The Last Stand [IC] - [Chapter 1]

[Neftren]

The Last Stand - Prelude: The Unforgiving Storm

It is the third day of the fourth month. The latest courier last came twenty two days ago. The combined military might of the nations of Barinthi, Cerilus and Guranth have all been wiped out, as have the nations themselves... No news has come from the south since then. The nation of Slyke is the last standing free kingdom. Windheight is merely a part along the central trading route...

And so we shift to our valiant heroes... The town lays quiet, unexpecting and vulnerable. An aura of foreboding has settled upon the town, as if everyone has died. It's quiet tonight. Too quiet. The wind blows through, houses creak and groan from the strain. There is but one light lit, in the tavern of the Jade Serpent.

Everyone is either just arriving in town, or is already in the tavern, so you may as well start roleplaying. When I have confirmation of everyone posting, and everyone is done for the night, then I'll advance to the next day, and the oncoming fight.

If you have any OOC questions, comments or rolls, please do them in spoilers, so that the posts look like a continued narration.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard has been in this town almost a month. Other's might find this not a long time; most of the town has probably been here for many generations. But for Gerard, this was abnormal. Normally, he would only stay for a week before leaving. This was because Gerard had a restless soul. He could never stay in the same spot.
However, something about this town had him hooked. Maybe it was the villagers. Maybe it was the good beer. But, for whatever reason, Gerard did not want to leave.
He currently was lodging himself in the house of an old lady, Caroline, whom he had befriended over his stay.
Gerard walked in to the butcher, and dropped the carcass of a deer onto the counter. The butcher handed him some silver, and, with a few friendly words, a smile, and a wave, the hunter left, and went to the Inn, to buy himself a drink, as he always did after a succesful hunt. He seemed impervious to the whistling winds, and the unnatural groaning didn't seem to bother him.
He threw open the door, and greeted the inhabitants of the Jade Serpent.
"Afternoon all. Could I have the usual, please?"

[Suzuro]

Avil was done for awhile, he'd gotten his quote for now. He did what he usually did to cool off and calm down...he went to the tavern to get drunk. As he sat at the bar, ordering round after round, he had had quite the successful day at 'work,' many people walked in and out, of course, he would most likely never remember any of them again. Despite weighing little more than thirty pounds, he was a surprising good drinker, and drank a lot to forget about things.

Givsh mah anadder one He told the keep, and another glass slid into his hands, almost tipping over the bar onto the floor.

As far as Avil was concerned, this was as far as he liked to think ahead, only one link in the chain of destiny could be handled at a time, right? Well, right now that link seemed to be a race between the alcohol in his blood stream, and his body to get all of it out....the alcohol was winning. Despite him being quite drunk, his body always seemed to snap out of it when needed, he could never really figure that one out, usually because he never remembered it.


Woooo! Anudder one, kep! He yelled at the keep who was several feet in front of him Betcha I can git drunked befora ya!


Did you want us to make knowledge checks? If so, here is mine
Knowledge: Local [roll0]

[Kioran]

Silence. The roads gravel crunching under his heels, Varras made his way to the next town along the way, maybe the next target in this war. It would be the third major battle he fought, and maybe this time, things would be different - or maybe not. But when Fate threw things in his way, it was not in his nature to turn and run - it was once again time toaround and face it.
With a polished shield, his warhammer, and a fierce grin.
The sun was setting, but he had little problems finding the single Inn of the town, a sight that relieved him - almost anything was better than another night in a ditch. Lazily, he stretched the taut muscles in his shoulders and neck, shifting around his pack which dug uncomfortably into his back. By the gods, he was weary. The "Jade serpent", hmmm. Maybe they had meat....shrugging he entered the Inn´s common room.

He didn´t enter the tavern unnoticed, but then, another warrior from the south - they had seen stranger and worse, he guessed. His eyes roved over the room, searching for a vacant table or at least a niche to drop his pack in.
He addressed the Innkeeper, in a calm, but carrying baritone: "I have silver, if that´s what you´re asking yourself. I´m not a penniless refugee...." he turned around and shrugged of the heavy pack, looking around.

[Rachel Lorelei]

Inside the inn, a small figure wrapped in a large robe sits at a candle-lit table. A saucer containing some kind of dark liquid is in front of it, and a green snout is visible, beady eyes peeking out through spectacles just above it from the figure's hood. Small, clawed hands hold a quill and a piece of parchment, and the figure lets out an occasional hiss as it scribbles: a map of the town and environs.

Siviss licks her lips with a pink tongue, then lifts the saucer to her mouth, taking a sip. She sets it down and goes back to examining the map, making battle-plans.
"Asst! Not built for defense," the kobold hisses, adjusting her spectacles and finishing her drink. She sets the empty bowl down, and knocks on the table to indicate to the servers that she'd like a refill.


(Mage Armor cast.)

[Naleh]

Several locals huddle at a table to one side. It can be imagined that, on any normal night, they would be playing games of chance and buying each other rounds. But it's hard to enjoy yourself with an unstoppable army marching against you.

One of the group stands out: a dwarf in a human town. He is only four feet tall but as broad as any man, and his thick hands are scarred with a life of fighting. He has a thick brown beard hiding a young but rough face. In typical dwarven fashion, he is armed and armoured even among close friends, although he is apparently in his "light armour" with only a chain shirt over his clothes. He is drunk, although judging by his eyes, not nearly as drunk as he'd like to be.

