapples as, so...

I'm assuming my Spirit Stag is ethereal in the floor below me, ready to snatch me away to safety should I command it.

Lastly she is now using her telepathy to look at you and go "oh, you aren't dwarves or frost giants..."

Hexalan

2014-10-01, 05:06 PM

Malcador calmly walks up to the center of the hallway behind the olden dwarf, gazing into the morbid cloud behind the serpents. The lights in her eyes flare into brightness as she clenches a fist in front of her. For a second, there is dead silence as she inhales deeply, but after the moment passes a huge bellow reverberates from her, imbued with magics and spilling out into the dark halls, pounding into the snakes as the shock wave passes them.

Move to N6, cast Lion's Roar.
Baddies take [roll0] sonic damage and are stunned for 1 round (Fortitude 28 half damage and negate stun).
Nice people get +1 morale to hit and saves against fear, and [roll1] temp hp.

Thokk_Smash

2014-10-01, 11:53 PM

Reggie doesn't even bother to say anything as Anarto springs into action. For his own part, he dashes behind one of the frost giants, drawing a wand and one of his bottles of air as he goes. With a short chant, he becomes invisible, and then places the bottle in his mouth. If the mist makes its way to him, he won't be breathing it in.

Move action move J6, while drawing my Wand of Greater Invisibility and a bottle of air.

UMD check on wand of greater invisibility, my last bought item. I only fail on a natural one, so: [roll0]

I DIDN'T NEED A FREAKING NATURAL 20, DICE ROLLER

Tempestfury

2014-10-03, 01:22 PM

’Well now, this is an interesting turn of events’ Aran noted as he observed the new battlefield that they came across. Serpents and dwarves and giants... dwarves fighting alongside giants as well. That was rather unusual to see. Still, it seems that the serpents were the enemy, and that Aran hadn’t be noticed by anyone at all, which rather pleased him.... and because he was focused on observing the battlefield and his new allies, he didn’t notice that his back-up had arrived. At least not until a bolt of electricity shot across the battlefield to zap the far serpent in the right-hand tunnel.

’Typical Ty, arriving just when the action starts’ He fought dryly to himself before moving to engage the enemy himself, easily hovering up into the air and soaring into place. Positioning himself in range of the two right-hand serpents, before attacking the same one that his apprentice had attacked, wondering just where she was in battlefield currently.

Move Action - O9.
Knowledge Devotion on Serpents. - DM please add the attack and damage yourself
Standard Action. Firing her Crossbow, Split via enchantment. Ignoring Magical bonuses to AC and miss-chance. 19-20/x2
1. [roll1] [roll2] + Spellstrike [roll3] +20 (Craven), stealing 1 spell or SLA the serpent might have.
2. [roll4] [roll5]
Target - R4 serpent
Free Action - Hide, Sniping. [roll6]

Free Action, Item Familiar uses Lighting Bolt, Spellwarped into a Ray Attack, Split via enchantment. 19-20/x2
1. [roll7] [roll8] + Spellstrike & Sudden Raystrike +[roll9] +20 (Craven)
2. [roll10] [Roll]10d6+10
Target - R4 serpent

Move Action - Q6
Knowledge Devotion on Serpents. [roll11] - DM please add the attack and damage yourself
Swift Action - Indigo Inferno, +20 damage with each attack until the end of the turn.
Standard Action, Lighting Flurry, so 3 attacks with each weapon. If I hit, enemy has a -5 penalty to AC for 1 round.
Each hit bestows one negative level onto the enemy. Crits bestow 2, and I can 1d8 temporary hp 19-20/x2
1. [roll12], [roll13]. 2. [roll14], [roll15]
3. [roll16], [roll17]. 4. [roll18], [roll19]
5. [roll20], [roll21]. 6. [roll22], [roll23]

Target - R4 serpent

ColdCoffee

2014-10-06, 12:53 PM

Aran quickly hastens himself and darts alongisde the giants in the east tunnel and proceeds to impose and unseen and unrivaled punishment into the serpent.

What happens next surprises Aran, ans well as all who see the unfolding events. Upon impact with the weapon, a weapon seemingly not mundane in nature, the serpent appears to fade, yet not completely, and a nasty whoosh of the deadly gas appears around it (squares Q4,Q5,Q6,R6,S6,T6,U6,U5, and U4 now have the gas). Aran is suddenly immersed in the gas! Aran and our other heroes can see the outline of the beast seemingly looming in mid air, patiently waiting to return to the batte.
Hisssssssss...Come, warrior...SSSSServe Varlegahn...
Aran feels the impact of the gas immediately, as if something is trying to literally SUCK his soul away...
...
yet Aran manages to withstand its effect, barely!!
(OOC: Aran maintains his invisibility. But watch out Aran! Every turn you stay in the square increases the DC for the will save.)

