Wrath of the Righteous 2 [3.5]

[razorback]

Jemus looks at the wand and then back at Trawyn. "Alright..." he says as he rubs his chin "... but you take that. I have very little skill with such items.
How well can you sneak about unnnoticed?" Once satified with the bards abilities, Jemus takes one last look at the map before picking a route to overlook the town with the least amount off eyes that might be upon them. Pointing to a rise above the city, he says "We should be able to get there and have a good look to see how it stands and decide if its worth the risk to enter."

Spoiler

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Kish, can Jemus put the Chimes of Opening, his MW Thieves tools and one of his short swords in his Improbable Prestidigitation?

[Kish]

From Jemus and Trawyn's scouting, and the crude map Aron draws, you confirm that the army of tieflings is nearly twice the size of your army, but you think these tieflings should be no match for your paladins; no commanders or particularly dangerous-looking tieflings and no other creatures can be seen from the sidelines. They've set up camp in a large open area directly in front of the ford. The surrounding terrain would easily let Jemus and Trawyn ambush them, though whether the paladins could sneak well enough is highly questionable.

Spoiler: Jemus

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Yes, you can, that's well under a cubic foot.

[razorback]

As Jemus lead Trawyn back, he is careful to obscure their passing, just in case, and takes as many rocky routes as he can to avoid any trackers. Just in case.
Once back, he gathers the others. "Aron had the right of it. A good sized force, about twice our size, but their laxness and disorder speak no real command. Probably just a holding force who doesn't expect any trouble by the look of it. With this company, I doubt we can get past them, unless someone knows of some trick that has eluded me these years."

[RolandDeschain]

Trawyn

"Jemus has the right of it. They've the numbers to be sure, but look to be rather disorganize."

Looking back over his shoulder from where he and Jemus just ventured, "We could find a handful of our fleetest men, dirty them up a bit and use them to try to 'bait' the tieflings into a chase....luring them into a fight away from the ford. We, however, have no way of knowing if they would pursue. Our best chance may just be a flying wedge straight into their lines driving at the ford....odds of success would be much greater if we had any horse, but nothing we can do about that. Hit fast and hard, take the ford, and hold it if we can? "

[Cavir]

"I think bait would attract some but put all of them on alert. A flying wedge? I agree, and we can improve it. I can create an illusion to help with the approach. The paladins will have to try to be quiet as I can't hide the sound but this way they can approach slowly. Once close enough or if discovered then the charge. Just before the wedge hits I'll blind the tieflings the wedge is aimed at. That should make it easy to break through."

"Squad 1 take the vanguard with squad 2 right behind them and 3 squads fading back along either flank? That leaves us and two reserve squads in the middle to reinforce as needed. I can target any enemy who try to escape."

[Novabomb]

Tellos
I do not think baiting them into our midst is to our advantage. If they are disorganized, we need to put fear into them to drive them away from the river. Trawyn, can you play something suitably ominous?

My spell armor will provide significant illumination, so I will join the vanguard.

[Cavir]

"Drive them away? We don't want any to escape. We can keep the river to their back so if any get pushed into it they will be hindered. If any seem to be making it to the other side I can use magic to deal with them."

"Perhaps some of the paladins are able to cast Bless so that our entire force benefits."

[Novabomb]

Tellos to Semult
You do not kill armies to a man. Ignoring the immorally for the moment, trying to do so makes your enemy fight ten times as hard. They outnumber us significantly here, we need them to break in order for us to be victorious.

You can probably pick off a few straglers, but if we push them against the river it will be more than a few. Do you have some sort of major working that would doom all who try to enter the river?

[Cavir]

"Yes, cornered rats and all that, but each that escapes can sound the alarm and doom our otherwise secret quest. The wedge should break through just fine. If that's all we're focused on then once the hole is made we can do a fighting retreat through it across the ford. The more we do kill the less of a force they can keep nipping at our heels with. Hopefully they pursue us across the ford so we can reach the far side then deal with those in the water coming for us."

"How far across the is the ford? Any idea how deep? When we're ready it would be handy to have the eagle circle around to the far side of the ford and call out. That should have their heads turned in that direction so I have a moment to enact an illusion to seemingly modify the terrain on this side to cover our approach."

[Novabomb]

Tellos

If they have magic to alert our target, there is nothing we can do about word getting out, so there is no point to taking that into consideration. Foes that flee will need to find another crossing which should significantly delay word arriving to the city.

I think it would be unwise to try and ford the river with an enemy in close pursuit, hence why I think we need to cause them to flee, but I will yield to those more knowledgeable in the ways of warfare.

[Cavir]

"I'm all for taking out all we can. Catch them unaware, divide them with the breakthrough, and keep our formations. If they don't break and keep at us that's their loss."

"Anything else? We're doing this? We need to brief the commanders."