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

The night passes uneventfully, most of the denizens too drunk to think properly. If that's what you call a mob of extremely drunk people... denizens. Those who are still coherent enough to speak are packed off to their rooms, while those who didn't get rooms were thrown into the street. The full moon rises in force, and a chilling howl rips through the air. Other than that, the night is still...

Hours later, the blazing sun sheds it's rays across the rooftops. Along with it, brings the battle standard of the Fourth Army. Rank after Rank of Changeling soldiers move, commanded by their Doppleganger officers. A bearer of a white flag comes forth, an ornate scroll in his hands.

"To the people of Windheight, we bear one message. Join us, or fall in battle against us. Those are your only options. Your town is surrounded. You will live, or we will cut you down. We await your answer within the hour."

You can try to organize a defense, respond or run away. Just warning you, you have one in game hour before the army attacks. As for the "Run Away" option, you'll have to get to an escape tunnel built by the baron of the town.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard awakes to the noise of the marching. His head splits open in a glorious headache.

He gets up on the wrong side of the bed, and butts his head against the wall. Muttering to himself, he puts on his armour, and strides outside, grabbing his spear, and javelins, his knife already shoved into his belt. Caroline appears at the top of the staircase. "What's happening?"
"That's what I'll like to know."
He steps outside, and, covering his eyes from the sun, he surveys the armies arrayed to the south of the town.
He hears only the end of the heralds declaration. Gerard covers his face with his hands. He hollers back "Couldn't you have waited until Midday?"

[Suzuro]

Avil stumbled outside, as it seemed to be where everybody else was going. What....what's goin' on?

After learning of the message, he sat, quite somber. He had liked this town, it'd be a shame if it were lost.

We...we need to fight for this town! I'd rather die defending it then running away! he yelled at the gathering crowd.



-Suzuro

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

From somewhere out of the crowd, a voice cries, "Yeah! He's right! We're surrounded anyway, we may as well die taking as many of them as possible. Better to die on our feet than to live on our knees!"

Cheers erupt from the crowd, and the village begins to arm itself.

The sun slowly starts to rise... you feel as if you're down to half an hour.

[Naleh]

At first light, the dwarf sets himself up in the centre of town, watching the Fourth Army arrange itself. He licks his lips nervously.

...

With the messenger's declaration, he seems to slump where he stands, and turns to the crowd that has gathered. He looks quite different to the last night at the Jade Serpent tavern: he is dressed in heavy platemail, with a kite shield almost as large as he is, and his face is grim as death. He still looks like he wishes he were drunk.

"Our only chance," he bellows, looking around the denizens, "is to make full use of what fortifications we have. Bottleneck the army. Force of numbers doesn't count for so much if you can only use a few of them at once." His voice is gruff but clear, without the accent his race are (in)famous for.

He looks around again, noting a few faces he doesn't know so well or at all. The travelling hunter... A cloaked figure, kobold by what I can see... The hungover halfling rousing the people... That hobgoblin from the inn last night, he notes with great distaste. Then he shrugs.

"If there's anyone still in this town who decides they want to flee, I don't blame you, but it's a bit late now. We're surrounded. We have to fight them or join them, and I doubt many here will accept the latter."

He reaches over his shoulder and pats his waraxe. "Shall we begin?"

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard rears his head, howling out to the sky, venting his anger, his fear, his strongest emotions. Like a boar at bay, he rears, and quickly gets to work organizing defences, shoring up palisades, and planting inward facing spikes, but leaving one spot in the wall obviously empty; the spot directly in front of the enemy. He hurredly explains his reasoning.
"If you can't run, then they will fight their hardest. All of them, woman, children, old ones, they all need to fight, otherwise none of us will get out of this alive."

[Suzuro]

Well, I'm no tactician or nothin', but we need some special people. He began to mutter to no one in particular.

He raised his voice so a majority could hear him Anyone with experiece, fighting or planning, or anything, we all need to form into groups, this will help us more effectively deal with the large masses! He ended screaming, almost ragged. His head, still ringing, was killing him.


If we can just figure out a way to use our small numbers to our advantage, we can win this! He yelled as he began a warcry to raise morale For Windheigt! For Windheight!



-Suzuro

[Rachel Lorelei]

Siviss, for her part, does no construction work, nor does she attempt to rally anyone. She pulls her hood back, pushes her spectacles onto her green snout, and keeps an eye out for anyone who looks to be in charge of a group of people already, advising them on tactics, using the buildings as fortifications. At the same time, she keeps her eye out for particularily strong or capable-looking people.
Fight or die for most of them, it is. I suppose I can always fly off, if things go from bad to worse.

That brings her to Avil. The kobold walks up, leaning on a slim staff, and appraises him through her spectacles with beady eyes. Her scales--the divisions between them barely visible--are a deep green, and she's clad from head to toe in fur-trimmed grey winter clothes, a scarf looped around under her jaw.
"You look like a competent enough sort, youngling. Full of vim and vigor, sesst? Find another couple like yourself, put together a strike force--hit them when they're tangled up between the buildings. I'll help out from above."

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

The remaining garrison of the town's meager fort rushes to prepare a defense. Ordering the townspeople about, they quickly erect barricades to close off streets. Passing out bows and quivers to those who can shoot, giving swords and spears to those who could fight and to those with the rare magical talents, spellbooks and scrolls. The town of Windheight bristled, ready for defense.