You survived the gas! However, you are effectively slowed and dazed. This is not a magical effect, but consider ita poison effect. You feel the effects immediately.Unfortunately, the frost giant alongisde Aran is not so lucky. You can see its soul absorbed into the gas, and in a brilliant display of sparkling light, you see it trail off into the east tunnel.

WHAT THE--!?! cries Yuven. I dunnah whose doin' that! But attacking the damn things only makes them shadows, and they spout more gas when ya do so!"

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b522/wbaucum/battle2turn2redo_zpse3c9617b.png (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/wbaucum/media/battle2turn2redo_zpse3c9617b.png.html)

OOC: Per consensus of the group, the old post has been discarded for this to accomodate for your character's appropriate response to the serpents' ability to fade and disperse more of the deadly gas upon fading. With exception of Aran, everyone is refunded their turn 1 actions and may redo their turn in reaction to this event. . -CC

Tempestfury

2014-10-07, 10:40 AM

After seeing the effect of his attack, Aran was sent reeling... okay, yes he did nearly double over coughing silently as he was engulfed by gas, but the fact that he was currently surronded by gas, and lost one of the giants because of it was shocking. He... he didn't act like this. He wasn't one to act rashly and just launch an attack, he assessed the situation, making sure he knew what the best course of action was, then moved into battle. So... why had he acted like this? Whilst the human tried to think of how this had turned out, another member of reinforcements arrived, an invisible human just like himself, though she was female... and moved into position in the crosswords, and conjured up a powerful gust of wind to blow the gas back.

Move Action. L7.
Standard Action, Gust of Wind, down the right-hand corridor.

Thokk_Smash

2014-10-07, 02:35 PM

Reggie observes the situation in a second; he had just decided on a course of action when he saw a person rush past them to attack one of the serpents. He had a silvery translucence about him, so Reggie figured that he was invisible--and as Reggie hadn't bothered to look behind him, he had failed to notice him.

Well, at least the newcomer seemed to be on their side, an assumption only slightly hindered by the fact that his assault only propagated more of the deadly mist. And yet another invisible person appears, to scatter the mist. The loss of the frost giant is probably going to piss those dwarves off, Reggie thinks idly, as he thinks of his current options. Well, no need to change his own course after that.

Then maybe you could tell us what does work on these things? he calls out before moving further into the hallway while drawing a wand and a bottle. He casts the invisibility on himself while he places the opening of the bottle into his mouth.

Move to J5 and then use Wand of Greater Invisibility.

UMD check, only failing on a 1: [roll0]

ColdCoffee

2014-10-07, 02:43 PM

Typhose[L7] successfully disperses all the mist from the eastern corridor. It rushes far into the darkness to the east.

Jojomo

2014-10-07, 06:36 PM

Observing the effects of the newcomer's attacks with interest, Anarto frowns in contemplation. An enemy that can be bested with steel he is accustomed to dealing with, but one who seems utterly indifferent to it? Who becomes more deadly when struck? This did not bode well.

Remaining unarmed for the time being, he floats from the ground until he is hovering over the heads of the dwarves. A short incantation and a thrust of his hand later, and another rush of wind billows forth, this time into the northern tunnel.

Following Reggie's question, he adds, "Seconded. Your weapons seem to be having little effect at all, though I'll concede that is preferable to loosing more of this damned gas." The last comment seems to spark an idea. He mutters a more elaborate spell and makes a swirling motion with his hands, their movements describing a sphere. The air around one of the serpents begins to shimmer in response.

Listen: To see if he hears whatever that DC 50 thing is: [roll0]

Move action: Fly to L4, 10 ft. in the air.

Standard action: Cast gust of wind into the northern tunnel.

Standard action (Perpetual Options): Cast resilient sphere on the serpent in N1. It needs to make a DC 20 Reflex save or be trapped within a sphere of force.

ColdCoffee

2014-10-07, 07:16 PM

Anarto follows the similar action that Typhose unleashed, hurling a gust of air towards the northern tunnel to send the deadly gas hurdling away. Not pausing to admire his blow job, Anarto turns to one of the serpents [N1] and successfully traps it in a resilient sphere. It seems to be biding its time within it, not struggling in the least, although it glares menacingly at Anarto for trapping it.