[RolandDeschain]

Trawyn

The bard listens as his two compatriots make their points, "It seems we're agreed then. We hit the center fast and hard, dividing their forces, and hold the ford. If they break and run, they'll have to find another place to ford the river, therefore if we don't dally here we should be them to our target. If they don't break, we roll up their flanks one at a time."

Turning to Tellos specifically, "I've the ability to grant those around me the ability to....move....between moments in time thus seizing the initiative, and you've first hand knowledge of effects of my music on my allies. As I said before this all started, my talents will require me to be IN the thick of the fighting, which makes me ill-suited for command. I'll be joining you in the van."

To Aaron, "Gather the squad commanders, so that Semult can fill them in on the plan."

[Cavir]

The paladin leaders, the royal court appointed specialists, and the Knights of the Fifth Crusade gather around a map drawn in the dirt. Semult speaks first but all are invited to inject or query.

"We have reached the ford, but it is guarded by a force of tieflings. They outnumber us but are disorganized and don't expect to see anything out here, never mind a host of paladins eager to smite them. How many of them survive is merely determined by how soon they decide to run. We'll split them in two and chew up both halves."

Semult uses an arrow to point things out on the map as he goes, including adding a flying wedge formation. "Alamryn's eagle will fly around to the far side at a distance. From there it will call out drawing their attention in that direction. I'll use the distraction to make an illusion of terrain on this side to hide our approach. It won't hide the sound of our approach so we must move slowly and quietly. The sound of the river plus their lack of awareness will get us closer. My spell will last as long as I concentrate on it. Once we are to the illusion or we are discovered we charge."

"1st squad will be the vanguard this time, followed closely by 2nd squad. Once my illusion is done I will Glitterdust those we will hit first, the center of their camp. Squads 3, 4, and 5 will be our left wing. Squads 6, 7, and 8 will be our right wing. 9th squad takes the inside of the left wing, aiding any brethren that fall and ensuring the enemy does not circle around to hit us from behind. 10th squad will do the same for the right wing."

He looks to Captain Braxis. "If any can call upon Bless, designate enough to do so as the charge begins. One each from 9th and 10th squads should give enough coverage."

"Once the vanguard breaks through, 1st squad will circle left to flank the enemy. 2nd squad will circle right. We are sure to have more battles, more evil to smite, so squad members need to stay together and squads need to keep on contact with each other. No running off to chase those that flee. Call out if any enemy are found to be casters. I will give them something to worry about. Any questions?"

[razorback]

"Where do you want me?"

[Cavir]

"Tellos and Trawyn have already stated they would join the vanguard. I will stay in the center so my magic can be applied left, center, or right. Between her skill with a bow and our lack of archers I suggest Alamryn makes use of her bow from the center or some higher ground. That would allow her to keep an eye out for reinforcements too. Jemus, it is your choice but I think wielding Yaniel's sword near the vanguard would be a boon for us and doom for the enemy."

[RolandDeschain]

Trawyn

The bard nods along to Semult's instructions....this good, having one voice of command instead of many is simple, clear, and cuts down the odds of hesitation, indecision, or miscommunication

At Jemus' query, "Tellos and I will be in the van with 1st Squad. Alamyrn will be with Semult. How would you feel about leading 2nd Squad?"

Moments later, when speaking directly with the paladins of the 1st, " Our approach must be silent. Take every piece of loose cloth or rags you can find and bind your weapons as well as the joints in your armor. There will come a moment when we will need to leave the cover of the commander's illusion.....in that moment, you will hear me....I will say only 'ADVANCE' and imbue you all with the ability to move freely while time stands still. It will be but a fleeting moment, but hopefully it will be enough to close the gap between us and the enemy. We shall be on him before he even has a chance to draw his sword. Do not hesitate! Our initial thrust must stun the enemy with its suddenness and lethality. May the Lady of Valor guide your hand and steel your hearts! See you all at the water's edge!"

Spoiler: Combat

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When things begin Trawyn uses his Marshal Path "Advance" ability to grant all allies within range a free move action; then Lightening Performance with the Badge of Valor to grant all allies that can hear him sound his horn a +3 attack/+5 damage

[razorback]

"Nothing like a nice, big juicy target on my chest, eh? Yes, I will go with the 2nd squad." he looks over at 2nd squad as he raises his voice a bit, to make sure that he can be overheard "And we shall bring the largest count of dead enemies in this exchange." before moving over to join them.

[RolandDeschain]

Trawyn

The bard throws a wry smile after Jemus' words, clasps Tellos' forearm momentarily, then nods to Semult, "We'll move into position....Commander."

Trawyn assists several members of 1st squad with wrapping their weapons and encouraging to leave their nonessential gear behind in their makeshift camp, in an attempt to get them to be as quiet as possible. Less than a half hour later they moved into position waiting for the signal to move.