An hour has passed since the messenger first arrived... he approaches yet again bearing the white flag of truce. "What is your message? Will you join us, or die?" He awaits your answer calmly. Behind him, a contingent of changelings come forth, commanded by their doppleganger officer.

I'll be working on a tactical map for a bit, to make it look nice and everything. It'll hopefully be done by the time you guys finish berating this guy for bothering you. :smallcool: .

[Kioran]

Varras stood there, silently. He had polished the shield and cleaned the Warhammer, and now, standing there, he heard the same kind of Bravado and bluster the defenders had shown the last time. "Poor fools." he thought, remembering rout and slaughter. It was all in Fates hand anyway, and she´d invite to the dance once more. Readyness was good, but the attitude was...unproductive.
One had to face battle calmly, for false courage would break under the relentless onslaught of hammers, whereas determination and discipline would not. He hoped they´d had the sense to bring pike, crossbows and shields.

But it would have no bearing on his actions. He would fight, and let the others do the the talking. He would lead by example, and then see who would follow, or who the other leaders were. He´d dance the same old steps - thrust, counterthrust, advance and retreat. Varras was ready, he had his equipment - and his luck......

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

The messenger, having understood that the town would fight, retreated back to safety. The doppleganger turns around, and the changelings draw their weapons... this will look like a grim fight indeed. Our brave adventurers boldly advance to just behind the barricades, prepared to defend themselves and the townspeople. It was this, or enslavement.

To Everyone:Roll Initiative. Please do all rolling in Spoilers as well as any questions or OOC comments. I want this to look like a moving narration of a story.
Battle Map:http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3350/preludebattleyw1.png

Cyan = Changelings
Navy = Doppleganger

Naleh, your PC is in Purple, since Suzuro's PC typing color is also a shade of blue.

[Rachel Lorelei]

Initiative: [roll0] including Nerveskitter.
Nerveskitter SLA as an immediate action, then cast Glitterdust (save DC 19) at the point between Q&R and between 8&9. The 10' burst should get four soldiers and the Captain.
Then moving to H6 and ducking below the barricade for cover.

The kobold, who had murmured a Message cantrip as the group approached the barricade, whispers through it: "Strike at their leader!"

Then her clawed hands flicker out of her fur-lined coat, and she launches into the words of a spell; as she closes a tiny fist, sparkles erupt in the air by the captain and his men, catching the winter light as they cling to bodies and stick to eyes.
As soon as the spell goes off, the kobold draws back, skittering behin a barricade.

[Kioran]

His eyes looked up behind the rim of his shield, at the enemy arrayed before him. A few muttered Words, in combination with a small gesture, unleash a small but noticable wave of divine energy, raising his spirits and those of the other combatants.


[roll0]

Casting Bless.

Seriously, if you want us to announce our actions before we even know Initiative, tell us beforehand. I didn´t do it because, at least with targeted effects, it sometimes doesn´t even work.

[Suzuro]

Well...here they come. He spoke, drawing his weapons and mentally preparing himself.

Lets give 'em Hell!


Initiative
[roll0]





-Suzuro

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard walks seemingly calmingly to the barricade, his face belying the tenseness, coiled like a spring. He holds his spear in his right hand; the javelins are in his left. He plants the spear and most of the javelins in the ground, and grips one javelin tightly in his hand.

"Let them come." He mutters through gritted teeth.

[roll0]
He moves to J-7, and readies an action to take down the leader, when he comes close.

[Naleh]

And so it begins. Tharak maintains his outward composure, but inside he is afraid. He has not been in a full-out war before, but he knows how they work. He knows the devastation they leave.

The dwarf takes a long step and sets himself to block all passage. Maintain the barricade," he reminds the other defenders.

[roll0]
5-foot step to J13.

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

(27) And so the battle surged. Before any of the enemy soldiers could act, Siviss threw some ground mica into the air. a huge sparkling mess erupted between the soldiers. Three of the soldiers grunted in pain as the dust got everywhere, but the leader and the remaining soldier stood firm.

(22) The remaining changeling soldiers surged forward with their leader. On one side, a changeling and the doppleganger move forward. On the other, four changelings do the same. Suddenly, the doppleganger utters strange words and hurles some sulfur in the air. A fireball hurtles towards the valiant defenders. Over the barricade it soars, detonating above the party, dealing everyone [10] fire damage. Sections of the barricade look ready to break.

(18) Avil mentally prepares himself for battle. Grunting in pain from the cinders that struck him.

(11) Gerard dashes to the far side of the barricade. Hurling a javelin at the doppleganger leader, he manages to strike him! The doppleganger looks injured, but still very dangerous.

(7) Varras gripped the warhammer, preparing himself.

(2) Tharak shifts position to gain a better vantage point against the oncoming attackers, as well as blocking the entryway to the town.

To Avil and Varras:Next time, just post actions when rolling initiative. If you want to change the above, then edit your posts to reflect it and post something in the OOC thread or in a spoiler for round 2.
New Battle Map:http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1052/preludebattleround2xw9.png

Please excuse my poor artistic abilities. :smallbiggrin:

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard grabs another javelin, and whips it at the closest changeling with a brutal yell.
"Varras!" he bellows. "I can hold them here, you go reinforce Tharak!"

I understand that you will be doing all rolling?