Hexalan

2014-10-07, 08:38 PM

Malcador breathes easy as the fog is cleared from the hallways - though, the giant's soul along with it. Successive zephyrs had succeeded in shunting the smog down the corridors, but she had no hopes that the ethereal serpent would not continue spewing smoke. She moves to the center of the junction, murmuring in Abyssal, "On ne passe pas."

As she speaks, she opens a closed fist, pointed down the eastern hallway. A shimmering spark appears between the two serpents, which swells into a ball as her hand opens. A golden gleam glows harshly against the backdrop of retreating fog, before almost immediately fading out of sight. Again, she speaks, but this time to the massed defenders (especially the surviving giant). "I would recommend quickly removing yourself from the proximity of those."

Move to M6, cast Wall of Good (DC24) centered at S6, as a sphere encompassing the two serpents.

ColdCoffee

2014-10-07, 09:36 PM

The Wall of Good emerges as intended, enveloping the two serpents. Similar to the serpent trapped in the resilient sphere, the two serpents in the eastern hall seem to bide their time until the wall of good should ever disappear.

OOC: The Wall of Good surrounds the serpents. Square area is R4 (top left corner) to T8 (bottom right corner).

Jötunn

2014-10-08, 08:11 AM

Melody stretches out her arm towards the faded serpent as she shouts "No! You shouldn't-" before her hand falls back to her side. Tears spring to her eyes as one of her long-term companions falls to Varlegahn's dark mist. Her staff begins to glow with a bright light that illuminates everything with a warm glow, and she turns to the last free serpent to chanting an incantation that conjures shimmering silver chains that bind it tightly to the floor, before invoking a spirit of earth and stone to seal it off behind a barrier of stone. She then faces the rest of the group and says, frustratedly "Ye don't fight them, is what ye do. You stop 'em from moving long enough to seal off the tunnel, and ye find another way round if you have to."

Listen Check: [roll0]

Gerald is still casting Daylight.

Melody is casting Constricting Chains on the serpent at J1, which entangles and immobilises it for 21 rounds with no save. Once the spell ends, she suffers [roll1] strength drain. She spends a free action to command the chains to not constrict it for damage that round, and will continue doing so for the entire duration. It can, however, make a DC32 strength check or a DC40 escape artist check to escape. She summons her rod of Metamagic Quicken from her glove of storing before using it to cast Wall of Stone. Being immobilised (however temporary) should stop it from making a reflex save to dodge.

ColdCoffee

2014-10-08, 09:04 AM

The Constricting Chains arise from the stone ground and immobilize the serpent. Shortly after, once she is sure eveyrone is visibly clear of her next spell (including the undead wolf companion in the east tunnel), she erects a wall of stone to separate themselves from the ensnared serpents.

The east tunnel is completely sealed off now, thanks to Melody's spell. Yuven casts a similar spell to ward the north tunnel. It would seem everyone is safe and sound, with exception of the one giant whose soul was lost.

BATTLE 2 COMPLETE!

I dunnah who ye be, started Yuven, with a grunt. ...But ye helped us trap those bloody snakes, so you be good in mah book.. Do as a favah and dinnae think about unearthen those tunnels. They be flodoed with tha' gassy stuff. Varlegahn's mist. Nasty stuff... And who may you be?

As Yuven speaks, the three surviving frost giants are huddled around their fallen comrade, mourning their loss and preparing to carry him.

Tempestfury

2014-10-08, 09:17 AM

Aran says nothing, instead floating down to the ground some distance away and allowing himself to come visible, looking off to the distance as he reflects what happened, how he had jumped in the fray without thinking. Another human appears next to him soon, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Typhose, the silver-hair'd female that is his apprentice and one who he was very glad to see arrive. Leaving Aran to calm down, Typhose spoke up, saying. "The answer depends on how much you know of life on the surface, and the nations that currently exist."

ColdCoffee

2014-10-08, 09:26 AM

Yuven scratches his head. "Lessee. We've been'ere since...aboot three years aftah the angel appeared? Sent on an expedtiion, we 'ave. But I suspect they've long forgotten about us. We found somethin', found somethin' good. But piss luck we've had so fah." He eyes the other dwarves who nod in agreeance with what he said. "You all seekin' refuge from the storm? Or a batle? You don't seem like mere explorers."