[Cavir]

"Watch for kicking up dirt when moving, until the charge of course."

"Trawyn, would you get everyone in position while Jemus guides me to a closer spot to create my illusion from? Once the illusion has begun lead them and we'll join up. Alamryn, have your eagle circle around to the far side of the river and when you give it the signal have it draw attention its way? Screech and dive for a fish perhaps?"

Semult casts Mage Armor on himself uses a wand to cast Longstrider on himself then follows Jemus.

Forward position gained, Semult studies the landscape. He thinks about the route the paladins will take, the viewpoint of the tieflings, the type of terrain (bare of plant life? Tree lines? rolling hills? Scorched earth? Combinations of those?), how close he dared make the illusion without being noticed or encountered by tieflings, and what would seem the most natural illusion. Still keeping hidden from the enemy he uses a hand signal back to the company to let them know he's ready. As the eagle creates the distraction the conjurer brings forth his illusion.

Spoiler: OOC

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Mage Armor Extended = 6 hours. Longstrider (+10' movement) = 1 hour
Silent Image: 7x10' cubes. Duration: Concentration (no limit)

The actual illusion depends on what is found. Perhaps just another rolling hill just high enough to cover the approach or a brush line similar to local plant life. Nothing that would be a jarring change.

[RolandDeschain]

Trawyn

"Got it."

Once in position Trawyn waits for the signal then nods to Tellos as the 1st squad moves in behind Semult's illusion.

[Kish]

Spoiler: OOC

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Sorry about not posting this sooner; I was hoping to hear from CWater as well.

Note, possibly the source of the confusion about who's using Yaniel's sword, that it physically transformed into a greatsword here.

On questioning, you determine that Sosiel can cast Bless, and prepares it most days by default even without input, but none of the paladins are able to cast spells yet. Nurah indicates she could certainly cast it from a scroll if she had one, and she suggests Aron could as well, but the point is moot as neither has a scroll.

No plantlife is anywhere near here, but you're able to create an illusion that blends in with the reddish dirt of the area. The tieflings seem entirely oblivious to your approach, those who are watching for enemies at all focusing on the other side of the ford. As you charge them, dozens die in your initial attack, before they can even draw the shortswords or rapiers most of them use.

While the tieflings were apparently able to overwhelm the crusaders originally posted here, your paladins, attacking from surprise and smiting them, prove far more than they can deal with. It's somewhat surprising that none of them attempts to run, in light of the one-sidedness of the battle.

Less than a minute after you first clashed with them in battle, all the tieflings are dying or dead.

[Novabomb]

Tellos
Something is wrong. Some of them should have run. We need to talk to one of them. Can any of you stabilize one?

[Cavir]

Semult

"Well done everyone. We hit them so hard and fast they did not have time to think to run. Do we have any casualties?"

He turns to Tellos. "Then what? Let the tiefling walk away?"

[Novabomb]

Tellos
Then we question him or her.

[Kish]

"I believe," Sosiel puts in, "that Semult is questioning what we do after that. It's up to you, of course, but I'd have problems with killing a prisoner who wasn't fighting us out of hand, bringing them with us has its own set of problems, and if we let them go they'd certainly tell the demons things about our presence and our movements that we don't want them to know."

There are no shortage of dying-but-not-dead tieflings who can be stabilized, if they receive healing within a minute.

[Novabomb]

Tellos Then we leave the prisoner in a pit buried up to armpits, with some rations. We would be long gone before they get out, and they get a chance to survive.

[RolandDeschain]

Trawyn

The bard wiped the sweat from his brow, and sheathed his sword.....to be honest he had never even gotten the chance to swing it. Everything had happened so fast. The tieflings had done nothing but yield ground and fall before the paladins' swords. The fight had quickly outpaced him, and by the time he had come to a stop, there was nothing to be done except watch as the last few stragglers were cut down.

A soft groan behind him caught his attention. Turning he discovered one of the fallen tieflings with a terrible wound across his abdomen....he wasn't dead, nor would he be any time soon. Trawyn was aware what kind of slow, lingering horror the demon-kin's death would be. Almost without thinking his hand went to the dagger at his waist as he knelt. He slid the dagger from its sheath, and placed his hand on the tiefling's chest preparing to slit its throat....when the tiefling raised a bloody hand to grasp his wrist.

Looking around he spotted Tellos and Semult, "Over here fellas!"

[Novabomb]

Tellos comes over quickly, and sits crosslegged next to the downed man.
Glowing he addresses him in a soft manner.
Why didn't you run?

[Kish]

"Who the hell are you?" the man asks groggily.

Spoiler

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Make a Diplomacy check, Tellos.

[Novabomb]

Tellos

I am Tellos, a crusader of Queen Galfrey.

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d20+4)[8]