[Neftren]

You can roll your own rolls. I just rolled yours since the enemy initiative was above yours. Thus they triggered your 'going to be' action and you threw your javelin anyway.

[Suzuro]

Hah! That's what I'm waiting for! We need to strike at the leader, cut off the head, and the snake will die! He screamed.

He rushed forward, pausing briefly to get off some protection, before he continued his path to the leader.

Who's with me?!


Actions
Standard: Cast Shield
Move: Move to J4
Use dodge against the changeling in L5

Stats
HP: 19 AC: 23 (24 against changeling) FF: 19 Touch: 19
Shield 20 turns left


-Suzuro

[Rachel Lorelei]

The kobold, for her part, hisses and rolls with the fire, cursing in Draconic. When she comes up, she unfurls a scroll from the container at her hip and reads it; green sparks sizzle in the air over her allies for a moment, and then are gone.


Reading a scroll of Haste. Everyone gets an extra attack on a full attack, +30 ft movement, and +1 AB/AC/Ref save. Speaking of which--no Reflex save vs. the fireball? Especially since Siviss dropped behind the barricade, getting (total?) cover, which helps with that.

[Neftren]

To Rachel:I rolled the saves to speed things up... You guys can roll your own saves from now on, I just wanted to get the new round up fast. Unless someone has improved evasion, everyone takes 10 damage, except for Siviss... The barricade isn't all that high, and the fireball went over the barricade. Hmm, I guess you could get partial cover from the second barricade. [roll0]. You're safe on anything above 50.

Edit: Nice, except the barricade in front of you is now looking quite shabby.

[Kioran]

Varras nodded, and made a few hasty steps to position himself near the dwarf, readying his warhammer. His eyes narrow, and the muscles in his arms tense as he prepares to mete out pain and death to the first foe he´d get his hands on

HP: 33/33 (or 23, if the Fireball actually caught me) AC: 21 Flat: 19 Touch: 12
Fort: 7 Ref: 6 Will: 5 (6 against fear)

Bless lasts another 39 turns

I´ll move to I13 and draw my warhammer (move action), ready a standard action to attack any enemy that comes in range (Warhammer +7, 1d8+1 Bludgeoning damage).
If you rule I had the hammer in hand at the beginning of the battle and needed to drop it to cast the spell, I´ll pick up the hammer as a standard action instead.

[Neftren]

To Kioran:Most players I know post actions with initiative, because they're usually precombat buffs. A lot of the time, I'd cast True Strike on myself first round, before we're attacked. In your case, since you're more of a closer in fighter, you cast bless first round. Judging from the battlemap, you had about one round anyway before they were on you.

[Naleh]

The knight nods grimly as Varras joins him. Every dwarven instinct screams that he should strike the goblin down now, but this is a war; this is no time for prejudice.

"You want this town?" he spits at the closing foes. "Come and get it!"

Ready an action: attack as soon as a foe comes into reach.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

(27) Siviss cries out in Draconic and green sparks fly everywhere. The party is now under the effects of the Haste (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/haste.htm) spell.

(22) The doppleganger leader mutters a smothered curse under his breath. From the folds of his robe, he withdraws two wands and advances. The remaining changelings on the left pile up and one is immediately attacked by Naleh. The others bottleneck up and begin attacking him with their longswords. Naleh takes another [4] slashing damage. The changeling to the left charges towards Gerard and attacks him, but thankfully misses.

(18) Avil mutters some words under his breath and a shimmering wall appears before vanishing in front of him. He focuses intently on the approaching changeling and dashes out from the relative safety of the barricade.

(11) Gerard grabs another javelin and hurls it at the approaching changeling with ease. It strikes and pierces it's body. The changeling looks almost dead and is bleeding heavily. The changeling lashes out, this time dealing [3] points of Slashing Damage with his longsword.

(7) Varras dashes to reinforce Tharak, preparing to attack anyone hostile. Taking a wild swing at a changeling assaulting his companion, he connects and the changeling buckles under the assault.

(2) Tharak follows through in his attacks and finishes off a changeling.

To Gwyn:Just roll attack and damage. I'll only roll if absolutely necessary, or to speed up the game. Otherwise, roll yer own rolls.
To Kioran:I doubt you would need to drop the hammer. I suppose if you cast one handed or something.
New Battle Map:http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1849/preludebattleround3il0.png

Okay, to make this simpler, the baddies will now have an Initiative of 1, so they go last and make it easier on everyone.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard

The changeling struck towards Gerard, but Gerard twisted out of the way, and plunged his javelin into the changelings flesh, the point catching, ripping out of his grasp. Though grieviously wounded, the changeling nonetheless managed to draw blood in his retaliation, lashing out and catching Gerard on the underside of the arm, thankfully missing a major artery. Gerard winced in pain, and in the realization that to pick up a weapon would open him up to another attack. He decided to risk it. He ducked, not averting his eyes from the changeling's face, and grabbed his spear just below the point, bringing the point up in a brutal stroke as he would a sword.

Actions
Gerard takes a move action to pick up the spear, opening him up for an attack of opportunity, and a standard action to attack once. He does not get an extra attack from Haste, as he is not using a full attack action.
Rolls
Attack=[roll0]
Damage=[roll1]
Status
Gerard
27 hp
AC 18
Ref +8
Fort +5
Will +3
Under Haste effect

[Neftren]

To Gwyn:Whoah, nice nat 20 there.