Thokk_Smash

2014-10-08, 09:29 AM

Slightly miffed at himself for wasting a charge of his wand, Reggie wills himself visible and approaches Yuven and Melody. He glances sidelong at the two strangers that had come from behind his group before facing the two dwarves. You are right about that, my good man, Reggie says. We're part of the Allied Lands army; the three of us, at least, he says, gesturing to himself, Anarto, and Malcador. We were happy to be of help. I'm curious, though: who sent you down here, and who's this "Varleghan"?

ColdCoffee

2014-10-08, 09:46 AM

Yuven sighs. Whaddya think, Melody? They seem trustworthy to ye?

Jojomo

2014-10-08, 09:52 AM

Anarto peers carefully at the newly formed walls while Reggie speaks, concerned that the serpents might be able to break through. "Are you certain that will contain them? Getting blindsided in these tunnels could be lethal. Is there no way to kill them?"

He alights on the ground and, turning to the others, addresses Typhose in a matter-of-fact tone. "Either you two have been shadowing us or these people," he says, gesturing to the dwarves and giants, "I for one would be interested to know who you are and why you were doing so."

On the off-chance it becomes relevant, Sense Motive: [roll0]

ColdCoffee

2014-10-08, 10:18 AM

Anarto peers carefully at the newly formed walls while Reggie speaks, concerned that the serpents might be able to break through. "Are you certain that will contain them? Getting blindsided in these tunnels could be lethal. Is there no way to kill them?"

One of the dwarves next to Yuven speaks up. "They squirm but not to whence they must! They have brains much to be desired. A wall is a wall is all they see, and so then soon they too will flee."

Hexalan

2014-10-08, 10:25 AM

"of course, you would..." Malcador starts off quietly, but raises her voice to normal conversational levels. "What are they, exactly? Summoned creatures? Enchanted wyrms, constructs of the Varleghan? As for what we're doing here...we came here, on purpose. Seeking passage unbloodied, or friends. One doesn't seem to be working," she glances to the stone walls behind which the writhing serpents and the deathly fog wait, "but I have hope still for the other."

Jötunn

2014-10-08, 10:28 AM

Melody is an older dwarf woman, hair greying and braided down the side of her head. Reaching deep into one of the many pockets of her heavy traveller's cloak, she brings out a waterskin from which she takes a swig before replying. "Allied lands, ye say? That's one problem fixed, if'n ye telling the truth; we're sent by th' same. If'n ye lying, now would be a good time t' admit it because I could still be merciful."

She pauses, and looks at each one of the others meaningfully before continuing.

"Now, this is what we've managed ta piece together; Varleghan was - is - a Giant king of old who made a pact with some dark spirit in order ta steal control from the other six kings. Eventually, he got hisself sealed away after a massive civil war. Then two years ago, and around the time that we got here, that dark mist began to take over the tunnels and sae far as I ken, the giants believe that the mist is Varleghan himself."

Sense motive just in case, though I don't think it'll catch anyone really trying to lie :smalltongue: [roll0]

Thokk_Smash

2014-10-08, 10:45 AM

Reggie's face splits into a grin at the other dwarf's response to Anarto. Nice couplet, he says.

Grin subsiding slightly, he places a hand over his heart. You wound me, milady, he says, voice full of feigned injury. More seriously, he says, I am Reginald Balkinson, of Vagrant's Stand, and I swear that we are indeed part of the Allied Lands.

And my friend is correct: we seek safe passage through these tunnels, for our men who are, shall we say, less powerful than us. However, it seems that this Varleghan may be a hindrance to that. Would you perhaps like our aid in ridding your tunnels of him?

Jojomo

2014-10-08, 10:58 AM

Raising an eyebrow at the somewhat odd response from the dwarf, Anarto listens to Melody elaborate. As she describes recent events, a look of concentration, then alarm crosses his face as the implications sink in, "If this mist managed to spread above ground the results could be catastrophic, and from what information we have this peninsula could be honeycombed with these tunnels. Have you managed to contain it?"

Hexalan

2014-10-08, 11:19 AM

Jötunn

2014-10-08, 11:25 AM

Melody snorts. "Me, a lady? Hah! That's the funniest joke I've heard in ah, two whole years. Ye should try living with these three for that long, see how you like it. As for travelling through these tunnels... I'm surprised ye even managed ta get inside. For all our explorin', Varleghan's mist has met us instead o' daylight from these tunnels, and I would'nae be surprised if we met with more if'n we went back the way ye came. If ye haven't already heard of it on the outside, I'm guessin' it must'nae extend too far beyond. It's been hard 'nough survivin' the mist, let alone containin' it and those serpent creatures. Trust me, you dinnae want to know how they're born."