[roll0] to Confirm Critical

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Not so nice damage though. Oh well.

[Suzuro]

It's working! He screams while running towards a changeling.

If we can clear this out, we need to strike at the leader! But I can't do it alone!

He runs to the back of the changeling and strikes at it in frustration.


Actions
Move:Move to J5
Standard: Attack the changeling

Rolls
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
And, I should get sneak attack for Flanking: [roll2]

Stats
HP: 19 AC: 23 Position: J5

[Naleh]

The unmoving dwarf takes the hit. "Ha! You'll have to do a lot better than that!

"Look out," he adds to Varras. "Looks like the leader's going to cast something again, and the barricade's already pretty scorched."

And with that, Tharak slashes at the next changeling in line.

[roll0] edit: +1 from Haste
[roll1]

[Rachel Lorelei]

Siviss hisses, rising to a standing position and levelling a hand at the doppelganger who threw the fireball. She's wearing blue gloves; they flare with silvery light, and the stars dotting it shimmer.

Siviss activates the Arcanist's Gloves property, and readies an action to cast Magic Missile (with the increased CL), sacrificing Ray of Enfeeblement (gloves of the Starry Sky) at the doppelganger once he takes his standard action. At CL 7, that's 4 missiles: [roll0] damage, which makes a DC 25 Concentration check if he's spellcasting.

[Kioran]

Varras grunted "Let them come. Let them have it. It certainly doesn´t look too bad - she´s smiling at us.", moving forward a single step and once again tries to slug a changeling with his hammer.

HP: 33/33 AC: 22 Flat: 19 Touch: 13
Fort: 7 Ref: 7 Will: 5 (6 against fear)

Moving to J14 with a 5-foot step and attacking the changeling already under attack by Tharak:
Attack[roll0]
Damage[roll1]

Okay, forgot about haste - that´s +1 to attack bonus and, of course, a second attack. Could the DM, for the sake of brevity, roll it and adjust my attakc roll above?

[Rachel Lorelei]

(Don't forget the Haste attack, Kioran.)

[Naleh]

(Don't forget the Haste attack, Kioran.)

Whoops. I forgot that too. Edited my previous post with the +1, and...

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

(27) Stars flare up as Siviss casts a spell, sending four glowing missiles of blue light towards the doppleganger. The doppleganger looks injured, but still ready to fight back.

(18) Avil dashes to the changeling and attacks it with a fervor, aiding Gerard's coming blow.

(11) Gerard ducks down, narrowly avoiding another swipe from the changeling. Grabbing his spear, he shoves up with all his might, sending the changeling flying backwards, blood spewing everywhere dead.

(7) Varras wildly swings the warhammer, connecting twice and ending the life of another changeling.

(2) Tharak follows through in his attacks and finishes off another changeling.


(1) The doppleganger leader screams in pain and retaliates with another fireball! This time however, it rushes straight towards the barricade, blasting it through, sending a shower of splinters everywhere.

While several of the changelings collapsed, the rest surged forward, and even more appeared from beyond the haze of the glitterdust, along with their doppleganger officers. Climbing over the bodies, two of the changelings swing at Varras, dealing him [7] damage with their longswords.

From the inn, the bartender calls out, "Come quickly, the town is lost! The defenders were overwhelmed at the north gate! You can escape in this secret tunnel!"

Suddenly, an arrow sprouts in his chest and he falls, a look of surprise on his face. Then, a volley of arrows lands all over the town, setting several of the houses on fire.

New Battle Map:http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/2952/preludebattleround4cs7.png

[wadledo]

A large rat scampers over the walls of the town, running away from the battles with a sack over one shoulder and what looks like a keg strapped to it's back.

Don't make me come over there!:smallmad:
Post damn you!

[Suzuro]

Crap! More of them?! I don't know if we can win this, it may be in our best interest to flee! He said there was a secret exit!

He moved around, looking over his shoulder at the dead Bartender, and tried to think of where the tunnel would be.

We need to get out of here! he spoke as he moved slightly closer in.



Actions
Move: Move to J8
Standard: Ready an action to attack anyone who comes next to me


Rolls
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]


Stats
HP: 19 AC: 23 Position: J8



-Suzuro

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard

Gerard's blow opens up the changelings throat. He gurgles away his lifeblood on the floor.
Gerard looks around, quickly taking stock of the situation. There were too many for them to fight, though maybe, just maybe, he could hold them off long enough to get the others back. However, the risk of death or injury beyond his burns and wounds already sustained far outweighed anything else. Quickly snatching up his weapons, he urges the others on before him. "I'll be right behind you!" he reassures them as he stabs at the doppleganger.

Actions
Move to J10, attack doppleganger with greatspear.

Rolls
[roll0]
[roll1]

Status
Gerard
27 hp
AC 18
Ref +8
Fort +5
Will +3
Under Haste effect

[Rachel Lorelei]

(Er, Siviss was readying her magic missiles vs. the doppelganger's spellcasting... I guess he made his concentration check?)

The kobold hisses, levelling her hand again. More blue dots zip from her gloves, veering unerringly towards the injured doppelganger. Then the kobold skitters in the direction of the inn.


[spoiler]Swift action--Gloves of the Arcanist; converting a Grease to Magic Missile for [roll0] damage.[/sopoiler]

[Naleh]

Tharak swears. "Fall back! Everyone to the inn!" The dwarf cuts down the soldier in front of him, then steps back to help shield their retreat. "If the north gate's already fallen, we don't have much time!"