Jojomo

2014-10-08, 12:07 PM

At the revelation that they might have inadvertently been trapped underground, Anarto's head whips around to the tunnel they entered the cavern from. His expression hardens as he speaks, "Excuse me for one moment." With that and a dull whoosh as he leaves he rushes back down the tunnel the way they had come, alert for any signs of the encroaching mist.

Fly back to surface as fast as possible, paying careful attention to how far he travels. If he encounters any mist, turn back.

ColdCoffee

2014-10-08, 12:26 PM

As you fear, you return to the entrance to find the deadly gas has settled thick over the entrance. It looks like it just started settling from above, as if something were raining the fog down from the upper mountains. You see Elsin and Sanguinius on the other side of the fog. They call out to you, saying that they made a break for cover when they detected something lethal about hte gas.

Tempestfury

2014-10-08, 12:45 PM

After listening for a bit, Aran managed to recover somewhat, the ordeal at the crossroads still had him shaken, but he was a professional - partially - and he had work to do. Typhose was the apprentice after all, so he should explain himself. Standing up straight, Aran joined into the conversation, saying. "I am Aran, the Enternal. Head of Espionage for the People's Republic of Ru'Tabre. After hearing of the group's exploits, and hearing of their plan to scout out these tunnels, me and my apprentice Typhose came to lend our aid, as they seemed to have a good chance of making a difference in this war, but seem to need someone of my skills."

After that was said, Aran turned to the dwarf lady, and said. "If the tunnels are being filled up with this gas. Running will only lead to one outcome. Being surrounded and engulfed by it. What we need, is a way to fight back, as its the only way to survive. If attacks do still hurt it, then striking at the serpents from range might give us the chance to destroy them, and then clean the air and eliminate the gas."

Jojomo

2014-10-08, 01:20 PM

Relieved to see their companions unharmed, Anarto sends a telepathic message to the two men, Can you see where the fog is coming from? Perhaps a tunnel that comes out further up the mountain? Let us know if anything happens.
A minute or so passes before Anarto returns, hurtling back down the tunnel. Malcador and Reggie hear his voice over their mental link as Aran speaks, The fog has cut off the entrance, though you can see through it, probably well enough to teleport through if it comes to that. Elsin and Sanguinius are unharmed, I asked them to see if they could find where the fog was coming from. Glancing at Malcador he adds, As for playing these forces against each other, I think we need more information before we can decide if that is a good idea or not. That last thing we need is a united enemy.

After the other man has said his piece, he speaks, "It appears you are correct mistress," nodding towards Melody "this accursed fog has sealed the entrance we used."

He glances at Aran before continuing, "What are your intentions Melody? If you intend to drive Varlegahn from this place then we will indeed need to find a way to fight his servants, but if you wish to evacuate the surviving giants we know a magician who could probably provide a portal to accomplish that."

He returns his attention to the spymaster, a somewhat skeptical expression on his face, "I was under the impression that Ru'Tabre was doing its best to stay out of this conflict for fear of military reprisals. Are you here in an official capacity or are we to understand that your presence is unsanctioned by the Senate? And seeing as you mentioned them, what precisely are these skills of which you speak?"

Is it too cheeky to use a former PC for gating like that? It makes sense IC to me but let me know if you think it's too much.

ColdCoffee

2014-10-09, 07:23 AM

"Eh, ancient powers awakening...always pleasant. Varleghan wouldn't happen to be involved with dragons or eldritch horrors from beyond the planes, would he?" Malcador asks Melody out loud, then continues telepathically to Anarto and Reggie. If they aren't allied already, we might be able to play Varleghan, Dynas, and the Dragons off eachother.

The kooky dwarf looks to Malcador and grins. "Manners of dragon scales, manners of scare, we of the Expedition weren't aware. T'were it my wish, we'd not be acquainted by someone or something so utterly hated."

Jötunn

2014-10-09, 09:01 AM

"I'm sorry, I misled ye. It's not that ye should'nae try to kill them, it is that ye cannae kill them. Ye saw what 'appened - someone here struck a mighty blow against that serpent and it just entered the spirit world. Shortly it will return and continue to do evil. When we first understood the situation, we sent a message to the last survivin' Giantish King that we could evacuate his people but he refused, claiming that the giants would remain in the ancestral home until the end, however it may come." She stops, obviously considering something before coming to a decision. "There are a rare few who could do what ye did back there, despite... yes. " Melody glances to where the giants are huddled around their friend. "If ye truly offer aid against Varleghan... it would do me some good to take proper action for once in so long, since I would be coming with ye, o'course. Ye will find nae better guide and translator, and I can take care of myself."