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] (from Haste)
[roll3]
5-foot step to I13.

[Kioran]

Varras

Blood ran from a gash in his chest, and Varras roared with pain. Still, it wasn´t over for him - yet. "I ain´t running like a chicken, this is an ordered retreat!" he yelled - he would be unable to disengage unharmed anyway. Time to break bones again.....he swung his gore-spattered Warhammer in wide arcs, trying to free his retreat, while making cautious steps backward......

HP: 26/33 AC: 22 Flat: 19 Touch: 13
Fort: 7 Ref: 7 Will: 5 (6 against fear)

Ferociusly attacking the Changeling directly to the south of me (the other one if that one´s dead), afterwards moving to I14 with a 5-foot step
Attack 1[roll0]
Damage 1[roll1]
Attack 2[roll2]
Damage 2[roll3]

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

(27) Siviss fires off more missiles then dashes madly for the safety of the inn. She failed to see whether the approaching doppleganger was hit, but knew from the shrill scream that her missiles had connected.

(18) Avil raises his blade once more, preparing to strike.

(11) Gerard stabs the doppleganger, bringing him down to his knees.

(7) Varras wildly swings the warhammer yet again, connecting and sending a changeling flying off his feet and into another of his companions who just happened to get in the way.

(2) Tharak efficiently cuts down the remaining changeling before backing towards the inn.

(1) The doppleganger leader falls to the ground. The rest of his soldiers are dead. Unfortunately, the approaching wave of soldiers fires yet another volley of flaming arrows. Several connect with the thatched roof of the inn and it ignites almost immediately. The roof will soon collapse, covering the escape tunnel thoroughly.

(0) What appears to be a large rat with a barrel on his back scrabbles over the far wall and disappears into the forest...

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard thrust forward with his spear at the exact same moment as a few momentarily glistening shapes blurred towards the doppelganger, and struck him, putting him off balance. The spearhead rips into the doppelganger's stomach. Gerard quickly twisted the weapon to prevent the flesh suctioning onto the blade, and removed it from the doppelganger's swaying form. The shapeshifter collapsed on the floor. Gerard quickly holds his spear in his left as he whips out his knife from his belt. It's a heavy bladed thing, curved, with the blade on the inside of the curve. He strides over to the doppelganger, and in one deft motion, slits it's throat. He waves the others on, signaling that he will bring up the rear.

Actions
5 foot step to k10, coup de grace.

Rolls
[roll0] x2 because of instacrit
Edit: That would be 32 damage, and a DC 42 fortitude save to avoid dying. oh wait, im using my Kukri, so ignore that. New roll in next post.

Status

Gerard
K10
27 hp
AC 18
Ref +8
Fort +5
Will +3
Under Haste effect

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

[roll0] Only 6 damage, with a DC 16 Fortitude against death

[Naleh]

"Don't murder him!" the knight snarls at Gerard. "We need to get out of here! Now!" And with that last warning, Tharak turns and strides for the inn.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard nods, and turns the slash into a spin, and sets off towards the inn.

New Actions
Instead of Coup de Grace, strides towards inn. Ends at D17

New Status
[spoler]
Gerard
D17
27 hp
AC 18
Ref +8
Fort +5
Will +3
Under Haste effect[/spoiler]

[Kioran]

Varras

The large Hobgoblin turns his head towards the enemy once more, but noticing the lack of immediate threats, begins to stride briskly towards the Inn, muttering a short prayer under his breath, and lagging slightly, allowing for the other defenders to catch up and looking over his shoulder every few seconds......

HP: 26/33 AC: 22 Flat: 19 Touch: 13
Fort: 7 Ref: 7 Will: 5 (6 against fear)

I plan on moving towards the Inn, but adjusting the speed of my movement to allow the other PCs to move past me. I´ll bring up the rear if necessary.

[Suzuro]

...I..I can't believe I'm actually doing this...


and with that he turned, looked over his should and began to run for the inn without looking back again.


Actions
Move towards the Inn as fast as possible...


Stats
HP: 19 AC: 23 Position: Closer to the Inn




-Suzuro

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

Everyone seems to make a mad dash for the inn at the same moment.

Inside the tunnel, you hear a huge explosion and a massive wall of dust comes flying through the dimly lit tunnel, extinguishing the torch the party was using as illumination. Several people feel a leathery tail scraping past their legs, and screeches and squeaks echo throughout the tunnel.

Everyone gains [1050] Experience Points. What do you guys want to do now...? I guess you could camp out in the tunnel and roleplay, or go through the tunnel...

[Naleh]

Tharak runs as fast as his short legs will take him. He tells himself it's because it's the smart thing to do, or because he's trying to get the others to safety. But secretly, it's because he's afraid. He has fought many times in the past - he has seen death, caused death. But never at scale.

Something collapses in the distance and dust billows through, extinguishing their light. Strangely, this calms the knight. Although he has grown up in a human town, darkness is bred into him. He finally slows his pace.

"So that's it," he sighs. "Just a few minutes, and Windheight has fallen... Gods. My home has fallen."

After a pause, he looks at Gerard, although he knows the hunter can't see him in the darkness. "Sorry I yelled at you there," he grunts. "I just don't like to see the helpless killed..." The irony that the doppleganger commander has probably killed the helpless before, and now might again, causes Tharak to lapse back into silence.

[Neftren]

The Last Stand - Chapter 1: The Resistance

To take a page from Bitz's notebook: Cause Bumping!
No, really... I'd expected more of this. But whatever.

After the events at that ill fated town, our valiant adventurers emerged from the ruins of the Jade Serpent to find a devastated landscape. The entire forest had been carved away, the lake had been drained and thick clouds of acrid smoke rose from the entire landscape. [Cause Railroading]

Hearing of a last bastion of freedom to the far north, the party set out, headed towards this place. Nobody knew it's exact location thus protecting it from the oncoming armies of the Changelings. Pursued by shadows all day and night, the party has the feeling it's being followed, and after two weeks of traveling across the great mountain chasms and into the Forgotten Forest... the shadow strikes.

Okay, you are now approximately a day and a half away from the city, except you don't know that yet. I will be introducing Wadledo, since I think we need to start posting faster and roleplaying. The railroading and godmodding should be over by now, since you guys effectively are deciding the plot.

[Kioran]

Varras

The Sun stood high in the sky above them, and Varras looked more than a little irritated. "They did us in rather fast this time.....this was by far the shortest battle I ever waged. We should have fought on" he remarked, bitterly.
And why shouldn´t they? They were alive, yes, but also useless. Running away again. Worst of all, evading their fate, putting it all in other people´s hands.
His eyes roamed over the others. How were they feeling? And how many of them were happy running away and hiding in the ground?

Distraughtly, he kicked at a stone near the street, heard it clatter as it rolled along, kicking up a small plume of dust.

[Suzuro]

Gah! No! I can't believe that they took it from us, like...like we were children! We didn't even stand a chance... How are we even supposed to survive with this foe spreading...? He said with anger, slowly turning to utter sorrow.

With the town fallen, he lost the only place he had really felt like himself. Sure, he hadn't actually 'contributed' and had probably caused some 'harm,' but, it was still his home, and he would probably never be able to go back to it again.

He crouched on the ground, and several drops fell from his cheeks, and with fire in his eyes he stood up: They Will Pay for this! They destroyed it all! And for what?! The simple point of conquest?! I won't allow it to happen again!!


Suzuro

[wadledo]

The party, traveling through the forgotten forest for what seems like eons, has been unnerved by the shadow following them for the past two weeks. Settling down for the night after a long days travel, they don't notice that the branches settle lower than they should on one of the trees in their makeshift camp.

As the night wears on and the fire burns low, they slowly sleep, dreaming dreams of death or home or both.

Then, a large ratlike creature falls from the tree above Varras, landing inches from him, face to face.

Roll listen checks:smallamused:

[Rachel Lorelei]

Listen: [roll0]

Siviss

"You lot had best get foolhardy last stands out of your minds right now. What were you expecting--to single-handedly turn back the horde?"
Leaning on her walking stick, the kobold trudges along, right up until something drops out of a tree. Her hand dips into her robe, reaching for a spell component, and blue-white smoke with the scent of electricity begins to trail from the corners of her eyes. "Explain yourself. Now.."

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Nice reference to the title there. I may just continue it...
Listen: [roll0]

(Earlier) Gerard nods his acceptance of Tharak's apology. He crawls along with the others, continually glancing backwards, almost wishing something was following them, but there was only an overlarge rat...

(Back to the Present Day) Gerard hunches himself down by the fire. "I will go back and fight one day." He says for the umpteenth time over the 2 weeks. "But still, any stand is better then no stand, though preferably not The Last Stand."

He falls into a dreaming sleep. He dreams of laughing, mocking doppelgangers, jeering him as he runs away, like a puppy, with his tail between his legs. Slowly, the doppelgangers turn into the faces of the villagers he knew. The bartender's look of surprise as an arrow seemed to grow out of his chest. The kind face of old Caroline smiling, and then her body, twisted and burnt, among the reckage of her old house. He has had this dream for the last week now. It is obvious that he is not having happy dreams, but he adamantly refuses to start the topic, and noone else has inquired about it.

Yet.

And it is from this nightmare that he awoke, to see a giant rat-thing hanging inches from Varras's face. He leaps up, and whips out his knife from his belt.
He sees Siviss questioning the thing, and moves closer to the thing.

Just in case it matters, AC of 12. No armour, only clothes and the knife.

[wadledo]

Crew

Stepping away from the crazy kobold lady and towards the fire, the rat is revealed to be Crew, a beggar from Windheight that was jailed before the battle for being a were-rat.
"I ran out of beer and you guys are smart and I ran out of beer and nobody likes me and I ran out of beer and I'm not good with this kind of stuff and I ran out of beer and I don't know where to go and I ran out of beer and it's dangerous to go alone and I ran out of beer."
Large tears begin to well up in the corners of his beady eyes.

[Naleh]

Tharak

Throughout the two-week trek, Tharak did not say another word about Windheight. He focused entirely on the now, being as solid and practical as... well, as a dwarf. Except for his brief words in the tunnel, he seemed entirely unfazed that his place of birth, his home for sixty-seven years, had been destroyed. He found himself an escaped warhorse to carry his extra gear, and named him Findarin, Dwarvish for "lucky".

...