ColdCoffee

2014-10-09, 09:13 AM

The two dwarves not named Yuven seem eager to join along our heroes per Melody's suggestion, but Yuven seems uneasy. We've naught the slightest tidbit of a hint that they ahre who they say they ahre... But if this be a means to someday getting out of this giant death trahp than i'm in. He seems to be saying this more to ensure himself that it is the right choice.

Jötunn

2014-10-09, 09:51 AM

"Nae, Yuven, ye need to stay here. Someone needs to take care of these poor wee giants, and who else could I trust to lead t'others? Nae, it has to be ye." Melody moves to face him, slowly and clearly favouring her right foot, before clasping both of his hands in hers as she speaks in a grandmotherly tone. "Only ye, ye understand? I don't want none of this running off after me in order to protect me, ye know I will be jes' fine, or if I'm not there'll be nothin' ye can do about it so there."

She then hobbles over to the other pair of dwarves. This time, she speaks a great deal less kindly but with a conspiratorial grin for Yuven as if this is a regular jest - for her at least - saying "Entma, Mirflaitsen, you do what he tells ye, ye hear? He may be a great big lummox some of the time, but he's a good soul at heart although ye wouldn't know it if ye looked at him. Take this, you'll need it more than we do." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a large fang, etched with strange runes, and places it into Entma's - the poet's - hand.

ColdCoffee

2014-10-09, 10:30 AM

Entma accepts the fang with gratitude. He quickly holds onto it and appears to concentrate. Soon, the two undead wolves come running to his side. "Goodness me! Friends indeed!" he says with a chuckle.

OOC: The dwarves are going to assist the frost giants in taking their fallen friend to their home deep in the tunnels. You hav a number of options ahead of you, some of which you've already toyed with in our OOC thread. Choose wisely and hopefully you'll survive!

Thokk_Smash

2014-10-09, 02:51 PM

The fog's outside as well? Sounds like we need to do some investigation. Reggie's mental "voice" sounds, well, rather more curious than unnerved. To the two who have spent more time around him, the tone might raise an eyebrow or two.

Out loud, he says, Well, O'Connor did say that he'd ask his cousin to bring our case to the ruler of Ru'Tabre. Perhaps they listened. Although, I would like an answer from the source, Mr. The Eternal; and if you are here to aid us, knowledge of your skills would be of great help as well.

Turning to Melody, he asks, So, this Varleghan and these tunnels…how much of them have you managed to investigate, and do you have any idea where Varleghan could be? His bottle of air is still in his hand, and he appears to be rolling the neck between his fingers.

Tempestfury

2014-10-10, 03:07 PM

Aran listened quietly to the exchange between the dwarves with no comment. The fact that the rest of the dwarves would be travelling with the giants back to their home - wherever it was - was met with silent neutrality. On the one hand, less people to be bothered about, on the other, less people helping. Still, the dwarf coming with them seemed to know what she was talking about and would be a good boon to the group.

When addressed himself, Aran felt his eyebrow twitch as Typhose stifled a laugh before Aran said. “Its Aran, not ‘Mr The Eternal’. As for my abilities, I’m the head of espionage. What do you think I can do?”

“I’m pretty sure time manipulation isn’t exactly an ability that most spies have boss.” Typhose said cheerfully, making Aran pause as he remembered that yeah... he could of stopped that giant from dying at all... what the hell had affected him so much? Noticing that Aran had frozen up, Typhose leaned on his shoulder and took over, saying lightly.

“Anyway, as Mr Irritable here is too high and mighty to talk to us peasants, I’ll share the details. Due to his advanced age of 64, time manipulation abilities and drive to learn and improve. Aran has mastered pretty much every skill and profession known to man. His time manipulation abilities are small, but consistent. He can reverse six seconds of time, stop time for six seconds, or jump into the future by six seconds. Though after doing that, there’s a twelve to thirty second delay before he can use one of them again.”

“As for myself? Well whilst Aran is a thief that uses magic, I’m a thief that steals magic. Plus, I can warp spells, turning something like a fireball into a concentrated beam of fire. Which with good old Sharnga.” Typhose patted the crossbow on her back, which was certainly far more elaborate than a normal crossbow. “Is then doubled. Sharnga would say hello if she could, but the old girl hasn’t been granted much in the terms of communication.”