When the rat-like creature falls from the sky, Tharak jerks awake, reaching for his axe. Then he recognises the thing. "...Crew? I thought— Wasn't the jail— Ah, it's good to see you again, Crew." He moves forward and whacks the wererat on the back. "It's too bad you ran out of beer, though."

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerald looks closely at the wererat. "Crew? I vaguely remember a name like that."

[wadledo]

Crew

As Tharak hits Crew on the back, the were-rat begins to sway forward, then back again. As a wooden keg falls from a branch and shatters on the ground, he topples forward and hits the dirt with a thud.
"Noom......beer.......fish aardvark.
*SNnnoooooorraaarrrrrooooooorrrororoorororororo... .snerk*
He curls up in front of the fire, smelling of beer and pine.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

"I dunno, but I feel relatively certain that that thing poses no threat to us. He doesn't look like he could find my back to stab." Gerard returns to his rest.

[wadledo]

Crew

As the group wakes up the next morning, Crew is nowhere to be found, only his nest from last night and a shattered keg showing it wasn't all a dream.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gerard is not overly worried. "That little rascal wouldn't have gone far. He'll continue following us."

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

Make a listen check please.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Listen:[roll0]

[Naleh]

[roll0]

Tharak

"O'course he will. Crew's never far from trouble, and we're... Well, let's get going, shall we?"

[wadledo]

Crew

Far above the forest floor, up in the treetops away from sight, Crew hunts for breakfast. He raises his nose to the air, sniffing as though trying to catch the scent of the world.

Listen: [roll0]
Survival to predict weather: [roll1]

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

Wadledo hears an eerie rustling in the bushes beyond, then a swift hiss and a thunk as an arrow sprouts out of the tree next to him. "Nobody Move! We've got you covered!" A ragtag band of men and women appear out of the woods. They do not appear to be changelings. "State your name and business in these woods."

[wadledo]

Crew

Crew lays still as a statue as he clings to the branch.
"Nubgh igh nomd Cwel."
His nose twitches as his jaw remains clamped shut.
"Igh whass fullowin somd gus us o urning tings."
He beings to slip sideways, eyes bulging as his fur rubs against the bark of the branch.

Use scent ability to find the number of enemies within 30 ft.

[Suzuro]

He wakes up in a state of confusion

Ugh...wha..? Crew, who the Duece is that? He had no clue, apparently having slept through the whole thing.



Listen [roll0]
Also, I'm just going to decided to fail that check since it's...well, it's kind of old



-Suzuro

[Neftren]

Crew:You sense about 20 individuals in the general vicinity.

[Naleh]

Tharak

The dwarf snatches up his axe, eyeing the newcomers warily. Finally he says, "...I am Tharak Ironaxe, knight of Windheight. But surely in days like these, you can understand that our business is our own."

[wadledo]

Crew

"Cwan I's movt now pwess?"
Crew is suspended from the branch by only the tips of his toes now, swing like a pendulem in the breeze as he dangles above the earth.

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

Staring down Tharak, the leader squares his shoulders. "While in any other woods that may hold true, in this case... it's our business to know what your business is. Either you can come quietly, or you can go down with a fight. We will not allow you to endanger these woods."

Beckoning some men forward, they help Crew down from his precarious position.

[Suzuro]

Standing up, he gently set his gear down, looking defeated, tired....broken.

Ah jeeze....C'mon guys, there's tons of 'em, we couldn't stand up to 'em if we wanted to. Anyways...I'm just tired of all of this, let's just tell them and hope they don't cut our heads off.... He whispered to the rest of his traveling companions.

He somewhat walked a little bit around in a circle, and appeared that he almost collapsed.




-Suzuro

[Naleh]

Tharak

The knight bites his lip, indecisive. Then he gives in.

"Well, you could probably guess most of it anyway," he begins, lowering his axe. "Some of us are from Windheight, like me; some of us were just passing through... but the Army descended upon us. They razed the whole town. Us six were lucky enough to escape. And now we're looking for 'last bastion of freedom in the north'. Simple as that."

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gwyn yawns. These guys probably weren't worth the fight, and everyone else seemed to be going quitely.

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

The men visibly relax. "Well, it just so happens that you've found the last bastion to the North. We had heard of the destruction of Windheight. Indeed there are other survivors. Come with us. If any of you have any pressing concerns, best do it now. These woods are not safe after dark."

If Rachel doesn't show after a day or two, then I'll advance the party and PM her.

[wadledo]

Crew

Remaining completely still while they help him down, Cew asks through a frozen jaw "Cwan I ges muy stuuf?
Isg in da trwe."

[Suzuro]

Th....the bastion?! You mean..there are others?!

He jumped up with a sudden burst of energy, astonished that there actually was this 'bastion.' He had hoped for it, but had never really put faith in hope.


I'm ready whenever you are!





-Suzuro

[Neftren]

Dungeon Master

The party travels forth, and just before dusk, they appear before a pair of massive gates. As they swing open, you see a huge citadel beyond. The grizzled leader of the scouts leads you inside and into a nearby inn. In the distance, you see a huge castle.

"Survivors of Windheight have been housed here. Your stay is free. Since you are more skilled adventurers than most, you will be granted access to our armory... if you can find anything left. Most of it was destroyed in battle. It's up at the castle."

You have just entered a citadel. Most stuff is available, if you guys have any extra GP.

[wadledo]

Crew

"Got any beer?"
Crew almost jumps up and down with drunken-child-like eagerness.